Grettir said, "I will fight with thee."

"First I will see about my victuals," said Audun.

"That thou mayst well do," said Grettir, "if thou canst not charge

other folk therewith."

Then Audun stooped down and caught up the curd-bag and dashed it

against Grettir's bosom, and bade him first take what was sent him;

and therewith was Grettir all smothered in the curds; and a greater

shame he deemed that than if Audun had given him a great wound.

Now thereon they rushed at one another and wrestled fiercely; Grettir

set on with great eagerness, but Audun gave back before him. Yet he

feels that Grettir has outgrown him in strength. Now all things in

their way were kicked out of place, and they were borne on wrestling

to and fro throughout all the hall; neither spared his might, but

still Grettir was the toughest of the twain, and at last Audun fell,

having torn all weapons from Grettir.

Now they grapple hard with one another, and huge cracking was all

around them. Withal a great din was heard coming through the earth

underneath the farmstead, and Grettir heard some one ride up to the

houses, get off his horse, and stride in with great strides; he sees

a man come up, of goodly growth, in a red kirtle and with a helmet on

his head. He took his way into the hall, for he had heard clamorous

doings there as they were struggling together; he asked what was in

the hall.

Grettir named himself, "But who asks thereof?" quoth he.

"Bardi am I hight," said the new comer.

"Art thou Bardi, the son of Gudmund, from Asbiornsness?"

"That very man am I," said Bardi; "but what art thou doing?"

The Story of Grettir the Strong · 第 108 / 227 题