"
A little after Sorli stumbled, but turned about on his feet, and
so stood, and spake --
"Yea now had I fallen, but that I steadied myself with both
feet."
And they said they had done evilly with Erp their brother.
But on they fare till they come to the abode of King Jormunrek,
and they went up to him and set on him forthwith, and Hamdir cut
both hands from him and Sorli both feet. Then spake Hamdir --
"Off were the head if Erp were alive; our brother whom we slew on
the way, and found out our deed too late." Even as the Song
says, --
"Off were the head
If Erp were alive yet,
Our brother the bold,
Whom we slew by the way,
The well-famed in warfare."
Now in this must they turn away from the words of their mother,
whereas they had to deal with stones. For now men fell on them,
and they defended themselves in good and manly wise, and were the
scathe of many a man, nor would iron bite on them.
But there came thereto a certain man, old of aspect and one-eyed,
(1) and he spake --
"No wise men are ye, whereas ye cannot bring these men to their
end.
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