II.
The Burning of Njal.
A Canto After the Icelandic of Njals Saga.
1.
Steadily gallop on Skeidará sand1
Westwards to Woodcombe a weaponed band :2
Dismounting at Kirkby to kirk they repair,3
But short their leisure for shrift or prayer :4
“ To horse ! ” is the word ; and up the fell steep5
Again unresting their course they keep,6
Till Fishwater lakes on the right hand gleam ;7
Then westwards they turn them down glen and stream.8
And Eyjafell Jokul his mass doth show9
To their left, as o’er Mœlifell’s sand they go.10
Soon Goda-land gaining and Markfleet’s tide11
Upwards to Three-corner ridge they ride ;12
There reining their steeds they stay their race,13
For Three-corner hill was their trysting-place.14
2.
Betimes on the Lord’s Day they busked them from home15
At nones of the second the ridge they clomb.16
What errand so urges, that night and day17
In the drear late autumn they speed their way ?18
They speed not to wedding, to farm, or to field,19
Nor summoned to Thing-mote. With sword and with shield20
Well weaponed they ride, and their faces stern21
Speak hearts within that for grim work burn.22
They wait on the hill till at even-fall23
From many a homestead were gathered all,24
Six score, who on forfeit of life and land25
Were sworn in this quarrel together to stand.26
3.
But who are their foes in this feud of blood ?27
The sons of Njal, of Njal the good.28
Wisest and gentlest was he, I trow,29
Of Iceland’s sages long ago ;30
Well learnèd in laws, in counsel kind,31
Foreseeing with more than mortal mind.32
Three sons he begat, sons tall and strong ;33
And Skarphedinn the eldest was bitter of tongue.34
Fain then of blow was an Icelander’s hand ;35
Ready for battle an Icelander’s brand :36
Rough was the age ; and in quarrels fell37
Njal’s sons had borne them so stoutly and well,38
That from every bout unscathed they came,39
And many for kinsfolk killed made claim.40
Njal still sought peace, would heal each strife ;41
But hot was hatred, and slanders rife.42
Atonements fixed and the Thing’s award43
Skarphedinn with gibe and taunt had marred :44
Blood now the avenger’s thirst must slake,45
For blood this tryst on the hill they make.46
4.
Flosi rode chief, wise wight and stark ;47
Beside him Kettle, lord of the Mark ;48
Backed full bravely by brothers four,49
The sons of Sigfus, men of power ;50
There rode great Gunnar’s son, in spite51
Eager and cruel, but craven in fight.52
There many more of lesser name,53
Whom kindred blood or friendship’s claim54
Or envy stirred to lend their blade55
And join them to the murderous raid.56
5.
At Bergthors-knoll the board was cleared,57
Yet slept they not ; for tidings were heard58
Of faring and flitting of man and horse59
All one way bent, as of gathering force.60
And Grim and Helgi had homeward sped61
(As the mother Bergthora boding said),62
And wondering Njal saw vision dire63
Of gaping gable and flaming fire.64
All told of fate and foemen nigh,65
Yet held they still their courage high,66
Three brothers, and Kari, than brother not less,67
And true men staunch to aid their stress.68
6.
“ They come !” is the cry. From the ridge they had ridden,69
Their steeds in the dell they, had tethered and hidden ;70
And now advancing steady and slow71
A firm and well-knit band they show.72
But awhile they halt, when they see in the yard73
Of stalwart defenders so ready a guard.74
Spake Flosi : “ Despite our number strong,75
This battle may be both tough and long,76
If fought in the open: such price we shall pay77
That few shall tell who won the day.78
Though they be thirty, twice threescore we,79
There are champions among them well worth three :80
While some who most keenly our quarrel stirred81
Will be backward in deed as forward in word.”82
7.
Skarphedinn marked their parleying stay :83
“ They deem us,” quoth he, “ no easy prey84
Thus warned and armed.” “ Rather defend85
The house within : he of Lithe-end,86
Brave Gunnar, alone foiled forty so :87
To seek close quarters these will be slow.”88
Thus Njal, for once the weaker way89
Choosing. Skarphedinn answered : “ Yea ;90
But generous foes on Gunnar came,91
To win by fire they thought foul shame.92
Far others these. Bent on our bane93
No means they’ll spare their end to gain.”94
Then Helgi spake : “ Brother, ’twere ill95
To cross our wise old father’s will.”96
“ Nay,” quoth Skarphedinn ; “ the wise man fey97
May prove unwise. But I obey.98
Fox-like to stifle ill suits my breath ;99
Yet burn we together, I fear not death.”100
So entered they, lured to their doom,101
The house that soon should be their tomb.102
8.
