But Stone-face from the other side looked keenly on him.
Then blew the horns again, and the Bride stepped daintily up the
hall, and the sweet odour of her raiment went from her about the
fire-warmed dwelling, and her beauty moved all hearts with love. So
stood she at the high-table; and those two who bore the burden set it
down thereon and drew off the covering, and lo! there was the Holy
Boar of Yule on which men were wont to make oath of deeds that they
would do in the coming year, according to the custom of their
forefathers. Then the Bride laid the goodly sword beside the dish,
and then went round the table and sat down betwixt Face-of-god and
Stone-face, and turned kindly to Gold-mane, and was glad; for now was
his fair face as its wont was to be. He in turn smiled upon her, for
she was fair and kind and his fellow for many a day.
Now the men-at-arms stood each side the Boar, and out from them on
each side stood the two hornsmen: then these blew up again, whereon
the Alderman stood up and cried:
'Ye sons of the brave who have any deed that ye may be desirous of
doing, come up, come lay your hand on the sword, and the point of the
sword to the Holy Beast, and swear the oath that lieth on your
hearts.
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