Now when all had gone, Eric looked at Skallagrim, who still stood near him, axe in hand.

“Wherefore goest thou not, drunkard?” he said.  “Surely thou wilt find ale and mead in the vales or oversea.  Here there is none.  Hasten!  I would be alone!”

Now the great body of Skallagrim shook with grief and shame, and the red blood poured up beneath his dark sin.  Then he spoke in a thick voice: 

“I did not think to live to hear such words from the lips of Eric Brighteyes.  They are well earned, yet it is unmanly of thee, lord, thus to taunt one who loves thee.  I would sooner die as Swanhild said yonder thrall should die than live to listen to such words.  I have sinned against thee, indeed, and because of my sin my heart is broken.  Hast thou, then, never sinned that thou wouldst tear it living from my breast as eagles tear a foundered horse?  Think on thine own sins, Eric, and pity mine!  Taunt me thus once more or bid me go once more and I will go indeed!  I will go thus—­on the edge of yonder gulf thou didst overcome me by thy naked might, and there I swore fealty to thee, Eric Brighteyes.  Many a year have we wandered side by side, and, standing back to back, have struck many a blow.  I am minded to do this:  to stand by thee in the last great fight that draws on and to die there with thee.  I have loved no other man save thee, and I am too old to seek new lords.  Yet, if still thou biddest me, I will go thus.  Where I swore my oath to thee, there I will end it.  For I will lay me down on the brink of yonder gulf, as once I lay when thy hand was at my throat, and call out that thou art no more my lord and I am no more thy thrall.  Then I will roll into the depths beneath, and by this death of shame thou shalt be freed of me, Eric Brighteyes.”

Eric looked at the great man—­he looked long and sadly.  Then he spoke: 

“Skallagrim Lambstail, thou hast a true heart.  I too have sinned, and now I put away thy sin, although Gudruda is dead through thee and I must die because of thee.  Stay by me if thou wilt and let us fall together.”

Then Skallagrim came to Eric, and, kneeling before him, took his hands and kissed them.

“Now I am once more a man,” he said, “and I know this:  we two shall die such a great death that it will be well to have lived to die it!” and he arose and shouted: 

     “A! hai!  A! hai!  I see foes pass in pride! 
     A! hai!  A! hai!  Valkyries ride the wind! 
     Hear the song of the sword! 
     Whitefire is aloft—­aloft! 
     Bare is the axe of the Baresark! 
     Croak, ye nesting ravens;
     Flap your wings, ye eagles,
     For bright is Mosfell’s cave with blood! 
     Lap! lap! thou Grey Wolf,
     Laugh aloud, Odin!

     “Laugh till shake the golden doors;
     Heroes’ feet are set on Bifrost,
     Open, ye hundred gates! 
     A! hai!  A! hai! red runs the fray! 
     A! hai!  A! hai!  Valkyries ride the wind!”