1. A Ballad there is of Nornagest, Refrain:--_Be ready with a plan in trouble!_-- In manly virtues among the best. Refrain:--_Every lad should do so!_ 2. Twelve oxen were led to the market square, And onward thence to a castle fair. 3. The King he thought to hew them to earth, And with courage and joy did he sally forth. 4. The King he struck such a mighty blow That the blood from the wounds did swiftly flow. 5. All the oxen fell down dead, And the axe sank deep that he brandished. 6. All men praised his princely blow: The blood from the wounds did swiftly flow. 7. A man there came with crutches twain: With these he steadied himself amain. 8. The King to the man full mildly spoke:-- "O why, and O why, dost thou praise not my stroke?" 9. "O Sire, thou struckest full manfully; But I saw a finer stroke in days gone by. 10. "Of Sigurth's deeds hast thou heard the worth,-- The mightiest champion of men on earth! 11. "Leaf and grove did tremble and quake When Sigurth clove in sunder the snake. 12. "This may you tell of Sigurth the bold:-- 'He was mightiest of all men in days of old.' 13. "This can I tell of Sigurth's fame:-- 'I know no hero with eyes so keen.' 14. "Leaf and grove did tremble and shake When Sigurth clove in sunder the snake. 15. "A noble man was Hˆgni, I ween, Full well did I know his ugly mien. 16. "Rich, brave and gentle was Gunnar enow, Wise too, and Gunnhild was like him, I trow. 17. "Wise too, and Gunnhild was like him, I trow. Of heroes like him are there all too few. 18. "My father he had a homestead fair: Herds of cattle were pastured there. 19. "And horses I tended as I sat in the wood.-- And blithest my heart when the weather was good! 20. "One and all in their saddles they ride, Childe Sigurth, and Hˆgni, and Gunnar beside. 22. "Over the mire-pit rode all and one.-- I was a lad, and I looked thereon. 23. "First sprang Gunnar's horse forthright. Gunnar measured his leap aright. 24. "Hˆgni's horse sprang after then. Fast stuck Grani in the fen. 25. "The last to spring was Sigurth's steed. Sigurth had given him so heavy a feed! 26. "Grani floundered in the fen: His saddle girth brake in pieces twain. 27. "Down from their saddles each did glide,-- Childe Sigurth, and Hˆgni, and Gunnar beside. 28. "They dragged at the noble steed amain; But Sigurth pulled hardest the bridle rein. 29. "'Oft have I leapt o'er the pit aright By day and eke in the murky night. 30. "'O Guest, a service of thee I pray:-- Wash from my courser the mire away. 31. "'The saddle buckle which broke 'neath me-- The same, O Guest, will I give to thee.' 32. "Forth they rode to a river then. No-one was there to look to the men.