Eric took his hand, and Gudruda heard her father’s words and happiness shone in her dark eyes, and she grew faint for very joy.  And now Eric turned to her, all torn and bloody from the fray, the great sword in his hand, and he spoke thus: 

“Thou hast heard thy father’s words, Gudruda?  Now it seems that there is no great need of troth-plighting between us two.  Still, here before all men I ask thee, if thou dost love me and art willing to take me to husband?”

Gudruda looked up into his face, and answered in a sweet, clear voice that could be heard by all: 

“Eric, I say to thee now, what I have said before, that I love thee alone of all men, and, if it be my father’s wish, I will wed no other whilst thou dost remain true to me and hold me dear.”

“Those are good words,” said Eric.  “Now, in pledge of them, swear this troth of thine upon my sword that I have won.”

Gudruda smiled, and, taking great Whitefire in her hand, she said the words again, and, in pledge of them, kissed the bright blade.

Then Eric took back the war-sword and spoke thus:  “I swear that I will love thee, and thee only, Gudruda the Fair, Asmund’s daughter, whom I have desired all my days; and, if I fail of this my oath, then our troth is at an end, and thou mayst wed whom thou wilt,” and in turn he put his lips upon the sword, while Swanhild watched them do the oath.

Now Ospakar was recovered from the fight, and he sat there upon the snow, with bowed head, for he knew well that he had won the greatest shame, and had lost both wife and sword.  Black rage filled his heart as he listened, and he sprang to his feet.

“I came hither, Asmund,” he said, “to ask this maid of thine in marriage, and methinks that had been a good match for her and thee.  But I have been overthrown by witchcraft of this man in a wrestling-bout, and thereby lost my good sword; and now I must seem to hear him betrothed to the maid before me.”

“Thou hast heard aright, Ospakar,” said Asmund, “and thy wooing is soon sped.  Get thee back whence thou camest and seek a wife in thine own quarter, for thou art unfit in age and aspect to have so sweet a maid.  Moreover, here in the south we hold men of small account, however great and rich they be, who do not shame to seek to overcome a foe by foul means.  With my own eyes I saw thee stamp on the naked foot of Eric, Thorgrimur’s son; with my own eyes I saw thee, like a wolf, fasten that black fang of thine upon him—­there is the mark of it; and, as for the matter of the greased shoes, thou knowest best what hand thou hadst in it.”

“I had no hand.  If any did this thing, it was Groa the Witch, thy Finnish bedmate.  For the rest, I was mad and know not what I did.  But hearken, Asmund:  ill shall befall thee and thy house, and I will ever be thy foe.  Moreover, I will yet wed this maid of thine.  And now, thou Eric, hearken also:  I will have another game with thee.  This one was but the sport of boys; when we meet again—­and the time shall not be long—­swords shall be aloft, and thou shalt learn the play of men.  I tell thee that I will slay thee, and tear Gudruda, shrieking, from thy arms to be my wife!  I tell thee that, with yonder good sword Whitefire, I will yet hew off thy head!”—­and he choked and stopped.