And when they were ready for the combat, then ran they each at the other,
and first they threw their halberds, neither of which stood fast in the foeman's shield,
but both struck in the ground.
Then took they both to their swords,
and went at it with a will,
blow upon blow.
Atli gave no ground.
They smote fast and hard,
and full soon their shields were becoming useless.
And when Atli's shield was of no use,
then he cast it from him,
and, grasping his sword with both hands,
dealt blows as quickly as possible.
Egil fetched him a blow on the shoulder,
but the sword bit not.
He dealt another, and a third.
It was now easy to find parts in
Atli that he could strike,
since he had no cover;
and Egil brandished and brought
down his sword
with all his might, yet it bit not,
strike he where he might.
Then Egil saw that nothing
would be done this way,
for his shield was now rendered useless.
So Egil let drop both sword and shield,
and bounding on Atli,
gripped him with his hands.
Then the difference of strength was seen,
and Atli fell right back,
but Egil went down prone upon him and
bit through his throat.
There Atli died.