University of Virginia Library

And so the time passed, till the day came round
When at the quay the ships lay Iceland-bound,
And Bodli went to bid his friend farewell,
Flushed and bright-eyed, for wild hope, sooth to tell,
Had striven with shame, and cast its light on love,
Until a fairer sky there seemed above,
A fairer earth about, and still most fair
The fresh green sea that was to bring him there,
Whereon his heart was set.
“O gay! O gay!”
Said Kiartan, “thou art glad to go away;
This is the best face I have seen on thee
Since first our black oars smote the Burgfirth sea.”