Whereupon they came. The king received Aulvir well, and bade him sit in the high-seat facing
himself, and his comrades outside him. They did so, Egil sitting next to Aulvir. Ale was then served to
them to drink. Many toasts went round, and a horn should be drunk to each toast.

But as the evening wore on, many of Aulvir’s companions became helpless. Some remained in the
room, though sick, some went out of doors. Bard busily plied them with drink. Then Egil took the horn
which Bard had offered to Aulvir, and drank it off. Bard said that Egil was very thirsty, and brought
him at once the horn again filled, and bade him drink it off. Egil took the horn, and recited a stave:

’Wizard-worshipper of cairns!

Want of ale thou couldst allege,

Here at spirits’ holy feast.

False deceiver thee I find.

Stranger guests thou didst beguile,

Cloaking thus thy churlish greed.

Bard, a niggard base art thou,

Treacherous trick on such to play.’

Bard bade him drink and stop that jeering. Egil drained every cup that came to him, drinking for
Aulvir likewise. Then Bard went to the queen and told her there was a man there who put shame on
them, for, howsoever much he drank, he still said he was thirsty. The queen and Bard then mixed the
drink with poison, and bare it in. Bard consecrated the cup, then gave it to the ale-maid. She carried it
to Egil, and bade him drink. Egil then drew his knife and pricked the palm of his hand. He took the
horn, scratched runes thereon, and smeared blood in them. He sang:

’Write we runes around the horn,

Redden all the spell with blood;

Wise words choose I for the cup

Wrought from branching horn of beast.

Drink we then, as drink we will,

Draught that cheerful bearer brings,

Learn that health abides in ale,

Holy ale that Bard hath bless’d.’