The high-roofed hall given to guests
Echoed with anger and whiplash of words.
Her face aflame - her eyes ablaze -
Fèhaglin the Fair his wedded wife
Spoke for them all
-- as they huddled close-clustered --
-- in that alien hall. --

'Make that murderer's armor? His promise to pay
'Is as constant as cobwebs and as safe as a storm!'
'And what can he offer but ill-gotten gains,'
'The pillage and plunder of countless coasts?'
Then from her lips a wild cry burst
-- 'Such utter folly --
-- 'This has been from the first!' --

'That man has Mirloth!' - So Cordil cried -
'That my father forged and my mother wore!'
'That price will I pay, and risk what I must
'To ransom their relic from this house of dust!'
Fèhaglin sighed: 'And also strive,
-- 'Gaining the treasure, --
-- 'to reach home alive.' --

Enshrouded in shadows that dipped and danced
They softly spoke in their Silvan speech
Of cares, contingencies, methods, means,
Secrets, circumstances, purposes, plans:
Lest fear at night
-- should catch them aground --
-- lacking wings for flight. --