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The Collected Works of William Morris

With Introductions by his Daughter May Morris

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CHAPTER XIV. OF GRETTIR AS A CHILD, AND HIS FROWARD WAYS WITH HIS FATHER.

[Songs extracted from the prose narrative.]


24

[“Surely as winter comes, shall I]

[Grettir.]
“Surely as winter comes, shall I
Twist the goslings' necks awry.
If in like case are the geese,
I have finished each of these.”


25

[“This jewel-strewer, O ground of gold]

[Grettir.]
“This jewel-strewer, O ground of gold,
(His counsels I deem over bold),
On both these hands that trouble sow,
(Ah bitter pain) will burn me now;
Therefore with wool-comb's nails unshorn
Somewhat ring-strewer's back is torn:
The hook-clawed bird that wrought his wound—
Lo, now I see it on the ground.”


27

[“Grettir has in such wise played]

[Asmund.]
“Grettir has in such wise played,
That Keingala has he flayed,
Whose trustiness would be my boast
(Proudest women talk the most);
So the cunning lad has wrought,
Thinking thereby to do nought
Of my biddings any more.
In thy mind turn these words o'er.”