A MAGICAL SWORD. 443 



lucky in fight. When using such charmed swords, good care 

 had to be taken that the charm should be effective, or part 

 of the power was lost : for instance, the famous sword Skofnimg 

 -taken from the mound of Hrolf Kraki was not to be drawn 

 in the sight of people, nor must the sun shine on the hilt, 1 

 and the wounds inflicted by these could not be cured except 

 by touching them by the so-called lifstein (life-stone) which 

 was attached to the sword. The wounds of the sword Skof- 

 iiung could only be healed by the stone set in its hilt. 



" Bersi had a sharp sword, Hviting, with a lifstein attached 

 to it, which he had carried in many dangers" (Kormak's Saga, 

 c. 9.) 



Bersi, on account of his many duels, was called Holmganga 

 Bersi. 



" Kormak said to him : ' I challenge thee, Bersi, to hoiin- 

 gauga (a duel) at the end of half a month on Leidholm." .... 



" Bersi had a sharp sword called Hviting, with a lifstein 

 attached to it, which he had carried in many dangers. 



" Dalla (mother of Kormak) advised him to find Midfjord 

 Skeggi and ask for Skofnung (Holf Kraki's sword). Kormak 

 went to Reykjar (Skeggisbu) and told him his case. Skeggi 

 answered that he was unwilling to lend him the sword, lor 

 they ' Skofnung and Kormak ' were unlike in temper. 

 ' Skofnung is slow, but thou art impatient and headstrong.' 

 Kormak rode away ill pleased, returned to Mel, and told 

 his mother that Skeggi would not lend him the sword. 

 Skeggi used to give I)alla advices; and there was friendship 

 between them. Dalla said : ' He will lend thee the sword, 

 though he will not yield readily (at once).' Kormak did not 

 think it was fair if he withheld not the sword from her, but did 

 from him. ... A few days later she told Kormak to go to 

 Eeykjar, as Skeggi would now lend him the sword ; Kormak 

 found him and asked for Skofnung. ' The management of it 

 may seem difficult to thee,' said Skeggi; 'a bag (covering) 

 follows it (goes with it) and thou shall leave it quiet ; the sun 

 must not shine on the upper guard, nor shall thou draw it 

 except thou preparest for fight ; but, if thou comest to the 

 fighting-place, sit alone, and there draw it. Hold up the blade 

 and blow on it ; then a small snake will creep from under the 

 guard ; incline the blade, and make it easy for it (the snake) 



2 Cfr. Laxdc-ela, 57, 58 . Xjala, 30. 



