"A fear of all fears," said the third, "for the sword is uplifted on
men."

"A joy of all joys," said the fourth, "once come, and it comes not
again!"

"Lo, son," said the ancient Helper, "glad sit the earls and the lords!
Lookst thou not for a token of tidings to follow such-like words?"

Saith King Elf: "Great words of women! or great hath our dwelling
become."

Said the women: "Words shall be greater, when all folk shall praise
our home."

"What then hath betid," said King Elf, "do the high Gods stand in
our gate?"

"Nay," said they, "else were we silent, and they should be telling
of fate."

"Is the bidding come," said the Helper, "that we wend the Gods to see?"

"Many summers and winters," they said, "ye shall live on the earth,
it may be."

Said a young man: "Will ye be telling that all we shall die no more?"

"Nay," they answered, "nay, who knoweth but the change may be hard
at the door?"

"Come ships from the sea," said an elder, "with all gifts of the
Eastland gold?"

"Was there less than enough," said the women, "when last our
treasure was told?"

"Speak then," said the ancient Helper, "let the worst and the best
be said."

Quoth they: "'Tis the Queen of the Isle-folk, she is weary-sick on
her bed."

Said King Elf: "Yet ye come rejoicing; what more lieth under the
tongue?"

They said: "The earth is weary: but the tender blade hath sprung,
That shall wax till beneath its branches fair bloom the meadows green;
For the Gods and they that were mighty were glad erewhile with the
Queen."

Said King Elf: "How say ye, women? Of a King new-born do ye tell,
By a God of the Heavens begotten in our fathers' house to dwell?"

"By a God of the Earth," they answered; "but greater yet is the son,
Though long were the days of Sigmund, and great are the deeds he
hath done."

Then she with the golden burden to the kingly high-seat stepped
And away from the new-born baby the purple cloths she swept,
And cried: "O King of the people, long mayst thou live in bliss,
As our hearts today are happy! Queen Hiordis sends thee this,
And she saith that the world shall call it by the name that thou
shalt name;
Now the gift to thee is given, and to thee is brought the fame."

Then e'en as a man