There came a morning, away went he, To the outermost isle by the open sea, To see the breakers come dashing in, And list to the distant battle's din. It was a day in the early spring, When the voice of the storm is on the wing: "Earth shall not ice-bound slumber longer!"-- A sight he saw,--his will grew stronger. They lay a ship, in a steel grey cove, Resting after a stormy raid,-- In sooth she seemed better inclined to rove, Though her sail was bound and her anchor laid, For the sail and the mast were going to and fro, And the vessel was frothing scum with her bow. On board they were having a little rest, To eat and to sleep was their present behest;-- Up from the cliff they heard one calling, --The words of a fool they seemed, thus falling,-- "Dare no one steer in a storm so strong, Then give me the rudder;--ah! I long!" Some looked up to the rocky brow, Others nor cared to see just now; None of them rose from the mid-day fare, Down came a stone and felled two men there. Up they sprang from deck and cheer, Threw down the platters,--seized bow and spear; Up whizzed the arrows,--while unprepared He stood on the cliff and his will declared: "Chieftain with grace wilt yield thy vessel, Or longest thou first to strive and wrestle?" To listen to such was but time to waste, In answer a spear was hurled in haste, It hit him not; and calmly he said: "None wait for me in the halls of the dead, But thou who afar the sea hast ploughèd Canst hasten home, or hie thee thither.-- All that under thee thou hast bowèd Must pass to me; so came I hither! For me thou gatheredst, to me it falleth; My time hath come, for me it calleth." The other laughed from his height in scorn: "Verily if thou indeed so longest, Come prove thee to be my warrior strongest!" "That can I not, I'm a _chieftain_ born. I must command for I know my way; The new can never the old obey." But for the answer in vain he listened Then down he sprang, his eyes they glistened: "Ye warriors! your chieftain the duty owes To prove to whom Odin his favour shows. Then heroes! serve ye the one he aideth. Shame to him that his yoke evadeth!" Red in wroth grew the chieftain's face; Sprang in the sea and swam to land; The other leapt hastily down to the strand And took him up in his strong embrace.