, went into the house of the smith, and posted himself near the
threshold muffling his face in a cap to avoid discovery. The smith, who
had not learnt the lesson that "strong hands are sometimes found under a
mean garment", reviled him, and bade him quickly leave the house, saying
that he should have the last broken victuals among the crowd of paupers.
But the old man, whose ingrained self-control lent him patience, was
nevertheless fain to rest there, and gradually study the wantonness of
his host. For his reason was stronger than his impetuosity, and curbed
his increasing rage. Then the smith approached the girl with open
shamelessness, and cast himself in her lap, offering the hair of his
head to be combed out by her maidenly hands.

Also he thrust forward his loin cloth, and required her help in picking
out the fleas; and exacted from this woman of lordly lineage that
she should not blush to put her sweet fingers in a foul apron. Then,
believing that he was free to have his pleasure, he ventured to put his
longing palms within her gown and to set his unsteady hands close to her
breast. But she, looking narrowly, was aware of the presence of the old
man whom she once had known, and felt ashamed. She spurned the wanton
and libidinous fingering, and repulsed the unchaste hands, telling the
man also that he had need of arms, and urging him to cease his lewd
sport.

Starkad, who had sat down by the door, with the hat muffling his head,
had already become so deeply enraged at this sight, that he could not
find patience to hold his hand any longer, but put away his covering and
clapped his right hand to his sword to draw it. Then the smith, whose
only skill was in lewdness, faltered with sudden alarm, and finding that
it had come to fighting, gave up all hope of defending himself, and saw
in flight the only remedy for his need. Thus it was as hard to break out
of the door, of which the enemy held the approach, as it was grievous to
await the smiter within the house. At last necessity forced him to put
an end to his delay, and he judged that a hazard wherein there lay but
the smallest chance of safety was more desirable than sure and manifest
danger. Also, hard as it was to fly, the danger being so close, yet he
desired flight because it seemed to bring him aid, and to be the nearer
way to safety; and he cast aside delay, which seemed to be an evil
bringing not the smallest help, but perhaps irretrievable ruin. But just
as