diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 1150-0.txt | 14793 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 1150-h/1150-h.htm | 15896 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/1150-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 375840 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/1150-h/1150-h.htm | 16299 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/1150.txt | 15179 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/1150.zip | bin | 0 -> 365851 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/old/dnhst10.txt | 16472 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/old/dnhst10.zip | bin | 0 -> 364901 bytes |
11 files changed, 78655 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/1150-0.txt b/1150-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0b55e73 --- /dev/null +++ b/1150-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14793 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1150 *** + +THE DANISH HISTORY, + +BOOKS I-IX + +by + +Saxo Grammaticus + +("Saxo the Learned") fl. Late 12th - Early 13th Century A.D. + + + PREPARER'S NOTE: + + Originally written in Latin in the early years of the 13th + Century A.D. by the Danish historian Saxo, of whom little is + known except his name. + + The text of this edition is based on that published as + "The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus", + translated by Oliver Elton (Norroena Society, New York, 1905). + This edition is in the PUBLIC DOMAIN in the United States. + + This electronic edition was edited, proofed, and prepared by + Douglas B. Killings. + + The preparer would like to thank Mr. James W. Marchand and Mr. + Jessie D. Hurlbut for their invaluable assistance in the + production of this electronic text. Thank you. I am indebted to + you both. + + Although Saxo wrote 16 books of his "Danish History", only the + first nine were ever translated by Mr. Oliver Elton; it is these + nine books that are here included. As far as the preparer knows, + there is (unfortunately) no public domain English translation of + Books X-XVI. Those interested in the latter books should search + for the translation mentioned below. + + + + +SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: + +ORIGINAL TEXT-- + +Olrik, J and Raeder (Ed.): "Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum" +(Copenhagen, 1931). + +Dansk Nationallitteraert Arkiv: "Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum" (DNA, +Copenhagen, 1996). Web-based Latin edition of Saxo, substantiallly based +on the above edition; currently at the + + +OTHER TRANSLATIONS-- + +Fisher, Peter (Trans.) and Hilda Ellis Davidson (Ed.): "Saxo +Grammaticus: History of the Danes" (Brewer, Cambridge, 1979). + + +RECOMMENDED READING-- + +Jones, Gwyn: "History of the Vikings" (Oxford University Press, Oxford, +1968, 1973, 1984). + +Sturlson, Snorri: "The Heimskringla" (Translation: Samual Laing, London, +1844; released as Online Medieval and Classical Library E-text +#15, 1996). Web version at the following URL: +http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/OMACL/Heimskringla/ + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + + + +SAXO'S POSITION. + +Saxo Grammaticus, or "The Lettered", one of the notable historians of +the Middle Ages, may fairly be called not only the earliest chronicler +of Denmark, but her earliest writer. In the latter half of the twelfth +century, when Iceland was in the flush of literary production, Denmark +lingered behind. No literature in her vernacular, save a few Runic +inscriptions, has survived. Monkish annals, devotional works, and lives +were written in Latin; but the chronicle of Roskild, the necrology of +Lund, the register of gifts to the cloister of Sora, are not literature. +Neither are the half-mythological genealogies of kings; and besides, the +mass of these, though doubtless based on older verses that are lost, +are not proved to be, as they stand, prior to Saxo. One man only, Saxo's +elder contemporary, Sueno Aggonis, or Sweyn (Svend) Aageson, who wrote +about 1185, shares or anticipates the credit of attempting a connected +record. His brief draft of annals is written in rough mediocre Latin. +It names but a few of the kings recorded by Saxo, and tells little that +Saxo does not. Yet there is a certain link between the two writers. +Sweyn speaks of Saxo with respect; he not obscurely leaves him the task +of filling up his omissions. Both writers, servants of the brilliant +Bishop Absalon, and probably set by him upon their task, proceed, like +Geoffrey of Monmouth, by gathering and editing mythical matter. This +they more or less embroider, and arrive in due course insensibly at +actual history. Both, again, thread their stories upon a genealogy of +kings in part legendary. Both write at the spur of patriotism, both to +let Denmark linger in the race for light and learning, and desirous to +save her glories, as other nations have saved theirs, by a record. But +while Sweyn only made a skeleton chronicle, Saxo leaves a memorial in +which historian and philologist find their account. His seven later +books are the chief Danish authority for the times which they relate; +his first nine, here translated, are a treasure of myth and folk-lore. +Of the songs and stories which Denmark possessed from the common +Scandinavian stock, often her only native record is in Saxo's Latin. +Thus, as a chronicler both of truth and fiction, he had in his own +land no predecessor, nor had he any literary tradition behind him. +Single-handed, therefore, he may be said to have lifted the dead-weight +against him, and given Denmark a writer. The nature of his work will be +discussed presently. + + + + +LIFE OF SAXO. + +Of Saxo little is known but what he himself indicates, though much +doubtful supposition has gathered round his name. + +That he was born a Dane his whole language implies; it is full of a glow +of aggressive patriotism. He also often praises the Zealanders at the +expense of other Danes, and Zealand as the centre of Denmark; but that +is the whole contemporary evidence for the statement that he was a +Zealander. This statement is freely taken for granted three centuries +afterwards by Urne in the first edition of the book (1514), but is not +traced further back than an epitomator, who wrote more than 200 years +after Saxo's death. Saxo tells us that his father and grandfather fought +for Waldemar the First of Denmark, who reigned from 1157 to 1182. Of +these men we know nothing further, unless the Saxo whom he names as one +of Waldemar's admirals be his grandfather, in which case his family was +one of some distinction and his father and grandfather probably "King's +men". But Saxo was a very common name, and we shall see the licence of +hypothesis to which this fact has given rise. The notice, however, +helps us approximately towards Saxo's birth-year. His grandfather, if +he fought for Waldemar, who began to reign in 1157, can hardly have been +born before 1100, nor can Saxo himself have been born before 1145 or +1150. But he was undoubtedly born before 1158, since he speaks of the +death of Bishop Asker, which took place in that year, as occurring "in +our time". His life therefore covers and overlaps the last half of the +twelfth century. + +His calling and station in life are debated. Except by the anonymous +Zealand chronicler, who calls him Saxo "the Long", thus giving us the +one personal detail we have, he has been universally known as Saxo +"Grammaticus" ever since the epitomator of 1431 headed his compilation +with the words, "A certain notable man of letters ("grammaticus"), a +Zealander by birth, named Saxo, wrote," etc. It is almost certain that +this general term, given only to men of signal gifts and learning, +became thus for the first time, and for good, attached to Saxo's name. +Such a title, in the Middle Ages, usually implied that its owner was +a churchman, and Saxo's whole tone is devout, though not conspicuously +professional. + +But a number of Saxos present themselves in the same surroundings with +whom he has been from time to time identified. All he tells us himself +is, that Absalon, Archbishop of Lund from 1179 to 1201, pressed him, who +was "the least of his companions, since all the rest refused the task", +to write the history of Denmark, so that it might record its glories +like other nations. Absalon was previously, and also after his +promotion, Bishop of Roskild, and this is the first circumstance giving +colour to the theory--which lacks real evidence--that Saxo the historian +was the same as a certain Saxo, Provost of the Chapter of Roskild, +whose death is chronicled in a contemporary hand without any mark of +distinction. It is unlikely that so eminent a man would be thus barely +named; and the appended eulogy and verses identifying the Provost and +the historian are of later date. Moreover, the Provost Saxo went on +a mission to Paris in 1165, and was thus much too old for the theory. +Nevertheless, the good Bishop of Roskild, Lave Urne, took this identity +for granted in the first edition, and fostered the assumption. Saxo was +a cleric; and could such a man be of less than canonical rank? He was +(it was assumed) a Zealander; he was known to be a friend of Absalon, +Bishop of Roskild. What more natural than that he should have been the +Provost Saxo? Accordingly this latter worthy had an inscription in gold +letters, written by Lave Urne himself, affixed to the wall opposite his +tomb. + +Even less evidence exists for identifying our Saxo with the scribe of +that name--a comparative menial--who is named in the will of Bishop +Absalon; and hardly more warranted is the theory that he was a member, +perhaps a subdeacon, of the monastery of St. Laurence, whose secular +canons formed part of the Chapter of Lund. It is true that Sweyn +Aageson, Saxo's senior by about twenty years, speaks (writing about +1185) of Saxo as his "contubernalis". Sweyn Aageson is known to have had +strong family connections with the monastery of St. Laurence; but there +is only a tolerably strong probability that he, and therefore that Saxo, +was actually a member of it. ("Contubernalis" may only imply comradeship +in military service.) Equally doubtful is the consequence that +since Saxo calls himself "one of the least" of Absalon's "followers" +("comitum"), he was probably, if not the inferior officer, who is called +an "acolitus", at most a sub-deacon, who also did the work of a superior +"acolitus". This is too poor a place for the chief writer of Denmark, +high in Absalon's favor, nor is there any direct testimony that Saxo +held it. + +His education is unknown, but must have been careful. Of his training +and culture we only know what his book betrays. Possibly, like other +learned Danes, then and afterwards, he acquired his training and +knowledge at some foreign University. Perhaps, like his contemporary +Anders Suneson, he went to Paris; but we cannot tell. It is not even +certain that he had a degree; for there is really little to identify him +with the "M(agister) Saxo" who witnessed the deed of Absalon founding +the monastery at Sora. + + + + +THE HISTORY. + +How he was induced to write his book has been mentioned. The expressions +of modesty Saxo uses, saying that he was "the least" of Absalon's +"followers", and that "all the rest refused the task", are not to be +taken to the letter. A man of his parts would hardly be either the least +in rank, or the last to be solicited. The words, however, enable us to +guess an upward limit for the date of the inception of the work. Absalon +became Archbishop in 1179, and the language of the Preface (written, +as we shall see, last) implies that he was already Archbishop when he +suggested the History to Saxo. But about 1185 we find Sweyn Aageson +complimenting Saxo, and saying that Saxo "had `determined' to set forth +all the deeds" of Sweyn Estridson, in his eleventh book, "at greater +length in a more elegant style". The exact bearing of this notice on +the date of Saxo's History is doubtful. It certainly need not imply that +Saxo had already written ten books, or indeed that he had written +any, of his History. All we call say is, that by 1185 a portion of the +history was planned. The order in which its several parts were composed, +and the date of its completion, are not certainly known, as Absalon died +in 1201. But the work was not then finished; for, at the end of Bk. XI, +one Birger, who died in 1202, is mentioned as still alive. + +We have, however, a yet later notice. In the Preface, which, as its +whole language implies, was written last, Saxo speaks of Waldemar II +having "encompassed (`complexus') the ebbing and flowing waves of Elbe." +This language, though a little vague, can hardly refer to anything but +an expedition of Waldemar to Bremen in 1208. The whole History was in +that case probably finished by about 1208. As to the order in which its +parts were composed, it is likely that Absalon's original instruction +was to write a history of Absalon's own doings. The fourteenth and +succeeding books deal with these at disproportionate length, and +Absalon, at the expense even of Waldemar, is the protagonist. Now Saxo +states in his Preface that he "has taken care to follow the statements +("asserta") of Absalon, and with obedient mind and pen to include both +his own doings and other men's doings of which he learnt." + +The latter books are, therefore, to a great extent, Absalon's personally +communicated memoirs. But we have seen that Absalon died in 1201, +and that Bk. xi, at any rate, was not written after 1202. It almost +certainly follows that the latter books were written in Absalon's +life; but the Preface, written after them, refers to events in 1208. +Therefore, unless we suppose that the issue was for some reason +delayed, or that Saxo spent seven years in polishing--which is not +impossible--there is some reason to surmise that he began with that +portion of his work which was nearest to his own time, and added +the previous (especially the first nine, or mythical) books, as a +completion, and possibly as an afterthought. But this is a point which +there is no real means of settling. We do not know how late the Preface +was written, except that it must have been some time between 1208 and +1223, when Anders Suneson ceased to be Archbishop; nor do we know when +Saxo died. + + + + +HISTORY OF THE WORK. + +Nothing is stranger than that a work of such force and genius, unique in +Danish letters, should have been forgotten for three hundred years, and +have survived only in an epitome and in exceedingly few manuscripts. The +history of the book is worth recording. Doubtless its very merits, its +"marvellous vocabulary, thickly-studded maxims, and excellent variety of +images," which Erasmus admired long afterwards, sealed it to the vulgar. +A man needed some Latin to appreciate it, and Erasmus' natural wonder +"how a Dane at that day could have such a force of eloquence" is a +measure of the rarity both of the gift and of a public that could +appraise it. The epitome (made about 1430) shows that Saxo was felt to +be difficult, its author saying: "Since Saxo's work is in many places +diffuse, and many things are said more for ornament than for historical +truth, and moreover his style is too obscure on account of the number +of terms ("plurima vocabula") and sundry poems, which are unfamiliar to +modern times, this opuscle puts in clear words the more notable of +the deeds there related, with the addition of some that happened after +Saxo's death." A Low-German version of this epitome, which appeared in +1485, had a considerable vogue, and the two together "helped to drive +the history out of our libraries, and explains why the annalists and +geographers of the Middle Ages so seldom quoted it." This neglect +appears to have been greatest of all in Denmark, and to have lasted +until the appearance of the "First Edition" in 1511. + +The first impulse towards this work by which Saxo was saved, is found +in a letter from the Bishop of Roskild, Lave Urne, dated May 1512, to +Christian Pederson, Canon of Lund, whom he compliments as a lover of +letters, antiquary, and patriot, and urges to edit and publish "tam +divinum latinae eruditionis culmen et splendorem Saxonem nostrum". +Nearly two years afterwards Christian Pederson sent Lave Urne a copy of +the first edition, now all printed, with an account of its history. "I +do not think that any mortal was more inclined and ready for" the task. +"When living at Paris, and paying heed to good literature, I twice sent +a messenger at my own charges to buy a faithful copy at any cost, and +bring it back to me. Effecting nothing thus, I went back to my country +for this purpose; I visited and turned over all the libraries, but still +could not pull out a Saxo, even covered with beetles, bookworms, mould, +and dust. So stubbornly had all the owners locked it away." A worthy +prior, in compassion offered to get a copy and transcribe it with his +own hand, but Christian, in respect for the prior's rank, absurdly +declined. At last Birger, the Archbishop of Lund, by some strategy, got +a copy, which King Christian the Second allowed to be taken to Paris on +condition of its being wrought at "by an instructed and skilled graver +(printer)." Such a person was found in Jodocus Badius Ascenshls, who +adds a third letter written by himself to Bishop Urne, vindicating his +application to Saxo of the title Grammaticus, which he well defines +as "one who knows how to speak or write with diligence, acuteness, or +knowledge." The beautiful book he produced was worthy of the zeal, and +unsparing, unweariable pains, which had been spent on it by the band +of enthusiasts, and it was truly a little triumph of humanism. Further +editions were reprinted during the sixteenth century at Basic and at +Frankfort-on-Main, but they did not improve in any way upon the first; +and the next epoch in the study of Saxo was made by the edition and +notes of Stephanus Johansen Stephanius, published at Copenhagen in +the middle of the seventeenth century (1644). Stephanius, the first +commentator on Saxo, still remains the best upon his language. Immense +knowledge of Latin, both good and bad (especially of the authors Saxo +imitated), infinite and prolix industry, a sharp eye for the text, and +continence in emendation, are not his only virtues. His very bulkiness +and leisureliness are charming; he writes like a man who had eternity to +write in, and who knew enough to fill it, and who expected readers of an +equal leisure. He also prints some valuable notes signed with the famous +name of Bishop Bryniolf of Skalholt, a man of force and talent, and +others by Casper Barth, "corculum Musarum", as Stephanius calls him, +whose textual and other comments are sometimes of use, and who worked +with a MS. of Saxo. The edition of Klotz, 1771, based on that of +Stephanius, I have but seen; however, the first standard commentary is +that begun by P. E. Muller, Bishop of Zealand, and finished after his +death by Johan Velschow, Professor of History at Copenhagen, where the +first part of the work, containing text and notes, was published in +1839; the second, with prolegomena and fuller notes, appearing in 1858. +The standard edition, containing bibliography, critical apparatus based +on all the editions and MS. fragments, text, and index, is the admirable +one of that indefatigable veteran, Alfred Holder, Strasburg, 1886. + +Hitherto the translations of Saxo have been into Danish. The first that +survives, by Anders Soffrinson Vedel, dates from 1575, some sixty years +after the first edition. In such passages as I have examined it is +vigorous, but very free, and more like a paraphrase than a translation, +Saxo's verses being put into loose prose. Yet it has had a long life, +having been modified by Vedel's grandson, John Laverentzen, in 1715, +and reissued in 1851. The present version has been much helped by the +translation of Seier Schousbolle, published at Copenhagen in 1752. It is +true that the verses, often the hardest part, are put into periphrastic +verse (by Laurentius Thura, c. 1721), and Schousbolle often does not +face a difficulty; but he gives the sense of Saxo simply and concisely. +The lusty paraphrase by the enthusiastic Nik. Fred. Sev. Grundtvig, of +which there have been several editions, has also been of occasional use. +No other translations, save of a scrap here and there into German, seem +to be extant. + + + + +THE MSS. + +It will be understood, from what has been said, that no complete MS. of +Saxo's History is known. The epitomator in the fourteenth century, and +Krantz in the seventeenth, had MSS. before them; and there was that one +which Christian Pedersen found and made the basis of the first edition, +but which has disappeared. Barth had two manuscripts, which are said to +have been burnt in 1636. Another, possessed by a Swedish parish +priest, Aschaneus, in 1630, which Stephenhis unluckily did not know of, +disappeared in the Royal Archives of Stockholm after his death. These +are practically the only MSS. of which we have sure information, +excepting the four fragments that are now preserved. Of these by far the +most interesting is the "Angers Fragment." + +This was first noticed in 1863, in the Angers Library, where it was +found degraded into the binding of a number of devotional works and a +treatise on metric, dated 1459, and once the property of a priest at +Alencon. In 1877 M. Gaston Paris called the attention of the learned to +it, and the result was that the Danish Government received it next year +in exchange for a valuable French manuscript which was in the Royal +Library at Copenhagen. This little national treasure, the only piece of +contemporary writing of the History, has been carefully photographed and +edited by that enthusiastic and urbane scholar, Christian Bruun. In the +opinion both of Dr. Vigfusson and M. Paris, the writing dates from about +1200; and this date, though difficult to determine, owing to the paucity +of Danish MSS. of the 12th and early lath centuries, is confirmed by the +character of the contents. For there is little doubt that the Fragment +shows us Saxo in the labour of composition. The MSS. looks as if +expressly written for interlineation. Besides a marginal gloss by a +later, fourteenth century hand, there are two distinct sets of variants, +in different writings, interlined and running over into the margin. +These variants are much more numerous in the prose than in the verse. +The first set are in the same hand as the text, the second in another +hand: but both of them have the character, not of variants from some +other MSS., but of alternative expressions put down tentatively. If +either hand is Saxo's it is probably the second. He may conceivably +have dictated both at different times to different scribes. No other man +would tinker the style in this fashion. A complete translation of all +these changes has been deemed unnecessary in these volumes; there is +a full collation in Holder's "Apparatus Criticus". The verdict of the +Angers-Fragment, which, for the very reason mentioned, must not be taken +as the final form of the text, nor therefore, despite its antiquity, +as conclusive against the First Edition where the two differ, is to +confirm, so far as it goes, the editing of Ascensius and Pederson. There +are no vital differences, and the care of the first editors, as well as +the authority of their source, is thus far amply vindicated. + +A sufficient account of the other fragments will be found in Holder's +list. In 1855 M. Kall-Rasmussen found in the private archives at +Kronborg a scrap of fourteenth century MS., containing a short passage +from Bk. vii. Five years later G. F. Lassen found, at Copenhagen, a +fragment of Bk. vi believed to be written in North Zealand, and in +the opinion of Bruun belonging to the same codex as Kall-Rasmussen's +fragment. Of another longish piece, found in Copenhagen at the end of +the seventeenth century by Johannes Laverentzen, and belonging to a +codex burnt in the fire of 1728, a copy still extant in the Copenhagen +Museum, was made by Otto Sperling. For fragments, either extant or +alluded to, of the later books, the student should consult the carefully +collated text of Holder. The whole MS. material, therefore, covers but +a little of Saxo's work, which was practically saved for Europe by the +perseverance and fervour for culture of a single man, Bishop Urne. + + + + +SAXO AS A WRITER. + +Saxo's countrymen have praised without stint his remarkable style, for +he has a style. It is often very bad; but he writes, he is not in +vain called Grammaticus, the man of letters. His style is not merely +remarkable considering its author's difficulties; it is capable at need +of pungency and of high expressiveness. His Latin is not that of the +Golden Age, but neither is it the common Latin of the Middle Ages. There +are traces of his having read Virgil and Cicero. But two writers in +particular left their mark on him. The first and most influential is +Valerius Maximus, the mannered author of the "Memorabilia", who lived in +the first half of the first century, and was much relished in the Middle +Ages. From him Saxo borrowed a multitude of phrases, sometimes apt but +often crabbed and deformed, as well as an exemplary and homiletic turn +of narrative. Other idioms, and perhaps the practice of interspersing +verses amid prose (though this also was a twelfth century Icelandic +practice), Saxo found in a fifth-century writer, Martianus Capella, the +pedantic author of the "De Nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii" Such models +may have saved him from a base mediaeval vocabulary; but they were not +worthy of him, and they must answer for some of his falsities of style. +These are apparent. His accumulation of empty and motley phrase, like a +garish bunch of coloured bladders; his joy in platitude and pomposity, +his proneness to say a little thing in great words, are only too easy +to translate. We shall be well content if our version also gives some +inkling of his qualities; not only of what Erasmus called his "wonderful +vocabulary, his many pithy sayings, and the excellent variety of his +images"; but also of his feeling for grouping, his barbaric sense of +colour, and his stateliness. For he moves with resource and strength +both in prose and verse, and is often only hindered by his own wealth. +With no kind of critical tradition to chasten him, his force is often +misguided and his work shapeless; but he stumbles into many splendours. + + + + +FOLK LORE INDEX. + +The mass of archaic incidents, beliefs, and practices recorded by the +12th-century writer seemed to need some other classification than a bare +alphabetic index. The present plan, a subject-index practically, +has been adopted with a view to the needs of the anthropologist and +folk-lorist. Its details have been largely determined by the bulk and +character of the entries themselves. No attempt has been made to +supply full parallels from any save the more striking and obvious old +Scandinavian sources, the end being to classify material rather than to +point out its significance of geographic distribution. With regard to +the first three heads, the reader who wishes to see how Saxo compares +with the Old Northern poems may be referred to the Grimm Centenary +papers, Oxford, 1886, and the Corpus Poeticurn Boreale, Oxford, 1883. + + + + +POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. + +King--As portrayed by Saxo, the ideal king should be (as in "Beowulf's +Lay") generous, brave and just. He should be a man of accomplishments, +of unblemished body, presumably of royal kin (peasant-birth is +considered a bar to the kingship), usually a son or a nephew, or brother +of his foregoer (though no strict rule of succession seems to appear in +Saxo), and duly chosen and acknowledged at the proper place of election. +In Denmark this was at a stone circle, and the stability of these +stones was taken as an omen for the king's reign. There are exceptional +instances noted, as the serf-king Eormenric (cf. Guthred-Canute +of Northumberland), whose noble birth washed out this blot of his +captivity, and there is a curious tradition of a conqueror setting his +hound as king over a conquered province in mockery. + +The king was of age at twelve. A king of seven years of age has twelve +Regents chosen in the Moot, in one case by lot, to bring him up and rule +for him till his majority. Regents are all appointed in Denmark, in +one case for lack of royal blood, one to Scania, one to Zealand, one to +Funen, two to Jutland. Underkings and Earls are appointed by kings, and +though the Earl's office is distinctly official, succession is sometimes +given to the sons of faithful fathers. The absence of a settled +succession law leads (as in Muslim States) to rebellions and plots. + +Kings sometimes abdicated, giving up the crown perforce to a rival, or +in high age to a kinsman. In heathen times, kings, as Thiodwulf tells us +in the case of Domwald and Yngwere, were sometimes sacrificed for +better seasons (African fashion), and Wicar of Norway perishes, like +Iphigeneia, to procure fair winds. Kings having to lead in war, and +sometimes being willing to fight wagers of battle, are short-lived as a +rule, and assassination is a continual peril, whether by fire at a time +of feast, of which there are numerous examples, besides the classic one +on which Biarea-mal is founded and the not less famous one of Hamlet's +vengeance, or whether by steel, as with Hiartuar, or by trick, as in +Wicar's case above cited. The reward for slaying a king is in one case +120 gold lbs.; 19 "talents" of gold from each ringleader, 1 oz. of gold +from each commoner, in the story of Godfred, known as Ref's gild, "i.e., +Fox tax". In the case of a great king, Frode, his death is concealed for +three years to avoid disturbance within and danger from without. Captive +kings were not as a rule well treated. A Slavonic king, Daxo, offers +Ragnar's son Whitesark his daughter and half his realm, or death, and +the captive strangely desires death by fire. A captive king is exposed, +chained to wild beasts, thrown into a serpent-pit, wherein Ragnar is +given the fate of the elder Gunnar in the Eddic Lays, Atlakvida. The +king is treated with great respect by his people, he is finely clad, and +his commands are carried out, however abhorrent or absurd, as long as +they do not upset customary or statute law. The king has slaves in +his household, men and women, besides his guard of housecarles and his +bearsark champions. A king's daughter has thirty slaves with her, and +the footmaiden existed exactly as in the stories of the Wicked Waiting +Maid. He is not to be awakened in his slumbers (cf. St. Olaf's Life, +where the naming of King Magnus is the result of adherence to this +etiquette). A champion weds the king's leman. + +His thanes are created by the delivery of a sword, which the king +bolds by the blade and the thane takes by the hilt. (English earls were +created by the girding with a sword. "Taking treasure, and weapons +and horses, and feasting in a hall with the king" is synonymous with +thane-hood or gesith-ship in "Beowulf's Lay"). A king's thanes must +avenge him if he falls, and owe him allegiance. (This was paid in the +old English monarchies by kneeling and laying the head down at the +lord's knee.) + +The trick by which the Mock-king, or King of the Beggars (parallel to +our Boy-bishop, and perhaps to that enigmatic churls' King of the "O. E. +Chronicle", s.a. 1017, Eadwiceorla-kyning) gets allegiance paid to +him, and so secures himself in his attack on the real king, is cleverly +devised. The king, besides being a counsel giver himself, and speaking +the law, has "counsellors", old and wise men, "sapientes" (like the +0. E. Thyle). The aged warrior counsellor, as Starcad here and Master +Hildebrand in the "Nibelungenlied", is one type of these persons, +another is the false counsellor, as Woden in guise of Bruni, another +the braggart, as Hunferth in "Beowulf's Lay". At "moots" where laws +are made, kings and regents chosen, cases judged, resolutions taken of +national importance, there are discussions, as in that armed most the +host. + +The king has, beside his estates up and down the country, sometimes +(like Hrothgar with his palace Heorot in "Beowulf's Lay") a great fort +and treasure house, as Eormenric, whose palace may well have really +existed. There is often a primitive and negroid character about +dwellings of formidable personages, heads placed on stakes adorn their +exterior, or shields are ranged round the walls. + +The provinces are ruled by removable earls appointed by the king, +often his own kinsmen, sometimes the heads of old ruling families. The +"hundreds" make up the province or subkingdom. They may be granted to +king's thanes, who became "hundred-elders". Twelve hundreds are in one +case bestowed upon a man. + +The "yeoman's" estate is not only honourable but useful, as Starcad +generously and truly acknowledges. Agriculture should be fostered and +protected by the king, even at the cost of his life. + +But gentle birth and birth royal place certain families above the common +body of freemen (landed or not); and for a commoner to pretend to a +king's daughter is an act of presumption, and generally rigorously +resented. + +The "smith" was the object of a curious prejudice, probably akin to that +expressed in St. Patrick's "Lorica", and derived from the smith's having +inherited the functions of the savage weapon-maker with his poisons and +charms. The curious attempt to distinguish smiths into good and +useful swordsmiths and base and bad goldsmiths seems a merely modern +explanation: Weland could both forge swords and make ornaments of +metal. Starcad's loathing for a smith recalls the mockery with which the +Homeric gods treat Hephaistos. + +Slavery.--As noble birth is manifest by fine eyes and personal beauty, +courage and endurance, and delicate behaviour, so the slave nature +is manifested by cowardice, treachery, unbridled lust, bad manners, +falsehood, and low physical traits. Slaves had, of course, no right +either of honour, or life, or limb. Captive ladies are sent to a +brothel; captive kings cruelly put to death. Born slaves were naturally +still less considered, they were flogged; it was disgraceful to +kill them with honourable steel; to accept a slight service from a +slave-woman was beneath old Starcad's dignity. A man who loved another +man's slave-woman, and did base service to her master to obtain her as +his consort, was looked down on. Slaves frequently ran away to escape +punishment for carelessness, or fault, or to gain liberty. + + + + +CUSTOMARY LAW. + +The evidence of Saxo to archaic law and customary institutions is pretty +much (as we should expect) that to be drawn from the Icelandic Sagas, +and even from the later Icelandic rimur and Scandinavian kaempe-viser. +But it helps to complete the picture of the older stage of North +Teutonic Law, which we are able to piece together out of our various +sources, English, Icelandic, and Scandinavian. In the twilight of Yore +every glowworm is a helper to the searcher. + +There are a few MAXIMS of various times, but all seemingly drawn from +custom cited or implied by Saxo as authoritative:-- + +"It is disgraceful to be ruled by a woman."--The great men of Teutonic +nations held to this maxim. There is no Boudicea or Maidhbh in our own +annals till after the accession of the Tudors, when Great Eliza rivals +her elder kins-women's glories. Though Tacitus expressly notices one +tribe or confederacy, the Sitones, within the compass of his Germania, +ruled by a woman, as an exceptional case, it was contrary to the feeling +of mediaeval Christendom for a woman to be emperor; it was not till late +in the Middle Ages that Spain saw a queen regnant, and France has never +yet allowed such rule. It was not till long after Saxo that the great +queen of the North, Margaret, wielded a wider sway than that rejected by +Gustavus' wayward daughter. + +"The suitor ought to urge his own suit."--This, an axiom of the most +archaic law, gets evaded bit by bit till the professional advocate takes +the place of the plaintiff. "Njal's Saga", in its legal scenes, shows +the transition period, when, as at Rome, a great and skilled chief +was sought by his client as the supporter of his cause at the Moot. In +England, the idea of representation at law is, as is well known, late +and largely derived from canon law practice. + +"To exact the blood-fine was as honourable as to take vengeance."--This +maxim, begotten by Interest upon Legality, established itself both in +Scandinavia and Arabia. It marks the first stage in a progress which, +if carried out wholly, substitutes law for feud. In the society of the +heathen Danes the maxim was a novelty; even in Christian Denmark men +sometimes preferred blood to fees. + + +MARRIAGE.--There are many reminiscences of "archaic marriage customs +in Saxo." The capture marriage has left traces in the guarded king's +daughters, the challenging of kings to fight or hand over their +daughters, in the promises to give a daughter or sister as a reward to +a hero who shall accomplish some feat. The existence of polygamy is +attested, and it went on till the days of Charles the Great and Harold +Fairhair in singular instances, in the case of great kings, and finally +disappeared before the strict ecclesiastic regulations. + +But there are evidences also of later customs, such as "marriage by +purchase", already looked on as archaic in Saxo's day; and the free +women in Denmark had clearly long had a veto or refusal of a husband for +some time back, and sometimes even free choice. "Go-betweens" negotiate +marriages. + +Betrothal was of course the usage. For the groom to defile an espoused +woman is a foul reproach. Gifts made to father-in-law after bridal by +bridegroom seem to denote the old bride-price. Taking the bride home in +her car was an important ceremony, and a bride is taken to her future +husband's by her father. The wedding-feast, as in France in Rabelais' +time, was a noisy and drunken and tumultuous rejoicing, when +bone-throwing was in favor, with other rough sports and jokes. The three +days after the bridal and their observance in "sword-bed" are noticed +below. + +A commoner or one of slave-blood could not pretend to wed a high-born +lady. A woman would sometimes require some proof of power or courage at +her suitor's hands; thus Gywritha, like the famous lady who weds Harold +Fairhair, required her husband Siwar to be over-king of the whole land. +But in most instances the father or brother betrothed the girl, and she +consented to their choice. Unwelcome suitors perish. + +The prohibited degrees were, of course, different from those established +by the mediaeval church, and brother weds brother's widow in good +archaic fashion. Foster-sister and foster-brother may marry, as Saxo +notices carefully. The Wolsung incest is not noticed by Saxo. He only +knew, apparently, the North-German form of the Niflung story. But the +reproachfulness of incest is apparent. + +Birth and beauty were looked for in a bride by Saxo's heroes, and +chastity was required. The modesty of maidens in old days is eulogised +by Saxo, and the penalty for its infraction was severe: sale abroad into +slavery to grind the quern in the mud of the yard. One of the tests of +virtue is noticed, "lac in ubere". + +That favourite "motif", the "Patient Grizzle", occurs, rather, however, +in the Border ballad than the Petrarcan form. + +"Good wives" die with their husbands as they have vowed, or of grief for +their loss, and are wholly devoted to their interests. Among "bad wives" +are those that wed their husband's slayer, run away from their husbands, +plot against their husbands' lives. The penalty for adultery is death to +both, at husband's option--disfigurement by cutting off the nose of +the guilty woman, an archaic practice widely spread. In one case the +adulterous lady is left the choice of her own death. Married women's +Homeric duties are shown. + +There is a curious story, which may rest upon fact, and not be merely +typical, where a mother who had suffered wrong forced her daughter to +suffer the same wrong. + +Captive women are reduced to degrading slavery as "harlots" in one case, +according to the eleventh century English practice of Gytha. + +THE FAMILY AND BLOOD REVENGE.--This duty, one of the strongest links of +the family in archaic Teutonic society, has left deep traces in Saxo. + +To slay those most close in blood, even by accident, is to incur the +guilt of parricide, or kin-killing, a bootless crime, which can only be +purged by religious ceremonies; and which involves exile, lest the gods' +wrath fall on the land, and brings the curse of childlessness on the +offender until he is forgiven. + +BOOTLESS CRIMES.--As among the ancient Teutons, botes and were-gilds +satisfy the injured who seek redress at law rather than by the steel. +But there are certain bootless crimes, or rather sins, that imply +"sacratio", devotion to the gods, for the clearing of the community. +Such are treason, which is punishable by hanging; by drowning in sea. + +Rebellion is still more harshly treated by death and forfeiture; the +rebels' heels are bored and thonged under the sinew, as Hector's feet +were, and they are then fastened by the thongs to wild bulls, hunted +by hounds, till they are dashed to pieces (for which there are classic +parallels), or their feet are fastened with thongs to horses driven +apart, so that they are torn asunder. + +For "parricide", i.e., killing within near degrees, the criminal is hung +up, apparently by the heels, with a live wolf (he having acted as a wolf +which will slay its fellows). Cunning avoidance of the guilt by trick is +shown. + +For "arson" the appropriate punishment is the fire. + +For "incestuous adultery" of stepson with his stepmother, hanging is +awarded to the man. In the same case Swanwhite, the woman, is punished, +by treading to death with horses. A woman accomplice in adultery is +treated to what Homer calls a "stone coat." Incestuous adultery is a +foul slur. + +For "witchcraft", the horror of heathens, hanging was the penalty. + +"Private revenge" sometimes deliberately inflicts a cruel death for +atrocious wrong or insult, as when a king, enraged at the slaying of his +son and seduction of his daughter, has the offender hanged, an instance +famous in Nathan's story, so that Hagbard's hanging and hempen necklace +were proverbial. + +For the slayer by a cruel death of their captive father, Ragnar's sons +act the blood-eagle on Ella, and salt his flesh. There is an undoubted +instance of this act of vengeance (the symbolic meaning of which is not +clear as yet) in the "Orkney Saga". + +But the story of Daxo and of Ref's gild show that for such wrongs +were-gilds were sometimes exacted, and that they were considered highly +honourable to the exactor. + +Among OFFENCES NOT BOOTLESS, and left to individual pursuit, are:-- + +"Highway robbery".--There are several stories of a type such as that of +Ingemund and Ioknl (see "Landnamaboc") told by Saxo of highwaymen; and +an incident of the kind that occurs in the Theseus story (the Bent-tree, +which sprung back and slew the wretch bound to it) is given. The +romantic trick of the mechanic bed, by which a steel-shod beam is +let fall on the sleeping traveller, also occurs. Slain highwaymen are +gibbeted as in Christian days. + +"Assassination", as distinct from manslaughter in vengeance for a wrong, +is not very common. A hidden mail-coat foils a treacherous javelin-cast +(cf. the Story of Olaf the Stout and the Blind King, Hrorec); murderers +lurk spear-armed at the threshold, sides, as in the Icelandic Sagas; a +queen hides a spear-head in her gown, and murders her husband (cf. +Olaf Tryggvason's Life). Godfred was murdered by his servant (and +Ynglingatal). + +"Burglary".--The crafty discovery of the robber of the treasury by +Hadding is a variant of the world-old Rhampsinitos tale, but less +elaborate, possibly abridged and cut down by Saxo, and reduced to a mere +moral example in favour of the goldenness of silence and the danger of +letting the tongue feed the gallows. + +Among other disgraceful acts, that make the offender infamous, but do +not necessarily involve public action:-- + +"Manslaughter in Breach of Hospitality".--Probably any gross breach of +hospitality was disreputable and highly abhorred, but "guest-slaughter" +is especially mentioned. The ethical question as to whether a man should +slay his guest or forego his just vengeance was often a "probleme du +jour" in the archaic times to which these traditions witness. Ingeld +prefers his vengeance, but Thuriswend, in the Lay cited by Paul the +Deacon, chooses to protect his guest. Heremod slew his messmates in his +wrath, and went forth alone into exile. ("Beowulf's Lay".) + +"Suicide".--This was more honourable than what Earl Siward of +Northumberland called a "cow-death." Hadding resolves to commit suicide +at his friend's death. Wermund resolves to commit suicide if his son be +slain (in hopelessness of being able to avenge him, cf. "Njal's Saga", +where the hero, a Christian, prefers to perish in his burning house than +live dishonoured, "for I am an old man and little fitted to avenge my +sons, but I will not live in shame"). Persons commit suicide by slaying +each other in time of famine; while in England (so Baeda tells) they +"decliffed" themselves in companies, and, as in the comic little +Icelandic tale Gautrec's birth, a Tarpeian death is noted as the +customary method of relieving folks from the hateful starvation +death. It is probable that the violent death relieved the ghost or +the survivors of some inconveniences which a "straw death" would have +brought about. + +"Procedure by Wager of Battle".--This archaic process pervades Saxo's +whole narrative. It is the main incident of many of the sagas from +which he drew. It is one of the chief characteristics of early Teutonic +custom-law, and along with "Cormac's Saga", "Landnamaboc", and the +Walter Saga, our author has furnished us with most of the information we +have upon its principles and practice. + +Steps in the process are the Challenge, the Acceptance and Settlement of +Conditions, the Engagement, the Treatment of the vanquished, the Reward +of the conqueror, and there are rules touching each of these, enough +almost to furnish a kind of "Galway code". + +A challenge could not, either to war or wager of battle, be refused with +honor, though a superior was not bound to fight an inferior in rank. An +ally might accept for his principal, or a father for a son, but it was +not honourable for a man unless helpless to send a champion instead of +himself. + +Men were bound to fight one to one, and one man might decline to fight +two at once. Great champions sometimes fought against odds. + +The challenged man chose the place of battle, and possibly fixed the +time. This was usually an island in the river. + +The regular weapons were swords and shields for men of gentle blood. +They fought by alternate separate strokes; the senior had the first +blow. The fight must go on face to face without change of place; for the +ground was marked out for the combatants, as in our prize ring, though +one can hardly help fancying that the fighting ground so carefully +described in "Cormac's Saga", ch. 10, may have been Saxo's authority. +The combatants change places accidentally in the struggle in one story. + +The combat might last, like Cuchullin's with Ferdia, several days; a +nine days' fight occurs; but usually a few blows settled the matter. +Endurance was important, and we are told of a hero keeping himself in +constant training by walking in a mail coat. + +The conqueror ought not to slay his man if he were a stripling, or +maimed, and had better take his were-gild for his life, the holmslausn +or ransom of "Cormac's Saga" (three marks in Iceland); but this was +a mere concession to natural pity, and he might without loss of honor +finish his man, and cut off his head, though it was proper, if the slain +adversary has been a man of honor, to bury him afterward. + +The stakes are sometimes a kingdom or a kingdom's tribute, often a lady, +or the combatants fought for "love" or the point of honor. Giants +and noted champions challenge kings for their daughters (as in the +fictitious parts of the Icelandic family sagas) in true archaic +fashion, and in true archaic fashion the prince rescues the lady from a +disgusting and evil fate by his prowess. + +The champion's fee or reward when he was fighting for his principal and +came off successful was heavy--many lands and sixty slaves. Bracelets +are given him; a wound is compensated for at ten gold pieces; a fee for +killing a king is 120 of the same. + +Of the incidents of the combat, beside fair sleight of fence, there is +the continual occurrence of the sword-blunting spell, often cast by the +eye of the sinister champion, and foiled by the good hero, sometimes +by covering his blade with thin skin, sometimes by changing the blade, +sometimes by using a mace or club. + +The strength of this tradition sufficiently explains the necessity of +the great oath against magic taken by both parties in a wager of battle +in Christian England. + +The chief combats mentioned by Saxo are:-- + +Sciold v. Attila. Sciold v. Scate, for the hand of Alfhild. Gram v. +Swarin and eight more, for the crown of the Swedes. Hadding v. Toste, by +challenge. Frode v. Hunding, on challenge. Frode v. Hacon, on challenge. +Helge v. Hunding, by challenge at Stad. Agnar v. Bearce, by challenge. +Wizard v. Danish champions, for truage of the Slavs. Wizard v. Ubbe, +for truage of the Slavs. Coll v. Horwendill, on challenge. Athisl v. +Frowine, meeting in battle. Athisl v. Ket and Wig, on challenge. Uffe +v. Prince of Saxony and Champion, by challenge. Frode v. Froger, on +challenge. Eric v. Grep's brethren, on challenge, twelve a side. Eric +v. Alrec, by challenge. Hedin v. Hogni, the mythic everlasting battle. +Arngrim v. Scalc, by challenge. Arngrim v. Egtheow, for truage of +Permland. Arrow-Odd and Hialmar v. twelve sons of Arngrim Samsey fight. +Ane Bow-swayer v. Beorn, by challenge. Starkad v. Wisin, by challenge. +Starkad v. Tanlie, by challenge. Starkad v. Wasce--Wilzce, by challenge. +Starkad v. Hame, by challenge. Starkad v. Angantheow and eight of +his brethren, on challenge. Halfdan v. Hardbone and six champions, +on challenge. Halfdan v. Egtheow, by challenge. Halfdan v. Grim, on +challenge. Halfdan v. Ebbe, on challenge, by moonlight. Halfdan v. +Twelve champions, on challenge. Halfdan v. Hildeger, on challenge. Ole +v. Skate and Hiale, on challenge. Homod and Thole v. Beorn and Thore, by +challenge. Ref. v. Gaut, on challenge. Ragnar and three sons v. Starcad +of Sweden and seven sons, on challenge. + +CIVIL PROCEDURE.--"Oaths" are an important art of early procedure, and +noticed by Saxo; one calling the gods to witness and therefor, it is +understood, to avenge perjury if he spake not truth. + +"Testification", or calling witnesses to prove the steps of a legal +action, was known, "Glum's Saga" and "Landnamaboc", and when a manslayer +proceeded (in order to clear himself of murder) to announce the +manslaughter as his act, he brings the dead man's head as his proof, +exactly as the hero in the folk-tales brings the dragon's head or tongue +as his voucher. + +A "will" is spoken of. This seems to be the solemn declaration of +a childless man to his kinsfolk, recommending some person as his +successor. Nothing more was possible before written wills were +introduced by the Christian clergy after the Roman fashion. + + + + +STATUTE LAWS. + +"Lawgivers".--The realm of Custom had already long been curtailed by the +conquests of Law when Saxo wrote, and some epochs of the invasion were +well remembered, such as Canute's laws. But the beginnings were dim, and +there were simply traditions of good and bad lawyers of the past; such +were "Sciold" first of all the arch-king, "Frode" the model lawgiver, +"Helge" the tyrant, "Ragnar" the shrewd conqueror. + +"Sciold", the patriarch, is made by tradition to fulfil, by abolishing +evil customs and making good laws, the ideal of the Saxon and Frankish +Coronation oath formula (which may well go back with its two first +clauses to heathen days). His fame is as widely spread. However, the +only law Saxo gives to him has a story to it that he does not plainly +tell. Sciold had a freedman who repaid his master's manumission of him +by the ingratitude of attempting his life. Sciold thereupon decrees +the unlawfulness of manumissions, or (as Saxo puts it), revoked all +manumissions, thus ordaining perpetual slavery on all that were or might +become slaves. The heathen lack of pity noticed in Alfred's preface +to "Gregory's Handbook" is illustrated here by contrast with the +philosophic humanity of the Civil Law, and the sympathy of the mediaeval +Church. + +But FRODE (known also to the compiler of "Beowulf's Lay", 2025) had, in +the Dane's eyes, almost eclipsed Sciold as conqueror and lawgiver. His +name Frode almost looks as if his epithet Sapiens had become his popular +appellation, and it befits him well. Of him were told many stories, and +notably the one related of our Edwin by Bede (and as it has been told by +many men of many rulers since Bede wrote, and before). Frode was able to +hang up an arm-ring of gold in three parts of his kingdom that no thief +for many years dared touch. How this incident (according to our version +preserved by Saxo), brought the just king to his end is an archaic and +interesting story. Was this ring the Brosinga men? + +Saxo has even recorded the Laws of Frode in four separate bits, which we +give as A, B, C, D. + +A. is mainly a civil and military code of archaic kind: + +(a) The division of spoil shall be--gold to captains, silver to +privates, arms to champions, ships to be shared by all. Cf. Jomswickinga +S. on the division of spoil by the law of the pirate community of Jom. + +(b) No house stuff to be locked; if a man used a lock he must pay a gold +mark. + +(c) He who spares a thief must bear his punishment. + +(d) The coward in battle is to forfeit all rights (cf. "Beowulf", 2885). + +(e) Women to have free choice (or, at least, veto) in taking husbands. + +(f) A free woman that weds a slave loses rank and freedom (cf. Roman +Law). + +(g) A man must marry a girl he has seduced. + +(h) An adulterer to be mutilated at pleasure of injured husband. + +(i) Where Dane robbed Dane, the thief to pay double and peace-breach. + +(k) Receivers of stolen goods suffer forfeiture and flogging at most. + +(l) Deserter bearing shield against his countrymen to lose life and +property. + +(m) Contempt of fyrd-summons or call to military service involves +outlawry and exile. + +(n) Bravery in battle to bring about increase in rank (cf. the old +English "Ranks of Men"). + +(o) No suit to lie on promise and pledge; fine of a gold lb. for asking +pledge. + +(p) Wager of battle is to be the universal mode of proof. + +(q) If an alien kill a Dane two aliens must suffer. (This is practically +the same principle as appears in the half weregild of the Welsh in West +Saxon Law.) + +B. An illustration of the more capricious of the old enactments and the +jealousy of antique kings. + +(a) Loss of gifts sent to the king involves the official responsible; he +shall be hanged. (This is introduced as illustration of the cleverness +of Eric and the folly of Coll.) + +C. Saxo associates another set of enactments with the completion of a +successful campaign of conquest over the Ruthenians, and shows Frode +chiefly as a wise and civilising statesman, making conquest mean +progress. + +(a) Every free householder that fell in war was to be set in his barrow +with horse and arms (cf. "Vatzdaela Saga", ch. 2). + +The body-snatcher was to be punished by death and the lack of sepulture. + +Earl or king to be burned in his own ship. + +Ten sailors may be burnt on one ship. + +(b) Ruthenians to have the same law of war as Danes. + +(c) Ruthenians must adopt Danish sale-marriage. (This involves +the abolition of the Baltic custom of capture-marriage. That +capture-marriage was a bar to social progress appears in the legislation +of Richard II, directed against the custom as carried out on the borders +of the Palatine county of Chester, while cases such as the famous one of +Rob Roy's sons speak to its late continuance in Scotland. In Ireland it +survived in a stray instance or two into this century, and songs like +"William Riley" attest the sympathy of the peasant with the eloping +couple.) + +(d) A veteran, one of the Doughty, must be such a man as will attack one +foe, will stand two, face three without withdrawing more than a little, +and be content to retire only before four. (One of the traditional +folk-sayings respecting the picked men, the Doughty or Old Guard, as +distinguished from the Youth or Young Guard, the new-comers in the +king's Company of House-carles. In Harald Hardrede's Life the Norwegians +dread those English house-carles, "each of whom is a match for four," +who formed the famous guard that won Stamford Bridge and fell about +their lord, a sadly shrunken band, at Senlake.) + +(f) The house-carles to have winter-pay. The house-carle three pieces +of silver, a hired soldier two pieces, a soldier who had finished his +service one piece. + +(The treatment of the house-carles gave Harald Harefoot a reputation +long remembered for generosity, and several old Northern kings have +won their nicknames by their good or ill feeding and rewarding their +comitatus.) + +D. Again a civil code, dealing chiefly with the rights of travellers. + +(a) Seafarers may use what gear they find (the "remis" of the text may +include boat or tackle). + +(b) No house is to be locked, nor coffer, but all thefts to be +compensated threefold. (This, like A, b, which it resembles, seems a +popular tradition intended to show the absolute security of Frode's +reign of seven or three hundred years. It is probably a gloss wrongly +repeated.) + +(c) A traveller may claim a single supper; if he take more he is a +thief (the mark of a prae-tabernal era when hospitality was waxing cold +through misuse). + +(d) Thief and accomplices are to be punished alike, being hung up by +a line through the sinews and a wolf fastened beside. (This, which +contradicts A, i, k, and allots to theft the punishment proper for +parricide, seems a mere distorted tradition.) + +But beside just Frode, tradition spoke of the unjust Kinge HELGE, whose +laws represent ill-judged harshness. They were made for conquered races, +(a) the Saxons and (b) the Swedes. + +(a) Noble and freedmen to have the same were-gild (the lower, of course, +the intent being to degrade all the conquered to one level, and to allow +only the lowest were-gild of a freedman, fifty pieces, probably, in the +tradition). + +(b) No remedy for wrong done to a Swede by a Dane to be legally +recoverable. (This is the traditional interpretation of the conqueror's +haughty dealing; we may compare it with the Middle-English legends of +the pride of the Dane towards the conquered English. The Tradition sums +up the position in such concrete forms as this Law of Helge's.) + +Two statutes of RAGNAR are mentioned:-- + +(a) That any householder should give up to his service in war the worst +of his children, or the laziest of his slaves (a curious tradition, and +used by Saxo as an opportunity for patriotic exaltation). + +(b) That all suits shall be absolutely referred to the judgment of +twelve chosen elders (Lodbroc here appearing in the strange character of +originator of trial by jury). + +"Tributes".--Akin to laws are the tributes decreed and imposed by kings +and conquerors of old. Tribute infers subjection in archaic law. The +poll-tax in the fourteenth century in England was unpopular, because of +its seeming to degrade Englishmen to the level of Frenchmen, who paid +tribute like vanquished men to their absolute lord, as well as for other +reasons connected with the collection of the tax. + +The old fur tax (mentioned in "Egil's Saga") is here ascribed to FRODE, +who makes the Finns pay him, every three years, a car full or sledge +full of skins for every ten heads; and extorts one skin per head from +the Perms. It is Frode, too (though Saxo has carved a number of Frodes +out of one or two kings of gigantic personality), that made the Saxons +pay a poll-tax, a piece of money per head, using, like William the +Conqueror, his extraordinary revenue to reward his soldiers, whom he +first regaled with double pay. But on the conquered folks rebelling, +he marked their reduction by a tax of a piece of money on every limb a +cubit long, a "limb-geld" still more hateful than the "neb-geld." + +HOTHERUS (Hodr) had set a tribute on the Kurlanders and Swedes, and +HROLF laid a tribute on the conquered Swedes. + +GODEFRIDUS-GOTRIC is credited with a third Saxon tribute, a heriot of +100 snow-white horses payable to each Danish king at his succession, and +by each Saxon chief on his accession: a statement that, recalling sacred +snow-white horses kept in North Germany of yore makes one wish for +fuller information. But Godefridus also exacted from the Swedes the +"Ref-gild", or Fox-money; for the slaying of his henchman Ref, twelve +pieces of gold from each man of rank, one from every commoner. And his +Friesland tribute is stranger still, nor is it easy to understand from +Saxo's account. There was a long hall built, 240 feet, and divided up +into twelve "chases" of 20 feet each (probably square). There was a +shield set up at one end, and the taxpayers hurled their money at it; if +it struck so as to sound, it was good; if not, it was forfeit, but not +reckoned in the receipt. This (a popular version, it may be, of some +early system of treasury test) was abolished, so the story goes, by +Charles the Great. + +RAGNAR'S exaction from Daxo, his son's slayer, was a yearly tribute +brought by himself and twelve of his elders barefoot, resembling in part +such submissions as occur in the Angevin family history, the case of the +Calais burgesses, and of such criminals as the Corporation of Oxford, +whose penance was only finally renounced by the local patriots in our +own day. + + + + +WAR. + +"Weapons".--The sword is the weapon par excellence in Saxo's narrative, +and he names several by name, famous old blades like our royal Curtana, +which some believed was once Tristrem's, and that sword of Carlus, whose +fortunes are recorded in Irish annals. Such are "Snyrtir", Bearce's +sword; "Hothing", Agnar's blade; "Lauf", or "Leaf", Bearce's sword; +"Screp", Wermund's sword, long buried and much rust-eaten, but sharp and +trusty, and known by its whistle; Miming's sword ("Mistletoe"), which +slew Balder. Wainhead's curved blade seems to be a halbert; "Lyusing" +and "Hwiting", Ragnald of Norway's swords; "Logthe", the sword of Ole +Siward's son. + +The "war-club" occurs pretty frequently. But it is usually introduced as +a special weapon of a special hero, who fashions a gold-headed club +to slay one that steel cannot touch, or who tears up a tree, like the +Spanish knight in the ballad, or who uses a club to counteract spells +that blunt steel. The bat-shapen archaic rudder of a ship is used as a +club in the story of the Sons of Arngrim. + +The "spear" plays no particular part in Saxo: even Woden's spear Gungne +is not prominent. + +"Bows and arrows" are not often spoken of, but archer heroes, such as +Toki, Ane Bow-swayer, and Orwar-Odd, are known. Slings and stones are +used. + +The shield, of all defensive armour, is far the most prominent. They +were often painted with devices, such as Hamlet's shield, Hildiger's +Swedish shield. Dr. Vigfusson has shown the importance of these painted +shields in the poetic history of the Scandinavians. + +A red shield is a signal of peace. Shields are set round ramparts on +land as round ships at sea. + +"Mail-coats" are worn. Frode has one charmed against steel. Hother has +another; a mail-coat of proof is mentioned and their iron meshes are +spoken of. + +"Helmets" are used, but not so carefully described as in "Beowulf's +Lay"; crested helmets and a gilded helmet occur in Bearca-mal and in +another poem. + +"Banners" serve as rallying points in the battle and on the march. The +Huns' banners are spoken of in the classic passage for the description +of a huge host invading a country. Bearcamal talks of golden banners. + +"Horns" (1) were blown pp at the beginning of the engagement and for +signalling. The gathering of the host was made by delivery of a wooden +arrow painted to look like iron. + +"Tactics".--The hand-to-hand fight of the wager of battle with sword +and shield, and the fighting in ranks and the wedge-column at close +quarters, show that the close infantry combat was the main event of the +battle. The preliminary hurling of stones, and shooting of arrows, +and slinging of pebbles, were harassing and annoying, but seldom +sufficiently important to affect the result of the main engagement. + +Men ride to battle, but fight on foot; occasionally an aged king is +car-borne to the fray, and once the car, whether by Saxo's adorning +hand, or by tradition, is scythe-armed. + +The gathered host is numbered, once, where, as with Xerxes, counting was +too difficult, by making each man as he passed put a pebble in a pile +(which piles survive to mark the huge size of Frode's army). This is, +of course, a folktale, explaining the pebble-hills and illustrating the +belief in Frode's power; but armies were mustered by such expedients of +old. Burton tells of an African army each man of whom presented an egg, +as a token of his presence and a means of taking the number of the host. + +We hear of men marching in light order without even scabbards, and +getting over the ice in socks. + +The war equipment and habits of the Irish, light armoured, clipped at +back of head, hurling the javelin backwards in their feigned flight; of +the Slavs, small blue targets and long swords; of the Finns, with their +darts and skees, are given. + +Watches are kept, and it is noted that "uht", the early watch +after midnight, is the worst to be attacked in (the duke's +two-o'clock-in-the-morning courage being needed, and the darkness and +cold helping the enemy). + +Spies were, of course, slain if discovered. But we have instances of +kings and heroes getting into foeman's camps in disguise (cf. stories of +Alfred and Anlaf). + +The order of battle of Bravalla fight is given, and the ideal array of a +host. To Woden is ascribed the device of the boar's head, hamalt fylking +(the swine-head array of Manu's Indian kings), the terrible column with +wedge head which could cleave the stoutest line. + +The host of Ring has men from Wener, Wermland, Gotaelf, Thotn, Wick, +Thelemark, Throndham, Sogn, Firths, Fialer, Iceland; Sweden, Gislamark, +Sigtun, Upsala, Pannonia. + +The host of Harold had men from Iceland, the Danish provinces, Frisia, +Lifland; Slavs, and men from Jom, Aland, and Sleswick. + +The battle of Bravalla is said to have been won by the Gotland archers +and the men of Throndham, and the Dales. The death of Harald by +treachery completed the defeat, which began when Ubbe fell (after he had +broken the enemy's van) riddled with arrows. + +The defeated, unless they could fly, got little quarter. One-fifth only +of the population of a province are said to have survived an invasion. +After sea-battles (always necessarily more deadly) the corpses choke the +harbours. Seventy sea-kings are swept away in one sea-fight. Heads seem +to have been taken in some cases, but not as a regular Teutonic usage, +and the practice, from its being attributed to ghosts and aliens, +must have already been considered savage by Saxo, and probably by his +informants and authorities. + +Prisoners were slaves; they might be killed, put to cruel death, +outraged, used as slaves, but the feeling in favour of mercy was +growing, and the cruelty of Eormenric, who used tortures to his +prisoners, of Rothe, who stripped his captives, and of Fro, who sent +captive ladies to a brothel in insult, is regarded with dislike. + +Wounds were looked on as honourable, but they must be in front or +honourably got. A man who was shot through the buttocks, or wounded in +the back, was laughed at and disgraced. We hear of a mother helping her +wounded son out of battle. + +That much of human interest centered round war is evident by the mass +of tradition that surrounds the subject in Saxo, both in its public and +private aspects. Quaint is the analysis of the four kinds of warriors: +(a) The Veterans, or Doughty, who kill foes and spare flyers; (b) the +Young men who kill foes and flyers too; (c) the well-to-do, landed, and +propertied men of the main levy, who neither fight for fear nor fly for +shame; (d) the worthless, last to fight and first to fly; and curious +are the remarks about married and unmarried troops, a matter which Chaka +pondered over in later days. Homeric speeches precede the fight. + +"Stratagems of War" greatly interested Saxo (probably because Valerius +Maximus, one of his most esteemed models, was much occupied with such +matters), so that he diligently records the military traditions of the +notably skillful expedients of famous commanders of old. + +There is the device for taking a town by means of the "pretended death" +of the besieging general, a device ascribed to Hastings and many more +commanders (see Steenstrup Normannerne); the plan of "firing" a besieged +town by fire-bearing birds, ascribed here to Fridlev, in the case of +Dublin to Hadding against Duna (where it was foiled by all tame birds +being chased out of the place). + +There is the "Birnam Wood" stratagem, by which men advanced behind a +screen of boughs, which is even used for the concealment of ships, and +the curious legend (occurring in Irish tradition also, and recalling +Capt. B. Hall's "quaker gun" story) by which a commander bluffs off his +enemy by binding his dead to stakes in rows, as if they were living men. + +Less easy to understand are the "brazen horses" or "machines" driven +into the close lines of the enemy to crush and open them, an invention +of Gewar. The use of hooked weapons to pull down the foes' shields and +helmets was also taught to Hother by Gewar. + +The use of black tents to conceal encampment; the defence of a pass by +hurling rocks from the heights; the bridge of boats across the Elbe; +and the employment of spies, and the bold venture, ascribed in our +chronicles to Alfred and Anlaf, of visiting in disguise the enemy's +camp, is here attributed to Frode, who even assumed women's clothes for +the purpose. + +Frode is throughout the typical general, as he is the typical statesman +and law-giver of archaic Denmark. + +There are certain heathen usages connected with war, as the hurling of +a javelin or shooting of an arrow over the enemy's ranks as a "sacratio" +to Woden of the foe at the beginning of a battle. This is recorded in +the older vernacular authorities also, in exact accordance with the +Homeric usage, "Odyssey" xxiv, 516-595. + +The dedication of part of the spoils to the god who gave good omens for +the war is told of the heathen Baltic peoples; but though, as Sidonius +records, it had once prevailed among the Saxons, and, as other witnesses +add, among the Scandinavian people, the tradition is not clearly +preserved by Saxo. + +"Sea and Sea Warfare."--As might be expected, there is much mention of +Wicking adventure and of maritime warfare in Saxo. + +Saxo tells of Asmund's huge ship (Gnod), built high that he might shoot +down on the enemy's craft; he speaks of a ship (such as Godwin gave as +a gift to the king his master), and the monk of St. Bertin and the +court-poets have lovingly described a ship with gold-broidered sails, +gilt masts, and red-dyed rigging. One of his ships has, like the ships +in the Chansons de Geste, a carbuncle for a lantern at the masthead. +Hedin signals to Frode by a shield at the masthead. A red shield was a +peace signal, as noted above. The practice of "strand-hewing", a great +feature in Wicking-life (which, so far as the victualling of raw meat +by the fishing fleets, and its use raw, as Mr. P. H. Emerson informs +me, still survives), is spoken of. There was great fear of monsters +attacking them, a fear probably justified by such occasional attacks of +angry whales as Melville (founding his narrative on repeated facts) has +immortalised. The whales, like Moby Dick, were uncanny, and inspired by +troll-women or witches (cf. "Frithiof Saga" and the older "Lay of +Atle and Rimegerd"). The clever sailing of Hadding, by which he eludes +pursuit, is tantalising, for one gathers that, Saxo knows the details +that he for some reason omits. Big fleets of 150 and a monster armada of +3,000 vessels are recorded. + +The ships were moved by oars and sails; they had rudders, no doubt such +as the Gokstad ship, for the hero Arrow-Odd used a rudder as a weapon. + +"Champions".--Professed fighting men were often kept by kings and +earls about their court as useful in feud and fray. Harald Fairhair's +champions are admirably described in the contemporary Raven Song by +Hornclofe-- + + "Wolf-coats they call them that in battle + Bellow into bloody shields. + They wear wolves' hides when they come into the fight, + And clash their weapons together." + +and Saxo's sources adhere closely to this pattern. + +These "bear-sarks", or wolf-coats of Harald give rise to an O. N. term, +"bear-sarks' way", to describe the frenzy of fight and fury which such +champions indulged in, barking and howling, and biting their shield-rims +(like the ferocious "rook" in the narwhale ivory chessmen in the British +Museum) till a kind of state was produced akin to that of the Malay when +he has worked himself up to "run-a-muck." There seems to have been in +the 10th century a number of such fellows about unemployed, who +became nuisances to their neighbours by reason of their bullying and +highhandedness. Stories are told in the Icelandic sagas of the way such +persons were entrapped and put to death by the chiefs they served when +they became too troublesome. A favourite (and fictitious) episode in +an "edited" Icelandic saga is for the hero to rescue a lady promised to +such a champion (who has bullied her father into consent) by slaying the +ruffian. It is the same "motif" as Guy of Warwick and the Saracen lady, +and one of the regular Giant and Knight stories. + +Beside men-warriors there were "women-warriors" in the North, as Saxo +explains. He describes shield-maidens, as Alfhild, Sela, Rusila +(the Ingean Ruadh, or Red Maid of the Irish Annals, as Steenstrup so +ingeniously conjectures); and the three she-captains, Wigbiorg, who fell +on the field, Hetha, who was made queen of Zealand, and Wisna, whose +hand Starcad cut off, all three fighting manfully at Bravalla fight. + + + + +SOCIAL LIFE AND MANNERS. + +"Feasts".--The hall-dinner was an important feature in the old Teutonic +court-life. Many a fine scene in a saga takes place in the hall while +the king and his men are sitting over their ale. The hall decked with +hangings, with its fires, lights, plate and provisions, appears in Saxo +just as in the Eddic Lays, especially Rigsmal, and the Lives of the +Norwegian Kings and Orkney Earls. + +The order of seats is a great point of archaic manners. Behaviour at +table was a matter of careful observance. The service, especially that +of the cup-bearer, was minutely regulated by etiquette. An honoured +guest was welcomed by the host rising to receive him and giving him a +seat near himself, but less distinguished visitors were often victims to +the rough horseplay of the baser sort, and of the wanton young gentleman +at court. The food was simple, boiled beef and pork, and mutton without +sauce, ale served in horns from the butt. Roast meat, game, sauces, +mead, and flagons set on the table, are looked on by Starcad as foreign +luxuries, and Germany was credited with luxurious cookery. + +"Mimes and jugglers", who went through the country or were attached to +the lord's court to amuse the company, were a despised race because of +their ribaldry, obscenity, cowardice, and unabashed self-debasement; +and their newfangled dances and piping were loathsome to the old +court-poets, who accepted the harp alone as an instrument of music. + +The story that once a king went to war with his jugglers and they ran +away, would represent the point of view of the old house-carle, who +was neglected, though "a first-class fighting man", for these debauched +foreign buffoons. + + + + +SUPERNATURAL BEINGS. + +GODS AND GODDESSES.--The gods spring, according to Saxo's belief, from +a race of sorcerers, some of whom rose to pre-eminence and expelled and +crushed the rest, ending the "wizard-age", as the wizards had ended the +monster or "giant-age". That they were identic with the classic gods he +is inclined to believe, but his difficulty is that in the week-days we +have Jove : Thor; Mercury : Woden; whereas it is perfectly well known +that Mercury is Jove's son, and also that Woden is the father of Thor--a +comic "embarras". That the persians the heathens worshipped as gods +existed, and that they were men and women false and powerful, Saxo +plainly believes. He has not Snorre's appreciation of the humorous side +of the mythology. He is ironic and scornful, but without the kindly, +naive fun of the Icelander. + +The most active god, the Dane's chief god (as Frey is the Swede's god, +and patriarch), is "Woden". He appears in heroic life as patron of great +heroes and kings. Cf. "Hyndla-Lay", where it is said of Woden:-- + + "Let us pray the Father of Hosts to be gracious to us! + He granteth and giveth gold to his servants, + He gave Heremod a helm and mail-coat, + And Sigmund a sword to take. + He giveth victory to his sons, to his followers wealth, + Ready speech to his children and wisdom to men. + Fair wind to captains, and song to poets; + He giveth luck in love to many a hero." + +He appears under various disguises and names, but usually as a one-eyed +old man, cowled and hooded; sometimes with another, bald and ragged, as +before the battle Hadding won; once as "Hroptr", a huge man skilled in +leechcraft, to Ragnar's son Sigfrid. + +Often he is a helper in battle or doomer of feymen. As "Lysir", a rover +of the sea, he helps Hadding. As veteran slinger and archer he helps his +favourite Hadding; as charioteer, "Brune", he drives Harald to his death +in battle. He teaches Hadding how to array his troops. As "Yggr" the +prophet he advises the hero and the gods. As "Wecha" (Waer) the leech he +woos Wrinda. He invented the wedge array. He can grant charmed lives to +his favourites against steel. He prophesies their victories and death. +He snatches up one of his disciples, sets him on his magic horse that +rides over seas in the air, as in Skida-runa the god takes the beggar +over the North Sea. His image (like that of Frey in the Swedish story +of Ogmund dytt and Gunnar helming, "Flatey book", i, 335) could speak by +magic power. + +Of his life and career Saxo gives several episodes. + +Woden himself dwelt at Upsala and Byzantium (Asgard); and the northern +kings sent him a golden image ring-bedecked, which he made to speak +oracles. His wife Frigga stole the bracelets and played him false with a +servant, who advised her to destroy and rob the image. + +When Woden was away (hiding the disgrace brought on him by Frigga his +wife), an imposter, Mid Odin, possibly Loke in disguise, usurped his +place at Upsala, instituted special drink-offerings, fled to Finland on +Woden's return, and was slain by the Fins and laid in barrow. But +the barrow smote all that approached it with death, till the body was +unearthed, beheaded, and impaled, a well-known process for stopping the +haunting of an obnoxious or dangerous ghost. + +Woden had a son Balder, rival of Hother for the love of Nanna, daughter +of King Gewar. Woden and Thor his son fought for him against Hother, +but in vain, for Hother won the laity and put Balder to shameful flight; +however, Balder, half-frenzied by his dreams of Nanna, in turn drove him +into exile (winning the lady); finally Hother, befriended hy luck and +the Wood Maidens, to whom he owed his early successes and his magic +coat, belt, and girdle (there is obvious confusion here in the text), at +last met Balder and stabbed him in the side. Of this wound Balder died +in three days, as was foretold by the awful dream in which Proserpina +(Hela) appeared to him. Balder's grand burial, his barrow, and the magic +flood which burst from it when one Harald tried to break into it, and +terrified the robbers, are described. + +The death of Balder led Woden to seek revenge. Hrossthiof the wizard, +whom he consulted, told him he must beget a son by "Wrinda" (Rinda, +daughter of the King of the Ruthenians), who should avenge his +half-brother. + +Woden's wooing is the best part of this story, half spoilt, however, +by euhemeristic tone and lack of epic dignity. He woos as a victorious +warrior, and receives a cuff; as a generous goldsmith, and gets a +buffet; as a handsome soldier, earning a heavy knock-down blow; but in +the garb of a women as Wecha (Wakr), skilled in leechcraft, he won his +way by trickery; and ("Wale") "Bous" was born, who, after some years, +slew Hother in battle, and died himself of his wounds. Bous' barrow +in Bohusland, Balder's haven, Balder's well, are named as local +attestations of the legend, which is in a late form, as it seems. + +The story of Woden's being banished for misbehaviour, and especially +for sorcery and for having worn woman's attire to trick Wrinda, his +replacement by "Wuldor" ("Oller"), a high priest who assumed Woden's +name and flourished for ten years, but was ultimately expelled by the +returning Woden, and killed by the Danes in Sweden, is in the same +style. But Wuldor's bone vessel is an old bit of genuine tradition +mangled. It would cross the sea as well as a ship could, by virtue of +certain spells marked on it. + +Of "Frey", who appears as "satrapa" of the gods at Upsala, and as the +originator of human sacrifice, and as appeased by black victims, at a +sacrifice called Froblod (Freys-blot) instituted by Hadding, who began +it as an atonement for having slain a sea-monster, a deed for which he +had incurred a curse. The priapic and generative influences of Frey are +only indicated by a curious tradition mentioned. It almost looks as +if there had once been such an institution at Upsala as adorned the +Phoenician temples, under Frey's patronage and for a symbolic means of +worship. + +"Thunder", or "Thor", is Woden's son, strongest of gods or men, patron +of Starcad, whom he turned, by pulling off four arms, from a monster to +a man. + +He fights by Woden's side and Balder's against Hother, by whose magic +wand his club (hammer) was lopped off part of its shaft, a wholly +different and, a much later version than the one Snorre gives in the +prose Edda. Saxo knows of Thor's journey to the haunt of giant Garfred +(Geirrod) and his three daughters, and of the hurling of the iron +"bloom", and of the crushing of the giantesses, though he does not seem +to have known of the river-feats of either the ladies or Thor, if we may +judge (never a safe thing wholly) by his silence. + +Whether "Tew" is meant by the Mars of the Song of the Voice is not +evident. Saxo may only be imitating the repeated catch-word "war" of the +original. + +"Loke" appears as Utgard-Loke, Loke of the skirts of the World, as +it were; is treated as a venomous giant bound in agony under a +serpent-haunted cavern (no mention is made of "Sigyn" or her pious +ministry). + +"Hela" seems to be meant by Saxo's Proserpina. + +"Nanna" is the daughter of Gewar, and Balder sees her bathing and falls +in love with her, as madly as Frey with Gertha in Skirnismal. + +"Freya", the mistress of Od, the patroness of Othere the homely, the +sister of Frey-Frode, and daughter of Niord-Fridlaf, appears as Gunwara +Eric's love and Syritha Ottar's love and the hair-clogged maiden, as Dr. +Rydberg has shown. + +The gods can disguise their form, change their shape, are often met in +a mist, which shrouds them save from the right person; they appear +and disappear at will. For the rest they have the mental and physical +characteristics of the kings and queens they protect or persecute +so capriciously. They can be seen by making a magic sign and looking +through a witch's arm held akimbo. They are no good comates for men or +women, and to meddle with a goddess or nymph or giantess was to ensure +evil or death for a man. The god's loves were apparently not always so +fatal, though there seems to be some tradition to that effect. Most of +the god-sprung heroes are motherless or unborn (i.e., born like Macduff +by the Caesarean operation)--Sigfred, in the Eddic Lays for instance. + +Besides the gods, possibly older than they are, and presumably mightier, +are the "Fates" (Norns), three Ladies who are met with together, who +fulfil the parts of the gift-fairies of our Sleeping Beauty tales, and +bestow endowments on the new-born child, as in the beautiful "Helge +Lay", a point of the story which survives in Ogier of the Chansons de +Geste, wherein Eadgar (Otkerus or Otgerus) gets what belonged to Holger +(Holge), the Helga of "Beowulf's Lay". The caprices of the Fates, where +one corrects or spoils the others' endowments, are seen in Saxo, when +beauty, bounty, and meanness are given together. They sometimes meet +heroes, as they met Helgi in the Eddic Lay (Helgi and Sigrun Lay), +and help or begift them; they prepare the magic broth for Balder, are +charmed with Hother's lute-playing, and bestow on him a belt of victory +and a girdle of splendour, and prophesy things to come. + +The verse in Biarca-mal, where "Pluto weaves the dooms of the mighty and +fills Phlegethon with noble shapes," recalls Darrada-liod, and points to +Woden as death-doomer of the warrior. + +"Giants".--These are stupid, mischievous, evil and cunning in Saxo's +eyes. Oldest of beings, with chaotic force and exuberance, monstrous in +extravagant vitality. + +The giant nature of the older troll-kind is abhorrent to man and woman. +But a giantess is enamoured of a youth she had fostered, and giants +carry off king's daughters, and a three-bodied giant captures young +children. + +Giants live in caves by the sea, where they keep their treasure. One +giant, Unfoot (Ofoti), is a shepherd, like Polyphemus, and has a famous +dog which passed into the charge of Biorn, and won a battle; a giantess +is keeping goats in the wilds. A giant's fury is so great that it takes +twelve champions to control him, when the rage is on him. The troll +(like our Puss-in-Boots Ogre) can take any shape. + +Monstrous apparitions are mentioned, a giant hand (like that in one +story of Finn) searching for its prey among the inmates of a booth +in the wilds. But this Grendel-like arm is torn off by a giantess, +Hardgrip, daughter of Wainhead and niece possibly of Hafle. + +The voice heard at night prophesying is that of some god or monster, +possibly Woden himself. + +"Dwarves".--These Saxo calls Satyrs, and but rarely mentions. The dwarf +Miming, who lives in the desert, has a precious sword of sharpness +(Mistletoe?) that could even pierce skin-hard Balder, and a ring +(Draupnir) that multiplied itself for its possessor. He is trapped by +the hero and robbed of his treasures. + + + + +FUNERAL RITES AND MAN'S FUTURE STATE. + +"Barrow-burials".--The obsequies of great men (such as the classic +funeral of "Beowulf's Lay", 3138-80) are much noticed by Saxo, and we +might expect that he knew such a poem (one similar to Ynglingatal, but +not it) which, like the Books of the Kings of Israel and Judah, recorded +the deaths and burials, as well as the pedigrees and deeds, of the +Danish kings. + +The various stages of the "obsequy by fire" are noted; the byre +sometimes formed out of a ship; the "sati"; the devoted bower-maidens +choosing to die with their mistress, the dead man's beloved (cf. The +Eddic funerals of Balder, Sigfred, and Brunhild, in the Long "Brunhild's +Lay", Tregrof Gudrumar and the lost poem of Balder's death paraphrased +in the prose Edda); the last message given to the corpse on the pyre +(Woden's last words to Balder are famous); the riding round the pyre; +the eulogium; the piling of the barrow, which sometimes took whole days, +as the size of many existing grass mounds assure us; the funeral feast, +where an immense vat of ale or mead is drunk in honor of the dead; the +epitaph, like an ogham, set up on a stone over the barrow. + +The inclusion of a live man with the dead in a barrow, with the live or +fresh-slain beasts (horse and bound) of the dead man, seems to point to +a time or district when burning was not used. Apparently, at one time, +judging from Frode's law, only chiefs and warriors were burnt. + +Not to bury was, as in Hellas, an insult to the dead, reserved for the +bodies of hated foes. Conquerors sometimes show their magnanimity (like +Harald Godwineson) by offering to bury their dead foes. + +The buried "barrow-ghost" was formidable; he could rise and slay and +eat, vampire-like, as in the tale of Asmund and Aswit. He must in such +case be mastered and prevented doing further harm by decapitation and +thigh-forking, or by staking and burning. So criminals' bodies were +often burnt to stop possible haunting. + +Witches and wizards could raise corpses by spells to make them prophesy. +The dead also appeared in visions, usually foretelling death to the +person they visited. + +OTHER WORLDS.--The "Land of Undeath" is spoken of as a place reached by +an exiled hero in his wanderings. We know it from Eric the traveller's +S., Helge Thoreson's S., Herrand and Bose S., Herwon S., Thorstan +Baearmagn S., and other Icelandic sources. But the voyage to the Other +Worlds are some of the most remarkable of the narratives Saxo has +preserved for us. + +"Hadding's Voyage Underground".--(a) A woman bearing in her lap angelica +fresh and green, though it was deep winter, appears to the hero at +supper, raising her head beside the brazier. Hadding wishes to know +where such plants grow. + +(b) She takes him with her, under cover of her mantle, underground. + +(c) They pierce a mist, get on a road worn by long use, pass nobly-clad +men, and reach the sunny fields that bear the angelica:-- + + "Through griesly shadowes by a beaten path, + Into a garden goodly garnished." + --F.Q. ii. 7, 51. + +(d) Next they cross, by a bridge, the "River of Blades", and see "two +armies fighting", ghosts of slain soldiers. + +(e) Last they came to a high wall, which surrounds the land of Life, for +a cock the woman brought with her, whose neck she wrung and tossed over +this wall, came to life and crowed merrily. + +Here the story breaks off. It is unfinished, we are only told that +Hadfling got back. Why he was taken to this under-world? Who took him? +What followed therefrom? Saxo does not tell. It is left to us to make +out. + +That it is an archaic story of the kind in the Thomas of Ercildoune +and so many more fairy-tales, e.g., Kate Crack-a-Nuts, is certain. The +"River of Blades" and "The Fighting Warriors" are known from the Eddic +Poems. The angelica is like the green birk of that superb fragment, the +ballad of the Wife of Usher's Well--a little more frankly heathen, of +course-- + + "It fell about the Martinmas, when nights are long and mirk, + The carline wife's three sons cam hame, and their hats were + o' the birk. + It neither grew in syke nor dyke, nor yet in ony sheugh, + But at the gates o' Paradise that birk grew fair eneuch." + +The mantel is that of Woden when he bears the hero over seas; the cock +is a bird of sorcery the world over; the black fowl is the proper gift +to the Underground powers--a heriot really, for did not the Culture god +steal all the useful beasts out of the underground world for men's use? + +Dr. Rydberg has shown that the "Seven Sleepers" story is an old Northern +myth, alluded to here in its early pre-Christian form, and that with +this is mixed other incidents from voyages of Swipdag, the Teutonic +Odusseus. + +"Thorkill's Second Voyage to Outgarth-Loke to get Knowledge".--(a) +Guthrum is troubled as to the immortality and fate of the soul, and the +reward of piety after death. To spite Thorkill, his enviers advised the +king to send him to consult Outgarth-Loke. He required of the king that +his enemies should be sent with him. + +(b) In one well-stored and hide-defended ship they set out, reached +a sunless, starless land, without fuel; ate raw food and suffered. At +last, after many days, a fire was seen ashore. Thorkill, setting a jewel +at the mast-head to be able to regain his vessel easily, rows ashore to +get fire. + +(c) In a filthy, snake-paved, stinking cavern he sees two horny-nebbed +giants, (2) making a fire. One of the giants offers to direct him to +Loke if he will say three true things in three phrases, and this done, +tells him to row four days and then he would reach a Dark and Grassless +Land. For three more true sayings he obtains fire, and gets back to his +vessel. + +(d) With good wind they make Grassless Land, go ashore, find a huge, +rocky cavern, strike a flint to kindle a fire at the entrance as a +safeguard against demons, and a torch to light them as they explored the +cavern. + +(e) First appears iron seats set amid crawling snakes. + +(f) Next is sluggish water flowing over sand. + +(g) Last a steep, sloping cavern is reached, in a chamber of which lay +Outgarth-Loke chained, huge and foul. + +(h) Thorkill plucks a hair of his beard "as big as a cornel-wood spear." +The stench that arose was fearful; the demens and snakes fell upon the +invaders at once; only Thorkill and five of the crew, who had sheltered +themselves with hides against the virulent poison the demons and snakes +cast, which would take a head off at the neck if it fell upon it, got +back to their ship. + +(i) By vow to the "God that made the world", and offerings, a good +voyage was made back, and Germany reached, where Thorkill became a +Christian. Only two of his men survived the effects of the poison and +stench, and he himself was scarred and spoilt in the face. + +(k) When he reached the king, Guthrum would not listen to his tale, +because it was prophesied to him that he would die suddenly if he heard +it; nay, he even sent men to smite him as he lay in bed, but, by the +device of laying a log in his place, he escaped, and going to the king +as he sat at meat, reproached him for his treachery. + +(l) Guthrum bade him tell his story, but died of horror at hearing his +god Loke foully spoken of, while the stench of the hair that Thorkill +produced, as Othere did his horn for a voucher of his speech, slew many +bystanders. + +This is the regular myth of Loke, punished by the gods, lying bound with +his own soils' entrails on three sharp stones and a sword-blade, (this +latter an addition, when the myth was made stones were the only blades), +with snakes' venom dripping on to him, so that when it falls on him he +shakes with pain and makes earthquakes--a Titan myth in answer to the +question, "Why does the earth quake?" The vitriolic power of the poison +is excellently expressed in the story. The plucking of the hair as a +token is like the plucking of a horn off the giant or devil that occurs +in some folk-tale. + + + + +MAGIC AND FOLK-SCIENCE. + +There is a belief in magic throughout Saxo's work, showing how fresh +heathendom still was in men's minds and memories. His explanations, when +he euhemerizes, are those of his day. + +By means of spells all kinds of wonders could be effected, and the +powers of nature forced to work for the magician or his favourite. + +"Skin-changing" (so common in "Landnamaboc") was as well known as in the +classic world of Lucian and Apuleius; and, where Frode perishes of the +attacks of a witch metamorphosed into a walrus. + +"Mist" is induced by spells to cover and hide persons, as in Homer, +and "glamour" is produced by spells to dazzle foemen's sight. To cast +glamour and put confusion into a besieged place a witch is employed by +the beleaguerer, just as William the Conqueror used the witch in the +Fens against Hereward's fortalice. A soothsayer warns Charles the Great +of the coming of a Danish fleet to the Seine's mouth. + +"Rain and bad weather" may be brought on, as in a battle against +the enemy, but in this, as in other instances, the spell may be +counteracted. + +"Panic Terror" may be induced by the spell worked with a dead horse's +head set up on a pole facing the antagonist, but the spell may be met +and combatted by silence and a counter-curse. + +"Magic help" may be got by calling on the friendly magician's name. +The magician has also the power of summoning to him anyone, however +unwilling, to appear. + +Of spells and magic power to blunt steel there are several instances; +they may be counteracted (as in the Icelandic Sagas) by using the hilt, +or a club, or covering the blade with fine skin. In another case the +champion can only be overcome by one that will take up some of the dust +from under his feet. This is effected by the combatants shifting their +ground and exchanging places. In another case the foeman can only +be slain by gold, whereupon the hero has a gold-headed mace made and +batters the life out of him therewith. The brothers of Swanhild cannot +be cut by steel, for their mail was charmed by the witch Gudrun, but +Woden taught Eormenric, the Gothic king, how to overcome them with +stones (which apparently cannot, as archaic weapons, be charmed against +at all, resisting magic like wood and water and fire). Jordanis tells +the true history of Ermanaric, that great Gothic emperor whose rule +from the Dnieper to the Baltic and Rhine and Danube, and long reign of +prosperity, were broken by the coming of the Huns. With him vanished the +first great Teutonic empire. + +Magic was powerful enough even to raise the dead, as was practised +by the Perms, who thus renewed their forces after a battle. In the +Everlasting battle the combatants were by some strange trick of fate +obliged to fulfil a perennial weird (like the unhappy Vanderdecken). +Spells to wake the dead were written on wood and put under the corpses' +tongue. Spells (written on bark) induce frenzy. + +"Charms" would secure a man against claw or tooth. + +"Love philtres" (as in the long "Lay of Gudrun) appear as everywhere in +savage and archaic society. + +"Food", porridge mixed with the slaver of tortured snakes, gives magic +strength or endues the eater with eloquence and knowledge of beast and +bird speech (as Finn's broiled fish and Sigfred's broiled dragon-heart +do). + +"Poison" like these hell-broths are part of the Witch or Obi +stock-in-trade, and Frode uses powdered gold as an antidote. + +"Omens" are observed; tripping as one lands is lucky (as with our +William the Norman). Portents, such as a sudden reddening of the sea +where the hero is drowned, are noticed and interpreted. + +"Dreams" (cf. Eddic Lays of Attila, and the Border ballads) are +prophetic (as nine-tenths of Europeans firmly believe still); thus the +visionary flame-spouting dragon is interpreted exactly as Hogne's and +Attila's dreams. The dreams of the three first bridals nights (which +were kept hallowed by a curious superstition, either because the dreams +would then bold good, or as is more likely, for fear of some Asmodeus) +were fateful. Animals and birds in dreams are read as persons, as +nowadays. + +A "curse" is powerful unless it can be turned back, when it will harm +its utterer, for harm someone it must. The "curse" of a dying man on his +slayer, and its lack of effect, is noted. + +Sometimes "magic messengers" are sent, like the swans that bore a token +and uttered warning songs to the hero. + +"Witches and wizards" (as belonging to the older layer of archaic +beliefs) are hateful to the gods, and Woden casts them out as accursed, +though he himself was the mightiest of wizards. Heathen Teutonic life +was a long terror by reason of witchcraft, as is the heathen African +life to-day, continual precautions being needful to escape the magic of +enemies. The Icelandic Sagas, such as Gretter's, are full of magic and +witchcraft. It is by witchcraft that Gretter is first lamed and finally +slain; one can see that Glam's curse, the Beowulf motif, was not really +in the original Gretter story. + +"Folk-medicine" is really a branch of magic in old days, even to such +pioneers of science as Paracelsus. + +Saxo's traditions note drinking of a lion's blood that eats men as a +means of gaining might and strength; the drinking of bear's blood is +also declared to give great bodily power. + +The tests for "madness" are of a primitive character, such as those +applied to Odusseus, who, however, was not able, like Hamlet, to evade +them. + +The test for death is the red-hot iron or hot brand (used by the +Abyssinians of to-day, as it was supposed in the thirteenth century to +have been used by Grimhild. "And now Grimhild goes and takes a great +brand, where the house had burnt, and goes to Gernot her brother, and +thrusts the burning brand in his mouth, and will know whether he is dead +or living. But Gernot was clearly dead. And now she goes to Gislher and +thrusts the firebrand in his mouth. He was not dead before, but Gislher +died of that. Now King Thidrec of Bern saw what Grimhild is doing, +and speaks to King Attila. `See how that devil Grimhild, thy wife, is +killing her brothers, the good warriors, and how many men have lost +their lives for her sake, and how many good men she has destroyed, Huns +and Amalungs and Niflungs; and in the same way would she bring thee and +me to hell, if she could do it?' Then spake King Attila, `Surely she is +a devil, and slay thou her, and that were a good work if thou had done +it seven nights ago! Then many a gallant fellow were whole that is now +dead.' Now King Thidrec springs at Grimhild and swings up his sword +Eckisax, and hews her asunder at the middle"). + +It was believed (as in Polynesia, where "Captain Cook's path" was shown +in the grass) that the heat of the hero's body might blast the grass; so +Starcad's entrails withered the grass. + +It was believed that a severed head might bite the ground in rage, and +there were certainly plenty of opportunities for observation of such +cases. + +It was believed that a "dumb man" might be so wrought on by passion that +he would speak, and wholly acquire speech-power. + +Little is told of "surgery", but in one case of intestines protruding +owing to wounds, withies were employed to bind round the trunk and keep +the bowels from risk till the patient could be taken to a house and his +wounds examined and dressed. It was considered heroic to pay little heed +to wounds that were not dangerous, but just to leave them to nature. + +Personal "cleanliness" was not higher than among savages now. A lover is +loused by his lady after the mediaeval fashion. + +CHRISTIANITY--In the first nine books of Saxo, which are devoted to +heathendom, there is not much save the author's own Christian point +of view that smacks of the New Faith. The apostleships of Ansgarius in +Denmark, the conversion of King Eric, the Christianity of several later +Danish Kings, one of whom was (like Olaf Tryggwason) baptised in Britain +are also noticed. + +Of "Christian legends" and beliefs, besides the euhemerist theory, +widely held, of the heathen gods there are few hints, save the idea +that Christ was born in the reign of Frode, Frode having been somehow +synchronised with Augustus, in whose reign also there was a world-peace. + +Of course the christening of Scandinavia is history, and the mythic +books are little concerned with it. The episode in Adam of Bremen, where +the king offers the people, if they want a new god, to deify Eric, one +of their hero-kings, is eminently characteristic and true. + + + + +FOLK-TALES. + +There might be a classification of Saxo's stories akin to that of the +Irish poets, Battles, Sieges, Voyages, Rapes, Cattle Forays, etc.; and +quite apart from the historic element, however faint and legendary, +there are a set of stories ascribed by him, or rather his authorities, +to definite persons, which had, even in his day, probably long been the +property of Tis, their original owners not being known owing to lapse +of time and the wear of memory, and the natural and accidental +catastrophies that impair the human record. Such are the "Dragon-Slayer" +stories. In one type of these the hero (Frithlaf) is cast on a desolate +island, and warned by a dream to attack and slay a dragon guarding +treasure. He wakes, sees the dragon arise out of the waves, apparently, +to come ashore and go back to the cavern or mound wherein the treasure +lay. His scales are too hard to pierce; he is terribly strong, lashing +trees down with his tail, and wearing a deep path through the wood and +over the stones with his huge and perpetual bulk; but the hero, covered +with hide-wrapped shield against the poison, gets down into the +hollow path, and pierces the monster from below, afterward rifling its +underground store and carrying off its treasure. + +Again the story is repeated; the hero (Frode Haddingsson) is warned by +a countryman of the island-dragon and its hoard, is told to cover his +shield and body with bulls' hides against the poison, and smite the +monster's belly. The dragon goes to drink, and, as it is coming back, +it is attacked, slain, and its treasure lifted precisely as before. The +analogies with the Beowulf and Sigfred stories are evident; but no great +poet has arisen to weave the dragon-slaying intimately into the lives of +Frode and Frithlaf as they have been woven into the tragedy of Sigfred +the wooer of Brunhild and, if Dr. Vigffisson be right the conqueror of +Varus, or into the story of Beowulf, whose real engagements were with +sea-monsters, not fiery dragons. + +Another type is that of the "Loathly Worm". A king out hunting (Herod +or Herraud, King of Sweden), for some unexplained reason brings home two +small snakes as presents for his daughter. They wax wonderfully, have +to be fed a whole ox a day, and proceed to poison and waste the +countryside. The wretched king is forced to offer his daughter (Thora) +to anyone who will slay them. The hero (Ragnar) devises a dress of a +peculiar kind (by help of his nurse, apparently), in this case, woolly +mantle and hairy breeches all frozen and ice-covered to resist the +venom, then strapping his spear to his hand, he encounters them boldly +alone. The courtiers hide "like frightened little girls", and the king +betakes him to a "narrow shelter", an euphemism evidently of Saxo's, for +the scene is comic. The king comes forth when the hero is victorious, +and laughing at his hairy legs, nick-names him Shaggy-breech, and bids +him to the feast. Ragnar fetches up his comrades, and apparently seeks +out the frightened courtiers (no doubt with appropriate quip, omitted by +Saxo, who hurries on), feasts, marries the king's daughter, and begets +on her two fine sons. + +Of somewhat similar type is the proud "Maiden guarded" by Beasts. Here +the scene is laid in Gaulardale in Norway. The lady is Ladgerda, the +hero Ragnar. Enamoured of the maiden by seeing her prowess in war, he +accepts no rebuffs, but leaving his followers, enters the house, slays +the guardian Bear and Dog, thrusting one through with a spear and +throttling the other with his hand. The lady is won and wed, and two +daughters and a son (Frithlaf) duly begotten. The story of Alf and +Alfhild combines several types. There are the tame snakes, the baffled +suitors' heads staked to terrify other suitors, and the hero using +red-hot iron and spear to slay the two reptiles. + +The "Proud Lady", (cf. Kudrun and the Niebelungen, and Are's story +of the queen that burnt her suitors) appears in Hermintrude, Queen of +Scotland, who battles and slays her lovers, but is out-witted by the +hero (Hamlet), and, abating her arrogance, agrees to wed him. This seems +an obvious accretion in the original Hamlet story, and probably owing +not to Saxo, but to his authority. + +The "Beggar that stole the Lady" (told of Snio Siwaldson and the +daughter of the King of the Goths), with its brisk dialogue, must have +been one of the most artful of the folk-tales worked on by Saxo or his +informants; but it is only half told, unfortunately. + +The "Crafty Soaker" is another excellent comic folk-tale. A terrible +famine made the king (Snio) forbid brewing to save the barley for +bread, and abolished all needless toping. The Soaker baffled the king by +sipping, never taking a full draught. Rebuked, he declared that he never +drank, but only sucked a drop. This was forbidden him for the future, so +he sopped his bread in ale, and in that inconvenient manner continued to +get drunk, excusing himself with the plea that though it was forbidden +to drink or sip beer, it was not forbidden to eat it. When this was in +turn prohibited, the Soaker gave up any pretence, and brewed and +drank unabashed, telling the angry king that he was celebrating his +approaching funeral with due respect, which excuse led to the repeal of +the obnoxious decree. A good Rabelaisian tale, that must not have +been wide-spread among the Danish topers, whose powers both Saxo and +Shakespeare have celebrated, from actual experience no doubt. + +The "Magician's tricks to elude pursuit", so common an incident in +our fairy tales, e.g., Michael Scot's flight, is ascribed here to the +wonder-working and uncanny Finns, who, when pursued, cast behind +them successively three pebbles, which become to their enemies' eyes +mountains, then snow, which appeared like a roaring torrent. But they +could not cast the glamour on Arngrim a third time, and were forced to +submit. The glamour here and in the case of the breaking of Balder's +barrow is akin to that which the Druid puts on the sons of Uisnach. + +The tale of the king who shuts up his daughter in an "earth-house" or +underground chamber with treasures (weapons and gold and silver), in +fear of invasion, looks like a bit of folk-tale, such as the "Hind in +the Wood", but it may have a traditional base of some kind here. + +A folk-tale, very imperfectly narrated, is the "Clever King's Daughter", +who evidently in the original story had to choose her suitor by his feet +(as the giantess in the prose Edda chooses her husband), and was able to +do so by the device she had practised of sewing up her ring in his leg +sometime before, so that when she touched the flesh she could feel the +hardness of the ring beneath the scar. + +Bits of folk-tales are the "Device for escaping threatened death by +putting a log in one's bed" (as in our Jack the Giant-Killer). The +device, as old as David's wife, of dressing up a dummy (here a basket +with a dog inside, covered outside with clothes), while the hero +escapes, is told of Eormenric, the mighty Gothic King of Kings, who, +like Walter of Aquitaine, Theodoric of Varona, Ecgherht, and Arminius, +was an exile in his youth. This traditional escape of the two lads from +the Scyths should be compared with the true story in Paul the Deacon +of his little ancestor's captivity and bold and successful stroke for +freedom. + +"Disguise" plays a great part in the folk-tales used by Saxo. Woden +disguises himself in a cowl on his earthly travels, and heroes do the +same; a king disguises himself as a slave at his rival's court, to try +and find occasion of slaying him; a hero wraps himself up in skins, like +Alleleirah. + +"Escaped recognition" is accordingly a feature in many of these simple +but artistic plots. A son is not known by his mother in the story of +Hrolf. + +Other "Devices" are exemplified, such as the "booby-trap" loaded with +a millstone, which slays a hateful and despised tyrant, imposed by +a foreign conqueror; evasion by secret passages, and concealment in +underground vaults or earth-houses. The feigning of madness to escape +death occurs, as well as in the better-known Hamlet story. These +stratagems are universal in folk-history. + +To Eric, the clever and quick of speech, is ascribed an excellent +sailor's smuggling trick to hide slaughtered cattle, by sinking them +till the search is over. + +The "Hero's Mighty Childhood" (like David's) of course occurs when +he binds a bear with his girdle. Sciold is full grown at fifteen, and +Hadding is full grown in extreme youth. The hero in his boyhood slays a +full-grown man and champion. The cinder-biting, lazy stage of a mighty +youth is exemplified. + +The "fierce eyes" of the hero or heroine, which can daunt an assassin as +could the piercing glance of Marius, are the "falcon eyes" of the Eddic +Lays. + +The shining, effulgent, "illuminating hair" of the hero, which gives +light in the darkness, is noticed here, as it obtains in Cuaran's +thirteenth century English legend. + +The wide-spread tale of the "City founded on a site marked out by a hide +cut into finest thongs", occurs, told of Hella and Iwarus exactly as our +Kentishmen told it of Hengist, and as it is also told of Dido. + +The incidents of the "hero sleeping by a rill", of the guarded king's +daughter, with her thirty attendants, the king's son keeping sheep, are +part of the regular stock incidents in European folk-tales. So are the +Nausicaa incident of the "king's daughter going a washing", the hero +disguising himself as a woman and winding wool (like a second Heracles). + +There are a certain number of stories, which only occur in Saxo and in +our other Northern sources with attributions, though they are of course +legendary; such are: + +The "Everlasting Battle" between Hedhin and Hogne, a legend connected +with the great Brisinga-men story, and paralleled by the Cordelia-tale +among the Britons. + +The story of the "Children preserved" is not very clearly told, and +Saxo seems to have euhemerized. It is evidently of the same type as the +Lionel-Lancelot story in the Arthurian cycle. Two children, ordered to +be killed, are saved by the slaying of other children in their place; +and afterwards by their being kept and named as dogs; they come to their +own and avenge their wrongs. + +The "Journey to Hell" story is told of Eric, who goes to a far land to +fetch a princess back, and is successful. It is apparently an adventure +of Swipdag, if everyone had their rights. It is also told of Thorkill, +whose adventures are rather of the "True Thomas" type. + +The "Test of Endurance" by sitting between fires, and the relief of the +tortured and patient hero by a kindly trick, is a variant of the famous +Eddic Lays concerning Agnar. + +The "Robbers of the Island", evidently comes from an Icelandic source +(cf. The historic "Holmveria Saga" and Icelandic folk-tales of later +date), the incident of the hero slaying his slave, that the body might +be mistaken for his, is archaic in tone; the powerful horse recalls +Grani, Bayard, and even Sleipner; the dog which had once belonged to +Unfoot (Ofote), the giant shepherd (cf. its analogues in old Welsh +tales), is not quite assimilated or properly used in this story. +It seems (as Dr. Rydberg suspects) a mythical story coloured by the +Icelandic relater with memory full of the robber-hands of his own land. + +The stratagem of "Starcad", who tried even in death to slay his slayer, +seems an integral part of the Starcad story; as much as the doom of +three crimes which are to be the price for the threefold life that a +triple man or giant should enjoy. The noose story in Starcad (cf. that +told of Bicce in the Eormenric story), is also integral. + + + + +SAXO'S MYTHOLOGY. + +No one has commented upon Saxo's mythology with such brilliancy, such +minute consideration, and such success as the Swedish scholar, Victor +Rydberg. More than occasionally he is over-ingenious and over-anxious to +reduce chaos to order; sometimes he almost loses his faithful reader in +the maze he treads so easily and confidently, and sometimes he stumbles +badly. But he has placed the whole subject on a fresh footing, and much +that is to follow will be drawn from his "Teutonic Mythology" (cited +here from the English version by Rasmus B. Anderson, London, 1889, as +"T.M."). + +Let us take first some of the incontestable results of his +investigations that affect Saxo. + +SCIOLD is the father of Gram in Saxo, and the son of Sceaf in other +older authorities. Dr. Rydberg (97-101) forms the following equations +for the Sciolding patriarchs:-- + + a. Scef--Heimdal--Rig. + b. Sciold--Borgar--Jarl. + c. Gram--Halfdan--Koming. + +Chief among the mythic tales that concern Saxo are the various portions +of the Swipdag-Myth, which Dr. Rydberg has been able to complete with +much success. They may be resumed briefly as follows:-- + +Swipdag, helped by the incantations of his dead mother, whom he had +raised from the dead to teach him spells of protection, sets forth on +his quests. He is the Odusseus of the Teutonic mythology. He desires to +avenge his father on Halfdan that slew him. To this end he must have a +weapon of might against Halfdan's club. The Moon-god tells him of the +blade Thiasse has forged. It has been stolen by Mimer, who has gone out +into the cold wilderness on the rim of the world. Swipdag achieves the +sword, and defeats and slays Halfdan. He now buys a wife, Menglad, of +her kinsmen the gods by the gift of the sword, which thus passes into +Frey's hands. + +How he established a claim upon Frey, and who Menglad was, is explained +in Saxo's story of Eric, where the characters may be identified thus:-- + + Swipdag--Eric + Freya--Gunwara + Frey--Frode III + Niord--Fridlaf + Wuldor--Roller + Thor--Brac + Giants--The Greps + Giants--Coller. + +Frey and Freya had been carried off by the giants, and Swipdag and his +faithful friend resolve to get them back for the Anses, who bewail their +absence. They journey to Monster-land, win back the lady, who ultimately +is to become the hero's wife, and return her to her kindred; but her +brother can only be rescued by his father Niord. It is by wit rather +than by force that Swipdag is successful here. + +The third journey of Swipdag is undertaken on Frey's behalf; he goes +under the name of Scirner to woo giant Gymer's daughter Gerth for his +brother-in-law, buying her with the sword that he himself had paid to +Frey as his sister's bride-price. So the sword gets back to the giants +again. + +Swipdag's dead foe Halfdan left two young "avengers", Hadding and +Guthorm, whom he seeks to slay. But Thor-Brache gives them in charge +of two giant brothers. Wainhead took care of Hadding, Hafle of Guthorm. +Swipdag made peace with Guthorm, in a way not fully explained to us, but +Hadding took up the blood-feud as soon as he was old enough. + +Hadding was befriended by a woman, who took him to the Underworld--the +story is only half told in Saxo, unluckily--and by Woden, who took him +over-sea wrapt in his mantle as they rode Sleipner over the waves; but +here again Saxo either had not the whole story before him, or he wished +to abridge it for some reason or prejudice, and the only result of this +astonishing pilgrimage is that Woden gives the young hero some useful +counsels. He falls into captivity, entrapped by Loke (for what reason +again we are left to guess), and is exposed to wild beasts, but he slays +the wolf that attacks him, and eating its heart as Woden had bidden him, +he gains wisdom and foresight. + +Prepared by these adventures, he gets Guthorm to join him (how or why +the peace between him and Swipdag was broken, we know not), and they +attack their father's slayer, but are defeated, though Woden sunk Asmund +Swipdag's son's ship, Grio, at Hlessey, and Wainhead and Hardgrip his +daughter fought for Hadding. + +Hadding wanders off to the East with his foster-sister and mistress and +Hardgrip, who is slain protecting him against an angry ghost raised from +the Underworld by her spells. However, helped by Heimdal and Woden (who +at this time was an exile), Hadding's ultimate success is assured. + +When Woden came back to power, Swipdag, whose violence and pride grew +horribly upon him, was exiled, possibly by some device of his foes, +and took upon him, whether by will or doom, a sea-monster's shape. His +faithful wife follows him over land and sea, but is not able to save +him. He is met by Hadding and, after a fierce fight, slain. Swipdag's +wife cursed the conqueror, and he was obliged to institute an annual +sacrifice to Frey (her brother) at Upsale, who annuls the curse. Loke, +in seal's guise, tried to steal the necklace of Freya at the Reef of +Treasures, where Swipdag was slain, but Haimdal, also in sealskin, +fought him, and recovered it for the gods. + +Other myths having reference to the goddesses appear in Saxo. There is +the story of "Heimdall and Sol", which Dr. Rydberg has recognised in the +tale of Alf and Alfhild. The same tale of how the god won the sun for +his wife appears in the mediaeval German King Ruther (in which title Dr. +Ryuberg sees Hrutr, a name of the ram-headed god). + +The story of "Othar" (Od) and "Syritha" (Sigrid) is obviously that of +Freya and her lover. She has been stolen by the giants, owing to the +wiles of her waiting-maid, Loke's helper, the evil witch Angrbode. Od +seeks her, finds her, slays the evil giant who keeps her in the cave; +but she is still bewitched, her hair knotted into a hard, horny mass, +her eyes void of brightness. Unable to gain recognition he lets her go, +and she is made by a giantess to herd her flocks. Again found by Od, and +again refusing to recognise him, she is let go again. But this time +she flies to the world of men, and takes service with Od's mother and +father. Here, after a trial of her love, she and Od are reconciled. +Sywald (Sigwald), her father, weds Od's sister. + +The tale of the vengeance of Balder is more clearly given by the Dane, +and with a comic force that recalls the Aristophanic fun of Loka-senna. +It appears that the story had a sequel which only Saxo gives. Woden +had the giantess Angrbode, who stole Freya, punished. Frey, whose +mother-in-law she was, took up her quarrel, and accusing Woden of +sorcery and dressing up like a woman to betray Wrind, got him banished. +While in exile Wuldor takes Woden's place and name, and Woden lives on +earth, part of the time at least, with Scathe Thiasse's daughter, who +had parted from Niord. + +The giants now resolved to attack Ansegard; and Woden, under the name of +Yggr, warned the gods, who recall him after ten years' exile. + +But for Saxo this part of the story of the wars of the gods would be +very fragmentary. + +The "Hildiger story", where a father slays his son unwittingly, and +then falls at his brother's hand, a tale combining the Rustam and +the Balin-Balan types, is one of the Hilding tragedies, and curiously +preserved in the late "Saga of Asmund the Champions' bane". It is an +antithesis, as Dr. Rydberg remarks, to the Hildebrand and Hadubrand +story, where father and son must fight and are reconciled. + +The "story of Orwandel" (the analogue of Orion the Hunter) must be +gathered chiefly from the prose Edda. He was a huntsman, big enough and +brave enough to cope with giants. He was the friend of Thor, the husband +of Groa, the father of Swipdag, the enemy of giant Coller and the +monster Sela. The story of his birth, and of his being blinded, are +lost apparently in the Teutonic stories, unless we may suppose that the +bleeding of Robin Hood till he could not see by the traitorous prioress +is the last remains of the story of the great archer's death. + +Great part of the troubles which befell the gods arose from the +antagonism of the sons of Iwalde and the brethren Sindre and Brokk +(Cinder and Brank), rival artist families; and it was owing to the +retirement of their artist foster-parents that Frey and Freya were left +among the giants. The Hniflung hoard is also supposed to have consisted +of the treasures of one band of primaeval artists, the Iwaldings. + +Whether we have here the phenomenon of mythological doublets belonging +to different tribes, or whether we have already among these early names +that descent of story which has led to an adventure of Moses being +attributed to Garibaldi, given to Theodoric the king the adventures +of Theodoric the god, taken Arthur to Rome, and Charles the Great to +Constantinople, it is hard to say. + +The skeleton-key of identification, used even as ably as Dr. Rydberg +uses it, will not pick every mythologic lock, though it undoubtedly has +opened many hitherto closed. The truth is that man is a finite animal; +that he has a limited number of types of legend; that these legends, as +long as they live and exist, are excessively prehensile; that, like the +opossum, they can swing from tree to tree without falling; as one tree +dies out of memory they pass on to another. When they are scared away +by what is called exact intelligence from the tall forest of great +personalities, they contrive to live humbly clinging to such bare plain +stocks and poles (Tis and Jack and Cinderella) as enable them to find a +precarious perch. + +To drop similitudes, we must be prepared, in unravelling our tangled +mythology, to go through several processes. We must, of course, note the +parallelisms and get back to the earliest attribution-names we can find. +But all system is of late creation, it does not begin till a certain +political stage, a stage where the myths of coalescing clans come into +contact, and an official settlement is attempted by some school of +poets or priests. Moreover, systematization is never so complete that it +effaces all the earlier state of things. Behind the official systems of +Homer and Hesiod lies the actual chaos of local faiths preserved for us +by Pausanias and other mythographers. The common factors in the various +local faiths are much the majority among the factors they each possess; +and many of these common factors are exceedingly primitive, and resolve +themselves into answers to the questions that children still ask, still +receiving no answer but myth--that is, poetic and subjective hypothesis, +containing as much truth as they can receive or their inventors can +grasp. + +Who were our forbears? How did day and night, sun and moon, earth and +water, and fire come? How did the animals come? Why has the bear no +tail? Why are fishes dumb, the swallow cleft-tail? How did evil come? +Why did men begin to quarrel? How did death arise? What will the end be? +Why do dead persons come back? What do the dead do? What is the earth +shaped like? Who invented tools and weapons, and musical instruments, +and how? When did kings and chiefs first come? + +From accepted answers to such questions most of the huge mass of +mythology arises. Man makes his gods in his own image, and the doctrines +of omen, coincidence, and correspondence helped by incessant and +imperfect observation and logic, bring about a system of religious +observance, of magic and ritual, and all the masses of folly and +cruelty, hope and faith, and even charity, that group about their +inventions, and seem to be the necessary steps in the onward path of +progressive races. + +When to these we add the true and exaggerated memories of actual heroes, +the material before the student is pretty completely comprised. Though +he must be prepared to meet the difficulties caused in the contact of +races, of civilisations, by the conversion of persons holding one set of +mythical ideas to belief in another set of different, more attractive, +and often more advanced stage. + +The task of arriving at the scientific, speculative ethic, and the +actual practice of our remote ancestry (for to that end is the student +of mythology and folk-lore aiming) is not therefore easy. Nor is the +record perfect, though it is not so poor in most cases as was once +believed. The Brothers Grimm, patriarchs alike as mythologists and +folk-lorists, the Castor and Pollox of our studies, have proved this as +regards the Teutonic nations, just as they showed us, by many a striking +example, that in great part folk-lore was the mythology of to-day, and +mythology the folk-lore of yesterday. + +In many cases we are helped by quite modern material to make out some +puzzle that an old tale presents, and there is little doubt but that the +present activity in the field of folklore will not only result in fresh +matter but in fresh methods freshly applied. + +The Scandinavian material, at all events, is particularly rich: there is +the extensive Icelandic written literature touching the ninth and +tenth and eleventh centuries; the noble, if fragmentary remains of Old +Northern poetry of the Wickingtide; and lastly, the mass of tradition +which, surviving in oral form, and changing in colour from generation to +generation, was first recorded in part in the seventeenth, and again in +part, in the present century; and all these yield a plentiful field for +research. But their evidence gains immensely by the existence of Saxo's +nine books of traditional and mythic lore, collected and written down in +an age when much that was antique and heathen was passing away forever. +The gratitude due to the Welshman of the twelfth century, whose garnered +hoard has enriched so many poets and romances from his day to now, is +no less due to the twelfth-century Dane, whose faithful and eloquent +enthusiasm has swept much dust from antique time, and saved us such a +story as Shakespeare has not disdained to consecrate to highest use. Not +only Celtic and Teutonic lore are the richer for these two men, but +the whole Western world of thought and speech. In the history of modern +literature, it is but right that by the side of Geoffrey an honourable +place should be maintained for Saxo, and + +"awake remembrance of these mighty dead." + + +--Oliver Elton + + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) A horn and a tusk of great size are described as things of + price, and great uroch's horns are mentioned in Thorkill's + Second Journey. Horns were used for feast as well as fray. + (2) Such bird-beaked, bird-legged figures occur on the Cross at + Papil, Burra Island, Shetland. Cf. Abbey Morne Cross, and + an Onchan Cross, Isle of Man. + + + + + +THE DANISH HISTORY OF SAXO GRAMMATICUS. + + + + +PREFACE. + +Forasmuch as all other nations are wont to vaunt the glory of their +achievements, and reap joy from the remembrance of their forefathers: +Absalon, Chief Pontiff of the Danes, whose zeal ever burned high for the +glorification of our land, and who would not suffer it to be +defrauded of like renown and record, cast upon me, the least of his +followers--since all the rest refused the task--the work of compiling +into a chronicle the history of Denmark, and by the authority of his +constant admonition spurred my weak faculty to enter on a labour too +heavy for its strength. For who could write a record of the deeds of +Denmark? It had but lately been admitted to the common faith: it still +languished as strange to Latin as to religion. But now that the holy +ritual brought also the command of the Latin tongue, men were as +slothful now as they were unskilled before, and their sluggishness +proved as faultful as that former neediness. Thus it came about that my +lowliness, though perceiving itself too feeble for the aforesaid burden, +yet chose rather to strain beyond its strength than to resist his +bidding; fearing that while our neighbours rejoiced and transmitted +records of their deeds, the repute of our own people might appear not +to possess any written chronicle, but rather to be sunk in oblivion and +antiquity. Thus I, forced to put my shoulder, which was unused to the +task, to a burden unfamiliar to all authors of preceding time, +and dreading to slight his command, have obeyed more boldly than +effectually, borrowing from the greatness of my admonisher that good +heart which the weakness of my own wit denied me. + +And since, ere my enterprise reached its goal, his death outran it; I +entreat thee chiefly, Andrew, who wast chosen by a most wholesome and +accordant vote to be successor in the same office and to headship of +spiritual things, to direct and inspire my theme; that I may baulk by +the defence of so great an advocate that spiteful detraction which +ever reviles what is most conspicuous. For thy breast, very fruitful in +knowledge, and covered with great store of worshipful doctrines, is to +be deemed a kind of shrine of heavenly treasures. Thou who hast searched +through Gaul and Italy and Britain also in order to gather knowledge of +letters and amass them abundantly, didst after thy long wandering obtain +a most illustrious post in a foreign school, and proved such a pillar +thereof, that thou seemedst to confer more grace on thy degree than it +did on thee. Then being made, on account of the height of thy honours +and the desert of thy virtues, Secretary to the King, thou didst adorn +that employment, in itself bounded and insignificant, with such works of +wisdom as to leave it a piece of promotion for men of greatest rank to +covet afterwards, when thou wert transferred to that office which now +thou holdest. Wherefore Skaane has been found to leap for joy that she +has borrowed a Pontiff from her neighbours rather than chosen one from +her own people; inasmuch as she both elected nobly and deserved joy of +her election. Being a shining light, therefore, in lineage, in letters, +and in parts, and guiding the people with the most fruitful labours of +thy teaching, thou hast won the deepest love of thy flock, and by thy +boldness in thy famous administration hast conducted the service thou +hast undertaken unto the summit of renown. And lest thou shouldst seem +to acquire ownership on the strength of prescription, thou hast, by +a pious and bountiful will, made over a very rich inheritance to Holy +Church; choosing rather honourably to reject riches (which are covered +with the rust of cares) than to be shackled with the greed of them and +with their burden. Likewise thou hast set about an amazing work upon +the reverend tenets of the faith; and in thy zeal to set the service of +public religion before thy private concerns, hast, by the lesson of thy +wholesome admonitions, driven those men who refused payment of the dues +belonging to religion to do to holy things the homage that they ought; +and by thy pious gift of treasure hast atoned for the ancient neglect of +sacred buildings. Further, those who pursued a wanton life, and yielded +to the stress of incontinence above measure, thou hast redeemed from +nerveless sloth to a more upright state of mind, partly by continuing +instant in wholesome reproof, and partly by the noble example of simple +living; leaving it in doubt whether thou hast edified them more by word +or deed. Thus thou, by mere counsels of wisdom, hast achieved what it +was not granted to any of thy forerunners to obtain. + +And I would not have it forgotten that the more ancient of the Danes, +when any notable deeds of mettle had been done, were filled with +emulation of glory, and imitated the Roman style; not only by relating +in a choice kind of composition, which might be called a poetical work, +the roll of their lordly deeds; but also by having graven upon rocks +and cliffs, in the characters of their own language, the works of their +forefathers, which were commonly known in poems in the mother tongue. +In the footsteps of these poems, being as it were classic books of +antiquity, I have trod; and keeping true step with them as I translated, +in the endeavour to preserve their drift, I have taken care to render +verses by verses; so that the chronicle of what I shall have to +write, being founded upon these, may thus be known, not for a modern +fabrication, but for the utterance of antiquity; since this present work +promises not a trumpery dazzle of language, but faithful information +concerning times past. + +Moreover, how many histories must we suppose that men of such genius +would have written, could they have had skill in Latin and so slaked +their thirst for writing! Men who though they lacked acquaintance with, +the speech of Rome, were yet seized with such a passion for bequeathing +some record of their history, that they encompassed huge boulders +instead of scrolls, borrowing rocks for the usage of books. + +Nor may the pains of the men of Thule be blotted in oblivion; for though +they lack all that can foster luxury (so naturally barren is the +soil), yet they make up for their neediness by their wit, by keeping +continually every observance of soberness, and devoting every instant +of their lives to perfecting our knowledge of the deeds of foreigners. +Indeed, they account it a delight to learn and to consign to remembrance +the history of all nations, deeming it as great a glory to set forth the +excellences of others as to display their own. Their stores, which are +stocked with attestations of historical events, I have examined somewhat +closely, and have woven together no small portion of the present work by +following their narrative, not despising the judgment of men whom I know +to be so well versed in the knowledge of antiquity. And I have taken +equal care to follow the statements of Absalon, and with obedient mind +and pen to include both his own doings and other men's doings of which +he learnt; treasuring the witness of his August narrative as though it +were some teaching from the skies. + +Wherefore, Waldemar, (1) healthful Prince and Father of us all, shining +light of thy land, whose lineage, most glorious from times of old, I am +to relate, I beseech thee let thy grace attend the faltering course of +this work; for I am fettered under the weight of my purpose, and dread +that I may rather expose my unskillfulness and the feebleness of my +parts, than portray thy descent as I duly should. For, not to speak of +thy rich inheritance from thy fathers, thou hast nobly increased thy +realm by conquering thy neighbours, and in the toil of spreading thy +sovereignty hast encompassed the ebbing and flowing waves of Elbe, thus +adding to thy crowded roll of honours no mean portion of fame. And after +outstripping the renown and repute of thy forerunners by the greatness +of thy deeds, thou didst not forbear to make armed, assault even upon +part of the Roman empire. And though thou art deemed to be well endowed +with courage and generosity, thou hast left it in doubt whether thou +dost more terrify to thy foes in warfare or melt thy people by thy +mildness. Also thy most illustrious grandsire, who was sanctioned with +the honours of public worship, and earned the glory of immortality by +an unmerited death, now dazzles by the refulgence of his holiness those +whom living he annexed in his conquests. And from his most holy wounds +more virtue than blood hath flowed. + +Moreover I, bound by an old and inherited duty of obedience, have set +my heart on fighting for thee, if it be only with all the forces of +my mind; my father and grandfather being known to have served thy +illustrious sire in camp with loyal endurance of the toils of war. +Relying therefore on thy guidance and regard, I have resolved to begin +with the position and configuration of our own country; for I shall +relate all things as they come more vividly, if the course of this +history first traverse the places to which the events belong, and take +their situation as the starting-point for its narrative. + +The extremes, then, of this country are partly bounded by a frontier of +another land, and partly enclosed by the waters of the adjacent sea. The +interior is washed and encompassed by the ocean; and this, through the +circuitous winds of the interstices, now straitens into the narrows of a +firth, now advances into ampler bays, forming a number of islands. Hence +Denmark is cut in pieces by the intervening waves of ocean, and has but +few portions of firm and continuous territory; these being divided +by the mass of waters that break them up, in ways varying with the +different angle of the bend of the sea. Of all these, Jutland, being the +largest and first settled, holds the chief place in the Danish kingdom. +It both lies fore-most and stretches furthest, reaching to the frontiers +of Teutonland, from contact with which it is severed by the bed of the +river Eyder. Northwards it swells somewhat in breadth, and runs out to +the shore of the Noric Channel (Skagerrak). In this part is to be found +the fjord called Liim, which is so full of fish that it seems to yield +the natives as much food as the whole soil. + +Close by this fjord also lies Lesser (North) Friesland, which curves in +from the promontory of Jutland in a cove of sinking plains and shelving +lap, and by the favour of the flooding ocean yields immense crops of +grain. But whether this violent inundation bring the inhabitants more +profit or peril, remains a vexed question. For when the (dykes of the) +estuaries, whereby the waves of the sea are commonly checked among that +people, are broken through by the greatness of the storm, such a mass +of waters is wont to overrun the fields that it sometimes overwhelms not +only the tilled lands, but people and their dwellings likewise. + +Eastwards, after Jutland, comes the Isle of Funen, cut off from the +mainland by a very narrow sound of sea. This faces Jutland on the west, +and on the east Zealand, which is famed for its remarkable richness +in the necessaries of life. This latter island, being by far the most +delightful of all the provinces of our country, is held to occupy the +heart of Denmark, being divided by equal distances from the extreme +frontier; on its eastern side the sea breaks through and cuts off +the western side of Skaane; and this sea commonly yields each year an +abundant haul to the nets of the fishers. Indeed, the whole sound is apt +to be so thronged with fish that any craft which strikes on them is with +difficulty got off by hard rowing, and the prize is captured no longer +by tackle, but by simple use of the hands. + +Moreover, Halland and Bleking, shooting forth from the mass of the +Skaane like two branches from a parent trunk, are linked to Gothland and +to Norway, though with wide deviations of course, and with various +gaps consisting of fjords. Now in Bleking is to be seen a rock which +travellers can visit, dotted with letters in a strange character. For +there stretches from the southern sea into the desert of Vaarnsland a +road of rock, contained between two lines a little way apart and very +prolonged, between which is visible in the midst a level space, graven +all over with characters made to be read. And though this lies so +unevenly as sometimes to break through the tops of the hills, sometimes +to pass along the valley bottoms, yet it can be discerned to preserve +continuous traces of the characters. Now Waldemar, well-starred son of +holy Canute, marvelled at these, and desired to know their purport, and +sent men to go along the rock and gather with close search the series of +the characters that were to be seen there; they were then to denote them +with certain marks, using letters of similar shape. These men could not +gather any sort of interpretation of them, because owing to the hollow +space of the graving being partly smeared up with mud and partly worn by +the feet of travellers in the trampling of the road, the long line that +had been drawn became blurred. Hence it is plain that crevices, even in +the solid rock, if long drenched with wet, become choked either by the +solid washings of dirt or the moistening drip of showers. + +But since this country, by its closeness of language as much as of +position, includes Sweden and Norway, I will record their divisions and +their climates also as I have those of Denmark. These territories, lying +under the northern pole, and facing Bootes and the Great Bear, reach +with their utmost outlying parts the latitude of the freezing zone; and +beyond these the extraordinary sharpness of the cold suffers not human +habitation. Of these two, Norway has been allotted by the choice of +nature a forbidding rocky site. Craggy and barren, it is beset all +around by cliffs, and the huge desolate boulders give it the aspect of +a rugged and a gloomy land; in its furthest part the day-star is not +hidden even by night; so that the sun, scorning the vicissitudes of day +and night, ministers in unbroken presence an equal share of his radiance +to either season. + +On the west of Norway comes the island called Iceland, with the mighty +ocean washing round it: a land very squalid to dwell in, but noteworthy +for marvels, both strange occurrences and objects that pass belief. A +spring is there which, by the malignant reek of its water, destroys the +original nature of anything whatsoever. Indeed, all that is sprinkled +with the breath of its vapour is changed into the hardness of stone. +It remains a doubt whether it be more marvellous or more perilous, that +soft and flowing water should be invested with such a stiffness, as by a +sudden change to transmute into the nature of stone whatsoever is put to +it and drenched with its reeking fume, nought but the shape surviving. +Here also are said to be other springs, which now are fed with floods +of rising water, and, overflowing in full channels, cast a mass of spray +upwards; and now again their bubbling flags, and they can scarce be +seen below at the bottom, and are swallowed into deep hiding far under +ground. Hence, when they are gushing over, they bespatter everything +about them with the white spume, but when they are spent the sharpest +eye cannot discern them. In this island there is likewise a mountain, +whose floods of incessant fire make it look like a glowing rock, and +which, by belching out flames, keeps its crest in an everlasting blaze. +This thing awakens our wonder as much as those aforesaid; namely, when +a land lying close to the extreme of cold can have such abundance of +matter to keep up the heat, as to furnish eternal fires with unseen +fuel, and supply an endless provocative to feed the burning. To this +isle also, at fixed and appointed seasons, there drifts a boundless mass +of ice, and when it approaches and begins to dash upon the rugged reefs, +then, just as if the cliffs rang reply, there is heard from the deep a +roar of voices and a changing din of extraordinary clamour. Whence it +is supposed that spirits, doomed to torture for the iniquity of their +guilty life, do here pay, by that bitter cold, the penalty of their +sins. And so any portion of this mass that is cut off when the aforesaid +ice breaks away from the land, soon slips its bonds and bars, though it +be made fast with ever so great joins and knots. The mind stands dazed +in wonder, that a thing which is covered with bolts past picking, and +shut in by manifold and intricate barriers, should so depart after that +mass whereof it was a portion, as by its enforced and inevitable flight +to baffle the wariest watching. There also, set among the ridges +and crags of the mountains, is another kind of ice which is known +periodically to change and in a way reverse its position, the upper +parts sinking to the bottom, and the lower again returning to the top. +For proof of this story it is told that certain men, while they chanced +to be running over the level of ice, rolled into the abyss before them, +and into the depths of the yawning crevasses, and were a little later +picked up dead without the smallest chink of ice above them. Hence it +is common for many to imagine that the urn of the sling of ice first +swallows them, and then a little after turns upside down and restores +them. Here also, is reported to bubble up the water of a pestilent +flood, which if a man taste, he falls struck as though by poison. Also +there are other springs, whose gushing waters are said to resemble the +quality of the bowl of Ceres. There are also fires, which, though they +cannot consume linen, yet devour so fluent a thing as water. Also +there is a rock, which flies over mountain-steeps, not from any outward +impulse, but of its innate and proper motion. + +And now to unfold somewhat more thoroughly our delineation of Norway. +It should be known that on the east it is conterminous with Sweden and +Gothland, and is bounded on both sides by the waters of the neighbouring +ocean. Also on the north it faces a region whose position and name are +unknown, and which lacks all civilisation, but teems with peoples of +monstrous strangeness; and a vast interspace of flowing sea severs it +from the portion of Norway opposite. This sea is found hazardous for +navigation, and suffers few that venture thereon to return in peace. + +Moreover, the upper bend of the ocean, which cuts through Denmark and +flows past it, washes the southern side of Gothland with a gulf of some +width; while its lower channel, passing the northern sides of Gothland +and Norway, turns eastwards, widening much in breadth, and is bounded +by a curve of firm land. This limit of the sea the elders of our race +called Grandvik. Thus between Grandvik and the Southern Sea there lies +a short span of mainland, facing the seas that wash on either shore; +and but that nature had set this as a boundary where the billows almost +meet, the tides of the two seas would have flowed into one, and cut off +Sweden and Norway into an island. The regions on the east of these +lands are inhabited by the Skric-Finns. This people is used to an +extraordinary kind of carriage, and in its passion for the chase strives +to climb untrodden mountains, and attains the coveted ground at the cost +of a slippery circuit. For no crag juts out so high, but they can reach +its crest by fetching a cunning compass. For when they first leave the +deep valleys, they glide twisting and circling among the bases of the +rocks, thus making the route very roundabout by dint of continually +swerving aside, until, passing along the winding curves of the tracks, +they conquer the appointed summit. This same people is wont to use the +skins of certain beasts for merchandise with its neighbours. + +Now Sweden faces Denmark and Norway on the west, but on the south and on +much of its eastern side it is skirted by the ocean. Past this eastward +is to be found a vast accumulation of motley barbarism. + +That the country of Denmark was once cultivated and worked by giants, is +attested by the enormous stones attached to the barrows and caves of +the ancients. Should any man question that this is accomplished by +superhuman force, let him look up at the tops of certain mountains and +say, if he knows how, what man hath carried such immense boulders up to +their crests. For anyone considering this marvel will mark that it is +inconceivable how a mass, hardly at all or but with difficulty movable +upon a level, could have been raised to so mighty a peak of so lofty +a mountain by mere human effort, or by the ordinary exertion of human +strength. But as to whether, after the Deluge went forth, there existed +giants who could do such deeds, or men endowed beyond others with bodily +force, there is scant tradition to tell us. + +But, as our countrymen aver, those who even to-day are said to dwell +in that rugged and inaccessible desert aforesaid, are, by the mutable +nature of their bodies, vouchsafed the power of being now near, now far, +and of appearing and vanishing in turn. The approach to this desert is +beset with perils of a fearful kind, and has seldom granted to those +who attempted it an unscathed return. Now I will let my pen pass to my +theme. + + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) Waldemar the Second (1203-42); Saxo does not reach his + history. + + + + +BOOK ONE. + +Now Dan and Angul, with whom the stock of the Danes begins, were +begotten of Humble, their father, and were the governors and not +only the founders of our race. (Yet Dudo, the historian of Normandy, +considers that the Danes are sprung and named from the Danai.) And these +two men, though by the wish and favour of their country they gained +the lordship of the realm, and, owing to the wondrous deserts of +their bravery, got the supreme power by the consenting voice of their +countrymen, yet lived without the name of king: the usage whereof was +not then commonly resorted to by any authority among our people. + +Of these two, Angul, the fountain, so runs the tradition, of the +beginnings of the Anglian race, caused his name to be applied to the +district which he ruled. This was an easy kind of memorial wherewith +to immortalise his fame: for his successors a little later, when they +gained possession of Britain, changed the original name of the island +for a fresh title, that of their own land. This action was much thought +of by the ancients: witness Bede, no mean figure among the writers of +the Church, who was a native of England, and made it his care to embody +the doings of his country in the most hallowed treasury of his pages; +deeming it equally a religious duty to glorify in writing the deeds of +his land, and to chronicle the history of the Church. + +From Dan, however, so saith antiquity; the pedigrees of our kings +have flowed in glorious series, like channels from some parent spring. +Grytha, a matron most highly revered among the Teutons, bore him two +sons, HUMBLE and LOTHER. + +The ancients, when they were to choose a king, were wont to stand on +stones planted in the ground, and to proclaim their votes, in order to +foreshadow from the steadfastness of the stones that the deed would be +lasting. By this ceremony Humble was elected king at his father's death, +thus winning a novel favour from his country; but by the malice of +ensuing fate he fell from a king into a common man. For he was taken by +Lother in war, and bought his life by yielding up his crown; such, in +truth, were the only terms of escape offered him in his defeat. Forced, +therefore, by the injustice of a brother to lay down his sovereignty, he +furnished the lesson to mankind, that there is less safety, though more +pomp, in the palace than in the cottage. Also, he bore his wrong so +meekly that he seemed to rejoice at his loss of title as though it were +a blessing; and I think he had a shrewd sense of the quality of a king's +estate. But Lother played the king as insupportably as he had played the +soldier, inaugurating his reign straightway with arrogance and crime; +for he counted it uprightness to strip all the most eminent of life or +goods, and to clear his country of its loyal citizens, thinking all his +equals in birth his rivals for the crown. He was soon chastised for his +wickedness; for he met his end in an insurrection of his country; which +had once bestowed on him his kingdom, and now bereft him of his life. + +SKIOLD, his son, inherited his natural bent, but not his behaviour; +avoiding his inborn perversity by great discretion in his tender years, +and thus escaping all traces of his father's taint. So he appropriated +what was alike the more excellent and the earlier share of the family +character; for he wisely departed from his father's sins, and became a +happy counterpart of his grandsire's virtues. This man was famous in his +youth among the huntsmen of his father for his conquest of a monstrous +beast: a marvellous incident, which augured his future prowess. For he +chanced to obtain leave from his guardians, who were rearing him very +carefully, to go and see the hunting. A bear of extraordinary size +met him; he had no spear, but with the girdle that he commonly wore he +contrived to bind it, and gave it to his escort to kill. More than +this, many champions of tried prowess were at the same time of his life +vanquished by him singly; of these Attal and Skat were renowned and +famous. While but fifteen years of age he was of unusual bodily size +and displayed mortal strength in its perfection, and so mighty were the +proofs of his powers that the rest of the kings of the Danes were called +after him by a common title, the SKIOLDUNG'S. Those who were wont to +live an abandoned and flaccid life, and to sap their self-control by +wantonness, this man vigilantly spurred to the practice of virtue in +an active career. Thus the ripeness of Skiold's spirit outstripped +the fulness of his strength, and he fought battles at which one of his +tender years could scarce look on. And as he thus waxed in years and +valour he beheld the perfect beauty of Alfhild, daughter of the King of +the Saxons, sued for her hand, and, for her sake, in the sight of the +armies of the Teutons and the Danes, challenged and fought with Skat, +governor of Allemannia, and a suitor for the same maiden; whom he slew, +afterwards crushing the whole nation of the Allemannians, and forcing +them to pay tribute, they being subjugated by the death of their +captain. Skiold was eminent for patriotism as well as arms. For he +annulled unrighteous laws, and most heedfully executed whatsoever made +for the amendment of his country's condition. Further, he regained by +his virtue the realm that his father's wickedness had lost. He was the +first to proclaim the law abolishing manumissions. A slave, to whom he +had chanced to grant his freedom, had attempted his life by stealthy +treachery, and he exacted a bitter penalty; as though it were just that +the guilt of one freedman should be visited upon all. He paid off all +men's debts from his own treasury, and contended, so to say, with all +other monarchs in courage, bounty, and generous dealing. The sick he +used to foster, and charitably gave medicines to those sore stricken; +bearing witness that he had taken on him the care of his country and not +of himself. He used to enrich his nobles not only with home taxes, but +also with plunder taken in war; being wont to aver that the prize-money +should flow to the soldiers, and the glory to the general. + +Thus delivered of his bitterest rival in wooing, he took as the prize of +combat the maiden, for the love of whom he had fought, and wedded her +in marriage. Soon after, he had by her a son, GRAM, whose wondrous parts +savoured so strongly of his father's virtues that he was deemed to tread +in their very footsteps. The days of Gram's youth were enriched with +surpassing gifts of mind and body, and he raised them to the crest of +renown. Posterity did such homage to his greatness that in the most +ancient poems of the Danes royal dignity is implied in his very name. +He practiced with the most zealous training whatsoever serves to sharpen +and strengthen the bodily powers. Taught by the fencers, he trained +himself by sedulous practice to parrying and dealing blows. He took to +wife the daughter of his upbringer, Roar, she being his foster-sister +and of his own years, in order the better to show his gratefulness for +his nursing. A little while after he gave her in marriage to a certain +Bess, since he had ofttimes used his strenuous service. In this partner +of his warlike deeds he put his trust; and he has left it a question +whether he has won more renown by Bess's valour or his own. + +Gram, chancing to hear that Groa, daughter of Sigtryg, King of the +Swedes, was plighted to a certain giant, and holding accursed an union +so unworthy of the blood royal, entered on a Swedish war; being +destined to emulate the prowess of Hercules in resisting the attempts of +monsters. He went into Gothland, and, in order to frighten people out of +his path, strode on clad in goats' skins, swathed in the motley hides of +beasts, and grasping in his right hand a dreadful weapon, thus feigning +the attire of a giant; when he met Groa herself riding with a very +small escort of women on foot, and making her way, as it chanced, to the +forest-pools to bathe, she thought it was her betrothed who had hastened +to meet her, and was scared with feminine alarm at so strange a garb: +so, flinging up the reins, and shaking terribly all over, she began in +the song of her country, thus: + +"I see that a giant, hated of the king, has come, and darkens the +highways with his stride. Or my eyes play me false; for it has oft +befallen bold warriors to skulk behind the skin of a beast." + +Then began Bess: "Maiden, seated on the shoulders of the steed, tell me, +pouring forth in thy turn words of answer, what is thy name, and of what +line art thou born?" + +Groa replied: "Groa is my name; my sire is a king, glorious in blood, +gleaming in armour. Disclose to us, thou also, who thou art, or whence +sprung!" + +To whom Bess: "I am Bess, brave in battle, ruthless to foes, a terror to +nations, and oft drenching my right hand in the blood of foes." + +Then said Groa: "Who, prithee, commands your lines? Under what captain +raise ye the war-standards? What prince controls the battle? Under whose +guidance is the war made ready?" + +Bess in answer: "Gram, the blest in battle, rules the array: force nor +fear can swerve him; flaming pyre and cruel sword and ocean billow have +never made him afraid. Led by him, maiden, we raise the golden standards +of war." + +Groa once more: "Turn your feet and go back hence, lest Sigtryg vanquish +you all with his own array, and fasten you to a cruel stake, your +throats haltered with the cord, and doom your carcases to the stiff +noose, and, glaring evilly, thrust out your corpses to the hungry +raven." + +Bess again: "Gram, ere he shall shut his own eyes in death, shall first +make him a ghost, and, smiting him on the crest, shall send him to +Tartarus. We fear no camp of the Swedes. Why threaten us with ghastly +dooms, maiden?" + +Groa answered him: "Behold, I will ride thence to see again the roof of +my father which I know, that I may not rashly set eyes on the array of +my brother who is coming. And I pray that your death-doom may tarry for +you who abide." + +Bess replied: "Daughter, to thy father go back with good cheer; nor +imprecate swift death upon us, nor let choler shake thy bosom. For often +has a woman, harsh at first and hard to a wooer, yielded the second +time." + +Whereupon Gram could brook no longer to be silent, and pitching his +tones gruffly, so as to mimic a gruesome and superhuman voice, accosted +the maiden thus: + +"Let not the maiden fear the brother of the fleet giant, nor turn pale +because I am nigh her. For I am sent by Grip, and never seek the couch +and embrace of damsels save when their wish matches mine." + +Groa answered: "Who so mad as to wish to be the leman of giants? Or what +woman could love the bed that genders monsters? Who could be the wife +of demons, and know the seed whose fruit is monstrous? Or who would fain +share her couch with a barbarous giant? Who caresses thorns with her +fingers? Who would mingle honest kisses with mire? Who would unite +shaggy limbs to smooth ones which correspond not? Full ease of love +cannot be taken when nature cries out against it: nor doth the love +customary in the use of women sort with monsters." + +Gram rejoined: "Oft with conquering hand I have tamed the necks of +mighty kings, defeating with stronger arm their insolent pride. Thence +take red-glowing gold, that the troth may be made firm by the gift, and +that the faith to be brought to our wedlock may stand fast." + +Thus speaking, he cast off his disguises, and revealed his natural +comeliness; and by a single sight of him he filled the damsel with +well-nigh as much joy as he had struck her with fear before at his +counterfeit. She was even incited to his embraces by the splendour of +his beauty; nor did he fail to offer her the gifts of love. + +Having won Groa, Bess proceeded and learnt that the road was beset +by two robbers. These he slew simply by charging them as they rushed +covetously forth to despoil him. This done, loth to seem to have done +any service to the soil of an enemy, he put timbers under the carcases +of the slain, fastened them thereto, and stretched them so as to +counterfeit an upright standing position; so that in their death they +might menace in seeming those whom their life had harmed in truth; and +that, terrible even after their decease, they might block the road +in effigy as much as they had once in deed. Whence it appears that in +slaying the robbers he took thought for himself and not for Sweden: for +he betokened by so singular an act how great a hatred of Sweden filled +him. Having heard from the diviners that Sigtryg could only be conquered +by gold, he straightway fixed a knob of gold to a wooden mace, equipped +himself therewith in the war wherein he attacked the king, and obtained +his desire. This exploit was besung by Bess in a most zealous strain of +eulogy: + +"Gram, the fierce wielder of the prosperous mace, knowing not the steel, +rained blows on the outstretched sword, and with a stock beat off the +lances of the mighty. + +"Following the decrees and will of the gods, he brought low the glory +of the powerless Swedes, doing their king to death and crushing him with +the stiff gold. + +"For he pondered on the arts of war: he wielded in his clasp the +ruddy-flashing wood, and victoriously with noble stroke made their +fallen captain writhe. + +"Shrewdly he conquered with the hardness of gold him whom fate forbade +should be slain by steel; unsworded, waging war with the worthier metal. + +"This treasure, for which its deviser claims glory and the height of +honour, shall abide yet more illustrious hereafter, known far and wide +in ampler fame." + +Having now slain Sigtryg, the King of Sweden, Gram desired to confirm +his possession of the empire which he had won in war; and therefore, +suspecting Swarin the governor of Gothland of aspiring to the crown, he +challenged him to combat, and slew him. This man's brethren, of whom +he had seven lawfully born, and nine the sons of a concubine, sought to +avenge their brother's death, but Gram, in an unequal contest, cut them +off. + +Gram, for his marvellous prowess, was granted a share in the sovereignty +by his father, who was now in extreme age, and thought it better +and likewise more convenient to give his own blood a portion of +the supremacy of the realm, than now in the setting of his life to +administer it without a partner. Therefore Ring, a nobly-born Zealander, +stirred the greater part of the Danes with desire for insurrection; +fancying that one of these men was unripe for his rank, and that the +other had run the course of his powers, alleging the weakness in years +of both, and declaring that the wandering wit of an old man made the +one, and that of a boy the other, unfit for royal power. But they fought +and crushed him, making him an example to all men, that no season of +life is to be deemed incompatible with valour. + +Many other deeds also King Gram did. He declared war against Sumble, +King of the Finns; but when he set eyes upon the King's daughter, Signe, +he laid down his arms, the foeman turned into the suitor, and, promising +to put away his own wife, he plighted troth with her. But, while much +busied with a war against Norway, which he had taken up against King +Swipdag for debauching his sister and his daughter, he heard from +a messenger that Signe had, by Sumble's treachery, been promised in +marriage to Henry, King of Saxony. Then, inclining to love the maiden +more than his soldiers, he left his army, privily made his way to +Finland, and came in upon the wedding, which was already begun. Putting +on a garb of the utmost meanness, he lay down at the table in a seat of +no honour. When asked what he brought, he professed skill in leechcraft. +At last, when all were drenched in drunkenness, he gazed at the maiden, +and amid the revels of the riotous banquet, cursing deep the fickleness +of women, and vaunting loud his own deeds of valour, he poured out the +greatness of his wrath in a song like this: + +"Singly against eight at once I drove the darts of death, and smote nine +with a back-swung sword, when I slew Swarin, who wrongfully assumed his +honours and tried to win fame unmerited; wherefore I have oft dyed in +foreign blood my blade red with death and reeking with slaughter, and +have never blenched at the clash of dagger or the sheen of helmet. Now +Signe, the daughter of Sumble, vilely spurns me, and endures vows not +mine, cursing her ancient troth; and, conceiving an ill-ordered love, +commits a notable act of female lightness; for she entangles, lures, and +bestains princes, rebuffing beyond all others the lordly of birth; +yet remaining firm to none, but ever wavering, and bringing to birth +impulses doubtful and divided." + +And as he spoke he leapt up from where he lay, and there he cut Henry +down while at the sacred board and the embraces of his friends, carried +off his bride from amongst the bridesmaids, felled most of the guests, +and bore her off with him in his ship. Thus the bridal was turned into a +funeral; and the Finns might learn the lesson, that hands should not be +laid upon the loves of other men. + +After this SWIPDAG, King of Norway, destroyed Gram, who was attempting +to avenge the outrage on his sister and the attempt on his daughter's +chastity. This battle was notable for the presence of the Saxon forces, +who were incited to help Swipdag, not so much by love of him, as by +desire to avenge Henry. + +GUTHORM and HADDING, the son of Gram (Groa being the mother of the first +and Signe of the second), were sent over to Sweden in a ship by their +foster-father, Brage (Swipdag being now master of Denmark), and put in +charge of the giants Wagnhofde and Hafle, for guard as well as rearing. + +As I shall have briefly to relate doings of these folk, and would fain +not seem to fabricate what conflicts with common belief or outsteps the +faithful truth, it is worth the knowing that there were in old times +three kinds of magicians who by diverse sleights practiced extraordinary +marvels. The first of these were men of monstrous stock, termed +by antiquity giants; these by their exceeding great bodily stature +surpassed the size natural to mankind. Those who came after these were +the first who gained skill in divination from entrails, and attained the +Pythonic art. These surpassed the former in briskness of mental parts as +much as they fell behind them in bodily condition. Constant wars for +the supremacy were waged between these and the giants; till at last the +sorcerers prevailed, subdued the tribe of giants by arms, and acquired +not merely the privilege of ruling, but also the repute of being divine. +Both of these kinds had extreme skill in deluding the eyesight, +knowing how to obscure their own faces and those of others with divers +semblances, and to darken the true aspects of things with beguiling +shapes. But the third kind of men, springing from the natural union of +the first two, did not answer to the nature of their parents either in +bodily size or in practice of magic arts; yet these gained credit for +divinity with minds that were befooled by their jugglings. + +Nor must we marvel if, tempted by the prodigious miracles of these folk, +the barbaric world fell to worshipping a false religion, when others +like unto these, who were mere mortals, but were reverenced with divine +honours, beguiled even the shrewdness of the Latins. I have touched on +these things lest, when I relate of sleights and marvels, I be checked +by the disbelief of the reader. Now I will leave these matters and +return to my theme. + +Swipdag, now that he had slain Gram, was enriched with the realms of +Denmark and Sweden; and because of the frequent importunities of his +wife he brought back from banishment her brother Guthorm, upon his +promising tribute, and made him ruler of the Danes. But Hadding +preferred to avenge his father rather than take a boon from his foe. + +This man's nature so waxed and throve that in the early season of +his youth he was granted the prime of manhood. Leaving the pursuit of +pleasure, he was constantly zealous in warlike exercises; remembering +that he was the son of a fighting father, and was bound to spend his +whole span of life in approved deeds of warfare. Hardgrep, daughter of +Wagnhofde, tried to enfeeble his firm spirit with her lures of love, +contending and constantly averring that he ought to offer the first +dues of the marriage bed in wedlock with her, who had proffered to his +childhood most zealous and careful fostering, and had furnished him with +his first rattle. + +Nor was she content with admonishing in plain words, but began a strain +of song as follows: + +"Why doth thy life thus waste and wander? Why dost thou pass thy years +unwed, following arms, thirsting for throats? Nor does my beauty draw +thy vows. Carried away by excess of frenzy, thou art little prone to +love. Steeped in blood and slaughter, thou judgest wars better than the +bed, nor refreshest thy soul with incitements. Thy fierceness finds no +leisure; dalliance is far from thee, and savagery fostered. Nor is thy +hand free from blasphemy while thou loathest the rites of love. Let +this hateful strictness pass away, let that loving warmth approach, and +plight the troth of love to me, who gave thee the first breasts of milk +in childhood, and helped thee, playing a mother's part, duteous to thy +needs." + +When he answered that the size of her body was unwieldy for the embraces +of a mortal, since doubtless her nature was framed in conformity to her +giant stock, she said: + +"Be not moved by my unwonted look of size. For my substance is sometimes +thinner, sometimes ampler; now meagre, now abundant; and I alter and +change at my pleasure the condition of my body, which is at one time +shrivelled up and at another time expanded: now my tallness rises to the +heavens, and now I settle down into a human being, under a more bounded +shape." + +As he still faltered, and was slow to believe her words, she added the +following song: + +"Youth, fear not the converse of my bed. I change my bodily outline in +twofold wise, and am wont to enjoin a double law upon my sinews. For I +conform to shapes of different figure in turn, and am altered at my +own sweet will: now my neck is star-high, and soars nigh to the lofty +Thunderer; then it falls and declines to human strength, and plants +again on earth that head which was near the firmament. Thus I lightly +shift my body into diverse phases, and am beheld in varying wise; for +changefully now cramped stiffness draws in my limbs, now the virtue of +my tall body unfolds them, and suffers them to touch the cloud-tops. +Now I am short and straitened, now stretch out with loosened knee; and I +have mutably changed myself like wax into strange aspects. He who knows +of Proteus should not marvel at me. My shape never stays the same, and +my aspect is twofold: at one time it contrasts its outstretched limbs, +at another shoots them out when closed; now disentangling the members +and now rolling them back into a coil. I dart out my ingathered limbs, +and presently, while they are strained, I wrinkle them up, dividing +my countenance between shapes twain, and adopting two forms; with the +greater of these I daunt the fierce, while with the shorter I seek the +embraces of men." + +By thus averring she obtained the embraces of Hadding; and her love for +the youth burned so high that when she found him desirous of revisiting +his own land, she did not hesitate to follow him in man's attire, and +counted it as joy to share his hardships and perils. While upon the +journey she had undertaken, she chanced to enter in his company, in +order to pass the night, a dwelling, the funeral of whose dead master +was being conducted with melancholy rites. Here, desiring to pry into +the purposes of heaven by the help of a magical espial, she graved on +wood some very dreadful spells, and caused Hadding to put them under the +dead man's tongue; thus forcing him to utter, with the voice so given, a +strain terrible to hear: + +"Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him +be punished for calling a spirit out of bale! + +"Whoso hath called me, who am lifeless and dead, back from the abode +below, and hath brought me again into upper air, let him pay full +penalty with his own death in the dreary shades beneath livid Styx. +Behold, counter to my will and purpose, I must declare some bitter +tidings. For as ye go away from this house ye will come to the narrow +path of a grove, and will be a prey to demons all about. Then she who +hath brought our death back from out of void, and has given us a sight +of this light once more, by her prayers wondrously drawing forth the +ghost and casting it into the bonds of the body, shall bitterly bewail +her rash enterprise. + +"Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him +be punished for calling a spirit out of bale! + +"For when the black pestilence of the blast that engenders monsters has +crushed out the inmost entrails with stern effort, and when their hand +has swept away the living with cruel nail, tearing off limbs and rending +ravished bodies; then Hadding, thy life shall survive, nor shall the +nether realms bear off thy ghost, nor thy spirit pass heavily to the +waters of Styx; but the woman who hath made the wretched ghost come back +hither, crushed by her own guilt, shall appease our dust; she shall be +dust herself. + +"Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him +be punished for calling a spirit out of bale!" + +So, while they were passing the night in the forest foretold them, in a +shelter framed of twigs, a hand of extraordinary size was seen to wander +over the inside of the dwelling. Terrified at this portent, Hadding +entreated the aid of his nurse. Then Hardgrep, expanding her limbs and +swelling to a mighty bigness, gripped the hand fast and held it to her +foster-child to hew off. What flowed from the noisesome wounds he dealt +was not so much blood as corrupt matter. But she paid the penalty of +this act, presently being torn in pieces by her kindred of the same +stock; nor did her constitution or her bodily size help her against +feeling the attacks of her foes' claws. + +Hadding, thus bereft of his foster-mother, chanced to be made an ally in +a solemn covenant to a rover, Lysir, by a certain man of great age that +had lost an eye, who took pity on his loneliness. Now the ancients, when +about to make a league, were wont to besprinkle their footsteps with +blood of one another, so to ratify their pledge of friendship by +reciprocal barter of blood. Lysir and Hadding, being bound thus in +the strictest league, declared war against Loker, the tyrant of the +Kurlanders. They were defeated; and the old man aforementioned took +Hadding, as he fled on horseback, to his own house, and there refreshed +him with a certain pleasant draught, telling him that he would find +himself quite brisk and sound in body. This prophetic advice he +confirmed by a song as follows: + +"As thou farest hence, a foe, thinking thee a deserter, will assail +thee, that he may keep thee bound and cast thee to be devoured by the +mangling jaws of beasts. But fill thou the ears of the warders with +divers tales, and when they have done the feast and deep sleep holds +them, snap off the fetters upon thee and the loathly chains. Turn thy +feet thence, and when a little space has fled, with all thy might +rise up against a swift lion who is wont to toss the carcases of the +prisoners, and strive with thy stout arms against his savage shoulders, +and with naked sword search his heart-strings. Straightway put thy +throat to him and drink the steaming blood, and devour with ravenous +jaws the banquet of his body. Then renewed strength will come to +thy limbs, then shall undreamed-of might enter thy sinews, and +an accumulation of stout force shall bespread and nerve thy frame +through-out. I myself will pave the path to thy prayers, and will subdue +the henchmen in sleep, and keep them snoring throughout the lingering +night." + +And as he spoke, he took back the young man on his horse, and set him +where he had found him. Hadding cowered trembling under his mantle; but +so extreme was his wonder at the event, that with keen vision he peered +through its holes. And he saw that before the steps of the horse lay +the sea; but was told not to steal a glimpse of the forbidden thing, and +therefore turned aside his amazed eyes from the dread spectacle of the +roads that he journeyed. Then he was taken by Loker, and found by very +sure experience that every point of the prophecy was fulfilled upon +him. So he assailed Handwan, king of the Hellespont, who was entrenched +behind an impregnable defence of wall in his city Duna, and withstood +him not in the field, but with battlements. Its summit defying all +approach by a besieger, he ordered that the divers kinds of birds who +were wont to nest in that spot should be caught by skilled fowlers, and +he caused wicks which had been set on fire to be fastened beneath their +wings. The birds sought the shelter of their own nests, and filled the +city with a blaze; all the townsmen flocked to quench it, and left the +gates defenceless. He attacked and captured Handwan, but suffered him to +redeem his life with gold for ransom. Thus, when he might have cut off +his foe, he preferred to grant him the breath of life; so far did his +mercy qualify his rage. + +After this he prevailed over a great force of men of the East, and came +back to Sweden. Swipdag met him with a great fleet off Gottland; but +Hadding attacked and destroyed him. And thus he advanced to a lofty +pitch of renown, not only by the fruits of foreign spoil, but by +the trophies of his vengeance for his brother and his father. And he +exchanged exile for royalty, for he became king of his own land as soon +as he regained it. + +At this time there was one Odin, who was credited over all Europe with +the honour, which was false, of godhead, but used more continually +to sojourn at Upsala; and in this spot, either from the sloth of the +inhabitants or from its own pleasantness, he vouchsafed to dwell with +somewhat especial constancy. The kings of the North, desiring more +zealously to worship his deity, embounded his likeness in a golden +image; and this statue, which betokened their homage, they transmitted +with much show of worship to Byzantium, fettering even the effigied arms +with a serried mass of bracelets. Odin was overjoyed at such notoriety, +and greeted warmly the devotion of the senders. But his queen Frigga, +desiring to go forth more beautified, called smiths, and had the gold +stripped from the statue. Odin hanged them, and mounted the statue upon +a pedestal, which by the marvellous skill of his art he made to speak +when a mortal touched it. But still Frigga preferred the splendour of +her own apparel to the divine honours of her husband, and submitted +herself to the embraces of one of her servants; and it was by this +man's device she broke down the image, and turned to the service of her +private wantonness that gold which had been devoted to public idolatry. +Little thought she of practicing unchastity, that she might the easier +satisfy her greed, this woman so unworthy to be the consort of a god; +but what should I here add, save that such a godhead was worthy of such +a wife? So great was the error that of old befooled the minds of men. +Thus Odin, wounded by the double trespass of his wife, resented the +outrage to his image as keenly as that to his bed; and, ruffled by these +two stinging dishonours, took to an exile overflowing with noble shame, +imagining so to wipe off the slur of his ignominy. + +When he had retired, one Mit-othin, who was famous for his juggling +tricks, was likewise quickened, as though by inspiration from on high, +to seize the opportunity of feigning to be a god; and, wrapping the +minds of the barbarians in fresh darkness, he led them by the renown of +his jugglings to pay holy observance to his name. He said that the +wrath of the gods could never be appeased nor the outrage to their deity +expiated by mixed and indiscriminate sacrifices, and therefore forbade +that prayers for this end should be put up without distinction, +appointing to each of those above his especial drink-offering. But when +Odin was returning, he cast away all help of jugglings, went to Finland +to hide himself, and was there attacked and slain by the inhabitants. +Even in his death his abominations were made manifest, for those who +came nigh his barrow were cut off by a kind of sudden death; and after +his end, he spread such pestilence that he seemed almost to leave a +filthier record in his death than in his life: it was as though he would +extort from the guilty a punishment for his slaughter. The inhabitants, +being in this trouble, took the body out of the mound, beheaded it, and +impaled it through the breast with a sharp stake; and herein that people +found relief. + +The death of Odin's wife revived the ancient splendour of his name, +and seemed to wipe out the disgrace upon his deity; so, returning from +exile, he forced all those, who had used his absence to assume the +honours of divine rank, to resign them as usurped; and the gangs of +sorcerers that had arisen he scattered like a darkness before the +advancing glory of his godhead. And he forced them by his power not only +to lay down their divinity, but further to quit the country, deeming +that they, who tried to foist themselves so iniquitously into the skies, +ought to be outcasts from the earth. + +Meanwhile Asmund, the son of Swipdag, fought with Hadding to avenge his +father. And when he heard that Henry his son, his love for whom he set +even before his own life, had fallen fighting valiantly, his soul longed +for death, and loathed the light of day, and made a song in a strain +like this: + +"What brave hath dared put on my armour? The sheen of the helmet serves +not him who tottereth, nor doth the breastplate fitly shelter him that +is sore spent. Our son is slain, let us riot in battle; my eager love +for him driveth me to my death, that I may not be left outliving my dear +child. In each hand I am fain to grasp the sword; now without shield let +us ply our warfare bare-breasted, with flashing blades. Let the rumour +of our rage beacon forth: boldly let us grind to powder the column of +the foe; nor let the battle be long and chafe us; nor let our onset be +shattered in rout and be still." + +When he had said this, he gripped his hilt with both hands, and, +fearless of peril, swung his shield upon his back and slew many. Hadding +therefore called on the powers with which he was allied to protect him, +and on a sudden Wagnhofde rode up to fight on his side. And when Asmund +saw his crooked sword, he cried out, and broke into the following +strain: + +"Why fightest thou with curved sword? The short sword shall prove thy +doom, the javelin shall be flung and bring forth death. Thou shouldst +conquer thy foe by thy hand, but thou trustest that he can be rent +by spells; thou trustest more in words than rigour, and puttest thy +strength in thy great resource. Why dost thus beat me back with thy +shield, threatening with thy bold lance, when thou art so covered with +wretched crimes and spotted all over? Thus hath the brand of shame +bestained thee, rotting in sin, lubber-lipped." + +While he thus clamoured, Hadding, flinging his spear by the thong, +pierced him through. But Asmund lacked not comfort even for his death; +for while his life flickered in the socket he wounded the foot of his +slayer, and by this short instant of revenge he memorized his fall, +punishing the other with an incurable limp. Thus crippling of a limb +befell one of them and loss of life the other. Asmund's body was buried +in solemn state at Upsala and attended with royal obsequies. His wife +Gunnhild, loth to outlive him, cut off her own life with the sword, +choosing rather to follow her lord in death than to forsake him by +living. Her friends, in consigning her body to burial, laid her with her +husband's dust, thinking her worthy to share the mound of the man, her +love for whom she had set above life. So there lies Gunnhild, clasping +her lord somewhat more beautifully in the tomb than she had ever done in +the bed. + +After this Hadding, now triumphant, wasted Sweden. But Asmund's son, +named Uffe, shrinking from a conflict, transported his army into +Denmark, thinking it better to assail the house of his enemy than to +guard his own, and deeming it a timely method of repelling his wrongs +to retaliate upon his foe what he was suffering at his hands. Thus the +Danes had to return and defend their own, preferring the safety of +their land to lordship of a foreign realm; and Uffe went back to his own +country, now rid of an enemy's arms. + +Hadding, on returning from the Swedish war, perceived that his treasury, +wherein he was wont to store the wealth he had gotten by the spoils +of war, had been forced and robbed, and straightway hanged its keeper +Glumer, proclaiming by a crafty device, that, if any of the culprits +brought about the recovery of the stolen goods, he should have the +same post of honour as Glumer had filled. Upon this promise, one of +the guilty men became more zealous to reap the bounty than to hide his +crime, and had the money brought back to the king. His confederates +fancied he had been received into the king's closest friendship, and +believed that the honours paid him were as real as they were lavish; and +therefore they also, hoping to be as well rewarded, brought back their +moneys and avowed their guilt. Their confession was received at first +with promotion and favours, and soon visited with punishment, thus +bequeathing a signal lesson against being too confiding. I should judge +that men, whose foolish blabbing brought them to destruction, when +wholesome silence could have ensured their safety, well deserved to +atone upon the gallows for their breach of reticence. + +After this Hadding passed the whole winter season in the utmost +preparation for the renewal of the war. When the frosts had been melted +by the springtime sun, he went back to Sweden and there spent five years +in warfare. By dint of this prolonged expedition, his soldiers, having +consumed all their provision, were reduced almost to the extremity of +emaciation, and began to assuage their hunger with mushrooms from the +wood. At last, under stress of extreme necessity, they devoured their +horses, and finally satisfied themselves with the carcases of dogs. +Worse still, they did not scruple to feed upon human limbs. So, when the +Danes were brought unto the most desperate straits, there sounded in +the camp, in the first sleep of the night, and no man uttering it, the +following song: + +"With foul augury have ye left the abode of your country, thinking to +harry these fields in War. What idle notion mocks your minds? What blind +self-confidence has seized your senses, that ye think this soil can thus +be won. The might of Sweden cannot yield or quail before the War of the +stranger; but the whole of your column shall melt away when it begins +to assault our people in War. For when flight has broken up the furious +onset, and the straggling part of the fighters wavers, then to those +who prevail in the War is given free scope to slay those who turn their +backs, and they have earned power to smite the harder when fate drives +the renewer of the war headlong. Nor let him whom cowardice deters aim +the spears." + +This prophecy was accomplished on the morrow's dawn by a great slaughter +of the Danes. On the next night the warriors of Sweden heard an +utterance like this, none knowing who spake it: + +"Why doth Uffe thus defy me with grievous rebellion? He shall pay the +utmost penalty. For he shall be buried and transpierced under showers of +lances, and shall fall lifeless in atonement for his insolent attempt. +Nor shall the guilt of his wanton rancour be unpunished; and, as I +forebode, as soon as he joins battle and fights, the points shall fasten +in his limbs and strike his body everywhere, and his raw gaping wounds +no bandage shall bind up; nor shall any remedy heal over thy wide +gashes." + +On that same night the armies fought; when two hairless old men, of +appearance fouler than human, and displaying their horrid baldness in +the twinkling starlight, divided their monstrous efforts with opposing +ardour, one of them being zealous on the Danish side, and the other as +fervent for the Swedes. Hadding was conquered and fled to Helsingland, +where, while washing in the cold sea-water his body which was scorched +with heat, he attacked and cut down with many blows a beast of unknown +kind, and having killed it had it carried into camp. As he was exulting +in this deed a woman met him and addressed him in these words: + +"Whether thou tread the fields afoot, or spread canvas overseas, thou +shalt suffer the hate of the gods, and through all the world shalt +behold the elements oppose thy purposes. Afield thou shalt fall, on sea +thou shalt be tossed, an eternal tempest shall attend the steps of +thy wandering, nor shall frost-bind ever quit thy sails; nor shall thy +roof-tree roof thee, but if thou seekest it, it shall fall smitten by +the hurricane; thy herd shall perish of bitter chill. All things shall +be tainted, and shall lament that thy lot is there. Thou shalt be +shunned like a pestilent tetter, nor shall any plague be fouler than +thou. Such chastisement doth the power of heaven mete out to thee, for +truly thy sacrilegious hands have slain one of the dweller's above, +disguised in a shape that was not his: thus here art thou, the slayer of +a benignant god! But when the sea receives thee, the wrath of the prison +of Eolus shall be loosed upon thy head. The West and the furious North, +the South wind shall beat thee down, shall league and send forth their +blasts in rivalry; until with better prayers thou hast melted the +sternness of heaven, and hast lifted with appeasement the punishment +thou hast earned." + +So, when Hadding went back, he suffered all things after this one +fashion, and his coming brought disquiet upon all peaceful places. For +when he was at sea a mighty storm arose and destroyed his fleet in a +great tempest: and when, a shipwrecked man, he sought entertainment, he +found a sudden downfall of that house. Nor was there any cure for his +trouble, ere he atoned by sacrifice for his crime, and was able to +return into favour with heaven. For, in order to appease the deities, he +sacrificed dusky victims to the god Frey. This manner of propitiation by +sacrifice he repeated as an annual feast, and left posterity to follow. +This rite the Swedes call Froblod (the sacrifice or feast of Frey). + +Hadding chanced to hear that a certain giant had taken in troth +Ragnhild, daughter of Hakon, King of the Nitherians; and, loathing so +ignominious a state of affairs, and utterly abominating the destined +union, he forestalled the marriage by noble daring. For he went +to Norway and overcame by arms him that was so foul, a lover for a +princess. For he thought so much more of valour than of ease, that, +though he was free to enjoy all the pleasures of a king, he accounted it +sweeter than any delight to repel the wrongs done, not only to himself, +but to others. The maiden, not knowing him, ministered with healing +tendance to the man that had done her kindness and was bruised with many +wounds. And in order that lapse of time might not make her forget +him, she shut up a ring in his wound, and thus left a mark on his leg. +Afterwards her father granted her freedom to choose her own husband; so +when the young men were assembled at banquet, she went along them and +felt their bodies carefully, searching for the tokens she had stored up +long ago. All the rest she rejected, but Hadding she discovered by the +sign of the secret ring; then she embraced him, and gave herself to be +the wife of him who had not suffered a giant to win her in marriage. + +While Hadding was sojourning with her a marvellous portent befell him. +While he was at supper, a woman bearing hemlocks was seen to raise her +head beside the brazier, and, stretching out the lap of her robe, +seemed to ask, "in what part of the world such fresh herbs had grown in +winter?" The king desired to know; and, wrapping him in her mantle, she +drew him with her underground, and vanished. I take it that the nether +gods purposed that he should pay a visit in the flesh to the regions +whither he must go when he died. So they first pierced through a certain +dark misty cloud, and then advancing along a path that was worn away +with long thoroughfaring, they beheld certain men wearing rich robes, +and nobles clad in purple; these passed, they at last approached sunny +regions which produced the herbs the woman had brought away. Going +further, they came on a swift and tumbling river of leaden waters, +whirling down on its rapid current divers sorts of missiles, and +likewise made passable by a bridge. When they had crossed this, they +beheld two armies encountering one another with might and main. And when +Hadding inquired of the woman about their estate: "These," she said, +"are they who, having been slain by the sword, declare the manner of +their death by a continual rehearsal, and enact the deeds of their past +life in a living spectacle." Then a wall hard to approach and to climb +blocked their further advance. The woman tried to leap it, but in vain, +being unable to do so even with her slender wrinkled body; then she +wrung off the head of a cock which she chanced to be taking down with +her, and flung it beyond the barrier of the walls; and forthwith the +bird came to life again, and testified by a loud crow to recovery of its +breathing. Then Hadding turned back and began to make homewards with +his wife; some rovers bore down on him, but by swift sailing he baffled +their snares; for though it was almost the same wind that helped both, +they were behind him as he clove the billows, and, as they had only just +as much sail, could not overtake him. + +Meantime Uffe, who had a marvellously fair daughter, decreed that the +man who slew Hadding should have her. This sorely tempted one Thuning, +who got together a band of men of Perm (Byarmenses), being fain so to +win the desired advancement. Hadding was going to fall upon him, but +while he was passing Norway in his fleet he saw upon the beach an old +man signing to him, with many wavings of his mantle, to put into shore. +His companions opposed it, and declared that it would be a ruinous +diversion from their journey; but he took the man on board, and was +instructed by him how to order his army. For this man, in arranging +the system of the columns, used to take special care that the front row +consisted of two, the second of four, while the third increased and was +made up to eight, and likewise each row was double that in front of it. +Also the old man bade the wings of the slingers go back to the extremity +of the line, and put with them the ranks of the archers. So when the +squadrons were arranged in the wedge, he stood himself behind the +warriors, and from the wallet which was slung round his neck drew an +arbalist. This seemed small at first, but soon projected with more +prolonged tip, and accommodated ten arrows to its string at once, which +were shot all at once at the enemy in a brisk volley, and inflicted as +many wounds. Then the men of Perm, quitting arms for cunning, by their +spells loosed the sky in clouds of rain, and melted the joyous visage of +the air in dismal drenching showers. But the old man, on the other hand, +drove back with a cloud the heavy mass of storm which had arisen, +and checked the dripping rain by this barrier of mist. Thus Hadding +prevailed. But the old man, when he parted from him, foretold that the +death whereby he would perish would be inflicted, not by the might of an +enemy, but by his own hand. Also he forbade him to prefer obscure wars +to such as were glorious, and border wars to those remote. + +Hadding, after leaving him, was bidden by Uffe to Upsala on pretence of +a interview; but lost all his escort by treachery, and made his escape +sheltered by the night. For when the Danes sought to leave the house +into which they had been gathered on pretext of a banquet, they found +one awaiting them, who mowed off the head of each of them with his +sword as it was thrust out of the door. For this wrongful act Hadding +retaliated and slew Uffe; but put away his hatred and consigned his body +to a sepulchre of notable handiwork, thus avowing the greatness of his +foe by his pains to beautify his tomb, and decking in death with costly +distinctions the man whom he used to pursue in his life with hot enmity. +Then, to win the hearts of the people he had subdued, he appointed +Hunding, the brother of Uffe, over the realm, that the sovereignty might +seem to be maintained in the house of Asmund, and not to have passed +into the hand of a stranger. + +Thus his enemy was now removed, and he passed several years without any +stirring events and in utter disuse of arms; but at last he pleaded the +long while he had been tilling the earth, and the immoderate time he had +forborne from exploits on the seas; and seeming to think war a merrier +thing than peace, he began to upbraid himself with slothfulness in a +strain like this: + +"Why loiter I thus in darksome hiding, in the folds of rugged hills, nor +follow seafaring as of old? The continual howling of the band of wolves, +and the plaintive cry of harmful beasts that rises to heaven, and the +fierce impatient lions, all rob my eyes of sleep. Dreary are the ridges +and the desolation to hearts that trusted to do wilder work. The stark +rocks and the rugged lie of the ground bar the way to spirits who are +wont to love the sea. It were better service to sound the firths with +the oars, to revel in plundered wares, to pursue the gold of others for +my coffer, to gloat over sea-gotten gains, than to dwell in rough lands +and winding woodlands and barren glades." + +Then his wife, loving a life in the country, and weary of the +marin harmony of the sea-birds, declared how great joy she found in +frequenting the woodlands, in the following strain: + +"The shrill bird vexes me as I tarry by the shore, and with its +chattering rouses me when I cannot sleep. Wherefore the noisy sweep of +its boisterous rush takes gentle rest from my sleeping eye, nor doth +the loud-chattering sea-mew suffer me to rest in the night, forcing its +wearisome tale into my dainty ears; nor when I would lie down doth it +suffer me to be refreshed, clamouring with doleful modulation of its +ill-boding voice. Safer and sweeter do I deem the enjoyment of the +woods. How are the fruits of rest plucked less by day or night than by +tarrying tossed on the shifting sea?" + +At this time one Toste emerged, from the obscure spot of Jutland where +he was born, into bloody notoriety. For by all manner of wanton attacks +upon the common people he spread wide the fame of his cruelty, and +gained so universal a repute for rancour, that he was branded with +the name of the Wicked. Nor did he even refrain from wrongdoing to +foreigners, but, after foully harrying his own land, went on to assault +Saxony. The Saxon general Syfrid, when his men were hard put to it in +the battle, entreated peace. Toste declared that he should have what he +asked, but only if he would promise to become his ally in a war against +Hadding. Syfrid demurred, dreading to fulfill the condition, but by +sharp menaces Toste induced him to promise what he asked. For threats +can sometimes gain a request which soft-dealing cannot compass. Hadding +was conquered by this man in an affair by land; but in the midst of his +flight he came on his enemy's fleet, and made it unseaworthy by boring +the sides; then he got a skiff and steered it out to sea. Toste thought +he was slain, but though he sought long among the indiscriminate heaps +of dead, could not find him, and came back to his fleet; when he saw +from afar off a light boat tossing on the ocean billows. Putting out +some vessels, he resolved to give it chase, but was brought back by +peril of shipwreck, and only just reached the shore. Then he quickly +took some sound craft, and accomplished the journey which he had before +begun. Hadding, seeing he was caught, proceeded to ask his companion +whether he was a skilled and practised swimmer; and when the other said +he was not, Hadding despairing of flight, deliberately turned the vessel +over and held on inside to its hollow, thus making his pursuers think +him dead. Then he attacked Toste, who, careless and unaware, was +greedily watching over the remnants of his spoil; cut down his army, +forced him to quit his plunder, and avenged his own rout by that of +Toste. + +But Toste lacked not heart to avenge himself. For, not having store +enough in his own land to recruit his forces--so heavy was the blow he +had received--he went to Britain, calling himself an ambassador. Upon +his outward voyage, for sheer wantonness, he got his crew together to +play dice, and when a wrangle arose from the throwing of the cubes, he +taught them to wind it up with a fatal affray. And so, by means of this +peaceful sport, he spread the spirit of strife through the whole ship, +and the jest gave place to quarrelling, which engendered bloody combat. +Also, fain to get some gain out of the misfortunes of others, he seized +the moneys of the slain, and attached to him a certain rover then +famous, named Koll; and a little after returned in his company to his +own land, where he was challenged and slain by Hadding, who preferred to +hazard his own fortune rather than that of his soldiers. For generals of +antique valour were loth to accomplish by general massacre what could be +decided by the lot of a few. + +After these deeds the figure of Hadding's dead wife appeared before him +in his sleep, and sang thus: + +"A monster is born to thee that shall tame the rage of wild beasts, and +crush with fierce mouth the fleet wolves." + +Then she added a little: "Take thou heed; from thee hath issued a bird +of harm, in choler a wild screech-owl, in tongue a tuneful swan." + +On the morrow the king, when he had shaken off slumber, told the vision +to a man skilled in interpretations, who explained the wolf to denote a +son that would be truculent and the word swan as signifying a daughter; +and foretold that the son would be deadly to enemies and the daughter +treacherous to her father. The result answered to the prophecy. +Hadding's daughter, Ulfhild, who was wife to a certain private person +called Guthorm, was moved either by anger at her match, or with +aspirations to glory, and throwing aside all heed of daughterly love, +tempted her husband to slay her father; declaring that she preferred +the name of queen to that of princess. I have resolved to set forth the +manner of her exhortation almost in the words in which she uttered it; +they were nearly these: + +"Miserable am I, whose nobleness is shadowed by an unequal yoke! Hapless +am I, to whose pedigree is bound the lowliness of a peasant! Luckless +issue of a king, to whom a common man is equal by law of marriage! +Pitiable daughter of a prince, whose comeliness her spiritless father +hath made over to base and contemptible embraces! Unhappy child of +thy mother, with thy happiness marred by consorting with this bed! thy +purity is handled by the impurity of a peasant, thy nobility is bowed +down by ignoble commonness, thy high birth is impaired by the estate of +thy husband! But thou, if any pith be in thee, if valour reign in thy +soul at all, if thou deem thyself fit husband for a king's daughter, +wrest the sceptre from her father, retrieve thy lineage by thy valour, +balance with courage thy lack of ancestry, requite by bravery thy +detriment of blood. Power won by daring is more prosperous than that won +by inheritance. Boldness climbs to the top better than inheritance, +and worth wins power better than birth. Moreover, it is no shame to +overthrow old age, which of its own weight sinks and totters to its +fall. It shall be enough for my father to have borne the sceptre for +so long; let the dotard's power fall to thee; if it elude thee, it will +pass to another. Whatsoever rests on old age is near its fall. Think +that his reign has been long enough, and be it thine, though late in the +day, to be first. Further, I would rather have my husband than my father +king--would rather be ranked a king's wife than daughter. It is better +to embrace a monarch in one's home, than to give him homage from afar; +it is nobler to be a king's bride than his courtier. Thou, too, must +surely prefer thyself to thy wife's father for bearing the sceptre; for +nature has made each one nearest to himself. If there be a will for the +deed, a way will open; there is nothing but yields to the wit of man. +The feast must be kept, the banquet decked, the preparations looked +to, and my father bidden. The path to treachery shall be smoothed by a +pretence of friendship, for nothing cloaks a snare better than the name +of kindred. Also his soddenness shall open a short way to his slaughter; +for when the king shall be intent upon the dressing of his hair, and his +hand is upon his beard and his mind upon stories; when he has parted his +knotted locks, either with hairpin or disentangling comb, then let +him feel the touch of the steel in his flesh. Busy men commonly devise +little precaution. Let thy hand draw near to punish all his sins. It is +a righteous deed to put forth thy hand to avenge the wretched!" + +Thus Ulfhild importuned, and her husband was overcome by her promptings, +and promised his help to the treachery. But meantime Hadding was warned +in a dream to beware of his son-in-law's guile. He went to the feast, +which his daughter had made ready for him with a show of love, and +posted an armed guard hard by to use against the treachery when need +was. As he ate, the henchman who was employed to do the deed of guile +silently awaited a fitting moment for his crime, his dagger hid under +his robe. The king, remarking him, blew on the trumpet a signal to the +soldiers who were stationed near; they straightway brought aid, and he +made the guile recoil on its deviser. + +Meanwhile Hunding, King of the Swedes, heard false tidings that Hadding +was dead, and resolved to greet them with obsequies. So he gathered his +nobles together, and filled a jar of extraordinary size with ale, and +had this set in the midst of the feasters for their delight, and, +to omit no mark of solemnity, himself assumed a servant's part, not +hesitating to play the cupbearer. And while he was passing through the +palace in fulfilment of his office, he stumbled and fell into the jar, +and, being choked by the liquor, gave up the ghost; thus atoning either +to Orcus, whom he was appeasing by a baseless performance of the rites, +or to Hadding, about whose death he had spoken falsely. Hadding, when +he heard this, wished to pay like thanks to his worshipper, and, not +enduring to survive his death, hanged himself in sight of the whole +people. + + + + +BOOK TWO + +HADDING was succeeded by FRODE, his son, whose fortunes were many and +changeful. When he had passed the years of a stripling, he displayed +the fulness of a warrior's prowess; and being loth that this should +be spoilt by slothfulness, he sequestered his mind from delights +and perseveringly constrained it to arms. Warfare having drained his +father's treasury, he lacked a stock of pay to maintain his troops, and +cast about diligently for the supplies that he required; and while +thus employed, a man of the country met him and roused his hopes by the +following strain: + +"Not far off is an island rising in delicate slopes, hiding treasure in +its hills and ware of its rich booty. Here a noble pile is kept by the +occupant of the mount, who is a snake wreathed in coils, doubled in many +a fold, and with tail drawn out in winding whorls, shaking his manifold +spirals and shedding venom. If thou wouldst conquer him, thou must use +thy shield and stretch thereon bulls' hides, and cover thy body with +the skins of kine, nor let thy limbs lie bare to the sharp poison; +his slaver burns up what it bespatters. Though the three-forked tongue +flicker and leap out of the gaping mouth, and with awful yawn menace +ghastly wounds remember to keep the dauntless temper of thy mind; nor +let the point of the jagged tooth trouble thee, nor the starkness of the +beast, nor the venom spat from the swift throat. Though the force of +his scales spurn thy spears, yet know there is a place under his lowest +belly whither thou mayst plunge the blade; aim at this with thy sword, +and thou shalt probe the snake to his centre. Thence go fearless up to +the hill, drive the mattock, dig and ransack the holes; soon fill thy +pouch with treasure, and bring back to the shore thy craft laden." + +Frode believed, and crossed alone to the island, loth to attack the +beast with any stronger escort than that wherewith it was the custom for +champions to attack. When it had drunk water and was repairing to its +cave, its rough and sharp hide spurned the blow of Frode's steel. Also +the darts that he flung against it rebounded idly, foiling the effort +of the thrower. But when the hard back yielded not a whit, he noted the +belly heedfully, and its softness gave entrance to the steel. The beast +tried to retaliate by biting, but only struck the sharp point of its +mouth upon the shield. Then it shot out its flickering tongue again and +again, and gasped away life and venom together. + +The money which the King found made him rich; and with this supply he +approached in his fleet the region of the Kurlanders, whose king Dorn, +dreading a perilous war, is said to have made a speech of the following +kind to his soldiers: + +"Nobles! Our enemy is a foreigner, begirt with the arms and the wealth +of almost all the West; let us, by endeavouring to defer the battle for +our profit, make him a prey to famine, which is all inward malady; and +he will find it very hard to conquer a peril among his own people. It is +easy to oppose the starving. Hunger will be a better weapon against our +foe than arms; famine will be the sharpest lance we shall hurl at him. +For lack of food nourishes the pestilence that eats away men's strength, +and lack of victual undermines store of weapons. Let this whirl the +spears while we sit still; let this take up the prerogative and the duty +of fighting. Unimperilled, we shall be able to imperil others; we can +drain their blood and lose no drop of ours. One may defeat an enemy by +inaction. Who would not rather fight safely than at a loss? Who would +strive to suffer chastisement when he may contend unhurt? Our success +in arms will be more prosperous if hunger joins battle first. Let hunger +captain us, and so let us take the first chance of conflict. Let it +decide the day in our stead, and let our camp remain free from the stir +of war; if hunger retreat beaten, we must break off idleness. He who is +fresh easily overpowers him who is shaken with languor. The hand that +is flaccid and withered will come fainter to the battle. He whom any +hardship has first wearied, will bring slacker hands to the steel. When +he that is wasted with sickness engages with the sturdy, the victory +hastens. Thus, undamaged ourselves, we shall be able to deal damage to +others." + +Having said this, he wasted all the places which he saw would be hard to +protect, distrusting his power to guard them, and he so far forestalled +the ruthlessness of the foe in ravaging his own land, that he left +nothing untouched which could be seized by those who came after. Then he +shut up the greater part of his forces in a town of undoubted strength, +and suffered the enemy to blockade him. Frode, distrusting his power of +attacking this town, commanded several trenches of unwonted depth to +be made within the camp, and the earth to be secretly carried out in +baskets and cast quietly into the river bordering the walls. Then he had +a mass of turf put over the trenches to hide the trap: wishing to cut +off the unwary enemy by tumbling them down headlong, and thinking that +they would be overwhelmed unawares by the slip of the subsiding earth. +Then he feigned a panic, and proceeded to forsake the camp for a short +while. The townsmen fell upon it, missed their footing everywhere, +rolled forward into the pits, and were massacred by him under a shower +of spears. + +Thence he travelled and fell in with Trannon, the monarch of the +Ruthenians. Desiring to spy out the strength of his navy, he made a +number of pegs out of sticks, and loaded a skiff with them; and in this +he approached the enemy's fleet by night, and bored the hulls of the +vessels with an auger. And to save them from a sudden influx of +the waves, he plugged up the open holes with the pegs he had before +provided, and by these pieces of wood he made good the damage done by +the auger. But when he thought there were enough holes to drown the +fleet, he took out the plugs, thus giving instant access to the waters, +and then made haste to surround the enemy's fleet with his own. The +Ruthenians were beset with a double peril, and wavered whether they +should first withstand waves or weapons. Fighting to save their ships +from the foe, they were shipwrecked. Within, the peril was more terrible +than without: within, they fell back before the waves, while drawing +the sword on those without. For the unhappy men were assaulted by two +dangers at once; it was doubtful whether the swiftest way of safety +was to swim or to battle to the end; and the fray was broken off at +its hottest by a fresh cause of doom. Two forms of death advanced in a +single onset; two paths of destruction offered united peril: it was hard +to say whether the sword or the sea hurt them more. While one man was +beating off the swords, the waters stole up silently and took him. +Contrariwise, another was struggling with the waves, when the steel came +up and encompassed him. The flowing waters were befouled with the gory +spray. Thus the Ruthenians were conquered, and Frode made his way back +home. + +Finding that some envoys, whom he had sent into Russia to levy tribute, +had been horribly murdered through the treachery of the inhabitants, +Frode was stung by the double wrong and besieged closely their town +Rotel. Loth that the intervening river should delay his capture of +the town, he divided the entire mass of the waters by making new and +different streams, thus changing what had been a channel of unknown +depth into passable fords; not ceasing till the speed of the eddy, +slackened by the division of its outlet, rolled its waves onward in +fainter current, and winding along its slender reaches, slowly thinned +and dwindled into a shallow. Thus he prevailed over the river; and the +town, which lacked natural defences, he overthrew, his soldiers breaking +in without resistance. This done, he took his army to the city of +Paltisca. Thinking no force could overcome it, he exchanged war for +guile. He went into a dark and unknown hiding-place, only a very few +being in the secret, and ordered a report of his death to be spread +abroad, so as to inspire the enemy with less fear; his obsequies being +also held, and a barrow raised, to give the tale credit. Even the +soldiers bewailed his supposed death with a mourning which was in the +secret of the trick. This rumour led Vespasins, the king of the city, +to show so faint and feeble a defence, as though the victory was already +his, that the enemy got a chance of breaking in, and slew him as he +sported at his ease. + +Frode, when he had taken this town, aspired to the Empire of the East, +and attacked the city of Handwan. This king, warned by Hadding's having +once fired his town, accordingly cleared the tame birds out of all his +houses, to save himself from the peril of like punishment. But Frode +was not at a loss for new trickery. He exchanged garments with a +serving-maid, and feigned himself to be a maiden skilled in fighting; +and having thus laid aside the garb of man and imitated that of woman, +he went to the town, calling himself a deserter. Here he reconnoitred +everything narrowly, and on the next day sent out an attendant with +orders that the army should be up at the walls, promising that he would +see to it that the gates were opened. Thus the sentries were eluded and +the city despoiled while it was buried in sleep; so that it paid for its +heedlessness with destruction, and was more pitiable for its own sloth +than by reason of the valour of the foe. For in warfare nought is found +to be more ruinous than that a man, made foolhardy by ease, should +neglect and slacken his affairs and doze in arrogant self-confidence. + +Handwan, seeing that the fortunes of his country were lost and +overthrown, put all his royal wealth on shipboard and drowned it in the +sea, so as to enrich the waves rather than his enemy. Yet it had been +better to forestall the goodwill of his adversaries with gifts of money +than to begrudge the profit of it to the service of mankind. After this, +when Frode sent ambassadors to ask for the hand of his daughter, he +answered, that he must take heed not to be spoiled by his thriving +fortunes, or to turn his triumph into haughtiness; but let him rather +bethink him to spare the conquered, and in this their abject estate to +respect their former bright condition; let him learn to honour their +past fortune in their present pitiable lot. Therefore, said Handwan, he +must mind that he did not rob of his empire the man with whom he sought +alliance, nor bespatter her with the filth of ignobleness whom he +desired to honour with marriage: else he would tarnish the honour of the +union with covetousness. The courtliness of this saying not only won him +his conqueror for son-in-law, but saved the freedom of his realm. + +Meantime Thorhild, wife of Hunding, King of the Swedes, possessed with +a boundless hatred for her stepsons Ragnar and Thorwald, and fain to +entangle them in divers perils, at last made them the king's shepherds. +But Swanhwid, daughter of Hadding, wished to arrest by woman's wit the +ruin of natures so noble; and taking her sisters to serve as retinue, +journeyed to Sweden. Seeing the said youths beset with sundry prodigies +while busy watching at night over their flocks, she forbade her sisters, +who desired to dismount, in a poem of the following strain: + +"Monsters I behold taking swift leaps and flinging themselves over the +night places. The demon is at war, and the unholy throng, devoted to the +mischievous fray, battles in the mid-thoroughfare. Prodigies of aspect +grim to behold pass by, and suffer no mortal to enter this country. +The ranks galloping in headlong career through the void bid us stay our +advance in this spot; they warn us to turn our rein and hold off from +the accursed fields, they forbid us to approach the country beyond. A +scowling horde of ghosts draws near, and scurries furiously through the +wind, bellowing drearily to the stars. Fauns join Satyrs, and the throng +of Pans mingles with the Spectres and battles with fierce visage. The +Swart ones meet the Woodland Spirits, and the pestilent phantoms strive +to share the path with the Witches. Furies poise themselves on the leap, +and on them huddle the Phantoms, whom Foreboder (Fantua) joined to the +Flatnoses (Satyrs), jostles. The path that the footfarer must tread +brims with horror. It were safer to burden the back of the tall horse." + +Thereon Ragnar declared that he was a slave of the king, and gave as +reason of his departure so far from home that, when he had been banished +to the country on his shepherd's business, he had lost the flock of +which he had charge, and despairing to recover it, had chosen rather +to forbear from returning than to incur punishment. Also, loth to say +nothing about the estate of his brother, he further spoke the following +poem: + +"Think us men, not monsters; we are slaves who drove our lingering +flocks for pasture through the country. But while we took our pastime in +gentle sports, our flock chanced to stray and went into far-off fields. +And when our hope of finding them, our long quest failed, trouble came +upon the mind of the wretched culprits. And when sure tracks of our kine +were nowhere to be seen, dismal panic filled our guilty hearts. That +is why, dreading the penal stripe of the rod, we thought it doleful +to return to our own roof. We supposed it safer to hold aloof from the +familiar hearth than to bear the hand of punishment. Thus we are fain to +put off the punishment; we loathe going back and our wish is to lie hid +here and escape our master's eye. This will aid us to elude the avenger +of his neglected flock; and this is the one way of escape that remains +safe for us." + +Then Swanhwid gazed intently, and surveying his features, which were +very comely, admired them ardently, and said: + +"The radiant flashing of thine eyes is eloquent that thou art of kingly +and not of servile stock. Beauty announces blood, and loveliness of soul +glitters in the flash of the eyes. A keen glance betokens lordly birth, +and it is plain that he whom fairness, that sure sign of nobleness, +commends, is of no mean station. The outward alertness of thine eyes +signifies a spirit of radiance within. Face vouches for race; and the +lustre of forefathers is beheld in the brightness of the countenance. +For an aspect so benign and noble could never have issued from base +parentage. The grace of thy blood makes thy brow mantle with a kindred +grace, and the estate of thy birth is reflected in the mirror of thy +countenance. It is no obscure craftsman, therefore, that has finished +the portrait of so choice a chasing. Now therefore turn aside with all +speed, seek constantly to depart out of the road, shun encounters with +monsters, lest ye yield your most gracious bodies to be the prey and +pasture of the vilest hordes." + +But Ragnar was seized with great shame for his unsightly attire, which +he thought was the only possible device to disguise his birth. So he +rejoined, "That slaves were not always found to lack manhood; that a +strong hand was often hidden under squalid raiment, and sometimes a +stout arm was muffled trader a dusky cloak; thus the fault of nature +was retrieved by valour, and deficiency in race requited by nobleness of +spirit. He therefore feared the might of no supernatural prowess, save +of the god Thor only, to the greatness of whose force nothing human +or divine could fitly be compared. The hearts of men ought not to +be terrified at phantoms, which were only awful from their ghastly +foulness, and whose semblances, marked by counterfeit ghostliness, were +wont for a moment to borrow materiality from the fluent air. Swanhwid +therefore erred in trying, womanlike, to sap the firm strength of men, +and to melt in unmanly panic that might which knew not defeat." + +Swanhwid marvelled at the young man's steadfastness, and cast off the +cloud of mist which overshadowed her, dispelling the darkness which +shrouded her face, till it was clear and cloudless. Then, promising +that she would give him a sword fitted for diver's kinds of battle, she +revealed the marvellous maiden beauty of her lustrous limbs. Thus was +the youth kindled, and she plighted her troth with him, and proffering +the sword, she thus began: + +"King, in this sword, which shall expose the monsters to thy blows, take +the first gift of thy betrothed. Show thyself duly deserving hereof; let +hand rival sword, and aspire to add lustre to its weapon. Let the might +of steel strengthen the defenceless point of thy wit, and let spirit +know how to work with hand. Let the bearer match the burden: and that +thy deed may sort with thy blade, let equal weight in each be thine. +What avails the javelin when the breast is weak and faint, and the +quivering hands have dropped the lance? Let steel join soul, and be +both the body's armour! Let the right hand be linked with its hilt in +alliance. These fight famous battles, because they always keep more +force when together; but less when parted. Therefore if it be joy to +thee to win fame by the palm of war, pursue with daring whatsoever is +hard pressed by thy hand." + +After thus discoursing long in harmoniously-adjusted strains, she sent +away her retinue, and passed all the night in combat against the foulest +throngs of monsters; and at return of daybreak she perceived fallen all +over the fields diverse shapes of phantoms, and figures extraordinary +to look on; and among them was seen the semblance of Thorhild herself +covered with wounds. All these she piled in a heap and burnt, kindling +a huge pyre, lest the foul stench of the filthy carcases might spread +in pestilent vapour and hurt those who came nigh with its taint of +corruption. This done, she won the throne of Sweden for Ragnar, and +Ragnar for her husband. And though he deemed it uncomely to inaugurate +his first campaign with a wedding, yet, moved by gratitude for the +preservation of his safety, he kept his promise. + +Meantime one Ubbe, who had long since wedded Ulfhild the sister of +Frode, trusting in the high birth of his wife, seized the kingdom of +Denmark, which he was managing carelessly as deputy. Frode was thus +forced to quit the wars of the East and fought a great battle in Sweden +with his sister Swanhwid, in which he was beaten. So he got on board a +skiff, and sailed stealthily in a circuit, seeking some way of boring +through the enemy's fleet. When surprised by his sister and asked why +he was rowing silently and following divers meandering courses, he cut +short her inquiry by a similar question; for Swanhwid had also, at the +same time of the night, taken to sailing about alone, and was stealthily +searching out all the ways of approach and retreat through devious and +dangerous windings. So she reminded her brother of the freedom he had +given her long since, and went on to ask him that he should allow her +full enjoyment of the husband she had taken; since, before he started on +the Russian war, he had given her the boon of marrying as she would; and +that he should hold valid after the event what he had himself allowed to +happen. These reasonable entreaties touched Frode, and he made a peace +with Ragnar, and forgave, at his sister's request, the wrongdoing which +Ragnar, seemed to have begun because of her wantonness. They presented +him with a force equal to that which they had caused him to lose: +a handsome gift in which he rejoiced as compensation for so ugly a +reverse. + +Ragnar, entering Denmark, captured Ubbe, had him brought before him, and +pardoned him, preferring to visit his ill deserts with grace rather than +chastisement; because the man seemed to have aimed at the crown rather +at his wife's instance than of his own ambition, and to have been the +imitator and not the cause of the wrong. But he took Ulfhild away from +him and forced her to wed his friend Scot, the same man that founded the +Scottish name; esteeming change of wedlock a punishment for her. As she +went away he even escorted her in the royal chariot, requiting evil +with good; for he regarded the kinship of his sister rather than her +disposition, and took more thought for his own good name than of her +iniquity. But the fair deeds of her brother did not make her obstinate +and wonted hatred slacken a whit; she wore the spirit of her new husband +with her design of slaying Frode and mastering the sovereignty of the +Danes. For whatsoever design the mind has resolutely conceived, it is +slow to quit; nor is a sin that is long schemed swept away by the stream +of years. For the temper of later life follows the mind of childhood; +nor do the traces easily fade of vices which have been stamped upon the +character in the impressible age. Finding the ears of her husband deaf, +she diverted her treachery from her brother against her lord, hiring +bravoes to cut his throat while he slept. Scot was told about this by a +waiting-woman, and retired to bed in his cuirass on the night on which +he had heard the deed of murder was to be wrought upon him. Ulfhild +asked him why he had exchanged his wonted ways to wear the garb of +steel; he rejoined that such was just then his fancy. The agents of +the treachery, when they imagined him in a deep sleep, burst in; but +he slipped from his bed and cut them down. The result was, that he +prevented Ulfhild from weaving plots against her brother, and also left +a warning to others to beware of treachery from their wives. + +Meantime the design occurred to Frode of a campaign against Friesland; +he was desirous to dazzle the eyes of the West with the glory he had won +in conquering the East. He put out to ocean, and his first contest was +with Witthe, a rover of the Frisians; and in this battle he bade his +crews patiently bear the first brunt of the enemy's charge by merely +opposing their shields, ordering that they should not use their missiles +before they perceived that the shower of the enemy's spears was utterly +silent. This the Frisians hurled as vehemently as the Danes received it +impassively; for Witthe supposed that the long-suffering of Frode was +due to a wish for peace. High rose the blast of the trumpet, and loud +whizzed the javelins everywhere, till at last the heedless Frisians had +not a single lance remaining, and they were conquered, overwhelmed by +the missiles of the Danes. They fled hugging the shore, and were cut to +pieces amid the circuitous windings of the canals. Then Frode explored +the Rhine in his fleet, and laid hands on the farthest parts of Germany. +Then he went back to the ocean, and attacked the Frisian fleet, which +had struck on shoals; and thus he crowned shipwreck with slaughter. Nor +was he content with the destruction of so great an army of his foes, but +assailed Britain, defeated its king, and attacked Melbrik, the Governor +of the Scottish district. Just as he was preparing to fight him, he +heard from a scout that the King of the Britons was at hand, and could +not look to his front and his rear both at once. So he assembled the +soldiers, and ordered that they should abandon their chariots, fling +away all their goods, and scatter everywhere over the fields the gold +which they had about them; for he declared that their one chance was to +squander their treasure; and that, now they were hemmed in, their only +remaining help was to tempt the enemy from combat to covetousness. They +ought cheerfully to spend on so extreme a need the spoil they had gotten +among foreigners; for the enemy would drop it as eagerly, when it was +once gathered, as they would snatch it when they first found it; for it +would be to them more burden than profit. + +Then Thorkill, who was a more notable miser and a better orator than +them all, dishelming and leaning on his shield, said: + +"O King! Most of us who rate high what we have bought with our +life-blood find thy bidding hard. We take it ill that we should fling +away what we have won with utmost hazard; and men are loth to forsake +what they have purchased at peril of their lives. For it is utter +madness to spurn away like women what our manly hearts and hands have +earned, and enrich the enemy beyond their hopes. What is more odious +than to anticipate the fortune of war by despising the booty which is +ours, and, in terror of an evil that may never come, to quit a good +which is present and assured? Shall we scatter our gold upon the earth, +ere we have set eyes upon the Scots? Those who faint at the thought of +warring when they are out for war, what manner of men are they to be +thought in the battle? Shall we be a derision to our foes, we who were +their terror? Shall we take scorn instead of glory? The Briton will +marvel that he was conquered by men whom he sees fear is enough to +conquer. We struck them before with panic; shall we be panic-stricken by +them? We scorned them when before us; shall we dread them when they are +not here? When will our bravery win the treasure which our cowardice +rejects? Shall we shirk the fight, in scorn of the money which we fought +to win, and enrich those whom we should rightly have impoverished? What +deed more despicable can we do than to squander gold on those whom +we should smite with steel? Panic must never rob us of the spoils of +valour; and only war must make us quit what in warfare we have won. +Let us sell our plunder at the price at which we bought it; let the +purchase-money be weighed out in steel. It is better to die a noble +death, than to molder away too much in love with the light life. In a +fleeting instant of time life forsakes us, but shame pursues us past the +grave. Further, if we cast away this gold, the greater the enemy thinks +our fear, the hotter will be his chase. Besides, whichever the issue of +the day, the gold is not hateful to us. Conquerors, we shall triumph in +the treasure which now we bear; conquered, we shall leave it to pay our +burying." + +So spoke the old man; but the soldiers regarded the advice of their king +rather than of their comrade, and thought more of the former than of +the latter counsel. So each of them eagerly drew his wealth, whatever +he had, from his pouch; they unloaded their ponies of the various goods +they were carrying; and having thus cleared their money-bags, girded on +their arms more deftly. They went on, and the Britons came up, but broke +away after the plunder which lay spread out before them. Their king, +when he beheld them too greedily busied with scrambling for the +treasure, bade them "take heed not to weary with a load of riches those +hands which were meant for battle, since they ought to know that a +victory must be culled ere it is counted. Therefore let them scorn the +gold and give chase to the possessors of the gold; let them admire the +lustre, not of lucre, but of conquest; remembering, that a trophy +gave more reward than gain. Courage was worth more than dross, if they +measured aright the quality of both; for the one furnished outward +adorning, but the other enhanced both outward and inward grace. +Therefore they must keep their eyes far from the sight of money, and +their soul from covetousness, and devote it to the pursuits of war. +Further, they should know that the plunder had been abandoned by the +enemy of set purpose, and that the gold had been scattered rather to +betray them than to profit them. Moreover, the honest lustre of the +silver was only a bait on the barb of secret guile. It was not thought +to be that they, who had first forced the Britons to fly, would lightly +fly themselves. Besides, nothing was more shameful than riches which +betrayed into captivity the plunderer whom they were supposed to enrich. +For the Danes thought that the men to whom they pretended to have +offered riches ought to be punished with sword and slaughter. Let them +therefore feel that they were only giving the enemy a weapon if they +seized what he had scattered. For if they were caught by the look of the +treasure that had been exposed, they must lose, not only that, but +any of their own money that might remain. What could it profit them to +gather what they must straightway disgorge? But if they refuse to abase +themselves before money, they would doubtless abase the foe. Thus it was +better for them to stand erect in valour than be grovelling in greed; +with their souls not sinking into covetousness, but up and doing for +renown. In the battle they would have to use not gold but swords." + +As the king ended, a British knight, shewing them all his lapful of +gold, said: + +"O King! From thy speech can be gathered two feelings; and one of them +witnesses to thy cowardice and the other to thy ill will: inasmuch as +thou forbiddest us the use of the wealth because of the enemy, and also +thinkest it better that we should serve thee needy than rich. What is +more odious than such a wish? What more senseless than such a counsel? +We recognise these as the treasures of our own homes, and having done +so, shall we falter to pick them up? We were on our way to regain them +by fighting, we were zealous to win them back by our blood: shall we +shun them when they are restored unasked? Shall we hesitate to claim our +own? Which is the greater coward, he who squanders his winnings, or +he who is fearful to pick up what is squandered? Look how chance has +restored what compulsion took! These are, not spoils from the enemy, but +from ourselves; the Dane took gold from Britain, he brought none. Beaten +and loth we lost it; it comes back for nothing, and shall we run away +from it? Such a gift of fortune it were a shame to take in an unworthy +spirit. For what were madder than to spurn wealth that is set openly +before us, and to desire it when it is shut up and kept from us? Shall +we squeamishly yield what is set under our eyes, and clutch at it when +it vanishes? Shall we seek distant and foreign treasure, refraining from +what is made public property? If we disown what is ours, when shall we +despoil the goods of others? No anger of heaven can I experience which +can force me to unload of its lawful burden the lap which is filled with +my father's and my grandsire's gold. I know the wantonness of the Danes: +never would they have left jars full of wine had not fear forced them +to flee. They would rather have sacrificed their life than their liquor. +This passion we share with them, and herein we are like them. Grant that +their flight is feigned; yet they will light upon the Scots ere they +can come back. This gold shall never rust in the country, to be trodden +underfoot of swine or brutes: it will better serve the use of men. +Besides, if we plunder the spoil of the army that prevailed over us, we +transfer the luck of the conqueror to ourselves. For what surer omen of +triumph could be got, than to bear off the booty before the battle, and +to capture ere the fray the camp which the enemy have forsaken? Better +conquer by fear than by steel." + +The knight had scarce