“I do not remember any combat wherein swords were crossed in turn and blow dealt out for blow more speedily.  I take three for each I give; thus do the Goths requite the wounds I deal them, and thus doth the stronger hand of the enemy avenge with heaped interest the punishment that they receive.  Yet singly in battle I have given over the bodies of so many men to the pyre of destruction, that a mound like a hill could grow up and be raised out of their lopped limbs, and the piles of carcases would look like a burial-barrow.  And now what doeth he, who but now bade me come forth, vaunting himself with mighty praise, and chafing others with his arrogant words, and scattering harsh taunts, as though in his one body he enclosed twelve lives?”

Hjalte answered:  “Though I have but scant help, I am not far off.  Even here, where I stand, there is need of aid, and nowhere is a force or a chosen band of warriors ready for battle wanted more.  Already the hard edges and the spear-points have cleft my shield in splinters, and the ravening steel has rent and devoured its portions bit by bit in the battle.  The first of these things testifies to and avows itself.  Seeing is better than telling, eyesight faithfuller than hearing.  For of the broken shield only the fastenings remain, and the boss, pierced and broken in its circle, is all left me.  And now, Bjarke, thou art strong, though thou hast come forth more tardily than was right, and thou retrievest by bravery the loss caused by thy loitering.”

But Bjarke said:  “Art thou not yet weary of girding at me and goading me with taunts?  Many things often cause delay.  The reason why I tarried was the sword in my path, which the Swedish foe whirled against my breast with mighty effort.  Nor did the guider of the hilt drive home the sword with little might; for though the body was armed he smote it as far as one may when it is bare or defenceless; he pierced the armour of hard steel like yielding waters; nor could the rough, heavy breastplate give me any help.

“But where now is he that is commonly called Odin, the mighty in battle, content ever with a single eye?  If thou see him anywhere, Rute, tell me.”

Rute replied:  “Bring thine eye closer and look under my arm akimbo:  thou must first hallow thine eyes with the victorious sign, if thou wilt safely know the War-god face to face.”

Then said Bjarke:  “If I may look on the awful husband of Frigg, howsoever he be covered with his white shield, and guide his tall steed, he shall in no wise go safe out of Leire; it is lawful to lay low in war the war-waging god.  Let a noble death come to those that fall before the eyes of their king.  While life lasts, let us strive for the power to die honourably and to reap a noble end by our deeds.  I will die overpowered near the head of my slain captain, and at his feet thou also shalt slip on thy face in death, so that whoso scans the piled corpses may see in what wise we rate the gold our lord gave us.  We shall be the prey of ravens and a morsel for hungry eagles, and the ravening bird shall feast on the banquet of our body.  Thus should fall princes dauntless in war, clasping their famous king in a common death.”