From the Njdla 137 



have nothing to do with it, for thou wilt often be sent 

 out alone without due heed. But I mean Sigmund 

 for myself; methinks that is like a man ; but Grim and 

 Helgi shall try to slay Skiolld.' 



Hauskuld sat him down, but they went till they 

 came up to them. Skarphedinn said to Sigmund, — 



' Take thy weapons and defend thyself ; that is more 

 needful now than to make mocking songs on me and 

 my brothers.' 



Sigmund took up his weapons ; but Skarphedinn 

 waited the while. Skiolld turned against Grim and 

 Helgi, and they fell hotly to fight. Sigmund had a 

 helm on his head and a shield at his side, and was girt 

 with a sword; his spear was in his hand ; now he turns 

 against Skarphedinn, and thrust at once at him with 

 his spear, and the thrust came on his shield. Skar- 

 phedinn dashes the spearhaft in two, and lifts up his 

 axe and hews at Sigmund, and cleaves his shield down 

 to below the handle. Sigmund drew his sword and 

 cut at Skarphedinn, and the sword cuts into his shield, 

 so that it stuck fast. Skarphedinn gave the shield such 

 a quick twist that Sigmund let go his sword. Then 

 Skarphedinn hews at Sigmund with his axe, the ' Ogress 

 of War.' Sigmund had on a corselet ; the axe came on 

 his shoulder. Skarphedinn cleft the shoulder-blade 

 right through, and at the same time pulled the axe 

 towards him. Sigmund fell down on his knees, but 

 sprang up again at once. • 



' Thou hast lilted low to me already,' says Skarphe- 

 dinn. 'But still thou shalt fall upon thy mother's 

 bosom ere we two part.' 



' 111 is that, then,' says Sigmund. 



