In a howe high aloft watched over an hoard,

A stone-burg full steep; thereunder a path sty'd

Unknown unto men, and therewithin wended

Who of men do I know not; for his lust there took he,

From the hoard of the heathen his hand took away

A hall-bowl gem-flecked, nowise back did he give it

Though the herd of the hoard him sleeping beguil'd he

With thief-craft; and this then found out the king,

The best of folk-heroes, that wrath-bollen was he.

[ XXXII. HOW THE WORM CAME TO THE HOWE, AND HOW HE WAS ROBBED OF A CUP; AND HOW HE FELL ON THE FOLK.]