23.  I will not come before the men awake, and o’er the king hold watch.  It would not surprise me, if from beneath our ship some hag arose.

Hrimgerd.

24.  Keep watch, Atli! and to Hrimgerd pay the blood-fine for Hati’s death.  If one night she may sleep with the prince, she for the slain will be indemnified.

Helgi.

25.  Lodin is named he who shall thee possess, thou to mankind art loathsome.  In Tholley dwells that Thurs, that dog-wise Jotun, of all rock-dwellers the worst:  he is a fitting man for thee.

Hrimgerd.

26.  Helgi would rather have her who last night guarded the port and men, the gold-bright maiden.  She methought had strength, she stept from port to land, and so secured your fleet.  She was alone the cause that I could not the king’s men slay.

Helgi.

27.  Hear now, Hrimgerd!  If I may indemnify thee, say fully to the king:  was it one being only, that saved the prince’s ships, or went many together?

Hrimgerd.

28.  Three troops of maidens; though one maid foremost rode, bright, with helmed head.  Their horses shook themselves, and from their manes there sprang dew into the deep dales, hail on the lofty trees, whence comes fruitfulness to man.  To me all that I saw was hateful.

Atli.

29.  Look eastward now, Hrimgerd! whether Helgi has not stricken thee with death-bearing words.  By land and water the king’s fleet is safe, and the chief’s men also.

30.  It is now day, Hrimgerd! and Atli has thee detained to thy loss of life.  A ludicrous haven-mark ’twill, indeed, be, where thou a stone-image standest.

King Helgi was a renowned warrior.  He came to King Eylimi and demanded his daughter Svava.  Helgi and Svava were united, and loved each other ardently.  Svava remained at home with her father, but Helgi was engaged in warfare.  Svava was a Valkyria as before.  Hedin was at home with his father, King Hiorvard in Norway.  Returning home alone from the forest on a Yule-eve, Hedin met a troll-wife riding on a wolf, with serpents for reins, who offered to attend him, but he declined her offer; whereupon she said:  “Thou shalt pay for this at the Bragi-cup.”  In the evening solemn vows were made, and the son-hog was led forth, on which the guests laid their hands, and then made solemn vows at the Bragi-cup.[48] Hedin bound himself by a vow to possess Svava, the beloved of his brother Helgi; but repented it so bitterly that he left home and wandered through wild paths to the southern lands, and there found his brother Helgi.  Helgi said: 

31.  Welcome art thou, Hedin!  What new tidings canst thou give from Norway?  Why art thou, prince! from the land driven, and alone art come to find us?

Hedin.

32.  Of a much greater crime I am guilty.  I have chosen a royal daughter, thy bride, at the Bragi-cup.