“ Now are they ours ! ” said Flosi glad ;103
“ Men soon to die choose counsels mad.104
With all our speed press we straight on,105
Beset and throng the door, let none106
Break forth. And compass every side,107
Lest other issue forth be tried,108
Postern or wicket. ’Twere our bane.109
Vengeance were sure, our work were vain,110
Should one alone of the brothers three111
Or Kari their sister’s lord go free.”112
9.
So Flosi with his best in front113
Charged onwards, where, to bear the brunt,114
Two champions in the doorway stood,115
And first Skarphedinn’s axe drank blood.116
At him with mighty spear-thrust dashed117
Bold Hroald, Auzur’s son. Down flashed118
The Battle-ogress blade, and hewed119
The spear-head off ; then, quick renewed,120
A second blow beat down the shield121
And cleft his brow : he tottering reeled,122
And backward at full length lay dead.123
“ Small chance had that one,” Kari said.124
10.
Fierce was the onslaught, stern the play125
Of thrust and blow : to force their way126
Th’ assailants strove, but no advance127
Could make, for frequent shaft and lance128
Flew forth, and many quailed before129
That dauntless pair who kept the door,130
By Grim and Helgi backed. Nor found131
They who close hemmed the house around,132
Inlet or opening ; firm and sure133
The stronghold doth their rage endure.134
11.
At last spake Flosi : “ From our foes135
We win but wounds ; one slain we lose136
Whom least we would. By sword and spear137
Methinks we force not entrance here.138
And some who egged us on the most139
Are dull with blow though loud in boast.140
Two choices have we, to return,141
Or house and all within to burn.142
Death were the issue sure of one ;143
The other were a deed ill done144
By Christian men, a grievous deed,145
Yet must we do it our need.”146
12.
So they gather wood, and a pile they make147
Before the doors, and fire they take148
And set thereto ; but the women-folk149
Throw whey or water, and quench in smoke,150
Fast as the’ foeman light, till one—151
Kol was he namèd, Thorstein’s son—152
Espied of vetches dry a stack153
Against the house close to the back154
Upon the hill-slope. “ Light we this ;155
To pass the fire we cannot miss156
Into the lofts above the hall ;157
Soon will the cross-trees burn and fall.”158
He spake : ’twas done ; and, ere they know,159
The roof above is all aglow.160
13.
Then ’gan the women to wail and to weep,161
But Njal spake comfort, and bade them keep162
Good courage all. “ This storm once past,163
Ye shall,” he said, “find rest at last.164
Trust Him who still to save is near.”165
These spake he and other words of cheer.166
But yet more widely overhead167
The creeping flames their ruin spread.168
14.
Now to the door went Njal, and cried,169
“ Can Flosi hear ? ” “ Yea,” he replied.170
“ Wilt from my sons atonement take ? ”171
Said Njal ; “ or wilt thou for my sake172
Let any men go forth ? ” But he173
“ Thy sons for no price shall go free ;174
Till they be dead I stir not, I ;175
This ends our dealings, when they die.176
But with women and children we wage no strife,177
They and the house-carles may go with life.”178
15.
“ Now go, Thorhalla, thou, and they179
To whom ’tis given, go while ye may. ”180
So Njal. “ We part, thy son and I,181
Not as we thought ; yet will I try,”182
She said, “ if haply a loyal wife183
May vengeance win for a husband’s life.”184
But Astrid, wife of Grim, “ E’en yet185
Thy lord may ’scape : such foes are met186
Rightly by fraud ; come, Helgi, thou187
Come forth with me : with cloak, I trow,188
And kerchief on thy head for dress,189
Thou’lt pass for woman in the press.”190
Such guile misliked him, but their prayer191
Prevailed at last, and forth they fare.192
But Flosi marked, “ Tall is that dame193
And broad of shoulders, take the same194
And hold her.” Helgi cast the cloak,195
Hewed down one foeman with a stroke,196
Then stricken by great Flosi’s blade197
With severed head in dust was laid.198
16.
Again to th’ entrance Flosi came,199
“ Good father Njal,” he cried, “’twere shame200
That thou shouldst guiltless burn ; I give201
Thee egress free,—come out and live.”202
“ Not so,” said Njal, “ for I am old,203
To venge my sons nor fit nor bold,204
But will not live disgraced.” “ Thou, then,205
Housewife,” cried Flosi once again ;206
“ Come out, Bergthora, for no sake207
Would I thy life thus cruel take.”208
“ Nay, Njal was husband of my youth,”209
Said she ; “ I promised in all truth210
One fate we both would always share.”211
So turned they back, that faithful pair.212
17.
“ What counsel now,” Bergthora said.213
“ We will lie down upon our bed,”214
Said Njal, “ for rest I long have craved.”215
But first,” said she, “ thou must be saved,216
Dear grandchild Thord, nor here be burned.”217
“ Dear minnie mine,” the boy returned,218
“ Thou promisedst that ’gainst my will219
Ne’er should I leave thee. Life were ill220
After you dead : for rather I221
Choose me with Njal and thee to die.’222
18.
