bade the women make her ready
for burial. This they did. When she was washed and clad in a clean white
robe, Eric came to her, and with his own hand bound the Hell-shoes on
her feet and closed her eyes.

It was just then that a man came who said that the people of Gizur and
of Swanhild had burned Gudruda's ship, driving the crew ashore.

"It is well," said Eric. "We need the ship no more; now hath she whom
it should bear wings with which to fly." Then he went in and sat down on
the bed by the body of Gudruda, while Skallagrim crouched on the ground
without, tearing at his beard and muttering. For the fierce heart of
Skallagrim was broken because of that evil which his drunkenness had
brought about.

All day Eric sat thus, looking on his dead love's face, till the hour
came round when he and Gudruda had drunk the bride-cup. Then he rose and
kissed dead Gudruda on the lips, saying:

"I did not look to part with thee thus, sweet! It is sad that thou
shouldst have gone and left me here. Natheless, I shall soon follow on
thy path."

Then he called aloud:

"Art sober, drunkard?"

Skallagrim came and stood before him, saying nothing.

"Take thou the feet of her whom thou didst bring to death, and I will
take her head."

So they lifted up Gudruda and bore her to the grave. Then Eric stood
near the grave, and, taking dead Gudruda in his arms, looked upon her
face by the light of the fire and of the candles that were set about.

He looked thrice, then sang aloud:

"Long ago, when swept the snow-blast,
Close we clung and plighted troth.
Many a year, through storm and sword-song,
Sore I strove to win thee, sweet!
But last night I held thee, Fairest,
Lock'd, a wife, in lover's arms.
Now, Gudruda, in thy death-rest,
Sleep thou soft till Eric come!

"Hence I go to wreak thy murder.
Hissing fire of flaming stead,
Groan of spear-carles, wail of women,
Soon shall startle through the night.
Then on Mosfell, Kirtle-Wearer,
Eric waits the face of Death.
Freed from weary life and sorrow,
Soon we'll kiss in Hela's halls!"

Then he laid her in the grave, and, having shrouded a sheet over her,
they filled it in together, hiding Gudruda the Fair from the sight of
men for ever.

Afterwards Eric armed himself, and this Skallagrim did also. Then he
strode from the hall, and Skallagrim followed him. In the yard those
horses were still tied that s