Steel rends the mail-coats, the woven mesh is torn apart, and the midriff gives under the rain of spears.

By now the huge axes have hacked small the shield of the king; by now the long swords clash, and the battle-axe clatters its blows upon the shoulders of men, and cleaves their breasts.

Why are your hearts afraid?
Why is your sword faint and blunted?
The gate is cleared of our people, and is filled with the press of the strangers." And when Hjalte had wrought very great carnage and stained the battle with blood, he stumbled for the third time on Bjarke's berth, and thinking he desired to keep quiet because he was afraid, made trial of him with such taunts at his cowardice as these: "Bjarke, why art thou absent?
Doth deep sleep hold thee?
I prithee, what makes thee tarry?
Come out, or the fire will overcome thee.

Ho! Choose the better way, charge with me! Bears may be kept off with fire; let us spread fire in the recesses, and let the blaze attack the door-posts first.

Let the firebrand fall upon the bedchamber, let the falling roof offer fuel for the flames and serve to feed the fire.