At this utterance, Bjarke, awakened, roused up his chamber-page Skalk speedily, and addressed him as follows: 

“Up, lad, and fan the fire with constant blowing; sweep the hearth clear of wood, and scatter the fine ashes.  Strike out sparks from the fire, rouse the fallen embers, draw out the smothered blaze.  Force the slackening hearth to yield light by kindling the coals to a red glow with a burning log.  It will do me good to stretch out my fingers when the fire is brought nigh.  Surely he that takes heed for his friend should have warm hands, and utterly drive away the blue and hurtful chill.”

Hjalte said again:  “Sweet is it to repay the gifts received from our lord, to grip the swords, and devote the steel to glory.  Behold, each man’s courage tells him loyally to follow a king of such deserts, and to guard our captain with fitting earnestness.  Let the Teuton swords, the helmets, the shining armlets, the mail-coats that reach the heel, which Rolf of old bestowed upon his men, let these sharpen our mindful hearts to the fray.  The time requires, and it is just, that in time of war we should earn whatsoever we have gotten in the deep idleness of peace, that we should not think more of joyous courses than of sorrowful fortunes, or always prefer prosperity to hardship.  Being noble, let us with even soul accept either lot, nor let fortune sway our behaviour, for it beseems us to receive equably difficult and delightsome days; let us pass the years of sorrow with the same countenance wherewith we took the years of joy.  Let us do with brave hearts all the things that in our cups we boasted with sodden lips; let us keep the vows which we swore by highest Jove and the mighty gods.  My master is the greatest of the Danes:  let each man, as he is valorous, stand by him; far, far hence be all cowards!  We need a brave and steadfast man, not one that turns his back on a dangerous pass, or dreads the grim preparations for battle.  Often a general’s greatest valour depends on his soldiery, for the chief enters the fray all the more at ease that a better array of nobles throngs him round.  Let the thane catch up his arms with fighting fingers, setting his right hand on the hilt and holding fast the shield:  let him charge upon the foes, nor pale at any strokes.  Let none offer himself to be smitten by the enemy behind, let none receive the swords in his back:  let the battling breast ever front the blow. `Eagles fight brow foremost’, and with swift gaping beaks speed onward in the front:  be ye like that bird in mien, shrinking from no stroke, but with body facing the foe.

“See how the enemy, furious and confident overduly, his limbs defended by the steel, and his face with a gilded helmet, charges the thick of the battle-wedges, as though sure of victory, fearless of rout and invincible by any endeavour.  Ah, misery!  Swedish assurance spurns the Danes.  Behold, the Goths with savage eyes and grim aspect advance with crested helms and clanging spears:  wreaking heavy slaughter in our blood, they wield their swords and their battle-axes hone-sharpened.