ended, when behold; the hands of all were loosed +upon the booty and everywhere plucked up the shining treasure. There you +might have marvelled at their disposition of filthy greed, and watched +a portentous spectacle of avarice. You could have seen gold and grass +clutched up together; the birth of domestic discord; fellow-countrymen +in deadly combat, heedless of the foe; neglect of the bonds of +comradeship and of reverence for ties; greed the object of all minds, +and friendship of none. + +Meantime Frode traversed in a great march the forest which separates +Scotland and Britain, and bade his soldiers arm. When the Scots beheld +his line, and saw that they had only a supply of light javelins, while +the Danes were furnished with a more excellent style of armour, they +forestalled the battle by flight. Frode pursued them but a little way, +fearing a sally of the British, and on returning met Scot, the husband +of Ulfhild, with a great army; he had been brought from the utmost ends +of Scotland by the desire of aiding the Danes. Scot entreated him to +abandon the pursuit of the Scottish and turn back into Britain. So he +eagerly regained the plunder which he had cunningly sacrificed; and got +back his wealth with the greater ease, that he had so tranquilly let +it go. Then did the British repent of their burden and pay for their +covetousness with their blood. They were sorry to have clutched at greed +with insatiate arms, and ashamed to have hearkened to their own avarice +rather than to the counsel of their king. + +Then Frode attacked London, the most populous city of Britain; but the +strength of its walls gave him no chance of capturing it. Therefore he +reigned to be dead, and his guile strengthened him. For Daleman, the +governor of London, on hearing the false news of his death, accepted the +surrender of the Danes, offered them a native general, and suffered them +to enter the town, that they might choose him out of a great throng. +They feigned to be making a careful choice, but beset Daleman in a night +surprise and slew him. + +When he had done these things, and gone back to his own land, one Skat +entertained him at a banquet, desirous to mingle his toilsome warfare +with joyous licence. Frode was lying in his house, in royal fashion, +upon cushions of cloth of gold, and a certain Hunding challenged him to +fight. Then, though he had bent his mind to the joys of wassail, he had +more delight in the prospect of a fray than in the presence of a feast, +and wound up the supper with a duel and the duel with a triumph. In the +combat he received a dangerous wound; but a taunt of Hakon the champion +again roused him, and, slaying his challenger, he took vengeance for +the disturbance of his rest. Two of his chamber-servants were openly +convicted of treachery, and he had them tied to vast stones and +drowned in the sea; thus chastising the weighty guilt of their souls by +fastening boulders to their bodies. Some relate that Ulfhild gave him a +coat which no steel could pierce, so that when he wore it no missile's +point could hurt him. Nor must I omit how Frode was wont to sprinkle his +food with brayed and pounded atoms of gold, as a resource against the +usual snares of poisoners. While he was attacking Ragnar, the King of +Sweden, who had been falsely accused of treachery, he perished, not by +the spears, but stifled in the weight of his arms and by the heat of his +own body. + +Frode left three sons, Halfdan, Ro, and Skat, who were equal in valour, +and were seized with an equal desire for the throne. All thought of +sway, none was constrained by brotherly regard: for love of others +forsaketh him who is eaten up with love of self, nor can any man take +thought at once for his own advancement and for his friendship with +others. Halfdan, the eldest son, disgraced his birth with the sin of +slaying his brethren, winning his kingdom by the murder of his kin; +and, to complete his display of cruelty, arrested their adherents, first +confining them in bonds, and presently hanging them. The most notable +thing in the fortunes of Halfdan was this, that though he devoted every +instant of his life to the practice of cruel deeds, yet he died of old +age, and not by the steel. + +Halfdan's sons were Ro and Helge. Ro is said to have been the founder of +Roskild, which was later increased in population and enhanced in power +by Sweyn, who was famous for the surname Forkbeard. Ro was short and +spare, while Helge was rather tall of stature. Dividing the realm with +his brother, Helge was allotted the domain of the sea; and attacking +Skalk, the King of Sklavia, with his naval force, he slew him. Having +reduced Sklavia into a province, he scoured the various arms of the sea +in a wandering voyage. Savage of temper as Helge was, his cruelty was +not greater than his lust. For he was so immoderately prone to +love, that it was doubtful whether the heat of his tyranny or of his +concupiscence was the greater. In Thorey he ravished the maiden Thora, +who bore a daughter, to whom she afterwards gave the name of Urse. Then +he conquered in battle, before the town of Stad, the son of Syrik, King +of Saxony, Hunding, whom he challenged, attacked, and slew in duel. For +this he was called Hunding's-Bane, and by that name gained glory of his +victory. He took Jutland out of the power of the Saxons, and entrusted +its management to his generals, Heske, Eyr, and Ler. In Saxony he +enacted that the slaughter of a freedman and of a noble should be +visited with the same punishment; as though he wished it to be clearly +known that all the households of the Teutons were held in equal +slavery, and that the freedom of all was tainted and savoured equally of +dishonour. + +Then Helge went freebooting to Thorey. But Thora had not ceased to +bewail her lost virginity, and planned a shameful device in abominable +vengeance for her rape. For she deliberately sent down to the beach +her daughter, who was of marriageable age, and prompted her father to +deflower her. And though she yielded her body to the treacherous lures +of delight, yet she must not be thought to have abjured her integrity +of soul, inasmuch as her fault had a ready excuse by virtue of her +ignorance. Insensate mother, who allowed the forfeiture of her child's +chastity in order to avenge her own; caring nought for the purity of her +own blood, so she might stain with incest the man who had cost her her +own maidenhood at first! Infamous-hearted woman, who, to punish her +defiler, measured out as it were a second defilement to herself, +whereas she clearly by the selfsame act rather swelled than lessened the +transgression! Surely, by the very act wherewith she thought to reach +her revenge, she accumulated guilt; she added a sin in trying to remove +a crime: she played the stepdame to her own offspring, not sparing her +daughter abomination in order to atone for her own disgrace. Doubtless +her soul was brimming over with shamelessness, since she swerved so far +from shamefastness, as without a blush to seek solace for her wrong in +her daughter's infamy. A great crime, with but one atonement; namely, +that the guilt of this intercourse was wiped away by a fortunate +progeny, its fruits being as delightful as its repute was evil. + +ROLF, the son of Urse, retrieved the shame of his birth by signal deeds +of valour; and their exceeding lustre is honoured with bright laudation +by the memory of all succeeding time. For lamentation sometimes ends in +laughter, and foul beginnings pass to fair issues. So that the father's +fault, though criminal, was fortunate, being afterwards atoned for by a +son of such marvellous splendour. + +Meantime Ragnar died in Sweden; and Swanhwid his wife passed away soon +after of a malady which she had taken from her sorrow, following in +death the husband from whom she had not endured severance in life. For +it often happens that some people desire to follow out of life those +whom they loved exceedingly when alive. Their son Hothbrodd succeeded +them. Fain to extend his empire, he warred upon the East, and after a +huge massacre of many peoples begat two sons, Athisl and Hother, and +appointed as their tutor a certain Gewar, who was bound to him by great +services. Not content with conquering the East, he assailed Denmark, +challenged its king, Ro, in three battles, and slew him. Helge, when +he heard this, shut up his son Rolf in Leire, wishing, however he might +have managed his own fortunes, to see to the safety of his heir. When +Hothbrodd sent in governors, wanting to free his country from alien +rule, he posted his people about the city and prevailed and slew them. +Also he annihilated Hothbrodd himself and all his forces in a naval +battle; so avenging fully the wrongs of his country as well as of his +brother. Hence he who had before won a nickname for slaying Hunding, now +bore a surname for the slaughter of Hothbrodd. Besides, as if the +Swedes had not been enough stricken in the battles, he punished them by +stipulating for most humiliating terms; providing by law that no wrong +done to any of them should receive amends according to the form of legal +covenants. After these deeds, ashamed of his former infamy, he hated his +country and his home, went back to the East, and there died. Some think +that he was affected by the disgrace which was cast in his teeth, and +did himself to death by falling upon his drawn sword. + +He was succeeded by his son Rolf, who was comely with every gift of mind +and body, and graced his mighty stature with as high a courage. In his +time Sweden was subject to the sway of the Danes; wherefore Athisl, the +son of Hothbrodd, in pursuit of a crafty design to set his country free, +contrived to marry Rolf's mother, Urse, thinking that his kinship by +marriage would plead for him, and enable him to prompt his stepson more +effectually to relax the tribute; and fortune prospered his wishes. But +Athisl had from his boyhood been imbued with a hatred of liberality, and +was so grasping of money, that he accounted it a disgrace to be called +openhanded. Urse, seeing him so steeped in filthy covetousness, desired +to be rid of him; but, thinking that she must act by cunning, veiled the +shape of her guile with a marvellous skill. Feigning to be unmotherly, +she spurred on her husband to grasp his freedom, and urged and tempted +him to insurrection; causing her son to be summoned to Sweden with a +promise of vast gifts. For she thought that she would best gain her +desire if, as soon as her son had got his stepfather's gold, she could +snatch up the royal treasures and flee, robbing her husband of bed +and money to hoot. For she fancied that the best way to chastise his +covetousness would be to steal away his wealth. This deep guilefulness +was hard to detect, from such recesses of cunning did it spring; because +she dissembled her longing for a change of wedlock under a show of +aspiration for freedom. Blind-witted husband, fancying the mother +kindled against the life of the son, never seeing that it was rather his +own ruin being compassed! Doltish lord, blind to the obstinate +scheming of his wife, who, out of pretended hatred of her son, devised +opportunity for change of wedlock! Though the heart of woman should +never be trusted, he believed in a woman all the more insensately, +because he supposed her faithful to himself and treacherous to her son. + +Accordingly, Rolf, tempted by the greatness of the gifts, chanced to +enter the house of Athisl. He was not recognised by his mother owing to +his long absence and the cessation of their common life; so in jest he +first asked for some victual to appease his hunger. She advised him +to ask the king for a luncheon. Then he thrust out a torn piece of +his coat, and begged of her the service of sewing it up. Finding his +mother's ears shut to him, he observed, "That it was hard to discover a +friendship that was firm and true, when a mother refused her son a meal, +and a sister refused a brother the help of her needle." Thus he punished +his mother's error, and made her blush deep for her refusal of kindness. +Athisl, when he saw him reclining close to his mother at the banquet, +taunted them both with wantonness, declaring that it was an impure +intercourse of brother and sister. Rolf repelled the charge against his +honour by an appeal to the closest of natural bonds, and answered, that +it was honourable for a son to embrace a beloved mother. Also, when +the feasters asked him what kind of courage he set above all others, he +named Endurance. When they also asked Athisl, what was the virtue which +above all he desired most devotedly, he declared, Generosity. Proofs +were therefore demanded of bravery on the one hand and munificence on +the other, and Rolf was asked to give an evidence of courage first. He +was placed to the fire, and defending with his target the side that was +most hotly assailed, had only the firmness of his endurance to fortify +the other, which had no defence. How dexterous, to borrow from his +shield protection to assuage the heat, and to guard his body, which was +exposed to the flames, with that which sometime sheltered it amid the +hurtling spears! But the glow was hotter than the fire of spears; as +though it could not storm the side that was entrenched by the +shield, yet it assaulted the flank that lacked its protection. But a +waiting-maid who happened to be standing near the hearth, saw that he +was being roasted by the unbearable heat upon his ribs; so taking the +stopper out of a cask, she spilt the liquid and quenched the flame, and +by the timely kindness of the shower checked in its career the torturing +blaze. Rolf was lauded for supreme endurance, and then came the request +for Athisl's gifts. And they say that he showered treasures on his +stepson, and at last, in order to crown the gift, bestowed on him an +enormously heavy necklace. + +Now Urse, who had watched her chance for the deed of guile, on the third +day of the banquet, without her husband ever dreaming of such a thing, +put all the king's wealth into carriages, and going out stealthily, +stole away from her own dwelling and fled in the glimmering twilight, +departing with her son. Thrilled with fear of her husband's pursuit, and +utterly despairing of escape beyond, she begged and bade her companions +to cast away the money, declaring that they must lose either life or +riches; the short and only path to safety lay in flinging away the +treasure, nor could any aid to escape be found save in the loss of their +possessions. Therefore, said she, they must follow the example of the +manner in which Frode was said to have saved himself among the Britons. +She added, that it was not paying a great price to lay down the Swedes' +own goods for them to regain; if only they could themselves gain a start +in flight, by the very device which would check the others in their +pursuit, and if they seemed not so much to abandon their own possessions +as to restore those of other men. Not a moment was lost; in order to +make the flight swifter, they did the bidding of the queen. The gold is +cleared from their purses; the riches are left for the enemy to seize. +Some declare that Urse kept back the money, and strewed the tracks of +her flight with copper that was gilt over. For it was thought credible +that a woman who could scheme such great deeds could also have painted +with lying lustre the metal that was meant to be lost, mimicking riches +of true worth with the sheen of spurious gold. So Athisl, when he saw +the necklace that he had given to Rolf left among the other golden +ornaments, gazed fixedly upon the dearest treasure of his avarice, +and, in order to pick up the plunder, glued his knees to the earth and +deigned to stoop his royalty unto greed. Rolf, seeing him lie abjectly +on his face in order to gather up the money, smiled at the sight of a +man prostrated by his own gifts, just as if he were seeking covetously +to regain what he had craftily yielded up. The Swedes were content +with their booty, and Rolf quickly retired to his ships, and managed to +escape by rowing violently. + +Now they relate that Rolf used with ready generosity to grant at the +first entreaty whatsoever he was begged to bestow, and never put off the +request till the second time of asking. For he preferred to forestall +repeated supplication by speedy liberality, rather than mar his kindness +by delay. This habit brought him a great concourse of champions; valour +having commonly either rewards for its food or glory for its spur. + +At this time, a certain Agnar, son of Ingild, being about to wed Rute, +the sister of Rolf, celebrated his bridal with a great banquet. The +champions were rioting at this banquet with every sort of wantonness, +and flinging from all over the room knobbed bones at a certain Hjalte; +but it chanced that his messmate, named Bjarke, received a violent blow +on the head through the ill aim of the thrower; at whom, stung both by +the pain and the jeering, he sent the bone back, so that he twisted the +front of his head to the back, and wrung the back of it to where the +front had been; punishing the wryness of the man's temper by turning his +face sidelong. This deed moderated their wanton and injurious jests, and +drove the champions to quit the place. The bridegroom, nettled at this +affront to the banquet, resolved to fight Bjarke, in order to seek +vengeance by means of a duel for the interruption of their mirth. At the +outset of the duel there was a long dispute, which of them ought to have +the chance of striking first. For of old, in the ordering of combats, +men did not try to exchange their blows thick and fast; but there was +a pause, and at the same time a definite succession in striking: the +contest being carried on with few strokes, but those terrible, so that +honour was paid more to the mightiness than to the number of the blows. +Agnar, being of higher rank, was put first; and the blow which he dealt +is said to have been so furious, that he cut through the front of the +helmet, wounded the skin on the scalp, and had to let go his sword, +which became locked in the vizor-holes. Then Bjarke, who was to deal +the return-stroke, leaned his foot against a stock, in order to give the +freer poise to his steel, and passed his fine-edged blade through the +midst of Agnar's body. Some declare that Agnar, in supreme suppression +of his pain, gave up the ghost with his lips relaxed into a smile. The +champions passionately sought to avenge him, but were visited by Bjarke +with like destruction; for he used a sword of wonderful sharpness and +unusual length which he called Lovi. While he was triumphing in these +deeds of prowess, a beast of the forest furnished him fresh laurels. For +he met a huge bear in a thicket, and slew it with a javelin; and then +bade his companion Hjalte put his lips to the beast and drink the blood +that came out, that he might be the stronger afterwards. For it was +believed that a draught of this sort caused an increase of bodily +strength. By these valorous achievements he became intimate with the +most illustrious nobles, and even, became a favourite of the king; took +to wife his sister Rute, and had the bride of the conquered as the prize +of the conquest. When Rolf was harried by Athisl he avenged himself on +him in battle and overthrew Athisl in war. Then Rolf gave his sister +Skulde in marriage to a youth of keen wit, called Hiartuar, and made him +governor of Sweden, ordaining a yearly tax; wishing to soften the loss +of freedom to him by the favour of an alliance with himself. + +Here let me put into my work a thing that it is mirthful to record. A +youth named Wigg, scanning with attentive eye the bodily size of Rolf, +and smitten with great wonder thereat, proceeded to inquire in jest +who was that "Krage" whom Nature in her beauty had endowed with such +towering stature? Meaning humorously to banter his uncommon tallness. +For "Krage" in the Danish tongue means a tree-trunk, whose branches are +pollarded, and whose summit is climbed in such wise that the foot +uses the lopped timbers as supports, as if leaning on a ladder, and, +gradually advancing to the higher parts, finds the shortest way to the +top. Rolf accepted this random word as though it were a name of honour +for him, and rewarded the wit of the saying with a heavy bracelet. Then +Wigg, thrusting out his right arm decked with the bracelet, put his left +behind his back in affected shame, and walked with a ludicrous gait, +declaring that he, whose lot had so long been poverty-stricken, was glad +of a scanty gift. When he was asked why he was behaving so, he said +that the arm which lacked ornament and had no splendour to boast of +was mantling with the modest blush of poverty to behold the other. The +ingenuity of this saying won him a present to match the first. For +Rolf made him bring out to view, like the other, the hand which he was +hiding. Nor was Wigg heedless to repay the kindness; for he promised, +uttering a strict vow, that, if it befell Rolf to perish by the sword, +he would himself take vengeance on his slayers. Nor should it be omitted +that in old time nobles who were entering. The court used to devote to +their rulers the first-fruits of their service by vowing some mighty +exploit; thus bravely inaugurating their first campaign. + +Meantime, Skulde was stung with humiliation at the payment of the +tribute, and bent her mind to devise deeds of horror. Taunting her +husband with his ignominious estate, she urged and egged him to break +off his servitude, induced him to weave plots against Rolf, and filled +his mind with the most abominable plans of disloyalty, declaring that +everyone owed more to their freedom than to kinship. Accordingly, she +ordered huge piles of arms to be muffled up under divers coverings, +to be carried by Hiartuar into Denmark, as if they were tribute: these +would furnish a store wherewith to slay the king by night. So the +vessels were loaded with the mass of pretended tribute, and they +proceeded to Leire, a town which Rolf had built and adorned with the +richest treasure of his realm, and which, being a royal foundation and +a royal seat, surpassed in importance all the cities of the neighbouring +districts. The king welcomed the coming of Hiartuar with a splendid +banquet, and drank very deep, while his guests, contrary to their +custom, shunned immoderate tippling. So, while all the others were +sleeping soundly, the Swedes, who had been kept from their ordinary rest +by their eagerness on their guilty purpose, began furtively to slip down +from their sleeping-rooms. Straightway uncovering the hidden heap of +weapons, each girded on his arms silently and then went to the palace. +Bursting into its recesses, they drew their swords upon the sleeping +figures. Many awoke; but, invaded as much by the sudden and dreadful +carnage as by the drowsiness of sleep, they faltered in their +resistance; for the night misled them and made it doubtful whether those +they met were friends or foes. Hjalte, who was foremost in tried bravery +among the nobles of the king, chanced to have gone out in the dead of +that same night into the country and given himself to the embraces of a +harlot. But when his torpid hearing caught from afar the rising din of +battle, preferring valour to wantonness, he chose rather to seek the +deadly perils of the War-god than to yield to the soft allurements of +Love. What a love for his king, must we suppose, burned in this warrior! +For he might have excused his absence by feigning not to have known; but +he thought it better to expose his life to manifest danger than save it +for pleasure. As he went away, his mistress asked him how aged a man +she ought to marry if she were to lose him? Then Hjalte bade her come +closer, as though he would speak to her more privately; and, resenting +that she needed a successor to his love, he cut off her nose and made +her unsightly, punishing the utterance of that wanton question with a +shameful wound, and thinking that the lecherousness of her soul ought to +be cooled by outrage to her face. When he had done this, he said he left +her choice free in the matter she had asked about. Then he went quickly +back to the town and plunged into the densest of the fray, mowing down +the opposing ranks as he gave blow for blow. Passing the sleeping-room +of Bjarke, who was still slumbering, he bade him wake up, addressing him +as follows: + +"Let him awake speedily, whoso showeth himself by service or avoweth +himself in mere loyalty, a friend of the king! Let the princes shake off +slumber, let shameless lethargy begone; let their spirits awake and warm +to the work; each man's own right hand shall either give him to glory, +or steep him in sluggard shame; and this night shall be either end or +vengeance of our woes. + +"I do not now bid ye learn the sports of maidens, nor stroke soft +cheeks, nor give sweet kisses to the bride and press the slender +breasts, nor desire the flowing wine and chafe the soft thigh and cast +eyes upon snowy arms. I call you out to the sterner fray of War. We need +the battle, and not light love; nerveless languor has no business here: +our need calls for battles. Whoso cherishes friendship for the king, +let him take up arms. Prowess in war is the readiest appraiser of men's +spirits. Therefore let warriors have no fearfulness and the brave no +fickleness: let pleasure quit their soul and yield place to arms. Glory +is now appointed for wages; each can be the arbiter of his own renown, +and shine by his own right hand. Let nought here be tricked out with +wantonness: let all be full of sternness, and learn how to rid them of +this calamity. He who covets the honours or prizes of glory must not be +faint with craven fear, but go forth to meet the brave, nor whiten at +the cold steel." + +At this utterance, Bjarke, awakened, roused up his chamber-page Skalk +speedily, and addressed him as follows: + +"Up, lad, and fan the fire with constant blowing; sweep the hearth clear +of wood, and scatter the fine ashes. Strike out sparks from the fire, +rouse the fallen embers, draw out the smothered blaze. Force the +slackening hearth to yield light by kindling the coals to a red glow +with a burning log. It will do me good to stretch out my fingers when +the fire is brought nigh. Surely he that takes heed for his friend +should have warm hands, and utterly drive away the blue and hurtful +chill." + +Hjalte said again: "Sweet is it to repay the gifts received from our +lord, to grip the swords, and devote the steel to glory. Behold, each +man's courage tells him loyally to follow a king of such deserts, and to +guard our captain with fitting earnestness. Let the Teuton swords, the +helmets, the shining armlets, the mail-coats that reach the heel, which +Rolf of old bestowed upon his men, let these sharpen our mindful hearts +to the fray. The time requires, and it is just, that in time of war we +should earn whatsoever we have gotten in the deep idleness of peace, +that we should not think more of joyous courses than of sorrowful +fortunes, or always prefer prosperity to hardship. Being noble, let us +with even soul accept either lot, nor let fortune sway our behaviour, +for it beseems us to receive equably difficult and delightsome days; let +us pass the years of sorrow with the same countenance wherewith we took +the years of joy. Let us do with brave hearts all the things that in our +cups we boasted with sodden lips; let us keep the vows which we swore +by highest Jove and the mighty gods. My master is the greatest of the +Danes: let each man, as he is valorous, stand by him; far, far hence be +all cowards! We need a brave and steadfast man, not one that turns his +back on a dangerous pass, or dreads the grim preparations for battle. +Often a general's greatest valour depends on his soldiery, for the +chief enters the fray all the more at ease that a better array of +nobles throngs him round. Let the thane catch up his arms with fighting +fingers, setting his right hand on the hilt and holding fast the shield: +let him charge upon the foes, nor pale at any strokes. Let none offer +himself to be smitten by the enemy behind, let none receive the swords +in his back: let the battling breast ever front the blow. `Eagles fight +brow foremost', and with swift gaping beaks speed onward in the front: +be ye like that bird in mien, shrinking from no stroke, but with body +facing the foe. + +"See how the enemy, furious and confident overduly, his limbs defended +by the steel, and his face with a gilded helmet, charges the thick +of the battle-wedges, as though sure of victory, fearless of rout and +invincible by any endeavour. Ah, misery! Swedish assurance spurns the +Danes. Behold, the Goths with savage eyes and grim aspect advance with +crested helms and clanging spears: wreaking heavy slaughter in our +blood, they wield their swords and their battle-axes hone-sharpened. + +"Why name thee, Hiartuar, whom Skulde hath filled with guilty purpose, +and hath suffered thus to harden in sin? Why sing of thee, villain, who +hast caused our peril, betrayer of a noble king? Furious lust of sway +hath driven thee to attempt an abomination, and, stung with frenzy, to +screen thyself behind thy wife's everlasting guilt. What error hath +made thee to hurt the Danes and thy lord, and hurled thee into such foul +crime as this? Whence entered thy heart the treason framed with such +careful guile? + +"Why do I linger? Now we have swallowed our last morsel. Our king +perishes, and utter doom overtakes our hapless city. Our last dawn has +risen, unless perchance there be one here so soft that he fears to offer +himself to the blows, or so unwarlike that he dares not avenge his lord, +and disowns all honours worthy of his valour. + +"Thou, Ruta, rise and put forth thy snow-white head, come forth from +thy hiding into the battle. The carnage that is being done without calls +thee. By now the council-chamber is shaken with warfare, and the gates +creak with the dreadful fray. Steel rends the mail-coats, the woven mesh +is torn apart, and the midriff gives under the rain of spears. By now +the huge axes have hacked small the shield of the king; by now the long +swords clash, and the battle-axe clatters its blows upon the shoulders +of men, and cleaves their breasts. Why are your hearts afraid? Why is +your sword faint and blunted? The gate is cleared of our people, and is +filled with the press of the strangers." + +And when Hjalte had wrought very great carnage and stained the battle +with blood, he stumbled for the third time on Bjarke's berth, and +thinking he desired to keep quiet because he was afraid, made trial of +him with such taunts at his cowardice as these: + +"Bjarke, why art thou absent? Doth deep sleep hold thee? I prithee, what +makes thee tarry? Come out, or the fire will overcome thee. Ho! Choose +the better way, charge with me! Bears may be kept off with fire; let +us spread fire in the recesses, and let the blaze attack the door-posts +first. Let the firebrand fall upon the bedchamber, let the falling roof +offer fuel for the flames and serve to feed the fire. It is right to +scatter conflagration on the doomed gates. But let us who honour our +king with better loyalty form the firm battle-wedges, and, having +measured the phalanx in safe rows, go forth in the way the king taught +us: our king, who laid low Rorik, the son of Bok the covetous, and +wrapped the coward in death. He was rich in wealth, but in enjoyment +poor, stronger in gain than bravery; and thinking gold better than +warfare, he set lucre above all things, and ingloriously accumulated +piles of treasure, scorning the service of noble friends. And when he +was attacked by the navy of Rolf, he bade his servants take the gold +from the chests and spread it out in front of the city gates, making +ready bribes rather than battle, because he knew not the soldier, and +thought that the foe should be attempted with gifts and not with arms: +as though he could fight with wealth alone, and prolong the war by +using, not men, but wares! So he undid the heavy coffers and the rich +chests; he brought forth the polished bracelets and the heavy caskets; +they only fed his destruction. Rich in treasure, poor in warriors, he +left his foes to take away the prizes which he forebore to give to the +friends of his own land. He who once shrank to give little rings of his +own will, now unwillingly squandered his masses of wealth, rifling his +hoarded heap. But our king in his wisdom spurned him and the gifts he +proffered, and took from him life and goods at once; nor was his foe +profited by the useless wealth which he had greedily heaped up through +long years. But Rolf the righteous assailed him, slew him, and captured +his vast wealth, and shared among worthy friends what the hand of +avarice had piled up in all those years; and, bursting into the camp +which was wealthy but not brave, gave his friends a lordly booty without +bloodshed. Nothing was so fair to him that he would not lavish it, or so +dear that he would not give it to his friends, for he used treasure like +ashes, and measured his years by glory and not by gain. Whence it is +plain that the king who hath died nobly lived also most nobly, that the +hour of his doom is beautiful, and that he graced the years of his life +with manliness. For while he lived his glowing valour prevailed over all +things, and he was allotted might worthy of his lofty stature. He was +as swift to war as a torrent tearing down to sea, and as speedy to begin +battle as a stag is to fly with cleft foot upon his fleet way. + +"See now, among the pools dripping with human blood, the teeth struck +out of the slain are carried on by the full torrent of gore, and are +polished on the rough sands. Dashed on the slime they glitter, and the +torrent of blood bears along splintered bones and flows above lopped +limbs. The blood of the Danes is wet, and the gory flow stagnates far +around, and the stream pressed out of the steaming veins rolls back the +scattered bodies. Tirelessly against the Danes advances Hiartuar, lover +of battle, and challenges the fighters with outstretched spear. Yet +here, amid the dangers and dooms of war, I see Frode's grandson smiling +joyously, who once sowed the fields of Fyriswald with gold. Let us also +be exalted with an honourable show of joy, following in death the doom +of our noble father. Be we therefore cheery in voice and bold in daring; +for it is right to spurn all fear with words of courage, and to meet our +death in deeds of glory. Let fear quit heart and face; in both let us +avow our dauntless endeavours, that no sign anywhere may show us to +betray faltering fear. Let our drawn sword measure the weight of our +service. Fame follows us in death, and glory shall outlive our crumbling +ashes! And that which perfect valour hath achieved during its span shall +not fade for ever and ever. What want we with closed floors? Why doth +the locked bolt close the folding-gates? For it is now the third cry, +Bjarke, that calls thee, and bids thee come forth from the barred room." + +Bjarke rejoined: "Warlike Hjalte, why dost thou call me so loud? I am +the son-in-law of Rolf. He who boasts loud and with big words challenges +other men to battle, is bound to be venturous and act up to his words, +that his deed may avouch his vaunt. But stay till I am armed and have +girded on the dread attire of war. + +"And now I tie my sword to my side, now first I get my body guarded with +mail-coat and headpiece, the helm keeping my brows and the stout +iron shrouding my breast. None shrinks more than I from being burnt a +prisoner inside, and made a pyre together with my own house: though an +island brought me forth, and though the land of my birth be bounded, I +shall hold it a debt to repay to the king the twelve kindreds which he +added to my honours. Hearken, warriors! Let none robe in mail his body +that shall perish; let him last of all draw tight the woven steel; let +the shields go behind the back; let us fight with bared breasts, +and load all your arms with gold. Let your right hands receive the +bracelets, that they may swing their blows the more heavily and plant +the grievous wound. Let none fall back! Let each zealously strive to +meet the swords of the enemy and the threatening spears, that we may +avenge our beloved master. Happy beyond all things is he who can mete +out revenge for such a crime, and with righteous steel punish the guilt +of treacheries. + +"Lo, methinks I surely pierced a wild stag with the Teutonic sword which +is called Snyrtir: from which I won the name of Warrior, when I felled +Agnar, son of Ingild, and brought the trophy home. He shattered and +broke with the bite the sword Hoding which smote upon my head, and would +have dealt worse wounds if the edge of his blade had held out better. +In return I clove asunder his left arm and part of his left side and +his right foot, and the piercing steel ran down his limbs and smote deep +into his ribs. By Hercules! No man ever seemed to me stronger than he. +For he sank down half-conscious, and, leaning on his elbow, welcomed +death with a smile, and spurned destruction with a laugh, and passed +rejoicing in the world of Elysium. Mighty was the man's courage, which +knew how with one laugh to cover his death-hour, and with a joyous face +to suppress utter anguish of mind and body! + +"Now also with the same blade I searched the heart of one sprung from +an illustrious line, and plunged the steel deep in his breast. He was a +king's son, of illustrious ancestry, of a noble nature, and shone with +the brightness of youth. The mailed metal could not avail him, nor his +sword, nor the smooth target-boss; so keen was the force of my steel, it +knew not how to be stayed by obstacles. + +"Where, then, are the captains of the Goths, and the soldiery of +Hiartuar? Let them come, and pay for their might with their life-blood. +Who can cast, who whirl the lance, save scions of kings? War springs +from the nobly born: famous pedigrees are the makers of war. For the +perilous deeds which chiefs attempt are not to be done by the ventures +of common men. Renowned nobles are passing away. Lo! Greatest Rolf, thy +great ones have fallen, thy holy line is vanishing. No dim and lowly +race, no low-born dead, no base souls are Pluto's prey, but he weaves +the dooms of the mighty, and fills Phlegethon with noble shapes. + +"I do not remember any combat wherein swords were crossed in turn and +blow dealt out for blow more speedily. I take three for each I give; +thus do the Goths requite the wounds I deal them, and thus doth the +stronger hand of the enemy avenge with heaped interest the punishment +that they receive. Yet singly in battle I have given over the bodies of +so many men to the pyre of destruction, that a mound like a hill could +grow up and be raised out of their lopped limbs, and the piles of +carcases would look like a burial-barrow. And now what doeth he, who but +now bade me come forth, vaunting himself with mighty praise, and chafing +others with his arrogant words, and scattering harsh taunts, as though +in his one body he enclosed twelve lives?" + +Hjalte answered: "Though I have but scant help, I am not far off. Even +here, where I stand, there is need of aid, and nowhere is a force or a +chosen band of warriors ready for battle wanted more. Already the hard +edges and the spear-points have cleft my shield in splinters, and the +ravening steel has rent and devoured its portions bit by bit in the +battle. The first of these things testifies to and avows itself. Seeing +is better than telling, eyesight faithfuller than hearing. For of the +broken shield only the fastenings remain, and the boss, pierced and +broken in its circle, is all left me. And now, Bjarke, thou art strong, +though thou hast come forth more tardily than was right, and thou +retrievest by bravery the loss caused by thy loitering." + +But Bjarke said: "Art thou not yet weary of girding at me and goading me +with taunts? Many things often cause delay. The reason why I tarried was +the sword in my path, which the Swedish foe whirled against my breast +with mighty effort. Nor did the guider of the hilt drive home the sword +with little might; for though the body was armed he smote it as far as +one may when it is bare or defenceless; he pierced the armour of hard +steel like yielding waters; nor could the rough, heavy breastplate give +me any help. + +"But where now is he that is commonly called Odin, the mighty in battle, +content ever with a single eye? If thou see him anywhere, Rute, tell +me." + +Rute replied: "Bring thine eye closer and look under my arm akimbo: +thou must first hallow thine eyes with the victorious sign, if thou wilt +safely know the War-god face to face." + +Then said Bjarke: "If I may look on the awful husband of Frigg, +howsoever he be covered with his white shield, and guide his tall steed, +he shall in no wise go safe out of Leire; it is lawful to lay low in war +the war-waging god. Let a noble death come to those that fall before the +eyes of their king. While life lasts, let us strive for the power to die +honourably and to reap a noble end by our deeds. I will die overpowered +near the head of my slain captain, and at his feet thou also shalt slip +on thy face in death, so that whoso scans the piled corpses may see in +what wise we rate the gold our lord gave us. We shall be the prey of +ravens and a morsel for hungry eagles, and the ravening bird shall feast +on the banquet of our body. Thus should fall princes dauntless in war, +clasping their famous king in a common death." + +I have composed this particular series of harangues in metrical shape, +because the gist of the same thoughts is found arranged in a short form +in a certain ancient Danish song, which is repeated by heart by many +conversant with antiquity. + +Now, it came to pass that the Goths gained the victory and all the array +of Rolf fell, no man save Wigg remaining out of all those warriors. For +the soldiers of the king paid this homage to his noble virtues in that +battle, that his slaying inspired in all the longing to meet their end, +and union with him in death was accounted sweeter than life. + +HIARTUAR rejoiced, and had the tables spread for feasting, bidding the +banquet come after the battle, and fain to honour his triumph with a +carouse. And when he was well filled therewith, he said that it was +matter of great marvel to him, that out of all the army of Rolf no man +had been found to take thought for his life by flight or fraud. Hence, +he said, it had been manifest with what zealous loyalty they had kept +their love for their king, because they had not endured to survive him. +He also blamed his ill fortune, because it had not suffered the homage +of a single one of them to be left for himself: protesting that he would +very willingly accept the service of such men. Then Wigg came forth, and +Hiartuar, as though he were congratulating him on the gift, asked him if +he were willing to fight for him. Wigg assenting, he drew and proferred +him a sword. But Wigg refused the point, and asked for the hilt, saying +first that this had been Rolf's custom when he handed forth a sword to +his soldiers. For in old time those who were about to put themselves in +dependence on the king used to promise fealty by touching the hilt of +the sword. And in this wise Wigg clasped the hilt, and then drove the +point through Hiartuar; thus gaining the vengeance which he had promised +Rolf to accomplish for him. When he had done this, and the soldiers +of Hiartuar rushed at him, he exposed his body to them eagerly and +exultantly, shouting that he felt more joy in the slaughter of the +tyrant than bitterness at his own. Thus the feast was turned into +a funeral, and the wailing of burial followed the joy of victory. +Glorious, ever memorable hero, who valiantly kept his vow, and +voluntarily courted death, staining with blood by his service the tables +of the despot! For the lively valour of his spirit feared not the hands +of the slaughterers, when he had once beheld the place where Rolf had +been wont to live bespattered with the blood of his slayer. Thus the +royalty of Hiartuar was won and ended on the same day. For whatsoever +is gotten with guile melts away in like fashion as it is sought, and no +fruits are long-lasting that have been won by treachery and crime. +Hence it came to pass that the Swedes, who had a little before been the +possessors of Denmark, came to lose even their own liberty. For they +were straightway cut off by the Zealanders, and paid righteous atonement +to the injured shades of Rolf. In this way does stern fortune commonly +avenge the works of craft and cunning. + + + +BOOK THREE. + +After Hiartuar, HOTHER, whom I mentioned above, the brother of Athisl, +and also the fosterling of King Gewar, became sovereign of both realms. +It will be easier to relate his times if I begin with the beginning +of his life. For if the earlier years of his career are not doomed to +silence, the latter ones can be more fully and fairly narrated. + +When Helgi had slain Hodbrodd, his son Hother passed the length of his +boyhood under the tutelage of King Gewar. While a stripling, he excelled +in strength of body all his foster-brethren and compeers. Moreover, he +was gifted with many accomplishments of mind. He was very skilled in +swimming and archery, and also with the gloves; and further was as +nimble as such a youth could be, his training being equal to his +strength. Though his years were unripe, his richly-dowered spirit +surpassed them. None was more skilful on lyre or harp; and he was +cunning on the timbrel, on the lute, and in every modulation of string +instruments. With his changing measures he could sway the feelings of +men to what passions he would; he knew how to fill human hearts with joy +or sadness, with pity or with hatred, and used to enwrap the soul with +the delight or terror of the ear. All these accomplishments of the youth +pleased Nanna, the daughter of Gewar, mightily, and she began to seek +his embraces. For the valour of a youth will often kindle a maid, and +the courage of those whose looks are not so winning is often acceptable. +For love hath many avenues; the path of pleasure is opened to some +by grace, to others by bravery of soul, and to some by skill in +accomplishments. Courtesy brings to some stores of Love, while most are +commended by brightness of beauty. Nor do the brave inflict a shallower +wound on maidens than the comely. + +Now it befell that Balder the son of Odin was troubled at the sight of +Nanna bathing, and was seized with boundless love. He was kindled by her +fair and lustrous body, and his heart was set on fire by her manifest +beauty; for nothing exciteth passion like comeliness. Therefore he +resolved to slay with the sword Hother, who, he feared, was likeliest to +baulk his wishes; so that his love, which brooked no postponement, might +not be delayed in the enjoyment of its desire by any obstacle. + +About this time Hother chanced, while hunting, to be led astray by a +mist, and he came on a certain lodge in which were wood-maidens; and +when they greeted him by his own name, he asked who they were. +They declared that it was their guidance and government that mainly +determined the fortunes of war. For they often invisibly took part +in battles, and by their secret assistance won for their friends the +coveted victories. They averted, indeed, that they could win triumphs +and inflict defeats as they would; and further told him how Balder had +seen his foster-sister Nanna while she bathed, and been kindled with +passion for her; but counselled Hother not to attack him in war, worthy +as he was of his deadliest hate, for they declared that Balder was a +demigod, sprung secretly from celestial seed. When Hother had heard +this, the place melted away and left him shelterless, and he found +himself standing in the open and out in the midst of the fields, without +a vestige of shade. Most of all he marvelled at the swift flight of the +maidens, the shifting of the place, and the delusive semblance of the +building. For he knew not that all that had passed around him had been a +mere mockery and an unreal trick of the arts of magic. + +Returning thence, he related to Gewar the mystification that had +followed on his straying, and straightway asked him for his daughter. +Gewar answered that he would most gladly favour him, but that he feared +if he rejected Balder he would incur his wrath; for Balder, he said, had +proffered him a like request. For he said that the sacred strength of +Balder's body was proof even against steel; adding, however, that he +knew of a sword which could deal him his death, which was fastened up in +the closest bonds; this was in the keeping of Miming, the Satyr of the +woods, who also had a bracelet of a secret and marvellous virtue, that +used to increase the wealth of the owner. Moreover, the way to these +regions was impassable and filled with obstacles, and therefore hard for +mortal men to travel. For the greater part of the road was perpetually +beset with extraordinary cold. So he advised him to harness a car with +reindeer, by means of whose great speed he could cross the hard-frozen +ridges. And when he had got to the place, he should set up his tent away +from the sun in such wise that it should catch the shadow of the cave +where Miming was wont to be; while he should not in return cast a +shade upon Miming, so that no unaccustomed darkness might be thrown and +prevent the Satyr from going out. Thus both the bracelet and the sword +would be ready to his hand, one being attended by fortune in wealth +and the other by fortune in war, and each of them thus bringing a great +prize to the owner. Thus much said Gewar; and Hother was not slow to +carry out his instructions. Planting his tent in the manner aforesaid, +he passed the nights in anxieties and the days in hunting. But through +either season he remained very wakeful and sleepless, allotting the +divisions of night and day so as to devote the one to reflection on +events, and to spend the other in providing food for his body. Once as +he watched all night, his spirit was drooping and dazed with anxiety, +when the Satyr cast a shadow on his tent. Aiming a spear at him, he +brought him down with the blow, stopped him, and bound him, while he +could not make his escape. Then in the most dreadful words he threatened +him with the worst, and demanded the sword and bracelets. The Satyr was +not slow to tender him the ransom of his life for which he was asked. +So surely do all prize life beyond wealth; for nothing is ever cherished +more among mortals than the breath of their own life. Hother, exulting +in the treasure he had gained, went home enriched with trophies which, +though few, were noble. + +When Gelder, the King of Saxony, heard that Hother had gained these +things, he kept constantly urging his soldiers to go and carry off such +glorious booty; and the warriors speedily equipped a fleet in obedience +to their king. Gewar, being very learned in divining and an expert in +the knowledge of omens, foresaw this; and summoning Hother, told him, +when Gelder should join battle with him, to receive his spears with +patience, and not let his own fly until he saw the enemy's missiles +exhausted; and further, to bring up the curved scythes wherewith the +vessels could be rent and the helmets and shields plucked from the +soldiers. Hother followed his advice and found its result fortunate. For +he bade his men, when Gelder began to charge, to stand their ground and +defend their bodies with their shields, affirming that the victory in +that battle must be won by patience. But the enemy nowhere kept back +their missiles, spending them all in their extreme eagerness to fight; +and the more patiently they found Hother bear himself in his reception +of their spears and lances, the more furiously they began to hurl them. +Some of these stuck in the shields and some in the ships, and few were +the wounds they inflicted; many of them were seen to be shaken off idly +and to do no hurt. For the soldiers of Hother performed the bidding +of their king, and kept off the attack of the spears by a penthouse of +interlocked shields; while not a few of the spears smote lightly on +the bosses and fell into the waves. When Gelder was emptied of all his +store, and saw the enemy picking it up, and swiftly hurling it back +at him, he covered the summit of the mast with a crimson shield, as a +signal of peace, and surrendered to save his life. Hother received him +with the friendliest face and the kindliest words, and conquered him as +much by his gentleness as he had by his skill. + +At this time Helgi, King of Halogaland, was sending frequent embassies +to press his suit for Thora, daughter of Kuse, sovereign of the Finns +and Perms. Thus is weakness ever known by its wanting help from others. +For while all other young men of that time used to sue in marriage with +their own lips, this man was afflicted with so faulty an utterance that +he was ashamed to be heard not only by strangers, but by those of his +own house. So much doth calamity shun all witnesses; for natural defects +are the more vexing the more manifest they are. Kuse despised his +embassy, answering that that man did not deserve a wife who trusted too +little to his own manhood, and borrowed by entreaty the aid of others in +order to gain his suit. When Helgi heard this, he besought Hother, whom +he knew to be an accomplished pleader, to favour his desires, promising +that he would promptly perform whatsoever he should command him. The +earnest entreaties of the youth prevailed on Hother, and he went to +Norway with an armed fleet, intending to achieve by arms the end which +he could not by words. And when he had pleaded for Helgi with the +most dulcet eloquence, Kuse rejoined that his daughter's wish must be +consulted, in order that no paternal strictness might forestall anything +against her will. He called her in and asked her whether she felt a +liking for her wooer; and when she assented he promised Helgi her hand. +In this way Hother, by the sweet sounds of his fluent and well-turned +oratory, opened the ears of Kuse, which were before deaf to the suit he +urged. + +While this was passing in Halogaland, Balder entered the country of +Gewar armed, in order to sue for Nanna. Gewar bade him learn Nanna's +own mind; so he approached the maiden with the most choice and cajoling +words; and when he could win no hearing for his prayers, he persisted in +asking the reason of his refusal. She replied, that a god could not wed +with a mortal, because the vast difference of their natures prevented +any bond of intercourse. Also the gods sometimes used to break their +pledges; and the bond contracted between unequals was apt to snap +suddenly. There was no firm tie between those of differing estate; for +beside the great, the fortunes of the lowly were always dimmed. Also +lack and plenty dwelt in diverse tents, nor was there any fast bond of +intercourse between gorgeous wealth and obscure poverty. In fine, the +things of earth would not mate with those of heaven, being sundered by +a great original gulf through a difference in nature; inasmuch as mortal +man was infinitely far from the glory of the divine majesty. With +this shuffling answer she eluded the suit of Balder, and shrewdly wove +excuses to refuse his hand. + +When Hother heard this from Gewar, he complained long to Helgi of +Balder's insolence. Both were in doubt as to what should be done, and +beat their brains over divers plans; for converse with a friend in the +day of trouble, though it removeth not the peril, yet maketh the heart +less sick. Amid all the desires of their souls the passion of valour +prevailed, and a naval battle was fought with Balder. One would have +thought it a contest of men against gods, for Odin and Thor and the holy +array of the gods fought for Balder. There one could have beheld a war +in which divine and human might were mingled. But Hother was clad in +his steel-defying tunic, and charged the closest bands of the gods, +assailing them as vehemently as a son of earth could assail the powers +above. However, Thor was swinging his club with marvellous might, and +shattered all interposing shields, calling as loudly on his foes +to attack him as upon his friends to back him up. No kind of armour +withstood his onset, no man could receive his stroke and live. +Whatsoever his blow fended off it crushed; neither shield nor helm +endured the weight of its dint; no greatness of body or of strength +could serve. Thus the victory would have passed to the gods, but that +Hother, though his line had already fallen back, darted up, hewed off +the club at the haft, and made it useless. And the gods, when they had +lost this weapon, fled incontinently. But that antiquity vouches for it, +it were quite against common belief to think that men prevailed against +gods. (We call them gods in a supposititious rather than in a real +sense; for to such we give the title of deity by the custom of nations, +not because of their nature.) + +As for Balder, he took to flight and was saved. The conquerors either +hacked his ships with their swords or sunk them in the sea; not content +to have defeated gods, they pursued the wrecks of the fleet with such +rage, as if they would destroy them to satiate their deadly passion for +war. Thus doth prosperity commonly whet the edge of licence. The haven, +recalling by its name Balder's flight, bears witness to the war. Gelder, +the King of Saxony, who met his end in the same war, was set by Hother +upon the corpses of his oarsmen, and then laid on a pyre built of +vessels, and magnificently honoured in his funeral by Hother, who not +only put his ashes in a noble barrow, treating them as the remains of +a king, but also graced them with most reverent obsequies. Then, to +prevent any more troublesome business delaying his hopes of marriage, +he went back to Gewar and enjoyed the coveted embraces of Nanna. Next, +having treated Helgi and Thora very generously, he brought his new queen +back to Sweden, being as much honoured by all for his victory as Balder +was laughed at for his flight. + +At this time the nobles of the Swedes repaired to Demnark to pay their +tribute; but Hother, who had been honoured as a king by his countrymen +for the splendid deeds of his father, experienced what a lying pander +Fortune is. For he was conquered in the field by Balder, whom a little +before he had crushed, and was forced to flee to Gewar, thus losing +while a king that victory which he had won as a common man. The +conquering Balder, in order to slake his soldiers, who were parched with +thirst, with the blessing of a timely draught, pierced the earth deep +and disclosed a fresh spring. The thirsty ranks made with gaping lips +for the water that gushed forth everywhere. The traces of these springs, +eternised by the name, are thought not quite to have dried up yet, +though they have ceased to well so freely as of old. Balder was +continually harassed by night phantoms feigning the likeness of Nanna, +and fell into such ill health that he could not so much as walk, +and began the habit of going his journeys in a two horse car or a +four-wheeled carriage. So great was the love that had steeped his heart +and now had brought him down almost to the extremity of decline. For he +thought that his victory had brought him nothing if Nanna was not his +prize. Also Frey, the regent of the gods, took his abode not far from +Upsala, where he exchanged for a ghastly and infamous sin-offering the +old custom of prayer by sacrifice, which had been used by so many +ages and generations. For he paid to the gods abominable offerings, by +beginning to slaughter human victims. + +Meantime Hother (1) learned that Denmark lacked leaders, and that +Hiartuar had swiftly expiated the death of Rolf; and he used to say +that chance had thrown into his hands that to which he could scarce +have aspired. For first, Rolf, whom he ought to have killed, since he +remembered that Rolf's father had slain his own, had been punished by +the help of another; and also, by the unexpected bounty of events, +a chance had been opened to him of winning Denmark. In truth, if the +pedigree of his forefathers were rightly traced, that realm was his by +ancestral right! Thereupon he took possession, with a very great fleet, +of Isefjord, a haven of Zealand, so as to make use of his impending +fortune. There the people of the Danes met him and appointed him king; +and a little after, on hearing of the death of his brother Athisl, whom +he had bidden rule the Swedes, he joined the Swedish empire to that of +Denmark. But Athisl was cut off by an ignominious death. For whilst, in +great jubilation of spirit, he was honouring the funeral rites of +Rolf with a feast, he drank too greedily, and paid for his filthy +intemperance by his sudden end. And so, while he was celebrating the +death of another with immoderate joviality, he forced on his own apace. + +While Hother was in Sweden, Balder also came to Zealand with a fleet; +and since he was thought to be rich in arms and of singular majesty, +the Danes accorded him with the readiest of voices whatever he asked +concerning the supreme power. With such wavering judgment was the +opinion of our forefathers divided. Hother returned from Sweden and +attacked him. They both coveted sway, and the keenest contest for the +sovereignty began between them; but it was cut short by the flight of +Hother. He retired to Jutland, and caused to be named after him the +village in which he was wont to stay. Here he passed the winter season, +and then went back to Sweden alone and unattended. There he summoned the +grandees, and told them that he was weary of the light of life because +of the misfortunes wherewith Balder had twice victoriously stricken him. +Then he took farewell of all, and went by a circuitous path to a place +that was hard of access, traversing forests uncivilised. For it oft +happens that those upon whom has come some inconsolable trouble of +spirit seek, as though it were a medicine to drive away their sadness, +far and sequestered retreats, and cannot bear the greatness of their +grief amid the fellowship of men; so dear, for the most part, is +solitude to sickness. For filthiness and grime are chiefly pleasing to +those who have been stricken with ailments of the soul. Now he had been +wont to give out from the top of a hill decrees to the people when they +came to consult him; and hence when they came they upbraided the sloth +of the king for hiding himself, and his absence was railed at by all +with the bitterest complaints. + +But Hother, when he had wandered through remotest byways and crossed an +uninhabited forest, chanced to come upon a cave where dwelt some maidens +whom he knew not; but they proved to be the same who had once given him +the invulnerable coat. Asked by them wherefore he had come thither, he +related the disastrous issue of the war. So he began to bewail the ill +luck of his failures and his dismal misfortunes, condemning their breach +of faith, and lamenting that it had not turned out for him as they had +promised him. But the maidens said that though he had seldom come off +victorious, he had nevertheless inflicted as much defeat on the enemy +as they on him, and had dealt as much carnage as he had shared in. +Moreover, the favour of victory would be speedily his, if he could first +lay hands upon a food of extraordinary delightsomeness which had +been devised to increase the strength of Balder. For nothing would be +difficult if he could only get hold of the dainty which was meant to +enhance the rigour of his foe. + +Hard as it sounded for earthborn endeavours to make armed assault upon +the gods, the words of the maidens inspired Hother's mind with instant +confidence to fight with Balder. Also some of his own people said that +he could not safely contend with those above; but all regard for their +majesty was expelled by the boundless fire of his spirit. For in brave +souls vehemence is not always sapped by reason, nor doth counsel defeat +rashness. Or perchance it was that Hother remembered how the might of +the lordliest oft proveth unstable, and how a little clod can batter +down great chariots. + +On the other side, Balder mustered the Danes to arms and met Hother +in the field. Both sides made a great slaughter; the carnage of the +opposing parties was nearly equal, and night stayed the battle. About +the third watch, Hother, unknown to any man, went out to spy upon the +enemy, anxiety about the impending peril having banished sleep. This +strong excitement favours not bodily rest, and inward disquiet suffers +not outward repose. So, when he came to the camp of the enemy he heard +that three maidens had gone out carrying the secret feast of Balder. He +ran after them (for their footsteps in the dew betrayed their flight), +and at last entered their accustomed dwelling. When they asked him who +he was, he answered, a lutanist, nor did the trial belie his profession. +For when the lyre was offered him, he tuned its strings, ordered and +governed the chords with his quill, and with ready modulation poured +forth a melody pleasant to the ear. Now they had three snakes, of whose +venom they were wont to mix a strengthening compound for the food of +Balder, and even now a flood of slaver was dripping on the food from the +open mouths of the serpents. And some of the maidens would, for kindness +sake, have given Hother a share of the dish, had not eldest of the three +forbidden them, declaring that Balder would be cheated if they increased +the bodily powers of his enemy. He had said, not that he was Hother, but +that he was one of his company. Now the same nymphs, in their gracious +kindliness, bestowed on him a belt of perfect sheen and a girdle which +assured victory. + +Retracing the path by which he had come, he went back on the same road, +and meeting Balder plunged his sword into his side, and laid him low +half dead. When the news was told to the soldiers, a cheery shout of +triumph rose from all the camp of Hother, while the Danes held a public +mourning for the fate of Balder. He, feeling no doubt of his impending +death, and stung by the anguish of his wound, renewed the battle on +the morrow; and, when it raged hotly, bade that he should be borne on a +litter into the fray, that he might not seem to die ignobly within his +tent. On the night following, Proserpine was seen to stand by him in a +vision, and to promise that on the morrow he should have her embrace. +The boding of the dream was not idle; for when three days had passed, +Balder perished from the excessive torture of his wound; and his body +given a royal funeral, the army causing it to be buried in a barrow +which they had made. + +Certain men of our day, Chief among whom was Harald, (2) since the story +of the ancient burial-place still survived, made a raid on it by night +in the hope of finding money, but abandoned their attempt in sudden +panic. For the hill split, and from its crest a sudden and mighty +torrent of loud-roaring waters seemed to burst; so that its flying mass, +shooting furiously down, poured over the fields below, and enveloped +whatsoever it struck upon, and at its onset the delvers were dislodged, +flung down their mattocks, and fled divers ways; thinking that if they +strove any longer to carry through their enterprise they would be caught +in the eddies of the water that was rushing down. Thus the guardian gods +of that spot smote fear suddenly into the minds of the youths, taking +them away from covetousness, and turning them to see to their safety; +teaching them to neglect their greedy purpose and be careful of their +lives. Now it is certain that this apparent flood was not real but +phantasmal; not born in the bowels of the earth (since Nature suffereth +not liquid springs to gush forth in a dry place), but produced by some +magic agency. All men afterwards, to whom the story of that breaking in +had come down, left this hill undisturbed. Wherefore it has never been +made sure whether it really contains any wealth; for the dread of peril +has daunted anyone since Harald from probing its dark foundations. + +But Odin, though he was accounted the chief of the gods, began to +inquire of the prophets and diviners concerning the way to accomplish +vengeance for his son, as well as all others whom he had beard were +skilled in the most recondite arts of soothsaying. For godhead that is +incomplete is oft in want of the help of man. Rostioph (Hrossthiof), +the Finn, foretold to him that another son must be born to him by Rinda +(Wrinda), daughter of the King of the Ruthenians; this son was destined +to exact punishment for the slaying of his brother. For the gods had +appointed to the brother that was yet to be born the task of avenging +his kinsman. Odin, when he heard this, muffled his face with a cap, that +his garb might not betray him, and entered the service of the said king +as a soldier; and being made by him captain of the soldiers, and given +an army, won a splendid victory over the enemy. And for his stout +achievement in this battle the king admitted him into the chief place +in his friendship, distinguishing him as generously with gifts as +with honours. A very little while afterwards Odin routed the enemy +single-handed, and returned, at once the messenger and the doer of +the deed. All marvelled that the strength of one man could deal such +slaughter upon a countless host. Trusting in these services, he privily +let the king into the secret of his love, and was refreshed by his most +gracious favour; but when he sought a kiss from the maiden, he received +a cuff. But he was not driven from his purpose either by anger at the +slight or by the odiousness of the insult. + +Next year, loth to quit ignobly the quest he had taken up so eagerly, he +put on the dress of a foreigner and went back to dwell with the king. It +was hard for those who met him to recognise him; for his assumed filth +obliterated his true features, and new grime hid his ancient aspect. He +said that his name was Roster (Hrosstheow), and that he was skilled +in smithcraft. And his handiwork did honour to his professions: for he +portrayed in bronze many and many a shape most beautifully, so that he +received a great mass of gold from the king, and was ordered to +hammer out the ornaments of the matrons. So, after having wrought many +adornments for women's wearing, he at last offered to the maiden a +bracelet which he had polished more laboriously than the rest and +several rings which were adorned with equal care. But no services could +assuage the wrath of Rinda; when he was fain to kiss her she cuffed him; +for gifts offered by one we hate are unacceptable, while those tendered +by a friend are far more grateful: so much doth the value of the +offering oft turn on the offerer. For this stubborn-hearted maiden never +doubted that the crafty old man was feigning generosity in order to +seize an opening to work his lust. His temper, moreover, was keen and +indomitable; for she knew that his homage covered guile, and that under +the devotion of his gifts there lay a desire for crime. Her father fell +to upbraiding her heavily for refusing the match; but she loathed to wed +an old man, and the plea of her tender years lent her some support in +her scorning of his hand; for she said that a young girl ought not to +marry prematurely. + +But Odin, who had found that nothing served the wishes of lovers more +than tough persistency, though he was stung with the shame of his double +rebuff, nevertheless, effacing the form he had worn before, went to the +king for the third time, professing the completest skill in soldiership. +He was led to take this pains not only by pleasure but by the wish to +wipe out his disgrace. For of old those who were skilled in magic gained +this power of instantly changing their aspect and exhibiting the most +different shapes. Indeed, they were clever at imitating any age, not +only in its natural bodily appearance, but also in its stature; and so +the old man, in order to exhibit his calling agreeably, used to ride +proudly up and down among the briskest of them. But not even such a +tribute could move the rigour of the maiden; for it is hard for the mind +to come back to a genuine liking for one against whom it has once borne +heavy dislike. When he tried to kiss her at his departure, she repulsed +him so that he tottered and smote his chin upon the ground. Straightway +he touched her with a piece of bark whereon spells were written, and +made her like unto one in frenzy: which was a gentle revenge to take for +all the insults he had received. + +But still he did not falter in the fulfilment of his purpose; for trust +in his divine majesty buoyed him up with confidence; so, assuming the +garb of a maiden, this indefatigable journeyer repaired for the +fourth time to the king, and, on being received by him, showed himself +assiduous and even forward. Most people believed him to be a woman, as +he was dressed almost in female attire. Also he declared that his name +was Wecha, and his calling that of a physician: and this assertion +he confirmed by the readiest services. At last he was taken into the +household of the queen, and played the part of a waiting-woman to the +princess, and even used to wash the soil off her feet at eventide; and +as he was applying the water he was suffered to touch her calves and the +upper part of the thighs. But fortune goes with mutable steps, and thus +chance put into his hand what his address had never won. For it happened +that the girl fell sick, and looked around for a cure; and she summoned +to protect her health those very hands which aforetime she had rejected, +and appealed for preservation to him whom she had ever held in loathing. +He examined narrowly all the symptoms of the trouble, and declared that, +in order to check the disease as soon as possible, it was needful to use +a certain drugged draught; but that it was so bitterly compounded, that +the girl could never endure so violent a cure unless she submitted to +be bound; since the stuff of the malady must be ejected from the very +innermost tissues. When her father heard this he did not hesitate +to bind his daughter; and laying her on the bed, he bade her endure +patiently all the applications of the doctor. For the king was tricked +by the sight of the female dress, which the old man was using to +disguise his persistent guile; and thus the seeming remedy became an +opportunity of outrage. For the physician seized the chance of love, +and, abandoning his business of healing, sped to the work, not of +expelling the fever, but of working his lust; making use of the sickness +of the princess, whom in sound health he had found adverse to him. It +will not be wearisome if I subjoin another version of this affair. +For there are certain who say that the king, when he saw the physician +groaning with love, but despite all his expense of mind and body +accomplishing nothing, did not wish to rob of his due reward one who had +so well earned it, and allowed him to lie privily with his daughter. +So doth the wickedness of the father sometimes assail the child, when +vehement passion perverts natural mildness. But his fault was soon +followed by a remorse that was full of shame, when his daughter bore a +child. + +But the gods, whose chief seat was then at Byzantium, (Asgard), seeing +that Odin had tarnished the fair name of godhead by divers injuries to +its majesty, thought that he ought to be removed from their society. +And they had him not only ousted from the headship, but outlawed and +stripped of all worship and honour at home; thinking it better that the +power of their infamous president should be overthrown than that public +religion should be profaned; and fearing that they might themselves be +involved in the sin of another, and though guiltless be punished for the +crime of the guilty. For they saw that, now the derision of their great +god was brought to light, those whom they had lured to proffer them +divine honours were exchanging obeisance for scorn and worship for +shame; that holy rites were being accounted sacrilege, and fixed and +regular ceremonies deemed so much childish raving. Fear was in their +souls, death before their eyes, and one would have supposed that the +fault of one was visited upon the heads of all. So, not wishing Odin +to drive public religion into exile, they exiled him and put one Oller +(Wulder?) in his place, to bear the symbols not only Of royalty but also +of godhead, as though it had been as easy a task to create a god as a +king. And though they had appointed him priest for form's sake, they +endowed him actually with full distinction, that he might be seen to be +the lawful heir to the dignity, and no mere deputy doing another's work. +Also, to omit no circumstance of greatness, they further gave his the +name of Odin, trying by the prestige of that title to be rid of the +obloquy of innovation. For nearly ten years Oller held the presidency +of the divine senate; but at last the gods pitied the horrible exile of +Odin, and thought that he had now been punished heavily enough; so he +exchanged his foul and unsightly estate for his ancient splendour; for +the lapse of time had now wiped out the brand of his earlier disgrace. +Yet some were to be found who judged that he was not worthy to approach +and resume his rank, because by his stage-tricks and his assumption of a +woman's work he had brought the foulest scandal on the name of the gods. +Some declare that he bought back the fortune of his lost divinity with +money; flattering some of the gods and mollifying some with bribes; +and that at the cost of a vast sum he contrived to get back to the +distinction which he had long quitted. If you ask how much he paid +for them, inquire of those who have found out what is the price of a +godhead. I own that to me it is but little worth. + +Thus Oller was driven out from Byzantium by Odin and retired into +Sweden. Here, while he was trying, as if in a new world, to repair the +records of his glory, the Danes slew him. The story goes that he was +such a cunning wizard that he used a certain bone, which he had marked +with awful spells, wherewith to cross the seas, instead of a vessel; +and that by this bone he passed over the waters that barred his way as +quickly as by rowing. + +But Odin, now that he had regained the emblems of godhead, shone over +all parts of the world with such a lustre of renown that all nations +welcomed him as though he were light restored to the universe; nor was +any spot to be found on the earth which did not hornage to his might. +Then finding that Boe, his son by Rhlda, was enamoured of the hardships +of war, he called him, and bade him bear in mind the slaying of his +brother: saying that it would be better for him to take vengeande on the +murderers of Balder than to overcome them in battle; for warfare was +most fitting and wholesome when a holy occasion for waging it was +furnished by a righteous opening for vengeande. + +News came meantime that Gewar had been slain by the guile of his own +satrap (jarl), Gunne. Hother determined to visit his murder with the +strongest and sharpest revenge. So he surprised Gunne, cast him on a +blazing pyre, and burnt him; for Gunne had himself treacherously waylaid +Gewar, and burnt him alive in the night. This was his offering of +vengeance to the shade of his foster-father; and then he made his sons, +Herlek and Gerit, rulers of Norway. + +Then he summoned the elders to assembly, and told them that he would +perish in the war wherein he was bound to meet Boe, and said that he +knew this by no doubtful guesswork, but by sure prophecies of seers. +So he besought them to make his son RORIK king, so that the judgment +of wicked men should not transfer the royalty to strange and unknown +houses; averring that he would reap more joy from the succession of +his son than bitterness from his own impending death. This request was +speedily granted. Then he met Boe in battle and was killed; but small +joy the victory gave Boe. Indeed, he left the battle so sore stricken +that he was lifted on his shield and carried home by his foot-soldiers +supporting him in turn, to perish next day of the pain of his wounds. +The Ruthenian army gave his body a gorgeous funeral and buried it in +a splendid howe, which it piled in his name, to save the record of so +mighty a warrior from slipping out of the recollection of after ages. + +So the Kurlanders and the Swedes, as though the death of Hother set them +free from the burden of their subjection, resolved to attack Denmark, to +which they were accustomed to do homage with a yearly tax. By this the +Slavs also were emboldened to revolt, and a number of others were turned +from subjects into foes. Rorik, in order to check this wrongdoing, +summoned his country to arms, recounted the deeds of his forefathers, +and urged them in a passionate harangue unto valorous deeds. But the +barbarians, loth to engage without a general, and seeing that they +needed a head, appointed a king over them; and, displaying all the rest +of their military force, hid two companies of armed men in a dark spot. +But Rorik saw the trap; and perceiving that his fleet was wedged in a +certain narrow creek among the shoal water, took it out from the sands +where it was lying, and brought it forth to sea; lest it should strike +on the oozy swamps, and be attacked by the foe on different sides. Also, +he resolved that his men should go into hiding during the day, where +they could stay and suddenly fall on the invaders of his ships. He said +that perchance the guile might in the end recoil on the heads of its +devisors. And in fact the barbarians who had been appointed to the +ambuscade knew nothing of the wariness of the Danes, and sallying +against them rashly, were all destroyed. The remaining force of the +Slavs, knowing nothing of the slaughter of their friends, hung in doubt +wondering over the reason of Rorik's tarrying. And after waiting long +for him as the months wearily rolled by, and finding delay every day +more burdensome, they at last thought they should attack him with their +fleet. + +Now among them there was a man of remarkable stature, a wizard by +calling. He, when he beheld the squadrons of the Danes, said: "Suffer +a private combat to forestall a public slaughter, so that the danger +of many may be bought off at the cost of a few. And if any of you shall +take heart to fight it out with me, I will not flinch from these terms +of conflict. But first of all I demand that you accept the terms I +prescribe, the form whereof I have devised as follows: If I conquer, let +freedom be granted us from taxes; if I am conquered, let the tribute be +paid you as of old: For to-day I will either free my country from the +yoke of slavery by my victory or bind her under it by my defeat. Accept +me as the surety and the pledge for either issue." One of the Danes, +whose spirit was stouter than his strength, heard this, and proceeded to +ask Rorik, what would be the reward for the man who met the challenger +in combat? Rorik chanced to have six bracelets, which were so +intertwined that they could not be parted from one another, the chain of +knots being inextricaly laced; and he promised them as a reward for +the man who would venture on the combat. But the youth, who doubted his +fortune, said: "Rorik, if I prove successful, let thy generosity award +the prize of the conqueror, do thou decide and allot the palm; but if +my enterprise go little to my liking, what prize canst thou owe to the +beaten, who will be wrapped either in cruel death or in bitter shame? +These things commonly go with feebleness, these are the wages of the +defeated, for whom naught remains but utter infamy. What guerdon must +be paid, what thanks offered, to him who lacks the prize of courage? Who +has ever garlanded with ivy the weakling in War, or decked him with a +conqueror's wage? Valour wins the prize, not sloth, and failure lacks +renown. For one is followed by triumph and honour, the other by an +unsightly life or by a stagnant end. I, who know not which way the issue +of this duel inclines, dare not boldly anticipate that as a reward, of +which I know not whether it be rightly mine. For one whose victory is +doubtful may not seize the assured reward of the victor. I forbear, +while I am not sure of the day, to claim firmly the title to the wreath. +I refuse the gain, which may be the wages of my death as much as of my +life. It is folly to lay hands on the fruit before it is ripe, and to be +fain to pluck that which one is not yet sure is one's title. This hand +shall win me the prize, or death." Having thus spoken, he smote the +barbarian with his sword; but his fortune was tardier than his spirit; +for the other smote him back, and he fell dead under the force of the +first blow. Thus he was a sorry sight unto the Danes, but the Slavs +granted their triumphant comrade a great procession, and received him +with splendid dances. On the morrow the same man, whether he was elated +with the good fortune of his late victory, or was fired with the wish to +win another, came close to the enemy, and set to girding at them in the +words of his former challenge. For, supposing that he had laid low the +bravest of the Danes, he did not think that any of them would have any +heart left to fight further with him upon his challenge. Also, trusting +that, now one champion had fallen, he had shattered the strength of the +whole army, he thought that naught would be hard to achieve upon which +his later endeavours were bent. For nothing pampers arrogance more than +success, or prompts to pride more surely than prosperity. + +So Rorik was vexed that the general courage should be sapped by the +impudence of one man; and that the Danes, with their roll of victories, +should be met presumptuously by those whom they had beaten of old; nay, +should be ignominiously spurned; further, that in all that host not one +man should be found so quick of spirit or so vigorous of arm, that he +longed to sacrifice his life for his country. It was the high-hearted +Ubbe who first wiped off this infamous reproach upon the hesitating +Danes. For he was of great bodily strength and powerful in incantations. +He also purposely asked the prize of the combat, and the king promised +him the bracelets. Then said he: "How can I trust the promise when thou +keepest the pledge in thine own hands, and dost not deposit the gift in +the charge of another? Let there be some one to whom thou canst entrust +the pledge, that thou mayst not be able to take thy promise back. For +the courage of the champion is kindled by the irrevocable certainty of +the prize." Of course it was plain that he had said this in jest; sheer +courage had armed him to repel the insult to his country. But Rorik +thought he was tempted by avarice, and was loth to seem as if, contrary +to royal fashion, he meant to take back the gift or revoke his promise; +so, being stationed on his vessel, he resolved to shake off the +bracelets, and with a mighty swing send them to the asker. But his +attempt was baulked by the width of the gap between them; for the +bracelets fell short of the intended spot, the impulse being too faint +and slack, and were reft away by the waters. For this nickname of +Slyngebond, (swing-bracelet) clung to Rorik. But this event testified +much to the valour of Ubbe. For the loss of his drowned prize never +turned his mind from his bold venture; he would not seem to let his +courage be tempted by the wages of covetousness. So he eagerly went +to fight, showing that he was a seeker of honour and not the slave of +lucre, and that he set bravery before lust of pelf; and intent to prove +that his confidence was based not on hire, but on his own great soul. +Not a moment is lost; a ring is made; the course is thronged with +soldiers; the champions engage; a din arises; the crowd of onlookers +shouts in discord, each backing his own. And so the valour of the +champions blazes to white-heat; falling dead under the wounds dealt by +one another, they end together the combat and their lives. I think that +it was a provision of fortune that neither of them should reap joy and +honour by the other's death. This event won back to Rorik the hearts of +the insurgents and regained him the tribute. + +At this time Horwendil and Feng, whose father Gerwendil had been +governor of the Jutes, were appointed in his place by Rorik to defend +Jutland. But Horwendil held the monarchy for three years, and then, to +will the height of glory, devoted himself to roving. Then Koller, King +of Norway, in rivalry of his great deeds and renown, deemed it would be +a handsome deed if by his greater strength in arms he could bedim the +far-famed glory of the rover; and cruising about the sea, he watched for +Horwendil's fleet and came up with it. There was an island lying in the +middle of the sea, which each of the rovers, bringing his ships up on +either side, was holding. The captains were tempted by the pleasant look +of the beach, and the comeliness of the shores led them to look through +the interior of the springtide woods, to go through the glades, and roam +over the sequestered forests. It was here that the advance of Koller and +Horwendil brought them face to face without any witness. Then Horwendil +endeavoured to address the king first, asking him in what way it was his +pleasure to fight, and declaring that one best which needed the courage +of as few as possible. For, said he, the duel was the surest of all +modes of combat for winning the meed of bravery, because it relied only +upon native courage, and excluded all help from the hand of another. +Koller marvelled at so brave a judgment in a youth, and said: "Since +thou hast granted me the choice of battle, I think it is best to employ +that kind which needs only the endeavours of two, and is free from all +the tumult. Certainly it is more venturesome, and allows of a speedier +award of the victory. This thought we share, in this opinion we agree of +our own accord. But since the issue remains doubtful, we must pay +some regard to gentle dealing, and must not give way so far to our +inclinations as to leave the last offices undone. Hatred is in our +hearts; yet let piety be there also, which in its due time may take the +place of rigour. For the rights of nature reconcile us, though we are +parted by differences of purpose; they link us together, howsoever +rancour estrange our spirit. Let us, therefore, have this pious +stipulation, that the conqueror shall give funeral rites to the +conquered. For all allow that these are the last duties of human +kind, from which no righteous man shrinks. Let each army lay aside its +sternness and perform this function in harmony. Let jealousy depart +at death, let the feud be buried in the tomb. Let us not show such an +example of cruelty as to persecute one another's dust, though hatred has +come between us in our lives. It will be a boast for the victor if he +has borne his beaten foe in a lordly funeral. For the man who pays the +rightful dues over his dead enemy wins the goodwill of the survivor; and +whoso devotes gentle dealing to him who is no more, conquers the living +by his kindness. Also there is another disaster, not less lamentable, +which sometimes befalls the living--the loss of some part of their body; +and I think that succor is due to this just as much as to the worst hap +that may befall. For often those who fight keep their lives safe, but +suffer maiming; and this lot is commonly thought more dismal than any +death; for death cuts off memory of all things, while the living cannot +forget the devastation of his own body. Therefore this mischief also +must be helped somehow; so let it be agreed, that the injury of either +of us by the other shall be made good with ten talents (marks) of gold. +For if it be righteous to have compassion on the calamities of another, +how much more is it to pity one's own? No man but obeys nature's +prompting; and he who slights it is a self-murderer." + +After mutually pledging their faiths to these terms, they began the +battle. Nor was their strangeness his meeting one another, nor the +sweetness of that spring-green spot, so heeded as to prevent them from +the fray. Horwendil, in his too great ardour, became keener to attack +his enemy than to defend his own body; and, heedless of his shield, had +grasped his sword with both hands; and his boldness did not fail. For by +his rain of blows he destroyed Koller's shield and deprived him of it, +and at last hewed off his foot and drove him lifeless to the ground. +Then, not to fail of his compact, he buried him royally, gave him a howe +of lordly make and pompous obsequies. Then he pursued and slew Koller's +sister Sela, who was a skilled warrior and experienced in roving. + +He had now passed three years in valiant deeds of war; and, in order to +win higher rank in Rorik's favour, he assigned to him the best trophies +and the pick of the plunder. His friendship with Rorik enabled him +to woo and will in marriage his daughter Gerutha, who bore him a son +Amleth. + +Such great good fortune stung Feng with jealousy, so that he resolved +treacherously to waylay his brother, thus showing that goodness is not +safe even from those of a man's own house. And behold, when a chance +came to murder him, his bloody hand sated the deadly passion of his +soul. Then he took the wife of the brother he had butchered, capping +unnatural murder with incest. For whoso yields to one iniquity, speedily +falls an easier victim to the next, the first being an incentive to +the second. Also, the man veiled the monstrosity of his deed with such +hardihood of cunning, that he made up a mock pretence of goodwill +to excuse his crime, and glossed over fratricide with a show of +righteousness. Gerutha, said he, though so gentle that she would do no +man the slightest hurt, had been visited with her husband's extremest +hate; and it was all to save her that he had slain his brother; for he +thought it shameful that a lady so meek and unrancorous should suffer +the heavy disdain of her husband. Nor did his smooth words fail in their +intent; for at courts, where fools are sometimes favoured and backbiters +preferred, a lie lacks not credit. Nor did Feng keep from shameful +embraces the hands that had slain a brother; pursuing with equal guilt +both of his wicked and impious deeds. + +Amleth beheld all this, but feared lest too shrewd a behaviour might +make his uncle suspect him. So he chose to feign dulness, and pretend +an utter lack of wits. This cunning course not only concealed his +intelligence but ensured his safety. Every day he remained in his +mother's house utterly listless and unclean, flinging himself on the +ground and bespattering his person with foul and filthy dirt. His +discoloured face and visage smutched with slime denoted foolish and +grotesque madness. All he said was of a piece with these follies; all +he did savoured of utter lethargy. In a word, you would not have thought +him a man at all, but some absurd abortion due to a mad fit of destiny. +He used at times to sit over the fire, and, raking up the embers with +his hands, to fashion wooden crooks, and harden them in the fire, +shaping at their lips certain barbs, to make them hold more tightly +to their fastenings. When asked what he was about, he said that he was +preparing sharp javelins to avenge his father. This answer was not a +little scoffed at, all men deriding his idle and ridiculous pursuit; but +the thing helped his purpose afterwards. Now it was his craft in this +matter that first awakened in the deeper observers a suspicion of his +cunning. For his skill in a trifling art betokened the hidden talent of +the craftsman; nor could they believe the spirit dull where the hand had +acquired so cunning a workmanship. Lastly, he always watched with the +most punctual care over his pile of stakes that he had pointed in the +fire. Some people, therefore, declared that his mind was quick enough, +and fancied that he only played the simpleton in order to hide his +understanding, and veiled some deep purpose under a cunning feint. His +wiliness (said these) would be most readily detected, if a fair woman +were put in his way in some secluded place, who should provoke his mind +to the temptations of love; all men's natural temper being too blindly +amorous to be artfully dissembled, and this passion being also too +impetuous to be checked by cunning. Therefore, if his lethargy were +feigned, he would seize the opportunity, and yield straightway to +violent delights. So men were commissioned to draw the young man in +his rides into a remote part of the forest, and there assail him with a +temptation of this nature. Among these chanced to be a foster-brother of +Amleth, who had not ceased to have regard to their common nurture; +and who esteemed his present orders less than the memory of their past +fellowship. He attended Amleth among his appointed train, being anxious +not to entrap, but to warn him; and was persuaded that he would suffer +the worst if he showed the slightest glimpse of sound reason, and above +all if he did the act of love openly. This was also plain enough to +Amleth himself. For when he was bidden mount his horse, he deliberately +set himself in such a fashion that he turned his back to the neck and +faced about, fronting the tail; which he proceeded to encompass with the +reins, just as if on that side he would check the horse in its furious +pace. By this cunning thought he eluded the trick, and overcame the +treachery of his uncle. The reinless steed galloping on, with rider +directing its tail, was ludicrous enough to behold. + +Amleth went on, and a wolf crossed his path amid the thicket. When his +companions told him that a young colt had met him, he retorted, that in +Feng's stud there were too few of that kind fighting. This was a gentle +but witty fashion of invoking a curse upon his uncle's riches. When +they averred that he had given a cunning answer, he answered that he had +spoken deliberately; for he was loth, to be thought prone to lying +about any matter, and wished to be held a stranger to falsehood; and +accordingly he mingled craft and candour in such wise that, though his +words did lack truth, yet there was nothing to betoken the truth and +betray how far his keenness went. + +Again, as he passed along the beach, his companions found the rudder +of a ship, which had been wrecked, and said they had discovered a huge +knife. "This," said he, "was the right thing to carve such a huge ham;" +by which he really meant the sea, to whose infinitude, he thought, this +enormous rudder matched. Also, as they passed the sandhills, and bade +him look at the meal, meaning the sand, he replied that it had been +ground small by the hoary tempests of the ocean. His companions praising +his answer, he said that he had spoken it wittingly. Then they purposely +left him, that he might pluck up more courage to practise wantonness. +The woman whom his uncle had dispatched met him in a dark spot, as +though she had crossed him by chance; and he took her and would have +ravished her, had not his foster-brother, by a secret device, given him +an inkling of the trap. For this man, while pondering the fittest way +to play privily the prompter's part, and forestall the young man's +hazardous lewdness, found a straw on the ground and fastened it +underneath the tail of a gadfly that was flying past; which he then +drove towards the particular quarter where he knew Amleth to be: an +act which served the unwary prince exceedingly well. The token was +interpreted as shrewdly as it had been sent. For Amleth saw the gadfly, +espied with curiosity the straw which it wore embedded in its tail, and +perceived that it was a secret warning to beware of treachery. Alarmed, +scenting a trap, and fain to possess his desire in greater safety, he +caught up the woman in his arms and dragged her off to a distant and +impenetrable fen. Moreover, when they had lain together, he conjured her +earnestly to disclose the matter to none, and the promise of silence was +accorded as heartily as it was asked. For both of them had been under +the same fostering in their childhood; and this early rearing in common +had brought Amleth and the girl into great intimacy. + +So, when he had returned home, they all jeeringly asked him whether he +had given way to love, and he avowed that he had ravished the maid. When +he was next asked where he did it, and what had been his pillow, he said +that he had rested upon the hoof of a beast of burden, upon a cockscomb, +and also upon a ceiling. For, when he was starting into temptation, he +had gathered fragments of all these things, in order to avoid lying. And +though his jest did not take aught of the truth out of the story, the +answer was greeted with shouts of merriment from the bystanders. The +maiden, too, when questioned on the matter, declared that he had done +no such thing; and her denial was the more readily credited when it was +found that the escort had not witnessed the deed. Then he who had marked +the gadfly in order to give a hint, wishing to show Amleth that to his +trick he owed his salvation, observed that latterly he had been singly +devoted to Amleth. The young man's reply was apt. Not to seem forgetful +of his informant's service, he said that he had seen a certain thing +bearing a straw flit by suddenly, wearing a stalk of chaff fixed in its +hinder parts. The cleverness of this speech, which made the rest split +with laughter, rejoiced the heart of Amleth's friend. + +Thus all were worsted, and none could open the secret lock of the young +man's wisdom. But a friend of Feng, gifted more with assurance than +judgment, declared that the unfathomable cunning of such a mind could +not be detected by any vulgar plot, for the man's obstinacy was so great +that it ought not to be assailed with any mild measures; there were +many sides to his wiliness, and it ought not to be entrapped by any one +method. Accordingly, said he, his own profounder acuteness had hit on +a more delicate way, which was well fitted to be put in practice, and +would effectually discover what they desired to know. Feng was purposely +to absent himself, pretending affairs of great import. Amleth should be +closeted alone with his mother in her chamber; but a man should first be +commissioned to place himself in a concealed part of the room and listen +heedfully to what they talked about. For if the son had any wits at all +he would not hesitate to speak out in the hearing of his mother, or fear +to trust himself to the fidelity of her who bore him. The speaker, +loth to seem readier to devise than to carry out the plot, zealously +proffered himself as the agent of the eavesdropping. Feng rejoiced at +the scheme, and departed on pretence of a long journey. Now he who had +given this counsel repaired privily to the room where Amleth was shut up +with his mother, and lay flown skulking in the straw. But Amleth had +his antidote for the treachery. Afraid of being overheard by some +eavesdropper, he at first resorted to his usual imbecile ways, and +crowed like a noisy cock, beating his arms together to mimic the +flapping of wings. Then he mounted the straw and began to swing his +body and jump again and again, wishing to try if aught lurked there in +hiding. Feeling a lump beneath his feet, he drove his sword into +the spot, and impaled him who lay hid. Then he dragged him from his +concealment and slew him. Then, cutting his body into morsels, he +seethed it in boiling water, and flung it through the mouth of an +open sewer for the swine to eat, bestrewing the stinking mire with his +hapless limbs. Having in this wise eluded the snare, he went back to the +room. Then his mother set up a great wailing, and began to lament her +son's folly to his face; but he said: "Most infamous of women; dost +thou seek with such lying lamentations to hide thy most heavy guilt? +Wantoning like a harlot, thou hast entered a wicked and abominable state +of wedlock, embracing with incestuous bosom thy husband's slayer, and +wheedling with filthy lures of blandishment him who had slain the father +of thy son. This, forsooth, is the way that the mares couple with the +vanquishers of their mates; for brute beasts are naturally incited to +pair indiscriminately; and it would seem that thou, like them, hast +clean forgot thy first husband. As for me, not idly do I wear the mask +of folly; for I doubt not that he who destroyed his brother will riot as +ruthlessly in the blood of his kindred. Therefore it is better to choose +the garb of dulness than that of sense, and to borrow some protection +from a show of utter frenzy. Yet the passion to avenge my father still +burns in my heart; but I am watching the chances, I await the fitting +hour. There is a place for all things; against so merciless and dark +spirit must be used the deeper devices of the mind. And thou, who +hadst been better employed in lamenting thine own disgrace, know it is +superfluity to bewail my witlessness; thou shouldst weep for the blemish +in thine own mind, not for that in another's. On the rest see thou +keep silence." With such reproaches he rent the heart of his mother +and redeemed her to walk in the ways of virtue; teaching her to set the +fires of the past above the seductions of the present. + +When Feng returned, nowhere could he find the man who had suggested the +treacherous espial; he searched for him long and carefully, but none +said they had seen him anywhere. Amleth, among others, was asked in jest +if he had come on any trace of him, and replied that the man had gone +to the sewer, but had fallen through its bottom and been stifled by the +floods of filth, and that he had then been devoured by the swine that +came up all about that place. This speech was flouted by those who +heard; for it seemed senseless, though really it expressly avowed the +truth. + +Feng now suspected that his stepson was certainly full of guile, and +desired to make away with him, but durst not do the deed for fear of the +displeasure, not only of Amleth's grandsire Rorik, but also of his own +wife. So he thought that the King of Britain should be employed to +slay him, so that another could do the deed, and he be able to feign +innocence. Thus, desirous to hide his cruelty, he chose rather to +besmirch his friend than to bring disgrace on his own head. Amleth, on +departing, gave secret orders to his mother to hang the hall with +woven knots, and to perform pretended obsequies for him a year thence; +promising that he would then return. Two retainers of Feng then +accompanied him, bearing a letter graven on wood--a kind of writing +material frequent in old times; this letter enjoined the king of the +Britons to put to death the youth who was sent over to him. While they +were reposing, Amleth searched their coffers, found the letter, and read +the instructions therein. Whereupon he erased all the writing on the +surface, substituted fresh characters, and so, changing the purport of +the instructions, shifted his own doom upon his companions. Nor was he +satisfied with removing from himself the sentence of death and passing +the peril on to others, but added an entreaty that the King of Britain +would grant his daughter in marriage to a youth of great judgment whom +he was sending to him. Under this was falsely marked the signature of +Feng. + +Now when they had reached Britain, the envoys went to the king, and +proffered him the letter which they supposed was an implement of +destruction to another, but which really betokened death to themselves. +The king dissembled the truth, and entreated them hospitably and kindly. +Then Amleth scouted all the splendour of the royal banquet like vulgar +viands, and abstaining very strangely, rejected that plenteous feast, +refraining from the drink even as from the banquet. All marvelled that +a youth and a foreigner should disdain the carefully cooked dainties of +the royal board and the luxurious banquet provided, as if it were +some peasant's relish. So, when the revel broke up, and the king was +dismissing his friends to rest, he had a man sent into the sleeping-room +to listen secretly, in order that he might hear the midnight +conversation of his guests. Now, when Amleth's companions asked him why +he had refrained from the feast of yestereve, as if it were poison, he +answered that the bread was flecked with blood and tainted; that there +was a tang of iron in the liquor; while the meats of the feast reeked of +the stench of a human carcase, and were infected by a kind of smack of +the odour of the charnel. He further said that the king had the eyes of +a slave, and that the queen had in three ways shown the behaviour of a +bondmaid. Thus he reviled with insulting invective not so much the feast +as its givers. And presently his companions, taunting him with his old +defect of wits, began to flout him with many saucy jeers, because he +blamed and cavilled at seemly and worthy things, and because he attacked +thus ignobly an illustrious king and a lady of so refined a behaviour, +bespattering with the shamefullest abuse those who merited all praise. + +All this the king heard from his retainer; and declared that he who +could say such things had either more than mortal wisdom or more than +mortal folly; in these few words fathoming the full depth of Amleth's +penetration. Then he summoned his steward and asked him whence he had +procured the bread. The steward declared that it had been made by the +king's own baker. The king asked where the corn had grown of which it +was made, and whether any sign was to be found there of human carnage? +The other answered, that not far off was a field, covered with the +ancient bones of slaughtered men, and still bearing plainly all the +signs of ancient carnage; and that he had himself planted this field +with grain in springtide, thinking it more fruitful than the rest, and +hoping for plenteous abundance; and so, for aught he knew, the bread had +caught some evil savour from this bloodshed. The king, on hearing this, +surmised that Amleth had spoken truly, and took the pains to learn also +what had been the source of the lard. The other declared that his hogs +had, through negligence, strayed from keeping, and battened on the +rotten carcase of a robber, and that perchance their pork had thus come +to have something of a corrupt smack. The king, finding that Amletll's +judgment was right in this thing also, asked of what liquor the steward +had mixed the drink? Hearing that it had been brewed of water and meal, +he had the spot of the spring pointed out to him, and set to digging +deep down; and there he found, rusted away, several swords, the tang +whereof it was thought had tainted the waters. Others relate that Amleth +blamed the drink because, while quaffing it, he had detected some bees +that had fed in the paunch of a dead man; and that the taint, which had +formerly been imparted to the combs, had reappeared in the taste. The +king, seeing that Amleth had rightly given the causes of the taste he +had found so faulty, and learning that the ignoble eyes wherewith Amleth +had reproached him concerned some stain upon his birth, had a secret +interview with his mother, and asked her who his father had really +been. She said she had submitted to no man but the king. But when he +threatened that he would have the truth out of her by a trial, he was +told that he was the offspring of a slave. By the evidence of the avowal +thus extorted he understood the whole mystery of the reproach upon +his origin. Abashed as he was with shame for his low estate, he was so +ravished with the young man's cleverness, that he asked him why he had +aspersed the queen with the reproach that she had demeaned herself like +a slave? But while resenting that the courtliness of his wife had been +accused in the midnight gossip of guest, he found that her mother had +been a bondmaid. For Amleth said he had noted in her three blemishes +showing the demeanor of a slave; first, she had muffled her head in +her mantle as handmaids do; next, that she had gathered up her gown for +walking; and thirdly, that she had first picked out with a splinter, and +then chewed up, the remnant of food that stuck in the crevices between +her teeth. Further, he mentioned that the king's mother had been brought +into slavery from captivity, lest she should seem servile only in her +habits, yet not in her birth. + +Then the king adored the wisdom of Amleth as though it were inspired, +and gave him his daughter to wife; accepting his bare word as though it +were a witness from the skies. Moreover, in order to fulfil the bidding +of his friend, he hanged Amleth's companions on the morrow. Amleth, +feigning offence, treated this piece of kindness as a grievance, and +received from the king, as compensation, some gold, which he afterwards +melted in the fire, and secretly caused to be poured into some hollowed +sticks. + +When he had passed a whole year with the king he obtained leave to +make a journey, and returned to his own land, carrying away of all +his princely wealth and state only the sticks which held the gold. +On reaching Jutland, he exchanged his present attire for his ancient +demeanour, which he had adopted for righteous ends, purposely assuming +an aspect of absurdity. Covered with filth, he entered the banquet-room +where his own obsequies were being held, and struck all men utterly +aghast, rumour having falsely noised abroad his death. At last terror +melted into mirth, and the guests jeered and taunted one another, that +he whose last rites they were celebrating as through he were dead, +should appear in the flesh. When he was asked concerning his comrades, +he pointed to the sticks he was carrying, and said, "Here is both the +one and the other." This he observed with equal truth and pleasantry; +for his speech, though most thought it idle, yet departed not from the +truth; for it pointed at the weregild of the slain as though it were +themselves. Thereon, wishing to bring the company into a gayer mood, +he jollied the cupbearers, and diligently did the office of plying the +drink. Then, to prevent his loose dress hampering his walk, he girdled +his sword upon his side, and purposely drawing it several times, pricked +his fingers with its point. The bystanders accordingly had both sword +and scabbard riveted across with all iron nail. Then, to smooth the way +more safely to his plot, he went to the lords and plied them heavily +with draught upon draught, and drenched them all so deep in wine, that +their feet were made feeble with drunkenness, and they turned to rest +within the palace, making their bed where they had revelled. Then he +saw they were in a fit state for his plots, and thought that here was a +chance offered to do his purpose. So he took out of his bosom the stakes +he has long ago prepared, and went into the building, where the ground +lay covered with the bodies of the nobles wheezing off their sleep and +their debauch. Then, cutting away its support, he brought down the +hanging his mother had knitted, which covered the inner as well as +the outer walls of the hall. This he flung upon the snorers, and then +applying the crooked stakes, he knotted and bound them up in such +insoluble intricacy, that not one of the men beneath, however hard he +might struggle, could contrive to rise. After this he set fire to the +palace. The flames spread, scattering the conflagration far and wide. It +enveloped the whole dwelling, destroyed the palace, and burnt them all +while they were either buried in deep sleep or vainly striving to arise. +Then he went to the chamber of Feng, who had before this been conducted +by his train into his pavilion; plucked up a sword that chanced to be +hanging to the bed, and planted his own in its place. Then, awakening +his uncle, he told him that his nobles were perishing in the flames, and +that Amleth was here, armed with his crooks to help him, and thirsting +to exact the vengeance, now long overdue, for his father's murder. Feng, +on hearing this, leapt from his couch, but was cut down while deprived +of his own sword, and as he strove in vain to draw the strange one. O +valiant Amleth, and worthy of immortal fame, who being shrewdly armed +with a feint of folly, covered a wisdom too high for human wit under +a marvellous disguise of silliness! And not only found in his subtlety +means to protect his own safety, but also by its guidance found +opportunity to avenge his father. By this skilful defence of himself, +and strenuous revenge for his parent, he has left it doubtful whether we +are to think more of his wit or his bravery. (3) + + ENDNOTES: + (1) Saxo now goes back to the history of Denmark. All the + events hitherto related in Bk. III, after the first + paragraph, are a digression in retrospect. + (2) M. conjectures that this was a certain Harald, the bastard + son of Erik the Good, and a wild and dissolute man, who died + in 1135, not long before the probable date of Saxo's birth. + (3) Shakespere's tragedy, "Hamlet", is derived from this story. + + + + +BOOK FOUR. + +Amleth, when he had accomplished the slaughter of his stepfather, feared +to expose his deed to the fickle judgment of his countrymen, and thought +it well to lie in hiding till he had learnt what way the mob of the +uncouth populace was tending. So the whole neighbourhood, who had +watched the blaze during the night, and in the morning desired to know +the cause of the fire they had seen, perceived the royal palace fallen +in ashes; and, on searching through its ruins, which were yet warm, +found only some shapeless remains of burnt corpses. For the devouring +flame had consumed everything so utterly that not a single token was +left to inform them of the cause of such a disaster. Also they saw the +body of Feng lying pierced by the sword, amid his blood-stained raiment. +Some were seized with open anger, others with grief, and some with +secret delight. One party bewailed the death of their leader, the other +gave thanks that the tyranny of the fratricide was now laid at rest. +Thus the occurrence of the king's slaughter was greeted by the beholders +with diverse minds. + +Amleth, finding the people so quiet, made bold to leave his hiding. +Summoning those in whom he knew the memory of his father to be +fast-rooted, he went to the assembly and there made a speech after this +manner: + +"Nobles! Let not any who are troubled by the piteous end of Horwendil +be worried by the sight of this disaster before you; be not ye, I say, +distressed, who have remained loyal to your king and duteous to your +father. Behold the corpse, not of a prince, but of a fratricide. Indeed, +it was a sorrier sight when ye saw our prince lying lamentably butchered +by a most infamous fratricide-brother, let me not call him. With your +own compassionating eyes ye have beheld the mangled limbs of Horwendil; +they have seen his body done to death with many wounds. Surely that most +abominable butcher only deprived his king of life that he might despoil +his country of freedom! The hand that slew him made you slaves. Who +then so mad as to choose Feng the cruel before Horwendil the righteous? +Remember how benignantly Horwendil fostered you, how justly he dealt +with you, how kindly he loved you. Remember how you lost the mildest of +princes and the justest of fathers, while in his place was put a tyrant +and an assassin set up; how your rights were confiscated; how everything +was plague-stricken; how the country was stained with infamies; how the +yoke was planted on your necks, and how, your free will was forfeited! +And now all this is over; for ye see the criminal stifled in his own +crimes, the slayer of his kin punished for his misdoings. What man of +but ordinary wit, beholding it, would account this kindness a wrong? +What sane man could be sorry that the crime has recoiled upon the +culprit? Who could lament the killing of a most savage executioner? Or +bewail the righteous death of a most cruel despot? Ye behold the doer of +the deed; he is before you. Yea, I own that I have taken vengeance for +my country and my father. Your hands were equally bound to the task +which mine fulfilled. What it would have beseemed you to accomplish with +me, I achieved alone. Nor had I any partner in so glorious a deed, or +the service of any man to help me. Not that I forget that you would have +helped this work, had I asked you; for doubtless you have remained loyal +to your king and loving to your prince. But I chose that the wicked +should be punished without imperilling you; I thought that others need +not set their shoulders to the burden when I deemed mine strong enough +to bear it. Therefore I consumed all the others to ashes, and left only +the trunk of Feng for your hands to burn, so that on this at least +you may wreak all your longing for a righteous vengeance. Now haste up +speedily, heap the pyre, burn up the body of the wicked, consume away +his guilty limbs, scatter his sinful ashes, strew broadcast his ruthless +dust; let no urn or barrow enclose the abominable remnants of his bones. +Let no trace of his fratricide remain; let there be no spot in his own +land for his tainted limbs; let no neighbourhood suck infection from +him; let not sea nor soil be defiled by harboring his accursed carcase. +I have done the rest; this one loyal duty is left for you. These must be +the tyrant's obsequies, this the funeral procession of the fratricide. +It is not seemly that he who stripped his country of her freedom should +have his ashes covered by his country's earth. + +"Besides, why tell again my own sorrows? Why count over my troubles? +Why weave the thread of my miseries anew? Ye know them more fully than I +myself. I, pursued to the death by my stepfather, scorned by my mother, +spat upon by friends, have passed my years in pitiable wise, and my days +in adversity; and my insecure life has teemed with fear and perils. +In fine, I passed every season of my age wretchedly and in extreme +calamity. Often in your secret murmurings together you have sighed over +my lack of wits; there was none (you said) to avenge the father, none +to punish the fratricide. And in this I found a secret testimony of your +love; for I saw that the memory of the King's murder had not yet faded +from your minds. + +"Whose breast is so hard that it can be softened by no fellow-feeling +for what I have felt? Who is so stiff and stony, that he is swayed by +no compassion for my griefs? Ye whose hands are clean of the blood of +Horwendil, pity your fosterling, be moved by my calamities. Pity also my +stricken mother, and rejoice with me that the infamy of her who was once +your queen is quenched. For this weak woman had to bear a twofold weight +of ignominy, embracing one who was her husband's brother and murderer. +Therefore, to hide my purpose of revenge and to veil my wit, I +counterfeited a listless bearing; I feigned dulness; I planned a +stratagem; and now you can see with your own eyes whether it has +succeeded, whether it has achieved its purpose to the full; I am content +to leave you to judge so great a matter. It is your turn; trample under +foot the ashes of the murderer! Disdain the dust of him who slew his +brother, and defiled his brother's queen with infamous desecration, who +outraged his sovereign and treasonably assailed his majesty, who +brought the sharpest tyranny upon you, stole your freedom, and crowned +fratricide with incest. I have been the agent of this just vengeance; I +have burned for this righteous retribution; uphold me with a high-born +spirit; pay me the homage that you owe; warm me with your kindly looks. +It is I who have wiped off my country's shame; I who have quenched my +mother's dishonour; I who have beaten back oppression; I who have put to +death the murderer; I who have baffled the artful hand of my uncle with +retorted arts. Were he living, each new day would have multiplied his +crimes. I resented the wrong done to father and to fatherland: I slew +him who was governing you outrageously and more hardly than it beseemed +men. Acknowledge my service, honour my wit, give me the throne if I have +earned it; for you have in me one who has done you a mighty service, and +who is no degenerate heir to his father's power; no fratricide, but the +lawful successor to the throne; and a dutiful avenger of the crime of +murder. It is I who have stripped you of slavery, and clothed you with +freedom; I have restored your height of fortune, and given you your +glory back; I have deposed the despot and triumphed over the butcher. +In your hands is the reward; you know what I have done for you, and from +your righteousness I ask my wage." + +Every heart had been moved while the young man thus spoke; he affected +some to compassion, and some even to tears. When the lamentation ceased, +he was appointed king by prompt and general acclaim. For one and all +rested their greatest hopes on his wisdom, since he had devised the +whole of such an achievement with the deepest cunning, and accomplished +it with the most astonishing contrivance. Many could have been seen +marvelling how he had concealed so subtle a plan over so long a space of +time. + +After these deeds in Denmark, Amleth equipped three vessels, and went +back to Britain to see his wife and her father. He had also enrolled in +his service the flower of the warriors, and arrayed them very choicely, +wishing to have everything now magnificently appointed, even as of old +he had always worn contemptible gear, and to change all his old devotion +to poverty for outlay on luxury. He also had a shield made for him, +whereon the whole series of his exploits, beginning with his earliest +youth, was painted in exquisite designs. This he bore as a record of his +deeds of prowess, and gained great increase of fame thereby. Here were +to be seen depicted the slaying of Horwendil; the fratricide and incest +of Feng; the infamous uncle, the whimsical nephew; the shapes of the +hooked stakes; the stepfather suspecting, the stepson dissembling; the +various temptations offered, and the woman brought to beguile him; the +gaping wolf; the finding of the rudder; the passing of the sand; the +entering of the wood; the putting of the straw through the gadfly; the +warning of the youth by the tokens; and the privy dealings with the +maiden after the escort was eluded. And likewise could be seen the +picture of the palace; the queen there with her son; the slaying of the +eavesdropper; and how, after being killed, he was boiled down, and so +dropped into the sewer, and so thrown out to the swine; how his limbs +were strewn in the mud, and so left for the beasts to finish. Also +it could be seen how Amleth surprised the secret of his sleeping +attendants, how he erased the letters, and put new characters in their +places; how he disdained the banquet and scorned the drink; how +he condemned time face of the king and taxed the Queen with faulty +behaviour. There was also represented the hanging of the envoys, and +the young man's wedding; then the voyage back to Denmark; the festive +celebration of the funeral rites; Amleth, in answer to questions, +pointing to the sticks in place of his attendants, acting as cupbearer, +and purposely drawing his sword and pricking his fingers; the sword +riveted through, the swelling cheers of the banquet, the dance growing +fast and furious; the hangings flung upon the sleepers, then fastened +with the interlacing crooks, and wrapped tightly round them as they +slumbered; the brand set to the mansion, the burning of the guests, the +royal palace consumed with fire and tottering down; the visit to the +sleeping-room of Feng, the theft of his sword, the useless one set +in its place; and the king slain with his own sword's point by his +stepson's hand. All this was there, painted upon Amleth's battle-shield +by a careful craftsman in the choicest of handiwork; he copied truth in +his figures, and embodied real deeds in his outlines. Moreover, Amleth's +followers, to increase the splendour of their presence, wore shields +which were gilt over. + +The King of Britain received them very graciously, and treated them with +costly and royal pomp. During the feast he asked anxiously whether Feng +was alive and prosperous. His son-in-law told him that the man of whose +welfare he was vainly inquiring had perished by the sword. With a flood +of questions he tried to find out who had slain Feng, and learnt that +the messenger of his death was likewise its author. And when the king +heard this, he was secretly aghast, because he found that an old promise +to avenge Feng now devolved upon himself. For Feng and he had determined +of old, by a mutual compact, that one of them should act as avenger of +the other. Thus the king was drawn one way by his love for his daughter +and his affection for his son-in-law; another way by his regard for his +friend, and moreover by his strict oath and the sanctity of their mutual +declarations, which it was impious to violate. At last he slighted +the ties of kinship, and sworn faith prevailed. His heart turned to +vengeance, and he put the sanctity of his oath before family bonds. +But since it was thought sin to wrong the holy ties of hospitality, he +preferred to execrate his revenge by the hand of another, wishing +to mask his secret crime with a show of innocence. So he veiled his +treachery with attentions, and hid his intent to harm under a show of +zealous goodwill. His queen having lately died of illness, he requested +Amleth to undertake the mission of making him a fresh match, saying that +he was highly delighted with his extraordinary shrewdness. He declared +that there was a certain queen reigning in Scotland, whom he vehemently +desired to marry. Now he knew that she was not only unwedded by reason +of her chastity, but that in the cruelty of her arrogance she had +always loathed her wooers, and had inflicted on her lovers the uttermost +punishment, so that not one but of all the multitude was to be found who +had not paid for his insolence with his life. + +Perilous as this commission was Amleth started, never shrinking to obey +the duty imposed upon him, but trusting partly in his own servants, and +partly in the attendants of the king. He entered Scotland, and, when +quite close to the abode of the queen, he went into a meadow by the +wayside to rest his horses. Pleased by the look of the spot, he thought +of resting--the pleasant prattle of the stream exciting a desire to +sleep--and posted men to keep watch some way off. The queen on hearing +of this, sent out ten warriors to spy on the approach of the foreigners +and their equipment. One of these, being quick-witted, slipped past +the sentries, pertinaciously made his way up, and took away the shield, +which Amleth had chanced to set at his head before he slept, so gently +that he did not ruffle his slumbers, though he was lying upon it, nor +awaken one man of all that troop; for he wished to assure his mistress +not only by report but by some token. With equal address he filched the +letter entrusted to Amleth from the coffer in which it was kept. When +these things were brought to the queen, she scanned the shield narrowly, +and from the notes appended made out the whole argument. Then she knew +that here was the man who, trusting in his own nicely calculated scheme, +had avenged on his uncle the murder of his father. She also looked at +the letter containing the suit for her band, and rubbed out all the +writing; for wedlock with the old she utterly abhorred, and desired +the embraces of young men. But she wrote in its place a commission +purporting to be sent from the King of Britain to herself, signed like +the other with his name and title, wherein she pretended that she was +asked to marry the bearer. Moreover, she included an account of the +deeds of which she had learnt from Amleth's shield, so that one would +have thought the shield confirmed the letter, while the letter explained +the shield. Then she told the same spies whom she had employed before to +take the shield back, and put the letter in its place again; playing the +very trick on Amleth which, as she had learnt, he had himself used in +outwitting his companions. + +Amleth, meanwhile, who found that his shield had been filched from under +his head, deliberately shut his eyes and cunningly feigned sleep, hoping +to regain by pretended what he had lost by real slumbers. For he thought +that the success of his one attempt would incline the spy to deceive +him a second time. And he was not mistaken. For as the spy came up +stealthily, and wanted to put back the shield and the writing in their +old place, Amleth leapt up, seized him, and detained him in bonds. +Then he roused his retinue, and went to the abode of the queen. As +representing his father-in-law, he greeted her, and handled her +the writing, sealed with the king's seal. The queen, who was named +Hermutrude, took and read it, and spoke most warmly of Amleth's +diligence and shrewdness, saying, that Feng had deserved his punishment, +and that the unfathomable wit of Amleth had accomplished a deed past +all human estimation; seeing that not only had his impenetrable +depth devised a mode of revenging his father's death and his mother's +adultery, but it had further, by his notable deeds Of prowess, seized +the kingdom of the man whom he had found constantly plotting against +him. She marvelled therefore that a man of such instructed mind could +have made the one slip of a mistaken marriage; for though his renown +almost rose above mortality, he seemed to have stumbled into an obscure +and ignoble match. For the parents of his wife had been slaves, though +good luck had graced them with the honours of royalty. Now (said she), +when looking for a wife a wise man must reckon the lustre of her birth +and not of her beauty. Therefore, if he were to seek a match in a proper +spirit, he should weigh the ancestry, and not be smitten by the looks; +for though looks were a lure to temptation, yet their empty bedizenment +had tarnished the white simplicity of many a man. Now there was a woman, +as nobly born as himself, whom he could take. She herself, whose means +were not poor nor her birth lowly, was worthy his embraces, since he did +not surpass her in royal wealth nor outshine her in the honour of his +ancestors. Indeed she was a queen, and but that her sex gainsaid it, +might be deemed a king; may (and this is yet truer), whomsoever she +thought worthy of her bed was at once a king, and she yielded her +kingdom with herself. Thus her sceptre and her hand went together. It +was no mean favour for such a woman to offer her love, who in the case +of other men had always followed her refusal with the sword. Therefore +she pressed him to transfer his wooing, to make over to her his marriage +vows, and to learn to prefer birth to beauty. So saying, she fell upon +him with a close embrace. + +Amleth was overjoyed at the gracious speech of the maiden, fell to +kissing back, and returned her close embrace, protesting that the +maiden's wish was his own. Then a banquet was held, friends bidden, +the nobles gathered, and the marriage rites performed. When they were +accomplished, he went back to Britain with his bride, a strong band of +Scots being told to follow close behind, that he might have its help +against the diverse treacheries in his path. As he was returning, the +daughter of the King of Britain, to whom he was still married, met him. +Though she complained that she was slighted by the wrong of having a +paramour put over her, yet, she said, it would be unworthy for her to +hate him as an adulterer more than she loved him as a husband: nor would +she so far shrink from her lord as to bring herself to hide in silence +the guile which she knew was intended against him. For she had a son as +a pledge of their marriage, and regard for him, if nothing else, must +have inclined his mother to the affection of a wife. "He," she said, +"may hate the supplanter of his mother, I will love her; no disaster +shall put out my flame for thee; no ill-will shall quench it, or prevent +me from exposing the malignant designs against thee, or from revealing +the snares I have detected. Bethink thee, then, that thou must beware +of thy father-in-law, for thou hast thyself reaped the harvest of +thy mission, foiled the wishes of him who sent thee, and with willful +trespass seized over all the fruit for thyself." By this speech she +showed herself more inclined to love her husband than her father. + +While she thus spoke, the King of Britain came up and embraced his +son-in-law closely, but with little love, and welcomed him with a +banquet, to hide his intended guile under a show of generosity. But +Amleth, having learnt the deceit, dissembled his fear, took a retinue of +two hundred horsemen, put on an under-shirt (of mail), and complied +with the invitation, preferring the peril of falling in with the king's +deceit to the shame of hanging back. So much heed for honour did he +think that he must take in all things. As he rode up close, the king +attacked him just under the porch of the folding doors, and would have +thrust him through with his javelin, but that the hard shirt of mail +threw off the blade. Amleth received a slight wound, and went to the +spot where he had bidden the Scottish warriors wait on duty. He then +sent back to the king his new wife's spy, whom he had captured. This man +was to bear witness that he had secretly taken from the coffer where it +was kept the letter which was meant for his mistress, and thus was +to make the whole blame recoil on Hermutrude, by this studied excuse +absolving Amleth from the charge of treachery. The king without tarrying +pursued Amleth hotly as he fled, and deprived him of most of his forces. +So Amleth, on the morrow, wishing to fight for dear life, and utterly +despairing of his powers of resistance, tried to increase his apparent +numbers. He put stakes under some of the dead bodies of his comrades to +prop them up, set others on horseback like living men, and tied others +to neighbouring stones, not taking off any of their armour, and dressing +them in due order of line and wedge, just as if they were about to +engage. The wing composed of the dead was as thick as the troop of the +living. It was an amazing spectacle this, of dead men dragged out to +battle, and corpses mustered to fight. The plan served him well, for the +very figures of the dead men showed like a vast array as the sunbeams +struck them. For those dead and senseless shapes restored the original +number of the army so well, that the mass might have been unthinned by +the slaughter of yesterday. The Britons, terrified at the spectacle, +fled before fighting, conquered by the dead men whom they had overcome +in life. I cannot tell whether to think more of the cunning or of the +good fortune of this victory. The Danes came down on the king as he was +tardily making off, and killed him. Amleth, triumphant, made a great +plundering, seized the spoils of Britain, and went back with his wives +to his own land. + +Meanwhile Rorik had died, and Wiglek, who had come to the throne, had +harassed Amleth's mother with all manner of insolence and stripped her +of her royal wealth, complaining that her son had usurped the kingdom of +Jutland and defrauded the King of Leire, who had the sole privilege of +giving and taking away the rights of high offices. This treatment Amleth +took with such forbearance as apparently to return kindness for slander, +for he presented Wiglek with the richest of his spoils. But afterwards +he seized a chance of taking vengeance, attacked him, subdued him, and +from a covert became an open foe. Fialler, the governor of Skaane, he +drove into exile; and the tale is that Fialler retired to a spot +called Undensakre, which is unknown to our peoples. After this, +Wiglek, recruited with the forces of Skaane and Zealand, sent envoys to +challenge Amleth to a war. Amleth, with his marvellous shrewdness, +saw that he was tossed between two difficulties, one of which involved +disgrace and the other danger. For he knew that if he took up the +challenge he was threatened with peril of his life, while to shrink from +it would disgrace his reputation as a soldier. Yet in that spirit ever +fixed on deeds of prowess the desire to save his honour won the day. +Dread of disaster was blunted by more vehement thirst for glory; he +would not tarnish the unblemished lustre of his fame by timidly skulking +from his fate. Also he saw that there is almost as wide a gap between a +mean life and a noble death as that which is acknowledged between honour +and disgrace themselves. + +Yet Amleth was enchained by such great love for Hermutrude, that he was +more deeply concerned in his mind about her future widowhood than about +his own death, and cast about very zealously how he could decide on +some second husband for her before the opening of the war. Hermutrude, +therefore, declared that she had the courage of a man, and promised that +she would not forsake him even on the field, saying that the woman who +dreaded to be united with her lord in death was abominable. But she +kept this rare promise ill; for when Amleth had been slain by Wiglek in +battle in Jutland, she yielded herself up unasked to be the conqueror's +spoil and bride. Thus all vows of woman are loosed by change of fortune +and melted by the shifting of time; the faith of their soul rests on a +slippery foothold, and is weakened by casual chances; glib in promises, +and as sluggish in performance, all manner of lustful promptings enslave +it, and it bounds away with panting and precipitate desire, forgetful +of old things in the ever hot pursuit after something fresh. So ended +Amleth. Had fortune been as kind to him as nature, he would have +equalled the gods in glory, and surpassed the labours of Hercules by his +deeds of prowess. A plain in Jutland is to be found, famous for his name +and burial-place. Wiglek's administration of the kingdom was long and +peaceful, and he died of disease. + +WERMUND, his son, succeeded him. The long and leisurely tranquillity of +a most prosperous and quiet time flowed by and Wermund in undisturbed +security maintained a prolonged and steady peace at home. He had no +children during the prime of his life, but in his old age, by a belated +gift of fortune, he begat a son, Uffe, though all the years which had +glided by had raised him up no offspring. This Uffe surpassed all of his +age in stature, but in his early youth was supposed to have so dull and +foolish a spirit as to be useless for all affairs public or private. +For from his first years he never used to play or make merry, but was so +void of all human pleasure that he kept his lips sealed in a perennial +silence, and utterly restrained his austere visage from the business of +laughter. But though through the years of his youth he was reputed +for an utter fool, he afterwards left that despised estate and became +famous, turning out as great a pattern of wisdom and hardihood as he had +been a picture of stagnation. His father, seeing him such a simpleton, +got him for a wife the daughter of Frowin, the governor of the men of +Sleswik; thinking that by his alliance with so famous a man Uffe would +receive help which would serve him well in administering the realm. +Frowin had two sons, Ket and Wig, who were youths of most brilliant +parts, and their excellence, not less than that of Frowin, Wermund +destined to the future advantage of his son. + +At this time the King of Sweden was Athisl, a man of notable fame and +energy. After defeating his neighbours far around, he was loth to leave +the renown won by his prowess to be tarnished in slothful ease, and by +constant and zealous practice brought many novel exercises into vogue. +For one thing he had a daily habit of walking alone girt with splendid +armour: in part because he knew that nothing was more excellent in +warfare than the continual practice of arms; and in part that he might +swell his glory by ever following this pursuit. Self-confidence claimed +as large a place in this man as thirst for fame. Nothing, he thought, +could be so terrible as to make him afraid that it would daunt his +stout heart by its opposition. He carried his arms into Denmark, and +challenged Frowin to battle near Sleswik. The armies routed one another +with vast slaughter, and it happened that the generals came to engage in +person, so that they conducted the affair like a duel; and, in addition +to the public issues of the war, the fight was like a personal conflict. +For both of them longed with equal earnestness for an issue of the +combat by which they might exhibit their valour, not by the help of +their respective sides, but by a trial of personal strength. The end was +that, though the blows rained thick on either side, Athisl prevailed and +overthrew Frowin, and won a public victory as well as a duel, breaking +up and shattering the Danish ranks in all directions. When he returned +to Sweden, he not only counted the slaying of Frowin among the trophies +of his valour, but even bragged of it past measure, so ruining the glory +of the deed by his wantonness of tongue. For it is sometimes handsomer +for deeds of valour to be shrouded in the modesty of silence than to be +blazoned in wanton talk. + +Wermund raised the sons of Frowin to honours of the same rank as their +father's, a kindness which was only due to the children of his friend +who had died for the country. This prompted Athisl to carry the war +again into Denmark. Emboldened therefore by his previous battle, he +called back, bringing with him not only no slender and feeble force, +but all the flower of the valour of Sweden, thinking he would seize the +supremacy of all Denmark. Ket, the son of Frowin, sent Folk, his chief +officer, to take this news to Wermund, who then chanced to be in his +house Jellinge. (1) Folk found the king feasting with his friends, and +did his errand, admonishing him that here was the long-wished-for chance +of war at hand, and pressing itself upon the wishes of Wermund, to whom +was give an immediate chance of victory and the free choice of a speedy +and honourable triumph. Great and unexpected were the sweets of good +fortune, so long sighed for, and now granted to him by this lucky event. +For Athisl had come encompassed with countless forces of the Swedes, +just as though in his firm assurance he had made sure of victory; and +since the enemy who was going to fight would doubtless prefer death to +flight, this chance of war gave them a fortunate opportunity to take +vengeance for their late disaster. + +Wermund, declaring that he had performed his mission nobly and bravely, +ordered that he should take some little refreshment of the banquet, +since "far-faring ever hurt fasters." When Folk said that he had no kind +of leisure to take food, he begged him to take a draught to quench his +thirst. This was given him; and Wermund also bade him keep the cup, +which was of gold, saying that men who were weary with the heat of +wayfaring found it handier to take up the water in a goblet than in the +palms, and that it was better to use a cup for drinking than the hand. +When the king accompanied his great gift with such gracious words, the +young man, overjoyed at both, promised that, before the king should see +him turn and flee, he would take a draught of his own blood to the full +measure of the liquor he had drunk. + +With this doughty vow Wermund accounted himself well repaid, and got +somewhat more joy from giving the boon than the soldier had from gaining +it. Nor did he find that Folk's talk was braver than his fighting. + +For, when battle had begun, it came to pass that amidst divers charges +of the troops Folk and Athisl met and fought a long while together; and +that the host of the Swedes, following the fate of their captain, took +to flight, and Athisl also was wounded and fled from the battle to his +ships. And when Folk, dazed with wounds and toils, and moreover steeped +alike in heat and toil and thirst, had ceased to follow the rout of the +enemy, then, in order to refresh himself, he caught his own blood in +his helmet, and put it to his lips to drain: by which deed he gloriously +requited the king's gift of the cup. Wermund, who chanced to see this, +praised him warmly for fulfilling his vow. Folk answered, that a noble +vow ought to be strictly performed to the end: a speech wherein he +showed no less approval of his own deed than Wermund. + +Now, while the conquerors had laid down their arms, and, as is usual +after battle, were exchanging diverse talk with one another, Ket, the +governor of the men of Sleswik, declared that it was a matter of great +marvel to him how it was that Athisl, though difficulties strewed his +path, had contrived an opportunity to escape, especially as he had been +the first and foremost in the battle, but last of all in the retreat; +and though there had not been one of the enemy whose fall was so +vehemently desired by the Danes. Wermund rejoined that he should know +that there were four kinds of warrior to be distinguished in every army. +The fighters of the first order were those who, tempering valour with +forbearance, were keen to slay those who resisted, but were ashamed to +bear hard on fugitives. For these were the men who had won undoubted +proofs of prowess by veteran experience in arms, and who found their +glory not in the flight of the conquered, but in overcoming those whom +they had to conquer. Then there was a second kind of warriors, who were +endowed with stout frame and spirit, but with no jot of compassion, and +who raged with savage and indiscriminate carnage against the backs as +well as the breasts of their foes. Now of this sort were the men carried +away by hot and youthful blood, and striving to grace their first +campaign with good auguries of warfare. They burned as hotly with the +glow of youth as with the glow for glory, and thus rushed headlong into +right or wrong with equal recklessness. There was also the third kind, +who, wavering betwixt shame and fear, could not go forward for terror, +while shame barred retreat. Of distinguished blood, but only notable for +their useless stature, they crowded the ranks with numbers and not with +strength, smote the foe more with their shadows than with their arms, +and were only counted among the throng of warriors as so many bodies +to be seen. These men were lords of great riches, but excelled more in +birth than bravery; hungry for life because owning great possessions, +they were forced to yield to the sway of cowardice rather than +nobleness. There were others, again, who brought show to the war, and +not substance, and who, foisting themselves into the rear of their +comrades, were the first to fly and the last to fight. One sure token +of fear betrayed their feebleness; for they always deliberately sought +excuses to shirk, and followed with timid and sluggish advance in the +rear of the fighters. It must be supposed, therefore, that these were +the reasons why the king had escaped safely; for when he fled he was not +pursued pertinaciously by the men of the front rank; since these made it +their business to preserve the victory, not to arrest the conquered, and +massed their wedges, in order that the fresh-won victory might be duly +and sufficiently guarded, and attain the fulness of triumph. + +Now the second class of fighters, whose desire was to cut down +everything in their way, had left Athisl unscathed, from lack not of +will but of opportunity; for they had lacked the chance to hurt him +rather than the daring. Moreover, though the men of the third kind, who +frittered away the very hour of battle by wandering about in a flurried +fashion, and also hampered the success of their own side, had had their +chance of harming the king, they yet lacked courage to assail him. In +this way Wermund satisfied the dull amazement of Ket, and declared +that he had set forth and expounded the true reasons of the king's safe +escape. + +After this Athisl fled back to Sweden, still wantonly bragging of the +slaughter of Frowin, and constantly boasting the memory of his exploit +with prolix recital of his deeds; not that he bore calmly the shame of +his defeat, but that he might salve the wound of his recent flight by +the honours of his ancient victory. This naturally much angered Ket and +Wig, and they swore a vow to unite in avenging their father. Thinking +that they could hardly accomplish this in open war, they took an +equipment of lighter armament, and went to Sweden alone. Then, entering +a wood in which they had learnt by report that the king used to take his +walks unaccompanied, they hid their weapons. Then they talked long with +Athisl, giving themselves out as deserters; and when he asked them what +was their native country, they said they were men of Sleswik, and had +left their land "for manslaughter". The king thought that this statement +referred not to their vow to commit the crime, but to the guilt of some +crime already committed. For they desired by this deceit to foil his +inquisitiveness, so that the truthfulness of the statement might +baffle the wit of the questioner, and their true answer, being covertly +shadowed forth in a fiction, might inspire in him a belief that it was +false. For famous men of old thought lying a most shameful thing. Then +Athisl said he would like to know whom the Danes believed to be the +slayer of Frowin. Ket replied that there was a doubt as to who ought +to claim so illustrious a deed, especially as the general testimony was +that he had perished on the field of battle. Athisl answered that it was +idle to credit others with the death of Frowin, which he, and he alone, +had accomplished in mutual combat. Soon he asked whether Frowin had left +any children. Ket answering that two sons of his were alive, said that +he would be very glad to learn their age and stature. Ket replied that +they were almost of the same size as themselves in body, alike in years, +and much resembling them in tallness. Then Athisl said: "If the mind and +the valour of their sire were theirs, a bitter tempest would break upon +me." Then he asked whether those men constantly spoke of the slaying of +their father. Ket rejoined that it was idle to go on talking and talking +about a thing that could not be softened by any remedy, and declared +that it was no good to harp with constant vexation on an inexpiable ill. +By saying this he showed that threats ought not to anticipate vengeance. + +When Ket saw that the king regularly walked apart alone in order to +train his strength, he took up his arms, and with his brother followed +the king as he walked in front of them. Athisl, when he saw them, stood +his ground on the sand, thinking it shameful to avoid threateners. Then +they said that they would take vengeance for his slaying of Frowin, +especially as he avowed with so many arrogant vaunts that he alone was +his slayer. But he told them to take heed lest while they sought to +compass their revenge, they should be so foolhardy as to engage him with +their feeble and powerless hand, and while desiring the destruction of +another, should find they had fallen themselves. Thus they would cut off +their goodly promise of overhasty thirst for glory. Let them then save +their youth and spare their promise; let them not be seized so lightly +with a desire to perish. Therefore, let them suffer him to requite with +money the trespass done them in their father's death, and account it +great honour that they would be credited with forcing so mighty a chief +to pay a fine, and in a manner with shaking him with overmastering fear. +Yet he said he advised them thus, not because he was really terrified, +but because he was moved with compassion for their youth. Ket replied +that it was idle to waste time in beating so much about the bush and +trying to sap their righteous longing for revenge by an offer of pelf. +So he bade him come forward and make trial with him in single combat +of whatever strength he had. He himself would do without the aid of his +brother, and would fight with his own strength, lest it should appear a +shameful and unequal combat, for the ancients held it to be unfair, and +also infamous, for two men to fight against one; and a victory gained by +this kind of fighting they did not account honourable, but more like a +disgrace than a glory. Indeed, it was considered not only a poor, but a +most shameful exploit for two men to overpower one. + +But Athisl was filled with such assurance that he bade them both assail +him at once, declaring that if he could not cure them of the desire to +fight, he would at least give them the chance of fighting more safely. +But Ket shrank so much from this favour that he swore he would accept +death sooner: for he thought that the terms of battle thus offered would +be turned into a reproach to himself. So he engaged hotly with Athisl, +who desirous to fight him in a forbearing fashion, merely thrust lightly +with his blade and struck upon his shield; thus guarding his own safety +with more hardihood than success. When he had done this some while, he +advised him to take his brother to share in his enterprise, and not be +ashamed to ask for the help of another hand, since his unaided efforts +were useless. If he refused, said Athisl, he should not be spared; then +making good his threats, he assailed him with all his might. But Ket +received him with so sturdy a stroke of his sword, that it split the +helmet and forced its way down upon the head. Stung by the wound (for a +stream of blood flowed from his poll), he attacked Ket with a shower of +nimble blows, and drove him to his knees. Wig, leaning more to personal +love than to general usage, (2) could not bear the sight, but made +affection conquer shame, and attacking Athisl, chose rather to defend +the weakness of his brother than to look on at it. But he won more +infamy than glory by the deed. In helping his brother he had violated +the appointed conditions of the duel; and the help that he gave him was +thought more useful than honourable. For on the one scale he inclined to +the side of disgrace, and on the other to that of affection. Thereupon +they perceived themselves that their killing of Athisl had been more +swift than glorious. Yet, not to hide the deed from the common people, +they cut off his head, slung his body on a horse, took it out of the +wood, and handed it over to the dwellers in a village near, announcing +that the sons of Frowin had taken vengeance upon Athisl, King of the +Swedes, for the slaying of their father. Boasting of such a victory as +this, they were received by Wermund with the highest honours; for he +thought they had done a most useful deed, and he preferred to regard +the glory of being rid of a rival with more attention than the infamy of +committing an outrage. Nor did he judge that the killing of a tyrant was +in any wise akin to shame. It passed into a proverb among foreigners, +that the death of the king had broken down the ancient principle of +combat. + +When Wermund was losing his sight by infirmity of age, the King of +Saxony, thinking that Denmark lacked a leader, sent envoys ordering him +to surrender to his charge the kingdom which he held beyond the due term +of life; lest, if he thirsted to hold sway too long, he should strip his +country of laws and defence. For how could he be reckoned a king, whose +spirit was darkened with age, and his eyes with blindness not less black +and awful? If he refused, but yet had a son who would dare to accept a +challenge and fight with his son, let him agree that the victor should +possess the realm. But if he approved neither offer, let him learn that +he must be dealt with by weapons and not by warnings; and in the end +he must unwillingly surrender what he was too proud at first to yield +uncompelled. Wermund, shaken by deep sighs, answered that it was too +insolent to sting him with these taunts upon his years; for he had +passed no timorous youth, nor shrunk from battle, that age should bring +him to this extreme misery. It was equally unfitting to cast in his +teeth the infirmity of his blindness: for it was common for a loss +of this kind to accompany such a time of life as his, and it seemed a +calamity fitter for sympathy than for taunts. It were juster to fix +the blame on the impatience of the King of Saxony, whom it would have +beseemed to wait for the old man's death, and not demand his throne; for +it was somewhat better to succeed to the dead than to rob the living. +Yet, that he might not be thought to make over the honours of his +ancient freedom, like a madman, to the possession of another, he would +accept the challenge with his own hand. The envoys answered that they +knew that their king would shrink from the mockery of fighting a blind +man, for such an absurd mode of combat was thought more shameful than +honourable. It would surely be better to settle the affair by means of +their offspring on either side. The Danes were in consternation, and at +a sudden loss for a reply: but Uffe, who happened to be there with the +rest, craved his father's leave to answer; and suddenly the dumb as it +were spake. When Wermund asked who had thus begged leave to speak, and +the attendants said that it was Uffe, he declared that it was enough +that the insolent foreigner should jeer at the pangs of his misery, +without those of his own household vexing him with the same wanton +effrontery. But the courtiers persistently averred that this man was +Uffe; and the king said: "He is free, whosoever he be, to say out what +he thinks." Then said Uffe, "that it was idle for their king to covet +a realm which could rely not only on the service of its own ruler, but +also on the arms and wisdom of most valiant nobles. Moreover, the king +did not lack a son nor the kingdom an heir; and they were to know that +he had made up his mind to fight not only the son of their king, but +also, at the same time, whatsoever man the prince should elect as his +comrade out of the bravest of their nation." + +The envoys laughed when they beard this, thinking it idle lip-courage. +Instantly the ground for the battle was agreed on, and a fixed time +appointed. But the bystanders were so amazed by the strangeness of +Uffe's speaking and challenging, that one can scarce say if they were +more astonished at his words or at his assurance. + +But on the departure of the envoys Wermund praised him who had made +the answer, because he had proved his confidence in his own valour by +challenging not one only, but two; and said that he would sooner quit +his kingdom for him, whoever he was, than for an insolent foe. But when +one and all testified that he who with lofty self-confidence had spurned +the arrogance of the envoys was his own son, he bade him come nearer +to him, wishing to test with his hands what he could not with his eyes. +Then he carefully felt his body, and found by the size of his limbs and +by his features that he was his son; and then began to believe their +assertions, and to ask him why he had taken pains to hide so sweet an +eloquence with such careful dissembling, and had borne to live through +so long a span of life without utterance or any intercourse of talk, so +as to let men think him utterly incapable of speech, and a born mute. He +replied that he had been hitherto satisfied with the protection of his +father, that he had not needed the use of his own voice, until he saw +the wisdom of his own land hard pressed by the glibness of a foreigner. +The king also asked him why he had chosen to challenge two rather than +one. He said he had desired this mode of combat in order that the death +of King Athisl, which, having been caused by two men, was a standing +reproach to the Danes, might be balanced by the exploit of one, and +that a new ensample of valour might erase the ancient record of their +disgrace. Fresh honour, he said, would thus obliterate the guilt of +their old dishonour. + +Wermund said that his son had judged all things rightly, and bade him +first learn the use of arms, since he had been little accustomed to +them. When they were offered to Uffe, he split the narrow links of the +mail-coats by the mighty girth of his chest, nor could any be found +large enough to hold him properly. For he was too hugely built to be +able to use the arms of any other man. At last, when he was bursting +even his father's coat of mail by the violent compression of his body, +Wermund ordered it to be cut away on the left side and patched with a +buckle; thinking it mattered little if the side guarded by the shield +were exposed to the sword. He also told him to be most careful in fixing +on a sword which he could use safely. Several were offered him; but +Uffe, grasping the hilt, shattered them one after the other into +flinders by shaking them, and not a single blade was of so hard a temper +but at the first blow he broke it into many pieces. But the king had a +sword of extraordinary sharpness, called "Skrep", which at a single blow +of the smiter struck straight through and cleft asunder any obstacle +whatsoever; nor would aught be hard enough to check its edge when driven +home. The king, loth to leave this for the benefit of posterity, and +greatly grudging others the use of it, had buried it deep in the earth, +meaning, since he had no hopes of his son's improvement, to debar +everyone else from using it. But when he was now asked whether he had a +sword worthy of the strength of Uffe, he said that he had one which, if +he could recognize the lie of the ground and find what he had consigned +long ago to earth, he could offer him as worthy of his bodily strength. +Then he bade them lead him into a field, and kept questioning his +companions over all the ground. At last he recognised the tokens, found +the spot where he had buried the sword, drew it out of its hole, and +handed it to his son. Uffe saw it was frail with great age and rusted +away; and, not daring to strike with it, asked if he must prove this +one also like the rest, declaring that he must try its temper before +the battle ought to be fought. Wermund replied that if this sword were +shattered by mere brandishing, there was nothing left which could serve +for such strength as his. He must, therefore, forbear from the act, +whose issue remained so doubtful. + +So they repaired to the field of battle as agreed. It is fast +encompassed by the waters of the river Eider, which roll between, and +forbid any approach save by ship. Hither Uffe went unattended, while +the Prince of Saxony was followed by a champion famous for his strength. +Dense crowds on either side, eager to see, thronged each winding bank, +and all bent their eyes upon this scene. Wermund planted himself on the +end of the bridge, determined to perish in the waters if defeat were +the lot of his son: he would rather share the fall of his own flesh and +blood than behold, with heart full of anguish, the destruction of his +own country. Both the warriors assaulted Uffe; but, distrusting his +sword, he parried the blows of both with his shield, being determined +to wait patiently and see which of the two he must beware of most +heedfully, so that he might reach that one at all events with a single +stroke of his blade. Wermund, thinking that his feebleness was at fault, +that he took the blows so patiently, dragged himself little by little, +in his longing for death, forward to the western edge of the bridge, +meaning to fling himself down and perish, should all be over with his +son. + +Fortune shielded the old father, for Uffe told the prince to engage with +him more briskly, and to do some deed of prowess worthy of his famous +race; lest the lowborn squire should seem braver than the prince. Then, +in order to try the bravery of the champion, he bade him not skulk +timorously at his master's heels, but requite by noble deeds of combat +the trust placed in him by his prince, who had chosen him to be his +single partner in the battle. The other complied, and when shame drove +him to fight at close quarters, Uffe clove him through with the first +stroke of his blade. The sound revived Wermund, who said that he heard +the sword of his son, and asked "on what particular part he had dealt +the blow?" Then the retainers answered that it had gone through no one +limb, but the man's whole frame; whereat Wermund drew back from the +precipice and came on the bridge, longing now as passionately to live as +he had just wished to die. Then Uffe, wishing to destroy his remaining +foe after the fashion of the first, incited the prince with vehement +words to offer some sacrifice by way of requital to the shade of the +servant slain in his cause. Drawing him by those appeals, and warily +noting the right spot to plant his blow, he turned the other edge of +his sword to the front, fearing that the thin side of his blade was too +frail for his strength, and smote with a piercing stroke through the +prince's body. When Wermund heard it, he said that the sound of his +sword "Skrep" had reached his ear for the second time. Then, when the +judges announced that his son had killed both enemies, he burst into +tears from excess of joy. Thus gladness bedewed the cheeks which sorrow +could not moisten. So while the Saxons, sad and shamefaced, bore their +champions to burial with bitter shame, the Danes welcomed Uffe and +bounded for joy. Then no more was heard of the disgrace of the murder of +Athisl, and there was an end of the taunts of the Saxons. + +Thus the realm of Saxony was transferred to the Danes, and Uffe, after +his father, undertook its government; and he, who had not been thought +equal to administering a single kingdom properly, was now appointed to +manage both. Most men have called him Olaf, and he has won the name +of "the Gentle" for his forbearing spirit. His later deeds, lost in +antiquity, have lacked formal record. But it may well be supposed that +when their beginnings were so notable, their sequel was glorious. I am +so brief in considering his doings, because the lustre of the famous +men of our nation has been lost to memory and praise by the lack of +writings. But if by good luck our land had in old time been endowed with +the Latin tongue, there would have been countless volumes to read of the +exploits of the Danes. + +Uffe was succeeded by his son DAN, who carried his arms against +foreigners, and increased his sovereignty with many a trophy; but he +tarnished the brightness of the glory he had won by foul and abominable +presumption; falling so far away from the honour of his famous father, +who surpassed all others in modesty, that he contrariwise was puffed up +and proudly exalted in spirit, so that he scorned all other men. He +also squandered the goods of his father on infamies, as well as his +own winnings from the spoils of foreign nations; and he devoured in +expenditure on luxuries the wealth which should have ministered to his +royal estate. Thus do sons sometimes, like monstrous births, degenerate +from their ancestors. + +After this HUGLEIK was king, who is said to have defeated in battle at +sea Homod and Hogrim, the despots of Sweden. + +To him succeeded FRODE, surnamed the Vigorous, who bore out his name by +the strength of his body and mind. He destroyed in war ten captains of +Norway, and finally approached the island which afterwards had its name +from him, meaning to attack the king himself last of all. This king, +Froger, was in two ways very distinguished, being notable in arms no +less than in wealth; and graced his sovereignty with the deeds of a +champion, being as rich in prizes for bodily feats as in the honours of +rank. According to some, he was the son of Odin, and when he begged the +immortal gods to grant him a boon, received the privilege that no man +should conquer him, save he who at the time of the conflict could catch +up in his hand the dust lying beneath Froger's feet. When Frode found +that Heaven had endowed this king with such might, he challenged him to +a duel, meaning to try to outwit the favour of the gods. So at first, +feigning inexperience, he besought the king for a lesson in fighting, +knowing (he said) his skill and experience in the same. The other, +rejoicing that his enemy not only yielded to his pretensions, but even +made him a request, said that he was wise to submit his youthful mind to +an old man's wisdom; for his unscarred face and his brow, ploughed by +no marks of battle, showed that his knowledge of such matters was but +slender. So he marked off on the ground two square spaces with sides +an ell long, opposite one another, meaning to begin by instructing him +about the use of these plots. When they had been marked off, each took +the side assigned to him. Then Frode asked Froger to exchange arms and +ground with him, and the request was readily granted. For Froger was +excited with the dashing of his enemy's arms, because Frode wore a +gold-hilted sword, a breastplate equally bright, and a headpiece most +brilliantly adorned in the same manner. So Frode caught up some dust +from the ground whence Froger had gone, and thought that he had been +granted an omen of victory. Nor was he deceived in his presage; for he +straightway slew Froger, and by this petty trick won the greatest name +for bravery; for he gained by craft what had been permitted to no man's +strength before. + +After him DAN came to the throne. When he was in the twelfth year of his +age, he was wearied by the insolence of the embassies, which commanded +him either to fight the Saxons or to pay them tribute. Ashamed, he +preferred fighting to payment and was moved to die stoutly rather than +live a coward. So he elected to fight; and the warriors of the Danes +filled the Elbe with such a throng of vessels, that the decks of the +ships lashed together made it quite easy to cross, as though along a +continuous bridge. The end was that the King of Saxony had to accept the +very terms he was demanding from the Danes. + +After Dan, FRIDLEIF, surnamed the Swift, assumed the sovereignty. During +his reign, Huyrwil, the lord of Oland, made a league with the Danes and +attacked Norway. No small fame was added to his deeds by the defeat +of the amazon Rusila, who aspired with military ardour to prowess in +battle: but he gained manly glory over a female foe. Also he took into +his alliance, on account of their deeds of prowess, her five partners, +the children of Finn, named Brodd, Bild, Bug, Fanning, and Gunholm. +Their confederacy emboldened him to break the treaty which he made +with the Danes; and the treachery of the violation made it all the +more injurious, for the Danes could not believe that he could turn +so suddenly from a friend into an enemy; so easily can some veer from +goodwill into hate. I suppose that this man inaugurated the morals of +our own day, for we do not account lying and treachery as sinful and +sordid. When Huyrwil attacked the southern side of Zealand, Fridleif +assailed him in the harbour which was afterwards called by Huyrwil's +name. In this battle the soldiers, in their rivalry for glory, engaged +with such bravery that very few fled to escape peril, and both armies +were utterly destroyed; nor did the victory fall to either side, where +both were enveloped in an equal ruin. So much more desirous were they +all of glory than of life. So the survivors of Huyrwil's army, in order +to keep united, had the remnants of their fleet lashed together at +night. But, in the same night, Bild and Brodd cut the cables with which +the ships were joined, and stealthily severed their own vessels from the +rest, thus yielding to their own terrors by deserting their brethren, +and obeying the impulses of fear rather than fraternal love. When +daylight returned, Fridleif, finding that after the great massacre +of their friends only Huyrwil, Gunholm, Bug, and Fanning were left, +determined to fight them all single-handed, so that the mangled relics +of his fleet might not again have to be imperilled. Besides his innate +courage, a shirt of steel-defying mail gave him confidence; a garb which +he used to wear in all public battles and in duels, as a preservative of +his life. He accomplished his end with as much fortune as courage, and +ended the battle successfully. For, after slaying Huyrwil, Bug, and +Fanning, he killed Gunholm, who was accustomed to blunt the blade of +an enemy with spells, by a shower of blows from his hilt. But while +he gripped the blade too eagerly, the sinews, being cut and disabled, +contracted the fingers upon the palm, and cramped them with life-long +curvature. + +While Fridleif was besieging Dublin, a town in Ireland, and saw from +the strength of the walls that there was no chance of storming them, he +imitated the shrewd wit of Hadding, and ordered fire to be shut up in +wicks and fastened to the wings of swallows. When the birds got back in +their own nesting-place, the dwellings suddenly flared up; and while the +citizens all ran up to quench them, and paid more heed to abating the +fire than to looking after the enemy, Fridleif took Dublin. After this +he lost his soldiers in Britain, and, thinking that he would find +it hard to get back to the coast, he set up the corpses of the slain +(Amleth's device) and stationed them in line, thus producing so nearly +the look of his original host that its great reverse seemed not to have +lessened the show of it a whit. By this deed he not only took out of the +enemy all heart for fighting, but inspired them with the desire to make +their escape. + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) Jellinge. Lat. "Ialunga", Icel. "Jalangr". + (2) General usage. "publicus consuetudini": namely, the rule of + combat that two should not fight against one. + + + + +BOOK FIVE. + +After the death of Fridleif, his son FRODE, aged seven, was elected +in his stead by the unanimous decision of the Danes. But they held an +assembly first, and judged that the minority of the king should be taken +in charge by guardians, lest the sovereignty should pass away owing to +the boyishness of the ruler. For one and all paid such respect to the +name and memory of Fridleif, that the royalty was bestowed on his son +despite his tender years. So a selection was made, and the brothers +Westmar and Koll were summoned to the charge of bringing up the king. +Isulf, also, and Agg and eight other men of mark were not only entrusted +with the guardianship of the king, but also granted authority to +administer the realm under him. These men were rich in strength and +courage, and endowed with ample gifts of mind as well as of body. Thus +the state of the Danes was governed with the aid of regents until the +time when the king should be a man. + +The wife of Koll was Gotwar, who used to paralyse the most eloquent and +fluent men by her glib and extraordinary insolence; for she was potent +in wrangling, and full of resource in all kinds of disputation. Words +were her weapons; and she not only trusted in questions, but was armed +with stubborn answers. No man could subdue this woman, who could not +fight, but who found darts in her tongue instead. Some she would argue +down with a flood of impudent words, while others she seemed to +entangle in the meshes of her quibbles, and strangle in the noose of +her sophistries; so nimble a wit had the woman. Moreover, she was very +strong, either in making or cancelling a bargain, and the sting of +her tongue was the secret of her power in both. She was clever both at +making and at breaking leagues; thus she had two sides to her tongue, +and used it for either purpose. + +Westmar had twelve sons, three of whom had the same name--Grep in +common. These three men were conceived at once and delivered at one +birth, and their common name declared their simultaneous origin. They +were exceedingly skillful swordsmen and boxers. Frode had also given the +supremacy of the sea to Odd; who was very closely related to the king. +Koll rejoiced in an offspring of three sons. At this time a certain +son of Frode's brother held the chief command of naval affairs for the +protection of the country, Now the king had a sister, Gunwar, surnamed +the Fair because of her surpassing beauty. The sons of Westmar and Koll, +being ungrown in years and bold in spirit, let their courage become +recklessness and devoted their guilt-stained minds to foul and degraded +orgies. + +Their behaviour was so outrageous and uncontrollable that they ravished +other men's brides and daughters, and seemed to have outlawed chastity +and banished it to the stews. Nay, they defiled the couches of matrons, +and did not even refrain from the bed of virgins. A man's own chamber +was no safety to him: there was scarce a spot in the land but bore +traces of their lust. Husbands were vexed with fear, and wives with +insult to their persons: and to these wrongs folk bowed. No ties +were respected, and forced embraces became a common thing. Love was +prostituted, all reverence for marriage ties died out, and lust was +greedily run after. And the reason of all this was the peace; for men's +bodies lacked exercise and were enervated in the ease so propitious to +vices. At last the eldest of those who shared the name of Grep, wishing +to regulate and steady his promiscuous wantonness, ventured to seek a +haven for his vagrant amours in the love of the king's sister. Yet +he did amiss. For though it was right that his vagabond and straying +delights should be bridled by modesty, yet it was audacious for a man of +the people to covet the child of a king. She, much fearing the impudence +of her wooer, and wishing to be safer from outrage, went into a +fortified building. Thirty attendants were given to her, to keep guard +and constant watch over her person. + +Now the comrades of Frode, sadly lacking the help of women in the matter +of the wear of their garments, inasmuch as they had no means of patching +or of repairing rents, advised and urged the king to marry. At first +he alleged his tender years as an excuse, but in the end yielded to the +persistent requests of his people. And when he carefully inquired of his +advisers who would be a fit wife for him, they all praised the daughter +of the King of the Huns beyond the rest. When the question was pushed, +what reason Frode had for objecting to her, he replied that he had heard +from his father that it was not expedient for kings to seek alliance far +afield, or to demand love save from neighbours. When Gotwar heard this +she knew that the king's resistance to his friends was wily. Wishing +to establish his wavering spirit, and strengthen the courage of his +weakling soul, she said: "Bridals are for young men, but the tomb awaits +the old. The steps of youth go forward in desires and in fortune; but +old age declines helpless to the sepulchre. Hope attends youth; age is +bowed with hopeless decay. The fortune of young men increases; it will +never leave unfinished what it begins." Respecting her words, he begged +her to undertake the management of the suit. But she refused, pleading +her age as her pretext, and declaring herself too stricken in years to +bear so difficult a commission. The king saw that a bribe was wanted, +and, proffering a golden necklace, promised it as the reward of her +embassy. For the necklace had links consisting of studs, and figures of +kings interspersed in bas-relief, which could be now separated and now +drawn together by pulling a thread inside; a gewgaw devised more for +luxury than use. Frode also ordered that Westmar and Koll, with their +sons, should be summoned to go on the same embassy, thinking that their +cunning would avoid the shame of a rebuff. + +They went with Gotwar, and were entertained by the King of the Huns at a +three days' banquet, ere they uttered the purpose of their embassy. For +it was customary of old thus to welcome guests. When the feast had been +prolonged three days, the princess came forth to make herself pleasant +to the envoys with a most courteous address, and her blithe presence +added not a little to the festal delights of the banqueters. And as the +drink went faster Westmar revealed his purpose in due course, in a very +merry declaration, wishing to sound the mind of the maiden in talk of +a friendly sort. And, in order not to inflict on himself a rebuff, +he spoke in a mirthful vein, and broke the ground of his mission, +by venturing to make up a sportive speech amid the applause of the +revellers. The princess said that she disdained Frode because he lacked +honour and glory. For in days of old no men were thought fit for the +hand of high-born women but those who had won some great prize of glory +by the lustre of their admirable deeds. Sloth was the worst of vices in +a suitor, and nothing was more of a reproach in one who sought marriage +than the lack of fame. A harvest of glory, and that alone, could bring +wealth in everything else. Maidens admired in their wooers not so much +good looks as deeds nobly done. So the envoys, flagging and despairing +of their wish, left the further conduct of the affair to the wisdom +of Gotwar, who tried to subdue the maiden not only with words but with +love-philtres, and began to declare that Frode used his left hand as +well as his right, and was a quick and skillful swimmer and fighter. +Also by the drink which she gave she changed the strictness of the +maiden to desire, and replaced her vanished anger with love and delight. +Then she bade Westmar, Koll, and their sons go to the king and urge +their mission afresh; and finally, should they find him froward, to +anticipate a rebuff by a challenge to fight. + +So Westmar entered the palace with his men-at-arms, and said: "Now thou +must needs either consent to our entreaties, or meet in battle us who +entreat thee. We would rather die nobly than go back with our mission +unperformed; lest, foully repulsed and foiled of our purpose, we should +take home disgrace where we hoped to will honour. If thou refuse thy +daughter, consent to fight: thou must needs grant one thing or +the other. We wish either to die or to have our prayers beard. +Something--sorrow if not joy--we will get from thee. Frode will be +better pleased to hear of our slaughter than of our repulse." Without +another word, he threatened to aim a blow at the king's throat with his +sword. The king replied that it was unseemly for the royal majesty +to meet an inferior in rank in level combat, and unfit that those of +unequal station should fight as equals. But when Westmar persisted in +urging him to fight, he at last bade him find out what the real mind of +the maiden was; for in old time men gave women who were to marry, free +choice of a husband. For the king was embarrassed, and hung vacillating +betwixt shame and fear of battle. Thus Westmar, having been referred +to the thoughts of the girl's heart, and knowing that every woman is as +changeable in purpose as she is fickle in soul, proceeded to fulfil his +task all the more confidently because he knew how mutable the wishes of +maidens were. His confidence in his charge was increased and his zeal +encouraged, because she had both a maiden's simplicity, which was left +to its own counsels, and a woman's freedom of choice, which must be +wheedled with the most delicate and mollifying flatteries; and thus she +would be not only easy to lead away, but even hasty in compliance. But +her father went after the envoys, that he might see more surely into his +daughter's mind. She had already been drawn by the stealthy working of +the draught to love her suitor, and answered that the promise of Frode, +rather than his present renown, had made her expect much of his nature: +since he was sprung from so famous a father, and every nature commonly +answered to its origin. The youth therefore had pleased her by her +regard of his future, rather than his present, glory. These words amazed +the father; but neither could he bear to revoke the freedom he had +granted her, and he promised her in marriage to Frode. Then, having +laid in ample stores, he took her away with the most splendid pomp, and, +followed by the envoys, hastened to Denmark, knowing that a father was +the best person to give away a daughter in marriage. Frode welcomed +his bride most joyfully, and also bestowed the highest honours upon +his future royal father-in-law; and when the marriage rites were over, +dismissed him with a large gift of gold and silver. + +And so with Hanund, the daughter of the King of the Huns, for his wife, +he passed three years in the most prosperous peace. But idleness brought +wantonness among his courtiers, and peace begot lewdness, which they +displayed in the most abominable crimes. For they would draw some men +up in the air on ropes, and torment them, pushing their bodies as they +hung, like a ball that is tossed; or they would put a kid's hide under +the feet of others as they walked, and, by stealthily pulling a rope, +trip their unwary steps on the slippery skill in their path; others they +would strip of their clothes, and lash with sundry tortures of stripes; +others they fastened to pegs, as with a noose, and punished with +mock-hanging. They scorched off the beard and hair with tapers; of +others they burned the hair of the groin with a brand. Only those +maidens might marry whose chastity they had first deflowered. Strangers +they battered with bones; others they compelled to drunkenness with +immoderate draughts, and made them burst. No man might give his daughter +to wife unless he had first bought their favour and goodwill. None might +contract any marriage without first purchasing their consent with a +bribe. Moreover, they extended their abominable and abandoned lust not +only to virgins, but to the multitude of matrons indiscriminately. Thus +a twofold madness incited this mixture of wantonness and frenzy. Guests +and strangers were proffered not shelter but revilings. All these +maddening mockeries did this insolent and wanton crew devise, and thus +under a boy-king freedom fostered licence. For nothing prolongs reckless +sin like the procrastination of punishment and vengeance. This unbridled +impudence of the soldiers ended by making the king detested, not only by +foreigners, but even by his own people, for the Danes resented such an +arrogant and cruel rule. But Grep was contented with no humble loves; +he broke out so outrageously that he was guilty of intercourse with the +queen, and proved as false to the king as he was violent to all other +men. Then by degrees the scandal grew, and the suspicion of his guilt +crept on with silent step. The common people found it out before the +king. For Grep, by always punishing all who alluded in the least to this +circumstance, had made it dangerous to accuse him. But the rumour of his +crime, which at first was kept alive in whispers, was next passed on in +public reports; for it is hard for men to hide another's guilt if they +are aware of it. Gunwar had many suitors; and accordingly Grep, trying +to take revenge for his rebuff by stealthy wiles, demanded the right +of judging the suitors, declaring that the princess ought to make the +choicest match. But he disguised his anger, lest he should seem to have +sought the office from hatred of the maiden. At his request the king +granted him leave to examine the merits of the young men. So he first +gathered all the wooers of Gunwar together on the pretence of a banquet, +and then lined the customary room of the princess with their heads--a +gruesome spectacle for all the rest. Yet he forfeited none of his favour +with Frode, nor abated his old intimacy with him. For he decided that +any opportunity of an interview with the king must be paid for, and gave +out that no one should have any conversation with him who brought no +presents. Access, he announced, to so great a general must be gained +by no stale or usual method, but by making interest most zealously. +He wished to lighten the scandal of his cruelty by the pretence +of affection to his king. The people, thus tormented, vented their +complaint of their trouble in silent groans. None had the spirit to lift +up his voice in public against this season of misery. No one had become +so bold as to complain openly of the affliction that was falling upon +them. Inward resentment vexed the hearts of men, secretly indeed, but +all the more bitterly. + +When Gotar, the King of Norway, heard this, he assembled his soldiers, +and said that the Danes were disgusted with their own king, and longed +for another if they could get the opportunity; that he had himself +resolved to lead an army thither, and that Denmark would be easy to +seize if attacked. Frode's government of his country was as covetous as +it was cruel. Then Erik rose up and gainsaid the project with contrary +reasons. "We remember," he said, "how often coveters of other men's +goods lose their own. He who snatches at both has oft lost both. It must +be a very strong bird that can wrest the prey from the claws of another. +It is idle for thee to be encouraged by the internal jealousies of the +country, for these are oft blown away by the approach of an enemy. For +though the Danes now seem divided in counsel, yet they will soon be of +one mind to meet the foe. The wolves have often made peace between +the quarrelling swine. Every man prefers a leader of his own land to a +foreigner, and every province is warmer in loyalty to a native than to a +stranger king. For Frode will not await thee at home, but will intercept +thee abroad as thou comest. Eagles claw each other with their talons, +and fowls fight fronting. Thou thyself knowest that the keen sight of +the wise man must leave no cause for repentance. Thou hast an ample +guard of nobles. Keep thou quiet as thou art; indeed thou wilt almost be +able to find out by means of others what are thy resources for war. Let +the soldiers first try the fortunes of their king. Provide in peace for +thine own safety, and risk others if thou dost undertake the enterprise: +better that the slave should perish than the master. Let thy servant +do for thee what the tongs do for the smith, who by the aid of his iron +tool guards his hand from scorching, and saves his fingers from burning. +Learn thou also, by using thy men, to spare and take thought for +thyself." + +So spake Erik, and Gotar, who had hitherto held him a man of no parts, +now marvelled that he had graced his answer with sentences so choice +and weighty, and gave him the name of Shrewd-spoken, thinking that his +admirable wisdom deserved some title. For the young man's reputation +had been kept in the shade by the exceeding brilliancy of his brother +Roller. Erik begged that some substantial gift should be added to the +name, declaring that the bestowal of the title ought to be graced by +a present besides. The king gave him a ship, and the oarsmen called it +"Skroter." Now Erik and Roller were the sons of Ragnar, the champion, +and children of one father by different mothers; Roller's mother and +Erik's stepmother was named Kraka. + +And so, by leave of Gotar, the task of making a raid on the Danes +fell to one Hrafn. He was encountered by Odd, who had at that time the +greatest prestige among the Danes as a rover, for he was such a skilled +magician that he could range over the sea without a ship, and could +often raise tempests by his spells, and wreck the vessels of the enemy. +Accordingly, that he might not have to condescend to pit his sea-forces +against the rovers, he used to ruffle the waters by enchantment, and +cause them to shipwreck his foes. To traders this man was ruthless, +but to tillers of the soil he was merciful, for he thought less of +merchandise than of the plough-handle, but rated the clean business +of the country higher than the toil for filthy lucre. When he began to +fight with the Northmen he so dulled the sight of the enemy by the power +of his spells that they thought the drawn swords of the Danes cast their +beams from afar off, and sparkled as if aflame. Moreover, their vision +was so blunted that they could not so much as look upon the sword +when it was drawn from the sheath: the dazzle was too much for their +eyesight, which could not endure the glittering mirage. So Hrafn and +many of his men were slain, and only six vessels slipped back to Norway +to teach the king that it was not so easy to crush the Danes. The +survivors also spread the news that Frode trusted only in the help of +his champions, and reigned against the will of his people, for his rule +had become a tyranny. + +In order to examine this rumour, Roller, who was a great traveller +abroad, and eager to visit unknown parts, made a vow that he would get +into the company of Frode. But Erik declared that, splendid as were his +bodily parts, he had been rash in pronouncing the vow. At last, seeing +him persisting stubbornly in his purpose, Erik bound himself under a +similar vow; and the king promised them that he would give them for +companions whomsoever they approved by their choice. The brethren, +therefore, first resolved to visit their father and beg for the stores +and the necessaries that were wanted for so long a journey. He welcomed +them paternally, and on the morrow took them to the forest to inspect +the herd, for the old man was wealthy in cattle. Also he revealed to +them treasures which had long lain hid in caverns of the earth; and they +were suffered to gather up whatsoever of these they would. The boon was +accepted as heartily as it was offered: so they took the riches out of +the ground, and bore away what pleased them. + +Their rowers meanwhile were either refreshing themselves or exercising +their skill with casting weights. Some sped leaping, some running; +others tried their strength by sturdily hurling stones; others tested +their archery by drawing the bow. Thus they essayed to strengthen +themselves with divers exercises. Some again tried to drink themselves +into a drowse. Roller was sent by his father to find out what had passed +at home in the meanwhile. And when he saw smoke coming from his mother's +hut he went up outside, and, stealthily applying his eye, saw through +the little chink and into the house, where he perceived his mother +stirring a cooked mess in an ugly-looking pot. Also he looked up at +three snakes hanging from above by a thin cord, from whose mouths flowed +a slaver which dribbled drops of moisture on the meal. Now two of these +were pitchy of hue, while the third seemed to have whitish scales, and +was hung somewhat higher than the others. This last had a fastening +on its tail, while the others were held by a cord round their bellies. +Roller thought the affair looked like magic, but was silent on what +he had seen, that he might not be thought to charge his mother with +sorcery. For he did not know that the snakes were naturally harmless, or +how much strength was being brewed for that meal. Then Ragnar and Erik +came up, and, when they saw the smoke issuing from the cottage, entered +and went to sit at meat. When they were at table, and Kraka's son and +stepson were about to eat together, she put before them a small dish +containing a piebald mess, part looking pitchy, but spotted with specks +of yellow, while part was whitish: the pottage having taken a different +hue answering to the different appearance of the snakes. And when each +had tasted a single morsel, Erik, judging the feast not by the colours +but by the inward strengthening effected, turned the dish around +very quickly, and transferred to himself the part which was black but +compounded of stronger juices; and, putting over to Roller the whitish +part which had first been set before himself, throve more on his supper. +And, to avoid showing that the exchange was made on purpose, he said, +"Thus does prow become stern when the sea boils up." The man had no +little shrewdness, thus to use the ways of a ship to dissemble his +cunning act. + +So Erik, now refreshed by this lucky meal, attained by its inward +working to the highest pitch of human wisdom. For the potency of the +meal bred in him the fulness of all kinds of knowledge to an incredible +degree, so that he had cunning to interpret even the utterances of wild +beasts and cattle. For he was not only well versed in all the affairs +of men, but he could interpret the particular feelings which brutes +experienced from the sounds which expressed them. He was also gifted +with an eloquence so courteous and graceful, that he adorned whatsoever +he desired to expound with a flow of witty adages. But when Kraka came +up, and found that the dish had been turned round, and that Erik had +eaten the stronger share of the meal, she lamented that the good luck +she had bred for her son should have passed to her stepson. Soon she +began to sigh, and entreat Eric that he should never fail to help his +brother, whose mother had heaped on him fortune so rich and strange: for +by tasting a single savoury meal he had clearly attained sovereign wit +and eloquence, besides the promise of success in combat. She added also, +that Roller was almost as capable of good counsel, and that he should +not utterly miss the dainty that had been intended for him. She also +told him that in case of extreme and violent need, he could find speedy +help by calling on her name; declaring that she trusted partially in her +divine attributes, and that, consorting as she did in a manner with the +gods, she wielded an innate and heavenly power. Erik said that he was +naturally drawn to stand by his brother, and that the bird was +infamous which fouled its own nest. But Kraka was more vexed by her own +carelessness than weighed down by her son's ill-fortune: for in old +time it made a craftsman bitterly ashamed to be outwitted by his own +cleverness. + +Then Kraka, accompanied by her husband, took away the brothers on their +journey to the sea. They embarked in a single ship, but soon attached +two others. They had already reached the coast of Denmark, when, +reconnoitering, they learned that seven ships had come up at no great +distance. Then Erik bade two men who could speak the Danish tongue well, +to go to them unclothed, and, in order to spy better, to complain to Odd +of their nakedness, as if Erik had caused it, and to report when they +had made careful scrutiny. These men were received as friends by Odd, +and hunted for every plan of the general with their sharp ears. He +had determined to attack the enemy unawares at daybreak, that he might +massacre them the more speedily while they were swathed in their night +garments: for he said that men's bodies were wont to be most dull and +heavy at that hour of dawn. He also told them, thereby hastening what +was to prove his own destruction, that his ships were laden with stones +fit for throwing. The spies slipped off in the first sleep of the night, +reported that Odd had filled all his vessels with pebbles, and also told +everything else they had heard. Erik now quite understood the case, and, +when he considered the smallness of his own fleet, thought that he must +call the waters to destroy the enemy, and win their aid for himself. + +So he got into a boat and rowed, pulling silently, close up to the +keels of the enemy; and gradually, by screwing in an auger, he bored the +planks (a device practiced by Hadding and also by Frode), nearest to the +water, and soon made good his return, the oar-beat being scarce audible. +Now he bore himself so warily, that not one of the watchers noted his +approach or departure. As he rowed off, the water got in through +the chinks of Odd's vessels, and sank them, so that they were seen +disappearing in the deep, as the water flooded them more and more +within. The weight of the stones inside helped them mightily to sink. +The billows were washing away the thwarts, and the sea was flush with +the decks, when Odd, seeing the vessels almost on a level with the +waves, ordered the heavy seas that had been shipped to be baled out with +pitchers. And so, while the crews were toiling on to protect the sinking +parts of the vessels from the flood of waters, the enemy hove close up. +Thus, as they fell to their arms, the flood came upon them harder, and +as they prepared to fight, they found they must swim for it. Waves, not +weapons, fought for Erik, and the sea, which he had himself Enabled to +approach and do harm, battled for him. Thus Erik made better use of the +billow than of the steel, and by the effectual aid of the waters seemed +to fight in his own absence, the ocean lending him defence. The victory +was given to his craft; for a flooded ship could not endure a battle. +Thus was Odd slain with all his crew; the look-outs were captured, and +it was found that no man escaped to tell the tale of the disaster. + +Erik, when the massacre was accomplished, made a rapid retreat, and put +in at the isle Lesso. Finding nothing there to appease his hunger, he +sent the spoil homeward on two ships, which were to bring back supplies +for another year. He tried to go by himself to the king in a single +ship. So he put in to Zealand, and the sailors ran about over the shore, +and began to cut down the cattle: for they must either ease their hunger +or perish of famine. So they killed the herd, skinned the carcases, and +cast them on board. When the owners of the cattle found this out, they +hastily pursued the free-booters with a fleet. And when Erik found that +he was being attacked by the owners of the cattle, he took care that the +carcases of the slaughtered cows should be tied with marked ropes and +hidden under water. Then, when the Zealanders came up, he gave them +leave to look about and see if any of the carcases they were seeking +were in his hands; saying that a ship's corners were too narrow to hide +things. Unable to find a carcase anywhere, they turned their suspicions +on others, and thought the real criminals were guiltless of the plunder. +Since no traces of free-booting were to be seen, they fancied that +others had injured them, and pardoned the culprits. As they sailed off, +Erik lifted the carcase out of the water and took it in. + +Meantime Frode learnt that Odd and his men had gone down. For a +widespread rumour of the massacre had got wind, though the author of the +deed was unknown. There were men, however, who told how they had seen +three sails putting in to shore, and departing again northwards. Then +Erik went to the harbour, not far from which Frode was tarrying, and, +the moment that he stepped out of the ship, tripped inadvertently, and +came tumbling to the ground. He found in the slip a presage of a lucky +issue, and forecast better results from this mean beginning. When Grep +heard of his coming, he hastened down to the sea, intending to +assail with chosen and pointed phrases the man whom he had heard was +better-spoken than all other folk. Grep's eloquence was not so much +excellent as impudent, for he surpassed all in stubbornness of speech. +So he began the dispute with reviling, and assailed Erik as follows: + +Grep: "Fool, who art thou? What idle quest is thine? Tell me, whence or +whither dost thou journey? What is thy road? What thy desire? Who thy +father? What thy lineage? Those have strength beyond others who have +never left their own homes, and the Luck of kings is their houseluck. +For the things of a vile man are acceptable unto few, and seldom are the +deeds of the hated pleasing." + +Erik: "Ragnar is my father; eloquence clothes my tongue; I have ever +loved virtue only. Wisdom hath been my one desire; I have travelled many +ways over the world, and seen the different manners of men. The mind of +the fool can keep no bounds in aught: it is base and cannot control its +feelings. The use of sails is better than being drawn by the oar; the +gale troubles the waters, a drearier gust the land. For rowing goes +through the seas and lying the lands; and it is certain that the lands +are ruled with the lips, but the seas with the hand." + +Grep: "Thou art thought to be as full of quibbling as a cock of dirt. +Thou stinkest heavy with filth, and reekest of nought but sin. There is +no need to lengthen the plea against a buffoon, whose strength is in an +empty and voluble tongue." + +Erik: "By Hercules, if I mistake not, the coward word is wont to come +back to the utterer. The gods with righteous endeavour bring home to +the speaker words cast forth without knowledge. As soon as we espy the +sinister ears of the wolf, we believe that the wolf himself is near. Men +think no credit due to him that hath no credit, whom report accuses of +treachery." + +Grep: "Shameless boy, owl astray from the path, night-owl in the +darkness, thou shalt pay for thy reckless words. Thou shalt be sorry for +the words thou now belchest forth madly, and shalt pay with thy death +for thy unhallowed speech. Lifeless thou shalt pasture crows on thy +bloodless corpse, to be a morsel for beasts, a prey to the ravenous +bird." + +Erik: "The boding of the coward, and the will that is trained to evil, +have never kept themselves within due measure. He who betrays his lord, +he who conceives foul devices, will be as great a snare to himself as +to his friends. Whoso fosters a wolf in his house is thought to feed a +thief and a pest for his own hearth." + +Grep: "I did not, as thou thinkest, beguile the queen, but I was the +guardian of her tender estate. She increased my fortunes, and her favour +first brought me gifts and strength, and wealth and counsel." + +Erik: "Lo, thy guilty disquiet lies heavy on thee; that man's freedom is +safest whose mind remains untainted. Whoso asks a slave to be a friend, +is deceived; often the henchman hurts his master." + +At this Grep, shorn of his glibness of rejoinder, set spurs to his +horse and rode away. Now when he reached home, he filled the palace with +uproarious and vehement clamour; and shouting that he had been worsted +in words, roused all his soldiers to fight, as though he would avenge by +main force his luckless warfare of tongues. For he swore that he would +lay the host of the foreigners under the claws of eagles. But the king +warned him that he should give his frenzy pause for counsel, that blind +plans were commonly hurtful; that nothing could be done both cautiously +and quickly at once; that headstrong efforts were the worst obstacle; +and lastly, that it was unseemly to attack a handful with a host. Also, +said he, the sagacious man was he who could bridle a raging spirit, and +stop his frantic empetuosity in time. Thus the king forced the headlong +rage of the young man to yield to reflection. But he could not wholly +recall to self-control the frenzy of his heated mind, or prevent the +champion of wrangles, abashed by his hapless debate, and finding armed +vengeance refused him, from asking leave at least to try his sorceries +by way of revenge. He gained his request, and prepared to go back to +the shore with a chosen troop of wizards. So he first put on a pole +the severed head of a horse that had been sacrificed to the gods, and +setting sticks beneath displayed the jaws grinning agape; hoping that +he would foil the first efforts of Erik by the horror of this wild +spectacle. For he supposed that the silly souls of the barbarians would +give away at the bogey of a protruding neck. + +Erik was already on his road to meet them, and saw the head from afar +off, and, understanding the whole foul contrivance, he bade his men keep +silent and behave warily; no man was to be rash or hasty of speech, lest +by some careless outburst they might give some opening to the sorceries; +adding that if talking happened to be needed, he would speak for all. +And they were now parted by a river; when the wizards, in order to +dislodge Erik from the approach to the bridge, set up close to the +river, on their own side, the pole on which they had fixed the horse's +head. Nevertheless Erik made dauntlessly for the bridge, and said: "On +the bearer fall the ill-luck of what he bears! May a better issue attend +our steps! Evil befall the evil-workers! Let the weight of the ominous +burden crush the carrier! Let the better auguries bring us safety!" And +it happened according to his prayer. For straightway the head was shaken +off, the stick fell and crushed the bearer. And so all that array +of sorceries was baffled at the bidding of a single curse, and +extinguished. + +Then, as Erik advanced a little, it came into his mind that strangers +ought to fix on gifts for the king. So he carefully wrapped up in his +robe a piece of ice which he happened to find, and managed to take it to +the king by way of a present. But when they reached the palace he sought +entrance first, and bade his brother follow close behind. Already the +slaves of the king, in order to receive him with mockery as he entered, +had laid a slippery hide on the threshold; and when Erik stepped upon +it, they suddenly jerked it away by dragging a rope, and would have +tripped him as he stood upon it, had not Roller, following behind, +caught his brother on his breast as he tottered. So Erik, having half +fallen, said that "bare was the back of the brotherless." And when +Gunwar said that such a trick ought not to be permitted by a king, +the king condemned the folly of the messenger who took no heed against +treachery. And thus he excused his flout by the heedlessness of the man +he flouted. + +Within the palace was blazing a fire, which the aspect of the season +required: for it was now gone midwinter. By it, in different groups, sat +the king on one side and the champions on the other. These latter, when +Erik joined them, uttered gruesome sounds like things howling. The king +stopped the clamour, telling them that the noises of wild beasts ought +not to be in the breasts of men. Erik added, that it was the way of +dogs, for all the others to set up barking when one started it; for all +folk by their bearing betrayed their birth and revealed their race. But +when Koll, who was the keeper of the gifts offered to the king, asked +him whether he had brought any presents with him, he produced the ice +which he had hidden in his breast. And when he had handed it to Koll +across the hearth, he purposely let it go into the fire, as though it +had slipped from the hand of the receiver. All present saw the shining +fragment, and it seemed as though molten metal had fallen into the fire. +Erik, maintaining that it had been jerked away by the carelessness of +him who took it, asked what punishment was due to the loser of the gift. + +The king consulted the opinion of the queen, who advised him not to +relax the statute of the law which he had passed, whereby he gave +warning that all who lost presents that were transmitted to him should +be punished with death. Everyone else also said that the penalty by law +appointed ought not to be remitted. And so the king, being counselled to +allow the punishment as inevitable, gave leave for Koll to be hanged. + +Then Frode began to accost Erik thus: "O thou, wantoning in insolent +phrase, in boastful and bedizened speech, whence dost thou say that thou +hast come hither, and why?" + +Erik answered: "I came from Rennes Isle, and I took my seat by a stone." + +Frode rejoined: "I ask, whither thou wentest next?" + +Erik answered. "I went off from the stone riding on a beam, and often +again took station by a stone." + +Frode replied: "I ask thee whither thou next didst bend thy course, or +where the evening found thee?" + +Then said Erik: "Leaving a crag, I came to a rock, and likewise lay by a +stone." + +Frode said: "The boulders lay thick in those parts." + +Erik answered: "Yet thicker lies the sand, plain to see." + +Frode said: "Tell what thy business was, and whither thou struckest off +thence." + +Then said Erik: "Leaving the rock, as my ship ran on, I found a +dolphin." + +Frode said: "Now thou hast said something fresh, though both these +things are common in the sea: but I would know what path took thee after +that?" + +Erik answered: "After a dolphin I went to a dolphin." + +Frode said: "The herd of dolphins is somewhat common." + +Then said Erik: "It does swim somewhat commonly on the waters." + +Frode said: "I would fain blow whither thou wert borne on thy toilsome +journey after leaving the dolphins?" + +Erik answered: "I soon came upon the trunk of a tree." + +Frode rejoined: "Whither didst thou next pass on thy journey?" + +Then said Erik: "From a trunk I passed on to a log." + +Frode said: "That spot must be thick with trees, since thou art always +calling the abodes of thy hosts by the name of trunks." + +Erik replied: "There is a thicker place in the woods." + +Frode went on: "Relate whither thou next didst bear thy steps." + +Erik answered: "Oft again I made my way to the lopped timbers of the +woods; but, as I rested there, wolves that were sated on human carcases +licked the points of the spears. There a lance-head was shaken from the +shaft of the king, and it was the grandson of Fridleif." + +Frode said: "I am bewildered, and know not what to think about the +dispute: for thou hast beguiled my mind with very dark riddling." + +Erik answered: "Thou owest me the prize for this contest that is +finished: for under a veil I have declared to thee certain things thou +hast ill understood. For under the name I gave before of `spear-point' I +signified Odd, whom my hand had slain." + +And when the queen also had awarded him the palm of eloquence and the +prize for flow of speech, the king straightway took a bracelet from his +arm, and gave it to him as the appointed reward, adding: "I would fain +learn from thyself thy debate with Grep, wherein he was not ashamed +openly to avow himself vanquished." + +Then said Erik: "He was smitten with shame for the adultery wherewith he +was taxed; for since he could bring no defence, he confessed that he had +committed it with thy wife." + +The king turned to Hanund and asked her in what spirit she received +the charge; and she not only confessed her guilt by a cry, but also put +forth in her face a blushing signal of her sin, and gave manifest token +of her fault. The king, observing not only her words, but also the signs +of her countenance, but doubting with what sentence he should punish the +criminal, let the queen settle by her own choice the punishment which +her crime deserved. When she learnt that the sentence committed to +her concerned her own guilt, she wavered awhile as she pondered how +to appraise her transgression; but Grep sprang up and ran forward to +transfix Erik with a spear, wishing to buy off his own death by slaying +the accuser. But Roller fell on him with drawn sword, and dealt him +first the doom he had himself purposed. + +Erik said: "The service of kin is best for the helpless." + +And Roller said: "In sore needs good men should be dutifully summoned." + +Then Frode said: "I think it will happen to you according to the common +saying, `that the striker sometimes has short joy of his stroke', and +`that the hand is seldom long glad of the smiting'." + +Erik answered: "The man must not be impeached whose deed justice +excuses. For my work is as far as from that of Grep, as an act of +self-defence is from an attack upon another." + +Then the brethren of Grep began to spring up and clamour and swear that +they would either bring avengers upon the whole fleet of Erik, or would +fight him and ten champions with him. + +Erik said to them: "Sick men have to devise by craft some provision for +their journey. He whose sword-point is dull should only probe things +that are soft and tender. He who has a blunt knife must search out the +ways to cut joint by joint. Since, therefore, it is best for a man in +distress to delay the evil, and nothing is more fortunate in trouble +than to stave off hard necessity, I ask three days' space to get ready, +provided that I may obtain from the king the skill of a freshly slain +ox." + +Frode answered: "He who fell on a hide deserves a hide"; thus openly +taunting the asker with his previous fall. But Erik, when the hide was +given him, made some sandals, which he smeared with a mixture of tar and +sand, in order to plant his steps the more firmly, and fitted them on to +the feet of himself and his people. At last, having meditated what spot +he should choose for the fight--for he said that he was unskilled in +combat by land and in all warfare--he demanded it should be on the +frozen sea. To this both sides agreed. The king granted a truce for +preparations, and bade the sons of Westmar withdraw, saying that it was +amiss that a guest, even if he had deserved ill should be driven +from his lodging. Then he went back to examine into the manner of the +punishment, which he had left to the queen's own choice to exact. For +she forebore to give judgment, and begged pardon for her slip. Erik +added, that woman's errors must often be forgiven, and that punishment +ought not to be inflicted, unless amendment were unable to get rid of +her fault. So the king pardoned Hanund. As twilight drew near, Erik +said: "With Gotar, not only are rooms provided when the soldiers are +coming to feast at the banquet, but each is appointed a separate place +and seat where he is to lie." Then the king gave up for their occupation +the places where his own champions had sat; and next the servants +brought the banquet. But Erik, knowing well the courtesy of the king, +which made him forbid them to use up any of the meal that was left, +cast away the piece of which he had tasted very little, calling whole +portions broken bits of food. And so, as the dishes dwindled, the +servants brought up fresh ones to the lacking and shamefaced guests, +thus spending on a little supper what might have served for a great +banquet. + +So the king said: "Are the soldiers of Gotar wont to squander the meat +after once touching it, as if it were so many pared-off crusts? And to +spurn the first dishes as if they were the last morsels?" + +Erik said: "Uncouthness claims no place in the manners of Gotar, neither +does any disorderly habit feign there." + +But Frode said: "Then thy manners are not those of thy lord, and thou +hast proved that thou hast not taken all wisdom to heart. For he who +goes against the example of his elders shows himself a deserter and a +renegade." + +Then said Erik: "The wise man must be taught by the wiser. For knowledge +grows by learning, and instruction is advanced by doctrine." + +Frode rejoined: "This affectation of thine of superfluous words, what +exemplary lesson will it teach me?" + +Erik said: "A loyal few are a safer defence for a king than many +traitors." + +Frode said to him: "Wilt thou then show us closer allegiance than the +rest?" + +Erik answered: "No man ties the unborn (horse) to the crib, or the +unbegotten to the stall. For thou hast not yet experienced all things. +Besides, with Gotar there is always a mixture of drinking with +feasting; liquor, over and above, and as well as meat, is the joy of the +reveller." + +Frode said: "Never have I found a more shameless beggar of meat and +drink." + +Erik replied: "Few reckon the need of the silent, or measure the wants +of him who holds his peace." + +Then the king bade his sister bring forth the drink in a great goblet. +Erik caught hold of her right hand and of the goblet she offered at the +same time, and said: "Noblest of kings, hath thy benignity granted me +this present? Dost thou assure me that what I hold shall be mine as an +irrevocable gift?" + +The king, thinking that he was only asking for the cup, declared it was +a gift. But Erik drew the maiden to him, as if she was given with the +cup. When the king saw it, he said: "A fool is shown by his deed; with +us freedom of maidens is ever held inviolate." + +Then Erik, feigning that he would cut off the girl's hand with his +sword, as though it had been granted under the name of the cup, said: +"If I have taken more than thou gavest, or if I am rash to keep the +whole, let me at least get some." The king saw his mistake in his +promise, and gave him the maiden, being loth to undo his heedlessness +by fickleness, and that the weight of his pledge might seem the greater; +though it is held an act more of ripe judgment than of unsteadfastness +to take back a foolish promise. + +Then, taking from Erik security that he would return, he sent him to the +ships; for the time appointed for the battle was at hand. Erik and his +men went on to the sea, then covered near with ice; and, thanks to the +stability of their sandals, felled the enemy, whose footing was slippery +and unsteady. For Frode had decreed that no man should help either side +if it wavered or were distressed. Then he went back in triumph to the +king. So Gotwar, sorrowing at the destruction of her children who had +miserably perished, and eager to avenge them, announced that it would +please her to have a flyting with Erik, on condition that she should +gage a heavy necklace and he his life; so that if he conquered he should +win gold, but if he gave in, death. Erik agreed to the contest, and the +gage was deposited with Gunwar. So Gotwar began thus: + + "Quando tuam limas admissa cote bipennem, + Nonne terit tremulas mentula quassa nates?" + +Erik rejoined: + + "Ut cuivis natura pilos in corpore sevit, + Omnis nempe suo barba ferenda loco est. + Re Veneris homines artus agitare necesse est; + Motus quippe suos nam labor omnis habet. + Cum natis excipitur nate, vel cum subdita penem + Vulva capit, quid ad haec addere mas renuit?" + +Powerless to answer this, Gotwar had to give the gold to the man +whom she had meant to kill, and thus wasted a lordly gift instead of +punishing the slayer of her son. For her ill fate was crowned, instead +of her ill-will being avenged. First bereaved, and then silenced +by furious words, she lost at once her wealth and all reward of her +eloquence. She made the man blest who had taken away her children, and +enriched her bereaver with a present: and took away nothing to make up +the slaughter of her sons save the reproach of ignorance and the loss of +goods. Westmar, when he saw this, determined to attack the man by force, +since he was the stronger of tongue, and laid down the condition that +the reward of the conqueror should be the death of the conquered, so +that the life of both parties was plainly at stake. Erik, unwilling to +be thought quicker of tongue than of hand, did not refuse the terms. + +Now the manner of combat was as follows. A ring, plaited of withy or +rope, used to be offered to the combatants for them to drag away by +wrenching it with a great effort of foot and hand; and the prize went to +the stronger, for if either of the combatants could wrench it from the +other, he was awarded the victory. Erik struggled in this manner, and, +grasping the rope sharply, wrested it out of the hands of his opponent. +When Erode saw this, he said: "I think it is hard to tug at a rope with +a strong man." + +And Erik said: "Hard, at any rate, when a tumour is in the body or a +hunch sits on the back." + +And straightway, thrusting his foot forth, he broke the infirm neck and +back of the old man, and crushed him. And so Westmar failed to compass +his revenge: zealous to retaliate, he fell into the portion of those who +need revenging; being smitten down even as those whose slaughter he had +desired to punish. + +Now Frode intended to pierce Erik by throwing a dagger at him. But +Gunwar knew her brother's purpose, and said, in order to warn +her betrothed of his peril, that no man could be wise who took no +forethought for himself. This speech warned Erik to ward off the +treachery, and he shrewdly understood the counsel of caution. For at +once he sprang up and said that the glory of the wise man would be +victorious, but that guile was its own punishment; thus censuring his +treacherous intent in very gentle terms. But the king suddenly flung his +knife at him, yet was too late to hit him; for he sprang aside, and the +steel missed its mark and ran into the wall opposite. Then said Erik: +"Gifts should be handed to friends, and not thrown; thou hadst made +the present acceptable if thou hadst given the sheath to keep the blade +company." + +On this request the king at once took the sheath from his girdle and +gave it to him, being forced to abate his hatred by the self-control of +his foe. Thus he was mollified by the prudent feigning of the other, and +with goodwill gave him for his own the weapon which he had cast with +ill will. And thus Erik, by taking the wrong done him in a dissembling +manner, turned it into a favour, accepting as a splendid gift the steel +which had been meant to slay him. For he put a generous complexion on +what Frode had done with intent to harm. Then they gave themselves up +to rest. In the night Gunwar awoke Erik silently, and pointed out to him +that they ought to fly, saying that it was very expedient to return with +safe chariot ere harm was done. He went with her to the shore, where he +happened to find the king's fleet beached: so, cutting away part of +the sides, he made it unseaworthy, and by again replacing some laths he +patched it so that the damage might be unnoticed by those who looked at +it. Then he caused the vessel whither he and his company had retired to +put off a little from the shore. + +The king prepared to give them chase with his mutilated ships, but soon +the waves broke through; and though he was very heavily laden with his +armour, he began to swim off among the rest, having become more anxious +to save his own life than to attack that of others. The bows plunged +over into the sea, the tide flooded in and swept the rowers from their +seats. When Erik and Roller saw this they instantly flung themselves +into the deep water, spurning danger, and by swimming picked up the +king, who was tossing about. Thrice the waves had poured over him and +borne him down when Erik caught him by the hair, and lifted him out of +the sea. The remaining crowd of the wrecked either sank in the waters, +or got with trouble to the land. The king was stripped of his dripping +attire and swathed round with dry garments, and the water poured in +floods from his chest as he kept belching it; his voice also seemed +to fail under the exhaustion of continual pantings. At last heat was +restored to his limbs, which were numbed with cold, and his breathing +became quicker. He had not fully got back his strength, and could sit +but not rise. Gradually his native force returned. But when he was asked +at last whether he sued for life and grace, he put his hand to his eyes, +and strove to lift up their downcast gaze. But as, little by little, +power came back to his body, and as his voice became more assured, he +said: + +"By this light, which I am loth to look on, by this heaven which I +behold and drink in with little joy, I beseech and conjure you not to +persuade me to use either any more. I wished to die; ye have saved me in +vain. I was not allowed to perish in the waters; at least I will die by +the sword. I was unconquered before; thine, Erik, was the first wit to +which I yielded: I was all the more unhappy, because I had never been +beaten by men of note, and now I let a low-born man defeat me. This +is great cause for a king to be ashamed. This is a good and sufficient +reason for a general to die; it is right that he should care for nothing +so much as glory. If he want that, then take it that he lacks all else. +For nothing about a king is more on men's lips than his repute. I was +credited with the height of understanding and eloquence. But I have been +stripped of both the things wherein I was thought to excel, and am all +the more miserable because I, the conqueror of kings, am seen conquered +by a peasant. Why grant life to him whom thou hast robbed of honour? I +have lost sister, realm, treasure, household gear, and, what is greater +than them all, renown: I am luckless in all chances, and in all thy +good fortune is confessed. Why am I to be kept to live on for all this +ignominy? What freedom can be so happy for me that it can wipe out all +the shame of captivity? What will all the following time bring for me? +It can beget nothing but long remorse in my mind, and will savour only +of past woes. What will prolonging of life avail, if it only brings back +the memory of sorrow? To the stricken nought is pleasanter than death, +and that decease is happy which comes at a man's wish, for it cuts not +short any sweetness of his days, but annihilates his disgust at all +things. Life in prosperity, but death in adversity, is best to seek. +No hope of better things tempts me to long for life. What hap can quite +repair my shattered fortunes? And by now, had ye not rescued me in my +peril, I should have forgotten even these. What though thou shouldst +give me back my realm, restore my sister, and renew my treasure? Thou +canst never repair my renown. Nothing that is patched up can have the +lustre of the unimpaired, and rumour will recount for ages that +Frode was taken captive. Moreover, if ye reckon the calamities I have +inflicted on you, I have deserved to die at your hands; if ye recall the +harms I have done, ye will repent your kindness. Ye will be ashamed of +having aided a foe, if ye consider how savagely he treated you. Why do +ye spare the guilty? Why do ye stay your hand from the throat of your +persecutor? It is fitting that the lot which I had prepared for you +should come home to myself. I own that if I had happened to have you in +my power as ye now have me, I should have paid no heed to compassion. +But if I am innocent before you in act, I am guilty at least in will. I +pray you, let my wrongful intention, which sometimes is counted to stand +for the deed, recoil upon me. If ye refuse me death by the sword I will +take care to kill myself with my own hand." + +Erik rejoined thus: "I pray that the gods may turn thee from the folly +of thy purpose; turn thee, I say, that thou mayst not try to end a most +glorious life abominably. Why, surely the gods themselves have forbidden +that a man who is kind to others should commit unnatural self-murder. +Fortune has tried thee to find out with what spirit thou wouldst meet +adversity. Destiny has proved thee, not brought thee low. No sorrow has +been inflicted on thee which a happier lot cannot efface. Thy prosperity +has not been changed; only a warning has been given thee. No man behaves +with self-control in prosperity who has not learnt to endure adversity. +Besides, the whole use of blessings is reaped after misfortunes have +been graciously acknowledged. Sweeter is the joy which follows on the +bitterness of fate. Wilt thou shun thy life because thou hast once had a +drenching, and the waters closed over thee? But if the waters can crush +thy spirit, when wilt thou with calm courage bear the sword? Who would +not reckon swimming away in his armour more to his glory than to his +shame? How many men would think themselves happy were they unhappy +with thy fortune? The sovereignty is still thine; thy courage is in its +prime; thy years are ripening; thou canst hope to compass more than thou +hast yet achieved. I would not find thee fickle enough to wish, not only +to shun hardships, but also to fling away thy life, because thou couldst +not bear them. None is so unmanly as he who from fear of adversity loses +heart to live. No wise man makes up for his calamities by dying. Wrath +against another is foolish, but against a man's self it is foolhardy; +and it is a coward frenzy which dooms its owner. But if thou go +without need to thy death for some wrong suffered, or for some petty +perturbation of spirit, whom dost thou leave behind to avenge thee? +Who is so mad that he would wish to punish the fickleness of fortune by +destroying himself? What man has lived so prosperously but that ill +fate has sometimes stricken him? Hast thou enjoyed felicity unbroken +and passed thy days without a shock, and now, upon a slight cloud of +sadness, dost thou prepare to quit thy life, only to save thy anguish? +If thou bear trifles so ill, how shalt thou endure the heavier frowns +of fortune? Callow is the man who has never tasted of the cup of sorrow; +and no man who has not suffered hardships is temperate in enjoying ease. +Wilt thou, who shouldst have been a pillar of courage, show a sign of a +palsied spirit? Born of a brave sire, wilt thou display utter impotence? +Wilt thou fall so far from thy ancestors as to turn softer than women? +Hast thou not yet begun thy prime, and art thou already taken with +weariness of life? Whoever set such an example before? Shall the +grandson of a famous man, and the child of the unvanquished, be too weak +to endure a slight gust of adversity? Thy nature portrays the courage of +thy sires; none has conquered thee, only thine own heedlessness has hurt +thee. We snatched thee from peril, we did not subdue thee; wilt thou +give us hatred for love, and set our friendship down as wrongdoing? Our +service should have appeased thee, and not troubled thee. May the gods +never desire thee to go so far in frenzy, as to persist in branding +thy preserver as a traitor! Shall we be guilty before thee in a matter +wherein we do thee good? Shall we draw anger on us for our service? Wilt +thou account him thy foe whom thou hast to thank for thy life? For thou +wert not free when we took thee, but in distress, and we came in time to +help thee. And, behold, I restore thy treasure, thy wealth, thy goods. +If thou thinkest thy sister was betrothed to me over-hastily, let her +marry the man whom thou commandest; for her chastity remains inviolate. +Moreover, if thou wilt accept me, I wish to fight for thee. Beware lest +thou wrongfully steel thy mind in anger. No loss of power has shattered +thee, none of thy freedom has been forfeited. Thou shalt see that I +am obeying, not commanding thee. I agree to any sentence thou mayst +pronounce against my life. Be assured that thou art as strong here as-in +thy palace; thou hast the same power to rule here as in thy court. Enact +concerning us here whatsoever would have been thy will in the palace: we +are ready to obey." Thus much said Erik. + +Now this speech softened the king towards himself as much as towards his +foe. Then, everything being arranged and made friendly, they returned to +the shore. The king ordered that Erik and his sailors should be taken in +carriages. But when they reached the palace he had an assembly summoned, +to which he called Erik, and under the pledge of betrothal gave him +his sister and command over a hundred men. Then he added that the queen +would be a weariness to him, and that the daughter of Gotar had taken +his liking. He must, therefore, have a fresh embassy, and the business +could best be done by Erik, for whose efforts nothing seemed too hard. +He also said that he would stone Gotwar to death for her complicity in +concealing the crime; but Hanund he would restore to her father, that he +might not have a traitress against his life dwelling amongst the Danes. +Erik approved his plans, and promised his help to carry out his bidding; +except that he declared that it would be better to marry the queen, when +she had been put away, to Roller, of whom his sovereignty need have no +fears. This opinion Frode received reverentially, as though it were some +lesson vouchsafed from above. The queen also, that she might not seem +to be driven by compulsion, complied, as women will, and declared that +there was no natural necessity to grieve, and that all distress of +spirit was a creature of fancy: and, moreover, that one ought not to +bewail the punishment that befell one's deserts. And so the brethren +celebrated their marriages together, one wedding the sister of the king, +and the other his divorced queen. + +Then they sailed back to Norway, taking their wives with them. For +the women could not be torn from the side of their husbands, either by +distance of journey or by dread of peril, but declared that they would +stick to their lords like a feather to something shaggy. They found that +Ragnar was dead, and that Kraka had already married one Brak. Then they +remembered the father's treasure, dug up the money, and bore it off. +But Erik's fame had gone before him, and Gotar had learnt all his good +fortune. Now when Gotar learnt that he had come himself, he feared that +his immense self-confidence would lead him to plan the worst against the +Norwegians, and was anxious to take his wife from him and marry him to +his own daughter in her place: for his queen had just died, and he was +anxious to marry the sister of Frode more than anyone. Erik, when he +learnt of his purpose, called his men together, and told them that his +fortune had not yet got off from the reefs. Also he said that he saw, +that as a bundle that was not tied by a band fell to pieces, so likewise +the heaviest punishment that was not constrained on a man by his own +fault suddenly collapsed. They had experienced this of late with Frode; +for they saw how at the hardest pass their innocence had been protected +by the help of the gods; and if they continued to preserve it they +should hope for like aid in their adversity. Next, they must pretend +flight for a little while, if they were attacked by Gotar, for so they +would have a juster plea for fighting. For they had every right to +thrust out the hand in order to shield the head from peril. Seldom +could a man carry to a successful end a battle he had begun against the +innocent; so, to give them a better plea for assaulting the enemy, he +must be provoked to attack them first. + +Erik then turned to Gunwar, and asked her, in order to test her +fidelity, whether she had any love for Gotar, telling her it was +unworthy that a maid of royal lineage should be bound to the bed of a +man of the people. Then she began to conjure him earnestly