But tell me, beloved, I deemed that thou hadst not seen Fox before; how then can he have helped the Erne against thee ?" "Yet she sayeth sooth," said Fox, "this was of my sleight: for when I had to come before her, I changed my skin, as I well know how; there are others in this land who can do so much as that.

But what sayest thou concerning the brotherhood with the Erne ?" "Let it be so," said Hallblithe, "he is manly and true, though masterful, and is meet for this land of his.

I shall not fall out with him; for seldom meseemeth shall I see the Isle of Ransom." "And I never again," said the Puny Fox.
"Dost thou loathe it, then," said the Hostage, "because of the evil thou hast done therein ?" "Nay," said he, "what is the evil, when henceforth I shall do but good?
Nay, I love the land.

Belike thou deemest it but dreary with its black rocks and black sand, and treeless wind-swept dales; but I know it in summer and winter, and sun and shade, in storm and calm.

And I know where the fathers dwelt and the sons of their sons' sons have long lain in the earth.