第56章

GRETTIR RETURNS TO BJARG -- SVEINN AND HIS HORSE SADDLE-HEADLater in the summer Grettir the son of Asmund came back to Iceland, landing in the Hvita in Borgarfjord. People about the district went down to the ship and all the news came at once upon Grettir, first that his father was dead, then that his brother was slain, and third that he was declared outlaw throughout the land. Then he spoke this verse:

"All fell at once upon the bard, exile, father dead and brother.

Oh man of battle! Many an one who breaks the swords shall smart for this."It is told that Grettir changed his manner no whit for these tidings, but was just as merry as before. He remained on board his ship for a time because he could not get a horse to suit him.

There was a man named Sveinn who dwelt at Bakki up from Thingnes.

He was a good bondi and a merry companion; he often composed verses which it was a delight to listen to. He had a brown mare, the swiftest of horses, which he called Saddle-head. Once Grettir left Vellir in the night because he did not wish the traders to know of it. He got a black cape and put it over his clothes to conceal himself. He went up past Thingnes to Bakki, by which time it was light. Seeing a brown horse in the meadow he went up and put a bridle on it, mounted on its back and rode up along the Hvita river below Baer on to the river Flokadalsa and up to the road above Kalfanes. The men working at Bakki were up by then, and told the bondi that a man was riding his horse.

He got up and laughed and spoke a verse:

"There rode a man upon Saddle-head's back;close to the garth the thief has come.

Frey of the Odin's cloud, dreadful of aspect, appears from his strength to be busy with mischief."Then he took a horse and rode after him. Grettir rode on till he came to the settlement at Kropp, where he met a man named Halli who said he was going down to the ship at Vellir. Grettir then spoke a verse:

"Tell, oh tell in the dwellings abroad tell thou hast met with Saddle-head.

The handler of dice in sable cowl sat on his back; hasten, oh Halli!"Then they parted. Halli went along the road as far as Kalfanes before he met Sveinn. They greeted each other hurriedly and Sveinn said:

"Saw you that loafer ride from the dwellings?

Sorely he means my patience to try.

The people about shall deal with him roughly;blue shall his body be if I meet him.""You can know from what I tell you," said Halli, "that I met the man who said he was riding Saddle-head, and he told me to spread it abroad in the dwellings and the district. He was a huge man in a black cloak.""Well, he seems to think something of himself," said the bondi.

"I mean to know who he is."

Then he went on after him. Grettir came to Deildartunga and found a woman outside. He began to talk to her and spoke a verse:

"Mistress august! Go tell of the jest that the serpent of earth has past on his way.

The garrulous brewer of Odin's mead will come to Gilsbakki before he will rest."The woman learned the verse and Grettir rode on. Soon after Sveinn rode up; she was still outside, and when he came he spoke the verse:

"Who was the man who a moment ago rode past on a dusky horse in the storm?