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Page 47
"The warrior's shield by my foot propelled
in conflict came with Snaekoll's mouth.
His nether jaw hung down on his chest,
wide gaped his mouth from the iron ring."
"You would be very handy at many things," said Thorsteinn, "if
misfortune did not follow you."
"Men will tell of deeds that are done," said Grettir.
CHAPTER XLI
THORSTEINN DROMUND'S ARMS
Grettir stayed with Thorsteinn for the rest of the winter and on
into the spring. One morning when Thorsteinn and Grettir were
above in their sleepingroom Grettir put out his arm from the
bed-clothes and Thorsteinn noticed it when he awoke. Soon after
Grettir woke too, and Thorsteinn said: "I have been looking at
your arms, kinsman, and think it is not wonderful that your blows
fall heavily upon some. Never have I seen any man's arms that
were like yours."
"You may know," said Grettir, "that I should not have done the
deeds I have if I had not been very mighty."
"Yet methinks it would be of advantage," said Thorsteinn, "if
your arm were more slender and your fortune better."
"True," said Grettir, "is the saying that no man shapes his own
fortune. Let me see your arm."
Thorsteinn showed it to him. He was a tall lanky man. Grettir
smiled and said:
"There is no need to look long at that; all your ribs are run
together. I never saw such a pair of tongs as you carry about!
Why, you are scarcely as strong as a woman!"
"It may be so," said Thorsteinn, "and yet you may know that these
thin arms of mine and no others will avenge you some day;--if
you are avenged."
"Who shall know how it will be when the end comes?" said Grettir;
"but that seems unlikely."
No more is related of their conversation. The spring came and
Grettir took a ship for Iceland in the summer. The brothers
parted with friendship and never saw one another again.
CHAPTER XLII
DEATH OF ASMUND LONGHAIR
We have now to return to where we broke off before. Thorbjorn
Oxmain when he heard of the death of Thorbjorn Slowcoach flew
into a violent passion and said he wished that more men might
deal blows in other people's houses. Asmund Longhair lay sick
for some time in the summer. When he thought his end was nigh he
called his kinsmen round him and said his will was that Atli
should take over all the property after his day. "I fear," he
said, "that the wicked will scarce leave you in peace. And I
wish all my kinsmen to support him to the best of their power.
Of Grettir I can say nothing, for his condition seems to me like
a rolling wheel. Strong though he is, I fear he will have more
dealing with trouble than with kinsmen's support. And Illugi,
though young now, shall become a man of valiant deeds if he
remain unscathed."
When Asmund had settled everything with his sons according to his
wish his sickness grew upon him. He died soon after and was
buried at Bjarg, where he had had a church built. All felt his
loss deeply.
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