Hard indeed is fighting
'Gainst the ocean's bride.

See, there comes the mead-horn,
Gold the feet that bear it.
Warm your frozen members;
Skoal to Ingeborg!




XI.

FRIDTHJOF WITH ANGANTYR.


'Tis now to tell the story
How in his fir-wood hall,
Sat Angantyr, the hoary,
And drank with champions all.
He, joyous and light-hearted,
Looked out to where the sun
Behind the waves departed,
Just like a golden swan.

Outside the hall's commotion
Old Halvard watched,--indeed
Not only watched the ocean,
But also watched his mead.
His custom, seldom broken,