l use for quenching the fire of the Hall if the foemen fire it, as is
not unlike to be."

Then Grani spoke for the others and said he would pay all heed to her
words, and they departed to join their company.

Now was Thiodolf armed; and Arinbiorn, turning about before he went to
his place, beheld him and knit his brow, and said: "What is this,
Thiodolf? Didst thou not swear to the Gods not to bear helm or shield in
the battles of this strife? yet hast thou Ivar's helm on thine head and
his shield ready beside thee: wilt thou forswear thyself? so doing shalt
thou bring woe upon the House."

"Arinbiorn," said Thiodolf, "where didst thou hear tell of me that I had
made myself the thrall of the Gods? The oath that I sware was sworn when
mine heart was not whole towards our people; and now will I break it that
I may keep what of good intent there was in it, and cast away the rest.
Long is the story; but if we journey together to-night I will tell it
thee. Likewise I will tell it to the Gods if they look sourly upon me
when I see them, and all shall be well."

He smiled as he spoke, and Arinbiorn smiled on him in turn and went his
ways to array the host. But when he was gone Thiodolf was alone in that
place with the Hall-Sun, and he turned to her, and kissed her, and
caressed her fondly, and spake and said:

"So fare we, O my daughter, to the sundering of the ways;
Short is my journey henceforth to the door that ends my days,
And long the road that lieth as yet before thy feet.
How fain were I that thy journey from day to day were sweet
With peace to thee and pleasure; that a noble warrior's hand
In its early days might lead thee adown the flowery land,
And thy children in its noon-tide cling round about thy gown,
And the wise that thy womb has carried when the sun is going down,
Be thy happy fellow-farers to tell the tale of Earth,
But I wot that for no such sweetness did we bring thee unto birth,
But to be the soul of the Wolfings till the other days should come,
And the fruit of the kindreds' harvest with thee is garnered home.
Yet if for no blithe faring thy life-day is ordained,
Yet peace that long endureth maybe thy soul hath gained;
And thy sorrow of this even thy latest grief shall be,
The grief wherewith thou singest the death-song over me."

She looked up at him and smiled, though the tears were on her face; then
she said:

"Though to-day the grief begi