"Art thou wounded?" says Kimbe.
"Not much to signify," replies Thormod.
As Kimbe saw that Thormod had a gold ring on his arm, he said, "Thou art
certainly a king's man. Give me thy gold ring, and I will hide thee. The
bondes will kill thee if thou fallest in their way."
Thormod says, "Take the ring if thou canst get it: I have lost that
which is more worth."
Kimbe stretched out his hand, and wanted to take the ring; but Thormod,
swinging his sword, cut off his hand; and it is related that Kimbe
behaved himself no better under his wound than those he had been blaming
just before. Kimbe went off, and Thormod sat down in the barn, and
listened to what people were saying. The conversation was mostly
about what each had seen in the battle, and about the valour of the
combatants. Some praised most King Olaf's courage, and some named
others who stood nowise behind him in bravery. Then Thormod sang these
verses:--
"Olaf was brave beyond all doubt,--
At Stiklestad was none so stout;
Spattered with blood, the king, unsparing,
Cheered on his men with deed and daring.
But I have heard that some were there
Who in the fight themselves would spare;
Though, in the arrow-storm, the most
Had perils quite enough to boast."