Cormac whirled it up just when Steinar was striking out.

He struck the shield-edge, and the sword glanced off, slit Bersi's buttock, sliced his thigh down to the knee-joint, and stuck in the bone.

And so Bersi fell.
"There!" cried Steinar, "Cormac's fine is paid." But Bersi leapt up, slashed at him, and clove his shield.

The sword-point was at Steinar's breast when Thord rushed forth and dragged him away, out of reach.
"There!" cried Thord to Bersi, "I have paid thee for the mauling of my sons." So Bersi was carried to the tent, and his wound was dressed.

After a while, Thord came in; and when Bersi saw him he said:-- (38) "When the wolf of the war-god was howling Erstwhile in the north, thou didst aid me: When it gaped in my hand, and it girded At the Valkyries' gate for to enter.
But now wilt thou never, O warrior, At need in the storm-cloud of Odin Give me help in the tempest of targes -- Untrusty, unfaithful art thou.
(39) "For when I was a stripling I showed me To the stems of the lightning of battle Right meet for the mist of the war-maids; -- Ah me! that was said long ago.
But now, and I may not deny it My neighbours in earth must entomb me, At the spot I have sought for grave-mound Where Saurbae lies level and green." Said Thord, "I have no wish for thy death; but I own it is no sorrow to see thee down for once." To which Bersi answered in song:-- (40) "The friend that I trusted has failed me In the fight, and my hope is departed: I speak what I know of; and note it, Ye nobles,--I tell ye no leasing.
Lo, the raven is ready for carnage, But rare are the friends who should succour.
Yet still let them scorn me and threaten, I shrink not, I am not dismayed." After this, Bersi was taken home to Saurbae, and lay long in his wounds.
But when he was carried into the tent, at that very moment Steinar spoke thus to Cormac:-- (41) "Of the reapers in harvest of Hilda -- Thou hast heard of it--four men and eight men With the edges of Skrymir to aid me I have urged to their flight from the battle.
Now the singer, the steward of Odin, Hath smitten at last even Bersi With the flame of the weapon that feedeth The flocks of the carrion crows." "I would have thee keep Skrymir now for thy own, Cormac," said he, "because I mean this fight to be my last." After that, they parted in friendly wise: Steinar went home, and Cormac fared to Mel..