by the power +of heaven to tell her whether his purpose was true or reigned? He said +that he had spoken seriously, and she cried: "And so thou art prepared +to bring on me the worst of shame by leaving me a widow, whom thou +lovedst dearly as a maid! Common rumour often speaks false, but I have +been wrong in my opinion of thee. I thought I had married a steadfast +man; I hoped his loyalty was past question; but now I find him to be +more fickle than the winds." Saying this, she wept abundantly. + +Dear to Erik was his wife's fears; presently he embraced her and said: +"I wished to know how loyal thou wert to me. Nought but death has the +right to sever us, but Gotar means to steal thee away, seeking thy love +by robbery. When he has committed the theft, pretend it is done with thy +goodwill; yet put off the wedding till he has given me his daughter in +thy place. When she has been granted, Gotar and I will hold our +marriage on the same day. And take care that thou prepare rooms for +our banqueting which have a common party-wall, yet are separate: lest +perchance, if I were before thine eyes, thou shouldst ruffle the king +with thy lukewarm looks at him. For this will be a most effective trick +to baffle the wish of the ravisher." Then he bade Brak (one of his +men), to lie in ambush not far from the palace with a chosen band of his +quickest men, that he might help him at need. + +Then he summoned Roller, and fled in his ship with his wife and all his +goods, in order to tempt the king out, pretending panic: So, when he saw +that the fleet of Gotar was pressing him hard, he said: "Behold how the +bow of guile shooteth the shaft of treachery;" and instantly rousing his +sailors with the war-shout, he steered the ship about. Gotar came close +up to him and asked who was the pilot of the ship, and he was told that +it was Erik. He also shouted a question whether he was the same man who +by his marvellous speaking could silence the eloquence of all other men. +Erik, when he heard this, replied that he had long since received the +surname of the "Shrewd-spoken", and that he had not won the auspicious +title for nothing. Then both went back to the nearest shore, where +Gotar, when he learnt the mission of Erik, said that he wished for the +sister of Frode, but would rather offer his own daughter to Frode's +envoy, that Erik might not repent the passing of his own wife to another +man. Thus it would not be unfitting for the fruit of the mission to fall +to the ambassador. + +Erik, he said, was delightful to him as a son-in-law, if only he could +win alliance with Frode through Gunwar. + +Erik lauded the kindness of the king and approved his judgment, +declaring he could not have expected a greater thing from the immortal +gods than what was now offered him unasked. Still, he said, the king +must first discover Gunwar's own mind and choice. She accepted the +flatteries of the king with feigned goodwill, and seemed to consent +readily to his suit, but besought him to suffer Erik's nuptials to +precede hers; because, if Erik's were accomplished first, there would be +a better opportunity for the king's; but chiefly on this account, +that, if she were to marry again, she might not be disgusted at her new +marriage troth by the memory of the old recurring. She also declared +it inexpedient for two sets of preparations to be confounded in one +ceremony. The king was prevailed upon by her answers, and highly +approved her requests. + +Gotar's constant talks with Erik furnished him with a store of most +fairshapen maxims, wherewith to rejoice and refresh his mind. So, not +satisfied with giving him his daughter in marriage he also made over to +him the district of Lither, thinking that their connection deserved some +kindness. Now Kraka, whom Erik, because of her cunning in witchcraft, +had brought with him on his travels, feigned weakness of the eyes, and +muffled up her face in her cloak, so that not a single particle of her +head was visible for recognition. When people asked her who she was, +she said that she was Gunwar's sister, child of the same mother but a +different father. + +Now when they came to the dwelling of Gotar, the wedding-feast of +Alfhild (this was his daughter's name) was being held. Erik and the king +sat at meat in different rooms, with a party-wall in common, and also +entirely covered on the inside with hanging tapestries. Gunwar sat by +Gotar, but Erik sat close between Kraka on the one side and Alfhild on +the other. Amid the merrymaking, he gradually drew a lath out of the +wall, and made an opening large enough to allow the passage of a human +body; and thus, without the knowledge of the guests, he made a space +wide enough to go through. Then, in the course of the feast, he began to +question his betrothed closely whether she would rather marry himself or +Frode: especially since, if due heed were paid to matches, the daughter +of a king ought to go to the arms of one as noble as herself, so that +the lowliness of one of the pair might not impair the lordliness of the +other. She said that she would never marry against the permission of her +father; but he turned her aversion into compliance by promises that she +should be queen, and that she should be richer than all other women, for +she was captivated by the promise of wealth quite as much as of glory. +There is also a tradition that Kraka turned the maiden's inclinations to +Frode by a drink which she mixed and gave to her. + +Now Gotar, after the feast, in order to make the marriage-mirth go fast +and furious, went to the revel of Erik. As he passed out, Gunwar, as +she had been previously bidden, went through the hole in the party-wall +where the lath had been removed, and took the seat next to Erik. Gotar +marvelled that she was sitting there by his side, and began to ask +eagerly how and why she had come there. She said that she was Gunwar's +sister, and that the king was deceived by the likeness of their looks. +And when the king, in order to look into the matter, hurried back to the +royal room, Gunwar returned through the back door by which she had come +and sat in her old place in the sight of all. Gotar, when he saw her, +could scarcely believe his eyes, and in the utmost doubt whether he had +recognized her aright, he retraced his steps to Erik; and there he saw +before him Gunwar, who had got back in her own fashion. And so, as often +as he changed to go from one hall to the other, he found her whom he +sought in either place. By this time the king was tormented by great +wonder at what was no mere likeness, but the very same face in both +places. For it seemed flatly impossible that different people should +look exactly and undistinguishably alike. At last, when the revel broke +up, he courteously escorted his daughter and Erik as far as their room, +as the manner is at weddings, and went back himself to bed elsewhere. + +But Erik suffered Alfhild, who was destined for Frode, to lie apart, and +embraced Gunwar as usual, thus outwitting the king. So Gotar passed a +sleepless night, revolving how he had been apparently deluded with +a dazed and wandering mind: for it seemed to him no mere likeness of +looks, but sameness. Thus he was filled with such wavering and doubtful +judgment, that though he really discerned the truth he thought he must +have been mistaken. At last it flashed across his mind that the +wall might have been tampered with. He gave orders that it should be +carefully surveyed and examined, but found no traces of a breakage: in +fact, the entire room seemed to be whole and unimpaired. For Erik, early +in the night, had patched up the damage of the broken wall, that his +trick might not be detected. Then the king sent two men privily into +the bedroom of Erik to learn the truth, and bade them stand behind the +hangings and note all things carefully. They further received orders +to kill Erik if they found him with Gunwar. They went secretly into the +room, and, concealing themselves in the curtained corners, beheld +Erik and Gunwar in bed together with arms entwined. Thinking them only +drowsy, they waited for their deeper sleep, wishing to stay until a +heavier slumber gave them a chance to commit their crime. Erik snored +lustily, and they knew it was a sure sign that he slept soundly; so they +straightway came forth with drawn blades in order to butcher him. Erik +was awakened by their treacherous onset, and seeing their swords hanging +over his head, called out the name of his stepmother, (Kraka), to which +long ago he had been bidden to appeal when in peril, and he found a +speedy help in his need. For his shield, which hung aloft from the +rafter, instantly fell and covered his unarmed body, and, as if on +purpose, covered it from impalement by the cutthroats. He did not fail +to make use of his luck, but, snatching his sword, lopped off both feet +of the nearest of them. Gunwar, with equal energy, ran a spear through +the other: she had the body of a woman, but the spirit of a man. + +Thus Erik escaped the trap; whereupon he went back to the sea and made +ready to sail off by night. But Roller sounded on his horn the signal +for those who had been bidden to watch close by, to break into the +palace. When the king heard this, he thought it meant that the enemy was +upon them, and made off hastily in a ship. Meanwhile Brak, and those who +had broken in with him, snatched up the goods of the king, and got them +on board Erik's ships. Almost half the night was spent in pillaging. +In the morning, when the king found that they had fled, he prepared to +pursue them, but was advised by one of his friends not to plan anything +on a sudden or do it in haste. His friend, indeed, tried to convince him +that he needed a larger equipment, and that it was ill-advised to pursue +the fugitives to Denmark with a handful. But neither could this curb +the king's impetuous spirit; it could not bear the loss; for nothing had +stung him more than this, that his preparations to slay another should +have recoiled on his own men. So he sailed to the harbour which is now +called Omi. Here the weather began to be bad, provision failed, and +they thought it better, since die they must, to die by the sword than +by famine. And so the sailors turned their hand against one another, and +hastened their end by mutual blows. The king with a few men took to the +cliffs and escaped. Lofty barrows still mark the scene of the slaughter. +Meanwhile Erik ended his voyage fairly, and the wedding of Alfhild and +Frode was kept. + +Then came tidings of an inroad of the Sclavs, and Erik was commissioned +to suppress it with eight ships, since Frode as yet seemed inexperienced +in war. Erik, loth ever to flinch from any manly undertaking, gladly +undertook the business and did it bravely. Learning that the pirates had +seven ships, he sailed up to them with only one of his own, ordering +the rest to be girt with timber parapets, and covered over with pruned +boughs of trees. Then he advanced to observe the number of the enemy +more fully, but when the Sclavs pursued closely, he beat a quick retreat +to his men. But the enemy, blind to the trap, and as eager to take the +fugitives, rowed smiting the waters fast and incessantly. For the ships +of Erik could not be clearly distinguished, looking like a leafy +wood. The enemy, after venturing into a winding strait, suddenly saw +themselves surrounded by the fleet of Erik. First, confounded by the +strange sight, they thought that a wood was sailing; and then they saw +that guile lurked under the leaves. Therefore, tardily repenting their +rashness, they tried to retrace their incautious voyage: but while they +were trying to steer about, they saw the enemy boarding them; Erik, +however, put his ship ashore, and slung stones against the enemy +from afar. Thus most of the Sclavs were killed, and forty taken, who +afterwards under stress of bonds and famine, and in strait of divers +torments, gave up the ghost. + +Meantime Frode, in order to cross on an expedition into Sclavia, had +mustered a mighty fleet from the Danes, as well as from neighbouring +peoples. The smallest boat of this fleet could carry twelve sailors, and +be rowed by as many oars. Then Erik, bidding his men await him patiently +went to tell Frode the tidings of the defeat he had inflicted. As he +sailed along he happened to see a pirate ship aground on some shallows; +and being wont to utter weighty words upon chance occurrences, he said, +"Obscure is the lot of the base-born, and mean is the fortune of the +lowly." Then he brought his ship up close and destroyed the pirates, who +were trying to get off their own vessel with poles, and busily engrossed +in saving her. This accomplished, he made his way back to the king's +fleet; and wishing to cheer Frode with a greeting that heralded his +victory, he said, "Hail to the maker of a most prosperous peace!" The +king prayed that his word might come true, and declared that the spirit +of the wise man was prophetic. Erik answered that he spoke truly, and +that the petty victory brought an omen of a greater one; declaring that +a presage of great matters could often be got from trifles. Then the +king counselled him to scatter his force, and ordered the horsemen of +Jutland to go by the land way, while the rest of the army went by +the short sea-passage. But the sea was covered with such a throng of +vessels, that there were not enough harbours to take them in, nor shores +for them to encamp on, nor money for their provisions; while the land +army is said to have been so great that, in order to shorten the way, it +levelled mountains, made marshes passable, filled up pits with material, +and the hugest chasms by casting in great boulders. + +Meanwhile Strunik the King of the Sclavs sent envoys to ask for a truce; +but Frode refused him time to equip himself, saying that an enemy ought +not to be furnished with a truce. Moreover, he said, he had hitherto +passed his life without experience of war, and now he ought not to delay +its beginning by waiting in doubt; for the man that conducted his first +campaign successfully might hope for as good fortune in the rest. For +each side would take the augury afforded by the first engagements as a +presage of the combat; since the preliminary successes of war were +often a prophecy of the sequel. Erik commended the wisdom of the reply, +declaring that the game ought to be played abroad just as it had been +begun at home: meaning that the Danes had been challenged by the Sclavs. +After these words he fought a furious battle, slew Strunik with the +bravest of his race, and received the surrender of the rest. Then Frode +called the Sclavs together, and proclaimed by a herald that any man +among them who had been trained to theft or plunder should be speedily +given up; promising that he would reward the character of such men with +the highest honours. He also ordered that all of them, who were versed +in evil arts should come forth to have their reward. This offer pleased +the Sclavs: and some of them, tempted by their hopes of the gift, +betrayed themselves with more avarice than judgment, before the others +could make them known. These were misled by such great covetousness, +that they thought less of shame than lucre, and accounted as their glory +what was really their guilt. When these had given themselves up of their +own will, he said: "Sclavs! This is the pest from which you must clear +your land yourselves." And straightway he ordered the executioners to +seize them, and had them fixed upon the highest gallows by the hand of +their own countrymen. The punishers looked fewer than the punished. And +thus the shrewd king, by refusing to those who owned their guilt the +pardon which he granted to the conquered foe, destroyed almost the +entire stock of the Sclavic race. Thus the longing for an undeserved +reward was visited with a deserved penalty, and the thirst for an +undue wage justly punished. I should think that these men were rightly +delivered to their doom, who brought the peril on their own heads by +speaking, when they could have saved their lives by the protection of +silence. + +The king, exalted by the honours of his fresh victory, and loth to seem +less strong in justice than in battle, resolved to remodel his army by +some new laws, some of which are retained by present usage, while others +men have chosen to abolish for new ones. (a) For he decreed, when the +spoil was divided, that each of the vanguard should receive a greater +share than the rest of the soldiery: while he granted all gold that was +taken to the generals (before whom the standards were always borne in +battle) on account of their rank; wishing the common soldiers to +be content with silver. He ordered that the arms should go to the +champions, but the captured ships should pass to the common people, as +the due of those who had the right of building and equipping vessels. +(b) Also he forbade that anyone should venture to lock up his household +goods, as he would receive double the value of any losses from the +treasury of the king; but if anyone thought fit to keep it in locked +coffers, he must pay the king a gold mark. He also laid down that anyone +who spared a thief should be punished as a thief. (d) Further, that the +first man to flee in battle should forfeit all common rights. (e) But +when he had returned into Denmark he wished to amend by good measures +any corruption caused by the evil practices of Grep; and therefore +granted women free choice in marriage, so that there might be no +compulsory wedlock. And so he provided by law that women should be held +duly married to those whom they had wedded without consulting their +fathers. (f) But if a free woman agreed to marry a slave, she must fall +to his rank, lose the blessing of freedom, and adopt the standing of a +slave. (g) He also imposed on men the statute that they must marry any +woman whom they had seduced. (h) He ordained that adulterers should be +deprived of a member by the lawful husbands, so that continence might +not be destroyed by shameful sins. (I) Also he ordained that if a Dane +plundered another Dane, he should repay double, and be held guilty of +a breach of the peace. (k) And if any man were to take to the house of +another anything which he had got by thieving, his host, if he shut the +door of his house behind the man, should incur forfeiture of all his +goods, and should be beaten in full assembly, being regarded as having +made himself guilty of the same crime. (l) Also, whatsoever exile should +turn enemy to his country, or bear a shield against his countrymen, +should be punished with the loss of life and goods. (m) But if any man, +from a contumacious spirit, were slack in fulfilling the orders of the +king, he should be punished with exile. For, on all occasion of any +sudden and urgent war, an arrow of wood, looking like iron, used to be +passed on everywhere from man to man as a messenger. (n) But if any one +of the commons went in front of the vanguard in battle, he was to rise +from a slave into a freeman, and from a peasant into a nobleman; but if +he were nobly-born already, he should be created a governor. So great +a guerdon did valiant men earn of old; and thus did the ancients think +noble rank the due of bravery. For it was thought that the luck a man +had should be set down to his valour, and not his valour to his luck. +(o) He also enacted that no dispute should be entered on with a promise +made under oath and a gage deposited; but whosoever requested another +man to deposit a gage against him should pay that man half a gold mark, +on pain of severe bodily chastisement. For the king had foreseen that +the greatest occasions of strife might arise from the depositing of +gages. (p) But he decided that any quarrel whatsoever should be decided +by the sword, thinking a combat of weapons more honourable than one of +words. But if either of the combatants drew back his foot, and stepped +out of the ring of the circle previously marked, he was to consider +himself conquered, and suffer the loss of his case. But a man of the +people, if he attacked a champion on any score, should be armed to meet +him; but the champion should only fight with a truncheon an ell long. +(q) Further, he appointed that if an alien killed a Dane, his death +should be redressed by the slaying of two foreigners. + +Meanwhile, Gotar, in order to punish Erik, equipped his army for war: +and Frode, on the other side, equipped a great fleet to go against +Norway. When both alike had put into Rennes-Isle, Gotar, terrified by +the greatness of Frode's name, sent ambassadors to pray for peace. Erik +said to them, "Shameless is the robber who is the first to seek peace, +or ventures to offer it to the good. He who longs to win must struggle: +blow must counter blow, malice repel malice." + +Gotar listened attentively to this from a distance, and then said, +as loudly as he could: "Each man fights for valour according as he +remembers kindness." Erik said to him: "I have requited thy kindness by +giving thee back counsel." By this speech he meant that his excellent +advice was worth more than all manner of gifts. And, in order to show +that Gotar was ungrateful for the counsel he had received, he said: +"When thou desiredst to take my life and my wife, thou didst mar the +look of thy fair example. Only the sword has the right to decide between +us." Then Gotar attacked the fleet of the Danes; he was unsuccessful in +the engagement, and slain. + +Afterwards Roller received his realm from Frode as a gift; it stretched +over seven provinces. Erik likewise presented Roller with the province +which Gotar had once bestowed upon him. After these exploits Frode +passed three years in complete and tranquil peace. + +Meanwhile the King of the Huns, when he heard that his daughter had been +put away, allied himself with Olmar, King of the Easterlings, and in two +years equipped an armament against the Danes. So Frode levied an army +not only of native Danes, but also of Norwegians and Sclavs. Erik, whom +he had sent to spy out the array of the enemy, found Olmar, who had +received the command of the fleet, not far from Russia; while the King +of the Huns led the land forces. He addressed Olmar thus: + +"What means, prithee, this strong equipment of war? Or whither dost thou +speed, King Olmar, mighty in thy fleet?" + +Olmar. "We are minded to attack the son of Fridleif. And who art thou, +whose bold lips ask such questions?" + +Erik. "Vain hope of conquering the unconquered hath filled thy heart; +over Frode no man can prevail." + +Olmar. "Whatsoever befalls, must once happen for the first time; and +often enough the unexpected comes to pass." + +By this saying he let him know that no man must put too much trust in +fortune. Then Erik rode up to inspect the army of the Huns. As it passed +by him, and he in turn by it, it showed its vanguard to the rising and +its rear to the setting sun. So he asked those whom he met, who had the +command of all those thousands. Hun, the King of the Huns, happened to +see him, and heard that he had undertaken to reconnoitre, and asked +what was the name of the questioner. Erik said he was the man who came +everywhere and was found nowhere. Then the king, when an interpreter +was brought, asked what work Frode was about. Erik replied, "Frode never +waits at home for a hostile army, nor tarries in his house for his foe. +For he who covets the pinnacle of another's power must watch and wake +all night. No man has ever won a victory by snoring, and no wolf has +ever found a carcase by lying asleep." + +The king, perceiving that he was a cunning speaker of choice maxims, +said: "Here, perchance, is that Erik who, as I have heard, accused my +daughter falsely." + +But Erik, when they were bidden to seize him instantly, said that it was +unseemly for one man to be dragged off by really; and by this saying +he not only appeased the mind of the king, but even inclined him to be +willing to pardon him. But it was clear that this impunity came more +from cunning than kindness; for the chief reason why he was let go was +that he might terrify Frode by the report of their vast numbers. When he +returned, Frode bad him relate what he had discovered, and he said that +he had seen six kings each with his fleet; and that each of these fleets +contained five thousand ships, each ship being known to hold three +hundred rowers. Each millenary of the whole total he said consisted of +four wings; now, since the full number of a wing is three hundred, he +meant that a millenary should be understood to contain twelve hundred +men. When Frode wavered in doubt what he could do against so many, and +looked eagerly round for reinforcements, Erik said: "Boldness helps the +righteous; a valiant dog must attack the bear; we want wolf-hounds, and +not little unwarlike birds." This said, he advised Frode to muster his +fleet. When it was drawn up they sailed off against the enemy; and so +they fought and subdued the islands lying between Denmark and the East; +and as they advanced thence, met some ships of the Ruthenian fleet. +Frode thought it shameful to attack such a handful, but Erik said: +"We must seek food from the gaunt and lean. He who falls shall seldom +fatten, nor has that man the power to bite whom the huge sack has +devoured." By this warning he cured the king of all shame about making +an assault, and presently induced him to attack a small number with a +throng; for he showed him that advantage must be counted before honour. + +After this they went on to meet Olmar, who because of the slowness of +his multitude preferred awaiting the enemy to attacking it; for the +vessels of the Ruthenians seemed disorganized, and, owing to their size, +not so well able to row. But not even did the force of his multitudes +avail him. For the extraordinary masses of the Ruthenians were stronger +in numbers than in bravery, and yielded the victory to the stout handful +of the Danes. + +When Frode tried to return home, his voyage encountered an unheard-of +difficulty. For the crowds of dead bodies, and likewise the fragments of +shields and spears, bestrewed the entire gulf of the sea, and tossed on +the tide, so that the harbours were not only straitened, but stank. The +vessels stuck, hampered amid the corpses. They could neither thrust off +with oars, nor drive away with poles, the rotting carcases that floated +around, or prevent, when they had put one away, another rolling up and +driving against the fleet. You would have thought that a war had arisen +with the dead, and there was a strange combat with the lifeless. + +So Frode summoned the nations which he had conquered, and enacted (a) +that any father of a family who had fallen in that war should be +buried with his horse and all his arms and decorations. And if any +body-snatcher, in his abominable covetousness, made an attempt on him, +he was to suffer for it, not only with his life, but also with the loss +of burial for his own body; he should have no barrow and no funeral. +For he thought it just that he who despoiled another's ashes should be +granted no burial, but should repeat in his own person the fate he +had inflicted on another. He appointed that the body of a centurion +or governor should receive funeral on a pyre built of his own ship. He +ordered that the bodies of every ten pilots should be burnt together +with a single ship, but that every earl or king that was killed should +be put on his own ship and burnt with it. He wished this nice attention +to be paid in conducting the funerals of the slain, because he wished +to prevent indiscriminate obsequies. By this time all the kings of the +Russians except Olmar and Dag had fallen in battle. (b) He also ordered +the Russians to conduct their warfare in imitation of the Danes, +and never to marry a wife without buying her. He thought that bought +marriages would have more security, believing that the troth which +was sealed with a price was the safest. (d) Moreover, anyone who durst +attempt the violation of a virgin was to be punished with the severance +of his bodily parts, or else to requite the wrong of his intercourse +with a thousand talents. (e) He also enacted that any man that applied +himself to war, who aspired to the title of tried soldier, should attack +a single man, should stand the attack of two, should only withdraw his +foot a little to avoid three, but should not blush to flee from four. +(f) He also proclaimed that a new custom concerning the pay of the +soldiers should be observed by the princes under his sway. He ordered +that each native soldier and housecarl should be presented in the winter +season with three marks of silver, a common or hired soldier with two, a +private soldier who had finished his service with only one. By this law +he did injustice to valour, reckoning the rank of the soldiers and not +their courage; and he was open to the charge of error in the matter, +because he set familiar acquaintance above desert. + +After this the king asked Erik whether the army of the Huns was as large +as the forces of Olmar, and Erik answered in the following song: + +"By Hercules, I came on a countless throng, a throng that neither earth +nor wave could hold. Thick flared all their camp-fires, and the whole +wood blazed up; the flame betokened a numberless array. The earth sank +under the fraying of the horse-hoofs; creaking waggons rattled swiftly. +The wheels rumbled, the driver rode upon the winds, so that the chariots +sounded like thunder. The earth hardly bore the throngs of men-at-arms, +speeding on confusedly; they trod it, but it could not bear their +weight. I thought that the air crashed and the earth was shaken, so +mighty was the motion of the stranger army. For I saw fifteen standards +flickering at once; each of them had a hundred lesser standards, and +after each of these could have been seen twenty; and the captains in +their order were equal in number to the standards." + +Now when Frode asked wherewithal he was to resist so many, Erik +instructed him that he must return home and suffer the enemy first to +perish of their own hugeness. His counsel was obeyed, the advice being +approved as heartily as it was uttered. But the Huns went on through +pathless deserts, and, finding provisions nowhere, began to run the +risk of general starvation; for it was a huge and swampy district, and +nothing could be found to relieve their want. At last, when the beasts +of burden had been cut down and eaten, they began to scatter, lacking +carriages as much as food. Now their straying from the road was as +perilous to them as their hunger. Neither horses nor asses were spared, +nor did they refrain from filthy garbage. At last they did not even +spare dogs: to dying men every abomination was lawful; for there is +nothing too hard for the bidding of extreme need. At last when they +were worn out with hunger, there came a general mortality. Bodies were +carried out for burial without end, for all feared to perish, and none +pitied the perishing. Fear indeed had cast out humanity. So first the +divisions deserted from the king little by little; and then the army +melted away by companies. He was also deserted by the prophet Ygg, a man +of unknown age, which was prolonged beyond the human span; this man +went as a deserter to Frode, and told him of all the preparations of the +Huns. + +Meanwhile Hedin, prince of a considerable tribe of the Norwegians, +approached the fleet of Frode with a hundred and fifty vessels. Choosing +twelve out of these, he proceeded to cruise nearer, signalling the +approach of friends by a shield raised on the mast. He thus greatly +augmented the forces of the king, and was received into his closest +friendship. A mutual love afterwards arose between this man and Hilda, +the daughter of Hogni, a chieftain of the Jutes, and a maiden of most +eminent renown. For, though they had not yet seen one another, each +had been kindled by the other's glory. But when they had a chance of +beholding one another, neither could look away; so steadfast was the +love that made their eyes linger. + +Meanwhile, Frode distributed his soldiers through the towns, and +carefully gathered in the materials needed for the winter supplies; but +even so he could not maintain his army, with its burden of expense: and +plague fell on him almost as great as the destruction that met the Huns. +Therefore, to prevent the influx of foreigners, he sent a fleet to the +Elbe to take care that nothing should cross; the admirals were Revil +and Mevil. When the winter broke up, Hedin and Hogni resolved to make +a roving-raid together; for Hogni did not know that his partner was in +love with his daughter. Now Hogni was of unusual stature, and stiff in +temper; while Hedin was very comely, but short. Also, when Frode saw +that the cost of keeping up his army grew daily harder to bear, he +sent Roller to Norway, Olmar to Sweden, King Onef and Glomer, a rover +captain, to the Orkneys for supplies, each with his own forces. Thirty +kings followed Frode, and were his friends or vassals. But when Hun +heard that Frode had sent away his forces he mustered another and a +fresh army. But Hogni betrothed his daughter to Hedin, after they had +sworn to one another that whichever of them should perish by the sword +should be avenged by the other. + +In the autumn, the men in search of supplies came back, but they were +richer in trophies than in food. For Roller had made tributary the +provinces Sundmor and Nordmor, after slaying Arthor their king. But +Olmar conquered Thor the Long, the King of the Jemts and the Helsings, +with two other captains of no less power, and also took Esthonia and +Kurland, with Oland, and the isles that fringe Sweden; thus he was a +most renowned conqueror of savage lands. So he brought back 700 ships, +thus doubling the numbers of those previously taken out. Onef and +Glomer, Hedin and Hogni, won victories over the Orkneys, and returned +with 900 ships. And by this time revenues had been got in from far and +wide, and there were ample materials gathered by plunder to recruit +their resources. They had also added twenty kingdoms to the sway of +Frode, whose kings, added to the thirty named before, fought on the side +of the Danes. + +Trusting in their strength, they engaged with the Huns. Such a carnage +broke out on the first day of this combat that the three chief rivers +of Russia were bestrewn with a kind of bridge of corpses, and could be +crossed and passed over. Also the traces of the massacre spread so wide +that for the space of three days' ride the ground was to be seen covered +with human carcases. So, when the battle had been seven days prolonged, +King Hun fell; and his brother of the same name, when he saw the line of +the Huns giving way, without delay surrendered himself and his company. +In that war 170 kings, who were either Huns or fighting amongst the +Huns, surrendered to the king. This great number Erik had comprised in +his previous description of the standards, when he was giving an account +of the multitude of the Huns in answer to the questions of Frode. So +Frode summoned the kings to assembly, and imposed a rule upon them that +they should all live under one and the same law. Now he set Olmar +over Holmgard; Onef over Conogard; and he bestowed Saxony on Hun, his +prisoner, and gave Revil the Orkneys. To one Dimar he allotted the +management of the provinces of the Helsings, of the Jarnbers, and the +Jemts, as well as both Laplands; while on Dag he bestowed the government +of Esthonia. Each of these men he burdened with fixed conditions of +tribute, thus making allegiance a condition of his kindness. So the +realms of Frode embraced Russia on the east, and on the west were +bounded by the Rhine. + +Meantime, certain slanderous tongues accused Hedin to Hogni of having +tempted and defiled his daughter before the rites of betrothal; which +was then accounted an enormous crime by all nations. So the credulous +ears of Hogni drank in this lying report, and with his fleet he attacked +Hedin, who was collecting the king's dues among the Slavs; there was +an engagement, and Hogni was beaten, and went to Jutland. And thus the +peace instituted by Frode was disturbed by intestine war, and natives +were the first to disobey the king's law. Frode, therefore, sent men to +summon them both at once, and inquired closely what was the reason of +their feud. When he had heard it, he gave judgment according to the +terms of the law he had enacted; but when he saw that even this could +not reconcile them (for the father obstinately demanded his daughter +back), he decreed that the quarrel should be settled by the sword--it +seemed the only remedy for ending the dispute. The fight began, and +Hedin was grievously wounded; but when he began to lose blood and bodily +strength, he received unexpected mercy from his enemy. For though Hogni +had an easy chance of killing him, yet, pitying youth and beauty, he +constrained his cruelty to give way to clemency. And so, loth to cut off +a stripling who was panting at his last gasp, he refrained his sword. +For of old it was accounted shameful to deprive of his life one who was +ungrown or a weakling; so closely did the antique bravery of champions +take heed of all that could incline them to modesty. So Hedin, with the +help of his men, was taken back to his ship, saved by the kindness of +his foe. + +In the seventh year after, these same men began to fight on Hedin's +isle, and wounded each other so that they died. Hogni would have been +lucky if he had shown severity rather than compassion to Hedin when he +had once conquered him. They say that Hilda longed so ardently for her +husband, that she is believed to have conjured up the spirits of the +combatants by her spells in the night in order to renew the war. + +At the same time came to pass a savage war between Alrik, king of the +Swedes, and Gestiblind, king of the Goths. The latter, being the weaker, +approached Frode as a suppliant, willing, if he might get his aid, to +surrender his kingdom and himself. He soon received the aid of Skalk, +the Skanian, and Erik, and came back with reinforcements. He had +determined to let loose his attack on Alrik, but Erik thought that he +should first assail his son Gunthion, governor of the men of Wermland +and Solongs, declaring that the storm-weary mariner ought to make +for the nearest shore, and moreover that the rootless trunk seldom +burgeoned. So he made an attack, wherein perished Gunthion, whose tomb +records his name. Alrik, when he heard of the destruction of his +son, hastened to avenge him, and when he had observed his enemies, he +summoned Erik, and, in a secret interview, recounted the leagues of +their fathers, imploring him to refuse to fight for Gestiblind. +This Erik steadfastly declined, and Alrik then asked leave to fight +Gestiblind, thinking that a duel was better than a general engagement. +But Erik said that Gestiblind was unfit for arms by reason of old age, +pleading his bad health, and above all his years; but offered himself +to fight in his place, explaining that it would be shameful to decline a +duel on behalf of the man for whom he had come to make a war. Then +they fought without delay: Alrik was killed, and Erik was most severely +wounded; it was hard to find remedies, and he did not for long time +recover health. Now a false report had come to Frode that Erik had +fallen, and was tormenting the king's mind with sore grief; but Erik +dispelled this sadness with his welcome return; indeed, he reported to +Frode that by his efforts Sweden, Wermland, Helsingland, and the islands +of the Sun (Soleyar) had been added to his realm. Frode straightway +made him king of the nations he had subdued, and also granted to him +Helsingland with the two Laplands, Finland and Esthonia, under a yearly +tribute. None of the Swedish kings before him was called by the name of +Erik, but the title passed from him to the rest. + +At the same time Alf was king in Hethmark, and he had a son Asmund. +Biorn ruled in the province of Wik, and had a son Aswid. Asmund was +engaged on an unsuccessful hunt, and while he was proceeding either to +stalk the game with dogs or to catch it in nets, a mist happened to +come on. By this he was separated from his sharers on a lonely track, +wandered over the dreary ridges, and at last, destitute of horse and +clothing, ate fungi and mushrooms, and wandered on aimlessly till he +came to the dwelling of King Biorn. Moreover, the son of the king and +he, when they had lived together a short while, swore by every vow, in +order to ratify the friendship which they observed to one another, that +whichever of them lived longest should be buried with him who died. For +their fellowship and love were so strong, that each determined he would +not prolong his days when the other was cut off by death. + +After this Frode gathered together a host of all his subject nations, +and attacked Norway with his fleet, Erik being bidden to lead the land +force. For, after the fashion of human greed, the more he gained the +more he wanted, and would not suffer even the dreariest and most rugged +region of the world to escape this kind of attack; so much is increase +of wealth wont to encourage covetousness. So the Norwegians, casting +away all hope of self-defence, and losing all confidence in their power +to revolt, began to flee for the most part to Halogaland. The maiden +Stikla also withdrew from her country to save her chastity, proferring +the occupations of war to those of wedlock. + +Meanwhile Aswid died of an illness, and was consigned with his horse +and dog to a cavern in the earth. And Asmund, because of his oath of +friendship, had the courage to be buried with him, food being put in for +him to eat. + +Now just at this time Erik, who had crossed the uplands with his army, +happened to draw near the barrow of Aswid; and the Swedes, thinking +that treasures were in it, broke the hill open with mattocks, and saw +disclosed a cave deeper than they had thought. To examine it, a man was +wanted, who would lower himself on a hanging rope tied around him. One +of the quickest of the youths was chosen by lot; and Asmund, when he saw +him let down in a basket following a rope, straightway cast him out and +climbed into the basket. Then he gave the signal to draw him up to those +above who were standing by and controlling the rope. They drew in the +basket in the hopes of great treasure; but when they saw the unknown +figure of the man they had taken out, they were scared by his +extraordinary look, and, thinking that the dead had come to life, flung +down the rope and fled all ways. For Asmund looked ghastly and seemed to +be covered as with the corruption of the charnel. He tried to recall the +fugitives, and began to clamour that they were wrongfully afraid of a +living man. And when Erik saw him, he marvelled most at the aspect of +his bloody face: the blood flowing forth and spurting over it. For +Aswid had come to life in the nights, and in his continual struggles had +wrenched off his left ear; and there was to be seen the horrid sight of +a raw and unhealed scar. And when the bystanders bade him tell how he +had got such a wound, he began to speak thus:-- + +"Why stand ye aghast, who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades +among the dead. Evil to the lonely man, and burdensome to the single, +remains every dwelling in the world. Hapless are they whom chance hath +bereft of human help. The listless night of the cavern, the darkness of +the ancient den, have taken all joy from my eyes and soul. The ghastly +ground, the crumbling barrow, and the heavy tide of filthy things have +marred the grace of my youthful countenance, and sapped my wonted pith +and force. Besides all this, I have fought with the dead, enduring the +heavy burden and grievous peril of the wrestle; Aswid rose again and +fell on me with rending nails, by hellish might renewing ghastly warfare +after he was ashes. + +"Why stand ye aghast, who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades +among the dead. + +"By some strange enterprise of the power of hell the spirit of Aswid +was sent up from the nether world, and with cruel tooth eats the +fleet-footed (horse), and has given his dog to his abominable jaws. Not +sated with devouring the horse or hound, he soon turned his swift nails +upon me, tearing my cheek and taking off my ear. Hence the hideous sight +of my slashed countenance, the blood-spurts in the ugly wound. Yet the +bringer of horrors did it not unscathed; for soon I cut off his head +with my steel, and impaled his guilty carcase with a stake. + +"Why stand ye aghast who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades +among the dead." + +Frode had by this taken his fleet over to Halogaland; and here, in order +to learn the numbers of his host, which seemed to surpass all bounds +and measure that could be counted, he ordered his soldiers to pile up +a hill, one stone being cast upon the heap for each man. The enemy also +pursued the same method of numbering their host, and the hills are still +to be seen to convince the visitor. Here Frode joined battle with the +Norwegians, and the day was bloody. At nightfall both sides determined +to retreat. As daybreak drew near, Erik, who had come across the land, +came up and advised the king to renew the battle. In this war the Danes +suffered such slaughter that out of 3,000 ships only 170 are supposed to +have survived. The Northmen, however, were exterminated in such a mighty +massacre, that (so the story goes) there were not men left to till even +a fifth of their villages. + +Frode, now triumphant, wished to renew peace among all nations, that +he might ensure each man's property from the inroads of thieves and now +ensure peace to his realms after war. So he hung one bracelet on a crag +which is called Frode's Rock, and another in the district of Wik, +after he had addressed the assembled Norwegians; threatening that these +necklaces should serve to test the honesty which he had decreed, and +threatening that if they were filched punishment should fall on all the +governors of the district. And thus, sorely imperilling the officers, +there was the gold unguarded, hanging up full in the parting of the +roads, and the booty, so easy to plunder, a temptation to all covetous +spirits. (a) Frode also enacted that seafarers should freely use oars +wherever they found them; while to those who wished to cross a river he +granted free use of the horse which they found nearest to the ford. He +decreed that they must dismount from this horse when its fore feet only +touched land and its hind feet were still washed by the waters. For he +thought that services such as these should rather be accounted kindness +than wrongdoing. Moreover, he ordained that whosoever durst try and +make further use of the horse after he had crossed the river should +be condemned to death. (b) He also ordered that no man should hold his +house or his coffer under lock and key, or should keep anything guarded +by bolts, promising that all losses should be made good threefold. Also, +he appointed that it was lawful to claim as much of another man's food +for provision as would suffice for a single supper. If anyone exceeded +this measure in his takings, he was to be held guilty of theft. Now, a +thief (so he enacted) was to be hung up with a sword passed through his +sinews, with a wolf fastened by his side, so that the wicked man might +look like the savage beast, both being punished alike. He also had the +same penalty extended to accomplices in thefts. Here he passed seven +most happy years of peace, begetting a son Alf and a daughter Eyfura. + +It chanced that in these days Arngrim, a champion of Sweden, who had +challenged, attacked, and slain Skalk the Skanian because he had once +robbed him of a vessel, came to Frode. Elated beyond measure with his +deed, he ventured to sue for Frode's daughter; but, finding the king +deaf to him, he asked Erik, who was ruling Sweden, to help him. Erik +advised him to win Frode's goodwill by some illustrious service, and +to fight against Egther, the King of Permland, and Thengil, the King of +Finmark, since they alone seemed to repudiate the Danish rule, while all +men else submitted. Without delay he led his army to that country. +Now, the Finns are the uttermost peoples of the North, who have taken a +portion of the world that is barely habitable to till and dwell in. They +are very keen spearmen, and no nation has a readier skill in throwing +the javelin. They fight with large, broad arrows; they are addicted to +the study of spells; they are skilled hunters. Their habitation is not +fixed, and their dwellings are migratory; they pitch and settle wherever +they have caught game. Riding on curved boards (skees or snow-skates), +they run over ridges thick with snow. These men Arngrim attacked, in +order to win renown, and he crushed them. They fought with ill success; +but, as they were scattering in flight, they cast three pebbles behind +them, which they caused to appear to the eyes of the enemy like three +mountains. Arngrim's eyes were dazzled and deluded, and he called back +his men from the pursuit of the enemy, fancying that he was checked by a +barrier of mighty rocks. Again, when they engaged and were beaten on +the morrow, the Finns cast snow upon the ground and made it look like +a mighty river. So the Swedes, whose eyes were utterly deluded, +were deceived by their misjudgment, for it seemed the roaring of +an extraordinary mass of waters. Thus, the conqueror dreading the +unsubstantial phantom of the waters, the Finns managed to escape. They +renewed the war again on the third day; but there was no effective +means of escape left any longer, for when they saw that their lines were +falling back, they surrendered to the conqueror. Arngrim imposed on them +the following terms of tribute: that the number of the Finns should be +counted, and that, after the lapse of (every) three years, every ten of +them should pay a carriage-full of deer-skins by way of assessment. Then +he challenged and slew in single combat Egther, the captain of the men +of Permland, imposing on the men of Permland the condition that each of +them should pay one skin. Enriched with these spoils and trophies, +he returned to Erik, who went with him into Denmark, and poured loud +praises of the young warrior into the ear of Frode, declaring that he +who had added the ends of the world to his realms deserved his daughter. +Then Frode, considering his splendid deserts, thought it was not amiss +to take for a son-in-law a man who had won wide-resounding fame by such +a roll of noble deeds. + +Arngrim had twelve sons by Eyfura, whose names I here subjoin: Brand, +Biarbe, Brodd, Hiarrande; Tand, Tyrfing, two Haddings; Hiortuar, +Hiartuar, Hrane, Anganty. These followed the business of sea-roving from +their youth up; and they chanced to sail all in one ship to the island +Samso, where they found lying off the coast two ships belonging to +Hialmar and Arvarodd (Arrow-Odd) the rovers. These ships they attacked +and cleared of rowers; but, not knowing whether they had cut down the +captains, they fitted the bodies of the slain to their several thwarts, +and found that those whom they sought were missing. At this they were +sad, knowing that the victory they had won was not worth a straw, and +that their safety would run much greater risk in the battle that was to +come. In fact, Hialmar and Arvarodd, whose ships had been damaged by +a storm, which had torn off their rudders, went into a wood to hew +another; and, going round the trunk with their axes, pared down the +shapeless timber until the huge stock assumed the form of a marine +implement. This they shouldered, and were bearing it down to the beach, +ignorant of the disaster of their friends, when the sons of Eyfura, +reeking with the fresh blood of the slain, attacked them, so that they +two had to fight many; the contest was not even equal, for it was a +band of twelve against two. But the victory did not go according to the +numbers. For all the sons of Eyfura were killed; Hialmar was slain +by them, but Arvarodd gained the honours of victory, being the only +survivor left by fate out of all that band of comrades. He, with an +incredible effort, poised the still shapeless hulk of the rudder, and +drove it so strongly against the bodies of his foes that, with a single +thrust of it, he battered and crushed all twelve. And, so, though they +were rid of the general storm of war, the band of rovers did not yet +quit the ocean. + +This it was that chiefly led Frode to attack the West, for his one +desire was the spread of peace. So he summoned Erik, and mustered a +fleet of all the kingdoms that bid him allegiance, and sailed to Britain +with numberless ships. But the king of that island, perceiving that he +was unequal in force (for the ships seemed to cover the sea), went +to Frode, affecting to surrender, and not only began to flatter his +greatness, but also promised to the Danes, the conquerors of nations, +the submission of himself and of his country; proffering taxes, +assessment, tribute, what they would. Finally, he gave them a hospitable +invitation. Frode was pleased with the courtesy of the Briton, though +his suspicions of treachery were kept by so ready and unconstrained +a promise of everything, so speedy a surrender of the enemy before +fighting; such offers being seldom made in good faith. They were also +troubled with alarm about the banquet, fearing that as drunkenness came +on their sober wits might be entangled in it, and attacked by hidden +treachery. So few guests were bidden, moreover, that it seemed unsafe +for them to accept the invitation; and it was further thought foolish to +trust their lives to the good faith of an enemy whom they did not know. + +When the king found their minds thus wavering he again approached Frode, +and invited him to the banquet with 2,400 men; having before bidden +him to come to the feast with 1,200 nobles. Frode was encouraged by the +increase in the number of guests, and was able to go to the banquet +with greater inward confidence; but he could not yet lay aside his +suspicions, and privily caused men to scour the interior and let him +know quickly of any treachery which they might espy. On this errand they +went into the forest, and, coming upon the array of an armed encampment +belonging to the forces of the Britons, they halted in doubt, but +hastily retraced their steps when the truth was apparent. For the tents +were dusky in colour, and muffled in a sort of pitchy coverings, that +they might not catch the eye of anyone who came near. When Frode learned +this, he arranged a counter-ambuscade with a strong force of nobles, +that he might not go heedlessly to the banquet, and be cheated of timely +aid. They went into hiding, and he warned them that the note of the +trumpet was the signal for them to bring assistance. Then with a select +band, lightly armed, he went to the banquet. The hall was decked with +regal splendour; it was covered all round with crimson hangings of +marvellous rich handiwork. A curtain of purple dye adorned the propelled +walls. The flooring was bestrewn with bright mantles, which a man +would fear to trample on. Up above was to be seen the twinkle of many +lanterns, the gleam of lamps lit with oil, and the censers poured forth +fragrance whose sweet vapour was laden with the choicest perfumes. The +whole way was blocked by the tables loaded with good things; and the +places for reclining were decked with gold-embroidered couches; the +seats were full of pillows. The majestic hall seemed to smile upon +the guests, and nothing could be noticed in all that pomp either +inharmonious to the eye or offensive to the smell. In the midst of the +hall stood a great butt ready for refilling the goblets, and holding an +enormous amount of liquor; enough could be drawn from it for the huge +revel to drink its fill. Servants, dressed in purple, bore golden cups, +and courteously did the office of serving the drink, pacing in ordered +ranks. Nor did they fail to offer the draught in the horns of the wild +ox. + +The feast glittered with golden bowls, and was laden with shining +goblets, many of them studded with flashing jewels. The place was filled +with an immense luxury; the tables groaned with the dishes, and the +bowls brimmed over with divers liquors. Nor did they use wine pure and +simple, but, with juices sought far and wide, composed a nectar of many +flavours. The dishes glistened with delicious foods, being filled mostly +with the spoils of the chase; though the flesh of tame animals was not +lacking either. The natives took care to drink more sparingly than the +guests; for the latter felt safe, and were tempted to make an orgy; +while the others, meditating treachery, had lost all temptations to be +drunken. So the Danes, who, if I may say so with my country's leave, +were seasoned to drain the bowl against each other, took quantities of +wine. The Britons, when they saw that the Danes were very drunk, began +gradually to slip away from the banquet, and, leaving their guests +within the hall, made immense efforts, first to block the doors of the +palace by applying bars and all kinds of obstacles, and then to set fire +to the house. The Danes were penned inside the hall, and when the fire +began to spread, battered vainly at the doors; but they could not get +out, and soon attempted to make a sally by assaulting the wall. And the +Angles, when they saw that it was tottering under the stout attack of +the Danes, began to shove against it on their side, and to prop the +staggering pile by the application of large blocks on the outside, to +prevent the wall being shattered and releasing the prisoners. But +at last it yielded to the stronger hand of the Danes, whose efforts +increased with their peril; and those pent within could sally out with +ease. Then Frode bade the trumpet strike in, to summon the band that +had been posted in ambush; and these, roused by the note of the clanging +bugle, caught the enemy in their own trap; for the King of the Britons, +with countless hosts of his men, was utterly destroyed. Thus the +band helped Frode doubly, being both the salvation of his men and the +destruction of his enemies. + +Meantime the renown of the Danish bravery spread far, and moved the +Irish to strew iron calthrops on the ground, in order to make their land +harder to invade, and forbid access to their shores. Now the Irish use +armour which is light and easy to procure. They crop the hair close with +razors, and shave all the hair off the back of the head, that they may +not be seized by it when they run away. They also turn the points of +their spears towards the assailant, and deliberately point their sword +against the pursuer; and they generally fling their lances behind their +back, being more skilled at conquering by flight than by fighting. +Hence, when you fancy that the victory is yours, then is the moment of +danger. But Frode was wary and not rash in his pursuit of the foe who +fled so treacherously, and he routed Kerwil (Cearbal), the leader of +the nation, in battle. Kerwil's brother survived, but lost heart +for resistance, and surrendered his country to the king (Frode), who +distributed among his soldiers the booty he had won, to show himself +free from all covetousness and excessive love of wealth, and only +ambitious to gain honour. + +After the triumphs in Britain and the spoiling of the Irish they +went back to Denmark; and for thirty years there was a pause from all +warfare. At this time the Danish name became famous over the whole +world almost for its extraordinary valour. Frode, therefore, desired to +prolong and establish for ever the lustre of his empire, and made it +his first object to inflict severe treatment upon thefts and brigandage, +feeling these were domestic evils and intestine plagues, and that if the +nations were rid of them they would come to enjoy a more tranquil life; +so that no ill-will should mar and hinder the continual extention of +peace. He also took care that the land should not be devoured by any +plague at home when the enemy was at rest, and that intestine wickedness +should not encroach when there was peace abroad. At last he ordered that +in Jutland, the chief district of his realm, a golden bracelet, very +heavy, should be set up on the highways (as he had done before in the +district of Wik), wishing by this magnificent price to test the honesty +which he had enacted. Now, though the minds of the dishonest were vexed +with the provocation it furnished, and the souls of the evil tempted, +yet the unquestioned dread of danger prevailed. For so potent was the +majesty of Frode, that it guarded even gold that was thus exposed to +pillage, as though it were fast with bolts and bars. The strange +device brought great glory upon its inventor. After dealing destruction +everywhere, and gaining famous victories far and wide, he resolved +to bestow quiet on all men, that the cheer of peace should follow the +horrors of war, and the end of slaughter might be the beginning of +safety. He further thought that for the same reason all men's property +should be secured to them by a protective decree, so that what had been +saved from a foreign enemy might not find a plunderer at home. + +About the same time, the Author of our general salvation, coming to the +earth in order to save mortals, bore to put on the garb of mortality; +at which time the fires of war were quenched, and all the lands were +enjoying the calmest and most tranquil peace. It has been thought that +the peace then shed abroad so widely, so even and uninterrupted over the +whole world, attended not so much an earthly rule as that divine birth; +and that it was a heavenly provision that this extraordinary gift of +time should be a witness to the presence of Him who created all times. + +Meantime a certain matron, skilled in sorcery, who trusted in her art +more than she feared the severity of the king, tempted the covetousness +of her son to make a secret effort for the prize; promising him +impunity, since Frode was almost at death's door, his body failing, and +the remnant of his doting spirit feeble. To his mother's counsels +he objected the greatness of the peril; but she bade him take hope, +declaring, that either a sea-cow should have a calf, or that the king's +vengeance should be baulked by some other chance. By this speech she +banished her son's fears, and made him obey her advice. When the deed +was done, Frode, stung by the affront, rushed with the utmost heat and +fury to raze the house of the matron, sending men on to arrest her and +bring her with her children. This the woman foreknew, and deluded her +enemies by a trick, changing from the shape of a woman into that of a +mare. When Frode came up she took the shape of a sea-cow, and seemed to +be straying and grazing about the shore; and she also made her sons +look like calves of smaller size. This portent amazed the king, and he +ordered that they should be surrounded and cut off from returning to +the waters. Then he left the carriage, which he used because of the +feebleness of his aged body, and sat on the ground marvelling. But the +mother, who had taken the shape of the larger beast, charged at the king +with outstretched tusk, and pierced one of his sides. The wound killed +him; and his end was unworthy of such majesty as his. His soldiers, +thirsting to avenge his death, threw their spears and transfixed the +monsters, and saw, when they were killed, that they were the corpses of +human beings with the heads of wild beasts: a circumstance which exposed +the trick more than anything. + +So ended Frode, the most famous king in the whole world. The nobles, +when he had been disembowelled, had his body kept embalmed for three +years, for they feared the provinces would rise if the king's end +were published. They wished his death to be concealed above all from +foreigners, so that by the pretence that he was alive they might +preserve the boundaries of the empire, which had been extended for +so long; and that, on the strength of the ancient authority of their +general, they might exact the usual tribute from their subjects. So, the +lifeless corpse was carried away by them in such a way that it seemed to +be taken, not in a funeral bier, but in a royal carriage, as if it were +a due and proper tribute from the soldiers to an infirm old man not in +full possession of his forces. Such splendour did his friends bestow +on him even in death. But when his limbs rotted, and were seized with +extreme decay, and when the corruption could not be arrested, they +buried his body with a royal funeral in a barrow near Waere, a bridge of +Zealand; declaring that Frode had desired to die and be buried in what +was thought the chief province of his kingdom. + + + +BOOK SIX. + +After the death of Frode, the Danes wrongly supposed that Fridleif, +who was being reared in Russia, had perished; and, thinking that the +sovereignty halted for lack of an heir, and that it could no longer be +kept on in the hands of the royal line, they considered that the sceptre +would be best deserved by the man who should affix to the yet fresh +grave of Frode a song of praise in his glorification, and commit the +renown of the dead king to after ages by a splendid memorial. Then one +HIARN, very skilled in writing Danish poetry, wishing to give the fame +of the hero some notable record of words, and tempted by the enormous +prize, composed, after his own fashion, a barbarous stave. Its purport, +expressed in four lines, I have transcribed as follows: + +"Frode, whom the Danes would have wished to live long, they bore long +through their lands when he was dead. The great chief's body, with this +turf heaped above it, bare earth covers under the lucid sky." + +When the composer of this song had uttered it, the Danes rewarded him +with the crown. Thus they gave a kingdom for an epitaph, and the weight +of a whole empire was presented to a little string of letters. Slender +expense for so vast a guerdon! This huge payment for a little poem +exceeded the glory of Caesar's recompense; for it was enough for the +divine Julius to pension with a township the writer and glorifier of +those conquests which he had achieved over the whole world. But now the +spendthrift kindness of the populace squandered a kingdom on a churl. +Nay, not even Africanus, when he rewarded the records of his deed, rose +to the munificence of the Danes. For there the wage of that laborious +volume was in mere gold, while here a few callow verses won a sceptre +for a peasant. + +At the same time Erik, who held the governorship of Sweden, died of +disease; and his son Halfdan, who governed in his father's stead, +alarmed by the many attacks of twelve brothers of Norwegian birth, and +powerless to punish their violence, fled, hoping for reinforcements, to +ask aid of Fridleif, then sojourning in Russia. Approaching him with a +suppliant face, he lamented that he was himself shattered and bruised +by a foreign foe, and brought a dismal plaint of his wrongs. From him +Fridleif heard the tidings of his father's death, and granting the aid +he sought, went to Norway in armed array. At this time the aforesaid +brothers, their allies forsaking them, built a very high rampart within +an island surrounded by a swift stream, also extending their earthworks +along the level. Trusting to this refuge, they harried the neighborhood +with continual raids. For they built a bridge on which they used to get +to the mainland when they left the island. This bridge was fastened to +the gate of the stronghold; and they worked it by the guidance of ropes, +in such a way that it turned as if on some revolving hinge, and at one +time let them pass across the river; while at another, drawn back from +above by unseen cords, it helped to defend the entrance. + +These warriors were of valiant temper, young and stalwart, of splendid +bodily presence, renowned for victories over giants, full of trophies of +conquered nations, and wealthy with spoil. I record the names of some +of them--for the rest have perished in antiquity--Gerbiorn, Gunbiorn, +Arinbiorn, Stenbiorn, Esbiorn, Thorbiorn, and Biorn. Biorn is said to +have had a horse which was splendid and of exceeding speed, so that +when all the rest were powerless to cross the river it alone stemmed the +roaring eddy without weariness. This rapid comes down in so swift and +sheer a volume that animals often lose all power of swimming in it, and +perish. For, trickling from the topmost crests of the hills, it comes +down the steep sides, catches on the rocks, and is shattered, falling +into the deep valleys with a manifold clamour of waters; but, being +straightway rebuffed by the rocks that bar the way, it keeps the speed +of its current ever at the same even pace. And so, along the whole +length of the channel, the waves are one turbid mass, and the white foam +brims over everywhere. But, after rolling out of the narrows between the +rocks, it spreads abroad in a slacker and stiller flood, and turns into +an island a rock that lies in its course. On either side of the rock +juts out a sheer ridge, thick with divers trees, which screen the river +from distant view. Biorn had also a dog of extraordinary fierceness, +a terribly vicious brute, dangerous for people to live with, which had +often singly destroyed twelve men. But, since the tale is hearsay rather +than certainty, let good judges weigh its credit. This dog, as I have +heard, was the favourite of the giant Offot (Un-foot), and used to watch +his herd amid the pastures. + +Now the warriors, who were always pillaging the neighbourhood, used +often to commit great slaughters. Plundering houses, cutting down +cattle, sacking everything, making great hauls of booty, rifling houses, +then burning them, massacring male and female promiscuously--these, and +not honest dealings, were their occupations. Fridleif surprised them +while on a reckless raid, and drove them all back for refuge to the +stronghold; he also seized the immensely powerful horse, whose rider, in +the haste of his panic, had left it on the hither side of the river in +order to fly betimes; for he durst not take it with him over the bridge. +Then Fridleif proclaimed that he would pay the weight of the dead body +in gold to any man who slew one of those brothers. The hope of the prize +stimulated some of the champions of the king; and yet they were fired +not so much with covetousness as with valour; so, going secretly to +Fridleif, they promised to attempt the task, vowing to sacrifice their +lives if they did not bring home the severed heads of the robbers. +Fridleif praised their valour and their vows, but bidding the onlookers +wait, went in the night to the river, satisfied with a single companion. +For, not to seem better provided with other men's valour than with his +own, he determined to forestall their aid by his own courage. Thereupon +he crushed and killed his companion with a shower of flints, and flung +his bloodless corpse into the waves, having dressed it in his own +clothes; which he stripped off, borrowing the cast-off garb of the +other, so that when the corpse was seen it might look as if the king had +perished. He further deliberately drew blood from the beast on which he +had ridden, and bespattered it, so that when it came back into camp he +might make them think he himself was dead. Then he set spur to his +horse and drove it into the midst of the eddies, crossed the river +and alighted, and tried to climb over the rampart that screened the +stronghold by steps set up against the mound. When he got over the top +and could grasp the battlements with his hand, he quietly put his foot +inside, and, without the knowledge of the watch, went lightly on tiptoe +to the house into which the bandits had gone to carouse. And when he had +reached its hall, he sat down under the porch overhanging the door. Now +the strength of their fastness made the warriors feel so safe that they +were tempted to a debauch; for they thought that the swiftly rushing +river made their garrison inaccessible, since it seemed impossible +either to swim over or to cross in boats. For no part of the river +allowed of fording. + +Biorn, moved by the revel, said that in his sleep he had seen a beast +come out of the waters, which spouted ghastly fire from its mouth, +enveloping everything in a sheet of flame. Therefore the holes and +corners of the island should, he said, be searched; nor ought they to +trust so much to their position, as rashly to let overweening confidence +bring them to utter ruin. No situation was so strong that the mere +protection of nature was enough for it without human effort. Moreover +they must take great care that the warning of his slumbers was not +followed by a yet more gloomy and disastrous fulfilment. So they all +sallied forth from the stronghold, and narrowly scanned the whole +circuit of the island; and finding the horse they surmised that Fridleif +had been drowned in the waters of the river. They received the horse +within the gates with rejoicing, supposing that it had flung off its +rider and swum over. But Biorn, still scared with the memory of the +visions of the night, advised them to keep watch, since it was not safe +for them yet to put aside suspicion of danger. Then he went to his room +to rest, with the memory of his vision deeply stored in his heart. + +Meanwhile the horse, which Fridleif, in order to spread a belief in his +death, had been loosed and besprinkled with blood (though only with that +which lies between flesh and skin), burst all bedabbled into the camp of +his soldiers. They went straight to the river, and finding the carcase +of the slave, took it for the body of the king; the hissing eddies +having cast it on the bank, dressed in brave attire. Nothing helped +their mistake so much as the swelling of the battered body; inasmuch as +the skin was torn and bruised with the flints, so that all the features +were blotted out, bloodless and wan. This exasperated the champions who +had just promised Fridleif to see that the robbers were extirpated: +and they approached the perilous torrent, that they might not seem to +tarnish the honour of their promise by a craven neglect of their vow. +The rest imitated their boldness, and with equal ardour went to the +river, ready to avenge their king or to endure the worst. When Fridleif +saw them he hastened to lower the bridge to the mainland; and when he +had got the champions he cut down the watch at the first attack. Thus +he went on to attack the rest and put them to the sword, all save Biorn; +whom he tended very carefully and cured of his wounds; whereupon, under +pledge of solemn oath, he made him his colleague, thinking it better to +use his services than to boast of his death. He also declared it would +be shameful if such a flower of bravery were plucked in his first youth +and perished by an untimely death. + +Now the Danes had long ago had false tidings of Fridleif's death, and +when they found that he was approaching, they sent men to fetch him, +and ordered Hiarn to quit the sovereignty, because he was thought to +be holding it only on sufferance and carelessly. But he could not bring +himself to resign such an honour, and chose sooner to spend his life for +glory than pass into the dim lot of common men. Therefore he resolved +to fight for his present estate, that he might not have to resume his +former one stripped of his royal honours. Thus the land was estranged +and vexed with the hasty commotion of civil strife; some were of Hiarn's +party, while others agreed to the claims of Fridleif, because of the +vast services of Frode; and the voice of the commons was perplexed and +divided, some of them respecting things as they were, others the memory +of the past. But regard for the memory of Frode weighed most, and its +sweetness gave Fridleif the balance of popularity. + +Many wise men thought that a person of peasant rank should be removed +from the sovereignty; since, contrary to the rights of birth, and only +by the favour of fortune, he had reached an unhoped-for eminence; and +in order that the unlawful occupant might not debar the rightful heir to +the office, Fridleif told the envoys of the Danes to return, and request +Hiarn either to resign the kingdom or to meet him in battle. Hiarn +thought it more grievous than death to set lust of life before honour, +and to seek safety at the cost of glory. So he met Fridleif in the +field, was crushed, and fled into Jutland, where, rallying a band, he +again attacked his conqueror. But his men were all consumed with the +sword, and he fled unattended, as the island testifies which has taken +its name from his (Hiarno). And so, feeling his lowly fortune, and +seeing himself almost stripped of his forces by the double defeat, he +turned his mind to craft, and went to Fridleif with his face +disguised, meaning to become intimate, and find an occasion to slay him +treacherously. + +Hiarn was received by the king, hiding his purpose under the pretence +of servitude. For, giving himself out as a salt-distiller, he performed +base offices among the servants who did the filthiest work. He used also +to take the last place at meal-time, and he refrained from the baths, +lest his multitude of scars should betray him if he stripped. The king, +in order to ease his own suspicions, made him wash; and when he knew his +enemy by the scars, he said: "Tell me now, thou shameless bandit, how +wouldst thou have dealt with me, if thou hadst found out plainly that +I wished to murder thee?" Hiarn, stupefied, said: "Had I caught thee I +would have first challenged thee, and then fought thee, to give thee a +better chance of wiping out thy reproach." Fridleif presently took +him at his word, challenged him and slew him, and buried his body in a +barrow that bears the dead man's name. + +Soon after FRIDLEIF was admonished by his people to think about +marrying, that he might prolong his line; but he maintained that the +unmarried life was best, quoting his father Frode, on whom his wife's +wantonness had brought great dishonour. At last, yielding to the +persistent entreaties of all, he proceeded to send ambassadors to ask +for the daughter of Amund, King of Norway. One of these, named Frok, was +swallowed by the waves in mid-voyage, and showed a strange portent at +his death. For when the closing flood of billows encompassed him, +blood arose in the midst of the eddy, and the whole face of the sea was +steeped with an alien redness, so that the ocean, which a moment before +was foaming and white with tempest, was presently swollen with crimson +waves, and was seen to wear a colour foreign to its nature. + +Around implacably declined to consent to the wishes of the king, and +treated the legates shamefully, declaring that he spurned the embassy +because the tyranny of Frode had of old borne so heavily upon Norway. +But Amund's daughter, Frogertha, not only looking to the birth of +Fridleif, but also honouring the glory of his deeds, began to upbraid +her father, because he scorned a son-in-law whose nobility was perfect, +being both sufficient in valour and flawless in birth. She added that +the portentous aspect of the sea, when the waves were suddenly turned +into blood, simply and solely signified the defeat of Norway, and was +a plain presage of the victory of Denmark. And when Fridleif sent a +further embassy to ask for her, wishing to vanquish the refusal by +persistency, Amund was indignant that a petition he had once denied +should be obstinately pressed, and hurried the envoys to death, wishing +to offer a brutal check to the zeal of this brazen wooer. Fridleif heard +news of this outrage, and summoning Halfdan and Biorn, sailed round +Norway. Amund, equipped with his native defences, put out his fleet +against him. The firth into which both fleets had mustered is called +Frokasund. Here Fridleif left the camp at night to reconnoitre; and, +hearing an unusual kind of sound close to him as of brass being beaten, +he stood still and looked up, and heard the following song of three +swans, who were crying above him: + +"While Hythin sweeps the sea and cleaves the ravening tide, his serf +drinks out of gold and licks the cups of milk. Best is the estate of the +slave on whom waits the heir, the king's son, for their lots are rashly +interchanged." Next, after the birds had sung, a belt fell from on high, +which showed writing to interpret the song. For while the son of Hythin, +the King of Tellemark, was at his boyish play, a giant, assuming the +usual appearance of men, had carried him off, and using him as an +oarsman (having taken his skiff over to the neighbouring shore), was +then sailing past Fridleif while he was occupied reconnoitering. But the +king would not suffer him to use the service of the captive youth, and +longed to rob the spoiler of his prey. The youth warned him that he +must first use sharp reviling against the giant, promising that he would +prove easy to attack, if only he were assailed with biting verse. Then +Fridleif began thus: + +"Since thou art a giant of three bodies, invincible, and almost reachest +heaven with thy crest, why does this silly sword bind thy thigh? Why +doth a broken spear gird thy huge side? Why, perchance, dost thou defend +thy stalwart breast with a feeble sword, and forget the likeness of thy +bodily stature, trusting in a short dagger, a petty weapon? Soon, soon +will I balk thy bold onset, when with blunted blade thou attemptest war. +Since thou art thyself a timid beast, a lump lacking proper pith, thou +art swept headlong like a flying shadow, having with a fair and famous +body got a heart that is unwarlike and unstable with fear, and a spirit +quite unmatched to thy limbs. Hence thy frame totters, for thy goodly +presence is faulty through the overthrow of thy soul, and thy nature in +all her parts is at strife. Hence shall all tribute of praise quit +thee, nor shalt thou be accounted famous among the brave, but shalt be +reckoned among ranks obscure." + +When he had said this he lopped off a hand and foot of the giant, made +him fly, and set his prisoner free. Then he went straightway to the +giant's headland, took the treasure out of his cave, and carried it +away. Rejoicing in these trophies, and employing the kidnapped youth +to row him over the sea, he composed with cheery voice the following +strain: + +"In the slaying of the swift monster we wielded our blood-stained swords +and our crimsoned blade, whilst thou, Amund, lord of the Norwegian ruin, +wert in deep slumber; and since blind night covers thee, without any +light of soul, thy valour has melted away and beguiled thee. But we +crushed a giant who lost use of his limbs and wealth, and we pierced +into the disorder of his dreary den. There we seized and plundered his +piles of gold. And now with oars we sweep the wave-wandering main, and +joyously return, rowing back to the shore our booty-laden ship; we fleet +over the waves in a skiff that travels the sea; gaily let us furrow +those open waters, lest the dawn come and betray us to the foe. Lightly +therefore, and pulling our hardest, let us scour the sea, making for our +camp and fleet ere Titan raise his rosy head out of the clear waters; +that when fame noises the deed about, and Frogertha knows that the spoil +has been won with a gallant struggle, her heart may be stirred to be +more gentle to our prayer." + +On the morrow there was a great muster of the forces, and Fridleif had +a bloody battle with Amund, fought partly by sea and partly by land. For +not only were the lines drawn up in the open country, but the warriors +also made an attack with their fleet. The battle which followed cost +much blood. So Biorn, when his ranks gave back, unloosed his hound and +sent it against the enemy; wishing to win with the biting of a dog the +victory which he could not achieve with the sword. The enemy were by +this means shamefully routed, for a square of the warriors ran away when +attacked with its teeth. + +There is no saying whether their flight was more dismal or more +disgraceful. Indeed, the army of the Northmen was a thing to blush for; +for an enemy crushed it by borrowing the aid of a brute. Nor was it +treacherous of Fridleif to recruit the failing valour of his men with +the aid of a dog. In this war Amund fell; and his servant Ane, surnamed +the Archer, challenged Fridleif to fight him; but Biorn, being a man of +meaner estate, not suffering the king to engage with a common fellow, +attacked him himself. And when Biorn had bent his bow and was fitting +the arrow to the string, suddenly a dart sent by Ane pierced the top of +the cord. Soon another arrow came after it and struck amid the joints of +his fingers. A third followed, and fell on the arrow as it was laid to +the string. For Ane, who was most dexterous at shooting arrows from a +distance, had purposely only struck the weapon of his opponent, in order +that, by showing it was in his power to do likewise to his person, he +might recall the champion from his purpose. But Biorn abated none of +his valour for this, and, scorning bodily danger, entered the fray with +heart and face so steadfast, that he seemed neither to yield anything +to the skill of Ane, nor lay aside aught of his wonted courage. Thus +he would in nowise be made to swerve from his purpose, and dauntlessly +ventured on the battle. Both of them left it wounded; and fought another +also on Agdar Ness with an emulous thirst for glory. + +By the death of Amund, Fridleif was freed from a most bitter foe, and +obtained a deep and tranquil peace; whereupon he forced his savage +temper to the service of delight; and, transferring his ardour to love, +equipped a fleet in order to seek the marriage which had once been +denied him. At last he set forth on his voyage; and his fleet being +becalmed, he invaded some villages to look for food; where, being +received hospitably by a certain Grubb, and at last winning his daughter +in marriage, he begat a son named Olaf. After some time had passed he +also won Frogertha; but, while going back to his own country, he had a +bad voyage, and was driven on the shores of an unknown island. A certain +man appeared to him in a vision, and instructed him to dig up a treasure +that was buried in the ground, and also to attack the dragon that +guarded it, covering himself in an ox-hide to escape the poison; +teaching him also to meet the envenomed fangs with a hide stretched over +his shield. Therefore, to test the vision, he attacked the snake as it +rose out of the waves, and for a long time cast spears against its scaly +side; in vain, for its hard and shelly body foiled the darts flung at +it. But the snake, shaking its mass of coils, uprooted the trees which +it brushed past by winding its tail about them. Moreover, by constantly +dragging its body, it hollowed the ground down to the solid rock, and +had made a sheer bank on either hand, just as in some places we see +hills parted by an intervening valley. So Fridleif, seeing that the +upper part of the creature was proof against attack, assailed the +lower side with his sword, and piercing the groin, drew blood from +the quivering beast. When it was dead, he unearthed the money from the +underground chamber and had it taken off in his ships. + +When the year had come to an end, he took great pains to reconcile Biorn +and Ane, who had often challenged and fought one another, and made them +exchange their hatred for friendship; and even entrusted to them his +three-year-old son, Olaf, to rear. But his mistress, Juritha, the mother +of Olaf, he gave in marriage to Ane, whom he made one of his warriors; +thinking that she would endure more calmly to be put away, if she wedded +such a champion, and received his robust embrace instead of a king's. + +The ancients were wont to consult the oracles of the Fates concerning +the destinies of their children. In this way Fridleif desired to search +into the fate of his son Olaf; and, after solemnly offering up his vows, +he went to the house of the gods in entreaty; where, looking into the +chapel, he saw three maidens, sitting on three seats. The first of them +was of a benignant temper, and bestowed upon the boy abundant beauty +and ample store of favour in the eyes of men. The second granted him +the gift of surpassing generosity. But the third, a woman of more +mischievous temper and malignant disposition, scorning the unanimous +kindness of her sisters, and likewise wishing to mar their gifts, marked +the future character of the boy with the slur of niggardliness. Thus the +benefits of the others were spoilt by the poison of a lamentable doom; +and hence, by virtue of the twofold nature of these gifts Olaf got his +surname from the meanness which was mingled with his bounty. So it came +about that this blemish which found its way into the gift marred the +whole sweetness of its first benignity. + +When Fridleif had returned from Norway, and was traveling through +Sweden, he took on himself to act as ambassador, and sued successfully +for Hythin's daughter, whom he had once rescued from a monster, to +be the wife of Halfdan, he being still unwedded. Meantime his wife +Frogertha bore a son FRODE, who afterwards got his surname from +his noble munificence. And thus Frode, because of the memory of his +grandsire's prosperity, which he recalled by his name, became from his +very cradle and earliest childhood such a darling of all men, that +he was not suffered even to step or stand on the ground, but was +continually cherished in people's laps and kissed. Thus he was not +assigned to one upbringer only, but was in a manner everybody's +fosterling. And, after his father's death, while he was in his twelfth +year, Swerting and Hanef, the kings of Saxony, disowned his sway, and +tried to rebel openly. He overcame them in battle, and imposed on the +conquered peoples a poll-tax of a coin, which they were to pay as his +slaves. For he showed himself so generous that he doubled the ancient +pay of the soldiers: a fashion of bounty which then was novel. For he +did not, as despots do, expose himself to the vulgar allurements of +vice, but strove to covet ardently whatsoever he saw was nearest honour; +to make his wealth public property; to surpass all other men in bounty, +to forestall them all in offices of kindness; and, hardest of all, to +conquer envy by virtue. By this means the youth soon won such favour +with all men, that he not only equalled in renown the honours of his +forefathers, but surpassed the most ancient records of kings. + +At the same time one Starkad, the son of Storwerk, escaped alone, either +by force or fortune, from a wreck in which his friends perished, and +was received by Frode as his guest for his incredible excellence both of +mind and body. And, after being for some little time his comrade, he was +dressed in a better and more comely fashion every day, and was at last +given a noble vessel, and bidden to ply the calling of a rover, with +the charge of guarding the sea. For nature had gifted him with a body of +superhuman excellence; and his greatness of spirit equalled it, so that +folk thought him behind no man in valour. So far did his glory spread, +that the renown of his name and deeds continues famous even yet. He +shone out among our own countrymen by his glorious roll of exploits, and +he had also won a most splendid record among all the provinces of the +Swedes and Saxons. Tradition says that he was born originally in the +country which borders Sweden on the east, where barbarous hordes of +Esthonians and other nations now dwell far and wide. But a fabulous yet +common rumour has invented tales about his birth which are contrary to +reason and flatly incredible. For some relate that he was sprung from +giants, and betrayed his monstrous birth by an extraordinary number of +hands, four of which, engendered by the superfluity of his nature, they +declare that the god Thor tore off, shattering the framework of the +sinews and wrenching from his whole body the monstrous bunches of +fingers; so that he had but two left, and that his body, which had +before swollen to the size of a giant's, and, by reason of its shapeless +crowd of limbs looked gigantic, was thenceforth chastened to a better +appearance, and kept within the bounds of human shortness. + +For there were of old certain men versed in sorcery, Thor, namely, +and Odin, and many others, who were cunning in contriving marvellous +sleights; and they, winning the minds of the simple, began to claim +the rank of gods. For, in particular, they ensnared Norway, Sweden +and Denmark in the vainest credulity, and by prompting these lands to +worship them, infected them with their imposture. The effects of their +deceit spread so far, that all other men adored a sort of divine power +in them, and, thinking them either gods or in league with gods, +offered up solemn prayers to these inventors of sorceries, and gave to +blasphemous error the honour due to religion. Hence it has come about +that the holy days, in their regular course, are called among us by the +names of these men; for the ancient Latins are known to have named these +days severally, either after the titles of their own gods, or after the +planets, seven in number. But it can be plainly inferred from the mere +names of the holy days that the objects worshipped by our countrymen +were not the same as those whom the most ancient of the Romans called +Jove and Mercury, nor those to whom Greece and Latium paid idolatrous +homage. For the days, called among our countrymen Thors-day or +Odins-day, the ancients termed severally the holy day of Jove or of +Mercury. If, therefore, according to the distinction implied in the +interpretation I have quoted, we take it that Thor is Jove and Odin +Mercury, it follows that Jove was the son of Mercury; that is, if the +assertion of our countrymen holds, among whom it is told as a matter +of common belief, that Thor was Odin's son. Therefore, when the Latins, +believing to the contrary effect, declare that Mercury was sprung from +Jove, then, if their declaration is to stand, we are driven to consider +that Thor was not the same as Jove, and that Odin was also different +from Mercury. Some say that the gods, whom our countrymen worshipped, +shared only the title with those honoured by Greece or Latium, but that, +being in a manner nearly equal to them in dignity, they borrowed from +them the worship as well as the name. This must be sufficient discourse +upon the deities of Danish antiquity. I have expounded this briefly for +the general profit, that my readers may know clearly to what worship in +its heathen superstition our country has bowed the knee. Now I will go +back to my subject where I left it. + +Ancient tradition says that Starkad, whom I mentioned above, offered the +first-fruits of his deeds to the favour of the gods by slaying Wikar, +the king of the Norwegians. The affair, according to the version of some +people, happened as follows:-- + +Odin once wished to slay Wikar by a grievous death; but, loth to do +the deed openly, he graced Starkad, who was already remarkable for his +extraordinary size, not only with bravery, but also with skill in the +composing of spells, that he might the more readily use his services to +accomplish the destruction of the king. For that was how he hoped that +Starkad would show himself grateful for the honour he paid him. For the +same reason he also endowed him with three spans of mortal life, that +he might be able to commit in them as many abominable deeds. So Odin +resolved that Starkad's days should be prolonged by the following crime: +Starkad presently went to Wikar and dwelt awhile in his company, hiding +treachery under homage. At last he went with him sea-roving. And in a +certain place they were troubled with prolonged and bitter storms; and +when the winds checked their voyage so much that they had to lie still +most of the year, they thought that the gods must be appeased with human +blood. When the lots were cast into the urn it so fell that the king was +required for death as a victim. Then Starkad made a noose of withies and +bound the king in it; saying that for a brief instant he should pay +the mere semblance of a penalty. But the tightness of the knot acted +according to its nature, and cut off his last breath as he hung. And +while he was still quivering Starkad rent away with his steel the +remnant of his life; thus disclosing his treachery when he ought to +have brought aid. I do not think that I need examine the version which +relates that the pliant withies, hardened with the sudden grip, acted +like a noose of iron. + +When Starkad had thus treacherously acted he took Wikar's ship and went +to one Bemon, the most courageous of all the rovers of Denmark, in order +to take up the life of a pirate. For Bemon's partner, named Frakk, weary +of the toil of sea-roving, had lately withdrawn from partnership with +him, after first making a money-bargain. Now Starkad and Bemon were so +careful to keep temperate, that they are said never to have indulged +in intoxicating drink, for fear that continence, the greatest bond of +bravery, might be expelled by the power of wantonness. So when, after +overthrowing provinces far and wide, they invaded Russia also in their +lust for empire, the natives, trusting little in their walls or arms, +began to bar the advance of the enemy with nails of uncommon sharpness, +that they might check their inroad, though they could not curb their +onset in battle; and that the ground might secretly wound the soles of +the men whom their army shrank from confronting in the field. But not +even such a barrier could serve to keep off the foe. The Danes were +cunning enough to foil the pains of the Russians. For they straightway +shod themselves with wooden clogs, and trod with unhurt steps upon the +points that lay beneath their soles. Now this iron thing is divided into +four spikes, which are so arranged that on whatsoever side chance may +cast it, it stands steadily on three equal feet. Then they struck into +the pathless glades, where the woods were thickets, and expelled Flokk, +the chief of the Russians, from the mountain hiding-places into which +he had crept. And here they got so much booty, that there was not one of +them but went back to the fleet laden with gold and silver. + +Now when Bemon was dead, Starkad was summoned because of his valour by +the champions of Permland. And when he had done many noteworthy deeds +among them, he went into the land of the Swedes, where he lived at +leisure for seven years' space with the sons of Frey. At last he left +them and betook himself to Hakon, the tyrant of Denmark, because when +stationed at Upsala, at the time of the sacrifices, he was disgusted by +the effeminate gestures and the clapping of the mimes on the stage, and +by the unmanly clatter of the bells. Hence it is clear how far he kept +his soul from lasciviousness, not even enduring to look upon it. Thus +does virtue withstand wantonness. + +Starkad took his fleet to the shore of Ireland with Hakon, in order that +even the furthest kingdoms of the world might not be untouched by the +Danish arms. The king of the island at this time was Hugleik, who, +though he had a well-filled treasury, was yet so prone to avarice, that +once, when he gave a pair of shoes which had been adorned by the hand +of a careful craftsman, he took off the ties, and by thus removing the +latches turned his present into a slight. This unhandsome act blemished +his gift so much that he seemed to reap hatred for it instead of thanks. +Thus he used never to be generous to any respectable man, but to spend +all his bounty upon mimes and jugglers. For so base a fellow was bound +to keep friendly company with the base, and such a slough of vices to +wheedle his partners in sin with pandering endearments. + +Still Hugleik had the friendship of Geigad and Swipdag, nobles of tried +valour, who, by the lustre of their warlike deeds, shone out among their +unmanly companions like jewels embedded in ordure; these alone were +found to defend the riches of the king. When a battle began between +Hugleik and Hakon, the hordes of mimes, whose light-mindedness +unsteadied their bodies, broke their ranks and scurried off in panic; +and this shameful flight was their sole requital for all their king's +benefits. Then Geigad and Swipdag faced all those thousands of the enemy +single-handed, and fought with such incredible courage, that they seemed +to do the part not merely of two warriors, but of a whole army. Geigad, +moreover, dealt Hakon, who pressed him hard, such a wound in the breast +that he exposed the upper part of his liver. It was here that Starkad, +while he was attacking Geigad with his sword, received a very sore wound +on the head; wherefore he afterwards related in a certain song that +a ghastlier wound had never befallen him at any time; for, though the +divisions of his gashed head were bound up by the surrounding outer +skin, yet the livid unseen wound concealed a foul gangrene below. + +Starkad conquered, killed Hugleik and routed the Irish; and had the +actors beaten whom chance made prisoner; thinking it better to order a +pack of buffoons to be ludicrously punished by the loss of their skins +than to command a more deadly punishment and take their lives. Thus +he visited with a disgraceful chastisement the baseborn throng +of professional jugglers, and was content to punish them with the +disgusting flouts of the lash. Then the Danes ordered that the wealth of +the king should be brought out of the treasury in the city of Dublin and +publicly pillaged. For so vast a treasure had been found that none took +much pains to divide it strictly. + +After this, Starkad was commissioned, together with Win, the chief of +the Sclavs, to check the revolt of the East. They, having fought against +the armies of the Kurlanders, the Sembs, the Sangals, and, finally, all +the Easterlings, won splendid victories everywhere. + +A champion of great repute, named Wisin, settled upon a rock in Russia +named Ana-fial, and harried both neighbouring and distant provinces with +all kinds of outrage. This man used to blunt the edge of every weapon by +merely looking at it. He was made so bold in consequence, by having lost +all fear of wounds, that he used to carry off the wives of distinguished +men and drag them to outrage before the eyes of their husbands. Starkad +was roused by the tale of this villainy, and went to Russia to destroy +the criminal; thinking nothing too hard to overcome, he challenged +Wisin, attacked him, made even his tricks useless to him, and slew him. +For Starkad covered his blade with a very fine skin, that it might not +met the eye of the sorcerer; and neither the power of his sleights +nor his great strength were any help to Wisin, for he had to yield to +Starkad. Then Starkad, trusting in his bodily strength, fought with +and overcame a giant at Byzantium, reputed invincible, named Tanne, and +drove him to fly an outlaw to unknown quarters of the earth. Therefore, +finding that he was too mighty for any hard fate to overcome him, he +went to the country of Poland, and conquered in a duel a champion +whom our countrymen name Wasce; but the Teutons, arranging the letters +differently, call him Wilzce. + +Meanwhile the Saxons began to attempt a revolt, and to consider +particularly how they could destroy Frode, who was unconquered in war, +by some other way than an open conflict. Thinking that it would be best +done by a duel, they sent men to provoke the king with a challenge, +knowing that he was always ready to court any hazard, and that his high +spirit would not yield to any admonition whatever. They fancied that +this was the best time to attack him, because they knew that Starkad, +whose valour most men dreaded, was away on business. But while Frode +hesitated, and said that he would talk with his friends about the +answer to be given, Starkad, who had just returned from his sea-roving, +appeared, and blamed such a challenge, principally (he said) because it +was fitting for kings to fight only with their equals, and because +they should not take up arms against men of the people; but it was more +fitting for himself, who was born in a lowlier station, to manage the +battle. + +The Saxons approached Hame, who was accounted their most famous +champion, with many offers, and promised him that, if he would lend his +services for the duel they would pay him his own weight in gold. +The fighter was tempted by the money, and, with all the ovation of a +military procession, they attended him to the ground appointed for the +combat. Thereupon the Danes, decked in warlike array, led Starkad, who +was to represent his king, out to the duelling-ground. Hame, in his +youthful assurance, despised him as withered with age, and chose to +grapple rather than fight with an outworn old man. Attacking Starkad, he +would have flung him tottering to the earth, but that fortune, who would +not suffer the old man to be conquered, prevented him from being hurt. +For he is said to have been so crushed by the fist of Hame, as he dashed +on him, that he touched the earth with his chin, supporting himself on +his knees. But he made up nobly for his tottering; for, as soon as he +could raise his knee and free his hand to draw his sword, he clove Hame +through the middle of the body. Many lands and sixty bondmen apiece were +the reward of the victory. + +After Hame was killed in this manner the sway of the Danes over the +Saxons grew so insolent, that they were forced to pay every year a small +tax for each of their limbs that was a cubit (ell) long, in token of +their slavery. This Hanef could not bear, and he meditated war in his +desire to remove the tribute. Steadfast love of his country filled his +heart every day with greater compassion for the oppressed; and, longing +to spend his life for the freedom of his countrymen, he openly showed +a disposition to rebel. Frode took his forces over the Elbe, and killed +him near the village of Hanofra (Hanover), so named after Hanef. But +Swerting, though he was equally moved by the distress of his countrymen, +said nothing about the ills of his land, and revolved a plan for freedom +with a spirit yet more dogged than Hanef's. Men often doubt whether +this zeal was liker to vice or to virtue; but I certainly censure it as +criminal, because it was produced by a treacherous desire to revolt. It +may have seemed most expedient to seek the freedom of the country, but +it was not lawful to strive after this freedom by craft and treachery. +Therefore, since the deed of Swerting was far from honourable, neither +will it be called expedient; for it is nobler to attack openly him whom +you mean to attack, and to exhibit hatred in the light of day, than to +disguise a real wish to do harm under a spurious show of friendship. But +the gains of crime are inglorious, its fruits are brief and fading. For +even as that soul is slippery, which hides its insolent treachery by +stealthy arts, so is it right that whatsoever is akin to guilt should be +frail and fleeting. For guilt has been usually found to come home to its +author; and rumour relates that such was the fate of Swerting. For he +had resolved to surprise the king under the pretence of a banquet, and +burn him to death; but the king forestalled and slew him, though slain +by him in return. Hence the crime of one proved the destruction of both; +and thus, though the trick succeeded against the foe, it did not bestow +immunity on its author. + +Frode was succeeded by his son Ingild, whose soul was perverted +from honour. He forsook the examples of his forefathers, and utterly +enthralled himself to the lures of the most wanton profligacy. Thus +he had not a shadow of goodness and righteousness, but embraced vices +instead of virtue; he cut the sinews of self-control, neglected the +duties of his kingly station, and sank into a filthy slave of riot. +Indeed, he fostered everything that was adverse or ill-fitted to an +orderly life. He tainted the glories of his father and grandfather by +practising the foulest lusts, and bedimmed the brightest honours of his +ancestors by most shameful deeds. For he was so prone to gluttony, that +he had no desire to avenge his father, or repel the aggressions of his +foes; and so, could he but gratify his gullet, he thought that decency +and self-control need be observed in nothing. By idleness and sloth he +stained his glorious lineage, living a loose and sensual life; and his +soul, so degenerate, so far perverted and astray from the steps of his +fathers, he loved to plunge into most abominable gulfs of foulness. +Fowl-fatteners, scullions, frying-pans, countless cook-houses, different +cooks to roast or spice the banquet--the choosing of these stood to him +for glory. As to arms, soldiering, and wars, he could endure neither +to train himself to them, nor to let others practise them. Thus he cast +away all the ambitions of a man and aspired to those of women; for +his incontinent itching of palate stirred in him love of every +kitchen-stench. Ever breathing of his debauch, and stripped of every rag +of soberness, with his foul breath he belched the undigested filth in +his belly. He was as infamous in wantonness as Frode was illustrious in +war. So utterly had his spirit been enfeebled by the untimely seductions +of gluttony. Starkad was so disgusted at the excess of Ingild, that he +forsook his friendship, and sought the fellowship of Halfdan, the King +of Swedes, preferring work to idleness. Thus he could not bear so +much as to countenance excessive indulgence. Now the sons of Swerting, +fearing that they would have to pay to Ingild the penalty of their +father's crime, were fain to forestall his vengeance by a gift, and gave +him their sister in marriage. Antiquity relates that she bore him sons, +Frode, Fridleif, Ingild, and Olaf (whom some say was the son of Ingild's +sister). + +Ingild's sister Helga had been led by amorous wooing to return the +flame of a certain low-born goldsmith, who was apt for soft words, and +furnished with divers of the little gifts which best charm a woman's +wishes. For since the death of the king there had been none to honour +the virtues of the father by attention to the child; she had lacked +protection, and had no guardians. When Starkad had learnt this from the +repeated tales of travellers, he could not bear to let the wantonness of +the smith pass unpunished. For he was always heedful to bear kindness in +mind, and as ready to punish arrogance. So he hastened to chastise +such bold and enormous insolence, wishing to repay the orphan ward the +benefits he had of old received from Frode. Then he travelled through +Sweden, went into the house of the smith, and posted himself near the +threshold muffling his face in a cap to avoid discovery. The smith, who +had not learnt the lesson that "strong hands are sometimes found under a +mean garment", reviled him, and bade him quickly leave the house, saying +that he should have the last broken victuals among the crowd of paupers. +But the old man, whose ingrained self-control lent him patience, was +nevertheless fain to rest there, and gradually study the wantonness of +his host. For his reason was stronger than his impetuosity, and curbed +his increasing rage. Then the smith approached the girl with open +shamelessness, and cast himself in her lap, offering the hair of his +head to be combed out by her maidenly hands. + +Also he thrust forward his loin cloth, and required her help in picking +out the fleas; and exacted from this woman of lordly lineage that +she should not blush to put her sweet fingers in a foul apron. Then, +believing that he was free to have his pleasure, he ventured to put his +longing palms within her gown and to set his unsteady hands close to her +breast. But she, looking narrowly, was aware of the presence of the old +man whom she once had known, and felt ashamed. She spurned the wanton +and libidinous fingering, and repulsed the unchaste hands, telling the +man also that he had need of arms, and urging him to cease his lewd +sport. + +Starkad, who had sat down by the door, with the hat muffling his head, +had already become so deeply enraged at this sight, that he could not +find patience to hold his hand any longer, but put away his covering and +clapped his right hand to his sword to draw it. Then the smith, whose +only skill was in lewdness, faltered with sudden alarm, and finding that +it had come to fighting, gave up all hope of defending himself, and saw +in flight the only remedy for his need. Thus it was as hard to break out +of the door, of which the enemy held the approach, as it was grievous to +await the smiter within the house. At last necessity forced him to put +an end to his delay, and he judged that a hazard wherein there lay but +the smallest chance of safety was more desirable than sure and manifest +danger. Also, hard as it was to fly, the danger being so close, yet he +desired flight because it seemed to bring him aid, and to be the nearer +way to safety; and he cast aside delay, which seemed to be an evil +bringing not the smallest help, but perhaps irretrievable ruin. But just +as he gained the threshold, the old man watching at the door smote him +through the hams, and there, half dead, he tottered and fell. For the +smiter thought he ought carefully to avoid lending his illustrious hands +to the death of a vile cinder-blower, and considered that ignominy would +punish his shameless passion worse than death. Thus some men think +that he who suffers misfortune is worse punished than he who is slain +outright. Thus it was brought about, that the maiden, who had never had +parents to tend her, came to behave like a woman of well-trained nature, +and did the part, as it were, of a zealous guardian to herself. And when +Starkad, looking round, saw that the household sorrowed over the late +loss of their master, he heaped shame on the wounded man with more +invective, and thus began to mock: + +"Why is the house silent and aghast? What makes this new grief? Or where +now rest that doting husband whom the steel has just punished for his +shameful love? Keeps he still aught of his pride and lazy wantonness? +Holds he to his quest, glows his lust as hot as before? Let him while +away an hour with me in converse, and allay with friendly words my +hatred of yesterday. Let your visage come forth with better cheer; let +not lamentation resound in the house, or suffer the faces to become +dulled with sorrow. + +"Wishing to know who burned with love for the maiden, and was deeply +enamoured of my beloved ward, I put on a cap, lest my familiar face +might betray me. Then comes in that wanton smith, with lewd steps, +bending his thighs this way and that with studied gesture, and likewise +making eyes as he ducked all ways. His covering was a mantle fringed +with beaver, his sandals were inlaid with gems, his cloak was decked +with gold. Gorgeous ribbons bound his plaited hair, and a many-coloured +band drew tight his straying locks. Hence grew a sluggish and puffed-up +temper; he fancied that wealth was birth, and money forefathers, and +reckoned his fortune more by riches than by blood. Hence came pride unto +him, and arrogance led to fine attire. For the wretch began to think +that his dress made him equal to the high-born; he, the cinder-blower, +who hunts the winds with hides, and puffs with constant draught, who +rakes the ashes with his fingers, and often by drawing back the bellows +takes in the air, and with a little fan makes a breath and kindles the +smouldering fires! Then he goes to the lap of the girl, and leaning +close, says, `Maiden, comb my hair and catch the skipping fleas, and +remove what stings my skin.' Then he sat and spread his arms that +sweated under the gold, lolling on the smooth cushion and leaning back +on his elbow, wishing to flaunt his adornment, just as a barking brute +unfolds the gathered coils of its twisted tail. But she knew me, and +began to check her lover and rebuff his wanton hands; and, declaring +that it was I, she said, `Refrain thy fingers, check thy promptings, +take heed to appease the old man sitting close by the doors. The sport +will turn to sorrow. I think Starkad is here, and his slow gaze scans +thy doings.' The smith answered: `Turn not pale at the peaceful raven +and the ragged old man; never has that mighty one whom thou fearest +stooped to such common and base attire. The strong man loves shining +raiment, and looks for clothes to match his courage.' Then I uncovered +and drew my sword, and as the smith fled I clove his privy parts; his +hams were laid open, cut away from the bone; they showed his entrails. +Presently I rise and crush the girl's mouth with my fist, and draw blood +from her bruised nostril. Then her lips, used to evil laughter, were wet +with tears mingled with blood, and foolish love paid for all the sins +it committed with soft eyes. Over is the sport of the hapless woman who +rushed on, blind with desire, like a maddened mare, and makes her +lust the grave of her beauty. Thou deservest to be sold for a price to +foreign peoples and to grind at the mill, unless blood pressed from thy +breasts prove thee falsely accused, and thy nipple's lack of milk clear +thee of the crime. Howbeit, I think thee free from this fault; yet bear +not tokens of suspicion, nor lay thyself open to lying tongues, nor give +thyself to the chattering populace to gird at. Rumour hurts many, and a +lying slander often harms. A little word deceives the thoughts of common +men. Respect thy grandsires, honour thy fathers, forget not thy parents, +value thy forefathers; let thy flesh and blood keep its fame. What +madness came on thee? And thou, shameless smith, what fate drove thee in +thy lust to attempt a high-born race? Or who sped thee, maiden, worthy +of the lordliest pillows, to loves obscure? Tell me, how durst thou +taste with thy rosy lips a mouth reeking of ashes, or endure on thy +breast hands filthy with charcoal, or bring close to thy side the arms +that turn the live coals over, and put the palms hardened with the use +of the tongs to thy pure cheeks, and embrace the head sprinkled with +embers, taking it to thy bright arms? + +"I remember how smiths differ from one another, for once they smote me. +All share alike the name of their calling, but the hearts beneath are +different in temper. I judge those best who weld warriors' swords and +spears for the battle, whose temper shows their courage, who betoken +their hearts by the sternness of their calling, whose work declares +their prowess. There are also some to whom the hollow mould yields +bronze, as they make the likeness of divers things in molten gold, who +smelt the veins and recast the metal. But Nature has fashioned these of +a softer temper, and has crushed with cowardice the hands which she +has gifted with rare skill. Often such men, while the heat of the blast +melts the bronze that is poured in the mould, craftily filch flakes of +gold from the lumps, when the vessel thirsts after the metal they have +stolen." + +So speaking, Starkad got as much pleasure from his words as from his +works, and went back to Halfdan, embracing his service with the closest +friendship, and never ceasing from the exercise of war; so that he +weaned his mind from delights, and vexed it with incessant application +to arms. + +Now Ingild had two sisters, Helga and Asa; Helga was of full age to +marry, while Asa was younger and unripe for wedlock. Then Helge the +Norwegian was moved with desire to ask for Helga for his wife, and +embarked. Now he had equipped his vessel so luxuriously that he had +lordly sails decked with gold, held up also on gilded masts, and tied +with crimson ropes. When he arrived Ingild promised to grant him his +wish if, to test his reputation publicly, he would first venture to meet +in battle the champions pitted against him. Helge did not flinch at the +terms; he answered that he would most gladly abide by the compact. +And so the troth-plight of the future marriage was most ceremoniously +solemnized. + +A story is remembered that there had grown up at the same time, on the +Isle of Zealand, the nine sons of a certain prince, all highly gifted +with strength and valour, the eldest of whom was Anganty. This last was +a rival suitor for the same maiden; and when he saw that the match +which he had been denied was promised to Helge, he challenged him to +a struggle, wishing to fight away his vexation. Helge agreed to the +proposed combat. The hour of the fight was appointed for the wedding-day +by the common wish of both. For any man who, being challenged, refused +to fight, used to be covered with disgrace in the sight of all men. Thus +Helge was tortured on the one side by the shame of refusing the battle, +on the other by the dread of waging it. For he thought himself attacked +unfairly and counter to the universal laws of combat, as he had +apparently undertaken to fight nine men single-handed. While he was +thus reflecting his betrothed told him that he would need help, and +counselled him to refrain from the battle, wherein it seemed he would +encounter only death and disgrace, especially as he had not stipulated +for any definite limit to the number of those who were to be his +opponents. He should therefore avoid the peril, and consult his safety +by appealing to Starkad, who was sojourning among the Swedes; since it +was his way to help the distressed, and often to interpose successfully +to retrieve some dismal mischance. + +Then Helge, who liked the counsel thus given very well, took a small +escort and went into Sweden; and when he reached its most famous city, +Upsala, he forbore to enter, but sent in a messenger who was to invite +Starkad to the wedding of Frode's daughter, after first greeting him +respectfully to try him. This courtesy stung Starkad like an insult. He +looked sternly on the youth, and said, "That had he not had his beloved +Frode named in his instructions, he should have paid dearly for his +senseless mission. He must think that Starkad, like some buffoon or +trencherman, was accustomed to rush off to the reek of a distant kitchen +for the sake of a richer diet." Helge, when his servant had told him +this, greeted the old man in the name of Frode's daughter, and asked him +to share a battle which he had accepted upon being challenged, saying +that he was not equal to it by himself, the terms of the agreement being +such as to leave the number of his adversaries uncertain. Starkad, when +he had heard the time and place of the combat, not only received the +suppliant well, but also encouraged him with the offer of aid, and told +him to go back to Denmark with his companions, telling him that he would +find his way to him by a short and secret path. Helge departed, and if +we may trust report, Starkad, by sheer speed of foot, travelled in one +day's journeying over as great a space as those who went before him are +said to have accomplished in twelve; so that both parties, by a chance +meeting, reached their journey's end, the palace of Ingild, at the very +same time. Here Starkad passed, just as the servants did, along the +tables filled with guests; and the aforementioned nine, howling horribly +with repulsive gestures, and running about as if they were on the stage, +encouraged one another to the battle. Some say that they barked like +furious dogs at the champion as he approached. Starkad rebuked them for +making themselves look ridiculous with such an unnatural visage, and for +clowning with wide grinning cheeks; for from this, he declared, soft and +effeminate profligates derived their wanton incontinence. When Starkad +was asked banteringly by the nine whether he had valour enough to fight, +he answered that doubtless he was strong enough to meet, not merely one, +but any number that might come against him. And when the nine heard this +they understood that this was the man whom they had heard would come +to the succour of Helge from afar. Starkad also, to protect the +bride-chamber with a more diligent guard, voluntarily took charge of the +watch; and, drawing back the doors of the bedroom, barred them with +a sword instead of a bolt, meaning to post himself so as to give +undisturbed quiet to their bridal. + +When Helge woke, and, shaking off the torpor of sleep, remembered his +pledge, he thought of buckling on his armour. But, seeing that a little +of the darkness of night yet remained, and wishing to wait for the hour +of dawn, he began to ponder the perilous business at hand, when sleep +stole on him and sweetly seized him, so that he took himself back to +bed laden with slumber. Starkad, coming in on him at daybreak, saw him +locked asleep in the arms of his wife, and would not suffer him to be +vexed with a sudden shock, or summoned from his quiet slumbers; lest +he should seem to usurp the duty of wakening him and breaking upon the +sweetness of so new a union, all because of cowardice. He thought it, +therefore, more handsome to meet the peril alone than to gain a comrade +by disturbing the pleasure of another. So he quietly retraced his steps, +and scorning his enemies, entered the field which in our tongue is +called Roliung, and finding a seat under the slope of a certain hill, +he exposed himself to wind and snow. Then, as though the gentle airs of +spring weather were breathing upon him, he put off his cloak, and set to +picking out the fleas. He also cast on the briars a purple mantle which +Helga had lately given him, that no clothing might seem to lend him +shelter against the raging shafts of hail. Then the champions came and +climbed the hill on the opposite side; and, seeking a spot sheltered +from the winds wherein to sit, they lit a fire and drove off the cold. +At last, not seeing Starkad, they sent a man to the crest of the hill, +to watch his coming more clearly, as from a watch-tower. This man +climbed to the top of the lofty mountain, and saw, on its sloping side, +an old man covered shoulder-high with the snow that showered down. He +asked him if he was the man who was to fight according to the promise. +Starkad declared that he was. Then the rest came up and asked him +whether he had resolved to meet them all at once or one by one. But he +said, "Whenever a surly pack of curs yelps at me, I commonly send them +flying all at once, and not in turn." Thus he let them know that he +would rather fight with-them all together than one by one, thinking that +his enemies should be spurned with words first and deeds afterwards. + +The fight began furiously almost immediately, and he felled six of them +without receiving any wound in return; and though the remaining three +wounded him so hard in seventeen places that most of his bowels gushed +out of his belly, he slew them notwithstanding, like their brethren. +Disembowelled, with failing strength, he suffered from dreadful straits +of thirst, and, crawling on his knees in his desire to find a draught, +he longed for water from the streamlet that ran close by. But when he +saw it was tainted with gore he was disgusted at the look of the water, +and refrained from its infected draught. For Anganty had been struck +down in the waves of the river, and had dyed its course so deep with his +red blood that it seemed now to flow not with water, but with some ruddy +liquid. So Starkad thought it nobler that his bodily strength should +fail than that he should borrow strength from so foul a beverage. +Therefore, his force being all but spent, he wriggled on his knees, up +to a rock that happened to be lying near, and for some little while lay +leaning against it. A hollow in its surface is still to be seen, just as +if his weight as he lay had marked it with a distinct impression of +his body. But I think this appearance is due to human handiwork, for it +seems to pass all belief that the hard and uncleavable rock should so +imitate the softness of wax, as, merely by the contact of a man leaning +on it, to present the appearance of a man having sat there, and assume +concavity for ever. + +A certain man, who chanced to be passing by in a cart, saw Starkad +wounded almost all over his body. Equally aghast and amazed, he turned +and drove closer, asking what reward he should have if he were to tend +and heal his wounds. But Starkad would rather be tortured by grievous +wounds than use the service of a man of base estate, and first asked +his birth and calling. The man said that his profession was that of a +sergeant. Starkad, not content with despising him, also spurned him with +revilings, because, neglecting all honourable business, he followed the +calling of a hanger-on; and because he had tarnished his whole career +with ill repute, thinking the losses of the poor his own gains; +suffering none to be innocent, ready to inflict wrongful accusation +upon all men, most delighted at any lamentable turn in the fortunes of +another; and toiling most at his own design, namely of treacherously +spying out all men's doings, and seeking some traitorous occasion to +censure the character of the innocent. + +As this first man departed, another came up, promising aid and remedies. +Like the last comer, he was bidden to declare his condition; and he +said that he had a certain man's handmaid to wife, and was doing peasant +service to her master in order to set her free. Starkad refused to +accept his help, because he had married in a shameful way by taking a +slave to his embrace. Had he had a shred of virtue he should at least +have disdained to be intimate with the slave of another, but should have +enjoyed some freeborn partner of his bed. What a mighty man, then, must +we deem Starkad, who, when enveloped in the most deadly perils, showed +himself as great in refusing aid as in receiving wounds! + +When this man departed a woman chanced to approach and walk past the +old man. She came up to him in order to wipe his wounds, but was first +bidden to declare what was her birth and calling. She said that she was +a handmaid used to grinding at the mill. Starkad then asked her if she +had children; and when he was told that she had a female child, he told +her to go home and give the breast to her squalling daughter; for he +thought it most uncomely that he should borrow help from a woman of the +lowest degree. Moreover, he knew that she could nourish her own flesh +and blood with milk better than she could minister to the wounds of a +stranger. + +As the woman was departing, a young man came riding up in a cart. He saw +the old man, and drew near to minister to his wounds. On being asked who +he was, he said his father was a labourer, and added that he was used +to the labours of a peasant. Starkad praised his origin, and pronounced +that his calling was also most worthy of honour; for, he said, such men +sought a livelihood by honourable traffic in their labour, inasmuch as +they knew not of any gain, save what they had earned by the sweat +of their brow. He also thought that a country life was justly to be +preferred even to the most splendid riches; for the most wholesome +fruits of it seemed to be born and reared in the shelter of a middle +estate, halfway between magnificence and squalor. But he did not wish +to pass the kindness of the youth unrequited, and rewarded the esteem +he had shown him with the mantle he had cast among the thorns. So the +peasant's son approached, replaced the parts of his belly that had been +torn away, and bound up with a plait of withies the mass of intestines +that had fallen out. Then he took the old man to his car, and with the +most zealous respect carried him away to the palace. + +Meantime Helga, in language betokening the greatest wariness, began to +instruct her husband, saying that she knew that Starkad, as soon as +he came back from conquering the champions, would punish him for his +absence, thinking that he had inclined more to sloth and lust than to +his promise to fight as appointed. Therefore he must withstand Starkad +boldly, because he always spared the brave but loathed the coward. Helge +respected equally her prophecy and her counsel, and braced his soul +and body with a glow of valorous enterprise. Starkad, when he had been +driven to the palace, heedless of the pain of his wounds, leaped swiftly +out of the cart, and just like a man who was well from top to toe, burst +into the bridal-chamber, shattering the doors with his fist. Then Helge +leapt from his bed, and, as he had been taught by the counsel of his +wife, plunged his blade full at Starkad's forehead. And since he seemed +to be meditating a second blow, and to be about to make another thrust +with his sword, Helga flew quickly from the couch, caught up a shield, +and, by interposing it, saved the old man from impending destruction; +for, notwithstanding, Helge with a stronger stroke of his blade smote +the shield right through to the boss. Thus the praiseworthy wit of the +woman aided her friend, and her hand saved him whom her counsel had +injured; for she protected the old man by her deed, as well as her +husband by her warning. Starkad was induced by this to let Helge go +scot-free; saying that a man whose ready and assured courage so surely +betokened manliness, ought to be spared; for he vowed that a man ill +deserved death whose brave spirit was graced with such a dogged will to +resist. + +Starkad went back to Sweden before his wounds had been treated with +medicine, or covered with a single scar. Halfdan had been killed by his +rivals; and Starkad, after quelling certain rebels, set up Siward as the +heir to his father's sovereignty. With him he sojourned a long time; but +when he heard--for the rumour spread--that Ingild, the son of Frode (who +had been treacherously slain), was perversely minded, and instead +of punishing his father's murderers, bestowed upon them kindness and +friendship, he was vexed with stinging wrath at so dreadful a crime. +And, resenting that a youth of such great parts should have renounced +his descent from his glorious father, he hung on his shoulders a mighty +mass of charcoal, as though it were some costly burden, and made his +way to Denmark. When asked by those he met why he was taking along so +unusual a load, he said that he would sharpen the dull wits of King +Ingild to a point by bits of charcoal. So he accomplished a swift and +headlong journey, as though at a single breath, by a short and speedy +track; and at last, becoming the guest of Ingild, he went up, as his +custom was, in to the seat appointed for the great men; for he had been +used to occupy the highest post of distinction with the kings of the +last generation. + +When the queen came in, and saw him covered over with filth and clad +in the mean, patched clothes of a peasant, the ugliness of her guest's +dress made her judge him with little heed; and, measuring the man by the +clothes, she reproached him with crassness of wit, because he had gone +before greater men in taking his place at table, and had assumed a seat +that was too good for his boorish attire. She bade him quit the place, +that he might not touch the cushions with his dress, which was fouler +than it should have been. For she put down to crassness and brazenness +what Starkad only did from proper pride; she knew not that on a high +seat of honour the mind sometimes shines brighter than the raiment. The +spirited old man obeyed, though vexed at the rebuff, and with marvellous +self-control choked down the insult which his bravery so ill deserved; +uttering at this disgrace he had received neither word nor groan. But +he could not long bear to hide the bitterness of his anger in silence. +Rising, and retreating to the furthest end of the palace, he flung his +body against the walls; and strong as they were, he so battered them +with the shock, that the beams quaked mightily; and he nearly brought +the house down in a crash. Thus, stung not only with his rebuff, but +with the shame of having poverty cast in his teeth, he unsheathed +his wrath against the insulting speech of the queen with inexorable +sternness. + +Ingild, on his return from hunting, scanned him closely, and, when +he noticed that he neither looked cheerfully about, nor paid him the +respect of rising, saw by the sternness written on his brow that it was +Starkad. For when he noted his hands horny with fighting, his scars in +front, the force and fire of his eye, he perceived that a man whose +body was seamed with so many traces of wounds had no weakling soul. +He therefore rebuked his wife, and charged her roundly to put away her +haughty tempers, and to soothe and soften with kind words and gentle +offices the man she had reviled; to comfort him with food and drink, +and refresh him with kindly converse; saying, that this man had been +appointed his tutor by his father long ago, and had been a most tender +guardian of his childhood. Then, learning too late the temper of the old +man, she turned her harshness into gentleness, and respectfully waited +on him whom she had rebuffed and railed at with bitter revilings. +The angry hostess changed her part, and became the most fawning of +flatterers. She wished to check his anger with her attentiveness; and +her fault was the less, inasmuch as she was so quick in ministering +to him after she had been chidden. But she paid dearly for it, for she +presently beheld stained with the blood of her brethren the place where +she had flouted and rebuffed the brave old man from his seat. + +Now, in the evening, Ingild took his meal with the sons of Swerting, +and fell to a magnificent feast, loading the tables with the profusest +dishes. With friendly invitation he kept the old man back from leaving +the revel too early; as though the delights of elaborate dainties could +have undermined that staunch and sturdy virtue! But when Starkad had set +eyes on these things, he scorned so wanton a use of them; and, not to +give way a whit to foreign fashions, he steeled his appetite against +these tempting delicacies with the self-restraint which was his greatest +strength. He would not suffer his repute as a soldier to be impaired +by the allurements of an orgy. For his valour loved thrift, and was a +stranger to all superfluity of food, and averse to feasting in excess. +For his was a courage which never at any moment had time to make luxury +of aught account, and always forewent pleasure to pay due heed to +virtue. So, when he saw that the antique character of self-restraint, +and all good old customs, were being corrupted by new-fangled luxury +and sumptuosity, he wished to be provided with a morsel fitter for a +peasant, and scorned the costly and lavish feast. + +Spurning profuse indulgence in food, Starkad took some smoky and rather +rancid fare, appeasing his hunger with a bitter relish because more +simply; and being unwilling to enfeeble his true valour with the tainted +sweetness of sophisticated foreign dainties, or break the rule of +antique plainness by such strange idolatries of the belly. He was also +very wroth that they should go, to the extravagance of having the same +meat both roasted and boiled at the same meal; for he considered an +eatable which was steeped in the vapours of the kitchen, and which the +skill of the cook rubbed over with many kinds of flavours, in the light +of a monstrosity. + +Unlike Starkad Ingild flung the example of his ancestors to the winds, +and gave himself freer licence of innovation in the fashions of the +table than the custom of his fathers allowed. For when he had once +abandoned himself to the manners of Teutonland, he did not blush to +yield to its unmanly wantonness. No slight incentives to debauchery have +flowed down our country's throat from that sink of a land. Hence came +magnificent dishes, sumptuous kitchens, the base service of cooks, and +all sorts of abominable sausages. Hence came our adoption, wandering +from the ways of our fathers, of a more dissolute dress. Thus our +country, which cherished self-restraint as its native quality, has +gone begging to our neighbours for luxury; whose allurements so charmed +Ingild, that he did not think it shameful to requite wrongs with +kindness; nor did the grievous murder of his father make him heave one +sigh of bitterness when it crossed his mind. + +But the queen would not depart without effecting her purpose. Thinking +that presents would be the best way to banish the old man's anger, she +took off her own head a band of marvellous handiwork, and put it in his +lap as he supped: desiring to buy his favour since she could not blunt +his courage. But Starkad, whose bitter resentment was not yet abated, +flung it back in the face of the giver, thinking that in such a gift +there was more scorn than respect. And he was wise not to put this +strange ornament of female dress upon the head that was all bescarred +and used to the helmet; for he knew that the locks of a man ought not to +wear a woman's head-band. Thus he avenged slight with slight, and repaid +with retorted scorn the disdain he had received; thereby bearing himself +well-nigh as nobly in avenging his disgrace as he had borne himself in +enduring it. + +To the soul of Starkad reverence for Frode was grappled with hooks of +love. Drawn to him by deeds of bounty, countless kindnesses, he could +not be wheedled into giving up his purpose of revenge by any sort of +alluring complaisance. Even now, when Frode was no more, he was eager +to pay the gratitude due to his benefits, and to requite the kindness +of the dead, whose loving disposition and generous friendship he had +experienced while he lived. For he bore graven so deeply in his heart +the grievous picture of Frode's murder, that his honour for that most +famous captain could never be plucked from the inmost chamber of his +soul; and therefore he did not hesitate to rank his ancient friendship +before the present kindness. Besides, when he recalled the previous +affront, he could not thank the complaisance that followed; he could not +put aside the disgraceful wound to his self-respect. For the memory of +benefits or injuries ever sticks more firmly in the minds of brave +men than in those of weaklings. For he had not the habits of those who +follow their friends in prosperity and quit them in adversity, who pay +more regard to fortune than to looks, and sit closer to their own gain +than to charity toward others. + +But the woman held to her purpose, seeing that even so she could not win +the old man to convivial mirth. Continuing with yet more lavish courtesy +her efforts to soothe him, and to heap more honours on the guest, she +bade a piper strike up, and started music to melt his unbending rage. +For she wanted to unnerve his stubborn nature by means of cunning +sounds. But the cajolery of pipe or string was just as powerless to +enfeeble that dogged warrior. When he heard it, he felt that the respect +paid him savoured more of pretence than of love. Hence the crestfallen +performer seemed to be playing to a statue rather than a man, and learnt +that it is vain for buffoons to assail with, their tricks a settled and +weighty sternness, and that a mighty mass cannot be shaken with the +idle puffing of the lips. For Starkad had set his face so firmly in his +stubborn wrath, that he seemed not a whit easier to move than ever. For +the inflexibility which he owed his vows was not softened either by the +strain of the lute or the enticements of the palate; and he thought that +more respect should be paid to his strenuous and manly purpose than to +the tickling of the ears or the lures of the feast. Accordingly he flung +the bone, which he had stripped in eating the meat, in the face of the +harlequin, and drove the wind violently out of his puffed cheeks, so +that they collapsed. By this he showed how his austerity loathed the +clatter of the stage; for his ears were stopped with anger and open to +no influence of delight. This reward, befitting an actor, punished +an unseemly performance with a shameful wage. For Starkad excellently +judged the man's deserts, and bestowed a shankbone for the piper to pipe +on, requiting his soft service with a hard fee. None could say whether +the actor piped or wept the louder; he showed by his bitter flood of +tears how little place bravery has in the breasts of the dissolute. For +the fellow was a mere minion of pleasure, and had never learnt to bear +the assaults of calamity. This man's hurt was ominous of the carnage +that was to follow at the feast. Right well did Starkad's spirit, +heedful of sternness, hold with stubborn gravity to steadfast revenge; +for he was as much disgusted at the lute as others were delighted, +and repaid the unwelcome service by insultingly flinging a bone; thus +avowing that he owed a greater debt to the glorious dust of his mighty +friend than to his shameless and infamous ward. + +But when Starkad saw that the slayers of Frode were in high favour +with the king, his stern glances expressed the mighty wrath which he +harboured, and his face betrayed what he felt. The visible fury of his +gaze betokened the secret tempest in his heart. At last, when Ingild +tried to appease him with royal fare, he spurned the dainty. Satisfied +with cheap and common food, he utterly spurned outlandish delicacies; +he was used to plain diet, and would not pamper his palate with any +delightful flavour. When he was asked why he had refused the generous +attention of the king with such a clouded brow, he said that he had come +to Denmark to find the son of Frode, not a man who crammed his proud +and gluttonous stomach with rich elaborate feasts. For the Teuton +extravagance which the king favoured had led him, in his longing for the +pleasures of abundance, to set to the fire again, for roasting, dishes +which had been already boiled. Thereupon he could not forbear from +attacking Ingild's character, but poured out the whole bitterness of +his reproaches on his head. He condemned his unfilial spirit, because +he gaped with repletion and vented his squeamishness in filthy hawkings; +because, following the lures of the Saxons, he strayed and departed far +from soberness; because he was so lacking in manhood as not to pursue +even the faintest shadow of it. But, declared Starkad, he bore the +heaviest load of infamy, because, even when he first began to see +service, he forgot to avenge his father, to whose butchers, forsaking +the law of nature, he was kind and attentive. Men whose deserts were +most vile he welcomed with loving affection; and not only did he let +those go scot-free, whom he should have punished most sharply, but he +even judged them fit persons to live with and entertain at his table, +whereas he should rather have put them to death. Hereupon Starkad is +also said to have sung as follows: + +"Let the unwarlike youth yield to the aged, let him honour all the years +of him that is old. When a man is brave, let none reproach the number of +his days. + +"Though the hair of the ancient whiten with age, their valour stays +still the same; nor shall the lapse of time have power to weaken their +manly heart. + +"I am elbowed away by the offensive guest, who taints with vice his +outward show of goodness, whilst he is the slave of his belly and +prefers his daily dainties to anything. + +"When I was counted as a comrade of Frode, I ever sat in the midst of +warriors on a high seat in the hall, and I was the first of the princes +to take my meal. + +"Now, the lot of a nobler age is reversed; I am shut in a corner, I am +like the fish that seeks shelter as it wanders to and fro hidden in the +waters. + +"I, who used surely in the former age to lie back on a couch handsomely +spread, am now thrust among the hindmost and driven from the crowded +hall. + +"Perchance I had been driven on my back at the doors, had not the wall +struck my side and turned me back, and had not the beam, in the way made +it hard for me to fly when I was thrust forth. + +"I am baited with the jeers of the court-folk; I am not received as +a guest should be; I am girded at with harsh gibing, and stung with +babbling taunts. + +"I am a stranger, and would gladly know what news are spread abroad by +busy rumour; what is the course of events; what the order of the land; +what is doing in your country. + +"Thou, Ingild, buried in sin, why dost thou tarry in the task of +avenging thy father? Wilt thou think tranquilly of the slaughter of thy +righteous sire? + +"Why dost thou, sluggard, think only of feasting, and lean thy belly +back in ease, more effeminate than harlots? Is the avenging of thy +slaughtered father a little thing to thee? + +"When last I left thee, Frode, I learned by my prophetic soul that thou, +mightiest of kings, wouldst surely perish by the sword of enemies. + +"And while I travelled long in the land, a warning groan rose in my +soul, which augured that thereafter I was never to see thee more. + +"Wo is me, that then I was far away, harrying the farthest peoples of +the earth, when the traitorous guest aimed craftily at the throat of his +king. + +"Else I would either have shown myself the avenger of my lord, or +have shared his fate and fallen where he fell, and would joyfully have +followed the blessed king in one and the same death. + +"I have not come to indulge in gluttonous feasting, the sin whereof I +will strive to chastise; nor will I take mine ease, nor the delights of +the fat belly. + +"No famous king has ever set me before in the middle by the strangers. I +have been wont to sit in the highest seats among friends. + +"I have come from Sweden, travelling over wide lands, thinking that I +should be rewarded, if only I had the joy to find the son of my beloved +Frode. + +"But I sought a brave man, and I have come to a glutton, a king who is +the slave of his belly and of vice, whose liking has been turned back +towards wantonness by filthy pleasure. + +"Famous is the speech men think that Halfdan spoke: he warned us it +would soon come to pass that an understanding father should beget a +witless son. + +"Though the heir be deemed degenerate, I will not suffer the wealth of +mighty Frode to profit strangers or to be made public like plunder." + +At these words the queen trembled, and she took from her head the ribbon +with which she happened, in woman's fashion, to be adorning her hair, +and proffered it to the enraged old man, as though she could avert his +anger with a gift. Starkad in anger flung it back most ignominiously in +the face of the giver, and began again in a loud voice: + +"Take hence, I pray thee, thy woman's gift, and set back thy headgear on +thy head; no brave man assumes the chaplets that befit Love only. + +"For it is amiss that the hair of men that are ready for battle should +be bound back with wreathed gold; such attire is right for the throngs +of the soft and effeminate. + +"But take this gift to thy husband, who loves luxury, whose finger +itches, while he turns over the rump and handles the flesh of the bird +roasted brown. + +"The flighty and skittish wife of Ingild longs to observe the fashions +of the Teutons; she prepares the orgy and makes ready the artificial +dainties. + +"For she tickles the palate with a new-fangled feast; she pursues the +zest of an unknown flavour, raging to load all the tables with dishes +yet more richly than before. + +"She gives her lord wine to drink in bowls, pondering all things with +zealous preparation; she bids the cooked meats be roasted, and intends +them for a second fire. + +"Wantonly she feeds her husband like a hog; a shameless whore, +trusting.... + +"She roasts the boiled, and recooks the roasted meats, planning the meal +with spendthrift extravagance, careless of right and wrong, practising +sin, a foul woman. + +"Wanton in arrogance, a soldier of Love, longing for dainties, she +abjures the fair ways of self-control, and also provides devices for +gluttony. + +"With craving stomach she desires turnip strained in a smooth pan, cakes +with thin juice, and shellfish in rows. + +"I do not remember the Great Frode putting his hand to the sinews of +birds, or tearing the rump of a cooked fowl with crooked thumb. + +"What former king could have been so gluttonous as to stir the stinking +filthy flesh, or rummage in the foul back of a bird with plucking +fingers? + +"The food of valiant men is raw; no need, methinks, of sumptuous tables +for those whose stubborn souls are bent on warfare. + +"It had been fitter for thee to have torn the stiff beard, biting hard +with thy teeth, than greedily to have drained the bowl of milk with thy +wide mouth. + +"We fled from the offence of the sumptuous kitchen; we stayed our +stomach with rancid fare; few in the old days loved cooked juices. + +"A dish with no sauce of herbs gave us the flesh of rams and swine. We +partook temperately, tainting nothing with bold excess. + +"Thou who now lickest the milk-white fat, put on, prithee, the spirit of +a man; remember Frode, and avenge thy father's death. + +"The worthless and cowardly heart shall perish, and shall not parry the +thrust of death by flight, though it bury itself in a valley, or crouch +in darkling dens. + +"Once we were eleven princes, devoted followers of King Hakon, and here +Geigad sat above Helge in the order of the meal. + +"Geigad used to appease the first pangs of hunger with a dry rump of +ham; and plenty of hard crust quelled the craving of his stomach. + +"No one asked for a sickly morsel; all took their food in common; the +meal of mighty men cost but slight display. + +"The commons shunned foreign victual, and the greatest lusted not for a +feast; even the king remembered to live temperately at little cost. + +"Scorning to look at the mead, he drank the fermented juice of Ceres; he +shrank not from the use of undercooked meats, and hated the roast. + +"The board used to stand with slight display, a modest salt-cellar +showed the measure of its cost; lest the wise ways of antiquity should +in any wise be changed by foreign usage. + +"Of old, no man put flagons or mixing-bowls on the tables; the steward +filled the cup from the butt, and there was no abundance of adorned +vessels. + +"No one who honoured past ages put the smooth wine-jars beside the +tankards, and of old no bedizened lackey heaped the platter with +dainties. + +"Nor did the vainglorious host deck the meal with little salt-shell +or smooth cup; but all has been now abolished in shameful wise by the +new-fangled manners. + +"Who would ever have borne to take money in ransom for the death of a +lost parent, or to have asked a foe for a gift to atone for the murder +of a father? + +"What strong heir or well-starred son would have sat side by side with +such as these, letting a shameful bargain utterly unnerve the warrior? + +"Wherefore, when the honours of kings are sung, and bards relate the +victories of captains, I hide my face for shame in my mantle, sick at +heart. + +"For nothing shines in thy trophies, worthy to be recorded by the pen; +no heir of Frode is named in the roll of the honourable. + +"Why dost thou vex me with insolent gaze, thou who honourest the foe +guilty of thy father's blood, and art thought only to take thy vengeance +with loaves and warm soup? + +"When men speak well of the avengers of crimes, then long thou to lose +thy quick power of hearing, that thy impious spirit may not be ashamed. + +"For oft has the virtue of another vexed a heart that knows its guilt, +and the malice in the breast is abashed by the fair report of the good. + +"Though thou go to the East, or live sequestered in the countries of +the West, or whether, driven thence, thou seek the midmost place of the +earth; + +"Whether thou revisit the cold quarter of the heaven where the pole is +to be seen, and carries on the sphere with its swift spin, and looks +down upon the neighbouring Bear; + +"Shame shall accompany thee far, and shall smite thy countenance with +heavy disgrace, when the united assembly of the great kings is taking +pastime. + +"Since everlasting dishonour awaits thee, thou canst not come amidst +the ranks of the famous; and in every clime thou shalt pass thy days in +infamy. + +"The fates have given Frode an offspring born into the world when gods +were adverse, whose desires have been enthralled by crime and ignoble +lust. + +"Even as in a ship all things foul gather to the filthy hollow of the +bilge, even so hath a flood of vices poured into Ingild. + +"Therefore, in terror of thy shame being published, thou shalt lie +crushed in the corners of the land, sluggish on thy foul hearth, and +never to be seen in the array of the famous. + +"Then shalt thou shake thy beard at thine evil fate, kept down by the +taunts of thy mistresses, when thy paramour galls thy ear with her +querulous cries. + +"Since chill fear retards thy soul, and thou dreadest to become the +avenger of thy sire, thou art utterly degenerate, and thy ways are like +a slave's. + +"It would have needed scant preparation to destroy thee; even as if a +man should catch and cut the throat of a kid, or slit the weazand of a +soft sheep and butcher it. + +"Behold, a son of the tyrant Swerting shall take the inheritance of +Denmark after thee; he whose slothful sister thou keepest in infamous +union. + +"Whilst thou delightest to honour thy bride, laden with gems and shining +in gold apparel, we burn with all indignation that is linked with shame, +lamenting thy infamies. + +"When thou art stirred by furious lust, our mind is troubled, and +recalls the fashion of ancient times, and bids us grieve sorely. + +"For we rate otherwise than thou the crime of the foes whom now thou +holdest in honour; wherefore the face of this age is a burden to me, +remembering the ancient ways. + +"I would crave no greater blessing, O Frode, if I might see those guilty +of thy murder duly punished for such a crime." + +Now he prevailed so well by this stirring counsel, that his reproach +served like a flint wherewith to strike a blazing flame of valour in the +soul that had been chill and slack. For the king had at first heard +the song inattentively; but, stirred by the earnest admonition of +his guardian, he conceived in his heart a tardy fire of revenge; and, +forgetting the reveller, he changed into the foeman. At last he leapt up +from where he lay, and poured the whole flood of his anger on those at +table with him; insomuch that he unsheathed his sword upon the sons of +Swerting with bloody ruthlessness, and aimed with drawn blade at the +throats of those whose gullets he had pampered with the pleasures of the +table. These men he forthwith slew; and by so doing he drowned the +holy rites of the table in blood. He sundered the feeble bond of their +league, and exchanged a shameful revel for enormous cruelty; the host +became the foe, and that vilest slave of excess the bloodthirsty agent +of revenge. For the vigorous pleading of his counsellor bred a breath of +courage in his soft and unmanly youth; it drew out his valour from its +lurking-place, and renewed it, and so fashioned it that the authors of a +most grievous murder were punished even as they deserved. For the young +man's valour had been not quenched, but only in exile, and the aid of +an old man had drawn it out into the light; and it accomplished a deed +which was all the greater for its tardiness; for it was somewhat nobler +to steep the cups in blood than in wine. What a spirit, then, must we +think that old man had, who by his eloquent adjuration expelled from +that king's mind its infinite sin, and who, bursting the bonds of +iniquity, implanted a most effectual seed of virtue. Starkad aided the +king with equal achievements; and not only showed the most complete +courage in his own person, but summoned back that which had been rooted +out of the heart of another. When the deed was done, he thus begun: + +"King Ingild, farewell; thy heart, full of valour, hath now shown a deed +of daring. The spirit that reigns in thy body is revealed by its fair +beginning; nor did there lack deep counsel in thy heart, though thou +wert silent till this hour; for thou dost redress by thy bravery what +delay had lost, and redeemest the sloth of thy spirit by mighty valour. +Come now, let us rout the rest, and let none escape the peril which +all alike deserve. Let the crime come home to the culprit; let the sin +return and crush its contriver. + +"Let the servants take up in a car the bodies of the slain, and let the +attendant quickly bear out the carcases. Justly shall they lack the +last rites; they are unworthy to be covered with a mound; let no funeral +procession or pyre suffer them the holy honour of a barrow; let them be +scattered to rot in the fields, to be consumed by the beaks of birds; +let them taint the country all about with their deadly corruption. + +"Do thou too, king, if thou hast any wit, flee thy savage bride, lest +the she-wolf bring forth a litter like herself, and a beast spring from +thee that shall hurt its own father. + +"Tell me, Rote, continual derider of cowards, thinkest thou that we have +avenged Frode enough, when we have spent seven deaths on the vengeance +of one? Lo, those are borne out dead who paid homage not to thy sway in +deed, but only in show, and though obsequious they planned treachery. +But I always cherished this hope, that noble fathers have noble +offspring, who will follow in their character the lot which they +received by their birth. Therefore, Ingild, better now than in time past +dost thou deserve to be called lord of Leire and of Denmark. + +"When, O King Hakon, I was a beardless youth, and followed thy leading +and command in warfare, I hated luxury and wanton souls, and practiced +only wars. Training body and mind together, I banished every unholy +thing from my soul, and shunned the pleasures of the belly, loving +deeds of prowess. For those that followed the calling of arms had rough +clothing and common gear and short slumbers and scanty rest. Toil drove +ease far away, and the time ran by at scanty cost. Not as with some men +now, the light of whose reason is obscured by insatiate greed with its +blind maw. Some one of these clad in a covering of curiously wrought +raiment effeminately guides the fleet-footed (steed), and unknots his +dishevelled locks, and lets his hair fly abroad loosely. + +"He loves to plead often in the court, and to covet a base pittance, and +with this pursuit he comforts his sluggish life, doing with venal tongue +the business entrusted to him. + +"He outrages the laws by force, he makes armed assault upon men's +rights, he tramples on the innocent, he feeds on the wealth of others, +he practices debauchery and gluttony, he vexes good fellowship with +biting jeers, and goes after harlots as a hoe after the grass. + +"The coward falls when battles are lulled in peace. Though he who fears +death lie in the heart of the valley, no mantlet shall shelter him. His +final fate carries off every living man; doom is not to be averted by +skulking. But I, who have shaken the whole world with my slaughters, +shall I enjoy a peaceful death? Shall I be taken up to the stars in a +quiet end? Shall I die in my bed without a wound?" + + + +BOOK SEVEN. + +We are told by historians of old, that Ingild had four sons, of whom +three perished in war, while OLAF alone reigned after his father; but +some say that Olaf was the son of Ingild's sister, though this opinion +is doubtful. Posterity has but an uncertain knowledge of his deeds, +which are dim with the dust of antiquity; nothing but the last counsel +of his wisdom has been rescued by tradition. For when he was in the last +grip of death he took thought for his sons FRODE and HARALD, and bade +them have royal sway, one over the land and the other over the sea, and +receive these several powers, not in prolonged possession, but in yearly +rotation. Thus their share in the rule was made equal; but Frode, who +was the first to have control of the affairs of the sea, earned disgrace +from his continual defeats in roving. His calamity was due to his +sailors being newly married, and preferring nuptial joys at home to the +toils of foreign warfare. After a time Harald, the younger son, received +the rule of the sea, and chose soldiers who were unmarried, fearing to +be baffled like his brother. Fortune favoured his choice; for he was as +glorious a rover as his brother was inglorious; and this earned him his +brother's hatred. Moreover, their queens, Signe and Ulfhild, one of +whom was the daughter of Siward, King of Sweden, the other of Karl, the +governor of Gothland, were continually wrangling as to which was the +nobler, and broke up the mutual fellowship of their husbands. Hence +Harald and Frode, when their common household was thus shattered, +divided up the goods they held in common, and gave more heed to the +wrangling altercations of the women than to the duties of brotherly +affection. + +Moreover, Frode, judging that his brother's glory was a disgrace to +himself and brought him into contempt, ordered one of his household to +put him to death secretly; for he saw that the man of whom he had the +advantage in years was surpassing him in courage. When the deed +was done, he had the agent of his treachery privily slain, lest the +accomplice should betray the crime. Then, in order to gain the credit of +innocence and escape the brand of crime, he ordered a full inquiry to be +made into the mischance that had cut off his brother so suddenly. But he +could not manage, by all his arts, to escape silent condemnation in the +thoughts of the common people. He afterwards asked Karl, "Who had killed +Harald?" and Karl replied that it was deceitful in him to ask a question +about something which he knew quite well. These words earned him his +death; for Frode thought that he had reproached him covertly with +fratricide. + +After this, the lives of Harald and Halfdan, the sons of Harald by Signe +the daughter of Karl, were attempted by their uncle. But the guardians +devised a cunning method of saving their wards. For they cut off the +claws of wolves and tied them to the soles of their feet; and then +made them run along many times so as to harrow up the mud near their +dwelling, as well as the ground (then covered with, snow), and give the +appearance of an attack by wild beasts. Then they killed the children +of some bond-women, tore their bodies into little pieces, and scattered +their mangled limbs all about. So when the youths were looked for in +vain, the scattered limbs were found, the tracks of the beasts were +pointed out, and the ground was seen besmeared with blood. It was +believed that the boys had been devoured by ravening wolves; and hardly +anyone was suffered to doubt so plain a proof that they were mangled. +The belief in this spectacle served to protect the wards. They were +presently shut up by their guardians in a hollow oak, so that no trace +of their being alive should get abroad, and were fed for a long time +under pretence that they were dogs; and were even called by hounds' +names, to prevent any belief getting abroad that they were hiding. (1) + +Frode alone refused to believe in their death; and he went and inquired +of a woman skilled in divination where they were hid. So potent were +her spells, that she seemed able, at any distance, to perceive anything, +however intricately locked away, and to summon it out to light. She +declared that one Ragnar had secretly undertaken to rear them, and had +called them by the names of dogs to cover the matter. When the young +men found themselves dragged from their hiding by the awful force of +her spells, and brought before the eyes of the enchantress, loth to be +betrayed by this terrible and imperious compulsion, they flung into her +lap a shower of gold which they had received from their guardians. When +she had taken the gift, she suddenly feigned death, and fell like one +lifeless. Her servants asked the reason why she fell so suddenly; and +she declared that the refuge of the sons of Harald was inscrutable; +for their wondrous might qualified even the most awful effects of her +spells. Thus she was content with a slight benefit, and could not +bear to await a greater reward at the king's hands. After this Ragnar, +finding that the belief concerning himself and his wards was becoming +rife in common talk, took them, both away into Funen. Here he was taken +by Frode, and confessed that he had put the young men in safe keeping; +and he prayed the king to spare the wards whom he had made fatherless, +and not to think it a piece of good fortune to be guilty of two +unnatural murders. By this speech he changed the king's cruelty into +shame; and he promised that if they attempted any plots in their own +land, he would give information to the king. Thus he gained safety for +his wards, and lived many years in freedom from terror. + +When the boys grew up, they went to Zealand, and were bidden by their +friends to avenge their father. They vowed that they and their uncle +should not both live out the year. When Ragnar found this out, he went +by night to the palace, prompted by the recollection of his covenant, +and announced that he was come privily to tell the king something he had +promised. But the king was asleep, and he would not suffer them to wake +him up, because Frode had been used to punish any disturbance of his +rest with the sword. So mighty a matter was it thought of old to break +the slumbers of a king by untimely intrusion. Frode heard this from the +sentries in the morning; and when he perceived that Ragnar had come +to tell him of the treachery, he gathered together his soldiers, and +resolved to forestall deceit by ruthless measures. Harald's sons had +no help for it but to feign madness. For when they found themselves +suddenly attacked, they began to behave like maniacs, as if they were +distraught. And when Frode thought that they were possessed, he gave +up his purpose, thinking it shameful to attack with the sword those who +seemed to be turning the sword against themselves. But he was burned +to death by them on the following night, and was punished as befitted a +fratricide. For they attacked the palace, and first crushing the queen +with a mass of stones and then, having set fire to the house, they +forced Frode to crawl into a narrow cave that had been cut out long +before, and into the dark recesses of tunnels. Here he lurked in hiding +and perished, stifled by the reek and smoke. + +After Frode was killed, HALFDAN reigned over his country about three +years, and then, handing over his sovereignty to his brother Harald as +deputy, went roving, and attacked and ravaged Oland and the neighbouring +isles, which are severed from contact with Sweden by a winding sound. +Here in the winter he beached and entrenched his ships, and spent three +years on the expedition. After this he attacked Sweden, and destroyed +its king in the field. Afterwards he prepared to meet the king's +grandson Erik, the son of his own uncle Frode, in battle; and when he +heard that Erik's champion, Hakon, was skillful in blunting swords with +his spells, he fashioned, to use for clubbing, a huge mace studded with +iron knobs, as if he would prevail by the strength of wood over the +power of sorcery. Then--for he was conspicuous beyond all others for his +bravery--amid the hottest charges of the enemy, he covered his head with +his helmet, and, without a shield, poised his club, and with the help +of both hands whirled it against the bulwark of shields before him. No +obstacle was so stout but it was crushed to pieces by the blow of the +mass that smote it. Thus he overthrew the champion, who ran against him +in the battle, with a violent stroke of his weapon. But he was conquered +notwithstanding, and fled away into Helsingland, where he went to one +Witolf (who had served of old with Harald), to seek tendance for his +wounds. This man had spent most of his life in camp; but at last, after +the grievous end of his general, he had retreated into this lonely +district, where he lived the life of a peasant, and rested from the +pursuits of war. Often struck himself by the missiles of the enemy, he +had gained no slight skill in leechcraft by constantly tending his own +wounds. But if anyone came with flatteries to seek his aid, instead of +curing him he was accustomed to give him something that would secretly +injure him, thinking it somewhat nobler to threaten than to wheedle for +benefits. When the soldiers of Erik menaced his house, in their desire +to take Halfdan, he so robbed them of the power of sight that they could +neither perceive the house nor trace it with certainty, though it was +close to them. So utterly had their eyesight been dulled by a decisive +mist. + +When Halfdan had by this man's help regained his full strength, he +summoned Thore, a champion of notable capacity, and proclaimed war +against Erik. But when the forces were led out on the other side, and +he saw that Erik was superior in numbers, he hid a part of his army, and +instructed it to lie in ambush among the bushes by the wayside, in order +to destroy the enemy by an ambuscade as he marched through the narrow +part of the path. Erik foresaw this, having reconnoitred his means of +advancing, and thought he must withdraw for fear, if he advanced along +the track he had intended, of being hard-pressed by the tricks of the +enemy among the steep windings of the hills. They therefore joined +battle, force against force, in a deep valley, inclosed all round by +lofty mountain ridges. Here Halfdan, when he saw the line of his +men wavering, climbed with Thore up a crag covered with stones and, +uprooting boulders, rolled them down upon the enemy below; and the +weight of these as they fell crushed the line that was drawn up in the +lower position. Thus he regained with stones the victory which he +had lost with arms. For this deed of prowess he received the name of +Biargramm ("rock strong"), a word which seems to have been compounded +from the name of his fierceness and of the mountains. He soon gained so +much esteem for this among the Swedes that he was thought to be the son +of the great Thor, and the people bestowed divine honours upon him, and +judged him worthy of public libation. + +But the souls of the conquered find it hard to rest, and the insolence +of the beaten ever struggles towards the forbidden thing. So it came to +pass that Erik, in his desire to repair the losses incurred in flight, +attacked the districts subject to Halfdan. Even Denmark he did not +exempt from this harsh treatment; for he thought it a most worthy deed +to assail the country of the man who had caused him to be driven from +his own. And so, being more anxious to inflict injury than to repel it, +he set Sweden free from the arms of the enemy. When Halfdan heard that +his brother Harald had been beaten by Erik in three battles, and slain +in the fourth, he was afraid of losing his empire; he had to quit the +land of the Swedes and go back to his own country. Thus Erik regained +the kingdom of Sweden all the more quickly, that he quitted it so +lightly. Had fortune wished to favour him in keeping his kingdom as much +as she had in regaining it, she would in nowise have given him into +the hand of Halfdan. This capture was made in the following way: When +Halfdan had gone back into Sweden, he hid his fleet craftily, and went +to meet Erik with two vessels. Erik attacked him with ten; and Halfdan, +sailing through sundry winding channels, stole back to his concealed +forces. Erik pursued him too far, and the Danish fleet came out on +the sea. Thus Erik was surrounded; but he rejected the life, which was +offered him under condition of thraldom. He could not bear to think more +of the light of day than liberty, and chose to die rather than serve; +lest he should seem to love life so well as to turn from a slave into +a freeman; and that he might not court with new-born obeisance the man +whom fortune had just before made only his equal. So little knows virtue +how to buy life with dishonour. Wherefore he was put in chains, and +banished to a place haunted by wild beasts; an end unworthy of that +lofty spirit. + +Halfdan had thus become sovereign of both kingdoms, and graced his fame +with a triple degree of honour. For he was skillful and eloquent in +composing poems in the fashion of his country; and he was no less +notable as a valorous champion than as a powerful king. But when he +heard that two active rovers, Toke and Anund, were threatening the +surrounding districts, he attacked and routed them in a sea-fight. For +the ancients thought that nothing was more desirable than glory which +was gained, not by brilliancy of wealth, but by address in arms. +Accordingly, the most famous men of old were so minded as to love +seditions, to renew quarrels, to loathe ease, to prefer fighting to +peace, to be rated by their valour and not by their wealth, to find +their greatest delight in battles, and their least in banquetings. + +But Halfdan was not long to seek for a rival. A certain Siwald, of +most illustrious birth, related with lamentation in the assembly of the +Swedes the death of Frode and his queen; and inspired in almost all of +them such a hatred of Halfdan, that the vote of the majority granted him +permission to revolt. Nor was he content with the mere goodwill of their +voices, but so won the heart of the commons by his crafty canvassing +that he induced almost all of them to set with their hands the royal +emblem on his head. Siwald had seven sons, who were such clever +sorcerers that often, inspired with the force of sudden frenzy, they +would roar savagely, bite their shields, swallow hot coals, and go +through any fire that could be piled up; and their frantic passion could +only be checked by the rigour of chains, or propitiated by slaughter +of men. With such a frenzy did their own sanguinary temper, or else the +fury of demons, inspire them. + +When Halfdan had heard of these things while busy roving, he said it +was right that his soldiers, who had hitherto spent their rage upon +foreigners, should now smite with the steel the flesh of their own +countrymen, and that they who had been used to labour to extend their +realm should now avenge its wrongful seizure. On Halfdan approaching, +Siwald sent him ambassadors and requested him, if he was as great in act +as in renown, to meet himself and his sons in single combat, and save +the general peril by his own. When the other answered, that a combat +could not lawfully be fought by more than two men, Siwald said, that +it was no wonder that a childless bachelor should refuse the proffered +conflict, since his nature was void of heat, and had struck a +disgraceful frost into his soul and body. Children, he added, were not +different from the man who begot them, since they drew from him their +common principle of birth. Thus he and his sons were to be accounted +as one person, for nature seemed in a manner to have bestowed on them +a single body. Halfdan, stung with this shameful affront, accepted +the challenge; meaning to wipe out with noble deeds of valour such an +insulting taunt upon his celibacy. And while he chanced to be walking +through a shady woodland, he plucked up by the roots all oak that stuck +in his path, and, by simply stripping it of its branches, made it look +like a stout club. Having this trusty weapon, he composed a short song +as follows: + +"Behold! The rough burden which I bear with straining crest, shall unto +crests bring wounds and destruction. Never shall any weapon of leafy +wood crush the Goths with direr augury. It shall shatter the towering +strength of the knotty neck, and shall bruise the hollow temples with +the mass of timber. The club which shall quell the wild madness of +the land shall be no less fatal to the Swedes. Breaking bones, and +brandished about the mangled limbs of warriors, the stock I have +wrenched off shall crush the backs of the wicked, crush the hearths of +our kindred, shed the blood of our countrymen, and be a destructive pest +upon our land." + +When he had said this, he attacked Siwald and his seven sons, and +destroyed them, their force and bravery being useless against the +enormous mass of his club. + +At this time one Hardbeen, who came from Helsingland, gloried in +kidnapping and ravishing princesses, and used to kill any man who +hindered him in his lusts. He preferred high matches to those that were +lowly; and the more illustrious the victims he could violate, the more +noble he thought himself. No man escaped unpunished who durst measure +himself with Hardbeen in valour. He was so huge, that his stature +reached the measure of nine ells. He had twelve champions dwelling with +him, whose business it was to rise up and to restrain his fury with the +aid of bonds, whenever the rage came on him that foreboded of battle. +These men asked Halfdan to attack Hardbeen and his champions man by man; +and he not only promised to fight, but assured himself the victory with +most confident words. When Hardbeen heard this, a demoniacal frenzy +suddenly took him; he furiously bit and devoured the edges of his +shield; he kept gulping down fiery coals; he snatched live embers in his +mouth and let them pass down into his entrails; he rushed through the +perils of crackling fires; and at last, when he had raved through every +sort of madness, he turned his sword with raging hand against the hearts +of six of his champions. It is doubtful whether this madness came from +thirst for battle or natural ferocity. Then with the remaining band +of his champions he attacked Halfdan, who crushed him with a hammer of +wondrous size, so that he lost both victory and life; paying the +penalty both to Halfdan, whom he had challenged, and to the kings whose +offspring he had violently ravished. + +Fortune never seemed satisfied with the trying of Halfdan's strength, +and used to offer him unexpected occasions for fighting. It so happened +that Egther, a Finlander, was harrying the Swedes on a roving raid. +Halfdan, having found that he had three ships, attacked him with the +same number. Night closed the battle, so that he could not conquer him; +but he challenged Egther next day, fought with and overthrew him. He +next heard that Grim, a champion of immense strength, was suing, under +threats of a duel, for Thorhild, the daughter of the chief Hather, and +that her father had proclaimed that he who put the champion out of the +way should have her. Halfdan, though he had reached old age a bachelor, +was stirred by the promise of the chief as much as by the insolence of +the champion, and went to Norway. When he entered it, he blotted out +every mark by which he could be recognized, disguising his face with +splashes of dirt; and when he came to the spot of the battle, drew his +sword first. And when he knew that it had been blunted by the glance of +the enemy, he cast it on the ground, drew another from the sheath, with +which he attacked Grim, cutting through the meshes on the edge of his +cuirass, as well as the lower part of his shield. Grim wondered at the +deed, and said, "I cannot remember an old man who fought more keenly;" +and, instantly drawing his sword, he pierced through and shattered the +target that was opposed to his blade. But as his right arm tarried on +the stroke, Halfdan, without wavering, met and smote it swiftly with his +sword. The other, notwithstanding, clasped his sword with his left hand, +and cut through the thigh of the striker, revenging the mangling of +his own body with a slight wound. Halfdan, now conqueror, allowed the +conquered man to ransom the remnant of his life with a sum of money; +he would not be thought shamefully to rob a maimed man, who could not +fight, of the pitiful remainder of his days. By this deed he showed +himself almost as great in saving as in conquering his enemy. As a +prize for this victory he won Thorhild in marriage, and had by her a +son Asmund, from whom the kings of Norway treasure the honour of being +descended; retracing the regular succession of their line down from +Halfdan. + +After this, Ebbe, a rover of common birth, was so confident of his +valour, that he was moved to aspire to a splendid marriage. He was +a suitor for Sigrid, the daughter of Yngwin, King of the Goths, and +moreover demanded half the Gothic kingdom for her dowry. Halfdan was +consulted whether the match should be entertained, and advised that +a feigned consent should be given, promising that he would baulk the +marriage. He also gave instructions that a seat should be allotted to +himself among the places of the guests at table. Yngwin approved the +advice; and Halfdan, utterly defacing the dignity of his royal presence +with an unsightly and alien disguise, and coming by night on the wedding +feast, alarmed those who met him; for they marvelled at the coming of a +man of such superhuman stature. + +When Halfdan entered the palace, he looked round on all and asked, who +was he that had taken the place next to the king? Upon Ebbe replying +that the future son-in-law of the king was next to his side, Halfdan +asked him, in the most passionate language, what madness, or what +demons, had brought him to such wantonness, as to make bold to unite his +contemptible and filthy race with a splendid and illustrious line, or to +dare to lay his peasant finger upon the royal family: and, not content +even with such a claim, to aspire, as it seemed, to a share even in the +kingdom of another. Then he bade Ebbe fight him, saying that he must get +the victory before he got his wish. The other answered that the night +was the time to fight with monsters, but the day the time with men; +but Halfdan, to prevent him shirking the battle by pleading the hour, +declared that the moon was shining with the brightness of daylight. +Thus he forced Ebbe to fight, and felled him, turning the banquet into a +spectacle, and the wedding into a funeral. + +Some years passed, and Halfdan went back to his own country, and +being childless he bequeathed the royal wealth by will to Yngwin, and +appointed him king. YNGWIN was afterwards overthrown in war by a rival +named Ragnald, and he left a son SIWALD. + +Siwald's daughter, Sigrid, was of such excellent modesty, that though a +great concourse of suitors wooed her for her beauty, it seemed as if she +could not be brought to look at one of them. Confident in this power of +self-restraint, she asked her father for a husband who by the sweetness +of his blandishments should be able to get a look back from her. For in +old time among us the self-restraint of the maidens was a great subduer +of wanton looks, lest the soundness of the soul should be infected by +the licence of the eyes; and women desired to avouch the purity of their +hearts by the modesty of their faces. Then one Ottar, the son of Ebb, +kindled with confidence in the greatness either of his own achievements, +or of his courtesy and eloquent address, stubbornly and ardently desired +to woo the maiden. And though he strove with all the force of his wit to +soften her gaze, no device whatever could move her downcast eyes; and, +marvelling at her persistence in her indomitable rigour, he departed. + +A giant desired the same thing, but, finding himself equally foiled, he +suborned a woman; and she, pretending friendship for the girl, served +her for a while as her handmaid, and at last enticed her far from her +father's house, by cunningly going out of the way; then the giant rushed +upon her and bore her off into the closest fastnesses of a ledge on +the mountain. Others think that he disguised himself as a woman, +treacherously continued his devices so as to draw the girl away from her +own house, and in the end carried her off. When Ottar heard of this, he +ransacked the recesses of the mountain in search of the maiden, found +her, slew the giant, and bore her off. But the assiduous giant had bound +back the locks of the maiden, tightly twisting her hair in such a way +that the matted mass of tresses was held in a kind of curled bundle; nor +was it easy for anyone to unravel their plaited tangle, without using +the steel. Again, he tried with divers allurements to provoke the maiden +to look at him; and when he had long laid vain siege to her listless +eyes, he abandoned his quest, since his purpose turned out so little to +his liking. But he could not bring himself to violate the girl, loth +to defile with ignoble intercourse one of illustrious birth. She then +wandered long, and sped through divers desert and circuitous paths, and +happened to come to the hut of a certain huge woman of the woods, who +set her to the task of pasturing her goats. Again Ottar granted her his +aid to set her free, and again he tried to move her, addressing her in +this fashion: "Wouldst thou rather hearken to my counsels, and embrace +me even as I desire, than be here and tend the flock of rank goats? + +"Spurn the hand of thy wicked mistress, and flee hastily from thy +cruel taskmistress, that thou mayst go back with me to the ships of thy +friends and live in freedom. + +"Quit the care of the sheep entrusted to thee; scorn to drive the steps +of the goats; share my bed, and fitly reward my prayers. + +"O thou whom I have sought with such pains, turn again thy listless +beams; for a little while--it is an easy gesture--lift thy modest face. + +"I will take thee hence, and set thee by the house of thy father, and +unite thee joyfully with thy loving mother, if but once thou wilt show +me thine eyes stirred with soft desires. + +"Thou, whom I have borne so oft from the prisons of the giants, pay thou +some due favour to my toil of old; pity my hard endeavours, and be stern +no more. + +"For why art thou become so distraught and brainsick, that thou wilt +choose to tend the flock of another, and be counted among the servants +of monsters, sooner than encourage our marriage-troth with fitting and +equal consent?" + +But she, that she might not suffer the constancy of her chaste mind to +falter by looking at the world without, restrained her gaze, keeping her +lids immovably rigid. How modest, then, must we think, were the women of +that age, when, under the strongest provocations of their lovers, they +could not be brought to make the slightest motion of their eyes! So when +Ottar found that even by the merits of his double service he could not +stir the maiden's gaze towards him, he went back to the fleet, wearied +out with shame and chagrin. Sigrid, in her old fashion, ran far away +over the rocks, and chanced to stray in her wanderings to the abode of +Ebb; where, ashamed of her nakedness and distress, she pretended to be +a daughter of paupers. The mother of Ottar saw that this woman, though +bestained and faded, and covered with a meagre cloak, was the scion of +some noble stock; and took her, and with honourable courtesy kept her +by her side in a distinguished seat. For the beauty of the maiden was +a sign that betrayed her birth, and her telltale features echoed her +lineage. Ottar saw her, and asked why she hid her face in her robe. +Also, in order to test her mind more surely, he feigned that a woman was +about to become his wife, and, as he went up into the bride-bed, gave +Sigrid the torch to hold. The lights had almost burnt down, and she +was hard put to it by the flame coming closer; but she showed such an +example of endurance that she was seen to hold her hand motionless, and +might have been thought to feel no annoyance from the heat. For the +fire within mastered the fire without, and the glow of her longing soul +deadened the burn of her scorched skin. At last Ottar bade her look to +her hand. Then, modestly lifting her eyes, she turned her calm gaze upon +him; and straightway, the pretended marriage being put away, went up +unto the bride-bed to be his wife. Siwald afterwards seized Ottar, and +thought that he ought to be hanged for defiling his daughter. + +But Sigrid at once explained how she had happened to be carried away, +and not only brought Ottar back into the king's favour, but also induced +her father himself to marry Ottar's sister. After this a battle was +fought between Siwald and Ragnald in Zealand, warriors of picked valour +being chosen on both sides. For three days they slaughtered one another; +but so great was the bravery of both sides, that it was doubtful how +the victory would go. Then Ottar, whether seized with weariness at +the prolonged battle, or with desire of glory, broke, despising death, +through the thickest of the foe, cut down Ragnald among the bravest +of his soldiers, and won the Danes a sudden victory. This battle was +notable for the cowardice of the greatest nobles. For the whole mass +fell into such a panic, that forty of the bravest of the Swedes are said +to have turned and fled. The chief of these, Starkad, had been used to +tremble at no fortune, however cruel, and no danger, however great. But +some strange terror stole upon him, and he chose to follow the flight of +his friends rather than to despise it. I should think that he was filled +with this alarm by the power of heaven, that he might not think himself +courageous beyond the measure of human valour. Thus the prosperity of +mankind is wont ever to be incomplete. Then all these warriors embraced +the service of King Hakon, the mightiest of the rovers, like remnants of +the war drifting to him. + +After this Siwald was succeeded by his son SIGAR, who had sons Siwald, +Alf, and Alger, and a daughter Signe. All excelled the rest in spirit +and beauty, and devoted himself to the business of a rover. Such a grace +was shed on his hair, which had a wonderful dazzling glow, that his +locks seemed to shine silvery. At the same time Siward, the king of the +Goths, is said to have had two sons, Wemund and Osten, and a daughter +Alfhild, who showed almost from her cradle such faithfulness to modesty +that she continually kept her face muffled in her robe, lest she should +cause her beauty to provoke the passion of another. Her father banished +her into very close keeping, and gave her a viper and a snake to rear, +wishing to defend her chastity by the protection of these reptiles +when they came to grow up. For it would have been hard to pry into her +chamber when it was barred by so dangerous a bolt. He also enacted that +if any man tried to enter it, and failed, he must straightway yield his +head to be taken off and impaled on a stake. The terror which was thus +attached to wantonness chastened the heated spirits of the young men. + +Alf, the son of Sigar, thinking that peril of the attempt only made it +nobler, declared himself a wooer, and went to subdue the beasts that +kept watch beside the room of the maiden; inasmuch as, according to the +decree, the embraces of the maiden were the prize of their subduer. Alf +covered his body with a blood-stained hide in order to make them more +frantic against him. Girt with this, as soon as he had entered the doors +of the enclosure, he took a piece of red-hot steel in the tongs, and +plunged it into the yawning throat of the viper, which he laid dead. +Then he flung his spear full into the gaping mouth of the snake as it +wound and writhed forward, and destroyed it. And when he demanded the +gage which was attached to victory by the terms of the covenant, Siward +answered that he would accept that man only for his daughter's husband +of whom she made a free and decided choice. None but the girl's mother +was stiff against the wooer's suit; and she privately spoke to her +daughter in order to search her mind. The daughter warmly praised her +suitor for his valour; whereon the mother upbraided her sharply, that +her chastity should be unstrung, and she be captivated by charming +looks; and because, forgetting to judge his virtue, she cast the gaze of +a wanton mind upon the flattering lures of beauty. Thus Alfhild was led +to despise the young Dane; whereupon she exchanged woman's for man's +attire, and, no longer the most modest of maidens, began the life of a +warlike rover. + +Enrolling in her service many maidens who were of the same mind, she +happened to come to a spot where a band of rovers were lamenting the +death of their captain, who had been lost in war; they made her their +rover captain for her beauty, and she did deeds beyond the valour of +woman. Alf made many toilsome voyages in pursuit of her, and in winter +happened to come on a fleet of the Blacmen. The waters were at this time +frozen hard, and the ships were caught in such a mass of ice that they +could not get on by the most violent rowing. But the continued frost +promised the prisoners a safer way of advance; and Alf ordered his men +to try the frozen surface of the sea in their brogues, after they had +taken off their slippery shoes, so that they could run over the level +ice more steadily. The Blacmen supposed that they were taking to flight +with all the nimbleness of their heels, and began to fight them, but +their steps tottered exceedingly and they gave back, the slippery +surface under their soles making their footing uncertain. But the Danes +crossed the frozen sea with safer steps, and foiled the feeble advance +of the enemy, whom they conquered, and then turned and sailed to +Finland. Here they chanced to enter a rather narrow gulf, and, on +sending a few men to reconnoitre, they learnt that the harbour was being +held by a few ships. For Alfhild had gone before them with her fleet +into the same narrows. And when she saw the strange ships afar off, she +rowed in swift haste forward to encounter them, thinking it better to +attack the foe than to await them. Alf's men were against attacking +so many ships with so few; but he replied that it would be shameful +if anyone should report to Alfhild that his desire to advance could be +checked by a few ships in the path; for he said that their record of +honours ought not to be tarnished by such a trifle. + +The Danes wondered whence their enemies got such grace of bodily beauty +and such supple limbs. So, when they began the sea-fight, the young +man Alf leapt on Alfhild's prow, and advanced towards the stern, +slaughtering all that withstood him. His comrade Borgar struck off +Alfhild's helmet, and, seeing the smoothness of her chin, saw that he +must fight with kisses and not with arms; that the cruel spears must be +put away, and the enemy handled with gentler dealings. So Alf rejoiced +that the woman whom he had sought over land and sea in the face of so +many dangers was now beyond all expectation in his power; whereupon he +took hold of her eagerly, and made her change her man's apparel for +a woman's; and afterwards begot on her a daughter, Gurid. Also Borgar +wedded the attendant of Alfhild, Groa, and had by her a son, Harald, to +whom the following age gave the surname Hyldeland. + +And that no one may wonder that this sex laboured at warfare, I will +make a brief digression, in order to give a short account of the estate +and character of such women. There were once women among the Danes who +dressed themselves to look like men, and devoted almost every instant +of their lives to the pursuit of war, that they might not suffer their +valour to be unstrung or dulled by the infection of luxury. For they +abhorred all dainty living, and used to harden their minds and +bodies with toil and endurance. They put away all the softness and +lightmindedness of women, and inured their womanish spirit to masculine +ruthlessness. They sought, moreover, so zealously to be skilled in +warfare, that they might have been thought to have unsexed themselves. +Those especially, who had either force of character or tall and comely +persons, used to enter on this kind of life. These women, therefore +(just as if they had forgotten their natural estate, and preferred +sternness to soft words), offered war rather than kisses, and would +rather taste blood than busses, and went about the business of arms more +than that of amours. They devoted those hands to the lance which they +should rather have applied to the loom. They assailed men with their +spears whom they could have melted with their looks, they thought of +death and not of dalliance. Now I will cease to wander, and will go back +to my theme. + +In the early spring, Alf and Alger, who had gone back to sea-roving, +were exploring the sea in various directions, when they lighted with +a hundred ships upon Helwin, Hagbard, and Hamund, sons of the kinglet +Hamund. These they attacked and only the twilight stayed their +blood-wearied hands; and in the night the soldiers were ordered to keep +truce. On the morrow this was ratified for good by a mutual oath; for +such loss had been suffered on both sides in the battle of the day +before that they had no force left to fight again. Thus, exhausted bye +quality of valour, they were driven perforce to make peace. About the +same time Hildigisl, a Teuton Of noble birth, relying on his looks and +his rank, sued for Signe, the daughter of Sigar. But she scorned him, +chiefly for his insignificance, inasmuch as he was not brave, but wished +to adorn his fortunes with the courage of other people. But this woman +was inclined to love Hakon, chiefly for the high renown of his great +deeds. For she thought more of the brave than the feeble; she admired +notable deeds more than looks, knowing that every allurement of beauty +is mere dross when reckoned against simple valour, and cannot weigh +equal with it in the balance. For there are maids that are more charmed +by the fame than by the face of their lovers; who go not by the looks, +but by the mind, and whom naught but regard for a man's spirit can +kindle to pledge their own troth. Now Hagbard, going to Denmark with the +sons of Sigar, gained speech of their sister without their knowledge, +and in the end induced her to pledge her word to him that she would +secretly become his mistress. Afterwards, when the waiting-women +happened to be comparing the honourable deeds of the nobles, she +preferred Hakon to Hildigisl, declaring that the latter had nothing to +praise but his looks, while in the case of the other a wrinkled visage +was outweighed by a choice spirit. Not content with this plain kind of +praise, she is said to have sung as follows: + +"This man lacks fairness, but shines with foremost courage, measuring +his features by his force. + +"For the lofty soul redeems the shortcoming of harsh looks, and conquers +the body's blemish. + +"His look flashes with spirit, his face, notable in its very harshness, +delights in fierceness. + +"He who strictly judges character praises not the mind for the fair hue, +but rather the complexion for the mind. + +"This man is not prized for beauty, but for brave daring and war-won +honour. + +"While the other is commended by his comely head and radiant countenance +and crest of lustrous locks. + +"Vile is the empty grace of beauty, self-confounded the deceptive pride +of comeliness. + +"Valour and looks are swayed by different inclinations: one lasts on, +the other perishes. + +"Empty red and white brings in vice, and is frittered away little by +little by the lightly gliding years; + +"But courage plants firmer the hearts devoted to it, and does not slip +and straightway fall. + +"The voice of the multitude is beguiled by outward good, and forsakes +the rule of right; + +"But I praise virtue at a higher rate, and scorn the grace of +comeliness." + +This utterance fell on the ears of the bystanders in such a way, that +they thought she praised Hagbard under the name of Hakon. And Hildigisl, +vexed that she preferred Hagbard to himself, bribed a certain blind man, +Bolwis, to bring the sons of Sigar and the sons of Hamund to turn their +friendship into hatred. For King Sigar had been used to transact almost +all affairs by the advice of two old men, one of whom was Bolwis. The +temper of these two men was so different, that one used to reconcile +folk who were at feud, while the other loved to sunder in hatred those +who were bound by friendship, and by estranging folk to fan pestilent +quarrels. + +So Bolwis began by reviling the sons of Hamund to the sons of Sigar, in +lying slanders, declaring that they never used to preserve the bonds of +fellowship loyally, and that they must be restrained by war rather than +by league. Thus the alliance of the young men was broken through; and +while Hagbard was far away, the sons of Sigar, Alf and Alger, made an +attack, and Helwin and Hamund were destroyed by the harbour which is +called Hamund's Bay. Hagbard then came up with fresh forces to avenge +his brothers, and destroyed them in battle. Hildigisl slunk off with a +spear through both buttocks, which was the occasion for a jeer at the +Teutons, since the ugliness of the blow did not fail to brand it with +disgrace. + +Afterwards Hagbard dressed himself in woman's attire, and, as though he +had not wronged Sigar's daughter by slaying her brothers, went back to +her alone, trusting in the promise he had from her, and feeling more +safe in her loyalty than alarmed by reason of his own misdeed. Thus does +lust despise peril. And, not to lack a pretext for his journey, he gave +himself out as a fighting-maid of Hakon, saying that he took an embassy +from him to Sigar. And when he was taken to bed at night among the +handmaids, and the woman who washed his feet were wiping them, they +asked him why he had such hairy legs, and why his hands were not at all +soft to touch, he answered: + +"What wonder that the soft hollow of my foot should harden, and that +long hairs should stay on my shaggy leg, when the sand has so often +smitten my soles beneath, and the briars have caught me in mid-step? + +"Now I scour the forest with leaping, now the waters with running. Now +the sea, now the earth, now the wave is my path. + +"Nor could my breast, shut in bonds of steel, and wont to be beaten with +lance and missile, ever have been soft to the touch, as with you who are +covered by the mantle or the smooth gown. + +"Not the distaff or the wool-frails, but spears dripping from the +slaughter, have served for our handling." + +Signe did not hesitate to back up his words with like dissembling, and +replied that it was natural that hands which dealt more in wounds than +wools, and in battle than in tasks of the house should show the hardness +that befitted their service; and that, unenfeebled with the pliable +softness of women, they should not feel smooth to the touch of others. +For they were hardened partly by the toils of war, partly by the habit +of seafaring. For, said she, the warlike handmaid of Hakon did not +deal in woman's business, but had been wont to bring her right hand +blood-stained with hurling spears and flinging missiles. It was no +wonder, therefore, if her soles were hardened by the immense journeys +she had gone; and that, when the shores she had scoured so often had +bruised them with their rough and broken shingle, they should toughen +in a horny stiffness, and should not feel soft to the touch like theirs, +whose steps never strayed, but who were forever cooped within the +confines of the palace. Hagbard received her as his bedfellow, under +plea that he was to have the couch of honour; and, amid their converse +of mutual delight, he addressed her slowly in such words as these: + +"If thy father takes me and gives me to bitter death, wilt thou +ever, when I am dead, forget so strong a troth, and again seek the +marriage-plight? + +"For if the chance should fall that way, I can hope for no room for +pardon; nor will the father who is to avenge his sons spare or have +pity. + +"For I stripped thy brothers of their power on the sea and slew them; +and now, unknown to thy father, as though I had done naught before +counter to his will, I hold thee in the couch we share. + +"Say, then, my one love, what manner of wish wilt thou show when thou +lackest the accustomed embrace?" + +Signe answered: + +"Trust me, dear; I wish to die with thee, if fate brings thy turn to +perish first, and not to prolong my span of life at all, when once +dismal death has cast thee to the tomb. + +"For if thou chance to close thy eyes for ever, a victim to the maddened +attack of the men-at-arms;--by whatsoever doom thy breath be cut off, +by sword or disease, by sea or soil, I forswear every wanton and corrupt +flame, and vow myself to a death like thine; that they who were bound by +one marriage-union may be embraced in one and the same punishment. Nor +will I quit this man, though I am to feel the pains of death; I have +resolved he is worthy of my love who gathered the first kisses of my +mouth, and had the first fruits of my delicate youth. I think that no +vow will be surer than this, if speech of woman have any loyalty at +all." + +This speech so quickened the spirit of Hagbard, that he found more +pleasure in her promise than peril in his own going away (to his death). +The serving-women betrayed him; and when Sigar's men-at-arms attacked +him, he defended himself long and stubbornly, and slew many of them in +the doorway. But at last he was taken, and brought before the assembly, +and found the voices of the people divided over him. For very many said +that he should be punished for so great an offence; but Bilwis, the +brother of Bolwis, and others, conceived a better judgment, and advised +that it would be better to use his stout service than to deal with him +too ruthlessly. Then Bolwis came forward and declared that it was evil +advice which urged the king to pardon when he ought to take vengeance, +and to soften with unworthy compassion his righteous impulse to anger. +For how could Sigar, in the case of this man, feel any desire to spare +or pity him, when he had not only robbed him of the double comfort of +his sons, but had also bestained him with the insult of deflowering +his daughter? The greater part of the assembly voted for this opinion; +Hagbard was condemned, and a gallows-tree planted to receive him. Hence +it came about that he who at first had hardly one sinister voice against +him was punished with general harshness. Soon after the queen handed him +a cup, and, bidding him assuage his thirst, vexed him with threats after +this manner: + +"Now, insolent Hagbard, whom the whole assembly has pronounced worthy of +death, now to quench thy thirst thou shalt give thy lips liquor to drink +in a cup of horn. + +"Wherefore cast away fear, and, at this last hour of thy life, taste +with bold lips the deadly goblet; + +"That, having drunk it, thou mayst presently land by the dwellings of +those below, passing into the sequestered palace of stern Dis, giving +thy body to the gibbet and thy spirit to Orcus." + +Then the young man took the cup offered him, and is said to have made +answer as follows: + +"With this hand, wherewith I cut off thy twin sons, I will take my last +taste, yea the draught of the last drink. + +"Now not unavenged shall I go to the Elysian regions, not unchastising +to the stern ghosts. For these men have first been shut in the dens of +Tartarus by a slaughter wrought by my endeavours. This right hand was +wet with blood that was yours, this hand robbed thy children of the +years of their youth, children whom thy womb brought to light; but +the deadly sword spared it not then. Infamous woman, raving in spirit, +hapless, childless mother, no years shall restore to thee the lost, no +time and no day whatsoever shall save thy child from the starkness of +death, or redeem him!" + +Thus he avenged the queen's threats of death by taunting her with the +youths whom he had slain; and, flinging back the cup at her, drenched +her face with the sprinkled wine. + +Meantime Signe asked her weeping women whether they could endure to bear +her company in the things which she purposed. They promised that they +would carry out and perform themselves whatsoever their mistress should +come to wish, and their promise was loyally kept. Then, drowned in +tears, she said that she wished to follow in death the only partner of +her bed that she had ever had; and ordered that, as soon as the signal +had been given from a place of watch, torches should be put to the room, +then that halters should be made out of their robes; and to these they +should proffer their throats to be strangled, thrusting away the support +to the feet. They agreed, and that they might blench the less at death, +she gave them a draught of wine. After this Hagbard was led to the hill, +which afterwards took its name from him, to be hanged. Then, to test +the loyalty of his true love, he told the executioners to hang up his +mantle, saying that it would be a pleasure to him if he could see the +likeness of his approaching death rehearsed in some way. The request +was granted; and the watcher on the outlook, thinking that the thing +was being done to Hagbard, reported what she saw to the maidens who were +shut within the palace. They quickly fired the house, and thrusting away +the wooden support under their feet, gave their necks to the noose to +be writhen. So Hagbard, when he saw the palace wrapped in fire, and the +familiar chamber blazing, said that he felt more joy from the loyalty of +his mistress than sorrow at his approaching death. He also charged the +bystanders to do him to death, witnessing how little he made of his doom +by a song like this: + +"Swiftly, O warriors! Let me be caught and lifted into the air. Sweet, O +my bride! Is it for me to die when thou hast gone. + +"I perceive the crackling and the house ruddy with flames; and the love, +long-promised, declares our troth. + +"Behold, thy covenant is fulfilled with no doubtful vows, since thou +sharest my life and my destruction. + +"We shall have one end, one bond after our troth, and somewhere our +first love will live on. + +"Happy am I, that have deserved to have joy of such a consort, and not +to go basely alone to the gods of Tartarus! + +"Then let the knot gripe the midst of the throat; nought but pleasure +the last doom shall bring, + +"Since there remains a sure hope of the renewal of love, and a death +which will soon have joys of its own. + +"Either country is sweet; in both worlds shall be held in honour the +repose of our souls together, our equal truth in love, + +"For, see now, I welcome the doom before me; since not even among the +shades does very love suffer the embrace of its partner to perish." And +as he spoke the executioners strangled him. And, that none may think +that all traces of antiquity have utterly disappeared, a proof of the +aforesaid event is afforded by local marks yet existing; for the killing +of Hagbard gave his name to the stead; and not far from the town of +Sigar there is a place to be seen, where a mound a little above the +level, with the appearance of a swelling in the ground, looks like an +ancient homestead. Moreover, a man told Absalon that he had seen a beam +found in the spot, which a countryman struck with his ploughshare as he +burrowed into the clods. + +Hakon, the son of Hamund, heard of this; but when he was seen to be on +the point of turning his arms from the Irish against the Danes in +order to avenge his brother, Hakon the Zealander, the son of Wigar, and +Starkad deserted him. They had been his allies from the death of Ragnald +up to that hour: one, because he was moved by regard for friendship, +the other by regard for his birth; so that different reasons made both +desire the same thing. + +Now patriotism diverted Hakon (of Zealand) from attacking his country; +for it was apparent that he was going to fight his own people, while all +the rest warred with foreigners. But Starkad forbore to become the foe +of the aged Sigar, whose hospitality he had enjoyed, lest he should be +thought to wrong one who deserved well of him. For some men pay +such respect to hospitality that, if they can remember ever to have +experienced kindly offices from folk, they cannot be thought to inflict +any annoyance on them. But Hakon thought the death of his brother a +worse loss than the defection of his champions; and, gathering his fleet +into the haven called Herwig in Danish, and in Latin Hosts' Bight, he +drew up his men, and posted his line of foot-soldiers in the spot where +the town built by Esbern now defends with its fortifications those who +dwell hard by, and repels the approach of barbarous savages. Then +he divided his forces in three, and sent on two-thirds of his ships, +appointing a few men to row to the river Susa. This force was to advance +on a dangerous voyage along its winding reaches, and to help those on +foot if necessary. He marched in person by land with the remainder, +advancing chiefly over wooded country to escape notice. Part of this +path, which was once closed up with thick woods, is now land ready for +the plough, and fringed with a scanty scrub. And, in order that when +they got out into the plain they might not lack the shelter of trees, +he told them to cut and carry branches. Also, that nothing might burden +their rapid march, he bade them cast away some of their clothes, as +well as their scabbards; and carry their swords naked. In memory of this +event he left the mountain and the ford a perpetual name. Thus by his +night march he eluded two pickets of sentries; but when he came upon +the third, a scout, observing the marvellous event, went to the +sleeping-room of Sigar, saying that he brought news of a portentous +thing; for he saw leaves and shrubs like men walking. Then the king +asked him how far off was the advancing forest; and when he heard that +it was near, he added that this prodigy boded his own death. Hence +the marsh where the shrubs were cut down was styled in common parlance +Deadly Marsh. Therefore, fearing the narrow passages, he left the town, +and went to a level spot which was more open, there to meet the enemy +in battle. Sigar fought unsuccessfully, and was crushed and slain at the +spot that is called in common speech Walbrunna, but in Latin the Spring +of Corpses or Carnage. Then Hakon used his conquest to cruel purpose, +and followed up his good fortune so wickedly, that he lusted for an +indiscriminate massacre, and thought no forbearance should be shown to +rank or sex. Nor did he yield to any regard for compassion or shame, +but stained his sword in the blood of women, and attacked mothers and +children in one general and ruthless slaughter. + +SIWALD, the son of Sigar, had thus far stayed under his father's roof. +But when he heard of this, he mustered an army in order to have his +vengeance. So Hakon, alarmed at the gathering of such numbers, went back +with a third of his army to his fleet at Herwig, and planned to depart +by sea. But his colleague, Hakon, surnamed the Proud, thought that he +ought himself to feel more confidence at the late victory than fear at +the absence of Hakon; and, preferring death to flight, tried to defend +the remainder of the army. So he drew back his camp for a little, and +for a long time waited near the town of Axelsted, for the arrival of the +fleet, blaming his friends for their tardy coming. For the fleet that +had been sent into the river had not yet come to anchor in the appointed +harbour. Now the killing of Sigar and the love of Siwald were stirring +the temper of the people one and all, so that both sexes devoted +themselves to war, and you would have thought that the battle did not +lack the aid of women. + +On the morrow Hakon and Siwald met in an encounter and fought two whole +days. The combat was most frightful; both generals fell; and victory +graced the remnants of the Danes. But, in the night after the battle, +the fleet, having penetrated the Susa, reached the appointed haven. It +was once possible to row along this river; but its bed is now choked +with solid substances, and is so narrowed by its straits that +few vessels can get in, being prevented by its sluggishness and +contractedness. At daybreak, when the sailors saw the corpses of their +friends, they heaped up, in order to bury the general, a barrow of +notable size, which is famous to this day, and is commonly named Hakon's +Howe. + +But Borgar, with Skanian chivalry suddenly came up and slaughtered a +multitude of them. When the enemy were destroyed, he manned their ships, +which now lacked their rowers, and hastily, with breathless speed, +pursued the son of Hamund. He encountered him, and ill-fortune befell +Hakon, who fled in hasty panic with three ships to the country of the +Scots, where, after two years had gone by, he died. + +All these perilous wars and fortunes had so exhausted the royal line +among the Danes, that it was found to be reduced to GURID alone, the +daughter of Alf, and granddaughter of Sigar. And when the Danes saw +themselves deprived of their usual high-born sovereigns, they committed +the kingdom to men of the people, and appointed rulers out of the +commons, assigning to Ostmar the regency of Skaane, and that of Zealand +to Hunding; on Hane they conferred the lordship of Funen; while in the +hands of Rorik and Hather they put the supreme power of Jutland, the +authority being divided. Therefore, that it may not be unknown from what +father sprang the succeeding line of kings, some matters come to my mind +which must be glanced at for a while in a needful digression. + +They say that Gunnar, the bravest of the Swedes, was once at feud with +Norway for the most weighty reasons, and that he was granted liberty to +attack it, but that he turned this liberty into licence by the greatest +perils, and fell, in the first of the raids he planned, upon the +district of Jather, which he put partly to the sword and partly to the +flames. Forbearing to plunder, he rejoiced only in passing through the +paths that were covered with corpses, and the blood-stained ways. +Other men used to abstain from bloodshed, and love pillage more than +slaughter; but he preferred bloodthirstiness to booty, and liked best +to wreak his deadly pleasure by slaughtering men. His cruelty drove +the islanders to forestall the impending danger by a public submission. +Moreover, Ragnald, the King of the Northmen, now in extreme age, when he +heard how the tyrant busied himself, had a cave made and shut up in +it his daughter Drota, giving her due attendance, and providing her +maintenance for a long time. Also he committed to the cave some swords +which had been adorned with the choicest smith-craft, besides the royal +household gear; so that he might not leave the enemy to capture and use +the sword, which he saw that he could not wield himself. And, to prevent +the cave being noticed by its height, he levelled the hump down to the +firmer ground. Then he set out to war; but being unable with his aged +limbs to go down into battle, he leaned on the shoulders of his escort +and walked forth propped by the steps of others. So he perished in the +battle, where he fought with more ardour than success, and left his +country a sore matter for shame. + +For Gunnar, in order to punish the cowardice of the conquered race by +terms of extraordinary baseness, had a dog set over them as a governor. +What can we suppose to have been his object in this action, unless it +were to make a haughty nation feel that their arrogance was being more +signally punished when they bowed their stubborn heads before a yapping +hound? To let no insult be lacking, he appointed governors to look after +public and private affairs in its name; and he appointed separate ranks +of nobles to keep continual and steadfast watch over it. He also +enacted that if any one of the courtiers thought it contemptible to do +allegiance to their chief, and omitted offering most respectful homage +to its various goings and comings as it ran hither and thither, he +should be punished with loss of his limbs. Also Gunnar imposed on the +nation a double tribute, one to be paid out of the autumn harvest, the +other in the spring. Thus he burst the bubble conceit of the Norwegians, +to make them feel clearly how their pride was gone, when they saw it +forced to do homage to a dog. + +When he heard that the king's daughter was shut up in some distant +hiding-place, Gunnar strained his wits in every nerve to track her +out. Hence, while he was himself conducting the search with others, his +doubtful ear caught the distant sound of a subterranean hum. Then he +went on slowly, and recognized a human voice with greater certainty. He +ordered the ground underfoot to be dug down to the solid rock; and +when the cave was suddenly laid open, he saw the winding tunnels. The +servants were slain as they tried to guard the now uncovered entrance +to the cave, and the girl was dragged out of the hole, together with the +booty therein concealed. With great foresight, she had consigned at +any rate her father's swords to the protection of a more secret place. +Gunnar forced her to submit to his will, and she bore a son Hildiger. +This man was such a rival to his father in cruelty, that he was ever +thirsting to kill, and was bent on nothing but the destruction of men, +panting with a boundless lust for bloodshed. Outlawed by his father +on account of his unbearable ruthlessness, and soon after presented by +Alver with a government, he spent his whole life in arms, visiting +his neighbours with wars and slaughters; nor did he, in his estate of +banishment, relax his accustomed savagery a whir, but would not change +his spirit with his habitation. + +Meanwhile Borgar, finding that Gunnar had married Drota, the daughter of +Ragnald, by violence, took from him both life and wife, and wedded Drota +himself. She was not an unwilling bride; she thought it right for her to +embrace the avenger of her parent. For the daughter mourned her father, +and could never bring herself to submit with any pleasure to his +murderer. This woman and Borgar had a son Halfdan, who through all his +early youth was believed to be stupid, but whose later years proved +illustrious for the most glorious deeds, and famous for the highest +qualities that can grace life. Once, when a stripling, he mocked in +boyish fashion at a champion of noble repute, who smote him with a +buffet; whereupon Halfdan attacked him with the staff he was carrying +and killed him. This deed was an omen of his future honours; he had +hitherto been held in scorn, but henceforth throughout his life he had +the highest honour and glory. The affair, indeed, was a prophecy of the +greatness of his deeds in war. + +At this period, Rothe, a Ruthenian rover, almost destroyed our country +with his rapine and cruelty. His harshness was so notable that, while +other men spared their prisoners utter nakedness, he did not think +it uncomely to strip of their coverings even the privy parts of their +bodies; wherefore we are wont to this day to call all severe and +monstrous acts of rapine Rothe-Ran (Rothe's Robbery). He used also +sometimes to inflict the following kind of torture: Fastening the men's +right feet firmly to the earth, he tied the left feet to boughs for +the purpose that when these should spring back the body would be rent +asunder. Hane, Prince of Funen, wishing to win honour and glory, tried +to attack this man with his sea-forces, but took to flight with one +attendant. It was in reproach of him that the proverb arose: "The cock +(Hane) fights better on its own dunghill." Then Borgar, who could not +bear to see his countrymen perishing any longer, encountered Rothe. +Together they fought and together they perished. It is said that in this +battle Halfdan was sorely stricken, and was for some time feeble with +the wounds he had received. One of these was inflicted conspicuously +on his mouth, and its scar was so manifest that it remained as an open +blotch when all the other wounds were healed; for the crushed portion of +the lip was so ulcerated by the swelling, that the flesh would not grow +out again and mend the noisome gash. This circumstance fixed on him a +most insulting nickname,... although wounds in the front of the body +commonly bring praise and not ignominy. So spiteful a colour does the +belief of the vulgar sometimes put upon men's virtues. + +Meanwhile Gurid, the daughter of Alf, seeing that the royal line was +reduced to herself alone, and having no equal in birth whom she could +marry, proclaimed a vow imposing chastity on herself, thinking it better +to have no husband than to take one from the commons. Moreover, to +escape outrage, she guarded her room with a chosen band of champions. +Once Halfdan happened to come to see her. The champions, whose brother +he had himself slain in his boyhood, were away. He told her that she +ought to loose her virgin zone, and exchange her austere chastity for +deeds of love; that she ought not to give in so much to her inclination +for modesty as to be too proud to make a match, and so by her service +repair the fallen monarchy. So he bade her look on himself, who was +of eminently illustrious birth, in the light of a husband, since it +appeared that she would only admit pleasure for the reason he had named. +Gurid answered that she could not bring her mind to ally the remnants of +the royal line to a man of meaner rank. Not content with reproaching +his obscure birth, she also taunted his unsightly countenance. Halfdan +rejoined that she brought against him two faults: one that his blood was +not illustrious enough; another, that he was blemished with a cracked +lip whose scar had never healed. Therefore he would not come back to ask +for her before he had wiped away both marks of shame by winning glory in +war. + +Halfdan entreated her to suffer no man to be privy to her bed until she +heard certain tidings either of his return or his death. The champions, +whom he had bereaved of their brother long ago, were angry that he had +spoken to Gurid, and tried to ride after him as he went away. When +he saw it, he told his comrades to go into ambush, and said he would +encounter the champions alone. His followers lingered, and thought it +shameful to obey his orders, but he drove them off with threats, saying +that Gurid should not find that fear had made him refuse to fight. +Presently he cut down an oak-tree and fashioned it into a club, fought +the twelve single-handed, and killed them. After their destruction, not +content with the honours of so splendid an action, and meaning to do one +yet greater, he got from his mother the swords of his grandfather, one +of which was called Lyusing.... and the other Hwyting, after the sheen +of its well-whetted point. But when he heard that war was raging between +Alver, the King of Sweden, and the Ruthenians (Russians), he instantly +went to Russia, offered help to the natives, and was received by all +with the utmost honour. Alver was not far off, there being only a little +ground to cross to cover the distance between the two. Alver's soldier +Hildiger, the son of Gunnar, challenged the champions of the Ruthenians +to fight him; but when he saw that Halfdan was put up against him, +though knowing well that he was Halfdan's brother, he let natural +feeling prevail over courage, and said that he, who was famous for the +destruction of seventy champions, would not fight with an untried +man. Therefore he told him to measure himself in enterprises of lesser +moment, and thenceforth to follow pursuits fitted to his strength. He +made this announcement not from distrust in his own courage, but in +order to preserve his uprightness; for he was not only very valiant, but +also skilled at blunting the sword with spells. For when he remembered +that Halfdan's father had slain his own, he was moved by two +feelings--the desire to avenge his father, and his love for his brother. +He therefore thought it better to retire from the challenge than to be +guilty of a very great crime. Halfdan demanded another champion in +his place, slew him when he appeared, and was soon awarded the palm +of valour even by the voice of the enemy, being accounted by public +acclamation the bravest of all. On the next day he asked for two men to +fight with, and slew them both. On the third day he subdued three; on +the fourth he overcame four who met him; and on the fifth he asked for +five. + +When Halfdan conquered these, and when the eighth day had been reached +with an equal increase in the combatants and in the victory, he laid low +eleven who attacked him at once. Hildiger, seeing that his own record of +honours was equalled by the greatness of Halfdan's deeds could not bear +to decline to meet him any longer. And when he felt that Halfdan had +dealt him a deadly wound with a sword wrapped in rags, he threw away his +arms, and, lying on the earth, addressed his brother as follows: + +"It is pleasing to pass an hour away in mutual talk; and, while the +sword rests, to sit a little on the ground and while away the time by +speaking in turn, and keep ourselves in good heart. Time is left for our +purpose; our two destinies have a different lot; one is surely doomed to +die by a fatal weird, while triumph and glory and all the good of living +await the other in better years. Thus our omens differ, and our portions +are distinguished. Thou art a son of the Danish land, I of the country +of Sweden. Once, Drota thy mother had her breast swell for thee; she +bore me, and by her I am thy foster-brother. Lo now, there perishes +a righteous offspring, who had the heart to fight with savage spears; +brothers born of a shining race charge and bring death on one another; +while they long for the height of power, they lose their days, and, +having now received a fatal mischief in their desire for a sceptre, they +will go to Styx in a common death. Fast by my head stands my Swedish +shield, which is adorned with (as) a fresh mirror of diverse chasing, +and ringed with layers of marvellous fretwork. There a picture of really +hues shows slain nobles and conquered champions, and the wars also and +the notable deed of my right hand. In the midst is to be seen, painted +in bright relief, the figure of my son, whom this hand bereft of his +span of life. He was our only heir, the only thought of his father's +mind, and given to his mother with comfort from above. An evil lot, +which heaps years of ill-fortune on the joyous, chokes mirth in +mourning, and troubles our destiny. For it is lamentable and wretched +to drag out a downcast life, to draw breath through dismal days and to +chafe at foreboding. But whatsoever things are bound by the prophetic +order of the fates, whatsoever are shadowed in the secrets of the divine +plan, whatsoever are foreseen and fixed in the course of the destinies, +no change of what is transient shall cancel these things." + +When he had thus spoken, Halfdan condemned Hildiger for sloth in avowing +so late their bond of brotherhood; he declared he had kept silence that +he might not be thought a coward for refusing to fight, or a villain +if he fought; and while intent on these words of excuse, he died. +But report had given out among the Danes that Hildiger had overthrown +Halfdan. After this, Siwar, a Saxon of very high birth, began to be a +suitor for Gurid, the only survivor of the royal blood among the Danes. +Secretly she preferred Halfdan to him, and imposed on her wooer the +condition that he should not ask her in marriage till he had united into +one body the kingdom of the Danes, which was now torn limb from limb, +and restored by arms what had been wrongfully taken from her. Siwar made +a vain attempt to do this; but as he bribed all the guardians, she was +at last granted to him in betrothal. Halfdan heard of this in Russia +through traders, and voyaged so hard that he arrived before the time of +the wedding-rites. On their first day, before he went to the palace, he +gave orders that his men should not stir from the watches appointed them +till their ears caught the clash of the steel in the distance. Unknown +to the guests, he came and stood before the maiden, and, that he +might not reveal his meaning to too many by bare and common speech, he +composed a dark and ambiguous song as follows: + +"As I left my father's sceptre, I had no fear of the wiles of woman's +device nor of female subtlety. + +"When I overthrew, one and two, three and four, and soon five, and next +six, then seven, and also eight, yea eleven single-handed, triumphant in +battle. + +"But neither did I then think that I was to be shamed with the taint of +disgrace, with thy frailness to thy word and thy beguiling pledges." + +Gurid answered: "My soul wavered in suspense, with slender power over +events, and shifted about with restless fickleness. The report of thee +was so fleeting, so doubtful, borne on uncertain stories, and parched by +doubting heart. I feared that the years of thy youth had perished by +the sword. Could I withstand singly my elders and governors, when they +forbade me to refuse that thing, and pressed me to become a wife? My +love and my flame are both yet unchanged, they shall be mate and match +to thine; nor has my troth been disturbed, but shall have faithful +approach to thee. + +"For my promise has not yet beguiled thee at all, though I, being alone, +could not reject the counsel of such manifold persuasion, nor oppose +their stern bidding in the matter of my consent to the marriage bond." + +Before the maiden had finished her answer, Halfdan had already run his +sword through the bridegroom. Not content with having killed one man, he +massacred most of the guests. Staggering tipsily backwards, the Saxons +ran at him, but his servants came up and slaughtered them. After this +HALFDAN took Gurid to wife. But finding in her the fault of barrenness, +and desiring much to have offspring, he went to Upsala in order to +procure fruitfulness for her; and being told in answer, that he must +make atonement to the shades of his brother if he would raise up +children, he obeyed the oracle, and was comforted by gaining his desire. +For he had a son by Gurid, to whom he gave the name of Harald. Under his +title Halfdan tried to restore the kingdom of the Danes to its ancient +estate, as it was torn asunder by the injuries of the chiefs; but, while +fighting in Zealand, he attacked Wesete, a very famous champion, in +battle, and was slain. Gurid was at the battle in man's attire, from +love for her son. She saw the event; the young man fought hotly, but +his companions fled; and she took him on her shoulders to a neighbouring +wood. Weariness, more than anything else, kept the enemy from pursuing +him; but one of them shot him as he hung, with an arrow, through the +hinder parts, and Harald thought that his mother's care brought him more +shame than help. + +HARALD, being of great beauty and unusual size, and surpassing those of +his age in strength and stature, received such favour from Odin (whose +oracle was thought to have been the cause of his birth), that steel +could not injure his perfect soundness. The result was, that shafts +which wounded others were disabled from doing him any harm. Nor was the +boon unrequited; for he is reported to have promised to Odin all the +souls which his sword cast out of their bodies. He also had his father's +deeds recorded for a memorial by craftsmen on a rock in Bleking, whereof +I have made mention. + +After this, hearing that Wesete was to hold his wedding in Skaane, he +went to the feast disguised as a beggar; and when all were sunken in +wine and sleep, he battered the bride-chamber with a beam. But Wesete, +without inflicting a wound, so beat his mouth with a cudgel, that he +took out two teeth; but two grinders unexpectedly broke out afterwards +and repaired their loss: an event which earned him the name of +Hyldetand, which some declare he obtained on account of a prominent row +of teeth. Here he slew Wesete, and got the sovereignty of Skaane. Next +he attacked and killed Hather in Jutland; and his fall is marked by the +lasting name of the town. After this he overthrew Hunding and Rorik, +seized Leire, and reunited the dismembered realm of Denmark into its +original shape. Then he found that Asmund, the King of the Wikars, had +been deprived of his throne by his elder sister; and, angered by such +presumption on the part of a woman, went to Norway with a single ship, +while the war was still undecided, to help him. The battle began; and, +clothed in a purple cloak, with a coif broidered with gold, and with his +hair bound up, he went against the enemy trusting not in arms, but in +his silent certainty of his luck, insomuch that he seemed dressed more +for a feast than a fray. But his spirit did not match his attire. +For, though unarmed and only adorned with his emblems of royalty, he +outstripped the rest who bore arms, and exposed himself, lightly-armed +as he was, to the hottest perils of the battle. For the shafts aimed +against him lost all power to hurt, as if their points had been blunted. +When the other side saw him fighting unarmed, they made an attack, and +were forced for very shame into assailing him more hotly. But Harald, +whole in body, either put them to the sword, or made them take to +flight; and thus he overthrew the sister of Asmund, and restored him his +kingdom. When Asmund offered him the prizes of victory, he said that the +reward of glory was enough by itself; and demeaned himself as greatly +in refusing the gifts as he had in earning them. By this he made all men +admire his self-restraint as much as his valour; and declared that the +victory should give him a harvest not of gold but glory. + +Meantime Alver, the King of the Swedes, died leaving sons Olaf, Ing, +and Ingild. One of these, Ing, dissatisfied with the honours his father +bequeathed him, declared war with the Danes in order to extend his +empire. And when Harald wished to inquire of oracles how this war would +end, an old man of great height, but lacking one eye, and clad also in a +hairy mantle, appeared before him, and declared that he was called Odin, +and was versed in the practice of warfare; and he gave him the most +useful instruction how to divide up his army in the field. Now he told +him, whenever he was going to make war with his land-forces, to divide +his whole army into three squadrons, each of which he was to pack into +twenty ranks; the centre squadron, however, he