After that meeting, Holmgang Bersi went to see his brother. Folk
asked how the holmgang had gone, and when he told them they said
that two bold men had struck small blows, and he had gained the
victory only through Cormac's mishap. When Bersi met Steingerd,
and she asked how it went, he made this verse: --

(26)
"They call him, and truly they tell it,
A tree of the helmet right noble:
But the master of manhood must bring me
Three marks for his ransom and rescue.
Though stout in the storm of the bucklers
In the stress of the Valkyrie's tempest
He will bid me no more to the battle,
For the best of the struggle was ours."

Steinar and Cormac rode from Ellidi and passed through Saurbae.
They saw men riding towards them, and yonder came Bersi. He
greeted Cormac and asked how the wound was getting on. Cormac
said it needed little to be healed.

"Wilt thou let me heal thee?" said Bersi; "though from me thou
didst get it: and then it will be soon over."

Cormac said nay, for he meant to be his lifelong foe. Then
answered Bersi: --

(27)
"Thou wilt mind thee for many a season
How we met in the high voice of Hilda.