The Life and Death of Cormac the Skald Part 10

(68) "Trust never another man's mistress!

For I know, on this woman who weareth The fire of the field of the sea-king The fiends have been riding to revel.

The witch with her hoa.r.s.e cry is working For woe when we go to the holmgang, And if bale be the end of the battle The blame, be a.s.sured, will be hers."

"Well," she said, "I can manage so that none shall know thee." Then Cormac began to upbraid her, saying she did nought but ill, and wanting to drag her out to the door to look at her eyes in the sunshine. His brother Thorgils made him leave that:--"What good will it do thee?" said he.

Now Steingerd gave out that she had a mind to see the fight; and so she did. When Cormac saw her he made this song:--

(69) "I have fared to the field of the battle, O fair one that wearest the wimple!

And twice for thy sake have I striven; What stays me as now from thy favour?

This twice have I gotten thee glory, O G.o.ddess of ocean! and surely To my dainty delight, to my darling I am dearer by far than her mate."

So then they set to. Cormac's sword bit not at all, and for a long while they smote strokes one upon the other, but neither sword bit. At last Cormac smote upon Thorvard's side so great a blow that his ribs gave way and were broken; he could fight no more, and thereupon they parted.

Cormac looked and saw where a bull 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 was soon healed, and when he thought he was strong again, he rode to Mel and challenged Cormac to the holmgang.

"It takes thee long to tire of it," said Cormac: "but I'll not say thee nay."

So they went to the fight, and Thordis met Thorvard now as before, but Cormac sought no help from her. She blunted Cormac's sword, so that it would not bite, but yet he struck so great a stroke on Thorvard's shoulder that the collarbone was broken and his hand was good for nothing. Being so maimed he could fight no longer, and had to pay another ring for his ransom.

Then Thorolf of Spakonufell set upon Cormac and struck at him. He warded off the blow and sang this song:--

(73) "This reddener of shields, feebly wrathful, His rusty old sword waved against me, Who am singer and sacred to Odin!

Go, snuffle, most wretched of men, thou!

A thrust of thy sword is as thewless As thou, silly stirrer of battle.

What danger to me from thy daring, Thou doited old witch-woman's carle?"

Then he killed a bull in sacrifice according to use and wont, saying, "Ill we brook your overbearing and the witchcraft of Thordis:" and he made this song:--

(74) "The witch in the wave of the offering Has wasted the flame of the buckler, Lest its bite on his back should be deadly At the bringing together of weapons.

My sword was not sharp for the onset When I sought the helm-wearer in battle; But the cur got enough to cry craven, With a clout that will mind him of me!"

After that each party went home, and neither was well pleased with these doings.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. How They All Went Out To Norway.

Now all the winter long Cormac and Thorgils laid up their ship in Hrutafiord; but in spring the chapmen were off to sea, and so the brothers made up their minds for the voyage. When they were ready to start, Cormac went to see Steingerd: and before they two parted he kissed her twice, and his kisses were not at all hasty. The Tinker would not have it; and so friends on both sides came in, and it was settled that Cormac should pay for this that he had done.

"How much?" asked he.

"The two rings that I parted with," said Thorvard. Then Cormac made a song:--

(75) "Here is gold of the other's well gleaming In guerdon for this one and that one,-- Here is treasure of Fafnir the fire-drake In fee for the kiss of my lady.

Never wearer of ring, never wielder Of weapon has made such atonement; Never dearer were deeply-drawn kisses,-- For the dream of my bliss is betrayed."

And then, when he started to go aboard his ship he made another song:--

(76) "One song from my heart would I send her Ere we shall, ere I leave her and lose her, That dainty one, decked in her jewels Who dwells in the valley of Swindale.

And each word that I utter shall enter The ears of that lady of bounty, Saying--Bright one, my beauty, I love thee, Ah, better by far than my life!"

So Cormac went abroad and his brother Thorgils went with him; and when they came to the king's court they were made welcome.

Now it is told that Steingerd spoke to Thorvald the Tinker that they also should abroad together. He answered that it was mere folly, but nevertheless he could not deny her. So they set off on their voyage: and as they made their way across the sea, they were attacked by vikings who fell on them to rob them and to carry away Steingerd. But it so happened that Cormac heard of it; and he made after them and gave good help, so that they saved everything that belonged to them, and came safely at last to the court of the king of Norway.

One day Cormac was walking in the street, and spied Steingerd sitting within doors. So he went into the house and sat down beside her, and they had a talk together which ended in his kissing her four kisses. But Thorvald was on the watch. He drew his sword, but the women-folk rushed in to part them, and word was sent to King Harald. He said they were very troublesome people to keep in order.--"But let me settle this matter between you," said he; and they agreed.

Then spake the king:--"One kiss shall be atoned for by this, that Cormac helped you to get safely to land. The next kiss is Cormac's, because he saved Steingerd. For the other two he shall pay two ounces of gold."

Upon which Cormac sang the same song that he had made before:--

(77) "Here is gold of the otter's well gleaming In guerdon for this one and that one,-- Here is treasure of Fafnir the fire-drake In fee for the kiss of my lady.

Never wearer of ring, never wielder Of weapon has made such atonement; Never dearer were deeply-drawn kisses-- And the dream of my bliss is betrayed."

Another day he was walking in the street and met Steingerd again. He turned to her and prayed her to walk with him. She would not; whereupon he laid hand on her, to lead her along. She cried out for help; and as it happened, the king was standing not far off, and went up to them.

He thought this behaviour most unseemly, and took her away, speaking sharply to Cormac. King Harald made himself very angry over this affair; but Cormac was one of his courtiers, and it was not long before he got into favour again, and then things went fair and softly for the rest of the winter.