l was standing, which he slew for a
sacrifice; and being heated, he doffed his helmet from his head, saying
this song:--

(70)
"I have fared to the field of the battle,
O fair one that wearest the bracelet!
Even three times for thee have I striven,
And this thou canst never deny me.
But the reed of the fight would not redden,
Though it rang on the shield-bearer's harness;
For the spells of a spae-wife had blunted
My sword that was eager for blood."

He wiped the sweat from him on the corner of Steingerd's mantle; and
said:--

(71)
"So oft, being wounded and weary,
I must wipe my sad brow on thy mantle.
What pangs for thy sake are my portion,
O pine-tree with red gold enwreathed!
Yet beside thee he snugs on the settle
As thou seamest thy broidery,--that rhymester!
And the shame of it whelms me in sorrow,
O Steingerd!--that rascal unslain!"

And then Cormac prayed Steingerd that she would go with him: but Nay,
she said; she would have her own way about men. So they parted, and both
were ill pleased.

Thorvard was taken home, and she bound his wounds. Cormac was now always
meeting with Steingerd. Thorvard healed but slowly; and when he could
get on his feet he went to see Thordis, and asked her what was best to
help his healing.

"A hill there is," answered she, "not far away from here, where elves
have their haunt. Now get you the bull that Cormac killed, and redden
the outer side of the hill with its blood, and make a feast for the
elves with its flesh. Then thou wilt be healed."

So they sent word to Cormac that they would buy the bull. He answered
that he would sell it, but then he must have the ring that was
Steingerd's. So they brought the ring, took the bull, and did with it as
Thordis bade them do. On which Cormac made a song:--

(72)
"When the workers of wounds are returning,
And with them the sacrifice reddened,
Then a lady in raiment of linen,
Who loved me, time was,--she will ask:--
My ring,--have ye robbed me?--where is it?
--I have wrought them no little displeasure:
For the swain that is swarthy has won it,
The son of old Ogmund, the skald."

It fell out as he guessed. Steingerd was very angry because they had
sold her ring.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. How Cormac Beat Thorvard Again.

After that, Thorvard w