The Life and Death of Cormac the Skald [Iceland] | Page 8

of his swoon they got speech of him.
Thorgils asked, "What manner of men were at the wedding?"
Narfi told him.
"Did Steingerd know this before?"
"Not till the very evening they came," answered he; and then told of his dealings with Vigi, saying that Cormac would find it easier to whistle on Steingerd's tracks and go on a fool's errand than to fight Bersi. Then said Cormac: --
(21)?"Now see to thy safety henceforward,?And stick to thy horse and thy buckler;?Or this mallet of mine, I can tell thee,?Will meet with thine ear of a surety.?Now say no more stories of feasting,?Though seven in a day thou couldst tell of,?Or bumps thou shalt comb on thy brainpan,?Thou that breakest the howes of the dead.
Thorgils asked about the settlements between Bersi and Steingerd. Her kinsmen, said Narfi, were now quit of all farther trouble about that business, however it might turn out; but her father and brother would be answerable for the wedding.
CHAPTER EIGHT?How Cormac Chased Bersi And His Bride.
Cormac took his horse and weapons and saddle-gear.
"What now, brother?" asked Thorgils.
He answered: --
(22)?"My bride, my betrothed has been stolen,?And Bersi the raider has robbed me.?I who offer the song-cup of Odin --?Who else? -- should be riding beside her.?She loved me -- no lord of them better:?I have lost her -- for me she is weeping:?The dear, dainty darling that kissed me,?For day upon day of delight."
Said Thorgils, "A risky errand is this, for Bersi will get home before you catch him. And yet I will go with thee."
Cormac said he would away and bide for no man. He leapt on his horse forthwith, and galloped as hard as he could. Thorgils made haste to gather men, -- they were eighteen in all, -- and came up with Cormac on the hause that leads to Hrutafiord, for he had foundered his horse. So they turned to Thorveig the spaewife's farmsteading, and found that Bersi was gone aboard her boat.
She had said to Bersi, "I wish thee to take a little gift from me, and good luck follow it."
This was a target bound with iron; and she said she reckoned Bersi would hardly be hurt if he carried it to shield him, -- "but it is little worth beside this steading thou hast given me." He thanked her for the gift, and so they parted. Then she got men to scuttle all the boats on the shore, because she knew beforehand that Cormac and his folk were coming.
When they came and asked her for a boat, she said she would do them no kindness without payment; -- "Here is a rotten boat in the boathouse which I would lend for half a mark."
Thorgils said it would be in reason if she asked two ounces of silver. Such matters, said Cormac, should not stand in the way; but Thorgils said he would sooner ride all round the water-head. Nevertheless Cormac had his will, and they started in the boat; but they had scarcely put off from shore when it filled, and they had hard work to get back to the same spot.
"Thou shouldst pay dearly for this, thou wicked old hag," said Cormac, "and never be paid at all."
That was no mighty trick to play them, she said; and so Thorgils paid her the silver; about which Cormac made this song: --
(23)?"I'm a tree that is tricked out in war-gear,?She, the trim rosy elf of the shuttle:?And I break into singing about her?Like the bat at the well, never ceasing.?With the dew-drops of Draupnir the golden?Full dearly folk buy them their blessings;?Then lay down three ounces and leave them?For the leaky old boat that we borrowed."
Bersi got hastily to horse, and rode homewards; and when Cormac saw that he must be left behind, he made this song: --
(24)?"I tell you, the goddess who glitters?With gold on the perch of the falcon,?The bride that I trusted, by beauty,?From the bield of my hand has been taken.?On the boat she makes glad in its gliding?She is gone from me, reft from me, ravished!?O shame, that we linger to save her,?Too sweet for the prey of the raven!
They took their horses and rode round the head of the firth. They met Vali and asked about Bersi; he said that Bersi had come to Muli and gathered men to him, -- "A many men."
"Then we are too late," said Cormac, "if they have got men?together."
Thorgils begged Cormac to let them turn back, saying there was little honour to be got; but Cormac said he must see Steingerd.
So Vali went with them and they came to Muli where Bersi was and many men with him. They spoke together. Cormac said that Bersi had betrayed him in carrying off Steingerd, "But now we would take the lady with us, and make him amends