of the twain of you."

Says Sigurd, "Yea, but a few, days agone I knew her for the best
of the world's women."

Alswid said, "Give not all thine heed to one woman, being such a
man as thou art; ill life to sit lamenting for what we may not
have."

"I shall go meet her," says Sigurd, "and get from her love like
my love, and give her a gold ring in token thereof."

Alswid answered, "None has ever yet been known whom she would let
sit beside her, or to whom she would give drink; for ever will
she hold to warfare and to the winning of all kinds of fame."

Sigurd said, "We know not for sure whether she will give us
answer or not, or grant us a seat beside her."

So the next day after, Sigurd went to the bower, but Alswid stood
outside the bower door, fitting shafts to his arrows.

Now Sigurd spake, "Abide, fair and hale lady, -- how farest
thou?"

She answered, "Well it fares; my kin and my friends live yet: but
who shall say what goodhap folk may bear to their life's end?"

He sat him down by her, and there came in four damsels with great
golden beakers, and the best of wine therein; and these stood