32 THE VINLAND VOYAGES 



^When I came, these brave men told me, 



Here the best of drink Pd get, 

 Now with water-pail behold me, — 



Wine and I are strangers yet. 

 Stooping at the spring, I've tested 



All the wine this land affords 3 

 Of its vaunted charms divested. 



Poor indeed are its rewards.' 



"And when they were ready they hoisted sail. Then 

 Thorhall recited this ditty: 



^Comrades, let us now be faring 



Homeward to our own again! 

 Let us try the sea-steed's daring, 



Give the chafing courser rein. 

 Those who will may bide in quiet. 



Let them praise their chosen land. 

 Feasting on a whale-steak diet, 



In their home by Wonder-strand.' 



"Thereafter they sailed northward past Wonder- 

 strands and Keelness, intending to turn to the west- 

 ward. But they encountered westerly winds and were 

 driven to Ireland and were maltreated there and 

 thrown into slavery. There Thorhall lost his life, 

 according to what traders have told." 



