I to his sea-borne barque

My buckler now will bear.’

The earl did not wish Einar to go away; so he granted a hearing to the poem, and thereafter gave Einar
a shield, which was a most costly work. It was inscribed with old tales; and between the writing were
overlaid spangles of gold with precious stones set therein. Einar went to Iceland and lodged with his
brother Osvif: but in autumn he rode east and came to Borg, and was guest there. Egil was just then
not at home, having gone to the northern part of the district, but was expected home. Einar waited for
him three nights: longer than three nights it was not the custom to stay on a friendly visit. Then Einar
made him ready to go; but when ready he went to Egil’s place in the hall, and there he hung up that
precious shield, and told the house-carles that he left it a gift for Egil. Then he rode away.

But on that same day Egil came home. And when he came in to his place, then he saw the shield, and
asked whose was that costly work. It was told him that Einar Skala-glam had come there, and had left
the shield as a gift for him. Then said Egil: ’The wretched man, to give it! He means that I should bide
awake and compose poetry about his shield. Now, bring my horse. I must ride after him and slay him.’
He was told that Einar had ridden away early in the morning. ’He will,’ they said, ’by this be come
westwards to the dales.’ Soon after Egil composed a poem, whereof this is the beginning:

’Of shield, the ship’s bright guard,

To show the praise ’’tis time,

Home to my hand is given

The treasure-sender’s gift.

Sure hath Skala-glam

To skilful guidance lent

(Speak, ye who list my lay)

The reins of minstrel lore.’

Egil and Einar remained friends so long as they both lived. But about the shield’s fortune at last this is
told, that Egil took it with him to the wedding when he went north to Broadmoor with Thorkettle
Gunnvald’s son and Red-Bjorn’s sons Trefill and Helgi. There the shield was spoilt by falling into a
tub of sour whey. After this Egil had the outer ornaments taken off: and there were twelve ounces of
gold in the spangles.

Chapter 84 - Of Thorstein Egil’s son.
Thorstein Egil’s son when he grew up was a most handsome man, white-haired, bright-faced. Tall he
was and strong, yet not so much so as his father. Thorstein was wise, gentle, quite of temper, calm
above other men. Egil loved him little; nor was Thorstein affectionate with his father; but Asgerdr and
Thorstein loved each other dearly. Egil was now beginning to age much.