The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson Part 15

32. Of thy aid I had need, Thor! in retaining that maiden lily-fair.

_Thor_.

33. I would have given it thee, if I had had the opportunity.

_Harbard_.

34. I would have trusted thee, my confidence if thou hadst not betrayed it.

_Thor_.

35. I am not such a heel-chafer as an old leather shoe in spring.

_Harbard_.

36. What meanwhile didst thou, Thor?

_Thor_.

37. The Berserkers' brides I on Laesso cudgeled; they the worst had perpetrated, the whole people, had seduced.

_Harbard_.

38. Dastardly didst thou act, Thor! when thou didst cudgel women.

_Thor_.

39. She-wolves they were, and scarcely women. They crushed my s.h.i.+p, which with props I had secured, with iron clubs threatened me, and drove away Thialfi. What meanwhile didst thou, Harbard?

_Harbard_.

40. I in the army was, which was. .h.i.ther sent, war-banners to raise, lances to redden.

_Thor_.

41. Of that thou now wilt speak, as thou wentest forth us hard terms to offer.

_Harbard_.

42. That shall be indemnified by a hand-ring, such as arbitrators give, who wish to reconcile us.

_Thor_.

43. Where didst thou learn words than which I never heard more irritating?

_Harbard_.

44. From men I learned them, from ancient men, whose home is in the woods.

_Thor_.

45. Thou givest certainly a good name to grave-mounds, when thou callest them, homes in the woods.

_Harbard_.

46. So speak I of such a subject.

_Thor_.

47. Thy shrewd words will bring thee evil, if I resolve the sound to ford. Louder than a wolf thou wilt howl, I trow, if of my hammer thou gettest a touch.

_Harbard_.

48. Sif has a gallant at home; thou wilt anxious be to find him: thou shalt that arduous work perform; it will beseem thee better.

_Thor_.

49. Thou utterest what comes upmost, so that to me it be most annoying, thou dastardly varlet! I believe thou art lying.

_Harbard_.

50. I believe I am telling truth. Thou art travelling slowly; thou wouldst have long since arrived, hadst thou a.s.sumed another form.

_Thor_.

51. Harbard! thou wretch! rather is it thou who hast detained me.

_Harbard_.

52. I never thought that a ferryman could the course of Asa-Thor r.e.t.a.r.d.

_Thor_.

53. One advice I now will give thee: row hither with thy boat; let us cease from threats; approach the sire of Magni.

_Harbard_.

54. Go farther from the sound, the pa.s.sage is refused thee.

_Thor_.

55. Show me then the way, if thou wilt not ferry me across the water.

_Harbard_.

56. That's too little to refuse. 'Tis far to go; 'tis to the stock an hour, and to the stone another; then keep the left hand way, until thou reachest Verland; there will Fiorgyn find her son Thor, and point out to him his kinsmen's ways to Odin's land.

_Thor_.