Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/86

 through all this wrappage of cerecloth; surely they be of the warrior kin. But sooth hast thou said; this is thy sword. And therewith he fell to undoing the cloth, while the boy looked on eagerly. At last the hilts and the sheath showed naked: the pommel and cross were of gold of beauteous and wonderful fashion, such as no smith may work now, and the grip was wrapped about with golden wire. And the sheath wherein lay the deadly white edges was of brown leather of oxhide, studded about with knops of gold and silver, and the peace-strings were of scarlet silk with golden acorns at the ends. Said Osberne: O thou art kind to have brought this for me: and may I handle it now and at once? Yea, said Steelhead smiling; but beware, beware! for he saw the lad lay his hand to the peace-strings; do not away the peace-strings, lest thou be tempted to draw forth the blade. For this sword is hight Board-cleaver, and was fashioned by the fathers of long ago; and so wise is he and so eager, that whensoever he cometh forth from the sheath he will not go back again till he hath had a life. So beware ever, for mickle scathe shall come of it if he see the heavens and the earth for light cause. Somewhat daunted was the bold lad; but he said: Tell me, thou bright lord, at what times I shall draw forth Board-cleaver. Said Steelhead: Only then when thou hast the foe before thee; then draw and be of good courage, for never shall point and edge be dulled by the eye-shot of the wicked and wizards, as whiles it befalls the common blades of