Then Grim and his company went over the water;
but Aulvir with his men, going to the ships drawn up by the water-side,
so hacked them about that none was fit to launch.
For they saw men coming down from the king's house,
a large body well armed and advancing furiously.
These men king Harold had sent after them to slay Grim.
The king had found words soon after Grim went out, and said:

'This I see in that tall baldhead:
that he is brim full of wolfishness, and he will,
if he can reach them, work scathe on men whom
we should be loth to lose.
Ye may be sure, ye against whom he may bear a grudge,
that he will spare none, if he get a chance.
Wherefore go after him and slay him.'

Upon this they went and came to the water,
and saw no ship there fit to launch.
So they went back and told the king of their journey,
and that Grim and his comrades would now have
got clear over the lake.