n talked together. Some wished to uphold
the peace and some not. Each nodded to the other. Then Grettir spoke a
verse:

"Many a man is filled with doubt.
A twofold mask has the prover of shields.
The skilful tongue is put to shame.
They doubt if they shall hold the troth."

Then said Tungu-Steinn: "Think you so, Grettir? Which then will the
chieftains do? But true it is that you excel all men in courage. See you
not how they are putting their noses together?"

Grettir then said:

"Together they all their noses laid;
they wagged their beards in close converse.
They talked with each other by two and two,
regretting the peace they afore declared."

Then said Hjalti the son of Thord: "It shall not be so; we will hold
the peace with you although our minds have altered. I would not that
men should have the example of our having broken the peace which
we ourselves gave and declared. Grettir shall depart unhindered
whithersoever he will, and shall have peace till such time as he reach
his home from this journey. And then this truce shall have expired
whatever happen with us." They all thanked him for his speech, and
thought he had acted as a chieftain should under such circumstances.
Thorbjorn Angle was silent. Then it was proposed that one or the other
of the Thords should close with Grettir, and he said that they might do
as they chose.

One of the two brothers Thord then came forward. Grettir stood upright
before him and Thord went for him with all his might, but Grettir never
moved from his place. Then Grettir stretched over across his back and
seizing his breeches tripped up his foot and cast him backwards over his
head so that he fell heavily upon his shoulders. Then the people said
that both the brothers should tackle him together, and they did so.
There arose a mighty tussle, each in turn having the advantage, although
Grettir always had one of them down. Now one, now the other was brought
to his knees or met with a reverse. So fiercely they gripped that all of
them were bruised and bloody. Everybody thought it splendid sport,
and when they ceased thanked them for their wrestling. Those that were
sitting near judged that the two together were no stronger than Grettir
alone, although each had the strength of two strong men. They were
so equal that when they strove together neither gained the advantage.
Grettir did not stay long at the Thing. The bondis asked him to give up