t this utterance, Bjarke, awakened, roused up his chamber-page Skalk
speedily, and addressed him as follows:

"Up, lad, and fan the fire with constant blowing; sweep the hearth clear
of wood, and scatter the fine ashes. Strike out sparks from the fire,
rouse the fallen embers, draw out the smothered blaze. Force the
slackening hearth to yield light by kindling the coals to a red glow
with a burning log. It will do me good to stretch out my fingers when
the fire is brought nigh. Surely he that takes heed for his friend
should have warm hands, and utterly drive away the blue and hurtful
chill."

Hjalte said again: "Sweet is it to repay the gifts received from our
lord, to grip the swords, and devote the steel to glory. Behold, each
man's courage tells him loyally to follow a king of such deserts, and to
guard our captain with fitting earnestness. Let the Teuton swords, the
helmets, the shining armlets, the mail-coats that reach the heel, which
Rolf of old bestowed upon his men, let these sharpen our mindful hearts
to the fray. The time requires, and it is just, that in time of war we
should earn whatsoever we have gotten in the deep idleness of peace,
that we should not think more of joyous courses than of sorrowful
fortunes, or always prefer prosperity to hardship. Being noble, let us
with even soul accept either lot, nor let fortune sway our behaviour,
for it beseems us to receive equably difficult and delightsome days; let
us pass the years of sorrow with the same countenance wherewith we took
the years of joy. Let us do with brave hearts all the things that in our
cups we boasted with sodden lips; let us keep the vows which we swore
by highest Jove and the mighty gods. My master is the greatest of the
Danes: let each man, as he is valorous, stand by him; far, far hence be
all cowards! We need a brave and steadfast man, not one that turns his
back on a dangerous pass, or dreads the grim preparations for battle.
Often a general's greatest valour depends on his soldiery, for the
chief enters the fray all the more at ease that a better array of
nobles throngs him round. Let the thane catch up his arms with fighting
fingers, setting his right hand on the hilt and holding fast the shield:
let him charge upon the foes, nor pale at any strokes. Let none offer
himself to be smitten by the enemy behind, let none receive the swords
in his back: let the battling breast ever front the blow. `Eagles fight
brow foremost', and with