singing on the
fell, and by thy side her who is my foe. Thou hast done great deeds,
Brighteyes, and still greater shalt thou do; yet but as echoes they
shall reach my ears. Thou wilt be to me as one dead, for it is Gudruda's
to bind the byrnie on thy breast when thou goest forth to war, and hers
to loose the winged helm from thy brow when thou returnest, battle-worn
and conquering."

Now Swanhild ceased, and choked with grief; then spoke again:

"So now farewell; doubtless I weary thee, and--Gudruda waits. Nay, look
not on my foolish tears: they are the heritage of woman, of naught else
is she sure! While I live, Eric, morn by morn the thought of thee shall
come to wake me as the sun wakes yon snowy peak, and night by night
thy memory shall pass as at eve he passes from the valleys, but to dawn
again in dreams. For, Eric, 'tis thee I wed to-day--at heart I am thy
bride, thine and thine only; and when shalt thou find a wife who holds
thee so dear as that Swanhild whom once thou knewest? So now farewell!
Yes, this time thou shalt kiss away my tears; then let them stream for
ever. Thus, Eric! and thus! and thus! do I take farewell of thee."

And now she clung about his neck, gazing on him with great dewy eyes
till things grew strange and dim, and he must kiss her if only for her
love and tender beauty's sake. And so he kissed, and it chanced that
as they clung thus, Gudruda, passing by this path to give her betrothed
greeting, came upon them and stood astonished. Then she turned and,
putting her hands to her head, fled back swiftly to the stead, and
waited there, great anger burning in her heart; for Gudruda had this
fault, that she was very jealous.

Now Eric and Swanhild did not see her, and presently they parted, and
Swanhild wiped her eyes and glided thence.

As she drew near the stead she found Gudruda watching.

"Where hast thou been, Swanhild?" she said.

"To bid farewell to Brighteyes, Gudruda."

"Then thou art foolish, for doubtless he thrust thee from him."

"Nay, Gudruda, he drew me to him. Hearken, I say, thou sister. Vex me
not, for I go my ways and thou goest thine. Thou art strong and fair,
and hitherto thou hast overcome me. But I am also fair, and, if I find
space to strike in, I also have a show of strength. Pray thou that I
find not space, Gudruda. Now is Eric thine. Perchance one day he may be
mine. It lies in the lap of the Norns."

"Fair words from Atli's bride," mocked Gudruda.

"Ay, Atl