man: "Short is thy memory, Son of the Raven, that thou in so
little space hast forgotten thy shipmate and thy faring-fellow; who gave
thee meat and drink and good rede in the Hall of the Ravagers." Therewith
he laughed joyously and turned about to the three maidens and took them
by the hands and kissed their lips, while they fawned upon him lovingly.

Then said Hallblithe: "Hast thou verily gotten thy youth again, which
thou badest me wish thee?"

"Yea, in good sooth," said the red-bearded man; "I am the Sea-eagle of
old days; and I have gotten my youth, and love therewithal, and somewhat
to love moreover."

Therewith he turned to the fairest of the damsels, and she was
white-skinned and fragrant as the lily, rose-cheeked and slender, and the
wind played with the long locks of her golden hair, which hung down below
her knees; so he cast his arms about her and strained her to his bosom,
and kissed her face many times, and she nothing loth, but caressing him
with lips and hand. But the other two damsels stood by smiling and
joyous: and they clapped their hands together and kissed each other for
joy of the new lover; and at last fell to dancing and skipping about them
like young lambs in the meadows of Spring-tide. But amongst them all,
stood up Hallblithe leaning on his spear with smiling lips and knitted
brow; for he was pondering in his mind in what wise he might further his
quest.

But after they had danced a while the Sea-eagle left his love that he had
chosen and took a hand of either of the two damsels, and led them
tripping up to Hallblithe, and cried out: "Choose thou, Raven's baby,
which of these twain thou wilt have to thy mate; for scarcely shalt thou
see better or fairer."

But Hallblithe looked on them proudly and sternly, and the black-haired
damsel hung down her head before him and said softly: "Nay, nay,
sea-warrior; this one is too lovely to be our mate. Sweeter love abides
him, and lips more longed for."

Then stirred Hallblithe's heart within him and he said: "O Eagle of the
Sea, thou hast thy youth again: what then wilt thou do with it? Wilt
thou not weary for the moonlit main, and the washing of waves and the
dashing of spray, and thy fellows all glistening with the brine? Where
now shall be the alien shores before thee, and the landing for fame, and
departure for the gain of goods? Wilt thou forget the ship's black side,
and the dripping of the windward oars, as the squall falleth on wh