Межзвёздный скиталец

           Iwasmadedrink-boyandsword-bearertohim,andinlieuofothernamewascalledRagnarLodbrog.Agard’scountrywasneighbourtotheFrisians,andasad,flatcountryoffogandfenitwas.Iwaswithhimforthreeyears,tohisdeath,alwaysathisback,whetherhuntingswampwolvesordrinkinginthegreathallwhereElgiva,hisyoungwife,oftensatamongherwomen.IwaswithAgardinsouthforaywithhisshipsalongwhatwouldbenowthecoastofFrance,andthereIlearnedthatstillsouthwerewarmerseasonsandsofterclimesandwomen.

           ButwebroughtbackAgardwoundedtodeathandslow-dying.Andweburnedhisbodyonagreatpyre,withElgiva,inhergoldencorselet,besidehimsinging.Andtherewerehouseholdslavesingoldencollarsthatburnedofaplentytherewithher,andninefemalethralls,andeightmaleslavesoftheAnglesthatwereofgentlebirthandbattle-captured.Andtherewerelivehawkssoburned,andthetwohawk-boyswiththeirbirds.

           ButI,thedrink-boy,RagnarLodbrog,didnotburn.Iwaseleven,andunafraid,andhadneverwornwovenclothonmybody.Andastheflamessprangup,andElgivasangherdeath-song,andthethrallsandslavesscreechedtheirunwillingnesstodie,Itoreawaymyfastenings,leaped,andgainedthefens,thegoldcollarofmyslavehoodstillonmyneck,footingitwiththehoundsloosedtotearmedown.