I gave it tempest's speed and strength to humble
Each warrior whom it smiteth, when with wonder
Of thy fast sounding voice I heard an echo.

THE SECOND. Ye stars! what sorcery! But to me now listen!
I hasten'd unto Hortha's gloomy forests,
To glut myself in Roman blood; then look'd I
Down from the thunder-cloud in which I journey'd,
And on these towering hills my eyes I fastened;
Then saw I Denmark's Hother, prince of battle,
Like the rock-pine, which o'er the ocean beetles;
He stood, and storm-winds with his locks were playing,
Then from the brake a wolf sprang, grim and frightful,
And big as Fenri's Wolf: the Skoldung saw it,
And brandish'd high his spear. Forth went it booming,
As booming goes from the cold North a whirlwind;
Straight vanished wolf and spear; but deep a-forest
Was heard as from a thousand wolves a howling.
"See, see," it howl'd, "the Skoldung Hother loses
His spear, and in his hand the sword is fragile.
Now have we peace, and Norway's Kemps may slumber."
Disturb'd at such dark sorcery, I seiz'd on
The spear of steel thou see'st, and laid lightning
And fiends' death on its point, when I beheld thee.

THE THIRD (who hitherto has stood in deep thought). Sharp is my sight in
war; but here is darkness.
But do not think that chance and magic
Here assembled battle's angry daughters.
Allfather for the fight prepares; Allfather