United States or Saint Lucia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
At its head sat the kings and the earl-folk; and before them, on a silver platter of rare workmanship, was the head of a huge wild boar, the festal offering to the good Frey, in honor of whom the Yule-feast was held.
Once, for example, there having risen at a Yule-feast, loud, almost stormful demand that Hakon, like a true man and brother, should drink Yule-beer with them in their sacred hightide, Sigurd persuaded him to comply, for peace's sake, at least, in form. "Yes; but what is this with the king's right hand?" cried the company.
But within King Gunther's wide halls there was joy and good cheer. And the season of the Yule-feast came, and still Siegfried tarried in Burgundy-land. Adventure XIII. The Story of Balder. There was mirth in King Gunther's dwelling, for the time of the Yule-feast had come.
Eric said that it seemed so indeed, but he was plighted to it and the feat must be tried. Then he kissed her, and she sought her bed, weeping. Now it was the day of the Yule-feast, and there was no sun till one hour before noon.
"It seems that this is true," said Eric. "Now all this thou doest for a woman who is the betrothed of another man." "All this I do for fame's sake, Swanhild. Moreover, Gudruda is betrothed to none." "Before another Yule-feast is spread, Gudruda shall be the wife of Ospakar." "That is yet to be seen, Swanhild."
Now Thorfinn went with thirty freedmen to the Yule-feast, whereat there was the greatest mirth and joyance among men. Now Yule-eve comes on, and the weather was bright and calm; Grettir was mostly abroad this day, and saw how ships fared north and south along the land, for each one sought the other's home where the Yule drinking was settled to come off.
But let not this suckling cross my desire, lest men call him Eric Holloweyes!" Now the messenger of Ospakar came to Middalhof, and his words pleased Asmund and he made ready a great feast. And Swanhild smiled, but Gudruda was afraid. Now Ospakar rode up to Middalhof on the day before the Yule-feast.
The statement in the saga, "As the Yule-feast approached, the men grew depressed," is a characteristic beginning of a troll story; for, while trolls commit their depredations at all times of the year and under a multitude of circumstances, many of the stories about them begin with such expressions as: "Yule was approaching.
"To-morrow I will send a messenger to Middalhof, saying to Asmund the Priest that I purpose to visit him at the time of the Yule-feast; then I shall see if the girl pleases me. Meanwhile, Koll, take thou a seat among the thralls, and here is something for thy pains," and he took off the purple cloak and threw it to him. "Thanks to thee, Gold-scatterer," said Koll.
And presently Eric opened his eyes and looked up, and found the eyes of Gudruda fixed on his, and there was that in them which made him glad he had dared the path of Golden Falls. Now Asmund the priest bent down, and Eric saw him and spoke: "Thou badest me to thy Yule-feast, lord, by yonder slippery road and I have come. Dost thou welcome me well?" "No man better," quoth Asmund.
Word Of The Day