it. It made a great effect, and Gudrid was praised by everybody. When
it was over, Thorberg, being squarely on the spell-seat, said to her:
"I thank you for the song, and for the good heart which was in it. I
tell you that many beings besides those whom you see have been drawn in
by the sound of your voice, beings who without it would have passed
over our heads and paid no heed to us and our concerns. They have been
here, they are here now all about us, and by their means I see many
things clearly. And first, you, Heriolf, need not fear the death nor
the sickness which are rife at this time. They will pass with the
winter, and return again with another winter; and for a long time the
winter will be hard upon you men in Greenland."

So much she said to Heriolf, but she had not ended her soothsay. Her
eyes returned to Gudrid, who stood just below her.

"As for you, my daughter," she said, "I can read what is in store for
you as if it was written in a book. You will have three husbands here
in Greenland, and shall not go far to get them. All will be honourable
men. One will be a famous man, and one an ugly man; but he will be
kind. With all of them you will go great journeys over sea, but they
will not all last long. One journey you will go, to a country far from
here, which will be of the greatest length, and have hardships in it,
and wonders, and a good gift for you. But all your ways lead to
Iceland, and thither you will return. Out of you will come a great
race of men, and you shall end your life-days in the way that pleases
you best." Then her eyes grew less blank, and seemed able to see more
clearly. She held out her hand towards Gudrid, who stood rooted,
staring up with great eyes. "Farewell, daughter, and I give you hail,"
she said. Gudrid ran up the steps and kissed her hand.

IX

Gudrid's fortune was envied by the girls of the house, who expressed
themselves freely about it. "With your looks," they said, "it was to
be expected she would take notice of you. But to see so much, and to
tell you all!" The poor girl herself, however, took it very hard, and
saw herself punished for impiety. She felt as if she was branded for
ever--the girl who was to kill two men, and perhaps a third. In her
mind's eye she could see that doomed first husband of hers, the shadow
coldly upon him, herself looking sorrowfully at him, seeing him in the
shadow but not able to speak of it. Her heart gave a le