THE POESY OF SKALDS
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- The hostile folk of sea-heights
- Fled before the Oppressor
- Of headland tribes; the dalesmen
- Of the hill-tops, imperilled,
- Fled, when Odin's kindred
- Stood, enduring staunchly;
- The Danes of the flood-reef's border
- Bowed down to the Flame-Shaker.
- Where the chiefs, with thoughts of valor
- Imbued, marched into Thorn's house,
- A mighty crash resounded
- Of the cave's ring-wall; the slayer
- Of the mountain-reindeer-people
- On the giant-maiden's wide hood
- Was brought in bitter peril:
- There was baleful peace-talk.
- And they pressed the high head, bearing
- The piercing brow-moon's eye-flame
- Against the hill-hall's rafters;
- On the high roof-tree broken
- He crushed those raging women:
- The swinging Storm-car's Guider
- Burst the stout, ancient back-ridge
- And breast-bones of both women.
