"They [that is the enemy] were noisy, yea noisy,
When they rode over the burial-mound [or barrow].
They were of one mind when they rode over the land.
[Then to the patient] Shield thyself now, that thou mayest recover from this attack.
'Out, little spear!'—if it be herein."
Here this particular charm ends, and another begins, which is evidently given either as a reinforcement of the preceding one or, as would seem more probable from the wording, as a reply to be made either by the patient himself, or, as is usual, on behalf of the patient by the medicine-man himself:—
"I stood under the shield,Under the light shield,
Where the mighty wives [i.e. witches]
Made ready their strength [i.e. prepared for the contest].
And they, yelling, sent forth their spears [gar].
I will send back upon them Another flying arrow.
Right in front.'Out, little spear!' if it be herein."
Here again follows a new charm, which runs:—
"There sat a Smith, He wrought a little 'sax';
He hammered the iron head;
'Out, little spear!'—if it be herein."
Now comes what seems to me by far the most important and striking lines of the entire scene:—
"Six smiths sat, and they wrought spears of slaughter.
'Out, spear!' not 'In, spear!'
If there be herein a piece of iron which is the work of the hag, it shall melt.
[Turning to the patient] If thou wert shot in the skin.
Or if thou wert shot in the flesh.
Or wert shot in the blood,Or wert shot in a limb,
Never let thy life be injured. If it were a shot of the gods [Aesir],
Or if it were a shot of the elves,
Or if it were a shot of the hag.Now will I help thee.
This is thy remedy against the shot of the gods,
