Botolf.—­But God does; and do you for his sake as Kolbein and the lady bid you, because that promises best for peace.

Helga (very loud).—­Close the door! (All look to the door and perceive the armed men; it is closed.) Haf Bjarnason will pronounce for you the words of the truce.  The truce which his namesake established between the men of Skagafirth and Grettir Asmundarson was well kept, and it redounded to their honor.

Broddi (aside to BRAND).—­Agree to the truce!  Sixty armed men are standing but a few feet away!

(BRAND KOLBEINSSON places himself in the left foreground, with six of his men behind him.  HAF behind him in the middle ground.  THOROLF advances to the right foreground, posturing himself opposite BRAND.)

Asbjorn.—­Are we to be witnesses, Thorolf?

Thorolf.—­All those present shall be witnesses!

(ASBJORN and five others arrange themselves behind him.)

Helga.—­In Oddi, at my father Saemund’s, I heard that those oaths were void which were made against one’s free will.

Thorolf.—­I shall swear a truce to Brand Kolbeinsson of my own free will.

Helga.—­And you, kinsman Brand?

(BRAND looks toward the door and says nothing.)

Helga (stamps her foot on the floor of the dais, whereupon the door opens slowly, and swords and spears become visible).—­And you, Brand Kolbeinsson?

Brand.—­I shall swear a truce to Thorolf with a willing mind.  But what are the conditions, and for what offence the fine?

Helga.—­Thorolf Bjarnason shall make atonement for having, in my hearing and in the presence of other men, given Brand Kolbeinsson a nickname; he shall pay for his offence with the ring which he wears on his arm and which weighs six ounces.  Is this offer of reconciliation a good one?

Brand and Thorolf.—­Indeed a good one!

Helga (taking a large ring off her arm and holding it between her fingers).—­Pronounce, then, the pledge of truce, Haf—­according to our laws!

Haf (sets a little table between them and stands beside it.  Receives the ring from THOROLF, holds it in one hand, and a parchment in the other, and pronounces the pledge of truce in an impressive manner).—­Contention there has been between Brand Kolbeinsson and Thorolf Bjarnason.  But now is this contention no more, a fine has been paid according to the decision of good and noble men, of full weight, and good metal, and handed over to him to whom it is due.  But if contention there should arise again between them, then shall they settle by fee, and not by reddened steel.  But if one of these parties become so bereft of his senses that he break this reconciliation, and pledge of truce, or becomes the contriver of the other’s death,