Hither come we with Sigurth o'er the foam, Whom ocean breezes blow to our last home.-- Full soon the breakers, higher than the prow Will sink our 'ocean-steeds'; but who art thou? The man in the cloak replied: Hnikar the name men did for me employ, Young Vˆlsung, when I gave the raven joy Of carnage. Call me either of the two-- Fjˆlnir or Feng, but let me fare with you. Then we steered towards the land and the wind fell immediately; and Sigurth bade the man come on board. He did so, and a fair breeze sprang up. The man sat down at Sigurth's feet and was very friendly, asking if Sigurth would like to hear some advice from him. Sigurth said that he would, and added that he had an idea that Hnikar could give people very helpful advice if he were willing to turn it to their advantage. Then Sigurth said to the man in the cloak: O Hnikar, since you know the destiny Of gods and men, declare this unto me.-- Which are the omens that should most delight When swords are swinging and a man must fight? Hnikar replied: Many propitious signs, if men could know, Appear when swords are swinging to and fro. I hold a warrior has a trusty guide When a dark raven hovers at his side. I hold it too for a propitious sign If men to make a journey should design, And, coming out of doors, see close at hand Two gallant warriors in the pathway stand. And if you hear beneath the rowan tree A howling wolf, the sound spells luck to thee, And luck shall helmed warriors bring to thee, If thou such warriors art the first to see. Facing the sinking and late shining light Of the Moon's sister, warriors should not fight. Victory is theirs who, eager for the fray, Can clearly see to order their array. I hold it no occasion for delight When a man stumbles as he goes to fight; For guileful spirits dog him on his way With mischief-bearing looks throughout the fray A man of wisdom, as each day goes past, Washes, and combs his hair, and breaks his fast. He knows not where by evening he may be.-- Stumbling is bad luck, boding ill to thee. And after that we sailed southwards along the coast of Holstein and to the east of Friesland, and there we landed. The sons of Hunding heard at once of our expedition and gathered an army; and they soon had a larger force than we had, and when we encountered them there was a great battle. Lyngvi was the most valiant of the brothers in every onset, though they all fought bravely. Sigurth's attack was so fierce that everyone shrank before him, when they saw that they were threatened by the sword Gram. There was no need to reproach Sigurth with lack of courage. And when he and Lyngvi met, they exchanged many blows and fought with the greatest valour. Then there was a lull in the battle, for people turned to watch the single combat. For a long time neither of them was able to inflict a wound on the other, so skilled in arms were they.