midnight
Happy is the eve , O children of the Goths , yet shall to-morrow morn be happier . '' Many heard what she spake , and a murmur of joy ran through the ranks of men : for they deemed her words to forecast victory . And now amidst her speaking , the moon , which had arisen on Mid-mark , when the host first entered into the wood , had overtopped the tall trees that stood like a green wall round about the Thing-stead , and shone down on that assembly , and flashed coldly back from the arms of the warriors . And the Hall-Sun cast off her dark blue cloak and stood up in her golden-broidered raiment , which flashed back the grey light like as it had been an icicle hanging from the roof of some hall in the midnight of Yule , when the feast is high within , and without the world is silent with the night of the ten-weeks ' frost . Then she spake again : `` O War-duke , thy mouth is silent ; speak to this warrior of the Bearings that he bid the host what to do ; for wise are ye both , and dear are the minutes of this night and should not be wasted ; since they bring about the salvation of the Wolfings , and the vengeance of the Bearings , and the hope renewed of all the kindreds . '' Then Thiodolf abode a while with his head down cast ; his bosom heaved , and he set his left hand to his swordless scabbard , and his right to his throat , as though he were sore troubled with something he might not tell of : but at last he lifted up his head and spoke to Arinbiorn , but slowly and painfully , as he had spoken before : `` Chief of the Bearings , go up on to the Hill of Speech , and speak to the folk out of thy wisdom , and let them know that to-morrow early before the sun-rising those that may , and are not bound by the Gods against it , shall do deeds according to their might , and win rest for themselves , and new days of deeds for the kindreds . '' Therewith he ceased , and let his head fall again , and the Hall-Sun looked at him askance .