was to extend further +than the rest by the number of twenty men. This squadron he was also to +arrange in the form of the point of a cone or pyramid, and to make the +wings on either side slant off obliquely from it. He was to compose the +successive ranks of each squadron in the following way: the front should +begin with two men, and the number in each succeeding rank should only +increase by one; he was, in fact, to post a rank of three in the second +line, four in the third, and so on behind. And thus, when the men +mustered, all the succeeding ranks were to be manned at the same rate +of proportion, until the end of (the edge that made) the junction of men +came down to the wings; each wing was to be drawn up in ten lines from +that point. Likewise after these squadrons he was to put the young men, +equipped with lances, and behind these to set the company of aged men, +who would support their comrades with what one might call a veteran +valour if they faltered; next, a skilful reckoner should attach wings of +slingers to stand behind the ranks of their fellows and attack the enemy +from a distance with missiles. After these he was to enroll men of any +age or rank indiscriminately, without heed of their estate. Moreover, he +was to draw up the rear like the vanguard, in three separated divisions, +and arranged in ranks similarly proportioned. The back of this, joining +on to the body in front would protect it by facing in the opposite +direction. But if a sea-battle happened to occur, he should withdraw a +portion of his fleet, which when he began the intended engagement, was +to cruise round that of the enemy, wheeling to and fro continually. +Equipped with this system of warfare, he forestalled matters in Sweden, +and killed Ing and Olaf as they were making ready to fight. Their +brother Ingild sent messengers to beg a truce, on pretence of his +ill-health. Harald granted his request, that his own valour, which had +learnt to spare distress, might not triumph over a man in the hour +of lowliness and dejection. When Ingild afterwards provoked Harald +by wrongfully ravishing his sister, Harald vexed him with long and +indecisive war, but then took him into his friendship, thinking it +better to have him for ally than for enemy. + +After this he heard that Olaf, King of the Thronds, had to fight with +the maidens Stikla and Rusila for the kingdom. Much angered at this +arrogance on the part of women, he went to Olaf unobserved, put on dress +which concealed the length of his teeth, and attacked the maidens. He +overthrew them both, leaving to two harbours a name akin to theirs. It +was then that he gave a notable exhibition of valour; for defended +only by a shirt under his shoulders, he fronted the spears with unarmed +breast. + +When Olaf offered Harald the prize of victory, he rejected the gift, +thus leaving it a question whether he had shown a greater example of +bravery or self-control. Then he attacked a champion of the Frisian +nation, named Ubbe, who was ravaging the borders of Jutland and +destroying numbers of the common people; and when Harald could not +subdue him to his arms, he charged his soldiers to grip him with their +hands, throw him on the ground, and to bind him while thus overpowered. +Thus he only overcame the man and mastered him by a shameful kind of +attack, though a little before he thought he would inflict a heavy +defeat on him. But Harald gave him his sister in marriage, and thus +gained him for his soldier. + +Harald made tributaries of the nations that lay along the Rhine, levying +troops from the bravest of that race. With these forces he conquered +Sclavonia in war, and caused its generals, Duk and Dal, because of their +bravery, to be captured, and not killed. These men he took to serve with +him, and, after overcoming Aquitania, soon went to Britain, where he +overthrew the King of the Humbrians, and enrolled the smartest of the +warriors he had conquered, the chief of whom was esteemed to be Orm, +surnamed the Briton. The fame of these deeds brought champions from +divers parts of the world, whom he formed into a band of mercenaries. +Strengthened by their numbers, he kept down insurrections in all +kingdoms by the terror of his name, so that he took out of their rulers +all courage to fight with one another. Moreover, no man durst assume any +sovereignty on the sea without his consent; for of old the state of the +Danes had the joint lordship of land and sea. + +Meantime Ingild died in Sweden, leaving only a very little son, Ring, +whom he had by the sister of Harald. Harald gave the boy guardians, and +put him over his father's kingdom. Thus, when he had overcome princes +and provinces, he passed fifty years in peace. To save the minds of his +soldiers from being melted into sloth by this inaction, he decreed that +they should assiduously learn from the champions the way of parrying +and dealing blows. Some of these were skilled in a remarkable manner of +fighting, and used to smite the eyebrow on the enemy's forehead with an +infallible stroke; but if any man, on receiving the blow, blinked for +fear, twitching his eyebrow, he was at once expelled the court and +dismissed the service. + +At this time Ole, the son of Siward and of Harald's sister, came to +Denmark from the land of Norway in the desire to see his uncle. Since it +is known that he had the first place among the followers of Harald, and +that after the Swedish war he came to the throne of Denmark, it bears +somewhat on the subject to relate the traditions of his deeds. Ole, +then, when he had passed his tenth to his fifteenth year with his +father, showed incredible proofs of his brilliant gifts both of mind and +body. Moreover, he was so savage of countenance that his eyes were like +the arms of other men against the enemy, and he terrified the bravest +with his stern and flashing glance. He heard the tidings that Gunn, +ruler of Tellemark, with his son Grim, was haunting as a robber the +forest of Etha-scog, which was thick with underbrush and full of gloomy +glens. The offence moved his anger; then he asked his father for a +horse, a dog, and such armour as could be got, and cursed his youth, +which was suffering the right season for valour to slip sluggishly away. +He got what he asked, and explored the aforesaid wood very narrowly. He +saw the footsteps of a man printed deep on the snow; for the rime was +blemished by the steps, and betrayed the robber's progress. Thus guided, +he went over a hill, and came on a very great river. This effaced the +human tracks he had seen before, and he determined that he must cross. +But the mere mass of water, whose waves ran down in a headlong torrent, +seemed to forbid all crossing; for it was full of hidden reefs, and the +whole length of its channel was turbid with a kind of whirl of foam. +Yet all fear of danger was banished from Ole's mind by his impatience +to make haste. So valour conquered fear, and rashness scorned peril; +thinking nothing hard to do if it were only to his mind, he crossed +the hissing eddies on horseback. When he had passed these, he came upon +defiles surrounded on all sides with swamps, the interior of which was +barred from easy approach by the pinnacle of a bank in front. He took +his horse over this, and saw an enclosure with a number of stalls. Out +of this he turned many horses, and was minded to put in his own, when +a certain Tok, a servant of Gunn, angry that a stranger should wax so +insolent, attacked him fiercely; but Ole foiled his assailant by simply +opposing his shield. Thinking it a shame to slay the fellow with the +sword, he seized him, shattered him limb by limb, and flung him across +into the house whence he had issued in his haste. This insult quickly +aroused Gunn and Grim: they ran out by different side-doors, and charged +Ole both at once, despising his age and strength. He wounded them +fatally; and, when their bodily powers were quite spent, Grim, who could +scarce muster a final gasp, and whose force was almost utterly gone, +with his last pants composed this song: + +"Though we be weak in frame, and the loss of blood has drained our +strength; since the life-breath, now drawn out by my wound, scarce +quivers softly in my pierced breast: + +"I counsel that we should make the battle of our last hour glorious +with dauntless deeds, that none may say that a combat has anywhere been +bravelier waged or harder fought; + +"And that our wild strife while we bore arms may, when our weary flesh +has found rest in the tomb, win us the wage of immortal fame. + +"Let our first stroke crush the shoulder-blades of the foe, let our +steel cut off both his hands; so that, when Stygian Pluto has taken us, +a like doom may fall on Ole also, and a common death tremble over three, +and one urn cover the ashes of three." + +Here Grim ended. But his father, rivalling his indomitable spirit, and +wishing to give some exhortation in answer to his son's valiant speech, +thus began: + +"What though our veins be wholly bloodless, and in our frail body the +life be brief, yet our last fight be so strong and strenuous that it +suffer not the praise of us to be brief also. + +"Therefore aim the javelin first at the shoulders and arms of the foe, +so that the work of his hands may be weakened; and thus when we are +gone three shall receive a common sepulchre, and one urn alike for three +shall cover our united dust." + +When he had said this, both of them, resting on their knees (for the +approach of death had drained their strength), made a desperate effort +to fight Ole hand to hand, in order that, before they perished, they +might slay their enemy also; counting death as nothing if only they +might envelope their slayer in a common fall. Ole slew one of them with +his sword, the other with his hound. But even he gained no bloodless +victory; for though he had been hitherto unscathed, now at last he +received a wound in front. His dog diligently licked him over, and he +regained his bodily strength: and soon, to publish sure news of his +victory, he hung the bodies of the robbers upon gibbets in wide view. +Moreover, he took the stronghold, and put in secret keeping all the +booty he found there, in reserve for future use. + +At this time the arrogant wantonness of the brothers Skate and Hiale +waxed so high that they would take virgins of notable beauty from +their parents and ravish them. Hence it came about that they formed the +purpose of seizing Esa, the daughter of Olaf, prince of the Werms; +and bade her father, if he would not have her serve the passion of a +stranger, fight either in person, or by some deputy, in defence of his +child. When Ole had news of this, he rejoiced in the chance of a battle, +and borrowing the attire of a peasant, went to the dwelling of Olaf. +He received one of the lowest places at table; and when he saw the +household of the king in sorrow, he called the king's son closer to him, +and asked why they all wore so lamentable a face. The other answered, +that unless someone quickly interposed to protect them, his sister's +chastity would soon be outraged by some ferocious champions. Ole next +asked him what reward would be received by the man who devoted his life +for the maiden. Olaf, on his son asking him about this matter, said that +his daughter should go to the man who fought for her: and these words, +more than anything, made Ole long to encounter the danger. + +Now the maiden was wont to go from one guest to another in order to scan +their faces narrowly, holding out a light that she might have a surer +view of the dress and character of those who were entertained. It is +also believed that she divined their lineage from the lines and features +of the face, and could discern any man's birth by sheer shrewdness of +vision. When she stood and fixed the scrutiny of her gaze upon Olaf, +she was stricken with the strange awfulness of his eyes, and fell almost +lifeless. But when her strength came slowly back, and her breath went +and came more freely, she again tried to look at the young man, but +suddenly slipped and fell forward, as though distraught. A third time +also she strove to lift her closed and downcast gaze, but suddenly +tottered and fell, unable not only to move her eyes, but even to control +her feet; so much can strength be palsied by amazement. When Olaf saw +it, he asked her why she had fallen so often. She averred that she was +stricken by the savage gaze of the guest; that he was born of kings; and +she declared that if he could baulk the will of the ravishers, he was +well worthy of her arms. Then all of them asked Ole, who was keeping +his face muffled in a hat, to fling off his covering, and let them see +something by which to learn his features. Then, bidding them all lay +aside their grief, and keep their heart far from sorrow, he uncovered +his brow; and he drew the eyes of all upon him in marvel at his great +beauty. For his locks were golden and the hair of his head was radiant; +but he kept the lids close over his pupils, that they might not terrify +the beholders. + +All were heartened with the hope of better things; the guests seemed to +dance and the courtiers to leap for joy; the deepest melancholy seemed +to be scattered by an outburst of cheerfulness. Thus hope relieved their +fears; the banquet wore a new face, and nothing was the same, or +like what it had been before. So the kindly promise of a single guest +dispelled the universal terror. Meanwhile Hiale and Skate came up +with ten servants, meaning to carry off the maiden then and there, and +disturbed all the place with their noisy shouts. They called on the king +to give battle, unless he produced his daughter instantly. Ole at once +met their frenzy with the promise to fight, adding the condition that +no one should stealthily attack an opponent in the rear, but should only +combat in the battle face to face. Then, with his sword called Logthi, +he felled them all, single-handed--an achievement beyond his years. The +ground for the battle was found on an isle in the middle of a swamp, +not far from which is a stead that serves to memorise this slaughter, +bearing the names of the brothers Hiale and Skate together. + +So the girl was given him as prize of the combat, and bore him a son +Omund. Then he gained his father-in-law's leave to revisit his father. +But when he heard that his country was being attacked by Thore, with +the help of Toste Sacrificer, and Leotar, surnamed.... he went to fight +them, content with a single servant, who was dressed as a woman. When +he was near the house of Thore, he concealed his own and his attendant's +swords in hollowed staves. And when he entered the palace, he disguised +his true countenance, and feigned to be a man broken with age. He said +that with Siward he had been king of the beggars, but that he was now in +exile, having been stubbornly driven forth by the hatred of the king's +son Ole. Presently many of the courtiers greeted him with the name of +king, and began to kneel and offer him their hands in mockery. He told +them to bear out in deeds what they had done in jest; and, plucking out +the swords which he and his man kept shut in their staves, attacked the +king. So some aided Ole, taking it more as jest than earnest, and would +not be false to the loyalty which they mockingly yielded him; but most +of them, breaking their idle vow, took the side of Thore. Thus arose an +internecine and undecided fray. At last Thore was overwhelmed and slain +by the arms of his own folk, as much as by these of his guests; and +Leotar, wounded to the death, and judging that his conqueror, Ole, was +as keen in mind as he was valorous in deeds, gave him the name of the +Vigorous, and prophesied that he should perish by the same kind of trick +as he had used with Thore; for, without question he should fall by the +treachery of his own house. And, as he spoke, he suddenly passed away. +Thus we can see that the last speech of the dying man expressed by its +shrewd divination the end that should come upon his conqueror. + +After these deeds Ole did not go back to his father till he had restored +peace to his house. His father gave him the command of the sea, and he +destroyed seventy sea-kings in a naval battle. The most distinguished +among these were Birwil and Hwirwil, Thorwil, Nef and Onef, Redward (?), +Rand and Erand (?). By the honour and glory of this exploit he excited +many champions, whose whole heart's desire was for bravery, to join +in alliance with him. He also enrolled into a bodyguard the wild young +warriors who were kindled with a passion for glory. Among these he +received Starkad with the greatest honour, and cherished him with more +friendship than profit. Thus fortified, he checked, by the greatness of +his name, the wantonness of the neighbouring kings, in that he took from +them all their forces and all liking and heart for mutual warfare. + +After this he went to Harald, who made him commander of the sea; and at +last he was transferred to the service of Ring. At this time one Brun +was the sole partner and confidant of all Harald's councils. To this man +both Harald and Ring, whenever they needed a secret messenger, used to +entrust their commissions. This degree of intimacy he obtained because +he had been reared and fostered with them. But Brun, amid the toils of +his constant journeys to and fro, was drowned in a certain river; and +Odin, disguised under his name and looks, shook the close union of the +kings by his treacherous embassage; and he sowed strife so guilefully +that he engendered in men, who were bound by friendship and blood, +a bitter mutual hate, which seemed unappeasable except by war. Their +dissensions first grew up silently; at last both sides betrayed their +leanings, and their secret malice burst into the light of day. So they +declared their feuds, and seven years passed in collecting the materials +of war. Some say that Harald secretly sought occasions to destroy +himself, not being moved by malice or jealousy for the crown, but by a +deliberate and voluntary effort. His old age and his cruelty made him a +burden to his subjects; he preferred the sword to the pangs of disease, +and liked better to lay down his life in the battle-field than in his +bed, that he might have an end in harmony with the deeds of his past +life. Thus, to make his death more illustrious, and go to the nether +world in a larger company, he longed to summon many men to share his +end; and he therefore of his own will prepared for war, in order to make +food for future slaughter. For these reasons, being seized with as great +a thirst to die himself as to kill others, and wishing the massacre on +both sides to be equal, he furnished both sides with equal resources; +but let Ring have a somewhat stronger force, preferring he should +conquer and survive him. + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) A parallel is the Lionel-Lancelot story of children saved by + being turned into dogs. + + + + +BOOK EIGHT. + +STARKAD was the first to set in order in Danish speech the history of +the Swedish war, a conflict whereof he was himself a mighty pillar; the +said history being rather an oral than a written tradition. He set forth +and arranged the course of this war in the mother tongue according to +the fashion of our country; but I purpose to put it into Latin, and will +first recount the most illustrious princes on either side. For I have +felt no desire to include the multitude, which are even past exact +numbering. And my pen shall relate first those on the side of Harald, +and presently those who served under Ring. + +Now the most famous of the captains that mustered to Harald are +acknowledged to have been Sweyn and Sambar (Sam?), Ambar and Elli; Rati +of Funen, Salgard and Roe (Hrothgar), whom his long beard distinguished +by a nickname. Besides these, Skalk the Scanian, and Alf the son of Agg; +to whom are joined Olwir the Broad, and Gnepie the Old. Besides these +there was Gardh, founder of the town Stang. To these are added the +kinsfolk or bound followers of Harald: Blend (Blaeng?), the dweller +in furthest Thule, (1) and Brand, whose surname was Crumb (Bitling?). +Allied with these were Thorguy, with Thorwig, Tatar (Teit), and Hialte. +These men voyaged to Leire with bodies armed for war; but they were also +mighty in excellence of wit, and their trained courage matched their +great stature; for they had skill in discharging arrows both from bow +and catapult, and at fighting their foe as they commonly did, man to +man; and also at readily stringing together verse in the speech of their +country: so zealously had they trained mind and body alike. Now out of +Leire came Hortar (Hjort) and Borrhy (Borgar or Borgny), and also Belgi +and Beigad, to whom were added Bari and Toli. Now out of the town of +Sle, under the captains Hetha (Heid) and Wisna, with Hakon Cut-cheek +came Tummi the Sailmaker. On these captains, who had the bodies of +women, nature bestowed the souls of men. Webiorg was also inspired with +the same spirit, and was attended by Bo (Bui) Bramason and Brat the +Jute, thirsting for war. In the same throng came Orm of England, Ubbe +the Frisian, Ari the One-eyed, and Alf Gotar. Next in the count came Dal +the Fat and Duk the Sclav; Wisna, a woman, filled with sternness, and +a skilled warrior, was guarded by a band of Sclavs: her chief followers +were Barri and Gnizli. But the rest of the same company had their bodies +covered by little shields, and used very long swords and targets of +skiey hue, which, in time of war, they either cast behind their backs or +gave over to the baggage-bearers; while they cast away all protection to +their breasts, and exposed their bodies to every peril, offering battle +with drawn swords. The most illustrious of these were Tolkar and Ymi. +After these, Toki of the province of Wohin was conspicuous together with +Otrit surnamed the Young. Hetha, guarded by a retinue of very active +men, brought an armed company to the war, the chiefs of whom were Grim +and Grenzli; next to whom are named Geir the Livonian, Hame also and +Hunger, Humbli and Biari, bravest of the princes. These men often fought +duels successfully, and won famous victories far and wide. + +The maidens I have named, in fighting as well as courteous array, led +their land-forces to the battle-field. Thus the Danish army mustered +company by company. There were seven kings, equal in spirit but +differing in allegiance, some defending Harald, and some Ring. Moreover, +the following went to the side of Harald: Homi and Hosathul (Eysothul?), +Him...., Hastin and Hythin (Hedin) the Slight, also Dahar (Dag), named +Grenski, and Harald Olafsson also. From the province of Aland came Har +and Herlewar (Herleif), with Hothbrodd, surnamed the Furious; these +fought in the Danish camp. But from Imisland arrived Humnehy (?) and +Harald. They were joined by Haki and by Sigmund and Serker the sons of +Bemon, all coming from the North. All these were retainers of the king, +who befriended them most generously; for they were held in the highest +distinction by him, receiving swords adorned with gold, and the choicest +spoils of war. There came also.... the sons of Gandal the old, who were +in the intimate favour of Harald by reason of ancient allegiance. Thus +the sea was studded with the Danish fleet, and seemed to interpose a +bridge, uniting Zealand to Skaane. To those that wished to pass between +those provinces, the sea offered a short road on foot over the dense +mass of ships. But Harald would not have the Swedes unprepared in +their arrangements for war, and sent men to Ring to carry his public +declaration of hostilities, and notify the rupture of the mediating +peace. The same men were directed to prescribe the place of combat. +These then whom I have named were the fighters for Harald. + +Now, on the side of Ring were numbered Ulf, Aggi (Aki?), Windar +(Eywind?), Egil the One-eyed; Gotar, Hildi, Guti Alfsson; Styr the +Stout, and (Tolo-) Stein, who lived by the Wienic Mere. To these were +joined Gerd the Glad and Gromer (Glum?) from Wermland. After these are +reckoned the dwellers north on the Elbe, Saxo the Splitter, Sali the +Goth; Thord the Stumbler, Throndar Big-nose; Grundi, Oddi, Grindir, +Tovi; Koll, Biarki, Hogni the Clever, Rokar the Swart. Now these scorned +fellowship with the common soldiers, and had formed themselves into +a separate rank apart from the rest of the company. Besides these +are numbered Hrani Hildisson and Lyuth Guthi (Hljot Godi), Svein the +Topshorn, (Soknarsoti?), Rethyr (Hreidar?) Hawk, and Rolf the Uxorious +(Woman-lover). Massed with these were Ring Adilsson and Harald who came +from Thotn district. Joined to these were Walstein of Wick, Thorolf the +Thick, Thengel the Tall, Hun, Solwe, Birwil the Pale, Borgar and Skumbar +(Skum). But from, Tellemark came the bravest of all, who had most +courage but least arrogance--Thorleif the Stubborn, Thorkill the Gute +(Gothlander), Grettir the Wicked and the Lover of Invasions. Next to +these came Hadd the Hard and Rolder (Hroald) Toe-joint. + +From Norway we have the names of Thrand of Throndhjem, Thoke (Thore) +of More, Hrafn the White, Haf (war), Biarni, Blihar (Blig?) surnamed +Snub-nosed; Biorn from the district of Sogni; Findar (Finn) born in +the Firth; Bersi born in the town F(I)alu; Siward Boarhead, Erik the +Story-teller, Holmstein the White, Hrut Rawi (or Vafi, the Doubter), +Erling surnamed Snake. Now from the province of Jather came Odd the +Englishman, Alf the Far-wanderer, Enar the Paunched, and Ywar surnamed +Thriug. Now from Thule (Iceland) came Mar the Red, born and bred in the +district called Midfirth; Grombar the Aged, Gram Brundeluk (Bryndalk?) +Grim from the town of Skier (um) born in Skagafiord. Next came Berg the +Seer, accompanied by Bragi and Rafnkel. + +Now the bravest of the Swedes were these: Arwakki, Keklu-Karl +(Kelke-Karl), Krok the Peasant, (from Akr), Gudfast and Gummi from +Gislamark. These were kindred of the god Frey, and most faithful +witnesses to the gods. Ingi (Yngwe) also, and Oly, Alver, Folki, all +sons of Elrik (Alrek), embraced the service of Ring; they were men ready +of hand, quick in counsel, and very close friends of Ring. They likewise +held the god Frey to be the founder of their race. Amongst these from +the town of Sigtun also came Sigmund, a champion advocate, versed in +making contracts of sale and purchase; besides him Frosti surnamed Bowl: +allied with him was Alf the Lofty (Proud?) from the district of Upsala; +this man was a swift spear-thrower, and used to go in the front of the +battle. + +Ole had a body-guard in which were seven kings, very ready of hand and +of counsel; namely, Holti, Hendil, Holmar, Lewy (Leif), and Hame; with +these was enrolled Regnald the Russian, the grandson of Radbard; and +Siwald also furrowed the sea with eleven light ships. Lesy (Laesi), the +conqueror of the Pannonians (Huns), fitted with a sail his swift galley +ringed with gold. Thririkar (Erik Helsing) sailed in a ship whose prows +were twisted like a dragon. Also Thrygir (Tryggve) and Torwil sailed +and brought twelve ships jointly. In the entire fleet of Ring there were +2,500 ships. + +The fleet of Gotland was waiting for the Swedish fleet in the harbour +named Garnum. So Ring led the land-force, while Ole was instructed +to command the fleet. Now the Goths were appointed a time and a place +between Wik and Werund for the conflict with the Swedes. Then was the +sea to be seen furrowed up with prows, and the canvas unfurled upon +the masts cut off the view over the ocean. The Danes had so far been +distressed with bad weather; but the Swedish fleet had a fair voyage, +and had reached the scene of battle earlier. Here Ring disembarked his +forces from his fleet, and then massed and prepared to draw up in line +both these and the army he had himself conducted overland. When these +forces were at first loosely drawn up over the open country, it was +found that one wing reached all the way to Werund. The multitude was +confused in its places and ranks; but the king rode round it, and posted +in the van all the smartest and most excellently-armed men, led by Ole, +Regnald, and Wivil; then he massed the rest of the army on the two wings +in a kind of curve. Ung, with the sons of Alrek, and Trig, he ordered +to protect the right wing, while the left was put under the command +of Laesi. Moreover, the wings and the masses were composed mainly of a +close squadron of Kurlanders and of Esthonians. Last stood the line of +slingers. + +Meantime the Danish fleet, favoured by kindly winds, sailed, without +stopping, for twelve days, and came to the town (stead) of Kalmar. +The wind-blown sails covering the waters were a marvel; and the canvas +stretched upon the yards blotted out the sight of the heavens. For the +fleet was augmented by the Sclavs and the Livonians and 7,000 Saxons. +But the Skanians, knowing the country, were appointed as guides and +scouts to those who were going over the dry land. So when the Danish +army came upon the Swedes, who stood awaiting them, Ring told his men to +stand quietly until Harald had drawn up his line of battle; bidding them +not to sound the signal before they saw the king settled in his chariot +beside the standards; for he said he should hope that an army would +soon come to grief which trusted in the leading of a blind man. Harald, +moreover, he said, had been seized in extreme age with the desire of +foreign empire, and was as witless as he was sightless; wealth could +not satisfy a man who, if he looked to his years, ought to be well-nigh +contented with a grave. The Swedes therefore were bound to fight for +their freedom, their country, and their children, while the enemy had +undertaken the war in rashness and arrogance. Moreover, on the other +side, there were very few Danes, but a mass of Saxons and other unmanly +peoples stood arrayed. Swedes and Norwegians should therefore consider, +how far the multitudes of the North had always surpassed the Germans +and the Sclavs. They should therefore despise an army which seemed to be +composed more of a mass of fickle offscourings than of a firm and stout +soldiery. + +By this harangue of King Ring he kindled high the hearts of the +soldiers. Now Brun, being instructed to form the line on Harald's +behalf, made the front in a wedge, posting Hetha on the right flank, +putting Hakon in command of the left, and making Wisna standard-bearer. +Harald stood up in his chariot and complained, in as loud a voice as he +could, that Ring was requiting his benefits with wrongs; that the man +who had got his kingdom by Harald's own gift was now attacking him; so +that Ring neither pitied an old man nor spared an uncle, but set his own +ambitions before any regard for Harald's kinship or kindness. So he bade +the Danes remember how they had always won glory by foreign conquest, +and how they were more wont to command their neighbours than to obey +them. He adjured them not to let such glory as theirs to be shaken by +the insolence of a conquered nation, nor to suffer the empire, which he +had won in the flower of his youth, to be taken from him in his outworn +age. + +Then the trumpets sounded, and both sides engaged in battle with all +their strength. The sky seemed to fall suddenly on the earth, fields and +woods to sink into the ground; all things were confounded, and old Chaos +come again; heaven and earth mingling in one tempestuous turmoil, and +the world rushing to universal ruin. For, when the spear-throwing began, +the intolerable clash of arms filled the air with an incredible thunder. +The steam of the wounds suddenly hung a mist over the sky, the daylight +was hidden under the hail of spears. The help of the slingers was of +great use in the battle. But when the missiles had all been flung from +hand or engines, they fought with swords or iron-shod maces; and it was +now at close quarters that most blood was spilt. Then the sweat streamed +down their weary bodies, and the clash of the swords could be heard +afar. + +Starkad, who was the first to set forth the history of this war in the +telling, fought foremost in the fray, and relates that he overthrew the +nobles of Harald, Hun and Elli, Hort and Burgha, and cut off the right +hand of Wisna. He also relates that one Roa, with two others, Gnepie and +Gardar, fell wounded by him in the field. To these he adds the father of +Skalk, whose name is not given. He also declares that he cast Hakon, the +bravest of the Danes, to the earth, but received from him such a wound +in return that he had to leave the war with his lung protruding from +his chest, his neck cleft to the centre, and his hand deprived of one +finger; so that he long had a gaping wound, which seemed as if it would +never either scar over or be curable. The same man witnesses that the +maiden Weghbiorg (Webiorg) fought against the enemy and felled Soth +the champion. While she was threatening to slay more champions, she was +pierced through by an arrow from the bowstring of Thorkill, a native of +Tellemark. For the skilled archers of the Gotlanders strung their bows +so hard that the shafts pierced through even the shields; nothing proved +more murderous; for the arrow-points made their way through hauberk and +helmet as if they were men's defenceless bodies. + +Meanwhile Ubbe the Frisian, who was the readiest of Harald's soldiers, +and of notable bodily stature, slew twenty-five picked champions, +besides eleven whom he had wounded in the field. All these were of +Swedish or Gothic blood. Then he attacked the vanguard and burst into +the thickest of the enemy, driving the Swedes struggling in a panic +every way with spear and sword. It had all but come to a flight, when +Hagder (Hadd), Rolder (Hroald), and Grettir attacked the champion, +emulating his valour, and resolving at their own risk to retrieve +the general ruin. But, fearing to assault him at close quarters, they +accomplished their end with arrows from afar; and thus Ubbe was riddled +by a shower of arrows, no one daring to fight him hand to hand. A +hundred and forty-four arrows had pierced the breast of the warrior +before his bodily strength failed and he bent his knee to the earth. +Then at last the Danes suffered a great defeat, owing to the Thronds +and the dwellers in the province of Dala. For the battle began afresh +by reason of the vast mass of the archers, and nothing damaged our men +more. + +But when Harald, being now blind with age, heard the lamentable murmur +of his men, he perceived that fortune had smiled on his enemies. So, +as he was riding in a chariot armed with scythes, he told Brun, who was +treacherously acting as charioteer, to find out in what manner Ring had +his line drawn up. Brun's face relaxed into something of a smile, and he +answered that he was fighting with a line in the form of a wedge. +When the king heard this he began to be alarmed, and to ask in great +astonishment from whom Ring could have learnt this method of disposing +his line, especially as Odin was the discoverer and imparter of this +teaching, and none but himself had ever learnt from him this new pattern +of warfare. At this Brun was silent, and it came into the king's mind +that here was Odin, and that the god whom he had once known so well +was now disguised in a changeful shape, in order either to give help or +withhold it. Presently he began to beseech him earnestly to grant the +final victory to the Danes, since he had helped them so graciously +before, and to fill up his last kindness to the measure of the first; +promising to dedicate to him as a gift the spirits of all who fell. But +Brun, utterly unmoved by his entreaties, suddenly jerked the king out of +the chariot, battered him to the earth, plucked the club from him as +he fell, whirled it upon his head, and slew him with his own weapon. +Countless corpses lay round the king's chariot, and the horrid heap +overtopped the wheels; the pile of carcases rose as high as the pole. +For about 12,000 of the nobles of Ring fell upon the field. But on the +side of Harald about 30,000 nobles fell, not to name the slaughter of +the commons. + +When Ring heard that Harald was dead, he gave the signal to his men to +break up their line and cease fighting. Then under cover of truce he +made treaty with the enemy, telling them that it was vain to prolong the +fray without their captain. Next he told the Swedes to look everywhere +among the confused piles of carcases for the body of Harald, that the +corpse of the king might not wrongfully lack its due rights. So the +populace set eagerly to the task of turning over the bodies of the +slain, and over this work half the day was spent. At last the body was +found with the club, and he thought that propitiation should be made to +the shade of Harald. So he harnessed the horse on which he rode to the +chariot of the king, decked it honourably with a golden saddle, and +hallowed it in his honour. Then he proclaimed his vows, and added his +prayer that Harald would ride on this and outstrip those who shared his +death in their journey to Tartarus; and that he would pray Pluto, the +lord of Orcus, to grant a calm abode there for friend and foe. Then he +raised a pyre, and bade the Danes fling on the gilded chariot of their +king as fuel to the fire. And while the flames were burning the body +cast upon them, he went round the mourning nobles and earnestly charged +them that they should freely give arms, gold, and every precious thing +to feed the pyre in honour of so great a king, who had deserved so nobly +of them all. He also ordered that the ashes of his body, when it was +quite burnt, should be transferred to an urn, taken to Leire, and there, +together with the horse and armour, receive a royal funeral. By paying +these due rites of honour to his uncle's shade, he won the favour of the +Danes, and turned the hate of his enemies into goodwill. Then the Danes +besought him to appoint Hetha over the remainder of the realm; but, that +the fallen strength of the enemy might not suddenly rally, he severed +Skaane from the mass of Denmark, and put it separately under the +governorship of Ole, ordering that only Zealand and the other lands +of the realm should be subject to Hetha. Thus the changes of fortune +brought the empire of Denmark under the Swedish rule. So ended the +Bravic war. + +But the Zealanders, who had had Harald for their captain, and still had +the picture of their former fortune hovering before their minds, thought +it shameful to obey the rule of a woman, and appealed to OLE not to +suffer men that had been used to serve under a famous king to be kept +under a woman's yoke. They also promised to revolt to him if he would +take up arms to remove their ignominious lot. Ole, tempted as much by +the memory of his ancestral glory as by the homage of the soldiers, was +not slow to answer their entreaties. So he summoned Hetha, and forced +her by threats rather than by arms to quit every region under her +control except Jutland; and even Jutland he made a tributary state, so +as not to allow a woman the free control of a kingdom. He also begot a +son whom he named Omund. But he was given to cruelty, and showed himself +such an unrighteous king, that all who had found it a shameful thing to +be ruled by a queen now repented of their former scorn. + +Twelve generals, whether moved by the disasters of their country, or +hating Ole for some other reason, began to plot against his life. Among +these were Hlenni, Atyl, Thott, and Withne, the last of whom was a Dane +by birth, though he held a government among the Sclavs. Moreover, not +trusting in their strength and their cunning to accomplish their deed, +they bribed Starkad to join them. He was prevailed to do the deed with +the sword; he undertook the bloody work, and resolved to attack the +king while at the bath. In he went while the king was washing, but was +straightway stricken by the keenness of his gaze and by the restless and +quivering glare of his eyes. His limbs were palsied with sudden dread; +he paused, stepped back, and stayed his hand and his purpose. Thus he +who had shattered the arms of so many captains and champions could not +bear the gaze of a single unarmed man. But Ole, who well knew about his +own countenance, covered his face, and asked him to come closer and tell +him what his message was; for old fellowship and long-tried friendship +made him the last to suspect treachery. But Starkad drew his sword, +leapt forward, thrust the king through, and struck him in the throat as +he tried to rise. One hundred and twenty marks of gold were kept for +his reward. Soon afterwards he was smitten with remorse and shame, and +lamented his crime so bitterly, that he could not refrain from tears +if it happened to be named. Thus his soul, when he came to his senses, +blushed for his abominable sin. Moreover, to atone for the crime he +had committed, he slew some of those who had inspired him to it, thus +avenging the act to which he had lent his hand. + +Now the Danes made OMUND, the son of Ole, king, thinking that more heed +should be paid to his father's birth than to his deserts. Omund, when he +had grown up, fell in nowise behind the exploits of his father; for he +made it his aim to equal or surpass the deeds of Ole. + +At this time a considerable tribe of the Northmen (Norwegians) was +governed by Ring, and his daughter Esa's great fame commended her to +Omund, who was looking out for a wife. + +But his hopes of wooing her were lessened by the peculiar inclination of +Ring, who desired no son-in-law but one of tried valour; for he found +as much honour in arms as others think lies in wealth. Omund therefore, +wishing to become famous in that fashion, and to win the praise of +valour, endeavoured to gain his desire by force, and sailed to Norway +with a fleet, to make an attempt on the throne of Ring under plea of +hereditary right. Odd, the chief of Jather, who declared that Ring had +assuredly seized his inheritance, and lamented that he harried him with +continual wrongs, received Omund kindly. Ring, in the meantime, was on +a roving raid in Ireland, so that Omund attacked a province without a +defender. Sparing the goods of the common people, he gave the private +property of Ring over to be plundered, and slew his kinsfolk; Odd +also having joined his forces to Omund. Now, among all his divers and +manifold deeds, he could never bring himself to attack an inferior +force, remembering that he was the son of a most valiant father, and +that he was bound to fight armed with courage, and not with numbers. + +Meanwhile Ring had returned from roving; and when Omund heard he was +back, he set to and built a vast ship, whence, as from a fortress, he +could rain his missiles on the enemy. To manage this ship he enlisted +Homod and Thole the rowers, the soils of Atyl the Skanian, one of whom +was instructed to act as steersman, while the other was to command at +the prow. Ring lacked neither skill nor dexterity to encounter them. +For he showed only a small part of his forces, and caused the enemy to +be attacked on the rear. Omund, when told of his strategy by Odd, sent +men to overpower those posted in ambush, telling Atyl the Skanian to +encounter Ring. The order was executed with more rashness than success; +and Atyl, with his power defeated and shattered, fled beaten to Skaane. +Then Omund recruited his forces with the help of Odd, and drew up his +fleet to fight on the open sea. + +Atyl at this time had true visions of the Norwegian war in his dreams, +and started on his voyage in order to make up for his flight as quickly +as possible, and delighted Omund by joining him on the eve of battle. +Trusting in his help, Omund began to fight with equal confidence and +success. For, by fighting himself, he retrieved the victory which he had +lost when his servants were engaged. Ring, wounded to the death, gazed +at him with faint eyes, and, beckoning to him with his hand, as well +as he could--for his voice failed him--he besought him to be his +son-in-law, saying that he would gladly meet his end if he left his +daughter to such a husband. Before he could receive an answer he died. +Omund wept for his death, and gave Homod, whose trusty help he had +received in the war, in marriage to one of the daughters of Ring, taking +the other himself. + +At the same time the amazon Rusla, whose prowess in warfare exceeded the +spirit of a woman, had many fights in Norway with her brother, Thrond, +for the sovereignty. She could not endure that Omund rule over the +Norwegians, and she had declared war against all the subjects of the +Danes. Omund, when he heard of this, commissioned his most active men +to suppress the rising. Rusla conquered them, and, waxing haughty on +her triumph, was seized with overweening hopes, and bent her mind upon +actually acquiring the sovereignty of Denmark. She began her attack on +the region of Halland, but was met by Homod and Thode, whom the king +had sent over. Beaten, she retreated to her fleet, of which only thirty +ships managed to escape, the rest being taken by the enemy. Thrond +encountered his sister as she was eluding the Danes, but was conquered +by her and stripped of his entire army; he fled over the Dovrefjeld +without a single companion. Thus she, who had first yielded before the +Danes, soon overcame her brother, and turned her flight into a victory. +When Omund heard of this, he went back to Norway with a great fleet, +first sending Homod and Thole by a short and secret way to rouse the +people of Tellemark against the rule of Rusla. The end was that she was +driven out of her kingdom by the commons, fled to the isles for safety, +and turned her back, without a blow, upon the Danes as they came up. +The king pursued her hotly, caught up her fleet on the sea, and utterly +destroyed it, the enemy suffered mightily, and he won a bloodless +victory and splendid spoils. But Rusla escaped with a very few ships, +and rowed ploughing the waves furiously; but, while she was avoiding the +Danes, she met her brother and was killed. So much more effectual +for harm are dangers unsurmised; and chance sometimes makes the less +alarming evil worse than that which threatens. The king gave Thrond a +governorship for slaying his sister, put the rest under tribute, and +returned home. + +At this time Thorias (?) and Ber (Biorn), the most active of the +soldiers of Rusla, were roving in Ireland; but when they heard of the +death of their mistress, whom they had long ago sworn to avenge, they +hotly attacked Omund, and challenged him to a duel, which it used to be +accounted shameful for a king to refuse; for the fame of princes of +old was reckoned more by arms than by riches. So Homod and Thole came +forward, offering to meet in battle the men who had challenged the king. +Omund praised them warmly, but at first declined for very shame to allow +their help. At last, hard besought by his people, he brought himself +to try his fortune by the hand of another. We are told that Ber fell in +this combat, while Thorias left the battle severely wounded. The king, +having first cured him of his wounds, took him into his service, and +made him prince (earl) over Norway. Then he sent ambassadors to exact +the usual tribute from the Sclavs; these were killed, and he was even +attacked in Jutland by a Sclavish force; but he overcame seven kings +in a single combat, and ratified by conquest his accustomed right to +tribute. + +Meantime, Starkad, who was now worn out with extreme age, and who seemed +to be past military service and the calling of a champion, was loth to +lose his ancient glory through the fault of eld, and thought it would be +a noble thing if he could make a voluntary end, and hasten his death by +his own free will. Having so often fought nobly, he thought it would be +mean to die a bloodless death; and, wishing to enhance the glory of his +past life by the lustre of his end, he preferred to be slain by some +man of gallant birth rather than await the tardy shaft of nature. So +shameful was it thought that men devoted to war should die by disease. +His body was weak, and his eyes could not see clearly, so that he hated +to linger any more in life. In order to buy himself an executioner, he +wore hanging on his neck the gold which he had earned for the murder of +Ole; thinking there was no fitter way of atoning for the treason he had +done than to make the price of Ole's death that of his own also, and to +spend on the loss of his own life what he had earned by the slaying of +another. This, he thought, would be the noblest use he could make of +that shameful price. So he girded him with two swords, and guided his +powerless steps leaning on two staves. + +One of the common people, seeing him, thinking two swords superfluous +for the use of an old man, mockingly asked him to make him a present +of one of them. Starkad, holding out hopes of consent, bade him come +nearer, drew the sword from his side, and ran him through. This was +seen by a certain Hather, whose father Hlenne Starkad had once killed in +repentance for his own impious crime. Hatfier was hunting game with his +dogs, but now gave over the chase, and bade two of his companions +spur their horses hard and charge at the old man to frighten him. They +galloped forward, and tried to make off, but were stopped by the staves +of Starkad, and paid for it with their lives. Hather, terrified by the +sight, galloped up closer, and saw who the old man was, but without +being recognized by him in turn; and asked him if he would like to +exchange his sword for a carriage. Starkad replied that he used in old +days to chastise jeerers, and that the insolent had never insulted him +unpunished. But his sightless eyes could not recognize the features +of the youth; so he composed a song, wherein he should declare the +greatness of his anger, as follows: + +"As the unreturning waters sweep down the channel; so, as the years run +by, the life of man flows on never to come back; fast gallops the cycle +of doom, child of old age who shall make an end of all. Old age smites +alike the eyes and the steps of men, robs the warrior of his speech and +soul, tarnishes his fame by slow degrees, and wipes out his deeds of +honour. It seizes his failing limbs, chokes his panting utterance, and +numbs his nimble wit. When a cough is taken, when the skin itches with +the scab, and the teeth are numb and hollow, and the stomach turns +squeamish,--then old age banishes the grace of youth, covers the +complexion with decay, and sows many a wrinkle in the dusky skin. Old +age crushes noble arts, brings down the memorials of men of old, and +scorches ancient glories up; shatters wealth, hungrily gnaws away the +worth and good of virtue, turns athwart and disorders all things. + +"I myself have felt the hurtful power of injurious age, I, dim-sighted, +and hoarse in my tones and in my chest; and all helpful things have +turned to my hurt. Now my body is less nimble, and I prop it up, leaning +my faint limbs on the support of staves. Sightless I guide my steps with +two sticks, and follow the short path which the rod shows me, trusting +more in the leading of a stock than in my eyes. None takes any charge +of me, and no man in the ranks brings comfort to the veteran, unless, +perchance, Hather is here, and succours his shattered friend. Whomsoever +Hather once thinks worthy of his duteous love, that man he attends +continually with even zeal, constant to his purpose, and fearing to +break his early ties. He also often pays fit rewards to those that have +deserved well in war, and fosters their courage; he bestows dignities +on the brave, and honours his famous friends with gifts. Free with his +wealth, he is fain to increase with bounty the brightness of his name, +and to surpass many of the mighty. Nor is he less in war: his strength +is equal to his goodness; he is swift in the fray, slow to waver, ready +to give battle; and he cannot turn his back when the foe bears him hard. +But for me, if I remember right, fate appointed at my birth that wars +I should follow and in war I should die, that I should mix in broils, +watch in arms, and pass a life of bloodshed. I was a man of camps, and +rested not; hating peace, I grew old under thy standard, O War-god, in +utmost peril; conquering fear, I thought it comely to fight, shameful to +loiter, and noble to kill and kill again, to be for ever slaughtering! +Oft have I seen the stern kings meet in war, seen shield and helmet +bruised, and the fields redden with blood, and the cuirass broken by the +spear-point, and the corselets all around giving at the thrust of the +steel, and the wild beasts battening on the unburied soldier. Here, as +it chanced, one that attempted a mighty thing, a strong-handed warrior, +fighting against the press of the foe, smote through the mail that +covered my head, pierced my helmet, and plunged his blade into my crest. +This sword also hath often been driven by my right hand in war, and, +once unsheathed, hath cleft the skin and bitten into the skull." + +Hather, in answer, sang as follows: + +"Whence comest thou, who art used to write the poems of thy land, +leaning thy wavering steps on a frail staff? Or whither dost thou speed, +who art the readiest bard of the Danish muse? All the glory of thy great +strength is faded and lost; the hue is banished from thy face, the joy +is gone out of thy soul; the voice has left thy throat, and is hoarse +and dull; thy body has lost its former stature; the decay of death +begins, and has wasted thy features and thy force. As a ship wearies, +buffeted by continual billows, even so old age, gendered by a long +course of years, brings forth bitter death; and the life falls when its +strength is done, and suffers the loss of its ancient lot. Famous old +man, who has told thee that thou mayst not duly follow the sports of +youth, or fling balls, or bite and eat the nut? I think it were better +for thee now to sell thy sword, and buy a carriage wherein to ride +often, or a horse easy on the bit, or at the same cost to purchase a +light cart. It will be more fitting for beasts of burden to carry weak +old men, when their steps fail them; the wheel, driving round and round, +serves for him whose foot totters feebly. But if perchance thou art loth +to sell the useless steel, thy sword, if it be not for sale, shall be +taken from thee and shall slay thee." + +Starkad answered: "Wretch, thy glib lips scatter idle words, unfit for +the ears of the good. Why seek the gifts to reward that guidance, which +thou shouldst have offered for naught? Surely I will walk afoot, and +will not basely give up my sword and buy the help of a stranger; nature +has given me the right of passage, and hath bidden me trust in my own +feet. Why mock and jeer with insolent speech at him whom thou shouldst +have offered to guide upon his way? Why give to dishonour my deeds of +old, which deserve the memorial of fame? Why requite my service with +reproach? Why pursue with jeers the old man mighty in battle, and put +to shame my unsurpassed honours and illustrious deeds, belittling my +glories and girding at my prowess? For what valour of thine dost thou +demand my sword, which thy strength does not deserve? It befits not the +right hand or the unwarlike side of a herdsman, who is wont to make his +peasant-music on the pipe, to see to the flock, to keep the herds in the +fields. Surely among the henchmen, close to the greasy pot, thou dippest +thy crust in the bubbles of the foaming pan, drenching a meagre slice +in the rich, oily fat, and stealthily, with thirsty finger, licking the +warm juice; more skilled to spread thy accustomed cloak on the ashes, to +sleep on the hearth, and slumber all day long, and go busily about the +work of the reeking kitchen, than to make the brave blood flow with +thy shafts in war. Men think thee a hater of the light and a lover of a +filthy hole, a wretched slave of thy belly, like a whelp who licks the +coarse grain, husk and all. + +"By heaven, thou didst not try to rob me of my sword when thrice at +great peril I fought (for?) the son of Ole. For truly, in that array, my +hand either broke the sword or shattered the obstacle, so heavy was the +blow of the smiter. What of the day when I first taught them, to run +with wood-shod feet over the shore of the Kurlanders, and the path +bestrewn with countless points? For when I was going to the fields +studded with calthrops, I guarded their wounded feet with clogs below +them. After this I slew Hame, who fought me mightily; and soon, with the +captain Rin the son of Flebak, I crushed the Kurlanders, yea, or all the +tribes Esthonia breeds, and thy peoples, O Semgala! Then I attacked the +men of Tellemark, and took thence my head bloody with bruises, shattered +with mallets, and smitten with the welded weapons. Here first I learnt +how strong was the iron wrought on the anvil, or what valour the common +people had. Also it was my doing that the Teutons were punished, when, +in avenging my lord, I laid low over their cups thy sons, O Swerting, +who were guilty of the wicked slaughter of Frode. + +"Not less was the deed when, for the sake of a beloved maiden, I slew +nine brethren in one fray;--witness the spot, which was consumed by the +bowels that left me, and brings not forth the grain anew on its scorched +sod. And soon, when Ker the captain made ready a war by sea, with a +noble army we beat his serried ships. Then I put Waske to death, and +punished the insolent smith by slashing his hinder parts; and with the +sword I slew Wisin, who from the snowy rocks blunted the spears. Then +I slew the four sons of Ler, and the champions of Permland; and then +having taken the chief of the Irish race, I rifled the wealth of Dublin; +and our courage shall ever remain manifest by the trophies of Bravalla. +Why do I linger? Countless are the deeds of my bravery, and when I +review the works of my hands I fail to number them to the full. The +whole is greater than I can tell. My work is too great for fame, and +speech serves not for my doings." + +So sang Starkad. At last, when he found by their talk that Hather was +the son of Hlenne, and saw that the youth was of illustrious birth, +he offered him his throat to smite, bidding him not to shrink from +punishing the slayer of his father. He promised him that if he did so he +should possess the gold which he had himself received from Hlenne. And +to enrage his heart more vehemently against him, he is said to have +harangued him as follows: + +"Moreover, Hather, I robbed thee of thy father Hlenne; requite me this, +I pray, and strike down the old man who longs to die; aim at my throat +with the avenging steel. For my soul chooses the service of a noble +smiter, and shrinks to ask its doom at a coward's hand. Righteously may +a man choose to forstall the ordinance of doom. What cannot be escaped +it will be lawful also to anticipate. The fresh tree must be fostered, +the old one hewn down. He is nature's instrument who destroys what is +near its doom and strikes down what cannot stand. Death is best when +it is sought: and when the end is loved, life is wearisome. Let not the +troubles of age prolong a miserable lot." + +So saying, he took money from his pouch and gave it him. But Hather, +desiring as much to enjoy the gold as to accomplish vengeance for his +father, promised that he would comply with his prayer, and would not +refuse the reward. Starkad eagerly handed him the sword, and at once +stooped his neck beneath it, counselling him not to do the smiter's work +timidly, or use the sword like a woman; and telling him that if, when +he had killed him, he could spring between the head and the trunk before +the corpse fell, he would be rendered proof against arms. It is not +known whether he said this in order to instruct his executioner or to +punish him, for perhaps, as he leapt, the bulk of the huge body would +have crushed him. So Hather smote sharply with the sword and hacked off +the head of the old man. When the severed head struck the ground, it is +said to have bitten the earth; thus the fury of the dying lips declared +the fierceness of the soul. But the smiter, thinking that the promise +hid some treachery, warily refrained from leaping. Had he done so +rashly, perhaps he would have been crushed by the corpse as it fell, and +have paid with his own life for the old man's murder. But he would not +allow so great a champion to lie unsepulchred, and had his body buried +in the field that is commonly called Rolung. + +Now Omund, as I have heard, died most tranquilly, while peace was +unbroken, leaving two sons and two daughters. The eldest of these, +SIWARD, came to the throne by right of birth, while his brother Budle +was still of tender years. At this time Gotar, King of the Swedes, +conceived boundless love for one of the daughters of Omund, because of +the report of her extraordinary beauty, and entrusted one Ebb, the son +of Sibb, with the commission of asking for the maiden. Ebb did his work +skilfully, and brought back the good news that the girl had consented. +Nothing was now lacking to Gotar's wishes but the wedding; but, as he +feared to hold this among strangers, he demanded that his betrothed +should be sent to him in charge of Ebb, whom he had before used as +envoy. + +Ebb was crossing Halland with a very small escort, and went for a +night's lodging to a country farm, where the dwellings of two brothers +faced one another on the two sides of a river. Now these men used to +receive folk hospitably and then murder them, but were skilful to +hide their brigandage under a show of generosity. For they had hung on +certain hidden chains, in a lofty part of the house, an oblong beam like +a press, and furnished it with a steel point; they used to lower this in +the night by letting down the fastenings, and cut off the heads of those +that lay below. Many had they beheaded in this way with the hanging +mass. So when Ebb and his men had been feasted abundantly, the servants +laid them out a bed near the hearth, so that by the swing of the +treacherous beam they might mow off their heads, which faced the fire. +When they departed, Ebb, suspecting the contrivance slung overhead, told +his men to feign slumber and shift their bodies, saying that it would be +very wholesome for them to change their place. + +Now among these were some who despised the orders which the others +obeyed, and lay unmoved, each in the spot where he had chanced to lie +down. Then towards the mirk of night the heavy hanging machine was set +in motion by the doers of the treachery. Loosened from the knots of its +fastening, it fell violently on the ground, and slew those beneath it. +Thereupon those who had the charge of committing the crime brought in +a light, that they might learn clearly what had happened, and saw that +Ebb, on whose especial account they had undertaken the affair, had +wisely been equal to the danger. He straightway set on them and punished +them with death; and also, after losing his men in the mutual slaughter, +he happened to find a vessel, crossed a river full of blocks of ice, +and announced to Gotar the result, not so much of his mission as of his +mishap. + +Gotar judged that this affair had been inspired by Siward, and prepared +to avenge his wrongs by arms. Siward, defeated by him in Halland, +retreated into Jutland, the enemy having taken his sister. Here he +conquered the common people of the Sclavs, who ventured to fight without +a leader; and he won as much honour from this victory as he had got +disgrace by his flight. But a little afterwards, the men whom he had +subdued when they were ungeneraled, found a general and defeated Siward +in Funen. Several times he fought them in Jutland, but with ill-success. +The result was that he lost both Skaane and Jutland, and only retained +the middle of his realm without the head, like the fragments of some +body that had been consumed away. His son Jarmerik (Eormunrec), with his +child-sisters, fell into the hands of the enemy; one of these was sold +to the Germans, the other to the Norwegians; for in old time marriages +were matters of purchase. Thus the kingdom of the Danes, which had been +enlarged with such valour, made famous by such ancestral honours, and +enriched by so many conquests, fell, all by the sloth of one man, from +the most illustrious fortune and prosperity into such disgrace that it +paid the tribute which it used to exact. But Siward, too often defeated +and guilty of shameful flights, could not endure, after that glorious +past, to hold the troubled helm of state any longer in this shameful +condition of his land; and, fearing that living longer might strip him +of his last shred of glory, he hastened to win an honourable death in +battle. For his soul could not forget his calamity, it was fain to cast +off its sickness, and was racked with weariness of life. So much did +he abhor the light of life in his longing to wipe out his shame. So he +mustered his army for battle, and openly declared war with one Simon, +who was governor of Skaane under Gotar. This war he pursued with +stubborn rashness; he slew Simon, and ended his own life amid a great +slaughter of his foes. Yet his country could not be freed from the +burden of the tribute. + +Jarmerik, meantime, with his foster-brother of the same age as himself, +Gunn, was living in prison, in charge of Ismar, the King of the Sclavs. +At last he was taken out and put to agriculture, doing the work of a +peasant. So actively did he manage this matter that he was transferred +and made master of the royal slaves. As he likewise did this business +most uprightly, he was enrolled in the band of the king's retainers. +Here he bore himself most pleasantly as courtiers use, and was soon +taken into the number of the king's friends and obtained the first place +in his intimacy; thus, on the strength of a series of great services, +he passed from the lowest estate to the most distinguished height of +honour. Also, loth to live a slack and enfeebled youth, he trained +himself to the pursuits of war, enriching his natural gifts by +diligence. All men loved Jarmerik, and only the queen mistrusted the +young man's temper. A sudden report told them that the king's brother +had died. Ismar, wishing to give his body a splendid funeral, prepared a +banquet of royal bounty to increase the splendour of the obsequies. + +But Jarmerik, who used at other times to look after the household +affairs together with the queen, began to cast about for means of +escape; for a chance seemed to be offered by the absence of the king. +For he saw that even in the lap of riches he would be the wretched +thrall of a king, and that he would draw, as it were, his very breath +on sufferance and at the gift of another. Moreover, though he held the +highest offices with the king, he thought that freedom was better than +delights, and burned with a mighty desire to visit his country and learn +his lineage. But, knowing that the queen had provided sufficient guards +to see that no prisoner escaped, he saw that he must approach by craft +where he could not arrive by force. So he plaited one of those baskets +of rushes and withies, shaped like a man, with which countrymen used to +scare the birds from the corn, and put a live dog in it; then he took +off his own clothes, and dressed it in them, to give a more plausible +likeness to a human being. Then he broke into the private treasury of +the king, took out the money, and hid himself in places of which he +alone knew. + +Meantime Gunn, whom he had told to conceal the absence of his friend, +took the basket into the palace and stirred up the dog to bark; and when +the queen asked what this was, he answered that Jarmerik was out of +his mind and howling. She, beholding the effigy, was deceived by the +likeness, and ordered that the madman should be cast out of the house. +Then Gunn took the effigy out and put it to bed, as though it were his +distraught friend. But towards night he plied the watch bountifully with +wine and festal mirth, cut off their heads as they slept, and set them +at their groins, in order to make their slaying more shameful. The +queen, roused by the din, and wishing to learn the reason of it, hastily +rushed to the doors. But while she unwarily put forth her head, the +sword of Gunn suddenly pierced her through. Feeling a mortal wound, she +sank, turned her eyes on her murderer, and said, "Had it been granted +me to live unscathed, no screen or treachery should have let thee leave +this land unpunished." A flood of such threats against her slayer poured +from her dying lips. + +Then Jarmerik, with Gunn, the partner of his noble deed, secretly set +fire to the tent wherein the king was celebrating with a banquet the +obsequies of his brother; all the company were overcome with liquor. The +fire filled the tent and spread all about; and some of them, shaking +off the torpor of drink, took horse and pursued those who had endangered +them. But the young men fled at first on the beasts they had taken; +and at last, when these were exhausted with their long gallop, took to +flight on foot. They were all but caught, when a river saved them. For +they crossed a bridge, of which, in order to delay the pursuer, they +first cut the timbers down to the middle, thus making it not only +unequal to a burden, but ready to come down; then they retreated into a +dense morass. + +The Sclavs pressed on them hard and, not forseeing the danger, unwarily +put the weight of their horses on the bridge; the flooring sank, and +they were shaken off and flung into the river. But, as they swam up +to the bank, they were met by Gunn and Jarmerik, and either drowned or +slain. Thus the young men showed great cunning, and did a deed beyond +their years, being more like sagacious old men than runaway slaves, and +successfully achieving their shrewd design. When they reached the strand +they seized a vessel chance threw in their way, and made for the deep. +The barbarians who pursued them, tried, when they saw them sailing off, +to bring them back by shouting promises after them that they should be +kings if they returned; "for, by the public statute of the ancients, +the succession was appointed to the slayers of the kings." As they +retreated, their ears were long deafened by the Sclavs obstinately +shouting their treacherous promises. + +At this time BUDLE, the brother of Siward, was Regent over the Danes, +who forced him to make over the kingdom to JARMERIK when he came; so +that Budle fell from a king into a common man. At the same time Gotar +charged Sibb with debauching his sister, and slew him. Sibb's kindred, +much angered by his death, came wailing to Jarmerik, and promised to +attack Gotar with him, in order to avenge their kinsman. They kept +their promise well, for Jarmerik, having overthrown Gotar by their help, +gained Sweden. Thus, holding the sovereignty of both nations, he was +encouraged by his increased power to attack the Sclavs, forty of whom he +took and hung with a wolf tied to each of them. This kind of punishment +was assigned of old to those who slew their own kindred; but he chose +to inflict it upon enemies, that all might see plainly, just from their +fellowship with ruthless beasts, how grasping they had shown themselves +towards the Danes. + +When Jarmerik had conquered the country, he posted garrisons in all the +fitting places, and departing thence, he made a slaughter of the Sembs +and the Kurlanders, and many nations of the East. The Sclavs, thinking +that this employment of the king gave them a chance of revolting, killed +the governors whom he had appointed, and ravaged Denmark. Jarmerik, +on his way back from roving, chanced to intercept their fleet, and +destroyed it, a deed which added honour to his roll of conquests. He +also put their nobles to death in a way that one would weep to see; +namely, by first passing thongs through their legs, and then tying them +to the hoofs of savage bulls; then hounds set on them and dragged them +into miry swamps. This deed took the edge off the valour of the Sclavs, +and they obeyed the authority of the king in fear and trembling. + +Jarmerik, enriched with great spoils, wished to provide a safe +storehouse for his booty, and built on a lofty hill a treasure-house of +marvellous handiwork. Gathering sods, he raised a mound, laying a mass +of rocks for the foundation, and girt the lower part with a rampart, the +centre with rooms, and the top with battlements. All round he posted a +line of sentries without a break. Four huge gates gave free access on +the four sides; and into this lordly mansion he heaped all his splendid +riches. Having thus settled his affairs at home, he again turned his +ambition abroad. He began to voyage, and speedily fought a naval battle +with four brothers whom he met on the high seas, Hellespontines by race, +and veteran rovers. After this battle had lasted three days, he ceased +fighting, having bargained for their sister and half the tribute which +they had imposed on those they had conquered. + +After this, Bikk, the son of the King of the Livonians, escaped from +the captivity in which he lay under these said brothers, and went to +Jarmerik. But he did not forget his wrongs, Jarmerik having long before +deprived him of his own brothers. He was received kindly by the king, in +all whose secret counsels he soon came to have a notable voice; and, as +soon as he found the king pliable to his advice in all things, he led +him, when his counsel was asked, into the most abominable acts, and +drove him to commit crimes and infamies. Thus he sought some device to +injure the king by a feint of loyalty, and tried above all to steel him +against his nearest of blood; attempting to accomplish the revenge of +his brother by guile, since he could not by force. So it came to pass +that the king embraced filthy vices instead of virtues, and made himself +generally hated by the cruel deeds which he committed at the instance of +his treacherous adviser. Even the Sclavs began to rise against him; and, +as a means of quelling them, he captured their leaders, passed a rope +through their shanks, and delivered them to be torn asunder by horses +pulling different ways. So perished their chief men, punished for their +stubbornness of spirit by having their bodies rent apart. This kept the +Sclavs duly obedient in unbroken and steady subjugation. + +Meantime, the sons of Jarmerik's sister, who had all been born and bred +in Germany, took up arms, on the strength of their grandsire's title, +against their uncle, contending that they had as good a right to the +throne as he. The king demolished their strongholds in Germany with +engines, blockaded or took several towns, and returned home with a +bloodless victory. The Hellespontines came to meet him, proffering their +sister for the promised marriage. After this had been celebrated, at +Bikk's prompting he again went to Germany, took his nephews in war, and +incontinently hanged them. He also got together the chief men under the +pretence of a banquet and had them put to death in the same fashion. + +Meantime, the king appointed Broder, his son by another marriage, to +have charge over his stepmother, a duty which he fulfilled with full +vigilance and integrity. But Bikk accused this man to his father of +incest; and, to conceal the falsehood of the charge, suborned witnesses +against him. When the plea of the accusation had been fully declared, +Broder could not bring any support for his defence, and his father +bade his friends pass sentence upon the convicted man, thinking it less +impious to commit the punishment proper for his son to the judgment of +others. All thought that he deserved outlawry except Bikk, who did not +shrink from giving a more terrible vote against his life, and declaring +that the perpetrator of an infamous seduction ought to be punished with +hanging. But lest any should think that this punishment was due to the +cruelty of his father, Bikk judged that, when he had been put in the +noose, the servants should hold him up on a beam put beneath him, so +that, when weariness made them take their hands from the burden, they +might be as good as guilty of the young man's death, and by their own +fault exonerate the king from an unnatural murder. He also pretended +that, unless the accused were punished, he would plot against his +father's life. The adulteress Swanhild, he said, ought to suffer a +shameful end, trampled under the hoofs of beasts. + +The king yielded to Bikk; and, when his son was to be hanged, he made +the bystanders hold him up by means of a plank, that he might not +be choked. Thus his throat was only a little squeezed, the knot was +harmless, and it was but a punishment in show. But the king had the +queen tied very tight on the ground, and delivered her to be crushed +under the hoofs of horses. The story goes that she was so beautiful, +that even the beasts shrank from mangling limbs so lovely with their +filthy feet. The king, divining that this proclaimed the innocence of +his wife, began to repent of his error, and hastened to release the +slandered lady. But meantime Bikk rushed up, declaring that when she was +on her back she held off the beasts by awful charms, and could only be +crushed if she lay on her face; for he knew that her beauty saved her. +When the body of the queen was placed in this manner, the herd of beasts +was driven upon it, and trod it down deep with their multitude of feet. +Such was the end of Swanhild. + +Meantime, the favourite dog of Broder came creeping to the king making +a sort of moan, and seemed to bewail its master's punishment; and his +hawk, when it was brought in, began to pluck out its breast-feathers +with its beak. The king took its nakedness as an omen of his +bereavement, to frustrate which he quickly sent men to take his son down +from the noose: for he divined by the featherless bird that he would be +childless unless he took good heed. Thus Broder was freed from death, +and Bikk, fearing he would pay the penalty of an informer, went and told +the men of the Hellespont that Swanhild had been abominably slain by +her husband. When they set sail to avenge their sister, he came back to +Jarmerik, and told him that the Hellespontines were preparing war. + +The king thought that it would be safer to fight with walls than in the +field, and retreated into the stronghold which he had built. To stand +the siege, he filled its inner parts with stores, and its battlements +with men-at-arms. Targets and shields flashing with gold were hung round +and adorned the topmost circle of the building. + +It happened that the Hellespontines, before sharing their booty, accused +a great band of their men of embezzling, and put them to death. Having +now destroyed so large a part of their forces by internecine slaughter, +they thought that their strength was not equal to storming the palace, +and consulted a sorceress named Gudrun. She brought it to pass that the +defenders of the king's side were suddenly blinded and turned their arms +against one another. When the Hellespontines saw this, they brought up +a shield-mantlet, and seized the approaches of the gates. Then they tore +up the posts, burst into the building, and hewed down the blinded ranks +of the enemy. In this uproar Odin appeared, and, making for the thick +of the ranks of the fighters, restored by his divine power to the Danes +that vision which they had lost by sleights; for he ever cherished them +with fatherly love. He instructed them to shower stones to batter the +Hellespontines, who used spells to harden their bodies against weapons. +Thus both companies slew one another and perished. Jarmerik lost both +feet and both hands, and his trunk was rolled among the dead. BRODER, +little fit for it, followed him as king. + +The next king was SIWALD. His son SNIO took vigorously to roving in his +father's old age, and not only preserved the fortunes of his country, +but even restored them, lessened as they were, to their former estate. +Likewise, when he came to the sovereignty, he crushed the insolence +of the champions Eskil and Alkil, and by this conquest reunited to his +country Skaane, which had been severed from the general jurisdiction of +Denmark. At last he conceived a passion for the daughter of the King +of the Goths; it was returned, and he sent secret messengers to seek a +chance of meeting her. These men were intercepted by the father of the +damsel and hanged: thus paying dearly for their rash mission. Snio, +wishing to avenge their death, invaded Gothland. Its king met him with +his forces, and the aforesaid champions challenged him to send strong +men to fight. Snio laid down as condition of the duel, that each of the +two kings should either lose his own empire or gain that of the other, +according to the fortune of the champions, and that the kingdom of the +conquered should be staked as the prize of the victory. The result was +that the King of the Goths was beaten by reason of the ill-success of +his defenders, and had to quit his kingdom for the Danes. Snio, learning +that this king's daughter had been taken away at the instance of her +father to wed the King of the Swedes, sent a man clad in ragged attire, +who used to ask alms on the public roads, to try her mind. And while he +lay, as beggars do, by the threshold, he chanced to see the queen, and +whined in a weak voice, "Snio loves thee." She feigned not to have heard +the sound that stole on her ears, and neither looked nor stepped back, +but went on to the palace, then returned straightway, and said in a low +whisper, which scarcely reached his ears, "I love him who loves me"; and +having said this she walked away. + +The beggar rejoiced that she had returned a word of love, and, as he sat +on the next day at the gate, when the queen came up, he said, briefly +as ever, "Wishes should have a tryst." Again she shrewdly caught his +cunning speech, and passed on, dissembling wholly. A little later +she passed by her questioner, and said that she would shortly go to +Bocheror; for this was the spot to which she meant to flee. And when the +beggar heard this, he insisted, with his wonted shrewd questions, upon +being told a fitting time for the tryst. The woman was as cunning as +he, and as little clear of speech, and named as quickly as she could the +beginning of the winter. + +Her train, who had caught a flying word of this love-message, took her +great cleverness for the raving of utter folly. And when Snio had been +told all this by the beggar, he contrived to carry the queen off in +a vessel; for she got away under pretence of bathing, and took her +husband's treasures. After this there were constant wars between Snio +and the King of Sweden, whereof the issue was doubtful and the victory +changeful; the one king seeking to regain his lawful, the other to keep +his unlawful love. + +At this time the yield of crops was ruined by most inclement weather, +and a mighty dearth of corn befell. Victuals began to be scarce, and +the commons were distressed with famine, so that the king, anxiously +pondering how to relieve the hardness of the times, and seeing that the +thirsty spent somewhat more than the hungry, introduced thrift among the +people. He abolished drinking-bouts, and decreed that no drink should be +prepared from gram, thinking that the bitter famine should be got rid +of by prohibiting needless drinking, and that plentiful food could be +levied as a loan on thirst. + +Then a certain wanton slave of his belly, lamenting the prohibition +against drink, adopted a deep kind of knavery, and found a new way to +indulge his desires. He broke the public law of temperance by his own +excess, contriving to get at what he loved by a device both cunning +and absurd. For he sipped the forbidden liquor drop by drop, and so +satisfied his longing to be tipsy. When he was summoned for this by the +king, he declared that there was no stricter observer of sobriety than +he, inasmuch as he mortified his longing to quaff deep by this device +for moderate drinking. He persisted in the fault with which he was +taxed, saying that he only sucked. At last he was also menaced with +threats, and forbidden not only to drink, but even to sip; yet he could +not check his habits. For in order to enjoy the unlawful thing in +a lawful way, and not to have his throat subject to the command of +another, he sopped morsels of bread in liquor, and fed on the pieces +thus soaked with drink; tasting slowly, so as to prolong the desired +debauch, and attaining, though in no unlawful manner, the forbidden +measure of satiety. + +Thus his stubborn and frantic intemperance risked his life, all for +luxury; and, undeterred even by the threats of the king, he fortified +his rash appetite to despise every peril. A second time he was summoned +by the king on the charge of disobeying his regulation. Yet he did not +even theft cease to defend his act, but maintained that he had in no +wise contravened the royal decree, and that the temperance prescribed +by the ordinance had been in no way violated by that which allured +him; especially as the thrift ordered in the law of plain living was so +described, that it was apparently forbidden to drink liquor, but not to +eat it. Then the king called heaven to witness, and swore by the general +good, that if he ventured on any such thing hereafter he would punish +him with death. But the man thought that death was not so bad as +temperance, and that it was easier to quit life than luxury; and +he again boiled the grain in water, and then fermented the liquor; +whereupon, despairing of any further plea to excuse his appetite, he +openly indulged in drink, and turned to his cups again unabashed. Giving +up cunning for effrontery, he chose rather to await the punishment of +the king than to turn sober. Therefore, when the king asked him why he +had so often made free to use the forbidden thing, he said: + +"O king, this craving is begotten, not so much of my thirst, as of my +goodwill towards thee! For I remembered that the funeral rites of a king +must be paid with a drinking-bout. Therefore, led by good judgment more +than the desire to swill, I have, by mixing the forbidden liquid, taken +care that the feast whereat thy obsequies are performed should not, by +reason of the scarcity of corn, lack the due and customary drinking. Now +I do not doubt that thou wilt perish of famine before the rest, and +be the first to need a tomb; for thou hast passed this strange law of +thrift in fear that thou wilt be thyself the first to lack food. Thou +art thinking for thyself, and not for others, when thou bringest thyself +to start such strange miserly ways." + +This witty quibbling turned the anger of the king into shame; and when +he saw that his ordinance for the general good came home in mockery to +himself, he thought no more of the public profit, but revoked the edict, +relaxing his purpose sooner than anger his subjects. + +Whether it was that the soil had too little rain, or that it was too +hard baked, the crops, as I have said, were slack, and the fields gave +but little produce; so that the land lacked victual, and was worn with +a weary famine. The stock of food began to fail, and no help was left +to stave off hunger. Then, at the proposal of Agg and of Ebb, it +was provided by a decree of the people that the old men and the tiny +children should be slain; that all who were too young to bear arms +should be taken out of the land, and only the strong should be +vouchsafed their own country; that none but able-bodied soldiers and +husbandmen should continue to abide under their own roofs and in the +houses of their fathers. When Agg and Ebb brought news of this to their +mother Gambaruk, she saw that the authors of this infamous decree had +found safety in crime. Condemning the decision of the assembly, she said +that it was wrong to relieve distress by murder of kindred, and declared +that a plan both more honourable and more desirable for the good of +their souls and bodies would be, to preserve respect towards their +parents and children, and choose by lot men who should quit the country. +And if the lot fell on old men and weak, then the stronger should offer +to go into exile in their place, and should of their own free will +undertake to bear the burden of it for the feeble. But those men who +had the heart to save their lives by crime and impiety, and to prosecute +their parents and their children by so abominable a decree, did not +deserve life; for they would be doing a work of cruelty and not of love. +Finally, all those whose own lives were dearer to them than the love +of their parents or their children, deserved but ill of their country. +These words were reported to the assembly, and assented to by the vote +of the majority. So the fortunes of all were staked upon the lot and +those upon whom it fell were doomed to be banished. Thus those who had +been loth to obey necessity of their own accord had now to accept the +award of chance. So they sailed first to Bleking, and then, sailing past +Moring, they came to anchor at Gothland; where, according to Paulus, +they are said to have been prompted by the goddess Frigg to take the +name of the Longobardi (Lombards), whose nation they afterwards founded. +In the end they landed at Rugen, and, abandoning their ships, began to +march overland. They crossed and wasted a great portion of the world; +and at last, finding an abode in Italy, changed the ancient name of the +nation for their own. + +Meanwhile, the land of the Danes, where the tillers laboured less and +less, and all traces of the furrows were covered with overgrowth, began +to look like a forest. Almost stripped of its pleasant native turf, it +bristled with the dense unshapely woods that grew up. Traces of this are +yet seen in the aspect of its fields. What were once acres fertile in +grain are now seen to be dotted with trunks of trees; and where of old +the tillers turned the earth up deep and scattered the huge clods there +has now sprung up a forest covering the fields, which still bear the +tracks of ancient tillage. Had not these lands remained untilled and +desolate with long overgrowth, the tenacious roots of trees could never +have shared the soil of one and the same land with the furrows made by +the plough. Moreover, the mounds which men laboriously built up of old +on the level ground for the burial of the dead are now covered by a mass +of woodland. Many piles of stones are also to be seen interspersed among +the forest glades. These were once scattered over the whole country, but +the peasants carefully gathered the boulders and piled them into a heap +that they might not prevent furrows being cut in all directions; for +they would sooner sacrifice a little of the land than find the whole of +it stubborn. From this work, done by the toil of the peasants for +the easier working of the fields, it is judged that the population in +ancient times was greater than the present one, which is satisfied with +small fields, and keeps its agriculture within narrower limits than +those of the ancient tillage. Thus the present generation is amazed to +behold that it has exchanged a soil which could once produce grain for +one only fit to grow acorns, and the plough-handle and the cornstalks +for a landscape studded with trees. Let this account of Snio, which I +have put together as truly as I could, suffice. + +Snio was succeeded by BIORN; and after him HARALD became sovereign. +Harald's son GORM won no mean place of honour among the ancient generals +of the Danes by his record of doughty deeds. For he ventured into fresh +fields, preferring to practise his inherited valour, not in war, but in +searching the secrets of nature; and, just as other kings are stirred by +warlike ardour, so his heart thirsted to look into marvels; either what +he could experience himself, or what were merely matters of report. And +being desirous to go and see all things foreign and extraordinary, he +thought that he must above all test a report which he had heard from the +men of Thule concerning the abode of a certain Geirrod. For they boasted +past belief of the mighty piles of treasure in that country, but said +that the way was beset with peril, and hardly passable by mortal man. +For those who had tried it declared that it was needful to sail over the +ocean that goes round the lands, to leave the sun and stars behind, to +journey down into chaos, and at last to pass into a land where no light +was and where darkness reigned eternally. + +But the warrior trampled down in his soul all fear of the dangers that +beset him. Not that he desired booty, but glory; for he hoped for a +great increase of renown if he ventured on a wholly unattempted quest. +Three hundred men announced that they had the same desire as the king; +and he resolved that Thorkill, who had brought the news, should be +chosen to guide them on the journey, as he knew the ground and was +versed in the approaches to that country. Thorkill did not refuse the +task, and advised that, to meet the extraordinary fury of the sea they +had to cross, strongly-made vessels should be built, fitted with many +knotted cords and close-set nails, filled with great store of provision, +and covered above with ox-hides to protect the inner spaces of the ships +from the spray of the waves breaking in. Then they sailed off in only +three galleys, each containing a hundred chosen men. + +Now when they had come to Halogaland (Helgeland), they lost their +favouring breezes, and were driven and tossed divers ways over the seas +in perilous voyage. At last, in extreme want of food, and lacking even +bread, they staved off hunger with a little pottage. Some days passed, +and they heard the thunder of a storm brawling in the distance, as if +it were deluging the rocks. By this perceiving that land was near, they +bade a youth of great nimbleness climb to the masthead and look out; and +he reported that a precipitous island was in sight. All were overjoyed, +and gazed with thirsty eyes at the country at which he pointed, eagerly +awaiting the refuge of the promised shore. At last they managed to reach +it, and made their way out over the heights that blocked their way, +along very steep paths, into the higher ground. Then Thorkill told them +to take no more of the herds that were running about in numbers on the +coast, than would serve once to appease their hunger. If they disobeyed, +the guardian gods of the spot would not let them depart. But the +seamen, more anxious to go on filling their bellies than to obey orders, +postponed counsels of safety to the temptations of gluttony, and loaded +the now emptied holds of their ships with the carcases of slaughtered +cattle. These beasts were very easy to capture, because they gathered in +amazement at the unwonted sight of men, their fears being made bold. +On the following night monsters dashed down upon the shore, filled the +forest with clamour, and beleaguered and beset the ships. One of them, +huger than the rest, strode over the waters, armed with a mighty club. +Coming close up to them, he bellowed out that they should never +sail away till they had atoned for the crime they had committed in +slaughtering the flock, and had made good the losses of the herd of the +gods by giving up one man for each of their ships. Thorkill yielded +to these threats; and, in order to preserve the safety of all by +imperilling a few, singled out three men by lot and gave them up. + +This done, a favouring wind took them, and they sailed to further +Permland. It is a region of eternal cold, covered with very deep snows, +and not sensible to the force even of the summer heats; full of pathless +forests, not fertile in grain and haunted by beasts uncommon elsewhere. +Its many rivers pour onwards in a hissing, foaming flood, because of the +reefs imbedded in their channels. + +Here Thorkill drew up his ships ashore, and bade them pitch their tents +on the beach, declaring that they had come to a spot whence the passage +to Geirrod would be short. Moreover, he forbade them to exchange any +speech with those that came up to them, declaring that nothing enabled +the monsters to injure strangers so much as uncivil words on their part: +it would be therefore safer for his companions to keep silence; none +but he, who had seen all the manners and customs of this nation before, +could speak safely. As twilight approached, a man of extraordinary +bigness greeted the sailors by their names, and came among them. All +were aghast, but Thorkill told them to greet his arrival cheerfully, +telling them that this was Gudmund, the brother of Geirrod, and the most +faithful guardian in perils of all men who landed in that spot. When the +man asked why all the rest thus kept silence, he answered that they were +very unskilled in his language, and were ashamed to use a speech they +did not know. Then Gudmund invited them to be his guests, and took them +up in carriages. As they went forward, they saw a river which could +be crossed by a bridge of gold. They wished to go over it, but Gudmund +restrained them, telling them that by this channel nature had divided +the world of men from the world of monsters, and that no mortal track +might go further. Then they reached the dwelling of their guide; and +here Thorkill took his companions apart and warned them to behave like +men of good counsel amidst the divers temptations chance might throw in +their way; to abstain from the food of the stranger, and nourish their +bodies only on their own; and to seek a seat apart from the natives, +and have no contact with any of them as they lay at meat. For if they +partook of that food they would lose recollection of all things, and +must live for ever in filthy intercourse amongst ghastly hordes of +monsters. Likewise he told them that they must keep their hands off the +servants and the cups of the people. + +Round the table stood twelve noble sons of Gudmund, and as many +daughters of notable beauty. When Gudmund saw that the king barely +tasted what his servants brought, he reproached him with repulsing his +kindness, and complained that it was a slight on the host. But Thorkill +was not at a loss for a fitting excuse. He reminded him that men who +took unaccustomed food often suffered from it seriously, and that the +king was not ungrateful for the service rendered by another, but was +merely taking care of his health, when he refreshed himself as he was +wont, and furnished his supper with his own viands. An act, therefore, +that was only done in the healthy desire to escape some bane, ought +in no wise to be put down to scorn. Now when Gudmund saw that the +temperance of his guest had baffled his treacherous preparations, +he determined to sap their chastity, if he could not weaken their +abstinence, and eagerly strained every nerve of his wit to enfeeble +their self-control. For he offered the king his daughter in marriage, +and promised the rest that they should have whatever women of his +household they desired. Most of them inclined to his offer: but Thorkill +by his healthy admonitions prevented them, as he had done before, from +falling into temptation. + +With wonderful management Thorkill divided his heed between the +suspicious host and the delighted guests. Four of the Danes, to whom +lust was more than their salvation, accepted the offer; the +infection maddened them, distraught their wits, and blotted out their +recollection: for they are said never to have been in their right mind +after this. If these men had kept themselves within the rightful +bounds of temperance, they would have equalled the glories of Hercules, +surpassed with their spirit the bravery of giants, and been ennobled for +ever by their wondrous services to their country. + +Gudmund, stubborn to his purpose, and still spreading his nets, extolled +the delights of his garden, and tried to lure the king thither to gather +fruits, desiring to break down his constant wariness by the lust of the +eye and the baits of the palate. The king, as before, was strengthened +against these treacheries by Thorkill, and rejected this feint of kindly +service; he excused himself from accepting it on the plea that he must +hasten on his journey. Gudmund perceived that Thorkill was shrewder +than he at every point; so, despairing to accomplish his treachery, +he carried them all across the further side of the river, and let them +finish their journey. + +They went on; and saw, not far off, a gloomy, neglected town, looking +more like a cloud exhaling vapour. Stakes interspersed among the +battlements showed the severed heads of warriors and dogs of great +ferocity were seen watching before the doors to guard the entrance. +Thorkill threw them a horn smeared with fat to lick, and so, at slight +cost, appeased their most furious rage. High up the gates lay open +to enter, and they climbed to their level with ladders, entering +with difficulty. Inside the town was crowded with murky and misshapen +phantoms, and it was hard to say whether their shrieking figures were +more ghastly to the eye or to the ear; everything was foul, and the +reeking mire afflicted the nostrils of the visitors with its unbearable +stench. Then they found the rocky dwelling which Geirrod was rumoured to +inhabit for his palace. They resolved to visit its narrow and horrible +ledge, but stayed their steps and halted in panic at the very entrance. +Then Thorkill, seeing that they were of two minds, dispelled their +hesitation to enter by manful encouragement, counselling them, to +restrain themselves, and not to touch any piece of gear in the house +they were about to enter, albeit it seemed delightful to have or +pleasant to behold; to keep their hearts as far from all covetousness as +from fear; neither to desire what was pleasant to take, nor dread +what was awful to look upon, though they should find themselves amidst +abundance of both these things. If they did, their greedy hands would +suddenly be bound fast, unable to tear themselves away from the thing +they touched, and knotted up with it as by inextricable bonds. Moreover, +they should enter in order, four by four. + +Broder and Buchi (Buk?) were the first to show courage to attempt to +enter the vile palace; Thorkill with the king followed them, and the +rest advanced behind these in ordered ranks. + +Inside, the house was seen to be ruinous throughout, and filled with +a violent and abominable reek. And it also teemed with everything that +could disgust the eye or the mind: the door-posts were begrimed with the +soot of ages, the wall was plastered with filth, the roof was made up of +spear-heads, the flooring was covered with snakes and bespattered with +all manner of uncleanliness. Such an unwonted sight struck terror into +the strangers, and, over all, the acrid and incessant stench assailed +their afflicted nostrils. Also bloodless phantasmal monsters huddled +on the iron seats, and the places for sitting were railed off by leaden +trellises; and hideous doorkeepers stood at watch on the thresholds. +Some of these, armed with clubs lashed together, yelled, while others +played a gruesome game, tossing a goat's hide from one to the other with +mutual motion of goatish backs. + +Here Thorkill again warned the men, and forbade them to stretch forth +their covetous hands rashly to the forbidden things. Going on through +the breach in the crag, they beheld an old man with his body pierced +through, sitting not far off, on a lofty seat facing the side of the +rock that had been rent away. Moreover, three women, whose bodies were +covered with tumours, and who seemed to have lost the strength of their +back-bones, filled adjoining seats. Thorkill's companions were very +curious; and he, who well knew the reason of the matter, told them that +long ago the god Thor had been provoked by the insolence of the giants +to drive red-hot irons through the vitals of Geirrod, who strove with +him, and that the iron had slid further, torn up the mountain, and +battered through its side; while the women had been stricken by the +might of his thunderbolts, and had been punished (so he declared) for +their attempt on the same deity, by having their bodies broken. + +As the men were about to depart thence, there were disclosed to them +seven butts hooped round with belts of gold; and from these hung +circlets of silver entwined with them in manifold links. Near these was +found the tusk of a strange beast, tipped at both ends with gold. Close +by was a vast stag-horn, laboriously decked with choice and flashing +gems, and this also did not lack chasing. Hard by was to be seen a very +heavy bracelet. One man was kindled with an inordinate desire for this +bracelet, and laid covetous hands upon the gold, not knowing that the +glorious metal covered deadly mischief, and that a fatal bane lay +hid under the shining spoil. A second also, unable to restrain his +covetousness, reached out his quivering hands to the horn. A third, +matching the confidence of the others, and having no control over his +fingers, ventured to shoulder the tusk. The spoil seemed alike lovely to +look upon and desirable to enjoy, for all that met the eye was fair and +tempting to behold. But the bracelet suddenly took the form of a snake, +and attacked him who was carrying it with its poisoned tooth; the horn +lengthened out into a serpent, and took the life of the man who bore it; +the tusk wrought itself into a sword, and plunged into the vitals of its +bearer. + +The rest dreaded the fate of perishing with their friends, and thought +that the guiltless would be destroyed like the guilty; they durst not +hope that even innocence would be safe. Then the side-door of another +room showed them a narrow alcove: and a privy chamber with a yet richer +treasure was revealed, wherein arms were laid out too great for those of +human stature. Among these were seen a royal mantle, a handsome hat, and +a belt marvellously wrought. Thorkill, struck with amazement at these +things, gave rein to his covetousness, and cast off all his purposed +self-restraint. He who so oft had trained others could not so much as +conquer his own cravings. For he laid his hand upon the mantle, and +his rash example tempted the rest to join in his enterprise of plunder. +Thereupon the recess shook from its lowest foundations, and began +suddenly to reel and totter. Straightway the women raised a shriek that +the wicked robbers were being endured too long. Then they, who were +before supposed to be half-dead or lifeless phantoms, seemed to obey the +cries of the women, and, leaping suddenly up from their seats, attacked +the strangers with furious onset. The other creatures bellowed hoarsely. + +But Broder and Buchi fell to their old and familiar arts, and attacked +the witches, who ran at them, with a shower of spears from every side; +and with the missiles from their bows and slings they crushed the +array of monsters. There could be no stronger or more successful way +to repulse them; but only twenty men out of all the king's company +were rescued by the intervention of this archery; the rest were torn in +pieces by the monsters. The survivors returned to the river, and were +ferried over by Gudmund, who entertained them at his house. Long and +often as he besought them, he could not keep them back; so at last he +gave them presents and let them go. + +Buchi relaxed his watch upon himself; his self-control became unstrung, +and he forsook the virtue in which he hitherto rejoiced. For he +conceived an incurable love for one of the daughters of Gudmund, and +embraced her; but he obtained a bride to his undoing, for soon his brain +suddenly began to whirl, and he lost his recollection. Thus the hero who +had subdued all the monsters and overcome all the perils was mastered by +passion for one girl; his soul strayed far from temperance, and he lay +under a wretched sensual yoke. For the sake of respect, he started to +accompany the departing king; but as he was about to ford the river +in his carriage, his wheels sank deep, he was caught up in the violent +eddies and destroyed. + +The king bewailed his friend's disaster and departed hastening on his +voyage. This was at first prosperous, but afterwards he was tossed by +bad weather; his men perished of hunger, and but few survived, so that +he began to feel awe in his heart, and fell to making vows to heaven, +thinking the gods alone could help him in his extreme need. At last the +others besought sundry powers among the gods, and thought they ought to +sacrifice to the majesty of divers deities; but the king, offering both +vows and peace-offerings to Utgarda-Loki, obtained that fair season of +weather for which he prayed. + +Coming home, and feeling that he had passed through all these seas and +toils, he thought it was time for his spirit, wearied with calamities, +to withdraw from his labours. So he took a queen from Sweden, and +exchanged his old pursuits for meditative leisure. His life was +prolonged in the utmost peace and quietness; but when he had almost come +to the end of his days, certain men persuaded him by likely arguments +that souls were immortal; so that he was constantly turning over in his +mind the questions, to what abode he was to fare when the breath left +his limbs, or what reward was earned by zealous adoration of the gods. + +While he was thus inclined, certain men who wished ill to Thorkill +came and told Gorm that it was needful to consult the gods, and that +assurance about so great a matter must be sought of the oracles of +heaven, since it was too deep for human wit and hard for mortals to +discover. + +Therefore, they said, Utgarda-Loki must be appeased, and no man +would accomplish this more fitly than Thorkill. Others, again, laid +information against him as guilty of treachery and an enemy of the +king's life. Thorkill, seeing himself doomed to extreme peril, demanded +that his accusers should share his journey. Then they who had aspersed +an innocent man saw that the peril they had designed against the life of +another had recoiled upon themselves, and tried to take back their plan. +But vainly did they pester the ears of the king; he forced them to sail +under the command of Thorkill, and even upbraided them with cowardice. +Thus, when a mischief is designed against another, it is commonly sure +to strike home to its author. And when these men saw that they were +constrained, and could not possibly avoid the peril, they covered their +ship with ox-hides, and filled it with abundant store of provision. + +In this ship they sailed away, and came to a sunless land, which knew +not the stars, was void of daylight, and seemed to overshadow them with +eternal night. Long they sailed under this strange sky; at last their +timber fell short, and they lacked fuel; and, having no place to boil +their meat in, they staved off their hunger with raw viands. But most of +those who ate contracted extreme disease, being glutted with undigested +food. For the unusual diet first made a faintness steal gradually +upon their stomachs; then the infection spread further, and the malady +reached the vital parts. Thus there was danger in either extreme, which +made it hurtful not to eat, and perilous to indulge; for it was found +both unsafe to feed and bad for them to abstain. Then, when they were +beginning to be in utter despair, a gleam of unexpected help relieved +them, even as the string breaks most easily when it is stretched +tightest. For suddenly the weary men saw the twinkle of a fire at no +great distance, and conceived a hope of prolonging their lives. Thorkill +thought this fire a heaven-sent relief, and resolved to go and take some +of it. + +To be surer of getting back to his friends, Thorkill fastened a jewel +upon the mast-head, to mark it by the gleam. When he got to the shore, +his eyes fell on a cavern in a close defile, to which a narrow way led. +Telling his companions to await him outside, he went in, and saw two +men, swart and very huge, with horny noses, feeding their fire with any +chance-given fuel. Moreover, the entrance was hideous, the door-posts +were decayed, the walls grimy with mould, the roof filthy, and the floor +swarming with snakes; all of which disgusted the eye as much as the +mind. Then one of the giants greeted him, and said that he had begun a +most difficult venture in his burning desire to visit a strange god, and +his attempt to explore with curious search an untrodden region beyond +the world. Yet he promised to tell Thorkill the paths of the journey he +proposed to make, if he would deliver three true judgments in the +form of as many sayings. Then said Thorkill: "In good truth, I do not +remember ever to have seen a household with more uncomely noses; nor +have I ever come to a spot where I had less mind to live." Also he said: +"That, I think, is my best foot which can get out of this foremost." + +The giant was pleased with the shrewdness of Thorkill, and praised his +sayings, telling him that he must first travel to a grassless land which +was veiled in deep darkness; but he must first voyage for four days, +rowing incessantly, before he could reach his goal. There he could visit +Utgarda-Loki, who had chosen hideous and grisly caves for his filthy +dwelling. Thorkill was much aghast at being bidden to go on a voyage so +long and hazardous; but his doubtful hopes prevailed over his present +fears, and he asked for some live fuel. Then said the giant: "If thou +needest fire, thou must deliver three more judgments in like sayings." +Then said Thorkill: "Good counsel is to be obeyed, though a mean fellow +gave it." Likewise: "I have gone so far in rashness, that if I can get +back I shall owe my safety to none but my own legs." And again: "Were I +free to retreat this moment, I would take good care never to come back." + +Thereupon Thorkill took the fire along to his companions; and finding a +kindly wind, landed on the fourth day at the appointed harbour. With +his crew he entered a land where an aspect of unbroken night checked the +vicissitude of light and darkness. He could hardly see before him, +but beheld a rock of enormous size. Wishing to explore it, he told his +companions, who were standing posted at the door, to strike a fire +from flints as a timely safeguard against demons, and kindle it in the +entrance. Then he made others bear a light before him, and stooped his +body through the narrow jaws of the cavern, where he beheld a number of +iron seats among a swarm of gliding serpents. Next there met his eye a +sluggish mass of water gently flowing over a sandy bottom. He crossed +this, and approached a cavern which sloped somewhat more steeply. +Again, after this, a foul and gloomy room was disclosed to the visitors, +wherein they saw Utgarda-Loki, laden hand and foot with enormous chains. +Each of his reeking hairs was as large and stiff as a spear of cornel. +Thorkill (his companions lending a hand), in order that his deeds might +gain more credit, plucked one of these from the chin of Utgarda-Loki, +who suffered it. Straightway such a noisome smell reached the +bystanders, that they could not breathe without stopping their noses +with their mantles. They could scarcely make their way out, and were +bespattered by the snakes which darted at them on every side. + +Only five of Thorkill's company embarked with their captain: the poison +killed the rest. The demons hung furiously over them, and cast their +poisonous slaver from every side upon the men below them. But the +sailors sheltered themselves with their hides, and cast back the venom +that fell upon them. One man by chance at this point wished to peep out; +the poison touched his head, which was taken off his neck as if it had +been severed with a sword. Another put his eyes out of their shelter, +and when he brought them back under it they were blinded. Another thrust +forth his hand while unfolding his covering, and, when he withdrew his +arm, it was withered by the virulence of the same slaver. They besought +their deities to be kinder to them; vainly, until Thorkill prayed to +the god of the universe, and poured forth unto him libations as well +as prayers; and thus, presently finding the sky even as before and the +elements clear, he made a fair voyage. + +And now they seemed to behold another world, and the way towards the +life of man. At last Thorkill landed in Germany, which had then been +admitted to Christianity; and among its people he began to learn how +to worship God. His band of men were almost destroyed, because of +the dreadful air they had breathed, and he returned to his country +accompanied by two men only, who had escaped the worst. But the corrupt +matter which smeared his face so disguised his person and original +features that not even his friends knew him. But when he wiped off the +filth, he made himself recognizable by those who saw him, and inspired +the king with the greatest eagerness to hear about his quest. But the +detraction of his rivals was not yet silenced; and some pretended that +the king would die suddenly if he learnt Thorkill's tidings. The king +was the more disposed to credit this saying, because he was already +credulous by reason of a dream which falsely prophesied the same thing. +Men were therefore hired by the king's command to slay Thorkill in the +night. But somehow he got wind of it, left his bed unknown to all, and +put a heavy log in his place. By this he baffled the treacherous device +of the king, for the hirelings smote only the stock. + +On the morrow Thorkill went up to the king as he sat at meat, and said: +"I forgive thy cruelty and pardon thy error, in that thou hast decreed +punishment, and not thanks, to him who brings good tidings of his +errand. For thy sake I have devoted my life to all these afflictions, +and battered it in all these perils; I hoped that thou wouldst requite +my services with much gratitude; and behold! I have found thee, and thee +alone, punish my valour sharpliest. But I forbear all vengeance, and +am satisfied with the shame within thy heart--if, after all, any shame +visits the thankless--as expiation for this wrongdoing towards me. I +have a right to surmise that thou art worse than all demons in fury, +and all beasts in cruelty, if, after escaping the snares of all these +monsters, I have failed to be safe from thine." + +The king desired to learn everything from Thorkill's own lips; and, +thinking it hard to escape destiny, bade him relate what had happened +in due order. He listened eagerly to his recital of everything, till +at last, when his own god was named, he could not endure him to +be unfavourably judged. For he could not bear to hear Utgarda-Loki +reproached with filthiness, and so resented his shameful misfortunes, +that his very life could not brook such words, and he yielded it up in +the midst of Thorkill's narrative. Thus, whilst he was so zealous in the +worship of a false god, he came to find where the true prison of sorrows +really was. Moreover, the reek of the hair, which Thorkill plucked from +the locks of the giant to testify to the greatness of his own deeds, was +exhaled upon the bystanders, so that many perished of it. + +After the death of Gorm, GOTRIK his son came to the throne. He was +notable not only for prowess but for generosity, and none can say +whether his courage or his compassion was the greater. He so chastened +his harshness with mercy, that he seemed to counterweigh the one with +the other. At this time Gaut, the King of Norway, was visited by Ber +(Biorn?) and Ref, men of Thule. Gaut treated Ref with attention and +friendship, and presented him with a heavy bracelet. + +One of the courtiers, when he saw this, praised the greatness of the +gift over-zealously, and declared that no one was equal to King Gaut in +kindliness. But Ref, though he owed thanks for the benefit, could not +approve the inflated words of this extravagant praiser, and said that +Gotrik was more generous than Gaut. Wishing to crush the empty boast of +the flatterer, he chose rather to bear witness to the generosity of +the absent than tickle with lies the vanity of his benefactor who was +present. For another thing, he thought it somewhat more desirable to be +charged with ingratitude than to support with his assent such idle and +boastful praise, and also to move the king by the solemn truth than +to beguile him with lying flatteries. But Ulf persisted not only in +stubbornly repeating his praises of the king, but in bringing them to +the proof; and proposed their gainsayer a wager. + +With his consent Ref went to Denmark, and found Gotrik seated in state, +and dealing out the pay to his soldiers. When the king asked him who +he was, he said that his name was "Fox-cub" The answer filled some with +mirth and some with marvel, and Gotrik said, "Yea, and it is fitting +that a fox should catch his prey in his mouth." And thereupon he drew +a bracelet from his arm, called the man to him, and put it between his +lips. Straightway Ref put it upon his arm, which he displayed to them +all adorned with gold, but the other arm he kept hidden as lacking +ornament; for which shrewdness he received a gift equal to the first +from that hand of matchless generosity. At this he was overjoyed, not so +much because the reward was great, as because he had won his contention. +And when the king learnt from him about the wager he had laid, he +rejoiced that he had been lavish to him more by accident than of set +purpose, and declared that he got more pleasure from the giving than the +receiver from the gift. So Ref returned to Norway and slew his opponent, +who refused to pay the wager. Then he took the daughter of Gaut captive, +and brought her to Gotrik for his own. + +Gotrik, who is also called Godefride, carried his arms against +foreigners, and increased his strength and glory by his successful +generalship. Among his memorable deeds were the terms of tribute +he imposed upon the Saxons; namely, that whenever a change of kings +occurred among the Danes, their princes should devote a hundred +snow-white horses to the new king on his accession. But if the Saxons +should receive a new chief upon a change in the succession, this chief +was likewise to pay the aforesaid tribute obediently, and bow at +the outset of his power to the sovereign majesty of Denmark; thereby +acknowledging the supremacy of our nation, and solemnly confessing his +own subjection. Nor was it enough for Gotrik to subjugate Germany: he +appointed Ref on a mission to try the strength of Sweden. The Swedes +feared to slay him with open violence, but ventured to act like bandits, +and killed him, as he slept, with the blow of a stone. For, hanging a +millstone above him, they cut its fastenings, and let it drop upon his +neck as he lay beneath. To expiate this crime it was decreed that each +of the ringleaders should pay twelve golden talents, while each of +the common people should pay Gotrik one ounce. Men called this "the +Fox-cub's tribute". (Refsgild). + +Meanwhile it befell that Karl, King of the Franks, crushed Germany in +war, and forced it not only to embrace the worship of Christianity, but +also to obey his authority. When Gotrik heard of this, he attacked the +nations bordering on the Elbe, and attempted to regain under his sway as +of old the realm of Saxony, which eagerly accepted the yoke of Karl, and +preferred the Roman to the Danish arms. Karl had at this time withdrawn +his victorious camp beyond the Rhine, and therefore forbore to engage +the stranger enemy, being prevented by the intervening river. But when +he was intending to cross once more to subdue the power of Gotrik, he +was summoned by Leo the Pope of the Romans to defend the city. + +Obeying this command, Karl intrusted his son Pepin with the conduct of +the war against Gotrik; so that while he himself was working against a +distant foe, Pepin might manage the conflict he had undertaken with his +neighbour. For Karl was distracted by two anxieties, and had to furnish +sufficient out of a scanty band to meet both of them. Meanwhile Gotrik +won a glorious victory over the Saxons. Then gathering new strength, and +mustering a larger body of forces, he resolved to avenge the wrong he +had suffered in losing his sovereignty, not only upon the Saxons, but +upon the whole people of Germany. He began by subduing Friesland with +his fleet. + +This province lies very low, and whenever the fury of the ocean bursts +the dykes that bar its waves, it is wont to receive the whole mass of +the deluge over its open plains. On this country Gotrik imposed a kind +of tribute, which was not so much harsh as strange. I will briefly +relate its terms and the manner of it. First, a building was arranged, +two hundred and forty feet in length, and divided into twelve spaces; +each of these stretching over an interval of twenty feet, and thus +making together, when the whole room was exhausted, the aforesaid total. +Now at the upper end of this building sat the king's treasurer, and in a +line with him at its further end was displayed a round shield. When the +Frisians came to pay tribute, they used to cast their coins one by one +into the hollow of this shield; but only those coins which struck the +ear of the distant toll-gatherer with a distinct clang were chosen by +him, as he counted, to be reckoned among the royal tribute. The result +was that the collector only reckoned that money towards the treasury of +which his distant ear caught the sound as it fell. But that of which the +sound was duller, and which fell out of his earshot, was received indeed +into the treasury, but did not count as any increase to the sum paid. +Now many coins that were cast in struck with no audible loudness +whatever on the collector's ear, so that men who came to pay their +appointed toll sometimes squandered much of their money in useless +tribute. Karl is said to have freed them afterwards from the burden of +this tax. After Gotrik had crossed Friesland, and Karl had now come back +from Rome, Gotrik determined to swoop down upon the further districts of +Germany, but was treacherously attacked by one of his own servants, and +perished at home by the sword of a traitor. When Karl heard this, he +leapt up overjoyed, declaring that nothing more delightful had ever +fallen to his lot than this happy chance. + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) Furthest Thule--The names of Icelanders have thus crept + into the account of a battle fought before the discovery of + Iceland. + + + + +BOOK NINE. + +After Gotrik's death reigned his son OLAF; who, desirous to avenge his +father, did not hesitate to involve his country in civil wars, putting +patriotism after private inclination. When he perished, his body was put +in a barrow, famous for the name of Olaf, which was built up close by +Leire. + +He was succeeded by HEMMING, of whom I have found no deed worthy of +record, save that he made a sworn peace with Kaiser Ludwig; and yet, +perhaps, envious antiquity hides many notable deeds of his time, albeit +they were then famous. + +After these men there came to the throne, backed by the Skanians and +Zealanders, SIWARD, surnamed RING. He was the son, born long ago, of the +chief of Norway who bore the same name, by Gotrik's daughter. Now Ring, +cousin of Siward, and also a grandson of Gotrik, was master of Jutland. +Thus the power of the single kingdom was divided; and, as though its two +parts were contemptible for their smallness, foreigners began not only +to despise but to attack it. These Siward assailed with greater hatred +than he did his rival for the throne; and, preferring wars abroad to +wars at home, he stubbornly defended his country against dangers for +five years; for he chose to put up with a trouble at home that he +might the more easily cure one which came from abroad. Wherefore Ring +(desiring his) command, seized the opportunity, tried to transfer the +whole sovereignty to himself, and did not hesitate to injure in his +own land the man who was watching over it without; for he attacked the +provinces in the possession of Siward, which was an ungrateful requital +for the defence of their common country. Therefore, some of the +Zealanders who were more zealous for Siward, in order to show him firmer +loyalty in his absence, proclaimed his son Ragnar as king, when he was +scarcely dragged out of his cradle. Not but what they knew he was too +young to govern; yet they hoped that such a gage would serve to rouse +their sluggish allies against Ring. But, when Ring heard that Siward had +meantime returned from his expedition, he attacked the Zealanders with a +large force, and proclaimed that they should perish by the sword if they +did not surrender; but the Zealanders, who were bidden to choose between +shame and peril, were so few that they distrusted their strength, and +requested a truce to consider the matter. It was granted; but, since it +did not seem open to them to seek the favour of Siward, nor honourable +to embrace that of Ring, they wavered long in perplexity between fear +and shame. In this plight even the old were at a loss for counsel; but +Ragnar, who chanced to be present at the assembly, said: "The short bow +shoots its shaft suddenly. Though it may seem the hardihood of a boy +that I venture to forestall the speech of the elders, yet I pray you +to pardon my errors, and be indulgent to my unripe words. Yet the +counsellor of wisdom is not to be spurned, though he seem contemptible; +for the teaching of profitable things should be drunk in with an open +mind. Now it is shameful that we should be branded as deserters and +runaways, but it is just as foolhardy to venture above our strength; +and thus there is proved to be equal blame either way. We must, then, +pretend to go over to the enemy, but, when a chance comes in our way, we +must desert him betimes. It will thus be better to forestall the wrath +of our foe by reigned obedience than, by refusing it, to give him a +weapon wherewith to attack us yet more harshly; for if we decline the +sway of the stronger, are we not simply turning his arms against our own +throat? Intricate devices are often the best nurse of craft. You need +cunning to trap a fox." By this sound counsel he dispelled the wavering +of his countrymen, and strengthened the camp of the enemy to its own +hurt. + +The assembly, marvelling at the eloquence as much as at the wit of one +so young, gladly embraced a proposal of such genius, which they thought +excellent beyond his years. Nor were the old men ashamed to obey the +bidding of a boy when they lacked counsel themselves; for, though it +came from one of tender years, it was full, notwithstanding, of weighty +and sound instruction. But they feared to expose their adviser to +immediate peril, and sent him over to Norway to be brought up. Soon +afterwards, Siward joined battle with Ring and attacked him. He slew +Ring, but himself received an incurable wound, of which he died a few +days afterwards. + +He was succeeded on the throne by RAGNAR. At this time Fro (Frey?), the +King of Sweden, after slaying Siward, the King of the Norwegians, put +the wives of Siward's kinsfolk in bonds in a brothel, and delivered +them to public outrage. When Ragnar heard of this, he went to Norway to +avenge his grandfather. As he came, many of the matrons, who had either +suffered insult to their persons or feared imminent peril to their +chastity, hastened eagerly to his camp in male attire, declaring that +they would prefer death to outrage. Nor did Ragnar, who was to punish +this reproach upon the women, scorn to use against the author of the +infamy the help of those whose shame he had come to avenge. Among them +was Ladgerda, a skilled amazon, who, though a maiden, had the courage +of a man, and fought in front among the bravest with her hair loose +over her shoulders. All-marvelled at her matchless deeds, for her locks +flying down her back betrayed that she was a woman. + +Ragnar, when he had justly cut down the murderer of his grandfather, +asked many questions of his fellow soldiers concerning the maiden whom +he had seen so forward in the fray, and declared that he had gained the +victory by the might of one woman. Learning that she was of noble birth +among the barbarians, he steadfastly wooed her by means of messengers. +She spurned his mission in her heart, but feigned compliance. Giving +false answers, she made her panting wooer confident that he would gain +his desires; but ordered that a bear and a dog should be set at the +porch of her dwelling, thinking to guard her own room against all the +ardour of a lover by means of the beasts that blocked the way. Ragnar, +comforted by the good news, embarked, crossed the sea, and, telling his +men to stop in Gaulardale, as the valley is called, went to the dwelling +of the maiden alone. Here the beasts met him, and he thrust one through +with a spear, and caught the other by the throat, wrung its neck, and +choked it. Thus he had the maiden as the prize of the peril he had +overcome. By this marriage he had two daughters, whose names have not +come down to us, and a son Fridleif. Then he lived three years at peace. + +The Jutlanders, a presumptuous race, thinking that because of his recent +marriage he would never return, took the Skanians into alliance, and +tried to attack the Zealanders, who preserved the most zealous and +affectionate loyalty towards Ragnar. He, when he heard of it, equipped +thirty ships, and, the winds favouring his voyage, crushed the Skanians, +who ventured to fight, near the stead of Whiteby, and when the winter +was over he fought successfully with the Jutlanders who dwelt near the +Liim-fjord in that region. A third and a fourth time he conquered the +Skanians and the Hallanders triumphantly. + +Afterwards, changing his love, and desiring Thora, the daughter of the +King Herodd, to wife, Ragnar divorced himself from Ladgerda; for he +thought ill of her trustworthiness, remembering that she had long ago +set the most savage beasts to destroy him. Meantime Herodd, the King +of the Swedes, happening to go and hunt in the woods, brought home some +snakes, found by his escort, for his daughter to rear. She speedily +obeyed the instructions of her father, and endured to rear a race of +adders with her maiden hands. Moreover, she took care that they should +daily have a whole ox-carcase to gorge upon, not knowing that she was +privately feeding and keeping up a public nuisance. The vipers grew up, +and scorched the country-side with their pestilential breath. Whereupon +the king, repenting of his sluggishness, proclaimed that whosoever +removed the pest should have his daughter. + +Many warriors were thereto attracted by courage as much as by desire; +but all idly and perilously wasted their pains. Ragnar, learning from +men who travelled to and fro how the matter stood, asked his nurse for +a woolen mantle, and for some thigh-pieces that were very hairy, with +which he could repel the snake-bites. He thought that he ought to use a +dress stuffed with hair to protect himself, and also took one that +was not unwieldy, that he might move nimbly. And when he had landed in +Sweden, he deliberately plunged his body in water, while there was a +frost falling, and, wetting his dress, to make it the less penetrable, +he let the cold freeze it. Thus attired, he took leave of his +companions, exhorted them to remain loyal to Fridleif, and went on to +the palace alone. When he saw it, he tied his sword to his side, +and lashed a spear to his right hand with a thong. As he went on, an +enormous snake glided up and met him. Another, equally huge, crawled up, +following in the trail of the first. They strove now to buffet the young +man with the coils of their tails, and now to spit and belch their venom +stubbornly upon him. Meantime the courtiers, betaking themselves to +safer hiding, watched the struggle from afar like affrighted little +girls. The king was stricken with equal fear, and fled, with a few +followers, to a narrow shelter. But Ragnar, trusting in the hardness of +his frozen dress, foiled the poisonous assaults not only with his arms, +but with his attire, and, singlehanded, in unweariable combat, stood +up against the two gaping creatures, who stubbornly poured forth their +venom upon him. For their teeth he repelled with his shield, their +poison with his dress. At last he cast his spear, and drove it against +the bodies of the brutes, who were attacking him hard. He pierced both +their hearts, and his battle ended in victory. + +After Ragnar had thus triumphed the king scanned his dress closely, +and saw that he was rough and hairy; but, above all, he laughed at the +shaggy lower portion of his garb, and chiefly the uncouth aspect of his +breeches; so that he gave him in jest the nickname of Lodbrog. Also he +invited him to feast with his friends, to refresh him after his labours. +Ragnar said that he would first go back to the witnesses whom he had +left behind. He set out and brought them back, splendidly attired for +the coming feast. At last, when the banquet was over, he received +the prize that was appointed for the victory. By her he begot two +nobly-gifted sons, Radbard and Dunwat. These also had brothers--Siward, +Biorn, Agnar, and Iwar. + +Meanwhile, the Jutes and Skanians were kindled with an unquenchable fire +of sedition; they disallowed the title of Ragnar, and gave a certain +Harald the sovereign power. Ragnar sent envoys to Norway, and besought +friendly assistance against these men; and Ladgerda, whose early love +still flowed deep and steadfast, hastily sailed off with her husband and +her son. She brought herself to offer a hundred and twenty ships to the +man who had once put her away. And he, thinking himself destitute of all +resources, took to borrowing help from folk of every age, crowded the +strong and the feeble all together, and was not ashamed to insert some +old men and boys among the wedges of the strong. So he first tried to +crush the power of the Skanians in the field which in Latin is called +Laneus (Woolly); here he had a hard fight with the rebels. Here, too, +Iwar, who was in his seventh year, fought splendidly, and showed the +strength of a man in the body of a boy. But Siward, while attacking the +enemy face to face, fell forward upon the ground wounded. When his men +saw this, it made them look round most anxiously for means of flight; +and this brought low not only Siward, but almost the whole army on the +side of Ragnar. But Ragnar by his manly deeds and exhortations comforted +their amazed and sunken spirits, and, just when they were ready to be +conquered, spurred them on to try and conquer. + +Ladgerda, who had a matchless spirit though a delicate frame, covered by +her splendid bravery the inclination of the soldiers to waver. For she +made a sally about, and flew round to the rear of the enemy, taking them +unawares, and thus turned the panic of her friends into the camp of the +enemy. At last the lines of HARALD became slack, and HARALD himself was +routed with a great slaughter of his men. LADGERDA, when she had gone +home after the battle, murdered her husband.... in the night with a +spear-head, which she had hid in her gown. Then she usurped the whole +of his name and sovereignty; for this most presumptuous dame thought +it pleasanter to rule without her husband than to share the throne with +him. + +Meantime, Siward was taken to a town in the neighbourhood, and gave +himself to be tended by the doctors, who were reduced to the depths of +despair. But while the huge wound baffled all the remedies they applied, +a certain man of amazing size was seen to approach the litter of the +sick man, and promised that Siward should straightway rejoice and be +whole, if he would consecrate unto him the souls of all whom he should +overcome in battle. Nor did he conceal his name, but said that he was +called Rostar. Now Siward, when he saw that a great benefit could be got +at the cost of a little promise, eagerly acceded to this request. Then +the old man suddenly, by the help of his hand, touched and banished the +livid spot, and suddenly scarred the wound over. At last he poured dust +on his eyes and departed. Spots suddenly arose, and the dust, to the +amaze of the beholders, seemed to become wonderfully like little snakes. + +I should think that he who did this miracle wished to declare, by +the manifest token of his eyes, that the young man was to be cruel in +future, in order that the more visible part of his body might not lack +some omen of his life that was to follow. When the old woman, who had +the care of his draughts, saw him showing in his face signs of little +snakes; she was seized with an extraordinary horror of the young man, +and suddenly fell and swooned away. Hence it happened that Siward got +the widespread name of Snake-Eye. + +Meantime Thora, the bride of Ragnar, perished of a violent malady, which +caused infinite trouble and distress to the husband, who dearly +loved his wife. This distress, he thought, would be best dispelled by +business, and he resolved to find solace in exercise and qualify his +grief by toil. To banish his affliction and gain some comfort, he bent +his thoughts to warfare, and decreed that every father of a family +should devote to his service whichever of his children he thought +most contemptible, or any slave of his who was lazy at his work or of +doubtful fidelity. And albeit that this decree seemed little fitted for +his purpose, he showed that the feeblest of the Danish race were better +than the strongest men of other nations; and it did the young men great +good, each of those chosen being eager to wipe off the reproach of +indolence. Also he enacted that every piece of litigation should be +referred to the judgment of twelve chosen elders, all ordinary methods +of action being removed, the accuser being forbidden to charge, and the +accused to defend. This law removed all chance of incurring litigation +lightly. Thinking that there was thus sufficient provision made against +false accusations by unscrupulous men, he lifted up his arms against +Britain, and attacked and slew in battle its king, Hame, the father of +Ella, who was a most noble youth. Then he killed the earls of Scotland +and of Pictland, and of the isles that they call the Southern or +Meridional (Sudr-eyar), and made his sons Siward and Radbard masters of +the provinces, which were now without governors. He also deprived Norway +of its chief by force, and commanded it to obey Fridleif, whom he also +set over the Orkneys, from which he took their own earl. + +Meantime, some of the Danes who were most stubborn in their hatred +against Ragnar were obstinately bent on rebellion. They rallied to the +side of Harald, once an exile, and tried to raise the fallen fortunes of +the tyrant. By this hardihood they raised up against the king the most +virulent blasts of civil war, and entangled him in domestic perils when +he was free from foreign troubles. Ragnar, setting out to check them +with a fleet of the Danes who lived in the isles, crushed the army of +the rebels, drove Harald, the leader of the conquered army, a fugitive +to Germany, and forced him to resign unbashfully an honour which he had +gained without scruple. Nor was he content simply to kill his prisoners: +he preferred to torture them to death, so that those who could not be +induced to forsake their disloyalty might not be so much as suffered to +give up the ghost save under the most grievous punishment. Moreover, the +estates of those who had deserted with Harald he distributed among those +who were serving as his soldiers, thinking that the fathers would be +worse punished by seeing the honour of their inheritance made over to +the children whom they had rejected, while those whom they had loved +better lost their patrimony. But even this did not sate his vengeance, +and he further determined to attack Saxony, thinking it the refuge of +his foes and the retreat of Harald. So, begging his sons to help him, he +came on Karl, who happened then to be tarrying on those borders of his +empire. Intercepting his sentries, he eluded the watch that was posted +on guard. But while he thought that all the rest would therefore be easy +and more open to his attacks, suddenly a woman who was a soothsayer, a +kind of divine oracle or interpreter of the will of heaven, warned the +king with a saving prophecy, and by her fortunate presage forestalled +the mischief that impended, saying that the fleet of Siward had moored +at the mouth of the river Seine. The emperor, heeding the warning, and +understanding that the enemy was at hand, managed to engage with and +stop the barbarians, who were thus pointed out to him. A battle was +fought with Ragnar; but Karl did not succeed as happily in the field +as he had got warning of the danger. And so that tireless conqueror of +almost all Europe, who in his calm and complete career of victory had +travelled over so great a portion of the world, now beheld his army, +which had vanquished all these states and nations, turning its face from +the field, and shattered by a handful from a single province. + +Ragnar, after loading the Saxons with tribute, had sure tidings from +Sweden of the death of Herodd, and also heard that his own sons, owing +to the slander of Sorle, the king chosen in his stead, had been robbed +of their inheritance. He besought the aid of the brothers Biorn, +Fridleif, and Ragbard (for Ragnald, Hwitserk, and Erik, his sons by +Swanloga, had not yet reached the age of bearing arms), and went to +Sweden. Sorle met him with his army, and offered him the choice between +a public conflict and a duel; and when Ragnar chose personal combat, he +sent against him Starkad, a champion of approved daring, with his band +of seven sons, to challenge and fight with him. Ragnar took his three +sons to share the battle with him, engaged in the sight of both armies, +and came out of the combat triumphant. + +Biorn, having inflicted great slaughter on the foe without hurt to +himself, gained from the strength of his sides, which were like iron, a +perpetual name (Ironsides). This victory emboldened Ragnar to hope that +he could overcome any peril, and he attacked and slew Sorle with the +entire forces he was leading. He presented Biorn with the lordship +of Sweden for his conspicuous bravery and service. Then for a little +interval he rested from wars, and chanced to fall deeply in love with +a certain woman. In order to find some means of approaching and winning +her the more readily, he courted her father (Esbern) by showing him the +most obliging and attentive kindness. He often invited him to banquets, +and received him with lavish courtesy. When he came, he paid him the +respect of rising, and when he sat, he honoured him with a set next to +himself. He also often comforted him with gifts, and at times with the +most kindly speech. The man saw that no merits of his own could be the +cause of all this distinction, and casting over the matter every way in +his mind, he perceived that the generosity of his monarch was caused +by his love for his daughter, and that he coloured this lustful purpose +with the name of kindness. But, that he might balk the cleverness of +the lover, however well calculated, he had the girl watched all the more +carefully that he saw her beset by secret aims and obstinate methods. +But Ragnar, who was comforted by the surest tidings of her consent, went +to the farmhouse in which she was kept, and fancying that love must +find out a way, repaired alone to a certain peasant in a neighbouring +lodging. In the morning he exchanged dress with the women, and went +in female attire, and stood by his mistress as she was unwinding wool. +Cunningly, to avoid betrayal, he set his hands to the work of a maiden, +though they were little skilled in the art. In the night he embraced +the maiden and gained his desire. When her time drew near, and the girl +growing big, betrayed her outraged chastity, the father, not knowing to +whom his daughter had given herself to be defiled, persisted in asking +the girl herself who was the unknown seducer. She steadfastly affirmed +that she had had no one to share her bed except her handmaid, and he +made the affair over to the king to search into. He would not allow an +innocent servant to be branded with an extraordinary charge, and was not +ashamed to prove another's innocence by avowing his own guilt. By this +generosity he partially removed the woman's reproach, and prevented an +absurd report from being sown in the ears of the wicked. Also he added, +that the son to be born of her was of his own line, and that he wished +him to be named Ubbe. When this son had grown up somewhat, his wit, +despite his tender years, equalled the discernment of manhood. For he +took to loving his mother, since she had had converse with a noble bed, +but cast off all respect for his father, because he had stooped to a +union too lowly. + +After this Ragnar prepared an expedition against the Hellespontines, +and summoned an assembly of the Danes, promising that he would give the +people most wholesome laws. He had enacted before that each father of +a household should offer for service that one among his sons whom he +esteemed least; but now he enacted that each should arm the son who was +stoutest of hand or of most approved loyalty. Thereon, taking all the +sons he had by Thora, in addition to Ubbe, he attacked, crushed in +sundry campaigns, and subdued the Hellespont with its king Dia. At last +he involved the same king in disaster after disaster, and slew him. +Dia's sons, Dia and Daxo, who had before married the daughters of the +Russian king, begged forces from their father-in-law, and rushed with +most ardent courage to the work of avenging their father. But Ragnar, +when he saw their boundless army, distrusted his own forces; and he put +brazen horses on wheels that could be drawn easily, took them round on +carriages that would turn, and ordered that they should be driven with +the utmost force against the thickest ranks of the enemy. This device +served so well to break the line of the foe, that the Danes' hope of +conquest seemed to lie more in the engine than in the soldiers: for its +insupportable weight overwhelmed whatever it struck. Thus one of the +leaders was killed, while one made off in flight, and the whole army +of the area of the Hellespont retreated. The Scythians, also, who were +closely related by blood to Daxo on the mother's side, are said to +have been crushed in the same disaster. Their province was made over +to Hwitserk, and the king of the Russians, trusting little in his own +strength, hastened to fly out of the reach of the terrible arms of +Ragnar. + +Now Ragnar had spent almost five years in sea-roving, and had quickly +compelled all other nations to submit; but he found the Perms in open +defiance of his sovereignty. He had just conquered them, but their +loyalty was weak. When they heard that he had come they cast spells upon +the sky, stirred up the clouds, and drove them into most furious storms. +This for some time prevented the Danes from voyaging, and caused their +supply of food to fail. Then, again, the storm suddenly abated, and now +they were scorched by the most fervent and burning heat; nor was this +plague any easier to bear than the great and violent cold had been. +Thus the mischievous excess in both directions affected their bodies +alternately, and injured them by an immoderate increase first of cold +and then of heat. Moreover, dysentery killed most of them. So the mass +of the Danes, being pent in by the dangerous state of the weather, +perished of the bodily plague that arose on every side. And when Ragnar +saw that he was hindered, not so much by a natural as by a factitious +tempest, he held on his voyage as best he could, and got to the country +of the Kurlanders and Sembs, who paid zealous honour to his might and +majesty, as if he were the most revered of conquerors. This service +enraged the king all the more against the arrogance of the men of +Permland, and he attempted to avenge his slighted dignity by a sudden +attack. Their king, whose name is not known, was struck with panic at +such a sudden invasion of the enemy, and at the same time had no heart +to join battle with them; and fled to Matul, the prince of Finmark. He, +trusting in the great skill of his archers, harassed with impunity the +army of Ragnar, which was wintering in Permland. For the Finns, who are +wont to glide on slippery timbers (snowskates), scud along at whatever +pace they will, and are considered to be able to approach or depart very +quickly; for as soon as they have damaged the enemy they fly away as +speedily as they approach, nor is the retreat they make quicker than +their charge. Thus their vehicles and their bodies are so nimble that +they acquire the utmost expertness both in advance and flight. + +Ragnar was filled with amazement at the poorness of his fortunes when +he saw that he, who had conquered Rome at its pinnacle of power, was +dragged by an unarmed and uncouth race into the utmost peril. He, +therefore, who had signally crushed the most glorious flower of the +Roman soldiery, and the forces of a most great and serene captain, now +yielded to a base mob with the poorest and slenderest equipment; and he +whose lustre in war the might of the strongest race on earth had failed +to tarnish, was now too weak to withstand the tiny band of a miserable +tribe. Hence, with that force which had helped him bravely to defeat the +most famous pomp in all the world and the weightiest weapon of military +power, and to subdue in the field all that thunderous foot, horse, and +encampment; with this he had now, stealthily and like a thief, to endure +the attacks of a wretched and obscure populace; nor must he blush to +stain by a treachery in the night that noble glory of his which had been +won in the light of day, for he took to a secret ambuscade instead +of open bravery. This affair was as profitable in its issue as it was +unhandsome in the doing. + +Ragnar was equally as well pleased at the flight of the Finns as he had +been at that of Karl, and owned that he had found more strength in that +defenceless people than in the best equipped soldiery; for he found the +heaviest weapons of the Romans easier to bear than the light darts of +this ragged tribe. Here, after killing the king of the Perms and routing +the king of the Finns, Ragnar set an eternal memorial of his victory +on the rocks, which bore the characters of his deeds on their face, and +looked down upon them. + +Meanwhile Ubbe was led by his grandfather, Esbern, to conceive an unholy +desire for the throne; and, casting away all thought of the reverence +due to his father, he claimed the emblem of royalty for his own head. + +When Ragnar heard of his arrogance from Kelther and Thorkill, the earls +of Sweden, he made a hasty voyage towards Gothland. Esbern, finding that +these men were attached with a singular loyalty to the side of Ragnar, +tried to bribe them to desert the king. But they did not swerve from +their purpose, and replied that their will depended on that of Biorn, +declaring that not a single Swede would dare to do what went against his +pleasure. Esbern speedily made an attempt on Biorn himself, addressing +him most courteously through his envoys. Biorn said that he would never +lean more to treachery than to good faith, and judged that it would be a +most abominable thing to prefer the favour of an infamous brother to the +love of a most righteous father. The envoys themselves he punished with +hanging, because they counselled him to so grievous a crime. The Swedes, +moreover, slew the rest of the train of the envoys in the same way, as +a punishment for their mischievous advice. So Esbern, thinking that his +secret and stealthy manoeuvres did not succeed fast enough, mustered his +forces openly, and went publicly forth to war. But Iwar, the governor of +Jutland, seeing no righteousness on either side of the impious conflict, +avoided all unholy war by voluntary exile. + +Ragnar attacked and slew Esbern in the bay that is called in Latin +Viridis; he cut off the dead man's head and bade it be set upon the +ship's prow, a dreadful sight for the seditious. But Ubbe took to +flight, and again attacked his father, having revived the war in +Zealand. Ubbe's ranks broke, and he was assailed single-handed from all +sides; but he felled so many of the enemy's line that he was surrounded +with a pile of the corpses of the foe as with a strong bulwark, +and easily checked his assailants from approaching. At last he was +overwhelmed by the thickening masses of the enemy, captured, and taken +off to be laden with public fetters. By immense violence he disentangled +his chains and cut them away. But when he tried to sunder and rend the +bonds that were (then) put upon him, he could not in any wise escape +his bars. But when Iwar heard that the rising in his country had been +quelled by the punishment of the rebel, he went to Denmark. Ragnar +received him with the greatest honour, because, while the unnatural +war had raged its fiercest, he had behaved with the most entire filial +respect. + +Meanwhile Daxo long and vainly tried to overcome Hwitserk, who ruled +over Sweden; but at last he enrapped him under pretence of making a +peace, and attacked him. Hwitserk received him hospitably, but Daxo had +prepared an army with weapons, who were to feign to be trading, ride +into the city in carriages, and break with a night-attack into the house +of their host. Hwitserk smote this band of robbers with such a slaughter +that he was surrounded with a heap of his enemies' bodies, and could +only be taken by letting down ladders from above. Twelve of his +companions, who were captured at the same time by the enemy, were given +leave to go back to their country; but they gave up their lives for +their king, and chose to share the dangers of another rather than be +quit of their own. + +Daxo, moved with compassion at the beauty of Hwitserk, had not the heart +to pluck the budding blossom of that noble nature, and offered him not +only his life, but his daughter in marriage, with a dowry of half his +kingdom; choosing rather to spare his comeliness than to punish his +bravery. But the other, in the greatness of his soul, valued as nothing +the life which he was given on sufferance, and spurned his safety as +though it were some trivial benefit. Of his own will he embraced the +sentence of doom, saying, that Ragnar would exact a milder vengeance +for his son if he found that he had made his own choice in selecting the +manner of his death. The enemy wondered at his rashness, and promised +that he should die by the manner of death which he should choose for +this punishment. This leave the young man accepted as a great kindness, +and begged that he might be bound and burned with his friends. Daxo +speedily complied with his prayers that craved for death, and by way of +kindness granted him the end that he had chosen. When Ragnar heard of +this, he began to grieve stubbornly even unto death, and not only put on +the garb of mourning, but, in the exceeding sorrow of his soul, took +to his bed and showed his grief by groaning. But his wife, who had more +than a man's courage, chid his weakness, and put heart into him with her +manful admonitions. Drawing his mind off from his woe, she bade him be +zealous in the pursuit of war; declaring that it was better for so brave +a father to avenge the bloodstained ashes of his son with weapons than +with tears. She also told him not to whimper like a woman, and get as +much disgrace by his tears as he had once earned glory by his valour. +Upon these words Ragnar began to fear lest he should destroy his ancient +name for courage by his womanish sorrow; so, shaking off his melancholy +garb and putting away his signs of mourning, he revived his sleeping +valour with hopes of speedy vengeance. Thus do the weak sometimes nerve +the spirits of the strong. So he put his kingdom in charge of Iwar, and +embraced with a father's love Ubbe, who was now restored to his ancient +favour. Then he transported his fleet over to Russia, took Daxo, bound +him in chains, and sent him away to be kept in Utgard. (1) + +Ragnar showed on this occasion the most merciful moderation towards the +slayer of his dearest son, since he sufficiently satisfied the vengeance +which he desired, by the exile of the culprit rather than his death. +This compassion shamed the Russians out of any further rage against +such a king, who could not be driven even by the most grievous wrongs +to inflict death upon his prisoners. Ragnar soon took Daxo back into +favour, and restored him to his country, upon his promising that he +would every year pay him his tribute barefoot, like a suppliant, +with twelve elders, also unshod. For he thought it better to punish +a prisoner and a suppliant gently, than to draw the axe of bloodshed; +better to punish that proud neck with constant slavery than to sever it +once and for all. Then he went on and appointed his son Erik, surnamed +Wind-hat, over Sweden. Here, while Fridleif and Siward were serving +under him, he found that the Norwegians and the Scots had wrongfully +conferred the title of king on two other men. So he first overthrew the +usurper to the power of Norway, and let Biorn have the country for his +own benefit. + +Then he summoned Biorn and Erik, ravaged the Orkneys, landed at last +on the territory of the Scots, and in a three-days' battle wearied out +their king Murial, and slew him. But Ragnar's sons, Dunwat and Radbard, +after fighting nobly, were slain by the enemy. So that the victory their +father won was stained with their blood. He returned to Denmark, and +found that his wife Swanloga had in the meantime died of disease. +Straightway he sought medicine for his grief in loneliness, and +patiently confined the grief of his sick soul within the walls of +his house. But this bitter sorrow was driven out of him by the sudden +arrival of Iwar, who had been expelled from the kingdom. For the Gauls +had made him fly, and had wrongfully bestowed royal power on a certain +Ella, the son of Hame. Ragnar took Iwar to guide him, since he was +acquainted with the country, gave orders for a fleet, and approached the +harbour called York. Here he disembarked his forces, and after a battle +which lasted three days, he made Ella, who had trusted in the valour of +the Gauls, desirous to fly. The affair cost much blood to the English +and very little to the Danes. Here Ragnar completed a year of conquest, +and then, summoning his sons to help him, he went to Ireland, slew +its king Melbrik, besieged Dublin, which was filled with wealth of the +barbarians, attacked it, and received its surrender. There he lay in +camp for a year; and then, sailing through the midland sea, he made his +way to the Hellespont. He won signal victories as he crossed all the +intervening countries, and no ill-fortune anywhere checked his steady +and prosperous advance. + +Harald, meanwhile, with the adherence of certain Danes who were +cold-hearted servants in the army of Ragnar, disturbed his country with +renewed sedition, and came forward claiming the title of king. He was +met by the arms of Ragnar returning from the Hellespont; but being +unsuccessful, and seeing that his resources of defence at home were +exhausted, he went to ask help of Ludwig, who was then stationed at +Mainz. But Ludwig, filled with the greatest zeal for promoting his +religion, imposed a condition on the Barbarian, promising him help if he +would agree to follow the worship of Christ. For he said there could +be no agreement of hearts between those who embraced discordant creeds. +Anyone, therefore, who asked for help, must first have a fellowship in +religion. No men could be partners in great works who were separated by +a different form of worship. This decision procured not only salvation +for Ludwig's guest, but the praise of piety for Ludwig himself, who, as +soon as Harald had gone to the holy font, accordingly strengthened him +with Saxon auxiliaries. Trusting in these, Harald built a temple in the +land of Sleswik with much care and cost, to be hallowed to God. Thus +he borrowed a pattern of the most holy way from the worship of Rome. He +unhallowed, pulled down the shrines that had been profaned by the error +of misbelievers, outlawed the sacrificers, abolished the (heathen) +priesthood, and was the first to introduce the religion of Christianity +to his uncouth country. Rejecting the worship of demons, he was zealous +for that of God. Lastly, he observed with the most scrupulous care +whatever concerned the protection of religion. But he began with more +piety than success. For Ragnar came up, outraged the holy rites he had +brought in, outlawed the true faith, restored the false one to its old +position, and bestowed on the ceremonies the same honour as before. As +for Harald, he deserted and cast in his lot with sacrilege. For though +he was a notable ensample by his introduction of religion, yet he was +the first who was seen to neglect it, and this illustrious promoter of +holiness proved a most infamous forsaker of the same. + +Meanwhile, Ella betook himself to the Irish, and put to the sword or +punished all those who were closely and loyally attached to Ragnar. Then +Ragnar attacked him with his fleet, but, by the just visitation of the +Omnipotent, was openly punished for disparaging religion. For when he +had been taken and cast into prison, his guilty limbs were given to +serpents to devour, and adders found ghastly substance in the fibres +of his entrails. His liver was eaten away, and a snake, like a deadly +executioner, beset his very heart. Then in a courageous voice he +recounted all his deeds in order, and at the end of his recital added +the following sentence: "If the porkers knew the punishment of the +boar-pig, surely they would break into the sty and hasten to loose him +from his affliction." At this saying, Ella conjectured that some of his +sons were yet alive, and bade that the executioners should stop and the +vipers be removed. The servants ran up to accomplish his bidding; but +Ragnar was dead, and forestalled the order of the king. Surely we must +say that this man had a double lot for his share? By one, he had a fleet +unscathed, an empire well-inclined, and immense power as a rover; while +the other inflicted on him the ruin of his fame, the slaughter of his +soldiers, and a most bitter end. The executioner beheld him beset with +poisonous beasts, and asps gorging on that heart which he had borne +steadfast in the face of every peril. Thus a most glorious conqueror +declined to the piteous lot of a prisoner; a lesson that no man should +put too much trust in fortune. + +Iwar heard of this disaster as he happened to be looking on at the +games. Nevertheless, he kept an unmoved countenance, and in nowise broke +down. Not only did he dissemble his grief and conceal the news of +his father's death, but he did not even allow a clamour to arise, and +forbade the panic-stricken people to leave the scene of the sports. +Thus, loth to interrupt the spectacle by the ceasing of the games, +he neither clouded his countenance nor turned his eyes from public +merriment to dwell upon his private sorrow; for he would not fall +suddenly into the deepest melancholy from the height of festal joy, or +seem to behave more like an afflicted son than a blithe captain. + +But when Siward heard the same tidings, he loved his father more than he +cared for his own pain, and in his distraction plunged deeply into his +foot the spear he chanced to be holding, dead to all bodily troubles in +his stony sadness. For he wished to hurt some part of his body severely, +that he might the more patiently bear the wound in his soul. By this act +he showed at once his bravery and his grief, and bore his lot like a son +who was more afflicted and steadfast. But Biorn received the tidings +of his father's death while he was playing at dice, and squeezed so +violently the piece that he was grasping that he wrung the blood from +his fingers and shed it on the table; whereon he said that assuredly +the cast of fate was more fickle than that of the very die which he was +throwing. When Ella heard this, he judged that his father's death had +been borne with the toughest and most stubborn spirit by that son of the +three who had paid no filial respect to his decease; and therefore he +dreaded the bravery of Iwar most. + +Iwar went towards England, and when he saw that his fleet was not strong +enough to join battle with the enemy, he chose to be cunning rather than +bold, and tried a shrewd trick on Ella, begging as a pledge of peace +between them a strip of land as great as he could cover with a horse's +hide. He gained his request, for the king supposed that it would cost +little, and thought himself happy that so strong a foe begged for a +little boon instead of a great one; supposing that a tiny skin would +cover but a very little land. But Iwar cut the hide out and lengthened +it into very slender thongs, thus enclosing a piece of ground large +enough to build a city on. Then Ella came to repent of his lavishness, +and tardily set to reckoning the size of the hide, measuring the little +skin more narrowly now that it was cut up than when it was whole. For +that which he had thought would encompass a little strip of ground, he +saw lying wide over a great estate. Iwar brought into the city, when +he founded it, supplies that would serve amply for a siege, wishing the +defences to be as good against scarcity as against an enemy. + +Meantime, Siward and Biorn came up with a fleet of 400 ships, and with +open challenge declared war against the king. This they did at the +appointed time; and when they had captured him, they ordered the +figure of an eagle to be cut in his back, rejoicing to crush their most +ruthless foe by marking him with the cruellest of birds. Not satisfied +with imprinting a wound on him, they salted the mangled flesh. Thus Ella +was done to death, and Biorn and Siward went back to their own kingdoms. + +Iwar governed England for two years. Meanwhile the Danes were stubborn +in revolt, and made war, and delivered the sovereignty publicly to a +certain SIWARD and to ERIK, both of the royal line. The sons of Ragnar, +together with a fleet of 1,700 ships, attacked them at Sleswik, and +destroyed them in a conflict which lasted six months. Barrows remain to +tell the tale. The sound on which the war was conducted has gained +equal glory by the death of Siward. And now the royal stock was almost +extinguished, saving only the sons of Ragnar. Then, when Biorn and Erik +had gone home, Iwar and Siward settled in Denmark, that they might curb +the rebels with a stronger rein, setting Agnar to govern England. +Agnar was stung because the English rejected him, and, with the help +of Siward, chose, rather than foster the insolence of the province that +despised him, to dispeople it and leave its fields, which were matted in +decay, with none to till them. He covered the richest land of the island +with the most hideous desolation, thinking it better to be lord of a +wilderness than of a headstrong country. After this he wished to avenge +Erik, who had been slain in Sweden by the malice of a certain Osten. But +while he was narrowly bent on avenging another, he squandered his +own blood on the foe; and while he was eagerly trying to punish the +slaughter of his brother, sacrificed his own life to brotherly love. + +Thus SIWARD, by the sovereign vote of the whole Danish assembly, +received the empire of his father. But after the defeats he had +inflicted everywhere he was satisfied with the honour he received at +home, and liked better to be famous with the gown than with the sword. +He ceased to be a man of camps, and changed from the fiercest of despots +into the most punctual guardian of peace. He found as much honour in +ease and leisure as he had used to think lay in many victories. Fortune +so favoured his change of pursuits, that no foe ever attacked him, nor +he any foe. He died, and ERIK, who was a very young child, inherited his +nature, rather than his realm or his tranquillity. For Erik, the brother +of Harald, despising his exceedingly tender years, invaded the country +with rebels, and seized the crown; nor was he ashamed to assail the +lawful infant sovereign, and to assume an unrightful power. In thus +bringing himself to despoil a feeble child of the kingdom he showed +himself the more unworthy of it. Thus he stripped the other of his +throne, but himself of all his virtues, and cast all manliness out of +his heart, when he made war upon a cradle: for where covetousness and +ambition flamed, love of kindred could find no place. But this brutality +was requited by the wrath of a divine vengeance. For the war between +this man and Gudorm, the son of Harald, ended suddenly with such +slaughter that they were both slain, with numberless others; and the +royal stock of the Danes, now worn out by the most terrible massacres, +was reduced to the only son of the above Siward. + +This man (Erik) won the fortune of a throne by losing his kindred; it +was luckier for him to have his relations dead than alive. He forsook +the example of all the rest, and hastened to tread in the steps of his +grandfather; for he suddenly came out as a most zealous practitioner of +roving. And would that he had not shown himself rashly to inherit +the spirit of Ragnar, by his abolition of Christian worship! For he +continually tortured all the most religious men, or stripped them of +their property and banished them. But it were idle for me to blame the +man's beginnings when I am to praise his end. For that life is more +laudable of which the foul beginning is checked by a glorious close, +than that which begins commendably but declines into faults and +infamies. For Erik, upon the healthy admonitions of Ansgarius, laid +aside the errors of his impious heart, and atoned for whatsoever he had +done amiss in the insolence thereof; showing himself as strong in the +observance of religion as he had been in slighting it. Thus he not only +took a draught of more wholesome teaching with obedient mind, but wiped +off early stains by his purity at the end. He had a son KANUTE by the +daughter of Gudorm, who was also the granddaughter of Harald; and him he +left to survive his death. + +While this child remained in infancy a guardian was required for the +pupil and for the realm. But inasmuch it seemed to most people either +invidious or difficult to give the aid that this office needed, it +was resolved that a man should be chosen by lot. For the wisest of the +Danes, fearing much to make a choice by their own will in so lofty +a matter, allowed more voice to external chance than to their own +opinions, and entrusted the issue of the selection rather to luck than +to sound counsel. The issue was that a certain Enni-gnup (Steep-brow), +a man of the highest and most entire virtue, was forced to put his +shoulder to this heavy burden; and when he entered on the administration +which chalice had decreed, he oversaw, not only the early rearing of the +king, but the affairs of the whole people. For which reason some who +are little versed in our history give this man a central place in its +annals. But when Kanute had passed through the period of boyhood, +and had in time grown to be a man, he left those who had done him the +service of bringing him up, and turned from an almost hopeless youth +to the practice of unhoped-for virtue; being deplorable for this reason +only, that he passed from life to death without the tokens of the +Christian faith. + +But soon the sovereignty passed to his son FRODE. This man's fortune, +increased by arms and warfare, rose to such a height of prosperity +that he brought back to the ancient yoke the provinces which had once +revolted from the Danes, and bound them in their old obedience. He also +came forward to be baptised with holy water in England, which had for +some while past been versed in Christianity. But he desired that his +personal salvation should overflow and become general, and begged that +Denmark should be instructed in divinity by Agapete, who was then Pope +of Rome. But he was cut off before his prayers attained this wish. His +death befell before the arrival of the messengers from Rome: and indeed +his intention was better than his fortune, and he won as great a reward +in heaven for his intended piety as others are vouchsafed for their +achievement. + +His son GORM, who had the surname of "The Englishman," because he was +born in England, gained the sovereignty in the island on his father's +death; but his fortune, though it came soon, did not last long. He left +England for Denmark to put it in order; but a long misfortune was the +fruit of this short absence. For the English, who thought that their +whole chance of freedom lay in his being away, planned an open revolt +from the Danes, and in hot haste took heart to rebel. But the greater +the hatred and contempt of England, the greater the loyal attachment of +Denmark to the king. Thus while he stretched out his two hands to both +provinces in his desire for sway, he gained one, but lost the lordship +of the other irretrievably; for he never made any bold effort to regain +it. So hard is it to keep a hold on very large empires. + +After this man his son HARALD came to be king of Denmark; he is +half-forgotten by posterity, and lacks all record for famous deeds, +because he rather preserved than extended the possessions of the realm. + +After this the throne was obtained by GORM, a man whose soul was ever +hostile to religion, and who tried to efface all regard for Christ's +worshippers, as though they were the most abominable of men. All those +who shared this rule of life he harassed with divers kinds of injuries +and incessantly pursued with whatever slanders he could. Also, in +order to restore the old worship to the shrines, he razed to its lowest +foundations, as though it were some unholy abode of impiety, a temple +which religious men had founded in a stead in Sleswik; and those whom +he did not visit with tortures he punished by the demolition of the holy +chapel. Though this man was thought notable for his stature, his mind +did not answer to his body; for he kept himself so well sated with power +that he rejoiced more in saving than increasing his dignity, and thought +it better to guard his own than to attack what belonged to others: +caring more to look to what he had than to swell his havings. + +This man was counselled by the elders to celebrate the rites of +marriage, and he wooed Thyra, the daughter of Ethelred, the king of +the English, for his wife. She surpassed other women in seriousness +and shrewdness, and laid the condition on her suitor that she would not +marry him till she had received Denmark as a dowry. This compact was +made between them, and she was betrothed to Gorm. But on the first night +that she went up on to the marriage-bed, she prayed her husband most +earnestly that she should be allowed to go for three days free from +intercourse with man. For she resolved to have no pleasure of love till +she had learned by some omen in a vision that her marriage would +be fruitful. Thus, under pretence of self-control, she deferred her +experience of marriage, and veiled under a show of modesty her wish to +learn about her issue. She put off lustful intercourse, inquiring, under +the feint of chastity, into the fortune she would have in continuing +her line. Some conjecture that she refused the pleasures of the nuptial +couch in order to win her mate over to Christianity by her abstinence. +But the youth, though he was most ardently bent on her love, yet chose +to regard the continence of another more than his own desires, and +thought it nobler to control the impulses of the night than to +rebuff the prayers of his weeping mistress; for he thought that her +beseechings, really coming from calculation, had to do with modesty. +Thus it befell that he who should have done a husband's part made +himself the guardian of her chastity so that the reproach of an infamous +mind should not be his at the very beginning of his marriage; as +though he had yielded more to the might of passion than to his own +self-respect. Moreover that he might not seem to forestall by his +lustful embraces the love which the maiden would not grant, he not only +forbore to let their sides that were next one another touch, but even +severed them by his drawn sword, and turned the bed into a divided +shelter for his bride and himself. But he soon tasted in the joyous form +of a dream the pleasure which he postponed from free loving kindness. +For, when his spirit was steeped in slumber, he thought that two birds +glided down from the privy parts of his wife, one larger than the other; +that they poised their bodies aloft and soared swiftly to heaven, and, +when a little time had elapsed, came back and sat on either of his +hands. A second, and again a third time, when they had been refreshed +by a short rest, they ventured forth to the air with outspread wings. +At last the lesser of them came back without his fellow, and with wings +smeared with blood. He was amazed with this imagination, and, being in a +deep sleep, uttered a cry to betoken his astonishment, filling the whole +house with an uproarious shout. When his servants questioned him, he +related his vision; and Thyra, thinking that she would be blest with +offspring, forbore her purpose to put off her marriage, eagerly relaxing +the chastity for which she had so hotly prayed. Exchanging celibacy +for love, she granted her husband full joy of herself, requiting his +virtuous self-restraint with the fulness of permitted intercourse, and +telling him that she would not have married him at all, had she not +inferred from these images in the dream which he had related, the +certainty of her being fruitful. + +By a device as cunning as it was strange, Thyra's pretended modesty +passed into an acknowledgment of her future offspring. Nor did fate +disappoint her hopes. Soon she was the fortunate mother of Kanute and +Harald. When these princes had attained man's estate, they put forth a +fleet and quelled the reckless insolence of the Sclavs. Neither did +they leave England free from an attack of the same kind. Ethelred was +delighted with their spirit, and rejoiced at the violence his nephews +offered him; accepting an abominable wrong as though it were the richest +of benefits. For he saw far more merit in their bravery than in piety. +Thus he thought it nobler to be attacked by foes than courted by +cowards, and felt that he saw in their valiant promise a sample of their +future manhood. + +For he could not doubt that they would some day attack foreign realms, +since they so boldly claimed those of their mother. He so much preferred +their wrongdoing to their service, that he passed over his daughter, and +bequeathed England in his will to these two, not scrupling to set the +name of grandfather before that of father. Nor was he unwise; for he +knew that it beseemed men to enjoy the sovereignty rather than women, +and considered that he ought to separate the lot of his unwarlike +daughter from that of her valiant sons. Hence Thyra saw her sons +inheriting the goods of her father, not grudging to be disinherited +herself. For she thought that the preference above herself was +honourable to her, rather than insulting. + +Kanute and Harald enriched themselves with great gains from sea-roving, +and most confidently aspired to lay hands on Ireland. Dublin, which was +considered the capital of the country, was beseiged. Its king went into +a wood adjoining the city with a few very skilled archers, and with +treacherous art surrounded Kanute (who was present with a great throng +of soldiers witnessing the show of the games by night), and aimed a +deadly arrow at him from afar. It struck the body of the king in front, +and pierced him with a mortal wound. But Kanute feared that the enemy +would greet his peril with an outburst of delight. He therefore wished +his disaster to be kept dark; and summoning voice with his last breath, +he ordered the games to be gone through without disturbance. By this +device he made the Danes masters of Ireland ere he made his own death +known to the Irish. + +Who would not bewail the end of such a man, whose self-mastery served to +give the victory to his soldiers, by reason of the wisdom that outlasted +his life? For the safety of the Danes was most seriously endangered, and +was nearly involved in the most deadly peril; yet because they obeyed +the dying orders of their general they presently triumphed over those +they feared. + +Germ had now reached the extremity of his days, having been blind for +many years, and had prolonged his old age to the utmost bounds of the +human lot, being more anxious for the life and prosperity of his sons +than for the few days he had to breathe. But so great was his love +for his elder son that he swore that he would slay with his own hand +whosoever first brought him news of his death. As it chanced, Thyra +heard sure tidings that this son had perished. But when no man durst +openly hint this to Germ, she fell back on her cunning to defend her, +and revealed by her deeds the mischance which she durst not speak +plainly out. For she took the royal robes off her husband and dressed +him in filthy garments, bringing him other signs of grief also, to +explain the cause of her mourning; for the ancients were wont to use +such things in the performance of obsequies, bearing witness by their +garb to the bitterness of their sorrow. Then said Germ: "Dost thou +declare to me the death of Kanute?" (2) And Thyra said: "That is +proclaimed by thy presage, not by mine." By this answer she made out her +lord a dead man and herself a widow, and had to lament her husband as +soon as her son. Thus, while she announced the fate of her son to her +husband, she united them in death, and followed the obsequies of both +with equal mourning; shedding the tears of a wife upon the one and of +a mother upon the other; though at that moment she ought to have been +cheered with comfort rather than crushed with disasters. + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) Utgard. Saxo, rationalising as usual, turns the mythical + home of the giants into some terrestrial place in his + vaguely-defined Eastern Europe. + (2) Kanute. Here the vernacular is far finer. The old king + notices "Denmark is drooping, dead must my son be!", puts on + the signs of mourning, and dies. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Danish History, Books I-IX, by +Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned") + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1150 *** diff --git a/1150-h/1150-h.htm b/1150-h/1150-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2bbf6da --- /dev/null +++ b/1150-h/1150-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,15896 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Danish History, by Saxo Grammaticus + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1150 ***</div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE DANISH HISTORY, + </h1> + <h1> + BOOKS I-IX + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + by + </h3> + <h2> + Saxo Grammaticus + </h2> + <h4> + ("Saxo the Learned") fl. Late 12th - Early 13th Century A.D. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + PREPARER'S NOTE: + + Originally written in Latin in the early years of the 13th + Century A.D. by the Danish historian Saxo, of whom little is + known except his name. + + The text of this edition is based on that published as + "The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus", + translated by Oliver Elton (Norroena Society, New York, 1905). + This edition is in the PUBLIC DOMAIN in the United States. + + This electronic edition was edited, proofed, and prepared by + Douglas B. Killings. + + The preparer would like to thank Mr. James W. Marchand and Mr. + Jessie D. Hurlbut for their invaluable assistance in the + production of this electronic text. Thank you. I am indebted to + you both. + + Although Saxo wrote 16 books of his "Danish History", only the + first nine were ever translated by Mr. Oliver Elton; it is these + nine books that are here included. As far as the preparer knows, + there is (unfortunately) no public domain English translation of + Books X-XVI. Those interested in the latter books should search + for the translation mentioned below. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> <big><b>INTRODUCTION.</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> SAXO'S POSITION. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> LIFE OF SAXO. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> THE HISTORY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> HISTORY OF THE WORK. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> THE MSS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> SAXO AS A WRITER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> FOLK LORE INDEX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> CUSTOMARY LAW. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> STATUTE LAWS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> WAR. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> SOCIAL LIFE AND MANNERS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> SUPERNATURAL BEINGS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> FUNERAL RITES AND MAN'S FUTURE STATE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> MAGIC AND FOLK-SCIENCE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> FOLK-TALES. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> SAXO'S MYTHOLOGY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> <big><b>THE DANISH HISTORY <br /> OF + SAXO GRAMMATICUS.</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> BOOK ONE. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> BOOK TWO </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> +</p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#book3"> BOOK THREE </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> BOOK FOUR. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> BOOK FIVE. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> BOOK EIGHT. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> BOOK NINE. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: + </h2> + <h3> + ORIGINAL TEXT— + </h3> + <p> + Olrik, J and Raeder (Ed.): "Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum" (Copenhagen, + 1931). + </p> + <p> + Dansk Nationallitteraert Arkiv: "Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum" (DNA, + Copenhagen, 1996). Web-based Latin edition of Saxo, substantiallly based + on the above edition; currently at the + </p> + <p> + OTHER TRANSLATIONS— + </p> + <p> + Fisher, Peter (Trans.) and Hilda Ellis Davidson (Ed.): "Saxo Grammaticus: + History of the Danes" (Brewer, Cambridge, 1979). + </p> + <p> + RECOMMENDED READING— + </p> + <p> + Jones, Gwyn: "History of the Vikings" (Oxford University Press, Oxford, + 1968, 1973, 1984). + </p> + <p> + Sturlson, Snorri: "The Heimskringla" (Translation: Samual Laing, London, + 1844; released as Online Medieval and Classical Library E-text #15, 1996). + Web version at the following URL: + http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/OMACL/Heimskringla/ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SAXO'S POSITION. + </h2> + <p> + Saxo Grammaticus, or "The Lettered", one of the notable historians of the + Middle Ages, may fairly be called not only the earliest chronicler of + Denmark, but her earliest writer. In the latter half of the twelfth + century, when Iceland was in the flush of literary production, Denmark + lingered behind. No literature in her vernacular, save a few Runic + inscriptions, has survived. Monkish annals, devotional works, and lives + were written in Latin; but the chronicle of Roskild, the necrology of + Lund, the register of gifts to the cloister of Sora, are not literature. + Neither are the half-mythological genealogies of kings; and besides, the + mass of these, though doubtless based on older verses that are lost, are + not proved to be, as they stand, prior to Saxo. One man only, Saxo's elder + contemporary, Sueno Aggonis, or Sweyn (Svend) Aageson, who wrote about + 1185, shares or anticipates the credit of attempting a connected record. + His brief draft of annals is written in rough mediocre Latin. It names but + a few of the kings recorded by Saxo, and tells little that Saxo does not. + Yet there is a certain link between the two writers. Sweyn speaks of Saxo + with respect; he not obscurely leaves him the task of filling up his + omissions. Both writers, servants of the brilliant Bishop Absalon, and + probably set by him upon their task, proceed, like Geoffrey of Monmouth, + by gathering and editing mythical matter. This they more or less + embroider, and arrive in due course insensibly at actual history. Both, + again, thread their stories upon a genealogy of kings in part legendary. + Both write at the spur of patriotism, both to let Denmark linger in the + race for light and learning, and desirous to save her glories, as other + nations have saved theirs, by a record. But while Sweyn only made a + skeleton chronicle, Saxo leaves a memorial in which historian and + philologist find their account. His seven later books are the chief Danish + authority for the times which they relate; his first nine, here + translated, are a treasure of myth and folk-lore. Of the songs and stories + which Denmark possessed from the common Scandinavian stock, often her only + native record is in Saxo's Latin. Thus, as a chronicler both of truth and + fiction, he had in his own land no predecessor, nor had he any literary + tradition behind him. Single-handed, therefore, he may be said to have + lifted the dead-weight against him, and given Denmark a writer. The nature + of his work will be discussed presently. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LIFE OF SAXO. + </h2> + <p> + Of Saxo little is known but what he himself indicates, though much + doubtful supposition has gathered round his name. + </p> + <p> + That he was born a Dane his whole language implies; it is full of a glow + of aggressive patriotism. He also often praises the Zealanders at the + expense of other Danes, and Zealand as the centre of Denmark; but that is + the whole contemporary evidence for the statement that he was a Zealander. + This statement is freely taken for granted three centuries afterwards by + Urne in the first edition of the book (1514), but is not traced further + back than an epitomator, who wrote more than 200 years after Saxo's death. + Saxo tells us that his father and grandfather fought for Waldemar the + First of Denmark, who reigned from 1157 to 1182. Of these men we know + nothing further, unless the Saxo whom he names as one of Waldemar's + admirals be his grandfather, in which case his family was one of some + distinction and his father and grandfather probably "King's men". But Saxo + was a very common name, and we shall see the licence of hypothesis to + which this fact has given rise. The notice, however, helps us + approximately towards Saxo's birth-year. His grandfather, if he fought for + Waldemar, who began to reign in 1157, can hardly have been born before + 1100, nor can Saxo himself have been born before 1145 or 1150. But he was + undoubtedly born before 1158, since he speaks of the death of Bishop + Asker, which took place in that year, as occurring "in our time". His life + therefore covers and overlaps the last half of the twelfth century. + </p> + <p> + His calling and station in life are debated. Except by the anonymous + Zealand chronicler, who calls him Saxo "the Long", thus giving us the one + personal detail we have, he has been universally known as Saxo + "Grammaticus" ever since the epitomator of 1431 headed his compilation + with the words, "A certain notable man of letters ("grammaticus"), a + Zealander by birth, named Saxo, wrote," etc. It is almost certain that + this general term, given only to men of signal gifts and learning, became + thus for the first time, and for good, attached to Saxo's name. Such a + title, in the Middle Ages, usually implied that its owner was a churchman, + and Saxo's whole tone is devout, though not conspicuously professional. + </p> + <p> + But a number of Saxos present themselves in the same surroundings with + whom he has been from time to time identified. All he tells us himself is, + that Absalon, Archbishop of Lund from 1179 to 1201, pressed him, who was + "the least of his companions, since all the rest refused the task", to + write the history of Denmark, so that it might record its glories like + other nations. Absalon was previously, and also after his promotion, + Bishop of Roskild, and this is the first circumstance giving colour to the + theory—which lacks real evidence—that Saxo the historian was + the same as a certain Saxo, Provost of the Chapter of Roskild, whose death + is chronicled in a contemporary hand without any mark of distinction. It + is unlikely that so eminent a man would be thus barely named; and the + appended eulogy and verses identifying the Provost and the historian are + of later date. Moreover, the Provost Saxo went on a mission to Paris in + 1165, and was thus much too old for the theory. Nevertheless, the good + Bishop of Roskild, Lave Urne, took this identity for granted in the first + edition, and fostered the assumption. Saxo was a cleric; and could such a + man be of less than canonical rank? He was (it was assumed) a Zealander; + he was known to be a friend of Absalon, Bishop of Roskild. What more + natural than that he should have been the Provost Saxo? Accordingly this + latter worthy had an inscription in gold letters, written by Lave Urne + himself, affixed to the wall opposite his tomb. + </p> + <p> + Even less evidence exists for identifying our Saxo with the scribe of that + name—a comparative menial—who is named in the will of Bishop + Absalon; and hardly more warranted is the theory that he was a member, + perhaps a subdeacon, of the monastery of St. Laurence, whose secular + canons formed part of the Chapter of Lund. It is true that Sweyn Aageson, + Saxo's senior by about twenty years, speaks (writing about 1185) of Saxo + as his "contubernalis". Sweyn Aageson is known to have had strong family + connections with the monastery of St. Laurence; but there is only a + tolerably strong probability that he, and therefore that Saxo, was + actually a member of it. ("Contubernalis" may only imply comradeship in + military service.) Equally doubtful is the consequence that since Saxo + calls himself "one of the least" of Absalon's "followers" ("comitum"), he + was probably, if not the inferior officer, who is called an "acolitus", at + most a sub-deacon, who also did the work of a superior "acolitus". This is + too poor a place for the chief writer of Denmark, high in Absalon's favor, + nor is there any direct testimony that Saxo held it. + </p> + <p> + His education is unknown, but must have been careful. Of his training and + culture we only know what his book betrays. Possibly, like other learned + Danes, then and afterwards, he acquired his training and knowledge at some + foreign University. Perhaps, like his contemporary Anders Suneson, he went + to Paris; but we cannot tell. It is not even certain that he had a degree; + for there is really little to identify him with the "M(agister) Saxo" who + witnessed the deed of Absalon founding the monastery at Sora. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE HISTORY. + </h2> + <p> + How he was induced to write his book has been mentioned. The expressions + of modesty Saxo uses, saying that he was "the least" of Absalon's + "followers", and that "all the rest refused the task", are not to be taken + to the letter. A man of his parts would hardly be either the least in + rank, or the last to be solicited. The words, however, enable us to guess + an upward limit for the date of the inception of the work. Absalon became + Archbishop in 1179, and the language of the Preface (written, as we shall + see, last) implies that he was already Archbishop when he suggested the + History to Saxo. But about 1185 we find Sweyn Aageson complimenting Saxo, + and saying that Saxo "had `determined' to set forth all the deeds" of + Sweyn Estridson, in his eleventh book, "at greater length in a more + elegant style". The exact bearing of this notice on the date of Saxo's + History is doubtful. It certainly need not imply that Saxo had already + written ten books, or indeed that he had written any, of his History. All + we call say is, that by 1185 a portion of the history was planned. The + order in which its several parts were composed, and the date of its + completion, are not certainly known, as Absalon died in 1201. But the work + was not then finished; for, at the end of Bk. XI, one Birger, who died in + 1202, is mentioned as still alive. + </p> + <p> + We have, however, a yet later notice. In the Preface, which, as its whole + language implies, was written last, Saxo speaks of Waldemar II having + "encompassed (`complexus') the ebbing and flowing waves of Elbe." This + language, though a little vague, can hardly refer to anything but an + expedition of Waldemar to Bremen in 1208. The whole History was in that + case probably finished by about 1208. As to the order in which its parts + were composed, it is likely that Absalon's original instruction was to + write a history of Absalon's own doings. The fourteenth and succeeding + books deal with these at disproportionate length, and Absalon, at the + expense even of Waldemar, is the protagonist. Now Saxo states in his + Preface that he "has taken care to follow the statements ("asserta") of + Absalon, and with obedient mind and pen to include both his own doings and + other men's doings of which he learnt." + </p> + <p> + The latter books are, therefore, to a great extent, Absalon's personally + communicated memoirs. But we have seen that Absalon died in 1201, and that + Bk. xi, at any rate, was not written after 1202. It almost certainly + follows that the latter books were written in Absalon's life; but the + Preface, written after them, refers to events in 1208. Therefore, unless + we suppose that the issue was for some reason delayed, or that Saxo spent + seven years in polishing—which is not impossible—there is some + reason to surmise that he began with that portion of his work which was + nearest to his own time, and added the previous (especially the first + nine, or mythical) books, as a completion, and possibly as an + afterthought. But this is a point which there is no real means of + settling. We do not know how late the Preface was written, except that it + must have been some time between 1208 and 1223, when Anders Suneson ceased + to be Archbishop; nor do we know when Saxo died. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HISTORY OF THE WORK. + </h2> + <p> + Nothing is stranger than that a work of such force and genius, unique in + Danish letters, should have been forgotten for three hundred years, and + have survived only in an epitome and in exceedingly few manuscripts. The + history of the book is worth recording. Doubtless its very merits, its + "marvellous vocabulary, thickly-studded maxims, and excellent variety of + images," which Erasmus admired long afterwards, sealed it to the vulgar. A + man needed some Latin to appreciate it, and Erasmus' natural wonder "how a + Dane at that day could have such a force of eloquence" is a measure of the + rarity both of the gift and of a public that could appraise it. The + epitome (made about 1430) shows that Saxo was felt to be difficult, its + author saying: "Since Saxo's work is in many places diffuse, and many + things are said more for ornament than for historical truth, and moreover + his style is too obscure on account of the number of terms ("plurima + vocabula") and sundry poems, which are unfamiliar to modern times, this + opuscle puts in clear words the more notable of the deeds there related, + with the addition of some that happened after Saxo's death." A Low-German + version of this epitome, which appeared in 1485, had a considerable vogue, + and the two together "helped to drive the history out of our libraries, + and explains why the annalists and geographers of the Middle Ages so + seldom quoted it." This neglect appears to have been greatest of all in + Denmark, and to have lasted until the appearance of the "First Edition" in + 1511. + </p> + <p> + The first impulse towards this work by which Saxo was saved, is found in a + letter from the Bishop of Roskild, Lave Urne, dated May 1512, to Christian + Pederson, Canon of Lund, whom he compliments as a lover of letters, + antiquary, and patriot, and urges to edit and publish "tam divinum latinae + eruditionis culmen et splendorem Saxonem nostrum". Nearly two years + afterwards Christian Pederson sent Lave Urne a copy of the first edition, + now all printed, with an account of its history. "I do not think that any + mortal was more inclined and ready for" the task. "When living at Paris, + and paying heed to good literature, I twice sent a messenger at my own + charges to buy a faithful copy at any cost, and bring it back to me. + Effecting nothing thus, I went back to my country for this purpose; I + visited and turned over all the libraries, but still could not pull out a + Saxo, even covered with beetles, bookworms, mould, and dust. So stubbornly + had all the owners locked it away." A worthy prior, in compassion offered + to get a copy and transcribe it with his own hand, but Christian, in + respect for the prior's rank, absurdly declined. At last Birger, the + Archbishop of Lund, by some strategy, got a copy, which King Christian the + Second allowed to be taken to Paris on condition of its being wrought at + "by an instructed and skilled graver (printer)." Such a person was found + in Jodocus Badius Ascenshls, who adds a third letter written by himself to + Bishop Urne, vindicating his application to Saxo of the title Grammaticus, + which he well defines as "one who knows how to speak or write with + diligence, acuteness, or knowledge." The beautiful book he produced was + worthy of the zeal, and unsparing, unweariable pains, which had been spent + on it by the band of enthusiasts, and it was truly a little triumph of + humanism. Further editions were reprinted during the sixteenth century at + Basic and at Frankfort-on-Main, but they did not improve in any way upon + the first; and the next epoch in the study of Saxo was made by the edition + and notes of Stephanus Johansen Stephanius, published at Copenhagen in the + middle of the seventeenth century (1644). Stephanius, the first + commentator on Saxo, still remains the best upon his language. Immense + knowledge of Latin, both good and bad (especially of the authors Saxo + imitated), infinite and prolix industry, a sharp eye for the text, and + continence in emendation, are not his only virtues. His very bulkiness and + leisureliness are charming; he writes like a man who had eternity to write + in, and who knew enough to fill it, and who expected readers of an equal + leisure. He also prints some valuable notes signed with the famous name of + Bishop Bryniolf of Skalholt, a man of force and talent, and others by + Casper Barth, "corculum Musarum", as Stephanius calls him, whose textual + and other comments are sometimes of use, and who worked with a MS. of + Saxo. The edition of Klotz, 1771, based on that of Stephanius, I have but + seen; however, the first standard commentary is that begun by P. E. + Muller, Bishop of Zealand, and finished after his death by Johan Velschow, + Professor of History at Copenhagen, where the first part of the work, + containing text and notes, was published in 1839; the second, with + prolegomena and fuller notes, appearing in 1858. The standard edition, + containing bibliography, critical apparatus based on all the editions and + MS. fragments, text, and index, is the admirable one of that indefatigable + veteran, Alfred Holder, Strasburg, 1886. + </p> + <p> + Hitherto the translations of Saxo have been into Danish. The first that + survives, by Anders Soffrinson Vedel, dates from 1575, some sixty years + after the first edition. In such passages as I have examined it is + vigorous, but very free, and more like a paraphrase than a translation, + Saxo's verses being put into loose prose. Yet it has had a long life, + having been modified by Vedel's grandson, John Laverentzen, in 1715, and + reissued in 1851. The present version has been much helped by the + translation of Seier Schousbolle, published at Copenhagen in 1752. It is + true that the verses, often the hardest part, are put into periphrastic + verse (by Laurentius Thura, c. 1721), and Schousbolle often does not face + a difficulty; but he gives the sense of Saxo simply and concisely. The + lusty paraphrase by the enthusiastic Nik. Fred. Sev. Grundtvig, of which + there have been several editions, has also been of occasional use. No + other translations, save of a scrap here and there into German, seem to be + extant. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MSS. + </h2> + <p> + It will be understood, from what has been said, that no complete MS. of + Saxo's History is known. The epitomator in the fourteenth century, and + Krantz in the seventeenth, had MSS. before them; and there was that one + which Christian Pedersen found and made the basis of the first edition, + but which has disappeared. Barth had two manuscripts, which are said to + have been burnt in 1636. Another, possessed by a Swedish parish priest, + Aschaneus, in 1630, which Stephenhis unluckily did not know of, + disappeared in the Royal Archives of Stockholm after his death. These are + practically the only MSS. of which we have sure information, excepting the + four fragments that are now preserved. Of these by far the most + interesting is the "Angers Fragment." + </p> + <p> + This was first noticed in 1863, in the Angers Library, where it was found + degraded into the binding of a number of devotional works and a treatise + on metric, dated 1459, and once the property of a priest at Alencon. In + 1877 M. Gaston Paris called the attention of the learned to it, and the + result was that the Danish Government received it next year in exchange + for a valuable French manuscript which was in the Royal Library at + Copenhagen. This little national treasure, the only piece of contemporary + writing of the History, has been carefully photographed and edited by that + enthusiastic and urbane scholar, Christian Bruun. In the opinion both of + Dr. Vigfusson and M. Paris, the writing dates from about 1200; and this + date, though difficult to determine, owing to the paucity of Danish MSS. + of the 12th and early lath centuries, is confirmed by the character of the + contents. For there is little doubt that the Fragment shows us Saxo in the + labour of composition. The MSS. looks as if expressly written for + interlineation. Besides a marginal gloss by a later, fourteenth century + hand, there are two distinct sets of variants, in different writings, + interlined and running over into the margin. These variants are much more + numerous in the prose than in the verse. The first set are in the same + hand as the text, the second in another hand: but both of them have the + character, not of variants from some other MSS., but of alternative + expressions put down tentatively. If either hand is Saxo's it is probably + the second. He may conceivably have dictated both at different times to + different scribes. No other man would tinker the style in this fashion. A + complete translation of all these changes has been deemed unnecessary in + these volumes; there is a full collation in Holder's "Apparatus Criticus". + The verdict of the Angers-Fragment, which, for the very reason mentioned, + must not be taken as the final form of the text, nor therefore, despite + its antiquity, as conclusive against the First Edition where the two + differ, is to confirm, so far as it goes, the editing of Ascensius and + Pederson. There are no vital differences, and the care of the first + editors, as well as the authority of their source, is thus far amply + vindicated. + </p> + <p> + A sufficient account of the other fragments will be found in Holder's + list. In 1855 M. Kall-Rasmussen found in the private archives at Kronborg + a scrap of fourteenth century MS., containing a short passage from Bk. + vii. Five years later G. F. Lassen found, at Copenhagen, a fragment of Bk. + vi believed to be written in North Zealand, and in the opinion of Bruun + belonging to the same codex as Kall-Rasmussen's fragment. Of another + longish piece, found in Copenhagen at the end of the seventeenth century + by Johannes Laverentzen, and belonging to a codex burnt in the fire of + 1728, a copy still extant in the Copenhagen Museum, was made by Otto + Sperling. For fragments, either extant or alluded to, of the later books, + the student should consult the carefully collated text of Holder. The + whole MS. material, therefore, covers but a little of Saxo's work, which + was practically saved for Europe by the perseverance and fervour for + culture of a single man, Bishop Urne. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SAXO AS A WRITER. + </h2> + <p> + Saxo's countrymen have praised without stint his remarkable style, for he + has a style. It is often very bad; but he writes, he is not in vain called + Grammaticus, the man of letters. His style is not merely remarkable + considering its author's difficulties; it is capable at need of pungency + and of high expressiveness. His Latin is not that of the Golden Age, but + neither is it the common Latin of the Middle Ages. There are traces of his + having read Virgil and Cicero. But two writers in particular left their + mark on him. The first and most influential is Valerius Maximus, the + mannered author of the "Memorabilia", who lived in the first half of the + first century, and was much relished in the Middle Ages. From him Saxo + borrowed a multitude of phrases, sometimes apt but often crabbed and + deformed, as well as an exemplary and homiletic turn of narrative. Other + idioms, and perhaps the practice of interspersing verses amid prose + (though this also was a twelfth century Icelandic practice), Saxo found in + a fifth-century writer, Martianus Capella, the pedantic author of the "De + Nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii" Such models may have saved him from a + base mediaeval vocabulary; but they were not worthy of him, and they must + answer for some of his falsities of style. These are apparent. His + accumulation of empty and motley phrase, like a garish bunch of coloured + bladders; his joy in platitude and pomposity, his proneness to say a + little thing in great words, are only too easy to translate. We shall be + well content if our version also gives some inkling of his qualities; not + only of what Erasmus called his "wonderful vocabulary, his many pithy + sayings, and the excellent variety of his images"; but also of his feeling + for grouping, his barbaric sense of colour, and his stateliness. For he + moves with resource and strength both in prose and verse, and is often + only hindered by his own wealth. With no kind of critical tradition to + chasten him, his force is often misguided and his work shapeless; but he + stumbles into many splendours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FOLK LORE INDEX. + </h2> + <p> + The mass of archaic incidents, beliefs, and practices recorded by the + 12th-century writer seemed to need some other classification than a bare + alphabetic index. The present plan, a subject-index practically, has been + adopted with a view to the needs of the anthropologist and folk-lorist. + Its details have been largely determined by the bulk and character of the + entries themselves. No attempt has been made to supply full parallels from + any save the more striking and obvious old Scandinavian sources, the end + being to classify material rather than to point out its significance of + geographic distribution. With regard to the first three heads, the reader + who wishes to see how Saxo compares with the Old Northern poems may be + referred to the Grimm Centenary papers, Oxford, 1886, and the Corpus + Poeticurn Boreale, Oxford, 1883. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. + </h2> + <p> + King—As portrayed by Saxo, the ideal king should be (as in + "Beowulf's Lay") generous, brave and just. He should be a man of + accomplishments, of unblemished body, presumably of royal kin + (peasant-birth is considered a bar to the kingship), usually a son or a + nephew, or brother of his foregoer (though no strict rule of succession + seems to appear in Saxo), and duly chosen and acknowledged at the proper + place of election. In Denmark this was at a stone circle, and the + stability of these stones was taken as an omen for the king's reign. There + are exceptional instances noted, as the serf-king Eormenric (cf. + Guthred-Canute of Northumberland), whose noble birth washed out this blot + of his captivity, and there is a curious tradition of a conqueror setting + his hound as king over a conquered province in mockery. + </p> + <p> + The king was of age at twelve. A king of seven years of age has twelve + Regents chosen in the Moot, in one case by lot, to bring him up and rule + for him till his majority. Regents are all appointed in Denmark, in one + case for lack of royal blood, one to Scania, one to Zealand, one to Funen, + two to Jutland. Underkings and Earls are appointed by kings, and though + the Earl's office is distinctly official, succession is sometimes given to + the sons of faithful fathers. The absence of a settled succession law + leads (as in Muslim States) to rebellions and plots. + </p> + <p> + Kings sometimes abdicated, giving up the crown perforce to a rival, or in + high age to a kinsman. In heathen times, kings, as Thiodwulf tells us in + the case of Domwald and Yngwere, were sometimes sacrificed for better + seasons (African fashion), and Wicar of Norway perishes, like Iphigeneia, + to procure fair winds. Kings having to lead in war, and sometimes being + willing to fight wagers of battle, are short-lived as a rule, and + assassination is a continual peril, whether by fire at a time of feast, of + which there are numerous examples, besides the classic one on which + Biarea-mal is founded and the not less famous one of Hamlet's vengeance, + or whether by steel, as with Hiartuar, or by trick, as in Wicar's case + above cited. The reward for slaying a king is in one case 120 gold lbs.; + 19 "talents" of gold from each ringleader, 1 oz. of gold from each + commoner, in the story of Godfred, known as Ref's gild, "i.e., Fox tax". + In the case of a great king, Frode, his death is concealed for three years + to avoid disturbance within and danger from without. Captive kings were + not as a rule well treated. A Slavonic king, Daxo, offers Ragnar's son + Whitesark his daughter and half his realm, or death, and the captive + strangely desires death by fire. A captive king is exposed, chained to + wild beasts, thrown into a serpent-pit, wherein Ragnar is given the fate + of the elder Gunnar in the Eddic Lays, Atlakvida. The king is treated with + great respect by his people, he is finely clad, and his commands are + carried out, however abhorrent or absurd, as long as they do not upset + customary or statute law. The king has slaves in his household, men and + women, besides his guard of housecarles and his bearsark champions. A + king's daughter has thirty slaves with her, and the footmaiden existed + exactly as in the stories of the Wicked Waiting Maid. He is not to be + awakened in his slumbers (cf. St. Olaf's Life, where the naming of King + Magnus is the result of adherence to this etiquette). A champion weds the + king's leman. + </p> + <p> + His thanes are created by the delivery of a sword, which the king bolds by + the blade and the thane takes by the hilt. (English earls were created by + the girding with a sword. "Taking treasure, and weapons and horses, and + feasting in a hall with the king" is synonymous with thane-hood or + gesith-ship in "Beowulf's Lay"). A king's thanes must avenge him if he + falls, and owe him allegiance. (This was paid in the old English + monarchies by kneeling and laying the head down at the lord's knee.) + </p> + <p> + The trick by which the Mock-king, or King of the Beggars (parallel to our + Boy-bishop, and perhaps to that enigmatic churls' King of the "O. E. + Chronicle", s.a. 1017, Eadwiceorla-kyning) gets allegiance paid to him, + and so secures himself in his attack on the real king, is cleverly + devised. The king, besides being a counsel giver himself, and speaking the + law, has "counsellors", old and wise men, "sapientes" (like the 0. E. + Thyle). The aged warrior counsellor, as Starcad here and Master Hildebrand + in the "Nibelungenlied", is one type of these persons, another is the + false counsellor, as Woden in guise of Bruni, another the braggart, as + Hunferth in "Beowulf's Lay". At "moots" where laws are made, kings and + regents chosen, cases judged, resolutions taken of national importance, + there are discussions, as in that armed most the host. + </p> + <p> + The king has, beside his estates up and down the country, sometimes (like + Hrothgar with his palace Heorot in "Beowulf's Lay") a great fort and + treasure house, as Eormenric, whose palace may well have really existed. + There is often a primitive and negroid character about dwellings of + formidable personages, heads placed on stakes adorn their exterior, or + shields are ranged round the walls. + </p> + <p> + The provinces are ruled by removable earls appointed by the king, often + his own kinsmen, sometimes the heads of old ruling families. The + "hundreds" make up the province or subkingdom. They may be granted to + king's thanes, who became "hundred-elders". Twelve hundreds are in one + case bestowed upon a man. + </p> + <p> + The "yeoman's" estate is not only honourable but useful, as Starcad + generously and truly acknowledges. Agriculture should be fostered and + protected by the king, even at the cost of his life. + </p> + <p> + But gentle birth and birth royal place certain families above the common + body of freemen (landed or not); and for a commoner to pretend to a king's + daughter is an act of presumption, and generally rigorously resented. + </p> + <p> + The "smith" was the object of a curious prejudice, probably akin to that + expressed in St. Patrick's "Lorica", and derived from the smith's having + inherited the functions of the savage weapon-maker with his poisons and + charms. The curious attempt to distinguish smiths into good and useful + swordsmiths and base and bad goldsmiths seems a merely modern explanation: + Weland could both forge swords and make ornaments of metal. Starcad's + loathing for a smith recalls the mockery with which the Homeric gods treat + Hephaistos. + </p> + <p> + Slavery.—As noble birth is manifest by fine eyes and personal + beauty, courage and endurance, and delicate behaviour, so the slave nature + is manifested by cowardice, treachery, unbridled lust, bad manners, + falsehood, and low physical traits. Slaves had, of course, no right either + of honour, or life, or limb. Captive ladies are sent to a brothel; captive + kings cruelly put to death. Born slaves were naturally still less + considered, they were flogged; it was disgraceful to kill them with + honourable steel; to accept a slight service from a slave-woman was + beneath old Starcad's dignity. A man who loved another man's slave-woman, + and did base service to her master to obtain her as his consort, was + looked down on. Slaves frequently ran away to escape punishment for + carelessness, or fault, or to gain liberty. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CUSTOMARY LAW. + </h2> + <p> + The evidence of Saxo to archaic law and customary institutions is pretty + much (as we should expect) that to be drawn from the Icelandic Sagas, and + even from the later Icelandic rimur and Scandinavian kaempe-viser. But it + helps to complete the picture of the older stage of North Teutonic Law, + which we are able to piece together out of our various sources, English, + Icelandic, and Scandinavian. In the twilight of Yore every glowworm is a + helper to the searcher. + </p> + <p> + There are a few MAXIMS of various times, but all seemingly drawn from + custom cited or implied by Saxo as authoritative:— + </p> + <p> + "It is disgraceful to be ruled by a woman."—The great men of + Teutonic nations held to this maxim. There is no Boudicea or Maidhbh in + our own annals till after the accession of the Tudors, when Great Eliza + rivals her elder kins-women's glories. Though Tacitus expressly notices + one tribe or confederacy, the Sitones, within the compass of his Germania, + ruled by a woman, as an exceptional case, it was contrary to the feeling + of mediaeval Christendom for a woman to be emperor; it was not till late + in the Middle Ages that Spain saw a queen regnant, and France has never + yet allowed such rule. It was not till long after Saxo that the great + queen of the North, Margaret, wielded a wider sway than that rejected by + Gustavus' wayward daughter. + </p> + <p> + "The suitor ought to urge his own suit."—This, an axiom of the most + archaic law, gets evaded bit by bit till the professional advocate takes + the place of the plaintiff. "Njal's Saga", in its legal scenes, shows the + transition period, when, as at Rome, a great and skilled chief was sought + by his client as the supporter of his cause at the Moot. In England, the + idea of representation at law is, as is well known, late and largely + derived from canon law practice. + </p> + <p> + "To exact the blood-fine was as honourable as to take vengeance."—This + maxim, begotten by Interest upon Legality, established itself both in + Scandinavia and Arabia. It marks the first stage in a progress which, if + carried out wholly, substitutes law for feud. In the society of the + heathen Danes the maxim was a novelty; even in Christian Denmark men + sometimes preferred blood to fees. + </p> + <p> + MARRIAGE.—There are many reminiscences of "archaic marriage customs + in Saxo." The capture marriage has left traces in the guarded king's + daughters, the challenging of kings to fight or hand over their daughters, + in the promises to give a daughter or sister as a reward to a hero who + shall accomplish some feat. The existence of polygamy is attested, and it + went on till the days of Charles the Great and Harold Fairhair in singular + instances, in the case of great kings, and finally disappeared before the + strict ecclesiastic regulations. + </p> + <p> + But there are evidences also of later customs, such as "marriage by + purchase", already looked on as archaic in Saxo's day; and the free women + in Denmark had clearly long had a veto or refusal of a husband for some + time back, and sometimes even free choice. "Go-betweens" negotiate + marriages. + </p> + <p> + Betrothal was of course the usage. For the groom to defile an espoused + woman is a foul reproach. Gifts made to father-in-law after bridal by + bridegroom seem to denote the old bride-price. Taking the bride home in + her car was an important ceremony, and a bride is taken to her future + husband's by her father. The wedding-feast, as in France in Rabelais' + time, was a noisy and drunken and tumultuous rejoicing, when bone-throwing + was in favor, with other rough sports and jokes. The three days after the + bridal and their observance in "sword-bed" are noticed below. + </p> + <p> + A commoner or one of slave-blood could not pretend to wed a high-born + lady. A woman would sometimes require some proof of power or courage at + her suitor's hands; thus Gywritha, like the famous lady who weds Harold + Fairhair, required her husband Siwar to be over-king of the whole land. + But in most instances the father or brother betrothed the girl, and she + consented to their choice. Unwelcome suitors perish. + </p> + <p> + The prohibited degrees were, of course, different from those established + by the mediaeval church, and brother weds brother's widow in good archaic + fashion. Foster-sister and foster-brother may marry, as Saxo notices + carefully. The Wolsung incest is not noticed by Saxo. He only knew, + apparently, the North-German form of the Niflung story. But the + reproachfulness of incest is apparent. + </p> + <p> + Birth and beauty were looked for in a bride by Saxo's heroes, and chastity + was required. The modesty of maidens in old days is eulogised by Saxo, and + the penalty for its infraction was severe: sale abroad into slavery to + grind the quern in the mud of the yard. One of the tests of virtue is + noticed, "lac in ubere". + </p> + <p> + That favourite "motif", the "Patient Grizzle", occurs, rather, however, in + the Border ballad than the Petrarcan form. + </p> + <p> + "Good wives" die with their husbands as they have vowed, or of grief for + their loss, and are wholly devoted to their interests. Among "bad wives" + are those that wed their husband's slayer, run away from their husbands, + plot against their husbands' lives. The penalty for adultery is death to + both, at husband's option—disfigurement by cutting off the nose of + the guilty woman, an archaic practice widely spread. In one case the + adulterous lady is left the choice of her own death. Married women's + Homeric duties are shown. + </p> + <p> + There is a curious story, which may rest upon fact, and not be merely + typical, where a mother who had suffered wrong forced her daughter to + suffer the same wrong. + </p> + <p> + Captive women are reduced to degrading slavery as "harlots" in one case, + according to the eleventh century English practice of Gytha. + </p> + <p> + THE FAMILY AND BLOOD REVENGE.—This duty, one of the strongest links + of the family in archaic Teutonic society, has left deep traces in Saxo. + </p> + <p> + To slay those most close in blood, even by accident, is to incur the guilt + of parricide, or kin-killing, a bootless crime, which can only be purged + by religious ceremonies; and which involves exile, lest the gods' wrath + fall on the land, and brings the curse of childlessness on the offender + until he is forgiven. + </p> + <p> + BOOTLESS CRIMES.—As among the ancient Teutons, botes and were-gilds + satisfy the injured who seek redress at law rather than by the steel. But + there are certain bootless crimes, or rather sins, that imply "sacratio", + devotion to the gods, for the clearing of the community. Such are treason, + which is punishable by hanging; by drowning in sea. + </p> + <p> + Rebellion is still more harshly treated by death and forfeiture; the + rebels' heels are bored and thonged under the sinew, as Hector's feet + were, and they are then fastened by the thongs to wild bulls, hunted by + hounds, till they are dashed to pieces (for which there are classic + parallels), or their feet are fastened with thongs to horses driven apart, + so that they are torn asunder. + </p> + <p> + For "parricide", i.e., killing within near degrees, the criminal is hung + up, apparently by the heels, with a live wolf (he having acted as a wolf + which will slay its fellows). Cunning avoidance of the guilt by trick is + shown. + </p> + <p> + For "arson" the appropriate punishment is the fire. + </p> + <p> + For "incestuous adultery" of stepson with his stepmother, hanging is + awarded to the man. In the same case Swanwhite, the woman, is punished, by + treading to death with horses. A woman accomplice in adultery is treated + to what Homer calls a "stone coat." Incestuous adultery is a foul slur. + </p> + <p> + For "witchcraft", the horror of heathens, hanging was the penalty. + </p> + <p> + "Private revenge" sometimes deliberately inflicts a cruel death for + atrocious wrong or insult, as when a king, enraged at the slaying of his + son and seduction of his daughter, has the offender hanged, an instance + famous in Nathan's story, so that Hagbard's hanging and hempen necklace + were proverbial. + </p> + <p> + For the slayer by a cruel death of their captive father, Ragnar's sons act + the blood-eagle on Ella, and salt his flesh. There is an undoubted + instance of this act of vengeance (the symbolic meaning of which is not + clear as yet) in the "Orkney Saga". + </p> + <p> + But the story of Daxo and of Ref's gild show that for such wrongs + were-gilds were sometimes exacted, and that they were considered highly + honourable to the exactor. + </p> + <p> + Among OFFENCES NOT BOOTLESS, and left to individual pursuit, are:— + </p> + <p> + "Highway robbery".—There are several stories of a type such as that + of Ingemund and Ioknl (see "Landnamaboc") told by Saxo of highwaymen; and + an incident of the kind that occurs in the Theseus story (the Bent-tree, + which sprung back and slew the wretch bound to it) is given. The romantic + trick of the mechanic bed, by which a steel-shod beam is let fall on the + sleeping traveller, also occurs. Slain highwaymen are gibbeted as in + Christian days. + </p> + <p> + "Assassination", as distinct from manslaughter in vengeance for a wrong, + is not very common. A hidden mail-coat foils a treacherous javelin-cast + (cf. the Story of Olaf the Stout and the Blind King, Hrorec); murderers + lurk spear-armed at the threshold, sides, as in the Icelandic Sagas; a + queen hides a spear-head in her gown, and murders her husband (cf. Olaf + Tryggvason's Life). Godfred was murdered by his servant (and Ynglingatal). + </p> + <p> + "Burglary".—The crafty discovery of the robber of the treasury by + Hadding is a variant of the world-old Rhampsinitos tale, but less + elaborate, possibly abridged and cut down by Saxo, and reduced to a mere + moral example in favour of the goldenness of silence and the danger of + letting the tongue feed the gallows. + </p> + <p> + Among other disgraceful acts, that make the offender infamous, but do not + necessarily involve public action:— + </p> + <p> + "Manslaughter in Breach of Hospitality".—Probably any gross breach + of hospitality was disreputable and highly abhorred, but "guest-slaughter" + is especially mentioned. The ethical question as to whether a man should + slay his guest or forego his just vengeance was often a "probleme du jour" + in the archaic times to which these traditions witness. Ingeld prefers his + vengeance, but Thuriswend, in the Lay cited by Paul the Deacon, chooses to + protect his guest. Heremod slew his messmates in his wrath, and went forth + alone into exile. ("Beowulf's Lay".) + </p> + <p> + "Suicide".—This was more honourable than what Earl Siward of + Northumberland called a "cow-death." Hadding resolves to commit suicide at + his friend's death. Wermund resolves to commit suicide if his son be slain + (in hopelessness of being able to avenge him, cf. "Njal's Saga", where the + hero, a Christian, prefers to perish in his burning house than live + dishonoured, "for I am an old man and little fitted to avenge my sons, but + I will not live in shame"). Persons commit suicide by slaying each other + in time of famine; while in England (so Baeda tells) they "decliffed" + themselves in companies, and, as in the comic little Icelandic tale + Gautrec's birth, a Tarpeian death is noted as the customary method of + relieving folks from the hateful starvation death. It is probable that the + violent death relieved the ghost or the survivors of some inconveniences + which a "straw death" would have brought about. + </p> + <p> + "Procedure by Wager of Battle".—This archaic process pervades Saxo's + whole narrative. It is the main incident of many of the sagas from which + he drew. It is one of the chief characteristics of early Teutonic + custom-law, and along with "Cormac's Saga", "Landnamaboc", and the Walter + Saga, our author has furnished us with most of the information we have + upon its principles and practice. + </p> + <p> + Steps in the process are the Challenge, the Acceptance and Settlement of + Conditions, the Engagement, the Treatment of the vanquished, the Reward of + the conqueror, and there are rules touching each of these, enough almost + to furnish a kind of "Galway code". + </p> + <p> + A challenge could not, either to war or wager of battle, be refused with + honor, though a superior was not bound to fight an inferior in rank. An + ally might accept for his principal, or a father for a son, but it was not + honourable for a man unless helpless to send a champion instead of + himself. + </p> + <p> + Men were bound to fight one to one, and one man might decline to fight two + at once. Great champions sometimes fought against odds. + </p> + <p> + The challenged man chose the place of battle, and possibly fixed the time. + This was usually an island in the river. + </p> + <p> + The regular weapons were swords and shields for men of gentle blood. They + fought by alternate separate strokes; the senior had the first blow. The + fight must go on face to face without change of place; for the ground was + marked out for the combatants, as in our prize ring, though one can hardly + help fancying that the fighting ground so carefully described in "Cormac's + Saga", ch. 10, may have been Saxo's authority. The combatants change + places accidentally in the struggle in one story. + </p> + <p> + The combat might last, like Cuchullin's with Ferdia, several days; a nine + days' fight occurs; but usually a few blows settled the matter. Endurance + was important, and we are told of a hero keeping himself in constant + training by walking in a mail coat. + </p> + <p> + The conqueror ought not to slay his man if he were a stripling, or maimed, + and had better take his were-gild for his life, the holmslausn or ransom + of "Cormac's Saga" (three marks in Iceland); but this was a mere + concession to natural pity, and he might without loss of honor finish his + man, and cut off his head, though it was proper, if the slain adversary + has been a man of honor, to bury him afterward. + </p> + <p> + The stakes are sometimes a kingdom or a kingdom's tribute, often a lady, + or the combatants fought for "love" or the point of honor. Giants and + noted champions challenge kings for their daughters (as in the fictitious + parts of the Icelandic family sagas) in true archaic fashion, and in true + archaic fashion the prince rescues the lady from a disgusting and evil + fate by his prowess. + </p> + <p> + The champion's fee or reward when he was fighting for his principal and + came off successful was heavy—many lands and sixty slaves. Bracelets + are given him; a wound is compensated for at ten gold pieces; a fee for + killing a king is 120 of the same. + </p> + <p> + Of the incidents of the combat, beside fair sleight of fence, there is the + continual occurrence of the sword-blunting spell, often cast by the eye of + the sinister champion, and foiled by the good hero, sometimes by covering + his blade with thin skin, sometimes by changing the blade, sometimes by + using a mace or club. + </p> + <p> + The strength of this tradition sufficiently explains the necessity of the + great oath against magic taken by both parties in a wager of battle in + Christian England. + </p> + <p> + The chief combats mentioned by Saxo are:— + </p> + <p> + Sciold v. Attila. Sciold v. Scate, for the hand of Alfhild. Gram v. Swarin + and eight more, for the crown of the Swedes. Hadding v. Toste, by + challenge. Frode v. Hunding, on challenge. Frode v. Hacon, on challenge. + Helge v. Hunding, by challenge at Stad. Agnar v. Bearce, by challenge. + Wizard v. Danish champions, for truage of the Slavs. Wizard v. Ubbe, for + truage of the Slavs. Coll v. Horwendill, on challenge. Athisl v. Frowine, + meeting in battle. Athisl v. Ket and Wig, on challenge. Uffe v. Prince of + Saxony and Champion, by challenge. Frode v. Froger, on challenge. Eric v. + Grep's brethren, on challenge, twelve a side. Eric v. Alrec, by challenge. + Hedin v. Hogni, the mythic everlasting battle. Arngrim v. Scalc, by + challenge. Arngrim v. Egtheow, for truage of Permland. Arrow-Odd and + Hialmar v. twelve sons of Arngrim Samsey fight. Ane Bow-swayer v. Beorn, + by challenge. Starkad v. Wisin, by challenge. Starkad v. Tanlie, by + challenge. Starkad v. Wasce—Wilzce, by challenge. Starkad v. Hame, + by challenge. Starkad v. Angantheow and eight of his brethren, on + challenge. Halfdan v. Hardbone and six champions, on challenge. Halfdan v. + Egtheow, by challenge. Halfdan v. Grim, on challenge. Halfdan v. Ebbe, on + challenge, by moonlight. Halfdan v. Twelve champions, on challenge. + Halfdan v. Hildeger, on challenge. Ole v. Skate and Hiale, on challenge. + Homod and Thole v. Beorn and Thore, by challenge. Ref. v. Gaut, on + challenge. Ragnar and three sons v. Starcad of Sweden and seven sons, on + challenge. + </p> + <p> + CIVIL PROCEDURE.—"Oaths" are an important art of early procedure, + and noticed by Saxo; one calling the gods to witness and therefor, it is + understood, to avenge perjury if he spake not truth. + </p> + <p> + "Testification", or calling witnesses to prove the steps of a legal + action, was known, "Glum's Saga" and "Landnamaboc", and when a manslayer + proceeded (in order to clear himself of murder) to announce the + manslaughter as his act, he brings the dead man's head as his proof, + exactly as the hero in the folk-tales brings the dragon's head or tongue + as his voucher. + </p> + <p> + A "will" is spoken of. This seems to be the solemn declaration of a + childless man to his kinsfolk, recommending some person as his successor. + Nothing more was possible before written wills were introduced by the + Christian clergy after the Roman fashion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + STATUTE LAWS. + </h2> + <p> + "Lawgivers".