She bore him with a gentle smile223
Toward the bed ; and Njal the while224
Spake to his steward : “ Bear in mind225
How we do place us, so thou’lt find226
Our bones hereafter ; I nor turn227
Nor flinch for reek or smart or burn.228
See’st thou yon ox-hide ? O’er us spread229
That covering as we lie abed.230
This done, go forth, and make good haste231
To save thee living whilst thou mayst.”232
So down they lay, the loving pair,233
With the lad between : they breathe a prayer,234
Made sign of cross, nor stir nor word235
Thereafter from that couch was heard.236
“ Age is soon weary,” Skarphedinn said,237
“ Our father and mother go early to bed.”238
19.
Fiercer and fiercer the red flames roar,239
Burning fragments bestrew the floor,240
Hotter and hotter the stifling air,241
But a brave heart still those brothers bear,242
Skarphedinn and Grim, and Kari withal,243
And fast as the firebrands sparkling fall,244
Scornful they fling them abroad on their foes,245
Who pitiless wait the cruel close.246
No more they shoot on the men within ;247
“ On them with weapons no fame we win,”248
Said Flosi ; “ stand we but idly by,249
Fire gains us a sure sad victory.”250
20.
Now nigh the hall-end fell a beam,251
Slanting across. Of hope a gleam252
Saw Kari : “ Climb we by this,” said he,253
“ Then leap, and haply we may go free.254
For hitherward is blown the smoke,255
And that may well our venture cloke.256
And leap thou first.” “ Brother, not so ;257
Upon thy heels I’ll following go.”258
“ That were unwise ; this weakened wood259
To bear thee then will scarce hold good ;260
But I, though I be balked of this,261
Some other outlet will not miss.”262
So Kari ; but Skarphedinn said263
Unmoved, “ Go thou and venge me dead.”264
21.
Then Kari ran up the beam that spanned265
From floor to wall, and bore in hand266
A burning bench, and flung outside267
His burden. The nearest scattered them wide,268
As it fell in their midst, and Kari aglow269
In clothes and hair they might not know,270
As down from the wall he nimbly leapt ;271
Then stealthily with the smoke he crept272
And gained a stream, there plunging quenched273
The flames upon him, and issuing drenched274
Sped on smoke-screened, till in hollow ground275
Safe hiding awhile and rest he found.276
22.
Skarphedinn up the frail bridge sped277
With unlike hap ; for ’neath his tread278
The burnt beam’ snapped ; yet did he fall279
Upon his feet, and at the wall280
Leapt grappling, and had wellnigh scaled281
The top, when crackling timbers failed282
And with him toppled. “What must be,”283
He said, “’tis easy now to see.”284
23.
Two brothers alone in life remain,285
Skarphedinn and Grim. Awhile the twain286
Together trode the fiery floor,287
Till Grim sank down to rise no more.288
Then sought Skarphedinn the gable end,289
Where soon the roof down crashing penned290
His prisoned steps. Nor thence he stirred,291
Nor sound or groan of pain was heard ;292
There stern and soldier-like he stood293
Beside his axe, that in the wood294
Of gable wall was driven deep,—295
Erect he met his deathful sleep.296
24.
’Tis dawn. Behold a dreary scene !297
Where life and health and stir have been,298
There crumbling walls half-burnt and bare299
Gape roofless to the chilly air.300
The floor within, the ground without,301
With relics charred are strown about,302
Embers still glowing, ashes grey,303
While here and there in garish day304
The paler flames with fitful greed305
On fuel fresh unsated feed.306
Sad scene! Too well the vengeful crew307
Have done the deed they sware to do.308
Stillness is here, but not of peace ;309
Blood-feuds by bloodshed do not cease.310
Burners, beware ! the seed ye sow311
Shall to a heavy harvest grow ;312
At Njal so slain, the good and wise,313
All Iceland loud for vengeance cries.314
25.
Anon men searched the ruined hall,315
And gathered bones for burial.316
Of nine that perished remains they found,317
And duly laid in hallowed ground.318
Skarphedinn stood, e’en as he died,319
At the hall-end, and by his side320
His axe : scarce burnt by fire his corse—321
The planks had screened the flame’s full force.322
Where Njal and dame Bergthora lay,323
Deep ashes first they dug away,324
Then ’neath them saw the tough ox-hide,325
Shrivelled by fire it was and dried ;326
But when they lifted it, the pair327
Lay all unburnt and fresh and fair,328
They and the lad : and, wondrous sight,329
Njal’s face and body shone so bright,330
Men said such marvel ne’er had been,331
Never in death such beauty seen.332
A token sure of better days333
To come ere long, and milder ways,334
When truer faith o’er Iceland spread335
Should mercy set in vengeance’ stead,336
Nor Njal have perished all in vain,337
A gentle wight ungently slain.338