But when the king's messengers came to
Kveldulf and told him their errand,
and that the king would have Kveldulf
come to him with all his house-carles,
then answered he:

'It is my duty to the king to take the field with him if he have to
defend his own land, and there be harrying against the Firthfolk;
but this I deem clean beyond my duty, to go north to Mæra and
defend their land. Briefly ye may say when ye meet your king
that Kveldulf will sit at home during this rush to war, nor will
he gather forces nor leave his home to fight with Harold Shockhead.
For I think that he has a whole load of good-fortune where our king
has not a handful.'

The messengers went back to the king,
and told him how their errand had sped;
but Kveldulf sat at home on his estates.