—The realm of Custom had already long been curtailed by + the conquests of Law when Saxo wrote, and some epochs of the invasion were + well remembered, such as Canute's laws. But the beginnings were dim, and + there were simply traditions of good and bad lawyers of the past; such + were "Sciold" first of all the arch-king, "Frode" the model lawgiver, + "Helge" the tyrant, "Ragnar" the shrewd conqueror. + </p> + <p> + "Sciold", the patriarch, is made by tradition to fulfil, by abolishing + evil customs and making good laws, the ideal of the Saxon and Frankish + Coronation oath formula (which may well go back with its two first clauses + to heathen days). His fame is as widely spread. However, the only law Saxo + gives to him has a story to it that he does not plainly tell. Sciold had a + freedman who repaid his master's manumission of him by the ingratitude of + attempting his life. Sciold thereupon decrees the unlawfulness of + manumissions, or (as Saxo puts it), revoked all manumissions, thus + ordaining perpetual slavery on all that were or might become slaves. The + heathen lack of pity noticed in Alfred's preface to "Gregory's Handbook" + is illustrated here by contrast with the philosophic humanity of the Civil + Law, and the sympathy of the mediaeval Church. + </p> + <p> + But FRODE (known also to the compiler of "Beowulf's Lay", 2025) had, in + the Dane's eyes, almost eclipsed Sciold as conqueror and lawgiver. His + name Frode almost looks as if his epithet Sapiens had become his popular + appellation, and it befits him well. Of him were told many stories, and + notably the one related of our Edwin by Bede (and as it has been told by + many men of many rulers since Bede wrote, and before). Frode was able to + hang up an arm-ring of gold in three parts of his kingdom that no thief + for many years dared touch. How this incident (according to our version + preserved by Saxo), brought the just king to his end is an archaic and + interesting story. Was this ring the Brosinga men? + </p> + <p> + Saxo has even recorded the Laws of Frode in four separate bits, which we + give as A, B, C, D. + </p> + <p> + A. is mainly a civil and military code of archaic kind: + </p> + <p> + (a) The division of spoil shall be—gold to captains, silver to + privates, arms to champions, ships to be shared by all. Cf. Jomswickinga + S. on the division of spoil by the law of the pirate community of Jom. + </p> + <p> + (b) No house stuff to be locked; if a man used a lock he must pay a gold + mark. + </p> + <p> + (c) He who spares a thief must bear his punishment. + </p> + <p> + (d) The coward in battle is to forfeit all rights (cf. "Beowulf", 2885). + </p> + <p> + (e) Women to have free choice (or, at least, veto) in taking husbands. + </p> + <p> + (f) A free woman that weds a slave loses rank and freedom (cf. Roman Law). + </p> + <p> + (g) A man must marry a girl he has seduced. + </p> + <p> + (h) An adulterer to be mutilated at pleasure of injured husband. + </p> + <p> + (i) Where Dane robbed Dane, the thief to pay double and peace-breach. + </p> + <p> + (k) Receivers of stolen goods suffer forfeiture and flogging at most. + </p> + <p> + (l) Deserter bearing shield against his countrymen to lose life and + property. + </p> + <p> + (m) Contempt of fyrd-summons or call to military service involves outlawry + and exile. + </p> + <p> + (n) Bravery in battle to bring about increase in rank (cf. the old English + "Ranks of Men"). + </p> + <p> + (o) No suit to lie on promise and pledge; fine of a gold lb. for asking + pledge. + </p> + <p> + (p) Wager of battle is to be the universal mode of proof. + </p> + <p> + (q) If an alien kill a Dane two aliens must suffer. (This is practically + the same principle as appears in the half weregild of the Welsh in West + Saxon Law.) + </p> + <p> + B. An illustration of the more capricious of the old enactments and the + jealousy of antique kings. + </p> + <p> + (a) Loss of gifts sent to the king involves the official responsible; he + shall be hanged. (This is introduced as illustration of the cleverness of + Eric and the folly of Coll.) + </p> + <p> + C. Saxo associates another set of enactments with the completion of a + successful campaign of conquest over the Ruthenians, and shows Frode + chiefly as a wise and civilising statesman, making conquest mean progress. + </p> + <p> + (a) Every free householder that fell in war was to be set in his barrow + with horse and arms (cf. "Vatzdaela Saga", ch. 2). + </p> + <p> + The body-snatcher was to be punished by death and the lack of sepulture. + </p> + <p> + Earl or king to be burned in his own ship. + </p> + <p> + Ten sailors may be burnt on one ship. + </p> + <p> + (b) Ruthenians to have the same law of war as Danes. + </p> + <p> + (c) Ruthenians must adopt Danish sale-marriage. (This involves the + abolition of the Baltic custom of capture-marriage. That capture-marriage + was a bar to social progress appears in the legislation of Richard II, + directed against the custom as carried out on the borders of the Palatine + county of Chester, while cases such as the famous one of Rob Roy's sons + speak to its late continuance in Scotland. In Ireland it survived in a + stray instance or two into this century, and songs like "William Riley" + attest the sympathy of the peasant with the eloping couple.) + </p> + <p> + (d) A veteran, one of the Doughty, must be such a man as will attack one + foe, will stand two, face three without withdrawing more than a little, + and be content to retire only before four. (One of the traditional + folk-sayings respecting the picked men, the Doughty or Old Guard, as + distinguished from the Youth or Young Guard, the new-comers in the king's + Company of House-carles. In Harald Hardrede's Life the Norwegians dread + those English house-carles, "each of whom is a match for four," who formed + the famous guard that won Stamford Bridge and fell about their lord, a + sadly shrunken band, at Senlake.) + </p> + <p> + (f) The house-carles to have winter-pay. The house-carle three pieces of + silver, a hired soldier two pieces, a soldier who had finished his service + one piece. + </p> + <p> + (The treatment of the house-carles gave Harald Harefoot a reputation long + remembered for generosity, and several old Northern kings have won their + nicknames by their good or ill feeding and rewarding their comitatus.) + </p> + <p> + D. Again a civil code, dealing chiefly with the rights of travellers. + </p> + <p> + (a) Seafarers may use what gear they find (the "remis" of the text may + include boat or tackle). + </p> + <p> + (b) No house is to be locked, nor coffer, but all thefts to be compensated + threefold. (This, like A, b, which it resembles, seems a popular tradition + intended to show the absolute security of Frode's reign of seven or three + hundred years. It is probably a gloss wrongly repeated.) + </p> + <p> + (c) A traveller may claim a single supper; if he take more he is a thief + (the mark of a prae-tabernal era when hospitality was waxing cold through + misuse). + </p> + <p> + (d) Thief and accomplices are to be punished alike, being hung up by a + line through the sinews and a wolf fastened beside. (This, which + contradicts A, i, k, and allots to theft the punishment proper for + parricide, seems a mere distorted tradition.) + </p> + <p> + But beside just Frode, tradition spoke of the unjust Kinge HELGE, whose + laws represent ill-judged harshness. They were made for conquered races, + (a) the Saxons and (b) the Swedes. + </p> + <p> + (a) Noble and freedmen to have the same were-gild (the lower, of course, + the intent being to degrade all the conquered to one level, and to allow + only the lowest were-gild of a freedman, fifty pieces, probably, in the + tradition). + </p> + <p> + (b) No remedy for wrong done to a Swede by a Dane to be legally + recoverable. (This is the traditional interpretation of the conqueror's + haughty dealing; we may compare it with the Middle-English legends of the + pride of the Dane towards the conquered English. The Tradition sums up the + position in such concrete forms as this Law of Helge's.) + </p> + <p> + Two statutes of RAGNAR are mentioned:— + </p> + <p> + (a) That any householder should give up to his service in war the worst of + his children, or the laziest of his slaves (a curious tradition, and used + by Saxo as an opportunity for patriotic exaltation). + </p> + <p> + (b) That all suits shall be absolutely referred to the judgment of twelve + chosen elders (Lodbroc here appearing in the strange character of + originator of trial by jury). + </p> + <p> + "Tributes".—Akin to laws are the tributes decreed and imposed by + kings and conquerors of old. Tribute infers subjection in archaic law. The + poll-tax in the fourteenth century in England was unpopular, because of + its seeming to degrade Englishmen to the level of Frenchmen, who paid + tribute like vanquished men to their absolute lord, as well as for other + reasons connected with the collection of the tax. + </p> + <p> + The old fur tax (mentioned in "Egil's Saga") is here ascribed to FRODE, + who makes the Finns pay him, every three years, a car full or sledge full + of skins for every ten heads; and extorts one skin per head from the + Perms. It is Frode, too (though Saxo has carved a number of Frodes out of + one or two kings of gigantic personality), that made the Saxons pay a + poll-tax, a piece of money per head, using, like William the Conqueror, + his extraordinary revenue to reward his soldiers, whom he first regaled + with double pay. But on the conquered folks rebelling, he marked their + reduction by a tax of a piece of money on every limb a cubit long, a + "limb-geld" still more hateful than the "neb-geld." + </p> + <p> + HOTHERUS (Hodr) had set a tribute on the Kurlanders and Swedes, and HROLF + laid a tribute on the conquered Swedes. + </p> + <p> + GODEFRIDUS-GOTRIC is credited with a third Saxon tribute, a heriot of 100 + snow-white horses payable to each Danish king at his succession, and by + each Saxon chief on his accession: a statement that, recalling sacred + snow-white horses kept in North Germany of yore makes one wish for fuller + information. But Godefridus also exacted from the Swedes the "Ref-gild", + or Fox-money; for the slaying of his henchman Ref, twelve pieces of gold + from each man of rank, one from every commoner. And his Friesland tribute + is stranger still, nor is it easy to understand from Saxo's account. There + was a long hall built, 240 feet, and divided up into twelve "chases" of 20 + feet each (probably square). There was a shield set up at one end, and the + taxpayers hurled their money at it; if it struck so as to sound, it was + good; if not, it was forfeit, but not reckoned in the receipt. This (a + popular version, it may be, of some early system of treasury test) was + abolished, so the story goes, by Charles the Great. + </p> + <p> + RAGNAR'S exaction from Daxo, his son's slayer, was a yearly tribute + brought by himself and twelve of his elders barefoot, resembling in part + such submissions as occur in the Angevin family history, the case of the + Calais burgesses, and of such criminals as the Corporation of Oxford, + whose penance was only finally renounced by the local patriots in our own + day. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WAR. + </h2> + <p> + "Weapons".—The sword is the weapon par excellence in Saxo's + narrative, and he names several by name, famous old blades like our royal + Curtana, which some believed was once Tristrem's, and that sword of + Carlus, whose fortunes are recorded in Irish annals. Such are "Snyrtir", + Bearce's sword; "Hothing", Agnar's blade; "Lauf", or "Leaf", Bearce's + sword; "Screp", Wermund's sword, long buried and much rust-eaten, but + sharp and trusty, and known by its whistle; Miming's sword ("Mistletoe"), + which slew Balder. Wainhead's curved blade seems to be a halbert; + "Lyusing" and "Hwiting", Ragnald of Norway's swords; "Logthe", the sword + of Ole Siward's son. + </p> + <p> + The "war-club" occurs pretty frequently. But it is usually introduced as a + special weapon of a special hero, who fashions a gold-headed club to slay + one that steel cannot touch, or who tears up a tree, like the Spanish + knight in the ballad, or who uses a club to counteract spells that blunt + steel. The bat-shapen archaic rudder of a ship is used as a club in the + story of the Sons of Arngrim. + </p> + <p> + The "spear" plays no particular part in Saxo: even Woden's spear Gungne is + not prominent. + </p> + <p> + "Bows and arrows" are not often spoken of, but archer heroes, such as + Toki, Ane Bow-swayer, and Orwar-Odd, are known. Slings and stones are + used. + </p> + <p> + The shield, of all defensive armour, is far the most prominent. They were + often painted with devices, such as Hamlet's shield, Hildiger's Swedish + shield. Dr. Vigfusson has shown the importance of these painted shields in + the poetic history of the Scandinavians. + </p> + <p> + A red shield is a signal of peace. Shields are set round ramparts on land + as round ships at sea. + </p> + <p> + "Mail-coats" are worn. Frode has one charmed against steel. Hother has + another; a mail-coat of proof is mentioned and their iron meshes are + spoken of. + </p> + <p> + "Helmets" are used, but not so carefully described as in "Beowulf's Lay"; + crested helmets and a gilded helmet occur in Bearca-mal and in another + poem. + </p> + <p> + "Banners" serve as rallying points in the battle and on the march. The + Huns' banners are spoken of in the classic passage for the description of + a huge host invading a country. Bearcamal talks of golden banners. + </p> + <p> + "Horns" (1) were blown pp at the beginning of the engagement and for + signalling. The gathering of the host was made by delivery of a wooden + arrow painted to look like iron. + </p> + <p> + "Tactics".—The hand-to-hand fight of the wager of battle with sword + and shield, and the fighting in ranks and the wedge-column at close + quarters, show that the close infantry combat was the main event of the + battle. The preliminary hurling of stones, and shooting of arrows, and + slinging of pebbles, were harassing and annoying, but seldom sufficiently + important to affect the result of the main engagement. + </p> + <p> + Men ride to battle, but fight on foot; occasionally an aged king is + car-borne to the fray, and once the car, whether by Saxo's adorning hand, + or by tradition, is scythe-armed. + </p> + <p> + The gathered host is numbered, once, where, as with Xerxes, counting was + too difficult, by making each man as he passed put a pebble in a pile + (which piles survive to mark the huge size of Frode's army). This is, of + course, a folktale, explaining the pebble-hills and illustrating the + belief in Frode's power; but armies were mustered by such expedients of + old. Burton tells of an African army each man of whom presented an egg, as + a token of his presence and a means of taking the number of the host. + </p> + <p> + We hear of men marching in light order without even scabbards, and getting + over the ice in socks. + </p> + <p> + The war equipment and habits of the Irish, light armoured, clipped at back + of head, hurling the javelin backwards in their feigned flight; of the + Slavs, small blue targets and long swords; of the Finns, with their darts + and skees, are given. + </p> + <p> + Watches are kept, and it is noted that "uht", the early watch after + midnight, is the worst to be attacked in (the duke's + two-o'clock-in-the-morning courage being needed, and the darkness and cold + helping the enemy). + </p> + <p> + Spies were, of course, slain if discovered. But we have instances of kings + and heroes getting into foeman's camps in disguise (cf. stories of Alfred + and Anlaf). + </p> + <p> + The order of battle of Bravalla fight is given, and the ideal array of a + host. To Woden is ascribed the device of the boar's head, hamalt fylking + (the swine-head array of Manu's Indian kings), the terrible column with + wedge head which could cleave the stoutest line. + </p> + <p> + The host of Ring has men from Wener, Wermland, Gotaelf, Thotn, Wick, + Thelemark, Throndham, Sogn, Firths, Fialer, Iceland; Sweden, Gislamark, + Sigtun, Upsala, Pannonia. + </p> + <p> + The host of Harold had men from Iceland, the Danish provinces, Frisia, + Lifland; Slavs, and men from Jom, Aland, and Sleswick. + </p> + <p> + The battle of Bravalla is said to have been won by the Gotland archers and + the men of Throndham, and the Dales. The death of Harald by treachery + completed the defeat, which began when Ubbe fell (after he had broken the + enemy's van) riddled with arrows. + </p> + <p> + The defeated, unless they could fly, got little quarter. One-fifth only of + the population of a province are said to have survived an invasion. After + sea-battles (always necessarily more deadly) the corpses choke the + harbours. Seventy sea-kings are swept away in one sea-fight. Heads seem to + have been taken in some cases, but not as a regular Teutonic usage, and + the practice, from its being attributed to ghosts and aliens, must have + already been considered savage by Saxo, and probably by his informants and + authorities. + </p> + <p> + Prisoners were slaves; they might be killed, put to cruel death, outraged, + used as slaves, but the feeling in favour of mercy was growing, and the + cruelty of Eormenric, who used tortures to his prisoners, of Rothe, who + stripped his captives, and of Fro, who sent captive ladies to a brothel in + insult, is regarded with dislike. + </p> + <p> + Wounds were looked on as honourable, but they must be in front or + honourably got. A man who was shot through the buttocks, or wounded in the + back, was laughed at and disgraced. We hear of a mother helping her + wounded son out of battle. + </p> + <p> + That much of human interest centered round war is evident by the mass of + tradition that surrounds the subject in Saxo, both in its public and + private aspects. Quaint is the analysis of the four kinds of warriors: (a) + The Veterans, or Doughty, who kill foes and spare flyers; (b) the Young + men who kill foes and flyers too; (c) the well-to-do, landed, and + propertied men of the main levy, who neither fight for fear nor fly for + shame; (d) the worthless, last to fight and first to fly; and curious are + the remarks about married and unmarried troops, a matter which Chaka + pondered over in later days. Homeric speeches precede the fight. + </p> + <p> + "Stratagems of War" greatly interested Saxo (probably because Valerius + Maximus, one of his most esteemed models, was much occupied with such + matters), so that he diligently records the military traditions of the + notably skillful expedients of famous commanders of old. + </p> + <p> + There is the device for taking a town by means of the "pretended death" of + the besieging general, a device ascribed to Hastings and many more + commanders (see Steenstrup Normannerne); the plan of "firing" a besieged + town by fire-bearing birds, ascribed here to Fridlev, in the case of + Dublin to Hadding against Duna (where it was foiled by all tame birds + being chased out of the place). + </p> + <p> + There is the "Birnam Wood" stratagem, by which men advanced behind a + screen of boughs, which is even used for the concealment of ships, and the + curious legend (occurring in Irish tradition also, and recalling Capt. B. + Hall's "quaker gun" story) by which a commander bluffs off his enemy by + binding his dead to stakes in rows, as if they were living men. + </p> + <p> + Less easy to understand are the "brazen horses" or "machines" driven into + the close lines of the enemy to crush and open them, an invention of + Gewar. The use of hooked weapons to pull down the foes' shields and + helmets was also taught to Hother by Gewar. + </p> + <p> + The use of black tents to conceal encampment; the defence of a pass by + hurling rocks from the heights; the bridge of boats across the Elbe; and + the employment of spies, and the bold venture, ascribed in our chronicles + to Alfred and Anlaf, of visiting in disguise the enemy's camp, is here + attributed to Frode, who even assumed women's clothes for the purpose. + </p> + <p> + Frode is throughout the typical general, as he is the typical statesman + and law-giver of archaic Denmark. + </p> + <p> + There are certain heathen usages connected with war, as the hurling of a + javelin or shooting of an arrow over the enemy's ranks as a "sacratio" to + Woden of the foe at the beginning of a battle. This is recorded in the + older vernacular authorities also, in exact accordance with the Homeric + usage, "Odyssey" xxiv, 516-595. + </p> + <p> + The dedication of part of the spoils to the god who gave good omens for + the war is told of the heathen Baltic peoples; but though, as Sidonius + records, it had once prevailed among the Saxons, and, as other witnesses + add, among the Scandinavian people, the tradition is not clearly preserved + by Saxo. + </p> + <p> + "Sea and Sea Warfare."—As might be expected, there is much mention + of Wicking adventure and of maritime warfare in Saxo. + </p> + <p> + Saxo tells of Asmund's huge ship (Gnod), built high that he might shoot + down on the enemy's craft; he speaks of a ship (such as Godwin gave as a + gift to the king his master), and the monk of St. Bertin and the + court-poets have lovingly described a ship with gold-broidered sails, gilt + masts, and red-dyed rigging. One of his ships has, like the ships in the + Chansons de Geste, a carbuncle for a lantern at the masthead. Hedin + signals to Frode by a shield at the masthead. A red shield was a peace + signal, as noted above. The practice of "strand-hewing", a great feature + in Wicking-life (which, so far as the victualling of raw meat by the + fishing fleets, and its use raw, as Mr. P. H. Emerson informs me, still + survives), is spoken of. There was great fear of monsters attacking them, + a fear probably justified by such occasional attacks of angry whales as + Melville (founding his narrative on repeated facts) has immortalised. The + whales, like Moby Dick, were uncanny, and inspired by troll-women or + witches (cf. "Frithiof Saga" and the older "Lay of Atle and Rimegerd"). + The clever sailing of Hadding, by which he eludes pursuit, is tantalising, + for one gathers that, Saxo knows the details that he for some reason + omits. Big fleets of 150 and a monster armada of 3,000 vessels are + recorded. + </p> + <p> + The ships were moved by oars and sails; they had rudders, no doubt such as + the Gokstad ship, for the hero Arrow-Odd used a rudder as a weapon. + </p> + <p> + "Champions".—Professed fighting men were often kept by kings and + earls about their court as useful in feud and fray. Harald Fairhair's + champions are admirably described in the contemporary Raven Song by + Hornclofe— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Wolf-coats they call them that in battle + Bellow into bloody shields. + They wear wolves' hides when they come into the fight, + And clash their weapons together." +</pre> + <p> + and Saxo's sources adhere closely to this pattern. + </p> + <p> + These "bear-sarks", or wolf-coats of Harald give rise to an O. N. term, + "bear-sarks' way", to describe the frenzy of fight and fury which such + champions indulged in, barking and howling, and biting their shield-rims + (like the ferocious "rook" in the narwhale ivory chessmen in the British + Museum) till a kind of state was produced akin to that of the Malay when + he has worked himself up to "run-a-muck." There seems to have been in the + 10th century a number of such fellows about unemployed, who became + nuisances to their neighbours by reason of their bullying and + highhandedness. Stories are told in the Icelandic sagas of the way such + persons were entrapped and put to death by the chiefs they served when + they became too troublesome. A favourite (and fictitious) episode in an + "edited" Icelandic saga is for the hero to rescue a lady promised to such + a champion (who has bullied her father into consent) by slaying the + ruffian. It is the same "motif" as Guy of Warwick and the Saracen lady, + and one of the regular Giant and Knight stories. + </p> + <p> + Beside men-warriors there were "women-warriors" in the North, as Saxo + explains. He describes shield-maidens, as Alfhild, Sela, Rusila (the + Ingean Ruadh, or Red Maid of the Irish Annals, as Steenstrup so + ingeniously conjectures); and the three she-captains, Wigbiorg, who fell + on the field, Hetha, who was made queen of Zealand, and Wisna, whose hand + Starcad cut off, all three fighting manfully at Bravalla fight. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SOCIAL LIFE AND MANNERS. + </h2> + <p> + "Feasts".—The hall-dinner was an important feature in the old + Teutonic court-life. Many a fine scene in a saga takes place in the hall + while the king and his men are sitting over their ale. The hall decked + with hangings, with its fires, lights, plate and provisions, appears in + Saxo just as in the Eddic Lays, especially Rigsmal, and the Lives of the + Norwegian Kings and Orkney Earls. + </p> + <p> + The order of seats is a great point of archaic manners. Behaviour at table + was a matter of careful observance. The service, especially that of the + cup-bearer, was minutely regulated by etiquette. An honoured guest was + welcomed by the host rising to receive him and giving him a seat near + himself, but less distinguished visitors were often victims to the rough + horseplay of the baser sort, and of the wanton young gentleman at court. + The food was simple, boiled beef and pork, and mutton without sauce, ale + served in horns from the butt. Roast meat, game, sauces, mead, and flagons + set on the table, are looked on by Starcad as foreign luxuries, and + Germany was credited with luxurious cookery. + </p> + <p> + "Mimes and jugglers", who went through the country or were attached to the + lord's court to amuse the company, were a despised race because of their + ribaldry, obscenity, cowardice, and unabashed self-debasement; and their + newfangled dances and piping were loathsome to the old court-poets, who + accepted the harp alone as an instrument of music. + </p> + <p> + The story that once a king went to war with his jugglers and they ran + away, would represent the point of view of the old house-carle, who was + neglected, though "a first-class fighting man", for these debauched + foreign buffoons. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SUPERNATURAL BEINGS. + </h2> + <p> + GODS AND GODDESSES.—The gods spring, according to Saxo's belief, + from a race of sorcerers, some of whom rose to pre-eminence and expelled + and crushed the rest, ending the "wizard-age", as the wizards had ended + the monster or "giant-age". That they were identic with the classic gods + he is inclined to believe, but his difficulty is that in the week-days we + have Jove : Thor; Mercury : Woden; whereas it is perfectly well known that + Mercury is Jove's son, and also that Woden is the father of Thor—a + comic "embarras". That the persians the heathens worshipped as gods + existed, and that they were men and women false and powerful, Saxo plainly + believes. He has not Snorre's appreciation of the humorous side of the + mythology. He is ironic and scornful, but without the kindly, naive fun of + the Icelander. + </p> + <p> + The most active god, the Dane's chief god (as Frey is the Swede's god, and + patriarch), is "Woden". He appears in heroic life as patron of great + heroes and kings. Cf. "Hyndla-Lay", where it is said of Woden:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Let us pray the Father of Hosts to be gracious to us! + He granteth and giveth gold to his servants, + He gave Heremod a helm and mail-coat, + And Sigmund a sword to take. + He giveth victory to his sons, to his followers wealth, + Ready speech to his children and wisdom to men. + Fair wind to captains, and song to poets; + He giveth luck in love to many a hero." +</pre> + <p> + He appears under various disguises and names, but usually as a one-eyed + old man, cowled and hooded; sometimes with another, bald and ragged, as + before the battle Hadding won; once as "Hroptr", a huge man skilled in + leechcraft, to Ragnar's son Sigfrid. + </p> + <p> + Often he is a helper in battle or doomer of feymen. As "Lysir", a rover of + the sea, he helps Hadding. As veteran slinger and archer he helps his + favourite Hadding; as charioteer, "Brune", he drives Harald to his death + in battle. He teaches Hadding how to array his troops. As "Yggr" the + prophet he advises the hero and the gods. As "Wecha" (Waer) the leech he + woos Wrinda. He invented the wedge array. He can grant charmed lives to + his favourites against steel. He prophesies their victories and death. He + snatches up one of his disciples, sets him on his magic horse that rides + over seas in the air, as in Skida-runa the god takes the beggar over the + North Sea. His image (like that of Frey in the Swedish story of Ogmund + dytt and Gunnar helming, "Flatey book", i, 335) could speak by magic + power. + </p> + <p> + Of his life and career Saxo gives several episodes. + </p> + <p> + Woden himself dwelt at Upsala and Byzantium (Asgard); and the northern + kings sent him a golden image ring-bedecked, which he made to speak + oracles. His wife Frigga stole the bracelets and played him false with a + servant, who advised her to destroy and rob the image. + </p> + <p> + When Woden was away (hiding the disgrace brought on him by Frigga his + wife), an imposter, Mid Odin, possibly Loke in disguise, usurped his place + at Upsala, instituted special drink-offerings, fled to Finland on Woden's + return, and was slain by the Fins and laid in barrow. But the barrow smote + all that approached it with death, till the body was unearthed, beheaded, + and impaled, a well-known process for stopping the haunting of an + obnoxious or dangerous ghost. + </p> + <p> + Woden had a son Balder, rival of Hother for the love of Nanna, daughter of + King Gewar. Woden and Thor his son fought for him against Hother, but in + vain, for Hother won the laity and put Balder to shameful flight; however, + Balder, half-frenzied by his dreams of Nanna, in turn drove him into exile + (winning the lady); finally Hother, befriended hy luck and the Wood + Maidens, to whom he owed his early successes and his magic coat, belt, and + girdle (there is obvious confusion here in the text), at last met Balder + and stabbed him in the side. Of this wound Balder died in three days, as + was foretold by the awful dream in which Proserpina (Hela) appeared to + him. Balder's grand burial, his barrow, and the magic flood which burst + from it when one Harald tried to break into it, and terrified the robbers, + are described. + </p> + <p> + The death of Balder led Woden to seek revenge. Hrossthiof the wizard, whom + he consulted, told him he must beget a son by "Wrinda" (Rinda, daughter of + the King of the Ruthenians), who should avenge his half-brother. + </p> + <p> + Woden's wooing is the best part of this story, half spoilt, however, by + euhemeristic tone and lack of epic dignity. He woos as a victorious + warrior, and receives a cuff; as a generous goldsmith, and gets a buffet; + as a handsome soldier, earning a heavy knock-down blow; but in the garb of + a women as Wecha (Wakr), skilled in leechcraft, he won his way by + trickery; and ("Wale") "Bous" was born, who, after some years, slew Hother + in battle, and died himself of his wounds. Bous' barrow in Bohusland, + Balder's haven, Balder's well, are named as local attestations of the + legend, which is in a late form, as it seems. + </p> + <p> + The story of Woden's being banished for misbehaviour, and especially for + sorcery and for having worn woman's attire to trick Wrinda, his + replacement by "Wuldor" ("Oller"), a high priest who assumed Woden's name + and flourished for ten years, but was ultimately expelled by the returning + Woden, and killed by the Danes in Sweden, is in the same style. But + Wuldor's bone vessel is an old bit of genuine tradition mangled. It would + cross the sea as well as a ship could, by virtue of certain spells marked + on it. + </p> + <p> + Of "Frey", who appears as "satrapa" of the gods at Upsala, and as the + originator of human sacrifice, and as appeased by black victims, at a + sacrifice called Froblod (Freys-blot) instituted by Hadding, who began it + as an atonement for having slain a sea-monster, a deed for which he had + incurred a curse. The priapic and generative influences of Frey are only + indicated by a curious tradition mentioned. It almost looks as if there + had once been such an institution at Upsala as adorned the Phoenician + temples, under Frey's patronage and for a symbolic means of worship. + </p> + <p> + "Thunder", or "Thor", is Woden's son, strongest of gods or men, patron of + Starcad, whom he turned, by pulling off four arms, from a monster to a + man. + </p> + <p> + He fights by Woden's side and Balder's against Hother, by whose magic wand + his club (hammer) was lopped off part of its shaft, a wholly different + and, a much later version than the one Snorre gives in the prose Edda. + Saxo knows of Thor's journey to the haunt of giant Garfred (Geirrod) and + his three daughters, and of the hurling of the iron "bloom", and of the + crushing of the giantesses, though he does not seem to have known of the + river-feats of either the ladies or Thor, if we may judge (never a safe + thing wholly) by his silence. + </p> + <p> + Whether "Tew" is meant by the Mars of the Song of the Voice is not + evident. Saxo may only be imitating the repeated catch-word "war" of the + original. + </p> + <p> + "Loke" appears as Utgard-Loke, Loke of the skirts of the World, as it + were; is treated as a venomous giant bound in agony under a + serpent-haunted cavern (no mention is made of "Sigyn" or her pious + ministry). + </p> + <p> + "Hela" seems to be meant by Saxo's Proserpina. + </p> + <p> + "Nanna" is the daughter of Gewar, and Balder sees her bathing and falls in + love with her, as madly as Frey with Gertha in Skirnismal. + </p> + <p> + "Freya", the mistress of Od, the patroness of Othere the homely, the + sister of Frey-Frode, and daughter of Niord-Fridlaf, appears as Gunwara + Eric's love and Syritha Ottar's love and the hair-clogged maiden, as Dr. + Rydberg has shown. + </p> + <p> + The gods can disguise their form, change their shape, are often met in a + mist, which shrouds them save from the right person; they appear and + disappear at will. For the rest they have the mental and physical + characteristics of the kings and queens they protect or persecute so + capriciously. They can be seen by making a magic sign and looking through + a witch's arm held akimbo. They are no good comates for men or women, and + to meddle with a goddess or nymph or giantess was to ensure evil or death + for a man. The god's loves were apparently not always so fatal, though + there seems to be some tradition to that effect. Most of the god-sprung + heroes are motherless or unborn (i.e., born like Macduff by the Caesarean + operation)—Sigfred, in the Eddic Lays for instance. + </p> + <p> + Besides the gods, possibly older than they are, and presumably mightier, + are the "Fates" (Norns), three Ladies who are met with together, who + fulfil the parts of the gift-fairies of our Sleeping Beauty tales, and + bestow endowments on the new-born child, as in the beautiful "Helge Lay", + a point of the story which survives in Ogier of the Chansons de Geste, + wherein Eadgar (Otkerus or Otgerus) gets what belonged to Holger (Holge), + the Helga of "Beowulf's Lay". The caprices of the Fates, where one + corrects or spoils the others' endowments, are seen in Saxo, when beauty, + bounty, and meanness are given together. They sometimes meet heroes, as + they met Helgi in the Eddic Lay (Helgi and Sigrun Lay), and help or begift + them; they prepare the magic broth for Balder, are charmed with Hother's + lute-playing, and bestow on him a belt of victory and a girdle of + splendour, and prophesy things to come. + </p> + <p> + The verse in Biarca-mal, where "Pluto weaves the dooms of the mighty and + fills Phlegethon with noble shapes," recalls Darrada-liod, and points to + Woden as death-doomer of the warrior. + </p> + <p> + "Giants".—These are stupid, mischievous, evil and cunning in Saxo's + eyes. Oldest of beings, with chaotic force and exuberance, monstrous in + extravagant vitality. + </p> + <p> + The giant nature of the older troll-kind is abhorrent to man and woman. + But a giantess is enamoured of a youth she had fostered, and giants carry + off king's daughters, and a three-bodied giant captures young children. + </p> + <p> + Giants live in caves by the sea, where they keep their treasure. One + giant, Unfoot (Ofoti), is a shepherd, like Polyphemus, and has a famous + dog which passed into the charge of Biorn, and won a battle; a giantess is + keeping goats in the wilds. A giant's fury is so great that it takes + twelve champions to control him, when the rage is on him. The troll (like + our Puss-in-Boots Ogre) can take any shape. + </p> + <p> + Monstrous apparitions are mentioned, a giant hand (like that in one story + of Finn) searching for its prey among the inmates of a booth in the wilds. + But this Grendel-like arm is torn off by a giantess, Hardgrip, daughter of + Wainhead and niece possibly of Hafle. + </p> + <p> + The voice heard at night prophesying is that of some god or monster, + possibly Woden himself. + </p> + <p> + "Dwarves".—These Saxo calls Satyrs, and but rarely mentions. The + dwarf Miming, who lives in the desert, has a precious sword of sharpness + (Mistletoe?) that could even pierce skin-hard Balder, and a ring + (Draupnir) that multiplied itself for its possessor. He is trapped by the + hero and robbed of his treasures. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FUNERAL RITES AND MAN'S FUTURE STATE. + </h2> + <p> + "Barrow-burials".—The obsequies of great men (such as the classic + funeral of "Beowulf's Lay", 3138-80) are much noticed by Saxo, and we + might expect that he knew such a poem (one similar to Ynglingatal, but not + it) which, like the Books of the Kings of Israel and Judah, recorded the + deaths and burials, as well as the pedigrees and deeds, of the Danish + kings. + </p> + <p> + The various stages of the "obsequy by fire" are noted; the byre sometimes + formed out of a ship; the "sati"; the devoted bower-maidens choosing to + die with their mistress, the dead man's beloved (cf. The Eddic funerals of + Balder, Sigfred, and Brunhild, in the Long "Brunhild's Lay", Tregrof + Gudrumar and the lost poem of Balder's death paraphrased in the prose + Edda); the last message given to the corpse on the pyre (Woden's last + words to Balder are famous); the riding round the pyre; the eulogium; the + piling of the barrow, which sometimes took whole days, as the size of many + existing grass mounds assure us; the funeral feast, where an immense vat + of ale or mead is drunk in honor of the dead; the epitaph, like an ogham, + set up on a stone over the barrow. + </p> + <p> + The inclusion of a live man with the dead in a barrow, with the live or + fresh-slain beasts (horse and bound) of the dead man, seems to point to a + time or district when burning was not used. Apparently, at one time, + judging from Frode's law, only chiefs and warriors were burnt. + </p> + <p> + Not to bury was, as in Hellas, an insult to the dead, reserved for the + bodies of hated foes. Conquerors sometimes show their magnanimity (like + Harald Godwineson) by offering to bury their dead foes. + </p> + <p> + The buried "barrow-ghost" was formidable; he could rise and slay and eat, + vampire-like, as in the tale of Asmund and Aswit. He must in such case be + mastered and prevented doing further harm by decapitation and + thigh-forking, or by staking and burning. So criminals' bodies were often + burnt to stop possible haunting. + </p> + <p> + Witches and wizards could raise corpses by spells to make them prophesy. + The dead also appeared in visions, usually foretelling death to the person + they visited. + </p> + <p> + OTHER WORLDS.—The "Land of Undeath" is spoken of as a place reached + by an exiled hero in his wanderings. We know it from Eric the traveller's + S., Helge Thoreson's S., Herrand and Bose S., Herwon S., Thorstan + Baearmagn S., and other Icelandic sources. But the voyage to the Other + Worlds are some of the most remarkable of the narratives Saxo has + preserved for us. + </p> + <p> + "Hadding's Voyage Underground".—(a) A woman bearing in her lap + angelica fresh and green, though it was deep winter, appears to the hero + at supper, raising her head beside the brazier. Hadding wishes to know + where such plants grow. + </p> + <p> + (b) She takes him with her, under cover of her mantle, underground. + </p> + <p> + (c) They pierce a mist, get on a road worn by long use, pass nobly-clad + men, and reach the sunny fields that bear the angelica:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Through griesly shadowes by a beaten path, + Into a garden goodly garnished." + —F.Q. ii. 7, 51. +</pre> + <p> + (d) Next they cross, by a bridge, the "River of Blades", and see "two + armies fighting", ghosts of slain soldiers. + </p> + <p> + (e) Last they came to a high wall, which surrounds the land of Life, for a + cock the woman brought with her, whose neck she wrung and tossed over this + wall, came to life and crowed merrily. + </p> + <p> + Here the story breaks off. It is unfinished, we are only told that + Hadfling got back. Why he was taken to this under-world? Who took him? + What followed therefrom? Saxo does not tell. It is left to us to make out. + </p> + <p> + That it is an archaic story of the kind in the Thomas of Ercildoune and so + many more fairy-tales, e.g., Kate Crack-a-Nuts, is certain. The "River of + Blades" and "The Fighting Warriors" are known from the Eddic Poems. The + angelica is like the green birk of that superb fragment, the ballad of the + Wife of Usher's Well—a little more frankly heathen, of course— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "It fell about the Martinmas, when nights are long and mirk, + The carline wife's three sons cam hame, and their hats were + o' the birk. + It neither grew in syke nor dyke, nor yet in ony sheugh, + But at the gates o' Paradise that birk grew fair eneuch." +</pre> + <p> + The mantel is that of Woden when he bears the hero over seas; the cock is + a bird of sorcery the world over; the black fowl is the proper gift to the + Underground powers—a heriot really, for did not the Culture god + steal all the useful beasts out of the underground world for men's use? + </p> + <p> + Dr. Rydberg has shown that the "Seven Sleepers" story is an old Northern + myth, alluded to here in its early pre-Christian form, and that with this + is mixed other incidents from voyages of Swipdag, the Teutonic Odusseus. + </p> + <p> + "Thorkill's Second Voyage to Outgarth-Loke to get Knowledge".—(a) + Guthrum is troubled as to the immortality and fate of the soul, and the + reward of piety after death. To spite Thorkill, his enviers advised the + king to send him to consult Outgarth-Loke. He required of the king that + his enemies should be sent with him. + </p> + <p> + (b) In one well-stored and hide-defended ship they set out, reached a + sunless, starless land, without fuel; ate raw food and suffered. At last, + after many days, a fire was seen ashore. Thorkill, setting a jewel at the + mast-head to be able to regain his vessel easily, rows ashore to get fire. + </p> + <p> + (c) In a filthy, snake-paved, stinking cavern he sees two horny-nebbed + giants, (2) making a fire. One of the giants offers to direct him to Loke + if he will say three true things in three phrases, and this done, tells + him to row four days and then he would reach a Dark and Grassless Land. + For three more true sayings he obtains fire, and gets back to his vessel. + </p> + <p> + (d) With good wind they make Grassless Land, go ashore, find a huge, rocky + cavern, strike a flint to kindle a fire at the entrance as a safeguard + against demons, and a torch to light them as they explored the cavern. + </p> + <p> + (e) First appears iron seats set amid crawling snakes. + </p> + <p> + (f) Next is sluggish water flowing over sand. + </p> + <p> + (g) Last a steep, sloping cavern is reached, in a chamber of which lay + Outgarth-Loke chained, huge and foul. + </p> + <p> + (h) Thorkill plucks a hair of his beard "as big as a cornel-wood spear." + The stench that arose was fearful; the demens and snakes fell upon the + invaders at once; only Thorkill and five of the crew, who had sheltered + themselves with hides against the virulent poison the demons and snakes + cast, which would take a head off at the neck if it fell upon it, got back + to their ship. + </p> + <p> + (i) By vow to the "God that made the world", and offerings, a good voyage + was made back, and Germany reached, where Thorkill became a Christian. + Only two of his men survived the effects of the poison and stench, and he + himself was scarred and spoilt in the face. + </p> + <p> + (k) When he reached the king, Guthrum would not listen to his tale, + because it was prophesied to him that he would die suddenly if he heard + it; nay, he even sent men to smite him as he lay in bed, but, by the + device of laying a log in his place, he escaped, and going to the king as + he sat at meat, reproached him for his treachery. + </p> + <p> + (l) Guthrum bade him tell his story, but died of horror at hearing his god + Loke foully spoken of, while the stench of the hair that Thorkill + produced, as Othere did his horn for a voucher of his speech, slew many + bystanders. + </p> + <p> + This is the regular myth of Loke, punished by the gods, lying bound with + his own soils' entrails on three sharp stones and a sword-blade, (this + latter an addition, when the myth was made stones were the only blades), + with snakes' venom dripping on to him, so that when it falls on him he + shakes with pain and makes earthquakes—a Titan myth in answer to the + question, "Why does the earth quake?" The vitriolic power of the poison is + excellently expressed in the story. The plucking of the hair as a token is + like the plucking of a horn off the giant or devil that occurs in some + folk-tale. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MAGIC AND FOLK-SCIENCE. + </h2> + <p> + There is a belief in magic throughout Saxo's work, showing how fresh + heathendom still was in men's minds and memories. His explanations, when + he euhemerizes, are those of his day. + </p> + <p> + By means of spells all kinds of wonders could be effected, and the powers + of nature forced to work for the magician or his favourite. + </p> + <p> + "Skin-changing" (so common in "Landnamaboc") was as well known as in the + classic world of Lucian and Apuleius; and, where Frode perishes of the + attacks of a witch metamorphosed into a walrus. + </p> + <p> + "Mist" is induced by spells to cover and hide persons, as in Homer, and + "glamour" is produced by spells to dazzle foemen's sight. To cast glamour + and put confusion into a besieged place a witch is employed by the + beleaguerer, just as William the Conqueror used the witch in the Fens + against Hereward's fortalice. A soothsayer warns Charles the Great of the + coming of a Danish fleet to the Seine's mouth. + </p> + <p> + "Rain and bad weather" may be brought on, as in a battle against the + enemy, but in this, as in other instances, the spell may be counteracted. + </p> + <p> + "Panic Terror" may be induced by the spell worked with a dead horse's head + set up on a pole facing the antagonist, but the spell may be met and + combatted by silence and a counter-curse. + </p> + <p> + "Magic help" may be got by calling on the friendly magician's name. The + magician has also the power of summoning to him anyone, however unwilling, + to appear. + </p> + <p> + Of spells and magic power to blunt steel there are several instances; they + may be counteracted (as in the Icelandic Sagas) by using the hilt, or a + club, or covering the blade with fine skin. In another case the champion + can only be overcome by one that will take up some of the dust from under + his feet. This is effected by the combatants shifting their ground and + exchanging places. In another case the foeman can only be slain by gold, + whereupon the hero has a gold-headed mace made and batters the life out of + him therewith. The brothers of Swanhild cannot be cut by steel, for their + mail was charmed by the witch Gudrun, but Woden taught Eormenric, the + Gothic king, how to overcome them with stones (which apparently cannot, as + archaic weapons, be charmed against at all, resisting magic like wood and + water and fire). Jordanis tells the true history of Ermanaric, that great + Gothic emperor whose rule from the Dnieper to the Baltic and Rhine and + Danube, and long reign of prosperity, were broken by the coming of the + Huns. With him vanished the first great Teutonic empire. + </p> + <p> + Magic was powerful enough even to raise the dead, as was practised by the + Perms, who thus renewed their forces after a battle. In the Everlasting + battle the combatants were by some strange trick of fate obliged to fulfil + a perennial weird (like the unhappy Vanderdecken). Spells to wake the dead + were written on wood and put under the corpses' tongue. Spells (written on + bark) induce frenzy. + </p> + <p> + "Charms" would secure a man against claw or tooth. + </p> + <p> + "Love philtres" (as in the long "Lay of Gudrun) appear as everywhere in + savage and archaic society. + </p> + <p> + "Food", porridge mixed with the slaver of tortured snakes, gives magic + strength or endues the eater with eloquence and knowledge of beast and + bird speech (as Finn's broiled fish and Sigfred's broiled dragon-heart + do). + </p> + <p> + "Poison" like these hell-broths are part of the Witch or Obi + stock-in-trade, and Frode uses powdered gold as an antidote. + </p> + <p> + "Omens" are observed; tripping as one lands is lucky (as with our William + the Norman). Portents, such as a sudden reddening of the sea where the + hero is drowned, are noticed and interpreted. + </p> + <p> + "Dreams" (cf. Eddic Lays of Attila, and the Border ballads) are prophetic + (as nine-tenths of Europeans firmly believe still); thus the visionary + flame-spouting dragon is interpreted exactly as Hogne's and Attila's + dreams. The dreams of the three first bridals nights (which were kept + hallowed by a curious superstition, either because the dreams would then + bold good, or as is more likely, for fear of some Asmodeus) were fateful. + Animals and birds in dreams are read as persons, as nowadays. + </p> + <p> + A "curse" is powerful unless it can be turned back, when it will harm its + utterer, for harm someone it must. The "curse" of a dying man on his + slayer, and its lack of effect, is noted. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes "magic messengers" are sent, like the swans that bore a token + and uttered warning songs to the hero. + </p> + <p> + "Witches and wizards" (as belonging to the older layer of archaic beliefs) + are hateful to the gods, and Woden casts them out as accursed, though he + himself was the mightiest of wizards. Heathen Teutonic life was a long + terror by reason of witchcraft, as is the heathen African life to-day, + continual precautions being needful to escape the magic of enemies. The + Icelandic Sagas, such as Gretter's, are full of magic and witchcraft. It + is by witchcraft that Gretter is first lamed and finally slain; one can + see that Glam's curse, the Beowulf motif, was not really in the original + Gretter story. + </p> + <p> + "Folk-medicine" is really a branch of magic in old days, even to such + pioneers of science as Paracelsus. + </p> + <p> + Saxo's traditions note drinking of a lion's blood that eats men as a means + of gaining might and strength; the drinking of bear's blood is also + declared to give great bodily power. + </p> + <p> + The tests for "madness" are of a primitive character, such as those + applied to Odusseus, who, however, was not able, like Hamlet, to evade + them. + </p> + <p> + The test for death is the red-hot iron or hot brand (used by the + Abyssinians of to-day, as it was supposed in the thirteenth century to + have been used by Grimhild. "And now Grimhild goes and takes a great + brand, where the house had burnt, and goes to Gernot her brother, and + thrusts the burning brand in his mouth, and will know whether he is dead + or living. But Gernot was clearly dead. And now she goes to Gislher and + thrusts the firebrand in his mouth. He was not dead before, but Gislher + died of that. Now King Thidrec of Bern saw what Grimhild is doing, and + speaks to King Attila. `See how that devil Grimhild, thy wife, is killing + her brothers, the good warriors, and how many men have lost their lives + for her sake, and how many good men she has destroyed, Huns and Amalungs + and Niflungs; and in the same way would she bring thee and me to hell, if + she could do it?' Then spake King Attila, `Surely she is a devil, and slay + thou her, and that were a good work if thou had done it seven nights ago! + Then many a gallant fellow were whole that is now dead.' Now King Thidrec + springs at Grimhild and swings up his sword Eckisax, and hews her asunder + at the middle"). + </p> + <p> + It was believed (as in Polynesia, where "Captain Cook's path" was shown in + the grass) that the heat of the hero's body might blast the grass; so + Starcad's entrails withered the grass. + </p> + <p> + It was believed that a severed head might bite the ground in rage, and + there were certainly plenty of opportunities for observation of such + cases. + </p> + <p> + It was believed that a "dumb man" might be so wrought on by passion that + he would speak, and wholly acquire speech-power. + </p> + <p> + Little is told of "surgery", but in one case of intestines protruding + owing to wounds, withies were employed to bind round the trunk and keep + the bowels from risk till the patient could be taken to a house and his + wounds examined and dressed. It was considered heroic to pay little heed + to wounds that were not dangerous, but just to leave them to nature. + </p> + <p> + Personal "cleanliness" was not higher than among savages now. A lover is + loused by his lady after the mediaeval fashion. + </p> + <p> + CHRISTIANITY—In the first nine books of Saxo, which are devoted to + heathendom, there is not much save the author's own Christian point of + view that smacks of the New Faith. The apostleships of Ansgarius in + Denmark, the conversion of King Eric, the Christianity of several later + Danish Kings, one of whom was (like Olaf Tryggwason) baptised in Britain + are also noticed. + </p> + <p> + Of "Christian legends" and beliefs, besides the euhemerist theory, widely + held, of the heathen gods there are few hints, save the idea that Christ + was born in the reign of Frode, Frode having been somehow synchronised + with Augustus, in whose reign also there was a world-peace. + </p> + <p> + Of course the christening of Scandinavia is history, and the mythic books + are little concerned with it. The episode in Adam of Bremen, where the + king offers the people, if they want a new god, to deify Eric, one of + their hero-kings, is eminently characteristic and true. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FOLK-TALES. + </h2> + <p> + There might be a classification of Saxo's stories akin to that of the + Irish poets, Battles, Sieges, Voyages, Rapes, Cattle Forays, etc.; and + quite apart from the historic element, however faint and legendary, there + are a set of stories ascribed by him, or rather his authorities, to + definite persons, which had, even in his day, probably long been the + property of Tis, their original owners not being known owing to lapse of + time and the wear of memory, and the natural and accidental catastrophies + that impair the human record. Such are the "Dragon-Slayer" stories. In one + type of these the hero (Frithlaf) is cast on a desolate island, and warned + by a dream to attack and slay a dragon guarding treasure. He wakes, sees + the dragon arise out of the waves, apparently, to come ashore and go back + to the cavern or mound wherein the treasure lay. His scales are too hard + to pierce; he is terribly strong, lashing trees down with his tail, and + wearing a deep path through the wood and over the stones with his huge and + perpetual bulk; but the hero, covered with hide-wrapped shield against the + poison, gets down into the hollow path, and pierces the monster from + below, afterward rifling its underground store and carrying off its + treasure. + </p> + <p> + Again the story is repeated; the hero (Frode Haddingsson) is warned by a + countryman of the island-dragon and its hoard, is told to cover his shield + and body with bulls' hides against the poison, and smite the monster's + belly. The dragon goes to drink, and, as it is coming back, it is + attacked, slain, and its treasure lifted precisely as before. The + analogies with the Beowulf and Sigfred stories are evident; but no great + poet has arisen to weave the dragon-slaying intimately into the lives of + Frode and Frithlaf as they have been woven into the tragedy of Sigfred the + wooer of Brunhild and, if Dr. Vigffisson be right the conqueror of Varus, + or into the story of Beowulf, whose real engagements were with + sea-monsters, not fiery dragons. + </p> + <p> + Another type is that of the "Loathly Worm". A king out hunting (Herod or + Herraud, King of Sweden), for some unexplained reason brings home two + small snakes as presents for his daughter. They wax wonderfully, have to + be fed a whole ox a day, and proceed to poison and waste the countryside. + The wretched king is forced to offer his daughter (Thora) to anyone who + will slay them. The hero (Ragnar) devises a dress of a peculiar kind (by + help of his nurse, apparently), in this case, woolly mantle and hairy + breeches all frozen and ice-covered to resist the venom, then strapping + his spear to his hand, he encounters them boldly alone. The courtiers hide + "like frightened little girls", and the king betakes him to a "narrow + shelter", an euphemism evidently of Saxo's, for the scene is comic. The + king comes forth when the hero is victorious, and laughing at his hairy + legs, nick-names him Shaggy-breech, and bids him to the feast. Ragnar + fetches up his comrades, and apparently seeks out the frightened courtiers + (no doubt with appropriate quip, omitted by Saxo, who hurries on), feasts, + marries the king's daughter, and begets on her two fine sons. + </p> + <p> + Of somewhat similar type is the proud "Maiden guarded" by Beasts. Here the + scene is laid in Gaulardale in Norway. The lady is Ladgerda, the hero + Ragnar. Enamoured of the maiden by seeing her prowess in war, he accepts + no rebuffs, but leaving his followers, enters the house, slays the + guardian Bear and Dog, thrusting one through with a spear and throttling + the other with his hand. The lady is won and wed, and two daughters and a + son (Frithlaf) duly begotten. The story of Alf and Alfhild combines + several types. There are the tame snakes, the baffled suitors' heads + staked to terrify other suitors, and the hero using red-hot iron and spear + to slay the two reptiles. + </p> + <p> + The "Proud Lady", (cf. Kudrun and the Niebelungen, and Are's story of the + queen that burnt her suitors) appears in Hermintrude, Queen of Scotland, + who battles and slays her lovers, but is out-witted by the hero (Hamlet), + and, abating her arrogance, agrees to wed him. This seems an obvious + accretion in the original Hamlet story, and probably owing not to Saxo, + but to his authority. + </p> + <p> + The "Beggar that stole the Lady" (told of Snio Siwaldson and the daughter + of the King of the Goths), with its brisk dialogue, must have been one of + the most artful of the folk-tales worked on by Saxo or his informants; but + it is only half told, unfortunately. + </p> + <p> + The "Crafty Soaker" is another excellent comic folk-tale. A terrible + famine made the king (Snio) forbid brewing to save the barley for bread, + and abolished all needless toping. The Soaker baffled the king by sipping, + never taking a full draught. Rebuked, he declared that he never drank, but + only sucked a drop. This was forbidden him for the future, so he sopped + his bread in ale, and in that inconvenient manner continued to get drunk, + excusing himself with the plea that though it was forbidden to drink or + sip beer, it was not forbidden to eat it. When this was in turn + prohibited, the Soaker gave up any pretence, and brewed and drank + unabashed, telling the angry king that he was celebrating his approaching + funeral with due respect, which excuse led to the repeal of the obnoxious + decree. A good Rabelaisian tale, that must not have been wide-spread among + the Danish topers, whose powers both Saxo and Shakespeare have celebrated, + from actual experience no doubt. + </p> + <p> + The "Magician's tricks to elude pursuit", so common an incident in our + fairy tales, e.g., Michael Scot's flight, is ascribed here to the + wonder-working and uncanny Finns, who, when pursued, cast behind them + successively three pebbles, which become to their enemies' eyes mountains, + then snow, which appeared like a roaring torrent. But they could not cast + the glamour on Arngrim a third time, and were forced to submit. The + glamour here and in the case of the breaking of Balder's barrow is akin to + that which the Druid puts on the sons of Uisnach. + </p> + <p> + The tale of the king who shuts up his daughter in an "earth-house" or + underground chamber with treasures (weapons and gold and silver), in fear + of invasion, looks like a bit of folk-tale, such as the "Hind in the + Wood", but it may have a traditional base of some kind here. + </p> + <p> + A folk-tale, very imperfectly narrated, is the "Clever King's Daughter", + who evidently in the original story had to choose her suitor by his feet + (as the giantess in the prose Edda chooses her husband), and was able to + do so by the device she had practised of sewing up her ring in his leg + sometime before, so that when she touched the flesh she could feel the + hardness of the ring beneath the scar. + </p> + <p> + Bits of folk-tales are the "Device for escaping threatened death by + putting a log in one's bed" (as in our Jack the Giant-Killer). The device, + as old as David's wife, of dressing up a dummy (here a basket with a dog + inside, covered outside with clothes), while the hero escapes, is told of + Eormenric, the mighty Gothic King of Kings, who, like Walter of Aquitaine, + Theodoric of Varona, Ecgherht, and Arminius, was an exile in his youth. + This traditional escape of the two lads from the Scyths should be compared + with the true story in Paul the Deacon of his little ancestor's captivity + and bold and successful stroke for freedom. + </p> + <p> + "Disguise" plays a great part in the folk-tales used by Saxo. Woden + disguises himself in a cowl on his earthly travels, and heroes do the + same; a king disguises himself as a slave at his rival's court, to try and + find occasion of slaying him; a hero wraps himself up in skins, like + Alleleirah. + </p> + <p> + "Escaped recognition" is accordingly a feature in many of these simple but + artistic plots. A son is not known by his mother in the story of Hrolf. + </p> + <p> + Other "Devices" are exemplified, such as the "booby-trap" loaded with a + millstone, which slays a hateful and despised tyrant, imposed by a foreign + conqueror; evasion by secret passages, and concealment in underground + vaults or earth-houses. The feigning of madness to escape death occurs, as + well as in the better-known Hamlet story. These stratagems are universal + in folk-history. + </p> + <p> + To Eric, the clever and quick of speech, is ascribed an excellent sailor's + smuggling trick to hide slaughtered cattle, by sinking them till the + search is over. + </p> + <p> + The "Hero's Mighty Childhood" (like David's) of course occurs when he + binds a bear with his girdle. Sciold is full grown at fifteen, and Hadding + is full grown in extreme youth. The hero in his boyhood slays a full-grown + man and champion. The cinder-biting, lazy stage of a mighty youth is + exemplified. + </p> + <p> + The "fierce eyes" of the hero or heroine, which can daunt an assassin as + could the piercing glance of Marius, are the "falcon eyes" of the Eddic + Lays. + </p> + <p> + The shining, effulgent, "illuminating hair" of the hero, which gives light + in the darkness, is noticed here, as it obtains in Cuaran's thirteenth + century English legend. + </p> + <p> + The wide-spread tale of the "City founded on a site marked out by a hide + cut into finest thongs", occurs, told of Hella and Iwarus exactly as our + Kentishmen told it of Hengist, and as it is also told of Dido. + </p> + <p> + The incidents of the "hero sleeping by a rill", of the guarded king's + daughter, with her thirty attendants, the king's son keeping sheep, are + part of the regular stock incidents in European folk-tales. So are the + Nausicaa incident of the "king's daughter going a washing", the hero + disguising himself as a woman and winding wool (like a second Heracles). + </p> + <p> + There are a certain number of stories, which only occur in Saxo and in our + other Northern sources with attributions, though they are of course + legendary; such are: + </p> + <p> + The "Everlasting Battle" between Hedhin and Hogne, a legend connected with + the great Brisinga-men story, and paralleled by the Cordelia-tale among + the Britons. + </p> + <p> + The story of the "Children preserved" is not very clearly told, and Saxo + seems to have euhemerized. It is evidently of the same type as the + Lionel-Lancelot story in the Arthurian cycle. Two children, ordered to be + killed, are saved by the slaying of other children in their place; and + afterwards by their being kept and named as dogs; they come to their own + and avenge their wrongs. + </p> + <p> + The "Journey to Hell" story is told of Eric, who goes to a far land to + fetch a princess back, and is successful. It is apparently an adventure of + Swipdag, if everyone had their rights. It is also told of Thorkill, whose + adventures are rather of the "True Thomas" type. + </p> + <p> + The "Test of Endurance" by sitting between fires, and the relief of the + tortured and patient hero by a kindly trick, is a variant of the famous + Eddic Lays concerning Agnar. + </p> + <p> + The "Robbers of the Island", evidently comes from an Icelandic source (cf. + The historic "Holmveria Saga" and Icelandic folk-tales of later date), the + incident of the hero slaying his slave, that the body might be mistaken + for his, is archaic in tone; the powerful horse recalls Grani, Bayard, and + even Sleipner; the dog which had once belonged to Unfoot (Ofote), the + giant shepherd (cf. its analogues in old Welsh tales), is not quite + assimilated or properly used in this story. It seems (as Dr. Rydberg + suspects) a mythical story coloured by the Icelandic relater with memory + full of the robber-hands of his own land. + </p> + <p> + The stratagem of "Starcad", who tried even in death to slay his slayer, + seems an integral part of the Starcad story; as much as the doom of three + crimes which are to be the price for the threefold life that a triple man + or giant should enjoy. The noose story in Starcad (cf. that told of Bicce + in the Eormenric story), is also integral. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SAXO'S MYTHOLOGY. + </h2> + <p> + No one has commented upon Saxo's mythology with such brilliancy, such + minute consideration, and such success as the Swedish scholar, Victor + Rydberg. More than occasionally he is over-ingenious and over-anxious to + reduce chaos to order; sometimes he almost loses his faithful reader in + the maze he treads so easily and confidently, and sometimes he stumbles + badly. But he has placed the whole subject on a fresh footing, and much + that is to follow will be drawn from his "Teutonic Mythology" (cited here + from the English version by Rasmus B. Anderson, London, 1889, as "T.M."). + </p> + <p> + Let us take first some of the incontestable results of his investigations + that affect Saxo. + </p> + <p> + SCIOLD is the father of Gram in Saxo, and the son of Sceaf in other older + authorities. Dr. Rydberg (97-101) forms the following equations for the + Sciolding patriarchs:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + a. Scef—Heimdal—Rig. + b. Sciold—Borgar—Jarl. + c. Gram—Halfdan—Koming. +</pre> + <p> + Chief among the mythic tales that concern Saxo are the various portions of + the Swipdag-Myth, which Dr. Rydberg has been able to complete with much + success. They may be resumed briefly as follows:— + </p> + <p> + Swipdag, helped by the incantations of his dead mother, whom he had raised + from the dead to teach him spells of protection, sets forth on his quests. + He is the Odusseus of the Teutonic mythology. He desires to avenge his + father on Halfdan that slew him. To this end he must have a weapon of + might against Halfdan's club. The Moon-god tells him of the blade Thiasse + has forged. It has been stolen by Mimer, who has gone out into the cold + wilderness on the rim of the world. Swipdag achieves the sword, and + defeats and slays Halfdan. He now buys a wife, Menglad, of her kinsmen the + gods by the gift of the sword, which thus passes into Frey's hands. + </p> + <p> + How he established a claim upon Frey, and who Menglad was, is explained in + Saxo's story of Eric, where the characters may be identified thus:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Swipdag—Eric + Freya—Gunwara + Frey—Frode III + Niord—Fridlaf + Wuldor—Roller + Thor—Brac + Giants—The Greps + Giants—Coller. +</pre> + <p> + Frey and Freya had been carried off by the giants, and Swipdag and his + faithful friend resolve to get them back for the Anses, who bewail their + absence. They journey to Monster-land, win back the lady, who ultimately + is to become the hero's wife, and return her to her kindred; but her + brother can only be rescued by his father Niord. It is by wit rather than + by force that Swipdag is successful here. + </p> + <p> + The third journey of Swipdag is undertaken on Frey's behalf; he goes under + the name of Scirner to woo giant Gymer's daughter Gerth for his + brother-in-law, buying her with the sword that he himself had paid to Frey + as his sister's bride-price. So the sword gets back to the giants again. + </p> + <p> + Swipdag's dead foe Halfdan left two young "avengers", Hadding and Guthorm, + whom he seeks to slay. But Thor-Brache gives them in charge of two giant + brothers. Wainhead took care of Hadding, Hafle of Guthorm. Swipdag made + peace with Guthorm, in a way not fully explained to us, but Hadding took + up the blood-feud as soon as he was old enough. + </p> + <p> + Hadding was befriended by a woman, who took him to the Underworld—the + story is only half told in Saxo, unluckily—and by Woden, who took + him over-sea wrapt in his mantle as they rode Sleipner over the waves; but + here again Saxo either had not the whole story before him, or he wished to + abridge it for some reason or prejudice, and the only result of this + astonishing pilgrimage is that Woden gives the young hero some useful + counsels. He falls into captivity, entrapped by Loke (for what reason + again we are left to guess), and is exposed to wild beasts, but he slays + the wolf that attacks him, and eating its heart as Woden had bidden him, + he gains wisdom and foresight. + </p> + <p> + Prepared by these adventures, he gets Guthorm to join him (how or why the + peace between him and Swipdag was broken, we know not), and they attack + their father's slayer, but are defeated, though Woden sunk Asmund + Swipdag's son's ship, Grio, at Hlessey, and Wainhead and Hardgrip his + daughter fought for Hadding. + </p> + <p> + Hadding wanders off to the East with his foster-sister and mistress and + Hardgrip, who is slain protecting him against an angry ghost raised from + the Underworld by her spells. However, helped by Heimdal and Woden (who at + this time was an exile), Hadding's ultimate success is assured. + </p> + <p> + When Woden came back to power, Swipdag, whose violence and pride grew + horribly upon him, was exiled, possibly by some device of his foes, and + took upon him, whether by will or doom, a sea-monster's shape. His + faithful wife follows him over land and sea, but is not able to save him. + He is met by Hadding and, after a fierce fight, slain. Swipdag's wife + cursed the conqueror, and he was obliged to institute an annual sacrifice + to Frey (her brother) at Upsale, who annuls the curse. Loke, in seal's + guise, tried to steal the necklace of Freya at the Reef of Treasures, + where Swipdag was slain, but Haimdal, also in sealskin, fought him, and + recovered it for the gods. + </p> + <p> + Other myths having reference to the goddesses appear in Saxo. There is the + story of "Heimdall and Sol", which Dr. Rydberg has recognised in the tale + of Alf and Alfhild. The same tale of how the god won the sun for his wife + appears in the mediaeval German King Ruther (in which title Dr. Ryuberg + sees Hrutr, a name of the ram-headed god). + </p> + <p> + The story of "Othar" (Od) and "Syritha" (Sigrid) is obviously that of + Freya and her lover. She has been stolen by the giants, owing to the wiles + of her waiting-maid, Loke's helper, the evil witch Angrbode. Od seeks her, + finds her, slays the evil giant who keeps her in the cave; but she is + still bewitched, her hair knotted into a hard, horny mass, her eyes void + of brightness. Unable to gain recognition he lets her go, and she is made + by a giantess to herd her flocks. Again found by Od, and again refusing to + recognise him, she is let go again. But this time she flies to the world + of men, and takes service with Od's mother and father. Here, after a trial + of her love, she and Od are reconciled. Sywald (Sigwald), her father, weds + Od's sister. + </p> + <p> + The tale of the vengeance of Balder is more clearly given by the Dane, and + with a comic force that recalls the Aristophanic fun of Loka-senna. It + appears that the story had a sequel which only Saxo gives. Woden had the + giantess Angrbode, who stole Freya, punished. Frey, whose mother-in-law + she was, took up her quarrel, and accusing Woden of sorcery and dressing + up like a woman to betray Wrind, got him banished. While in exile Wuldor + takes Woden's place and name, and Woden lives on earth, part of the time + at least, with Scathe Thiasse's daughter, who had parted from Niord. + </p> + <p> + The giants now resolved to attack Ansegard; and Woden, under the name of + Yggr, warned the gods, who recall him after ten years' exile. + </p> + <p> + But for Saxo this part of the story of the wars of the gods would be very + fragmentary. + </p> + <p> + The "Hildiger story", where a father slays his son unwittingly, and then + falls at his brother's hand, a tale combining the Rustam and the + Balin-Balan types, is one of the Hilding tragedies, and curiously + preserved in the late "Saga of Asmund the Champions' bane". It is an + antithesis, as Dr. Rydberg remarks, to the Hildebrand and Hadubrand story, + where father and son must fight and are reconciled. + </p> + <p> + The "story of Orwandel" (the analogue of Orion the Hunter) must be + gathered chiefly from the prose Edda. He was a huntsman, big enough and + brave enough to cope with giants. He was the friend of Thor, the husband + of Groa, the father of Swipdag, the enemy of giant Coller and the monster + Sela. The story of his birth, and of his being blinded, are lost + apparently in the Teutonic stories, unless we may suppose that the + bleeding of Robin Hood till he could not see by the traitorous prioress is + the last remains of the story of the great archer's death. + </p> + <p> + Great part of the troubles which befell the gods arose from the antagonism + of the sons of Iwalde and the brethren Sindre and Brokk (Cinder and + Brank), rival artist families; and it was owing to the retirement of their + artist foster-parents that Frey and Freya were left among the giants. The + Hniflung hoard is also supposed to have consisted of the treasures of one + band of primaeval artists, the Iwaldings. + </p> + <p> + Whether we have here the phenomenon of mythological doublets belonging to + different tribes, or whether we have already among these early names that + descent of story which has led to an adventure of Moses being attributed + to Garibaldi, given to Theodoric the king the adventures of Theodoric the + god, taken Arthur to Rome, and Charles the Great to Constantinople, it is + hard to say. + </p> + <p> + The skeleton-key of identification, used even as ably as Dr. Rydberg uses + it, will not pick every mythologic lock, though it undoubtedly has opened + many hitherto closed. The truth is that man is a finite animal; that he + has a limited number of types of legend; that these legends, as long as + they live and exist, are excessively prehensile; that, like the opossum, + they can swing from tree to tree without falling; as one tree dies out of + memory they pass on to another. When they are scared away by what is + called exact intelligence from the tall forest of great personalities, + they contrive to live humbly clinging to such bare plain stocks and poles + (Tis and Jack and Cinderella) as enable them to find a precarious perch. + </p> + <p> + To drop similitudes, we must be prepared, in unravelling our tangled + mythology, to go through several processes. We must, of course, note the + parallelisms and get back to the earliest attribution-names we can find. + But all system is of late creation, it does not begin till a certain + political stage, a stage where the myths of coalescing clans come into + contact, and an official settlement is attempted by some school of poets + or priests. Moreover, systematization is never so complete that it effaces + all the earlier state of things. Behind the official systems of Homer and + Hesiod lies the actual chaos of local faiths preserved for us by Pausanias + and other mythographers. The common factors in the various local faiths + are much the majority among the factors they each possess; and many of + these common factors are exceedingly primitive, and resolve themselves + into answers to the questions that children still ask, still receiving no + answer but myth—that is, poetic and subjective hypothesis, + containing as much truth as they can receive or their inventors can grasp. + </p> + <p> + Who were our forbears? How did day and night, sun and moon, earth and + water, and fire come? How did the animals come? Why has the bear no tail? + Why are fishes dumb, the swallow cleft-tail? How did evil come? Why did + men begin to quarrel? How did death arise? What will the end be? Why do + dead persons come back? What do the dead do? What is the earth shaped + like? Who invented tools and weapons, and musical instruments, and how? + When did kings and chiefs first come? + </p> + <p> + From accepted answers to such questions most of the huge mass of mythology + arises. Man makes his gods in his own image, and the doctrines of omen, + coincidence, and correspondence helped by incessant and imperfect + observation and logic, bring about a system of religious observance, of + magic and ritual, and all the masses of folly and cruelty, hope and faith, + and even charity, that group about their inventions, and seem to be the + necessary steps in the onward path of progressive races. + </p> + <p> + When to these we add the true and exaggerated memories of actual heroes, + the material before the student is pretty completely comprised. Though he + must be prepared to meet the difficulties caused in the contact of races, + of civilisations, by the conversion of persons holding one set of mythical + ideas to belief in another set of different, more attractive, and often + more advanced stage. + </p> + <p> + The task of arriving at the scientific, speculative ethic, and the actual + practice of our remote ancestry (for to that end is the student of + mythology and folk-lore aiming) is not therefore easy. Nor is the record + perfect, though it is not so poor in most cases as was once believed. The + Brothers Grimm, patriarchs alike as mythologists and folk-lorists, the + Castor and Pollox of our studies, have proved this as regards the Teutonic + nations, just as they showed us, by many a striking example, that in great + part folk-lore was the mythology of to-day, and mythology the folk-lore of + yesterday. + </p> + <p> + In many cases we are helped by quite modern material to make out some + puzzle that an old tale presents, and there is little doubt but that the + present activity in the field of folklore will not only result in fresh + matter but in fresh methods freshly applied. + </p> + <p> + The Scandinavian material, at all events, is particularly rich: there is + the extensive Icelandic written literature touching the ninth and tenth + and eleventh centuries; the noble, if fragmentary remains of Old Northern + poetry of the Wickingtide; and lastly, the mass of tradition which, + surviving in oral form, and changing in colour from generation to + generation, was first recorded in part in the seventeenth, and again in + part, in the present century; and all these yield a plentiful field for + research. But their evidence gains immensely by the existence of Saxo's + nine books of traditional and mythic lore, collected and written down in + an age when much that was antique and heathen was passing away forever. + The gratitude due to the Welshman of the twelfth century, whose garnered + hoard has enriched so many poets and romances from his day to now, is no + less due to the twelfth-century Dane, whose faithful and eloquent + enthusiasm has swept much dust from antique time, and saved us such a + story as Shakespeare has not disdained to consecrate to highest use. Not + only Celtic and Teutonic lore are the richer for these two men, but the + whole Western world of thought and speech. In the history of modern + literature, it is but right that by the side of Geoffrey an honourable + place should be maintained for Saxo, and + </p> + <p> + "awake remembrance of these mighty dead." + </p> + <p> + —Oliver Elton + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) A horn and a tusk of great size are described as things of + price, and great uroch's horns are mentioned in Thorkill's + Second Journey. Horns were used for feast as well as fray. + (2) Such bird-beaked, bird-legged figures occur on the Cross at + Papil, Burra Island, Shetland. Cf. Abbey Morne Cross, and + an Onchan Cross, Isle of Man. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE DANISH HISTORY <br /> OF SAXO GRAMMATICUS. + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + Forasmuch as all other nations are wont to vaunt the glory of their + achievements, and reap joy from the remembrance of their forefathers: + Absalon, Chief Pontiff of the Danes, whose zeal ever burned high for the + glorification of our land, and who would not suffer it to be defrauded of + like renown and record, cast upon me, the least of his followers—since + all the rest refused the task—the work of compiling into a chronicle + the history of Denmark, and by the authority of his constant admonition + spurred my weak faculty to enter on a labour too heavy for its strength. + For who could write a record of the deeds of Denmark? It had but lately + been admitted to the common faith: it still languished as strange to Latin + as to religion. But now that the holy ritual brought also the command of + the Latin tongue, men were as slothful now as they were unskilled before, + and their sluggishness proved as faultful as that former neediness. Thus + it came about that my lowliness, though perceiving itself too feeble for + the aforesaid burden, yet chose rather to strain beyond its strength than + to resist his bidding; fearing that while our neighbours rejoiced and + transmitted records of their deeds, the repute of our own people might + appear not to possess any written chronicle, but rather to be sunk in + oblivion and antiquity. Thus I, forced to put my shoulder, which was + unused to the task, to a burden unfamiliar to all authors of preceding + time, and dreading to slight his command, have obeyed more boldly than + effectually, borrowing from the greatness of my admonisher that good heart + which the weakness of my own wit denied me. + </p> + <p> + And since, ere my enterprise reached its goal, his death outran it; I + entreat thee chiefly, Andrew, who wast chosen by a most wholesome and + accordant vote to be successor in the same office and to headship of + spiritual things, to direct and inspire my theme; that I may baulk by the + defence of so great an advocate that spiteful detraction which ever + reviles what is most conspicuous. For thy breast, very fruitful in + knowledge, and covered with great store of worshipful doctrines, is to be + deemed a kind of shrine of heavenly treasures. Thou who hast searched + through Gaul and Italy and Britain also in order to gather knowledge of + letters and amass them abundantly, didst after thy long wandering obtain a + most illustrious post in a foreign school, and proved such a pillar + thereof, that thou seemedst to confer more grace on thy degree than it did + on thee. Then being made, on account of the height of thy honours and the + desert of thy virtues, Secretary to the King, thou didst adorn that + employment, in itself bounded and insignificant, with such works of wisdom + as to leave it a piece of promotion for men of greatest rank to covet + afterwards, when thou wert transferred to that office which now thou + holdest. Wherefore Skaane has been found to leap for joy that she has + borrowed a Pontiff from her neighbours rather than chosen one from her own + people; inasmuch as she both elected nobly and deserved joy of her + election. Being a shining light, therefore, in lineage, in letters, and in + parts, and guiding the people with the most fruitful labours of thy + teaching, thou hast won the deepest love of thy flock, and by thy boldness + in thy famous administration hast conducted the service thou hast + undertaken unto the summit of renown. And lest thou shouldst seem to + acquire ownership on the strength of prescription, thou hast, by a pious + and bountiful will, made over a very rich inheritance to Holy Church; + choosing rather honourably to reject riches (which are covered with the + rust of cares) than to be shackled with the greed of them and with their + burden. Likewise thou hast set about an amazing work upon the reverend + tenets of the faith; and in thy zeal to set the service of public religion + before thy private concerns, hast, by the lesson of thy wholesome + admonitions, driven those men who refused payment of the dues belonging to + religion to do to holy things the homage that they ought; and by thy pious + gift of treasure hast atoned for the ancient neglect of sacred buildings. + Further, those who pursued a wanton life, and yielded to the stress of + incontinence above measure, thou hast redeemed from nerveless sloth to a + more upright state of mind, partly by continuing instant in wholesome + reproof, and partly by the noble example of simple living; leaving it in + doubt whether thou hast edified them more by word or deed. Thus thou, by + mere counsels of wisdom, hast achieved what it was not granted to any of + thy forerunners to obtain. + </p> + <p> + And I would not have it forgotten that the more ancient of the Danes, when + any notable deeds of mettle had been done, were filled with emulation of + glory, and imitated the Roman style; not only by relating in a choice kind + of composition, which might be called a poetical work, the roll of their + lordly deeds; but also by having graven upon rocks and cliffs, in the + characters of their own language, the works of their forefathers, which + were commonly known in poems in the mother tongue. In the footsteps of + these poems, being as it were classic books of antiquity, I have trod; and + keeping true step with them as I translated, in the endeavour to preserve + their drift, I have taken care to render verses by verses; so that the + chronicle of what I shall have to write, being founded upon these, may + thus be known, not for a modern fabrication, but for the utterance of + antiquity; since this present work promises not a trumpery dazzle of + language, but faithful information concerning times past. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, how many histories must we suppose that men of such genius would + have written, could they have had skill in Latin and so slaked their + thirst for writing! Men who though they lacked acquaintance with, the + speech of Rome, were yet seized with such a passion for bequeathing some + record of their history, that they encompassed huge boulders instead of + scrolls, borrowing rocks for the usage of books. + </p> + <p> + Nor may the pains of the men of Thule be blotted in oblivion; for though + they lack all that can foster luxury (so naturally barren is the soil), + yet they make up for their neediness by their wit, by keeping continually + every observance of soberness, and devoting every instant of their lives + to perfecting our knowledge of the deeds of foreigners. Indeed, they + account it a delight to learn and to consign to remembrance the history of + all nations, deeming it as great a glory to set forth the excellences of + others as to display their own. Their stores, which are stocked with + attestations of historical events, I have examined somewhat closely, and + have woven together no small portion of the present work by following + their narrative, not despising the judgment of men whom I know to be so + well versed in the knowledge of antiquity. And I have taken equal care to + follow the statements of Absalon, and with obedient mind and pen to + include both his own doings and other men's doings of which he learnt; + treasuring the witness of his August narrative as though it were some + teaching from the skies. + </p> + <p> + Wherefore, Waldemar, (1) healthful Prince and Father of us all, shining + light of thy land, whose lineage, most glorious from times of old, I am to + relate, I beseech thee let thy grace attend the faltering course of this + work; for I am fettered under the weight of my purpose, and dread that I + may rather expose my unskillfulness and the feebleness of my parts, than + portray thy descent as I duly should. For, not to speak of thy rich + inheritance from thy fathers, thou hast nobly increased thy realm by + conquering thy neighbours, and in the toil of spreading thy sovereignty + hast encompassed the ebbing and flowing waves of Elbe, thus adding to thy + crowded roll of honours no mean portion of fame. And after outstripping + the renown and repute of thy forerunners by the greatness of thy deeds, + thou didst not forbear to make armed, assault even upon part of the Roman + empire. And though thou art deemed to be well endowed with courage and + generosity, thou hast left it in doubt whether thou dost more terrify to + thy foes in warfare or melt thy people by thy mildness. Also thy most + illustrious grandsire, who was sanctioned with the honours of public + worship, and earned the glory of immortality by an unmerited death, now + dazzles by the refulgence of his holiness those whom living he annexed in + his conquests. And from his most holy wounds more virtue than blood hath + flowed. + </p> + <p> + Moreover I, bound by an old and inherited duty of obedience, have set my + heart on fighting for thee, if it be only with all the forces of my mind; + my father and grandfather being known to have served thy illustrious sire + in camp with loyal endurance of the toils of war. Relying therefore on thy + guidance and regard, I have resolved to begin with the position and + configuration of our own country; for I shall relate all things as they + come more vividly, if the course of this history first traverse the places + to which the events belong, and take their situation as the starting-point + for its narrative. + </p> + <p> + The extremes, then, of this country are partly bounded by a frontier of + another land, and partly enclosed by the waters of the adjacent sea. The + interior is washed and encompassed by the ocean; and this, through the + circuitous winds of the interstices, now straitens into the narrows of a + firth, now advances into ampler bays, forming a number of islands. Hence + Denmark is cut in pieces by the intervening waves of ocean, and has but + few portions of firm and continuous territory; these being divided by the + mass of waters that break them up, in ways varying with the different + angle of the bend of the sea. Of all these, Jutland, being the largest and + first settled, holds the chief place in the Danish kingdom. It both lies + fore-most and stretches furthest, reaching to the frontiers of Teutonland, + from contact with which it is severed by the bed of the river Eyder. + Northwards it swells somewhat in breadth, and runs out to the shore of the + Noric Channel (Skagerrak). In this part is to be found the fjord called + Liim, which is so full of fish that it seems to yield the natives as much + food as the whole soil. + </p> + <p> + Close by this fjord also lies Lesser (North) Friesland, which curves in + from the promontory of Jutland in a cove of sinking plains and shelving + lap, and by the favour of the flooding ocean yields immense crops of + grain. But whether this violent inundation bring the inhabitants more + profit or peril, remains a vexed question. For when the (dykes of the) + estuaries, whereby the waves of the sea are commonly checked among that + people, are broken through by the greatness of the storm, such a mass of + waters is wont to overrun the fields that it sometimes overwhelms not only + the tilled lands, but people and their dwellings likewise. + </p> + <p> + Eastwards, after Jutland, comes the Isle of Funen, cut off from the + mainland by a very narrow sound of sea. This faces Jutland on the west, + and on the east Zealand, which is famed for its remarkable richness in the + necessaries of life. This latter island, being by far the most delightful + of all the provinces of our country, is held to occupy the heart of + Denmark, being divided by equal distances from the extreme frontier; on + its eastern side the sea breaks through and cuts off the western side of + Skaane; and this sea commonly yields each year an abundant haul to the + nets of the fishers. Indeed, the whole sound is apt to be so thronged with + fish that any craft which strikes on them is with difficulty got off by + hard rowing, and the prize is captured no longer by tackle, but by simple + use of the hands. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, Halland and Bleking, shooting forth from the mass of the Skaane + like two branches from a parent trunk, are linked to Gothland and to + Norway, though with wide deviations of course, and with various gaps + consisting of fjords. Now in Bleking is to be seen a rock which travellers + can visit, dotted with letters in a strange character. For there stretches + from the southern sea into the desert of Vaarnsland a road of rock, + contained between two lines a little way apart and very prolonged, between + which is visible in the midst a level space, graven all over with + characters made to be read. And though this lies so unevenly as sometimes + to break through the tops of the hills, sometimes to pass along the valley + bottoms, yet it can be discerned to preserve continuous traces of the + characters. Now Waldemar, well-starred son of holy Canute, marvelled at + these, and desired to know their purport, and sent men to go along the + rock and gather with close search the series of the characters that were + to be seen there; they were then to denote them with certain marks, using + letters of similar shape. These men could not gather any sort of + interpretation of them, because owing to the hollow space of the graving + being partly smeared up with mud and partly worn by the feet of travellers + in the trampling of the road, the long line that had been drawn became + blurred. Hence it is plain that crevices, even in the solid rock, if long + drenched with wet, become choked either by the solid washings of dirt or + the moistening drip of showers. + </p> + <p> + But since this country, by its closeness of language as much as of + position, includes Sweden and Norway, I will record their divisions and + their climates also as I have those of Denmark. These territories, lying + under the northern pole, and facing Bootes and the Great Bear, reach with + their utmost outlying parts the latitude of the freezing zone; and beyond + these the extraordinary sharpness of the cold suffers not human + habitation. Of these two, Norway has been allotted by the choice of nature + a forbidding rocky site. Craggy and barren, it is beset all around by + cliffs, and the huge desolate boulders give it the aspect of a rugged and + a gloomy land; in its furthest part the day-star is not hidden even by + night; so that the sun, scorning the vicissitudes of day and night, + ministers in unbroken presence an equal share of his radiance to either + season. + </p> + <p> + On the west of Norway comes the island called Iceland, with the mighty + ocean washing round it: a land very squalid to dwell in, but noteworthy + for marvels, both strange occurrences and objects that pass belief. A + spring is there which, by the malignant reek of its water, destroys the + original nature of anything whatsoever. Indeed, all that is sprinkled with + the breath of its vapour is changed into the hardness of stone. It remains + a doubt whether it be more marvellous or more perilous, that soft and + flowing water should be invested with such a stiffness, as by a sudden + change to transmute into the nature of stone whatsoever is put to it and + drenched with its reeking fume, nought but the shape surviving. Here also + are said to be other springs, which now are fed with floods of rising + water, and, overflowing in full channels, cast a mass of spray upwards; + and now again their bubbling flags, and they can scarce be seen below at + the bottom, and are swallowed into deep hiding far under ground. Hence, + when they are gushing over, they bespatter everything about them with the + white spume, but when they are spent the sharpest eye cannot discern them. + In this island there is likewise a mountain, whose floods of incessant + fire make it look like a glowing rock, and which, by belching out flames, + keeps its crest in an everlasting blaze. This thing awakens our wonder as + much as those aforesaid; namely, when a land lying close to the extreme of + cold can have such abundance of matter to keep up the heat, as to furnish + eternal fires with unseen fuel, and supply an endless provocative to feed + the burning. To this isle also, at fixed and appointed seasons, there + drifts a boundless mass of ice, and when it approaches and begins to dash + upon the rugged reefs, then, just as if the cliffs rang reply, there is + heard from the deep a roar of voices and a changing din of extraordinary + clamour. Whence it is supposed that spirits, doomed to torture for the + iniquity of their guilty life, do here pay, by that bitter cold, the + penalty of their sins. And so any portion of this mass that is cut off + when the aforesaid ice breaks away from the land, soon slips its bonds and + bars, though it be made fast with ever so great joins and knots. The mind + stands dazed in wonder, that a thing which is covered with bolts past + picking, and shut in by manifold and intricate barriers, should so depart + after that mass whereof it was a portion, as by its enforced and + inevitable flight to baffle the wariest watching. There also, set among + the ridges and crags of the mountains, is another kind of ice which is + known periodically to change and in a way reverse its position, the upper + parts sinking to the bottom, and the lower again returning to the top. For + proof of this story it is told that certain men, while they chanced to be + running over the level of ice, rolled into the abyss before them, and into + the depths of the yawning crevasses, and were a little later picked up + dead without the smallest chink of ice above them. Hence it is common for + many to imagine that the urn of the sling of ice first swallows them, and + then a little after turns upside down and restores them. Here also, is + reported to bubble up the water of a pestilent flood, which if a man + taste, he falls struck as though by poison. Also there are other springs, + whose gushing waters are said to resemble the quality of the bowl of + Ceres. There are also fires, which, though they cannot consume linen, yet + devour so fluent a thing as water. Also there is a rock, which flies over + mountain-steeps, not from any outward impulse, but of its innate and + proper motion. + </p> + <p> + And now to unfold somewhat more thoroughly our delineation of Norway. It + should be known that on the east it is conterminous with Sweden and + Gothland, and is bounded on both sides by the waters of the neighbouring + ocean. Also on the north it faces a region whose position and name are + unknown, and which lacks all civilisation, but teems with peoples of + monstrous strangeness; and a vast interspace of flowing sea severs it from + the portion of Norway opposite. This sea is found hazardous for + navigation, and suffers few that venture thereon to return in peace. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, the upper bend of the ocean, which cuts through Denmark and + flows past it, washes the southern side of Gothland with a gulf of some + width; while its lower channel, passing the northern sides of Gothland and + Norway, turns eastwards, widening much in breadth, and is bounded by a + curve of firm land. This limit of the sea the elders of our race called + Grandvik. Thus between Grandvik and the Southern Sea there lies a short + span of mainland, facing the seas that wash on either shore; and but that + nature had set this as a boundary where the billows almost meet, the tides + of the two seas would have flowed into one, and cut off Sweden and Norway + into an island. The regions on the east of these lands are inhabited by + the Skric-Finns. This people is used to an extraordinary kind of carriage, + and in its passion for the chase strives to climb untrodden mountains, and + attains the coveted ground at the cost of a slippery circuit. For no crag + juts out so high, but they can reach its crest by fetching a cunning + compass. For when they first leave the deep valleys, they glide twisting + and circling among the bases of the rocks, thus making the route very + roundabout by dint of continually swerving aside, until, passing along the + winding curves of the tracks, they conquer the appointed summit. This same + people is wont to use the skins of certain beasts for merchandise with its + neighbours. + </p> + <p> + Now Sweden faces Denmark and Norway on the west, but on the south and on + much of its eastern side it is skirted by the ocean. Past this eastward is + to be found a vast accumulation of motley barbarism. + </p> + <p> + That the country of Denmark was once cultivated and worked by giants, is + attested by the enormous stones attached to the barrows and caves of the + ancients. Should any man question that this is accomplished by superhuman + force, let him look up at the tops of certain mountains and say, if he + knows how, what man hath carried such immense boulders up to their crests. + For anyone considering this marvel will mark that it is inconceivable how + a mass, hardly at all or but with difficulty movable upon a level, could + have been raised to so mighty a peak of so lofty a mountain by mere human + effort, or by the ordinary exertion of human strength. But as to whether, + after the Deluge went forth, there existed giants who could do such deeds, + or men endowed beyond others with bodily force, there is scant tradition + to tell us. + </p> + <p> + But, as our countrymen aver, those who even to-day are said to dwell in + that rugged and inaccessible desert aforesaid, are, by the mutable nature + of their bodies, vouchsafed the power of being now near, now far, and of + appearing and vanishing in turn. The approach to this desert is beset with + perils of a fearful kind, and has seldom granted to those who attempted it + an unscathed return. Now I will let my pen pass to my theme. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) Waldemar the Second (1203-42); Saxo does not reach his + history. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK ONE. + </h2> + <p> + Now Dan and Angul, with whom the stock of the Danes begins, were begotten + of Humble, their father, and were the governors and not only the founders + of our race. (Yet Dudo, the historian of Normandy, considers that the + Danes are sprung and named from the Danai.) And these two men, though by + the wish and favour of their country they gained the lordship of the + realm, and, owing to the wondrous deserts of their bravery, got the + supreme power by the consenting voice of their countrymen, yet lived + without the name of king: the usage whereof was not then commonly resorted + to by any authority among our people. + </p> + <p> + Of these two, Angul, the fountain, so runs the tradition, of the + beginnings of the Anglian race, caused his name to be applied to the + district which he ruled. This was an easy kind of memorial wherewith to + immortalise his fame: for his successors a little later, when they gained + possession of Britain, changed the original name of the island for a fresh + title, that of their own land. This action was much thought of by the + ancients: witness Bede, no mean figure among the writers of the Church, + who was a native of England, and made it his care to embody the doings of + his country in the most hallowed treasury of his pages; deeming it equally + a religious duty to glorify in writing the deeds of his land, and to + chronicle the history of the Church. + </p> + <p> + From Dan, however, so saith antiquity; the pedigrees of our kings have + flowed in glorious series, like channels from some parent spring. Grytha, + a matron most highly revered among the Teutons, bore him two sons, HUMBLE + and LOTHER. + </p> + <p> + The ancients, when they were to choose a king, were wont to stand on + stones planted in the ground, and to proclaim their votes, in order to + foreshadow from the steadfastness of the stones that the deed would be + lasting. By this ceremony Humble was elected king at his father's death, + thus winning a novel favour from his country; but by the malice of ensuing + fate he fell from a king into a common man. For he was taken by Lother in + war, and bought his life by yielding up his crown; such, in truth, were + the only terms of escape offered him in his defeat. Forced, therefore, by + the injustice of a brother to lay down his sovereignty, he furnished the + lesson to mankind, that there is less safety, though more pomp, in the + palace than in the cottage. Also, he bore his wrong so meekly that he + seemed to rejoice at his loss of title as though it were a blessing; and I + think he had a shrewd sense of the quality of a king's estate. But Lother + played the king as insupportably as he had played the soldier, + inaugurating his reign straightway with arrogance and crime; for he + counted it uprightness to strip all the most eminent of life or goods, and + to clear his country of its loyal citizens, thinking all his equals in + birth his rivals for the crown. He was soon chastised for his wickedness; + for he met his end in an insurrection of his country; which had once + bestowed on him his kingdom, and now bereft him of his life. + </p> + <p> + SKIOLD, his son, inherited his natural bent, but not his behaviour; + avoiding his inborn perversity by great discretion in his tender years, + and thus escaping all traces of his father's taint. So he appropriated + what was alike the more excellent and the earlier share of the family + character; for he wisely departed from his father's sins, and became a + happy counterpart of his grandsire's virtues. This man was famous in his + youth among the huntsmen of his father for his conquest of a monstrous + beast: a marvellous incident, which augured his future prowess. For he + chanced to obtain leave from his guardians, who were rearing him very + carefully, to go and see the hunting. A bear of extraordinary size met + him; he had no spear, but with the girdle that he commonly wore he + contrived to bind it, and gave it to his escort to kill. More than this, + many champions of tried prowess were at the same time of his life + vanquished by him singly; of these Attal and Skat were renowned and + famous. While but fifteen years of age he was of unusual bodily size and + displayed mortal strength in its perfection, and so mighty were the proofs + of his powers that the rest of the kings of the Danes were called after + him by a common title, the SKIOLDUNG'S. Those who were wont to live an + abandoned and flaccid life, and to sap their self-control by wantonness, + this man vigilantly spurred to the practice of virtue in an active career. + Thus the ripeness of Skiold's spirit outstripped the fulness of his + strength, and he fought battles at which one of his tender years could + scarce look on. And as he thus waxed in years and valour he beheld the + perfect beauty of Alfhild, daughter of the King of the Saxons, sued for + her hand, and, for her sake, in the sight of the armies of the Teutons and + the Danes, challenged and fought with Skat, governor of Allemannia, and a + suitor for the same maiden; whom he slew, afterwards crushing the whole + nation of the Allemannians, and forcing them to pay tribute, they being + subjugated by the death of their captain. Skiold was eminent for + patriotism as well as arms. For he annulled unrighteous laws, and most + heedfully executed whatsoever made for the amendment of his country's + condition. Further, he regained by his virtue the realm that his father's + wickedness had lost. He was the first to proclaim the law abolishing + manumissions. A slave, to whom he had chanced to grant his freedom, had + attempted his life by stealthy treachery, and he exacted a bitter penalty; + as though it were just that the guilt of one freedman should be visited + upon all. He paid off all men's debts from his own treasury, and + contended, so to say, with all other monarchs in courage, bounty, and + generous dealing. The sick he used to foster, and charitably gave + medicines to those sore stricken; bearing witness that he had taken on him + the care of his country and not of himself. He used to enrich his nobles + not only with home taxes, but also with plunder taken in war; being wont + to aver that the prize-money should flow to the soldiers, and the glory to + the general. + </p> + <p> + Thus delivered of his bitterest rival in wooing, he took as the prize of + combat the maiden, for the love of whom he had fought, and wedded her in + marriage. Soon after, he had by her a son, GRAM, whose wondrous parts + savoured so strongly of his father's virtues that he was deemed to tread + in their very footsteps. The days of Gram's youth were enriched with + surpassing gifts of mind and body, and he raised them to the crest of + renown. Posterity did such homage to his greatness that in the most + ancient poems of the Danes royal dignity is implied in his very name. He + practiced with the most zealous training whatsoever serves to sharpen and + strengthen the bodily powers. Taught by the fencers, he trained himself by + sedulous practice to parrying and dealing blows. He took to wife the + daughter of his upbringer, Roar, she being his foster-sister and of his + own years, in order the better to show his gratefulness for his nursing. A + little while after he gave her in marriage to a certain Bess, since he had + ofttimes used his strenuous service. In this partner of his warlike deeds + he put his trust; and he has left it a question whether he has won more + renown by Bess's valour or his own. + </p> + <p> + Gram, chancing to hear that Groa, daughter of Sigtryg, King of the Swedes, + was plighted to a certain giant, and holding accursed an union so unworthy + of the blood royal, entered on a Swedish war; being destined to emulate + the prowess of Hercules in resisting the attempts of monsters. He went + into Gothland, and, in order to frighten people out of his path, strode on + clad in goats' skins, swathed in the motley hides of beasts, and grasping + in his right hand a dreadful weapon, thus feigning the attire of a giant; + when he met Groa herself riding with a very small escort of women on foot, + and making her way, as it chanced, to the forest-pools to bathe, she + thought it was her betrothed who had hastened to meet her, and was scared + with feminine alarm at so strange a garb: so, flinging up the reins, and + shaking terribly all over, she began in the song of her country, thus: + </p> + <p> + "I see that a giant, hated of the king, has come, and darkens the highways + with his stride. Or my eyes play me false; for it has oft befallen bold + warriors to skulk behind the skin of a beast." + </p> + <p> + Then began Bess: "Maiden, seated on the shoulders of the steed, tell me, + pouring forth in thy turn words of answer, what is thy name, and of what + line art thou born?" + </p> + <p> + Groa replied: "Groa is my name; my sire is a king, glorious in blood, + gleaming in armour. Disclose to us, thou also, who thou art, or whence + sprung!" + </p> + <p> + To whom Bess: "I am Bess, brave in battle, ruthless to foes, a terror to + nations, and oft drenching my right hand in the blood of foes." + </p> + <p> + Then said Groa: "Who, prithee, commands your lines? Under what captain + raise ye the war-standards? What prince controls the battle? Under whose + guidance is the war made ready?" + </p> + <p> + Bess in answer: "Gram, the blest in battle, rules the array: force nor + fear can swerve him; flaming pyre and cruel sword and ocean billow have + never made him afraid. Led by him, maiden, we raise the golden standards + of war." + </p> + <p> + Groa once more: "Turn your feet and go back hence, lest Sigtryg vanquish + you all with his own array, and fasten you to a cruel stake, your throats + haltered with the cord, and doom your carcases to the stiff noose, and, + glaring evilly, thrust out your corpses to the hungry raven." + </p> + <p> + Bess again: "Gram, ere he shall shut his own eyes in death, shall first + make him a ghost, and, smiting him on the crest, shall send him to + Tartarus. We fear no camp of the Swedes. Why threaten us with ghastly + dooms, maiden?" + </p> + <p> + Groa answered him: "Behold, I will ride thence to see again the roof of my + father which I know, that I may not rashly set eyes on the array of my + brother who is coming. And I pray that your death-doom may tarry for you + who abide." + </p> + <p> + Bess replied: "Daughter, to thy father go back with good cheer; nor + imprecate swift death upon us, nor let choler shake thy bosom. For often + has a woman, harsh at first and hard to a wooer, yielded the second time." + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Gram could brook no longer to be silent, and pitching his tones + gruffly, so as to mimic a gruesome and superhuman voice, accosted the + maiden thus: + </p> + <p> + "Let not the maiden fear the brother of the fleet giant, nor turn pale + because I am nigh her. For I am sent by Grip, and never seek the couch and + embrace of damsels save when their wish matches mine." + </p> + <p> + Groa answered: "Who so mad as to wish to be the leman of giants? Or what + woman could love the bed that genders monsters? Who could be the wife of + demons, and know the seed whose fruit is monstrous? Or who would fain + share her couch with a barbarous giant? Who caresses thorns with her + fingers? Who would mingle honest kisses with mire? Who would unite shaggy + limbs to smooth ones which correspond not? Full ease of love cannot be + taken when nature cries out against it: nor doth the love customary in the + use of women sort with monsters." + </p> + <p> + Gram rejoined: "Oft with conquering hand I have tamed the necks of mighty + kings, defeating with stronger arm their insolent pride. Thence take + red-glowing gold, that the troth may be made firm by the gift, and that + the faith to be brought to our wedlock may stand fast." + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he cast off his disguises, and revealed his natural + comeliness; and by a single sight of him he filled the damsel with + well-nigh as much joy as he had struck her with fear before at his + counterfeit. She was even incited to his embraces by the splendour of his + beauty; nor did he fail to offer her the gifts of love. + </p> + <p> + Having won Groa, Bess proceeded and learnt that the road was beset by two + robbers. These he slew simply by charging them as they rushed covetously + forth to despoil him. This done, loth to seem to have done any service to + the soil of an enemy, he put timbers under the carcases of the slain, + fastened them thereto, and stretched them so as to counterfeit an upright + standing position; so that in their death they might menace in seeming + those whom their life had harmed in truth; and that, terrible even after + their decease, they might block the road in effigy as much as they had + once in deed. Whence it appears that in slaying the robbers he took + thought for himself and not for Sweden: for he betokened by so singular an + act how great a hatred of Sweden filled him. Having heard from the + diviners that Sigtryg could only be conquered by gold, he straightway + fixed a knob of gold to a wooden mace, equipped himself therewith in the + war wherein he attacked the king, and obtained his desire. This exploit + was besung by Bess in a most zealous strain of eulogy: + </p> + <p> + "Gram, the fierce wielder of the prosperous mace, knowing not the steel, + rained blows on the outstretched sword, and with a stock beat off the + lances of the mighty. + </p> + <p> + "Following the decrees and will of the gods, he brought low the glory of + the powerless Swedes, doing their king to death and crushing him with the + stiff gold. + </p> + <p> + "For he pondered on the arts of war: he wielded in his clasp the + ruddy-flashing wood, and victoriously with noble stroke made their fallen + captain writhe. + </p> + <p> + "Shrewdly he conquered with the hardness of gold him whom fate forbade + should be slain by steel; unsworded, waging war with the worthier metal. + </p> + <p> + "This treasure, for which its deviser claims glory and the height of + honour, shall abide yet more illustrious hereafter, known far and wide in + ampler fame." + </p> + <p> + Having now slain Sigtryg, the King of Sweden, Gram desired to confirm his + possession of the empire which he had won in war; and therefore, + suspecting Swarin the governor of Gothland of aspiring to the crown, he + challenged him to combat, and slew him. This man's brethren, of whom he + had seven lawfully born, and nine the sons of a concubine, sought to + avenge their brother's death, but Gram, in an unequal contest, cut them + off. + </p> + <p> + Gram, for his marvellous prowess, was granted a share in the sovereignty + by his father, who was now in extreme age, and thought it better and + likewise more convenient to give his own blood a portion of the supremacy + of the realm, than now in the setting of his life to administer it without + a partner. Therefore Ring, a nobly-born Zealander, stirred the greater + part of the Danes with desire for insurrection; fancying that one of these + men was unripe for his rank, and that the other had run the course of his + powers, alleging the weakness in years of both, and declaring that the + wandering wit of an old man made the one, and that of a boy the other, + unfit for royal power. But they fought and crushed him, making him an + example to all men, that no season of life is to be deemed incompatible + with valour. + </p> + <p> + Many other deeds also King Gram did. He declared war against Sumble, King + of the Finns; but when he set eyes upon the King's daughter, Signe, he + laid down his arms, the foeman turned into the suitor, and, promising to + put away his own wife, he plighted troth with her. But, while much busied + with a war against Norway, which he had taken up against King Swipdag for + debauching his sister and his daughter, he heard from a messenger that + Signe had, by Sumble's treachery, been promised in marriage to Henry, King + of Saxony. Then, inclining to love the maiden more than his soldiers, he + left his army, privily made his way to Finland, and came in upon the + wedding, which was already begun. Putting on a garb of the utmost + meanness, he lay down at the table in a seat of no honour. When asked what + he brought, he professed skill in leechcraft. At last, when all were + drenched in drunkenness, he gazed at the maiden, and amid the revels of + the riotous banquet, cursing deep the fickleness of women, and vaunting + loud his own deeds of valour, he poured out the greatness of his wrath in + a song like this: + </p> + <p> + "Singly against eight at once I drove the darts of death, and smote nine + with a back-swung sword, when I slew Swarin, who wrongfully assumed his + honours and tried to win fame unmerited; wherefore I have oft dyed in + foreign blood my blade red with death and reeking with slaughter, and have + never blenched at the clash of dagger or the sheen of helmet. Now Signe, + the daughter of Sumble, vilely spurns me, and endures vows not mine, + cursing her ancient troth; and, conceiving an ill-ordered love, commits a + notable act of female lightness; for she entangles, lures, and bestains + princes, rebuffing beyond all others the lordly of birth; yet remaining + firm to none, but ever wavering, and bringing to birth impulses doubtful + and divided." + </p> + <p> + And as he spoke he leapt up from where he lay, and there he cut Henry down + while at the sacred board and the embraces of his friends, carried off his + bride from amongst the bridesmaids, felled most of the guests, and bore + her off with him in his ship. Thus the bridal was turned into a funeral; + and the Finns might learn the lesson, that hands should not be laid upon + the loves of other men. + </p> + <p> + After this SWIPDAG, King of Norway, destroyed Gram, who was attempting to + avenge the outrage on his sister and the attempt on his daughter's + chastity. This battle was notable for the presence of the Saxon forces, + who were incited to help Swipdag, not so much by love of him, as by desire + to avenge Henry. + </p> + <p> + GUTHORM and HADDING, the son of Gram (Groa being the mother of the first + and Signe of the second), were sent over to Sweden in a ship by their + foster-father, Brage (Swipdag being now master of Denmark), and put in + charge of the giants Wagnhofde and Hafle, for guard as well as rearing. + </p> + <p> + As I shall have briefly to relate doings of these folk, and would fain not + seem to fabricate what conflicts with common belief or outsteps the + faithful truth, it is worth the knowing that there were in old times three + kinds of magicians who by diverse sleights practiced extraordinary + marvels. The first of these were men of monstrous stock, termed by + antiquity giants; these by their exceeding great bodily stature surpassed + the size natural to mankind. Those who came after these were the first who + gained skill in divination from entrails, and attained the Pythonic art. + These surpassed the former in briskness of mental parts as much as they + fell behind them in bodily condition. Constant wars for the supremacy were + waged between these and the giants; till at last the sorcerers prevailed, + subdued the tribe of giants by arms, and acquired not merely the privilege + of ruling, but also the repute of being divine. Both of these kinds had + extreme skill in deluding the eyesight, knowing how to obscure their own + faces and those of others with divers semblances, and to darken the true + aspects of things with beguiling shapes. But the third kind of men, + springing from the natural union of the first two, did not answer to the + nature of their parents either in bodily size or in practice of magic + arts; yet these gained credit for divinity with minds that were befooled + by their jugglings. + </p> + <p> + Nor must we marvel if, tempted by the prodigious miracles of these folk, + the barbaric world fell to worshipping a false religion, when others like + unto these, who were mere mortals, but were reverenced with divine + honours, beguiled even the shrewdness of the Latins. I have touched on + these things lest, when I relate of sleights and marvels, I be checked by + the disbelief of the reader. Now I will leave these matters and return to + my theme. + </p> + <p> + Swipdag, now that he had slain Gram, was enriched with the realms of + Denmark and Sweden; and because of the frequent importunities of his wife + he brought back from banishment her brother Guthorm, upon his promising + tribute, and made him ruler of the Danes. But Hadding preferred to avenge + his father rather than take a boon from his foe. + </p> + <p> + This man's nature so waxed and throve that in the early season of his + youth he was granted the prime of manhood. Leaving the pursuit of + pleasure, he was constantly zealous in warlike exercises; remembering that + he was the son of a fighting father, and was bound to spend his whole span + of life in approved deeds of warfare. Hardgrep, daughter of Wagnhofde, + tried to enfeeble his firm spirit with her lures of love, contending and + constantly averring that he ought to offer the first dues of the marriage + bed in wedlock with her, who had proffered to his childhood most zealous + and careful fostering, and had furnished him with his first rattle. + </p> + <p> + Nor was she content with admonishing in plain words, but began a strain of + song as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Why doth thy life thus waste and wander? Why dost thou pass thy years + unwed, following arms, thirsting for throats? Nor does my beauty draw thy + vows. Carried away by excess of frenzy, thou art little prone to love. + Steeped in blood and slaughter, thou judgest wars better than the bed, nor + refreshest thy soul with incitements. Thy fierceness finds no leisure; + dalliance is far from thee, and savagery fostered. Nor is thy hand free + from blasphemy while thou loathest the rites of love. Let this hateful + strictness pass away, let that loving warmth approach, and plight the + troth of love to me, who gave thee the first breasts of milk in childhood, + and helped thee, playing a mother's part, duteous to thy needs." + </p> + <p> + When he answered that the size of her body was unwieldy for the embraces + of a mortal, since doubtless her nature was framed in conformity to her + giant stock, she said: + </p> + <p> + "Be not moved by my unwonted look of size. For my substance is sometimes + thinner, sometimes ampler; now meagre, now abundant; and I alter and + change at my pleasure the condition of my body, which is at one time + shrivelled up and at another time expanded: now my tallness rises to the + heavens, and now I settle down into a human being, under a more bounded + shape." + </p> + <p> + As he still faltered, and was slow to believe her words, she added the + following song: + </p> + <p> + "Youth, fear not the converse of my bed. I change my bodily outline in + twofold wise, and am wont to enjoin a double law upon my sinews. For I + conform to shapes of different figure in turn, and am altered at my own + sweet will: now my neck is star-high, and soars nigh to the lofty + Thunderer; then it falls and declines to human strength, and plants again + on earth that head which was near the firmament. Thus I lightly shift my + body into diverse phases, and am beheld in varying wise; for changefully + now cramped stiffness draws in my limbs, now the virtue of my tall body + unfolds them, and suffers them to touch the cloud-tops. Now I am short and + straitened, now stretch out with loosened knee; and I have mutably changed + myself like wax into strange aspects. He who knows of Proteus should not + marvel at me. My shape never stays the same, and my aspect is twofold: at + one time it contrasts its outstretched limbs, at another shoots them out + when closed; now disentangling the members and now rolling them back into + a coil. I dart out my ingathered limbs, and presently, while they are + strained, I wrinkle them up, dividing my countenance between shapes twain, + and adopting two forms; with the greater of these I daunt the fierce, + while with the shorter I seek the embraces of men." + </p> + <p> + By thus averring she obtained the embraces of Hadding; and her love for + the youth burned so high that when she found him desirous of revisiting + his own land, she did not hesitate to follow him in man's attire, and + counted it as joy to share his hardships and perils. While upon the + journey she had undertaken, she chanced to enter in his company, in order + to pass the night, a dwelling, the funeral of whose dead master was being + conducted with melancholy rites. Here, desiring to pry into the purposes + of heaven by the help of a magical espial, she graved on wood some very + dreadful spells, and caused Hadding to put them under the dead man's + tongue; thus forcing him to utter, with the voice so given, a strain + terrible to hear: + </p> + <p> + "Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him be + punished for calling a spirit out of bale! + </p> + <p> + "Whoso hath called me, who am lifeless and dead, back from the abode + below, and hath brought me again into upper air, let him pay full penalty + with his own death in the dreary shades beneath livid Styx. Behold, + counter to my will and purpose, I must declare some bitter tidings. For as + ye go away from this house ye will come to the narrow path of a grove, and + will be a prey to demons all about. Then she who hath brought our death + back from out of void, and has given us a sight of this light once more, + by her prayers wondrously drawing forth the ghost and casting it into the + bonds of the body, shall bitterly bewail her rash enterprise. + </p> + <p> + "Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him be + punished for calling a spirit out of bale! + </p> + <p> + "For when the black pestilence of the blast that engenders monsters has + crushed out the inmost entrails with stern effort, and when their hand has + swept away the living with cruel nail, tearing off limbs and rending + ravished bodies; then Hadding, thy life shall survive, nor shall the + nether realms bear off thy ghost, nor thy spirit pass heavily to the + waters of Styx; but the woman who hath made the wretched ghost come back + hither, crushed by her own guilt, shall appease our dust; she shall be + dust herself. + </p> + <p> + "Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him be + punished for calling a spirit out of bale!" + </p> + <p> + So, while they were passing the night in the forest foretold them, in a + shelter framed of twigs, a hand of extraordinary size was seen to wander + over the inside of the dwelling. Terrified at this portent, Hadding + entreated the aid of his nurse. Then Hardgrep, expanding her limbs and + swelling to a mighty bigness, gripped the hand fast and held it to her + foster-child to hew off. What flowed from the noisesome wounds he dealt + was not so much blood as corrupt matter. But she paid the penalty of this + act, presently being torn in pieces by her kindred of the same stock; nor + did her constitution or her bodily size help her against feeling the + attacks of her foes' claws. + </p> + <p> + Hadding, thus bereft of his foster-mother, chanced to be made an ally in a + solemn covenant to a rover, Lysir, by a certain man of great age that had + lost an eye, who took pity on his loneliness. Now the ancients, when about + to make a league, were wont to besprinkle their footsteps with blood of + one another, so to ratify their pledge of friendship by reciprocal barter + of blood. Lysir and Hadding, being bound thus in the strictest league, + declared war against Loker, the tyrant of the Kurlanders. They were + defeated; and the old man aforementioned took Hadding, as he fled on + horseback, to his own house, and there refreshed him with a certain + pleasant draught, telling him that he would find himself quite brisk and + sound in body. This prophetic advice he confirmed by a song as follows: + </p> + <p> + "As thou farest hence, a foe, thinking thee a deserter, will assail thee, + that he may keep thee bound and cast thee to be devoured by the mangling + jaws of beasts. But fill thou the ears of the warders with divers tales, + and when they have done the feast and deep sleep holds them, snap off the + fetters upon thee and the loathly chains. Turn thy feet thence, and when a + little space has fled, with all thy might rise up against a swift lion who + is wont to toss the carcases of the prisoners, and strive with thy stout + arms against his savage shoulders, and with naked sword search his + heart-strings. Straightway put thy throat to him and drink the steaming + blood, and devour with ravenous jaws the banquet of his body. Then renewed + strength will come to thy limbs, then shall undreamed-of might enter thy + sinews, and an accumulation of stout force shall bespread and nerve thy + frame through-out. I myself will pave the path to thy prayers, and will + subdue the henchmen in sleep, and keep them snoring throughout the + lingering night." + </p> + <p> + And as he spoke, he took back the young man on his horse, and set him + where he had found him. Hadding cowered trembling under his mantle; but so + extreme was his wonder at the event, that with keen vision he peered + through its holes. And he saw that before the steps of the horse lay the + sea; but was told not to steal a glimpse of the forbidden thing, and + therefore turned aside his amazed eyes from the dread spectacle of the + roads that he journeyed. Then he was taken by Loker, and found by very + sure experience that every point of the prophecy was fulfilled upon him. + So he assailed Handwan, king of the Hellespont, who was entrenched behind + an impregnable defence of wall in his city Duna, and withstood him not in + the field, but with battlements. Its summit defying all approach by a + besieger, he ordered that the divers kinds of birds who were wont to nest + in that spot should be caught by skilled fowlers, and he caused wicks + which had been set on fire to be fastened beneath their wings. The birds + sought the shelter of their own nests, and filled the city with a blaze; + all the townsmen flocked to quench it, and left the gates defenceless. He + attacked and captured Handwan, but suffered him to redeem his life with + gold for ransom. Thus, when he might have cut off his foe, he preferred to + grant him the breath of life; so far did his mercy qualify his rage. + </p> + <p> + After this he prevailed over a great force of men of the East, and came + back to Sweden. Swipdag met him with a great fleet off Gottland; but + Hadding attacked and destroyed him. And thus he advanced to a lofty pitch + of renown, not only by the fruits of foreign spoil, but by the trophies of + his vengeance for his brother and his father. And he exchanged exile for + royalty, for he became king of his own land as soon as he regained it. + </p> + <p> + At this time there was one Odin, who was credited over all Europe with the + honour, which was false, of godhead, but used more continually to sojourn + at Upsala; and in this spot, either from the sloth of the inhabitants or + from its own pleasantness, he vouchsafed to dwell with somewhat especial + constancy. The kings of the North, desiring more zealously to worship his + deity, embounded his likeness in a golden image; and this statue, which + betokened their homage, they transmitted with much show of worship to + Byzantium, fettering even the effigied arms with a serried mass of + bracelets. Odin was overjoyed at such notoriety, and greeted warmly the + devotion of the senders. But his queen Frigga, desiring to go forth more + beautified, called smiths, and had the gold stripped from the statue. Odin + hanged them, and mounted the statue upon a pedestal, which by the + marvellous skill of his art he made to speak when a mortal touched it. But + still Frigga preferred the splendour of her own apparel to the divine + honours of her husband, and submitted herself to the embraces of one of + her servants; and it was by this man's device she broke down the image, + and turned to the service of her private wantonness that gold which had + been devoted to public idolatry. Little thought she of practicing + unchastity, that she might the easier satisfy her greed, this woman so + unworthy to be the consort of a god; but what should I here add, save that + such a godhead was worthy of such a wife? So great was the error that of + old befooled the minds of men. Thus Odin, wounded by the double trespass + of his wife, resented the outrage to his image as keenly as that to his + bed; and, ruffled by these two stinging dishonours, took to an exile + overflowing with noble shame, imagining so to wipe off the slur of his + ignominy. + </p> + <p> + When he had retired, one Mit-othin, who was famous for his juggling + tricks, was likewise quickened, as though by inspiration from on high, to + seize the opportunity of feigning to be a god; and, wrapping the minds of + the barbarians in fresh darkness, he led them by the renown of his + jugglings to pay holy observance to his name. He said that the wrath of + the gods could never be appeased nor the outrage to their deity expiated + by mixed and indiscriminate sacrifices, and therefore forbade that prayers + for this end should be put up without distinction, appointing to each of + those above his especial drink-offering. But when Odin was returning, he + cast away all help of jugglings, went to Finland to hide himself, and was + there attacked and slain by the inhabitants. Even in his death his + abominations were made manifest, for those who came nigh his barrow were + cut off by a kind of sudden death; and after his end, he spread such + pestilence that he seemed almost to leave a filthier record in his death + than in his life: it was as though he would extort from the guilty a + punishment for his slaughter. The inhabitants, being in this trouble, took + the body out of the mound, beheaded it, and impaled it through the breast + with a sharp stake; and herein that people found relief. + </p> + <p> + The death of Odin's wife revived the ancient splendour of his name, and + seemed to wipe out the disgrace upon his deity; so, returning from exile, + he forced all those, who had used his absence to assume the honours of + divine rank, to resign them as usurped; and the gangs of sorcerers that + had arisen he scattered like a darkness before the advancing glory of his + godhead. And he forced them by his power not only to lay down their + divinity, but further to quit the country, deeming that they, who tried to + foist themselves so iniquitously into the skies, ought to be outcasts from + the earth. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Asmund, the son of Swipdag, fought with Hadding to avenge his + father. And when he heard that Henry his son, his love for whom he set + even before his own life, had fallen fighting valiantly, his soul longed + for death, and loathed the light of day, and made a song in a strain like + this: + </p> + <p> + "What brave hath dared put on my armour? The sheen of the helmet serves + not him who tottereth, nor doth the breastplate fitly shelter him that is + sore spent. Our son is slain, let us riot in battle; my eager love for him + driveth me to my death, that I may not be left outliving my dear child. In + each hand I am fain to grasp the sword; now without shield let us ply our + warfare bare-breasted, with flashing blades. Let the rumour of our rage + beacon forth: boldly let us grind to powder the column of the foe; nor let + the battle be long and chafe us; nor let our onset be shattered in rout + and be still." + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, he gripped his hilt with both hands, and, fearless + of peril, swung his shield upon his back and slew many. Hadding therefore + called on the powers with which he was allied to protect him, and on a + sudden Wagnhofde rode up to fight on his side. And when Asmund saw his + crooked sword, he cried out, and broke into the following strain: + </p> + <p> + "Why fightest thou with curved sword? The short sword shall prove thy + doom, the javelin shall be flung and bring forth death. Thou shouldst + conquer thy foe by thy hand, but thou trustest that he can be rent by + spells; thou trustest more in words than rigour, and puttest thy strength + in thy great resource. Why dost thus beat me back with thy shield, + threatening with thy bold lance, when thou art so covered with wretched + crimes and spotted all over? Thus hath the brand of shame bestained thee, + rotting in sin, lubber-lipped." + </p> + <p> + While he thus clamoured, Hadding, flinging his spear by the thong, pierced + him through. But Asmund lacked not comfort even for his death; for while + his life flickered in the socket he wounded the foot of his slayer, and by + this short instant of revenge he memorized his fall, punishing the other + with an incurable limp. Thus crippling of a limb befell one of them and + loss of life the other. Asmund's body was buried in solemn state at Upsala + and attended with royal obsequies. His wife Gunnhild, loth to outlive him, + cut off her own life with the sword, choosing rather to follow her lord in + death than to forsake him by living. Her friends, in consigning her body + to burial, laid her with her husband's dust, thinking her worthy to share + the mound of the man, her love for whom she had set above life. So there + lies Gunnhild, clasping her lord somewhat more beautifully in the tomb + than she had ever done in the bed. + </p> + <p> + After this Hadding, now triumphant, wasted Sweden. But Asmund's son, named + Uffe, shrinking from a conflict, transported his army into Denmark, + thinking it better to assail the house of his enemy than to guard his own, + and deeming it a timely method of repelling his wrongs to retaliate upon + his foe what he was suffering at his hands. Thus the Danes had to return + and defend their own, preferring the safety of their land to lordship of a + foreign realm; and Uffe went back to his own country, now rid of an + enemy's arms. + </p> + <p> + Hadding, on returning from the Swedish war, perceived that his treasury, + wherein he was wont to store the wealth he had gotten by the spoils of + war, had been forced and robbed, and straightway hanged its keeper Glumer, + proclaiming by a crafty device, that, if any of the culprits brought about + the recovery of the stolen goods, he should have the same post of honour + as Glumer had filled. Upon this promise, one of the guilty men became more + zealous to reap the bounty than to hide his crime, and had the money + brought back to the king. His confederates fancied he had been received + into the king's closest friendship, and believed that the honours paid him + were as real as they were lavish; and therefore they also, hoping to be as + well rewarded, brought back their moneys and avowed their guilt. Their + confession was received at first with promotion and favours, and soon + visited with punishment, thus bequeathing a signal lesson against being + too confiding. I should judge that men, whose foolish blabbing brought + them to destruction, when wholesome silence could have ensured their + safety, well deserved to atone upon the gallows for their breach of + reticence. + </p> + <p> + After this Hadding passed the whole winter season in the utmost + preparation for the renewal of the war. When the frosts had been melted by + the springtime sun, he went back to Sweden and there spent five years in + warfare. By dint of this prolonged expedition, his soldiers, having + consumed all their provision, were reduced almost to the extremity of + emaciation, and began to assuage their hunger with mushrooms from the + wood. At last, under stress of extreme necessity, they devoured their + horses, and finally satisfied themselves with the carcases of dogs. Worse + still, they did not scruple to feed upon human limbs. So, when the Danes + were brought unto the most desperate straits, there sounded in the camp, + in the first sleep of the night, and no man uttering it, the following + song: + </p> + <p> + "With foul augury have ye left the abode of your country, thinking to + harry these fields in War. What idle notion mocks your minds? What blind + self-confidence has seized your senses, that ye think this soil can thus + be won. The might of Sweden cannot yield or quail before the War of the + stranger; but the whole of your column shall melt away when it begins to + assault our people in War. For when flight has broken up the furious + onset, and the straggling part of the fighters wavers, then to those who + prevail in the War is given free scope to slay those who turn their backs, + and they have earned power to smite the harder when fate drives the + renewer of the war headlong. Nor let him whom cowardice deters aim the + spears." + </p> + <p> + This prophecy was accomplished on the morrow's dawn by a great slaughter + of the Danes. On the next night the warriors of Sweden heard an utterance + like this, none knowing who spake it: + </p> + <p> + "Why doth Uffe thus defy me with grievous rebellion? He shall pay the + utmost penalty. For he shall be buried and transpierced under showers of + lances, and shall fall lifeless in atonement for his insolent attempt. Nor + shall the guilt of his wanton rancour be unpunished; and, as I forebode, + as soon as he joins battle and fights, the points shall fasten in his + limbs and strike his body everywhere, and his raw gaping wounds no bandage + shall bind up; nor shall any remedy heal over thy wide gashes." + </p> + <p> + On that same night the armies fought; when two hairless old men, of + appearance fouler than human, and displaying their horrid baldness in the + twinkling starlight, divided their monstrous efforts with opposing ardour, + one of them being zealous on the Danish side, and the other as fervent for + the Swedes. Hadding was conquered and fled to Helsingland, where, while + washing in the cold sea-water his body which was scorched with heat, he + attacked and cut down with many blows a beast of unknown kind, and having + killed it had it carried into camp. As he was exulting in this deed a + woman met him and addressed him in these words: + </p> + <p> + "Whether thou tread the fields afoot, or spread canvas overseas, thou + shalt suffer the hate of the gods, and through all the world shalt behold + the elements oppose thy purposes. Afield thou shalt fall, on sea thou + shalt be tossed, an eternal tempest shall attend the steps of thy + wandering, nor shall frost-bind ever quit thy sails; nor shall thy + roof-tree roof thee, but if thou seekest it, it shall fall smitten by the + hurricane; thy herd shall perish of bitter chill. All things shall be + tainted, and shall lament that thy lot is there. Thou shalt be shunned + like a pestilent tetter, nor shall any plague be fouler than thou. Such + chastisement doth the power of heaven mete out to thee, for truly thy + sacrilegious hands have slain one of the dweller's above, disguised in a + shape that was not his: thus here art thou, the slayer of a benignant god! + But when the sea receives thee, the wrath of the prison of Eolus shall be + loosed upon thy head. The West and the furious North, the South wind shall + beat thee down, shall league and send forth their blasts in rivalry; until + with better prayers thou hast melted the sternness of heaven, and hast + lifted with appeasement the punishment thou hast earned." + </p> + <p> + So, when Hadding went back, he suffered all things after this one fashion, + and his coming brought disquiet upon all peaceful places. For when he was + at sea a mighty storm arose and destroyed his fleet in a great tempest: + and when, a shipwrecked man, he sought entertainment, he found a sudden + downfall of that house. Nor was there any cure for his trouble, ere he + atoned by sacrifice for his crime, and was able to return into favour with + heaven. For, in order to appease the deities, he sacrificed dusky victims + to the god Frey. This manner of propitiation by sacrifice he repeated as + an annual feast, and left posterity to follow. This rite the Swedes call + Froblod (the sacrifice or feast of Frey). + </p> + <p> + Hadding chanced to hear that a certain giant had taken in troth Ragnhild, + daughter of Hakon, King of the Nitherians; and, loathing so ignominious a + state of affairs, and utterly abominating the destined union, he + forestalled the marriage by noble daring. For he went to Norway and + overcame by arms him that was so foul, a lover for a princess. For he + thought so much more of valour than of ease, that, though he was free to + enjoy all the pleasures of a king, he accounted it sweeter than any + delight to repel the wrongs done, not only to himself, but to others. The + maiden, not knowing him, ministered with healing tendance to the man that + had done her kindness and was bruised with many wounds. And in order that + lapse of time might not make her forget him, she shut up a ring in his + wound, and thus left a mark on his leg. Afterwards her father granted her + freedom to choose her own husband; so when the young men were assembled at + banquet, she went along them and felt their bodies carefully, searching + for the tokens she had stored up long ago. All the rest she rejected, but + Hadding she discovered by the sign of the secret ring; then she embraced + him, and gave herself to be the wife of him who had not suffered a giant + to win her in marriage. + </p> + <p> + While Hadding was sojourning with her a marvellous portent befell him. + While he was at supper, a woman bearing hemlocks was seen to raise her + head beside the brazier, and, stretching out the lap of her robe, seemed + to ask, "in what part of the world such fresh herbs had grown in winter?" + The king desired to know; and, wrapping him in her mantle, she drew him + with her underground, and vanished. I take it that the nether gods + purposed that he should pay a visit in the flesh to the regions whither he + must go when he died. So they first pierced through a certain dark misty + cloud, and then advancing along a path that was worn away with long + thoroughfaring, they beheld certain men wearing rich robes, and nobles + clad in purple; these passed, they at last approached sunny regions which + produced the herbs the woman had brought away. Going further, they came on + a swift and tumbling river of leaden waters, whirling down on its rapid + current divers sorts of missiles, and likewise made passable by a bridge. + When they had crossed this, they beheld two armies encountering one + another with might and main. And when Hadding inquired of the woman about + their estate: "These," she said, "are they who, having been slain by the + sword, declare the manner of their death by a continual rehearsal, and + enact the deeds of their past life in a living spectacle." Then a wall + hard to approach and to climb blocked their further advance. The woman + tried to leap it, but in vain, being unable to do so even with her slender + wrinkled body; then she wrung off the head of a cock which she chanced to + be taking down with her, and flung it beyond the barrier of the walls; and + forthwith the bird came to life again, and testified by a loud crow to + recovery of its breathing. Then Hadding turned back and began to make + homewards with his wife; some rovers bore down on him, but by swift + sailing he baffled their snares; for though it was almost the same wind + that helped both, they were behind him as he clove the billows, and, as + they had only just as much sail, could not overtake him. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Uffe, who had a marvellously fair daughter, decreed that the man + who slew Hadding should have her. This sorely tempted one Thuning, who got + together a band of men of Perm (Byarmenses), being fain so to win the + desired advancement. Hadding was going to fall upon him, but while he was + passing Norway in his fleet he saw upon the beach an old man signing to + him, with many wavings of his mantle, to put into shore. His companions + opposed it, and declared that it would be a ruinous diversion from their + journey; but he took the man on board, and was instructed by him how to + order his army. For this man, in arranging the system of the columns, used + to take special care that the front row consisted of two, the second of + four, while the third increased and was made up to eight, and likewise + each row was double that in front of it. Also the old man bade the wings + of the slingers go back to the extremity of the line, and put with them + the ranks of the archers. So when the squadrons were arranged in the + wedge, he stood himself behind the warriors, and from the wallet which was + slung round his neck drew an arbalist. This seemed small at first, but + soon projected with more prolonged tip, and accommodated ten arrows to its + string at once, which were shot all at once at the enemy in a brisk + volley, and inflicted as many wounds. Then the men of Perm, quitting arms + for cunning, by their spells loosed the sky in clouds of rain, and melted + the joyous visage of the air in dismal drenching showers. But the old man, + on the other hand, drove back with a cloud the heavy mass of storm which + had arisen, and checked the dripping rain by this barrier of mist. Thus + Hadding prevailed. But the old man, when he parted from him, foretold that + the death whereby he would perish would be inflicted, not by the might of + an enemy, but by his own hand. Also he forbade him to prefer obscure wars + to such as were glorious, and border wars to those remote. + </p> + <p> + Hadding, after leaving him, was bidden by Uffe to Upsala on pretence of a + interview; but lost all his escort by treachery, and made his escape + sheltered by the night. For when the Danes sought to leave the house into + which they had been gathered on pretext of a banquet, they found one + awaiting them, who mowed off the head of each of them with his sword as it + was thrust out of the door. For this wrongful act Hadding retaliated and + slew Uffe; but put away his hatred and consigned his body to a sepulchre + of notable handiwork, thus avowing the greatness of his foe by his pains + to beautify his tomb, and decking in death with costly distinctions the + man whom he used to pursue in his life with hot enmity. Then, to win the + hearts of the people he had subdued, he appointed Hunding, the brother of + Uffe, over the realm, that the sovereignty might seem to be maintained in + the house of Asmund, and not to have passed into the hand of a stranger. + </p> + <p> + Thus his enemy was now removed, and he passed several years without any + stirring events and in utter disuse of arms; but at last he pleaded the + long while he had been tilling the earth, and the immoderate time he had + forborne from exploits on the seas; and seeming to think war a merrier + thing than peace, he began to upbraid himself with slothfulness in a + strain like this: + </p> + <p> + "Why loiter I thus in darksome hiding, in the folds of rugged hills, nor + follow seafaring as of old? The continual howling of the band of wolves, + and the plaintive cry of harmful beasts that rises to heaven, and the + fierce impatient lions, all rob my eyes of sleep. Dreary are the ridges + and the desolation to hearts that trusted to do wilder work. The stark + rocks and the rugged lie of the ground bar the way to spirits who are wont + to love the sea. It were better service to sound the firths with the oars, + to revel in plundered wares, to pursue the gold of others for my coffer, + to gloat over sea-gotten gains, than to dwell in rough lands and winding + woodlands and barren glades." + </p> + <p> + Then his wife, loving a life in the country, and weary of the marin + harmony of the sea-birds, declared how great joy she found in frequenting + the woodlands, in the following strain: + </p> + <p> + "The shrill bird vexes me as I tarry by the shore, and with its chattering + rouses me when I cannot sleep. Wherefore the noisy sweep of its boisterous + rush takes gentle rest from my sleeping eye, nor doth the loud-chattering + sea-mew suffer me to rest in the night, forcing its wearisome tale into my + dainty ears; nor when I would lie down doth it suffer me to be refreshed, + clamouring with doleful modulation of its ill-boding voice. Safer and + sweeter do I deem the enjoyment of the woods. How are the fruits of rest + plucked less by day or night than by tarrying tossed on the shifting sea?" + </p> + <p> + At this time one Toste emerged, from the obscure spot of Jutland where he + was born, into bloody notoriety. For by all manner of wanton attacks upon + the common people he spread wide the fame of his cruelty, and gained so + universal a repute for rancour, that he was branded with the name of the + Wicked. Nor did he even refrain from wrongdoing to foreigners, but, after + foully harrying his own land, went on to assault Saxony. The Saxon general + Syfrid, when his men were hard put to it in the battle, entreated peace. + Toste declared that he should have what he asked, but only if he would + promise to become his ally in a war against Hadding. Syfrid demurred, + dreading to fulfill the condition, but by sharp menaces Toste induced him + to promise what he asked. For threats can sometimes gain a request which + soft-dealing cannot compass. Hadding was conquered by this man in an + affair by land; but in the midst of his flight he came on his enemy's + fleet, and made it unseaworthy by boring the sides; then he got a skiff + and steered it out to sea. Toste thought he was slain, but though he + sought long among the indiscriminate heaps of dead, could not find him, + and came back to his fleet; when he saw from afar off a light boat tossing + on the ocean billows. Putting out some vessels, he resolved to give it + chase, but was brought back by peril of shipwreck, and only just reached + the shore. Then he quickly took some sound craft, and accomplished the + journey which he had before begun. Hadding, seeing he was caught, + proceeded to ask his companion whether he was a skilled and practised + swimmer; and when the other said he was not, Hadding despairing of flight, + deliberately turned the vessel over and held on inside to its hollow, thus + making his pursuers think him dead. Then he attacked Toste, who, careless + and unaware, was greedily watching over the remnants of his spoil; cut + down his army, forced him to quit his plunder, and avenged his own rout by + that of Toste. + </p> + <p> + But Toste lacked not heart to avenge himself. For, not having store enough + in his own land to recruit his forces—so heavy was the blow he had + received—he went to Britain, calling himself an ambassador. Upon his + outward voyage, for sheer wantonness, he got his crew together to play + dice, and when a wrangle arose from the throwing of the cubes, he taught + them to wind it up with a fatal affray. And so, by means of this peaceful + sport, he spread the spirit of strife through the whole ship, and the jest + gave place to quarrelling, which engendered bloody combat. Also, fain to + get some gain out of the misfortunes of others, he seized the moneys of + the slain, and attached to him a certain rover then famous, named Koll; + and a little after returned in his company to his own land, where he was + challenged and slain by Hadding, who preferred to hazard his own fortune + rather than that of his soldiers. For generals of antique valour were loth + to accomplish by general massacre what could be decided by the lot of a + few. + </p> + <p> + After these deeds the figure of Hadding's dead wife appeared before him in + his sleep, and sang thus: + </p> + <p> + "A monster is born to thee that shall tame the rage of wild beasts, and + crush with fierce mouth the fleet wolves." + </p> + <p> + Then she added a little: "Take thou heed; from thee hath issued a bird of + harm, in choler a wild screech-owl, in tongue a tuneful swan." + </p> + <p> + On the morrow the king, when he had shaken off slumber, told the vision to + a man skilled in interpretations, who explained the wolf to denote a son + that would be truculent and the word swan as signifying a daughter; and + foretold that the son would be deadly to enemies and the daughter + treacherous to her father. The result answered to the prophecy. Hadding's + daughter, Ulfhild, who was wife to a certain private person called + Guthorm, was moved either by anger at her match, or with aspirations to + glory, and throwing aside all heed of daughterly love, tempted her husband + to slay her father; declaring that she preferred the name of queen to that + of princess. I have resolved to set forth the manner of her exhortation + almost in the words in which she uttered it; they were nearly these: + </p> + <p> + "Miserable am I, whose nobleness is shadowed by an unequal yoke! Hapless + am I, to whose pedigree is bound the lowliness of a peasant! Luckless + issue of a king, to whom a common man is equal by law of marriage! + Pitiable daughter of a prince, whose comeliness her spiritless father hath + made over to base and contemptible embraces! Unhappy child of thy mother, + with thy happiness marred by consorting with this bed! thy purity is + handled by the impurity of a peasant, thy nobility is bowed down by + ignoble commonness, thy high birth is impaired by the estate of thy + husband! But thou, if any pith be in thee, if valour reign in thy soul at + all, if thou deem thyself fit husband for a king's daughter, wrest the + sceptre from her father, retrieve thy lineage by thy valour, balance with + courage thy lack of ancestry, requite by bravery thy detriment of blood. + Power won by daring is more prosperous than that won by inheritance. + Boldness climbs to the top better than inheritance, and worth wins power + better than birth. Moreover, it is no shame to overthrow old age, which of + its own weight sinks and totters to its fall. It shall be enough for my + father to have borne the sceptre for so long; let the dotard's power fall + to thee; if it elude thee, it will pass to another. Whatsoever rests on + old age is near its fall. Think that his reign has been long enough, and + be it thine, though late in the day, to be first. Further, I would rather + have my husband than my father king—would rather be ranked a king's + wife than daughter. It is better to embrace a monarch in one's home, than + to give him homage from afar; it is nobler to be a king's bride than his + courtier. Thou, too, must surely prefer thyself to thy wife's father for + bearing the sceptre; for nature has made each one nearest to himself. If + there be a will for the deed, a way will open; there is nothing but yields + to the wit of man. The feast must be kept, the banquet decked, the + preparations looked to, and my father bidden. The path to treachery shall + be smoothed by a pretence of friendship, for nothing cloaks a snare better + than the name of kindred. Also his soddenness shall open a short way to + his slaughter; for when the king shall be intent upon the dressing of his + hair, and his hand is upon his beard and his mind upon stories; when he + has parted his knotted locks, either with hairpin or disentangling comb, + then let him feel the touch of the steel in his flesh. Busy men commonly + devise little precaution. Let thy hand draw near to punish all his sins. + It is a righteous deed to put forth thy hand to avenge the wretched!" + </p> + <p> + Thus Ulfhild importuned, and her husband was overcome by her promptings, + and promised his help to the treachery. But meantime Hadding was warned in + a dream to beware of his son-in-law's guile. He went to the feast, which + his daughter had made ready for him with a show of love, and posted an + armed guard hard by to use against the treachery when need was. As he ate, + the henchman who was employed to do the deed of guile silently awaited a + fitting moment for his crime, his dagger hid under his robe. The king, + remarking him, blew on the trumpet a signal to the soldiers who were + stationed near; they straightway brought aid, and he made the guile recoil + on its deviser. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Hunding, King of the Swedes, heard false tidings that Hadding + was dead, and resolved to greet them with obsequies. So he gathered his + nobles together, and filled a jar of extraordinary size with ale, and had + this set in the midst of the feasters for their delight, and, to omit no + mark of solemnity, himself assumed a servant's part, not hesitating to + play the cupbearer. And while he was passing through the palace in + fulfilment of his office, he stumbled and fell into the jar, and, being + choked by the liquor, gave up the ghost; thus atoning either to Orcus, + whom he was appeasing by a baseless performance of the rites, or to + Hadding, about whose death he had spoken falsely. Hadding, when he heard + this, wished to pay like thanks to his worshipper, and, not enduring to + survive his death, hanged himself in sight of the whole people. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK TWO + </h2> + <p> + HADDING was succeeded by FRODE, his son, whose fortunes were many and + changeful. When he had passed the years of a stripling, he displayed the + fulness of a warrior's prowess; and being loth that this should be spoilt + by slothfulness, he sequestered his mind from delights and perseveringly + constrained it to arms. Warfare having drained his father's treasury, he + lacked a stock of pay to maintain his troops, and cast about diligently + for the supplies that he required; and while thus employed, a man of the + country met him and roused his hopes by the following strain: + </p> + <p> + "Not far off is an island rising in delicate slopes, hiding treasure in + its hills and ware of its rich booty. Here a noble pile is kept by the + occupant of the mount, who is a snake wreathed in coils, doubled in many a + fold, and with tail drawn out in winding whorls, shaking his manifold + spirals and shedding venom. If thou wouldst conquer him, thou must use thy + shield and stretch thereon bulls' hides, and cover thy body with the skins + of kine, nor let thy limbs lie bare to the sharp poison; his slaver burns + up what it bespatters. Though the three-forked tongue flicker and leap out + of the gaping mouth, and with awful yawn menace ghastly wounds remember to + keep the dauntless temper of thy mind; nor let the point of the jagged + tooth trouble thee, nor the starkness of the beast, nor the venom spat + from the swift throat. Though the force of his scales spurn thy spears, + yet know there is a place under his lowest belly whither thou mayst plunge + the blade; aim at this with thy sword, and thou shalt probe the snake to + his centre. Thence go fearless up to the hill, drive the mattock, dig and + ransack the holes; soon fill thy pouch with treasure, and bring back to + the shore thy craft laden." + </p> + <p> + Frode believed, and crossed alone to the island, loth to attack the beast + with any stronger escort than that wherewith it was the custom for + champions to attack. When it had drunk water and was repairing to its + cave, its rough and sharp hide spurned the blow of Frode's steel. Also the + darts that he flung against it rebounded idly, foiling the effort of the + thrower. But when the hard back yielded not a whit, he noted the belly + heedfully, and its softness gave entrance to the steel. The beast tried to + retaliate by biting, but only struck the sharp point of its mouth upon the + shield. Then it shot out its flickering tongue again and again, and gasped + away life and venom together. + </p> + <p> + The money which the King found made him rich; and with this supply he + approached in his fleet the region of the Kurlanders, whose king Dorn, + dreading a perilous war, is said to have made a speech of the following + kind to his soldiers: + </p> + <p> + "Nobles! Our enemy is a foreigner, begirt with the arms and the wealth of + almost all the West; let us, by endeavouring to defer the battle for our + profit, make him a prey to famine, which is all inward malady; and he will + find it very hard to conquer a peril among his own people. It is easy to + oppose the starving. Hunger will be a better weapon against our foe than + arms; famine will be the sharpest lance we shall hurl at him. For lack of + food nourishes the pestilence that eats away men's strength, and lack of + victual undermines store of weapons. Let this whirl the spears while we + sit still; let this take up the prerogative and the duty of fighting. + Unimperilled, we shall be able to imperil others; we can drain their blood + and lose no drop of ours. One may defeat an enemy by inaction. Who would + not rather fight safely than at a loss? Who would strive to suffer + chastisement when he may contend unhurt? Our success in arms will be more + prosperous if hunger joins battle first. Let hunger captain us, and so let + us take the first chance of conflict. Let it decide the day in our stead, + and let our camp remain free from the stir of war; if hunger retreat + beaten, we must break off idleness. He who is fresh easily overpowers him + who is shaken with languor. The hand that is flaccid and withered will + come fainter to the battle. He whom any hardship has first wearied, will + bring slacker hands to the steel. When he that is wasted with sickness + engages with the sturdy, the victory hastens. Thus, undamaged ourselves, + we shall be able to deal damage to others." + </p> + <p> + Having said this, he wasted all the places which he saw would be hard to + protect, distrusting his power to guard them, and he so far forestalled + the ruthlessness of the foe in ravaging his own land, that he left nothing + untouched which could be seized by those who came after. Then he shut up + the greater part of his forces in a town of undoubted strength, and + suffered the enemy to blockade him. Frode, distrusting his power of + attacking this town, commanded several trenches of unwonted depth to be + made within the camp, and the earth to be secretly carried out in baskets + and cast quietly into the river bordering the walls. Then he had a mass of + turf put over the trenches to hide the trap: wishing to cut off the unwary + enemy by tumbling them down headlong, and thinking that they would be + overwhelmed unawares by the slip of the subsiding earth. Then he feigned a + panic, and proceeded to forsake the camp for a short while. The townsmen + fell upon it, missed their footing everywhere, rolled forward into the + pits, and were massacred by him under a shower of spears. + </p> + <p> + Thence he travelled and fell in with Trannon, the monarch of the + Ruthenians. Desiring to spy out the strength of his navy, he made a number + of pegs out of sticks, and loaded a skiff with them; and in this he + approached the enemy's fleet by night, and bored the hulls of the vessels + with an auger. And to save them from a sudden influx of the waves, he + plugged up the open holes with the pegs he had before provided, and by + these pieces of wood he made good the damage done by the auger. But when + he thought there were enough holes to drown the fleet, he took out the + plugs, thus giving instant access to the waters, and then made haste to + surround the enemy's fleet with his own. The Ruthenians were beset with a + double peril, and wavered whether they should first withstand waves or + weapons. Fighting to save their ships from the foe, they were shipwrecked. + Within, the peril was more terrible than without: within, they fell back + before the waves, while drawing the sword on those without. For the + unhappy men were assaulted by two dangers at once; it was doubtful whether + the swiftest way of safety was to swim or to battle to the end; and the + fray was broken off at its hottest by a fresh cause of doom. Two forms of + death advanced in a single onset; two paths of destruction offered united + peril: it was hard to say whether the sword or the sea hurt them more. + While one man was beating off the swords, the waters stole up silently and + took him. Contrariwise, another was struggling with the waves, when the + steel came up and encompassed him. The flowing waters were befouled with + the gory spray. Thus the Ruthenians were conquered, and Frode made his way + back home. + </p> + <p> + Finding that some envoys, whom he had sent into Russia to levy tribute, + had been horribly murdered through the treachery of the inhabitants, Frode + was stung by the double wrong and besieged closely their town Rotel. Loth + that the intervening river should delay his capture of the town, he + divided the entire mass of the waters by making new and different streams, + thus changing what had been a channel of unknown depth into passable + fords; not ceasing till the speed of the eddy, slackened by the division + of its outlet, rolled its waves onward in fainter current, and winding + along its slender reaches, slowly thinned and dwindled into a shallow. + Thus he prevailed over the river; and the town, which lacked natural + defences, he overthrew, his soldiers breaking in without resistance. This + done, he took his army to the city of Paltisca. Thinking no force could + overcome it, he exchanged war for guile. He went into a dark and unknown + hiding-place, only a very few being in the secret, and ordered a report of + his death to be spread abroad, so as to inspire the enemy with less fear; + his obsequies being also held, and a barrow raised, to give the tale + credit. Even the soldiers bewailed his supposed death with a mourning + which was in the secret of the trick. This rumour led Vespasins, the king + of the city, to show so faint and feeble a defence, as though the victory + was already his, that the enemy got a chance of breaking in, and slew him + as he sported at his ease. + </p> + <p> + Frode, when he had taken this town, aspired to the Empire of the East, and + attacked the city of Handwan. This king, warned by Hadding's having once + fired his town, accordingly cleared the tame birds out of all his houses, + to save himself from the peril of like punishment. But Frode was not at a + loss for new trickery. He exchanged garments with a serving-maid, and + feigned himself to be a maiden skilled in fighting; and having thus laid + aside the garb of man and imitated that of woman, he went to the town, + calling himself a deserter. Here he reconnoitred everything narrowly, and + on the next day sent out an attendant with orders that the army should be + up at the walls, promising that he would see to it that the gates were + opened. Thus the sentries were eluded and the city despoiled while it was + buried in sleep; so that it paid for its heedlessness with destruction, + and was more pitiable for its own sloth than by reason of the valour of + the foe. For in warfare nought is found to be more ruinous than that a + man, made foolhardy by ease, should neglect and slacken his affairs and + doze in arrogant self-confidence. + </p> + <p> + Handwan, seeing that the fortunes of his country were lost and overthrown, + put all his royal wealth on shipboard and drowned it in the sea, so as to + enrich the waves rather than his enemy. Yet it had been better to + forestall the goodwill of his adversaries with gifts of money than to + begrudge the profit of it to the service of mankind. After this, when + Frode sent ambassadors to ask for the hand of his daughter, he answered, + that he must take heed not to be spoiled by his thriving fortunes, or to + turn his triumph into haughtiness; but let him rather bethink him to spare + the conquered, and in this their abject estate to respect their former + bright condition; let him learn to honour their past fortune in their + present pitiable lot. Therefore, said Handwan, he must mind that he did + not rob of his empire the man with whom he sought alliance, nor bespatter + her with the filth of ignobleness whom he desired to honour with marriage: + else he would tarnish the honour of the union with covetousness. The + courtliness of this saying not only won him his conqueror for son-in-law, + but saved the freedom of his realm. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Thorhild, wife of Hunding, King of the Swedes, possessed with a + boundless hatred for her stepsons Ragnar and Thorwald, and fain to + entangle them in divers perils, at last made them the king's shepherds. + But Swanhwid, daughter of Hadding, wished to arrest by woman's wit the + ruin of natures so noble; and taking her sisters to serve as retinue, + journeyed to Sweden. Seeing the said youths beset with sundry prodigies + while busy watching at night over their flocks, she forbade her sisters, + who desired to dismount, in a poem of the following strain: + </p> + <p> + "Monsters I behold taking swift leaps and flinging themselves over the + night places. The demon is at war, and the unholy throng, devoted to the + mischievous fray, battles in the mid-thoroughfare. Prodigies of aspect + grim to behold pass by, and suffer no mortal to enter this country. The + ranks galloping in headlong career through the void bid us stay our + advance in this spot; they warn us to turn our rein and hold off from the + accursed fields, they forbid us to approach the country beyond. A scowling + horde of ghosts draws near, and scurries furiously through the wind, + bellowing drearily to the stars. Fauns join Satyrs, and the throng of Pans + mingles with the Spectres and battles with fierce visage. The Swart ones + meet the Woodland Spirits, and the pestilent phantoms strive to share the + path with the Witches. Furies poise themselves on the leap, and on them + huddle the Phantoms, whom Foreboder (Fantua) joined to the Flatnoses + (Satyrs), jostles. The path that the footfarer must tread brims with + horror. It were safer to burden the back of the tall horse." + </p> + <p> + Thereon Ragnar declared that he was a slave of the king, and gave as + reason of his departure so far from home that, when he had been banished + to the country on his shepherd's business, he had lost the flock of which + he had charge, and despairing to recover it, had chosen rather to forbear + from returning than to incur punishment. Also, loth to say nothing about + the estate of his brother, he further spoke the following poem: + </p> + <p> + "Think us men, not monsters; we are slaves who drove our lingering flocks + for pasture through the country. But while we took our pastime in gentle + sports, our flock chanced to stray and went into far-off fields. And when + our hope of finding them, our long quest failed, trouble came upon the + mind of the wretched culprits. And when sure tracks of our kine were + nowhere to be seen, dismal panic filled our guilty hearts. That is why, + dreading the penal stripe of the rod, we thought it doleful to return to + our own roof. We supposed it safer to hold aloof from the familiar hearth + than to bear the hand of punishment. Thus we are fain to put off the + punishment; we loathe going back and our wish is to lie hid here and + escape our master's eye. This will aid us to elude the avenger of his + neglected flock; and this is the one way of escape that remains safe for + us." + </p> + <p> + Then Swanhwid gazed intently, and surveying his features, which were very + comely, admired them ardently, and said: + </p> + <p> + "The radiant flashing of thine eyes is eloquent that thou art of kingly + and not of servile stock. Beauty announces blood, and loveliness of soul + glitters in the flash of the eyes. A keen glance betokens lordly birth, + and it is plain that he whom fairness, that sure sign of nobleness, + commends, is of no mean station. The outward alertness of thine eyes + signifies a spirit of radiance within. Face vouches for race; and the + lustre of forefathers is beheld in the brightness of the countenance. For + an aspect so benign and noble could never have issued from base parentage. + The grace of thy blood makes thy brow mantle with a kindred grace, and the + estate of thy birth is reflected in the mirror of thy countenance. It is + no obscure craftsman, therefore, that has finished the portrait of so + choice a chasing. Now therefore turn aside with all speed, seek constantly + to depart out of the road, shun encounters with monsters, lest ye yield + your most gracious bodies to be the prey and pasture of the vilest + hordes." + </p> + <p> + But Ragnar was seized with great shame for his unsightly attire, which he + thought was the only possible device to disguise his birth. So he + rejoined, "That slaves were not always found to lack manhood; that a + strong hand was often hidden under squalid raiment, and sometimes a stout + arm was muffled trader a dusky cloak; thus the fault of nature was + retrieved by valour, and deficiency in race requited by nobleness of + spirit. He therefore feared the might of no supernatural prowess, save of + the god Thor only, to the greatness of whose force nothing human or divine + could fitly be compared. The hearts of men ought not to be terrified at + phantoms, which were only awful from their ghastly foulness, and whose + semblances, marked by counterfeit ghostliness, were wont for a moment to + borrow materiality from the fluent air. Swanhwid therefore erred in + trying, womanlike, to sap the firm strength of men, and to melt in unmanly + panic that might which knew not defeat." + </p> + <p> + Swanhwid marvelled at the young man's steadfastness, and cast off the + cloud of mist which overshadowed her, dispelling the darkness which + shrouded her face, till it was clear and cloudless. Then, promising that + she would give him a sword fitted for diver's kinds of battle, she + revealed the marvellous maiden beauty of her lustrous limbs. Thus was the + youth kindled, and she plighted her troth with him, and proffering the + sword, she thus began: + </p> + <p> + "King, in this sword, which shall expose the monsters to thy blows, take + the first gift of thy betrothed. Show thyself duly deserving hereof; let + hand rival sword, and aspire to add lustre to its weapon. Let the might of + steel strengthen the defenceless point of thy wit, and let spirit know how + to work with hand. Let the bearer match the burden: and that thy deed may + sort with thy blade, let equal weight in each be thine. What avails the + javelin when the breast is weak and faint, and the quivering hands have + dropped the lance? Let steel join soul, and be both the body's armour! Let + the right hand be linked with its hilt in alliance. These fight famous + battles, because they always keep more force when together; but less when + parted. Therefore if it be joy to thee to win fame by the palm of war, + pursue with daring whatsoever is hard pressed by thy hand." + </p> + <p> + After thus discoursing long in harmoniously-adjusted strains, she sent + away her retinue, and passed all the night in combat against the foulest + throngs of monsters; and at return of daybreak she perceived fallen all + over the fields diverse shapes of phantoms, and figures extraordinary to + look on; and among them was seen the semblance of Thorhild herself covered + with wounds. All these she piled in a heap and burnt, kindling a huge + pyre, lest the foul stench of the filthy carcases might spread in + pestilent vapour and hurt those who came nigh with its taint of + corruption. This done, she won the throne of Sweden for Ragnar, and Ragnar + for her husband. And though he deemed it uncomely to inaugurate his first + campaign with a wedding, yet, moved by gratitude for the preservation of + his safety, he kept his promise. + </p> + <p> + Meantime one Ubbe, who had long since wedded Ulfhild the sister of Frode, + trusting in the high birth of his wife, seized the kingdom of Denmark, + which he was managing carelessly as deputy. Frode was thus forced to quit + the wars of the East and fought a great battle in Sweden with his sister + Swanhwid, in which he was beaten. So he got on board a skiff, and sailed + stealthily in a circuit, seeking some way of boring through the enemy's + fleet. When surprised by his sister and asked why he was rowing silently + and following divers meandering courses, he cut short her inquiry by a + similar question; for Swanhwid had also, at the same time of the night, + taken to sailing about alone, and was stealthily searching out all the + ways of approach and retreat through devious and dangerous windings. So + she reminded her brother of the freedom he had given her long since, and + went on to ask him that he should allow her full enjoyment of the husband + she had taken; since, before he started on the Russian war, he had given + her the boon of marrying as she would; and that he should hold valid after + the event what he had himself allowed to happen. These reasonable + entreaties touched Frode, and he made a peace with Ragnar, and forgave, at + his sister's request, the wrongdoing which Ragnar, seemed to have begun + because of her wantonness. They presented him with a force equal to that + which they had caused him to lose: a handsome gift in which he rejoiced as + compensation for so ugly a reverse. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar, entering Denmark, captured Ubbe, had him brought before him, and + pardoned him, preferring to visit his ill deserts with grace rather than + chastisement; because the man seemed to have aimed at the crown rather at + his wife's instance than of his own ambition, and to have been the + imitator and not the cause of the wrong. But he took Ulfhild away from him + and forced her to wed his friend Scot, the same man that founded the + Scottish name; esteeming change of wedlock a punishment for her. As she + went away he even escorted her in the royal chariot, requiting evil with + good; for he regarded the kinship of his sister rather than her + disposition, and took more thought for his own good name than of her + iniquity. But the fair deeds of her brother did not make her obstinate and + wonted hatred slacken a whit; she wore the spirit of her new husband with + her design of slaying Frode and mastering the sovereignty of the Danes. + For whatsoever design the mind has resolutely conceived, it is slow to + quit; nor is a sin that is long schemed swept away by the stream of years. + For the temper of later life follows the mind of childhood; nor do the + traces easily fade of vices which have been stamped upon the character in + the impressible age. Finding the ears of her husband deaf, she diverted + her treachery from her brother against her lord, hiring bravoes to cut his + throat while he slept. Scot was told about this by a waiting-woman, and + retired to bed in his cuirass on the night on which he had heard the deed + of murder was to be wrought upon him. Ulfhild asked him why he had + exchanged his wonted ways to wear the garb of steel; he rejoined that such + was just then his fancy. The agents of the treachery, when they imagined + him in a deep sleep, burst in; but he slipped from his bed and cut them + down. The result was, that he prevented Ulfhild from weaving plots against + her brother, and also left a warning to others to beware of treachery from + their wives. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the design occurred to Frode of a campaign against Friesland; he + was desirous to dazzle the eyes of the West with the glory he had won in + conquering the East. He put out to ocean, and his first contest was with + Witthe, a rover of the Frisians; and in this battle he bade his crews + patiently bear the first brunt of the enemy's charge by merely opposing + their shields, ordering that they should not use their missiles before + they perceived that the shower of the enemy's spears was utterly silent. + This the Frisians hurled as vehemently as the Danes received it + impassively; for Witthe supposed that the long-suffering of Frode was due + to a wish for peace. High rose the blast of the trumpet, and loud whizzed + the javelins everywhere, till at last the heedless Frisians had not a + single lance remaining, and they were conquered, overwhelmed by the + missiles of the Danes. They fled hugging the shore, and were cut to pieces + amid the circuitous windings of the canals. Then Frode explored the Rhine + in his fleet, and laid hands on the farthest parts of Germany. Then he + went back to the ocean, and attacked the Frisian fleet, which had struck + on shoals; and thus he crowned shipwreck with slaughter. Nor was he + content with the destruction of so great an army of his foes, but assailed + Britain, defeated its king, and attacked Melbrik, the Governor of the + Scottish district. Just as he was preparing to fight him, he heard from a + scout that the King of the Britons was at hand, and could not look to his + front and his rear both at once. So he assembled the soldiers, and ordered + that they should abandon their chariots, fling away all their goods, and + scatter everywhere over the fields the gold which they had about them; for + he declared that their one chance was to squander their treasure; and + that, now they were hemmed in, their only remaining help was to tempt the + enemy from combat to covetousness. They ought cheerfully to spend on so + extreme a need the spoil they had gotten among foreigners; for the enemy + would drop it as eagerly, when it was once gathered, as they would snatch + it when they first found it; for it would be to them more burden than + profit. + </p> + <p> + Then Thorkill, who was a more notable miser and a better orator than them + all, dishelming and leaning on his shield, said: + </p> + <p> + "O King! Most of us who rate high what we have bought with our life-blood + find thy bidding hard. We take it ill that we should fling away what we + have won with utmost hazard; and men are loth to forsake what they have + purchased at peril of their lives. For it is utter madness to spurn away + like women what our manly hearts and hands have earned, and enrich the + enemy beyond their hopes. What is more odious than to anticipate the + fortune of war by despising the booty which is ours, and, in terror of an + evil that may never come, to quit a good which is present and assured? + Shall we scatter our gold upon the earth, ere we have set eyes upon the + Scots? Those who faint at the thought of warring when they are out for + war, what manner of men are they to be thought in the battle? Shall we be + a derision to our foes, we who were their terror? Shall we take scorn + instead of glory? The Briton will marvel that he was conquered by men whom + he sees fear is enough to conquer. We struck them before with panic; shall + we be panic-stricken by them? We scorned them when before us; shall we + dread them when they are not here? When will our bravery win the treasure + which our cowardice rejects? Shall we shirk the fight, in scorn of the + money which we fought to win, and enrich those whom we should rightly have + impoverished? What deed more despicable can we do than to squander gold on + those whom we should smite with steel? Panic must never rob us of the + spoils of valour; and only war must make us quit what in warfare we have + won. Let us sell our plunder at the price at which we bought it; let the + purchase-money be weighed out in steel. It is better to die a noble death, + than to molder away too much in love with the light life. In a fleeting + instant of time life forsakes us, but shame pursues us past the grave. + Further, if we cast away this gold, the greater the enemy thinks our fear, + the hotter will be his chase. Besides, whichever the issue of the day, the + gold is not hateful to us. Conquerors, we shall triumph in the treasure + which now we bear; conquered, we shall leave it to pay our burying." + </p> + <p> + So spoke the old man; but the soldiers regarded the advice of their king + rather than of their comrade, and thought more of the former than of the + latter counsel. So each of them eagerly drew his wealth, whatever he had, + from his pouch; they unloaded their ponies of the various goods they were + carrying; and having thus cleared their money-bags, girded on their arms + more deftly. They went on, and the Britons came up, but broke away after + the plunder which lay spread out before them. Their king, when he beheld + them too greedily busied with scrambling for the treasure, bade them "take + heed not to weary with a load of riches those hands which were meant for + battle, since they ought to know that a victory must be culled ere it is + counted. Therefore let them scorn the gold and give chase to the + possessors of the gold; let them admire the lustre, not of lucre, but of + conquest; remembering, that a trophy gave more reward than gain. Courage + was worth more than dross, if they measured aright the quality of both; + for the one furnished outward adorning, but the other enhanced both + outward and inward grace. Therefore they must keep their eyes far from the + sight of money, and their soul from covetousness, and devote it to the + pursuits of war. Further, they should know that the plunder had been + abandoned by the enemy of set purpose, and that the gold had been + scattered rather to betray them than to profit them. Moreover, the honest + lustre of the silver was only a bait on the barb of secret guile. It was + not thought to be that they, who had first forced the Britons to fly, + would lightly fly themselves. Besides, nothing was more shameful than + riches which betrayed into captivity the plunderer whom they were supposed + to enrich. For the Danes thought that the men to whom they pretended to + have offered riches ought to be punished with sword and slaughter. Let + them therefore feel that they were only giving the enemy a weapon if they + seized what he had scattered. For if they were caught by the look of the + treasure that had been exposed, they must lose, not only that, but any of + their own money that might remain. What could it profit them to gather + what they must straightway disgorge? But if they refuse to abase + themselves before money, they would doubtless abase the foe. Thus it was + better for them to stand erect in valour than be grovelling in greed; with + their souls not sinking into covetousness, but up and doing for renown. In + the battle they would have to use not gold but swords." + </p> + <p> + As the king ended, a British knight, shewing them all his lapful of gold, + said: + </p> + <p> + "O King! From thy speech can be gathered two feelings; and one of them + witnesses to thy cowardice and the other to thy ill will: inasmuch as thou + forbiddest us the use of the wealth because of the enemy, and also + thinkest it better that we should serve thee needy than rich. What is more + odious than such a wish? What more senseless than such a counsel? We + recognise these as the treasures of our own homes, and having done so, + shall we falter to pick them up? We were on our way to regain them by + fighting, we were zealous to win them back by our blood: shall we shun + them when they are restored unasked? Shall we hesitate to claim our own? + Which is the greater coward, he who squanders his winnings, or he who is + fearful to pick up what is squandered? Look how chance has restored what + compulsion took! These are, not spoils from the enemy, but from ourselves; + the Dane took gold from Britain, he brought none. Beaten and loth we lost + it; it comes back for nothing, and shall we run away from it? Such a gift + of fortune it were a shame to take in an unworthy spirit. For what were + madder than to spurn wealth that is set openly before us, and to desire it + when it is shut up and kept from us? Shall we squeamishly yield what is + set under our eyes, and clutch at it when it vanishes? Shall we seek + distant and foreign treasure, refraining from what is made public + property? If we disown what is ours, when shall we despoil the goods of + others? No anger of heaven can I experience which can force me to unload + of its lawful burden the lap which is filled with my father's and my + grandsire's gold. I know the wantonness of the Danes: never would they + have left jars full of wine had not fear forced them to flee. They would + rather have sacrificed their life than their liquor. This passion we share + with them, and herein we are like them. Grant that their flight is + feigned; yet they will light upon the Scots ere they can come back. This + gold shall never rust in the country, to be trodden underfoot of swine or + brutes: it will better serve the use of men. Besides, if we plunder the + spoil of the army that prevailed over us, we transfer the luck of the + conqueror to ourselves. For what surer omen of triumph could be got, than + to bear off the booty before the battle, and to capture ere the fray the + camp which the enemy have forsaken? Better conquer by fear than by steel." + </p> + <p> + The knight had scarce ended, when behold; the hands of all were loosed + upon the booty and everywhere plucked up the shining treasure. There you + might have marvelled at their disposition of filthy greed, and watched a + portentous spectacle of avarice. You could have seen gold and grass + clutched up together; the birth of domestic discord; fellow-countrymen in + deadly combat, heedless of the foe; neglect of the bonds of comradeship + and of reverence for ties; greed the object of all minds, and friendship + of none. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Frode traversed in a great march the forest which separates + Scotland and Britain, and bade his soldiers arm. When the Scots beheld his + line, and saw that they had only a supply of light javelins, while the + Danes were furnished with a more excellent style of armour, they + forestalled the battle by flight. Frode pursued them but a little way, + fearing a sally of the British, and on returning met Scot, the husband of + Ulfhild, with a great army; he had been brought from the utmost ends of + Scotland by the desire of aiding the Danes. Scot entreated him to abandon + the pursuit of the Scottish and turn back into Britain. So he eagerly + regained the plunder which he had cunningly sacrificed; and got back his + wealth with the greater ease, that he had so tranquilly let it go. Then + did the British repent of their burden and pay for their covetousness with + their blood. They were sorry to have clutched at greed with insatiate + arms, and ashamed to have hearkened to their own avarice rather than to + the counsel of their king. + </p> + <p> + Then Frode attacked London, the most populous city of Britain; but the + strength of its walls gave him no chance of capturing it. Therefore he + reigned to be dead, and his guile strengthened him. For Daleman, the + governor of London, on hearing the false news of his death, accepted the + surrender of the Danes, offered them a native general, and suffered them + to enter the town, that they might choose him out of a great throng. They + feigned to be making a careful choice, but beset Daleman in a night + surprise and slew him. + </p> + <p> + When he had done these things, and gone back to his own land, one Skat + entertained him at a banquet, desirous to mingle his toilsome warfare with + joyous licence. Frode was lying in his house, in royal fashion, upon + cushions of cloth of gold, and a certain Hunding challenged him to fight. + Then, though he had bent his mind to the joys of wassail, he had more + delight in the prospect of a fray than in the presence of a feast, and + wound up the supper with a duel and the duel with a triumph. In the combat + he received a dangerous wound; but a taunt of Hakon the champion again + roused him, and, slaying his challenger, he took vengeance for the + disturbance of his rest. Two of his chamber-servants were openly convicted + of treachery, and he had them tied to vast stones and drowned in the sea; + thus chastising the weighty guilt of their souls by fastening boulders to + their bodies. Some relate that Ulfhild gave him a coat which no steel + could pierce, so that when he wore it no missile's point could hurt him. + Nor must I omit how Frode was wont to sprinkle his food with brayed and + pounded atoms of gold, as a resource against the usual snares of + poisoners. While he was attacking Ragnar, the King of Sweden, who had been + falsely accused of treachery, he perished, not by the spears, but stifled + in the weight of his arms and by the heat of his own body. + </p> + <p> + Frode left three sons, Halfdan, Ro, and Skat, who were equal in valour, + and were seized with an equal desire for the throne. All thought of sway, + none was constrained by brotherly regard: for love of others forsaketh him + who is eaten up with love of self, nor can any man take thought at once + for his own advancement and for his friendship with others. Halfdan, the + eldest son, disgraced his birth with the sin of slaying his brethren, + winning his kingdom by the murder of his kin; and, to complete his display + of cruelty, arrested their adherents, first confining them in bonds, and + presently hanging them. The most notable thing in the fortunes of Halfdan + was this, that though he devoted every instant of his life to the practice + of cruel deeds, yet he died of old age, and not by the steel. + </p> + <p> + Halfdan's sons were Ro and Helge. Ro is said to have been the founder of + Roskild, which was later increased in population and enhanced in power by + Sweyn, who was famous for the surname Forkbeard. Ro was short and spare, + while Helge was rather tall of stature. Dividing the realm with his + brother, Helge was allotted the domain of the sea; and attacking Skalk, + the King of Sklavia, with his naval force, he slew him. Having reduced + Sklavia into a province, he scoured the various arms of the sea in a + wandering voyage. Savage of temper as Helge was, his cruelty was not + greater than his lust. For he was so immoderately prone to love, that it + was doubtful whether the heat of his tyranny or of his concupiscence was + the greater. In Thorey he ravished the maiden Thora, who bore a daughter, + to whom she afterwards gave the name of Urse. Then he conquered in battle, + before the town of Stad, the son of Syrik, King of Saxony, Hunding, whom + he challenged, attacked, and slew in duel. For this he was called + Hunding's-Bane, and by that name gained glory of his victory. He took + Jutland out of the power of the Saxons, and entrusted its management to + his generals, Heske, Eyr, and Ler. In Saxony he enacted that the slaughter + of a freedman and of a noble should be visited with the same punishment; + as though he wished it to be clearly known that all the households of the + Teutons were held in equal slavery, and that the freedom of all was + tainted and savoured equally of dishonour. + </p> + <p> + Then Helge went freebooting to Thorey. But Thora had not ceased to bewail + her lost virginity, and planned a shameful device in abominable vengeance + for her rape. For she deliberately sent down to the beach her daughter, + who was of marriageable age, and prompted her father to deflower her. And + though she yielded her body to the treacherous lures of delight, yet she + must not be thought to have abjured her integrity of soul, inasmuch as her + fault had a ready excuse by virtue of her ignorance. Insensate mother, who + allowed the forfeiture of her child's chastity in order to avenge her own; + caring nought for the purity of her own blood, so she might stain with + incest the man who had cost her her own maidenhood at first! + Infamous-hearted woman, who, to punish her defiler, measured out as it + were a second defilement to herself, whereas she clearly by the selfsame + act rather swelled than lessened the transgression! Surely, by the very + act wherewith she thought to reach her revenge, she accumulated guilt; she + added a sin in trying to remove a crime: she played the stepdame to her + own offspring, not sparing her daughter abomination in order to atone for + her own disgrace. Doubtless her soul was brimming over with shamelessness, + since she swerved so far from shamefastness, as without a blush to seek + solace for her wrong in her daughter's infamy. A great crime, with but one + atonement; namely, that the guilt of this intercourse was wiped away by a + fortunate progeny, its fruits being as delightful as its repute was evil. + </p> + <p> + ROLF, the son of Urse, retrieved the shame of his birth by signal deeds of + valour; and their exceeding lustre is honoured with bright laudation by + the memory of all succeeding time. For lamentation sometimes ends in + laughter, and foul beginnings pass to fair issues. So that the father's + fault, though criminal, was fortunate, being afterwards atoned for by a + son of such marvellous splendour. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Ragnar died in Sweden; and Swanhwid his wife passed away soon + after of a malady which she had taken from her sorrow, following in death + the husband from whom she had not endured severance in life. For it often + happens that some people desire to follow out of life those whom they + loved exceedingly when alive. Their son Hothbrodd succeeded them. Fain to + extend his empire, he warred upon the East, and after a huge massacre of + many peoples begat two sons, Athisl and Hother, and appointed as their + tutor a certain Gewar, who was bound to him by great services. Not content + with conquering the East, he assailed Denmark, challenged its king, Ro, in + three battles, and slew him. Helge, when he heard this, shut up his son + Rolf in Leire, wishing, however he might have managed his own fortunes, to + see to the safety of his heir. When Hothbrodd sent in governors, wanting + to free his country from alien rule, he posted his people about the city + and prevailed and slew them. Also he annihilated Hothbrodd himself and all + his forces in a naval battle; so avenging fully the wrongs of his country + as well as of his brother. Hence he who had before won a nickname for + slaying Hunding, now bore a surname for the slaughter of Hothbrodd. + Besides, as if the Swedes had not been enough stricken in the battles, he + punished them by stipulating for most humiliating terms; providing by law + that no wrong done to any of them should receive amends according to the + form of legal covenants. After these deeds, ashamed of his former infamy, + he hated his country and his home, went back to the East, and there died. + Some think that he was affected by the disgrace which was cast in his + teeth, and did himself to death by falling upon his drawn sword. + </p> + <p> + He was succeeded by his son Rolf, who was comely with every gift of mind + and body, and graced his mighty stature with as high a courage. In his + time Sweden was subject to the sway of the Danes; wherefore Athisl, the + son of Hothbrodd, in pursuit of a crafty design to set his country free, + contrived to marry Rolf's mother, Urse, thinking that his kinship by + marriage would plead for him, and enable him to prompt his stepson more + effectually to relax the tribute; and fortune prospered his wishes. But + Athisl had from his boyhood been imbued with a hatred of liberality, and + was so grasping of money, that he accounted it a disgrace to be called + openhanded. Urse, seeing him so steeped in filthy covetousness, desired to + be rid of him; but, thinking that she must act by cunning, veiled the + shape of her guile with a marvellous skill. Feigning to be unmotherly, she + spurred on her husband to grasp his freedom, and urged and tempted him to + insurrection; causing her son to be summoned to Sweden with a promise of + vast gifts. For she thought that she would best gain her desire if, as + soon as her son had got his stepfather's gold, she could snatch up the + royal treasures and flee, robbing her husband of bed and money to hoot. + For she fancied that the best way to chastise his covetousness would be to + steal away his wealth. This deep guilefulness was hard to detect, from + such recesses of cunning did it spring; because she dissembled her longing + for a change of wedlock under a show of aspiration for freedom. + Blind-witted husband, fancying the mother kindled against the life of the + son, never seeing that it was rather his own ruin being compassed! Doltish + lord, blind to the obstinate scheming of his wife, who, out of pretended + hatred of her son, devised opportunity for change of wedlock! Though the + heart of woman should never be trusted, he believed in a woman all the + more insensately, because he supposed her faithful to himself and + treacherous to her son. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, Rolf, tempted by the greatness of the gifts, chanced to enter + the house of Athisl. He was not recognised by his mother owing to his long + absence and the cessation of their common life; so in jest he first asked + for some victual to appease his hunger. She advised him to ask the king + for a luncheon. Then he thrust out a torn piece of his coat, and begged of + her the service of sewing it up. Finding his mother's ears shut to him, he + observed, "That it was hard to discover a friendship that was firm and + true, when a mother refused her son a meal, and a sister refused a brother + the help of her needle." Thus he punished his mother's error, and made her + blush deep for her refusal of kindness. Athisl, when he saw him reclining + close to his mother at the banquet, taunted them both with wantonness, + declaring that it was an impure intercourse of brother and sister. Rolf + repelled the charge against his honour by an appeal to the closest of + natural bonds, and answered, that it was honourable for a son to embrace a + beloved mother. Also, when the feasters asked him what kind of courage he + set above all others, he named Endurance. When they also asked Athisl, + what was the virtue which above all he desired most devotedly, he + declared, Generosity. Proofs were therefore demanded of bravery on the one + hand and munificence on the other, and Rolf was asked to give an evidence + of courage first. He was placed to the fire, and defending with his target + the side that was most hotly assailed, had only the firmness of his + endurance to fortify the other, which had no defence. How dexterous, to + borrow from his shield protection to assuage the heat, and to guard his + body, which was exposed to the flames, with that which sometime sheltered + it amid the hurtling spears! But the glow was hotter than the fire of + spears; as though it could not storm the side that was entrenched by the + shield, yet it assaulted the flank that lacked its protection. But a + waiting-maid who happened to be standing near the hearth, saw that he was + being roasted by the unbearable heat upon his ribs; so taking the stopper + out of a cask, she spilt the liquid and quenched the flame, and by the + timely kindness of the shower checked in its career the torturing blaze. + Rolf was lauded for supreme endurance, and then came the request for + Athisl's gifts. And they say that he showered treasures on his stepson, + and at last, in order to crown the gift, bestowed on him an enormously + heavy necklace. + </p> + <p> + Now Urse, who had watched her chance for the deed of guile, on the third + day of the banquet, without her husband ever dreaming of such a thing, put + all the king's wealth into carriages, and going out stealthily, stole away + from her own dwelling and fled in the glimmering twilight, departing with + her son. Thrilled with fear of her husband's pursuit, and utterly + despairing of escape beyond, she begged and bade her companions to cast + away the money, declaring that they must lose either life or riches; the + short and only path to safety lay in flinging away the treasure, nor could + any aid to escape be found save in the loss of their possessions. + Therefore, said she, they must follow the example of the manner in which + Frode was said to have saved himself among the Britons. She added, that it + was not paying a great price to lay down the Swedes' own goods for them to + regain; if only they could themselves gain a start in flight, by the very + device which would check the others in their pursuit, and if they seemed + not so much to abandon their own possessions as to restore those of other + men. Not a moment was lost; in order to make the flight swifter, they did + the bidding of the queen. The gold is cleared from their purses; the + riches are left for the enemy to seize. Some declare that Urse kept back + the money, and strewed the tracks of her flight with copper that was gilt + over. For it was thought credible that a woman who could scheme such great + deeds could also have painted with lying lustre the metal that was meant + to be lost, mimicking riches of true worth with the sheen of spurious + gold. So Athisl, when he saw the necklace that he had given to Rolf left + among the other golden ornaments, gazed fixedly upon the dearest treasure + of his avarice, and, in order to pick up the plunder, glued his knees to + the earth and deigned to stoop his royalty unto greed. Rolf, seeing him + lie abjectly on his face in order to gather up the money, smiled at the + sight of a man prostrated by his own gifts, just as if he were seeking + covetously to regain what he had craftily yielded up. The Swedes were + content with their booty, and Rolf quickly retired to his ships, and + managed to escape by rowing violently. + </p> + <p> + Now they relate that Rolf used with ready generosity to grant at the first + entreaty whatsoever he was begged to bestow, and never put off the request + till the second time of asking. For he preferred to forestall repeated + supplication by speedy liberality, rather than mar his kindness by delay. + This habit brought him a great concourse of champions; valour having + commonly either rewards for its food or glory for its spur. + </p> + <p> + At this time, a certain Agnar, son of Ingild, being about to wed Rute, the + sister of Rolf, celebrated his bridal with a great banquet. The champions + were rioting at this banquet with every sort of wantonness, and flinging + from all over the room knobbed bones at a certain Hjalte; but it chanced + that his messmate, named Bjarke, received a violent blow on the head + through the ill aim of the thrower; at whom, stung both by the pain and + the jeering, he sent the bone back, so that he twisted the front of his + head to the back, and wrung the back of it to where the front had been; + punishing the wryness of the man's temper by turning his face sidelong. + This deed moderated their wanton and injurious jests, and drove the + champions to quit the place. The bridegroom, nettled at this affront to + the banquet, resolved to fight Bjarke, in order to seek vengeance by means + of a duel for the interruption of their mirth. At the outset of the duel + there was a long dispute, which of them ought to have the chance of + striking first. For of old, in the ordering of combats, men did not try to + exchange their blows thick and fast; but there was a pause, and at the + same time a definite succession in striking: the contest being carried on + with few strokes, but those terrible, so that honour was paid more to the + mightiness than to the number of the blows. Agnar, being of higher rank, + was put first; and the blow which he dealt is said to have been so + furious, that he cut through the front of the helmet, wounded the skin on + the scalp, and had to let go his sword, which became locked in the + vizor-holes. Then Bjarke, who was to deal the return-stroke, leaned his + foot against a stock, in order to give the freer poise to his steel, and + passed his fine-edged blade through the midst of Agnar's body. Some + declare that Agnar, in supreme suppression of his pain, gave up the ghost + with his lips relaxed into a smile. The champions passionately sought to + avenge him, but were visited by Bjarke with like destruction; for he used + a sword of wonderful sharpness and unusual length which he called Lovi. + While he was triumphing in these deeds of prowess, a beast of the forest + furnished him fresh laurels. For he met a huge bear in a thicket, and slew + it with a javelin; and then bade his companion Hjalte put his lips to the + beast and drink the blood that came out, that he might be the stronger + afterwards. For it was believed that a draught of this sort caused an + increase of bodily strength. By these valorous achievements he became + intimate with the most illustrious nobles, and even, became a favourite of + the king; took to wife his sister Rute, and had the bride of the conquered + as the prize of the conquest. When Rolf was harried by Athisl he avenged + himself on him in battle and overthrew Athisl in war. Then Rolf gave his + sister Skulde in marriage to a youth of keen wit, called Hiartuar, and + made him governor of Sweden, ordaining a yearly tax; wishing to soften the + loss of freedom to him by the favour of an alliance with himself. + </p> + <p> + Here let me put into my work a thing that it is mirthful to record. A + youth named Wigg, scanning with attentive eye the bodily size of Rolf, and + smitten with great wonder thereat, proceeded to inquire in jest who was + that "Krage" whom Nature in her beauty had endowed with such towering + stature? Meaning humorously to banter his uncommon tallness. For "Krage" + in the Danish tongue means a tree-trunk, whose branches are pollarded, and + whose summit is climbed in such wise that the foot uses the lopped timbers + as supports, as if leaning on a ladder, and, gradually advancing to the + higher parts, finds the shortest way to the top. Rolf accepted this random + word as though it were a name of honour for him, and rewarded the wit of + the saying with a heavy bracelet. Then Wigg, thrusting out his right arm + decked with the bracelet, put his left behind his back in affected shame, + and walked with a ludicrous gait, declaring that he, whose lot had so long + been poverty-stricken, was glad of a scanty gift. When he was asked why he + was behaving so, he said that the arm which lacked ornament and had no + splendour to boast of was mantling with the modest blush of poverty to + behold the other. The ingenuity of this saying won him a present to match + the first. For Rolf made him bring out to view, like the other, the hand + which he was hiding. Nor was Wigg heedless to repay the kindness; for he + promised, uttering a strict vow, that, if it befell Rolf to perish by the + sword, he would himself take vengeance on his slayers. Nor should it be + omitted that in old time nobles who were entering. The court used to + devote to their rulers the first-fruits of their service by vowing some + mighty exploit; thus bravely inaugurating their first campaign. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Skulde was stung with humiliation at the payment of the tribute, + and bent her mind to devise deeds of horror. Taunting her husband with his + ignominious estate, she urged and egged him to break off his servitude, + induced him to weave plots against Rolf, and filled his mind with the most + abominable plans of disloyalty, declaring that everyone owed more to their + freedom than to kinship. Accordingly, she ordered huge piles of arms to be + muffled up under divers coverings, to be carried by Hiartuar into Denmark, + as if they were tribute: these would furnish a store wherewith to slay the + king by night. So the vessels were loaded with the mass of pretended + tribute, and they proceeded to Leire, a town which Rolf had built and + adorned with the richest treasure of his realm, and which, being a royal + foundation and a royal seat, surpassed in importance all the cities of the + neighbouring districts. The king welcomed the coming of Hiartuar with a + splendid banquet, and drank very deep, while his guests, contrary to their + custom, shunned immoderate tippling. So, while all the others were + sleeping soundly, the Swedes, who had been kept from their ordinary rest + by their eagerness on their guilty purpose, began furtively to slip down + from their sleeping-rooms. Straightway uncovering the hidden heap of + weapons, each girded on his arms silently and then went to the palace. + Bursting into its recesses, they drew their swords upon the sleeping + figures. Many awoke; but, invaded as much by the sudden and dreadful + carnage as by the drowsiness of sleep, they faltered in their resistance; + for the night misled them and made it doubtful whether those they met were + friends or foes. Hjalte, who was foremost in tried bravery among the + nobles of the king, chanced to have gone out in the dead of that same + night into the country and given himself to the embraces of a harlot. But + when his torpid hearing caught from afar the rising din of battle, + preferring valour to wantonness, he chose rather to seek the deadly perils + of the War-god than to yield to the soft allurements of Love. What a love + for his king, must we suppose, burned in this warrior! For he might have + excused his absence by feigning not to have known; but he thought it + better to expose his life to manifest danger than save it for pleasure. As + he went away, his mistress asked him how aged a man she ought to marry if + she were to lose him? Then Hjalte bade her come closer, as though he would + speak to her more privately; and, resenting that she needed a successor to + his love, he cut off her nose and made her unsightly, punishing the + utterance of that wanton question with a shameful wound, and thinking that + the lecherousness of her soul ought to be cooled by outrage to her face. + When he had done this, he said he left her choice free in the matter she + had asked about. Then he went quickly back to the town and plunged into + the densest of the fray, mowing down the opposing ranks as he gave blow + for blow. Passing the sleeping-room of Bjarke, who was still slumbering, + he bade him wake up, addressing him as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Let him awake speedily, whoso showeth himself by service or avoweth + himself in mere loyalty, a friend of the king! Let the princes shake off + slumber, let shameless lethargy begone; let their spirits awake and warm + to the work; each man's own right hand shall either give him to glory, or + steep him in sluggard shame; and this night shall be either end or + vengeance of our woes. + </p> + <p> + "I do not now bid ye learn the sports of maidens, nor stroke soft cheeks, + nor give sweet kisses to the bride and press the slender breasts, nor + desire the flowing wine and chafe the soft thigh and cast eyes upon snowy + arms. I call you out to the sterner fray of War. We need the battle, and + not light love; nerveless languor has no business here: our need calls for + battles. Whoso cherishes friendship for the king, let him take up arms. + Prowess in war is the readiest appraiser of men's spirits. Therefore let + warriors have no fearfulness and the brave no fickleness: let pleasure + quit their soul and yield place to arms. Glory is now appointed for wages; + each can be the arbiter of his own renown, and shine by his own right + hand. Let nought here be tricked out with wantonness: let all be full of + sternness, and learn how to rid them of this calamity. He who covets the + honours or prizes of glory must not be faint with craven fear, but go + forth to meet the brave, nor whiten at the cold steel." + </p> + <p> + At this utterance, Bjarke, awakened, roused up his chamber-page Skalk + speedily, and addressed him as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Up, lad, and fan the fire with constant blowing; sweep the hearth clear + of wood, and scatter the fine ashes. Strike out sparks from the fire, + rouse the fallen embers, draw out the smothered blaze. Force the + slackening hearth to yield light by kindling the coals to a red glow with + a burning log. It will do me good to stretch out my fingers when the fire + is brought nigh. Surely he that takes heed for his friend should have warm + hands, and utterly drive away the blue and hurtful chill." + </p> + <p> + Hjalte said again: "Sweet is it to repay the gifts received from our lord, + to grip the swords, and devote the steel to glory. Behold, each man's + courage tells him loyally to follow a king of such deserts, and to guard + our captain with fitting earnestness. Let the Teuton swords, the helmets, + the shining armlets, the mail-coats that reach the heel, which Rolf of old + bestowed upon his men, let these sharpen our mindful hearts to the fray. + The time requires, and it is just, that in time of war we should earn + whatsoever we have gotten in the deep idleness of peace, that we should + not think more of joyous courses than of sorrowful fortunes, or always + prefer prosperity to hardship. Being noble, let us with even soul accept + either lot, nor let fortune sway our behaviour, for it beseems us to + receive equably difficult and delightsome days; let us pass the years of + sorrow with the same countenance wherewith we took the years of joy. Let + us do with brave hearts all the things that in our cups we boasted with + sodden lips; let us keep the vows which we swore by highest Jove and the + mighty gods. My master is the greatest of the Danes: let each man, as he + is valorous, stand by him; far, far hence be all cowards! We need a brave + and steadfast man, not one that turns his back on a dangerous pass, or + dreads the grim preparations for battle. Often a general's greatest valour + depends on his soldiery, for the chief enters the fray all the more at + ease that a better array of nobles throngs him round. Let the thane catch + up his arms with fighting fingers, setting his right hand on the hilt and + holding fast the shield: let him charge upon the foes, nor pale at any + strokes. Let none offer himself to be smitten by the enemy behind, let + none receive the swords in his back: let the battling breast ever front + the blow. `Eagles fight brow foremost', and with swift gaping beaks speed + onward in the front: be ye like that bird in mien, shrinking from no + stroke, but with body facing the foe. + </p> + <p> + "See how the enemy, furious and confident overduly, his limbs defended by + the steel, and his face with a gilded helmet, charges the thick of the + battle-wedges, as though sure of victory, fearless of rout and invincible + by any endeavour. Ah, misery! Swedish assurance spurns the Danes. Behold, + the Goths with savage eyes and grim aspect advance with crested helms and + clanging spears: wreaking heavy slaughter in our blood, they wield their + swords and their battle-axes hone-sharpened. + </p> + <p> + "Why name thee, Hiartuar, whom Skulde hath filled with guilty purpose, and + hath suffered thus to harden in sin? Why sing of thee, villain, who hast + caused our peril, betrayer of a noble king? Furious lust of sway hath + driven thee to attempt an abomination, and, stung with frenzy, to screen + thyself behind thy wife's everlasting guilt. What error hath made thee to + hurt the Danes and thy lord, and hurled thee into such foul crime as this? + Whence entered thy heart the treason framed with such careful guile? + </p> + <p> + "Why do I linger? Now we have swallowed our last morsel. Our king + perishes, and utter doom overtakes our hapless city. Our last dawn has + risen, unless perchance there be one here so soft that he fears to offer + himself to the blows, or so unwarlike that he dares not avenge his lord, + and disowns all honours worthy of his valour. + </p> + <p> + "Thou, Ruta, rise and put forth thy snow-white head, come forth from thy + hiding into the battle. The carnage that is being done without calls thee. + By now the council-chamber is shaken with warfare, and the gates creak + with the dreadful fray. Steel rends the mail-coats, the woven mesh is torn + apart, and the midriff gives under the rain of spears. By now the huge + axes have hacked small the shield of the king; by now the long swords + clash, and the battle-axe clatters its blows upon the shoulders of men, + and cleaves their breasts. Why are your hearts afraid? Why is your sword + faint and blunted? The gate is cleared of our people, and is filled with + the press of the strangers." + </p> + <p> + And when Hjalte had wrought very great carnage and stained the battle with + blood, he stumbled for the third time on Bjarke's berth, and thinking he + desired to keep quiet because he was afraid, made trial of him with such + taunts at his cowardice as these: + </p> + <p> + "Bjarke, why art thou absent? Doth deep sleep hold thee? I prithee, what + makes thee tarry? Come out, or the fire will overcome thee. Ho! Choose the + better way, charge with me! Bears may be kept off with fire; let us spread + fire in the recesses, and let the blaze attack the door-posts first. Let + the firebrand fall upon the bedchamber, let the falling roof offer fuel + for the flames and serve to feed the fire. It is right to scatter + conflagration on the doomed gates. But let us who honour our king with + better loyalty form the firm battle-wedges, and, having measured the + phalanx in safe rows, go forth in the way the king taught us: our king, + who laid low Rorik, the son of Bok the covetous, and wrapped the coward in + death. He was rich in wealth, but in enjoyment poor, stronger in gain than + bravery; and thinking gold better than warfare, he set lucre above all + things, and ingloriously accumulated piles of treasure, scorning the + service of noble friends. And when he was attacked by the navy of Rolf, he + bade his servants take the gold from the chests and spread it out in front + of the city gates, making ready bribes rather than battle, because he knew + not the soldier, and thought that the foe should be attempted with gifts + and not with arms: as though he could fight with wealth alone, and prolong + the war by using, not men, but wares! So he undid the heavy coffers and + the rich chests; he brought forth the polished bracelets and the heavy + caskets; they only fed his destruction. Rich in treasure, poor in + warriors, he left his foes to take away the prizes which he forebore to + give to the friends of his own land. He who once shrank to give little + rings of his own will, now unwillingly squandered his masses of wealth, + rifling his hoarded heap. But our king in his wisdom spurned him and the + gifts he proffered, and took from him life and goods at once; nor was his + foe profited by the useless wealth which he had greedily heaped up through + long years. But Rolf the righteous assailed him, slew him, and captured + his vast wealth, and shared among worthy friends what the hand of avarice + had piled up in all those years; and, bursting into the camp which was + wealthy but not brave, gave his friends a lordly booty without bloodshed. + Nothing was so fair to him that he would not lavish it, or so dear that he + would not give it to his friends, for he used treasure like ashes, and + measured his years by glory and not by gain. Whence it is plain that the + king who hath died nobly lived also most nobly, that the hour of his doom + is beautiful, and that he graced the years of his life with manliness. For + while he lived his glowing valour prevailed over all things, and he was + allotted might worthy of his lofty stature. He was as swift to war as a + torrent tearing down to sea, and as speedy to begin battle as a stag is to + fly with cleft foot upon his fleet way. + </p> + <p> + "See now, among the pools dripping with human blood, the teeth struck out + of the slain are carried on by the full torrent of gore, and are polished + on the rough sands. Dashed on the slime they glitter, and the torrent of + blood bears along splintered bones and flows above lopped limbs. The blood + of the Danes is wet, and the gory flow stagnates far around, and the + stream pressed out of the steaming veins rolls back the scattered bodies. + Tirelessly against the Danes advances Hiartuar, lover of battle, and + challenges the fighters with outstretched spear. Yet here, amid the + dangers and dooms of war, I see Frode's grandson smiling joyously, who + once sowed the fields of Fyriswald with gold. Let us also be exalted with + an honourable show of joy, following in death the doom of our noble + father. Be we therefore cheery in voice and bold in daring; for it is + right to spurn all fear with words of courage, and to meet our death in + deeds of glory. Let fear quit heart and face; in both let us avow our + dauntless endeavours, that no sign anywhere may show us to betray + faltering fear. Let our drawn sword measure the weight of our service. Fame + follows us in death, and glory shall outlive our crumbling ashes! And that + which perfect valour hath achieved during its span shall not fade for ever + and ever. What want we with closed floors? Why doth the locked bolt close + the folding-gates? For it is now the third cry, Bjarke, that calls thee, + and bids thee come forth from the barred room." + </p> + <p> + Bjarke rejoined: "Warlike Hjalte, why dost thou call me so loud? I am the + son-in-law of Rolf. He who boasts loud and with big words challenges other + men to battle, is bound to be venturous and act up to his words, that his + deed may avouch his vaunt. But stay till I am armed and have girded on the + dread attire of war. + </p> + <p> + "And now I tie my sword to my side, now first I get my body guarded with + mail-coat and headpiece, the helm keeping my brows and the stout iron + shrouding my breast. None shrinks more than I from being burnt a prisoner + inside, and made a pyre together with my own house: though an island + brought me forth, and though the land of my birth be bounded, I shall hold + it a debt to repay to the king the twelve kindreds which he added to my + honours. Hearken, warriors! Let none robe in mail his body that shall + perish; let him last of all draw tight the woven steel; let the shields go + behind the back; let us fight with bared breasts, and load all your arms + with gold. Let your right hands receive the bracelets, that they may swing + their blows the more heavily and plant the grievous wound. Let none fall + back! Let each zealously strive to meet the swords of the enemy and the + threatening spears, that we may avenge our beloved master. Happy beyond + all things is he who can mete out revenge for such a crime, and with + righteous steel punish the guilt of treacheries. + </p> + <p> + "Lo, methinks I surely pierced a wild stag with the Teutonic sword which + is called Snyrtir: from which I won the name of Warrior, when I felled + Agnar, son of Ingild, and brought the trophy home. He shattered and broke + with the bite the sword Hoding which smote upon my head, and would have + dealt worse wounds if the edge of his blade had held out better. In return + I clove asunder his left arm and part of his left side and his right foot, + and the piercing steel ran down his limbs and smote deep into his ribs. By + Hercules! No man ever seemed to me stronger than he. For he sank down + half-conscious, and, leaning on his elbow, welcomed death with a smile, + and spurned destruction with a laugh, and passed rejoicing in the world of + Elysium. Mighty was the man's courage, which knew how with one laugh to + cover his death-hour, and with a joyous face to suppress utter anguish of + mind and body! + </p> + <p> + "Now also with the same blade I searched the heart of one sprung from an + illustrious line, and plunged the steel deep in his breast. He was a + king's son, of illustrious ancestry, of a noble nature, and shone with the + brightness of youth. The mailed metal could not avail him, nor his sword, + nor the smooth target-boss; so keen was the force of my steel, it knew not + how to be stayed by obstacles. + </p> + <p> + "Where, then, are the captains of the Goths, and the soldiery of Hiartuar? + Let them come, and pay for their might with their life-blood. Who can + cast, who whirl the lance, save scions of kings? War springs from the + nobly born: famous pedigrees are the makers of war. For the perilous deeds + which chiefs attempt are not to be done by the ventures of common men. + Renowned nobles are passing away. Lo! Greatest Rolf, thy great ones have + fallen, thy holy line is vanishing. No dim and lowly race, no low-born + dead, no base souls are Pluto's prey, but he weaves the dooms of the + mighty, and fills Phlegethon with noble shapes. + </p> + <p> + "I do not remember any combat wherein swords were crossed in turn and blow + dealt out for blow more speedily. I take three for each I give; thus do + the Goths requite the wounds I deal them, and thus doth the stronger hand + of the enemy avenge with heaped interest the punishment that they receive. + Yet singly in battle I have given over the bodies of so many men to the + pyre of destruction, that a mound like a hill could grow up and be raised + out of their lopped limbs, and the piles of carcases would look like a + burial-barrow. And now what doeth he, who but now bade me come forth, + vaunting himself with mighty praise, and chafing others with his arrogant + words, and scattering harsh taunts, as though in his one body he enclosed + twelve lives?" + </p> + <p> + Hjalte answered: "Though I have but scant help, I am not far off. Even + here, where I stand, there is need of aid, and nowhere is a force or a + chosen band of warriors ready for battle wanted more. Already the hard + edges and the spear-points have cleft my shield in splinters, and the + ravening steel has rent and devoured its portions bit by bit in the + battle. The first of these things testifies to and avows itself. Seeing is + better than telling, eyesight faithfuller than hearing. For of the broken + shield only the fastenings remain, and the boss, pierced and broken in its + circle, is all left me. And now, Bjarke, thou art strong, though thou hast + come forth more tardily than was right, and thou retrievest by bravery the + loss caused by thy loitering." + </p> + <p> + But Bjarke said: "Art thou not yet weary of girding at me and goading me + with taunts? Many things often cause delay. The reason why I tarried was + the sword in my path, which the Swedish foe whirled against my breast with + mighty effort. Nor did the guider of the hilt drive home the sword with + little might; for though the body was armed he smote it as far as one may + when it is bare or defenceless; he pierced the armour of hard steel like + yielding waters; nor could the rough, heavy breastplate give me any help. + </p> + <p> + "But where now is he that is commonly called Odin, the mighty in battle, + content ever with a single eye? If thou see him anywhere, Rute, tell me." + </p> + <p> + Rute replied: "Bring thine eye closer and look under my arm akimbo: thou + must first hallow thine eyes with the victorious sign, if thou wilt safely + know the War-god face to face." + </p> + <p> + Then said Bjarke: "If I may look on the awful husband of Frigg, howsoever + he be covered with his white shield, and guide his tall steed, he shall in + no wise go safe out of Leire; it is lawful to lay low in war the + war-waging god. Let a noble death come to those that fall before the eyes + of their king. While life lasts, let us strive for the power to die + honourably and to reap a noble end by our deeds. I will die overpowered + near the head of my slain captain, and at his feet thou also shalt slip on + thy face in death, so that whoso scans the piled corpses may see in what + wise we rate the gold our lord gave us. We shall be the prey of ravens and + a morsel for hungry eagles, and the ravening bird shall feast on the + banquet of our body. Thus should fall princes dauntless in war, clasping + their famous king in a common death." + </p> + <p> + I have composed this particular series of harangues in metrical shape, + because the gist of the same thoughts is found arranged in a short form in + a certain ancient Danish song, which is repeated by heart by many + conversant with antiquity. + </p> + <p> + Now, it came to pass that the Goths gained the victory and all the array + of Rolf fell, no man save Wigg remaining out of all those warriors. For + the soldiers of the king paid this homage to his noble virtues in that + battle, that his slaying inspired in all the longing to meet their end, + and union with him in death was accounted sweeter than life. + </p> + <p> + HIARTUAR rejoiced, and had the tables spread for feasting, bidding the + banquet come after the battle, and fain to honour his triumph with a + carouse. And when he was well filled therewith, he said that it was matter + of great marvel to him, that out of all the army of Rolf no man had been + found to take thought for his life by flight or fraud. Hence, he said, it + had been manifest with what zealous loyalty they had kept their love for + their king, because they had not endured to survive him. He also blamed + his ill fortune, because it had not suffered the homage of a single one of + them to be left for himself: protesting that he would very willingly + accept the service of such men. Then Wigg came forth, and Hiartuar, as + though he were congratulating him on the gift, asked him if he were + willing to fight for him. Wigg assenting, he drew and proferred him a + sword. But Wigg refused the point, and asked for the hilt, saying first + that this had been Rolf's custom when he handed forth a sword to his + soldiers. For in old time those who were about to put themselves in + dependence on the king used to promise fealty by touching the hilt of the + sword. And in this wise Wigg clasped the hilt, and then drove the point + through Hiartuar; thus gaining the vengeance which he had promised Rolf to + accomplish for him. When he had done this, and the soldiers of Hiartuar + rushed at him, he exposed his body to them eagerly and exultantly, + shouting that he felt more joy in the slaughter of the tyrant than + bitterness at his own. Thus the feast was turned into a funeral, and the + wailing of burial followed the joy of victory. Glorious, ever memorable + hero, who valiantly kept his vow, and voluntarily courted death, staining + with blood by his service the tables of the despot! For the lively valour + of his spirit feared not the hands of the slaughterers, when he had once + beheld the place where Rolf had been wont to live bespattered with the + blood of his slayer. Thus the royalty of Hiartuar was won and ended on the + same day. For whatsoever is gotten with guile melts away in like fashion + as it is sought, and no fruits are long-lasting that have been won by + treachery and crime. Hence it came to pass that the Swedes, who had a + little before been the possessors of Denmark, came to lose even their own + liberty. For they were straightway cut off by the Zealanders, and paid + righteous atonement to the injured shades of Rolf. In this way does stern + fortune commonly avenge the works of craft and cunning. + </p> + <p> + <a name="book3" id="book3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK THREE. + </h2> + <p> + After Hiartuar, HOTHER, whom I mentioned above, the brother of Athisl, and + also the fosterling of King Gewar, became sovereign of both realms. It + will be easier to relate his times if I begin with the beginning of his + life. For if the earlier years of his career are not doomed to silence, + the latter ones can be more fully and fairly narrated. + </p> + <p> + When Helgi had slain Hodbrodd, his son Hother passed the length of his + boyhood under the tutelage of King Gewar. While a stripling, he excelled + in strength of body all his foster-brethren and compeers. Moreover, he was + gifted with many accomplishments of mind. He was very skilled in swimming + and archery, and also with the gloves; and further was as nimble as such a + youth could be, his training being equal to his strength. Though his years + were unripe, his richly-dowered spirit surpassed them. None was more + skilful on lyre or harp; and he was cunning on the timbrel, on the lute, + and in every modulation of string instruments. With his changing measures + he could sway the feelings of men to what passions he would; he knew how + to fill human hearts with joy or sadness, with pity or with hatred, and + used to enwrap the soul with the delight or terror of the ear. All these + accomplishments of the youth pleased Nanna, the daughter of Gewar, + mightily, and she began to seek his embraces. For the valour of a youth + will often kindle a maid, and the courage of those whose looks are not so + winning is often acceptable. For love hath many avenues; the path of + pleasure is opened to some by grace, to others by bravery of soul, and to + some by skill in accomplishments. Courtesy brings to some stores of Love, + while most are commended by brightness of beauty. Nor do the brave inflict + a shallower wound on maidens than the comely. + </p> + <p> + Now it befell that Balder the son of Odin was troubled at the sight of + Nanna bathing, and was seized with boundless love. He was kindled by her + fair and lustrous body, and his heart was set on fire by her manifest + beauty; for nothing exciteth passion like comeliness. Therefore he + resolved to slay with the sword Hother, who, he feared, was likeliest to + baulk his wishes; so that his love, which brooked no postponement, might + not be delayed in the enjoyment of its desire by any obstacle. + </p> + <p> + About this time Hother chanced, while hunting, to be led astray by a mist, + and he came on a certain lodge in which were wood-maidens; and when they + greeted him by his own name, he asked who they were. They declared that it + was their guidance and government that mainly determined the fortunes of + war. For they often invisibly took part in battles, and by their secret + assistance won for their friends the coveted victories. They averted, + indeed, that they could win triumphs and inflict defeats as they would; + and further told him how Balder had seen his foster-sister Nanna while she + bathed, and been kindled with passion for her; but counselled Hother not + to attack him in war, worthy as he was of his deadliest hate, for they + declared that Balder was a demigod, sprung secretly from celestial seed. + When Hother had heard this, the place melted away and left him + shelterless, and he found himself standing in the open and out in the + midst of the fields, without a vestige of shade. Most of all he marvelled + at the swift flight of the maidens, the shifting of the place, and the + delusive semblance of the building. For he knew not that all that had + passed around him had been a mere mockery and an unreal trick of the arts + of magic. + </p> + <p> + Returning thence, he related to Gewar the mystification that had followed + on his straying, and straightway asked him for his daughter. Gewar + answered that he would most gladly favour him, but that he feared if he + rejected Balder he would incur his wrath; for Balder, he said, had + proffered him a like request. For he said that the sacred strength of + Balder's body was proof even against steel; adding, however, that he knew + of a sword which could deal him his death, which was fastened up in the + closest bonds; this was in the keeping of Miming, the Satyr of the woods, + who also had a bracelet of a secret and marvellous virtue, that used to + increase the wealth of the owner. Moreover, the way to these regions was + impassable and filled with obstacles, and therefore hard for mortal men to + travel. For the greater part of the road was perpetually beset with + extraordinary cold. So he advised him to harness a car with reindeer, by + means of whose great speed he could cross the hard-frozen ridges. And when + he had got to the place, he should set up his tent away from the sun in + such wise that it should catch the shadow of the cave where Miming was + wont to be; while he should not in return cast a shade upon Miming, so + that no unaccustomed darkness might be thrown and prevent the Satyr from + going out. Thus both the bracelet and the sword would be ready to his + hand, one being attended by fortune in wealth and the other by fortune in + war, and each of them thus bringing a great prize to the owner. Thus much + said Gewar; and Hother was not slow to carry out his instructions. + Planting his tent in the manner aforesaid, he passed the nights in + anxieties and the days in hunting. But through either season he remained + very wakeful and sleepless, allotting the divisions of night and day so as + to devote the one to reflection on events, and to spend the other in + providing food for his body. Once as he watched all night, his spirit was + drooping and dazed with anxiety, when the Satyr cast a shadow on his tent. + Aiming a spear at him, he brought him down with the blow, stopped him, and + bound him, while he could not make his escape. Then in the most dreadful + words he threatened him with the worst, and demanded the sword and + bracelets. The Satyr was not slow to tender him the ransom of his life for + which he was asked. So surely do all prize life beyond wealth; for nothing + is ever cherished more among mortals than the breath of their own life. + Hother, exulting in the treasure he had gained, went home enriched with + trophies which, though few, were noble. + </p> + <p> + When Gelder, the King of Saxony, heard that Hother had gained these + things, he kept constantly urging his soldiers to go and carry off such + glorious booty; and the warriors speedily equipped a fleet in obedience to + their king. Gewar, being very learned in divining and an expert in the + knowledge of omens, foresaw this; and summoning Hother, told him, when + Gelder should join battle with him, to receive his spears with patience, + and not let his own fly until he saw the enemy's missiles exhausted; and + further, to bring up the curved scythes wherewith the vessels could be + rent and the helmets and shields plucked from the soldiers. Hother + followed his advice and found its result fortunate. For he bade his men, + when Gelder began to charge, to stand their ground and defend their bodies + with their shields, affirming that the victory in that battle must be won + by patience. But the enemy nowhere kept back their missiles, spending them + all in their extreme eagerness to fight; and the more patiently they found + Hother bear himself in his reception of their spears and lances, the more + furiously they began to hurl them. Some of these stuck in the shields and + some in the ships, and few were the wounds they inflicted; many of them + were seen to be shaken off idly and to do no hurt. For the soldiers of + Hother performed the bidding of their king, and kept off the attack of the + spears by a penthouse of interlocked shields; while not a few of the + spears smote lightly on the bosses and fell into the waves. When Gelder + was emptied of all his store, and saw the enemy picking it up, and swiftly + hurling it back at him, he covered the summit of the mast with a crimson + shield, as a signal of peace, and surrendered to save his life. Hother + received him with the friendliest face and the kindliest words, and + conquered him as much by his gentleness as he had by his skill. + </p> + <p> + At this time Helgi, King of Halogaland, was sending frequent embassies to + press his suit for Thora, daughter of Kuse, sovereign of the Finns and + Perms. Thus is weakness ever known by its wanting help from others. For + while all other young men of that time used to sue in marriage with their + own lips, this man was afflicted with so faulty an utterance that he was + ashamed to be heard not only by strangers, but by those of his own house. + So much doth calamity shun all witnesses; for natural defects are the more + vexing the more manifest they are. Kuse despised his embassy, answering + that that man did not deserve a wife who trusted too little to his own + manhood, and borrowed by entreaty the aid of others in order to gain his + suit. When Helgi heard this, he besought Hother, whom he knew to be an + accomplished pleader, to favour his desires, promising that he would + promptly perform whatsoever he should command him. The earnest entreaties + of the youth prevailed on Hother, and he went to Norway with an armed + fleet, intending to achieve by arms the end which he could not by words. + And when he had pleaded for Helgi with the most dulcet eloquence, Kuse + rejoined that his daughter's wish must be consulted, in order that no + paternal strictness might forestall anything against her will. He called + her in and asked her whether she felt a liking for her wooer; and when she + assented he promised Helgi her hand. In this way Hother, by the sweet + sounds of his fluent and well-turned oratory, opened the ears of Kuse, + which were before deaf to the suit he urged. + </p> + <p> + While this was passing in Halogaland, Balder entered the country of Gewar + armed, in order to sue for Nanna. Gewar bade him learn Nanna's own mind; + so he approached the maiden with the most choice and cajoling words; and + when he could win no hearing for his prayers, he persisted in asking the + reason of his refusal. She replied, that a god could not wed with a + mortal, because the vast difference of their natures prevented any bond of + intercourse. Also the gods sometimes used to break their pledges; and the + bond contracted between unequals was apt to snap suddenly. There was no + firm tie between those of differing estate; for beside the great, the + fortunes of the lowly were always dimmed. Also lack and plenty dwelt in + diverse tents, nor was there any fast bond of intercourse between gorgeous + wealth and obscure poverty. In fine, the things of earth would not mate + with those of heaven, being sundered by a great original gulf through a + difference in nature; inasmuch as mortal man was infinitely far from the + glory of the divine majesty. With this shuffling answer she eluded the + suit of Balder, and shrewdly wove excuses to refuse his hand. + </p> + <p> + When Hother heard this from Gewar, he complained long to Helgi of Balder's + insolence. Both were in doubt as to what should be done, and beat their + brains over divers plans; for converse with a friend in the day of + trouble, though it removeth not the peril, yet maketh the heart less sick. + Amid all the desires of their souls the passion of valour prevailed, and a + naval battle was fought with Balder. One would have thought it a contest + of men against gods, for Odin and Thor and the holy array of the gods + fought for Balder. There one could have beheld a war in which divine and + human might were mingled. But Hother was clad in his steel-defying tunic, + and charged the closest bands of the gods, assailing them as vehemently as + a son of earth could assail the powers above. However, Thor was swinging + his club with marvellous might, and shattered all interposing shields, + calling as loudly on his foes to attack him as upon his friends to back + him up. No kind of armour withstood his onset, no man could receive his + stroke and live. Whatsoever his blow fended off it crushed; neither shield + nor helm endured the weight of its dint; no greatness of body or of + strength could serve. Thus the victory would have passed to the gods, but + that Hother, though his line had already fallen back, darted up, hewed off + the club at the haft, and made it useless. And the gods, when they had + lost this weapon, fled incontinently. But that antiquity vouches for it, + it were quite against common belief to think that men prevailed against + gods. (We call them gods in a supposititious rather than in a real sense; + for to such we give the title of deity by the custom of nations, not + because of their nature.) + </p> + <p> + As for Balder, he took to flight and was saved. The conquerors either + hacked his ships with their swords or sunk them in the sea; not content to + have defeated gods, they pursued the wrecks of the fleet with such rage, + as if they would destroy them to satiate their deadly passion for war. + Thus doth prosperity commonly whet the edge of licence. The haven, + recalling by its name Balder's flight, bears witness to the war. Gelder, + the King of Saxony, who met his end in the same war, was set by Hother + upon the corpses of his oarsmen, and then laid on a pyre built of vessels, + and magnificently honoured in his funeral by Hother, who not only put his + ashes in a noble barrow, treating them as the remains of a king, but also + graced them with most reverent obsequies. Then, to prevent any more + troublesome business delaying his hopes of marriage, he went back to Gewar + and enjoyed the coveted embraces of Nanna. Next, having treated Helgi and + Thora very generously, he brought his new queen back to Sweden, being as + much honoured by all for his victory as Balder was laughed at for his + flight. + </p> + <p> + At this time the nobles of the Swedes repaired to Demnark to pay their + tribute; but Hother, who had been honoured as a king by his countrymen for + the splendid deeds of his father, experienced what a lying pander Fortune + is. For he was conquered in the field by Balder, whom a little before he + had crushed, and was forced to flee to Gewar, thus losing while a king + that victory which he had won as a common man. The conquering Balder, in + order to slake his soldiers, who were parched with thirst, with the + blessing of a timely draught, pierced the earth deep and disclosed a fresh + spring. The thirsty ranks made with gaping lips for the water that gushed + forth everywhere. The traces of these springs, eternised by the name, are + thought not quite to have dried up yet, though they have ceased to well so + freely as of old. Balder was continually harassed by night phantoms + feigning the likeness of Nanna, and fell into such ill health that he + could not so much as walk, and began the habit of going his journeys in a + two horse car or a four-wheeled carriage. So great was the love that had + steeped his heart and now had brought him down almost to the extremity of + decline. For he thought that his victory had brought him nothing if Nanna + was not his prize. Also Frey, the regent of the gods, took his abode not + far from Upsala, where he exchanged for a ghastly and infamous + sin-offering the old custom of prayer by sacrifice, which had been used by + so many ages and generations. For he paid to the gods abominable + offerings, by beginning to slaughter human victims. