use and shone
upon it. But since you seem to be a learned man, can you not
propound your riddles without always beginning them in the
same way?

Then said Gestumblindi:

Two bond-women, fair-haired brides, were carrying ale to the
store-room. The cask was not turned by hands, nor clinched
by hammers; and he who made it strutted about outside the
islands. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:

Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.
These are eider duck laying their eggs. The eggs are not made
with hammer or hands, and the hand-maidens put the ale into
the egg-shell.

Gestumblindi said:

He who has got but a little sword and is very short of
learning has to look out for help. I would like to talk still
further.--Who are those ladies of the lofty mountain? A woman
begets by a woman; a maid has a son by a maid; and these
good-wives have no husbands. King Heithrek, read me this
riddle!

Heithrek replied:

Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.
They are two Angelicas joined together, and a young angelica
shoot is growing between them.

Gestumblindi said:

Who are the girls who fight without weapons around their lord?
The dark red ones always protect him, and the fair ones seek
to destroy him. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:

Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.
That is a game of chess. The pieces smite one another without
weapons around the king, and the red assist him.

Gestumblindi said:

Who are the merry-maids who glide over the land for their
father's pleasure? They bear a white shield in winter and a
black one in summer. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:

Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.
Those are ptarmigan.

Gestumblindi said:

Who are the damsels who go sorrowing for their father's
pleasure? These white-hooded ladies have shining hair, and are
very wide awake in a gale. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:

Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.
Those are the billows, which are called AEgir's maidens.

Gestumblindi said:

Who are the maidens who go about many together for their
father's pleasure? They have brought trouble to many; and
these g