from the south along the land; they soon saw that it was an England
farer; she took the strand further out, and her crew went ashore;
Grettir and his fellows went to meet them. But when they met, Grettir
saw that Biorn was among those men, and spake--

"It is well that we have met here; now we may well take up our ancient
quarrel, and now I will try which of us twain may do the most."

Biorn said that was an old tale to him, "but if there has been aught
of such things between us, I will boot for it, so that thou mayst
think thyself well holden thereof."

Then Grettir sang--

"In hard strife I slew the bear,
Thereof many a man doth hear;
Then the cloak I oft had worn,
By the beast to rags was torn;
Thou, O braggart ring-bearer,
Wrought that jest upon me there,
Now thou payest for thy jest,
Not in words am I the best?"

Biorn said, that oft had greater matters than these been atoned for.

Grettir said, "That few had chosen hitherto to strive to trip him up
with spite and envy, nor ever had he taken fee for such, and still
must matters fare in likewise. Know thou that we shall not both of us
go hence whole men if I may have my will, and a coward's name will I
lay on thy back, if thou darest not to fight."