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Hother (1) learned that Denmark lacked leaders, and that Hiartuar + had swiftly expiated the death of Rolf; and he used to say that chance had + thrown into his hands that to which he could scarce have aspired. For + first, Rolf, whom he ought to have killed, since he remembered that Rolf's + father had slain his own, had been punished by the help of another; and + also, by the unexpected bounty of events, a chance had been opened to him + of winning Denmark. In truth, if the pedigree of his forefathers were + rightly traced, that realm was his by ancestral right! Thereupon he took + possession, with a very great fleet, of Isefjord, a haven of Zealand, so + as to make use of his impending fortune. There the people of the Danes met + him and appointed him king; and a little after, on hearing of the death of + his brother Athisl, whom he had bidden rule the Swedes, he joined the + Swedish empire to that of Denmark. But Athisl was cut off by an + ignominious death. For whilst, in great jubilation of spirit, he was + honouring the funeral rites of Rolf with a feast, he drank too greedily, + and paid for his filthy intemperance by his sudden end. And so, while he + was celebrating the death of another with immoderate joviality, he forced + on his own apace. + </p> + <p> + While Hother was in Sweden, Balder also came to Zealand with a fleet; and + since he was thought to be rich in arms and of singular majesty, the Danes + accorded him with the readiest of voices whatever he asked concerning the + supreme power. With such wavering judgment was the opinion of our + forefathers divided. Hother returned from Sweden and attacked him. They + both coveted sway, and the keenest contest for the sovereignty began + between them; but it was cut short by the flight of Hother. He retired to + Jutland, and caused to be named after him the village in which he was wont + to stay. Here he passed the winter season, and then went back to Sweden + alone and unattended. There he summoned the grandees, and told them that + he was weary of the light of life because of the misfortunes wherewith + Balder had twice victoriously stricken him. Then he took farewell of all, + and went by a circuitous path to a place that was hard of access, + traversing forests uncivilised. For it oft happens that those upon whom + has come some inconsolable trouble of spirit seek, as though it were a + medicine to drive away their sadness, far and sequestered retreats, and + cannot bear the greatness of their grief amid the fellowship of men; so + dear, for the most part, is solitude to sickness. For filthiness and grime + are chiefly pleasing to those who have been stricken with ailments of the + soul. Now he had been wont to give out from the top of a hill decrees to + the people when they came to consult him; and hence when they came they + upbraided the sloth of the king for hiding himself, and his absence was + railed at by all with the bitterest complaints. + </p> + <p> + But Hother, when he had wandered through remotest byways and crossed an + uninhabited forest, chanced to come upon a cave where dwelt some maidens + whom he knew not; but they proved to be the same who had once given him + the invulnerable coat. Asked by them wherefore he had come thither, he + related the disastrous issue of the war. So he began to bewail the ill + luck of his failures and his dismal misfortunes, condemning their breach + of faith, and lamenting that it had not turned out for him as they had + promised him. But the maidens said that though he had seldom come off + victorious, he had nevertheless inflicted as much defeat on the enemy as + they on him, and had dealt as much carnage as he had shared in. Moreover, + the favour of victory would be speedily his, if he could first lay hands + upon a food of extraordinary delightsomeness which had been devised to + increase the strength of Balder. For nothing would be difficult if he + could only get hold of the dainty which was meant to enhance the rigour of + his foe. + </p> + <p> + Hard as it sounded for earthborn endeavours to make armed assault upon the + gods, the words of the maidens inspired Hother's mind with instant + confidence to fight with Balder. Also some of his own people said that he + could not safely contend with those above; but all regard for their + majesty was expelled by the boundless fire of his spirit. For in brave + souls vehemence is not always sapped by reason, nor doth counsel defeat + rashness. Or perchance it was that Hother remembered how the might of the + lordliest oft proveth unstable, and how a little clod can batter down + great chariots. + </p> + <p> + On the other side, Balder mustered the Danes to arms and met Hother in the + field. Both sides made a great slaughter; the carnage of the opposing + parties was nearly equal, and night stayed the battle. About the third + watch, Hother, unknown to any man, went out to spy upon the enemy, anxiety + about the impending peril having banished sleep. This strong excitement + favours not bodily rest, and inward disquiet suffers not outward repose. + So, when he came to the camp of the enemy he heard that three maidens had + gone out carrying the secret feast of Balder. He ran after them (for their + footsteps in the dew betrayed their flight), and at last entered their + accustomed dwelling. When they asked him who he was, he answered, a + lutanist, nor did the trial belie his profession. For when the lyre was + offered him, he tuned its strings, ordered and governed the chords with + his quill, and with ready modulation poured forth a melody pleasant to the + ear. Now they had three snakes, of whose venom they were wont to mix a + strengthening compound for the food of Balder, and even now a flood of + slaver was dripping on the food from the open mouths of the serpents. And + some of the maidens would, for kindness sake, have given Hother a share of + the dish, had not eldest of the three forbidden them, declaring that + Balder would be cheated if they increased the bodily powers of his enemy. + He had said, not that he was Hother, but that he was one of his company. + Now the same nymphs, in their gracious kindliness, bestowed on him a belt + of perfect sheen and a girdle which assured victory. + </p> + <p> + Retracing the path by which he had come, he went back on the same road, + and meeting Balder plunged his sword into his side, and laid him low half + dead. When the news was told to the soldiers, a cheery shout of triumph + rose from all the camp of Hother, while the Danes held a public mourning + for the fate of Balder. He, feeling no doubt of his impending death, and + stung by the anguish of his wound, renewed the battle on the morrow; and, + when it raged hotly, bade that he should be borne on a litter into the + fray, that he might not seem to die ignobly within his tent. On the night + following, Proserpine was seen to stand by him in a vision, and to promise + that on the morrow he should have her embrace. The boding of the dream was + not idle; for when three days had passed, Balder perished from the + excessive torture of his wound; and his body given a royal funeral, the + army causing it to be buried in a barrow which they had made. + </p> + <p> + Certain men of our day, Chief among whom was Harald, (2) since the story + of the ancient burial-place still survived, made a raid on it by night in + the hope of finding money, but abandoned their attempt in sudden panic. + For the hill split, and from its crest a sudden and mighty torrent of + loud-roaring waters seemed to burst; so that its flying mass, shooting + furiously down, poured over the fields below, and enveloped whatsoever it + struck upon, and at its onset the delvers were dislodged, flung down their + mattocks, and fled divers ways; thinking that if they strove any longer to + carry through their enterprise they would be caught in the eddies of the + water that was rushing down. Thus the guardian gods of that spot smote + fear suddenly into the minds of the youths, taking them away from + covetousness, and turning them to see to their safety; teaching them to + neglect their greedy purpose and be careful of their lives. Now it is + certain that this apparent flood was not real but phantasmal; not born in + the bowels of the earth (since Nature suffereth not liquid springs to gush + forth in a dry place), but produced by some magic agency. All men + afterwards, to whom the story of that breaking in had come down, left this + hill undisturbed. Wherefore it has never been made sure whether it really + contains any wealth; for the dread of peril has daunted anyone since + Harald from probing its dark foundations. + </p> + <p> + But Odin, though he was accounted the chief of the gods, began to inquire + of the prophets and diviners concerning the way to accomplish vengeance + for his son, as well as all others whom he had beard were skilled in the + most recondite arts of soothsaying. For godhead that is incomplete is oft + in want of the help of man. Rostioph (Hrossthiof), the Finn, foretold to + him that another son must be born to him by Rinda (Wrinda), daughter of + the King of the Ruthenians; this son was destined to exact punishment for + the slaying of his brother. For the gods had appointed to the brother that + was yet to be born the task of avenging his kinsman. Odin, when he heard + this, muffled his face with a cap, that his garb might not betray him, and + entered the service of the said king as a soldier; and being made by him + captain of the soldiers, and given an army, won a splendid victory over + the enemy. And for his stout achievement in this battle the king admitted + him into the chief place in his friendship, distinguishing him as + generously with gifts as with honours. A very little while afterwards Odin + routed the enemy single-handed, and returned, at once the messenger and + the doer of the deed. All marvelled that the strength of one man could + deal such slaughter upon a countless host. Trusting in these services, he + privily let the king into the secret of his love, and was refreshed by his + most gracious favour; but when he sought a kiss from the maiden, he + received a cuff. But he was not driven from his purpose either by anger at + the slight or by the odiousness of the insult. + </p> + <p> + Next year, loth to quit ignobly the quest he had taken up so eagerly, he + put on the dress of a foreigner and went back to dwell with the king. It + was hard for those who met him to recognise him; for his assumed filth + obliterated his true features, and new grime hid his ancient aspect. He + said that his name was Roster (Hrosstheow), and that he was skilled in + smithcraft. And his handiwork did honour to his professions: for he + portrayed in bronze many and many a shape most beautifully, so that he + received a great mass of gold from the king, and was ordered to hammer out + the ornaments of the matrons. So, after having wrought many adornments for + women's wearing, he at last offered to the maiden a bracelet which he had + polished more laboriously than the rest and several rings which were + adorned with equal care. But no services could assuage the wrath of Rinda; + when he was fain to kiss her she cuffed him; for gifts offered by one we + hate are unacceptable, while those tendered by a friend are far more + grateful: so much doth the value of the offering oft turn on the offerer. + For this stubborn-hearted maiden never doubted that the crafty old man was + feigning generosity in order to seize an opening to work his lust. His + temper, moreover, was keen and indomitable; for she knew that his homage + covered guile, and that under the devotion of his gifts there lay a desire + for crime. Her father fell to upbraiding her heavily for refusing the + match; but she loathed to wed an old man, and the plea of her tender years + lent her some support in her scorning of his hand; for she said that a + young girl ought not to marry prematurely. + </p> + <p> + But Odin, who had found that nothing served the wishes of lovers more than + tough persistency, though he was stung with the shame of his double + rebuff, nevertheless, effacing the form he had worn before, went to the + king for the third time, professing the completest skill in soldiership. + He was led to take this pains not only by pleasure but by the wish to wipe + out his disgrace. For of old those who were skilled in magic gained this + power of instantly changing their aspect and exhibiting the most different + shapes. Indeed, they were clever at imitating any age, not only in its + natural bodily appearance, but also in its stature; and so the old man, in + order to exhibit his calling agreeably, used to ride proudly up and down + among the briskest of them. But not even such a tribute could move the + rigour of the maiden; for it is hard for the mind to come back to a + genuine liking for one against whom it has once borne heavy dislike. When + he tried to kiss her at his departure, she repulsed him so that he + tottered and smote his chin upon the ground. Straightway he touched her + with a piece of bark whereon spells were written, and made her like unto + one in frenzy: which was a gentle revenge to take for all the insults he + had received. + </p> + <p> + But still he did not falter in the fulfilment of his purpose; for trust in + his divine majesty buoyed him up with confidence; so, assuming the garb of + a maiden, this indefatigable journeyer repaired for the fourth time to the + king, and, on being received by him, showed himself assiduous and even + forward. Most people believed him to be a woman, as he was dressed almost + in female attire. Also he declared that his name was Wecha, and his + calling that of a physician: and this assertion he confirmed by the + readiest services. At last he was taken into the household of the queen, + and played the part of a waiting-woman to the princess, and even used to + wash the soil off her feet at eventide; and as he was applying the water + he was suffered to touch her calves and the upper part of the thighs. But + fortune goes with mutable steps, and thus chance put into his hand what + his address had never won. For it happened that the girl fell sick, and + looked around for a cure; and she summoned to protect her health those + very hands which aforetime she had rejected, and appealed for preservation + to him whom she had ever held in loathing. He examined narrowly all the + symptoms of the trouble, and declared that, in order to check the disease + as soon as possible, it was needful to use a certain drugged draught; but + that it was so bitterly compounded, that the girl could never endure so + violent a cure unless she submitted to be bound; since the stuff of the + malady must be ejected from the very innermost tissues. When her father + heard this he did not hesitate to bind his daughter; and laying her on the + bed, he bade her endure patiently all the applications of the doctor. For + the king was tricked by the sight of the female dress, which the old man + was using to disguise his persistent guile; and thus the seeming remedy + became an opportunity of outrage. For the physician seized the chance of + love, and, abandoning his business of healing, sped to the work, not of + expelling the fever, but of working his lust; making use of the sickness + of the princess, whom in sound health he had found adverse to him. It will + not be wearisome if I subjoin another version of this affair. For there + are certain who say that the king, when he saw the physician groaning with + love, but despite all his expense of mind and body accomplishing nothing, + did not wish to rob of his due reward one who had so well earned it, and + allowed him to lie privily with his daughter. So doth the wickedness of + the father sometimes assail the child, when vehement passion perverts + natural mildness. But his fault was soon followed by a remorse that was + full of shame, when his daughter bore a child. + </p> + <p> + But the gods, whose chief seat was then at Byzantium, (Asgard), seeing + that Odin had tarnished the fair name of godhead by divers injuries to its + majesty, thought that he ought to be removed from their society. And they + had him not only ousted from the headship, but outlawed and stripped of + all worship and honour at home; thinking it better that the power of their + infamous president should be overthrown than that public religion should + be profaned; and fearing that they might themselves be involved in the sin + of another, and though guiltless be punished for the crime of the guilty. + For they saw that, now the derision of their great god was brought to + light, those whom they had lured to proffer them divine honours were + exchanging obeisance for scorn and worship for shame; that holy rites were + being accounted sacrilege, and fixed and regular ceremonies deemed so much + childish raving. Fear was in their souls, death before their eyes, and one + would have supposed that the fault of one was visited upon the heads of + all. So, not wishing Odin to drive public religion into exile, they exiled + him and put one Oller (Wulder?) in his place, to bear the symbols not only + Of royalty but also of godhead, as though it had been as easy a task to + create a god as a king. And though they had appointed him priest for + form's sake, they endowed him actually with full distinction, that he + might be seen to be the lawful heir to the dignity, and no mere deputy + doing another's work. Also, to omit no circumstance of greatness, they + further gave his the name of Odin, trying by the prestige of that title to + be rid of the obloquy of innovation. For nearly ten years Oller held the + presidency of the divine senate; but at last the gods pitied the horrible + exile of Odin, and thought that he had now been punished heavily enough; + so he exchanged his foul and unsightly estate for his ancient splendour; + for the lapse of time had now wiped out the brand of his earlier disgrace. + Yet some were to be found who judged that he was not worthy to approach + and resume his rank, because by his stage-tricks and his assumption of a + woman's work he had brought the foulest scandal on the name of the gods. + Some declare that he bought back the fortune of his lost divinity with + money; flattering some of the gods and mollifying some with bribes; and + that at the cost of a vast sum he contrived to get back to the distinction + which he had long quitted. If you ask how much he paid for them, inquire + of those who have found out what is the price of a godhead. I own that to + me it is but little worth. + </p> + <p> + Thus Oller was driven out from Byzantium by Odin and retired into Sweden. + Here, while he was trying, as if in a new world, to repair the records of + his glory, the Danes slew him. The story goes that he was such a cunning + wizard that he used a certain bone, which he had marked with awful spells, + wherewith to cross the seas, instead of a vessel; and that by this bone he + passed over the waters that barred his way as quickly as by rowing. + </p> + <p> + But Odin, now that he had regained the emblems of godhead, shone over all + parts of the world with such a lustre of renown that all nations welcomed + him as though he were light restored to the universe; nor was any spot to + be found on the earth which did not hornage to his might. Then finding + that Boe, his son by Rhlda, was enamoured of the hardships of war, he + called him, and bade him bear in mind the slaying of his brother: saying + that it would be better for him to take vengeande on the murderers of + Balder than to overcome them in battle; for warfare was most fitting and + wholesome when a holy occasion for waging it was furnished by a righteous + opening for vengeande. + </p> + <p> + News came meantime that Gewar had been slain by the guile of his own + satrap (jarl), Gunne. Hother determined to visit his murder with the + strongest and sharpest revenge. So he surprised Gunne, cast him on a + blazing pyre, and burnt him; for Gunne had himself treacherously waylaid + Gewar, and burnt him alive in the night. This was his offering of + vengeance to the shade of his foster-father; and then he made his sons, + Herlek and Gerit, rulers of Norway. + </p> + <p> + Then he summoned the elders to assembly, and told them that he would + perish in the war wherein he was bound to meet Boe, and said that he knew + this by no doubtful guesswork, but by sure prophecies of seers. So he + besought them to make his son RORIK king, so that the judgment of wicked + men should not transfer the royalty to strange and unknown houses; + averring that he would reap more joy from the succession of his son than + bitterness from his own impending death. This request was speedily + granted. Then he met Boe in battle and was killed; but small joy the + victory gave Boe. Indeed, he left the battle so sore stricken that he was + lifted on his shield and carried home by his foot-soldiers supporting him + in turn, to perish next day of the pain of his wounds. The Ruthenian army + gave his body a gorgeous funeral and buried it in a splendid howe, which + it piled in his name, to save the record of so mighty a warrior from + slipping out of the recollection of after ages. + </p> + <p> + So the Kurlanders and the Swedes, as though the death of Hother set them + free from the burden of their subjection, resolved to attack Denmark, to + which they were accustomed to do homage with a yearly tax. By this the + Slavs also were emboldened to revolt, and a number of others were turned + from subjects into foes. Rorik, in order to check this wrongdoing, + summoned his country to arms, recounted the deeds of his forefathers, and + urged them in a passionate harangue unto valorous deeds. But the + barbarians, loth to engage without a general, and seeing that they needed + a head, appointed a king over them; and, displaying all the rest of their + military force, hid two companies of armed men in a dark spot. But Rorik + saw the trap; and perceiving that his fleet was wedged in a certain narrow + creek among the shoal water, took it out from the sands where it was + lying, and brought it forth to sea; lest it should strike on the oozy + swamps, and be attacked by the foe on different sides. Also, he resolved + that his men should go into hiding during the day, where they could stay + and suddenly fall on the invaders of his ships. He said that perchance the + guile might in the end recoil on the heads of its devisors. And in fact + the barbarians who had been appointed to the ambuscade knew nothing of the + wariness of the Danes, and sallying against them rashly, were all + destroyed. The remaining force of the Slavs, knowing nothing of the + slaughter of their friends, hung in doubt wondering over the reason of + Rorik's tarrying. And after waiting long for him as the months wearily + rolled by, and finding delay every day more burdensome, they at last + thought they should attack him with their fleet. + </p> + <p> + Now among them there was a man of remarkable stature, a wizard by calling. + He, when he beheld the squadrons of the Danes, said: "Suffer a private + combat to forestall a public slaughter, so that the danger of many may be + bought off at the cost of a few. And if any of you shall take heart to + fight it out with me, I will not flinch from these terms of conflict. But + first of all I demand that you accept the terms I prescribe, the form + whereof I have devised as follows: If I conquer, let freedom be granted us + from taxes; if I am conquered, let the tribute be paid you as of old: For + to-day I will either free my country from the yoke of slavery by my + victory or bind her under it by my defeat. Accept me as the surety and the + pledge for either issue." One of the Danes, whose spirit was stouter than + his strength, heard this, and proceeded to ask Rorik, what would be the + reward for the man who met the challenger in combat? Rorik chanced to have + six bracelets, which were so intertwined that they could not be parted + from one another, the chain of knots being inextricaly laced; and he + promised them as a reward for the man who would venture on the combat. But + the youth, who doubted his fortune, said: "Rorik, if I prove successful, + let thy generosity award the prize of the conqueror, do thou decide and + allot the palm; but if my enterprise go little to my liking, what prize + canst thou owe to the beaten, who will be wrapped either in cruel death or + in bitter shame? These things commonly go with feebleness, these are the + wages of the defeated, for whom naught remains but utter infamy. What + guerdon must be paid, what thanks offered, to him who lacks the prize of + courage? Who has ever garlanded with ivy the weakling in War, or decked + him with a conqueror's wage? Valour wins the prize, not sloth, and failure + lacks renown. For one is followed by triumph and honour, the other by an + unsightly life or by a stagnant end. I, who know not which way the issue + of this duel inclines, dare not boldly anticipate that as a reward, of + which I know not whether it be rightly mine. For one whose victory is + doubtful may not seize the assured reward of the victor. I forbear, while + I am not sure of the day, to claim firmly the title to the wreath. I + refuse the gain, which may be the wages of my death as much as of my life. + It is folly to lay hands on the fruit before it is ripe, and to be fain to + pluck that which one is not yet sure is one's title. This hand shall win + me the prize, or death." Having thus spoken, he smote the barbarian with + his sword; but his fortune was tardier than his spirit; for the other + smote him back, and he fell dead under the force of the first blow. Thus + he was a sorry sight unto the Danes, but the Slavs granted their + triumphant comrade a great procession, and received him with splendid + dances. On the morrow the same man, whether he was elated with the good + fortune of his late victory, or was fired with the wish to win another, + came close to the enemy, and set to girding at them in the words of his + former challenge. For, supposing that he had laid low the bravest of the + Danes, he did not think that any of them would have any heart left to + fight further with him upon his challenge. Also, trusting that, now one + champion had fallen, he had shattered the strength of the whole army, he + thought that naught would be hard to achieve upon which his later + endeavours were bent. For nothing pampers arrogance more than success, or + prompts to pride more surely than prosperity. + </p> + <p> + So Rorik was vexed that the general courage should be sapped by the + impudence of one man; and that the Danes, with their roll of victories, + should be met presumptuously by those whom they had beaten of old; nay, + should be ignominiously spurned; further, that in all that host not one + man should be found so quick of spirit or so vigorous of arm, that he + longed to sacrifice his life for his country. It was the high-hearted Ubbe + who first wiped off this infamous reproach upon the hesitating Danes. For + he was of great bodily strength and powerful in incantations. He also + purposely asked the prize of the combat, and the king promised him the + bracelets. Then said he: "How can I trust the promise when thou keepest + the pledge in thine own hands, and dost not deposit the gift in the charge + of another? Let there be some one to whom thou canst entrust the pledge, + that thou mayst not be able to take thy promise back. For the courage of + the champion is kindled by the irrevocable certainty of the prize." Of + course it was plain that he had said this in jest; sheer courage had armed + him to repel the insult to his country. But Rorik thought he was tempted + by avarice, and was loth to seem as if, contrary to royal fashion, he + meant to take back the gift or revoke his promise; so, being stationed on + his vessel, he resolved to shake off the bracelets, and with a mighty + swing send them to the asker. But his attempt was baulked by the width of + the gap between them; for the bracelets fell short of the intended spot, + the impulse being too faint and slack, and were reft away by the waters. + For this nickname of Slyngebond, (swing-bracelet) clung to Rorik. But this + event testified much to the valour of Ubbe. For the loss of his drowned + prize never turned his mind from his bold venture; he would not seem to + let his courage be tempted by the wages of covetousness. So he eagerly + went to fight, showing that he was a seeker of honour and not the slave of + lucre, and that he set bravery before lust of pelf; and intent to prove + that his confidence was based not on hire, but on his own great soul. Not + a moment is lost; a ring is made; the course is thronged with soldiers; + the champions engage; a din arises; the crowd of onlookers shouts in + discord, each backing his own. And so the valour of the champions blazes + to white-heat; falling dead under the wounds dealt by one another, they + end together the combat and their lives. I think that it was a provision + of fortune that neither of them should reap joy and honour by the other's + death. This event won back to Rorik the hearts of the insurgents and + regained him the tribute. + </p> + <p> + At this time Horwendil and Feng, whose father Gerwendil had been governor + of the Jutes, were appointed in his place by Rorik to defend Jutland. But + Horwendil held the monarchy for three years, and then, to will the height + of glory, devoted himself to roving. Then Koller, King of Norway, in + rivalry of his great deeds and renown, deemed it would be a handsome deed + if by his greater strength in arms he could bedim the far-famed glory of + the rover; and cruising about the sea, he watched for Horwendil's fleet + and came up with it. There was an island lying in the middle of the sea, + which each of the rovers, bringing his ships up on either side, was + holding. The captains were tempted by the pleasant look of the beach, and + the comeliness of the shores led them to look through the interior of the + springtide woods, to go through the glades, and roam over the sequestered + forests. It was here that the advance of Koller and Horwendil brought them + face to face without any witness. Then Horwendil endeavoured to address + the king first, asking him in what way it was his pleasure to fight, and + declaring that one best which needed the courage of as few as possible. + For, said he, the duel was the surest of all modes of combat for winning + the meed of bravery, because it relied only upon native courage, and + excluded all help from the hand of another. Koller marvelled at so brave a + judgment in a youth, and said: "Since thou hast granted me the choice of + battle, I think it is best to employ that kind which needs only the + endeavours of two, and is free from all the tumult. Certainly it is more + venturesome, and allows of a speedier award of the victory. This thought + we share, in this opinion we agree of our own accord. But since the issue + remains doubtful, we must pay some regard to gentle dealing, and must not + give way so far to our inclinations as to leave the last offices undone. + Hatred is in our hearts; yet let piety be there also, which in its due + time may take the place of rigour. For the rights of nature reconcile us, + though we are parted by differences of purpose; they link us together, + howsoever rancour estrange our spirit. Let us, therefore, have this pious + stipulation, that the conqueror shall give funeral rites to the conquered. + For all allow that these are the last duties of human kind, from which no + righteous man shrinks. Let each army lay aside its sternness and perform + this function in harmony. Let jealousy depart at death, let the feud be + buried in the tomb. Let us not show such an example of cruelty as to + persecute one another's dust, though hatred has come between us in our + lives. It will be a boast for the victor if he has borne his beaten foe in + a lordly funeral. For the man who pays the rightful dues over his dead + enemy wins the goodwill of the survivor; and whoso devotes gentle dealing + to him who is no more, conquers the living by his kindness. Also there is + another disaster, not less lamentable, which sometimes befalls the living—the + loss of some part of their body; and I think that succor is due to this + just as much as to the worst hap that may befall. For often those who + fight keep their lives safe, but suffer maiming; and this lot is commonly + thought more dismal than any death; for death cuts off memory of all + things, while the living cannot forget the devastation of his own body. + Therefore this mischief also must be helped somehow; so let it be agreed, + that the injury of either of us by the other shall be made good with ten + talents (marks) of gold. For if it be righteous to have compassion on the + calamities of another, how much more is it to pity one's own? No man but + obeys nature's prompting; and he who slights it is a self-murderer." + </p> + <p> + After mutually pledging their faiths to these terms, they began the + battle. Nor was their strangeness his meeting one another, nor the + sweetness of that spring-green spot, so heeded as to prevent them from the + fray. Horwendil, in his too great ardour, became keener to attack his + enemy than to defend his own body; and, heedless of his shield, had + grasped his sword with both hands; and his boldness did not fail. For by + his rain of blows he destroyed Koller's shield and deprived him of it, and + at last hewed off his foot and drove him lifeless to the ground. Then, not + to fail of his compact, he buried him royally, gave him a howe of lordly + make and pompous obsequies. Then he pursued and slew Koller's sister Sela, + who was a skilled warrior and experienced in roving. + </p> + <p> + He had now passed three years in valiant deeds of war; and, in order to + win higher rank in Rorik's favour, he assigned to him the best trophies + and the pick of the plunder. His friendship with Rorik enabled him to woo + and will in marriage his daughter Gerutha, who bore him a son Amleth. + </p> + <p> + Such great good fortune stung Feng with jealousy, so that he resolved + treacherously to waylay his brother, thus showing that goodness is not + safe even from those of a man's own house. And behold, when a chance came + to murder him, his bloody hand sated the deadly passion of his soul. Then + he took the wife of the brother he had butchered, capping unnatural murder + with incest. For whoso yields to one iniquity, speedily falls an easier + victim to the next, the first being an incentive to the second. Also, the + man veiled the monstrosity of his deed with such hardihood of cunning, + that he made up a mock pretence of goodwill to excuse his crime, and + glossed over fratricide with a show of righteousness. Gerutha, said he, + though so gentle that she would do no man the slightest hurt, had been + visited with her husband's extremest hate; and it was all to save her that + he had slain his brother; for he thought it shameful that a lady so meek + and unrancorous should suffer the heavy disdain of her husband. Nor did + his smooth words fail in their intent; for at courts, where fools are + sometimes favoured and backbiters preferred, a lie lacks not credit. Nor + did Feng keep from shameful embraces the hands that had slain a brother; + pursuing with equal guilt both of his wicked and impious deeds. + </p> + <p> + Amleth beheld all this, but feared lest too shrewd a behaviour might make + his uncle suspect him. So he chose to feign dulness, and pretend an utter + lack of wits. This cunning course not only concealed his intelligence but + ensured his safety. Every day he remained in his mother's house utterly + listless and unclean, flinging himself on the ground and bespattering his + person with foul and filthy dirt. His discoloured face and visage smutched + with slime denoted foolish and grotesque madness. All he said was of a + piece with these follies; all he did savoured of utter lethargy. In a + word, you would not have thought him a man at all, but some absurd + abortion due to a mad fit of destiny. He used at times to sit over the + fire, and, raking up the embers with his hands, to fashion wooden crooks, + and harden them in the fire, shaping at their lips certain barbs, to make + them hold more tightly to their fastenings. When asked what he was about, + he said that he was preparing sharp javelins to avenge his father. This + answer was not a little scoffed at, all men deriding his idle and + ridiculous pursuit; but the thing helped his purpose afterwards. Now it + was his craft in this matter that first awakened in the deeper observers a + suspicion of his cunning. For his skill in a trifling art betokened the + hidden talent of the craftsman; nor could they believe the spirit dull + where the hand had acquired so cunning a workmanship. Lastly, he always + watched with the most punctual care over his pile of stakes that he had + pointed in the fire. Some people, therefore, declared that his mind was + quick enough, and fancied that he only played the simpleton in order to + hide his understanding, and veiled some deep purpose under a cunning + feint. His wiliness (said these) would be most readily detected, if a fair + woman were put in his way in some secluded place, who should provoke his + mind to the temptations of love; all men's natural temper being too + blindly amorous to be artfully dissembled, and this passion being also too + impetuous to be checked by cunning. Therefore, if his lethargy were + feigned, he would seize the opportunity, and yield straightway to violent + delights. So men were commissioned to draw the young man in his rides into + a remote part of the forest, and there assail him with a temptation of + this nature. Among these chanced to be a foster-brother of Amleth, who had + not ceased to have regard to their common nurture; and who esteemed his + present orders less than the memory of their past fellowship. He attended + Amleth among his appointed train, being anxious not to entrap, but to warn + him; and was persuaded that he would suffer the worst if he showed the + slightest glimpse of sound reason, and above all if he did the act of love + openly. This was also plain enough to Amleth himself. For when he was + bidden mount his horse, he deliberately set himself in such a fashion that + he turned his back to the neck and faced about, fronting the tail; which + he proceeded to encompass with the reins, just as if on that side he would + check the horse in its furious pace. By this cunning thought he eluded the + trick, and overcame the treachery of his uncle. The reinless steed + galloping on, with rider directing its tail, was ludicrous enough to + behold. + </p> + <p> + Amleth went on, and a wolf crossed his path amid the thicket. When his + companions told him that a young colt had met him, he retorted, that in + Feng's stud there were too few of that kind fighting. This was a gentle + but witty fashion of invoking a curse upon his uncle's riches. When they + averred that he had given a cunning answer, he answered that he had spoken + deliberately; for he was loth, to be thought prone to lying about any + matter, and wished to be held a stranger to falsehood; and accordingly he + mingled craft and candour in such wise that, though his words did lack + truth, yet there was nothing to betoken the truth and betray how far his + keenness went. + </p> + <p> + Again, as he passed along the beach, his companions found the rudder of a + ship, which had been wrecked, and said they had discovered a huge knife. + "This," said he, "was the right thing to carve such a huge ham;" by which + he really meant the sea, to whose infinitude, he thought, this enormous + rudder matched. Also, as they passed the sandhills, and bade him look at + the meal, meaning the sand, he replied that it had been ground small by + the hoary tempests of the ocean. His companions praising his answer, he + said that he had spoken it wittingly. Then they purposely left him, that + he might pluck up more courage to practise wantonness. The woman whom his + uncle had dispatched met him in a dark spot, as though she had crossed him + by chance; and he took her and would have ravished her, had not his + foster-brother, by a secret device, given him an inkling of the trap. For + this man, while pondering the fittest way to play privily the prompter's + part, and forestall the young man's hazardous lewdness, found a straw on + the ground and fastened it underneath the tail of a gadfly that was flying + past; which he then drove towards the particular quarter where he knew + Amleth to be: an act which served the unwary prince exceedingly well. The + token was interpreted as shrewdly as it had been sent. For Amleth saw the + gadfly, espied with curiosity the straw which it wore embedded in its + tail, and perceived that it was a secret warning to beware of treachery. + Alarmed, scenting a trap, and fain to possess his desire in greater + safety, he caught up the woman in his arms and dragged her off to a + distant and impenetrable fen. Moreover, when they had lain together, he + conjured her earnestly to disclose the matter to none, and the promise of + silence was accorded as heartily as it was asked. For both of them had + been under the same fostering in their childhood; and this early rearing + in common had brought Amleth and the girl into great intimacy. + </p> + <p> + So, when he had returned home, they all jeeringly asked him whether he had + given way to love, and he avowed that he had ravished the maid. When he + was next asked where he did it, and what had been his pillow, he said that + he had rested upon the hoof of a beast of burden, upon a cockscomb, and + also upon a ceiling. For, when he was starting into temptation, he had + gathered fragments of all these things, in order to avoid lying. And + though his jest did not take aught of the truth out of the story, the + answer was greeted with shouts of merriment from the bystanders. The + maiden, too, when questioned on the matter, declared that he had done no + such thing; and her denial was the more readily credited when it was found + that the escort had not witnessed the deed. Then he who had marked the + gadfly in order to give a hint, wishing to show Amleth that to his trick + he owed his salvation, observed that latterly he had been singly devoted + to Amleth. The young man's reply was apt. Not to seem forgetful of his + informant's service, he said that he had seen a certain thing bearing a + straw flit by suddenly, wearing a stalk of chaff fixed in its hinder + parts. The cleverness of this speech, which made the rest split with + laughter, rejoiced the heart of Amleth's friend. + </p> + <p> + Thus all were worsted, and none could open the secret lock of the young + man's wisdom. But a friend of Feng, gifted more with assurance than + judgment, declared that the unfathomable cunning of such a mind could not + be detected by any vulgar plot, for the man's obstinacy was so great that + it ought not to be assailed with any mild measures; there were many sides + to his wiliness, and it ought not to be entrapped by any one method. + Accordingly, said he, his own profounder acuteness had hit on a more + delicate way, which was well fitted to be put in practice, and would + effectually discover what they desired to know. Feng was purposely to + absent himself, pretending affairs of great import. Amleth should be + closeted alone with his mother in her chamber; but a man should first be + commissioned to place himself in a concealed part of the room and listen + heedfully to what they talked about. For if the son had any wits at all he + would not hesitate to speak out in the hearing of his mother, or fear to + trust himself to the fidelity of her who bore him. The speaker, loth to + seem readier to devise than to carry out the plot, zealously proffered + himself as the agent of the eavesdropping. Feng rejoiced at the scheme, + and departed on pretence of a long journey. Now he who had given this + counsel repaired privily to the room where Amleth was shut up with his + mother, and lay flown skulking in the straw. But Amleth had his antidote + for the treachery. Afraid of being overheard by some eavesdropper, he at + first resorted to his usual imbecile ways, and crowed like a noisy cock, + beating his arms together to mimic the flapping of wings. Then he mounted + the straw and began to swing his body and jump again and again, wishing to + try if aught lurked there in hiding. Feeling a lump beneath his feet, he + drove his sword into the spot, and impaled him who lay hid. Then he + dragged him from his concealment and slew him. Then, cutting his body into + morsels, he seethed it in boiling water, and flung it through the mouth of + an open sewer for the swine to eat, bestrewing the stinking mire with his + hapless limbs. Having in this wise eluded the snare, he went back to the + room. Then his mother set up a great wailing, and began to lament her + son's folly to his face; but he said: "Most infamous of women; dost thou + seek with such lying lamentations to hide thy most heavy guilt? Wantoning + like a harlot, thou hast entered a wicked and abominable state of wedlock, + embracing with incestuous bosom thy husband's slayer, and wheedling with + filthy lures of blandishment him who had slain the father of thy son. + This, forsooth, is the way that the mares couple with the vanquishers of + their mates; for brute beasts are naturally incited to pair + indiscriminately; and it would seem that thou, like them, hast clean + forgot thy first husband. As for me, not idly do I wear the mask of folly; + for I doubt not that he who destroyed his brother will riot as ruthlessly + in the blood of his kindred. Therefore it is better to choose the garb of + dulness than that of sense, and to borrow some protection from a show of + utter frenzy. Yet the passion to avenge my father still burns in my heart; + but I am watching the chances, I await the fitting hour. There is a place + for all things; against so merciless and dark spirit must be used the + deeper devices of the mind. And thou, who hadst been better employed in + lamenting thine own disgrace, know it is superfluity to bewail my + witlessness; thou shouldst weep for the blemish in thine own mind, not for + that in another's. On the rest see thou keep silence." With such + reproaches he rent the heart of his mother and redeemed her to walk in the + ways of virtue; teaching her to set the fires of the past above the + seductions of the present. + </p> + <p> + When Feng returned, nowhere could he find the man who had suggested the + treacherous espial; he searched for him long and carefully, but none said + they had seen him anywhere. Amleth, among others, was asked in jest if he + had come on any trace of him, and replied that the man had gone to the + sewer, but had fallen through its bottom and been stifled by the floods of + filth, and that he had then been devoured by the swine that came up all + about that place. This speech was flouted by those who heard; for it + seemed senseless, though really it expressly avowed the truth. + </p> + <p> + Feng now suspected that his stepson was certainly full of guile, and + desired to make away with him, but durst not do the deed for fear of the + displeasure, not only of Amleth's grandsire Rorik, but also of his own + wife. So he thought that the King of Britain should be employed to slay + him, so that another could do the deed, and he be able to feign innocence. + Thus, desirous to hide his cruelty, he chose rather to besmirch his friend + than to bring disgrace on his own head. Amleth, on departing, gave secret + orders to his mother to hang the hall with woven knots, and to perform + pretended obsequies for him a year thence; promising that he would then + return. Two retainers of Feng then accompanied him, bearing a letter + graven on wood—a kind of writing material frequent in old times; + this letter enjoined the king of the Britons to put to death the youth who + was sent over to him. While they were reposing, Amleth searched their + coffers, found the letter, and read the instructions therein. Whereupon he + erased all the writing on the surface, substituted fresh characters, and + so, changing the purport of the instructions, shifted his own doom upon + his companions. Nor was he satisfied with removing from himself the + sentence of death and passing the peril on to others, but added an + entreaty that the King of Britain would grant his daughter in marriage to + a youth of great judgment whom he was sending to him. Under this was + falsely marked the signature of Feng. + </p> + <p> + Now when they had reached Britain, the envoys went to the king, and + proffered him the letter which they supposed was an implement of + destruction to another, but which really betokened death to themselves. + The king dissembled the truth, and entreated them hospitably and kindly. + Then Amleth scouted all the splendour of the royal banquet like vulgar + viands, and abstaining very strangely, rejected that plenteous feast, + refraining from the drink even as from the banquet. All marvelled that a + youth and a foreigner should disdain the carefully cooked dainties of the + royal board and the luxurious banquet provided, as if it were some + peasant's relish. So, when the revel broke up, and the king was dismissing + his friends to rest, he had a man sent into the sleeping-room to listen + secretly, in order that he might hear the midnight conversation of his + guests. Now, when Amleth's companions asked him why he had refrained from + the feast of yestereve, as if it were poison, he answered that the bread + was flecked with blood and tainted; that there was a tang of iron in the + liquor; while the meats of the feast reeked of the stench of a human + carcase, and were infected by a kind of smack of the odour of the charnel. + He further said that the king had the eyes of a slave, and that the queen + had in three ways shown the behaviour of a bondmaid. Thus he reviled with + insulting invective not so much the feast as its givers. And presently his + companions, taunting him with his old defect of wits, began to flout him + with many saucy jeers, because he blamed and cavilled at seemly and worthy + things, and because he attacked thus ignobly an illustrious king and a + lady of so refined a behaviour, bespattering with the shamefullest abuse + those who merited all praise. + </p> + <p> + All this the king heard from his retainer; and declared that he who could + say such things had either more than mortal wisdom or more than mortal + folly; in these few words fathoming the full depth of Amleth's + penetration. Then he summoned his steward and asked him whence he had + procured the bread. The steward declared that it had been made by the + king's own baker. The king asked where the corn had grown of which it was + made, and whether any sign was to be found there of human carnage? The + other answered, that not far off was a field, covered with the ancient + bones of slaughtered men, and still bearing plainly all the signs of + ancient carnage; and that he had himself planted this field with grain in + springtide, thinking it more fruitful than the rest, and hoping for + plenteous abundance; and so, for aught he knew, the bread had caught some + evil savour from this bloodshed. The king, on hearing this, surmised that + Amleth had spoken truly, and took the pains to learn also what had been + the source of the lard. The other declared that his hogs had, through + negligence, strayed from keeping, and battened on the rotten carcase of a + robber, and that perchance their pork had thus come to have something of a + corrupt smack. The king, finding that Amletll's judgment was right in this + thing also, asked of what liquor the steward had mixed the drink? Hearing + that it had been brewed of water and meal, he had the spot of the spring + pointed out to him, and set to digging deep down; and there he found, + rusted away, several swords, the tang whereof it was thought had tainted + the waters. Others relate that Amleth blamed the drink because, while + quaffing it, he had detected some bees that had fed in the paunch of a + dead man; and that the taint, which had formerly been imparted to the + combs, had reappeared in the taste. The king, seeing that Amleth had + rightly given the causes of the taste he had found so faulty, and learning + that the ignoble eyes wherewith Amleth had reproached him concerned some + stain upon his birth, had a secret interview with his mother, and asked + her who his father had really been. She said she had submitted to no man + but the king. But when he threatened that he would have the truth out of + her by a trial, he was told that he was the offspring of a slave. By the + evidence of the avowal thus extorted he understood the whole mystery of + the reproach upon his origin. Abashed as he was with shame for his low + estate, he was so ravished with the young man's cleverness, that he asked + him why he had aspersed the queen with the reproach that she had demeaned + herself like a slave? But while resenting that the courtliness of his wife + had been accused in the midnight gossip of guest, he found that her mother + had been a bondmaid. For Amleth said he had noted in her three blemishes + showing the demeanor of a slave; first, she had muffled her head in her + mantle as handmaids do; next, that she had gathered up her gown for + walking; and thirdly, that she had first picked out with a splinter, and + then chewed up, the remnant of food that stuck in the crevices between her + teeth. Further, he mentioned that the king's mother had been brought into + slavery from captivity, lest she should seem servile only in her habits, + yet not in her birth. + </p> + <p> + Then the king adored the wisdom of Amleth as though it were inspired, and + gave him his daughter to wife; accepting his bare word as though it were a + witness from the skies. Moreover, in order to fulfil the bidding of his + friend, he hanged Amleth's companions on the morrow. Amleth, feigning + offence, treated this piece of kindness as a grievance, and received from + the king, as compensation, some gold, which he afterwards melted in the + fire, and secretly caused to be poured into some hollowed sticks. + </p> + <p> + When he had passed a whole year with the king he obtained leave to make a + journey, and returned to his own land, carrying away of all his princely + wealth and state only the sticks which held the gold. On reaching Jutland, + he exchanged his present attire for his ancient demeanour, which he had + adopted for righteous ends, purposely assuming an aspect of absurdity. + Covered with filth, he entered the banquet-room where his own obsequies + were being held, and struck all men utterly aghast, rumour having falsely + noised abroad his death. At last terror melted into mirth, and the guests + jeered and taunted one another, that he whose last rites they were + celebrating as through he were dead, should appear in the flesh. When he + was asked concerning his comrades, he pointed to the sticks he was + carrying, and said, "Here is both the one and the other." This he observed + with equal truth and pleasantry; for his speech, though most thought it + idle, yet departed not from the truth; for it pointed at the weregild of + the slain as though it were themselves. Thereon, wishing to bring the + company into a gayer mood, he jollied the cupbearers, and diligently did + the office of plying the drink. Then, to prevent his loose dress hampering + his walk, he girdled his sword upon his side, and purposely drawing it + several times, pricked his fingers with its point. The bystanders + accordingly had both sword and scabbard riveted across with all iron nail. + Then, to smooth the way more safely to his plot, he went to the lords and + plied them heavily with draught upon draught, and drenched them all so + deep in wine, that their feet were made feeble with drunkenness, and they + turned to rest within the palace, making their bed where they had + revelled. Then he saw they were in a fit state for his plots, and thought + that here was a chance offered to do his purpose. So he took out of his + bosom the stakes he has long ago prepared, and went into the building, + where the ground lay covered with the bodies of the nobles wheezing off + their sleep and their debauch. Then, cutting away its support, he brought + down the hanging his mother had knitted, which covered the inner as well + as the outer walls of the hall. This he flung upon the snorers, and then + applying the crooked stakes, he knotted and bound them up in such + insoluble intricacy, that not one of the men beneath, however hard he + might struggle, could contrive to rise. After this he set fire to the + palace. The flames spread, scattering the conflagration far and wide. It + enveloped the whole dwelling, destroyed the palace, and burnt them all + while they were either buried in deep sleep or vainly striving to arise. + Then he went to the chamber of Feng, who had before this been conducted by + his train into his pavilion; plucked up a sword that chanced to be hanging + to the bed, and planted his own in its place. Then, awakening his uncle, + he told him that his nobles were perishing in the flames, and that Amleth + was here, armed with his crooks to help him, and thirsting to exact the + vengeance, now long overdue, for his father's murder. Feng, on hearing + this, leapt from his couch, but was cut down while deprived of his own + sword, and as he strove in vain to draw the strange one. O valiant Amleth, + and worthy of immortal fame, who being shrewdly armed with a feint of + folly, covered a wisdom too high for human wit under a marvellous disguise + of silliness! And not only found in his subtlety means to protect his own + safety, but also by its guidance found opportunity to avenge his father. + By this skilful defence of himself, and strenuous revenge for his parent, + he has left it doubtful whether we are to think more of his wit or his + bravery. (3) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) Saxo now goes back to the history of Denmark. All the + events hitherto related in Bk. III, after the first + paragraph, are a digression in retrospect. + (2) M. conjectures that this was a certain Harald, the bastard + son of Erik the Good, and a wild and dissolute man, who died + in 1135, not long before the probable date of Saxo's birth. + (3) Shakespere's tragedy, "Hamlet", is derived from this story. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK FOUR. + </h2> + <p> + Amleth, when he had accomplished the slaughter of his stepfather, feared + to expose his deed to the fickle judgment of his countrymen, and thought + it well to lie in hiding till he had learnt what way the mob of the + uncouth populace was tending. So the whole neighbourhood, who had watched + the blaze during the night, and in the morning desired to know the cause + of the fire they had seen, perceived the royal palace fallen in ashes; + and, on searching through its ruins, which were yet warm, found only some + shapeless remains of burnt corpses. For the devouring flame had consumed + everything so utterly that not a single token was left to inform them of + the cause of such a disaster. Also they saw the body of Feng lying pierced + by the sword, amid his blood-stained raiment. Some were seized with open + anger, others with grief, and some with secret delight. One party bewailed + the death of their leader, the other gave thanks that the tyranny of the + fratricide was now laid at rest. Thus the occurrence of the king's + slaughter was greeted by the beholders with diverse minds. + </p> + <p> + Amleth, finding the people so quiet, made bold to leave his hiding. + Summoning those in whom he knew the memory of his father to be + fast-rooted, he went to the assembly and there made a speech after this + manner: + </p> + <p> + "Nobles! Let not any who are troubled by the piteous end of Horwendil be + worried by the sight of this disaster before you; be not ye, I say, + distressed, who have remained loyal to your king and duteous to your + father. Behold the corpse, not of a prince, but of a fratricide. Indeed, + it was a sorrier sight when ye saw our prince lying lamentably butchered + by a most infamous fratricide-brother, let me not call him. With your own + compassionating eyes ye have beheld the mangled limbs of Horwendil; they + have seen his body done to death with many wounds. Surely that most + abominable butcher only deprived his king of life that he might despoil + his country of freedom! The hand that slew him made you slaves. Who then + so mad as to choose Feng the cruel before Horwendil the righteous? + Remember how benignantly Horwendil fostered you, how justly he dealt with + you, how kindly he loved you. Remember how you lost the mildest of princes + and the justest of fathers, while in his place was put a tyrant and an + assassin set up; how your rights were confiscated; how everything was + plague-stricken; how the country was stained with infamies; how the yoke + was planted on your necks, and how, your free will was forfeited! And now + all this is over; for ye see the criminal stifled in his own crimes, the + slayer of his kin punished for his misdoings. What man of but ordinary + wit, beholding it, would account this kindness a wrong? What sane man + could be sorry that the crime has recoiled upon the culprit? Who could + lament the killing of a most savage executioner? Or bewail the righteous + death of a most cruel despot? Ye behold the doer of the deed; he is before + you. Yea, I own that I have taken vengeance for my country and my father. + Your hands were equally bound to the task which mine fulfilled. What it + would have beseemed you to accomplish with me, I achieved alone. Nor had I + any partner in so glorious a deed, or the service of any man to help me. + Not that I forget that you would have helped this work, had I asked you; + for doubtless you have remained loyal to your king and loving to your + prince. But I chose that the wicked should be punished without imperilling + you; I thought that others need not set their shoulders to the burden when + I deemed mine strong enough to bear it. Therefore I consumed all the + others to ashes, and left only the trunk of Feng for your hands to burn, + so that on this at least you may wreak all your longing for a righteous + vengeance. Now haste up speedily, heap the pyre, burn up the body of the + wicked, consume away his guilty limbs, scatter his sinful ashes, strew + broadcast his ruthless dust; let no urn or barrow enclose the abominable + remnants of his bones. Let no trace of his fratricide remain; let there be + no spot in his own land for his tainted limbs; let no neighbourhood suck + infection from him; let not sea nor soil be defiled by harboring his + accursed carcase. I have done the rest; this one loyal duty is left for + you. These must be the tyrant's obsequies, this the funeral procession of + the fratricide. It is not seemly that he who stripped his country of her + freedom should have his ashes covered by his country's earth. + </p> + <p> + "Besides, why tell again my own sorrows? Why count over my troubles? Why + weave the thread of my miseries anew? Ye know them more fully than I + myself. I, pursued to the death by my stepfather, scorned by my mother, + spat upon by friends, have passed my years in pitiable wise, and my days + in adversity; and my insecure life has teemed with fear and perils. In + fine, I passed every season of my age wretchedly and in extreme calamity. + Often in your secret murmurings together you have sighed over my lack of + wits; there was none (you said) to avenge the father, none to punish the + fratricide. And in this I found a secret testimony of your love; for I saw + that the memory of the King's murder had not yet faded from your minds. + </p> + <p> + "Whose breast is so hard that it can be softened by no fellow-feeling for + what I have felt? Who is so stiff and stony, that he is swayed by no + compassion for my griefs? Ye whose hands are clean of the blood of + Horwendil, pity your fosterling, be moved by my calamities. Pity also my + stricken mother, and rejoice with me that the infamy of her who was once + your queen is quenched. For this weak woman had to bear a twofold weight + of ignominy, embracing one who was her husband's brother and murderer. + Therefore, to hide my purpose of revenge and to veil my wit, I + counterfeited a listless bearing; I feigned dulness; I planned a + stratagem; and now you can see with your own eyes whether it has + succeeded, whether it has achieved its purpose to the full; I am content + to leave you to judge so great a matter. It is your turn; trample under + foot the ashes of the murderer! Disdain the dust of him who slew his + brother, and defiled his brother's queen with infamous desecration, who + outraged his sovereign and treasonably assailed his majesty, who brought + the sharpest tyranny upon you, stole your freedom, and crowned fratricide + with incest. I have been the agent of this just vengeance; I have burned + for this righteous retribution; uphold me with a high-born spirit; pay me + the homage that you owe; warm me with your kindly looks. It is I who have + wiped off my country's shame; I who have quenched my mother's dishonour; I + who have beaten back oppression; I who have put to death the murderer; I + who have baffled the artful hand of my uncle with retorted arts. Were he + living, each new day would have multiplied his crimes. I resented the + wrong done to father and to fatherland: I slew him who was governing you + outrageously and more hardly than it beseemed men. Acknowledge my service, + honour my wit, give me the throne if I have earned it; for you have in me + one who has done you a mighty service, and who is no degenerate heir to + his father's power; no fratricide, but the lawful successor to the throne; + and a dutiful avenger of the crime of murder. It is I who have stripped + you of slavery, and clothed you with freedom; I have restored your height + of fortune, and given you your glory back; I have deposed the despot and + triumphed over the butcher. In your hands is the reward; you know what I + have done for you, and from your righteousness I ask my wage." + </p> + <p> + Every heart had been moved while the young man thus spoke; he affected + some to compassion, and some even to tears. When the lamentation ceased, + he was appointed king by prompt and general acclaim. For one and all + rested their greatest hopes on his wisdom, since he had devised the whole + of such an achievement with the deepest cunning, and accomplished it with + the most astonishing contrivance. Many could have been seen marvelling how + he had concealed so subtle a plan over so long a space of time. + </p> + <p> + After these deeds in Denmark, Amleth equipped three vessels, and went back + to Britain to see his wife and her father. He had also enrolled in his + service the flower of the warriors, and arrayed them very choicely, + wishing to have everything now magnificently appointed, even as of old he + had always worn contemptible gear, and to change all his old devotion to + poverty for outlay on luxury. He also had a shield made for him, whereon + the whole series of his exploits, beginning with his earliest youth, was + painted in exquisite designs. This he bore as a record of his deeds of + prowess, and gained great increase of fame thereby. Here were to be seen + depicted the slaying of Horwendil; the fratricide and incest of Feng; the + infamous uncle, the whimsical nephew; the shapes of the hooked stakes; the + stepfather suspecting, the stepson dissembling; the various temptations + offered, and the woman brought to beguile him; the gaping wolf; the + finding of the rudder; the passing of the sand; the entering of the wood; + the putting of the straw through the gadfly; the warning of the youth by + the tokens; and the privy dealings with the maiden after the escort was + eluded. And likewise could be seen the picture of the palace; the queen + there with her son; the slaying of the eavesdropper; and how, after being + killed, he was boiled down, and so dropped into the sewer, and so thrown + out to the swine; how his limbs were strewn in the mud, and so left for + the beasts to finish. Also it could be seen how Amleth surprised the + secret of his sleeping attendants, how he erased the letters, and put new + characters in their places; how he disdained the banquet and scorned the + drink; how he condemned time face of the king and taxed the Queen with + faulty behaviour. There was also represented the hanging of the envoys, + and the young man's wedding; then the voyage back to Denmark; the festive + celebration of the funeral rites; Amleth, in answer to questions, pointing + to the sticks in place of his attendants, acting as cupbearer, and + purposely drawing his sword and pricking his fingers; the sword riveted + through, the swelling cheers of the banquet, the dance growing fast and + furious; the hangings flung upon the sleepers, then fastened with the + interlacing crooks, and wrapped tightly round them as they slumbered; the + brand set to the mansion, the burning of the guests, the royal palace + consumed with fire and tottering down; the visit to the sleeping-room of + Feng, the theft of his sword, the useless one set in its place; and the + king slain with his own sword's point by his stepson's hand. All this was + there, painted upon Amleth's battle-shield by a careful craftsman in the + choicest of handiwork; he copied truth in his figures, and embodied real + deeds in his outlines. Moreover, Amleth's followers, to increase the + splendour of their presence, wore shields which were gilt over. + </p> + <p> + The King of Britain received them very graciously, and treated them with + costly and royal pomp. During the feast he asked anxiously whether Feng + was alive and prosperous. His son-in-law told him that the man of whose + welfare he was vainly inquiring had perished by the sword. With a flood of + questions he tried to find out who had slain Feng, and learnt that the + messenger of his death was likewise its author. And when the king heard + this, he was secretly aghast, because he found that an old promise to + avenge Feng now devolved upon himself. For Feng and he had determined of + old, by a mutual compact, that one of them should act as avenger of the + other. Thus the king was drawn one way by his love for his daughter and + his affection for his son-in-law; another way by his regard for his + friend, and moreover by his strict oath and the sanctity of their mutual + declarations, which it was impious to violate. At last he slighted the + ties of kinship, and sworn faith prevailed. His heart turned to vengeance, + and he put the sanctity of his oath before family bonds. But since it was + thought sin to wrong the holy ties of hospitality, he preferred to + execrate his revenge by the hand of another, wishing to mask his secret + crime with a show of innocence. So he veiled his treachery with + attentions, and hid his intent to harm under a show of zealous goodwill. + His queen having lately died of illness, he requested Amleth to undertake + the mission of making him a fresh match, saying that he was highly + delighted with his extraordinary shrewdness. He declared that there was a + certain queen reigning in Scotland, whom he vehemently desired to marry. + Now he knew that she was not only unwedded by reason of her chastity, but + that in the cruelty of her arrogance she had always loathed her wooers, + and had inflicted on her lovers the uttermost punishment, so that not one + but of all the multitude was to be found who had not paid for his + insolence with his life. + </p> + <p> + Perilous as this commission was Amleth started, never shrinking to obey + the duty imposed upon him, but trusting partly in his own servants, and + partly in the attendants of the king. He entered Scotland, and, when quite + close to the abode of the queen, he went into a meadow by the wayside to + rest his horses. Pleased by the look of the spot, he thought of resting—the + pleasant prattle of the stream exciting a desire to sleep—and posted + men to keep watch some way off. The queen on hearing of this, sent out ten + warriors to spy on the approach of the foreigners and their equipment. One + of these, being quick-witted, slipped past the sentries, pertinaciously + made his way up, and took away the shield, which Amleth had chanced to set + at his head before he slept, so gently that he did not ruffle his + slumbers, though he was lying upon it, nor awaken one man of all that + troop; for he wished to assure his mistress not only by report but by some + token. With equal address he filched the letter entrusted to Amleth from + the coffer in which it was kept. When these things were brought to the + queen, she scanned the shield narrowly, and from the notes appended made + out the whole argument. Then she knew that here was the man who, trusting + in his own nicely calculated scheme, had avenged on his uncle the murder + of his father. She also looked at the letter containing the suit for her + band, and rubbed out all the writing; for wedlock with the old she utterly + abhorred, and desired the embraces of young men. But she wrote in its + place a commission purporting to be sent from the King of Britain to + herself, signed like the other with his name and title, wherein she + pretended that she was asked to marry the bearer. Moreover, she included + an account of the deeds of which she had learnt from Amleth's shield, so + that one would have thought the shield confirmed the letter, while the + letter explained the shield. Then she told the same spies whom she had + employed before to take the shield back, and put the letter in its place + again; playing the very trick on Amleth which, as she had learnt, he had + himself used in outwitting his companions. + </p> + <p> + Amleth, meanwhile, who found that his shield had been filched from under + his head, deliberately shut his eyes and cunningly feigned sleep, hoping + to regain by pretended what he had lost by real slumbers. For he thought + that the success of his one attempt would incline the spy to deceive him a + second time. And he was not mistaken. For as the spy came up stealthily, + and wanted to put back the shield and the writing in their old place, + Amleth leapt up, seized him, and detained him in bonds. Then he roused his + retinue, and went to the abode of the queen. As representing his + father-in-law, he greeted her, and handled her the writing, sealed with + the king's seal. The queen, who was named Hermutrude, took and read it, + and spoke most warmly of Amleth's diligence and shrewdness, saying, that + Feng had deserved his punishment, and that the unfathomable wit of Amleth + had accomplished a deed past all human estimation; seeing that not only + had his impenetrable depth devised a mode of revenging his father's death + and his mother's adultery, but it had further, by his notable deeds Of + prowess, seized the kingdom of the man whom he had found constantly + plotting against him. She marvelled therefore that a man of such + instructed mind could have made the one slip of a mistaken marriage; for + though his renown almost rose above mortality, he seemed to have stumbled + into an obscure and ignoble match. For the parents of his wife had been + slaves, though good luck had graced them with the honours of royalty. Now + (said she), when looking for a wife a wise man must reckon the lustre of + her birth and not of her beauty. Therefore, if he were to seek a match in + a proper spirit, he should weigh the ancestry, and not be smitten by the + looks; for though looks were a lure to temptation, yet their empty + bedizenment had tarnished the white simplicity of many a man. Now there + was a woman, as nobly born as himself, whom he could take. She herself, + whose means were not poor nor her birth lowly, was worthy his embraces, + since he did not surpass her in royal wealth nor outshine her in the + honour of his ancestors. Indeed she was a queen, and but that her sex + gainsaid it, might be deemed a king; may (and this is yet truer), + whomsoever she thought worthy of her bed was at once a king, and she + yielded her kingdom with herself. Thus her sceptre and her hand went + together. It was no mean favour for such a woman to offer her love, who in + the case of other men had always followed her refusal with the sword. + Therefore she pressed him to transfer his wooing, to make over to her his + marriage vows, and to learn to prefer birth to beauty. So saying, she fell + upon him with a close embrace. + </p> + <p> + Amleth was overjoyed at the gracious speech of the maiden, fell to kissing + back, and returned her close embrace, protesting that the maiden's wish + was his own. Then a banquet was held, friends bidden, the nobles gathered, + and the marriage rites performed. When they were accomplished, he went + back to Britain with his bride, a strong band of Scots being told to + follow close behind, that he might have its help against the diverse + treacheries in his path. As he was returning, the daughter of the King of + Britain, to whom he was still married, met him. Though she complained that + she was slighted by the wrong of having a paramour put over her, yet, she + said, it would be unworthy for her to hate him as an adulterer more than + she loved him as a husband: nor would she so far shrink from her lord as + to bring herself to hide in silence the guile which she knew was intended + against him. For she had a son as a pledge of their marriage, and regard + for him, if nothing else, must have inclined his mother to the affection + of a wife. "He," she said, "may hate the supplanter of his mother, I will + love her; no disaster shall put out my flame for thee; no ill-will shall + quench it, or prevent me from exposing the malignant designs against thee, + or from revealing the snares I have detected. Bethink thee, then, that + thou must beware of thy father-in-law, for thou hast thyself reaped the + harvest of thy mission, foiled the wishes of him who sent thee, and with + willful trespass seized over all the fruit for thyself." By this speech + she showed herself more inclined to love her husband than her father. + </p> + <p> + While she thus spoke, the King of Britain came up and embraced his + son-in-law closely, but with little love, and welcomed him with a banquet, + to hide his intended guile under a show of generosity. But Amleth, having + learnt the deceit, dissembled his fear, took a retinue of two hundred + horsemen, put on an under-shirt (of mail), and complied with the + invitation, preferring the peril of falling in with the king's deceit to + the shame of hanging back. So much heed for honour did he think that he + must take in all things. As he rode up close, the king attacked him just + under the porch of the folding doors, and would have thrust him through + with his javelin, but that the hard shirt of mail threw off the blade. + Amleth received a slight wound, and went to the spot where he had bidden + the Scottish warriors wait on duty. He then sent back to the king his new + wife's spy, whom he had captured. This man was to bear witness that he had + secretly taken from the coffer where it was kept the letter which was + meant for his mistress, and thus was to make the whole blame recoil on + Hermutrude, by this studied excuse absolving Amleth from the charge of + treachery. The king without tarrying pursued Amleth hotly as he fled, and + deprived him of most of his forces. So Amleth, on the morrow, wishing to + fight for dear life, and utterly despairing of his powers of resistance, + tried to increase his apparent numbers. He put stakes under some of the + dead bodies of his comrades to prop them up, set others on horseback like + living men, and tied others to neighbouring stones, not taking off any of + their armour, and dressing them in due order of line and wedge, just as if + they were about to engage. The wing composed of the dead was as thick as + the troop of the living. It was an amazing spectacle this, of dead men + dragged out to battle, and corpses mustered to fight. The plan served him + well, for the very figures of the dead men showed like a vast array as the + sunbeams struck them. For those dead and senseless shapes restored the + original number of the army so well, that the mass might have been + unthinned by the slaughter of yesterday. The Britons, terrified at the + spectacle, fled before fighting, conquered by the dead men whom they had + overcome in life. I cannot tell whether to think more of the cunning or of + the good fortune of this victory. The Danes came down on the king as he + was tardily making off, and killed him. Amleth, triumphant, made a great + plundering, seized the spoils of Britain, and went back with his wives to + his own land. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Rorik had died, and Wiglek, who had come to the throne, had + harassed Amleth's mother with all manner of insolence and stripped her of + her royal wealth, complaining that her son had usurped the kingdom of + Jutland and defrauded the King of Leire, who had the sole privilege of + giving and taking away the rights of high offices. This treatment Amleth + took with such forbearance as apparently to return kindness for slander, + for he presented Wiglek with the richest of his spoils. But afterwards he + seized a chance of taking vengeance, attacked him, subdued him, and from a + covert became an open foe. Fialler, the governor of Skaane, he drove into + exile; and the tale is that Fialler retired to a spot called Undensakre, + which is unknown to our peoples. After this, Wiglek, recruited with the + forces of Skaane and Zealand, sent envoys to challenge Amleth to a war. + Amleth, with his marvellous shrewdness, saw that he was tossed between two + difficulties, one of which involved disgrace and the other danger. For he + knew that if he took up the challenge he was threatened with peril of his + life, while to shrink from it would disgrace his reputation as a soldier. + Yet in that spirit ever fixed on deeds of prowess the desire to save his + honour won the day. Dread of disaster was blunted by more vehement thirst + for glory; he would not tarnish the unblemished lustre of his fame by + timidly skulking from his fate. Also he saw that there is almost as wide a + gap between a mean life and a noble death as that which is acknowledged + between honour and disgrace themselves. + </p> + <p> + Yet Amleth was enchained by such great love for Hermutrude, that he was + more deeply concerned in his mind about her future widowhood than about + his own death, and cast about very zealously how he could decide on some + second husband for her before the opening of the war. Hermutrude, + therefore, declared that she had the courage of a man, and promised that + she would not forsake him even on the field, saying that the woman who + dreaded to be united with her lord in death was abominable. But she kept + this rare promise ill; for when Amleth had been slain by Wiglek in battle + in Jutland, she yielded herself up unasked to be the conqueror's spoil and + bride. Thus all vows of woman are loosed by change of fortune and melted + by the shifting of time; the faith of their soul rests on a slippery + foothold, and is weakened by casual chances; glib in promises, and as + sluggish in performance, all manner of lustful promptings enslave it, and + it bounds away with panting and precipitate desire, forgetful of old + things in the ever hot pursuit after something fresh. So ended Amleth. Had + fortune been as kind to him as nature, he would have equalled the gods in + glory, and surpassed the labours of Hercules by his deeds of prowess. A + plain in Jutland is to be found, famous for his name and burial-place. + Wiglek's administration of the kingdom was long and peaceful, and he died + of disease. + </p> + <p> + WERMUND, his son, succeeded him. The long and leisurely tranquillity of a + most prosperous and quiet time flowed by and Wermund in undisturbed + security maintained a prolonged and steady peace at home. He had no + children during the prime of his life, but in his old age, by a belated + gift of fortune, he begat a son, Uffe, though all the years which had + glided by had raised him up no offspring. This Uffe surpassed all of his + age in stature, but in his early youth was supposed to have so dull and + foolish a spirit as to be useless for all affairs public or private. For + from his first years he never used to play or make merry, but was so void + of all human pleasure that he kept his lips sealed in a perennial silence, + and utterly restrained his austere visage from the business of laughter. + But though through the years of his youth he was reputed for an utter + fool, he afterwards left that despised estate and became famous, turning + out as great a pattern of wisdom and hardihood as he had been a picture of + stagnation. His father, seeing him such a simpleton, got him for a wife + the daughter of Frowin, the governor of the men of Sleswik; thinking that + by his alliance with so famous a man Uffe would receive help which would + serve him well in administering the realm. Frowin had two sons, Ket and + Wig, who were youths of most brilliant parts, and their excellence, not + less than that of Frowin, Wermund destined to the future advantage of his + son. + </p> + <p> + At this time the King of Sweden was Athisl, a man of notable fame and + energy. After defeating his neighbours far around, he was loth to leave + the renown won by his prowess to be tarnished in slothful ease, and by + constant and zealous practice brought many novel exercises into vogue. For + one thing he had a daily habit of walking alone girt with splendid armour: + in part because he knew that nothing was more excellent in warfare than + the continual practice of arms; and in part that he might swell his glory + by ever following this pursuit. Self-confidence claimed as large a place + in this man as thirst for fame. Nothing, he thought, could be so terrible + as to make him afraid that it would daunt his stout heart by its + opposition. He carried his arms into Denmark, and challenged Frowin to + battle near Sleswik. The armies routed one another with vast slaughter, + and it happened that the generals came to engage in person, so that they + conducted the affair like a duel; and, in addition to the public issues of + the war, the fight was like a personal conflict. For both of them longed + with equal earnestness for an issue of the combat by which they might + exhibit their valour, not by the help of their respective sides, but by a + trial of personal strength. The end was that, though the blows rained + thick on either side, Athisl prevailed and overthrew Frowin, and won a + public victory as well as a duel, breaking up and shattering the Danish + ranks in all directions. When he returned to Sweden, he not only counted + the slaying of Frowin among the trophies of his valour, but even bragged + of it past measure, so ruining the glory of the deed by his wantonness of + tongue. For it is sometimes handsomer for deeds of valour to be shrouded + in the modesty of silence than to be blazoned in wanton talk. + </p> + <p> + Wermund raised the sons of Frowin to honours of the same rank as their + father's, a kindness which was only due to the children of his friend who + had died for the country. This prompted Athisl to carry the war again into + Denmark. Emboldened therefore by his previous battle, he called back, + bringing with him not only no slender and feeble force, but all the flower + of the valour of Sweden, thinking he would seize the supremacy of all + Denmark. Ket, the son of Frowin, sent Folk, his chief officer, to take + this news to Wermund, who then chanced to be in his house Jellinge. (1) + Folk found the king feasting with his friends, and did his errand, + admonishing him that here was the long-wished-for chance of war at hand, + and pressing itself upon the wishes of Wermund, to whom was give an + immediate chance of victory and the free choice of a speedy and honourable + triumph. Great and unexpected were the sweets of good fortune, so long + sighed for, and now granted to him by this lucky event. For Athisl had + come encompassed with countless forces of the Swedes, just as though in + his firm assurance he had made sure of victory; and since the enemy who + was going to fight would doubtless prefer death to flight, this chance of + war gave them a fortunate opportunity to take vengeance for their late + disaster. + </p> + <p> + Wermund, declaring that he had performed his mission nobly and bravely, + ordered that he should take some little refreshment of the banquet, since + "far-faring ever hurt fasters." When Folk said that he had no kind of + leisure to take food, he begged him to take a draught to quench his + thirst. This was given him; and Wermund also bade him keep the cup, which + was of gold, saying that men who were weary with the heat of wayfaring + found it handier to take up the water in a goblet than in the palms, and + that it was better to use a cup for drinking than the hand. When the king + accompanied his great gift with such gracious words, the young man, + overjoyed at both, promised that, before the king should see him turn and + flee, he would take a draught of his own blood to the full measure of the + liquor he had drunk. + </p> + <p> + With this doughty vow Wermund accounted himself well repaid, and got + somewhat more joy from giving the boon than the soldier had from gaining + it. Nor did he find that Folk's talk was braver than his fighting. + </p> + <p> + For, when battle had begun, it came to pass that amidst divers charges of + the troops Folk and Athisl met and fought a long while together; and that + the host of the Swedes, following the fate of their captain, took to + flight, and Athisl also was wounded and fled from the battle to his ships. + And when Folk, dazed with wounds and toils, and moreover steeped alike in + heat and toil and thirst, had ceased to follow the rout of the enemy, + then, in order to refresh himself, he caught his own blood in his helmet, + and put it to his lips to drain: by which deed he gloriously requited the + king's gift of the cup. Wermund, who chanced to see this, praised him + warmly for fulfilling his vow. Folk answered, that a noble vow ought to be + strictly performed to the end: a speech wherein he showed no less approval + of his own deed than Wermund. + </p> + <p> + Now, while the conquerors had laid down their arms, and, as is usual after + battle, were exchanging diverse talk with one another, Ket, the governor + of the men of Sleswik, declared that it was a matter of great marvel to + him how it was that Athisl, though difficulties strewed his path, had + contrived an opportunity to escape, especially as he had been the first + and foremost in the battle, but last of all in the retreat; and though + there had not been one of the enemy whose fall was so vehemently desired + by the Danes. Wermund rejoined that he should know that there were four + kinds of warrior to be distinguished in every army. The fighters of the + first order were those who, tempering valour with forbearance, were keen + to slay those who resisted, but were ashamed to bear hard on fugitives. + For these were the men who had won undoubted proofs of prowess by veteran + experience in arms, and who found their glory not in the flight of the + conquered, but in overcoming those whom they had to conquer. Then there + was a second kind of warriors, who were endowed with stout frame and + spirit, but with no jot of compassion, and who raged with savage and + indiscriminate carnage against the backs as well as the breasts of their + foes. Now of this sort were the men carried away by hot and youthful + blood, and striving to grace their first campaign with good auguries of + warfare. They burned as hotly with the glow of youth as with the glow for + glory, and thus rushed headlong into right or wrong with equal + recklessness. There was also the third kind, who, wavering betwixt shame + and fear, could not go forward for terror, while shame barred retreat. Of + distinguished blood, but only notable for their useless stature, they + crowded the ranks with numbers and not with strength, smote the foe more + with their shadows than with their arms, and were only counted among the + throng of warriors as so many bodies to be seen. These men were lords of + great riches, but excelled more in birth than bravery; hungry for life + because owning great possessions, they were forced to yield to the sway of + cowardice rather than nobleness. There were others, again, who brought + show to the war, and not substance, and who, foisting themselves into the + rear of their comrades, were the first to fly and the last to fight. One + sure token of fear betrayed their feebleness; for they always deliberately + sought excuses to shirk, and followed with timid and sluggish advance in + the rear of the fighters. It must be supposed, therefore, that these were + the reasons why the king had escaped safely; for when he fled he was not + pursued pertinaciously by the men of the front rank; since these made it + their business to preserve the victory, not to arrest the conquered, and + massed their wedges, in order that the fresh-won victory might be duly and + sufficiently guarded, and attain the fulness of triumph. + </p> + <p> + Now the second class of fighters, whose desire was to cut down everything + in their way, had left Athisl unscathed, from lack not of will but of + opportunity; for they had lacked the chance to hurt him rather than the + daring. Moreover, though the men of the third kind, who frittered away the + very hour of battle by wandering about in a flurried fashion, and also + hampered the success of their own side, had had their chance of harming + the king, they yet lacked courage to assail him. In this way Wermund + satisfied the dull amazement of Ket, and declared that he had set forth + and expounded the true reasons of the king's safe escape. + </p> + <p> + After this Athisl fled back to Sweden, still wantonly bragging of the + slaughter of Frowin, and constantly boasting the memory of his exploit + with prolix recital of his deeds; not that he bore calmly the shame of his + defeat, but that he might salve the wound of his recent flight by the + honours of his ancient victory. This naturally much angered Ket and Wig, + and they swore a vow to unite in avenging their father. Thinking that they + could hardly accomplish this in open war, they took an equipment of + lighter armament, and went to Sweden alone. Then, entering a wood in which + they had learnt by report that the king used to take his walks + unaccompanied, they hid their weapons. Then they talked long with Athisl, + giving themselves out as deserters; and when he asked them what was their + native country, they said they were men of Sleswik, and had left their + land "for manslaughter". The king thought that this statement referred not + to their vow to commit the crime, but to the guilt of some crime already + committed. For they desired by this deceit to foil his inquisitiveness, so + that the truthfulness of the statement might baffle the wit of the + questioner, and their true answer, being covertly shadowed forth in a + fiction, might inspire in him a belief that it was false. For famous men + of old thought lying a most shameful thing. Then Athisl said he would like + to know whom the Danes believed to be the slayer of Frowin. Ket replied + that there was a doubt as to who ought to claim so illustrious a deed, + especially as the general testimony was that he had perished on the field + of battle. Athisl answered that it was idle to credit others with the + death of Frowin, which he, and he alone, had accomplished in mutual + combat. Soon he asked whether Frowin had left any children. Ket answering + that two sons of his were alive, said that he would be very glad to learn + their age and stature. Ket replied that they were almost of the same size + as themselves in body, alike in years, and much resembling them in + tallness. Then Athisl said: "If the mind and the valour of their sire were + theirs, a bitter tempest would break upon me." Then he asked whether those + men constantly spoke of the slaying of their father. Ket rejoined that it + was idle to go on talking and talking about a thing that could not be + softened by any remedy, and declared that it was no good to harp with + constant vexation on an inexpiable ill. By saying this he showed that + threats ought not to anticipate vengeance. + </p> + <p> + When Ket saw that the king regularly walked apart alone in order to train + his strength, he took up his arms, and with his brother followed the king + as he walked in front of them. Athisl, when he saw them, stood his ground + on the sand, thinking it shameful to avoid threateners. Then they said + that they would take vengeance for his slaying of Frowin, especially as he + avowed with so many arrogant vaunts that he alone was his slayer. But he + told them to take heed lest while they sought to compass their revenge, + they should be so foolhardy as to engage him with their feeble and + powerless hand, and while desiring the destruction of another, should find + they had fallen themselves. Thus they would cut off their goodly promise + of overhasty thirst for glory. Let them then save their youth and spare + their promise; let them not be seized so lightly with a desire to perish. + Therefore, let them suffer him to requite with money the trespass done + them in their father's death, and account it great honour that they would + be credited with forcing so mighty a chief to pay a fine, and in a manner + with shaking him with overmastering fear. Yet he said he advised them + thus, not because he was really terrified, but because he was moved with + compassion for their youth. Ket replied that it was idle to waste time in + beating so much about the bush and trying to sap their righteous longing + for revenge by an offer of pelf. So he bade him come forward and make + trial with him in single combat of whatever strength he had. He himself + would do without the aid of his brother, and would fight with his own + strength, lest it should appear a shameful and unequal combat, for the + ancients held it to be unfair, and also infamous, for two men to fight + against one; and a victory gained by this kind of fighting they did not + account honourable, but more like a disgrace than a glory. Indeed, it was + considered not only a poor, but a most shameful exploit for two men to + overpower one. + </p> + <p> + But Athisl was filled with such assurance that he bade them both assail + him at once, declaring that if he could not cure them of the desire to + fight, he would at least give them the chance of fighting more safely. But + Ket shrank so much from this favour that he swore he would accept death + sooner: for he thought that the terms of battle thus offered would be + turned into a reproach to himself. So he engaged hotly with Athisl, who + desirous to fight him in a forbearing fashion, merely thrust lightly with + his blade and struck upon his shield; thus guarding his own safety with + more hardihood than success. When he had done this some while, he advised + him to take his brother to share in his enterprise, and not be ashamed to + ask for the help of another hand, since his unaided efforts were useless. + If he refused, said Athisl, he should not be spared; then making good his + threats, he assailed him with all his might. But Ket received him with so + sturdy a stroke of his sword, that it split the helmet and forced its way + down upon the head. Stung by the wound (for a stream of blood flowed from + his poll), he attacked Ket with a shower of nimble blows, and drove him to + his knees. Wig, leaning more to personal love than to general usage, (2) + could not bear the sight, but made affection conquer shame, and attacking + Athisl, chose rather to defend the weakness of his brother than to look on + at it. But he won more infamy than glory by the deed. In helping his + brother he had violated the appointed conditions of the duel; and the help + that he gave him was thought more useful than honourable. For on the one + scale he inclined to the side of disgrace, and on the other to that of + affection. Thereupon they perceived themselves that their killing of + Athisl had been more swift than glorious. Yet, not to hide the deed from + the common people, they cut off his head, slung his body on a horse, took + it out of the wood, and handed it over to the dwellers in a village near, + announcing that the sons of Frowin had taken vengeance upon Athisl, King + of the Swedes, for the slaying of their father. Boasting of such a victory + as this, they were received by Wermund with the highest honours; for he + thought they had done a most useful deed, and he preferred to regard the + glory of being rid of a rival with more attention than the infamy of + committing an outrage. Nor did he judge that the killing of a tyrant was + in any wise akin to shame. It passed into a proverb among foreigners, that + the death of the king had broken down the ancient principle of combat. + </p> + <p> + When Wermund was losing his sight by infirmity of age, the King of Saxony, + thinking that Denmark lacked a leader, sent envoys ordering him to + surrender to his charge the kingdom which he held beyond the due term of + life; lest, if he thirsted to hold sway too long, he should strip his + country of laws and defence. For how could he be reckoned a king, whose + spirit was darkened with age, and his eyes with blindness not less black + and awful? If he refused, but yet had a son who would dare to accept a + challenge and fight with his son, let him agree that the victor should + possess the realm. But if he approved neither offer, let him learn that he + must be dealt with by weapons and not by warnings; and in the end he must + unwillingly surrender what he was too proud at first to yield uncompelled. + Wermund, shaken by deep sighs, answered that it was too insolent to sting + him with these taunts upon his years; for he had passed no timorous youth, + nor shrunk from battle, that age should bring him to this extreme misery. + It was equally unfitting to cast in his teeth the infirmity of his + blindness: for it was common for a loss of this kind to accompany such a + time of life as his, and it seemed a calamity fitter for sympathy than for + taunts. It were juster to fix the blame on the impatience of the King of + Saxony, whom it would have beseemed to wait for the old man's death, and + not demand his throne; for it was somewhat better to succeed to the dead + than to rob the living. Yet, that he might not be thought to make over the + honours of his ancient freedom, like a madman, to the possession of + another, he would accept the challenge with his own hand. The envoys + answered that they knew that their king would shrink from the mockery of + fighting a blind man, for such an absurd mode of combat was thought more + shameful than honourable. It would surely be better to settle the affair + by means of their offspring on either side. The Danes were in + consternation, and at a sudden loss for a reply: but Uffe, who happened to + be there with the rest, craved his father's leave to answer; and suddenly + the dumb as it were spake. When Wermund asked who had thus begged leave to + speak, and the attendants said that it was Uffe, he declared that it was + enough that the insolent foreigner should jeer at the pangs of his misery, + without those of his own household vexing him with the same wanton + effrontery. But the courtiers persistently averred that this man was Uffe; + and the king said: "He is free, whosoever he be, to say out what he + thinks." Then said Uffe, "that it was idle for their king to covet a realm + which could rely not only on the service of its own ruler, but also on the + arms and wisdom of most valiant nobles. Moreover, the king did not lack a + son nor the kingdom an heir; and they were to know that he had made up his + mind to fight not only the son of their king, but also, at the same time, + whatsoever man the prince should elect as his comrade out of the bravest + of their nation." + </p> + <p> + The envoys laughed when they beard this, thinking it idle lip-courage. + Instantly the ground for the battle was agreed on, and a fixed time + appointed. But the bystanders were so amazed by the strangeness of Uffe's + speaking and challenging, that one can scarce say if they were more + astonished at his words or at his assurance. + </p> + <p> + But on the departure of the envoys Wermund praised him who had made the + answer, because he had proved his confidence in his own valour by + challenging not one only, but two; and said that he would sooner quit his + kingdom for him, whoever he was, than for an insolent foe. But when one + and all testified that he who with lofty self-confidence had spurned the + arrogance of the envoys was his own son, he bade him come nearer to him, + wishing to test with his hands what he could not with his eyes. Then he + carefully felt his body, and found by the size of his limbs and by his + features that he was his son; and then began to believe their assertions, + and to ask him why he had taken pains to hide so sweet an eloquence with + such careful dissembling, and had borne to live through so long a span of + life without utterance or any intercourse of talk, so as to let men think + him utterly incapable of speech, and a born mute. He replied that he had + been hitherto satisfied with the protection of his father, that he had not + needed the use of his own voice, until he saw the wisdom of his own land + hard pressed by the glibness of a foreigner. The king also asked him why + he had chosen to challenge two rather than one. He said he had desired + this mode of combat in order that the death of King Athisl, which, having + been caused by two men, was a standing reproach to the Danes, might be + balanced by the exploit of one, and that a new ensample of valour might + erase the ancient record of their disgrace. Fresh honour, he said, would + thus obliterate the guilt of their old dishonour. + </p> + <p> + Wermund said that his son had judged all things rightly, and bade him + first learn the use of arms, since he had been little accustomed to them. + When they were offered to Uffe, he split the narrow links of the + mail-coats by the mighty girth of his chest, nor could any be found large + enough to hold him properly. For he was too hugely built to be able to use + the arms of any other man. At last, when he was bursting even his father's + coat of mail by the violent compression of his body, Wermund ordered it to + be cut away on the left side and patched with a buckle; thinking it + mattered little if the side guarded by the shield were exposed to the + sword. He also told him to be most careful in fixing on a sword which he + could use safely. Several were offered him; but Uffe, grasping the hilt, + shattered them one after the other into flinders by shaking them, and not + a single blade was of so hard a temper but at the first blow he broke it + into many pieces. But the king had a sword of extraordinary sharpness, + called "Skrep", which at a single blow of the smiter struck straight + through and cleft asunder any obstacle whatsoever; nor would aught be hard + enough to check its edge when driven home. The king, loth to leave this + for the benefit of posterity, and greatly grudging others the use of it, + had buried it deep in the earth, meaning, since he had no hopes of his + son's improvement, to debar everyone else from using it. But when he was + now asked whether he had a sword worthy of the strength of Uffe, he said + that he had one which, if he could recognize the lie of the ground and + find what he had consigned long ago to earth, he could offer him as worthy + of his bodily strength. Then he bade them lead him into a field, and kept + questioning his companions over all the ground. At last he recognised the + tokens, found the spot where he had buried the sword, drew it out of its + hole, and handed it to his son. Uffe saw it was frail with great age and + rusted away; and, not daring to strike with it, asked if he must prove + this one also like the rest, declaring that he must try its temper before + the battle ought to be fought. Wermund replied that if this sword were + shattered by mere brandishing, there was nothing left which could serve + for such strength as his. He must, therefore, forbear from the act, whose + issue remained so doubtful. + </p> + <p> + So they repaired to the field of battle as agreed. It is fast encompassed + by the waters of the river Eider, which roll between, and forbid any + approach save by ship. Hither Uffe went unattended, while the Prince of + Saxony was followed by a champion famous for his strength. Dense crowds on + either side, eager to see, thronged each winding bank, and all bent their + eyes upon this scene. Wermund planted himself on the end of the bridge, + determined to perish in the waters if defeat were the lot of his son: he + would rather share the fall of his own flesh and blood than behold, with + heart full of anguish, the destruction of his own country. Both the + warriors assaulted Uffe; but, distrusting his sword, he parried the blows + of both with his shield, being determined to wait patiently and see which + of the two he must beware of most heedfully, so that he might reach that + one at all events with a single stroke of his blade. Wermund, thinking + that his feebleness was at fault, that he took the blows so patiently, + dragged himself little by little, in his longing for death, forward to the + western edge of the bridge, meaning to fling himself down and perish, + should all be over with his son. + </p> + <p> + Fortune shielded the old father, for Uffe told the prince to engage with + him more briskly, and to do some deed of prowess worthy of his famous + race; lest the lowborn squire should seem braver than the prince. Then, in + order to try the bravery of the champion, he bade him not skulk timorously + at his master's heels, but requite by noble deeds of combat the trust + placed in him by his prince, who had chosen him to be his single partner + in the battle. The other complied, and when shame drove him to fight at + close quarters, Uffe clove him through with the first stroke of his blade. + The sound revived Wermund, who said that he heard the sword of his son, + and asked "on what particular part he had dealt the blow?" Then the + retainers answered that it had gone through no one limb, but the man's + whole frame; whereat Wermund drew back from the precipice and came on the + bridge, longing now as passionately to live as he had just wished to die. + Then Uffe, wishing to destroy his remaining foe after the fashion of the + first, incited the prince with vehement words to offer some sacrifice by + way of requital to the shade of the servant slain in his cause. Drawing + him by those appeals, and warily noting the right spot to plant his blow, + he turned the other edge of his sword to the front, fearing that the thin + side of his blade was too frail for his strength, and smote with a + piercing stroke through the prince's body. When Wermund heard it, he said + that the sound of his sword "Skrep" had reached his ear for the second + time. Then, when the judges announced that his son had killed both + enemies, he burst into tears from excess of joy. Thus gladness bedewed the + cheeks which sorrow could not moisten. So while the Saxons, sad and + shamefaced, bore their champions to burial with bitter shame, the Danes + welcomed Uffe and bounded for joy. Then no more was heard of the disgrace + of the murder of Athisl, and there was an end of the taunts of the Saxons. + </p> + <p> + Thus the realm of Saxony was transferred to the Danes, and Uffe, after his + father, undertook its government; and he, who had not been thought equal + to administering a single kingdom properly, was now appointed to manage + both. Most men have called him Olaf, and he has won the name of "the + Gentle" for his forbearing spirit. His later deeds, lost in antiquity, + have lacked formal record. But it may well be supposed that when their + beginnings were so notable, their sequel was glorious. I am so brief in + considering his doings, because the lustre of the famous men of our nation + has been lost to memory and praise by the lack of writings. But if by good + luck our land had in old time been endowed with the Latin tongue, there + would have been countless volumes to read of the exploits of the Danes. + </p> + <p> + Uffe was succeeded by his son DAN, who carried his arms against + foreigners, and increased his sovereignty with many a trophy; but he + tarnished the brightness of the glory he had won by foul and abominable + presumption; falling so far away from the honour of his famous father, who + surpassed all others in modesty, that he contrariwise was puffed up and + proudly exalted in spirit, so that he scorned all other men. He also + squandered the goods of his father on infamies, as well as his own + winnings from the spoils of foreign nations; and he devoured in + expenditure on luxuries the wealth which should have ministered to his + royal estate. Thus do sons sometimes, like monstrous births, degenerate + from their ancestors. + </p> + <p> + After this HUGLEIK was king, who is said to have defeated in battle at sea + Homod and Hogrim, the despots of Sweden. + </p> + <p> + To him succeeded FRODE, surnamed the Vigorous, who bore out his name by + the strength of his body and mind. He destroyed in war ten captains of + Norway, and finally approached the island which afterwards had its name + from him, meaning to attack the king himself last of all. This king, + Froger, was in two ways very distinguished, being notable in arms no less + than in wealth; and graced his sovereignty with the deeds of a champion, + being as rich in prizes for bodily feats as in the honours of rank. + According to some, he was the son of Odin, and when he begged the immortal + gods to grant him a boon, received the privilege that no man should + conquer him, save he who at the time of the conflict could catch up in his + hand the dust lying beneath Froger's feet. When Frode found that Heaven + had endowed this king with such might, he challenged him to a duel, + meaning to try to outwit the favour of the gods. So at first, feigning + inexperience, he besought the king for a lesson in fighting, knowing (he + said) his skill and experience in the same. The other, rejoicing that his + enemy not only yielded to his pretensions, but even made him a request, + said that he was wise to submit his youthful mind to an old man's wisdom; + for his unscarred face and his brow, ploughed by no marks of battle, + showed that his knowledge of such matters was but slender. So he marked + off on the ground two square spaces with sides an ell long, opposite one + another, meaning to begin by instructing him about the use of these plots. + When they had been marked off, each took the side assigned to him. Then + Frode asked Froger to exchange arms and ground with him, and the request + was readily granted. For Froger was excited with the dashing of his + enemy's arms, because Frode wore a gold-hilted sword, a breastplate + equally bright, and a headpiece most brilliantly adorned in the same + manner. So Frode caught up some dust from the ground whence Froger had + gone, and thought that he had been granted an omen of victory. Nor was he + deceived in his presage; for he straightway slew Froger, and by this petty + trick won the greatest name for bravery; for he gained by craft what had + been permitted to no man's strength before. + </p> + <p> + After him DAN came to the throne. When he was in the twelfth year of his + age, he was wearied by the insolence of the embassies, which commanded him + either to fight the Saxons or to pay them tribute. Ashamed, he preferred + fighting to payment and was moved to die stoutly rather than live a + coward. So he elected to fight; and the warriors of the Danes filled the + Elbe with such a throng of vessels, that the decks of the ships lashed + together made it quite easy to cross, as though along a continuous bridge. + The end was that the King of Saxony had to accept the very terms he was + demanding from the Danes. + </p> + <p> + After Dan, FRIDLEIF, surnamed the Swift, assumed the sovereignty. During + his reign, Huyrwil, the lord of Oland, made a league with the Danes and + attacked Norway. No small fame was added to his deeds by the defeat of the + amazon Rusila, who aspired with military ardour to prowess in battle: but + he gained manly glory over a female foe. Also he took into his alliance, + on account of their deeds of prowess, her five partners, the children of + Finn, named Brodd, Bild, Bug, Fanning, and Gunholm. Their confederacy + emboldened him to break the treaty which he made with the Danes; and the + treachery of the violation made it all the more injurious, for the Danes + could not believe that he could turn so suddenly from a friend into an + enemy; so easily can some veer from goodwill into hate. I suppose that + this man inaugurated the morals of our own day, for we do not account + lying and treachery as sinful and sordid. When Huyrwil attacked the + southern side of Zealand, Fridleif assailed him in the harbour which was + afterwards called by Huyrwil's name. In this battle the soldiers, in their + rivalry for glory, engaged with such bravery that very few fled to escape + peril, and both armies were utterly destroyed; nor did the victory fall to + either side, where both were enveloped in an equal ruin. So much more + desirous were they all of glory than of life. So the survivors of + Huyrwil's army, in order to keep united, had the remnants of their fleet + lashed together at night. But, in the same night, Bild and Brodd cut the + cables with which the ships were joined, and stealthily severed their own + vessels from the rest, thus yielding to their own terrors by deserting + their brethren, and obeying the impulses of fear rather than fraternal + love. When daylight returned, Fridleif, finding that after the great + massacre of their friends only Huyrwil, Gunholm, Bug, and Fanning were + left, determined to fight them all single-handed, so that the mangled + relics of his fleet might not again have to be imperilled. Besides his + innate courage, a shirt of steel-defying mail gave him confidence; a garb + which he used to wear in all public battles and in duels, as a + preservative of his life. He accomplished his end with as much fortune as + courage, and ended the battle successfully. For, after slaying Huyrwil, + Bug, and Fanning, he killed Gunholm, who was accustomed to blunt the blade + of an enemy with spells, by a shower of blows from his hilt. But while he + gripped the blade too eagerly, the sinews, being cut and disabled, + contracted the fingers upon the palm, and cramped them with life-long + curvature. + </p> + <p> + While Fridleif was besieging Dublin, a town in Ireland, and saw from the + strength of the walls that there was no chance of storming them, he + imitated the shrewd wit of Hadding, and ordered fire to be shut up in + wicks and fastened to the wings of swallows. When the birds got back in + their own nesting-place, the dwellings suddenly flared up; and while the + citizens all ran up to quench them, and paid more heed to abating the fire + than to looking after the enemy, Fridleif took Dublin. After this he lost + his soldiers in Britain, and, thinking that he would find it hard to get + back to the coast, he set up the corpses of the slain (Amleth's device) + and stationed them in line, thus producing so nearly the look of his + original host that its great reverse seemed not to have lessened the show + of it a whit. By this deed he not only took out of the enemy all heart for + fighting, but inspired them with the desire to make their escape. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) Jellinge. Lat. "Ialunga", Icel. "Jalangr". + (2) General usage. "publicus consuetudini": namely, the rule of + combat that two should not fight against one. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK FIVE. + </h2> + <p> + After the death of Fridleif, his son FRODE, aged seven, was elected in his + stead by the unanimous decision of the Danes. But they held an assembly + first, and judged that the minority of the king should be taken in charge + by guardians, lest the sovereignty should pass away owing to the + boyishness of the ruler. For one and all paid such respect to the name and + memory of Fridleif, that the royalty was bestowed on his son despite his + tender years. So a selection was made, and the brothers Westmar and Koll + were summoned to the charge of bringing up the king. Isulf, also, and Agg + and eight other men of mark were not only entrusted with the guardianship + of the king, but also granted authority to administer the realm under him. + These men were rich in strength and courage, and endowed with ample gifts + of mind as well as of body. Thus the state of the Danes was governed with + the aid of regents until the time when the king should be a man. + </p> + <p> + The wife of Koll was Gotwar, who used to paralyse the most eloquent and + fluent men by her glib and extraordinary insolence; for she was potent in + wrangling, and full of resource in all kinds of disputation. Words were + her weapons; and she not only trusted in questions, but was armed with + stubborn answers. No man could subdue this woman, who could not fight, but + who found darts in her tongue instead. Some she would argue down with a + flood of impudent words, while others she seemed to entangle in the meshes + of her quibbles, and strangle in the noose of her sophistries; so nimble a + wit had the woman. Moreover, she was very strong, either in making or + cancelling a bargain, and the sting of her tongue was the secret of her + power in both. She was clever both at making and at breaking leagues; thus + she had two sides to her tongue, and used it for either purpose. + </p> + <p> + Westmar had twelve sons, three of whom had the same name—Grep in + common. These three men were conceived at once and delivered at one birth, + and their common name declared their simultaneous origin. They were + exceedingly skillful swordsmen and boxers. Frode had also given the + supremacy of the sea to Odd; who was very closely related to the king. + Koll rejoiced in an offspring of three sons. At this time a certain son of + Frode's brother held the chief command of naval affairs for the protection + of the country, Now the king had a sister, Gunwar, surnamed the Fair + because of her surpassing beauty. The sons of Westmar and Koll, being + ungrown in years and bold in spirit, let their courage become recklessness + and devoted their guilt-stained minds to foul and degraded orgies. + </p> + <p> + Their behaviour was so outrageous and uncontrollable that they ravished + other men's brides and daughters, and seemed to have outlawed chastity and + banished it to the stews. Nay, they defiled the couches of matrons, and + did not even refrain from the bed of virgins. A man's own chamber was no + safety to him: there was scarce a spot in the land but bore traces of + their lust. Husbands were vexed with fear, and wives with insult to their + persons: and to these wrongs folk bowed. No ties were respected, and + forced embraces became a common thing. Love was prostituted, all reverence + for marriage ties died out, and lust was greedily run after. And the + reason of all this was the peace; for men's bodies lacked exercise and + were enervated in the ease so propitious to vices. At last the eldest of + those who shared the name of Grep, wishing to regulate and steady his + promiscuous wantonness, ventured to seek a haven for his vagrant amours in + the love of the king's sister. Yet he did amiss. For though it was right + that his vagabond and straying delights should be bridled by modesty, yet + it was audacious for a man of the people to covet the child of a king. + She, much fearing the impudence of her wooer, and wishing to be safer from + outrage, went into a fortified building. Thirty attendants were given to + her, to keep guard and constant watch over her person. + </p> + <p> + Now the comrades of Frode, sadly lacking the help of women in the matter + of the wear of their garments, inasmuch as they had no means of patching + or of repairing rents, advised and urged the king to marry. At first he + alleged his tender years as an excuse, but in the end yielded to the + persistent requests of his people. And when he carefully inquired of his + advisers who would be a fit wife for him, they all praised the daughter of + the King of the Huns beyond the rest. When the question was pushed, what + reason Frode had for objecting to her, he replied that he had heard from + his father that it was not expedient for kings to seek alliance far + afield, or to demand love save from neighbours. When Gotwar heard this she + knew that the king's resistance to his friends was wily. Wishing to + establish his wavering spirit, and strengthen the courage of his weakling + soul, she said: "Bridals are for young men, but the tomb awaits the old. + The steps of youth go forward in desires and in fortune; but old age + declines helpless to the sepulchre. Hope attends youth; age is bowed with + hopeless decay. The fortune of young men increases; it will never leave + unfinished what it begins." Respecting her words, he begged her to + undertake the management of the suit. But she refused, pleading her age as + her pretext, and declaring herself too stricken in years to bear so + difficult a commission. The king saw that a bribe was wanted, and, + proffering a golden necklace, promised it as the reward of her embassy. + For the necklace had links consisting of studs, and figures of kings + interspersed in bas-relief, which could be now separated and now drawn + together by pulling a thread inside; a gewgaw devised more for luxury than + use. Frode also ordered that Westmar and Koll, with their sons, should be + summoned to go on the same embassy, thinking that their cunning would + avoid the shame of a rebuff. + </p> + <p> + They went with Gotwar, and were entertained by the King of the Huns at a + three days' banquet, ere they uttered the purpose of their embassy. For it + was customary of old thus to welcome guests. When the feast had been + prolonged three days, the princess came forth to make herself pleasant to + the envoys with a most courteous address, and her blithe presence added + not a little to the festal delights of the banqueters. And as the drink + went faster Westmar revealed his purpose in due course, in a very merry + declaration, wishing to sound the mind of the maiden in talk of a friendly + sort. And, in order not to inflict on himself a rebuff, he spoke in a + mirthful vein, and broke the ground of his mission, by venturing to make + up a sportive speech amid the applause of the revellers. The princess said + that she disdained Frode because he lacked honour and glory. For in days + of old no men were thought fit for the hand of high-born women but those + who had won some great prize of glory by the lustre of their admirable + deeds. Sloth was the worst of vices in a suitor, and nothing was more of a + reproach in one who sought marriage than the lack of fame. A harvest of + glory, and that alone, could bring wealth in everything else. Maidens + admired in their wooers not so much good looks as deeds nobly done. So the + envoys, flagging and despairing of their wish, left the further conduct of + the affair to the wisdom of Gotwar, who tried to subdue the maiden not + only with words but with love-philtres, and began to declare that Frode + used his left hand as well as his right, and was a quick and skillful + swimmer and fighter. Also by the drink which she gave she changed the + strictness of the maiden to desire, and replaced her vanished anger with + love and delight. Then she bade Westmar, Koll, and their sons go to the + king and urge their mission afresh; and finally, should they find him + froward, to anticipate a rebuff by a challenge to fight. + </p> + <p> + So Westmar entered the palace with his men-at-arms, and said: "Now thou + must needs either consent to our entreaties, or meet in battle us who + entreat thee. We would rather die nobly than go back with our mission + unperformed; lest, foully repulsed and foiled of our purpose, we should + take home disgrace where we hoped to will honour. If thou refuse thy + daughter, consent to fight: thou must needs grant one thing or the other. + We wish either to die or to have our prayers beard. Something—sorrow + if not joy—we will get from thee. Frode will be better pleased to + hear of our slaughter than of our repulse." Without another word, he + threatened to aim a blow at the king's throat with his sword. The king + replied that it was unseemly for the royal majesty to meet an inferior in + rank in level combat, and unfit that those of unequal station should fight + as equals. But when Westmar persisted in urging him to fight, he at last + bade him find out what the real mind of the maiden was; for in old time + men gave women who were to marry, free choice of a husband. For the king + was embarrassed, and hung vacillating betwixt shame and fear of battle. + Thus Westmar, having been referred to the thoughts of the girl's heart, + and knowing that every woman is as changeable in purpose as she is fickle + in soul, proceeded to fulfil his task all the more confidently because he + knew how mutable the wishes of maidens were. His confidence in his charge + was increased and his zeal encouraged, because she had both a maiden's + simplicity, which was left to its own counsels, and a woman's freedom of + choice, which must be wheedled with the most delicate and mollifying + flatteries; and thus she would be not only easy to lead away, but even + hasty in compliance. But her father went after the envoys, that he might + see more surely into his daughter's mind. She had already been drawn by + the stealthy working of the draught to love her suitor, and answered that + the promise of Frode, rather than his present renown, had made her expect + much of his nature: since he was sprung from so famous a father, and every + nature commonly answered to its origin. The youth therefore had pleased + her by her regard of his future, rather than his present, glory. These + words amazed the father; but neither could he bear to revoke the freedom + he had granted her, and he promised her in marriage to Frode. Then, having + laid in ample stores, he took her away with the most splendid pomp, and, + followed by the envoys, hastened to Denmark, knowing that a father was the + best person to give away a daughter in marriage. Frode welcomed his bride + most joyfully, and also bestowed the highest honours upon his future royal + father-in-law; and when the marriage rites were over, dismissed him with a + large gift of gold and silver. + </p> + <p> + And so with Hanund, the daughter of the King of the Huns, for his wife, he + passed three years in the most prosperous peace. But idleness brought + wantonness among his courtiers, and peace begot lewdness, which they + displayed in the most abominable crimes. For they would draw some men up + in the air on ropes, and torment them, pushing their bodies as they hung, + like a ball that is tossed; or they would put a kid's hide under the feet + of others as they walked, and, by stealthily pulling a rope, trip their + unwary steps on the slippery skill in their path; others they would strip + of their clothes, and lash with sundry tortures of stripes; others they + fastened to pegs, as with a noose, and punished with mock-hanging. They + scorched off the beard and hair with tapers; of others they burned the + hair of the groin with a brand. Only those maidens might marry whose + chastity they had first deflowered. Strangers they battered with bones; + others they compelled to drunkenness with immoderate draughts, and made + them burst. No man might give his daughter to wife unless he had first + bought their favour and goodwill. None might contract any marriage without + first purchasing their consent with a bribe. Moreover, they extended their + abominable and abandoned lust not only to virgins, but to the multitude of + matrons indiscriminately. Thus a twofold madness incited this mixture of + wantonness and frenzy. Guests and strangers were proffered not shelter but + revilings. All these maddening mockeries did this insolent and wanton crew + devise, and thus under a boy-king freedom fostered licence. For nothing + prolongs reckless sin like the procrastination of punishment and + vengeance. This unbridled impudence of the soldiers ended by making the + king detested, not only by foreigners, but even by his own people, for the + Danes resented such an arrogant and cruel rule. But Grep was contented + with no humble loves; he broke out so outrageously that he was guilty of + intercourse with the queen, and proved as false to the king as he was + violent to all other men. Then by degrees the scandal grew, and the + suspicion of his guilt crept on with silent step. The common people found + it out before the king. For Grep, by always punishing all who alluded in + the least to this circumstance, had made it dangerous to accuse him. But + the rumour of his crime, which at first was kept alive in whispers, was + next passed on in public reports; for it is hard for men to hide another's + guilt if they are aware of it. Gunwar had many suitors; and accordingly + Grep, trying to take revenge for his rebuff by stealthy wiles, demanded + the right of judging the suitors, declaring that the princess ought to + make the choicest match. But he disguised his anger, lest he should seem + to have sought the office from hatred of the maiden. At his request the + king granted him leave to examine the merits of the young men. So he first + gathered all the wooers of Gunwar together on the pretence of a banquet, + and then lined the customary room of the princess with their heads—a + gruesome spectacle for all the rest. Yet he forfeited none of his favour + with Frode, nor abated his old intimacy with him. For he decided that any + opportunity of an interview with the king must be paid for, and gave out + that no one should have any conversation with him who brought no presents. + Access, he announced, to so great a general must be gained by no stale or + usual method, but by making interest most zealously. He wished to lighten + the scandal of his cruelty by the pretence of affection to his king. The + people, thus tormented, vented their complaint of their trouble in silent + groans. None had the spirit to lift up his voice in public against this + season of misery. No one had become so bold as to complain openly of the + affliction that was falling upon them. Inward resentment vexed the hearts + of men, secretly indeed, but all the more bitterly. + </p> + <p> + When Gotar, the King of Norway, heard this, he assembled his soldiers, and + said that the Danes were disgusted with their own king, and longed for + another if they could get the opportunity; that he had himself resolved to + lead an army thither, and that Denmark would be easy to seize if attacked. + Frode's government of his country was as covetous as it was cruel. Then + Erik rose up and gainsaid the project with contrary reasons. "We + remember," he said, "how often coveters of other men's goods lose their + own. He who snatches at both has oft lost both. It must be a very strong + bird that can wrest the prey from the claws of another. It is idle for + thee to be encouraged by the internal jealousies of the country, for these + are oft blown away by the approach of an enemy. For though the Danes now + seem divided in counsel, yet they will soon be of one mind to meet the + foe. The wolves have often made peace between the quarrelling swine. Every + man prefers a leader of his own land to a foreigner, and every province is + warmer in loyalty to a native than to a stranger king. For Frode will not + await thee at home, but will intercept thee abroad as thou comest. Eagles + claw each other with their talons, and fowls fight fronting. Thou thyself + knowest that the keen sight of the wise man must leave no cause for + repentance. Thou hast an ample guard of nobles. Keep thou quiet as thou + art; indeed thou wilt almost be able to find out by means of others what + are thy resources for war. Let the soldiers first try the fortunes of + their king. Provide in peace for thine own safety, and risk others if thou + dost undertake the enterprise: better that the slave should perish than + the master. Let thy servant do for thee what the tongs do for the smith, + who by the aid of his iron tool guards his hand from scorching, and saves + his fingers from burning. Learn thou also, by using thy men, to spare and + take thought for thyself." + </p> + <p> + So spake Erik, and Gotar, who had hitherto held him a man of no parts, now + marvelled that he had graced his answer with sentences so choice and + weighty, and gave him the name of Shrewd-spoken, thinking that his + admirable wisdom deserved some title. For the young man's reputation had + been kept in the shade by the exceeding brilliancy of his brother Roller. + Erik begged that some substantial gift should be added to the name, + declaring that the bestowal of the title ought to be graced by a present + besides. The king gave him a ship, and the oarsmen called it "Skroter." + Now Erik and Roller were the sons of Ragnar, the champion, and children of + one father by different mothers; Roller's mother and Erik's stepmother was + named Kraka. + </p> + <p> + And so, by leave of Gotar, the task of making a raid on the Danes fell to + one Hrafn. He was encountered by Odd, who had at that time the greatest + prestige among the Danes as a rover, for he was such a skilled magician + that he could range over the sea without a ship, and could often raise + tempests by his spells, and wreck the vessels of the enemy. Accordingly, + that he might not have to condescend to pit his sea-forces against the + rovers, he used to ruffle the waters by enchantment, and cause them to + shipwreck his foes. To traders this man was ruthless, but to tillers of + the soil he was merciful, for he thought less of merchandise than of the + plough-handle, but rated the clean business of the country higher than the + toil for filthy lucre. When he began to fight with the Northmen he so + dulled the sight of the enemy by the power of his spells that they thought + the drawn swords of the Danes cast their beams from afar off, and sparkled + as if aflame. Moreover, their vision was so blunted that they could not so + much as look upon the sword when it was drawn from the sheath: the dazzle + was too much for their eyesight, which could not endure the glittering + mirage. So Hrafn and many of his men were slain, and only six vessels + slipped back to Norway to teach the king that it was not so easy to crush + the Danes. The survivors also spread the news that Frode trusted only in + the help of his champions, and reigned against the will of his people, for + his rule had become a tyranny. + </p> + <p> + In order to examine this rumour, Roller, who was a great traveller abroad, + and eager to visit unknown parts, made a vow that he would get into the + company of Frode. But Erik declared that, splendid as were his bodily + parts, he had been rash in pronouncing the vow. At last, seeing him + persisting stubbornly in his purpose, Erik bound himself under a similar + vow; and the king promised them that he would give them for companions + whomsoever they approved by their choice. The brethren, therefore, first + resolved to visit their father and beg for the stores and the necessaries + that were wanted for so long a journey. He welcomed them paternally, and + on the morrow took them to the forest to inspect the herd, for the old man + was wealthy in cattle. Also he revealed to them treasures which had long + lain hid in caverns of the earth; and they were suffered to gather up + whatsoever of these they would. The boon was accepted as heartily as it + was offered: so they took the riches out of the ground, and bore away what + pleased them. + </p> + <p> + Their rowers meanwhile were either refreshing themselves or exercising + their skill with casting weights. Some sped leaping, some running; others + tried their strength by sturdily hurling stones; others tested their + archery by drawing the bow. Thus they essayed to strengthen themselves + with divers exercises. Some again tried to drink themselves into a drowse. + Roller was sent by his father to find out what had passed at home in the + meanwhile. And when he saw smoke coming from his mother's hut he went up + outside, and, stealthily applying his eye, saw through the little chink + and into the house, where he perceived his mother stirring a cooked mess + in an ugly-looking pot. Also he looked up at three snakes hanging from + above by a thin cord, from whose mouths flowed a slaver which dribbled + drops of moisture on the meal. Now two of these were pitchy of hue, while + the third seemed to have whitish scales, and was hung somewhat higher than + the others. This last had a fastening on its tail, while the others were + held by a cord round their bellies. Roller thought the affair looked like + magic, but was silent on what he had seen, that he might not be thought to + charge his mother with sorcery. For he did not know that the snakes were + naturally harmless, or how much strength was being brewed for that meal. + Then Ragnar and Erik came up, and, when they saw the smoke issuing from + the cottage, entered and went to sit at meat. When they were at table, and + Kraka's son and stepson were about to eat together, she put before them a + small dish containing a piebald mess, part looking pitchy, but spotted + with specks of yellow, while part was whitish: the pottage having taken a + different hue answering to the different appearance of the snakes. And + when each had tasted a single morsel, Erik, judging the feast not by the + colours but by the inward strengthening effected, turned the dish around + very quickly, and transferred to himself the part which was black but + compounded of stronger juices; and, putting over to Roller the whitish + part which had first been set before himself, throve more on his supper. + And, to avoid showing that the exchange was made on purpose, he said, + "Thus does prow become stern when the sea boils up." The man had no little + shrewdness, thus to use the ways of a ship to dissemble his cunning act. + </p> + <p> + So Erik, now refreshed by this lucky meal, attained by its inward working + to the highest pitch of human wisdom. For the potency of the meal bred in + him the fulness of all kinds of knowledge to an incredible degree, so that + he had cunning to interpret even the utterances of wild beasts and cattle. + For he was not only well versed in all the affairs of men, but he could + interpret the particular feelings which brutes experienced from the sounds + which expressed them. He was also gifted with an eloquence so courteous + and graceful, that he adorned whatsoever he desired to expound with a flow + of witty adages. But when Kraka came up, and found that the dish had been + turned round, and that Erik had eaten the stronger share of the meal, she + lamented that the good luck she had bred for her son should have passed to + her stepson. Soon she began to sigh, and entreat Eric that he should never + fail to help his brother, whose mother had heaped on him fortune so rich + and strange: for by tasting a single savoury meal he had clearly attained + sovereign wit and eloquence, besides the promise of success in combat. She + added also, that Roller was almost as capable of good counsel, and that he + should not utterly miss the dainty that had been intended for him. She + also told him that in case of extreme and violent need, he could find + speedy help by calling on her name; declaring that she trusted partially + in her divine attributes, and that, consorting as she did in a manner with + the gods, she wielded an innate and heavenly power. Erik said that he was + naturally drawn to stand by his brother, and that the bird was infamous + which fouled its own nest. But Kraka was more vexed by her own + carelessness than weighed down by her son's ill-fortune: for in old time + it made a craftsman bitterly ashamed to be outwitted by his own + cleverness. + </p> + <p> + Then Kraka, accompanied by her husband, took away the brothers on their + journey to the sea. They embarked in a single ship, but soon attached two + others. They had already reached the coast of Denmark, when, + reconnoitering, they learned that seven ships had come up at no great + distance. Then Erik bade two men who could speak the Danish tongue well, + to go to them unclothed, and, in order to spy better, to complain to Odd + of their nakedness, as if Erik had caused it, and to report when they had + made careful scrutiny. These men were received as friends by Odd, and + hunted for every plan of the general with their sharp ears. He had + determined to attack the enemy unawares at daybreak, that he might + massacre them the more speedily while they were swathed in their night + garments: for he said that men's bodies were wont to be most dull and + heavy at that hour of dawn. He also told them, thereby hastening what was + to prove his own destruction, that his ships were laden with stones fit + for throwing. The spies slipped off in the first sleep of the night, + reported that Odd had filled all his vessels with pebbles, and also told + everything else they had heard. Erik now quite understood the case, and, + when he considered the smallness of his own fleet, thought that he must + call the waters to destroy the enemy, and win their aid for himself. + </p> + <p> + So he got into a boat and rowed, pulling silently, close up to the keels + of the enemy; and gradually, by screwing in an auger, he bored the planks + (a device practiced by Hadding and also by Frode), nearest to the water, + and soon made good his return, the oar-beat being scarce audible. Now he + bore himself so warily, that not one of the watchers noted his approach or + departure. As he rowed off, the water got in through the chinks of Odd's + vessels, and sank them, so that they were seen disappearing in the deep, + as the water flooded them more and more within. The weight of the stones + inside helped them mightily to sink. The billows were washing away the + thwarts, and the sea was flush with the decks, when Odd, seeing the + vessels almost on a level with the waves, ordered the heavy seas that had + been shipped to be baled out with pitchers. And so, while the crews were + toiling on to protect the sinking parts of the vessels from the flood of + waters, the enemy hove close up. Thus, as they fell to their arms, the + flood came upon them harder, and as they prepared to fight, they found + they must swim for it. Waves, not weapons, fought for Erik, and the sea, + which he had himself Enabled to approach and do harm, battled for him. + Thus Erik made better use of the billow than of the steel, and by the + effectual aid of the waters seemed to fight in his own absence, the ocean + lending him defence. The victory was given to his craft; for a flooded + ship could not endure a battle. Thus was Odd slain with all his crew; the + look-outs were captured, and it was found that no man escaped to tell the + tale of the disaster. + </p> + <p> + Erik, when the massacre was accomplished, made a rapid retreat, and put in + at the isle Lesso. Finding nothing there to appease his hunger, he sent + the spoil homeward on two ships, which were to bring back supplies for + another year. He tried to go by himself to the king in a single ship. So + he put in to Zealand, and the sailors ran about over the shore, and began + to cut down the cattle: for they must either ease their hunger or perish + of famine. So they killed the herd, skinned the carcases, and cast them on + board. When the owners of the cattle found this out, they hastily pursued + the free-booters with a fleet. And when Erik found that he was being + attacked by the owners of the cattle, he took care that the carcases of + the slaughtered cows should be tied with marked ropes and hidden under + water. Then, when the Zealanders came up, he gave them leave to look about + and see if any of the carcases they were seeking were in his hands; saying + that a ship's corners were too narrow to hide things. Unable to find a + carcase anywhere, they turned their suspicions on others, and thought the + real criminals were guiltless of the plunder. Since no traces of + free-booting were to be seen, they fancied that others had injured them, + and pardoned the culprits. As they sailed off, Erik lifted the carcase out + of the water and took it in. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Frode learnt that Odd and his men had gone down. For a widespread + rumour of the massacre had got wind, though the author of the deed was + unknown. There were men, however, who told how they had seen three sails + putting in to shore, and departing again northwards. Then Erik went to the + harbour, not far from which Frode was tarrying, and, the moment that he + stepped out of the ship, tripped inadvertently, and came tumbling to the + ground. He found in the slip a presage of a lucky issue, and forecast + better results from this mean beginning. When Grep heard of his coming, he + hastened down to the sea, intending to assail with chosen and pointed + phrases the man whom he had heard was better-spoken than all other folk. + Grep's eloquence was not so much excellent as impudent, for he surpassed + all in stubbornness of speech. So he began the dispute with reviling, and + assailed Erik as follows: + </p> + <p> + Grep: "Fool, who art thou? What idle quest is thine? Tell me, whence or + whither dost thou journey? What is thy road? What thy desire? Who thy + father? What thy lineage? Those have strength beyond others who have never + left their own homes, and the Luck of kings is their houseluck. For the + things of a vile man are acceptable unto few, and seldom are the deeds of + the hated pleasing." + </p> + <p> + Erik: "Ragnar is my father; eloquence clothes my tongue; I have ever loved + virtue only. Wisdom hath been my one desire; I have travelled many ways + over the world, and seen the different manners of men. The mind of the + fool can keep no bounds in aught: it is base and cannot control its + feelings. The use of sails is better than being drawn by the oar; the gale + troubles the waters, a drearier gust the land. For rowing goes through the + seas and lying the lands; and it is certain that the lands are ruled with + the lips, but the seas with the hand." + </p> + <p> + Grep: "Thou art thought to be as full of quibbling as a cock of dirt. Thou + stinkest heavy with filth, and reekest of nought but sin. There is no need + to lengthen the plea against a buffoon, whose strength is in an empty and + voluble tongue." + </p> + <p> + Erik: "By Hercules, if I mistake not, the coward word is wont to come back + to the utterer. The gods with righteous endeavour bring home to the + speaker words cast forth without knowledge. As soon as we espy the + sinister ears of the wolf, we believe that the wolf himself is near. Men + think no credit due to him that hath no credit, whom report accuses of + treachery." + </p> + <p> + Grep: "Shameless boy, owl astray from the path, night-owl in the darkness, + thou shalt pay for thy reckless words. Thou shalt be sorry for the words + thou now belchest forth madly, and shalt pay with thy death for thy + unhallowed speech. Lifeless thou shalt pasture crows on thy bloodless + corpse, to be a morsel for beasts, a prey to the ravenous bird." + </p> + <p> + Erik: "The boding of the coward, and the will that is trained to evil, + have never kept themselves within due measure. He who betrays his lord, he + who conceives foul devices, will be as great a snare to himself as to his + friends. Whoso fosters a wolf in his house is thought to feed a thief and + a pest for his own hearth." + </p> + <p> + Grep: "I did not, as thou thinkest, beguile the queen, but I was the + guardian of her tender estate. She increased my fortunes, and her favour + first brought me gifts and strength, and wealth and counsel." + </p> + <p> + Erik: "Lo, thy guilty disquiet lies heavy on thee; that man's freedom is + safest whose mind remains untainted. Whoso asks a slave to be a friend, is + deceived; often the henchman hurts his master." + </p> + <p> + At this Grep, shorn of his glibness of rejoinder, set spurs to his horse + and rode away. Now when he reached home, he filled the palace with + uproarious and vehement clamour; and shouting that he had been worsted in + words, roused all his soldiers to fight, as though he would avenge by main + force his luckless warfare of tongues. For he swore that he would lay the + host of the foreigners under the claws of eagles. But the king warned him + that he should give his frenzy pause for counsel, that blind plans were + commonly hurtful; that nothing could be done both cautiously and quickly + at once; that headstrong efforts were the worst obstacle; and lastly, that + it was unseemly to attack a handful with a host. Also, said he, the + sagacious man was he who could bridle a raging spirit, and stop his + frantic empetuosity in time. Thus the king forced the headlong rage of the + young man to yield to reflection. But he could not wholly recall to + self-control the frenzy of his heated mind, or prevent the champion of + wrangles, abashed by his hapless debate, and finding armed vengeance + refused him, from asking leave at least to try his sorceries by way of + revenge. He gained his request, and prepared to go back to the shore with + a chosen troop of wizards. So he first put on a pole the severed head of a + horse that had been sacrificed to the gods, and setting sticks beneath + displayed the jaws grinning agape; hoping that he would foil the first + efforts of Erik by the horror of this wild spectacle. For he supposed that + the silly souls of the barbarians would give away at the bogey of a + protruding neck. + </p> + <p> + Erik was already on his road to meet them, and saw the head from afar off, + and, understanding the whole foul contrivance, he bade his men keep silent + and behave warily; no man was to be rash or hasty of speech, lest by some + careless outburst they might give some opening to the sorceries; adding + that if talking happened to be needed, he would speak for all. And they + were now parted by a river; when the wizards, in order to dislodge Erik + from the approach to the bridge, set up close to the river, on their own + side, the pole on which they had fixed the horse's head. Nevertheless Erik + made dauntlessly for the bridge, and said: "On the bearer fall the + ill-luck of what he bears! May a better issue attend our steps! Evil + befall the evil-workers! Let the weight of the ominous burden crush the + carrier! Let the better auguries bring us safety!" And it happened + according to his prayer. For straightway the head was shaken off, the + stick fell and crushed the bearer. And so all that array of sorceries was + baffled at the bidding of a single curse, and extinguished. + </p> + <p> + Then, as Erik advanced a little, it came into his mind that strangers + ought to fix on gifts for the king. So he carefully wrapped up in his robe + a piece of ice which he happened to find, and managed to take it to the + king by way of a present. But when they reached the palace he sought + entrance first, and bade his brother follow close behind. Already the + slaves of the king, in order to receive him with mockery as he entered, + had laid a slippery hide on the threshold; and when Erik stepped upon it, + they suddenly jerked it away by dragging a rope, and would have tripped + him as he stood upon it, had not Roller, following behind, caught his + brother on his breast as he tottered. So Erik, having half fallen, said + that "bare was the back of the brotherless." And when Gunwar said that + such a trick ought not to be permitted by a king, the king condemned the + folly of the messenger who took no heed against treachery. And thus he + excused his flout by the heedlessness of the man he flouted. + </p> + <p> + Within the palace was blazing a fire, which the aspect of the season + required: for it was now gone midwinter. By it, in different groups, sat + the king on one side and the champions on the other. These latter, when + Erik joined them, uttered gruesome sounds like things howling. The king + stopped the clamour, telling them that the noises of wild beasts ought not + to be in the breasts of men. Erik added, that it was the way of dogs, for + all the others to set up barking when one started it; for all folk by + their bearing betrayed their birth and revealed their race. But when Koll, + who was the keeper of the gifts offered to the king, asked him whether he + had brought any presents with him, he produced the ice which he had hidden + in his breast. And when he had handed it to Koll across the hearth, he + purposely let it go into the fire, as though it had slipped from the hand + of the receiver. All present saw the shining fragment, and it seemed as + though molten metal had fallen into the fire. Erik, maintaining that it + had been jerked away by the carelessness of him who took it, asked what + punishment was due to the loser of the gift. + </p> + <p> + The king consulted the opinion of the queen, who advised him not to relax + the statute of the law which he had passed, whereby he gave warning that + all who lost presents that were transmitted to him should be punished with + death. Everyone else also said that the penalty by law appointed ought not + to be remitted. And so the king, being counselled to allow the punishment + as inevitable, gave leave for Koll to be hanged. + </p> + <p> + Then Frode began to accost Erik thus: "O thou, wantoning in insolent + phrase, in boastful and bedizened speech, whence dost thou say that thou + hast come hither, and why?" + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "I came from Rennes Isle, and I took my seat by a stone." + </p> + <p> + Frode rejoined: "I ask, whither thou wentest next?" + </p> + <p> + Erik answered. "I went off from the stone riding on a beam, and often + again took station by a stone." + </p> + <p> + Frode replied: "I ask thee whither thou next didst bend thy course, or + where the evening found thee?" + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "Leaving a crag, I came to a rock, and likewise lay by a + stone." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "The boulders lay thick in those parts." + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "Yet thicker lies the sand, plain to see." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "Tell what thy business was, and whither thou struckest off + thence." + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "Leaving the rock, as my ship ran on, I found a dolphin." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "Now thou hast said something fresh, though both these things + are common in the sea: but I would know what path took thee after that?" + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "After a dolphin I went to a dolphin." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "The herd of dolphins is somewhat common." + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "It does swim somewhat commonly on the waters." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "I would fain blow whither thou wert borne on thy toilsome + journey after leaving the dolphins?" + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "I soon came upon the trunk of a tree." + </p> + <p> + Frode rejoined: "Whither didst thou next pass on thy journey?" + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "From a trunk I passed on to a log." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "That spot must be thick with trees, since thou art always + calling the abodes of thy hosts by the name of trunks." + </p> + <p> + Erik replied: "There is a thicker place in the woods." + </p> + <p> + Frode went on: "Relate whither thou next didst bear thy steps." + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "Oft again I made my way to the lopped timbers of the + woods; but, as I rested there, wolves that were sated on human carcases + licked the points of the spears. There a lance-head was shaken from the + shaft of the king, and it was the grandson of Fridleif." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "I am bewildered, and know not what to think about the + dispute: for thou hast beguiled my mind with very dark riddling." + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "Thou owest me the prize for this contest that is finished: + for under a veil I have declared to thee certain things thou hast ill + understood. For under the name I gave before of `spear-point' I signified + Odd, whom my hand had slain." + </p> + <p> + And when the queen also had awarded him the palm of eloquence and the + prize for flow of speech, the king straightway took a bracelet from his + arm, and gave it to him as the appointed reward, adding: "I would fain + learn from thyself thy debate with Grep, wherein he was not ashamed openly + to avow himself vanquished." + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "He was smitten with shame for the adultery wherewith he + was taxed; for since he could bring no defence, he confessed that he had + committed it with thy wife." + </p> + <p> + The king turned to Hanund and asked her in what spirit she received the + charge; and she not only confessed her guilt by a cry, but also put forth + in her face a blushing signal of her sin, and gave manifest token of her + fault. The king, observing not only her words, but also the signs of her + countenance, but doubting with what sentence he should punish the + criminal, let the queen settle by her own choice the punishment which her + crime deserved. When she learnt that the sentence committed to her + concerned her own guilt, she wavered awhile as she pondered how to + appraise her transgression; but Grep sprang up and ran forward to transfix + Erik with a spear, wishing to buy off his own death by slaying the + accuser. But Roller fell on him with drawn sword, and dealt him first the + doom he had himself purposed. + </p> + <p> + Erik said: "The service of kin is best for the helpless." + </p> + <p> + And Roller said: "In sore needs good men should be dutifully summoned." + </p> + <p> + Then Frode said: "I think it will happen to you according to the common + saying, `that the striker sometimes has short joy of his stroke', and + `that the hand is seldom long glad of the smiting'." + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "The man must not be impeached whose deed justice excuses. + For my work is as far as from that of Grep, as an act of self-defence is + from an attack upon another." + </p> + <p> + Then the brethren of Grep began to spring up and clamour and swear that + they would either bring avengers upon the whole fleet of Erik, or would + fight him and ten champions with him. + </p> + <p> + Erik said to them: "Sick men have to devise by craft some provision for + their journey. He whose sword-point is dull should only probe things that + are soft and tender. He who has a blunt knife must search out the ways to + cut joint by joint. Since, therefore, it is best for a man in distress to + delay the evil, and nothing is more fortunate in trouble than to stave off + hard necessity, I ask three days' space to get ready, provided that I may + obtain from the king the skill of a freshly slain ox." + </p> + <p> + Frode answered: "He who fell on a hide deserves a hide"; thus openly + taunting the asker with his previous fall. But Erik, when the hide was + given him, made some sandals, which he smeared with a mixture of tar and + sand, in order to plant his steps the more firmly, and fitted them on to + the feet of himself and his people. At last, having meditated what spot he + should choose for the fight—for he said that he was unskilled in + combat by land and in all warfare—he demanded it should be on the + frozen sea. To this both sides agreed. The king granted a truce for + preparations, and bade the sons of Westmar withdraw, saying that it was + amiss that a guest, even if he had deserved ill should be driven from his + lodging. Then he went back to examine into the manner of the punishment, + which he had left to the queen's own choice to exact. For she forebore to + give judgment, and begged pardon for her slip. Erik added, that woman's + errors must often be forgiven, and that punishment ought not to be + inflicted, unless amendment were unable to get rid of her fault. So the + king pardoned Hanund. As twilight drew near, Erik said: "With Gotar, not + only are rooms provided when the soldiers are coming to feast at the + banquet, but each is appointed a separate place and seat where he is to + lie." Then the king gave up for their occupation the places where his own + champions had sat; and next the servants brought the banquet. But Erik, + knowing well the courtesy of the king, which made him forbid them to use + up any of the meal that was left, cast away the piece of which he had + tasted very little, calling whole portions broken bits of food. And so, as + the dishes dwindled, the servants brought up fresh ones to the lacking and + shamefaced guests, thus spending on a little supper what might have served + for a great banquet. + </p> + <p> + So the king said: "Are the soldiers of Gotar wont to squander the meat + after once touching it, as if it were so many pared-off crusts? And to + spurn the first dishes as if they were the last morsels?" + </p> + <p> + Erik said: "Uncouthness claims no place in the manners of Gotar, neither + does any disorderly habit feign there." + </p> + <p> + But Frode said: "Then thy manners are not those of thy lord, and thou hast + proved that thou hast not taken all wisdom to heart. For he who goes + against the example of his elders shows himself a deserter and a + renegade." + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "The wise man must be taught by the wiser. For knowledge + grows by learning, and instruction is advanced by doctrine." + </p> + <p> + Frode rejoined: "This affectation of thine of superfluous words, what + exemplary lesson will it teach me?" + </p> + <p> + Erik said: "A loyal few are a safer defence for a king than many + traitors." + </p> + <p> + Frode said to him: "Wilt thou then show us closer allegiance than the + rest?" + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "No man ties the unborn (horse) to the crib, or the + unbegotten to the stall. For thou hast not yet experienced all things. + Besides, with Gotar there is always a mixture of drinking with feasting; + liquor, over and above, and as well as meat, is the joy of the reveller." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "Never have I found a more shameless beggar of meat and + drink." + </p> + <p> + Erik replied: "Few reckon the need of the silent, or measure the wants of + him who holds his peace." + </p> + <p> + Then the king bade his sister bring forth the drink in a great goblet. + Erik caught hold of her right hand and of the goblet she offered at the + same time, and said: "Noblest of kings, hath thy benignity granted me this + present? Dost thou assure me that what I hold shall be mine as an + irrevocable gift?" + </p> + <p> + The king, thinking that he was only asking for the cup, declared it was a + gift. But Erik drew the maiden to him, as if she was given with the cup. + When the king saw it, he said: "A fool is shown by his deed; with us + freedom of maidens is ever held inviolate." + </p> + <p> + Then Erik, feigning that he would cut off the girl's hand with his sword, + as though it had been granted under the name of the cup, said: "If I have + taken more than thou gavest, or if I am rash to keep the whole, let me at + least get some." The king saw his mistake in his promise, and gave him the + maiden, being loth to undo his heedlessness by fickleness, and that the + weight of his pledge might seem the greater; though it is held an act more + of ripe judgment than of unsteadfastness to take back a foolish promise. + </p> + <p> + Then, taking from Erik security that he would return, he sent him to the + ships; for the time appointed for the battle was at hand. Erik and his men + went on to the sea, then covered near with ice; and, thanks to the + stability of their sandals, felled the enemy, whose footing was slippery + and unsteady. For Frode had decreed that no man should help either side if + it wavered or were distressed. Then he went back in triumph to the king. + So Gotwar, sorrowing at the destruction of her children who had miserably + perished, and eager to avenge them, announced that it would please her to + have a flyting with Erik, on condition that she should gage a heavy + necklace and he his life; so that if he conquered he should win gold, but + if he gave in, death. Erik agreed to the contest, and the gage was + deposited with Gunwar. So Gotwar began thus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Quando tuam limas admissa cote bipennem, + Nonne terit tremulas mentula quassa nates?" +</pre> + <p> + Erik rejoined: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Ut cuivis natura pilos in corpore sevit, + Omnis nempe suo barba ferenda loco est. + Re Veneris homines artus agitare necesse est; + Motus quippe suos nam labor omnis habet. + Cum natis excipitur nate, vel cum subdita penem + Vulva capit, quid ad haec addere mas renuit?" +</pre> + <p> + Powerless to answer this, Gotwar had to give the gold to the man whom she + had meant to kill, and thus wasted a lordly gift instead of punishing the + slayer of her son. For her ill fate was crowned, instead of her ill-will + being avenged. First bereaved, and then silenced by furious words, she + lost at once her wealth and all reward of her eloquence. She made the man + blest who had taken away her children, and enriched her bereaver with a + present: and took away nothing to make up the slaughter of her sons save + the reproach of ignorance and the loss of goods. Westmar, when he saw + this, determined to attack the man by force, since he was the stronger of + tongue, and laid down the condition that the reward of the conqueror + should be the death of the conquered, so that the life of both parties was + plainly at stake. Erik, unwilling to be thought quicker of tongue than of + hand, did not refuse the terms. + </p> + <p> + Now the manner of combat was as follows. A ring, plaited of withy or rope, + used to be offered to the combatants for them to drag away by wrenching it + with a great effort of foot and hand; and the prize went to the stronger, + for if either of the combatants could wrench it from the other, he was + awarded the victory. Erik struggled in this manner, and, grasping the rope + sharply, wrested it out of the hands of his opponent. When Erode saw this, + he said: "I think it is hard to tug at a rope with a strong man." + </p> + <p> + And Erik said: "Hard, at any rate, when a tumour is in the body or a hunch + sits on the back." + </p> + <p> + And straightway, thrusting his foot forth, he broke the infirm neck and + back of the old man, and crushed him. And so Westmar failed to compass his + revenge: zealous to retaliate, he fell into the portion of those who need + revenging; being smitten down even as those whose slaughter he had desired + to punish. + </p> + <p> + Now Frode intended to pierce Erik by throwing a dagger at him. But Gunwar + knew her brother's purpose, and said, in order to warn her betrothed of + his peril, that no man could be wise who took no forethought for himself. + This speech warned Erik to ward off the treachery, and he shrewdly + understood the counsel of caution. For at once he sprang up and said that + the glory of the wise man would be victorious, but that guile was its own + punishment; thus censuring his treacherous intent in very gentle terms. + But the king suddenly flung his knife at him, yet was too late to hit him; + for he sprang aside, and the steel missed its mark and ran into the wall + opposite. Then said Erik: "Gifts should be handed to friends, and not + thrown; thou hadst made the present acceptable if thou hadst given the + sheath to keep the blade company." + </p> + <p> + On this request the king at once took the sheath from his girdle and gave + it to him, being forced to abate his hatred by the self-control of his + foe. Thus he was mollified by the prudent feigning of the other, and with + goodwill gave him for his own the weapon which he had cast with ill will. + And thus Erik, by taking the wrong done him in a dissembling manner, + turned it into a favour, accepting as a splendid gift the steel which had + been meant to slay him. For he put a generous complexion on what Frode had + done with intent to harm. Then they gave themselves up to rest. In the + night Gunwar awoke Erik silently, and pointed out to him that they ought + to fly, saying that it was very expedient to return with safe chariot ere + harm was done. He went with her to the shore, where he happened to find + the king's fleet beached: so, cutting away part of the sides, he made it + unseaworthy, and by again replacing some laths he patched it so that the + damage might be unnoticed by those who looked at it. Then he caused the + vessel whither he and his company had retired to put off a little from the + shore. + </p> + <p> + The king prepared to give them chase with his mutilated ships, but soon + the waves broke through; and though he was very heavily laden with his + armour, he began to swim off among the rest, having become more anxious to + save his own life than to attack that of others. The bows plunged over + into the sea, the tide flooded in and swept the rowers from their seats. + When Erik and Roller saw this they instantly flung themselves into the + deep water, spurning danger, and by swimming picked up the king, who was + tossing about. Thrice the waves had poured over him and borne him down + when Erik caught him by the hair, and lifted him out of the sea. The + remaining crowd of the wrecked either sank in the waters, or got with + trouble to the land. The king was stripped of his dripping attire and + swathed round with dry garments, and the water poured in floods from his + chest as he kept belching it; his voice also seemed to fail under the + exhaustion of continual pantings. At last heat was restored to his limbs, + which were numbed with cold, and his breathing became quicker. He had not + fully got back his strength, and could sit but not rise. Gradually his + native force returned. But when he was asked at last whether he sued for + life and grace, he put his hand to his eyes, and strove to lift up their + downcast gaze. But as, little by little, power came back to his body, and + as his voice became more assured, he said: + </p> + <p> + "By this light, which I am loth to look on, by this heaven which I behold + and drink in with little joy, I beseech and conjure you not to persuade me + to use either any more. I wished to die; ye have saved me in vain. I was + not allowed to perish in the waters; at least I will die by the sword. I + was unconquered before; thine, Erik, was the first wit to which I yielded: + I was all the more unhappy, because I had never been beaten by men of + note, and now I let a low-born man defeat me. This is great cause for a + king to be ashamed. This is a good and sufficient reason for a general to + die; it is right that he should care for nothing so much as glory. If he + want that, then take it that he lacks all else. For nothing about a king + is more on men's lips than his repute. I was credited with the height of + understanding and eloquence. But I have been stripped of both the things + wherein I was thought to excel, and am all the more miserable because I, + the conqueror of kings, am seen conquered by a peasant. Why grant life to + him whom thou hast robbed of honour? I have lost sister, realm, treasure, + household gear, and, what is greater than them all, renown: I am luckless + in all chances, and in all thy good fortune is confessed. Why am I to be + kept to live on for all this ignominy? What freedom can be so happy for me + that it can wipe out all the shame of captivity? What will all the + following time bring for me? It can beget nothing but long remorse in my + mind, and will savour only of past woes. What will prolonging of life + avail, if it only brings back the memory of sorrow? To the stricken nought + is pleasanter than death, and that decease is happy which comes at a man's + wish, for it cuts not short any sweetness of his days, but annihilates his + disgust at all things. Life in prosperity, but death in adversity, is best + to seek. No hope of better things tempts me to long for life. What hap can + quite repair my shattered fortunes? And by now, had ye not rescued me in + my peril, I should have forgotten even these. What though thou shouldst + give me back my realm, restore my sister, and renew my treasure? Thou + canst never repair my renown. Nothing that is patched up can have the + lustre of the unimpaired, and rumour will recount for ages that Frode was + taken captive. Moreover, if ye reckon the calamities I have inflicted on + you, I have deserved to die at your hands; if ye recall the harms I have + done, ye will repent your kindness. Ye will be ashamed of having aided a + foe, if ye consider how savagely he treated you. Why do ye spare the + guilty? Why do ye stay your hand from the throat of your persecutor? It is + fitting that the lot which I had prepared for you should come home to + myself. I own that if I had happened to have you in my power as ye now + have me, I should have paid no heed to compassion. But if I am innocent + before you in act, I am guilty at least in will. I pray you, let my + wrongful intention, which sometimes is counted to stand for the deed, + recoil upon me. If ye refuse me death by the sword I will take care to + kill myself with my own hand." + </p> + <p> + Erik rejoined thus: "I pray that the gods may turn thee from the folly of + thy purpose; turn thee, I say, that thou mayst not try to end a most + glorious life abominably. Why, surely the gods themselves have forbidden + that a man who is kind to others should commit unnatural self-murder. + Fortune has tried thee to find out with what spirit thou wouldst meet + adversity. Destiny has proved thee, not brought thee low. No sorrow has + been inflicted on thee which a happier lot cannot efface. Thy prosperity + has not been changed; only a warning has been given thee. No man behaves + with self-control in prosperity who has not learnt to endure adversity. + Besides, the whole use of blessings is reaped after misfortunes have been + graciously acknowledged. Sweeter is the joy which follows on the + bitterness of fate. Wilt thou shun thy life because thou hast once had a + drenching, and the waters closed over thee? But if the waters can crush + thy spirit, when wilt thou with calm courage bear the sword? Who would not + reckon swimming away in his armour more to his glory than to his shame? + How many men would think themselves happy were they unhappy with thy + fortune? The sovereignty is still thine; thy courage is in its prime; thy + years are ripening; thou canst hope to compass more than thou hast yet + achieved. I would not find thee fickle enough to wish, not only to shun + hardships, but also to fling away thy life, because thou couldst not bear + them. None is so unmanly as he who from fear of adversity loses heart to + live. No wise man makes up for his calamities by dying. Wrath against + another is foolish, but against a man's self it is foolhardy; and it is a + coward frenzy which dooms its owner. But if thou go without need to thy + death for some wrong suffered, or for some petty perturbation of spirit, + whom dost thou leave behind to avenge thee? Who is so mad that he would + wish to punish the fickleness of fortune by destroying himself? What man + has lived so prosperously but that ill fate has sometimes stricken him? + Hast thou enjoyed felicity unbroken and passed thy days without a shock, + and now, upon a slight cloud of sadness, dost thou prepare to quit thy + life, only to save thy anguish? If thou bear trifles so ill, how shalt + thou endure the heavier frowns of fortune? Callow is the man who has never + tasted of the cup of sorrow; and no man who has not suffered hardships is + temperate in enjoying ease. Wilt thou, who shouldst have been a pillar of + courage, show a sign of a palsied spirit? Born of a brave sire, wilt thou + display utter impotence? Wilt thou fall so far from thy ancestors as to + turn softer than women? Hast thou not yet begun thy prime, and art thou + already taken with weariness of life? Whoever set such an example before? + Shall the grandson of a famous man, and the child of the unvanquished, be + too weak to endure a slight gust of adversity? Thy nature portrays the + courage of thy sires; none has conquered thee, only thine own heedlessness + has hurt thee. We snatched thee from peril, we did not subdue thee; wilt + thou give us hatred for love, and set our friendship down as wrongdoing? + Our service should have appeased thee, and not troubled thee. May the gods + never desire thee to go so far in frenzy, as to persist in branding thy + preserver as a traitor! Shall we be guilty before thee in a matter wherein + we do thee good? Shall we draw anger on us for our service? Wilt thou + account him thy foe whom thou hast to thank for thy life? For thou wert + not free when we took thee, but in distress, and we came in time to help + thee. And, behold, I restore thy treasure, thy wealth, thy goods. If thou + thinkest thy sister was betrothed to me over-hastily, let her marry the + man whom thou commandest; for her chastity remains inviolate. Moreover, if + thou wilt accept me, I wish to fight for thee. Beware lest thou wrongfully + steel thy mind in anger. No loss of power has shattered thee, none of thy + freedom has been forfeited. Thou shalt see that I am obeying, not + commanding thee. I agree to any sentence thou mayst pronounce against my + life. Be assured that thou art as strong here as-in thy palace; thou hast + the same power to rule here as in thy court. Enact concerning us here + whatsoever would have been thy will in the palace: we are ready to obey." + Thus much said Erik. + </p> + <p> + Now this speech softened the king towards himself as much as towards his + foe. Then, everything being arranged and made friendly, they returned to + the shore. The king ordered that Erik and his sailors should be taken in + carriages. But when they reached the palace he had an assembly summoned, + to which he called Erik, and under the pledge of betrothal gave him his + sister and command over a hundred men. Then he added that the queen would + be a weariness to him, and that the daughter of Gotar had taken his + liking. He must, therefore, have a fresh embassy, and the business could + best be done by Erik, for whose efforts nothing seemed too hard. He also + said that he would stone Gotwar to death for her complicity in concealing + the crime; but Hanund he would restore to her father, that he might not + have a traitress against his life dwelling amongst the Danes. Erik + approved his plans, and promised his help to carry out his bidding; except + that he declared that it would be better to marry the queen, when she had + been put away, to Roller, of whom his sovereignty need have no fears. This + opinion Frode received reverentially, as though it were some lesson + vouchsafed from above. The queen also, that she might not seem to be + driven by compulsion, complied, as women will, and declared that there was + no natural necessity to grieve, and that all distress of spirit was a + creature of fancy: and, moreover, that one ought not to bewail the + punishment that befell one's deserts. And so the brethren celebrated their + marriages together, one wedding the sister of the king, and the other his + divorced queen. + </p> + <p> + Then they sailed back to Norway, taking their wives with them. For the + women could not be torn from the side of their husbands, either by + distance of journey or by dread of peril, but declared that they would + stick to their lords like a feather to something shaggy. They found that + Ragnar was dead, and that Kraka had already married one Brak. Then they + remembered the father's treasure, dug up the money, and bore it off. But + Erik's fame had gone before him, and Gotar had learnt all his good + fortune. Now when Gotar learnt that he had come himself, he feared that + his immense self-confidence would lead him to plan the worst against the + Norwegians, and was anxious to take his wife from him and marry him to his + own daughter in her place: for his queen had just died, and he was anxious + to marry the sister of Frode more than anyone. Erik, when he learnt of his + purpose, called his men together, and told them that his fortune had not + yet got off from the reefs. Also he said that he saw, that as a bundle + that was not tied by a band fell to pieces, so likewise the heaviest + punishment that was not constrained on a man by his own fault suddenly + collapsed. They had experienced this of late with Frode; for they saw how + at the hardest pass their innocence had been protected by the help of the + gods; and if they continued to preserve it they should hope for like aid + in their adversity. Next, they must pretend flight for a little while, if + they were attacked by Gotar, for so they would have a juster plea for + fighting. For they had every right to thrust out the hand in order to + shield the head from peril. Seldom could a man carry to a successful end a + battle he had begun against the innocent; so, to give them a better plea + for assaulting the enemy, he must be provoked to attack them first. + </p> + <p> + Erik then turned to Gunwar, and asked her, in order to test her fidelity, + whether she had any love for Gotar, telling her it was unworthy that a + maid of royal lineage should be bound to the bed of a man of the people. + Then she began to conjure him earnestly by the power of heaven to tell her + whether his purpose was true or reigned? He said that he had spoken + seriously, and she cried: "And so thou art prepared to bring on me the + worst of shame by leaving me a widow, whom thou lovedst dearly as a maid! + Common rumour often speaks false, but I have been wrong in my opinion of + thee. I thought I had married a steadfast man; I hoped his loyalty was + past question; but now I find him to be more fickle than the winds." + Saying this, she wept abundantly. + </p> + <p> + Dear to Erik was his wife's fears; presently he embraced her and said: "I + wished to know how loyal thou wert to me. Nought but death has the right + to sever us, but Gotar means to steal thee away, seeking thy love by + robbery. When he has committed the theft, pretend it is done with thy + goodwill; yet put off the wedding till he has given me his daughter in thy + place. When she has been granted, Gotar and I will hold our marriage on + the same day. And take care that thou prepare rooms for our banqueting + which have a common party-wall, yet are separate: lest perchance, if I + were before thine eyes, thou shouldst ruffle the king with thy lukewarm + looks at him. For this will be a most effective trick to baffle the wish + of the ravisher." Then he bade Brak (one of his men), to lie in ambush not + far from the palace with a chosen band of his quickest men, that he might + help him at need. + </p> + <p> + Then he summoned Roller, and fled in his ship with his wife and all his + goods, in order to tempt the king out, pretending panic: So, when he saw + that the fleet of Gotar was pressing him hard, he said: "Behold how the + bow of guile shooteth the shaft of treachery;" and instantly rousing his + sailors with the war-shout, he steered the ship about. Gotar came close up + to him and asked who was the pilot of the ship, and he was told that it + was Erik. He also shouted a question whether he was the same man who by + his marvellous speaking could silence the eloquence of all other men. + Erik, when he heard this, replied that he had long since received the + surname of the "Shrewd-spoken", and that he had not won the auspicious + title for nothing. Then both went back to the nearest shore, where Gotar, + when he learnt the mission of Erik, said that he wished for the sister of + Frode, but would rather offer his own daughter to Frode's envoy, that Erik + might not repent the passing of his own wife to another man. Thus it would + not be unfitting for the fruit of the mission to fall to the ambassador. + </p> + <p> + Erik, he said, was delightful to him as a son-in-law, if only he could win + alliance with Frode through Gunwar. + </p> + <p> + Erik lauded the kindness of the king and approved his judgment, declaring + he could not have expected a greater thing from the immortal gods than + what was now offered him unasked. Still, he said, the king must first + discover Gunwar's own mind and choice. She accepted the flatteries of the + king with feigned goodwill, and seemed to consent readily to his suit, but + besought him to suffer Erik's nuptials to precede hers; because, if Erik's + were accomplished first, there would be a better opportunity for the + king's; but chiefly on this account, that, if she were to marry again, she + might not be disgusted at her new marriage troth by the memory of the old + recurring. She also declared it inexpedient for two sets of preparations + to be confounded in one ceremony. The king was prevailed upon by her + answers, and highly approved her requests. + </p> + <p> + Gotar's constant talks with Erik furnished him with a store of most + fairshapen maxims, wherewith to rejoice and refresh his mind. So, not + satisfied with giving him his daughter in marriage he also made over to + him the district of Lither, thinking that their connection deserved some + kindness. Now Kraka, whom Erik, because of her cunning in witchcraft, had + brought with him on his travels, feigned weakness of the eyes, and muffled + up her face in her cloak, so that not a single particle of her head was + visible for recognition. When people asked her who she was, she said that + she was Gunwar's sister, child of the same mother but a different father. + </p> + <p> + Now when they came to the dwelling of Gotar, the wedding-feast of Alfhild + (this was his daughter's name) was being held. Erik and the king sat at + meat in different rooms, with a party-wall in common, and also entirely + covered on the inside with hanging tapestries. Gunwar sat by Gotar, but + Erik sat close between Kraka on the one side and Alfhild on the other. + Amid the merrymaking, he gradually drew a lath out of the wall, and made + an opening large enough to allow the passage of a human body; and thus, + without the knowledge of the guests, he made a space wide enough to go + through. Then, in the course of the feast, he began to question his + betrothed closely whether she would rather marry himself or Frode: + especially since, if due heed were paid to matches, the daughter of a king + ought to go to the arms of one as noble as herself, so that the lowliness + of one of the pair might not impair the lordliness of the other. She said + that she would never marry against the permission of her father; but he + turned her aversion into compliance by promises that she should be queen, + and that she should be richer than all other women, for she was captivated + by the promise of wealth quite as much as of glory. There is also a + tradition that Kraka turned the maiden's inclinations to Frode by a drink + which she mixed and gave to her. + </p> + <p> + Now Gotar, after the feast, in order to make the marriage-mirth go fast + and furious, went to the revel of Erik. As he passed out, Gunwar, as she + had been previously bidden, went through the hole in the party-wall where + the lath had been removed, and took the seat next to Erik. Gotar marvelled + that she was sitting there by his side, and began to ask eagerly how and + why she had come there. She said that she was Gunwar's sister, and that + the king was deceived by the likeness of their looks. And when the king, + in order to look into the matter, hurried back to the royal room, Gunwar + returned through the back door by which she had come and sat in her old + place in the sight of all. Gotar, when he saw her, could scarcely believe + his eyes, and in the utmost doubt whether he had recognized her aright, he + retraced his steps to Erik; and there he saw before him Gunwar, who had + got back in her own fashion. And so, as often as he changed to go from one + hall to the other, he found her whom he sought in either place. By this + time the king was tormented by great wonder at what was no mere likeness, + but the very same face in both places. For it seemed flatly impossible + that different people should look exactly and undistinguishably alike. At + last, when the revel broke up, he courteously escorted his daughter and + Erik as far as their room, as the manner is at weddings, and went back + himself to bed elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + But Erik suffered Alfhild, who was destined for Frode, to lie apart, and + embraced Gunwar as usual, thus outwitting the king. So Gotar passed a + sleepless night, revolving how he had been apparently deluded with a dazed + and wandering mind: for it seemed to him no mere likeness of looks, but + sameness. Thus he was filled with such wavering and doubtful judgment, + that though he really discerned the truth he thought he must have been + mistaken. At last it flashed across his mind that the wall might have been + tampered with. He gave orders that it should be carefully surveyed and + examined, but found no traces of a breakage: in fact, the entire room + seemed to be whole and unimpaired. For Erik, early in the night, had + patched up the damage of the broken wall, that his trick might not be + detected. Then the king sent two men privily into the bedroom of Erik to + learn the truth, and bade them stand behind the hangings and note all + things carefully. They further received orders to kill Erik if they found + him with Gunwar. They went secretly into the room, and, concealing + themselves in the curtained corners, beheld Erik and Gunwar in bed + together with arms entwined. Thinking them only drowsy, they waited for + their deeper sleep, wishing to stay until a heavier slumber gave them a + chance to commit their crime. Erik snored lustily, and they knew it was a + sure sign that he slept soundly; so they straightway came forth with drawn + blades in order to butcher him. Erik was awakened by their treacherous + onset, and seeing their swords hanging over his head, called out the name + of his stepmother, (Kraka), to which long ago he had been bidden to appeal + when in peril, and he found a speedy help in his need. For his shield, + which hung aloft from the rafter, instantly fell and covered his unarmed + body, and, as if on purpose, covered it from impalement by the cutthroats. + He did not fail to make use of his luck, but, snatching his sword, lopped + off both feet of the nearest of them. Gunwar, with equal energy, ran a + spear through the other: she had the body of a woman, but the spirit of a + man. + </p> + <p> + Thus Erik escaped the trap; whereupon he went back to the sea and made + ready to sail off by night. But Roller sounded on his horn the signal for + those who had been bidden to watch close by, to break into the palace. + When the king heard this, he thought it meant that the enemy was upon + them, and made off hastily in a ship. Meanwhile Brak, and those who had + broken in with him, snatched up the goods of the king, and got them on + board Erik's ships. Almost half the night was spent in pillaging. In the + morning, when the king found that they had fled, he prepared to pursue + them, but was advised by one of his friends not to plan anything on a + sudden or do it in haste. His friend, indeed, tried to convince him that + he needed a larger equipment, and that it was ill-advised to pursue the + fugitives to Denmark with a handful. But neither could this curb the + king's impetuous spirit; it could not bear the loss; for nothing had stung + him more than this, that his preparations to slay another should have + recoiled on his own men. So he sailed to the harbour which is now called + Omi. Here the weather began to be bad, provision failed, and they thought + it better, since die they must, to die by the sword than by famine. And so + the sailors turned their hand against one another, and hastened their end + by mutual blows. The king with a few men took to the cliffs and escaped. + Lofty barrows still mark the scene of the slaughter. Meanwhile Erik ended + his voyage fairly, and the wedding of Alfhild and Frode was kept. + </p> + <p> + Then came tidings of an inroad of the Sclavs, and Erik was commissioned to + suppress it with eight ships, since Frode as yet seemed inexperienced in + war. Erik, loth ever to flinch from any manly undertaking, gladly + undertook the business and did it bravely. Learning that the pirates had + seven ships, he sailed up to them with only one of his own, ordering the + rest to be girt with timber parapets, and covered over with pruned boughs + of trees. Then he advanced to observe the number of the enemy more fully, + but when the Sclavs pursued closely, he beat a quick retreat to his men. + But the enemy, blind to the trap, and as eager to take the fugitives, + rowed smiting the waters fast and incessantly. For the ships of Erik could + not be clearly distinguished, looking like a leafy wood. The enemy, after + venturing into a winding strait, suddenly saw themselves surrounded by the + fleet of Erik. First, confounded by the strange sight, they thought that a + wood was sailing; and then they saw that guile lurked under the leaves. + Therefore, tardily repenting their rashness, they tried to retrace their + incautious voyage: but while they were trying to steer about, they saw the + enemy boarding them; Erik, however, put his ship ashore, and slung stones + against the enemy from afar. Thus most of the Sclavs were killed, and + forty taken, who afterwards under stress of bonds and famine, and in + strait of divers torments, gave up the ghost. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Frode, in order to cross on an expedition into Sclavia, had + mustered a mighty fleet from the Danes, as well as from neighbouring + peoples. The smallest boat of this fleet could carry twelve sailors, and + be rowed by as many oars. Then Erik, bidding his men await him patiently + went to tell Frode the tidings of the defeat he had inflicted. As he + sailed along he happened to see a pirate ship aground on some shallows; + and being wont to utter weighty words upon chance occurrences, he said, + "Obscure is the lot of the base-born, and mean is the fortune of the + lowly." Then he brought his ship up close and destroyed the pirates, who + were trying to get off their own vessel with poles, and busily engrossed + in saving her. This accomplished, he made his way back to the king's + fleet; and wishing to cheer Frode with a greeting that heralded his + victory, he said, "Hail to the maker of a most prosperous peace!" The king + prayed that his word might come true, and declared that the spirit of the + wise man was prophetic. Erik answered that he spoke truly, and that the + petty victory brought an omen of a greater one; declaring that a presage + of great matters could often be got from trifles. Then the king counselled + him to scatter his force, and ordered the horsemen of Jutland to go by the + land way, while the rest of the army went by the short sea-passage. But + the sea was covered with such a throng of vessels, that there were not + enough harbours to take them in, nor shores for them to encamp on, nor + money for their provisions; while the land army is said to have been so + great that, in order to shorten the way, it levelled mountains, made + marshes passable, filled up pits with material, and the hugest chasms by + casting in great boulders. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Strunik the King of the Sclavs sent envoys to ask for a truce; + but Frode refused him time to equip himself, saying that an enemy ought + not to be furnished with a truce. Moreover, he said, he had hitherto + passed his life without experience of war, and now he ought not to delay + its beginning by waiting in doubt; for the man that conducted his first + campaign successfully might hope for as good fortune in the rest. For each + side would take the augury afforded by the first engagements as a presage + of the combat; since the preliminary successes of war were often a + prophecy of the sequel. Erik commended the wisdom of the reply, declaring + that the game ought to be played abroad just as it had been begun at home: + meaning that the Danes had been challenged by the Sclavs. After these + words he fought a furious battle, slew Strunik with the bravest of his + race, and received the surrender of the rest. Then Frode called the Sclavs + together, and proclaimed by a herald that any man among them who had been + trained to theft or plunder should be speedily given up; promising that he + would reward the character of such men with the highest honours. He also + ordered that all of them, who were versed in evil arts should come forth + to have their reward. This offer pleased the Sclavs: and some of them, + tempted by their hopes of the gift, betrayed themselves with more avarice + than judgment, before the others could make them known. These were misled + by such great covetousness, that they thought less of shame than lucre, + and accounted as their glory what was really their guilt. When these had + given themselves up of their own will, he said: "Sclavs! This is the pest + from which you must clear your land yourselves." And straightway he + ordered the executioners to seize them, and had them fixed upon the + highest gallows by the hand of their own countrymen. The punishers looked + fewer than the punished. And thus the shrewd king, by refusing to those + who owned their guilt the pardon which he granted to the conquered foe, + destroyed almost the entire stock of the Sclavic race. Thus the longing + for an undeserved reward was visited with a deserved penalty, and the + thirst for an undue wage justly punished. I should think that these men + were rightly delivered to their doom, who brought the peril on their own + heads by speaking, when they could have saved their lives by the + protection of silence. + </p> + <p> + The king, exalted by the honours of his fresh victory, and loth to seem + less strong in justice than in battle, resolved to remodel his army by + some new laws, some of which are retained by present usage, while others + men have chosen to abolish for new ones. (a) For he decreed, when the + spoil was divided, that each of the vanguard should receive a greater + share than the rest of the soldiery: while he granted all gold that was + taken to the generals (before whom the standards were always borne in + battle) on account of their rank; wishing the common soldiers to be + content with silver. He ordered that the arms should go to the champions, + but the captured ships should pass to the common people, as the due of + those who had the right of building and equipping vessels. (b) Also he + forbade that anyone should venture to lock up his household goods, as he + would receive double the value of any losses from the treasury of the + king; but if anyone thought fit to keep it in locked coffers, he must pay + the king a gold mark. He also laid down that anyone who spared a thief + should be punished as a thief. (d) Further, that the first man to flee in + battle should forfeit all common rights. (e) But when he had returned into + Denmark he wished to amend by good measures any corruption caused by the + evil practices of Grep; and therefore granted women free choice in + marriage, so that there might be no compulsory wedlock. And so he provided + by law that women should be held duly married to those whom they had + wedded without consulting their fathers. (f) But if a free woman agreed to + marry a slave, she must fall to his rank, lose the blessing of freedom, + and adopt the standing of a slave. (g) He also imposed on men the statute + that they must marry any woman whom they had seduced. (h) He ordained that + adulterers should be deprived of a member by the lawful husbands, so that + continence might not be destroyed by shameful sins. (I) Also he ordained + that if a Dane plundered another Dane, he should repay double, and be held + guilty of a breach of the peace. (k) And if any man were to take to the + house of another anything which he had got by thieving, his host, if he + shut the door of his house behind the man, should incur forfeiture of all + his goods, and should be beaten in full assembly, being regarded as having + made himself guilty of the same crime. (l) Also, whatsoever exile should + turn enemy to his country, or bear a shield against his countrymen, should + be punished with the loss of life and goods. (m) But if any man, from a + contumacious spirit, were slack in fulfilling the orders of the king, he + should be punished with exile. For, on all occasion of any sudden and + urgent war, an arrow of wood, looking like iron, used to be passed on + everywhere from man to man as a messenger. (n) But if any one of the + commons went in front of the vanguard in battle, he was to rise from a + slave into a freeman, and from a peasant into a nobleman; but if he were + nobly-born already, he should be created a governor. So great a guerdon + did valiant men earn of old; and thus did the ancients think noble rank + the due of bravery. For it was thought that the luck a man had should be + set down to his valour, and not his valour to his luck. (o) He also + enacted that no dispute should be entered on with a promise made under + oath and a gage deposited; but whosoever requested another man to deposit + a gage against him should pay that man half a gold mark, on pain of severe + bodily chastisement. For the king had foreseen that the greatest occasions + of strife might arise from the depositing of gages. (p) But he decided + that any quarrel whatsoever should be decided by the sword, thinking a + combat of weapons more honourable than one of words. But if either of the + combatants drew back his foot, and stepped out of the ring of the circle + previously marked, he was to consider himself conquered, and suffer the + loss of his case. But a man of the people, if he attacked a champion on + any score, should be armed to meet him; but the champion should only fight + with a truncheon an ell long. (q) Further, he appointed that if an alien + killed a Dane, his death should be redressed by the slaying of two + foreigners. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Gotar, in order to punish Erik, equipped his army for war: and + Frode, on the other side, equipped a great fleet to go against Norway. + When both alike had put into Rennes-Isle, Gotar, terrified by the + greatness of Frode's name, sent ambassadors to pray for peace. Erik said + to them, "Shameless is the robber who is the first to seek peace, or + ventures to offer it to the good. He who longs to win must struggle: blow + must counter blow, malice repel malice." + </p> + <p> + Gotar listened attentively to this from a distance, and then said, as + loudly as he could: "Each man fights for valour according as he remembers + kindness." Erik said to him: "I have requited thy kindness by giving thee + back counsel." By this speech he meant that his excellent advice was worth + more than all manner of gifts. And, in order to show that Gotar was + ungrateful for the counsel he had received, he said: "When thou desiredst + to take my life and my wife, thou didst mar the look of thy fair example. + Only the sword has the right to decide between us." Then Gotar attacked + the fleet of the Danes; he was unsuccessful in the engagement, and slain. + </p> + <p> + Afterwards Roller received his realm from Frode as a gift; it stretched + over seven provinces. Erik likewise presented Roller with the province + which Gotar had once bestowed upon him. After these exploits Frode passed + three years in complete and tranquil peace. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the King of the Huns, when he heard that his daughter had been + put away, allied himself with Olmar, King of the Easterlings, and in two + years equipped an armament against the Danes. So Frode levied an army not + only of native Danes, but also of Norwegians and Sclavs. Erik, whom he had + sent to spy out the array of the enemy, found Olmar, who had received the + command of the fleet, not far from Russia; while the King of the Huns led + the land forces. He addressed Olmar thus: + </p> + <p> + "What means, prithee, this strong equipment of war? Or whither dost thou + speed, King Olmar, mighty in thy fleet?" + </p> + <p> + Olmar. "We are minded to attack the son of Fridleif. And who art thou, + whose bold lips ask such questions?" + </p> + <p> + Erik. "Vain hope of conquering the unconquered hath filled thy heart; over + Frode no man can prevail." + </p> + <p> + Olmar. "Whatsoever befalls, must once happen for the first time; and often + enough the unexpected comes to pass." + </p> + <p> + By this saying he let him know that no man must put too much trust in + fortune. Then Erik rode up to inspect the army of the Huns. As it passed + by him, and he in turn by it, it showed its vanguard to the rising and its + rear to the setting sun. So he asked those whom he met, who had the + command of all those thousands. Hun, the King of the Huns, happened to see + him, and heard that he had undertaken to reconnoitre, and asked what was + the name of the questioner. Erik said he was the man who came everywhere + and was found nowhere. Then the king, when an interpreter was brought, + asked what work Frode was about. Erik replied, "Frode never waits at home + for a hostile army, nor tarries in his house for his foe. For he who + covets the pinnacle of another's power must watch and wake all night. No + man has ever won a victory by snoring, and no wolf has ever found a + carcase by lying asleep." + </p> + <p> + The king, perceiving that he was a cunning speaker of choice maxims, said: + "Here, perchance, is that Erik who, as I have heard, accused my daughter + falsely." + </p> + <p> + But Erik, when they were bidden to seize him instantly, said that it was + unseemly for one man to be dragged off by really; and by this saying he + not only appeased the mind of the king, but even inclined him to be + willing to pardon him. But it was clear that this impunity came more from + cunning than kindness; for the chief reason why he was let go was that he + might terrify Frode by the report of their vast numbers. When he returned, + Frode bad him relate what he had discovered, and he said that he had seen + six kings each with his fleet; and that each of these fleets contained + five thousand ships, each ship being known to hold three hundred rowers. + Each millenary of the whole total he said consisted of four wings; now, + since the full number of a wing is three hundred, he meant that a + millenary should be understood to contain twelve hundred men. When Frode + wavered in doubt what he could do against so many, and looked eagerly + round for reinforcements, Erik said: "Boldness helps the righteous; a + valiant dog must attack the bear; we want wolf-hounds, and not little + unwarlike birds." This said, he advised Frode to muster his fleet. When it + was drawn up they sailed off against the enemy; and so they fought and + subdued the islands lying between Denmark and the East; and as they + advanced thence, met some ships of the Ruthenian fleet. Frode thought it + shameful to attack such a handful, but Erik said: "We must seek food from + the gaunt and lean. He who falls shall seldom fatten, nor has that man the + power to bite whom the huge sack has devoured." By this warning he cured + the king of all shame about making an assault, and presently induced him + to attack a small number with a throng; for he showed him that advantage + must be counted before honour. + </p> + <p> + After this they went on to meet Olmar, who because of the slowness of his + multitude preferred awaiting the enemy to attacking it; for the vessels of + the Ruthenians seemed disorganized, and, owing to their size, not so well + able to row. But not even did the force of his multitudes avail him. For + the extraordinary masses of the Ruthenians were stronger in numbers than + in bravery, and yielded the victory to the stout handful of the Danes. + </p> + <p> + When Frode tried to return home, his voyage encountered an unheard-of + difficulty. For the crowds of dead bodies, and likewise the fragments of + shields and spears, bestrewed the entire gulf of the sea, and tossed on + the tide, so that the harbours were not only straitened, but stank. The + vessels stuck, hampered amid the corpses. They could neither thrust off + with oars, nor drive away with poles, the rotting carcases that floated + around, or prevent, when they had put one away, another rolling up and + driving against the fleet. You would have thought that a war had arisen + with the dead, and there was a strange combat with the lifeless. + </p> + <p> + So Frode summoned the nations which he had conquered, and enacted (a) that + any father of a family who had fallen in that war should be buried with + his horse and all his arms and decorations. And if any body-snatcher, in + his abominable covetousness, made an attempt on him, he was to suffer for + it, not only with his life, but also with the loss of burial for his own + body; he should have no barrow and no funeral. For he thought it just that + he who despoiled another's ashes should be granted no burial, but should + repeat in his own person the fate he had inflicted on another. He + appointed that the body of a centurion or governor should receive funeral + on a pyre built of his own ship. He ordered that the bodies of every ten + pilots should be burnt together with a single ship, but that every earl or + king that was killed should be put on his own ship and burnt with it. He + wished this nice attention to be paid in conducting the funerals of the + slain, because he wished to prevent indiscriminate obsequies. By this time + all the kings of the Russians except Olmar and Dag had fallen in battle. + (b) He also ordered the Russians to conduct their warfare in imitation of + the Danes, and never to marry a wife without buying her. He thought that + bought marriages would have more security, believing that the troth which + was sealed with a price was the safest. (d) Moreover, anyone who durst + attempt the violation of a virgin was to be punished with the severance of + his bodily parts, or else to requite the wrong of his intercourse with a + thousand talents. (e) He also enacted that any man that applied himself to + war, who aspired to the title of tried soldier, should attack a single + man, should stand the attack of two, should only withdraw his foot a + little to avoid three, but should not blush to flee from four. (f) He also + proclaimed that a new custom concerning the pay of the soldiers should be + observed by the princes under his sway. He ordered that each native + soldier and housecarl should be presented in the winter season with three + marks of silver, a common or hired soldier with two, a private soldier who + had finished his service with only one. By this law he did injustice to + valour, reckoning the rank of the soldiers and not their courage; and he + was open to the charge of error in the matter, because he set familiar + acquaintance above desert. + </p> + <p> + After this the king asked Erik whether the army of the Huns was as large + as the forces of Olmar, and Erik answered in the following song: + </p> + <p> + "By Hercules, I came on a countless throng, a throng that neither earth + nor wave could hold. Thick flared all their camp-fires, and the whole wood + blazed up; the flame betokened a numberless array. The earth sank under + the fraying of the horse-hoofs; creaking waggons rattled swiftly. The + wheels rumbled, the driver rode upon the winds, so that the chariots + sounded like thunder. The earth hardly bore the throngs of men-at-arms, + speeding on confusedly; they trod it, but it could not bear their weight. + I thought that the air crashed and the earth was shaken, so mighty was the + motion of the stranger army. For I saw fifteen standards flickering at + once; each of them had a hundred lesser standards, and after each of these + could have been seen twenty; and the captains in their order were equal in + number to the standards." + </p> + <p> + Now when Frode asked wherewithal he was to resist so many, Erik instructed + him that he must return home and suffer the enemy first to perish of their + own hugeness. His counsel was obeyed, the advice being approved as + heartily as it was uttered. But the Huns went on through pathless deserts, + and, finding provisions nowhere, began to run the risk of general + starvation; for it was a huge and swampy district, and nothing could be + found to relieve their want. At last, when the beasts of burden had been + cut down and eaten, they began to scatter, lacking carriages as much as + food. Now their straying from the road was as perilous to them as their + hunger. Neither horses nor asses were spared, nor did they refrain from + filthy garbage. At last they did not even spare dogs: to dying men every + abomination was lawful; for there is nothing too hard for the bidding of + extreme need. At last when they were worn out with hunger, there came a + general mortality. Bodies were carried out for burial without end, for all + feared to perish, and none pitied the perishing. Fear indeed had cast out + humanity. So first the divisions deserted from the king little by little; + and then the army melted away by companies. He was also deserted by the + prophet Ygg, a man of unknown age, which was prolonged beyond the human + span; this man went as a deserter to Frode, and told him of all the + preparations of the Huns. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Hedin, prince of a considerable tribe of the Norwegians, + approached the fleet of Frode with a hundred and fifty vessels. Choosing + twelve out of these, he proceeded to cruise nearer, signalling the + approach of friends by a shield raised on the mast. He thus greatly + augmented the forces of the king, and was received into his closest + friendship. A mutual love afterwards arose between this man and Hilda, the + daughter of Hogni, a chieftain of the Jutes, and a maiden of most eminent + renown. For, though they had not yet seen one another, each had been + kindled by the other's glory. But when they had a chance of beholding one + another, neither could look away; so steadfast was the love that made + their eyes linger. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Frode distributed his soldiers through the towns, and carefully + gathered in the materials needed for the winter supplies; but even so he + could not maintain his army, with its burden of expense: and plague fell + on him almost as great as the destruction that met the Huns. Therefore, to + prevent the influx of foreigners, he sent a fleet to the Elbe to take care + that nothing should cross; the admirals were Revil and Mevil. When the + winter broke up, Hedin and Hogni resolved to make a roving-raid together; + for Hogni did not know that his partner was in love with his daughter. Now + Hogni was of unusual stature, and stiff in temper; while Hedin was very + comely, but short. Also, when Frode saw that the cost of keeping up his + army grew daily harder to bear, he sent Roller to Norway, Olmar to Sweden, + King Onef and Glomer, a rover captain, to the Orkneys for supplies, each + with his own forces. Thirty kings followed Frode, and were his friends or + vassals. But when Hun heard that Frode had sent away his forces he + mustered another and a fresh army. But Hogni betrothed his daughter to + Hedin, after they had sworn to one another that whichever of them should + perish by the sword should be avenged by the other. + </p> + <p> + In the autumn, the men in search of supplies came back, but they were + richer in trophies than in food. For Roller had made tributary the + provinces Sundmor and Nordmor, after slaying Arthor their king. But Olmar + conquered Thor the Long, the King of the Jemts and the Helsings, with two + other captains of no less power, and also took Esthonia and Kurland, with + Oland, and the isles that fringe Sweden; thus he was a most renowned + conqueror of savage lands. So he brought back 700 ships, thus doubling the + numbers of those previously taken out. Onef and Glomer, Hedin and Hogni, + won victories over the Orkneys, and returned with 900 ships. And by this + time revenues had been got in from far and wide, and there were ample + materials gathered by plunder to recruit their resources. They had also + added twenty kingdoms to the sway of Frode, whose kings, added to the + thirty named before, fought on the side of the Danes. + </p> + <p> + Trusting in their strength, they engaged with the Huns. Such a carnage + broke out on the first day of this combat that the three chief rivers of + Russia were bestrewn with a kind of bridge of corpses, and could be + crossed and passed over. Also the traces of the massacre spread so wide + that for the space of three days' ride the ground was to be seen covered + with human carcases. So, when the battle had been seven days prolonged, + King Hun fell; and his brother of the same name, when he saw the line of + the Huns giving way, without delay surrendered himself and his company. In + that war 170 kings, who were either Huns or fighting amongst the Huns, + surrendered to the king. This great number Erik had comprised in his + previous description of the standards, when he was giving an account of + the multitude of the Huns in answer to the questions of Frode. So Frode + summoned the kings to assembly, and imposed a rule upon them that they + should all live under one and the same law. Now he set Olmar over + Holmgard; Onef over Conogard; and he bestowed Saxony on Hun, his prisoner, + and gave Revil the Orkneys. To one Dimar he allotted the management of the + provinces of the Helsings, of the Jarnbers, and the Jemts, as well as both + Laplands; while on Dag he bestowed the government of Esthonia. Each of + these men he burdened with fixed conditions of tribute, thus making + allegiance a condition of his kindness. So the realms of Frode embraced + Russia on the east, and on the west were bounded by the Rhine. