the Glittering Plain. For if thou wert otherwise minded, I wot not
how thou wouldest get thee a keel to carry thee, and the wings have
not yet begun to sprout on thy shoulders, raven though thou be. Now
I am glad that thou art going thy ways to the Glittering Plain to-
morrow; for thou wilt be good company to me on the way: and I deem
that thou wilt be no churl when thou art glad."

"What," said Hallblithe, "art thou wending thither, thou old man?"

"Yea," said he, "nor shall any other be on the ship save thou and I,
and the mariners that waft us; and they forsooth shall not go aland
there. Why should not I go, since there are men to bear me aboard?"

Said Hallblithe, "And when thou art come aland there, what wilt thou
do?"

"Thou shalt see, my son," said the Long-hoary. "It may be that thy
good wishes shall be of avail to me. But now since all this may only
be if I live through this night, and since my heart hath been warmed
by the good mead, and thy fellowship, and whereas I am somewhat
sleepy, and it is long past noon, go forth into the hall, and leave
me to sleep, that I may be as sound as eld will let me to-morrow.
And as for thee, folk, both men and women, shall presently come into
the hall, and I deem not that any shall meddle with thee; but if so
be that any challenge thee, whatsoever may be his words, answer thou
to him, 'THE HOUSE OF THE UNDYING,' and there will be an end of it.
Only look thou to it that no naked steel cometh out of thy scabbard.
Go now, and if thou wilt, go out of doors; yet art thou safer within
doors and nigher unto me."