Page:The Story of Egil Skallagrimsson.djvu/199



&lt;strong&gt;9.&lt;/strong&gt;

'Tooth-fence took I,	And tongue likewise, Ears' sounding chambers And sheltering eaves. And better deemed I	Than brightest gold The gift then given By glorious king.

&lt;strong&gt;10.&lt;/strong&gt;

'There a staunch stay Stood by my side, One man worth many Of meaner wights, Mine own true friend Whom trusty I found, High-couraged ever In counsels bold.

&lt;strong&gt;11.&lt;/strong&gt;

'Arinbjorn Alone us saved Foremost of champions From fury of king; Friend of the monarch He framed no lies Within that palace Of warlike prince.

&lt;strong&gt;12.&lt;/strong&gt;

'Of the stay of our house Still spake he truth, (While much he honoured	My hero-deeds) Of the son of Kveldulf, Whom fair-haired king Slew for a slander, But honoured slain.

&lt;strong&gt;13.&lt;/strong&gt;

'Wrong were it if he	Who wrought me good, Gold-spender lavish, Such gifts had cast To the wasteful tract Of the wild sea-mew, To the surge rough-ridden By sea-kings' steeds.

&lt;strong&gt;14.&lt;/strong&gt;

'False to my friend Were I fairly called, An untrue steward Of Odin's cup; Of praise unworthy, Pledge-breaker vile, If I for such good Gave nought again.

&lt;strong&gt;15.&lt;/strong&gt;

'Now better seeth The bard to climb With feet poetic The frowning steep, And set forth open In sight of all The laud and honour Of high-born chief.

&lt;strong&gt;16.&lt;/strong&gt;

'Now shall my voice-plane Shape into song Virtues full many Of valiant friend. Ready on tongue Twofold they lie, Yea, threefold praises Of Thorir's son.

&lt;strong&gt;17.&lt;/strong&gt;

'First tell I forth What far is known, Openly bruited In ears of all; How generous of mood Men deem this lord, Bjorn of the hearth-fire The birchwood's bane.

&lt;strong&gt;18.&lt;/strong&gt;

'Folk bear witness With wond'ring praise, How to all guests Good gifts he gives: For Bjorn of the hearth-stone Is blest with store Freely and fully By Frey and Njord.

&lt;strong&gt;19.&lt;/strong&gt;