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, certain slanderous tongues accused Hedin to Hogni of having + tempted and defiled his daughter before the rites of betrothal; which was + then accounted an enormous crime by all nations. So the credulous ears of + Hogni drank in this lying report, and with his fleet he attacked Hedin, + who was collecting the king's dues among the Slavs; there was an + engagement, and Hogni was beaten, and went to Jutland. And thus the peace + instituted by Frode was disturbed by intestine war, and natives were the + first to disobey the king's law. Frode, therefore, sent men to summon them + both at once, and inquired closely what was the reason of their feud. When + he had heard it, he gave judgment according to the terms of the law he had + enacted; but when he saw that even this could not reconcile them (for the + father obstinately demanded his daughter back), he decreed that the + quarrel should be settled by the sword—it seemed the only remedy for + ending the dispute. The fight began, and Hedin was grievously wounded; but + when he began to lose blood and bodily strength, he received unexpected + mercy from his enemy. For though Hogni had an easy chance of killing him, + yet, pitying youth and beauty, he constrained his cruelty to give way to + clemency. And so, loth to cut off a stripling who was panting at his last + gasp, he refrained his sword. For of old it was accounted shameful to + deprive of his life one who was ungrown or a weakling; so closely did the + antique bravery of champions take heed of all that could incline them to + modesty. So Hedin, with the help of his men, was taken back to his ship, + saved by the kindness of his foe. + </p> + <p> + In the seventh year after, these same men began to fight on Hedin's isle, + and wounded each other so that they died. Hogni would have been lucky if + he had shown severity rather than compassion to Hedin when he had once + conquered him. They say that Hilda longed so ardently for her husband, + that she is believed to have conjured up the spirits of the combatants by + her spells in the night in order to renew the war. + </p> + <p> + At the same time came to pass a savage war between Alrik, king of the + Swedes, and Gestiblind, king of the Goths. The latter, being the weaker, + approached Frode as a suppliant, willing, if he might get his aid, to + surrender his kingdom and himself. He soon received the aid of Skalk, the + Skanian, and Erik, and came back with reinforcements. He had determined to + let loose his attack on Alrik, but Erik thought that he should first + assail his son Gunthion, governor of the men of Wermland and Solongs, + declaring that the storm-weary mariner ought to make for the nearest + shore, and moreover that the rootless trunk seldom burgeoned. So he made + an attack, wherein perished Gunthion, whose tomb records his name. Alrik, + when he heard of the destruction of his son, hastened to avenge him, and + when he had observed his enemies, he summoned Erik, and, in a secret + interview, recounted the leagues of their fathers, imploring him to refuse + to fight for Gestiblind. This Erik steadfastly declined, and Alrik then + asked leave to fight Gestiblind, thinking that a duel was better than a + general engagement. But Erik said that Gestiblind was unfit for arms by + reason of old age, pleading his bad health, and above all his years; but + offered himself to fight in his place, explaining that it would be + shameful to decline a duel on behalf of the man for whom he had come to + make a war. Then they fought without delay: Alrik was killed, and Erik was + most severely wounded; it was hard to find remedies, and he did not for + long time recover health. Now a false report had come to Frode that Erik + had fallen, and was tormenting the king's mind with sore grief; but Erik + dispelled this sadness with his welcome return; indeed, he reported to + Frode that by his efforts Sweden, Wermland, Helsingland, and the islands + of the Sun (Soleyar) had been added to his realm. Frode straightway made + him king of the nations he had subdued, and also granted to him + Helsingland with the two Laplands, Finland and Esthonia, under a yearly + tribute. None of the Swedish kings before him was called by the name of + Erik, but the title passed from him to the rest. + </p> + <p> + At the same time Alf was king in Hethmark, and he had a son Asmund. Biorn + ruled in the province of Wik, and had a son Aswid. Asmund was engaged on + an unsuccessful hunt, and while he was proceeding either to stalk the game + with dogs or to catch it in nets, a mist happened to come on. By this he + was separated from his sharers on a lonely track, wandered over the dreary + ridges, and at last, destitute of horse and clothing, ate fungi and + mushrooms, and wandered on aimlessly till he came to the dwelling of King + Biorn. Moreover, the son of the king and he, when they had lived together + a short while, swore by every vow, in order to ratify the friendship which + they observed to one another, that whichever of them lived longest should + be buried with him who died. For their fellowship and love were so strong, + that each determined he would not prolong his days when the other was cut + off by death. + </p> + <p> + After this Frode gathered together a host of all his subject nations, and + attacked Norway with his fleet, Erik being bidden to lead the land force. + For, after the fashion of human greed, the more he gained the more he + wanted, and would not suffer even the dreariest and most rugged region of + the world to escape this kind of attack; so much is increase of wealth + wont to encourage covetousness. So the Norwegians, casting away all hope + of self-defence, and losing all confidence in their power to revolt, began + to flee for the most part to Halogaland. The maiden Stikla also withdrew + from her country to save her chastity, proferring the occupations of war + to those of wedlock. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Aswid died of an illness, and was consigned with his horse and + dog to a cavern in the earth. And Asmund, because of his oath of + friendship, had the courage to be buried with him, food being put in for + him to eat. + </p> + <p> + Now just at this time Erik, who had crossed the uplands with his army, + happened to draw near the barrow of Aswid; and the Swedes, thinking that + treasures were in it, broke the hill open with mattocks, and saw disclosed + a cave deeper than they had thought. To examine it, a man was wanted, who + would lower himself on a hanging rope tied around him. One of the quickest + of the youths was chosen by lot; and Asmund, when he saw him let down in a + basket following a rope, straightway cast him out and climbed into the + basket. Then he gave the signal to draw him up to those above who were + standing by and controlling the rope. They drew in the basket in the hopes + of great treasure; but when they saw the unknown figure of the man they + had taken out, they were scared by his extraordinary look, and, thinking + that the dead had come to life, flung down the rope and fled all ways. For + Asmund looked ghastly and seemed to be covered as with the corruption of + the charnel. He tried to recall the fugitives, and began to clamour that + they were wrongfully afraid of a living man. And when Erik saw him, he + marvelled most at the aspect of his bloody face: the blood flowing forth + and spurting over it. For Aswid had come to life in the nights, and in his + continual struggles had wrenched off his left ear; and there was to be + seen the horrid sight of a raw and unhealed scar. And when the bystanders + bade him tell how he had got such a wound, he began to speak thus:— + </p> + <p> + "Why stand ye aghast, who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades + among the dead. Evil to the lonely man, and burdensome to the single, + remains every dwelling in the world. Hapless are they whom chance hath + bereft of human help. The listless night of the cavern, the darkness of + the ancient den, have taken all joy from my eyes and soul. The ghastly + ground, the crumbling barrow, and the heavy tide of filthy things have + marred the grace of my youthful countenance, and sapped my wonted pith and + force. Besides all this, I have fought with the dead, enduring the heavy + burden and grievous peril of the wrestle; Aswid rose again and fell on me + with rending nails, by hellish might renewing ghastly warfare after he was + ashes. + </p> + <p> + "Why stand ye aghast, who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades + among the dead. + </p> + <p> + "By some strange enterprise of the power of hell the spirit of Aswid was + sent up from the nether world, and with cruel tooth eats the fleet-footed + (horse), and has given his dog to his abominable jaws. Not sated with + devouring the horse or hound, he soon turned his swift nails upon me, + tearing my cheek and taking off my ear. Hence the hideous sight of my + slashed countenance, the blood-spurts in the ugly wound. Yet the bringer + of horrors did it not unscathed; for soon I cut off his head with my + steel, and impaled his guilty carcase with a stake. + </p> + <p> + "Why stand ye aghast who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades + among the dead." + </p> + <p> + Frode had by this taken his fleet over to Halogaland; and here, in order + to learn the numbers of his host, which seemed to surpass all bounds and + measure that could be counted, he ordered his soldiers to pile up a hill, + one stone being cast upon the heap for each man. The enemy also pursued + the same method of numbering their host, and the hills are still to be + seen to convince the visitor. Here Frode joined battle with the + Norwegians, and the day was bloody. At nightfall both sides determined to + retreat. As daybreak drew near, Erik, who had come across the land, came + up and advised the king to renew the battle. In this war the Danes + suffered such slaughter that out of 3,000 ships only 170 are supposed to + have survived. The Northmen, however, were exterminated in such a mighty + massacre, that (so the story goes) there were not men left to till even a + fifth of their villages. + </p> + <p> + Frode, now triumphant, wished to renew peace among all nations, that he + might ensure each man's property from the inroads of thieves and now + ensure peace to his realms after war. So he hung one bracelet on a crag + which is called Frode's Rock, and another in the district of Wik, after he + had addressed the assembled Norwegians; threatening that these necklaces + should serve to test the honesty which he had decreed, and threatening + that if they were filched punishment should fall on all the governors of + the district. And thus, sorely imperilling the officers, there was the + gold unguarded, hanging up full in the parting of the roads, and the + booty, so easy to plunder, a temptation to all covetous spirits. (a) Frode + also enacted that seafarers should freely use oars wherever they found + them; while to those who wished to cross a river he granted free use of + the horse which they found nearest to the ford. He decreed that they must + dismount from this horse when its fore feet only touched land and its hind + feet were still washed by the waters. For he thought that services such as + these should rather be accounted kindness than wrongdoing. Moreover, he + ordained that whosoever durst try and make further use of the horse after + he had crossed the river should be condemned to death. (b) He also ordered + that no man should hold his house or his coffer under lock and key, or + should keep anything guarded by bolts, promising that all losses should be + made good threefold. Also, he appointed that it was lawful to claim as + much of another man's food for provision as would suffice for a single + supper. If anyone exceeded this measure in his takings, he was to be held + guilty of theft. Now, a thief (so he enacted) was to be hung up with a + sword passed through his sinews, with a wolf fastened by his side, so that + the wicked man might look like the savage beast, both being punished + alike. He also had the same penalty extended to accomplices in thefts. + Here he passed seven most happy years of peace, begetting a son Alf and a + daughter Eyfura. + </p> + <p> + It chanced that in these days Arngrim, a champion of Sweden, who had + challenged, attacked, and slain Skalk the Skanian because he had once + robbed him of a vessel, came to Frode. Elated beyond measure with his + deed, he ventured to sue for Frode's daughter; but, finding the king deaf + to him, he asked Erik, who was ruling Sweden, to help him. Erik advised + him to win Frode's goodwill by some illustrious service, and to fight + against Egther, the King of Permland, and Thengil, the King of Finmark, + since they alone seemed to repudiate the Danish rule, while all men else + submitted. Without delay he led his army to that country. Now, the Finns + are the uttermost peoples of the North, who have taken a portion of the + world that is barely habitable to till and dwell in. They are very keen + spearmen, and no nation has a readier skill in throwing the javelin. They + fight with large, broad arrows; they are addicted to the study of spells; + they are skilled hunters. Their habitation is not fixed, and their + dwellings are migratory; they pitch and settle wherever they have caught + game. Riding on curved boards (skees or snow-skates), they run over ridges + thick with snow. These men Arngrim attacked, in order to win renown, and + he crushed them. They fought with ill success; but, as they were + scattering in flight, they cast three pebbles behind them, which they + caused to appear to the eyes of the enemy like three mountains. Arngrim's + eyes were dazzled and deluded, and he called back his men from the pursuit + of the enemy, fancying that he was checked by a barrier of mighty rocks. + Again, when they engaged and were beaten on the morrow, the Finns cast + snow upon the ground and made it look like a mighty river. So the Swedes, + whose eyes were utterly deluded, were deceived by their misjudgment, for + it seemed the roaring of an extraordinary mass of waters. Thus, the + conqueror dreading the unsubstantial phantom of the waters, the Finns + managed to escape. They renewed the war again on the third day; but there + was no effective means of escape left any longer, for when they saw that + their lines were falling back, they surrendered to the conqueror. Arngrim + imposed on them the following terms of tribute: that the number of the + Finns should be counted, and that, after the lapse of (every) three years, + every ten of them should pay a carriage-full of deer-skins by way of + assessment. Then he challenged and slew in single combat Egther, the + captain of the men of Permland, imposing on the men of Permland the + condition that each of them should pay one skin. Enriched with these + spoils and trophies, he returned to Erik, who went with him into Denmark, + and poured loud praises of the young warrior into the ear of Frode, + declaring that he who had added the ends of the world to his realms + deserved his daughter. Then Frode, considering his splendid deserts, + thought it was not amiss to take for a son-in-law a man who had won + wide-resounding fame by such a roll of noble deeds. + </p> + <p> + Arngrim had twelve sons by Eyfura, whose names I here subjoin: Brand, + Biarbe, Brodd, Hiarrande; Tand, Tyrfing, two Haddings; Hiortuar, Hiartuar, + Hrane, Anganty. These followed the business of sea-roving from their youth + up; and they chanced to sail all in one ship to the island Samso, where + they found lying off the coast two ships belonging to Hialmar and Arvarodd + (Arrow-Odd) the rovers. These ships they attacked and cleared of rowers; + but, not knowing whether they had cut down the captains, they fitted the + bodies of the slain to their several thwarts, and found that those whom + they sought were missing. At this they were sad, knowing that the victory + they had won was not worth a straw, and that their safety would run much + greater risk in the battle that was to come. In fact, Hialmar and + Arvarodd, whose ships had been damaged by a storm, which had torn off + their rudders, went into a wood to hew another; and, going round the trunk + with their axes, pared down the shapeless timber until the huge stock + assumed the form of a marine implement. This they shouldered, and were + bearing it down to the beach, ignorant of the disaster of their friends, + when the sons of Eyfura, reeking with the fresh blood of the slain, + attacked them, so that they two had to fight many; the contest was not + even equal, for it was a band of twelve against two. But the victory did + not go according to the numbers. For all the sons of Eyfura were killed; + Hialmar was slain by them, but Arvarodd gained the honours of victory, + being the only survivor left by fate out of all that band of comrades. He, + with an incredible effort, poised the still shapeless hulk of the rudder, + and drove it so strongly against the bodies of his foes that, with a + single thrust of it, he battered and crushed all twelve. And, so, though + they were rid of the general storm of war, the band of rovers did not yet + quit the ocean. + </p> + <p> + This it was that chiefly led Frode to attack the West, for his one desire + was the spread of peace. So he summoned Erik, and mustered a fleet of all + the kingdoms that bid him allegiance, and sailed to Britain with + numberless ships. But the king of that island, perceiving that he was + unequal in force (for the ships seemed to cover the sea), went to Frode, + affecting to surrender, and not only began to flatter his greatness, but + also promised to the Danes, the conquerors of nations, the submission of + himself and of his country; proffering taxes, assessment, tribute, what + they would. Finally, he gave them a hospitable invitation. Frode was + pleased with the courtesy of the Briton, though his suspicions of + treachery were kept by so ready and unconstrained a promise of everything, + so speedy a surrender of the enemy before fighting; such offers being + seldom made in good faith. They were also troubled with alarm about the + banquet, fearing that as drunkenness came on their sober wits might be + entangled in it, and attacked by hidden treachery. So few guests were + bidden, moreover, that it seemed unsafe for them to accept the invitation; + and it was further thought foolish to trust their lives to the good faith + of an enemy whom they did not know. + </p> + <p> + When the king found their minds thus wavering he again approached Frode, + and invited him to the banquet with 2,400 men; having before bidden him to + come to the feast with 1,200 nobles. Frode was encouraged by the increase + in the number of guests, and was able to go to the banquet with greater + inward confidence; but he could not yet lay aside his suspicions, and + privily caused men to scour the interior and let him know quickly of any + treachery which they might espy. On this errand they went into the forest, + and, coming upon the array of an armed encampment belonging to the forces + of the Britons, they halted in doubt, but hastily retraced their steps + when the truth was apparent. For the tents were dusky in colour, and + muffled in a sort of pitchy coverings, that they might not catch the eye + of anyone who came near. When Frode learned this, he arranged a + counter-ambuscade with a strong force of nobles, that he might not go + heedlessly to the banquet, and be cheated of timely aid. They went into + hiding, and he warned them that the note of the trumpet was the signal for + them to bring assistance. Then with a select band, lightly armed, he went + to the banquet. The hall was decked with regal splendour; it was covered + all round with crimson hangings of marvellous rich handiwork. A curtain of + purple dye adorned the propelled walls. The flooring was bestrewn with + bright mantles, which a man would fear to trample on. Up above was to be + seen the twinkle of many lanterns, the gleam of lamps lit with oil, and + the censers poured forth fragrance whose sweet vapour was laden with the + choicest perfumes. The whole way was blocked by the tables loaded with + good things; and the places for reclining were decked with + gold-embroidered couches; the seats were full of pillows. The majestic + hall seemed to smile upon the guests, and nothing could be noticed in all + that pomp either inharmonious to the eye or offensive to the smell. In the + midst of the hall stood a great butt ready for refilling the goblets, and + holding an enormous amount of liquor; enough could be drawn from it for + the huge revel to drink its fill. Servants, dressed in purple, bore golden + cups, and courteously did the office of serving the drink, pacing in + ordered ranks. Nor did they fail to offer the draught in the horns of the + wild ox. + </p> + <p> + The feast glittered with golden bowls, and was laden with shining goblets, + many of them studded with flashing jewels. The place was filled with an + immense luxury; the tables groaned with the dishes, and the bowls brimmed + over with divers liquors. Nor did they use wine pure and simple, but, with + juices sought far and wide, composed a nectar of many flavours. The dishes + glistened with delicious foods, being filled mostly with the spoils of the + chase; though the flesh of tame animals was not lacking either. The + natives took care to drink more sparingly than the guests; for the latter + felt safe, and were tempted to make an orgy; while the others, meditating + treachery, had lost all temptations to be drunken. So the Danes, who, if I + may say so with my country's leave, were seasoned to drain the bowl + against each other, took quantities of wine. The Britons, when they saw + that the Danes were very drunk, began gradually to slip away from the + banquet, and, leaving their guests within the hall, made immense efforts, + first to block the doors of the palace by applying bars and all kinds of + obstacles, and then to set fire to the house. The Danes were penned inside + the hall, and when the fire began to spread, battered vainly at the doors; + but they could not get out, and soon attempted to make a sally by + assaulting the wall. And the Angles, when they saw that it was tottering + under the stout attack of the Danes, began to shove against it on their + side, and to prop the staggering pile by the application of large blocks + on the outside, to prevent the wall being shattered and releasing the + prisoners. But at last it yielded to the stronger hand of the Danes, whose + efforts increased with their peril; and those pent within could sally out + with ease. Then Frode bade the trumpet strike in, to summon the band that + had been posted in ambush; and these, roused by the note of the clanging + bugle, caught the enemy in their own trap; for the King of the Britons, + with countless hosts of his men, was utterly destroyed. Thus the band + helped Frode doubly, being both the salvation of his men and the + destruction of his enemies. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the renown of the Danish bravery spread far, and moved the Irish + to strew iron calthrops on the ground, in order to make their land harder + to invade, and forbid access to their shores. Now the Irish use armour + which is light and easy to procure. They crop the hair close with razors, + and shave all the hair off the back of the head, that they may not be + seized by it when they run away. They also turn the points of their spears + towards the assailant, and deliberately point their sword against the + pursuer; and they generally fling their lances behind their back, being + more skilled at conquering by flight than by fighting. Hence, when you + fancy that the victory is yours, then is the moment of danger. But Frode + was wary and not rash in his pursuit of the foe who fled so treacherously, + and he routed Kerwil (Cearbal), the leader of the nation, in battle. + Kerwil's brother survived, but lost heart for resistance, and surrendered + his country to the king (Frode), who distributed among his soldiers the + booty he had won, to show himself free from all covetousness and excessive + love of wealth, and only ambitious to gain honour. + </p> + <p> + After the triumphs in Britain and the spoiling of the Irish they went back + to Denmark; and for thirty years there was a pause from all warfare. At + this time the Danish name became famous over the whole world almost for + its extraordinary valour. Frode, therefore, desired to prolong and + establish for ever the lustre of his empire, and made it his first object + to inflict severe treatment upon thefts and brigandage, feeling these were + domestic evils and intestine plagues, and that if the nations were rid of + them they would come to enjoy a more tranquil life; so that no ill-will + should mar and hinder the continual extention of peace. He also took care + that the land should not be devoured by any plague at home when the enemy + was at rest, and that intestine wickedness should not encroach when there + was peace abroad. At last he ordered that in Jutland, the chief district + of his realm, a golden bracelet, very heavy, should be set up on the + highways (as he had done before in the district of Wik), wishing by this + magnificent price to test the honesty which he had enacted. Now, though + the minds of the dishonest were vexed with the provocation it furnished, + and the souls of the evil tempted, yet the unquestioned dread of danger + prevailed. For so potent was the majesty of Frode, that it guarded even + gold that was thus exposed to pillage, as though it were fast with bolts + and bars. The strange device brought great glory upon its inventor. After + dealing destruction everywhere, and gaining famous victories far and wide, + he resolved to bestow quiet on all men, that the cheer of peace should + follow the horrors of war, and the end of slaughter might be the beginning + of safety. He further thought that for the same reason all men's property + should be secured to them by a protective decree, so that what had been + saved from a foreign enemy might not find a plunderer at home. + </p> + <p> + About the same time, the Author of our general salvation, coming to the + earth in order to save mortals, bore to put on the garb of mortality; at + which time the fires of war were quenched, and all the lands were enjoying + the calmest and most tranquil peace. It has been thought that the peace + then shed abroad so widely, so even and uninterrupted over the whole + world, attended not so much an earthly rule as that divine birth; and that + it was a heavenly provision that this extraordinary gift of time should be + a witness to the presence of Him who created all times. + </p> + <p> + Meantime a certain matron, skilled in sorcery, who trusted in her art more + than she feared the severity of the king, tempted the covetousness of her + son to make a secret effort for the prize; promising him impunity, since + Frode was almost at death's door, his body failing, and the remnant of his + doting spirit feeble. To his mother's counsels he objected the greatness + of the peril; but she bade him take hope, declaring, that either a sea-cow + should have a calf, or that the king's vengeance should be baulked by some + other chance. By this speech she banished her son's fears, and made him + obey her advice. When the deed was done, Frode, stung by the affront, + rushed with the utmost heat and fury to raze the house of the matron, + sending men on to arrest her and bring her with her children. This the + woman foreknew, and deluded her enemies by a trick, changing from the + shape of a woman into that of a mare. When Frode came up she took the + shape of a sea-cow, and seemed to be straying and grazing about the shore; + and she also made her sons look like calves of smaller size. This portent + amazed the king, and he ordered that they should be surrounded and cut off + from returning to the waters. Then he left the carriage, which he used + because of the feebleness of his aged body, and sat on the ground + marvelling. But the mother, who had taken the shape of the larger beast, + charged at the king with outstretched tusk, and pierced one of his sides. + The wound killed him; and his end was unworthy of such majesty as his. His + soldiers, thirsting to avenge his death, threw their spears and transfixed + the monsters, and saw, when they were killed, that they were the corpses + of human beings with the heads of wild beasts: a circumstance which + exposed the trick more than anything. + </p> + <p> + So ended Frode, the most famous king in the whole world. The nobles, when + he had been disembowelled, had his body kept embalmed for three years, for + they feared the provinces would rise if the king's end were published. + They wished his death to be concealed above all from foreigners, so that + by the pretence that he was alive they might preserve the boundaries of + the empire, which had been extended for so long; and that, on the strength + of the ancient authority of their general, they might exact the usual + tribute from their subjects. So, the lifeless corpse was carried away by + them in such a way that it seemed to be taken, not in a funeral bier, but + in a royal carriage, as if it were a due and proper tribute from the + soldiers to an infirm old man not in full possession of his forces. Such + splendour did his friends bestow on him even in death. But when his limbs + rotted, and were seized with extreme decay, and when the corruption could + not be arrested, they buried his body with a royal funeral in a barrow + near Waere, a bridge of Zealand; declaring that Frode had desired to die + and be buried in what was thought the chief province of his kingdom. + </p> + <p> + BOOK SIX. + </p> + <p> + After the death of Frode, the Danes wrongly supposed that Fridleif, who + was being reared in Russia, had perished; and, thinking that the + sovereignty halted for lack of an heir, and that it could no longer be + kept on in the hands of the royal line, they considered that the sceptre + would be best deserved by the man who should affix to the yet fresh grave + of Frode a song of praise in his glorification, and commit the renown of + the dead king to after ages by a splendid memorial. Then one HIARN, very + skilled in writing Danish poetry, wishing to give the fame of the hero + some notable record of words, and tempted by the enormous prize, composed, + after his own fashion, a barbarous stave. Its purport, expressed in four + lines, I have transcribed as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Frode, whom the Danes would have wished to live long, they bore long + through their lands when he was dead. The great chief's body, with this + turf heaped above it, bare earth covers under the lucid sky." + </p> + <p> + When the composer of this song had uttered it, the Danes rewarded him with + the crown. Thus they gave a kingdom for an epitaph, and the weight of a + whole empire was presented to a little string of letters. Slender expense + for so vast a guerdon! This huge payment for a little poem exceeded the + glory of Caesar's recompense; for it was enough for the divine Julius to + pension with a township the writer and glorifier of those conquests which + he had achieved over the whole world. But now the spendthrift kindness of + the populace squandered a kingdom on a churl. Nay, not even Africanus, + when he rewarded the records of his deed, rose to the munificence of the + Danes. For there the wage of that laborious volume was in mere gold, while + here a few callow verses won a sceptre for a peasant. + </p> + <p> + At the same time Erik, who held the governorship of Sweden, died of + disease; and his son Halfdan, who governed in his father's stead, alarmed + by the many attacks of twelve brothers of Norwegian birth, and powerless + to punish their violence, fled, hoping for reinforcements, to ask aid of + Fridleif, then sojourning in Russia. Approaching him with a suppliant + face, he lamented that he was himself shattered and bruised by a foreign + foe, and brought a dismal plaint of his wrongs. From him Fridleif heard + the tidings of his father's death, and granting the aid he sought, went to + Norway in armed array. At this time the aforesaid brothers, their allies + forsaking them, built a very high rampart within an island surrounded by a + swift stream, also extending their earthworks along the level. Trusting to + this refuge, they harried the neighborhood with continual raids. For they + built a bridge on which they used to get to the mainland when they left + the island. This bridge was fastened to the gate of the stronghold; and + they worked it by the guidance of ropes, in such a way that it turned as + if on some revolving hinge, and at one time let them pass across the + river; while at another, drawn back from above by unseen cords, it helped + to defend the entrance. + </p> + <p> + These warriors were of valiant temper, young and stalwart, of splendid + bodily presence, renowned for victories over giants, full of trophies of + conquered nations, and wealthy with spoil. I record the names of some of + them—for the rest have perished in antiquity—Gerbiorn, + Gunbiorn, Arinbiorn, Stenbiorn, Esbiorn, Thorbiorn, and Biorn. Biorn is + said to have had a horse which was splendid and of exceeding speed, so + that when all the rest were powerless to cross the river it alone stemmed + the roaring eddy without weariness. This rapid comes down in so swift and + sheer a volume that animals often lose all power of swimming in it, and + perish. For, trickling from the topmost crests of the hills, it comes down + the steep sides, catches on the rocks, and is shattered, falling into the + deep valleys with a manifold clamour of waters; but, being straightway + rebuffed by the rocks that bar the way, it keeps the speed of its current + ever at the same even pace. And so, along the whole length of the channel, + the waves are one turbid mass, and the white foam brims over everywhere. + But, after rolling out of the narrows between the rocks, it spreads abroad + in a slacker and stiller flood, and turns into an island a rock that lies + in its course. On either side of the rock juts out a sheer ridge, thick + with divers trees, which screen the river from distant view. Biorn had + also a dog of extraordinary fierceness, a terribly vicious brute, + dangerous for people to live with, which had often singly destroyed twelve + men. But, since the tale is hearsay rather than certainty, let good judges + weigh its credit. This dog, as I have heard, was the favourite of the + giant Offot (Un-foot), and used to watch his herd amid the pastures. + </p> + <p> + Now the warriors, who were always pillaging the neighbourhood, used often + to commit great slaughters. Plundering houses, cutting down cattle, + sacking everything, making great hauls of booty, rifling houses, then + burning them, massacring male and female promiscuously—these, and + not honest dealings, were their occupations. Fridleif surprised them while + on a reckless raid, and drove them all back for refuge to the stronghold; + he also seized the immensely powerful horse, whose rider, in the haste of + his panic, had left it on the hither side of the river in order to fly + betimes; for he durst not take it with him over the bridge. Then Fridleif + proclaimed that he would pay the weight of the dead body in gold to any + man who slew one of those brothers. The hope of the prize stimulated some + of the champions of the king; and yet they were fired not so much with + covetousness as with valour; so, going secretly to Fridleif, they promised + to attempt the task, vowing to sacrifice their lives if they did not bring + home the severed heads of the robbers. Fridleif praised their valour and + their vows, but bidding the onlookers wait, went in the night to the + river, satisfied with a single companion. For, not to seem better provided + with other men's valour than with his own, he determined to forestall + their aid by his own courage. Thereupon he crushed and killed his + companion with a shower of flints, and flung his bloodless corpse into the + waves, having dressed it in his own clothes; which he stripped off, + borrowing the cast-off garb of the other, so that when the corpse was seen + it might look as if the king had perished. He further deliberately drew + blood from the beast on which he had ridden, and bespattered it, so that + when it came back into camp he might make them think he himself was dead. + Then he set spur to his horse and drove it into the midst of the eddies, + crossed the river and alighted, and tried to climb over the rampart that + screened the stronghold by steps set up against the mound. When he got + over the top and could grasp the battlements with his hand, he quietly put + his foot inside, and, without the knowledge of the watch, went lightly on + tiptoe to the house into which the bandits had gone to carouse. And when + he had reached its hall, he sat down under the porch overhanging the door. + Now the strength of their fastness made the warriors feel so safe that + they were tempted to a debauch; for they thought that the swiftly rushing + river made their garrison inaccessible, since it seemed impossible either + to swim over or to cross in boats. For no part of the river allowed of + fording. + </p> + <p> + Biorn, moved by the revel, said that in his sleep he had seen a beast come + out of the waters, which spouted ghastly fire from its mouth, enveloping + everything in a sheet of flame. Therefore the holes and corners of the + island should, he said, be searched; nor ought they to trust so much to + their position, as rashly to let overweening confidence bring them to + utter ruin. No situation was so strong that the mere protection of nature + was enough for it without human effort. Moreover they must take great care + that the warning of his slumbers was not followed by a yet more gloomy and + disastrous fulfilment. So they all sallied forth from the stronghold, and + narrowly scanned the whole circuit of the island; and finding the horse + they surmised that Fridleif had been drowned in the waters of the river. + They received the horse within the gates with rejoicing, supposing that it + had flung off its rider and swum over. But Biorn, still scared with the + memory of the visions of the night, advised them to keep watch, since it + was not safe for them yet to put aside suspicion of danger. Then he went + to his room to rest, with the memory of his vision deeply stored in his + heart. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the horse, which Fridleif, in order to spread a belief in his + death, had been loosed and besprinkled with blood (though only with that + which lies between flesh and skin), burst all bedabbled into the camp of + his soldiers. They went straight to the river, and finding the carcase of + the slave, took it for the body of the king; the hissing eddies having + cast it on the bank, dressed in brave attire. Nothing helped their mistake + so much as the swelling of the battered body; inasmuch as the skin was + torn and bruised with the flints, so that all the features were blotted + out, bloodless and wan. This exasperated the champions who had just + promised Fridleif to see that the robbers were extirpated: and they + approached the perilous torrent, that they might not seem to tarnish the + honour of their promise by a craven neglect of their vow. The rest + imitated their boldness, and with equal ardour went to the river, ready to + avenge their king or to endure the worst. When Fridleif saw them he + hastened to lower the bridge to the mainland; and when he had got the + champions he cut down the watch at the first attack. Thus he went on to + attack the rest and put them to the sword, all save Biorn; whom he tended + very carefully and cured of his wounds; whereupon, under pledge of solemn + oath, he made him his colleague, thinking it better to use his services + than to boast of his death. He also declared it would be shameful if such + a flower of bravery were plucked in his first youth and perished by an + untimely death. + </p> + <p> + Now the Danes had long ago had false tidings of Fridleif's death, and when + they found that he was approaching, they sent men to fetch him, and + ordered Hiarn to quit the sovereignty, because he was thought to be + holding it only on sufferance and carelessly. But he could not bring + himself to resign such an honour, and chose sooner to spend his life for + glory than pass into the dim lot of common men. Therefore he resolved to + fight for his present estate, that he might not have to resume his former + one stripped of his royal honours. Thus the land was estranged and vexed + with the hasty commotion of civil strife; some were of Hiarn's party, + while others agreed to the claims of Fridleif, because of the vast + services of Frode; and the voice of the commons was perplexed and divided, + some of them respecting things as they were, others the memory of the + past. But regard for the memory of Frode weighed most, and its sweetness + gave Fridleif the balance of popularity. + </p> + <p> + Many wise men thought that a person of peasant rank should be removed from + the sovereignty; since, contrary to the rights of birth, and only by the + favour of fortune, he had reached an unhoped-for eminence; and in order + that the unlawful occupant might not debar the rightful heir to the + office, Fridleif told the envoys of the Danes to return, and request Hiarn + either to resign the kingdom or to meet him in battle. Hiarn thought it + more grievous than death to set lust of life before honour, and to seek + safety at the cost of glory. So he met Fridleif in the field, was crushed, + and fled into Jutland, where, rallying a band, he again attacked his + conqueror. But his men were all consumed with the sword, and he fled + unattended, as the island testifies which has taken its name from his + (Hiarno). And so, feeling his lowly fortune, and seeing himself almost + stripped of his forces by the double defeat, he turned his mind to craft, + and went to Fridleif with his face disguised, meaning to become intimate, + and find an occasion to slay him treacherously. + </p> + <p> + Hiarn was received by the king, hiding his purpose under the pretence of + servitude. For, giving himself out as a salt-distiller, he performed base + offices among the servants who did the filthiest work. He used also to + take the last place at meal-time, and he refrained from the baths, lest + his multitude of scars should betray him if he stripped. The king, in + order to ease his own suspicions, made him wash; and when he knew his + enemy by the scars, he said: "Tell me now, thou shameless bandit, how + wouldst thou have dealt with me, if thou hadst found out plainly that I + wished to murder thee?" Hiarn, stupefied, said: "Had I caught thee I would + have first challenged thee, and then fought thee, to give thee a better + chance of wiping out thy reproach." Fridleif presently took him at his + word, challenged him and slew him, and buried his body in a barrow that + bears the dead man's name. + </p> + <p> + Soon after FRIDLEIF was admonished by his people to think about marrying, + that he might prolong his line; but he maintained that the unmarried life + was best, quoting his father Frode, on whom his wife's wantonness had + brought great dishonour. At last, yielding to the persistent entreaties of + all, he proceeded to send ambassadors to ask for the daughter of Amund, + King of Norway. One of these, named Frok, was swallowed by the waves in + mid-voyage, and showed a strange portent at his death. For when the + closing flood of billows encompassed him, blood arose in the midst of the + eddy, and the whole face of the sea was steeped with an alien redness, so + that the ocean, which a moment before was foaming and white with tempest, + was presently swollen with crimson waves, and was seen to wear a colour + foreign to its nature. + </p> + <p> + Around implacably declined to consent to the wishes of the king, and + treated the legates shamefully, declaring that he spurned the embassy + because the tyranny of Frode had of old borne so heavily upon Norway. But + Amund's daughter, Frogertha, not only looking to the birth of Fridleif, + but also honouring the glory of his deeds, began to upbraid her father, + because he scorned a son-in-law whose nobility was perfect, being both + sufficient in valour and flawless in birth. She added that the portentous + aspect of the sea, when the waves were suddenly turned into blood, simply + and solely signified the defeat of Norway, and was a plain presage of the + victory of Denmark. And when Fridleif sent a further embassy to ask for + her, wishing to vanquish the refusal by persistency, Amund was indignant + that a petition he had once denied should be obstinately pressed, and + hurried the envoys to death, wishing to offer a brutal check to the zeal + of this brazen wooer. Fridleif heard news of this outrage, and summoning + Halfdan and Biorn, sailed round Norway. Amund, equipped with his native + defences, put out his fleet against him. The firth into which both fleets + had mustered is called Frokasund. Here Fridleif left the camp at night to + reconnoitre; and, hearing an unusual kind of sound close to him as of + brass being beaten, he stood still and looked up, and heard the following + song of three swans, who were crying above him: + </p> + <p> + "While Hythin sweeps the sea and cleaves the ravening tide, his serf + drinks out of gold and licks the cups of milk. Best is the estate of the + slave on whom waits the heir, the king's son, for their lots are rashly + interchanged." Next, after the birds had sung, a belt fell from on high, + which showed writing to interpret the song. For while the son of Hythin, + the King of Tellemark, was at his boyish play, a giant, assuming the usual + appearance of men, had carried him off, and using him as an oarsman + (having taken his skiff over to the neighbouring shore), was then sailing + past Fridleif while he was occupied reconnoitering. But the king would not + suffer him to use the service of the captive youth, and longed to rob the + spoiler of his prey. The youth warned him that he must first use sharp + reviling against the giant, promising that he would prove easy to attack, + if only he were assailed with biting verse. Then Fridleif began thus: + </p> + <p> + "Since thou art a giant of three bodies, invincible, and almost reachest + heaven with thy crest, why does this silly sword bind thy thigh? Why doth + a broken spear gird thy huge side? Why, perchance, dost thou defend thy + stalwart breast with a feeble sword, and forget the likeness of thy bodily + stature, trusting in a short dagger, a petty weapon? Soon, soon will I + balk thy bold onset, when with blunted blade thou attemptest war. Since + thou art thyself a timid beast, a lump lacking proper pith, thou art swept + headlong like a flying shadow, having with a fair and famous body got a + heart that is unwarlike and unstable with fear, and a spirit quite + unmatched to thy limbs. Hence thy frame totters, for thy goodly presence + is faulty through the overthrow of thy soul, and thy nature in all her + parts is at strife. Hence shall all tribute of praise quit thee, nor shalt + thou be accounted famous among the brave, but shalt be reckoned among + ranks obscure." + </p> + <p> + When he had said this he lopped off a hand and foot of the giant, made him + fly, and set his prisoner free. Then he went straightway to the giant's + headland, took the treasure out of his cave, and carried it away. + Rejoicing in these trophies, and employing the kidnapped youth to row him + over the sea, he composed with cheery voice the following strain: + </p> + <p> + "In the slaying of the swift monster we wielded our blood-stained swords + and our crimsoned blade, whilst thou, Amund, lord of the Norwegian ruin, + wert in deep slumber; and since blind night covers thee, without any light + of soul, thy valour has melted away and beguiled thee. But we crushed a + giant who lost use of his limbs and wealth, and we pierced into the + disorder of his dreary den. There we seized and plundered his piles of + gold. And now with oars we sweep the wave-wandering main, and joyously + return, rowing back to the shore our booty-laden ship; we fleet over the + waves in a skiff that travels the sea; gaily let us furrow those open + waters, lest the dawn come and betray us to the foe. Lightly therefore, + and pulling our hardest, let us scour the sea, making for our camp and + fleet ere Titan raise his rosy head out of the clear waters; that when + fame noises the deed about, and Frogertha knows that the spoil has been + won with a gallant struggle, her heart may be stirred to be more gentle to + our prayer." + </p> + <p> + On the morrow there was a great muster of the forces, and Fridleif had a + bloody battle with Amund, fought partly by sea and partly by land. For not + only were the lines drawn up in the open country, but the warriors also + made an attack with their fleet. The battle which followed cost much + blood. So Biorn, when his ranks gave back, unloosed his hound and sent it + against the enemy; wishing to win with the biting of a dog the victory + which he could not achieve with the sword. The enemy were by this means + shamefully routed, for a square of the warriors ran away when attacked + with its teeth. + </p> + <p> + There is no saying whether their flight was more dismal or more + disgraceful. Indeed, the army of the Northmen was a thing to blush for; + for an enemy crushed it by borrowing the aid of a brute. Nor was it + treacherous of Fridleif to recruit the failing valour of his men with the + aid of a dog. In this war Amund fell; and his servant Ane, surnamed the + Archer, challenged Fridleif to fight him; but Biorn, being a man of meaner + estate, not suffering the king to engage with a common fellow, attacked + him himself. And when Biorn had bent his bow and was fitting the arrow to + the string, suddenly a dart sent by Ane pierced the top of the cord. Soon + another arrow came after it and struck amid the joints of his fingers. A + third followed, and fell on the arrow as it was laid to the string. For + Ane, who was most dexterous at shooting arrows from a distance, had + purposely only struck the weapon of his opponent, in order that, by + showing it was in his power to do likewise to his person, he might recall + the champion from his purpose. But Biorn abated none of his valour for + this, and, scorning bodily danger, entered the fray with heart and face so + steadfast, that he seemed neither to yield anything to the skill of Ane, + nor lay aside aught of his wonted courage. Thus he would in nowise be made + to swerve from his purpose, and dauntlessly ventured on the battle. Both + of them left it wounded; and fought another also on Agdar Ness with an + emulous thirst for glory. + </p> + <p> + By the death of Amund, Fridleif was freed from a most bitter foe, and + obtained a deep and tranquil peace; whereupon he forced his savage temper + to the service of delight; and, transferring his ardour to love, equipped + a fleet in order to seek the marriage which had once been denied him. At + last he set forth on his voyage; and his fleet being becalmed, he invaded + some villages to look for food; where, being received hospitably by a + certain Grubb, and at last winning his daughter in marriage, he begat a + son named Olaf. After some time had passed he also won Frogertha; but, + while going back to his own country, he had a bad voyage, and was driven + on the shores of an unknown island. A certain man appeared to him in a + vision, and instructed him to dig up a treasure that was buried in the + ground, and also to attack the dragon that guarded it, covering himself in + an ox-hide to escape the poison; teaching him also to meet the envenomed + fangs with a hide stretched over his shield. Therefore, to test the + vision, he attacked the snake as it rose out of the waves, and for a long + time cast spears against its scaly side; in vain, for its hard and shelly + body foiled the darts flung at it. But the snake, shaking its mass of + coils, uprooted the trees which it brushed past by winding its tail about + them. Moreover, by constantly dragging its body, it hollowed the ground + down to the solid rock, and had made a sheer bank on either hand, just as + in some places we see hills parted by an intervening valley. So Fridleif, + seeing that the upper part of the creature was proof against attack, + assailed the lower side with his sword, and piercing the groin, drew blood + from the quivering beast. When it was dead, he unearthed the money from + the underground chamber and had it taken off in his ships. + </p> + <p> + When the year had come to an end, he took great pains to reconcile Biorn + and Ane, who had often challenged and fought one another, and made them + exchange their hatred for friendship; and even entrusted to them his + three-year-old son, Olaf, to rear. But his mistress, Juritha, the mother + of Olaf, he gave in marriage to Ane, whom he made one of his warriors; + thinking that she would endure more calmly to be put away, if she wedded + such a champion, and received his robust embrace instead of a king's. + </p> + <p> + The ancients were wont to consult the oracles of the Fates concerning the + destinies of their children. In this way Fridleif desired to search into + the fate of his son Olaf; and, after solemnly offering up his vows, he + went to the house of the gods in entreaty; where, looking into the chapel, + he saw three maidens, sitting on three seats. The first of them was of a + benignant temper, and bestowed upon the boy abundant beauty and ample + store of favour in the eyes of men. The second granted him the gift of + surpassing generosity. But the third, a woman of more mischievous temper + and malignant disposition, scorning the unanimous kindness of her sisters, + and likewise wishing to mar their gifts, marked the future character of + the boy with the slur of niggardliness. Thus the benefits of the others + were spoilt by the poison of a lamentable doom; and hence, by virtue of + the twofold nature of these gifts Olaf got his surname from the meanness + which was mingled with his bounty. So it came about that this blemish + which found its way into the gift marred the whole sweetness of its first + benignity. + </p> + <p> + When Fridleif had returned from Norway, and was traveling through Sweden, + he took on himself to act as ambassador, and sued successfully for + Hythin's daughter, whom he had once rescued from a monster, to be the wife + of Halfdan, he being still unwedded. Meantime his wife Frogertha bore a + son FRODE, who afterwards got his surname from his noble munificence. And + thus Frode, because of the memory of his grandsire's prosperity, which he + recalled by his name, became from his very cradle and earliest childhood + such a darling of all men, that he was not suffered even to step or stand + on the ground, but was continually cherished in people's laps and kissed. + Thus he was not assigned to one upbringer only, but was in a manner + everybody's fosterling. And, after his father's death, while he was in his + twelfth year, Swerting and Hanef, the kings of Saxony, disowned his sway, + and tried to rebel openly. He overcame them in battle, and imposed on the + conquered peoples a poll-tax of a coin, which they were to pay as his + slaves. For he showed himself so generous that he doubled the ancient pay + of the soldiers: a fashion of bounty which then was novel. For he did not, + as despots do, expose himself to the vulgar allurements of vice, but + strove to covet ardently whatsoever he saw was nearest honour; to make his + wealth public property; to surpass all other men in bounty, to forestall + them all in offices of kindness; and, hardest of all, to conquer envy by + virtue. By this means the youth soon won such favour with all men, that he + not only equalled in renown the honours of his forefathers, but surpassed + the most ancient records of kings. + </p> + <p> + At the same time one Starkad, the son of Storwerk, escaped alone, either + by force or fortune, from a wreck in which his friends perished, and was + received by Frode as his guest for his incredible excellence both of mind + and body. And, after being for some little time his comrade, he was + dressed in a better and more comely fashion every day, and was at last + given a noble vessel, and bidden to ply the calling of a rover, with the + charge of guarding the sea. For nature had gifted him with a body of + superhuman excellence; and his greatness of spirit equalled it, so that + folk thought him behind no man in valour. So far did his glory spread, + that the renown of his name and deeds continues famous even yet. He shone + out among our own countrymen by his glorious roll of exploits, and he had + also won a most splendid record among all the provinces of the Swedes and + Saxons. Tradition says that he was born originally in the country which + borders Sweden on the east, where barbarous hordes of Esthonians and other + nations now dwell far and wide. But a fabulous yet common rumour has + invented tales about his birth which are contrary to reason and flatly + incredible. For some relate that he was sprung from giants, and betrayed + his monstrous birth by an extraordinary number of hands, four of which, + engendered by the superfluity of his nature, they declare that the god + Thor tore off, shattering the framework of the sinews and wrenching from + his whole body the monstrous bunches of fingers; so that he had but two + left, and that his body, which had before swollen to the size of a + giant's, and, by reason of its shapeless crowd of limbs looked gigantic, + was thenceforth chastened to a better appearance, and kept within the + bounds of human shortness. + </p> + <p> + For there were of old certain men versed in sorcery, Thor, namely, and + Odin, and many others, who were cunning in contriving marvellous sleights; + and they, winning the minds of the simple, began to claim the rank of + gods. For, in particular, they ensnared Norway, Sweden and Denmark in the + vainest credulity, and by prompting these lands to worship them, infected + them with their imposture. The effects of their deceit spread so far, that + all other men adored a sort of divine power in them, and, thinking them + either gods or in league with gods, offered up solemn prayers to these + inventors of sorceries, and gave to blasphemous error the honour due to + religion. Hence it has come about that the holy days, in their regular + course, are called among us by the names of these men; for the ancient + Latins are known to have named these days severally, either after the + titles of their own gods, or after the planets, seven in number. But it + can be plainly inferred from the mere names of the holy days that the + objects worshipped by our countrymen were not the same as those whom the + most ancient of the Romans called Jove and Mercury, nor those to whom + Greece and Latium paid idolatrous homage. For the days, called among our + countrymen Thors-day or Odins-day, the ancients termed severally the holy + day of Jove or of Mercury. If, therefore, according to the distinction + implied in the interpretation I have quoted, we take it that Thor is Jove + and Odin Mercury, it follows that Jove was the son of Mercury; that is, if + the assertion of our countrymen holds, among whom it is told as a matter + of common belief, that Thor was Odin's son. Therefore, when the Latins, + believing to the contrary effect, declare that Mercury was sprung from + Jove, then, if their declaration is to stand, we are driven to consider + that Thor was not the same as Jove, and that Odin was also different from + Mercury. Some say that the gods, whom our countrymen worshipped, shared + only the title with those honoured by Greece or Latium, but that, being in + a manner nearly equal to them in dignity, they borrowed from them the + worship as well as the name. This must be sufficient discourse upon the + deities of Danish antiquity. I have expounded this briefly for the general + profit, that my readers may know clearly to what worship in its heathen + superstition our country has bowed the knee. Now I will go back to my + subject where I left it. + </p> + <p> + Ancient tradition says that Starkad, whom I mentioned above, offered the + first-fruits of his deeds to the favour of the gods by slaying Wikar, the + king of the Norwegians. The affair, according to the version of some + people, happened as follows:— + </p> + <p> + Odin once wished to slay Wikar by a grievous death; but, loth to do the + deed openly, he graced Starkad, who was already remarkable for his + extraordinary size, not only with bravery, but also with skill in the + composing of spells, that he might the more readily use his services to + accomplish the destruction of the king. For that was how he hoped that + Starkad would show himself grateful for the honour he paid him. For the + same reason he also endowed him with three spans of mortal life, that he + might be able to commit in them as many abominable deeds. So Odin resolved + that Starkad's days should be prolonged by the following crime: Starkad + presently went to Wikar and dwelt awhile in his company, hiding treachery + under homage. At last he went with him sea-roving. And in a certain place + they were troubled with prolonged and bitter storms; and when the winds + checked their voyage so much that they had to lie still most of the year, + they thought that the gods must be appeased with human blood. When the + lots were cast into the urn it so fell that the king was required for + death as a victim. Then Starkad made a noose of withies and bound the king + in it; saying that for a brief instant he should pay the mere semblance of + a penalty. But the tightness of the knot acted according to its nature, + and cut off his last breath as he hung. And while he was still quivering + Starkad rent away with his steel the remnant of his life; thus disclosing + his treachery when he ought to have brought aid. I do not think that I + need examine the version which relates that the pliant withies, hardened + with the sudden grip, acted like a noose of iron. + </p> + <p> + When Starkad had thus treacherously acted he took Wikar's ship and went to + one Bemon, the most courageous of all the rovers of Denmark, in order to + take up the life of a pirate. For Bemon's partner, named Frakk, weary of + the toil of sea-roving, had lately withdrawn from partnership with him, + after first making a money-bargain. Now Starkad and Bemon were so careful + to keep temperate, that they are said never to have indulged in + intoxicating drink, for fear that continence, the greatest bond of + bravery, might be expelled by the power of wantonness. So when, after + overthrowing provinces far and wide, they invaded Russia also in their + lust for empire, the natives, trusting little in their walls or arms, + began to bar the advance of the enemy with nails of uncommon sharpness, + that they might check their inroad, though they could not curb their onset + in battle; and that the ground might secretly wound the soles of the men + whom their army shrank from confronting in the field. But not even such a + barrier could serve to keep off the foe. The Danes were cunning enough to + foil the pains of the Russians. For they straightway shod themselves with + wooden clogs, and trod with unhurt steps upon the points that lay beneath + their soles. Now this iron thing is divided into four spikes, which are so + arranged that on whatsoever side chance may cast it, it stands steadily on + three equal feet. Then they struck into the pathless glades, where the + woods were thickets, and expelled Flokk, the chief of the Russians, from + the mountain hiding-places into which he had crept. And here they got so + much booty, that there was not one of them but went back to the fleet + laden with gold and silver. + </p> + <p> + Now when Bemon was dead, Starkad was summoned because of his valour by the + champions of Permland. And when he had done many noteworthy deeds among + them, he went into the land of the Swedes, where he lived at leisure for + seven years' space with the sons of Frey. At last he left them and betook + himself to Hakon, the tyrant of Denmark, because when stationed at Upsala, + at the time of the sacrifices, he was disgusted by the effeminate gestures + and the clapping of the mimes on the stage, and by the unmanly clatter of + the bells. Hence it is clear how far he kept his soul from lasciviousness, + not even enduring to look upon it. Thus does virtue withstand wantonness. + </p> + <p> + Starkad took his fleet to the shore of Ireland with Hakon, in order that + even the furthest kingdoms of the world might not be untouched by the + Danish arms. The king of the island at this time was Hugleik, who, though + he had a well-filled treasury, was yet so prone to avarice, that once, + when he gave a pair of shoes which had been adorned by the hand of a + careful craftsman, he took off the ties, and by thus removing the latches + turned his present into a slight. This unhandsome act blemished his gift + so much that he seemed to reap hatred for it instead of thanks. Thus he + used never to be generous to any respectable man, but to spend all his + bounty upon mimes and jugglers. For so base a fellow was bound to keep + friendly company with the base, and such a slough of vices to wheedle his + partners in sin with pandering endearments. + </p> + <p> + Still Hugleik had the friendship of Geigad and Swipdag, nobles of tried + valour, who, by the lustre of their warlike deeds, shone out among their + unmanly companions like jewels embedded in ordure; these alone were found + to defend the riches of the king. When a battle began between Hugleik and + Hakon, the hordes of mimes, whose light-mindedness unsteadied their + bodies, broke their ranks and scurried off in panic; and this shameful + flight was their sole requital for all their king's benefits. Then Geigad + and Swipdag faced all those thousands of the enemy single-handed, and + fought with such incredible courage, that they seemed to do the part not + merely of two warriors, but of a whole army. Geigad, moreover, dealt + Hakon, who pressed him hard, such a wound in the breast that he exposed + the upper part of his liver. It was here that Starkad, while he was + attacking Geigad with his sword, received a very sore wound on the head; + wherefore he afterwards related in a certain song that a ghastlier wound + had never befallen him at any time; for, though the divisions of his + gashed head were bound up by the surrounding outer skin, yet the livid + unseen wound concealed a foul gangrene below. + </p> + <p> + Starkad conquered, killed Hugleik and routed the Irish; and had the actors + beaten whom chance made prisoner; thinking it better to order a pack of + buffoons to be ludicrously punished by the loss of their skins than to + command a more deadly punishment and take their lives. Thus he visited + with a disgraceful chastisement the baseborn throng of professional + jugglers, and was content to punish them with the disgusting flouts of the + lash. Then the Danes ordered that the wealth of the king should be brought + out of the treasury in the city of Dublin and publicly pillaged. For so + vast a treasure had been found that none took much pains to divide it + strictly. + </p> + <p> + After this, Starkad was commissioned, together with Win, the chief of the + Sclavs, to check the revolt of the East. They, having fought against the + armies of the Kurlanders, the Sembs, the Sangals, and, finally, all the + Easterlings, won splendid victories everywhere. + </p> + <p> + A champion of great repute, named Wisin, settled upon a rock in Russia + named Ana-fial, and harried both neighbouring and distant provinces with + all kinds of outrage. This man used to blunt the edge of every weapon by + merely looking at it. He was made so bold in consequence, by having lost + all fear of wounds, that he used to carry off the wives of distinguished + men and drag them to outrage before the eyes of their husbands. Starkad + was roused by the tale of this villainy, and went to Russia to destroy the + criminal; thinking nothing too hard to overcome, he challenged Wisin, + attacked him, made even his tricks useless to him, and slew him. For + Starkad covered his blade with a very fine skin, that it might not met the + eye of the sorcerer; and neither the power of his sleights nor his great + strength were any help to Wisin, for he had to yield to Starkad. Then + Starkad, trusting in his bodily strength, fought with and overcame a giant + at Byzantium, reputed invincible, named Tanne, and drove him to fly an + outlaw to unknown quarters of the earth. Therefore, finding that he was + too mighty for any hard fate to overcome him, he went to the country of + Poland, and conquered in a duel a champion whom our countrymen name Wasce; + but the Teutons, arranging the letters differently, call him Wilzce. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the Saxons began to attempt a revolt, and to consider + particularly how they could destroy Frode, who was unconquered in war, by + some other way than an open conflict. Thinking that it would be best done + by a duel, they sent men to provoke the king with a challenge, knowing + that he was always ready to court any hazard, and that his high spirit + would not yield to any admonition whatever. They fancied that this was the + best time to attack him, because they knew that Starkad, whose valour most + men dreaded, was away on business. But while Frode hesitated, and said + that he would talk with his friends about the answer to be given, Starkad, + who had just returned from his sea-roving, appeared, and blamed such a + challenge, principally (he said) because it was fitting for kings to fight + only with their equals, and because they should not take up arms against + men of the people; but it was more fitting for himself, who was born in a + lowlier station, to manage the battle. + </p> + <p> + The Saxons approached Hame, who was accounted their most famous champion, + with many offers, and promised him that, if he would lend his services for + the duel they would pay him his own weight in gold. The fighter was + tempted by the money, and, with all the ovation of a military procession, + they attended him to the ground appointed for the combat. Thereupon the + Danes, decked in warlike array, led Starkad, who was to represent his + king, out to the duelling-ground. Hame, in his youthful assurance, + despised him as withered with age, and chose to grapple rather than fight + with an outworn old man. Attacking Starkad, he would have flung him + tottering to the earth, but that fortune, who would not suffer the old man + to be conquered, prevented him from being hurt. For he is said to have + been so crushed by the fist of Hame, as he dashed on him, that he touched + the earth with his chin, supporting himself on his knees. But he made up + nobly for his tottering; for, as soon as he could raise his knee and free + his hand to draw his sword, he clove Hame through the middle of the body. + Many lands and sixty bondmen apiece were the reward of the victory. + </p> + <p> + After Hame was killed in this manner the sway of the Danes over the Saxons + grew so insolent, that they were forced to pay every year a small tax for + each of their limbs that was a cubit (ell) long, in token of their + slavery. This Hanef could not bear, and he meditated war in his desire to + remove the tribute. Steadfast love of his country filled his heart every + day with greater compassion for the oppressed; and, longing to spend his + life for the freedom of his countrymen, he openly showed a disposition to + rebel. Frode took his forces over the Elbe, and killed him near the + village of Hanofra (Hanover), so named after Hanef. But Swerting, though + he was equally moved by the distress of his countrymen, said nothing about + the ills of his land, and revolved a plan for freedom with a spirit yet + more dogged than Hanef's. Men often doubt whether this zeal was liker to + vice or to virtue; but I certainly censure it as criminal, because it was + produced by a treacherous desire to revolt. It may have seemed most + expedient to seek the freedom of the country, but it was not lawful to + strive after this freedom by craft and treachery. Therefore, since the + deed of Swerting was far from honourable, neither will it be called + expedient; for it is nobler to attack openly him whom you mean to attack, + and to exhibit hatred in the light of day, than to disguise a real wish to + do harm under a spurious show of friendship. But the gains of crime are + inglorious, its fruits are brief and fading. For even as that soul is + slippery, which hides its insolent treachery by stealthy arts, so is it + right that whatsoever is akin to guilt should be frail and fleeting. For + guilt has been usually found to come home to its author; and rumour + relates that such was the fate of Swerting. For he had resolved to + surprise the king under the pretence of a banquet, and burn him to death; + but the king forestalled and slew him, though slain by him in return. + Hence the crime of one proved the destruction of both; and thus, though + the trick succeeded against the foe, it did not bestow immunity on its + author. + </p> + <p> + Frode was succeeded by his son Ingild, whose soul was perverted from + honour. He forsook the examples of his forefathers, and utterly enthralled + himself to the lures of the most wanton profligacy. Thus he had not a + shadow of goodness and righteousness, but embraced vices instead of + virtue; he cut the sinews of self-control, neglected the duties of his + kingly station, and sank into a filthy slave of riot. Indeed, he fostered + everything that was adverse or ill-fitted to an orderly life. He tainted + the glories of his father and grandfather by practising the foulest lusts, + and bedimmed the brightest honours of his ancestors by most shameful + deeds. For he was so prone to gluttony, that he had no desire to avenge + his father, or repel the aggressions of his foes; and so, could he but + gratify his gullet, he thought that decency and self-control need be + observed in nothing. By idleness and sloth he stained his glorious + lineage, living a loose and sensual life; and his soul, so degenerate, so + far perverted and astray from the steps of his fathers, he loved to plunge + into most abominable gulfs of foulness. Fowl-fatteners, scullions, + frying-pans, countless cook-houses, different cooks to roast or spice the + banquet—the choosing of these stood to him for glory. As to arms, + soldiering, and wars, he could endure neither to train himself to them, + nor to let others practise them. Thus he cast away all the ambitions of a + man and aspired to those of women; for his incontinent itching of palate + stirred in him love of every kitchen-stench. Ever breathing of his + debauch, and stripped of every rag of soberness, with his foul breath he + belched the undigested filth in his belly. He was as infamous in + wantonness as Frode was illustrious in war. So utterly had his spirit been + enfeebled by the untimely seductions of gluttony. Starkad was so disgusted + at the excess of Ingild, that he forsook his friendship, and sought the + fellowship of Halfdan, the King of Swedes, preferring work to idleness. + Thus he could not bear so much as to countenance excessive indulgence. Now + the sons of Swerting, fearing that they would have to pay to Ingild the + penalty of their father's crime, were fain to forestall his vengeance by a + gift, and gave him their sister in marriage. Antiquity relates that she + bore him sons, Frode, Fridleif, Ingild, and Olaf (whom some say was the + son of Ingild's sister). + </p> + <p> + Ingild's sister Helga had been led by amorous wooing to return the flame + of a certain low-born goldsmith, who was apt for soft words, and furnished + with divers of the little gifts which best charm a woman's wishes. For + since the death of the king there had been none to honour the virtues of + the father by attention to the child; she had lacked protection, and had + no guardians. When Starkad had learnt this from the repeated tales of + travellers, he could not bear to let the wantonness of the smith pass + unpunished. For he was always heedful to bear kindness in mind, and as + ready to punish arrogance. So he hastened to chastise such bold and + enormous insolence, wishing to repay the orphan ward the benefits he had + of old received from Frode. Then he travelled through Sweden, went into + the house of the smith, and posted himself near the threshold muffling his + face in a cap to avoid discovery. The smith, who had not learnt the lesson + that "strong hands are sometimes found under a mean garment", reviled him, + and bade him quickly leave the house, saying that he should have the last + broken victuals among the crowd of paupers. But the old man, whose + ingrained self-control lent him patience, was nevertheless fain to rest + there, and gradually study the wantonness of his host. For his reason was + stronger than his impetuosity, and curbed his increasing rage. Then the + smith approached the girl with open shamelessness, and cast himself in her + lap, offering the hair of his head to be combed out by her maidenly hands. + </p> + <p> + Also he thrust forward his loin cloth, and required her help in picking + out the fleas; and exacted from this woman of lordly lineage that she + should not blush to put her sweet fingers in a foul apron. Then, believing + that he was free to have his pleasure, he ventured to put his longing + palms within her gown and to set his unsteady hands close to her breast. + But she, looking narrowly, was aware of the presence of the old man whom + she once had known, and felt ashamed. She spurned the wanton and + libidinous fingering, and repulsed the unchaste hands, telling the man + also that he had need of arms, and urging him to cease his lewd sport. + </p> + <p> + Starkad, who had sat down by the door, with the hat muffling his head, had + already become so deeply enraged at this sight, that he could not find + patience to hold his hand any longer, but put away his covering and + clapped his right hand to his sword to draw it. Then the smith, whose only + skill was in lewdness, faltered with sudden alarm, and finding that it had + come to fighting, gave up all hope of defending himself, and saw in flight + the only remedy for his need. Thus it was as hard to break out of the + door, of which the enemy held the approach, as it was grievous to await + the smiter within the house. At last necessity forced him to put an end to + his delay, and he judged that a hazard wherein there lay but the smallest + chance of safety was more desirable than sure and manifest danger. Also, + hard as it was to fly, the danger being so close, yet he desired flight + because it seemed to bring him aid, and to be the nearer way to safety; + and he cast aside delay, which seemed to be an evil bringing not the + smallest help, but perhaps irretrievable ruin. But just as he gained the + threshold, the old man watching at the door smote him through the hams, + and there, half dead, he tottered and fell. For the smiter thought he + ought carefully to avoid lending his illustrious hands to the death of a + vile cinder-blower, and considered that ignominy would punish his + shameless passion worse than death. Thus some men think that he who + suffers misfortune is worse punished than he who is slain outright. Thus + it was brought about, that the maiden, who had never had parents to tend + her, came to behave like a woman of well-trained nature, and did the part, + as it were, of a zealous guardian to herself. And when Starkad, looking + round, saw that the household sorrowed over the late loss of their master, + he heaped shame on the wounded man with more invective, and thus began to + mock: + </p> + <p> + "Why is the house silent and aghast? What makes this new grief? Or where + now rest that doting husband whom the steel has just punished for his + shameful love? Keeps he still aught of his pride and lazy wantonness? + Holds he to his quest, glows his lust as hot as before? Let him while away + an hour with me in converse, and allay with friendly words my hatred of + yesterday. Let your visage come forth with better cheer; let not + lamentation resound in the house, or suffer the faces to become dulled + with sorrow. + </p> + <p> + "Wishing to know who burned with love for the maiden, and was deeply + enamoured of my beloved ward, I put on a cap, lest my familiar face might + betray me. Then comes in that wanton smith, with lewd steps, bending his + thighs this way and that with studied gesture, and likewise making eyes as + he ducked all ways. His covering was a mantle fringed with beaver, his + sandals were inlaid with gems, his cloak was decked with gold. Gorgeous + ribbons bound his plaited hair, and a many-coloured band drew tight his + straying locks. Hence grew a sluggish and puffed-up temper; he fancied + that wealth was birth, and money forefathers, and reckoned his fortune + more by riches than by blood. Hence came pride unto him, and arrogance led + to fine attire. For the wretch began to think that his dress made him + equal to the high-born; he, the cinder-blower, who hunts the winds with + hides, and puffs with constant draught, who rakes the ashes with his + fingers, and often by drawing back the bellows takes in the air, and with + a little fan makes a breath and kindles the smouldering fires! Then he + goes to the lap of the girl, and leaning close, says, `Maiden, comb my + hair and catch the skipping fleas, and remove what stings my skin.' Then + he sat and spread his arms that sweated under the gold, lolling on the + smooth cushion and leaning back on his elbow, wishing to flaunt his + adornment, just as a barking brute unfolds the gathered coils of its + twisted tail. But she knew me, and began to check her lover and rebuff his + wanton hands; and, declaring that it was I, she said, `Refrain thy + fingers, check thy promptings, take heed to appease the old man sitting + close by the doors. The sport will turn to sorrow. I think Starkad is + here, and his slow gaze scans thy doings.' The smith answered: `Turn not + pale at the peaceful raven and the ragged old man; never has that mighty + one whom thou fearest stooped to such common and base attire. The strong + man loves shining raiment, and looks for clothes to match his courage.' + Then I uncovered and drew my sword, and as the smith fled I clove his + privy parts; his hams were laid open, cut away from the bone; they showed + his entrails. Presently I rise and crush the girl's mouth with my fist, + and draw blood from her bruised nostril. Then her lips, used to evil + laughter, were wet with tears mingled with blood, and foolish love paid + for all the sins it committed with soft eyes. Over is the sport of the + hapless woman who rushed on, blind with desire, like a maddened mare, and + makes her lust the grave of her beauty. Thou deservest to be sold for a + price to foreign peoples and to grind at the mill, unless blood pressed + from thy breasts prove thee falsely accused, and thy nipple's lack of milk + clear thee of the crime. Howbeit, I think thee free from this fault; yet + bear not tokens of suspicion, nor lay thyself open to lying tongues, nor + give thyself to the chattering populace to gird at. Rumour hurts many, and + a lying slander often harms. A little word deceives the thoughts of common + men. Respect thy grandsires, honour thy fathers, forget not thy parents, + value thy forefathers; let thy flesh and blood keep its fame. What madness + came on thee? And thou, shameless smith, what fate drove thee in thy lust + to attempt a high-born race? Or who sped thee, maiden, worthy of the + lordliest pillows, to loves obscure? Tell me, how durst thou taste with + thy rosy lips a mouth reeking of ashes, or endure on thy breast hands + filthy with charcoal, or bring close to thy side the arms that turn the + live coals over, and put the palms hardened with the use of the tongs to + thy pure cheeks, and embrace the head sprinkled with embers, taking it to + thy bright arms? + </p> + <p> + "I remember how smiths differ from one another, for once they smote me. + All share alike the name of their calling, but the hearts beneath are + different in temper. I judge those best who weld warriors' swords and + spears for the battle, whose temper shows their courage, who betoken their + hearts by the sternness of their calling, whose work declares their + prowess. There are also some to whom the hollow mould yields bronze, as + they make the likeness of divers things in molten gold, who smelt the + veins and recast the metal. But Nature has fashioned these of a softer + temper, and has crushed with cowardice the hands which she has gifted with + rare skill. Often such men, while the heat of the blast melts the bronze + that is poured in the mould, craftily filch flakes of gold from the lumps, + when the vessel thirsts after the metal they have stolen." + </p> + <p> + So speaking, Starkad got as much pleasure from his words as from his + works, and went back to Halfdan, embracing his service with the closest + friendship, and never ceasing from the exercise of war; so that he weaned + his mind from delights, and vexed it with incessant application to arms. + </p> + <p> + Now Ingild had two sisters, Helga and Asa; Helga was of full age to marry, + while Asa was younger and unripe for wedlock. Then Helge the Norwegian was + moved with desire to ask for Helga for his wife, and embarked. Now he had + equipped his vessel so luxuriously that he had lordly sails decked with + gold, held up also on gilded masts, and tied with crimson ropes. When he + arrived Ingild promised to grant him his wish if, to test his reputation + publicly, he would first venture to meet in battle the champions pitted + against him. Helge did not flinch at the terms; he answered that he would + most gladly abide by the compact. And so the troth-plight of the future + marriage was most ceremoniously solemnized. + </p> + <p> + A story is remembered that there had grown up at the same time, on the + Isle of Zealand, the nine sons of a certain prince, all highly gifted with + strength and valour, the eldest of whom was Anganty. This last was a rival + suitor for the same maiden; and when he saw that the match which he had + been denied was promised to Helge, he challenged him to a struggle, + wishing to fight away his vexation. Helge agreed to the proposed combat. + The hour of the fight was appointed for the wedding-day by the common wish + of both. For any man who, being challenged, refused to fight, used to be + covered with disgrace in the sight of all men. Thus Helge was tortured on + the one side by the shame of refusing the battle, on the other by the + dread of waging it. For he thought himself attacked unfairly and counter + to the universal laws of combat, as he had apparently undertaken to fight + nine men single-handed. While he was thus reflecting his betrothed told + him that he would need help, and counselled him to refrain from the + battle, wherein it seemed he would encounter only death and disgrace, + especially as he had not stipulated for any definite limit to the number + of those who were to be his opponents. He should therefore avoid the + peril, and consult his safety by appealing to Starkad, who was sojourning + among the Swedes; since it was his way to help the distressed, and often + to interpose successfully to retrieve some dismal mischance. + </p> + <p> + Then Helge, who liked the counsel thus given very well, took a small + escort and went into Sweden; and when he reached its most famous city, + Upsala, he forbore to enter, but sent in a messenger who was to invite + Starkad to the wedding of Frode's daughter, after first greeting him + respectfully to try him. This courtesy stung Starkad like an insult. He + looked sternly on the youth, and said, "That had he not had his beloved + Frode named in his instructions, he should have paid dearly for his + senseless mission. He must think that Starkad, like some buffoon or + trencherman, was accustomed to rush off to the reek of a distant kitchen + for the sake of a richer diet." Helge, when his servant had told him this, + greeted the old man in the name of Frode's daughter, and asked him to + share a battle which he had accepted upon being challenged, saying that he + was not equal to it by himself, the terms of the agreement being such as + to leave the number of his adversaries uncertain. Starkad, when he had + heard the time and place of the combat, not only received the suppliant + well, but also encouraged him with the offer of aid, and told him to go + back to Denmark with his companions, telling him that he would find his + way to him by a short and secret path. Helge departed, and if we may trust + report, Starkad, by sheer speed of foot, travelled in one day's journeying + over as great a space as those who went before him are said to have + accomplished in twelve; so that both parties, by a chance meeting, reached + their journey's end, the palace of Ingild, at the very same time. Here + Starkad passed, just as the servants did, along the tables filled with + guests; and the aforementioned nine, howling horribly with repulsive + gestures, and running about as if they were on the stage, encouraged one + another to the battle. Some say that they barked like furious dogs at the + champion as he approached. Starkad rebuked them for making themselves look + ridiculous with such an unnatural visage, and for clowning with wide + grinning cheeks; for from this, he declared, soft and effeminate + profligates derived their wanton incontinence. When Starkad was asked + banteringly by the nine whether he had valour enough to fight, he answered + that doubtless he was strong enough to meet, not merely one, but any + number that might come against him. And when the nine heard this they + understood that this was the man whom they had heard would come to the + succour of Helge from afar. Starkad also, to protect the bride-chamber + with a more diligent guard, voluntarily took charge of the watch; and, + drawing back the doors of the bedroom, barred them with a sword instead of + a bolt, meaning to post himself so as to give undisturbed quiet to their + bridal. + </p> + <p> + When Helge woke, and, shaking off the torpor of sleep, remembered his + pledge, he thought of buckling on his armour. But, seeing that a little of + the darkness of night yet remained, and wishing to wait for the hour of + dawn, he began to ponder the perilous business at hand, when sleep stole + on him and sweetly seized him, so that he took himself back to bed laden + with slumber. Starkad, coming in on him at daybreak, saw him locked asleep + in the arms of his wife, and would not suffer him to be vexed with a + sudden shock, or summoned from his quiet slumbers; lest he should seem to + usurp the duty of wakening him and breaking upon the sweetness of so new a + union, all because of cowardice. He thought it, therefore, more handsome + to meet the peril alone than to gain a comrade by disturbing the pleasure + of another. So he quietly retraced his steps, and scorning his enemies, + entered the field which in our tongue is called Roliung, and finding a + seat under the slope of a certain hill, he exposed himself to wind and + snow. Then, as though the gentle airs of spring weather were breathing + upon him, he put off his cloak, and set to picking out the fleas. He also + cast on the briars a purple mantle which Helga had lately given him, that + no clothing might seem to lend him shelter against the raging shafts of + hail. Then the champions came and climbed the hill on the opposite side; + and, seeking a spot sheltered from the winds wherein to sit, they lit a + fire and drove off the cold. At last, not seeing Starkad, they sent a man + to the crest of the hill, to watch his coming more clearly, as from a + watch-tower. This man climbed to the top of the lofty mountain, and saw, + on its sloping side, an old man covered shoulder-high with the snow that + showered down. He asked him if he was the man who was to fight according + to the promise. Starkad declared that he was. Then the rest came up and + asked him whether he had resolved to meet them all at once or one by one. + But he said, "Whenever a surly pack of curs yelps at me, I commonly send + them flying all at once, and not in turn." Thus he let them know that he + would rather fight with-them all together than one by one, thinking that + his enemies should be spurned with words first and deeds afterwards. + </p> + <p> + The fight began furiously almost immediately, and he felled six of them + without receiving any wound in return; and though the remaining three + wounded him so hard in seventeen places that most of his bowels gushed out + of his belly, he slew them notwithstanding, like their brethren. + Disembowelled, with failing strength, he suffered from dreadful straits of + thirst, and, crawling on his knees in his desire to find a draught, he + longed for water from the streamlet that ran close by. But when he saw it + was tainted with gore he was disgusted at the look of the water, and + refrained from its infected draught. For Anganty had been struck down in + the waves of the river, and had dyed its course so deep with his red blood + that it seemed now to flow not with water, but with some ruddy liquid. So + Starkad thought it nobler that his bodily strength should fail than that + he should borrow strength from so foul a beverage. Therefore, his force + being all but spent, he wriggled on his knees, up to a rock that happened + to be lying near, and for some little while lay leaning against it. A + hollow in its surface is still to be seen, just as if his weight as he lay + had marked it with a distinct impression of his body. But I think this + appearance is due to human handiwork, for it seems to pass all belief that + the hard and uncleavable rock should so imitate the softness of wax, as, + merely by the contact of a man leaning on it, to present the appearance of + a man having sat there, and assume concavity for ever. + </p> + <p> + A certain man, who chanced to be passing by in a cart, saw Starkad wounded + almost all over his body. Equally aghast and amazed, he turned and drove + closer, asking what reward he should have if he were to tend and heal his + wounds. But Starkad would rather be tortured by grievous wounds than use + the service of a man of base estate, and first asked his birth and + calling. The man said that his profession was that of a sergeant. Starkad, + not content with despising him, also spurned him with revilings, because, + neglecting all honourable business, he followed the calling of a + hanger-on; and because he had tarnished his whole career with ill repute, + thinking the losses of the poor his own gains; suffering none to be + innocent, ready to inflict wrongful accusation upon all men, most + delighted at any lamentable turn in the fortunes of another; and toiling + most at his own design, namely of treacherously spying out all men's + doings, and seeking some traitorous occasion to censure the character of + the innocent. + </p> + <p> + As this first man departed, another came up, promising aid and remedies. + Like the last comer, he was bidden to declare his condition; and he said + that he had a certain man's handmaid to wife, and was doing peasant + service to her master in order to set her free. Starkad refused to accept + his help, because he had married in a shameful way by taking a slave to + his embrace. Had he had a shred of virtue he should at least have + disdained to be intimate with the slave of another, but should have + enjoyed some freeborn partner of his bed. What a mighty man, then, must we + deem Starkad, who, when enveloped in the most deadly perils, showed + himself as great in refusing aid as in receiving wounds! + </p> + <p> + When this man departed a woman chanced to approach and walk past the old + man. She came up to him in order to wipe his wounds, but was first bidden + to declare what was her birth and calling. She said that she was a + handmaid used to grinding at the mill. Starkad then asked her if she had + children; and when he was told that she had a female child, he told her to + go home and give the breast to her squalling daughter; for he thought it + most uncomely that he should borrow help from a woman of the lowest + degree. Moreover, he knew that she could nourish her own flesh and blood + with milk better than she could minister to the wounds of a stranger. + </p> + <p> + As the woman was departing, a young man came riding up in a cart. He saw + the old man, and drew near to minister to his wounds. On being asked who + he was, he said his father was a labourer, and added that he was used to + the labours of a peasant. Starkad praised his origin, and pronounced that + his calling was also most worthy of honour; for, he said, such men sought + a livelihood by honourable traffic in their labour, inasmuch as they knew + not of any gain, save what they had earned by the sweat of their brow. He + also thought that a country life was justly to be preferred even to the + most splendid riches; for the most wholesome fruits of it seemed to be + born and reared in the shelter of a middle estate, halfway between + magnificence and squalor. But he did not wish to pass the kindness of the + youth unrequited, and rewarded the esteem he had shown him with the mantle + he had cast among the thorns. So the peasant's son approached, replaced + the parts of his belly that had been torn away, and bound up with a plait + of withies the mass of intestines that had fallen out. Then he took the + old man to his car, and with the most zealous respect carried him away to + the palace. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Helga, in language betokening the greatest wariness, began to + instruct her husband, saying that she knew that Starkad, as soon as he + came back from conquering the champions, would punish him for his absence, + thinking that he had inclined more to sloth and lust than to his promise + to fight as appointed. Therefore he must withstand Starkad boldly, because + he always spared the brave but loathed the coward. Helge respected equally + her prophecy and her counsel, and braced his soul and body with a glow of + valorous enterprise. Starkad, when he had been driven to the palace, + heedless of the pain of his wounds, leaped swiftly out of the cart, and + just like a man who was well from top to toe, burst into the + bridal-chamber, shattering the doors with his fist. Then Helge leapt from + his bed, and, as he had been taught by the counsel of his wife, plunged + his blade full at Starkad's forehead. And since he seemed to be meditating + a second blow, and to be about to make another thrust with his sword, + Helga flew quickly from the couch, caught up a shield, and, by interposing + it, saved the old man from impending destruction; for, notwithstanding, + Helge with a stronger stroke of his blade smote the shield right through + to the boss. Thus the praiseworthy wit of the woman aided her friend, and + her hand saved him whom her counsel had injured; for she protected the old + man by her deed, as well as her husband by her warning. Starkad was + induced by this to let Helge go scot-free; saying that a man whose ready + and assured courage so surely betokened manliness, ought to be spared; for + he vowed that a man ill deserved death whose brave spirit was graced with + such a dogged will to resist. + </p> + <p> + Starkad went back to Sweden before his wounds had been treated with + medicine, or covered with a single scar. Halfdan had been killed by his + rivals; and Starkad, after quelling certain rebels, set up Siward as the + heir to his father's sovereignty. With him he sojourned a long time; but + when he heard—for the rumour spread—that Ingild, the son of + Frode (who had been treacherously slain), was perversely minded, and + instead of punishing his father's murderers, bestowed upon them kindness + and friendship, he was vexed with stinging wrath at so dreadful a crime. + And, resenting that a youth of such great parts should have renounced his + descent from his glorious father, he hung on his shoulders a mighty mass + of charcoal, as though it were some costly burden, and made his way to + Denmark. When asked by those he met why he was taking along so unusual a + load, he said that he would sharpen the dull wits of King Ingild to a + point by bits of charcoal. So he accomplished a swift and headlong + journey, as though at a single breath, by a short and speedy track; and at + last, becoming the guest of Ingild, he went up, as his custom was, in to + the seat appointed for the great men; for he had been used to occupy the + highest post of distinction with the kings of the last generation. + </p> + <p> + When the queen came in, and saw him covered over with filth and clad in + the mean, patched clothes of a peasant, the ugliness of her guest's dress + made her judge him with little heed; and, measuring the man by the + clothes, she reproached him with crassness of wit, because he had gone + before greater men in taking his place at table, and had assumed a seat + that was too good for his boorish attire. She bade him quit the place, + that he might not touch the cushions with his dress, which was fouler than + it should have been. For she put down to crassness and brazenness what + Starkad only did from proper pride; she knew not that on a high seat of + honour the mind sometimes shines brighter than the raiment. The spirited + old man obeyed, though vexed at the rebuff, and with marvellous + self-control choked down the insult which his bravery so ill deserved; + uttering at this disgrace he had received neither word nor groan. But he + could not long bear to hide the bitterness of his anger in silence. + Rising, and retreating to the furthest end of the palace, he flung his + body against the walls; and strong as they were, he so battered them with + the shock, that the beams quaked mightily; and he nearly brought the house + down in a crash. Thus, stung not only with his rebuff, but with the shame + of having poverty cast in his teeth, he unsheathed his wrath against the + insulting speech of the queen with inexorable sternness. + </p> + <p> + Ingild, on his return from hunting, scanned him closely, and, when he + noticed that he neither looked cheerfully about, nor paid him the respect + of rising, saw by the sternness written on his brow that it was Starkad. + For when he noted his hands horny with fighting, his scars in front, the + force and fire of his eye, he perceived that a man whose body was seamed + with so many traces of wounds had no weakling soul. He therefore rebuked + his wife, and charged her roundly to put away her haughty tempers, and to + soothe and soften with kind words and gentle offices the man she had + reviled; to comfort him with food and drink, and refresh him with kindly + converse; saying, that this man had been appointed his tutor by his father + long ago, and had been a most tender guardian of his childhood. Then, + learning too late the temper of the old man, she turned her harshness into + gentleness, and respectfully waited on him whom she had rebuffed and + railed at with bitter revilings. The angry hostess changed her part, and + became the most fawning of flatterers. She wished to check his anger with + her attentiveness; and her fault was the less, inasmuch as she was so + quick in ministering to him after she had been chidden. But she paid + dearly for it, for she presently beheld stained with the blood of her + brethren the place where she had flouted and rebuffed the brave old man + from his seat. + </p> + <p> + Now, in the evening, Ingild took his meal with the sons of Swerting, and + fell to a magnificent feast, loading the tables with the profusest dishes. + With friendly invitation he kept the old man back from leaving the revel + too early; as though the delights of elaborate dainties could have + undermined that staunch and sturdy virtue! But when Starkad had set eyes + on these things, he scorned so wanton a use of them; and, not to give way + a whit to foreign fashions, he steeled his appetite against these tempting + delicacies with the self-restraint which was his greatest strength. He + would not suffer his repute as a soldier to be impaired by the allurements + of an orgy. For his valour loved thrift, and was a stranger to all + superfluity of food, and averse to feasting in excess. For his was a + courage which never at any moment had time to make luxury of aught + account, and always forewent pleasure to pay due heed to virtue. So, when + he saw that the antique character of self-restraint, and all good old + customs, were being corrupted by new-fangled luxury and sumptuosity, he + wished to be provided with a morsel fitter for a peasant, and scorned the + costly and lavish feast. + </p> + <p> + Spurning profuse indulgence in food, Starkad took some smoky and rather + rancid fare, appeasing his hunger with a bitter relish because more + simply; and being unwilling to enfeeble his true valour with the tainted + sweetness of sophisticated foreign dainties, or break the rule of antique + plainness by such strange idolatries of the belly. He was also very wroth + that they should go, to the extravagance of having the same meat both + roasted and boiled at the same meal; for he considered an eatable which + was steeped in the vapours of the kitchen, and which the skill of the cook + rubbed over with many kinds of flavours, in the light of a monstrosity. + </p> + <p> + Unlike Starkad Ingild flung the example of his ancestors to the winds, and + gave himself freer licence of innovation in the fashions of the table than + the custom of his fathers allowed. For when he had once abandoned himself + to the manners of Teutonland, he did not blush to yield to its unmanly + wantonness. No slight incentives to debauchery have flowed down our + country's throat from that sink of a land. Hence came magnificent dishes, + sumptuous kitchens, the base service of cooks, and all sorts of abominable + sausages. Hence came our adoption, wandering from the ways of our fathers, + of a more dissolute dress. Thus our country, which cherished + self-restraint as its native quality, has gone begging to our neighbours + for luxury; whose allurements so charmed Ingild, that he did not think it + shameful to requite wrongs with kindness; nor did the grievous murder of + his father make him heave one sigh of bitterness when it crossed his mind. + </p> + <p> + But the queen would not depart without effecting her purpose. Thinking + that presents would be the best way to banish the old man's anger, she + took off her own head a band of marvellous handiwork, and put it in his + lap as he supped: desiring to buy his favour since she could not blunt his + courage. But Starkad, whose bitter resentment was not yet abated, flung it + back in the face of the giver, thinking that in such a gift there was more + scorn than respect. And he was wise not to put this strange ornament of + female dress upon the head that was all bescarred and used to the helmet; + for he knew that the locks of a man ought not to wear a woman's head-band. + Thus he avenged slight with slight, and repaid with retorted scorn the + disdain he had received; thereby bearing himself well-nigh as nobly in + avenging his disgrace as he had borne himself in enduring it. + </p> + <p> + To the soul of Starkad reverence for Frode was grappled with hooks of + love. Drawn to him by deeds of bounty, countless kindnesses, he could not + be wheedled into giving up his purpose of revenge by any sort of alluring + complaisance. Even now, when Frode was no more, he was eager to pay the + gratitude due to his benefits, and to requite the kindness of the dead, + whose loving disposition and generous friendship he had experienced while + he lived. For he bore graven so deeply in his heart the grievous picture + of Frode's murder, that his honour for that most famous captain could + never be plucked from the inmost chamber of his soul; and therefore he did + not hesitate to rank his ancient friendship before the present kindness. + Besides, when he recalled the previous affront, he could not thank the + complaisance that followed; he could not put aside the disgraceful wound + to his self-respect. For the memory of benefits or injuries ever sticks + more firmly in the minds of brave men than in those of weaklings. For he + had not the habits of those who follow their friends in prosperity and + quit them in adversity, who pay more regard to fortune than to looks, and + sit closer to their own gain than to charity toward others. + </p> + <p> + But the woman held to her purpose, seeing that even so she could not win + the old man to convivial mirth. Continuing with yet more lavish courtesy + her efforts to soothe him, and to heap more honours on the guest, she bade + a piper strike up, and started music to melt his unbending rage. For she + wanted to unnerve his stubborn nature by means of cunning sounds. But the + cajolery of pipe or string was just as powerless to enfeeble that dogged + warrior. When he heard it, he felt that the respect paid him savoured more + of pretence than of love. Hence the crestfallen performer seemed to be + playing to a statue rather than a man, and learnt that it is vain for + buffoons to assail with, their tricks a settled and weighty sternness, and + that a mighty mass cannot be shaken with the idle puffing of the lips. For + Starkad had set his face so firmly in his stubborn wrath, that he seemed + not a whit easier to move than ever. For the inflexibility which he owed + his vows was not softened either by the strain of the lute or the + enticements of the palate; and he thought that more respect should be paid + to his strenuous and manly purpose than to the tickling of the ears or the + lures of the feast. Accordingly he flung the bone, which he had stripped + in eating the meat, in the face of the harlequin, and drove the wind + violently out of his puffed cheeks, so that they collapsed. By this he + showed how his austerity loathed the clatter of the stage; for his ears + were stopped with anger and open to no influence of delight. This reward, + befitting an actor, punished an unseemly performance with a shameful wage. + For Starkad excellently judged the man's deserts, and bestowed a shankbone + for the piper to pipe on, requiting his soft service with a hard fee. None + could say whether the actor piped or wept the louder; he showed by his + bitter flood of tears how little place bravery has in the breasts of the + dissolute. For the fellow was a mere minion of pleasure, and had never + learnt to bear the assaults of calamity. This man's hurt was ominous of + the carnage that was to follow at the feast. Right well did Starkad's + spirit, heedful of sternness, hold with stubborn gravity to steadfast + revenge; for he was as much disgusted at the lute as others were + delighted, and repaid the unwelcome service by insultingly flinging a + bone; thus avowing that he owed a greater debt to the glorious dust of his + mighty friend than to his shameless and infamous ward. + </p> + <p> + But when Starkad saw that the slayers of Frode were in high favour with + the king, his stern glances expressed the mighty wrath which he harboured, + and his face betrayed what he felt. The visible fury of his gaze betokened + the secret tempest in his heart. At last, when Ingild tried to appease him + with royal fare, he spurned the dainty. Satisfied with cheap and common + food, he utterly spurned outlandish delicacies; he was used to plain diet, + and would not pamper his palate with any delightful flavour. When he was + asked why he had refused the generous attention of the king with such a + clouded brow, he said that he had come to Denmark to find the son of + Frode, not a man who crammed his proud and gluttonous stomach with rich + elaborate feasts. For the Teuton extravagance which the king favoured had + led him, in his longing for the pleasures of abundance, to set to the fire + again, for roasting, dishes which had been already boiled. Thereupon he + could not forbear from attacking Ingild's character, but poured out the + whole bitterness of his reproaches on his head. He condemned his unfilial + spirit, because he gaped with repletion and vented his squeamishness in + filthy hawkings; because, following the lures of the Saxons, he strayed + and departed far from soberness; because he was so lacking in manhood as + not to pursue even the faintest shadow of it. But, declared Starkad, he + bore the heaviest load of infamy, because, even when he first began to see + service, he forgot to avenge his father, to whose butchers, forsaking the + law of nature, he was kind and attentive. Men whose deserts were most vile + he welcomed with loving affection; and not only did he let those go + scot-free, whom he should have punished most sharply, but he even judged + them fit persons to live with and entertain at his table, whereas he + should rather have put them to death. Hereupon Starkad is also said to + have sung as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Let the unwarlike youth yield to the aged, let him honour all the years + of him that is old. When a man is brave, let none reproach the number of + his days. + </p> + <p> + "Though the hair of the ancient whiten with age, their valour stays still + the same; nor shall the lapse of time have power to weaken their manly + heart. + </p> + <p> + "I am elbowed away by the offensive guest, who taints with vice his + outward show of goodness, whilst he is the slave of his belly and prefers + his daily dainties to anything. + </p> + <p> + "When I was counted as a comrade of Frode, I ever sat in the midst of + warriors on a high seat in the hall, and I was the first of the princes to + take my meal. + </p> + <p> + "Now, the lot of a nobler age is reversed; I am shut in a corner, I am + like the fish that seeks shelter as it wanders to and fro hidden in the + waters. + </p> + <p> + "I, who used surely in the former age to lie back on a couch handsomely + spread, am now thrust among the hindmost and driven from the crowded hall. + </p> + <p> + "Perchance I had been driven on my back at the doors, had not the wall + struck my side and turned me back, and had not the beam, in the way made + it hard for me to fly when I was thrust forth. + </p> + <p> + "I am baited with the jeers of the court-folk; I am not received as a + guest should be; I am girded at with harsh gibing, and stung with babbling + taunts. + </p> + <p> + "I am a stranger, and would gladly know what news are spread abroad by + busy rumour; what is the course of events; what the order of the land; + what is doing in your country. + </p> + <p> + "Thou, Ingild, buried in sin, why dost thou tarry in the task of avenging + thy father? Wilt thou think tranquilly of the slaughter of thy righteous + sire? + </p> + <p> + "Why dost thou, sluggard, think only of feasting, and lean thy belly back + in ease, more effeminate than harlots? Is the avenging of thy slaughtered + father a little thing to thee? + </p> + <p> + "When last I left thee, Frode, I learned by my prophetic soul that thou, + mightiest of kings, wouldst surely perish by the sword of enemies. + </p> + <p> + "And while I travelled long in the land, a warning groan rose in my soul, + which augured that thereafter I was never to see thee more. + </p> + <p> + "Wo is me, that then I was far away, harrying the farthest peoples of the + earth, when the traitorous guest aimed craftily at the throat of his king. + </p> + <p> + "Else I would either have shown myself the avenger of my lord, or have + shared his fate and fallen where he fell, and would joyfully have followed + the blessed king in one and the same death. + </p> + <p> + "I have not come to indulge in gluttonous feasting, the sin whereof I will + strive to chastise; nor will I take mine ease, nor the delights of the fat + belly. + </p> + <p> + "No famous king has ever set me before in the middle by the strangers. I + have been wont to sit in the highest seats among friends. + </p> + <p> + "I have come from Sweden, travelling over wide lands, thinking that I + should be rewarded, if only I had the joy to find the son of my beloved + Frode. + </p> + <p> + "But I sought a brave man, and I have come to a glutton, a king who is the + slave of his belly and of vice, whose liking has been turned back towards + wantonness by filthy pleasure. + </p> + <p> + "Famous is the speech men think that Halfdan spoke: he warned us it would + soon come to pass that an understanding father should beget a witless son. + </p> + <p> + "Though the heir be deemed degenerate, I will not suffer the wealth of + mighty Frode to profit strangers or to be made public like plunder." + </p> + <p> + At these words the queen trembled, and she took from her head the ribbon + with which she happened, in woman's fashion, to be adorning her hair, and + proffered it to the enraged old man, as though she could avert his anger + with a gift. Starkad in anger flung it back most ignominiously in the face + of the giver, and began again in a loud voice: + </p> + <p> + "Take hence, I pray thee, thy woman's gift, and set back thy headgear on + thy head; no brave man assumes the chaplets that befit Love only. + </p> + <p> + "For it is amiss that the hair of men that are ready for battle should be + bound back with wreathed gold; such attire is right for the throngs of the + soft and effeminate. + </p> + <p> + "But take this gift to thy husband, who loves luxury, whose finger itches, + while he turns over the rump and handles the flesh of the bird roasted + brown. + </p> + <p> + "The flighty and skittish wife of Ingild longs to observe the fashions of + the Teutons; she prepares the orgy and makes ready the artificial + dainties. + </p> + <p> + "For she tickles the palate with a new-fangled feast; she pursues the zest + of an unknown flavour, raging to load all the tables with dishes yet more + richly than before. + </p> + <p> + "She gives her lord wine to drink in bowls, pondering all things with + zealous preparation; she bids the cooked meats be roasted, and intends + them for a second fire. + </p> + <p> + "Wantonly she feeds her husband like a hog; a shameless whore, + trusting.... + </p> + <p> + "She roasts the boiled, and recooks the roasted meats, planning the meal + with spendthrift extravagance, careless of right and wrong, practising + sin, a foul woman. + </p> + <p> + "Wanton in arrogance, a soldier of Love, longing for dainties, she abjures + the fair ways of self-control, and also provides devices for gluttony. + </p> + <p> + "With craving stomach she desires turnip strained in a smooth pan, cakes + with thin juice, and shellfish in rows. + </p> + <p> + "I do not remember the Great Frode putting his hand to the sinews of + birds, or tearing the rump of a cooked fowl with crooked thumb. + </p> + <p> + "What former king could have been so gluttonous as to stir the stinking + filthy flesh, or rummage in the foul back of a bird with plucking fingers? + </p> + <p> + "The food of valiant men is raw; no need, methinks, of sumptuous tables + for those whose stubborn souls are bent on warfare. + </p> + <p> + "It had been fitter for thee to have torn the stiff beard, biting hard + with thy teeth, than greedily to have drained the bowl of milk with thy + wide mouth. + </p> + <p> + "We fled from the offence of the sumptuous kitchen; we stayed our stomach + with rancid fare; few in the old days loved cooked juices. + </p> + <p> + "A dish with no sauce of herbs gave us the flesh of rams and swine. We + partook temperately, tainting nothing with bold excess. + </p> + <p> + "Thou who now lickest the milk-white fat, put on, prithee, the spirit of a + man; remember Frode, and avenge thy father's death. + </p> + <p> + "The worthless and cowardly heart shall perish, and shall not parry the + thrust of death by flight, though it bury itself in a valley, or crouch in + darkling dens. + </p> + <p> + "Once we were eleven princes, devoted followers of King Hakon, and here + Geigad sat above Helge in the order of the meal. + </p> + <p> + "Geigad used to appease the first pangs of hunger with a dry rump of ham; + and plenty of hard crust quelled the craving of his stomach. + </p> + <p> + "No one asked for a sickly morsel; all took their food in common; the meal + of mighty men cost but slight display. + </p> + <p> + "The commons shunned foreign victual, and the greatest lusted not for a + feast; even the king remembered to live temperately at little cost. + </p> + <p> + "Scorning to look at the mead, he drank the fermented juice of Ceres; he + shrank not from the use of undercooked meats, and hated the roast. + </p> + <p> + "The board used to stand with slight display, a modest salt-cellar showed + the measure of its cost; lest the wise ways of antiquity should in any + wise be changed by foreign usage. + </p> + <p> + "Of old, no man put flagons or mixing-bowls on the tables; the steward + filled the cup from the butt, and there was no abundance of adorned + vessels. + </p> + <p> + "No one who honoured past ages put the smooth wine-jars beside the + tankards, and of old no bedizened lackey heaped the platter with dainties. + </p> + <p> + "Nor did the vainglorious host deck the meal with little salt-shell or + smooth cup; but all has been now abolished in shameful wise by the + new-fangled manners. + </p> + <p> + "Who would ever have borne to take money in ransom for the death of a lost + parent, or to have asked a foe for a gift to atone for the murder of a + father? + </p> + <p> + "What strong heir or well-starred son would have sat side by side with + such as these, letting a shameful bargain utterly unnerve the warrior? + </p> + <p> + "Wherefore, when the honours of kings are sung, and bards relate the + victories of captains, I hide my face for shame in my mantle, sick at + heart. + </p> + <p> + "For nothing shines in thy trophies, worthy to be recorded by the pen; no + heir of Frode is named in the roll of the honourable. + </p> + <p> + "Why dost thou vex me with insolent gaze, thou who honourest the foe + guilty of thy father's blood, and art thought only to take thy vengeance + with loaves and warm soup? + </p> + <p> + "When men speak well of the avengers of crimes, then long thou to lose thy + quick power of hearing, that thy impious spirit may not be ashamed. + </p> + <p> + "For oft has the virtue of another vexed a heart that knows its guilt, and + the malice in the breast is abashed by the fair report of the good. + </p> + <p> + "Though thou go to the East, or live sequestered in the countries of the + West, or whether, driven thence, thou seek the midmost place of the earth; + </p> + <p> + "Whether thou revisit the cold quarter of the heaven where the pole is to + be seen, and carries on the sphere with its swift spin, and looks down + upon the neighbouring Bear; + </p> + <p> + "Shame shall accompany thee far, and shall smite thy countenance with + heavy disgrace, when the united assembly of the great kings is taking + pastime. + </p> + <p> + "Since everlasting dishonour awaits thee, thou canst not come amidst the + ranks of the famous; and in every clime thou shalt pass thy days in + infamy. + </p> + <p> + "The fates have given Frode an offspring born into the world when gods + were adverse, whose desires have been enthralled by crime and ignoble + lust. + </p> + <p> + "Even as in a ship all things foul gather to the filthy hollow of the + bilge, even so hath a flood of vices poured into Ingild. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore, in terror of thy shame being published, thou shalt lie crushed + in the corners of the land, sluggish on thy foul hearth, and never to be + seen in the array of the famous. + </p> + <p> + "Then shalt thou shake thy beard at thine evil fate, kept down by the + taunts of thy mistresses, when thy paramour galls thy ear with her + querulous cries. + </p> + <p> + "Since chill fear retards thy soul, and thou dreadest to become the + avenger of thy sire, thou art utterly degenerate, and thy ways are like a + slave's. + </p> + <p> + "It would have needed scant preparation to destroy thee; even as if a man + should catch and cut the throat of a kid, or slit the weazand of a soft + sheep and butcher it. + </p> + <p> + "Behold, a son of the tyrant Swerting shall take the inheritance of + Denmark after thee; he whose slothful sister thou keepest in infamous + union. + </p> + <p> + "Whilst thou delightest to honour thy bride, laden with gems and shining + in gold apparel, we burn with all indignation that is linked with shame, + lamenting thy infamies. + </p> + <p> + "When thou art stirred by furious lust, our mind is troubled, and recalls + the fashion of ancient times, and bids us grieve sorely. + </p> + <p> + "For we rate otherwise than thou the crime of the foes whom now thou + holdest in honour; wherefore the face of this age is a burden to me, + remembering the ancient ways. + </p> + <p> + "I would crave no greater blessing, O Frode, if I might see those guilty + of thy murder duly punished for such a crime." + </p> + <p> + Now he prevailed so well by this stirring counsel, that his reproach + served like a flint wherewith to strike a blazing flame of valour in the + soul that had been chill and slack. For the king had at first heard the + song inattentively; but, stirred by the earnest admonition of his + guardian, he conceived in his heart a tardy fire of revenge; and, + forgetting the reveller, he changed into the foeman. At last he leapt up + from where he lay, and poured the whole flood of his anger on those at + table with him; insomuch that he unsheathed his sword upon the sons of + Swerting with bloody ruthlessness, and aimed with drawn blade at the + throats of those whose gullets he had pampered with the pleasures of the + table. These men he forthwith slew; and by so doing he drowned the holy + rites of the table in blood. He sundered the feeble bond of their league, + and exchanged a shameful revel for enormous cruelty; the host became the + foe, and that vilest slave of excess the bloodthirsty agent of revenge. + For the vigorous pleading of his counsellor bred a breath of courage in + his soft and unmanly youth; it drew out his valour from its lurking-place, + and renewed it, and so fashioned it that the authors of a most grievous + murder were punished even as they deserved. For the young man's valour had + been not quenched, but only in exile, and the aid of an old man had drawn + it out into the light; and it accomplished a deed which was all the + greater for its tardiness; for it was somewhat nobler to steep the cups in + blood than in wine. What a spirit, then, must we think that old man had, + who by his eloquent adjuration expelled from that king's mind its infinite + sin, and who, bursting the bonds of iniquity, implanted a most effectual + seed of virtue. Starkad aided the king with equal achievements; and not + only showed the most complete courage in his own person, but summoned back + that which had been rooted out of the heart of another. When the deed was + done, he thus begun: + </p> + <p> + "King Ingild, farewell; thy heart, full of valour, hath now shown a deed + of daring. The spirit that reigns in thy body is revealed by its fair + beginning; nor did there lack deep counsel in thy heart, though thou wert + silent till this hour; for thou dost redress by thy bravery what delay had + lost, and redeemest the sloth of thy spirit by mighty valour. Come now, + let us rout the rest, and let none escape the peril which all alike + deserve. Let the crime come home to the culprit; let the sin return and + crush its contriver. + </p> + <p> + "Let the servants take up in a car the bodies of the slain, and let the + attendant quickly bear out the carcases. Justly shall they lack the last + rites; they are unworthy to be covered with a mound; let no funeral + procession or pyre suffer them the holy honour of a barrow; let them be + scattered to rot in the fields, to be consumed by the beaks of birds; let + them taint the country all about with their deadly corruption. + </p> + <p> + "Do thou too, king, if thou hast any wit, flee thy savage bride, lest the + she-wolf bring forth a litter like herself, and a beast spring from thee + that shall hurt its own father. + </p> + <p> + "Tell me, Rote, continual derider of cowards, thinkest thou that we have + avenged Frode enough, when we have spent seven deaths on the vengeance of + one? Lo, those are borne out dead who paid homage not to thy sway in deed, + but only in show, and though obsequious they planned treachery. But I + always cherished this hope, that noble fathers have noble offspring, who + will follow in their character the lot which they received by their birth. + Therefore, Ingild, better now than in time past dost thou deserve to be + called lord of Leire and of Denmark. + </p> + <p> + "When, O King Hakon, I was a beardless youth, and followed thy leading and + command in warfare, I hated luxury and wanton souls, and practiced only + wars. Training body and mind together, I banished every unholy thing from + my soul, and shunned the pleasures of the belly, loving deeds of prowess. + For those that followed the calling of arms had rough clothing and common + gear and short slumbers and scanty rest. Toil drove ease far away, and the + time ran by at scanty cost. Not as with some men now, the light of whose + reason is obscured by insatiate greed with its blind maw. Some one of + these clad in a covering of curiously wrought raiment effeminately guides + the fleet-footed (steed), and unknots his dishevelled locks, and lets his + hair fly abroad loosely. + </p> + <p> + "He loves to plead often in the court, and to covet a base pittance, and + with this pursuit he comforts his sluggish life, doing with venal tongue + the business entrusted to him. + </p> + <p> + "He outrages the laws by force, he makes armed assault upon men's rights, + he tramples on the innocent, he feeds on the wealth of others, he + practices debauchery and gluttony, he vexes good fellowship with biting + jeers, and goes after harlots as a hoe after the grass. + </p> + <p> + "The coward falls when battles are lulled in peace. Though he who fears + death lie in the heart of the valley, no mantlet shall shelter him. His + final fate carries off every living man; doom is not to be averted by + skulking. But I, who have shaken the whole world with my slaughters, shall + I enjoy a peaceful death? Shall I be taken up to the stars in a quiet end? + Shall I die in my bed without a wound?" + </p> + <p> + BOOK SEVEN. + </p> + <p> + We are told by historians of old, that Ingild had four sons, of whom three + perished in war, while OLAF alone reigned after his father; but some say + that Olaf was the son of Ingild's sister, though this opinion is doubtful. + Posterity has but an uncertain knowledge of his deeds, which are dim with + the dust of antiquity; nothing but the last counsel of his wisdom has been + rescued by tradition. For when he was in the last grip of death he took + thought for his sons FRODE and HARALD, and bade them have royal sway, one + over the land and the other over the sea, and receive these several + powers, not in prolonged possession, but in yearly rotation. Thus their + share in the rule was made equal; but Frode, who was the first to have + control of the affairs of the sea, earned disgrace from his continual + defeats in roving. His calamity was due to his sailors being newly + married, and preferring nuptial joys at home to the toils of foreign + warfare. After a time Harald, the younger son, received the rule of the + sea, and chose soldiers who were unmarried, fearing to be baffled like his + brother. Fortune favoured his choice; for he was as glorious a rover as + his brother was inglorious; and this earned him his brother's hatred. + Moreover, their queens, Signe and Ulfhild, one of whom was the daughter of + Siward, King of Sweden, the other of Karl, the governor of Gothland, were + continually wrangling as to which was the nobler, and broke up the mutual + fellowship of their husbands. Hence Harald and Frode, when their common + household was thus shattered, divided up the goods they held in common, + and gave more heed to the wrangling altercations of the women than to the + duties of brotherly affection. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, Frode, judging that his brother's glory was a disgrace to + himself and brought him into contempt, ordered one of his household to put + him to death secretly; for he saw that the man of whom he had the + advantage in years was surpassing him in courage. When the deed was done, + he had the agent of his treachery privily slain, lest the accomplice + should betray the crime. Then, in order to gain the credit of innocence + and escape the brand of crime, he ordered a full inquiry to be made into + the mischance that had cut off his brother so suddenly. But he could not + manage, by all his arts, to escape silent condemnation in the thoughts of + the common people. He afterwards asked Karl, "Who had killed Harald?" and + Karl replied that it was deceitful in him to ask a question about + something which he knew quite well. These words earned him his death; for + Frode thought that he had reproached him covertly with fratricide. + </p> + <p> + After this, the lives of Harald and Halfdan, the sons of Harald by Signe + the daughter of Karl, were attempted by their uncle. But the guardians + devised a cunning method of saving their wards. For they cut off the claws + of wolves and tied them to the soles of their feet; and then made them run + along many times so as to harrow up the mud near their dwelling, as well + as the ground (then covered with, snow), and give the appearance of an + attack by wild beasts. Then they killed the children of some bond-women, + tore their bodies into little pieces, and scattered their mangled limbs + all about. So when the youths were looked for in vain, the scattered limbs + were found, the tracks of the beasts were pointed out, and the ground was + seen besmeared with blood. It was believed that the boys had been devoured + by ravening wolves; and hardly anyone was suffered to doubt so plain a + proof that they were mangled. The belief in this spectacle served to + protect the wards. They were presently shut up by their guardians in a + hollow oak, so that no trace of their being alive should get abroad, and + were fed for a long time under pretence that they were dogs; and were even + called by hounds' names, to prevent any belief getting abroad that they + were hiding. (1) + </p> + <p> + Frode alone refused to believe in their death; and he went and inquired of + a woman skilled in divination where they were hid. So potent were her + spells, that she seemed able, at any distance, to perceive anything, + however intricately locked away, and to summon it out to light. She + declared that one Ragnar had secretly undertaken to rear them, and had + called them by the names of dogs to cover the matter. When the young men + found themselves dragged from their hiding by the awful force of her + spells, and brought before the eyes of the enchantress, loth to be + betrayed by this terrible and imperious compulsion, they flung into her + lap a shower of gold which they had received from their guardians. When + she had taken the gift, she suddenly feigned death, and fell like one + lifeless. Her servants asked the reason why she fell so suddenly; and she + declared that the refuge of the sons of Harald was inscrutable; for their + wondrous might qualified even the most awful effects of her spells. Thus + she was content with a slight benefit, and could not bear to await a + greater reward at the king's hands. After this Ragnar, finding that the + belief concerning himself and his wards was becoming rife in common talk, + took them, both away into Funen. Here he was taken by Frode, and confessed + that he had put the young men in safe keeping; and he prayed the king to + spare the wards whom he had made fatherless, and not to think it a piece + of good fortune to be guilty of two unnatural murders. By this speech he + changed the king's cruelty into shame; and he promised that if they + attempted any plots in their own land, he would give information to the + king. Thus he gained safety for his wards, and lived many years in freedom + from terror. + </p> + <p> + When the boys grew up, they went to Zealand, and were bidden by their + friends to avenge their father. They vowed that they and their uncle + should not both live out the year. When Ragnar found this out, he went by + night to the palace, prompted by the recollection of his covenant, and + announced that he was come privily to tell the king something he had + promised. But the king was asleep, and he would not suffer them to wake + him up, because Frode had been used to punish any disturbance of his rest + with the sword. So mighty a matter was it thought of old to break the + slumbers of a king by untimely intrusion. Frode heard this from the + sentries in the morning; and when he perceived that Ragnar had come to + tell him of the treachery, he gathered together his soldiers, and resolved + to forestall deceit by ruthless measures. Harald's sons had no help for it + but to feign madness. For when they found themselves suddenly attacked, + they began to behave like maniacs, as if they were distraught. And when + Frode thought that they were possessed, he gave up his purpose, thinking + it shameful to attack with the sword those who seemed to be turning the + sword against themselves. But he was burned to death by them on the + following night, and was punished as befitted a fratricide. For they + attacked the palace, and first crushing the queen with a mass of stones + and then, having set fire to the house, they forced Frode to crawl into a + narrow cave that had been cut out long before, and into the dark recesses + of tunnels. Here he lurked in hiding and perished, stifled by the reek and + smoke. + </p> + <p> + After Frode was killed, HALFDAN reigned over his country about three + years, and then, handing over his sovereignty to his brother Harald as + deputy, went roving, and attacked and ravaged Oland and the neighbouring + isles, which are severed from contact with Sweden by a winding sound. Here + in the winter he beached and entrenched his ships, and spent three years + on the expedition. After this he attacked Sweden, and destroyed its king + in the field. Afterwards he prepared to meet the king's grandson Erik, the + son of his own uncle Frode, in battle; and when he heard that Erik's + champion, Hakon, was skillful in blunting swords with his spells, he + fashioned, to use for clubbing, a huge mace studded with iron knobs, as if + he would prevail by the strength of wood over the power of sorcery. Then—for + he was conspicuous beyond all others for his bravery—amid the + hottest charges of the enemy, he covered his head with his helmet, and, + without a shield, poised his club, and with the help of both hands whirled + it against the bulwark of shields before him. No obstacle was so stout but + it was crushed to pieces by the blow of the mass that smote it. Thus he + overthrew the champion, who ran against him in the battle, with a violent + stroke of his weapon. But he was conquered notwithstanding, and fled away + into Helsingland, where he went to one Witolf (who had served of old with + Harald), to seek tendance for his wounds. This man had spent most of his + life in camp; but at last, after the grievous end of his general, he had + retreated into this lonely district, where he lived the life of a peasant, + and rested from the pursuits of war. Often struck himself by the missiles + of the enemy, he had gained no slight skill in leechcraft by constantly + tending his own wounds. But if anyone came with flatteries to seek his + aid, instead of curing him he was accustomed to give him something that + would secretly injure him, thinking it somewhat nobler to threaten than to + wheedle for benefits. When the soldiers of Erik menaced his house, in + their desire to take Halfdan, he so robbed them of the power of sight that + they could neither perceive the house nor trace it with certainty, though + it was close to them. So utterly had their eyesight been dulled by a + decisive mist. + </p> + <p> + When Halfdan had by this man's help regained his full strength, he + summoned Thore, a champion of notable capacity, and proclaimed war against + Erik. But when the forces were led out on the other side, and he saw that + Erik was superior in numbers, he hid a part of his army, and instructed it + to lie in ambush among the bushes by the wayside, in order to destroy the + enemy by an ambuscade as he marched through the narrow part of the path. + Erik foresaw this, having reconnoitred his means of advancing, and thought + he must withdraw for fear, if he advanced along the track he had intended, + of being hard-pressed by the tricks of the enemy among the steep windings + of the hills. They therefore joined battle, force against force, in a deep + valley, inclosed all round by lofty mountain ridges. Here Halfdan, when he + saw the line of his men wavering, climbed with Thore up a crag covered + with stones and, uprooting boulders, rolled them down upon the enemy + below; and the weight of these as they fell crushed the line that was + drawn up in the lower position. Thus he regained with stones the victory + which he had lost with arms. For this deed of prowess he received the name + of Biargramm ("rock strong"), a word which seems to have been compounded + from the name of his fierceness and of the mountains. He soon gained so + much esteem for this among the Swedes that he was thought to be the son of + the great Thor, and the people bestowed divine honours upon him, and + judged him worthy of public libation. + </p> + <p> + But the souls of the conquered find it hard to rest, and the insolence of + the beaten ever struggles towards the forbidden thing. So it came to pass + that Erik, in his desire to repair the losses incurred in flight, attacked + the districts subject to Halfdan. Even Denmark he did not exempt from this + harsh treatment; for he thought it a most worthy deed to assail the + country of the man who had caused him to be driven from his own. And so, + being more anxious to inflict injury than to repel it, he set Sweden free + from the arms of the enemy. When Halfdan heard that his brother Harald had + been beaten by Erik in three battles, and slain in the fourth, he was + afraid of losing his empire; he had to quit the land of the Swedes and go + back to his own country. Thus Erik regained the kingdom of Sweden all the + more quickly, that he quitted it so lightly. Had fortune wished to favour + him in keeping his kingdom as much as she had in regaining it, she would + in nowise have given him into the hand of Halfdan. This capture was made + in the following way: When Halfdan had gone back into Sweden, he hid his + fleet craftily, and went to meet Erik with two vessels. Erik attacked him + with ten; and Halfdan, sailing through sundry winding channels, stole back + to his concealed forces. Erik pursued him too far, and the Danish fleet + came out on the sea. Thus Erik was surrounded; but he rejected the life, + which was offered him under condition of thraldom. He could not bear to + think more of the light of day than liberty, and chose to die rather than + serve; lest he should seem to love life so well as to turn from a slave + into a freeman; and that he might not court with new-born obeisance the + man whom fortune had just before made only his equal. So little knows + virtue how to buy life with dishonour. Wherefore he was put in chains, and + banished to a place haunted by wild beasts; an end unworthy of that lofty + spirit. + </p> + <p> + Halfdan had thus become sovereign of both kingdoms, and graced his fame + with a triple degree of honour. For he was skillful and eloquent in + composing poems in the fashion of his country; and he was no less notable + as a valorous champion than as a powerful king. But when he heard that two + active rovers, Toke and Anund, were threatening the surrounding districts, + he attacked and routed them in a sea-fight. For the ancients thought that + nothing was more desirable than glory which was gained, not by brilliancy + of wealth, but by address in arms. Accordingly, the most famous men of old + were so minded as to love seditions, to renew quarrels, to loathe ease, to + prefer fighting to peace, to be rated by their valour and not by their + wealth, to find their greatest delight in battles, and their least in + banquetings. + </p> + <p> + But Halfdan was not long to seek for a rival. A certain Siwald, of most + illustrious birth, related with lamentation in the assembly of the Swedes + the death of Frode and his queen; and inspired in almost all of them such + a hatred of Halfdan, that the vote of the majority granted him permission + to revolt. Nor was he content with the mere goodwill of their voices, but + so won the heart of the commons by his crafty canvassing that he induced + almost all of them to set with their hands the royal emblem on his head. + Siwald had seven sons, who were such clever sorcerers that often, inspired + with the force of sudden frenzy, they would roar savagely, bite their + shields, swallow hot coals, and go through any fire that could be piled + up; and their frantic passion could only be checked by the rigour of + chains, or propitiated by slaughter of men. With such a frenzy did their + own sanguinary temper, or else the fury of demons, inspire them. + </p> + <p> + When Halfdan had heard of these things while busy roving, he said it was + right that his soldiers, who had hitherto spent their rage upon + foreigners, should now smite with the steel the flesh of their own + countrymen, and that they who had been used to labour to extend their + realm should now avenge its wrongful seizure. On Halfdan approaching, + Siwald sent him ambassadors and requested him, if he was as great in act + as in renown, to meet himself and his sons in single combat, and save the + general peril by his own. When the other answered, that a combat could not + lawfully be fought by more than two men, Siwald said, that it was no + wonder that a childless bachelor should refuse the proffered conflict, + since his nature was void of heat, and had struck a disgraceful frost into + his soul and body. Children, he added, were not different from the man who + begot them, since they drew from him their common principle of birth. Thus + he and his sons were to be accounted as one person, for nature seemed in a + manner to have bestowed on them a single body. Halfdan, stung with this + shameful affront, accepted the challenge; meaning to wipe out with noble + deeds of valour such an insulting taunt upon his celibacy. And while he + chanced to be walking through a shady woodland, he plucked up by the roots + all oak that stuck in his path, and, by simply stripping it of its + branches, made it look like a stout club. Having this trusty weapon, he + composed a short song as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Behold! The rough burden which I bear with straining crest, shall unto + crests bring wounds and destruction. Never shall any weapon of leafy wood + crush the Goths with direr augury. It shall shatter the towering strength + of the knotty neck, and shall bruise the hollow temples with the mass of + timber. The club which shall quell the wild madness of the land shall be + no less fatal to the Swedes. Breaking bones, and brandished about the + mangled limbs of warriors, the stock I have wrenched off shall crush the + backs of the wicked, crush the hearths of our kindred, shed the blood of + our countrymen, and be a destructive pest upon our land." + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, he attacked Siwald and his seven sons, and + destroyed them, their force and bravery being useless against the enormous + mass of his club. + </p> + <p> + At this time one Hardbeen, who came from Helsingland, gloried in + kidnapping and ravishing princesses, and used to kill any man who hindered + him in his lusts. He preferred high matches to those that were lowly; and + the more illustrious the victims he could violate, the more noble he + thought himself. No man escaped unpunished who durst measure himself with + Hardbeen in valour. He was so huge, that his stature reached the measure + of nine ells. He had twelve champions dwelling with him, whose business it + was to rise up and to restrain his fury with the aid of bonds, whenever + the rage came on him that foreboded of battle. These men asked Halfdan to + attack Hardbeen and his champions man by man; and he not only promised to + fight, but assured himself the victory with most confident words. When + Hardbeen heard this, a demoniacal frenzy suddenly took him; he furiously + bit and devoured the edges of his shield; he kept gulping down fiery + coals; he snatched live embers in his mouth and let them pass down into + his entrails; he rushed through the perils of crackling fires; and at + last, when he had raved through every sort of madness, he turned his sword + with raging hand against the hearts of six of his champions. It is + doubtful whether this madness came from thirst for battle or natural + ferocity. Then with the remaining band of his champions he attacked + Halfdan, who crushed him with a hammer of wondrous size, so that he lost + both victory and life; paying the penalty both to Halfdan, whom he had + challenged, and to the kings whose offspring he had violently ravished. + </p> + <p> + Fortune never seemed satisfied with the trying of Halfdan's strength, and + used to offer him unexpected occasions for fighting. It so happened that + Egther, a Finlander, was harrying the Swedes on a roving raid. Halfdan, + having found that he had three ships, attacked him with the same number. + Night closed the battle, so that he could not conquer him; but he + challenged Egther next day, fought with and overthrew him. He next heard + that Grim, a champion of immense strength, was suing, under threats of a + duel, for Thorhild, the daughter of the chief Hather, and that her father + had proclaimed that he who put the champion out of the way should have + her. Halfdan, though he had reached old age a bachelor, was stirred by the + promise of the chief as much as by the insolence of the champion, and went + to Norway. When he entered it, he blotted out every mark by which he could + be recognized, disguising his face with splashes of dirt; and when he came + to the spot of the battle, drew his sword first. And when he knew that it + had been blunted by the glance of the enemy, he cast it on the ground, + drew another from the sheath, with which he attacked Grim, cutting through + the meshes on the edge of his cuirass, as well as the lower part of his + shield. Grim wondered at the deed, and said, "I cannot remember an old man + who fought more keenly;" and, instantly drawing his sword, he pierced + through and shattered the target that was opposed to his blade. But as his + right arm tarried on the stroke, Halfdan, without wavering, met and smote + it swiftly with his sword. The other, notwithstanding, clasped his sword + with his left hand, and cut through the thigh of the striker, revenging + the mangling of his own body with a slight wound. Halfdan, now conqueror, + allowed the conquered man to ransom the remnant of his life with a sum of + money; he would not be thought shamefully to rob a maimed man, who could + not fight, of the pitiful remainder of his days. By this deed he showed + himself almost as great in saving as in conquering his enemy. As a prize + for this victory he won Thorhild in marriage, and had by her a son Asmund, + from whom the kings of Norway treasure the honour of being descended; + retracing the regular succession of their line down from Halfdan. + </p> + <p> + After this, Ebbe, a rover of common birth, was so confident of his valour, + that he was moved to aspire to a splendid marriage. He was a suitor for + Sigrid, the daughter of Yngwin, King of the Goths, and moreover demanded + half the Gothic kingdom for her dowry. Halfdan was consulted whether the + match should be entertained, and advised that a feigned consent should be + given, promising that he would baulk the marriage. He also gave + instructions that a seat should be allotted to himself among the places of + the guests at table. Yngwin approved the advice; and Halfdan, utterly + defacing the dignity of his royal presence with an unsightly and alien + disguise, and coming by night on the wedding feast, alarmed those who met + him; for they marvelled at the coming of a man of such superhuman stature. + </p> + <p> + When Halfdan entered the palace, he looked round on all and asked, who was + he that had taken the place next to the king? Upon Ebbe replying that the + future son-in-law of the king was next to his side, Halfdan asked him, in + the most passionate language, what madness, or what demons, had brought + him to such wantonness, as to make bold to unite his contemptible and + filthy race with a splendid and illustrious line, or to dare to lay his + peasant finger upon the royal family: and, not content even with such a + claim, to aspire, as it seemed, to a share even in the kingdom of another. + Then he bade Ebbe fight him, saying that he must get the victory before he + got his wish. The other answered that the night was the time to fight with + monsters, but the day the time with men; but Halfdan, to prevent him + shirking the battle by pleading the hour, declared that the moon was + shining with the brightness of daylight. Thus he forced Ebbe to fight, and + felled him, turning the banquet into a spectacle, and the wedding into a + funeral. + </p> + <p> + Some years passed, and Halfdan went back to his own country, and being + childless he bequeathed the royal wealth by will to Yngwin, and appointed + him king. YNGWIN was afterwards overthrown in war by a rival named + Ragnald, and he left a son SIWALD. + </p> + <p> + Siwald's daughter, Sigrid, was of such excellent modesty, that though a + great concourse of suitors wooed her for her beauty, it seemed as if she + could not be brought to look at one of them. Confident in this power of + self-restraint, she asked her father for a husband who by the sweetness of + his blandishments should be able to get a look back from her. For in old + time among us the self-restraint of the maidens was a great subduer of + wanton looks, lest the soundness of the soul should be infected by the + licence of the eyes; and women desired to avouch the purity of their + hearts by the modesty of their faces. Then one Ottar, the son of Ebb, + kindled with confidence in the greatness either of his own achievements, + or of his courtesy and eloquent address, stubbornly and ardently desired + to woo the maiden. And though he strove with all the force of his wit to + soften her gaze, no device whatever could move her downcast eyes; and, + marvelling at her persistence in her indomitable rigour, he departed. + </p> + <p> + A giant desired the same thing, but, finding himself equally foiled, he + suborned a woman; and she, pretending friendship for the girl, served her + for a while as her handmaid, and at last enticed her far from her father's + house, by cunningly going out of the way; then the giant rushed upon her + and bore her off into the closest fastnesses of a ledge on the mountain. + Others think that he disguised himself as a woman, treacherously continued + his devices so as to draw the girl away from her own house, and in the end + carried her off. When Ottar heard of this, he ransacked the recesses of + the mountain in search of the maiden, found her, slew the giant, and bore + her off. But the assiduous giant had bound back the locks of the maiden, + tightly twisting her hair in such a way that the matted mass of tresses + was held in a kind of curled bundle; nor was it easy for anyone to unravel + their plaited tangle, without using the steel. Again, he tried with divers + allurements to provoke the maiden to look at him; and when he had long + laid vain siege to her listless eyes, he abandoned his quest, since his + purpose turned out so little to his liking. But he could not bring himself + to violate the girl, loth to defile with ignoble intercourse one of + illustrious birth. She then wandered long, and sped through divers desert + and circuitous paths, and happened to come to the hut of a certain huge + woman of the woods, who set her to the task of pasturing her goats. Again + Ottar granted her his aid to set her free, and again he tried to move her, + addressing her in this fashion: "Wouldst thou rather hearken to my + counsels, and embrace me even as I desire, than be here and tend the flock + of rank goats? + </p> + <p> + "Spurn the hand of thy wicked mistress, and flee hastily from thy cruel + taskmistress, that thou mayst go back with me to the ships of thy friends + and live in freedom. + </p> + <p> + "Quit the care of the sheep entrusted to thee; scorn to drive the steps of + the goats; share my bed, and fitly reward my prayers. + </p> + <p> + "O thou whom I have sought with such pains, turn again thy listless beams; + for a little while—it is an easy gesture—lift thy modest face. + </p> + <p> + "I will take thee hence, and set thee by the house of thy father, and + unite thee joyfully with thy loving mother, if but once thou wilt show me + thine eyes stirred with soft desires. + </p> + <p> + "Thou, whom I have borne so oft from the prisons of the giants, pay thou + some due favour to my toil of old; pity my hard endeavours, and be stern + no more. + </p> + <p> + "For why art thou become so distraught and brainsick, that thou wilt + choose to tend the flock of another, and be counted among the servants of + monsters, sooner than encourage our marriage-troth with fitting and equal + consent?" + </p> + <p> + But she, that she might not suffer the constancy of her chaste mind to + falter by looking at the world without, restrained her gaze, keeping her + lids immovably rigid. How modest, then, must we think, were the women of + that age, when, under the strongest provocations of their lovers, they + could not be brought to make the slightest motion of their eyes! So when + Ottar found that even by the merits of his double service he could not + stir the maiden's gaze towards him, he went back to the fleet, wearied out + with shame and chagrin. Sigrid, in her old fashion, ran far away over the + rocks, and chanced to stray in her wanderings to the abode of Ebb; where, + ashamed of her nakedness and distress, she pretended to be a daughter of + paupers. The mother of Ottar saw that this woman, though bestained and + faded, and covered with a meagre cloak, was the scion of some noble stock; + and took her, and with honourable courtesy kept her by her side in a + distinguished seat. For the beauty of the maiden was a sign that betrayed + her birth, and her telltale features echoed her lineage. Ottar saw her, + and asked why she hid her face in her robe. Also, in order to test her + mind more surely, he feigned that a woman was about to become his wife, + and, as he went up into the bride-bed, gave Sigrid the torch to hold. The + lights had almost burnt down, and she was hard put to it by the flame + coming closer; but she showed such an example of endurance that she was + seen to hold her hand motionless, and might have been thought to feel no + annoyance from the heat. For the fire within mastered the fire without, + and the glow of her longing soul deadened the burn of her scorched skin. + At last Ottar bade her look to her hand. Then, modestly lifting her eyes, + she turned her calm gaze upon him; and straightway, the pretended marriage + being put away, went up unto the bride-bed to be his wife. Siwald + afterwards seized Ottar, and thought that he ought to be hanged for + defiling his daughter. + </p> + <p> + But Sigrid at once explained how she had happened to be carried away, and + not only brought Ottar back into the king's favour, but also induced her + father himself to marry Ottar's sister. After this a battle was fought + between Siwald and Ragnald in Zealand, warriors of picked valour being + chosen on both sides. For three days they slaughtered one another; but so + great was the bravery of both sides, that it was doubtful how the victory + would go. Then Ottar, whether seized with weariness at the prolonged + battle, or with desire of glory, broke, despising death, through the + thickest of the foe, cut down Ragnald among the bravest of his soldiers, + and won the Danes a sudden victory. This battle was notable for the + cowardice of the greatest nobles. For the whole mass fell into such a + panic, that forty of the bravest of the Swedes are said to have turned and + fled. The chief of these, Starkad, had been used to tremble at no fortune, + however cruel, and no danger, however great. But some strange terror stole + upon him, and he chose to follow the flight of his friends rather than to + despise it. I should think that he was filled with this alarm by the power + of heaven, that he might not think himself courageous beyond the measure + of human valour. Thus the prosperity of mankind is wont ever to be + incomplete. Then all these warriors embraced the service of King Hakon, + the mightiest of the rovers, like remnants of the war drifting to him. + </p> + <p> + After this Siwald was succeeded by his son SIGAR, who had sons Siwald, + Alf, and Alger, and a daughter Signe. All excelled the rest in spirit and + beauty, and devoted himself to the business of a rover. Such a grace was + shed on his hair, which had a wonderful dazzling glow, that his locks + seemed to shine silvery. At the same time Siward, the king of the Goths, + is said to have had two sons, Wemund and Osten, and a daughter Alfhild, + who showed almost from her cradle such faithfulness to modesty that she + continually kept her face muffled in her robe, lest she should cause her + beauty to provoke the passion of another. Her father banished her into + very close keeping, and gave her a viper and a snake to rear, wishing to + defend her chastity by the protection of these reptiles when they came to + grow up. For it would have been hard to pry into her chamber when it was + barred by so dangerous a bolt. He also enacted that if any man tried to + enter it, and failed, he must straightway yield his head to be taken off + and impaled on a stake. The terror which was thus attached to wantonness + chastened the heated spirits of the young men. + </p> + <p> + Alf, the son of Sigar, thinking that peril of the attempt only made it + nobler, declared himself a wooer, and went to subdue the beasts that kept + watch beside the room of the maiden; inasmuch as, according to the decree, + the embraces of the maiden were the prize of their subduer. Alf covered + his body with a blood-stained hide in order to make them more frantic + against him. Girt with this, as soon as he had entered the doors of the + enclosure, he took a piece of red-hot steel in the tongs, and plunged it + into the yawning throat of the viper, which he laid dead. Then he flung + his spear full into the gaping mouth of the snake as it wound and writhed + forward, and destroyed it. And when he demanded the gage which was + attached to victory by the terms of the covenant, Siward answered that he + would accept that man only for his daughter's husband of whom she made a + free and decided choice. None but the girl's mother was stiff against the + wooer's suit; and she privately spoke to her daughter in order to search + her mind. The daughter warmly praised her suitor for his valour; whereon + the mother upbraided her sharply, that her chastity should be unstrung, + and she be captivated by charming looks; and because, forgetting to judge + his virtue, she cast the gaze of a wanton mind upon the flattering lures + of beauty. Thus Alfhild was led to despise the young Dane; whereupon she + exchanged woman's for man's attire, and, no longer the most modest of + maidens, began the life of a warlike rover. + </p> + <p> + Enrolling in her service many maidens who were of the same mind, she + happened to come to a spot where a band of rovers were lamenting the death + of their captain, who had been lost in war; they made her their rover + captain for her beauty, and she did deeds beyond the valour of woman. Alf + made many toilsome voyages in pursuit of her, and in winter happened to + come on a fleet of the Blacmen. The waters were at this time frozen hard, + and the ships were caught in such a mass of ice that they could not get on + by the most violent rowing. But the continued frost promised the prisoners + a safer way of advance; and Alf ordered his men to try the frozen surface + of the sea in their brogues, after they had taken off their slippery + shoes, so that they could run over the level ice more steadily. The + Blacmen supposed that they were taking to flight with all the nimbleness + of their heels, and began to fight them, but their steps tottered + exceedingly and they gave back, the slippery surface under their soles + making their footing uncertain. But the Danes crossed the frozen sea with + safer steps, and foiled the feeble advance of the enemy, whom they + conquered, and then turned and sailed to Finland. Here they chanced to + enter a rather narrow gulf, and, on sending a few men to reconnoitre, they + learnt that the harbour was being held by a few ships. For Alfhild had + gone before them with her fleet into the same narrows. And when she saw + the strange ships afar off, she rowed in swift haste forward to encounter + them, thinking it better to attack the foe than to await them. Alf's men + were against attacking so many ships with so few; but he replied that it + would be shameful if anyone should report to Alfhild that his desire to + advance could be checked by a few ships in the path; for he said that + their record of honours ought not to be tarnished by such a trifle. + </p> + <p> + The Danes wondered whence their enemies got such grace of bodily beauty + and such supple limbs. So, when they began the sea-fight, the young man + Alf leapt on Alfhild's prow, and advanced towards the stern, slaughtering + all that withstood him. His comrade Borgar struck off Alfhild's helmet, + and, seeing the smoothness of her chin, saw that he must fight with kisses + and not with arms; that the cruel spears must be put away, and the enemy + handled with gentler dealings. So Alf rejoiced that the woman whom he had + sought over land and sea in the face of so many dangers was now beyond all + expectation in his power; whereupon he took hold of her eagerly, and made + her change her man's apparel for a woman's; and afterwards begot on her a + daughter, Gurid. Also Borgar wedded the attendant of Alfhild, Groa, and + had by her a son, Harald, to whom the following age gave the surname + Hyldeland. + </p> + <p> + And that no one may wonder that this sex laboured at warfare, I will make + a brief digression, in order to give a short account of the estate and + character of such women. There were once women among the Danes who dressed + themselves to look like men, and devoted almost every instant of their + lives to the pursuit of war, that they might not suffer their valour to be + unstrung or dulled by the infection of luxury. For they abhorred all + dainty living, and used to harden their minds and bodies with toil and + endurance. They put away all the softness and lightmindedness of women, + and inured their womanish spirit to masculine ruthlessness. They sought, + moreover, so zealously to be skilled in warfare, that they might have been + thought to have unsexed themselves. Those especially, who had either force + of character or tall and comely persons, used to enter on this kind of + life. These women, therefore (just as if they had forgotten their natural + estate, and preferred sternness to soft words), offered war rather than + kisses, and would rather taste blood than busses, and went about the + business of arms more than that of amours. They devoted those hands to the + lance which they should rather have applied to the loom. They assailed men + with their spears whom they could have melted with their looks, they + thought of death and not of dalliance. Now I will cease to wander, and + will go back to my theme. + </p> + <p> + In the early spring, Alf and Alger, who had gone back to sea-roving, were + exploring the sea in various directions, when they lighted with a hundred + ships upon Helwin, Hagbard, and Hamund, sons of the kinglet Hamund. These + they attacked and only the twilight stayed their blood-wearied hands; and + in the night the soldiers were ordered to keep truce. On the morrow this + was ratified for good by a mutual oath; for such loss had been suffered on + both sides in the battle of the day before that they had no force left to + fight again. Thus, exhausted bye quality of valour, they were driven + perforce to make peace. About the same time Hildigisl, a Teuton Of noble + birth, relying on his looks and his rank, sued for Signe, the daughter of + Sigar. But she scorned him, chiefly for his insignificance, inasmuch as he + was not brave, but wished to adorn his fortunes with the courage of other + people. But this woman was inclined to love Hakon, chiefly for the high + renown of his great deeds. For she thought more of the brave than the + feeble; she admired notable deeds more than looks, knowing that every + allurement of beauty is mere dross when reckoned against simple valour, + and cannot weigh equal with it in the balance. For there are maids that + are more charmed by the fame than by the face of their lovers; who go not + by the looks, but by the mind, and whom naught but regard for a man's + spirit can kindle to pledge their own troth. Now Hagbard, going to Denmark + with the sons of Sigar, gained speech of their sister without their + knowledge, and in the end induced her to pledge her word to him that she + would secretly become his mistress. Afterwards, when the waiting-women + happened to be comparing the honourable deeds of the nobles, she preferred + Hakon to Hildigisl, declaring that the latter had nothing to praise but + his looks, while in the case of the other a wrinkled visage was outweighed + by a choice spirit. Not content with this plain kind of praise, she is + said to have sung as follows: + </p> + <p> + "This man lacks fairness, but shines with foremost courage, measuring his + features by his force. + </p> + <p> + "For the lofty soul redeems the shortcoming of harsh looks, and conquers + the body's blemish. + </p> + <p> + "His look flashes with spirit, his face, notable in its very harshness, + delights in fierceness. + </p> + <p> + "He who strictly judges character praises not the mind for the fair hue, + but rather the complexion for the mind. + </p> + <p> + "This man is not prized for beauty, but for brave daring and war-won + honour. + </p> + <p> + "While the other is commended by his comely head and radiant countenance + and crest of lustrous locks. + </p> + <p> + "Vile is the empty grace of beauty, self-confounded the deceptive pride of + comeliness. + </p> + <p> + "Valour and looks are swayed by different inclinations: one lasts on, the + other perishes. + </p> + <p> + "Empty red and white brings in vice, and is frittered away little by + little by the lightly gliding years; + </p> + <p> + "But courage plants firmer the hearts devoted to it, and does not slip and + straightway fall. + </p> + <p> + "The voice of the multitude is beguiled by outward good, and forsakes the + rule of right; + </p> + <p> + "But I praise virtue at a higher rate, and scorn the grace of comeliness." + </p> + <p> + This utterance fell on the ears of the bystanders in such a way, that they + thought she praised Hagbard under the name of Hakon. And Hildigisl, vexed + that she preferred Hagbard to himself, bribed a certain blind man, Bolwis, + to bring the sons of Sigar and the sons of Hamund to turn their friendship + into hatred. For King Sigar had been used to transact almost all affairs + by the advice of two old men, one of whom was Bolwis. The temper of these + two men was so different, that one used to reconcile folk who were at + feud, while the other loved to sunder in hatred those who were bound by + friendship, and by estranging folk to fan pestilent quarrels. + </p> + <p> + So Bolwis began by reviling the sons of Hamund to the sons of Sigar, in + lying slanders, declaring that they never used to preserve the bonds of + fellowship loyally, and that they must be restrained by war rather than by + league. Thus the alliance of the young men was broken through; and while + Hagbard was far away, the sons of Sigar, Alf and Alger, made an attack, + and Helwin and Hamund were destroyed by the harbour which is called + Hamund's Bay. Hagbard then came up with fresh forces to avenge his + brothers, and destroyed them in battle. Hildigisl slunk off with a spear + through both buttocks, which was the occasion for a jeer at the Teutons, + since the ugliness of the blow did not fail to brand it with disgrace. + </p> + <p> + Afterwards Hagbard dressed himself in woman's attire, and, as though he + had not wronged Sigar's daughter by slaying her brothers, went back to her + alone, trusting in the promise he had from her, and feeling more safe in + her loyalty than alarmed by reason of his own misdeed. Thus does lust + despise peril. And, not to lack a pretext for his journey, he gave himself + out as a fighting-maid of Hakon, saying that he took an embassy from him + to Sigar. And when he was taken to bed at night among the handmaids, and + the woman who washed his feet were wiping them, they asked him why he had + such hairy legs, and why his hands were not at all soft to touch, he + answered: + </p> + <p> + "What wonder that the soft hollow of my foot should harden, and that long + hairs should stay on my shaggy leg, when the sand has so often smitten my + soles beneath, and the briars have caught me in mid-step? + </p> + <p> + "Now I scour the forest with leaping, now the waters with running. Now the + sea, now the earth, now the wave is my path. + </p> + <p> + "Nor could my breast, shut in bonds of steel, and wont to be beaten with + lance and missile, ever have been soft to the touch, as with you who are + covered by the mantle or the smooth gown. + </p> + <p> + "Not the distaff or the wool-frails, but spears dripping from the + slaughter, have served for our handling." + </p> + <p> + Signe did not hesitate to back up his words with like dissembling, and + replied that it was natural that hands which dealt more in wounds than + wools, and in battle than in tasks of the house should show the hardness + that befitted their service; and that, unenfeebled with the pliable + softness of women, they should not feel smooth to the touch of others. For + they were hardened partly by the toils of war, partly by the habit of + seafaring. For, said she, the warlike handmaid of Hakon did not deal in + woman's business, but had been wont to bring her right hand blood-stained + with hurling spears and flinging missiles. It was no wonder, therefore, if + her soles were hardened by the immense journeys she had gone; and that, + when the shores she had scoured so often had bruised them with their rough + and broken shingle, they should toughen in a horny stiffness, and should + not feel soft to the touch like theirs, whose steps never strayed, but who + were forever cooped within the confines of the palace. Hagbard received + her as his bedfellow, under plea that he was to have the couch of honour; + and, amid their converse of mutual delight, he addressed her slowly in + such words as these: + </p> + <p> + "If thy father takes me and gives me to bitter death, wilt thou ever, when + I am dead, forget so strong a troth, and again seek the marriage-plight? + </p> + <p> + "For if the chance should fall that way, I can hope for no room for + pardon; nor will the father who is to avenge his sons spare or have pity. + </p> + <p> + "For I stripped thy brothers of their power on the sea and slew them; and + now, unknown to thy father, as though I had done naught before counter to + his will, I hold thee in the couch we share. + </p> + <p> + "Say, then, my one love, what manner of wish wilt thou show when thou + lackest the accustomed embrace?" + </p> + <p> + Signe answered: + </p> + <p> + "Trust me, dear; I wish to die with thee, if fate brings thy turn to + perish first, and not to prolong my span of life at all, when once dismal + death has cast thee to the tomb. + </p> + <p> + "For if thou chance to close thy eyes for ever, a victim to the maddened + attack of the men-at-arms;—by whatsoever doom thy breath be cut off, + by sword or disease, by sea or soil, I forswear every wanton and corrupt + flame, and vow myself to a death like thine; that they who were bound by + one marriage-union may be embraced in one and the same punishment. Nor + will I quit this man, though I am to feel the pains of death; I have + resolved he is worthy of my love who gathered the first kisses of my + mouth, and had the first fruits of my delicate youth. I think that no vow + will be surer than this, if speech of woman have any loyalty at all." + </p> + <p> + This speech so quickened the spirit of Hagbard, that he found more + pleasure in her promise than peril in his own going away (to his death). + The serving-women betrayed him; and when Sigar's men-at-arms attacked him, + he defended himself long and stubbornly, and slew many of them in the + doorway. But at last he was taken, and brought before the assembly, and + found the voices of the people divided over him. For very many said that + he should be punished for so great an offence; but Bilwis, the brother of + Bolwis, and others, conceived a better judgment, and advised that it would + be better to use his stout service than to deal with him too ruthlessly. + Then Bolwis came forward and declared that it was evil advice which urged + the king to pardon when he ought to take vengeance, and to soften with + unworthy compassion his righteous impulse to anger. For how could Sigar, + in the case of this man, feel any desire to spare or pity him, when he had + not only robbed him of the double comfort of his sons, but had also + bestained him with the insult of deflowering his daughter? The greater + part of the assembly voted for this opinion; Hagbard was condemned, and a + gallows-tree planted to receive him. Hence it came about that he who at + first had hardly one sinister voice against him was punished with general + harshness. Soon after the queen handed him a cup, and, bidding him assuage + his thirst, vexed him with threats after this manner: + </p> + <p> + "Now, insolent Hagbard, whom the whole assembly has pronounced worthy of + death, now to quench thy thirst thou shalt give thy lips liquor to drink + in a cup of horn. + </p> + <p> + "Wherefore cast away fear, and, at this last hour of thy life, taste with + bold lips the deadly goblet; + </p> + <p> + "That, having drunk it, thou mayst presently land by the dwellings of + those below, passing into the sequestered palace of stern Dis, giving thy + body to the gibbet and thy spirit to Orcus." + </p> + <p> + Then the young man took the cup offered him, and is said to have made + answer as follows: + </p> + <p> + "With this hand, wherewith I cut off thy twin sons, I will take my last + taste, yea the draught of the last drink. + </p> + <p> + "Now not unavenged shall I go to the Elysian regions, not unchastising to + the stern ghosts. For these men have first been shut in the dens of + Tartarus by a slaughter wrought by my endeavours. This right hand was wet + with blood that was yours, this hand robbed thy children of the years of + their youth, children whom thy womb brought to light; but the deadly sword + spared it not then. Infamous woman, raving in spirit, hapless, childless + mother, no years shall restore to thee the lost, no time and no day + whatsoever shall save thy child from the starkness of death, or redeem + him!" + </p> + <p> + Thus he avenged the queen's threats of death by taunting her with the + youths whom he had slain; and, flinging back the cup at her, drenched her + face with the sprinkled wine. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Signe asked her weeping women whether they could endure to bear + her company in the things which she purposed. They promised that they + would carry out and perform themselves whatsoever their mistress should + come to wish, and their promise was loyally kept. Then, drowned in tears, + she said that she wished to follow in death the only partner of her bed + that she had ever had; and ordered that, as soon as the signal had been + given from a place of watch, torches should be put to the room, then that + halters should be made out of their robes; and to these they should + proffer their throats to be strangled, thrusting away the support to the + feet. They agreed, and that they might blench the less at death, she gave + them a draught of wine. After this Hagbard was led to the hill, which + afterwards took its name from him, to be hanged. Then, to test the loyalty + of his true love, he told the executioners to hang up his mantle, saying + that it would be a pleasure to him if he could see the likeness of his + approaching death rehearsed in some way. The request was granted; and the + watcher on the outlook, thinking that the thing was being done to Hagbard, + reported what she saw to the maidens who were shut within the palace. They + quickly fired the house, and thrusting away the wooden support under their + feet, gave their necks to the noose to be writhen. So Hagbard, when he saw + the palace wrapped in fire, and the familiar chamber blazing, said that he + felt more joy from the loyalty of his mistress than sorrow at his + approaching death. He also charged the bystanders to do him to death, + witnessing how little he made of his doom by a song like this: + </p> + <p> + "Swiftly, O warriors! Let me be caught and lifted into the air. Sweet, O + my bride! Is it for me to die when thou hast gone. + </p> + <p> + "I perceive the crackling and the house ruddy with flames; and the love, + long-promised, declares our troth. + </p> + <p> + "Behold, thy covenant is fulfilled with no doubtful vows, since thou + sharest my life and my destruction. + </p> + <p> + "We shall have one end, one bond after our troth, and somewhere our first + love will live on. + </p> + <p> + "Happy am I, that have deserved to have joy of such a consort, and not to + go basely alone to the gods of Tartarus! + </p> + <p> + "Then let the knot gripe the midst of the throat; nought but pleasure the + last doom shall bring, + </p> + <p> + "Since there remains a sure hope of the renewal of love, and a death which + will soon have joys of its own. + </p> + <p> + "Either country is sweet; in both worlds shall be held in honour the + repose of our souls together, our equal truth in love, + </p> + <p> + "For, see now, I welcome the doom before me; since not even among the + shades does very love suffer the embrace of its partner to perish." And as + he spoke the executioners strangled him. And, that none may think that all + traces of antiquity have utterly disappeared, a proof of the aforesaid + event is afforded by local marks yet existing; for the killing of Hagbard + gave his name to the stead; and not far from the town of Sigar there is a + place to be seen, where a mound a little above the level, with the + appearance of a swelling in the ground, looks like an ancient homestead. + Moreover, a man told Absalon that he had seen a beam found in the spot, + which a countryman struck with his ploughshare as he burrowed into the + clods. + </p> + <p> + Hakon, the son of Hamund, heard of this; but when he was seen to be on the + point of turning his arms from the Irish against the Danes in order to + avenge his brother, Hakon the Zealander, the son of Wigar, and Starkad + deserted him. They had been his allies from the death of Ragnald up to + that hour: one, because he was moved by regard for friendship, the other + by regard for his birth; so that different reasons made both desire the + same thing. + </p> + <p> + Now patriotism diverted Hakon (of Zealand) from attacking his country; for + it was apparent that he was going to fight his own people, while all the + rest warred with foreigners. But Starkad forbore to become the foe of the + aged Sigar, whose hospitality he had enjoyed, lest he should be thought to + wrong one who deserved well of him. For some men pay such respect to + hospitality that, if they can remember ever to have experienced kindly + offices from folk, they cannot be thought to inflict any annoyance on + them. But Hakon thought the death of his brother a worse loss than the + defection of his champions; and, gathering his fleet into the haven called + Herwig in Danish, and in Latin Hosts' Bight, he drew up his men, and + posted his line of foot-soldiers in the spot where the town built by + Esbern now defends with its fortifications those who dwell hard by, and + repels the approach of barbarous savages. Then he divided his forces in + three, and sent on two-thirds of his ships, appointing a few men to row to + the river Susa. This force was to advance on a dangerous voyage along its + winding reaches, and to help those on foot if necessary. He marched in + person by land with the remainder, advancing chiefly over wooded country + to escape notice. Part of this path, which was once closed up with thick + woods, is now land ready for the plough, and fringed with a scanty scrub. + And, in order that when they got out into the plain they might not lack + the shelter of trees, he told them to cut and carry branches. Also, that + nothing might burden their rapid march, he bade them cast away some of + their clothes, as well as their scabbards; and carry their swords naked. + In memory of this event he left the mountain and the ford a perpetual + name. Thus by his night march he eluded two pickets of sentries; but when + he came upon the third, a scout, observing the marvellous event, went to + the sleeping-room of Sigar, saying that he brought news of a portentous + thing; for he saw leaves and shrubs like men walking. Then the king asked + him how far off was the advancing forest; and when he heard that it was + near, he added that this prodigy boded his own death. Hence the marsh + where the shrubs were cut down was styled in common parlance Deadly Marsh. + Therefore, fearing the narrow passages, he left the town, and went to a + level spot which was more open, there to meet the enemy in battle. Sigar + fought unsuccessfully, and was crushed and slain at the spot that is + called in common speech Walbrunna, but in Latin the Spring of Corpses or + Carnage. Then Hakon used his conquest to cruel purpose, and followed up + his good fortune so wickedly, that he lusted for an indiscriminate + massacre, and thought no forbearance should be shown to rank or sex. Nor + did he yield to any regard for compassion or shame, but stained his sword + in the blood of women, and attacked mothers and children in one general + and ruthless slaughter. + </p> + <p> + SIWALD, the son of Sigar, had thus far stayed under his father's roof. But + when he heard of this, he mustered an army in order to have his vengeance. + So Hakon, alarmed at the gathering of such numbers, went back with a third + of his army to his fleet at Herwig, and planned to depart by sea. But his + colleague, Hakon, surnamed the Proud, thought that he ought himself to + feel more confidence at the late victory than fear at the absence of + Hakon; and, preferring death to flight, tried to defend the remainder of + the army. So he drew back his camp for a little, and for a long time + waited near the town of Axelsted, for the arrival of the fleet, blaming + his friends for their tardy coming. For the fleet that had been sent into + the river had not yet come to anchor in the appointed harbour. Now the + killing of Sigar and the love of Siwald were stirring the temper of the + people one and all, so that both sexes devoted themselves to war, and you + would have thought that the battle did not lack the aid of women. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow Hakon and Siwald met in an encounter and fought two whole + days. The combat was most frightful; both generals fell; and victory + graced the remnants of the Danes. But, in the night after the battle, the + fleet, having penetrated the Susa, reached the appointed haven. It was + once possible to row along this river; but its bed is now choked with + solid substances, and is so narrowed by its straits that few vessels can + get in, being prevented by its sluggishness and contractedness. At + daybreak, when the sailors saw the corpses of their friends, they heaped + up, in order to bury the general, a barrow of notable size, which is + famous to this day, and is commonly named Hakon's Howe. + </p> + <p> + But Borgar, with Skanian chivalry suddenly came up and slaughtered a + multitude of them. When the enemy were destroyed, he manned their ships, + which now lacked their rowers, and hastily, with breathless speed, pursued + the son of Hamund. He encountered him, and ill-fortune befell Hakon, who + fled in hasty panic with three ships to the country of the Scots, where, + after two years had gone by, he died. + </p> + <p> + All these perilous wars and fortunes had so exhausted the royal line among + the Danes, that it was found to be reduced to GURID alone, the daughter of + Alf, and granddaughter of Sigar. And when the Danes saw themselves + deprived of their usual high-born sovereigns, they committed the kingdom + to men of the people, and appointed rulers out of the commons, assigning + to Ostmar the regency of Skaane, and that of Zealand to Hunding; on Hane + they conferred the lordship of Funen; while in the hands of Rorik and + Hather they put the supreme power of Jutland, the authority being divided. + Therefore, that it may not be unknown from what father sprang the + succeeding line of kings, some matters come to my mind which must be + glanced at for a while in a needful digression. + </p> + <p> + They say that Gunnar, the bravest of the Swedes, was once at feud with + Norway for the most weighty reasons, and that he was granted liberty to + attack it, but that he turned this liberty into licence by the greatest + perils, and fell, in the first of the raids he planned, upon the district + of Jather, which he put partly to the sword and partly to the flames. + Forbearing to plunder, he rejoiced only in passing through the paths that + were covered with corpses, and the blood-stained ways. Other men used to + abstain from bloodshed, and love pillage more than slaughter; but he + preferred bloodthirstiness to booty, and liked best to wreak his deadly + pleasure by slaughtering men. His cruelty drove the islanders to forestall + the impending danger by a public submission. Moreover, Ragnald, the King + of the Northmen, now in extreme age, when he heard how the tyrant busied + himself, had a cave made and shut up in it his daughter Drota, giving her + due attendance, and providing her maintenance for a long time. Also he + committed to the cave some swords which had been adorned with the choicest + smith-craft, besides the royal household gear; so that he might not leave + the enemy to capture and use the sword, which he saw that he could not + wield himself. And, to prevent the cave being noticed by its height, he + levelled the hump down to the firmer ground. Then he set out to war; but + being unable with his aged limbs to go down into battle, he leaned on the + shoulders of his escort and walked forth propped by the steps of others. + So he perished in the battle, where he fought with more ardour than + success, and left his country a sore matter for shame. + </p> + <p> + For Gunnar, in order to punish the cowardice of the conquered race by + terms of extraordinary baseness, had a dog set over them as a governor. + What can we suppose to have been his object in this action, unless it were + to make a haughty nation feel that their arrogance was being more signally + punished when they bowed their stubborn heads before a yapping hound? To + let no insult be lacking, he appointed governors to look after public and + private affairs in its name; and he appointed separate ranks of nobles to + keep continual and steadfast watch over it. He also enacted that if any + one of the courtiers thought it contemptible to do allegiance to their + chief, and omitted offering most respectful homage to its various goings + and comings as it ran hither and thither, he should be punished with loss + of his limbs. Also Gunnar imposed on the nation a double tribute, one to + be paid out of the autumn harvest, the other in the spring. Thus he burst + the bubble conceit of the Norwegians, to make them feel clearly how their + pride was gone, when they saw it forced to do homage to a dog. + </p> + <p> + When he heard that the king's daughter was shut up in some distant + hiding-place, Gunnar strained his wits in every nerve to track her out. + Hence, while he was himself conducting the search with others, his + doubtful ear caught the distant sound of a subterranean hum. Then he went + on slowly, and recognized a human voice with greater certainty. He ordered + the ground underfoot to be dug down to the solid rock; and when the cave + was suddenly laid open, he saw the winding tunnels. The servants were + slain as they tried to guard the now uncovered entrance to the cave, and + the girl was dragged out of the hole, together with the booty therein + concealed. With great foresight, she had consigned at any rate her + father's swords to the protection of a more secret place. Gunnar forced + her to submit to his will, and she bore a son Hildiger. This man was such + a rival to his father in cruelty, that he was ever thirsting to kill, and + was bent on nothing but the destruction of men, panting with a boundless + lust for bloodshed. Outlawed by his father on account of his unbearable + ruthlessness, and soon after presented by Alver with a government, he + spent his whole life in arms, visiting his neighbours with wars and + slaughters; nor did he, in his estate of banishment, relax his accustomed + savagery a whir, but would not change his spirit with his habitation. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Borgar, finding that Gunnar had married Drota, the daughter of + Ragnald, by violence, took from him both life and wife, and wedded Drota + himself. She was not an unwilling bride; she thought it right for her to + embrace the avenger of her parent. For the daughter mourned her father, + and could never bring herself to submit with any pleasure to his murderer. + This woman and Borgar had a son Halfdan, who through all his early youth + was believed to be stupid, but whose later years proved illustrious for + the most glorious deeds, and famous for the highest qualities that can + grace life. Once, when a stripling, he mocked in boyish fashion at a + champion of noble repute, who smote him with a buffet; whereupon Halfdan + attacked him with the staff he was carrying and killed him. This deed was + an omen of his future honours; he had hitherto been held in scorn, but + henceforth throughout his life he had the highest honour and glory. The + affair, indeed, was a prophecy of the greatness of his deeds in war. + </p> + <p> + At this period, Rothe, a Ruthenian rover, almost destroyed our country + with his rapine and cruelty. His harshness was so notable that, while + other men spared their prisoners utter nakedness, he did not think it + uncomely to strip of their coverings even the privy parts of their bodies; + wherefore we are wont to this day to call all severe and monstrous acts of + rapine Rothe-Ran (Rothe's Robbery). He used also sometimes to inflict the + following kind of torture: Fastening the men's right feet firmly to the + earth, he tied the left feet to boughs for the purpose that when these + should spring back the body would be rent asunder. Hane, Prince of Funen, + wishing to win honour and glory, tried to attack this man with his + sea-forces, but took to flight with one attendant. It was in reproach of + him that the proverb arose: "The cock (Hane) fights better on its own + dunghill." Then Borgar, who could not bear to see his countrymen perishing + any longer, encountered Rothe. Together they fought and together they + perished. It is said that in this battle Halfdan was sorely stricken, and + was for some time feeble with the wounds he had received. One of these was + inflicted conspicuously on his mouth, and its scar was so manifest that it + remained as an open blotch when all the other wounds were healed; for the + crushed portion of the lip was so ulcerated by the swelling, that the + flesh would not grow out again and mend the noisome gash. This + circumstance fixed on him a most insulting nickname,... although wounds in + the front of the body commonly bring praise and not ignominy. So spiteful + a colour does the belief of the vulgar sometimes put upon men's virtues. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Gurid, the daughter of Alf, seeing that the royal line was + reduced to herself alone, and having no equal in birth whom she could + marry, proclaimed a vow imposing chastity on herself, thinking it better + to have no husband than to take one from the commons. Moreover, to escape + outrage, she guarded her room with a chosen band of champions. Once + Halfdan happened to come to see her. The champions, whose brother he had + himself slain in his boyhood, were away. He told her that she ought to + loose her virgin zone, and exchange her austere chastity for deeds of + love; that she ought not to give in so much to her inclination for modesty + as to be too proud to make a match, and so by her service repair the + fallen monarchy. So he bade her look on himself, who was of eminently + illustrious birth, in the light of a husband, since it appeared that she + would only admit pleasure for the reason he had named. Gurid answered that + she could not bring her mind to ally the remnants of the royal line to a + man of meaner rank. Not content with reproaching his obscure birth, she + also taunted his unsightly countenance. Halfdan rejoined that she brought + against him two faults: one that his blood was not illustrious enough; + another, that he was blemished with a cracked lip whose scar had never + healed. Therefore he would not come back to ask for her before he had + wiped away both marks of shame by winning glory in war. + </p> + <p> + Halfdan entreated her to suffer no man to be privy to her bed until she + heard certain tidings either of his return or his death. The champions, + whom he had bereaved of their brother long ago, were angry that he had + spoken to Gurid, and tried to ride after him as he went away. When he saw + it, he told his comrades to go into ambush, and said he would encounter + the champions alone. His followers lingered, and thought it shameful to + obey his orders, but he drove them off with threats, saying that Gurid + should not find that fear had made him refuse to fight. Presently he cut + down an oak-tree and fashioned it into a club, fought the twelve + single-handed, and killed them. After their destruction, not content with + the honours of so splendid an action, and meaning to do one yet greater, + he got from his mother the swords of his grandfather, one of which was + called Lyusing.... and the other Hwyting, after the sheen of its + well-whetted point. But when he heard that war was raging between Alver, + the King of Sweden, and the Ruthenians (Russians), he instantly went to + Russia, offered help to the natives, and was received by all with the + utmost honour. Alver was not far off, there being only a little ground to + cross to cover the distance between the two. Alver's soldier Hildiger, the + son of Gunnar, challenged the champions of the Ruthenians to fight him; + but when he saw that Halfdan was put up against him, though knowing well + that he was Halfdan's brother, he let natural feeling prevail over + courage, and said that he, who was famous for the destruction of seventy + champions, would not fight with an untried man. Therefore he told him to + measure himself in enterprises of lesser moment, and thenceforth to follow + pursuits fitted to his strength. He made this announcement not from + distrust in his own courage, but in order to preserve his uprightness; for + he was not only very valiant, but also skilled at blunting the sword with + spells. For when he remembered that Halfdan's father had slain his own, he + was moved by two feelings—the desire to avenge his father, and his + love for his brother. He therefore thought it better to retire from the + challenge than to be guilty of a very great crime. Halfdan demanded + another champion in his place, slew him when he appeared, and was soon + awarded the palm of valour even by the voice of the enemy, being accounted + by public acclamation the bravest of all. On the next day he asked for two + men to fight with, and slew them both. On the third day he subdued three; + on the fourth he overcame four who met him; and on the fifth he asked for + five. + </p> + <p> + When Halfdan conquered these, and when the eighth day had been reached + with an equal increase in the combatants and in the victory, he laid low + eleven who attacked him at once. Hildiger, seeing that his own record of + honours was equalled by the greatness of Halfdan's deeds could not bear to + decline to meet him any longer. And when he felt that Halfdan had dealt + him a deadly wound with a sword wrapped in rags, he threw away his arms, + and, lying on the earth, addressed his brother as follows: + </p> + <p> + "It is pleasing to pass an hour away in mutual talk; and, while the sword + rests, to sit a little on the ground and while away the time by speaking + in turn, and keep ourselves in good heart. Time is left for our purpose; + our two destinies have a different lot; one is surely doomed to die by a + fatal weird, while triumph and glory and all the good of living await the + other in better years. Thus our omens differ, and our portions are + distinguished. Thou art a son of the Danish land, I of the country of + Sweden. Once, Drota thy mother had her breast swell for thee; she bore me, + and by her I am thy foster-brother. Lo now, there perishes a righteous + offspring, who had the heart to fight with savage spears; brothers born of + a shining race charge and bring death on one another; while they long for + the height of power, they lose their days, and, having now received a + fatal mischief in their desire for a sceptre, they will go to Styx in a + common death. Fast by my head stands my Swedish shield, which is adorned + with (as) a fresh mirror of diverse chasing, and ringed with layers of + marvellous fretwork. There a picture of really hues shows slain nobles and + conquered champions, and the wars also and the notable deed of my right + hand. In the midst is to be seen, painted in bright relief, the figure of + my son, whom this hand bereft of his span of life. He was our only heir, + the only thought of his father's mind, and given to his mother with + comfort from above. An evil lot, which heaps years of ill-fortune on the + joyous, chokes mirth in mourning, and troubles our destiny. For it is + lamentable and wretched to drag out a downcast life, to draw breath + through dismal days and to chafe at foreboding. But whatsoever things are + bound by the prophetic order of the fates, whatsoever are shadowed in the + secrets of the divine plan, whatsoever are foreseen and fixed in the + course of the destinies, no change of what is transient shall cancel these + things." + </p> + <p> + When he had thus spoken, Halfdan condemned Hildiger for sloth in avowing + so late their bond of brotherhood; he declared he had kept silence that he + might not be thought a coward for refusing to fight, or a villain if he + fought; and while intent on these words of excuse, he died. But report had + given out among the Danes that Hildiger had overthrown Halfdan. After + this, Siwar, a Saxon of very high birth, began to be a suitor for Gurid, + the only survivor of the royal blood among the Danes. Secretly she + preferred Halfdan to him, and imposed on her wooer the condition that he + should not ask her in marriage till he had united into one body the + kingdom of the Danes, which was now torn limb from limb, and restored by + arms what had been wrongfully taken from her. Siwar made a vain attempt to + do this; but as he bribed all the guardians, she was at last granted to + him in betrothal. Halfdan heard of this in Russia through traders, and + voyaged so hard that he arrived before the time of the wedding-rites. On + their first day, before he went to the palace, he gave orders that his men + should not stir from the watches appointed them till their ears caught the + clash of the steel in the distance. Unknown to the guests, he came and + stood before the maiden, and, that he might not reveal his meaning to too + many by bare and common speech, he composed a dark and ambiguous song as + follows: + </p> + <p> + "As I left my father's sceptre, I had no fear of the wiles of woman's + device nor of female subtlety. + </p> + <p> + "When I overthrew, one and two, three and four, and soon five, and next + six, then seven, and also eight, yea eleven single-handed, triumphant in + battle. + </p> + <p> + "But neither did I then think that I was to be shamed with the taint of + disgrace, with thy frailness to thy word and thy beguiling pledges." + </p> + <p> + Gurid answered: "My soul wavered in suspense, with slender power over + events, and shifted about with restless fickleness. The report of thee was + so fleeting, so doubtful, borne on uncertain stories, and parched by + doubting heart. I feared that the years of thy youth had perished by the + sword. Could I withstand singly my elders and governors, when they forbade + me to refuse that thing, and pressed me to become a wife? My love and my + flame are both yet unchanged, they shall be mate and match to thine; nor + has my troth been disturbed, but shall have faithful approach to thee. + </p> + <p> + "For my promise has not yet beguiled thee at all, though I, being alone, + could not reject the counsel of such manifold persuasion, nor oppose their + stern bidding in the matter of my consent to the marriage bond." + </p> + <p> + Before the maiden had finished her answer, Halfdan had already run his + sword through the bridegroom. Not content with having killed one man, he + massacred most of the guests. Staggering tipsily backwards, the Saxons ran + at him, but his servants came up and slaughtered them. After this HALFDAN + took Gurid to wife. But finding in her the fault of barrenness, and + desiring much to have offspring, he went to Upsala in order to procure + fruitfulness for her; and being told in answer, that he must make + atonement to the shades of his brother if he would raise up children, he + obeyed the oracle, and was comforted by gaining his desire. For he had a + son by Gurid, to whom he gave the name of Harald. Under his title Halfdan + tried to restore the kingdom of the Danes to its ancient estate, as it was + torn asunder by the injuries of the chiefs; but, while fighting in + Zealand, he attacked Wesete, a very famous champion, in battle, and was + slain. Gurid was at the battle in man's attire, from love for her son. She + saw the event; the young man fought hotly, but his companions fled; and + she took him on her shoulders to a neighbouring wood. Weariness, more than + anything else, kept the enemy from pursuing him; but one of them shot him + as he hung, with an arrow, through the hinder parts, and Harald thought + that his mother's care brought him more shame than help. + </p> + <p> + HARALD, being of great beauty and unusual size, and surpassing those of + his age in strength and stature, received such favour from Odin (whose + oracle was thought to have been the cause of his birth), that steel could + not injure his perfect soundness. The result was, that shafts which + wounded others were disabled from doing him any harm. Nor was the boon + unrequited; for he is reported to have promised to Odin all the souls + which his sword cast out of their bodies. He also had his father's deeds + recorded for a memorial by craftsmen on a rock in Bleking, whereof I have + made mention. + </p> + <p> + After this, hearing that Wesete was to hold his wedding in Skaane, he went + to the feast disguised as a beggar; and when all were sunken in wine and + sleep, he battered the bride-chamber with a beam. But Wesete, without + inflicting a wound, so beat his mouth with a cudgel, that he took out two + teeth; but two grinders unexpectedly broke out afterwards and repaired + their loss: an event which earned him the name of Hyldetand, which some + declare he obtained on account of a prominent row of teeth. Here he slew + Wesete, and got the sovereignty of Skaane. Next he attacked and killed + Hather in Jutland; and his fall is marked by the lasting name of the town. + After this he overthrew Hunding and Rorik, seized Leire, and reunited the + dismembered realm of Denmark into its original shape. Then he found that + Asmund, the King of the Wikars, had been deprived of his throne by his + elder sister; and, angered by such presumption on the part of a woman, + went to Norway with a single ship, while the war was still undecided, to + help him. The battle began; and, clothed in a purple cloak, with a coif + broidered with gold, and with his hair bound up, he went against the enemy + trusting not in arms, but in his silent certainty of his luck, insomuch + that he seemed dressed more for a feast than a fray. But his spirit did + not match his attire. For, though unarmed and only adorned with his + emblems of royalty, he outstripped the rest who bore arms, and exposed + himself, lightly-armed as he was, to the hottest perils of the battle. For + the shafts aimed against him lost all power to hurt, as if their points + had been blunted. When the other side saw him fighting unarmed, they made + an attack, and were forced for very shame into assailing him more hotly. + But Harald, whole in body, either put them to the sword, or made them take + to flight; and thus he overthrew the sister of Asmund, and restored him + his kingdom. When Asmund offered him the prizes of victory, he said that + the reward of glory was enough by itself; and demeaned himself as greatly + in refusing the gifts as he had in earning them. By this he made all men + admire his self-restraint as much as his valour; and declared that the + victory should give him a harvest not of gold but glory. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Alver, the King of the Swedes, died leaving sons Olaf, Ing, and + Ingild. One of these, Ing, dissatisfied with the honours his father + bequeathed him, declared war with the Danes in order to extend his empire. + And when Harald wished to inquire of oracles how this war would end, an + old man of great height, but lacking one eye, and clad also in a hairy + mantle, appeared before him, and declared that he was called Odin, and was + versed in the practice of warfare; and he gave him the most useful + instruction how to divide up his army in the field. Now he told him, + whenever he was going to make war with his land-forces, to divide his + whole army into three squadrons, each of which he was to pack into twenty + ranks; the centre squadron, however, he was to extend further than the + rest by the number of twenty men. This squadron he was also to arrange in + the form of the point of a cone or pyramid, and to make the wings on + either side slant off obliquely from it. He was to compose the successive + ranks of each squadron in the following way: the front should begin with + two men, and the number in each succeeding rank should only increase by + one; he was, in fact, to post a rank of three in the second line, four in + the third, and so on behind. And thus, when the men mustered, all the + succeeding ranks were to be manned at the same rate of proportion, until + the end of (the edge that made) the junction of men came down to the + wings; each wing was to be drawn up in ten lines from that point. Likewise + after these squadrons he was to put the young men, equipped with lances, + and behind these to set the company of aged men, who would support their + comrades with what one might call a veteran valour if they faltered; next, + a skilful reckoner should attach wings of slingers to stand behind the + ranks of their fellows and attack the enemy from a distance with missiles. + After these he was to enroll men of any age or rank indiscriminately, + without heed of their estate. Moreover, he was to draw up the rear like + the vanguard, in three separated divisions, and arranged in ranks + similarly proportioned. The back of this, joining on to the body in front + would protect it by facing in the opposite direction. But if a sea-battle + happened to occur, he should withdraw a portion of his fleet, which when + he began the intended engagement, was to cruise round that of the enemy, + wheeling to and fro continually. Equipped with this system of warfare, he + forestalled matters in Sweden, and killed Ing and Olaf as they were making + ready to fight. Their brother Ingild sent messengers to beg a truce, on + pretence of his ill-health. Harald granted his request, that his own + valour, which had learnt to spare distress, might not triumph over a man + in the hour of lowliness and dejection. When Ingild afterwards provoked + Harald by wrongfully ravishing his sister, Harald vexed him with long and + indecisive war, but then took him into his friendship, thinking it better + to have him for ally than for enemy. + </p> + <p> + After this he heard that Olaf, King of the Thronds, had to fight with the + maidens Stikla and Rusila for the kingdom. Much angered at this arrogance + on the part of women, he went to Olaf unobserved, put on dress which + concealed the length of his teeth, and attacked the maidens. He overthrew + them both, leaving to two harbours a name akin to theirs. It was then that + he gave a notable exhibition of valour; for defended only by a shirt under + his shoulders, he fronted the spears with unarmed breast. + </p> + <p> + When Olaf offered Harald the prize of victory, he rejected the gift, thus + leaving it a question whether he had shown a greater example of bravery or + self-control. Then he attacked a champion of the Frisian nation, named + Ubbe, who was ravaging the borders of Jutland and destroying numbers of + the common people; and when Harald could not subdue him to his arms, he + charged his soldiers to grip him with their hands, throw him on the + ground, and to bind him while thus overpowered. Thus he only overcame the + man and mastered him by a shameful kind of attack, though a little before + he thought he would inflict a heavy defeat on him. But Harald gave him his + sister in marriage, and thus gained him for his soldier. + </p> + <p> + Harald made tributaries of the nations that lay along the Rhine, levying + troops from the bravest of that race. With these forces he conquered + Sclavonia in war, and caused its generals, Duk and Dal, because of their + bravery, to be captured, and not killed. These men he took to serve with + him, and, after overcoming Aquitania, soon went to Britain, where he + overthrew the King of the Humbrians, and enrolled the smartest of the + warriors he had conquered, the chief of whom was esteemed to be Orm, + surnamed the Briton. The fame of these deeds brought champions from divers + parts of the world, whom he formed into a band of mercenaries. + Strengthened by their numbers, he kept down insurrections in all kingdoms + by the terror of his name, so that he took out of their rulers all courage + to fight with one another. Moreover, no man durst assume any sovereignty + on the sea without his consent; for of old the state of the Danes had the + joint lordship of land and sea. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Ingild died in Sweden, leaving only a very little son, Ring, whom + he had by the sister of Harald. Harald gave the boy guardians, and put him + over his father's kingdom. Thus, when he had overcome princes and + provinces, he passed fifty years in peace. To save the minds of his + soldiers from being melted into sloth by this inaction, he decreed that + they should assiduously learn from the champions the way of parrying and + dealing blows. Some of these were skilled in a remarkable manner of + fighting, and used to smite the eyebrow on the enemy's forehead with an + infallible stroke; but if any man, on receiving the blow, blinked for + fear, twitching his eyebrow, he was at once expelled the court and + dismissed the service. + </p> + <p> + At this time Ole, the son of Siward and of Harald's sister, came to + Denmark from the land of Norway in the desire to see his uncle. Since it + is known that he had the first place among the followers of Harald, and + that after the Swedish war he came to the throne of Denmark, it bears + somewhat on the subject to relate the traditions of his deeds. Ole, then, + when he had passed his tenth to his fifteenth year with his father, showed + incredible proofs of his brilliant gifts both of mind and body. Moreover, + he was so savage of countenance that his eyes were like the arms of other + men against the enemy, and he terrified the bravest with his stern and + flashing glance. He heard the tidings that Gunn, ruler of Tellemark, with + his son Grim, was haunting as a robber the forest of Etha-scog, which was + thick with underbrush and full of gloomy glens. The offence moved his + anger; then he asked his father for a horse, a dog, and such armour as + could be got, and cursed his youth, which was suffering the right season + for valour to slip sluggishly away. He got what he asked, and explored the + aforesaid wood very narrowly. He saw the footsteps of a man printed deep + on the snow; for the rime was blemished by the steps, and betrayed the + robber's progress. Thus guided, he went over a hill, and came on a very + great river. This effaced the human tracks he had seen before, and he + determined that he must cross. But the mere mass of water, whose waves ran + down in a headlong torrent, seemed to forbid all crossing; for it was full + of hidden reefs, and the whole length of its channel was turbid with a + kind of whirl of foam. Yet all fear of danger was banished from Ole's mind + by his impatience to make haste. So valour conquered fear, and rashness + scorned peril; thinking nothing hard to do if it were only to his mind, he + crossed the hissing eddies on horseback. When he had passed these, he came + upon defiles surrounded on all sides with swamps, the interior of which + was barred from easy approach by the pinnacle of a bank in front. He took + his horse over this, and saw an enclosure with a number of stalls. Out of + this he turned many horses, and was minded to put in his own, when a + certain Tok, a servant of Gunn, angry that a stranger should wax so + insolent, attacked him fiercely; but Ole foiled his assailant by simply + opposing his shield. Thinking it a shame to slay the fellow with the + sword, he seized him, shattered him limb by limb, and flung him across + into the house whence he had issued in his haste. This insult quickly + aroused Gunn and Grim: they ran out by different side-doors, and charged + Ole both at once, despising his age and strength. He wounded them fatally; + and, when their bodily powers were quite spent, Grim, who could scarce + muster a final gasp, and whose force was almost utterly gone, with his + last pants composed this song: + </p> + <p> + "Though we be weak in frame, and the loss of blood has drained our + strength; since the life-breath, now drawn out by my wound, scarce quivers + softly in my pierced breast: + </p> + <p> + "I counsel that we should make the battle of our last hour glorious with + dauntless deeds, that none may say that a combat has anywhere been + bravelier waged or harder fought; + </p> + <p> + "And that our wild strife while we bore arms may, when our weary flesh has + found rest in the tomb, win us the wage of immortal fame. + </p> + <p> + "Let our first stroke crush the shoulder-blades of the foe, let our steel + cut off both his hands; so that, when Stygian Pluto has taken us, a like + doom may fall on Ole also, and a common death tremble over three, and one + urn cover the ashes of three." + </p> + <p> + Here Grim ended. But his father, rivalling his indomitable spirit, and + wishing to give some exhortation in answer to his son's valiant speech, + thus began: + </p> + <p> + "What though our veins be wholly bloodless, and in our frail body the life + be brief, yet our last fight be so strong and strenuous that it suffer not + the praise of us to be brief also. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore aim the javelin first at the shoulders and arms of the foe, so + that the work of his hands may be weakened; and thus when we are gone + three shall receive a common sepulchre, and one urn alike for three shall + cover our united dust." + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, both of them, resting on their knees (for the + approach of death had drained their strength), made a desperate effort to + fight Ole hand to hand, in order that, before they perished, they might + slay their enemy also; counting death as nothing if only they might + envelope their slayer in a common fall. Ole slew one of them with his + sword, the other with his hound. But even he gained no bloodless victory; + for though he had been hitherto unscathed, now at last he received a wound + in front. His dog diligently licked him over, and he regained his bodily + strength: and soon, to publish sure news of his victory, he hung the + bodies of the robbers upon gibbets in wide view. Moreover, he took the + stronghold, and put in secret keeping all the booty he found there, in + reserve for future use. + </p> + <p> + At this time the arrogant wantonness of the brothers Skate and Hiale waxed + so high that they would take virgins of notable beauty from their parents + and ravish them. Hence it came about that they formed the purpose of + seizing Esa, the daughter of Olaf, prince of the Werms; and bade her + father, if he would not have her serve the passion of a stranger, fight + either in person, or by some deputy, in defence of his child. When Ole had + news of this, he rejoiced in the chance of a battle, and borrowing the + attire of a peasant, went to the dwelling of Olaf. He received one of the + lowest places at table; and when he saw the household of the king in + sorrow, he called the king's son closer to him, and asked why they all + wore so lamentable a face. The other answered, that unless someone quickly + interposed to protect them, his sister's chastity would soon be outraged + by some ferocious champions. Ole next asked him what reward would be + received by the man who devoted his life for the maiden. Olaf, on his son + asking him about this matter, said that his daughter should go to the man + who fought for her: and these words, more than anything, made Ole long to + encounter the danger. + </p> + <p> + Now the maiden was wont to go from one guest to another in order to scan + their faces narrowly, holding out a light that she might have a surer view + of the dress and character of those who were entertained. It is also + believed that she divined their lineage from the lines and features of the + face, and could discern any man's birth by sheer shrewdness of vision. + When she stood and fixed the scrutiny of her gaze upon Olaf, she was + stricken with the strange awfulness of his eyes, and fell almost lifeless. + But when her strength came slowly back, and her breath went and came more + freely, she again tried to look at the young man, but suddenly slipped and + fell forward, as though distraught. A third time also she strove to lift + her closed and downcast gaze, but suddenly tottered and fell, unable not + only to move her eyes, but even to control her feet; so much can strength + be palsied by amazement. When Olaf saw it, he asked her why she had fallen + so often. She averred that she was stricken by the savage gaze of the + guest; that he was born of kings; and she declared that if he could baulk + the will of the ravishers, he was well worthy of her arms. Then all of + them asked Ole, who was keeping his face muffled in a hat, to fling off + his covering, and let them see something by which to learn his features. + Then, bidding them all lay aside their grief, and keep their heart far + from sorrow, he uncovered his brow; and he drew the eyes of all upon him + in marvel at his great beauty. For his locks were golden and the hair of + his head was radiant; but he kept the lids close over his pupils, that + they might not terrify the beholders. + </p> + <p> + All were heartened with the hope of better things; the guests seemed to + dance and the courtiers to leap for joy; the deepest melancholy seemed to + be scattered by an outburst of cheerfulness. Thus hope relieved their + fears; the banquet wore a new face, and nothing was the same, or like what + it had been before. So the kindly promise of a single guest dispelled the + universal terror. Meanwhile Hiale and Skate came up with ten servants, + meaning to carry off the maiden then and there, and disturbed all the + place with their noisy shouts. They called on the king to give battle, + unless he produced his daughter instantly. Ole at once met their frenzy + with the promise to fight, adding the condition that no one should + stealthily attack an opponent in the rear, but should only combat in the + battle face to face. Then, with his sword called Logthi, he felled them + all, single-handed—an achievement beyond his years. The ground for + the battle was found on an isle in the middle of a swamp, not far from + which is a stead that serves to memorise this slaughter, bearing the names + of the brothers Hiale and Skate together. + </p> + <p> + So the girl was given him as prize of the combat, and bore him a son + Omund. Then he gained his father-in-law's leave to revisit his father. But + when he heard that his country was being attacked by Thore, with the help + of Toste Sacrificer, and Leotar, surnamed.... he went to fight them, + content with a single servant, who was dressed as a woman. When he was + near the house of Thore, he concealed his own and his attendant's swords + in hollowed staves. And when he entered the palace, he disguised his true + countenance, and feigned to be a man broken with age. He said that with + Siward he had been king of the beggars, but that he was now in exile, + having been stubbornly driven forth by the hatred of the king's son Ole. + Presently many of the courtiers greeted him with the name of king, and + began to kneel and offer him their hands in mockery. He told them to bear + out in deeds what they had done in jest; and, plucking out the swords + which he and his man kept shut in their staves, attacked the king. So some + aided Ole, taking it more as jest than earnest, and would not be false to + the loyalty which they mockingly yielded him; but most of them, breaking + their idle vow, took the side of Thore. Thus arose an internecine and + undecided fray. At last Thore was overwhelmed and slain by the arms of his + own folk, as much as by these of his guests; and Leotar, wounded to the + death, and judging that his conqueror, Ole, was as keen in mind as he was + valorous in deeds, gave him the name of the Vigorous, and prophesied that + he should perish by the same kind of trick as he had used with Thore; for, + without question he should fall by the treachery of his own house. And, as + he spoke, he suddenly passed away. Thus we can see that the last speech of + the dying man expressed by its shrewd divination the end that should come + upon his conqueror. + </p> + <p> + After these deeds Ole did not go back to his father till he had restored + peace to his house. His father gave him the command of the sea, and he + destroyed seventy sea-kings in a naval battle. The most distinguished + among these were Birwil and Hwirwil, Thorwil, Nef and Onef, Redward (?), + Rand and Erand (?). By the honour and glory of this exploit he excited + many champions, whose whole heart's desire was for bravery, to join in + alliance with him. He also enrolled into a bodyguard the wild young + warriors who were kindled with a passion for glory. Among these he + received Starkad with the greatest honour, and cherished him with more + friendship than profit. Thus fortified, he checked, by the greatness of + his name, the wantonness of the neighbouring kings, in that he took from + them all their forces and all liking and heart for mutual warfare. + </p> + <p> + After this he went to Harald, who made him commander of the sea; and at + last he was transferred to the service of Ring. At this time one Brun was + the sole partner and confidant of all Harald's councils. To this man both + Harald and Ring, whenever they needed a secret messenger, used to entrust + their commissions. This degree of intimacy he obtained because he had been + reared and fostered with them. But Brun, amid the toils of his constant + journeys to and fro, was drowned in a certain river; and Odin, disguised + under his name and looks, shook the close union of the kings by his + treacherous embassage; and he sowed strife so guilefully that he + engendered in men, who were bound by friendship and blood, a bitter mutual + hate, which seemed unappeasable except by war. Their dissensions first + grew up silently; at last both sides betrayed their leanings, and their + secret malice burst into the light of day. So they declared their feuds, + and seven years passed in collecting the materials of war. Some say that + Harald secretly sought occasions to destroy himself, not being moved by + malice or jealousy for the crown, but by a deliberate and voluntary + effort. His old age and his cruelty made him a burden to his subjects; he + preferred the sword to the pangs of disease, and liked better to lay down + his life in the battle-field than in his bed, that he might have an end in + harmony with the deeds of his past life. Thus, to make his death more + illustrious, and go to the nether world in a larger company, he longed to + summon many men to share his end; and he therefore of his own will + prepared for war, in order to make food for future slaughter. For these + reasons, being seized with as great a thirst to die himself as to kill + others, and wishing the massacre on both sides to be equal, he furnished + both sides with equal resources; but let Ring have a somewhat stronger + force, preferring he should conquer and survive him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) A parallel is the Lionel-Lancelot story of children saved by + being turned into dogs. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK EIGHT. + </h2> + <p> + STARKAD was the first to set in order in Danish speech the history of the + Swedish war, a conflict whereof he was himself a mighty pillar; the said + history being rather an oral than a written tradition. He set forth and + arranged the course of this war in the mother tongue according to the + fashion of our country; but I purpose to put it into Latin, and will first + recount the most illustrious princes on either side. For I have felt no + desire to include the multitude, which are even past exact numbering. And + my pen shall relate first those on the side of Harald, and presently those + who served under Ring. + </p> + <p> + Now the most famous of the captains that mustered to Harald are + acknowledged to have been Sweyn and Sambar (Sam?), Ambar and Elli; Rati of + Funen, Salgard and Roe (Hrothgar), whom his long beard distinguished by a + nickname. Besides these, Skalk the Scanian, and Alf the son of Agg; to + whom are joined Olwir the Broad, and Gnepie the Old. Besides these there + was Gardh, founder of the town Stang. To these are added the kinsfolk or + bound followers of Harald: Blend (Blaeng?), the dweller in furthest Thule, + (1) and Brand, whose surname was Crumb (Bitling?). Allied with these were + Thorguy, with Thorwig, Tatar (Teit), and Hialte. These men voyaged to + Leire with bodies armed for war; but they were also mighty in excellence + of wit, and their trained courage matched their great stature; for they + had skill in discharging arrows both from bow and catapult, and at + fighting their foe as they commonly did, man to man; and also at readily + stringing together verse in the speech of their country: so zealously had + they trained mind and body alike. Now out of Leire came Hortar (Hjort) and + Borrhy (Borgar or Borgny), and also Belgi and Beigad, to whom were added + Bari and Toli. Now out of the town of Sle, under the captains Hetha (Heid) + and Wisna, with Hakon Cut-cheek came Tummi the Sailmaker. On these + captains, who had the bodies of women, nature bestowed the souls of men. + Webiorg was also inspired with the same spirit, and was attended by Bo + (Bui) Bramason and Brat the Jute, thirsting for war. In the same throng + came Orm of England, Ubbe the Frisian, Ari the One-eyed, and Alf Gotar. + Next in the count came Dal the Fat and Duk the Sclav; Wisna, a woman, + filled with sternness, and a skilled warrior, was guarded by a band of + Sclavs: her chief followers were Barri and Gnizli. But the rest of the + same company had their bodies covered by little shields, and used very + long swords and targets of skiey hue, which, in time of war, they either + cast behind their backs or gave over to the baggage-bearers; while they + cast away all protection to their breasts, and exposed their bodies to + every peril, offering battle with drawn swords. The most illustrious of + these were Tolkar and Ymi. After these, Toki of the province of Wohin was + conspicuous together with Otrit surnamed the Young. Hetha, guarded by a + retinue of very active men, brought an armed company to the war, the + chiefs of whom were Grim and Grenzli; next to whom are named Geir the + Livonian, Hame also and Hunger, Humbli and Biari, bravest of the princes. + These men often fought duels successfully, and won famous victories far + and wide. + </p> + <p> + The maidens I have named, in fighting as well as courteous array, led + their land-forces to the battle-field. Thus the Danish army mustered + company by company. There were seven kings, equal in spirit but differing + in allegiance, some defending Harald, and some Ring. Moreover, the + following went to the side of Harald: Homi and Hosathul (Eysothul?), + Him...., Hastin and Hythin (Hedin) the Slight, also Dahar (Dag), named + Grenski, and Harald Olafsson also. From the province of Aland came Har and + Herlewar (Herleif), with Hothbrodd, surnamed the Furious; these fought in + the Danish camp. But from Imisland arrived Humnehy (?) and Harald. They + were joined by Haki and by Sigmund and Serker the sons of Bemon, all + coming from the North. All these were retainers of the king, who + befriended them most generously; for they were held in the highest + distinction by him, receiving swords adorned with gold, and the choicest + spoils of war. There came also.... the sons of Gandal the old, who were in + the intimate favour of Harald by reason of ancient allegiance. Thus the + sea was studded with the Danish fleet, and seemed to interpose a bridge, + uniting Zealand to Skaane. To those that wished to pass between those + provinces, the sea offered a short road on foot over the dense mass of + ships. But Harald would not have the Swedes unprepared in their + arrangements for war, and sent men to Ring to carry his public declaration + of hostilities, and notify the rupture of the mediating peace. The same + men were directed to prescribe the place of combat. These then whom I have + named were the fighters for Harald. + </p> + <p> + Now, on the side of Ring were numbered Ulf, Aggi (Aki?), Windar (Eywind?), + Egil the One-eyed; Gotar, Hildi, Guti Alfsson; Styr the Stout, and (Tolo-) + Stein, who lived by the Wienic Mere. To these were joined Gerd the Glad + and Gromer (Glum?) from Wermland. After these are reckoned the dwellers + north on the Elbe, Saxo the Splitter, Sali the Goth; Thord the Stumbler, + Throndar Big-nose; Grundi, Oddi, Grindir, Tovi; Koll, Biarki, Hogni the + Clever, Rokar the Swart. Now these scorned fellowship with the common + soldiers, and had formed themselves into a separate rank apart from the + rest of the company. Besides these are numbered Hrani Hildisson and Lyuth + Guthi (Hljot Godi), Svein the Topshorn, (Soknarsoti?), Rethyr (Hreidar?) + Hawk, and Rolf the Uxorious (Woman-lover). Massed with these were Ring + Adilsson and Harald who came from Thotn district. Joined to these were + Walstein of Wick, Thorolf the Thick, Thengel the Tall, Hun, Solwe, Birwil + the Pale, Borgar and Skumbar (Skum). But from, Tellemark came the bravest + of all, who had most courage but least arrogance—Thorleif the + Stubborn, Thorkill the Gute (Gothlander), Grettir the Wicked and the Lover + of Invasions. Next to these came Hadd the Hard and Rolder (Hroald) + Toe-joint. + </p> + <p> + From Norway we have the names of Thrand of Throndhjem, Thoke (Thore) of + More, Hrafn the White, Haf (war), Biarni, Blihar (Blig?) surnamed + Snub-nosed; Biorn from the district of Sogni; Findar (Finn) born in the + Firth; Bersi born in the town F(I)alu; Siward Boarhead, Erik the + Story-teller, Holmstein the White, Hrut Rawi (or Vafi, the Doubter), + Erling surnamed Snake. Now from the province of Jather came Odd the + Englishman, Alf the Far-wanderer, Enar the Paunched, and Ywar surnamed + Thriug. Now from Thule (Iceland) came Mar the Red, born and bred in the + district called Midfirth; Grombar the Aged, Gram Brundeluk (Bryndalk?) + Grim from the town of Skier (um) born in Skagafiord. Next came Berg the + Seer, accompanied by Bragi and Rafnkel. + </p> + <p> + Now the bravest of the Swedes were these: Arwakki, Keklu-Karl + (Kelke-Karl), Krok the Peasant, (from Akr), Gudfast and Gummi from + Gislamark. These were kindred of the god Frey, and most faithful witnesses + to the gods. Ingi (Yngwe) also, and Oly, Alver, Folki, all sons of Elrik + (Alrek), embraced the service of Ring; they were men ready of hand, quick + in counsel, and very close friends of Ring. They likewise held the god + Frey to be the founder of their race. Amongst these from the town of + Sigtun also came Sigmund, a champion advocate, versed in making contracts + of sale and purchase; besides him Frosti surnamed Bowl: allied with him + was Alf the Lofty (Proud?) from the district of Upsala; this man was a + swift spear-thrower, and used to go in the front of the battle. + </p> + <p> + Ole had a body-guard in which were seven kings, very ready of hand and of + counsel; namely, Holti, Hendil, Holmar, Lewy (Leif), and Hame; with these + was enrolled Regnald the Russian, the grandson of Radbard; and Siwald also + furrowed the sea with eleven light ships. Lesy (Laesi), the conqueror of + the Pannonians (Huns), fitted with a sail his swift galley ringed with + gold. Thririkar (Erik Helsing) sailed in a ship whose prows were twisted + like a dragon. Also Thrygir (Tryggve) and Torwil sailed and brought twelve + ships jointly. In the entire fleet of Ring there were 2,500 ships. + </p> + <p> + The fleet of Gotland was waiting for the Swedish fleet in the harbour + named Garnum. So Ring led the land-force, while Ole was instructed to + command the fleet. Now the Goths were appointed a time and a place between + Wik and Werund for the conflict with the Swedes. Then was the sea to be + seen furrowed up with prows, and the canvas unfurled upon the masts cut + off the view over the ocean. The Danes had so far been distressed with bad + weather; but the Swedish fleet had a fair voyage, and had reached the + scene of battle earlier. Here Ring disembarked his forces from his fleet, + and then massed and prepared to draw up in line both these and the army he + had himself conducted overland. When these forces were at first loosely + drawn up over the open country, it was found that one wing reached all the + way to Werund. The multitude was confused in its places and ranks; but the + king rode round it, and posted in the van all the smartest and most + excellently-armed men, led by Ole, Regnald, and Wivil; then he massed the + rest of the army on the two wings in a kind of curve. Ung, with the sons + of Alrek, and Trig, he ordered to protect the right wing, while the left + was put under the command of Laesi. Moreover, the wings and the masses + were composed mainly of a close squadron of Kurlanders and of Esthonians. + Last stood the line of slingers. