Therefore I began to make for myself a shirt of steel plates and rings; which work, while more troublesome, was better suited to me than the heavier labour.

Much assistance did the brothers give me, even after, by their instructions, I was able to make some progress alone.

Their work was in a moment abandoned, to render any required aid to mine.

As the old woman had promised, I tried to repay them with song; and many were the tears they both shed over my ballads and dirges.

The songs they liked best to hear were two which I made for them.