e very
same time. Here Starkad passed, just as the servants did, along the
tables filled with guests; and the aforementioned nine, howling horribly
with repulsive gestures, and running about as if they were on the stage,
encouraged one another to the battle. Some say that they barked like
furious dogs at the champion as he approached. Starkad rebuked them for
making themselves look ridiculous with such an unnatural visage, and for
clowning with wide grinning cheeks; for from this, he declared, soft and
effeminate profligates derived their wanton incontinence. When Starkad
was asked banteringly by the nine whether he had valour enough to fight,
he answered that doubtless he was strong enough to meet, not merely one,
but any number that might come against him. And when the nine heard this
they understood that this was the man whom they had heard would come
to the succour of Helge from afar. Starkad also, to protect the
bride-chamber with a more diligent guard, voluntarily took charge of the
watch; and, drawing back the doors of the bedroom, barred them with
a sword instead of a bolt, meaning to post himself so as to give
undisturbed quiet to their bridal.

When Helge woke, and, shaking off the torpor of sleep, remembered his
pledge, he thought of buckling on his armour. But, seeing that a little
of the darkness of night yet remained, and wishing to wait for the hour
of dawn, he began to ponder the perilous business at hand, when sleep
stole on him and sweetly seized him, so that he took himself back to
bed laden with slumber. Starkad, coming in on him at daybreak, saw him
locked asleep in the arms of his wife, and would not suffer him to be
vexed with a sudden shock, or summoned from his quiet slumbers; lest
he should seem to usurp the duty of wakening him and breaking upon the
sweetness of so new a union, all because of cowardice. He thought it,
therefore, more handsome to meet the peril alone than to gain a comrade
by disturbing the pleasure of another. So he quietly retraced his steps,
and scorning his enemies, entered the field which in our tongue is
called Roliung, and finding a seat under the slope of a certain hill,
he exposed himself to wind and snow. Then, as though the gentle airs of
spring weather were breathing upon him, he put off his cloak, and set to
picking out the fleas. He also cast on the briars a purple mantle which
Helga had lately given him, that no clothing might seem to lend him
shelter against the