"Is the bidding come," said the Helper, "that we wend the Gods to see?"

"Many summers and winters," they said, "ye shall live on the earth,
it may be."

Said a young man: "Will ye be telling that all we shall die no more?"

"Nay," they answered, "nay, who knoweth but the change may be hard
at the door?"

"Come ships from the sea," said an elder, "with all gifts of the
Eastland gold?"

"Was there less than enough," said the women, "when last our
treasure was told?"

"Speak then," said the ancient Helper, "let the worst and the best
be said."

Quoth they: "'Tis the Queen of the Isle-folk, she is weary-sick on
her bed."

Said King Elf: "Yet ye come rejoicing; what more lieth under the
tongue?"

They said: "The earth is weary: but the tender blade hath sprung,
That shall wax till beneath its branches fair bloom the meadows green;
For the Gods and they that were mighty were glad erewhile with the
Queen."