Introductory Note
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Bellows, Henry Adams
Five were the warriors, | and their followers all
But twice as many,— | their minds knew not wisdom.
28. Snævar and Solar, | they were sons of Hogni,
Orkning was he called | who came with the others, [510]
Blithe was the shield-tree, | the brother of Kostbera;
The fair-decked ones followed, | till the fjord divided them,
Full hard did they plead, | but the others would hear not.
29. Then did Glaumvor speak forth, | the wife of Gunnar,
To Vingi she said | that which wise to her seemed:
“I know not if well | thou requitest our welcome,
Full ill was thy coming | if evil shall follow.”
30. Then did Vingi swear, | and full glib was his speech,
. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .
“May giants now take me | if lies I have told ye,
And the gallows if hostile | thought did I have.”
31. Then did Bera speak forth, | and fair was her thought, [511]
. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .
“May ye sail now happy, | and victory have,
To fare as I bid ye, | may nought your way bar.”
32. Then Hogni made answer,— | dear held he his kin,—
courage, ye wise ones, | whatsoever may come;
Though many may speak, | yet is evil oft mighty,
And words avail little | to lead one homeward.
33. They tenderly looked | till each turned on his way,
Then with changing fate | were their farings divided.
34. Full stoutly they rowed, | and the keel clove asunder,
Their backs strained at the oars, | and their strength was fierce; [512]
The oar-loops were burst, | the thole-pins were broken,
Nor the ship made they fast | ere from her they fared.
35. Not long was it after— | the end must I tell—
That the home they beheld | that Buthli once had;
Loud the gates resounded | when Hogni smote them;
Vingi spake then a word | that were better unsaid:
36. “Go ye far from the house, | for false is its entrance,
Soon shall I burn you, | ye are swiftly smitten;
I bade ye come fairly, | but falseness was under,
Now bide ye afar | while your gallows I fashion.”
37. Then Hogni made answer, | his heart yielded little, [513]
And nought did he fear | that his fate held in store:
“Seek not to affright us, | thou shalt seldom succeed;