Chapter 63 - Egil recites the poem.
King Eric went to table according to his wont, and much people were with him. And when Arinbjorn
knew this, then went he with all his followers fully armed to the king’s palace while the king sate at
table. Arinbjorn craved entrance into the hall; it was granted. He and Egil went in with half of his
followers, but the other half stood without before the door. Arinbjorn saluted the king; the king
received him well. Arinbjorn spoke: ’Here now is come Egil. He has not sought to run away in the
night. Nor would we fain know, my lord, what his lot is to be. I hope thou wilt let him get good from
my words, for I think it a matter of great moment to me that Egil gain terms from thee. I have so acted
(as was right) that neither in word nor deed have I spared aught whereby thy honour should be made
greater than before. I have also abandoned all my possessions, kinsmen, and friends that I had in
Norway, and followed thee when all other barons deserted thee; and herein do I what is meet, for thou
hast often done great good to me.’

Then spoke Gunnhilda: ’Cease, Arinbjorn, nor prate so at length of this. Thou hast done much good to
king Eric, and this he hath fully rewarded. Thou owest far more duty to king Eric than to Egil. It is not
for thee to ask that Egil go unpunished hence from king Eric’s presence, seeing what crimes he hath
wrought.’

Then said Arinbjorn: ’If thou, O king, and thou Gunnhilda, if ye two have resolved that Egil shall here
get no terms, then is this the manly course, to give him respite and leave to go for a week, that he may
look out for himself; of his own free will any way he came hither to seek you, and therefore hoped for
peace. Thereafter, this done, let your dealings together end as they may.’

Gunnhilda said, ’Well can I see by this, Arinbjorn, that thou art more faithful to Egil than to king Eric.
If Egil is to ride hence for a week, then will he in this time be come to king Athelstan. But king Eric
cannot now hide this from himself, that every king is now stronger than is he, whereas a little while
ago it had been deemed incredible that king Eric would not have the will and energy to avenge his
wrongs on such a one as Egil.’

Said Arinbjorn: ’No one will call Eric a greater man for slaying a yeoman’s son, a foreigner, who has
freely come into his power. But if the king wishes to achieve greatness hereby, then will I help him in
this, so that these tidings shall be thought more worthy of record; for I and Egil will now back each
other, so that we must both be met at once. Thou wilt then, O king, dearly buy the life of Egil, when
we be all laid dead on the field, I and my followers. Far other treatment should I have expected of thee,
than that thou wouldst prefer seeing me laid dead on the earth to granting me the boon I crave of one
man’s life.’

Then answered the king: ’A wondrous eager champion art thou, Arinbjorn, in this thy helping of Egil.
Loth were I to do thee scathe, if it comes to this; if thou wilt rather give away thine own life than that
he be slain. But sufficient are the charges against Egil, whatever I cause to be done with him.’

And when the king had said this, then Egil advanced before him and began the poem, and recited in a
loud voice, and at once won silence.