some of us
think that he is not so much our friend that we should help him to a keel
whereon to fare home to those that hate us: and we say that it would not
be unlawful to let the man abide in the isle, and proclaim him a wolf's-
head within a half-moon of to-day. Or what sayest thou?"

Said the Erne: "Wait for my word a while, and hearken to another! Is the
Grey-goose of the Ravagers in the hall? Let him give out his word on
this matter."

Then arose a white-headed carle from a table nigh to the dais, whose
black raiment was well adorned with gold. Despite his years his face was
fair and little wrinkled; a man with a straight nose and a well-fashioned
mouth, and with eyes still bright and grey. He spake: "O folk, I find
that the Erne hath done well in cherishing this guest. For first, if he
hath beguiled us, he did it not save by the furtherance and sleight of
our own kinsman; therefore if any one is to die for beguiling us, let it
be the Puny Fox. Secondly, we may well wot that heavy need hath driven
the man to this beguilement; and I say that it was no unmanly deed for
him to enter our hall and beguile us with his sleight; and that he hath
played out the play right well and cunningly with the wisdom of a
warrior. Thirdly, the manliness of him is well proven, in that having
overcome us in sleight, he hath spoken out the sooth concerning our
beguilement and hath made himself our foeman and captive, when he might
have sat down by us as our guest, freely and in all honour. And this he
did, not as contemning the Puny Fox and his lies and crafty wiles (for he
hath told us that he loveth him); but so that he might show himself a man
in that which trieth manhood. Moreover, ye shall not forget that he is
the rebel of the Undying King, who is our lord and master; therefore in
cherishing him we show ourselves great-hearted, in that we fear not the
wrath of our master. Therefore I naysay the word of the War-brand that
we should make this man a wolf's-head; for in so doing we shall show
ourselves lesser-hearted than he is, and of no account beside of him; and
his head on our hall-gable should be to us a nithing-stake, and a tree of
reproach. So I bid thee, O Erne, to make much of this man; and thou
shalt do well to give him worthy gifts, such as warriors may take, so
that he may show them at home in the House of the Raven, that it may be
the beginning of peace betwixt us and his noble kindred. This is my say,
and