And the words the carle sang begin:
"Were many men
In the feast-hall then
And the worst on bench
Ne'er thought to blench
When the storm arose
In the war-god's close...."
Concluding,
"And hushed for mere wonderWere great men and small
As my voice in rhyme-thunder
Went over the hall."
The King said what he knew to be true, that the singer had been a mighty lord and that his companion was his mate, and that being so he invited them to sit beside him on the high-seat. The two appeared pleased and the man sang again:
"Spring came of old
In the days of gold
In thousandth year
Of the thousands dear,
When we twain met
And the mead was wet..."
Concluding this time,
"Come thou, Lord the right-wise,
Come Host-lord no more
To they Hall-fellows fight-wise
The Folk of the Door!"
The was a mighty noise, as of armed men, and horses, and the clash of weapons, the folk gathered there were filled with joy. It was then the doors of the hall were thrown open.
(to be continued)