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the Danish fleet, favoured by kindly winds, sailed, without + stopping, for twelve days, and came to the town (stead) of Kalmar. The + wind-blown sails covering the waters were a marvel; and the canvas + stretched upon the yards blotted out the sight of the heavens. For the + fleet was augmented by the Sclavs and the Livonians and 7,000 Saxons. But + the Skanians, knowing the country, were appointed as guides and scouts to + those who were going over the dry land. So when the Danish army came upon + the Swedes, who stood awaiting them, Ring told his men to stand quietly + until Harald had drawn up his line of battle; bidding them not to sound + the signal before they saw the king settled in his chariot beside the + standards; for he said he should hope that an army would soon come to + grief which trusted in the leading of a blind man. Harald, moreover, he + said, had been seized in extreme age with the desire of foreign empire, + and was as witless as he was sightless; wealth could not satisfy a man + who, if he looked to his years, ought to be well-nigh contented with a + grave. The Swedes therefore were bound to fight for their freedom, their + country, and their children, while the enemy had undertaken the war in + rashness and arrogance. Moreover, on the other side, there were very few + Danes, but a mass of Saxons and other unmanly peoples stood arrayed. + Swedes and Norwegians should therefore consider, how far the multitudes of + the North had always surpassed the Germans and the Sclavs. They should + therefore despise an army which seemed to be composed more of a mass of + fickle offscourings than of a firm and stout soldiery. + </p> + <p> + By this harangue of King Ring he kindled high the hearts of the soldiers. + Now Brun, being instructed to form the line on Harald's behalf, made the + front in a wedge, posting Hetha on the right flank, putting Hakon in + command of the left, and making Wisna standard-bearer. Harald stood up in + his chariot and complained, in as loud a voice as he could, that Ring was + requiting his benefits with wrongs; that the man who had got his kingdom + by Harald's own gift was now attacking him; so that Ring neither pitied an + old man nor spared an uncle, but set his own ambitions before any regard + for Harald's kinship or kindness. So he bade the Danes remember how they + had always won glory by foreign conquest, and how they were more wont to + command their neighbours than to obey them. He adjured them not to let + such glory as theirs to be shaken by the insolence of a conquered nation, + nor to suffer the empire, which he had won in the flower of his youth, to + be taken from him in his outworn age. + </p> + <p> + Then the trumpets sounded, and both sides engaged in battle with all their + strength. The sky seemed to fall suddenly on the earth, fields and woods + to sink into the ground; all things were confounded, and old Chaos come + again; heaven and earth mingling in one tempestuous turmoil, and the world + rushing to universal ruin. For, when the spear-throwing began, the + intolerable clash of arms filled the air with an incredible thunder. The + steam of the wounds suddenly hung a mist over the sky, the daylight was + hidden under the hail of spears. The help of the slingers was of great use + in the battle. But when the missiles had all been flung from hand or + engines, they fought with swords or iron-shod maces; and it was now at + close quarters that most blood was spilt. Then the sweat streamed down + their weary bodies, and the clash of the swords could be heard afar. + </p> + <p> + Starkad, who was the first to set forth the history of this war in the + telling, fought foremost in the fray, and relates that he overthrew the + nobles of Harald, Hun and Elli, Hort and Burgha, and cut off the right + hand of Wisna. He also relates that one Roa, with two others, Gnepie and + Gardar, fell wounded by him in the field. To these he adds the father of + Skalk, whose name is not given. He also declares that he cast Hakon, the + bravest of the Danes, to the earth, but received from him such a wound in + return that he had to leave the war with his lung protruding from his + chest, his neck cleft to the centre, and his hand deprived of one finger; + so that he long had a gaping wound, which seemed as if it would never + either scar over or be curable. The same man witnesses that the maiden + Weghbiorg (Webiorg) fought against the enemy and felled Soth the champion. + While she was threatening to slay more champions, she was pierced through + by an arrow from the bowstring of Thorkill, a native of Tellemark. For the + skilled archers of the Gotlanders strung their bows so hard that the + shafts pierced through even the shields; nothing proved more murderous; + for the arrow-points made their way through hauberk and helmet as if they + were men's defenceless bodies. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Ubbe the Frisian, who was the readiest of Harald's soldiers, and + of notable bodily stature, slew twenty-five picked champions, besides + eleven whom he had wounded in the field. All these were of Swedish or + Gothic blood. Then he attacked the vanguard and burst into the thickest of + the enemy, driving the Swedes struggling in a panic every way with spear + and sword. It had all but come to a flight, when Hagder (Hadd), Rolder + (Hroald), and Grettir attacked the champion, emulating his valour, and + resolving at their own risk to retrieve the general ruin. But, fearing to + assault him at close quarters, they accomplished their end with arrows + from afar; and thus Ubbe was riddled by a shower of arrows, no one daring + to fight him hand to hand. A hundred and forty-four arrows had pierced the + breast of the warrior before his bodily strength failed and he bent his + knee to the earth. Then at last the Danes suffered a great defeat, owing + to the Thronds and the dwellers in the province of Dala. For the battle + began afresh by reason of the vast mass of the archers, and nothing + damaged our men more. + </p> + <p> + But when Harald, being now blind with age, heard the lamentable murmur of + his men, he perceived that fortune had smiled on his enemies. So, as he + was riding in a chariot armed with scythes, he told Brun, who was + treacherously acting as charioteer, to find out in what manner Ring had + his line drawn up. Brun's face relaxed into something of a smile, and he + answered that he was fighting with a line in the form of a wedge. When the + king heard this he began to be alarmed, and to ask in great astonishment + from whom Ring could have learnt this method of disposing his line, + especially as Odin was the discoverer and imparter of this teaching, and + none but himself had ever learnt from him this new pattern of warfare. At + this Brun was silent, and it came into the king's mind that here was Odin, + and that the god whom he had once known so well was now disguised in a + changeful shape, in order either to give help or withhold it. Presently he + began to beseech him earnestly to grant the final victory to the Danes, + since he had helped them so graciously before, and to fill up his last + kindness to the measure of the first; promising to dedicate to him as a + gift the spirits of all who fell. But Brun, utterly unmoved by his + entreaties, suddenly jerked the king out of the chariot, battered him to + the earth, plucked the club from him as he fell, whirled it upon his head, + and slew him with his own weapon. Countless corpses lay round the king's + chariot, and the horrid heap overtopped the wheels; the pile of carcases + rose as high as the pole. For about 12,000 of the nobles of Ring fell upon + the field. But on the side of Harald about 30,000 nobles fell, not to name + the slaughter of the commons. + </p> + <p> + When Ring heard that Harald was dead, he gave the signal to his men to + break up their line and cease fighting. Then under cover of truce he made + treaty with the enemy, telling them that it was vain to prolong the fray + without their captain. Next he told the Swedes to look everywhere among + the confused piles of carcases for the body of Harald, that the corpse of + the king might not wrongfully lack its due rights. So the populace set + eagerly to the task of turning over the bodies of the slain, and over this + work half the day was spent. At last the body was found with the club, and + he thought that propitiation should be made to the shade of Harald. So he + harnessed the horse on which he rode to the chariot of the king, decked it + honourably with a golden saddle, and hallowed it in his honour. Then he + proclaimed his vows, and added his prayer that Harald would ride on this + and outstrip those who shared his death in their journey to Tartarus; and + that he would pray Pluto, the lord of Orcus, to grant a calm abode there + for friend and foe. Then he raised a pyre, and bade the Danes fling on the + gilded chariot of their king as fuel to the fire. And while the flames + were burning the body cast upon them, he went round the mourning nobles + and earnestly charged them that they should freely give arms, gold, and + every precious thing to feed the pyre in honour of so great a king, who + had deserved so nobly of them all. He also ordered that the ashes of his + body, when it was quite burnt, should be transferred to an urn, taken to + Leire, and there, together with the horse and armour, receive a royal + funeral. By paying these due rites of honour to his uncle's shade, he won + the favour of the Danes, and turned the hate of his enemies into goodwill. + Then the Danes besought him to appoint Hetha over the remainder of the + realm; but, that the fallen strength of the enemy might not suddenly + rally, he severed Skaane from the mass of Denmark, and put it separately + under the governorship of Ole, ordering that only Zealand and the other + lands of the realm should be subject to Hetha. Thus the changes of fortune + brought the empire of Denmark under the Swedish rule. So ended the Bravic + war. + </p> + <p> + But the Zealanders, who had had Harald for their captain, and still had + the picture of their former fortune hovering before their minds, thought + it shameful to obey the rule of a woman, and appealed to OLE not to suffer + men that had been used to serve under a famous king to be kept under a + woman's yoke. They also promised to revolt to him if he would take up arms + to remove their ignominious lot. Ole, tempted as much by the memory of his + ancestral glory as by the homage of the soldiers, was not slow to answer + their entreaties. So he summoned Hetha, and forced her by threats rather + than by arms to quit every region under her control except Jutland; and + even Jutland he made a tributary state, so as not to allow a woman the + free control of a kingdom. He also begot a son whom he named Omund. But he + was given to cruelty, and showed himself such an unrighteous king, that + all who had found it a shameful thing to be ruled by a queen now repented + of their former scorn. + </p> + <p> + Twelve generals, whether moved by the disasters of their country, or + hating Ole for some other reason, began to plot against his life. Among + these were Hlenni, Atyl, Thott, and Withne, the last of whom was a Dane by + birth, though he held a government among the Sclavs. Moreover, not + trusting in their strength and their cunning to accomplish their deed, + they bribed Starkad to join them. He was prevailed to do the deed with the + sword; he undertook the bloody work, and resolved to attack the king while + at the bath. In he went while the king was washing, but was straightway + stricken by the keenness of his gaze and by the restless and quivering + glare of his eyes. His limbs were palsied with sudden dread; he paused, + stepped back, and stayed his hand and his purpose. Thus he who had + shattered the arms of so many captains and champions could not bear the + gaze of a single unarmed man. But Ole, who well knew about his own + countenance, covered his face, and asked him to come closer and tell him + what his message was; for old fellowship and long-tried friendship made + him the last to suspect treachery. But Starkad drew his sword, leapt + forward, thrust the king through, and struck him in the throat as he tried + to rise. One hundred and twenty marks of gold were kept for his reward. + Soon afterwards he was smitten with remorse and shame, and lamented his + crime so bitterly, that he could not refrain from tears if it happened to + be named. Thus his soul, when he came to his senses, blushed for his + abominable sin. Moreover, to atone for the crime he had committed, he slew + some of those who had inspired him to it, thus avenging the act to which + he had lent his hand. + </p> + <p> + Now the Danes made OMUND, the son of Ole, king, thinking that more heed + should be paid to his father's birth than to his deserts. Omund, when he + had grown up, fell in nowise behind the exploits of his father; for he + made it his aim to equal or surpass the deeds of Ole. + </p> + <p> + At this time a considerable tribe of the Northmen (Norwegians) was + governed by Ring, and his daughter Esa's great fame commended her to + Omund, who was looking out for a wife. + </p> + <p> + But his hopes of wooing her were lessened by the peculiar inclination of + Ring, who desired no son-in-law but one of tried valour; for he found as + much honour in arms as others think lies in wealth. Omund therefore, + wishing to become famous in that fashion, and to win the praise of valour, + endeavoured to gain his desire by force, and sailed to Norway with a + fleet, to make an attempt on the throne of Ring under plea of hereditary + right. Odd, the chief of Jather, who declared that Ring had assuredly + seized his inheritance, and lamented that he harried him with continual + wrongs, received Omund kindly. Ring, in the meantime, was on a roving raid + in Ireland, so that Omund attacked a province without a defender. Sparing + the goods of the common people, he gave the private property of Ring over + to be plundered, and slew his kinsfolk; Odd also having joined his forces + to Omund. Now, among all his divers and manifold deeds, he could never + bring himself to attack an inferior force, remembering that he was the son + of a most valiant father, and that he was bound to fight armed with + courage, and not with numbers. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Ring had returned from roving; and when Omund heard he was back, + he set to and built a vast ship, whence, as from a fortress, he could rain + his missiles on the enemy. To manage this ship he enlisted Homod and Thole + the rowers, the soils of Atyl the Skanian, one of whom was instructed to + act as steersman, while the other was to command at the prow. Ring lacked + neither skill nor dexterity to encounter them. For he showed only a small + part of his forces, and caused the enemy to be attacked on the rear. + Omund, when told of his strategy by Odd, sent men to overpower those + posted in ambush, telling Atyl the Skanian to encounter Ring. The order + was executed with more rashness than success; and Atyl, with his power + defeated and shattered, fled beaten to Skaane. Then Omund recruited his + forces with the help of Odd, and drew up his fleet to fight on the open + sea. + </p> + <p> + Atyl at this time had true visions of the Norwegian war in his dreams, and + started on his voyage in order to make up for his flight as quickly as + possible, and delighted Omund by joining him on the eve of battle. + Trusting in his help, Omund began to fight with equal confidence and + success. For, by fighting himself, he retrieved the victory which he had + lost when his servants were engaged. Ring, wounded to the death, gazed at + him with faint eyes, and, beckoning to him with his hand, as well as he + could—for his voice failed him—he besought him to be his + son-in-law, saying that he would gladly meet his end if he left his + daughter to such a husband. Before he could receive an answer he died. + Omund wept for his death, and gave Homod, whose trusty help he had + received in the war, in marriage to one of the daughters of Ring, taking + the other himself. + </p> + <p> + At the same time the amazon Rusla, whose prowess in warfare exceeded the + spirit of a woman, had many fights in Norway with her brother, Thrond, for + the sovereignty. She could not endure that Omund rule over the Norwegians, + and she had declared war against all the subjects of the Danes. Omund, + when he heard of this, commissioned his most active men to suppress the + rising. Rusla conquered them, and, waxing haughty on her triumph, was + seized with overweening hopes, and bent her mind upon actually acquiring + the sovereignty of Denmark. She began her attack on the region of Halland, + but was met by Homod and Thode, whom the king had sent over. Beaten, she + retreated to her fleet, of which only thirty ships managed to escape, the + rest being taken by the enemy. Thrond encountered his sister as she was + eluding the Danes, but was conquered by her and stripped of his entire + army; he fled over the Dovrefjeld without a single companion. Thus she, + who had first yielded before the Danes, soon overcame her brother, and + turned her flight into a victory. When Omund heard of this, he went back + to Norway with a great fleet, first sending Homod and Thole by a short and + secret way to rouse the people of Tellemark against the rule of Rusla. The + end was that she was driven out of her kingdom by the commons, fled to the + isles for safety, and turned her back, without a blow, upon the Danes as + they came up. The king pursued her hotly, caught up her fleet on the sea, + and utterly destroyed it, the enemy suffered mightily, and he won a + bloodless victory and splendid spoils. But Rusla escaped with a very few + ships, and rowed ploughing the waves furiously; but, while she was + avoiding the Danes, she met her brother and was killed. So much more + effectual for harm are dangers unsurmised; and chance sometimes makes the + less alarming evil worse than that which threatens. The king gave Thrond a + governorship for slaying his sister, put the rest under tribute, and + returned home. + </p> + <p> + At this time Thorias (?) and Ber (Biorn), the most active of the soldiers + of Rusla, were roving in Ireland; but when they heard of the death of + their mistress, whom they had long ago sworn to avenge, they hotly + attacked Omund, and challenged him to a duel, which it used to be + accounted shameful for a king to refuse; for the fame of princes of old + was reckoned more by arms than by riches. So Homod and Thole came forward, + offering to meet in battle the men who had challenged the king. Omund + praised them warmly, but at first declined for very shame to allow their + help. At last, hard besought by his people, he brought himself to try his + fortune by the hand of another. We are told that Ber fell in this combat, + while Thorias left the battle severely wounded. The king, having first + cured him of his wounds, took him into his service, and made him prince + (earl) over Norway. Then he sent ambassadors to exact the usual tribute + from the Sclavs; these were killed, and he was even attacked in Jutland by + a Sclavish force; but he overcame seven kings in a single combat, and + ratified by conquest his accustomed right to tribute. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Starkad, who was now worn out with extreme age, and who seemed + to be past military service and the calling of a champion, was loth to + lose his ancient glory through the fault of eld, and thought it would be a + noble thing if he could make a voluntary end, and hasten his death by his + own free will. Having so often fought nobly, he thought it would be mean + to die a bloodless death; and, wishing to enhance the glory of his past + life by the lustre of his end, he preferred to be slain by some man of + gallant birth rather than await the tardy shaft of nature. So shameful was + it thought that men devoted to war should die by disease. His body was + weak, and his eyes could not see clearly, so that he hated to linger any + more in life. In order to buy himself an executioner, he wore hanging on + his neck the gold which he had earned for the murder of Ole; thinking + there was no fitter way of atoning for the treason he had done than to + make the price of Ole's death that of his own also, and to spend on the + loss of his own life what he had earned by the slaying of another. This, + he thought, would be the noblest use he could make of that shameful price. + So he girded him with two swords, and guided his powerless steps leaning + on two staves. + </p> + <p> + One of the common people, seeing him, thinking two swords superfluous for + the use of an old man, mockingly asked him to make him a present of one of + them. Starkad, holding out hopes of consent, bade him come nearer, drew + the sword from his side, and ran him through. This was seen by a certain + Hather, whose father Hlenne Starkad had once killed in repentance for his + own impious crime. Hatfier was hunting game with his dogs, but now gave + over the chase, and bade two of his companions spur their horses hard and + charge at the old man to frighten him. They galloped forward, and tried to + make off, but were stopped by the staves of Starkad, and paid for it with + their lives. Hather, terrified by the sight, galloped up closer, and saw + who the old man was, but without being recognized by him in turn; and + asked him if he would like to exchange his sword for a carriage. Starkad + replied that he used in old days to chastise jeerers, and that the + insolent had never insulted him unpunished. But his sightless eyes could + not recognize the features of the youth; so he composed a song, wherein he + should declare the greatness of his anger, as follows: + </p> + <p> + "As the unreturning waters sweep down the channel; so, as the years run + by, the life of man flows on never to come back; fast gallops the cycle of + doom, child of old age who shall make an end of all. Old age smites alike + the eyes and the steps of men, robs the warrior of his speech and soul, + tarnishes his fame by slow degrees, and wipes out his deeds of honour. It + seizes his failing limbs, chokes his panting utterance, and numbs his + nimble wit. When a cough is taken, when the skin itches with the scab, and + the teeth are numb and hollow, and the stomach turns squeamish,—then + old age banishes the grace of youth, covers the complexion with decay, and + sows many a wrinkle in the dusky skin. Old age crushes noble arts, brings + down the memorials of men of old, and scorches ancient glories up; + shatters wealth, hungrily gnaws away the worth and good of virtue, turns + athwart and disorders all things. + </p> + <p> + "I myself have felt the hurtful power of injurious age, I, dim-sighted, + and hoarse in my tones and in my chest; and all helpful things have turned + to my hurt. Now my body is less nimble, and I prop it up, leaning my faint + limbs on the support of staves. Sightless I guide my steps with two + sticks, and follow the short path which the rod shows me, trusting more in + the leading of a stock than in my eyes. None takes any charge of me, and + no man in the ranks brings comfort to the veteran, unless, perchance, + Hather is here, and succours his shattered friend. Whomsoever Hather once + thinks worthy of his duteous love, that man he attends continually with + even zeal, constant to his purpose, and fearing to break his early ties. + He also often pays fit rewards to those that have deserved well in war, + and fosters their courage; he bestows dignities on the brave, and honours + his famous friends with gifts. Free with his wealth, he is fain to + increase with bounty the brightness of his name, and to surpass many of + the mighty. Nor is he less in war: his strength is equal to his goodness; + he is swift in the fray, slow to waver, ready to give battle; and he + cannot turn his back when the foe bears him hard. But for me, if I + remember right, fate appointed at my birth that wars I should follow and + in war I should die, that I should mix in broils, watch in arms, and pass + a life of bloodshed. I was a man of camps, and rested not; hating peace, I + grew old under thy standard, O War-god, in utmost peril; conquering fear, + I thought it comely to fight, shameful to loiter, and noble to kill and + kill again, to be for ever slaughtering! Oft have I seen the stern kings + meet in war, seen shield and helmet bruised, and the fields redden with + blood, and the cuirass broken by the spear-point, and the corselets all + around giving at the thrust of the steel, and the wild beasts battening on + the unburied soldier. Here, as it chanced, one that attempted a mighty + thing, a strong-handed warrior, fighting against the press of the foe, + smote through the mail that covered my head, pierced my helmet, and + plunged his blade into my crest. This sword also hath often been driven by + my right hand in war, and, once unsheathed, hath cleft the skin and bitten + into the skull." + </p> + <p> + Hather, in answer, sang as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Whence comest thou, who art used to write the poems of thy land, leaning + thy wavering steps on a frail staff? Or whither dost thou speed, who art + the readiest bard of the Danish muse? All the glory of thy great strength + is faded and lost; the hue is banished from thy face, the joy is gone out + of thy soul; the voice has left thy throat, and is hoarse and dull; thy + body has lost its former stature; the decay of death begins, and has + wasted thy features and thy force. As a ship wearies, buffeted by + continual billows, even so old age, gendered by a long course of years, + brings forth bitter death; and the life falls when its strength is done, + and suffers the loss of its ancient lot. Famous old man, who has told thee + that thou mayst not duly follow the sports of youth, or fling balls, or + bite and eat the nut? I think it were better for thee now to sell thy + sword, and buy a carriage wherein to ride often, or a horse easy on the + bit, or at the same cost to purchase a light cart. It will be more fitting + for beasts of burden to carry weak old men, when their steps fail them; + the wheel, driving round and round, serves for him whose foot totters + feebly. But if perchance thou art loth to sell the useless steel, thy + sword, if it be not for sale, shall be taken from thee and shall slay + thee." + </p> + <p> + Starkad answered: "Wretch, thy glib lips scatter idle words, unfit for the + ears of the good. Why seek the gifts to reward that guidance, which thou + shouldst have offered for naught? Surely I will walk afoot, and will not + basely give up my sword and buy the help of a stranger; nature has given + me the right of passage, and hath bidden me trust in my own feet. Why mock + and jeer with insolent speech at him whom thou shouldst have offered to + guide upon his way? Why give to dishonour my deeds of old, which deserve + the memorial of fame? Why requite my service with reproach? Why pursue + with jeers the old man mighty in battle, and put to shame my unsurpassed + honours and illustrious deeds, belittling my glories and girding at my + prowess? For what valour of thine dost thou demand my sword, which thy + strength does not deserve? It befits not the right hand or the unwarlike + side of a herdsman, who is wont to make his peasant-music on the pipe, to + see to the flock, to keep the herds in the fields. Surely among the + henchmen, close to the greasy pot, thou dippest thy crust in the bubbles + of the foaming pan, drenching a meagre slice in the rich, oily fat, and + stealthily, with thirsty finger, licking the warm juice; more skilled to + spread thy accustomed cloak on the ashes, to sleep on the hearth, and + slumber all day long, and go busily about the work of the reeking kitchen, + than to make the brave blood flow with thy shafts in war. Men think thee a + hater of the light and a lover of a filthy hole, a wretched slave of thy + belly, like a whelp who licks the coarse grain, husk and all. + </p> + <p> + "By heaven, thou didst not try to rob me of my sword when thrice at great + peril I fought (for?) the son of Ole. For truly, in that array, my hand + either broke the sword or shattered the obstacle, so heavy was the blow of + the smiter. What of the day when I first taught them, to run with + wood-shod feet over the shore of the Kurlanders, and the path bestrewn + with countless points? For when I was going to the fields studded with + calthrops, I guarded their wounded feet with clogs below them. After this + I slew Hame, who fought me mightily; and soon, with the captain Rin the + son of Flebak, I crushed the Kurlanders, yea, or all the tribes Esthonia + breeds, and thy peoples, O Semgala! Then I attacked the men of Tellemark, + and took thence my head bloody with bruises, shattered with mallets, and + smitten with the welded weapons. Here first I learnt how strong was the + iron wrought on the anvil, or what valour the common people had. Also it + was my doing that the Teutons were punished, when, in avenging my lord, I + laid low over their cups thy sons, O Swerting, who were guilty of the + wicked slaughter of Frode. + </p> + <p> + "Not less was the deed when, for the sake of a beloved maiden, I slew nine + brethren in one fray;—witness the spot, which was consumed by the + bowels that left me, and brings not forth the grain anew on its scorched + sod. And soon, when Ker the captain made ready a war by sea, with a noble + army we beat his serried ships. Then I put Waske to death, and punished + the insolent smith by slashing his hinder parts; and with the sword I slew + Wisin, who from the snowy rocks blunted the spears. Then I slew the four + sons of Ler, and the champions of Permland; and then having taken the + chief of the Irish race, I rifled the wealth of Dublin; and our courage + shall ever remain manifest by the trophies of Bravalla. Why do I linger? + Countless are the deeds of my bravery, and when I review the works of my + hands I fail to number them to the full. The whole is greater than I can + tell. My work is too great for fame, and speech serves not for my doings." + </p> + <p> + So sang Starkad. At last, when he found by their talk that Hather was the + son of Hlenne, and saw that the youth was of illustrious birth, he offered + him his throat to smite, bidding him not to shrink from punishing the + slayer of his father. He promised him that if he did so he should possess + the gold which he had himself received from Hlenne. And to enrage his + heart more vehemently against him, he is said to have harangued him as + follows: + </p> + <p> + "Moreover, Hather, I robbed thee of thy father Hlenne; requite me this, I + pray, and strike down the old man who longs to die; aim at my throat with + the avenging steel. For my soul chooses the service of a noble smiter, and + shrinks to ask its doom at a coward's hand. Righteously may a man choose + to forstall the ordinance of doom. What cannot be escaped it will be + lawful also to anticipate. The fresh tree must be fostered, the old one + hewn down. He is nature's instrument who destroys what is near its doom + and strikes down what cannot stand. Death is best when it is sought: and + when the end is loved, life is wearisome. Let not the troubles of age + prolong a miserable lot." + </p> + <p> + So saying, he took money from his pouch and gave it him. But Hather, + desiring as much to enjoy the gold as to accomplish vengeance for his + father, promised that he would comply with his prayer, and would not + refuse the reward. Starkad eagerly handed him the sword, and at once + stooped his neck beneath it, counselling him not to do the smiter's work + timidly, or use the sword like a woman; and telling him that if, when he + had killed him, he could spring between the head and the trunk before the + corpse fell, he would be rendered proof against arms. It is not known + whether he said this in order to instruct his executioner or to punish + him, for perhaps, as he leapt, the bulk of the huge body would have + crushed him. So Hather smote sharply with the sword and hacked off the + head of the old man. When the severed head struck the ground, it is said + to have bitten the earth; thus the fury of the dying lips declared the + fierceness of the soul. But the smiter, thinking that the promise hid some + treachery, warily refrained from leaping. Had he done so rashly, perhaps + he would have been crushed by the corpse as it fell, and have paid with + his own life for the old man's murder. But he would not allow so great a + champion to lie unsepulchred, and had his body buried in the field that is + commonly called Rolung. + </p> + <p> + Now Omund, as I have heard, died most tranquilly, while peace was + unbroken, leaving two sons and two daughters. The eldest of these, SIWARD, + came to the throne by right of birth, while his brother Budle was still of + tender years. At this time Gotar, King of the Swedes, conceived boundless + love for one of the daughters of Omund, because of the report of her + extraordinary beauty, and entrusted one Ebb, the son of Sibb, with the + commission of asking for the maiden. Ebb did his work skilfully, and + brought back the good news that the girl had consented. Nothing was now + lacking to Gotar's wishes but the wedding; but, as he feared to hold this + among strangers, he demanded that his betrothed should be sent to him in + charge of Ebb, whom he had before used as envoy. + </p> + <p> + Ebb was crossing Halland with a very small escort, and went for a night's + lodging to a country farm, where the dwellings of two brothers faced one + another on the two sides of a river. Now these men used to receive folk + hospitably and then murder them, but were skilful to hide their brigandage + under a show of generosity. For they had hung on certain hidden chains, in + a lofty part of the house, an oblong beam like a press, and furnished it + with a steel point; they used to lower this in the night by letting down + the fastenings, and cut off the heads of those that lay below. Many had + they beheaded in this way with the hanging mass. So when Ebb and his men + had been feasted abundantly, the servants laid them out a bed near the + hearth, so that by the swing of the treacherous beam they might mow off + their heads, which faced the fire. When they departed, Ebb, suspecting the + contrivance slung overhead, told his men to feign slumber and shift their + bodies, saying that it would be very wholesome for them to change their + place. + </p> + <p> + Now among these were some who despised the orders which the others obeyed, + and lay unmoved, each in the spot where he had chanced to lie down. Then + towards the mirk of night the heavy hanging machine was set in motion by + the doers of the treachery. Loosened from the knots of its fastening, it + fell violently on the ground, and slew those beneath it. Thereupon those + who had the charge of committing the crime brought in a light, that they + might learn clearly what had happened, and saw that Ebb, on whose especial + account they had undertaken the affair, had wisely been equal to the + danger. He straightway set on them and punished them with death; and also, + after losing his men in the mutual slaughter, he happened to find a + vessel, crossed a river full of blocks of ice, and announced to Gotar the + result, not so much of his mission as of his mishap. + </p> + <p> + Gotar judged that this affair had been inspired by Siward, and prepared to + avenge his wrongs by arms. Siward, defeated by him in Halland, retreated + into Jutland, the enemy having taken his sister. Here he conquered the + common people of the Sclavs, who ventured to fight without a leader; and + he won as much honour from this victory as he had got disgrace by his + flight. But a little afterwards, the men whom he had subdued when they + were ungeneraled, found a general and defeated Siward in Funen. Several + times he fought them in Jutland, but with ill-success. The result was that + he lost both Skaane and Jutland, and only retained the middle of his realm + without the head, like the fragments of some body that had been consumed + away. His son Jarmerik (Eormunrec), with his child-sisters, fell into the + hands of the enemy; one of these was sold to the Germans, the other to the + Norwegians; for in old time marriages were matters of purchase. Thus the + kingdom of the Danes, which had been enlarged with such valour, made + famous by such ancestral honours, and enriched by so many conquests, fell, + all by the sloth of one man, from the most illustrious fortune and + prosperity into such disgrace that it paid the tribute which it used to + exact. But Siward, too often defeated and guilty of shameful flights, + could not endure, after that glorious past, to hold the troubled helm of + state any longer in this shameful condition of his land; and, fearing that + living longer might strip him of his last shred of glory, he hastened to + win an honourable death in battle. For his soul could not forget his + calamity, it was fain to cast off its sickness, and was racked with + weariness of life. So much did he abhor the light of life in his longing + to wipe out his shame. So he mustered his army for battle, and openly + declared war with one Simon, who was governor of Skaane under Gotar. This + war he pursued with stubborn rashness; he slew Simon, and ended his own + life amid a great slaughter of his foes. Yet his country could not be + freed from the burden of the tribute. + </p> + <p> + Jarmerik, meantime, with his foster-brother of the same age as himself, + Gunn, was living in prison, in charge of Ismar, the King of the Sclavs. At + last he was taken out and put to agriculture, doing the work of a peasant. + So actively did he manage this matter that he was transferred and made + master of the royal slaves. As he likewise did this business most + uprightly, he was enrolled in the band of the king's retainers. Here he + bore himself most pleasantly as courtiers use, and was soon taken into the + number of the king's friends and obtained the first place in his intimacy; + thus, on the strength of a series of great services, he passed from the + lowest estate to the most distinguished height of honour. Also, loth to + live a slack and enfeebled youth, he trained himself to the pursuits of + war, enriching his natural gifts by diligence. All men loved Jarmerik, and + only the queen mistrusted the young man's temper. A sudden report told + them that the king's brother had died. Ismar, wishing to give his body a + splendid funeral, prepared a banquet of royal bounty to increase the + splendour of the obsequies. + </p> + <p> + But Jarmerik, who used at other times to look after the household affairs + together with the queen, began to cast about for means of escape; for a + chance seemed to be offered by the absence of the king. For he saw that + even in the lap of riches he would be the wretched thrall of a king, and + that he would draw, as it were, his very breath on sufferance and at the + gift of another. Moreover, though he held the highest offices with the + king, he thought that freedom was better than delights, and burned with a + mighty desire to visit his country and learn his lineage. But, knowing + that the queen had provided sufficient guards to see that no prisoner + escaped, he saw that he must approach by craft where he could not arrive + by force. So he plaited one of those baskets of rushes and withies, shaped + like a man, with which countrymen used to scare the birds from the corn, + and put a live dog in it; then he took off his own clothes, and dressed it + in them, to give a more plausible likeness to a human being. Then he broke + into the private treasury of the king, took out the money, and hid himself + in places of which he alone knew. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Gunn, whom he had told to conceal the absence of his friend, took + the basket into the palace and stirred up the dog to bark; and when the + queen asked what this was, he answered that Jarmerik was out of his mind + and howling. She, beholding the effigy, was deceived by the likeness, and + ordered that the madman should be cast out of the house. Then Gunn took + the effigy out and put it to bed, as though it were his distraught friend. + But towards night he plied the watch bountifully with wine and festal + mirth, cut off their heads as they slept, and set them at their groins, in + order to make their slaying more shameful. The queen, roused by the din, + and wishing to learn the reason of it, hastily rushed to the doors. But + while she unwarily put forth her head, the sword of Gunn suddenly pierced + her through. Feeling a mortal wound, she sank, turned her eyes on her + murderer, and said, "Had it been granted me to live unscathed, no screen + or treachery should have let thee leave this land unpunished." A flood of + such threats against her slayer poured from her dying lips. + </p> + <p> + Then Jarmerik, with Gunn, the partner of his noble deed, secretly set fire + to the tent wherein the king was celebrating with a banquet the obsequies + of his brother; all the company were overcome with liquor. The fire filled + the tent and spread all about; and some of them, shaking off the torpor of + drink, took horse and pursued those who had endangered them. But the young + men fled at first on the beasts they had taken; and at last, when these + were exhausted with their long gallop, took to flight on foot. They were + all but caught, when a river saved them. For they crossed a bridge, of + which, in order to delay the pursuer, they first cut the timbers down to + the middle, thus making it not only unequal to a burden, but ready to come + down; then they retreated into a dense morass. + </p> + <p> + The Sclavs pressed on them hard and, not forseeing the danger, unwarily + put the weight of their horses on the bridge; the flooring sank, and they + were shaken off and flung into the river. But, as they swam up to the + bank, they were met by Gunn and Jarmerik, and either drowned or slain. + Thus the young men showed great cunning, and did a deed beyond their + years, being more like sagacious old men than runaway slaves, and + successfully achieving their shrewd design. When they reached the strand + they seized a vessel chance threw in their way, and made for the deep. The + barbarians who pursued them, tried, when they saw them sailing off, to + bring them back by shouting promises after them that they should be kings + if they returned; "for, by the public statute of the ancients, the + succession was appointed to the slayers of the kings." As they retreated, + their ears were long deafened by the Sclavs obstinately shouting their + treacherous promises. + </p> + <p> + At this time BUDLE, the brother of Siward, was Regent over the Danes, who + forced him to make over the kingdom to JARMERIK when he came; so that + Budle fell from a king into a common man. At the same time Gotar charged + Sibb with debauching his sister, and slew him. Sibb's kindred, much + angered by his death, came wailing to Jarmerik, and promised to attack + Gotar with him, in order to avenge their kinsman. They kept their promise + well, for Jarmerik, having overthrown Gotar by their help, gained Sweden. + Thus, holding the sovereignty of both nations, he was encouraged by his + increased power to attack the Sclavs, forty of whom he took and hung with + a wolf tied to each of them. This kind of punishment was assigned of old + to those who slew their own kindred; but he chose to inflict it upon + enemies, that all might see plainly, just from their fellowship with + ruthless beasts, how grasping they had shown themselves towards the Danes. + </p> + <p> + When Jarmerik had conquered the country, he posted garrisons in all the + fitting places, and departing thence, he made a slaughter of the Sembs and + the Kurlanders, and many nations of the East. The Sclavs, thinking that + this employment of the king gave them a chance of revolting, killed the + governors whom he had appointed, and ravaged Denmark. Jarmerik, on his way + back from roving, chanced to intercept their fleet, and destroyed it, a + deed which added honour to his roll of conquests. He also put their nobles + to death in a way that one would weep to see; namely, by first passing + thongs through their legs, and then tying them to the hoofs of savage + bulls; then hounds set on them and dragged them into miry swamps. This + deed took the edge off the valour of the Sclavs, and they obeyed the + authority of the king in fear and trembling. + </p> + <p> + Jarmerik, enriched with great spoils, wished to provide a safe storehouse + for his booty, and built on a lofty hill a treasure-house of marvellous + handiwork. Gathering sods, he raised a mound, laying a mass of rocks for + the foundation, and girt the lower part with a rampart, the centre with + rooms, and the top with battlements. All round he posted a line of + sentries without a break. Four huge gates gave free access on the four + sides; and into this lordly mansion he heaped all his splendid riches. + Having thus settled his affairs at home, he again turned his ambition + abroad. He began to voyage, and speedily fought a naval battle with four + brothers whom he met on the high seas, Hellespontines by race, and veteran + rovers. After this battle had lasted three days, he ceased fighting, + having bargained for their sister and half the tribute which they had + imposed on those they had conquered. + </p> + <p> + After this, Bikk, the son of the King of the Livonians, escaped from the + captivity in which he lay under these said brothers, and went to Jarmerik. + But he did not forget his wrongs, Jarmerik having long before deprived him + of his own brothers. He was received kindly by the king, in all whose + secret counsels he soon came to have a notable voice; and, as soon as he + found the king pliable to his advice in all things, he led him, when his + counsel was asked, into the most abominable acts, and drove him to commit + crimes and infamies. Thus he sought some device to injure the king by a + feint of loyalty, and tried above all to steel him against his nearest of + blood; attempting to accomplish the revenge of his brother by guile, since + he could not by force. So it came to pass that the king embraced filthy + vices instead of virtues, and made himself generally hated by the cruel + deeds which he committed at the instance of his treacherous adviser. Even + the Sclavs began to rise against him; and, as a means of quelling them, he + captured their leaders, passed a rope through their shanks, and delivered + them to be torn asunder by horses pulling different ways. So perished + their chief men, punished for their stubbornness of spirit by having their + bodies rent apart. This kept the Sclavs duly obedient in unbroken and + steady subjugation. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the sons of Jarmerik's sister, who had all been born and bred in + Germany, took up arms, on the strength of their grandsire's title, against + their uncle, contending that they had as good a right to the throne as he. + The king demolished their strongholds in Germany with engines, blockaded + or took several towns, and returned home with a bloodless victory. The + Hellespontines came to meet him, proffering their sister for the promised + marriage. After this had been celebrated, at Bikk's prompting he again + went to Germany, took his nephews in war, and incontinently hanged them. + He also got together the chief men under the pretence of a banquet and had + them put to death in the same fashion. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the king appointed Broder, his son by another marriage, to have + charge over his stepmother, a duty which he fulfilled with full vigilance + and integrity. But Bikk accused this man to his father of incest; and, to + conceal the falsehood of the charge, suborned witnesses against him. When + the plea of the accusation had been fully declared, Broder could not bring + any support for his defence, and his father bade his friends pass sentence + upon the convicted man, thinking it less impious to commit the punishment + proper for his son to the judgment of others. All thought that he deserved + outlawry except Bikk, who did not shrink from giving a more terrible vote + against his life, and declaring that the perpetrator of an infamous + seduction ought to be punished with hanging. But lest any should think + that this punishment was due to the cruelty of his father, Bikk judged + that, when he had been put in the noose, the servants should hold him up + on a beam put beneath him, so that, when weariness made them take their + hands from the burden, they might be as good as guilty of the young man's + death, and by their own fault exonerate the king from an unnatural murder. + He also pretended that, unless the accused were punished, he would plot + against his father's life. The adulteress Swanhild, he said, ought to + suffer a shameful end, trampled under the hoofs of beasts. + </p> + <p> + The king yielded to Bikk; and, when his son was to be hanged, he made the + bystanders hold him up by means of a plank, that he might not be choked. + Thus his throat was only a little squeezed, the knot was harmless, and it + was but a punishment in show. But the king had the queen tied very tight + on the ground, and delivered her to be crushed under the hoofs of horses. + The story goes that she was so beautiful, that even the beasts shrank from + mangling limbs so lovely with their filthy feet. The king, divining that + this proclaimed the innocence of his wife, began to repent of his error, + and hastened to release the slandered lady. But meantime Bikk rushed up, + declaring that when she was on her back she held off the beasts by awful + charms, and could only be crushed if she lay on her face; for he knew that + her beauty saved her. When the body of the queen was placed in this + manner, the herd of beasts was driven upon it, and trod it down deep with + their multitude of feet. Such was the end of Swanhild. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the favourite dog of Broder came creeping to the king making a + sort of moan, and seemed to bewail its master's punishment; and his hawk, + when it was brought in, began to pluck out its breast-feathers with its + beak. The king took its nakedness as an omen of his bereavement, to + frustrate which he quickly sent men to take his son down from the noose: + for he divined by the featherless bird that he would be childless unless + he took good heed. Thus Broder was freed from death, and Bikk, fearing he + would pay the penalty of an informer, went and told the men of the + Hellespont that Swanhild had been abominably slain by her husband. When + they set sail to avenge their sister, he came back to Jarmerik, and told + him that the Hellespontines were preparing war. + </p> + <p> + The king thought that it would be safer to fight with walls than in the + field, and retreated into the stronghold which he had built. To stand the + siege, he filled its inner parts with stores, and its battlements with + men-at-arms. Targets and shields flashing with gold were hung round and + adorned the topmost circle of the building. + </p> + <p> + It happened that the Hellespontines, before sharing their booty, accused a + great band of their men of embezzling, and put them to death. Having now + destroyed so large a part of their forces by internecine slaughter, they + thought that their strength was not equal to storming the palace, and + consulted a sorceress named Gudrun. She brought it to pass that the + defenders of the king's side were suddenly blinded and turned their arms + against one another. When the Hellespontines saw this, they brought up a + shield-mantlet, and seized the approaches of the gates. Then they tore up + the posts, burst into the building, and hewed down the blinded ranks of + the enemy. In this uproar Odin appeared, and, making for the thick of the + ranks of the fighters, restored by his divine power to the Danes that + vision which they had lost by sleights; for he ever cherished them with + fatherly love. He instructed them to shower stones to batter the + Hellespontines, who used spells to harden their bodies against weapons. + Thus both companies slew one another and perished. Jarmerik lost both feet + and both hands, and his trunk was rolled among the dead. BRODER, little + fit for it, followed him as king. + </p> + <p> + The next king was SIWALD. His son SNIO took vigorously to roving in his + father's old age, and not only preserved the fortunes of his country, but + even restored them, lessened as they were, to their former estate. + Likewise, when he came to the sovereignty, he crushed the insolence of the + champions Eskil and Alkil, and by this conquest reunited to his country + Skaane, which had been severed from the general jurisdiction of Denmark. + At last he conceived a passion for the daughter of the King of the Goths; + it was returned, and he sent secret messengers to seek a chance of meeting + her. These men were intercepted by the father of the damsel and hanged: + thus paying dearly for their rash mission. Snio, wishing to avenge their + death, invaded Gothland. Its king met him with his forces, and the + aforesaid champions challenged him to send strong men to fight. Snio laid + down as condition of the duel, that each of the two kings should either + lose his own empire or gain that of the other, according to the fortune of + the champions, and that the kingdom of the conquered should be staked as + the prize of the victory. The result was that the King of the Goths was + beaten by reason of the ill-success of his defenders, and had to quit his + kingdom for the Danes. Snio, learning that this king's daughter had been + taken away at the instance of her father to wed the King of the Swedes, + sent a man clad in ragged attire, who used to ask alms on the public + roads, to try her mind. And while he lay, as beggars do, by the threshold, + he chanced to see the queen, and whined in a weak voice, "Snio loves + thee." She feigned not to have heard the sound that stole on her ears, and + neither looked nor stepped back, but went on to the palace, then returned + straightway, and said in a low whisper, which scarcely reached his ears, + "I love him who loves me"; and having said this she walked away. + </p> + <p> + The beggar rejoiced that she had returned a word of love, and, as he sat + on the next day at the gate, when the queen came up, he said, briefly as + ever, "Wishes should have a tryst." Again she shrewdly caught his cunning + speech, and passed on, dissembling wholly. A little later she passed by + her questioner, and said that she would shortly go to Bocheror; for this + was the spot to which she meant to flee. And when the beggar heard this, + he insisted, with his wonted shrewd questions, upon being told a fitting + time for the tryst. The woman was as cunning as he, and as little clear of + speech, and named as quickly as she could the beginning of the winter. + </p> + <p> + Her train, who had caught a flying word of this love-message, took her + great cleverness for the raving of utter folly. And when Snio had been + told all this by the beggar, he contrived to carry the queen off in a + vessel; for she got away under pretence of bathing, and took her husband's + treasures. After this there were constant wars between Snio and the King + of Sweden, whereof the issue was doubtful and the victory changeful; the + one king seeking to regain his lawful, the other to keep his unlawful + love. + </p> + <p> + At this time the yield of crops was ruined by most inclement weather, and + a mighty dearth of corn befell. Victuals began to be scarce, and the + commons were distressed with famine, so that the king, anxiously pondering + how to relieve the hardness of the times, and seeing that the thirsty + spent somewhat more than the hungry, introduced thrift among the people. + He abolished drinking-bouts, and decreed that no drink should be prepared + from gram, thinking that the bitter famine should be got rid of by + prohibiting needless drinking, and that plentiful food could be levied as + a loan on thirst. + </p> + <p> + Then a certain wanton slave of his belly, lamenting the prohibition + against drink, adopted a deep kind of knavery, and found a new way to + indulge his desires. He broke the public law of temperance by his own + excess, contriving to get at what he loved by a device both cunning and + absurd. For he sipped the forbidden liquor drop by drop, and so satisfied + his longing to be tipsy. When he was summoned for this by the king, he + declared that there was no stricter observer of sobriety than he, inasmuch + as he mortified his longing to quaff deep by this device for moderate + drinking. He persisted in the fault with which he was taxed, saying that + he only sucked. At last he was also menaced with threats, and forbidden + not only to drink, but even to sip; yet he could not check his habits. For + in order to enjoy the unlawful thing in a lawful way, and not to have his + throat subject to the command of another, he sopped morsels of bread in + liquor, and fed on the pieces thus soaked with drink; tasting slowly, so + as to prolong the desired debauch, and attaining, though in no unlawful + manner, the forbidden measure of satiety. + </p> + <p> + Thus his stubborn and frantic intemperance risked his life, all for + luxury; and, undeterred even by the threats of the king, he fortified his + rash appetite to despise every peril. A second time he was summoned by the + king on the charge of disobeying his regulation. Yet he did not even theft + cease to defend his act, but maintained that he had in no wise contravened + the royal decree, and that the temperance prescribed by the ordinance had + been in no way violated by that which allured him; especially as the + thrift ordered in the law of plain living was so described, that it was + apparently forbidden to drink liquor, but not to eat it. Then the king + called heaven to witness, and swore by the general good, that if he + ventured on any such thing hereafter he would punish him with death. But + the man thought that death was not so bad as temperance, and that it was + easier to quit life than luxury; and he again boiled the grain in water, + and then fermented the liquor; whereupon, despairing of any further plea + to excuse his appetite, he openly indulged in drink, and turned to his + cups again unabashed. Giving up cunning for effrontery, he chose rather to + await the punishment of the king than to turn sober. Therefore, when the + king asked him why he had so often made free to use the forbidden thing, + he said: + </p> + <p> + "O king, this craving is begotten, not so much of my thirst, as of my + goodwill towards thee! For I remembered that the funeral rites of a king + must be paid with a drinking-bout. Therefore, led by good judgment more + than the desire to swill, I have, by mixing the forbidden liquid, taken + care that the feast whereat thy obsequies are performed should not, by + reason of the scarcity of corn, lack the due and customary drinking. Now I + do not doubt that thou wilt perish of famine before the rest, and be the + first to need a tomb; for thou hast passed this strange law of thrift in + fear that thou wilt be thyself the first to lack food. Thou art thinking + for thyself, and not for others, when thou bringest thyself to start such + strange miserly ways." + </p> + <p> + This witty quibbling turned the anger of the king into shame; and when he + saw that his ordinance for the general good came home in mockery to + himself, he thought no more of the public profit, but revoked the edict, + relaxing his purpose sooner than anger his subjects. + </p> + <p> + Whether it was that the soil had too little rain, or that it was too hard + baked, the crops, as I have said, were slack, and the fields gave but + little produce; so that the land lacked victual, and was worn with a weary + famine. The stock of food began to fail, and no help was left to stave off + hunger. Then, at the proposal of Agg and of Ebb, it was provided by a + decree of the people that the old men and the tiny children should be + slain; that all who were too young to bear arms should be taken out of the + land, and only the strong should be vouchsafed their own country; that + none but able-bodied soldiers and husbandmen should continue to abide + under their own roofs and in the houses of their fathers. When Agg and Ebb + brought news of this to their mother Gambaruk, she saw that the authors of + this infamous decree had found safety in crime. Condemning the decision of + the assembly, she said that it was wrong to relieve distress by murder of + kindred, and declared that a plan both more honourable and more desirable + for the good of their souls and bodies would be, to preserve respect + towards their parents and children, and choose by lot men who should quit + the country. And if the lot fell on old men and weak, then the stronger + should offer to go into exile in their place, and should of their own free + will undertake to bear the burden of it for the feeble. But those men who + had the heart to save their lives by crime and impiety, and to prosecute + their parents and their children by so abominable a decree, did not + deserve life; for they would be doing a work of cruelty and not of love. + Finally, all those whose own lives were dearer to them than the love of + their parents or their children, deserved but ill of their country. These + words were reported to the assembly, and assented to by the vote of the + majority. So the fortunes of all were staked upon the lot and those upon + whom it fell were doomed to be banished. Thus those who had been loth to + obey necessity of their own accord had now to accept the award of chance. + So they sailed first to Bleking, and then, sailing past Moring, they came + to anchor at Gothland; where, according to Paulus, they are said to have + been prompted by the goddess Frigg to take the name of the Longobardi + (Lombards), whose nation they afterwards founded. In the end they landed + at Rugen, and, abandoning their ships, began to march overland. They + crossed and wasted a great portion of the world; and at last, finding an + abode in Italy, changed the ancient name of the nation for their own. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the land of the Danes, where the tillers laboured less and + less, and all traces of the furrows were covered with overgrowth, began to + look like a forest. Almost stripped of its pleasant native turf, it + bristled with the dense unshapely woods that grew up. Traces of this are + yet seen in the aspect of its fields. What were once acres fertile in + grain are now seen to be dotted with trunks of trees; and where of old the + tillers turned the earth up deep and scattered the huge clods there has + now sprung up a forest covering the fields, which still bear the tracks of + ancient tillage. Had not these lands remained untilled and desolate with + long overgrowth, the tenacious roots of trees could never have shared the + soil of one and the same land with the furrows made by the plough. + Moreover, the mounds which men laboriously built up of old on the level + ground for the burial of the dead are now covered by a mass of woodland. + Many piles of stones are also to be seen interspersed among the forest + glades. These were once scattered over the whole country, but the peasants + carefully gathered the boulders and piled them into a heap that they might + not prevent furrows being cut in all directions; for they would sooner + sacrifice a little of the land than find the whole of it stubborn. From + this work, done by the toil of the peasants for the easier working of the + fields, it is judged that the population in ancient times was greater than + the present one, which is satisfied with small fields, and keeps its + agriculture within narrower limits than those of the ancient tillage. Thus + the present generation is amazed to behold that it has exchanged a soil + which could once produce grain for one only fit to grow acorns, and the + plough-handle and the cornstalks for a landscape studded with trees. Let + this account of Snio, which I have put together as truly as I could, + suffice. + </p> + <p> + Snio was succeeded by BIORN; and after him HARALD became sovereign. + Harald's son GORM won no mean place of honour among the ancient generals + of the Danes by his record of doughty deeds. For he ventured into fresh + fields, preferring to practise his inherited valour, not in war, but in + searching the secrets of nature; and, just as other kings are stirred by + warlike ardour, so his heart thirsted to look into marvels; either what he + could experience himself, or what were merely matters of report. And being + desirous to go and see all things foreign and extraordinary, he thought + that he must above all test a report which he had heard from the men of + Thule concerning the abode of a certain Geirrod. For they boasted past + belief of the mighty piles of treasure in that country, but said that the + way was beset with peril, and hardly passable by mortal man. For those who + had tried it declared that it was needful to sail over the ocean that goes + round the lands, to leave the sun and stars behind, to journey down into + chaos, and at last to pass into a land where no light was and where + darkness reigned eternally. + </p> + <p> + But the warrior trampled down in his soul all fear of the dangers that + beset him. Not that he desired booty, but glory; for he hoped for a great + increase of renown if he ventured on a wholly unattempted quest. Three + hundred men announced that they had the same desire as the king; and he + resolved that Thorkill, who had brought the news, should be chosen to + guide them on the journey, as he knew the ground and was versed in the + approaches to that country. Thorkill did not refuse the task, and advised + that, to meet the extraordinary fury of the sea they had to cross, + strongly-made vessels should be built, fitted with many knotted cords and + close-set nails, filled with great store of provision, and covered above + with ox-hides to protect the inner spaces of the ships from the spray of + the waves breaking in. Then they sailed off in only three galleys, each + containing a hundred chosen men. + </p> + <p> + Now when they had come to Halogaland (Helgeland), they lost their + favouring breezes, and were driven and tossed divers ways over the seas in + perilous voyage. At last, in extreme want of food, and lacking even bread, + they staved off hunger with a little pottage. Some days passed, and they + heard the thunder of a storm brawling in the distance, as if it were + deluging the rocks. By this perceiving that land was near, they bade a + youth of great nimbleness climb to the masthead and look out; and he + reported that a precipitous island was in sight. All were overjoyed, and + gazed with thirsty eyes at the country at which he pointed, eagerly + awaiting the refuge of the promised shore. At last they managed to reach + it, and made their way out over the heights that blocked their way, along + very steep paths, into the higher ground. Then Thorkill told them to take + no more of the herds that were running about in numbers on the coast, than + would serve once to appease their hunger. If they disobeyed, the guardian + gods of the spot would not let them depart. But the seamen, more anxious + to go on filling their bellies than to obey orders, postponed counsels of + safety to the temptations of gluttony, and loaded the now emptied holds of + their ships with the carcases of slaughtered cattle. These beasts were + very easy to capture, because they gathered in amazement at the unwonted + sight of men, their fears being made bold. On the following night monsters + dashed down upon the shore, filled the forest with clamour, and + beleaguered and beset the ships. One of them, huger than the rest, strode + over the waters, armed with a mighty club. Coming close up to them, he + bellowed out that they should never sail away till they had atoned for the + crime they had committed in slaughtering the flock, and had made good the + losses of the herd of the gods by giving up one man for each of their + ships. Thorkill yielded to these threats; and, in order to preserve the + safety of all by imperilling a few, singled out three men by lot and gave + them up. + </p> + <p> + This done, a favouring wind took them, and they sailed to further + Permland. It is a region of eternal cold, covered with very deep snows, + and not sensible to the force even of the summer heats; full of pathless + forests, not fertile in grain and haunted by beasts uncommon elsewhere. + Its many rivers pour onwards in a hissing, foaming flood, because of the + reefs imbedded in their channels. + </p> + <p> + Here Thorkill drew up his ships ashore, and bade them pitch their tents on + the beach, declaring that they had come to a spot whence the passage to + Geirrod would be short. Moreover, he forbade them to exchange any speech + with those that came up to them, declaring that nothing enabled the + monsters to injure strangers so much as uncivil words on their part: it + would be therefore safer for his companions to keep silence; none but he, + who had seen all the manners and customs of this nation before, could + speak safely. As twilight approached, a man of extraordinary bigness + greeted the sailors by their names, and came among them. All were aghast, + but Thorkill told them to greet his arrival cheerfully, telling them that + this was Gudmund, the brother of Geirrod, and the most faithful guardian + in perils of all men who landed in that spot. When the man asked why all + the rest thus kept silence, he answered that they were very unskilled in + his language, and were ashamed to use a speech they did not know. Then + Gudmund invited them to be his guests, and took them up in carriages. As + they went forward, they saw a river which could be crossed by a bridge of + gold. They wished to go over it, but Gudmund restrained them, telling them + that by this channel nature had divided the world of men from the world of + monsters, and that no mortal track might go further. Then they reached the + dwelling of their guide; and here Thorkill took his companions apart and + warned them to behave like men of good counsel amidst the divers + temptations chance might throw in their way; to abstain from the food of + the stranger, and nourish their bodies only on their own; and to seek a + seat apart from the natives, and have no contact with any of them as they + lay at meat. For if they partook of that food they would lose recollection + of all things, and must live for ever in filthy intercourse amongst + ghastly hordes of monsters. Likewise he told them that they must keep + their hands off the servants and the cups of the people. + </p> + <p> + Round the table stood twelve noble sons of Gudmund, and as many daughters + of notable beauty. When Gudmund saw that the king barely tasted what his + servants brought, he reproached him with repulsing his kindness, and + complained that it was a slight on the host. But Thorkill was not at a + loss for a fitting excuse. He reminded him that men who took unaccustomed + food often suffered from it seriously, and that the king was not + ungrateful for the service rendered by another, but was merely taking care + of his health, when he refreshed himself as he was wont, and furnished his + supper with his own viands. An act, therefore, that was only done in the + healthy desire to escape some bane, ought in no wise to be put down to + scorn. Now when Gudmund saw that the temperance of his guest had baffled + his treacherous preparations, he determined to sap their chastity, if he + could not weaken their abstinence, and eagerly strained every nerve of his + wit to enfeeble their self-control. For he offered the king his daughter + in marriage, and promised the rest that they should have whatever women of + his household they desired. Most of them inclined to his offer: but + Thorkill by his healthy admonitions prevented them, as he had done before, + from falling into temptation. + </p> + <p> + With wonderful management Thorkill divided his heed between the suspicious + host and the delighted guests. Four of the Danes, to whom lust was more + than their salvation, accepted the offer; the infection maddened them, + distraught their wits, and blotted out their recollection: for they are + said never to have been in their right mind after this. If these men had + kept themselves within the rightful bounds of temperance, they would have + equalled the glories of Hercules, surpassed with their spirit the bravery + of giants, and been ennobled for ever by their wondrous services to their + country. + </p> + <p> + Gudmund, stubborn to his purpose, and still spreading his nets, extolled + the delights of his garden, and tried to lure the king thither to gather + fruits, desiring to break down his constant wariness by the lust of the + eye and the baits of the palate. The king, as before, was strengthened + against these treacheries by Thorkill, and rejected this feint of kindly + service; he excused himself from accepting it on the plea that he must + hasten on his journey. Gudmund perceived that Thorkill was shrewder than + he at every point; so, despairing to accomplish his treachery, he carried + them all across the further side of the river, and let them finish their + journey. + </p> + <p> + They went on; and saw, not far off, a gloomy, neglected town, looking more + like a cloud exhaling vapour. Stakes interspersed among the battlements + showed the severed heads of warriors and dogs of great ferocity were seen + watching before the doors to guard the entrance. Thorkill threw them a + horn smeared with fat to lick, and so, at slight cost, appeased their most + furious rage. High up the gates lay open to enter, and they climbed to + their level with ladders, entering with difficulty. Inside the town was + crowded with murky and misshapen phantoms, and it was hard to say whether + their shrieking figures were more ghastly to the eye or to the ear; + everything was foul, and the reeking mire afflicted the nostrils of the + visitors with its unbearable stench. Then they found the rocky dwelling + which Geirrod was rumoured to inhabit for his palace. They resolved to + visit its narrow and horrible ledge, but stayed their steps and halted in + panic at the very entrance. Then Thorkill, seeing that they were of two + minds, dispelled their hesitation to enter by manful encouragement, + counselling them, to restrain themselves, and not to touch any piece of + gear in the house they were about to enter, albeit it seemed delightful to + have or pleasant to behold; to keep their hearts as far from all + covetousness as from fear; neither to desire what was pleasant to take, + nor dread what was awful to look upon, though they should find themselves + amidst abundance of both these things. If they did, their greedy hands + would suddenly be bound fast, unable to tear themselves away from the + thing they touched, and knotted up with it as by inextricable bonds. + Moreover, they should enter in order, four by four. + </p> + <p> + Broder and Buchi (Buk?) were the first to show courage to attempt to enter + the vile palace; Thorkill with the king followed them, and the rest + advanced behind these in ordered ranks. + </p> + <p> + Inside, the house was seen to be ruinous throughout, and filled with a + violent and abominable reek. And it also teemed with everything that could + disgust the eye or the mind: the door-posts were begrimed with the soot of + ages, the wall was plastered with filth, the roof was made up of + spear-heads, the flooring was covered with snakes and bespattered with all + manner of uncleanliness. Such an unwonted sight struck terror into the + strangers, and, over all, the acrid and incessant stench assailed their + afflicted nostrils. Also bloodless phantasmal monsters huddled on the iron + seats, and the places for sitting were railed off by leaden trellises; and + hideous doorkeepers stood at watch on the thresholds. Some of these, armed + with clubs lashed together, yelled, while others played a gruesome game, + tossing a goat's hide from one to the other with mutual motion of goatish + backs. + </p> + <p> + Here Thorkill again warned the men, and forbade them to stretch forth + their covetous hands rashly to the forbidden things. Going on through the + breach in the crag, they beheld an old man with his body pierced through, + sitting not far off, on a lofty seat facing the side of the rock that had + been rent away. Moreover, three women, whose bodies were covered with + tumours, and who seemed to have lost the strength of their back-bones, + filled adjoining seats. Thorkill's companions were very curious; and he, + who well knew the reason of the matter, told them that long ago the god + Thor had been provoked by the insolence of the giants to drive red-hot + irons through the vitals of Geirrod, who strove with him, and that the + iron had slid further, torn up the mountain, and battered through its + side; while the women had been stricken by the might of his thunderbolts, + and had been punished (so he declared) for their attempt on the same + deity, by having their bodies broken. + </p> + <p> + As the men were about to depart thence, there were disclosed to them seven + butts hooped round with belts of gold; and from these hung circlets of + silver entwined with them in manifold links. Near these was found the tusk + of a strange beast, tipped at both ends with gold. Close by was a vast + stag-horn, laboriously decked with choice and flashing gems, and this also + did not lack chasing. Hard by was to be seen a very heavy bracelet. One + man was kindled with an inordinate desire for this bracelet, and laid + covetous hands upon the gold, not knowing that the glorious metal covered + deadly mischief, and that a fatal bane lay hid under the shining spoil. A + second also, unable to restrain his covetousness, reached out his + quivering hands to the horn. A third, matching the confidence of the + others, and having no control over his fingers, ventured to shoulder the + tusk. The spoil seemed alike lovely to look upon and desirable to enjoy, + for all that met the eye was fair and tempting to behold. But the bracelet + suddenly took the form of a snake, and attacked him who was carrying it + with its poisoned tooth; the horn lengthened out into a serpent, and took + the life of the man who bore it; the tusk wrought itself into a sword, and + plunged into the vitals of its bearer. + </p> + <p> + The rest dreaded the fate of perishing with their friends, and thought + that the guiltless would be destroyed like the guilty; they durst not hope + that even innocence would be safe. Then the side-door of another room + showed them a narrow alcove: and a privy chamber with a yet richer + treasure was revealed, wherein arms were laid out too great for those of + human stature. Among these were seen a royal mantle, a handsome hat, and a + belt marvellously wrought. Thorkill, struck with amazement at these + things, gave rein to his covetousness, and cast off all his purposed + self-restraint. He who so oft had trained others could not so much as + conquer his own cravings. For he laid his hand upon the mantle, and his + rash example tempted the rest to join in his enterprise of plunder. + Thereupon the recess shook from its lowest foundations, and began suddenly + to reel and totter. Straightway the women raised a shriek that the wicked + robbers were being endured too long. Then they, who were before supposed + to be half-dead or lifeless phantoms, seemed to obey the cries of the + women, and, leaping suddenly up from their seats, attacked the strangers + with furious onset. The other creatures bellowed hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + But Broder and Buchi fell to their old and familiar arts, and attacked the + witches, who ran at them, with a shower of spears from every side; and + with the missiles from their bows and slings they crushed the array of + monsters. There could be no stronger or more successful way to repulse + them; but only twenty men out of all the king's company were rescued by + the intervention of this archery; the rest were torn in pieces by the + monsters. The survivors returned to the river, and were ferried over by + Gudmund, who entertained them at his house. Long and often as he besought + them, he could not keep them back; so at last he gave them presents and + let them go. + </p> + <p> + Buchi relaxed his watch upon himself; his self-control became unstrung, + and he forsook the virtue in which he hitherto rejoiced. For he conceived + an incurable love for one of the daughters of Gudmund, and embraced her; + but he obtained a bride to his undoing, for soon his brain suddenly began + to whirl, and he lost his recollection. Thus the hero who had subdued all + the monsters and overcome all the perils was mastered by passion for one + girl; his soul strayed far from temperance, and he lay under a wretched + sensual yoke. For the sake of respect, he started to accompany the + departing king; but as he was about to ford the river in his carriage, his + wheels sank deep, he was caught up in the violent eddies and destroyed. + </p> + <p> + The king bewailed his friend's disaster and departed hastening on his + voyage. This was at first prosperous, but afterwards he was tossed by bad + weather; his men perished of hunger, and but few survived, so that he + began to feel awe in his heart, and fell to making vows to heaven, + thinking the gods alone could help him in his extreme need. At last the + others besought sundry powers among the gods, and thought they ought to + sacrifice to the majesty of divers deities; but the king, offering both + vows and peace-offerings to Utgarda-Loki, obtained that fair season of + weather for which he prayed. + </p> + <p> + Coming home, and feeling that he had passed through all these seas and + toils, he thought it was time for his spirit, wearied with calamities, to + withdraw from his labours. So he took a queen from Sweden, and exchanged + his old pursuits for meditative leisure. His life was prolonged in the + utmost peace and quietness; but when he had almost come to the end of his + days, certain men persuaded him by likely arguments that souls were + immortal; so that he was constantly turning over in his mind the + questions, to what abode he was to fare when the breath left his limbs, or + what reward was earned by zealous adoration of the gods. + </p> + <p> + While he was thus inclined, certain men who wished ill to Thorkill came + and told Gorm that it was needful to consult the gods, and that assurance + about so great a matter must be sought of the oracles of heaven, since it + was too deep for human wit and hard for mortals to discover. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, they said, Utgarda-Loki must be appeased, and no man would + accomplish this more fitly than Thorkill. Others, again, laid information + against him as guilty of treachery and an enemy of the king's life. + Thorkill, seeing himself doomed to extreme peril, demanded that his + accusers should share his journey. Then they who had aspersed an innocent + man saw that the peril they had designed against the life of another had + recoiled upon themselves, and tried to take back their plan. But vainly + did they pester the ears of the king; he forced them to sail under the + command of Thorkill, and even upbraided them with cowardice. Thus, when a + mischief is designed against another, it is commonly sure to strike home + to its author. And when these men saw that they were constrained, and + could not possibly avoid the peril, they covered their ship with ox-hides, + and filled it with abundant store of provision. + </p> + <p> + In this ship they sailed away, and came to a sunless land, which knew not + the stars, was void of daylight, and seemed to overshadow them with + eternal night. Long they sailed under this strange sky; at last their + timber fell short, and they lacked fuel; and, having no place to boil + their meat in, they staved off their hunger with raw viands. But most of + those who ate contracted extreme disease, being glutted with undigested + food. For the unusual diet first made a faintness steal gradually upon + their stomachs; then the infection spread further, and the malady reached + the vital parts. Thus there was danger in either extreme, which made it + hurtful not to eat, and perilous to indulge; for it was found both unsafe + to feed and bad for them to abstain. Then, when they were beginning to be + in utter despair, a gleam of unexpected help relieved them, even as the + string breaks most easily when it is stretched tightest. For suddenly the + weary men saw the twinkle of a fire at no great distance, and conceived a + hope of prolonging their lives. Thorkill thought this fire a heaven-sent + relief, and resolved to go and take some of it. + </p> + <p> + To be surer of getting back to his friends, Thorkill fastened a jewel upon + the mast-head, to mark it by the gleam. When he got to the shore, his eyes + fell on a cavern in a close defile, to which a narrow way led. Telling his + companions to await him outside, he went in, and saw two men, swart and + very huge, with horny noses, feeding their fire with any chance-given + fuel. Moreover, the entrance was hideous, the door-posts were decayed, the + walls grimy with mould, the roof filthy, and the floor swarming with + snakes; all of which disgusted the eye as much as the mind. Then one of + the giants greeted him, and said that he had begun a most difficult + venture in his burning desire to visit a strange god, and his attempt to + explore with curious search an untrodden region beyond the world. Yet he + promised to tell Thorkill the paths of the journey he proposed to make, if + he would deliver three true judgments in the form of as many sayings. Then + said Thorkill: "In good truth, I do not remember ever to have seen a + household with more uncomely noses; nor have I ever come to a spot where I + had less mind to live." Also he said: "That, I think, is my best foot + which can get out of this foremost." + </p> + <p> + The giant was pleased with the shrewdness of Thorkill, and praised his + sayings, telling him that he must first travel to a grassless land which + was veiled in deep darkness; but he must first voyage for four days, + rowing incessantly, before he could reach his goal. There he could visit + Utgarda-Loki, who had chosen hideous and grisly caves for his filthy + dwelling. Thorkill was much aghast at being bidden to go on a voyage so + long and hazardous; but his doubtful hopes prevailed over his present + fears, and he asked for some live fuel. Then said the giant: "If thou + needest fire, thou must deliver three more judgments in like sayings." + Then said Thorkill: "Good counsel is to be obeyed, though a mean fellow + gave it." Likewise: "I have gone so far in rashness, that if I can get + back I shall owe my safety to none but my own legs." And again: "Were I + free to retreat this moment, I would take good care never to come back." + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Thorkill took the fire along to his companions; and finding a + kindly wind, landed on the fourth day at the appointed harbour. With his + crew he entered a land where an aspect of unbroken night checked the + vicissitude of light and darkness. He could hardly see before him, but + beheld a rock of enormous size. Wishing to explore it, he told his + companions, who were standing posted at the door, to strike a fire from + flints as a timely safeguard against demons, and kindle it in the + entrance. Then he made others bear a light before him, and stooped his + body through the narrow jaws of the cavern, where he beheld a number of + iron seats among a swarm of gliding serpents. Next there met his eye a + sluggish mass of water gently flowing over a sandy bottom. He crossed + this, and approached a cavern which sloped somewhat more steeply. Again, + after this, a foul and gloomy room was disclosed to the visitors, wherein + they saw Utgarda-Loki, laden hand and foot with enormous chains. Each of + his reeking hairs was as large and stiff as a spear of cornel. Thorkill + (his companions lending a hand), in order that his deeds might gain more + credit, plucked one of these from the chin of Utgarda-Loki, who suffered + it. Straightway such a noisome smell reached the bystanders, that they + could not breathe without stopping their noses with their mantles. They + could scarcely make their way out, and were bespattered by the snakes + which darted at them on every side. + </p> + <p> + Only five of Thorkill's company embarked with their captain: the poison + killed the rest. The demons hung furiously over them, and cast their + poisonous slaver from every side upon the men below them. But the sailors + sheltered themselves with their hides, and cast back the venom that fell + upon them. One man by chance at this point wished to peep out; the poison + touched his head, which was taken off his neck as if it had been severed + with a sword. Another put his eyes out of their shelter, and when he + brought them back under it they were blinded. Another thrust forth his + hand while unfolding his covering, and, when he withdrew his arm, it was + withered by the virulence of the same slaver. They besought their deities + to be kinder to them; vainly, until Thorkill prayed to the god of the + universe, and poured forth unto him libations as well as prayers; and + thus, presently finding the sky even as before and the elements clear, he + made a fair voyage. + </p> + <p> + And now they seemed to behold another world, and the way towards the life + of man. At last Thorkill landed in Germany, which had then been admitted + to Christianity; and among its people he began to learn how to worship + God. His band of men were almost destroyed, because of the dreadful air + they had breathed, and he returned to his country accompanied by two men + only, who had escaped the worst. But the corrupt matter which smeared his + face so disguised his person and original features that not even his + friends knew him. But when he wiped off the filth, he made himself + recognizable by those who saw him, and inspired the king with the greatest + eagerness to hear about his quest. But the detraction of his rivals was + not yet silenced; and some pretended that the king would die suddenly if + he learnt Thorkill's tidings. The king was the more disposed to credit + this saying, because he was already credulous by reason of a dream which + falsely prophesied the same thing. Men were therefore hired by the king's + command to slay Thorkill in the night. But somehow he got wind of it, left + his bed unknown to all, and put a heavy log in his place. By this he + baffled the treacherous device of the king, for the hirelings smote only + the stock. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow Thorkill went up to the king as he sat at meat, and said: "I + forgive thy cruelty and pardon thy error, in that thou hast decreed + punishment, and not thanks, to him who brings good tidings of his errand. + For thy sake I have devoted my life to all these afflictions, and battered + it in all these perils; I hoped that thou wouldst requite my services with + much gratitude; and behold! I have found thee, and thee alone, punish my + valour sharpliest. But I forbear all vengeance, and am satisfied with the + shame within thy heart—if, after all, any shame visits the thankless—as + expiation for this wrongdoing towards me. I have a right to surmise that + thou art worse than all demons in fury, and all beasts in cruelty, if, + after escaping the snares of all these monsters, I have failed to be safe + from thine." + </p> + <p> + The king desired to learn everything from Thorkill's own lips; and, + thinking it hard to escape destiny, bade him relate what had happened in + due order. He listened eagerly to his recital of everything, till at last, + when his own god was named, he could not endure him to be unfavourably + judged. For he could not bear to hear Utgarda-Loki reproached with + filthiness, and so resented his shameful misfortunes, that his very life + could not brook such words, and he yielded it up in the midst of + Thorkill's narrative. Thus, whilst he was so zealous in the worship of a + false god, he came to find where the true prison of sorrows really was. + Moreover, the reek of the hair, which Thorkill plucked from the locks of + the giant to testify to the greatness of his own deeds, was exhaled upon + the bystanders, so that many perished of it. + </p> + <p> + After the death of Gorm, GOTRIK his son came to the throne. He was notable + not only for prowess but for generosity, and none can say whether his + courage or his compassion was the greater. He so chastened his harshness + with mercy, that he seemed to counterweigh the one with the other. At this + time Gaut, the King of Norway, was visited by Ber (Biorn?) and Ref, men of + Thule. Gaut treated Ref with attention and friendship, and presented him + with a heavy bracelet. + </p> + <p> + One of the courtiers, when he saw this, praised the greatness of the gift + over-zealously, and declared that no one was equal to King Gaut in + kindliness. But Ref, though he owed thanks for the benefit, could not + approve the inflated words of this extravagant praiser, and said that + Gotrik was more generous than Gaut. Wishing to crush the empty boast of + the flatterer, he chose rather to bear witness to the generosity of the + absent than tickle with lies the vanity of his benefactor who was present. + For another thing, he thought it somewhat more desirable to be charged + with ingratitude than to support with his assent such idle and boastful + praise, and also to move the king by the solemn truth than to beguile him + with lying flatteries. But Ulf persisted not only in stubbornly repeating + his praises of the king, but in bringing them to the proof; and proposed + their gainsayer a wager. + </p> + <p> + With his consent Ref went to Denmark, and found Gotrik seated in state, + and dealing out the pay to his soldiers. When the king asked him who he + was, he said that his name was "Fox-cub" The answer filled some with mirth + and some with marvel, and Gotrik said, "Yea, and it is fitting that a fox + should catch his prey in his mouth." And thereupon he drew a bracelet from + his arm, called the man to him, and put it between his lips. Straightway + Ref put it upon his arm, which he displayed to them all adorned with gold, + but the other arm he kept hidden as lacking ornament; for which shrewdness + he received a gift equal to the first from that hand of matchless + generosity. At this he was overjoyed, not so much because the reward was + great, as because he had won his contention. And when the king learnt from + him about the wager he had laid, he rejoiced that he had been lavish to + him more by accident than of set purpose, and declared that he got more + pleasure from the giving than the receiver from the gift. So Ref returned + to Norway and slew his opponent, who refused to pay the wager. Then he + took the daughter of Gaut captive, and brought her to Gotrik for his own. + </p> + <p> + Gotrik, who is also called Godefride, carried his arms against foreigners, + and increased his strength and glory by his successful generalship. Among + his memorable deeds were the terms of tribute he imposed upon the Saxons; + namely, that whenever a change of kings occurred among the Danes, their + princes should devote a hundred snow-white horses to the new king on his + accession. But if the Saxons should receive a new chief upon a change in + the succession, this chief was likewise to pay the aforesaid tribute + obediently, and bow at the outset of his power to the sovereign majesty of + Denmark; thereby acknowledging the supremacy of our nation, and solemnly + confessing his own subjection. Nor was it enough for Gotrik to subjugate + Germany: he appointed Ref on a mission to try the strength of Sweden. The + Swedes feared to slay him with open violence, but ventured to act like + bandits, and killed him, as he slept, with the blow of a stone. For, + hanging a millstone above him, they cut its fastenings, and let it drop + upon his neck as he lay beneath. To expiate this crime it was decreed that + each of the ringleaders should pay twelve golden talents, while each of + the common people should pay Gotrik one ounce. Men called this "the + Fox-cub's tribute". (Refsgild). + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile it befell that Karl, King of the Franks, crushed Germany in war, + and forced it not only to embrace the worship of Christianity, but also to + obey his authority. When Gotrik heard of this, he attacked the nations + bordering on the Elbe, and attempted to regain under his sway as of old + the realm of Saxony, which eagerly accepted the yoke of Karl, and + preferred the Roman to the Danish arms. Karl had at this time withdrawn + his victorious camp beyond the Rhine, and therefore forbore to engage the + stranger enemy, being prevented by the intervening river. But when he was + intending to cross once more to subdue the power of Gotrik, he was + summoned by Leo the Pope of the Romans to defend the city. + </p> + <p> + Obeying this command, Karl intrusted his son Pepin with the conduct of the + war against Gotrik; so that while he himself was working against a distant + foe, Pepin might manage the conflict he had undertaken with his neighbour. + For Karl was distracted by two anxieties, and had to furnish sufficient + out of a scanty band to meet both of them. Meanwhile Gotrik won a glorious + victory over the Saxons. Then gathering new strength, and mustering a + larger body of forces, he resolved to avenge the wrong he had suffered in + losing his sovereignty, not only upon the Saxons, but upon the whole + people of Germany. He began by subduing Friesland with his fleet. + </p> + <p> + This province lies very low, and whenever the fury of the ocean bursts the + dykes that bar its waves, it is wont to receive the whole mass of the + deluge over its open plains. On this country Gotrik imposed a kind of + tribute, which was not so much harsh as strange. I will briefly relate its + terms and the manner of it. First, a building was arranged, two hundred + and forty feet in length, and divided into twelve spaces; each of these + stretching over an interval of twenty feet, and thus making together, when + the whole room was exhausted, the aforesaid total. Now at the upper end of + this building sat the king's treasurer, and in a line with him at its + further end was displayed a round shield. When the Frisians came to pay + tribute, they used to cast their coins one by one into the hollow of this + shield; but only those coins which struck the ear of the distant + toll-gatherer with a distinct clang were chosen by him, as he counted, to + be reckoned among the royal tribute. The result was that the collector + only reckoned that money towards the treasury of which his distant ear + caught the sound as it fell. But that of which the sound was duller, and + which fell out of his earshot, was received indeed into the treasury, but + did not count as any increase to the sum paid. Now many coins that were + cast in struck with no audible loudness whatever on the collector's ear, + so that men who came to pay their appointed toll sometimes squandered much + of their money in useless tribute. Karl is said to have freed them + afterwards from the burden of this tax. After Gotrik had crossed + Friesland, and Karl had now come back from Rome, Gotrik determined to + swoop down upon the further districts of Germany, but was treacherously + attacked by one of his own servants, and perished at home by the sword of + a traitor. When Karl heard this, he leapt up overjoyed, declaring that + nothing more delightful had ever fallen to his lot than this happy chance. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) Furthest Thule—The names of Icelanders have thus crept + into the account of a battle fought before the discovery of + Iceland. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK NINE. + </h2> + <p> + After Gotrik's death reigned his son OLAF; who, desirous to avenge his + father, did not hesitate to involve his country in civil wars, putting + patriotism after private inclination. When he perished, his body was put + in a barrow, famous for the name of Olaf, which was built up close by + Leire. + </p> + <p> + He was succeeded by HEMMING, of whom I have found no deed worthy of + record, save that he made a sworn peace with Kaiser Ludwig; and yet, + perhaps, envious antiquity hides many notable deeds of his time, albeit + they were then famous. + </p> + <p> + After these men there came to the throne, backed by the Skanians and + Zealanders, SIWARD, surnamed RING. He was the son, born long ago, of the + chief of Norway who bore the same name, by Gotrik's daughter. Now Ring, + cousin of Siward, and also a grandson of Gotrik, was master of Jutland. + Thus the power of the single kingdom was divided; and, as though its two + parts were contemptible for their smallness, foreigners began not only to + despise but to attack it. These Siward assailed with greater hatred than + he did his rival for the throne; and, preferring wars abroad to wars at + home, he stubbornly defended his country against dangers for five years; + for he chose to put up with a trouble at home that he might the more + easily cure one which came from abroad. Wherefore Ring (desiring his) + command, seized the opportunity, tried to transfer the whole sovereignty + to himself, and did not hesitate to injure in his own land the man who was + watching over it without; for he attacked the provinces in the possession + of Siward, which was an ungrateful requital for the defence of their + common country. Therefore, some of the Zealanders who were more zealous + for Siward, in order to show him firmer loyalty in his absence, proclaimed + his son Ragnar as king, when he was scarcely dragged out of his cradle. + Not but what they knew he was too young to govern; yet they hoped that + such a gage would serve to rouse their sluggish allies against Ring. But, + when Ring heard that Siward had meantime returned from his expedition, he + attacked the Zealanders with a large force, and proclaimed that they + should perish by the sword if they did not surrender; but the Zealanders, + who were bidden to choose between shame and peril, were so few that they + distrusted their strength, and requested a truce to consider the matter. + It was granted; but, since it did not seem open to them to seek the favour + of Siward, nor honourable to embrace that of Ring, they wavered long in + perplexity between fear and shame. In this plight even the old were at a + loss for counsel; but Ragnar, who chanced to be present at the assembly, + said: "The short bow shoots its shaft suddenly. Though it may seem the + hardihood of a boy that I venture to forestall the speech of the elders, + yet I pray you to pardon my errors, and be indulgent to my unripe words. + Yet the counsellor of wisdom is not to be spurned, though he seem + contemptible; for the teaching of profitable things should be drunk in + with an open mind. Now it is shameful that we should be branded as + deserters and runaways, but it is just as foolhardy to venture above our + strength; and thus there is proved to be equal blame either way. We must, + then, pretend to go over to the enemy, but, when a chance comes in our + way, we must desert him betimes. It will thus be better to forestall the + wrath of our foe by reigned obedience than, by refusing it, to give him a + weapon wherewith to attack us yet more harshly; for if we decline the sway + of the stronger, are we not simply turning his arms against our own + throat? Intricate devices are often the best nurse of craft. You need + cunning to trap a fox." By this sound counsel he dispelled the wavering of + his countrymen, and strengthened the camp of the enemy to its own hurt. + </p> + <p> + The assembly, marvelling at the eloquence as much as at the wit of one so + young, gladly embraced a proposal of such genius, which they thought + excellent beyond his years. Nor were the old men ashamed to obey the + bidding of a boy when they lacked counsel themselves; for, though it came + from one of tender years, it was full, notwithstanding, of weighty and + sound instruction. But they feared to expose their adviser to immediate + peril, and sent him over to Norway to be brought up. Soon afterwards, + Siward joined battle with Ring and attacked him. He slew Ring, but himself + received an incurable wound, of which he died a few days afterwards. + </p> + <p> + He was succeeded on the throne by RAGNAR. At this time Fro (Frey?), the + King of Sweden, after slaying Siward, the King of the Norwegians, put the + wives of Siward's kinsfolk in bonds in a brothel, and delivered them to + public outrage. When Ragnar heard of this, he went to Norway to avenge his + grandfather. As he came, many of the matrons, who had either suffered + insult to their persons or feared imminent peril to their chastity, + hastened eagerly to his camp in male attire, declaring that they would + prefer death to outrage. Nor did Ragnar, who was to punish this reproach + upon the women, scorn to use against the author of the infamy the help of + those whose shame he had come to avenge. Among them was Ladgerda, a + skilled amazon, who, though a maiden, had the courage of a man, and fought + in front among the bravest with her hair loose over her shoulders. + All-marvelled at her matchless deeds, for her locks flying down her back + betrayed that she was a woman. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar, when he had justly cut down the murderer of his grandfather, asked + many questions of his fellow soldiers concerning the maiden whom he had + seen so forward in the fray, and declared that he had gained the victory + by the might of one woman. Learning that she was of noble birth among the + barbarians, he steadfastly wooed her by means of messengers. She spurned + his mission in her heart, but feigned compliance. Giving false answers, + she made her panting wooer confident that he would gain his desires; but + ordered that a bear and a dog should be set at the porch of her dwelling, + thinking to guard her own room against all the ardour of a lover by means + of the beasts that blocked the way. Ragnar, comforted by the good news, + embarked, crossed the sea, and, telling his men to stop in Gaulardale, as + the valley is called, went to the dwelling of the maiden alone. Here the + beasts met him, and he thrust one through with a spear, and caught the + other by the throat, wrung its neck, and choked it. Thus he had the maiden + as the prize of the peril he had overcome. By this marriage he had two + daughters, whose names have not come down to us, and a son Fridleif. Then + he lived three years at peace. + </p> + <p> + The Jutlanders, a presumptuous race, thinking that because of his recent + marriage he would never return, took the Skanians into alliance, and tried + to attack the Zealanders, who preserved the most zealous and affectionate + loyalty towards Ragnar. He, when he heard of it, equipped thirty ships, + and, the winds favouring his voyage, crushed the Skanians, who ventured to + fight, near the stead of Whiteby, and when the winter was over he fought + successfully with the Jutlanders who dwelt near the Liim-fjord in that + region. A third and a fourth time he conquered the Skanians and the + Hallanders triumphantly. + </p> + <p> + Afterwards, changing his love, and desiring Thora, the daughter of the + King Herodd, to wife, Ragnar divorced himself from Ladgerda; for he + thought ill of her trustworthiness, remembering that she had long ago set + the most savage beasts to destroy him. Meantime Herodd, the King of the + Swedes, happening to go and hunt in the woods, brought home some snakes, + found by his escort, for his daughter to rear. She speedily obeyed the + instructions of her father, and endured to rear a race of adders with her + maiden hands. Moreover, she took care that they should daily have a whole + ox-carcase to gorge upon, not knowing that she was privately feeding and + keeping up a public nuisance. The vipers grew up, and scorched the + country-side with their pestilential breath. Whereupon the king, repenting + of his sluggishness, proclaimed that whosoever removed the pest should + have his daughter. + </p> + <p> + Many warriors were thereto attracted by courage as much as by desire; but + all idly and perilously wasted their pains. Ragnar, learning from men who + travelled to and fro how the matter stood, asked his nurse for a woolen + mantle, and for some thigh-pieces that were very hairy, with which he + could repel the snake-bites. He thought that he ought to use a dress + stuffed with hair to protect himself, and also took one that was not + unwieldy, that he might move nimbly. And when he had landed in Sweden, he + deliberately plunged his body in water, while there was a frost falling, + and, wetting his dress, to make it the less penetrable, he let the cold + freeze it. Thus attired, he took leave of his companions, exhorted them to + remain loyal to Fridleif, and went on to the palace alone. When he saw it, + he tied his sword to his side, and lashed a spear to his right hand with a + thong. As he went on, an enormous snake glided up and met him. Another, + equally huge, crawled up, following in the trail of the first. They strove + now to buffet the young man with the coils of their tails, and now to spit + and belch their venom stubbornly upon him. Meantime the courtiers, + betaking themselves to safer hiding, watched the struggle from afar like + affrighted little girls. The king was stricken with equal fear, and fled, + with a few followers, to a narrow shelter. But Ragnar, trusting in the + hardness of his frozen dress, foiled the poisonous assaults not only with + his arms, but with his attire, and, singlehanded, in unweariable combat, + stood up against the two gaping creatures, who stubbornly poured forth + their venom upon him. For their teeth he repelled with his shield, their + poison with his dress. At last he cast his spear, and drove it against the + bodies of the brutes, who were attacking him hard. He pierced both their + hearts, and his battle ended in victory. + </p> + <p> + After Ragnar had thus triumphed the king scanned his dress closely, and + saw that he was rough and hairy; but, above all, he laughed at the shaggy + lower portion of his garb, and chiefly the uncouth aspect of his breeches; + so that he gave him in jest the nickname of Lodbrog. Also he invited him + to feast with his friends, to refresh him after his labours. Ragnar said + that he would first go back to the witnesses whom he had left behind. He + set out and brought them back, splendidly attired for the coming feast. At + last, when the banquet was over, he received the prize that was appointed + for the victory. By her he begot two nobly-gifted sons, Radbard and + Dunwat. These also had brothers—Siward, Biorn, Agnar, and Iwar. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the Jutes and Skanians were kindled with an unquenchable fire + of sedition; they disallowed the title of Ragnar, and gave a certain + Harald the sovereign power. Ragnar sent envoys to Norway, and besought + friendly assistance against these men; and Ladgerda, whose early love + still flowed deep and steadfast, hastily sailed off with her husband and + her son. She brought herself to offer a hundred and twenty ships to the + man who had once put her away. And he, thinking himself destitute of all + resources, took to borrowing help from folk of every age, crowded the + strong and the feeble all together, and was not ashamed to insert some old + men and boys among the wedges of the strong. So he first tried to crush + the power of the Skanians in the field which in Latin is called Laneus + (Woolly); here he had a hard fight with the rebels. Here, too, Iwar, who + was in his seventh year, fought splendidly, and showed the strength of a + man in the body of a boy. But Siward, while attacking the enemy face to + face, fell forward upon the ground wounded. When his men saw this, it made + them look round most anxiously for means of flight; and this brought low + not only Siward, but almost the whole army on the side of Ragnar. But + Ragnar by his manly deeds and exhortations comforted their amazed and + sunken spirits, and, just when they were ready to be conquered, spurred + them on to try and conquer. + </p> + <p> + Ladgerda, who had a matchless spirit though a delicate frame, covered by + her splendid bravery the inclination of the soldiers to waver. For she + made a sally about, and flew round to the rear of the enemy, taking them + unawares, and thus turned the panic of her friends into the camp of the + enemy. At last the lines of HARALD became slack, and HARALD himself was + routed with a great slaughter of his men. LADGERDA, when she had gone home + after the battle, murdered her husband.... in the night with a spear-head, + which she had hid in her gown. Then she usurped the whole of his name and + sovereignty; for this most presumptuous dame thought it pleasanter to rule + without her husband than to share the throne with him. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Siward was taken to a town in the neighbourhood, and gave + himself to be tended by the doctors, who were reduced to the depths of + despair. But while the huge wound baffled all the remedies they applied, a + certain man of amazing size was seen to approach the litter of the sick + man, and promised that Siward should straightway rejoice and be whole, if + he would consecrate unto him the souls of all whom he should overcome in + battle. Nor did he conceal his name, but said that he was called Rostar. + Now Siward, when he saw that a great benefit could be got at the cost of a + little promise, eagerly acceded to this request. Then the old man + suddenly, by the help of his hand, touched and banished the livid spot, + and suddenly scarred the wound over. At last he poured dust on his eyes + and departed. Spots suddenly arose, and the dust, to the amaze of the + beholders, seemed to become wonderfully like little snakes. + </p> + <p> + I should think that he who did this miracle wished to declare, by the + manifest token of his eyes, that the young man was to be cruel in future, + in order that the more visible part of his body might not lack some omen + of his life that was to follow. When the old woman, who had the care of + his draughts, saw him showing in his face signs of little snakes; she was + seized with an extraordinary horror of the young man, and suddenly fell + and swooned away. Hence it happened that Siward got the widespread name of + Snake-Eye. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Thora, the bride of Ragnar, perished of a violent malady, which + caused infinite trouble and distress to the husband, who dearly loved his + wife. This distress, he thought, would be best dispelled by business, and + he resolved to find solace in exercise and qualify his grief by toil. To + banish his affliction and gain some comfort, he bent his thoughts to + warfare, and decreed that every father of a family should devote to his + service whichever of his children he thought most contemptible, or any + slave of his who was lazy at his work or of doubtful fidelity. And albeit + that this decree seemed little fitted for his purpose, he showed that the + feeblest of the Danish race were better than the strongest men of other + nations; and it did the young men great good, each of those chosen being + eager to wipe off the reproach of indolence. Also he enacted that every + piece of litigation should be referred to the judgment of twelve chosen + elders, all ordinary methods of action being removed, the accuser being + forbidden to charge, and the accused to defend. This law removed all + chance of incurring litigation lightly. Thinking that there was thus + sufficient provision made against false accusations by unscrupulous men, + he lifted up his arms against Britain, and attacked and slew in battle its + king, Hame, the father of Ella, who was a most noble youth. Then he killed + the earls of Scotland and of Pictland, and of the isles that they call the + Southern or Meridional (Sudr-eyar), and made his sons Siward and Radbard + masters of the provinces, which were now without governors. He also + deprived Norway of its chief by force, and commanded it to obey Fridleif, + whom he also set over the Orkneys, from which he took their own earl. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, some of the Danes who were most stubborn in their hatred against + Ragnar were obstinately bent on rebellion. They rallied to the side of + Harald, once an exile, and tried to raise the fallen fortunes of the + tyrant. By this hardihood they raised up against the king the most + virulent blasts of civil war, and entangled him in domestic perils when he + was free from foreign troubles. Ragnar, setting out to check them with a + fleet of the Danes who lived in the isles, crushed the army of the rebels, + drove Harald, the leader of the conquered army, a fugitive to Germany, and + forced him to resign unbashfully an honour which he had gained without + scruple. Nor was he content simply to kill his prisoners: he preferred to + torture them to death, so that those who could not be induced to forsake + their disloyalty might not be so much as suffered to give up the ghost + save under the most grievous punishment. Moreover, the estates of those + who had deserted with Harald he distributed among those who were serving + as his soldiers, thinking that the fathers would be worse punished by + seeing the honour of their inheritance made over to the children whom they + had rejected, while those whom they had loved better lost their patrimony. + But even this did not sate his vengeance, and he further determined to + attack Saxony, thinking it the refuge of his foes and the retreat of + Harald. So, begging his sons to help him, he came on Karl, who happened + then to be tarrying on those borders of his empire. Intercepting his + sentries, he eluded the watch that was posted on guard. But while he + thought that all the rest would therefore be easy and more open to his + attacks, suddenly a woman who was a soothsayer, a kind of divine oracle or + interpreter of the will of heaven, warned the king with a saving prophecy, + and by her fortunate presage forestalled the mischief that impended, + saying that the fleet of Siward had moored at the mouth of the river + Seine. The emperor, heeding the warning, and understanding that the enemy + was at hand, managed to engage with and stop the barbarians, who were thus + pointed out to him. A battle was fought with Ragnar; but Karl did not + succeed as happily in the field as he had got warning of the danger. And + so that tireless conqueror of almost all Europe, who in his calm and + complete career of victory had travelled over so great a portion of the + world, now beheld his army, which had vanquished all these states and + nations, turning its face from the field, and shattered by a handful from + a single province. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar, after loading the Saxons with tribute, had sure tidings from + Sweden of the death of Herodd, and also heard that his own sons, owing to + the slander of Sorle, the king chosen in his stead, had been robbed of + their inheritance. He besought the aid of the brothers Biorn, Fridleif, + and Ragbard (for Ragnald, Hwitserk, and Erik, his sons by Swanloga, had + not yet reached the age of bearing arms), and went to Sweden. Sorle met + him with his army, and offered him the choice between a public conflict + and a duel; and when Ragnar chose personal combat, he sent against him + Starkad, a champion of approved daring, with his band of seven sons, to + challenge and fight with him. Ragnar took his three sons to share the + battle with him, engaged in the sight of both armies, and came out of the + combat triumphant. + </p> + <p> + Biorn, having inflicted great slaughter on the foe without hurt to + himself, gained from the strength of his sides, which were like iron, a + perpetual name (Ironsides). This victory emboldened Ragnar to hope that he + could overcome any peril, and he attacked and slew Sorle with the entire + forces he was leading. He presented Biorn with the lordship of Sweden for + his conspicuous bravery and service. Then for a little interval he rested + from wars, and chanced to fall deeply in love with a certain woman. In + order to find some means of approaching and winning her the more readily, + he courted her father (Esbern) by showing him the most obliging and + attentive kindness. He often invited him to banquets, and received him + with lavish courtesy. When he came, he paid him the respect of rising, and + when he sat, he honoured him with a set next to himself. He also often + comforted him with gifts, and at times with the most kindly speech. The + man saw that no merits of his own could be the cause of all this + distinction, and casting over the matter every way in his mind, he + perceived that the generosity of his monarch was caused by his love for + his daughter, and that he coloured this lustful purpose with the name of + kindness. But, that he might balk the cleverness of the lover, however + well calculated, he had the girl watched all the more carefully that he + saw her beset by secret aims and obstinate methods. But Ragnar, who was + comforted by the surest tidings of her consent, went to the farmhouse in + which she was kept, and fancying that love must find out a way, repaired + alone to a certain peasant in a neighbouring lodging. In the morning he + exchanged dress with the women, and went in female attire, and stood by + his mistress as she was unwinding wool. Cunningly, to avoid betrayal, he + set his hands to the work of a maiden, though they were little skilled in + the art. In the night he embraced the maiden and gained his desire. When + her time drew near, and the girl growing big, betrayed her outraged + chastity, the father, not knowing to whom his daughter had given herself + to be defiled, persisted in asking the girl herself who was the unknown + seducer. She steadfastly affirmed that she had had no one to share her bed + except her handmaid, and he made the affair over to the king to search + into. He would not allow an innocent servant to be branded with an + extraordinary charge, and was not ashamed to prove another's innocence by + avowing his own guilt. By this generosity he partially removed the woman's + reproach, and prevented an absurd report from being sown in the ears of + the wicked. Also he added, that the son to be born of her was of his own + line, and that he wished him to be named Ubbe. When this son had grown up + somewhat, his wit, despite his tender years, equalled the discernment of + manhood. For he took to loving his mother, since she had had converse with + a noble bed, but cast off all respect for his father, because he had + stooped to a union too lowly. + </p> + <p> + After this Ragnar prepared an expedition against the Hellespontines, and + summoned an assembly of the Danes, promising that he would give the people + most wholesome laws. He had enacted before that each father of a household + should offer for service that one among his sons whom he esteemed least; + but now he enacted that each should arm the son who was stoutest of hand + or of most approved loyalty. Thereon, taking all the sons he had by Thora, + in addition to Ubbe, he attacked, crushed in sundry campaigns, and subdued + the Hellespont with its king Dia. At last he involved the same king in + disaster after disaster, and slew him. Dia's sons, Dia and Daxo, who had + before married the daughters of the Russian king, begged forces from their + father-in-law, and rushed with most ardent courage to the work of avenging + their father. But Ragnar, when he saw their boundless army, distrusted his + own forces; and he put brazen horses on wheels that could be drawn easily, + took them round on carriages that would turn, and ordered that they should + be driven with the utmost force against the thickest ranks of the enemy. + This device served so well to break the line of the foe, that the Danes' + hope of conquest seemed to lie more in the engine than in the soldiers: + for its insupportable weight overwhelmed whatever it struck. Thus one of + the leaders was killed, while one made off in flight, and the whole army + of the area of the Hellespont retreated. The Scythians, also, who were + closely related by blood to Daxo on the mother's side, are said to have + been crushed in the same disaster. Their province was made over to + Hwitserk, and the king of the Russians, trusting little in his own + strength, hastened to fly out of the reach of the terrible arms of Ragnar. + </p> + <p> + Now Ragnar had spent almost five years in sea-roving, and had quickly + compelled all other nations to submit; but he found the Perms in open + defiance of his sovereignty. He had just conquered them, but their loyalty + was weak. When they heard that he had come they cast spells upon the sky, + stirred up the clouds, and drove them into most furious storms. This for + some time prevented the Danes from voyaging, and caused their supply of + food to fail. Then, again, the storm suddenly abated, and now they were + scorched by the most fervent and burning heat; nor was this plague any + easier to bear than the great and violent cold had been. Thus the + mischievous excess in both directions affected their bodies alternately, + and injured them by an immoderate increase first of cold and then of heat. + Moreover, dysentery killed most of them. So the mass of the Danes, being + pent in by the dangerous state of the weather, perished of the bodily + plague that arose on every side. And when Ragnar saw that he was hindered, + not so much by a natural as by a factitious tempest, he held on his voyage + as best he could, and got to the country of the Kurlanders and Sembs, who + paid zealous honour to his might and majesty, as if he were the most + revered of conquerors. This service enraged the king all the more against + the arrogance of the men of Permland, and he attempted to avenge his + slighted dignity by a sudden attack. Their king, whose name is not known, + was struck with panic at such a sudden invasion of the enemy, and at the + same time had no heart to join battle with them; and fled to Matul, the + prince of Finmark. He, trusting in the great skill of his archers, + harassed with impunity the army of Ragnar, which was wintering in + Permland. For the Finns, who are wont to glide on slippery timbers + (snowskates), scud along at whatever pace they will, and are considered to + be able to approach or depart very quickly; for as soon as they have + damaged the enemy they fly away as speedily as they approach, nor is the + retreat they make quicker than their charge. Thus their vehicles and their + bodies are so nimble that they acquire the utmost expertness both in + advance and flight. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar was filled with amazement at the poorness of his fortunes when he + saw that he, who had conquered Rome at its pinnacle of power, was dragged + by an unarmed and uncouth race into the utmost peril. He, therefore, who + had signally crushed the most glorious flower of the Roman soldiery, and + the forces of a most great and serene captain, now yielded to a base mob + with the poorest and slenderest equipment; and he whose lustre in war the + might of the strongest race on earth had failed to tarnish, was now too + weak to withstand the tiny band of a miserable tribe. Hence, with that + force which had helped him bravely to defeat the most famous pomp in all + the world and the weightiest weapon of military power, and to subdue in + the field all that thunderous foot, horse, and encampment; with this he + had now, stealthily and like a thief, to endure the attacks of a wretched + and obscure populace; nor must he blush to stain by a treachery in the + night that noble glory of his which had been won in the light of day, for + he took to a secret ambuscade instead of open bravery. This affair was as + profitable in its issue as it was unhandsome in the doing. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar was equally as well pleased at the flight of the Finns as he had + been at that of Karl, and owned that he had found more strength in that + defenceless people than in the best equipped soldiery; for he found the + heaviest weapons of the Romans easier to bear than the light darts of this + ragged tribe. Here, after killing the king of the Perms and routing the + king of the Finns, Ragnar set an eternal memorial of his victory on the + rocks, which bore the characters of his deeds on their face, and looked + down upon them. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Ubbe was led by his grandfather, Esbern, to conceive an unholy + desire for the throne; and, casting away all thought of the reverence due + to his father, he claimed the emblem of royalty for his own head. + </p> + <p> + When Ragnar heard of his arrogance from Kelther and Thorkill, the earls of + Sweden, he made a hasty voyage towards Gothland. Esbern, finding that + these men were attached with a singular loyalty to the side of Ragnar, + tried to bribe them to desert the king. But they did not swerve from their + purpose, and replied that their will depended on that of Biorn, declaring + that not a single Swede would dare to do what went against his pleasure. + Esbern speedily made an attempt on Biorn himself, addressing him most + courteously through his envoys. Biorn said that he would never lean more + to treachery than to good faith, and judged that it would be a most + abominable thing to prefer the favour of an infamous brother to the love + of a most righteous father. The envoys themselves he punished with + hanging, because they counselled him to so grievous a crime. The Swedes, + moreover, slew the rest of the train of the envoys in the same way, as a + punishment for their mischievous advice. So Esbern, thinking that his + secret and stealthy manoeuvres did not succeed fast enough, mustered his + forces openly, and went publicly forth to war. But Iwar, the governor of + Jutland, seeing no righteousness on either side of the impious conflict, + avoided all unholy war by voluntary exile. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar attacked and slew Esbern in the bay that is called in Latin + Viridis; he cut off the dead man's head and bade it be set upon the ship's + prow, a dreadful sight for the seditious. But Ubbe took to flight, and + again attacked his father, having revived the war in Zealand. Ubbe's ranks + broke, and he was assailed single-handed from all sides; but he felled so + many of the enemy's line that he was surrounded with a pile of the corpses + of the foe as with a strong bulwark, and easily checked his assailants + from approaching. At last he was overwhelmed by the thickening masses of + the enemy, captured, and taken off to be laden with public fetters. By + immense violence he disentangled his chains and cut them away. But when he + tried to sunder and rend the bonds that were (then) put upon him, he could + not in any wise escape his bars. But when Iwar heard that the rising in + his country had been quelled by the punishment of the rebel, he went to + Denmark. Ragnar received him with the greatest honour, because, while the + unnatural war had raged its fiercest, he had behaved with the most entire + filial respect. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Daxo long and vainly tried to overcome Hwitserk, who ruled over + Sweden; but at last he enrapped him under pretence of making a peace, and + attacked him. Hwitserk received him hospitably, but Daxo had prepared an + army with weapons, who were to feign to be trading, ride into the city in + carriages, and break with a night-attack into the house of their host. + Hwitserk smote this band of robbers with such a slaughter that he was + surrounded with a heap of his enemies' bodies, and could only be taken by + letting down ladders from above. Twelve of his companions, who were + captured at the same time by the enemy, were given leave to go back to + their country; but they gave up their lives for their king, and chose to + share the dangers of another rather than be quit of their own. + </p> + <p> + Daxo, moved with compassion at the beauty of Hwitserk, had not the heart + to pluck the budding blossom of that noble nature, and offered him not + only his life, but his daughter in marriage, with a dowry of half his + kingdom; choosing rather to spare his comeliness than to punish his + bravery. But the other, in the greatness of his soul, valued as nothing + the life which he was given on sufferance, and spurned his safety as + though it were some trivial benefit. Of his own will he embraced the + sentence of doom, saying, that Ragnar would exact a milder vengeance for + his son if he found that he had made his own choice in selecting the + manner of his death. The enemy wondered at his rashness, and promised that + he should die by the manner of death which he should choose for this + punishment. This leave the young man accepted as a great kindness, and + begged that he might be bound and burned with his friends. Daxo speedily + complied with his prayers that craved for death, and by way of kindness + granted him the end that he had chosen. When Ragnar heard of this, he + began to grieve stubbornly even unto death, and not only put on the garb + of mourning, but, in the exceeding sorrow of his soul, took to his bed and + showed his grief by groaning. But his wife, who had more than a man's + courage, chid his weakness, and put heart into him with her manful + admonitions. Drawing his mind off from his woe, she bade him be zealous in + the pursuit of war; declaring that it was better for so brave a father to + avenge the bloodstained ashes of his son with weapons than with tears. She + also told him not to whimper like a woman, and get as much disgrace by his + tears as he had once earned glory by his valour. Upon these words Ragnar + began to fear lest he should destroy his ancient name for courage by his + womanish sorrow; so, shaking off his melancholy garb and putting away his + signs of mourning, he revived his sleeping valour with hopes of speedy + vengeance. Thus do the weak sometimes nerve the spirits of the strong. So + he put his kingdom in charge of Iwar, and embraced with a father's love + Ubbe, who was now restored to his ancient favour. Then he transported his + fleet over to Russia, took Daxo, bound him in chains, and sent him away to + be kept in Utgard. (1) + </p> + <p> + Ragnar showed on this occasion the most merciful moderation towards the + slayer of his dearest son, since he sufficiently satisfied the vengeance + which he desired, by the exile of the culprit rather than his death. This + compassion shamed the Russians out of any further rage against such a + king, who could not be driven even by the most grievous wrongs to inflict + death upon his prisoners. Ragnar soon took Daxo back into favour, and + restored him to his country, upon his promising that he would every year + pay him his tribute barefoot, like a suppliant, with twelve elders, also + unshod. For he thought it better to punish a prisoner and a suppliant + gently, than to draw the axe of bloodshed; better to punish that proud + neck with constant slavery than to sever it once and for all. Then he went + on and appointed his son Erik, surnamed Wind-hat, over Sweden. Here, while + Fridleif and Siward were serving under him, he found that the Norwegians + and the Scots had wrongfully conferred the title of king on two other men. + So he first overthrew the usurper to the power of Norway, and let Biorn + have the country for his own benefit. + </p> + <p> + Then he summoned Biorn and Erik, ravaged the Orkneys, landed at last on + the territory of the Scots, and in a three-days' battle wearied out their + king Murial, and slew him. But Ragnar's sons, Dunwat and Radbard, after + fighting nobly, were slain by the enemy. So that the victory their father + won was stained with their blood. He returned to Denmark, and found that + his wife Swanloga had in the meantime died of disease. Straightway he + sought medicine for his grief in loneliness, and patiently confined the + grief of his sick soul within the walls of his house. But this bitter + sorrow was driven out of him by the sudden arrival of Iwar, who had been + expelled from the kingdom. For the Gauls had made him fly, and had + wrongfully bestowed royal power on a certain Ella, the son of Hame. Ragnar + took Iwar to guide him, since he was acquainted with the country, gave + orders for a fleet, and approached the harbour called York. Here he + disembarked his forces, and after a battle which lasted three days, he + made Ella, who had trusted in the valour of the Gauls, desirous to fly. + The affair cost much blood to the English and very little to the Danes. + Here Ragnar completed a year of conquest, and then, summoning his sons to + help him, he went to Ireland, slew its king Melbrik, besieged Dublin, + which was filled with wealth of the barbarians, attacked it, and received + its surrender. There he lay in camp for a year; and then, sailing through + the midland sea, he made his way to the Hellespont. He won signal + victories as he crossed all the intervening countries, and no ill-fortune + anywhere checked his steady and prosperous advance. + </p> + <p> + Harald, meanwhile, with the adherence of certain Danes who were + cold-hearted servants in the army of Ragnar, disturbed his country with + renewed sedition, and came forward claiming the title of king. He was met + by the arms of Ragnar returning from the Hellespont; but being + unsuccessful, and seeing that his resources of defence at home were + exhausted, he went to ask help of Ludwig, who was then stationed at Mainz. + But Ludwig, filled with the greatest zeal for promoting his religion, + imposed a condition on the Barbarian, promising him help if he would agree + to follow the worship of Christ. For he said there could be no agreement + of hearts between those who embraced discordant creeds. Anyone, therefore, + who asked for help, must first have a fellowship in religion. No men could + be partners in great works who were separated by a different form of + worship. This decision procured not only salvation for Ludwig's guest, but + the praise of piety for Ludwig himself, who, as soon as Harald had gone to + the holy font, accordingly strengthened him with Saxon auxiliaries. + Trusting in these, Harald built a temple in the land of Sleswik with much + care and cost, to be hallowed to God. Thus he borrowed a pattern of the + most holy way from the worship of Rome. He unhallowed, pulled down the + shrines that had been profaned by the error of misbelievers, outlawed the + sacrificers, abolished the (heathen) priesthood, and was the first to + introduce the religion of Christianity to his uncouth country. Rejecting + the worship of demons, he was zealous for that of God. Lastly, he observed + with the most scrupulous care whatever concerned the protection of + religion. But he began with more piety than success. For Ragnar came up, + outraged the holy rites he had brought in, outlawed the true faith, + restored the false one to its old position, and bestowed on the ceremonies + the same honour as before. As for Harald, he deserted and cast in his lot + with sacrilege. For though he was a notable ensample by his introduction + of religion, yet he was the first who was seen to neglect it, and this + illustrious promoter of holiness proved a most infamous forsaker of the + same. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Ella betook himself to the Irish, and put to the sword or + punished all those who were closely and loyally attached to Ragnar. Then + Ragnar attacked him with his fleet, but, by the just visitation of the + Omnipotent, was openly punished for disparaging religion. For when he had + been taken and cast into prison, his guilty limbs were given to serpents + to devour, and adders found ghastly substance in the fibres of his + entrails. His liver was eaten away, and a snake, like a deadly + executioner, beset his very heart. Then in a courageous voice he recounted + all his deeds in order, and at the end of his recital added the following + sentence: "If the porkers knew the punishment of the boar-pig, surely they + would break into the sty and hasten to loose him from his affliction." At + this saying, Ella conjectured that some of his sons were yet alive, and + bade that the executioners should stop and the vipers be removed. The + servants ran up to accomplish his bidding; but Ragnar was dead, and + forestalled the order of the king. Surely we must say that this man had a + double lot for his share? By one, he had a fleet unscathed, an empire + well-inclined, and immense power as a rover; while the other inflicted on + him the ruin of his fame, the slaughter of his soldiers, and a most bitter + end. The executioner beheld him beset with poisonous beasts, and asps + gorging on that heart which he had borne steadfast in the face of every + peril. Thus a most glorious conqueror declined to the piteous lot of a + prisoner; a lesson that no man should put too much trust in fortune. + </p> + <p> + Iwar heard of this disaster as he happened to be looking on at the games. + Nevertheless, he kept an unmoved countenance, and in nowise broke down. + Not only did he dissemble his grief and conceal the news of his father's + death, but he did not even allow a clamour to arise, and forbade the + panic-stricken people to leave the scene of the sports. Thus, loth to + interrupt the spectacle by the ceasing of the games, he neither clouded + his countenance nor turned his eyes from public merriment to dwell upon + his private sorrow; for he would not fall suddenly into the deepest + melancholy from the height of festal joy, or seem to behave more like an + afflicted son than a blithe captain. + </p> + <p> + But when Siward heard the same tidings, he loved his father more than he + cared for his own pain, and in his distraction plunged deeply into his + foot the spear he chanced to be holding, dead to all bodily troubles in + his stony sadness. For he wished to hurt some part of his body severely, + that he might the more patiently bear the wound in his soul. By this act + he showed at once his bravery and his grief, and bore his lot like a son + who was more afflicted and steadfast. But Biorn received the tidings of + his father's death while he was playing at dice, and squeezed so violently + the piece that he was grasping that he wrung the blood from his fingers + and shed it on the table; whereon he said that assuredly the cast of fate + was more fickle than that of the very die which he was throwing. When Ella + heard this, he judged that his father's death had been borne with the + toughest and most stubborn spirit by that son of the three who had paid no + filial respect to his decease; and therefore he dreaded the bravery of + Iwar most. + </p> + <p> + Iwar went towards England, and when he saw that his fleet was not strong + enough to join battle with the enemy, he chose to be cunning rather than + bold, and tried a shrewd trick on Ella, begging as a pledge of peace + between them a strip of land as great as he could cover with a horse's + hide. He gained his request, for the king supposed that it would cost + little, and thought himself happy that so strong a foe begged for a little + boon instead of a great one; supposing that a tiny skin would cover but a + very little land. But Iwar cut the hide out and lengthened it into very + slender thongs, thus enclosing a piece of ground large enough to build a + city on. Then Ella came to repent of his lavishness, and tardily set to + reckoning the size of the hide, measuring the little skin more narrowly + now that it was cut up than when it was whole. For that which he had + thought would encompass a little strip of ground, he saw lying wide over a + great estate. Iwar brought into the city, when he founded it, supplies + that would serve amply for a siege, wishing the defences to be as good + against scarcity as against an enemy. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Siward and Biorn came up with a fleet of 400 ships, and with + open challenge declared war against the king. This they did at the + appointed time; and when they had captured him, they ordered the figure of + an eagle to be cut in his back, rejoicing to crush their most ruthless foe + by marking him with the cruellest of birds. Not satisfied with imprinting + a wound on him, they salted the mangled flesh. Thus Ella was done to + death, and Biorn and Siward went back to their own kingdoms. + </p> + <p> + Iwar governed England for two years. Meanwhile the Danes were stubborn in + revolt, and made war, and delivered the sovereignty publicly to a certain + SIWARD and to ERIK, both of the royal line. The sons of Ragnar, together + with a fleet of 1,700 ships, attacked them at Sleswik, and destroyed them + in a conflict which lasted six months. Barrows remain to tell the tale. + The sound on which the war was conducted has gained equal glory by the + death of Siward. And now the royal stock was almost extinguished, saving + only the sons of Ragnar. Then, when Biorn and Erik had gone home, Iwar and + Siward settled in Denmark, that they might curb the rebels with a stronger + rein, setting Agnar to govern England. Agnar was stung because the English + rejected him, and, with the help of Siward, chose, rather than foster the + insolence of the province that despised him, to dispeople it and leave its + fields, which were matted in decay, with none to till them. He covered the + richest land of the island with the most hideous desolation, thinking it + better to be lord of a wilderness than of a headstrong country. After this + he wished to avenge Erik, who had been slain in Sweden by the malice of a + certain Osten. But while he was narrowly bent on avenging another, he + squandered his own blood on the foe; and while he was eagerly trying to + punish the slaughter of his brother, sacrificed his own life to brotherly + love. + </p> + <p> + Thus SIWARD, by the sovereign vote of the whole Danish assembly, received + the empire of his father. But after the defeats he had inflicted + everywhere he was satisfied with the honour he received at home, and liked + better to be famous with the gown than with the sword. He ceased to be a + man of camps, and changed from the fiercest of despots into the most + punctual guardian of peace. He found as much honour in ease and leisure as + he had used to think lay in many victories. Fortune so favoured his change + of pursuits, that no foe ever attacked him, nor he any foe. He died, and + ERIK, who was a very young child, inherited his nature, rather than his + realm or his tranquillity. For Erik, the brother of Harald, despising his + exceedingly tender years, invaded the country with rebels, and seized the + crown; nor was he ashamed to assail the lawful infant sovereign, and to + assume an unrightful power. In thus bringing himself to despoil a feeble + child of the kingdom he showed himself the more unworthy of it. Thus he + stripped the other of his throne, but himself of all his virtues, and cast + all manliness out of his heart, when he made war upon a cradle: for where + covetousness and ambition flamed, love of kindred could find no place. But + this brutality was requited by the wrath of a divine vengeance. For the + war between this man and Gudorm, the son of Harald, ended suddenly with + such slaughter that they were both slain, with numberless others; and the + royal stock of the Danes, now worn out by the most terrible massacres, was + reduced to the only son of the above Siward. + </p> + <p> + This man (Erik) won the fortune of a throne by losing his kindred; it was + luckier for him to have his relations dead than alive. He forsook the + example of all the rest, and hastened to tread in the steps of his + grandfather; for he suddenly came out as a most zealous practitioner of + roving. And would that he had not shown himself rashly to inherit the + spirit of Ragnar, by his abolition of Christian worship! For he + continually tortured all the most religious men, or stripped them of their + property and banished them. But it were idle for me to blame the man's + beginnings when I am to praise his end. For that life is more laudable of + which the foul beginning is checked by a glorious close, than that which + begins commendably but declines into faults and infamies. For Erik, upon + the healthy admonitions of Ansgarius, laid aside the errors of his impious + heart, and atoned for whatsoever he had done amiss in the insolence + thereof; showing himself as strong in the observance of religion as he had + been in slighting it. Thus he not only took a draught of more wholesome + teaching with obedient mind, but wiped off early stains by his purity at + the end. He had a son KANUTE by the daughter of Gudorm, who was also the + granddaughter of Harald; and him he left to survive his death. + </p> + <p> + While this child remained in infancy a guardian was required for the pupil + and for the realm. But inasmuch it seemed to most people either invidious + or difficult to give the aid that this office needed, it was resolved that + a man should be chosen by lot. For the wisest of the Danes, fearing much + to make a choice by their own will in so lofty a matter, allowed more + voice to external chance than to their own opinions, and entrusted the + issue of the selection rather to luck than to sound counsel. The issue was + that a certain Enni-gnup (Steep-brow), a man of the highest and most + entire virtue, was forced to put his shoulder to this heavy burden; and + when he entered on the administration which chalice had decreed, he + oversaw, not only the early rearing of the king, but the affairs of the + whole people. For which reason some who are little versed in our history + give this man a central place in its annals. But when Kanute had passed + through the period of boyhood, and had in time grown to be a man, he left + those who had done him the service of bringing him up, and turned from an + almost hopeless youth to the practice of unhoped-for virtue; being + deplorable for this reason only, that he passed from life to death without + the tokens of the Christian faith. + </p> + <p> + But soon the sovereignty passed to his son FRODE. This man's fortune, + increased by arms and warfare, rose to such a height of prosperity that he + brought back to the ancient yoke the provinces which had once revolted + from the Danes, and bound them in their old obedience. He also came + forward to be baptised with holy water in England, which had for some + while past been versed in Christianity. But he desired that his personal + salvation should overflow and become general, and begged that Denmark + should be instructed in divinity by Agapete, who was then Pope of Rome. + But he was cut off before his prayers attained this wish. His death befell + before the arrival of the messengers from Rome: and indeed his intention + was better than his fortune, and he won as great a reward in heaven for + his intended piety as others are vouchsafed for their achievement. + </p> + <p> + His son GORM, who had the surname of "The Englishman," because he was born + in England, gained the sovereignty in the island on his father's death; + but his fortune, though it came soon, did not last long. He left England + for Denmark to put it in order; but a long misfortune was the fruit of + this short absence. For the English, who thought that their whole chance + of freedom lay in his being away, planned an open revolt from the Danes, + and in hot haste took heart to rebel. But the greater the hatred and + contempt of England, the greater the loyal attachment of Denmark to the + king. Thus while he stretched out his two hands to both provinces in his + desire for sway, he gained one, but lost the lordship of the other + irretrievably; for he never made any bold effort to regain it. So hard is + it to keep a hold on very large empires. + </p> + <p> + After this man his son HARALD came to be king of Denmark; he is + half-forgotten by posterity, and lacks all record for famous deeds, + because he rather preserved than extended the possessions of the realm. + </p> + <p> + After this the throne was obtained by GORM, a man whose soul was ever + hostile to religion, and who tried to efface all regard for Christ's + worshippers, as though they were the most abominable of men. All those who + shared this rule of life he harassed with divers kinds of injuries and + incessantly pursued with whatever slanders he could. Also, in order to + restore the old worship to the shrines, he razed to its lowest + foundations, as though it were some unholy abode of impiety, a temple + which religious men had founded in a stead in Sleswik; and those whom he + did not visit with tortures he punished by the demolition of the holy + chapel. Though this man was thought notable for his stature, his mind did + not answer to his body; for he kept himself so well sated with power that + he rejoiced more in saving than increasing his dignity, and thought it + better to guard his own than to attack what belonged to others: caring + more to look to what he had than to swell his havings. + </p> + <p> + This man was counselled by the elders to celebrate the rites of marriage, + and he wooed Thyra, the daughter of Ethelred, the king of the English, for + his wife. She surpassed other women in seriousness and shrewdness, and + laid the condition on her suitor that she would not marry him till she had + received Denmark as a dowry. This compact was made between them, and she + was betrothed to Gorm. But on the first night that she went up on to the + marriage-bed, she prayed her husband most earnestly that she should be + allowed to go for three days free from intercourse with man. For she + resolved to have no pleasure of love till she had learned by some omen in + a vision that her marriage would be fruitful. Thus, under pretence of + self-control, she deferred her experience of marriage, and veiled under a + show of modesty her wish to learn about her issue. She put off lustful + intercourse, inquiring, under the feint of chastity, into the fortune she + would have in continuing her line. Some conjecture that she refused the + pleasures of the nuptial couch in order to win her mate over to + Christianity by her abstinence. But the youth, though he was most ardently + bent on her love, yet chose to regard the continence of another more than + his own desires, and thought it nobler to control the impulses of the + night than to rebuff the prayers of his weeping mistress; for he thought + that her beseechings, really coming from calculation, had to do with + modesty. Thus it befell that he who should have done a husband's part made + himself the guardian of her chastity so that the reproach of an infamous + mind should not be his at the very beginning of his marriage; as though he + had yielded more to the might of passion than to his own self-respect. + Moreover that he might not seem to forestall by his lustful embraces the + love which the maiden would not grant, he not only forbore to let their + sides that were next one another touch, but even severed them by his drawn + sword, and turned the bed into a divided shelter for his bride and + himself. But he soon tasted in the joyous form of a dream the pleasure + which he postponed from free loving kindness. For, when his spirit was + steeped in slumber, he thought that two birds glided down from the privy + parts of his wife, one larger than the other; that they poised their + bodies aloft and soared swiftly to heaven, and, when a little time had + elapsed, came back and sat on either of his hands. A second, and again a + third time, when they had been refreshed by a short rest, they ventured + forth to the air with outspread wings. At last the lesser of them came + back without his fellow, and with wings smeared with blood. He was amazed + with this imagination, and, being in a deep sleep, uttered a cry to + betoken his astonishment, filling the whole house with an uproarious + shout. When his servants questioned him, he related his vision; and Thyra, + thinking that she would be blest with offspring, forbore her purpose to + put off her marriage, eagerly relaxing the chastity for which she had so + hotly prayed. Exchanging celibacy for love, she granted her husband full + joy of herself, requiting his virtuous self-restraint with the fulness of + permitted intercourse, and telling him that she would not have married him + at all, had she not inferred from these images in the dream which he had + related, the certainty of her being fruitful. + </p> + <p> + By a device as cunning as it was strange, Thyra's pretended modesty passed + into an acknowledgment of her future offspring. Nor did fate disappoint + her hopes. Soon she was the fortunate mother of Kanute and Harald. When + these princes had attained man's estate, they put forth a fleet and + quelled the reckless insolence of the Sclavs. Neither did they leave + England free from an attack of the same kind. Ethelred was delighted with + their spirit, and rejoiced at the violence his nephews offered him; + accepting an abominable wrong as though it were the richest of benefits. + For he saw far more merit in their bravery than in piety. Thus he thought + it nobler to be attacked by foes than courted by cowards, and felt that he + saw in their valiant promise a sample of their future manhood. + </p> + <p> + For he could not doubt that they would some day attack foreign realms, + since they so boldly claimed those of their mother. He so much preferred + their wrongdoing to their service, that he passed over his daughter, and + bequeathed England in his will to these two, not scrupling to set the name + of grandfather before that of father. Nor was he unwise; for he knew that + it beseemed men to enjoy the sovereignty rather than women, and considered + that he ought to separate the lot of his unwarlike daughter from that of + her valiant sons. Hence Thyra saw her sons inheriting the goods of her + father, not grudging to be disinherited herself. For she thought that the + preference above herself was honourable to her, rather than insulting. + </p> + <p> + Kanute and Harald enriched themselves with great gains from sea-roving, + and most confidently aspired to lay hands on Ireland. Dublin, which was + considered the capital of the country, was beseiged. Its king went into a + wood adjoining the city with a few very skilled archers, and with + treacherous art surrounded Kanute (who was present with a great throng of + soldiers witnessing the show of the games by night), and aimed a deadly + arrow at him from afar. It struck the body of the king in front, and + pierced him with a mortal wound. But Kanute feared that the enemy would + greet his peril with an outburst of delight. He therefore wished his + disaster to be kept dark; and summoning voice with his last breath, he + ordered the games to be gone through without disturbance. By this device + he made the Danes masters of Ireland ere he made his own death known to + the Irish. + </p> + <p> + Who would not bewail the end of such a man, whose self-mastery served to + give the victory to his soldiers, by reason of the wisdom that outlasted + his life? For the safety of the Danes was most seriously endangered, and + was nearly involved in the most deadly peril; yet because they obeyed the + dying orders of their general they presently triumphed over those they + feared. + </p> + <p> + Germ had now reached the extremity of his days, having been blind for many + years, and had prolonged his old age to the utmost bounds of the human + lot, being more anxious for the life and prosperity of his sons than for + the few days he had to breathe. But so great was his love for his elder + son that he swore that he would slay with his own hand whosoever first + brought him news of his death. As it chanced, Thyra heard sure tidings + that this son had perished. But when no man durst openly hint this to + Germ, she fell back on her cunning to defend her, and revealed by her + deeds the mischance which she durst not speak plainly out. For she took + the royal robes off her husband and dressed him in filthy garments, + bringing him other signs of grief also, to explain the cause of her + mourning; for the ancients were wont to use such things in the performance + of obsequies, bearing witness by their garb to the bitterness of their + sorrow. Then said Germ: "Dost thou declare to me the death of Kanute?" (2) + And Thyra said: "That is proclaimed by thy presage, not by mine." By this + answer she made out her lord a dead man and herself a widow, and had to + lament her husband as soon as her son. Thus, while she announced the fate + of her son to her husband, she united them in death, and followed the + obsequies of both with equal mourning; shedding the tears of a wife upon + the one and of a mother upon the other; though at that moment she ought to + have been cheered with comfort rather than crushed with disasters. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) Utgard. Saxo, rationalising as usual, turns the mythical + home of the giants into some terrestrial place in his + vaguely-defined Eastern Europe. + (2) Kanute. Here the vernacular is far finer. The old king + notices "Denmark is drooping, dead must my son be!", puts on + the signs of mourning, and dies. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1150 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..738ab8b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #1150 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1150) diff --git a/old/1150-h.zip b/old/1150-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ce47606 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1150-h.zip diff --git a/old/1150-h/1150-h.htm b/old/1150-h/1150-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c31f0b4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1150-h/1150-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,16299 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Danish History, by Saxo Grammaticus + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Danish History, Books I-IX, by +Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned") + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Danish History, Books I-IX + +Author: Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned") + +Release Date: February 11, 2006 [EBook #1150] +Last Updated: February 6, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DANISH HISTORY, BOOKS I-IX *** + + + + +Produced by Douglas B. Killings and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE DANISH HISTORY, + </h1> + <h1> + BOOKS I-IX + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + by + </h3> + <h2> + Saxo Grammaticus + </h2> + <h4> + ("Saxo the Learned") fl. Late 12th - Early 13th Century A.D. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + PREPARER'S NOTE: + + Originally written in Latin in the early years of the 13th + Century A.D. by the Danish historian Saxo, of whom little is + known except his name. + + The text of this edition is based on that published as + "The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus", + translated by Oliver Elton (Norroena Society, New York, 1905). + This edition is in the PUBLIC DOMAIN in the United States. + + This electronic edition was edited, proofed, and prepared by + Douglas B. Killings. + + The preparer would like to thank Mr. James W. Marchand and Mr. + Jessie D. Hurlbut for their invaluable assistance in the + production of this electronic text. Thank you. I am indebted to + you both. + + Although Saxo wrote 16 books of his "Danish History", only the + first nine were ever translated by Mr. Oliver Elton; it is these + nine books that are here included. As far as the preparer knows, + there is (unfortunately) no public domain English translation of + Books X-XVI. Those interested in the latter books should search + for the translation mentioned below. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> <big><b>INTRODUCTION.</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> SAXO'S POSITION. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> LIFE OF SAXO. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> THE HISTORY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> HISTORY OF THE WORK. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> THE MSS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> SAXO AS A WRITER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> FOLK LORE INDEX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> CUSTOMARY LAW. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> STATUTE LAWS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> WAR. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> SOCIAL LIFE AND MANNERS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> SUPERNATURAL BEINGS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> FUNERAL RITES AND MAN'S FUTURE STATE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> MAGIC AND FOLK-SCIENCE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> FOLK-TALES. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> SAXO'S MYTHOLOGY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> <big><b>THE DANISH HISTORY <br /> OF + SAXO GRAMMATICUS.</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> BOOK ONE. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> BOOK TWO </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> +</p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#book3"> BOOK THREE </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> BOOK FOUR. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> BOOK FIVE. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> BOOK EIGHT. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> BOOK NINE. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: + </h2> + <h3> + ORIGINAL TEXT— + </h3> + <p> + Olrik, J and Raeder (Ed.): "Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum" (Copenhagen, + 1931). + </p> + <p> + Dansk Nationallitteraert Arkiv: "Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum" (DNA, + Copenhagen, 1996). Web-based Latin edition of Saxo, substantiallly based + on the above edition; currently at the + </p> + <p> + OTHER TRANSLATIONS— + </p> + <p> + Fisher, Peter (Trans.) and Hilda Ellis Davidson (Ed.): "Saxo Grammaticus: + History of the Danes" (Brewer, Cambridge, 1979). + </p> + <p> + RECOMMENDED READING— + </p> + <p> + Jones, Gwyn: "History of the Vikings" (Oxford University Press, Oxford, + 1968, 1973, 1984). + </p> + <p> + Sturlson, Snorri: "The Heimskringla" (Translation: Samual Laing, London, + 1844; released as Online Medieval and Classical Library E-text #15, 1996). + Web version at the following URL: + http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/OMACL/Heimskringla/ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SAXO'S POSITION. + </h2> + <p> + Saxo Grammaticus, or "The Lettered", one of the notable historians of the + Middle Ages, may fairly be called not only the earliest chronicler of + Denmark, but her earliest writer. In the latter half of the twelfth + century, when Iceland was in the flush of literary production, Denmark + lingered behind. No literature in her vernacular, save a few Runic + inscriptions, has survived. Monkish annals, devotional works, and lives + were written in Latin; but the chronicle of Roskild, the necrology of + Lund, the register of gifts to the cloister of Sora, are not literature. + Neither are the half-mythological genealogies of kings; and besides, the + mass of these, though doubtless based on older verses that are lost, are + not proved to be, as they stand, prior to Saxo. One man only, Saxo's elder + contemporary, Sueno Aggonis, or Sweyn (Svend) Aageson, who wrote about + 1185, shares or anticipates the credit of attempting a connected record. + His brief draft of annals is written in rough mediocre Latin. It names but + a few of the kings recorded by Saxo, and tells little that Saxo does not. + Yet there is a certain link between the two writers. Sweyn speaks of Saxo + with respect; he not obscurely leaves him the task of filling up his + omissions. Both writers, servants of the brilliant Bishop Absalon, and + probably set by him upon their task, proceed, like Geoffrey of Monmouth, + by gathering and editing mythical matter. This they more or less + embroider, and arrive in due course insensibly at actual history. Both, + again, thread their stories upon a genealogy of kings in part legendary. + Both write at the spur of patriotism, both to let Denmark linger in the + race for light and learning, and desirous to save her glories, as other + nations have saved theirs, by a record. But while Sweyn only made a + skeleton chronicle, Saxo leaves a memorial in which historian and + philologist find their account. His seven later books are the chief Danish + authority for the times which they relate; his first nine, here + translated, are a treasure of myth and folk-lore. Of the songs and stories + which Denmark possessed from the common Scandinavian stock, often her only + native record is in Saxo's Latin. Thus, as a chronicler both of truth and + fiction, he had in his own land no predecessor, nor had he any literary + tradition behind him. Single-handed, therefore, he may be said to have + lifted the dead-weight against him, and given Denmark a writer. The nature + of his work will be discussed presently. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LIFE OF SAXO. + </h2> + <p> + Of Saxo little is known but what he himself indicates, though much + doubtful supposition has gathered round his name. + </p> + <p> + That he was born a Dane his whole language implies; it is full of a glow + of aggressive patriotism. He also often praises the Zealanders at the + expense of other Danes, and Zealand as the centre of Denmark; but that is + the whole contemporary evidence for the statement that he was a Zealander. + This statement is freely taken for granted three centuries afterwards by + Urne in the first edition of the book (1514), but is not traced further + back than an epitomator, who wrote more than 200 years after Saxo's death. + Saxo tells us that his father and grandfather fought for Waldemar the + First of Denmark, who reigned from 1157 to 1182. Of these men we know + nothing further, unless the Saxo whom he names as one of Waldemar's + admirals be his grandfather, in which case his family was one of some + distinction and his father and grandfather probably "King's men". But Saxo + was a very common name, and we shall see the licence of hypothesis to + which this fact has given rise. The notice, however, helps us + approximately towards Saxo's birth-year. His grandfather, if he fought for + Waldemar, who began to reign in 1157, can hardly have been born before + 1100, nor can Saxo himself have been born before 1145 or 1150. But he was + undoubtedly born before 1158, since he speaks of the death of Bishop + Asker, which took place in that year, as occurring "in our time". His life + therefore covers and overlaps the last half of the twelfth century. + </p> + <p> + His calling and station in life are debated. Except by the anonymous + Zealand chronicler, who calls him Saxo "the Long", thus giving us the one + personal detail we have, he has been universally known as Saxo + "Grammaticus" ever since the epitomator of 1431 headed his compilation + with the words, "A certain notable man of letters ("grammaticus"), a + Zealander by birth, named Saxo, wrote," etc. It is almost certain that + this general term, given only to men of signal gifts and learning, became + thus for the first time, and for good, attached to Saxo's name. Such a + title, in the Middle Ages, usually implied that its owner was a churchman, + and Saxo's whole tone is devout, though not conspicuously professional. + </p> + <p> + But a number of Saxos present themselves in the same surroundings with + whom he has been from time to time identified. All he tells us himself is, + that Absalon, Archbishop of Lund from 1179 to 1201, pressed him, who was + "the least of his companions, since all the rest refused the task", to + write the history of Denmark, so that it might record its glories like + other nations. Absalon was previously, and also after his promotion, + Bishop of Roskild, and this is the first circumstance giving colour to the + theory—which lacks real evidence—that Saxo the historian was + the same as a certain Saxo, Provost of the Chapter of Roskild, whose death + is chronicled in a contemporary hand without any mark of distinction. It + is unlikely that so eminent a man would be thus barely named; and the + appended eulogy and verses identifying the Provost and the historian are + of later date. Moreover, the Provost Saxo went on a mission to Paris in + 1165, and was thus much too old for the theory. Nevertheless, the good + Bishop of Roskild, Lave Urne, took this identity for granted in the first + edition, and fostered the assumption. Saxo was a cleric; and could such a + man be of less than canonical rank? He was (it was assumed) a Zealander; + he was known to be a friend of Absalon, Bishop of Roskild. What more + natural than that he should have been the Provost Saxo? Accordingly this + latter worthy had an inscription in gold letters, written by Lave Urne + himself, affixed to the wall opposite his tomb. + </p> + <p> + Even less evidence exists for identifying our Saxo with the scribe of that + name—a comparative menial—who is named in the will of Bishop + Absalon; and hardly more warranted is the theory that he was a member, + perhaps a subdeacon, of the monastery of St. Laurence, whose secular + canons formed part of the Chapter of Lund. It is true that Sweyn Aageson, + Saxo's senior by about twenty years, speaks (writing about 1185) of Saxo + as his "contubernalis". Sweyn Aageson is known to have had strong family + connections with the monastery of St. Laurence; but there is only a + tolerably strong probability that he, and therefore that Saxo, was + actually a member of it. ("Contubernalis" may only imply comradeship in + military service.) Equally doubtful is the consequence that since Saxo + calls himself "one of the least" of Absalon's "followers" ("comitum"), he + was probably, if not the inferior officer, who is called an "acolitus", at + most a sub-deacon, who also did the work of a superior "acolitus". This is + too poor a place for the chief writer of Denmark, high in Absalon's favor, + nor is there any direct testimony that Saxo held it. + </p> + <p> + His education is unknown, but must have been careful. Of his training and + culture we only know what his book betrays. Possibly, like other learned + Danes, then and afterwards, he acquired his training and knowledge at some + foreign University. Perhaps, like his contemporary Anders Suneson, he went + to Paris; but we cannot tell. It is not even certain that he had a degree; + for there is really little to identify him with the "M(agister) Saxo" who + witnessed the deed of Absalon founding the monastery at Sora. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE HISTORY. + </h2> + <p> + How he was induced to write his book has been mentioned. The expressions + of modesty Saxo uses, saying that he was "the least" of Absalon's + "followers", and that "all the rest refused the task", are not to be taken + to the letter. A man of his parts would hardly be either the least in + rank, or the last to be solicited. The words, however, enable us to guess + an upward limit for the date of the inception of the work. Absalon became + Archbishop in 1179, and the language of the Preface (written, as we shall + see, last) implies that he was already Archbishop when he suggested the + History to Saxo. But about 1185 we find Sweyn Aageson complimenting Saxo, + and saying that Saxo "had `determined' to set forth all the deeds" of + Sweyn Estridson, in his eleventh book, "at greater length in a more + elegant style". The exact bearing of this notice on the date of Saxo's + History is doubtful. It certainly need not imply that Saxo had already + written ten books, or indeed that he had written any, of his History. All + we call say is, that by 1185 a portion of the history was planned. The + order in which its several parts were composed, and the date of its + completion, are not certainly known, as Absalon died in 1201. But the work + was not then finished; for, at the end of Bk. XI, one Birger, who died in + 1202, is mentioned as still alive. + </p> + <p> + We have, however, a yet later notice. In the Preface, which, as its whole + language implies, was written last, Saxo speaks of Waldemar II having + "encompassed (`complexus') the ebbing and flowing waves of Elbe." This + language, though a little vague, can hardly refer to anything but an + expedition of Waldemar to Bremen in 1208. The whole History was in that + case probably finished by about 1208. As to the order in which its parts + were composed, it is likely that Absalon's original instruction was to + write a history of Absalon's own doings. The fourteenth and succeeding + books deal with these at disproportionate length, and Absalon, at the + expense even of Waldemar, is the protagonist. Now Saxo states in his + Preface that he "has taken care to follow the statements ("asserta") of + Absalon, and with obedient mind and pen to include both his own doings and + other men's doings of which he learnt." + </p> + <p> + The latter books are, therefore, to a great extent, Absalon's personally + communicated memoirs. But we have seen that Absalon died in 1201, and that + Bk. xi, at any rate, was not written after 1202. It almost certainly + follows that the latter books were written in Absalon's life; but the + Preface, written after them, refers to events in 1208. Therefore, unless + we suppose that the issue was for some reason delayed, or that Saxo spent + seven years in polishing—which is not impossible—there is some + reason to surmise that he began with that portion of his work which was + nearest to his own time, and added the previous (especially the first + nine, or mythical) books, as a completion, and possibly as an + afterthought. But this is a point which there is no real means of + settling. We do not know how late the Preface was written, except that it + must have been some time between 1208 and 1223, when Anders Suneson ceased + to be Archbishop; nor do we know when Saxo died. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HISTORY OF THE WORK. + </h2> + <p> + Nothing is stranger than that a work of such force and genius, unique in + Danish letters, should have been forgotten for three hundred years, and + have survived only in an epitome and in exceedingly few manuscripts. The + history of the book is worth recording. Doubtless its very merits, its + "marvellous vocabulary, thickly-studded maxims, and excellent variety of + images," which Erasmus admired long afterwards, sealed it to the vulgar. A + man needed some Latin to appreciate it, and Erasmus' natural wonder "how a + Dane at that day could have such a force of eloquence" is a measure of the + rarity both of the gift and of a public that could appraise it. The + epitome (made about 1430) shows that Saxo was felt to be difficult, its + author saying: "Since Saxo's work is in many places diffuse, and many + things are said more for ornament than for historical truth, and moreover + his style is too obscure on account of the number of terms ("plurima + vocabula") and sundry poems, which are unfamiliar to modern times, this + opuscle puts in clear words the more notable of the deeds there related, + with the addition of some that happened after Saxo's death." A Low-German + version of this epitome, which appeared in 1485, had a considerable vogue, + and the two together "helped to drive the history out of our libraries, + and explains why the annalists and geographers of the Middle Ages so + seldom quoted it." This neglect appears to have been greatest of all in + Denmark, and to have lasted until the appearance of the "First Edition" in + 1511. + </p> + <p> + The first impulse towards this work by which Saxo was saved, is found in a + letter from the Bishop of Roskild, Lave Urne, dated May 1512, to Christian + Pederson, Canon of Lund, whom he compliments as a lover of letters, + antiquary, and patriot, and urges to edit and publish "tam divinum latinae + eruditionis culmen et splendorem Saxonem nostrum". Nearly two years + afterwards Christian Pederson sent Lave Urne a copy of the first edition, + now all printed, with an account of its history. "I do not think that any + mortal was more inclined and ready for" the task. "When living at Paris, + and paying heed to good literature, I twice sent a messenger at my own + charges to buy a faithful copy at any cost, and bring it back to me. + Effecting nothing thus, I went back to my country for this purpose; I + visited and turned over all the libraries, but still could not pull out a + Saxo, even covered with beetles, bookworms, mould, and dust. So stubbornly + had all the owners locked it away." A worthy prior, in compassion offered + to get a copy and transcribe it with his own hand, but Christian, in + respect for the prior's rank, absurdly declined. At last Birger, the + Archbishop of Lund, by some strategy, got a copy, which King Christian the + Second allowed to be taken to Paris on condition of its being wrought at + "by an instructed and skilled graver (printer)." Such a person was found + in Jodocus Badius Ascenshls, who adds a third letter written by himself to + Bishop Urne, vindicating his application to Saxo of the title Grammaticus, + which he well defines as "one who knows how to speak or write with + diligence, acuteness, or knowledge." The beautiful book he produced was + worthy of the zeal, and unsparing, unweariable pains, which had been spent + on it by the band of enthusiasts, and it was truly a little triumph of + humanism. Further editions were reprinted during the sixteenth century at + Basic and at Frankfort-on-Main, but they did not improve in any way upon + the first; and the next epoch in the study of Saxo was made by the edition + and notes of Stephanus Johansen Stephanius, published at Copenhagen in the + middle of the seventeenth century (1644). Stephanius, the first + commentator on Saxo, still remains the best upon his language. Immense + knowledge of Latin, both good and bad (especially of the authors Saxo + imitated), infinite and prolix industry, a sharp eye for the text, and + continence in emendation, are not his only virtues. His very bulkiness and + leisureliness are charming; he writes like a man who had eternity to write + in, and who knew enough to fill it, and who expected readers of an equal + leisure. He also prints some valuable notes signed with the famous name of + Bishop Bryniolf of Skalholt, a man of force and talent, and others by + Casper Barth, "corculum Musarum", as Stephanius calls him, whose textual + and other comments are sometimes of use, and who worked with a MS. of + Saxo. The edition of Klotz, 1771, based on that of Stephanius, I have but + seen; however, the first standard commentary is that begun by P. E. + Muller, Bishop of Zealand, and finished after his death by Johan Velschow, + Professor of History at Copenhagen, where the first part of the work, + containing text and notes, was published in 1839; the second, with + prolegomena and fuller notes, appearing in 1858. The standard edition, + containing bibliography, critical apparatus based on all the editions and + MS. fragments, text, and index, is the admirable one of that indefatigable + veteran, Alfred Holder, Strasburg, 1886. + </p> + <p> + Hitherto the translations of Saxo have been into Danish. The first that + survives, by Anders Soffrinson Vedel, dates from 1575, some sixty years + after the first edition. In such passages as I have examined it is + vigorous, but very free, and more like a paraphrase than a translation, + Saxo's verses being put into loose prose. Yet it has had a long life, + having been modified by Vedel's grandson, John Laverentzen, in 1715, and + reissued in 1851. The present version has been much helped by the + translation of Seier Schousbolle, published at Copenhagen in 1752. It is + true that the verses, often the hardest part, are put into periphrastic + verse (by Laurentius Thura, c. 1721), and Schousbolle often does not face + a difficulty; but he gives the sense of Saxo simply and concisely. The + lusty paraphrase by the enthusiastic Nik. Fred. Sev. Grundtvig, of which + there have been several editions, has also been of occasional use. No + other translations, save of a scrap here and there into German, seem to be + extant. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MSS. + </h2> + <p> + It will be understood, from what has been said, that no complete MS. of + Saxo's History is known. The epitomator in the fourteenth century, and + Krantz in the seventeenth, had MSS. before them; and there was that one + which Christian Pedersen found and made the basis of the first edition, + but which has disappeared. Barth had two manuscripts, which are said to + have been burnt in 1636. Another, possessed by a Swedish parish priest, + Aschaneus, in 1630, which Stephenhis unluckily did not know of, + disappeared in the Royal Archives of Stockholm after his death. These are + practically the only MSS. of which we have sure information, excepting the + four fragments that are now preserved. Of these by far the most + interesting is the "Angers Fragment." + </p> + <p> + This was first noticed in 1863, in the Angers Library, where it was found + degraded into the binding of a number of devotional works and a treatise + on metric, dated 1459, and once the property of a priest at Alencon. In + 1877 M. Gaston Paris called the attention of the learned to it, and the + result was that the Danish Government received it next year in exchange + for a valuable French manuscript which was in the Royal Library at + Copenhagen. This little national treasure, the only piece of contemporary + writing of the History, has been carefully photographed and edited by that + enthusiastic and urbane scholar, Christian Bruun. In the opinion both of + Dr. Vigfusson and M. Paris, the writing dates from about 1200; and this + date, though difficult to determine, owing to the paucity of Danish MSS. + of the 12th and early lath centuries, is confirmed by the character of the + contents. For there is little doubt that the Fragment shows us Saxo in the + labour of composition. The MSS. looks as if expressly written for + interlineation. Besides a marginal gloss by a later, fourteenth century + hand, there are two distinct sets of variants, in different writings, + interlined and running over into the margin. These variants are much more + numerous in the prose than in the verse. The first set are in the same + hand as the text, the second in another hand: but both of them have the + character, not of variants from some other MSS., but of alternative + expressions put down tentatively. If either hand is Saxo's it is probably + the second. He may conceivably have dictated both at different times to + different scribes. No other man would tinker the style in this fashion. A + complete translation of all these changes has been deemed unnecessary in + these volumes; there is a full collation in Holder's "Apparatus Criticus". + The verdict of the Angers-Fragment, which, for the very reason mentioned, + must not be taken as the final form of the text, nor therefore, despite + its antiquity, as conclusive against the First Edition where the two + differ, is to confirm, so far as it goes, the editing of Ascensius and + Pederson. There are no vital differences, and the care of the first + editors, as well as the authority of their source, is thus far amply + vindicated. + </p> + <p> + A sufficient account of the other fragments will be found in Holder's + list. In 1855 M. Kall-Rasmussen found in the private archives at Kronborg + a scrap of fourteenth century MS., containing a short passage from Bk. + vii. Five years later G. F. Lassen found, at Copenhagen, a fragment of Bk. + vi believed to be written in North Zealand, and in the opinion of Bruun + belonging to the same codex as Kall-Rasmussen's fragment. Of another + longish piece, found in Copenhagen at the end of the seventeenth century + by Johannes Laverentzen, and belonging to a codex burnt in the fire of + 1728, a copy still extant in the Copenhagen Museum, was made by Otto + Sperling. For fragments, either extant or alluded to, of the later books, + the student should consult the carefully collated text of Holder. The + whole MS. material, therefore, covers but a little of Saxo's work, which + was practically saved for Europe by the perseverance and fervour for + culture of a single man, Bishop Urne. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SAXO AS A WRITER. + </h2> + <p> + Saxo's countrymen have praised without stint his remarkable style, for he + has a style. It is often very bad; but he writes, he is not in vain called + Grammaticus, the man of letters. His style is not merely remarkable + considering its author's difficulties; it is capable at need of pungency + and of high expressiveness. His Latin is not that of the Golden Age, but + neither is it the common Latin of the Middle Ages. There are traces of his + having read Virgil and Cicero. But two writers in particular left their + mark on him. The first and most influential is Valerius Maximus, the + mannered author of the "Memorabilia", who lived in the first half of the + first century, and was much relished in the Middle Ages. From him Saxo + borrowed a multitude of phrases, sometimes apt but often crabbed and + deformed, as well as an exemplary and homiletic turn of narrative. Other + idioms, and perhaps the practice of interspersing verses amid prose + (though this also was a twelfth century Icelandic practice), Saxo found in + a fifth-century writer, Martianus Capella, the pedantic author of the "De + Nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii" Such models may have saved him from a + base mediaeval vocabulary; but they were not worthy of him, and they must + answer for some of his falsities of style. These are apparent. His + accumulation of empty and motley phrase, like a garish bunch of coloured + bladders; his joy in platitude and pomposity, his proneness to say a + little thing in great words, are only too easy to translate. We shall be + well content if our version also gives some inkling of his qualities; not + only of what Erasmus called his "wonderful vocabulary, his many pithy + sayings, and the excellent variety of his images"; but also of his feeling + for grouping, his barbaric sense of colour, and his stateliness. For he + moves with resource and strength both in prose and verse, and is often + only hindered by his own wealth. With no kind of critical tradition to + chasten him, his force is often misguided and his work shapeless; but he + stumbles into many splendours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FOLK LORE INDEX. + </h2> + <p> + The mass of archaic incidents, beliefs, and practices recorded by the + 12th-century writer seemed to need some other classification than a bare + alphabetic index. The present plan, a subject-index practically, has been + adopted with a view to the needs of the anthropologist and folk-lorist. + Its details have been largely determined by the bulk and character of the + entries themselves. No attempt has been made to supply full parallels from + any save the more striking and obvious old Scandinavian sources, the end + being to classify material rather than to point out its significance of + geographic distribution. With regard to the first three heads, the reader + who wishes to see how Saxo compares with the Old Northern poems may be + referred to the Grimm Centenary papers, Oxford, 1886, and the Corpus + Poeticurn Boreale, Oxford, 1883. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. + </h2> + <p> + King—As portrayed by Saxo, the ideal king should be (as in + "Beowulf's Lay") generous, brave and just. He should be a man of + accomplishments, of unblemished body, presumably of royal kin + (peasant-birth is considered a bar to the kingship), usually a son or a + nephew, or brother of his foregoer (though no strict rule of succession + seems to appear in Saxo), and duly chosen and acknowledged at the proper + place of election. In Denmark this was at a stone circle, and the + stability of these stones was taken as an omen for the king's reign. There + are exceptional instances noted, as the serf-king Eormenric (cf. + Guthred-Canute of Northumberland), whose noble birth washed out this blot + of his captivity, and there is a curious tradition of a conqueror setting + his hound as king over a conquered province in mockery. + </p> + <p> + The king was of age at twelve. A king of seven years of age has twelve + Regents chosen in the Moot, in one case by lot, to bring him up and rule + for him till his majority. Regents are all appointed in Denmark, in one + case for lack of royal blood, one to Scania, one to Zealand, one to Funen, + two to Jutland. Underkings and Earls are appointed by kings, and though + the Earl's office is distinctly official, succession is sometimes given to + the sons of faithful fathers. The absence of a settled succession law + leads (as in Muslim States) to rebellions and plots. + </p> + <p> + Kings sometimes abdicated, giving up the crown perforce to a rival, or in + high age to a kinsman. In heathen times, kings, as Thiodwulf tells us in + the case of Domwald and Yngwere, were sometimes sacrificed for better + seasons (African fashion), and Wicar of Norway perishes, like Iphigeneia, + to procure fair winds. Kings having to lead in war, and sometimes being + willing to fight wagers of battle, are short-lived as a rule, and + assassination is a continual peril, whether by fire at a time of feast, of + which there are numerous examples, besides the classic one on which + Biarea-mal is founded and the not less famous one of Hamlet's vengeance, + or whether by steel, as with Hiartuar, or by trick, as in Wicar's case + above cited. The reward for slaying a king is in one case 120 gold lbs.; + 19 "talents" of gold from each ringleader, 1 oz. of gold from each + commoner, in the story of Godfred, known as Ref's gild, "i.e., Fox tax". + In the case of a great king, Frode, his death is concealed for three years + to avoid disturbance within and danger from without. Captive kings were + not as a rule well treated. A Slavonic king, Daxo, offers Ragnar's son + Whitesark his daughter and half his realm, or death, and the captive + strangely desires death by fire. A captive king is exposed, chained to + wild beasts, thrown into a serpent-pit, wherein Ragnar is given the fate + of the elder Gunnar in the Eddic Lays, Atlakvida. The king is treated with + great respect by his people, he is finely clad, and his commands are + carried out, however abhorrent or absurd, as long as they do not upset + customary or statute law. The king has slaves in his household, men and + women, besides his guard of housecarles and his bearsark champions. A + king's daughter has thirty slaves with her, and the footmaiden existed + exactly as in the stories of the Wicked Waiting Maid. He is not to be + awakened in his slumbers (cf. St. Olaf's Life, where the naming of King + Magnus is the result of adherence to this etiquette). A champion weds the + king's leman. + </p> + <p> + His thanes are created by the delivery of a sword, which the king bolds by + the blade and the thane takes by the hilt. (English earls were created by + the girding with a sword. "Taking treasure, and weapons and horses, and + feasting in a hall with the king" is synonymous with thane-hood or + gesith-ship in "Beowulf's Lay"). A king's thanes must avenge him if he + falls, and owe him allegiance. (This was paid in the old English + monarchies by kneeling and laying the head down at the lord's knee.) + </p> + <p> + The trick by which the Mock-king, or King of the Beggars (parallel to our + Boy-bishop, and perhaps to that enigmatic churls' King of the "O. E. + Chronicle", s.a. 1017, Eadwiceorla-kyning) gets allegiance paid to him, + and so secures himself in his attack on the real king, is cleverly + devised. The king, besides being a counsel giver himself, and speaking the + law, has "counsellors", old and wise men, "sapientes" (like the 0. E. + Thyle). The aged warrior counsellor, as Starcad here and Master Hildebrand + in the "Nibelungenlied", is one type of these persons, another is the + false counsellor, as Woden in guise of Bruni, another the braggart, as + Hunferth in "Beowulf's Lay". At "moots" where laws are made, kings and + regents chosen, cases judged, resolutions taken of national importance, + there are discussions, as in that armed most the host. + </p> + <p> + The king has, beside his estates up and down the country, sometimes (like + Hrothgar with his palace Heorot in "Beowulf's Lay") a great fort and + treasure house, as Eormenric, whose palace may well have really existed. + There is often a primitive and negroid character about dwellings of + formidable personages, heads placed on stakes adorn their exterior, or + shields are ranged round the walls. + </p> + <p> + The provinces are ruled by removable earls appointed by the king, often + his own kinsmen, sometimes the heads of old ruling families. The + "hundreds" make up the province or subkingdom. They may be granted to + king's thanes, who became "hundred-elders". Twelve hundreds are in one + case bestowed upon a man. + </p> + <p> + The "yeoman's" estate is not only honourable but useful, as Starcad + generously and truly acknowledges. Agriculture should be fostered and + protected by the king, even at the cost of his life. + </p> + <p> + But gentle birth and birth royal place certain families above the common + body of freemen (landed or not); and for a commoner to pretend to a king's + daughter is an act of presumption, and generally rigorously resented. + </p> + <p> + The "smith" was the object of a curious prejudice, probably akin to that + expressed in St. Patrick's "Lorica", and derived from the smith's having + inherited the functions of the savage weapon-maker with his poisons and + charms. The curious attempt to distinguish smiths into good and useful + swordsmiths and base and bad goldsmiths seems a merely modern explanation: + Weland could both forge swords and make ornaments of metal. Starcad's + loathing for a smith recalls the mockery with which the Homeric gods treat + Hephaistos. + </p> + <p> + Slavery.—As noble birth is manifest by fine eyes and personal + beauty, courage and endurance, and delicate behaviour, so the slave nature + is manifested by cowardice, treachery, unbridled lust, bad manners, + falsehood, and low physical traits. Slaves had, of course, no right either + of honour, or life, or limb. Captive ladies are sent to a brothel; captive + kings cruelly put to death. Born slaves were naturally still less + considered, they were flogged; it was disgraceful to kill them with + honourable steel; to accept a slight service from a slave-woman was + beneath old Starcad's dignity. A man who loved another man's slave-woman, + and did base service to her master to obtain her as his consort, was + looked down on. Slaves frequently ran away to escape punishment for + carelessness, or fault, or to gain liberty. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CUSTOMARY LAW. + </h2> + <p> + The evidence of Saxo to archaic law and customary institutions is pretty + much (as we should expect) that to be drawn from the Icelandic Sagas, and + even from the later Icelandic rimur and Scandinavian kaempe-viser. But it + helps to complete the picture of the older stage of North Teutonic Law, + which we are able to piece together out of our various sources, English, + Icelandic, and Scandinavian. In the twilight of Yore every glowworm is a + helper to the searcher. + </p> + <p> + There are a few MAXIMS of various times, but all seemingly drawn from + custom cited or implied by Saxo as authoritative:— + </p> + <p> + "It is disgraceful to be ruled by a woman."—The great men of + Teutonic nations held to this maxim. There is no Boudicea or Maidhbh in + our own annals till after the accession of the Tudors, when Great Eliza + rivals her elder kins-women's glories. Though Tacitus expressly notices + one tribe or confederacy, the Sitones, within the compass of his Germania, + ruled by a woman, as an exceptional case, it was contrary to the feeling + of mediaeval Christendom for a woman to be emperor; it was not till late + in the Middle Ages that Spain saw a queen regnant, and France has never + yet allowed such rule. It was not till long after Saxo that the great + queen of the North, Margaret, wielded a wider sway than that rejected by + Gustavus' wayward daughter. + </p> + <p> + "The suitor ought to urge his own suit."—This, an axiom of the most + archaic law, gets evaded bit by bit till the professional advocate takes + the place of the plaintiff. "Njal's Saga", in its legal scenes, shows the + transition period, when, as at Rome, a great and skilled chief was sought + by his client as the supporter of his cause at the Moot. In England, the + idea of representation at law is, as is well known, late and largely + derived from canon law practice. + </p> + <p> + "To exact the blood-fine was as honourable as to take vengeance."—This + maxim, begotten by Interest upon Legality, established itself both in + Scandinavia and Arabia. It marks the first stage in a progress which, if + carried out wholly, substitutes law for feud. In the society of the + heathen Danes the maxim was a novelty; even in Christian Denmark men + sometimes preferred blood to fees. + </p> + <p> + MARRIAGE.—There are many reminiscences of "archaic marriage customs + in Saxo." The capture marriage has left traces in the guarded king's + daughters, the challenging of kings to fight or hand over their daughters, + in the promises to give a daughter or sister as a reward to a hero who + shall accomplish some feat. The existence of polygamy is attested, and it + went on till the days of Charles the Great and Harold Fairhair in singular + instances, in the case of great kings, and finally disappeared before the + strict ecclesiastic regulations. + </p> + <p> + But there are evidences also of later customs, such as "marriage by + purchase", already looked on as archaic in Saxo's day; and the free women + in Denmark had clearly long had a veto or refusal of a husband for some + time back, and sometimes even free choice. "Go-betweens" negotiate + marriages. + </p> + <p> + Betrothal was of course the usage. For the groom to defile an espoused + woman is a foul reproach. Gifts made to father-in-law after bridal by + bridegroom seem to denote the old bride-price. Taking the bride home in + her car was an important ceremony, and a bride is taken to her future + husband's by her father. The wedding-feast, as in France in Rabelais' + time, was a noisy and drunken and tumultuous rejoicing, when bone-throwing + was in favor, with other rough sports and jokes. The three days after the + bridal and their observance in "sword-bed" are noticed below. + </p> + <p> + A commoner or one of slave-blood could not pretend to wed a high-born + lady. A woman would sometimes require some proof of power or courage at + her suitor's hands; thus Gywritha, like the famous lady who weds Harold + Fairhair, required her husband Siwar to be over-king of the whole land. + But in most instances the father or brother betrothed the girl, and she + consented to their choice. Unwelcome suitors perish. + </p> + <p> + The prohibited degrees were, of course, different from those established + by the mediaeval church, and brother weds brother's widow in good archaic + fashion. Foster-sister and foster-brother may marry, as Saxo notices + carefully. The Wolsung incest is not noticed by Saxo. He only knew, + apparently, the North-German form of the Niflung story. But the + reproachfulness of incest is apparent. + </p> + <p> + Birth and beauty were looked for in a bride by Saxo's heroes, and chastity + was required. The modesty of maidens in old days is eulogised by Saxo, and + the penalty for its infraction was severe: sale abroad into slavery to + grind the quern in the mud of the yard. One of the tests of virtue is + noticed, "lac in ubere". + </p> + <p> + That favourite "motif", the "Patient Grizzle", occurs, rather, however, in + the Border ballad than the Petrarcan form. + </p> + <p> + "Good wives" die with their husbands as they have vowed, or of grief for + their loss, and are wholly devoted to their interests. Among "bad wives" + are those that wed their husband's slayer, run away from their husbands, + plot against their husbands' lives. The penalty for adultery is death to + both, at husband's option—disfigurement by cutting off the nose of + the guilty woman, an archaic practice widely spread. In one case the + adulterous lady is left the choice of her own death. Married women's + Homeric duties are shown. + </p> + <p> + There is a curious story, which may rest upon fact, and not be merely + typical, where a mother who had suffered wrong forced her daughter to + suffer the same wrong. + </p> + <p> + Captive women are reduced to degrading slavery as "harlots" in one case, + according to the eleventh century English practice of Gytha. + </p> + <p> + THE FAMILY AND BLOOD REVENGE.—This duty, one of the strongest links + of the family in archaic Teutonic society, has left deep traces in Saxo. + </p> + <p> + To slay those most close in blood, even by accident, is to incur the guilt + of parricide, or kin-killing, a bootless crime, which can only be purged + by religious ceremonies; and which involves exile, lest the gods' wrath + fall on the land, and brings the curse of childlessness on the offender + until he is forgiven. + </p> + <p> + BOOTLESS CRIMES.—As among the ancient Teutons, botes and were-gilds + satisfy the injured who seek redress at law rather than by the steel. But + there are certain bootless crimes, or rather sins, that imply "sacratio", + devotion to the gods, for the clearing of the community. Such are treason, + which is punishable by hanging; by drowning in sea. + </p> + <p> + Rebellion is still more harshly treated by death and forfeiture; the + rebels' heels are bored and thonged under the sinew, as Hector's feet + were, and they are then fastened by the thongs to wild bulls, hunted by + hounds, till they are dashed to pieces (for which there are classic + parallels), or their feet are fastened with thongs to horses driven apart, + so that they are torn asunder. + </p> + <p> + For "parricide", i.e., killing within near degrees, the criminal is hung + up, apparently by the heels, with a live wolf (he having acted as a wolf + which will slay its fellows). Cunning avoidance of the guilt by trick is + shown. + </p> + <p> + For "arson" the appropriate punishment is the fire. + </p> + <p> + For "incestuous adultery" of stepson with his stepmother, hanging is + awarded to the man. In the same case Swanwhite, the woman, is punished, by + treading to death with horses. A woman accomplice in adultery is treated + to what Homer calls a "stone coat." Incestuous adultery is a foul slur. + </p> + <p> + For "witchcraft", the horror of heathens, hanging was the penalty. + </p> + <p> + "Private revenge" sometimes deliberately inflicts a cruel death for + atrocious wrong or insult, as when a king, enraged at the slaying of his + son and seduction of his daughter, has the offender hanged, an instance + famous in Nathan's story, so that Hagbard's hanging and hempen necklace + were proverbial. + </p> + <p> + For the slayer by a cruel death of their captive father, Ragnar's sons act + the blood-eagle on Ella, and salt his flesh. There is an undoubted + instance of this act of vengeance (the symbolic meaning of which is not + clear as yet) in the "Orkney Saga". + </p> + <p> + But the story of Daxo and of Ref's gild show that for such wrongs + were-gilds were sometimes exacted, and that they were considered highly + honourable to the exactor. + </p> + <p> + Among OFFENCES NOT BOOTLESS, and left to individual pursuit, are:— + </p> + <p> + "Highway robbery".—There are several stories of a type such as that + of Ingemund and Ioknl (see "Landnamaboc") told by Saxo of highwaymen; and + an incident of the kind that occurs in the Theseus story (the Bent-tree, + which sprung back and slew the wretch bound to it) is given. The romantic + trick of the mechanic bed, by which a steel-shod beam is let fall on the + sleeping traveller, also occurs. Slain highwaymen are gibbeted as in + Christian days. + </p> + <p> + "Assassination", as distinct from manslaughter in vengeance for a wrong, + is not very common. A hidden mail-coat foils a treacherous javelin-cast + (cf. the Story of Olaf the Stout and the Blind King, Hrorec); murderers + lurk spear-armed at the threshold, sides, as in the Icelandic Sagas; a + queen hides a spear-head in her gown, and murders her husband (cf. Olaf + Tryggvason's Life). Godfred was murdered by his servant (and Ynglingatal). + </p> + <p> + "Burglary".—The crafty discovery of the robber of the treasury by + Hadding is a variant of the world-old Rhampsinitos tale, but less + elaborate, possibly abridged and cut down by Saxo, and reduced to a mere + moral example in favour of the goldenness of silence and the danger of + letting the tongue feed the gallows. + </p> + <p> + Among other disgraceful acts, that make the offender infamous, but do not + necessarily involve public action:— + </p> + <p> + "Manslaughter in Breach of Hospitality".—Probably any gross breach + of hospitality was disreputable and highly abhorred, but "guest-slaughter" + is especially mentioned. The ethical question as to whether a man should + slay his guest or forego his just vengeance was often a "probleme du jour" + in the archaic times to which these traditions witness. Ingeld prefers his + vengeance, but Thuriswend, in the Lay cited by Paul the Deacon, chooses to + protect his guest. Heremod slew his messmates in his wrath, and went forth + alone into exile. ("Beowulf's Lay".) + </p> + <p> + "Suicide".—This was more honourable than what Earl Siward of + Northumberland called a "cow-death." Hadding resolves to commit suicide at + his friend's death. Wermund resolves to commit suicide if his son be slain + (in hopelessness of being able to avenge him, cf. "Njal's Saga", where the + hero, a Christian, prefers to perish in his burning house than live + dishonoured, "for I am an old man and little fitted to avenge my sons, but + I will not live in shame"). Persons commit suicide by slaying each other + in time of famine; while in England (so Baeda tells) they "decliffed" + themselves in companies, and, as in the comic little Icelandic tale + Gautrec's birth, a Tarpeian death is noted as the customary method of + relieving folks from the hateful starvation death. It is probable that the + violent death relieved the ghost or the survivors of some inconveniences + which a "straw death" would have brought about. + </p> + <p> + "Procedure by Wager of Battle".—This archaic process pervades Saxo's + whole narrative. It is the main incident of many of the sagas from which + he drew. It is one of the chief characteristics of early Teutonic + custom-law, and along with "Cormac's Saga", "Landnamaboc", and the Walter + Saga, our author has furnished us with most of the information we have + upon its principles and practice. + </p> + <p> + Steps in the process are the Challenge, the Acceptance and Settlement of + Conditions, the Engagement, the Treatment of the vanquished, the Reward of + the conqueror, and there are rules touching each of these, enough almost + to furnish a kind of "Galway code". + </p> + <p> + A challenge could not, either to war or wager of battle, be refused with + honor, though a superior was not bound to fight an inferior in rank. An + ally might accept for his principal, or a father for a son, but it was not + honourable for a man unless helpless to send a champion instead of + himself. + </p> + <p> + Men were bound to fight one to one, and one man might decline to fight two + at once. Great champions sometimes fought against odds. + </p> + <p> + The challenged man chose the place of battle, and possibly fixed the time. + This was usually an island in the river. + </p> + <p> + The regular weapons were swords and shields for men of gentle blood. They + fought by alternate separate strokes; the senior had the first blow. The + fight must go on face to face without change of place; for the ground was + marked out for the combatants, as in our prize ring, though one can hardly + help fancying that the fighting ground so carefully described in "Cormac's + Saga", ch. 10, may have been Saxo's authority. The combatants change + places accidentally in the struggle in one story. + </p> + <p> + The combat might last, like Cuchullin's with Ferdia, several days; a nine + days' fight occurs; but usually a few blows settled the matter. Endurance + was important, and we are told of a hero keeping himself in constant + training by walking in a mail coat. + </p> + <p> + The conqueror ought not to slay his man if he were a stripling, or maimed, + and had better take his were-gild for his life, the holmslausn or ransom + of "Cormac's Saga" (three marks in Iceland); but this was a mere + concession to natural pity, and he might without loss of honor finish his + man, and cut off his head, though it was proper, if the slain adversary + has been a man of honor, to bury him afterward. + </p> + <p> + The stakes are sometimes a kingdom or a kingdom's tribute, often a lady, + or the combatants fought for "love" or the point of honor. Giants and + noted champions challenge kings for their daughters (as in the fictitious + parts of the Icelandic family sagas) in true archaic fashion, and in true + archaic fashion the prince rescues the lady from a disgusting and evil + fate by his prowess. + </p> + <p> + The champion's fee or reward when he was fighting for his principal and + came off successful was heavy—many lands and sixty slaves. Bracelets + are given him; a wound is compensated for at ten gold pieces; a fee for + killing a king is 120 of the same. + </p> + <p> + Of the incidents of the combat, beside fair sleight of fence, there is the + continual occurrence of the sword-blunting spell, often cast by the eye of + the sinister champion, and foiled by the good hero, sometimes by covering + his blade with thin skin, sometimes by changing the blade, sometimes by + using a mace or club. + </p> + <p> + The strength of this tradition sufficiently explains the necessity of the + great oath against magic taken by both parties in a wager of battle in + Christian England. + </p> + <p> + The chief combats mentioned by Saxo are:— + </p> + <p> + Sciold v. Attila. Sciold v. Scate, for the hand of Alfhild. Gram v. Swarin + and eight more, for the crown of the Swedes. Hadding v. Toste, by + challenge. Frode v. Hunding, on challenge. Frode v. Hacon, on challenge. + Helge v. Hunding, by challenge at Stad. Agnar v. Bearce, by challenge. + Wizard v. Danish champions, for truage of the Slavs. Wizard v. Ubbe, for + truage of the Slavs. Coll v. Horwendill, on challenge. Athisl v. Frowine, + meeting in battle. Athisl v. Ket and Wig, on challenge. Uffe v. Prince of + Saxony and Champion, by challenge. Frode v. Froger, on challenge. Eric v. + Grep's brethren, on challenge, twelve a side. Eric v. Alrec, by challenge. + Hedin v. Hogni, the mythic everlasting battle. Arngrim v. Scalc, by + challenge. Arngrim v. Egtheow, for truage of Permland. Arrow-Odd and + Hialmar v. twelve sons of Arngrim Samsey fight. Ane Bow-swayer v. Beorn, + by challenge. Starkad v. Wisin, by challenge. Starkad v. Tanlie, by + challenge. Starkad v. Wasce—Wilzce, by challenge. Starkad v. Hame, + by challenge. Starkad v. Angantheow and eight of his brethren, on + challenge. Halfdan v. Hardbone and six champions, on challenge. Halfdan v. + Egtheow, by challenge. Halfdan v. Grim, on challenge. Halfdan v. Ebbe, on + challenge, by moonlight. Halfdan v. Twelve champions, on challenge. + Halfdan v. Hildeger, on challenge. Ole v. Skate and Hiale, on challenge. + Homod and Thole v. Beorn and Thore, by challenge. Ref. v. Gaut, on + challenge. Ragnar and three sons v. Starcad of Sweden and seven sons, on + challenge. + </p> + <p> + CIVIL PROCEDURE.—"Oaths" are an important art of early procedure, + and noticed by Saxo; one calling the gods to witness and therefor, it is + understood, to avenge perjury if he spake not truth. + </p> + <p> + "Testification", or calling witnesses to prove the steps of a legal + action, was known, "Glum's Saga" and "Landnamaboc", and when a manslayer + proceeded (in order to clear himself of murder) to announce the + manslaughter as his act, he brings the dead man's head as his proof, + exactly as the hero in the folk-tales brings the dragon's head or tongue + as his voucher. + </p> + <p> + A "will" is spoken of. This seems to be the solemn declaration of a + childless man to his kinsfolk, recommending some person as his successor. + Nothing more was possible before written wills were introduced by the + Christian clergy after the Roman fashion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + STATUTE LAWS. + </h2> + <p> + "Lawgivers".—The realm of Custom had already long been curtailed by + the conquests of Law when Saxo wrote, and some epochs of the invasion were + well remembered, such as Canute's laws. But the beginnings were dim, and + there were simply traditions of good and bad lawyers of the past; such + were "Sciold" first of all the arch-king, "Frode" the model lawgiver, + "Helge" the tyrant, "Ragnar" the shrewd conqueror. + </p> + <p> + "Sciold", the patriarch, is made by tradition to fulfil, by abolishing + evil customs and making good laws, the ideal of the Saxon and Frankish + Coronation oath formula (which may well go back with its two first clauses + to heathen days). His fame is as widely spread. However, the only law Saxo + gives to him has a story to it that he does not plainly tell. Sciold had a + freedman who repaid his master's manumission of him by the ingratitude of + attempting his life. Sciold thereupon decrees the unlawfulness of + manumissions, or (as Saxo puts it), revoked all manumissions, thus + ordaining perpetual slavery on all that were or might become slaves. The + heathen lack of pity noticed in Alfred's preface to "Gregory's Handbook" + is illustrated here by contrast with the philosophic humanity of the Civil + Law, and the sympathy of the mediaeval Church. + </p> + <p> + But FRODE (known also to the compiler of "Beowulf's Lay", 2025) had, in + the Dane's eyes, almost eclipsed Sciold as conqueror and lawgiver. His + name Frode almost looks as if his epithet Sapiens had become his popular + appellation, and it befits him well. Of him were told many stories, and + notably the one related of our Edwin by Bede (and as it has been told by + many men of many rulers since Bede wrote, and before). Frode was able to + hang up an arm-ring of gold in three parts of his kingdom that no thief + for many years dared touch. How this incident (according to our version + preserved by Saxo), brought the just king to his end is an archaic and + interesting story. Was this ring the Brosinga men? + </p> + <p> + Saxo has even recorded the Laws of Frode in four separate bits, which we + give as A, B, C, D. + </p> + <p> + A. is mainly a civil and military code of archaic kind: + </p> + <p> + (a) The division of spoil shall be—gold to captains, silver to + privates, arms to champions, ships to be shared by all. Cf. Jomswickinga + S. on the division of spoil by the law of the pirate community of Jom. + </p> + <p> + (b) No house stuff to be locked; if a man used a lock he must pay a gold + mark. + </p> + <p> + (c) He who spares a thief must bear his punishment. + </p> + <p> + (d) The coward in battle is to forfeit all rights (cf. "Beowulf", 2885). + </p> + <p> + (e) Women to have free choice (or, at least, veto) in taking husbands. + </p> + <p> + (f) A free woman that weds a slave loses rank and freedom (cf. Roman Law). + </p> + <p> + (g) A man must marry a girl he has seduced. + </p> + <p> + (h) An adulterer to be mutilated at pleasure of injured husband. + </p> + <p> + (i) Where Dane robbed Dane, the thief to pay double and peace-breach. + </p> + <p> + (k) Receivers of stolen goods suffer forfeiture and flogging at most. + </p> + <p> + (l) Deserter bearing shield against his countrymen to lose life and + property. + </p> + <p> + (m) Contempt of fyrd-summons or call to military service involves outlawry + and exile. + </p> + <p> + (n) Bravery in battle to bring about increase in rank (cf. the old English + "Ranks of Men"). + </p> + <p> + (o) No suit to lie on promise and pledge; fine of a gold lb. for asking + pledge. + </p> + <p> + (p) Wager of battle is to be the universal mode of proof. + </p> + <p> + (q) If an alien kill a Dane two aliens must suffer. (This is practically + the same principle as appears in the half weregild of the Welsh in West + Saxon Law.) + </p> + <p> + B. An illustration of the more capricious of the old enactments and the + jealousy of antique kings. + </p> + <p> + (a) Loss of gifts sent to the king involves the official responsible; he + shall be hanged. (This is introduced as illustration of the cleverness of + Eric and the folly of Coll.) + </p> + <p> + C. Saxo associates another set of enactments with the completion of a + successful campaign of conquest over the Ruthenians, and shows Frode + chiefly as a wise and civilising statesman, making conquest mean progress. + </p> + <p> + (a) Every free householder that fell in war was to be set in his barrow + with horse and arms (cf. "Vatzdaela Saga", ch. 2). + </p> + <p> + The body-snatcher was to be punished by death and the lack of sepulture. + </p> + <p> + Earl or king to be burned in his own ship. + </p> + <p> + Ten sailors may be burnt on one ship. + </p> + <p> + (b) Ruthenians to have the same law of war as Danes. + </p> + <p> + (c) Ruthenians must adopt Danish sale-marriage. (This involves the + abolition of the Baltic custom of capture-marriage. That capture-marriage + was a bar to social progress appears in the legislation of Richard II, + directed against the custom as carried out on the borders of the Palatine + county of Chester, while cases such as the famous one of Rob Roy's sons + speak to its late continuance in Scotland. In Ireland it survived in a + stray instance or two into this century, and songs like "William Riley" + attest the sympathy of the peasant with the eloping couple.) + </p> + <p> + (d) A veteran, one of the Doughty, must be such a man as will attack one + foe, will stand two, face three without withdrawing more than a little, + and be content to retire only before four. (One of the traditional + folk-sayings respecting the picked men, the Doughty or Old Guard, as + distinguished from the Youth or Young Guard, the new-comers in the king's + Company of House-carles. In Harald Hardrede's Life the Norwegians dread + those English house-carles, "each of whom is a match for four," who formed + the famous guard that won Stamford Bridge and fell about their lord, a + sadly shrunken band, at Senlake.) + </p> + <p> + (f) The house-carles to have winter-pay. The house-carle three pieces of + silver, a hired soldier two pieces, a soldier who had finished his service + one piece. + </p> + <p> + (The treatment of the house-carles gave Harald Harefoot a reputation long + remembered for generosity, and several old Northern kings have won their + nicknames by their good or ill feeding and rewarding their comitatus.) + </p> + <p> + D. Again a civil code, dealing chiefly with the rights of travellers. + </p> + <p> + (a) Seafarers may use what gear they find (the "remis" of the text may + include boat or tackle). + </p> + <p> + (b) No house is to be locked, nor coffer, but all thefts to be compensated + threefold. (This, like A, b, which it resembles, seems a popular tradition + intended to show the absolute security of Frode's reign of seven or three + hundred years. It is probably a gloss wrongly repeated.) + </p> + <p> + (c) A traveller may claim a single supper; if he take more he is a thief + (the mark of a prae-tabernal era when hospitality was waxing cold through + misuse). + </p> + <p> + (d) Thief and accomplices are to be punished alike, being hung up by a + line through the sinews and a wolf fastened beside. (This, which + contradicts A, i, k, and allots to theft the punishment proper for + parricide, seems a mere distorted tradition.) + </p> + <p> + But beside just Frode, tradition spoke of the unjust Kinge HELGE, whose + laws represent ill-judged harshness. They were made for conquered races, + (a) the Saxons and (b) the Swedes. + </p> + <p> + (a) Noble and freedmen to have the same were-gild (the lower, of course, + the intent being to degrade all the conquered to one level, and to allow + only the lowest were-gild of a freedman, fifty pieces, probably, in the + tradition). + </p> + <p> + (b) No remedy for wrong done to a Swede by a Dane to be legally + recoverable. (This is the traditional interpretation of the conqueror's + haughty dealing; we may compare it with the Middle-English legends of the + pride of the Dane towards the conquered English. The Tradition sums up the + position in such concrete forms as this Law of Helge's.) + </p> + <p> + Two statutes of RAGNAR are mentioned:— + </p> + <p> + (a) That any householder should give up to his service in war the worst of + his children, or the laziest of his slaves (a curious tradition, and used + by Saxo as an opportunity for patriotic exaltation). + </p> + <p> + (b) That all suits shall be absolutely referred to the judgment of twelve + chosen elders (Lodbroc here appearing in the strange character of + originator of trial by jury). + </p> + <p> + "Tributes".—Akin to laws are the tributes decreed and imposed by + kings and conquerors of old. Tribute infers subjection in archaic law. The + poll-tax in the fourteenth century in England was unpopular, because of + its seeming to degrade Englishmen to the level of Frenchmen, who paid + tribute like vanquished men to their absolute lord, as well as for other + reasons connected with the collection of the tax. + </p> + <p> + The old fur tax (mentioned in "Egil's Saga") is here ascribed to FRODE, + who makes the Finns pay him, every three years, a car full or sledge full + of skins for every ten heads; and extorts one skin per head from the + Perms. It is Frode, too (though Saxo has carved a number of Frodes out of + one or two kings of gigantic personality), that made the Saxons pay a + poll-tax, a piece of money per head, using, like William the Conqueror, + his extraordinary revenue to reward his soldiers, whom he first regaled + with double pay. But on the conquered folks rebelling, he marked their + reduction by a tax of a piece of money on every limb a cubit long, a + "limb-geld" still more hateful than the "neb-geld." + </p> + <p> + HOTHERUS (Hodr) had set a tribute on the Kurlanders and Swedes, and HROLF + laid a tribute on the conquered Swedes. + </p> + <p> + GODEFRIDUS-GOTRIC is credited with a third Saxon tribute, a heriot of 100 + snow-white horses payable to each Danish king at his succession, and by + each Saxon chief on his accession: a statement that, recalling sacred + snow-white horses kept in North Germany of yore makes one wish for fuller + information. But Godefridus also exacted from the Swedes the "Ref-gild", + or Fox-money; for the slaying of his henchman Ref, twelve pieces of gold + from each man of rank, one from every commoner. And his Friesland tribute + is stranger still, nor is it easy to understand from Saxo's account. There + was a long hall built, 240 feet, and divided up into twelve "chases" of 20 + feet each (probably square). There was a shield set up at one end, and the + taxpayers hurled their money at it; if it struck so as to sound, it was + good; if not, it was forfeit, but not reckoned in the receipt. This (a + popular version, it may be, of some early system of treasury test) was + abolished, so the story goes, by Charles the Great. + </p> + <p> + RAGNAR'S exaction from Daxo, his son's slayer, was a yearly tribute + brought by himself and twelve of his elders barefoot, resembling in part + such submissions as occur in the Angevin family history, the case of the + Calais burgesses, and of such criminals as the Corporation of Oxford, + whose penance was only finally renounced by the local patriots in our own + day. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WAR. + </h2> + <p> + "Weapons".—The sword is the weapon par excellence in Saxo's + narrative, and he names several by name, famous old blades like our royal + Curtana, which some believed was once Tristrem's, and that sword of + Carlus, whose fortunes are recorded in Irish annals. Such are "Snyrtir", + Bearce's sword; "Hothing", Agnar's blade; "Lauf", or "Leaf", Bearce's + sword; "Screp", Wermund's sword, long buried and much rust-eaten, but + sharp and trusty, and known by its whistle; Miming's sword ("Mistletoe"), + which slew Balder. Wainhead's curved blade seems to be a halbert; + "Lyusing" and "Hwiting", Ragnald of Norway's swords; "Logthe", the sword + of Ole Siward's son. + </p> + <p> + The "war-club" occurs pretty frequently. But it is usually introduced as a + special weapon of a special hero, who fashions a gold-headed club to slay + one that steel cannot touch, or who tears up a tree, like the Spanish + knight in the ballad, or who uses a club to counteract spells that blunt + steel. The bat-shapen archaic rudder of a ship is used as a club in the + story of the Sons of Arngrim. + </p> + <p> + The "spear" plays no particular part in Saxo: even Woden's spear Gungne is + not prominent. + </p> + <p> + "Bows and arrows" are not often spoken of, but archer heroes, such as + Toki, Ane Bow-swayer, and Orwar-Odd, are known. Slings and stones are + used. + </p> + <p> + The shield, of all defensive armour, is far the most prominent. They were + often painted with devices, such as Hamlet's shield, Hildiger's Swedish + shield. Dr. Vigfusson has shown the importance of these painted shields in + the poetic history of the Scandinavians. + </p> + <p> + A red shield is a signal of peace. Shields are set round ramparts on land + as round ships at sea. + </p> + <p> + "Mail-coats" are worn. Frode has one charmed against steel. Hother has + another; a mail-coat of proof is mentioned and their iron meshes are + spoken of. + </p> + <p> + "Helmets" are used, but not so carefully described as in "Beowulf's Lay"; + crested helmets and a gilded helmet occur in Bearca-mal and in another + poem. + </p> + <p> + "Banners" serve as rallying points in the battle and on the march. The + Huns' banners are spoken of in the classic passage for the description of + a huge host invading a country. Bearcamal talks of golden banners. + </p> + <p> + "Horns" (1) were blown pp at the beginning of the engagement and for + signalling. The gathering of the host was made by delivery of a wooden + arrow painted to look like iron. + </p> + <p> + "Tactics".—The hand-to-hand fight of the wager of battle with sword + and shield, and the fighting in ranks and the wedge-column at close + quarters, show that the close infantry combat was the main event of the + battle. The preliminary hurling of stones, and shooting of arrows, and + slinging of pebbles, were harassing and annoying, but seldom sufficiently + important to affect the result of the main engagement. + </p> + <p> + Men ride to battle, but fight on foot; occasionally an aged king is + car-borne to the fray, and once the car, whether by Saxo's adorning hand, + or by tradition, is scythe-armed. + </p> + <p> + The gathered host is numbered, once, where, as with Xerxes, counting was + too difficult, by making each man as he passed put a pebble in a pile + (which piles survive to mark the huge size of Frode's army). This is, of + course, a folktale, explaining the pebble-hills and illustrating the + belief in Frode's power; but armies were mustered by such expedients of + old. Burton tells of an African army each man of whom presented an egg, as + a token of his presence and a means of taking the number of the host. + </p> + <p> + We hear of men marching in light order without even scabbards, and getting + over the ice in socks. + </p> + <p> + The war equipment and habits of the Irish, light armoured, clipped at back + of head, hurling the javelin backwards in their feigned flight; of the + Slavs, small blue targets and long swords; of the Finns, with their darts + and skees, are given. + </p> + <p> + Watches are kept, and it is noted that "uht", the early watch after + midnight, is the worst to be attacked in (the duke's + two-o'clock-in-the-morning courage being needed, and the darkness and cold + helping the enemy). + </p> + <p> + Spies were, of course, slain if discovered. But we have instances of kings + and heroes getting into foeman's camps in disguise (cf. stories of Alfred + and Anlaf). + </p> + <p> + The order of battle of Bravalla fight is given, and the ideal array of a + host. To Woden is ascribed the device of the boar's head, hamalt fylking + (the swine-head array of Manu's Indian kings), the terrible column with + wedge head which could cleave the stoutest line. + </p> + <p> + The host of Ring has men from Wener, Wermland, Gotaelf, Thotn, Wick, + Thelemark, Throndham, Sogn, Firths, Fialer, Iceland; Sweden, Gislamark, + Sigtun, Upsala, Pannonia. + </p> + <p> + The host of Harold had men from Iceland, the Danish provinces, Frisia, + Lifland; Slavs, and men from Jom, Aland, and Sleswick. + </p> + <p> + The battle of Bravalla is said to have been won by the Gotland archers and + the men of Throndham, and the Dales. The death of Harald by treachery + completed the defeat, which began when Ubbe fell (after he had broken the + enemy's van) riddled with arrows. + </p> + <p> + The defeated, unless they could fly, got little quarter. One-fifth only of + the population of a province are said to have survived an invasion. After + sea-battles (always necessarily more deadly) the corpses choke the + harbours. Seventy sea-kings are swept away in one sea-fight. Heads seem to + have been taken in some cases, but not as a regular Teutonic usage, and + the practice, from its being attributed to ghosts and aliens, must have + already been considered savage by Saxo, and probably by his informants and + authorities. + </p> + <p> + Prisoners were slaves; they might be killed, put to cruel death, outraged, + used as slaves, but the feeling in favour of mercy was growing, and the + cruelty of Eormenric, who used tortures to his prisoners, of Rothe, who + stripped his captives, and of Fro, who sent captive ladies to a brothel in + insult, is regarded with dislike. + </p> + <p> + Wounds were looked on as honourable, but they must be in front or + honourably got. A man who was shot through the buttocks, or wounded in the + back, was laughed at and disgraced. We hear of a mother helping her + wounded son out of battle. + </p> + <p> + That much of human interest centered round war is evident by the mass of + tradition that surrounds the subject in Saxo, both in its public and + private aspects. Quaint is the analysis of the four kinds of warriors: (a) + The Veterans, or Doughty, who kill foes and spare flyers; (b) the Young + men who kill foes and flyers too; (c) the well-to-do, landed, and + propertied men of the main levy, who neither fight for fear nor fly for + shame; (d) the worthless, last to fight and first to fly; and curious are + the remarks about married and unmarried troops, a matter which Chaka + pondered over in later days. Homeric speeches precede the fight. + </p> + <p> + "Stratagems of War" greatly interested Saxo (probably because Valerius + Maximus, one of his most esteemed models, was much occupied with such + matters), so that he diligently records the military traditions of the + notably skillful expedients of famous commanders of old. + </p> + <p> + There is the device for taking a town by means of the "pretended death" of + the besieging general, a device ascribed to Hastings and many more + commanders (see Steenstrup Normannerne); the plan of "firing" a besieged + town by fire-bearing birds, ascribed here to Fridlev, in the case of + Dublin to Hadding against Duna (where it was foiled by all tame birds + being chased out of the place). + </p> + <p> + There is the "Birnam Wood" stratagem, by which men advanced behind a + screen of boughs, which is even used for the concealment of ships, and the + curious legend (occurring in Irish tradition also, and recalling Capt. B. + Hall's "quaker gun" story) by which a commander bluffs off his enemy by + binding his dead to stakes in rows, as if they were living men. + </p> + <p> + Less easy to understand are the "brazen horses" or "machines" driven into + the close lines of the enemy to crush and open them, an invention of + Gewar. The use of hooked weapons to pull down the foes' shields and + helmets was also taught to Hother by Gewar. + </p> + <p> + The use of black tents to conceal encampment; the defence of a pass by + hurling rocks from the heights; the bridge of boats across the Elbe; and + the employment of spies, and the bold venture, ascribed in our chronicles + to Alfred and Anlaf, of visiting in disguise the enemy's camp, is here + attributed to Frode, who even assumed women's clothes for the purpose. + </p> + <p> + Frode is throughout the typical general, as he is the typical statesman + and law-giver of archaic Denmark. + </p> + <p> + There are certain heathen usages connected with war, as the hurling of a + javelin or shooting of an arrow over the enemy's ranks as a "sacratio" to + Woden of the foe at the beginning of a battle. This is recorded in the + older vernacular authorities also, in exact accordance with the Homeric + usage, "Odyssey" xxiv, 516-595. + </p> + <p> + The dedication of part of the spoils to the god who gave good omens for + the war is told of the heathen Baltic peoples; but though, as Sidonius + records, it had once prevailed among the Saxons, and, as other witnesses + add, among the Scandinavian people, the tradition is not clearly preserved + by Saxo. + </p> + <p> + "Sea and Sea Warfare."—As might be expected, there is much mention + of Wicking adventure and of maritime warfare in Saxo. + </p> + <p> + Saxo tells of Asmund's huge ship (Gnod), built high that he might shoot + down on the enemy's craft; he speaks of a ship (such as Godwin gave as a + gift to the king his master), and the monk of St. Bertin and the + court-poets have lovingly described a ship with gold-broidered sails, gilt + masts, and red-dyed rigging. One of his ships has, like the ships in the + Chansons de Geste, a carbuncle for a lantern at the masthead. Hedin + signals to Frode by a shield at the masthead. A red shield was a peace + signal, as noted above. The practice of "strand-hewing", a great feature + in Wicking-life (which, so far as the victualling of raw meat by the + fishing fleets, and its use raw, as Mr. P. H. Emerson informs me, still + survives), is spoken of. There was great fear of monsters attacking them, + a fear probably justified by such occasional attacks of angry whales as + Melville (founding his narrative on repeated facts) has immortalised. The + whales, like Moby Dick, were uncanny, and inspired by troll-women or + witches (cf. "Frithiof Saga" and the older "Lay of Atle and Rimegerd"). + The clever sailing of Hadding, by which he eludes pursuit, is tantalising, + for one gathers that, Saxo knows the details that he for some reason + omits. Big fleets of 150 and a monster armada of 3,000 vessels are + recorded. + </p> + <p> + The ships were moved by oars and sails; they had rudders, no doubt such as + the Gokstad ship, for the hero Arrow-Odd used a rudder as a weapon. + </p> + <p> + "Champions".—Professed fighting men were often kept by kings and + earls about their court as useful in feud and fray. Harald Fairhair's + champions are admirably described in the contemporary Raven Song by + Hornclofe— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Wolf-coats they call them that in battle + Bellow into bloody shields. + They wear wolves' hides when they come into the fight, + And clash their weapons together." +</pre> + <p> + and Saxo's sources adhere closely to this pattern. + </p> + <p> + These "bear-sarks", or wolf-coats of Harald give rise to an O. N. term, + "bear-sarks' way", to describe the frenzy of fight and fury which such + champions indulged in, barking and howling, and biting their shield-rims + (like the ferocious "rook" in the narwhale ivory chessmen in the British + Museum) till a kind of state was produced akin to that of the Malay when + he has worked himself up to "run-a-muck." There seems to have been in the + 10th century a number of such fellows about unemployed, who became + nuisances to their neighbours by reason of their bullying and + highhandedness. Stories are told in the Icelandic sagas of the way such + persons were entrapped and put to death by the chiefs they served when + they became too troublesome. A favourite (and fictitious) episode in an + "edited" Icelandic saga is for the hero to rescue a lady promised to such + a champion (who has bullied her father into consent) by slaying the + ruffian. It is the same "motif" as Guy of Warwick and the Saracen lady, + and one of the regular Giant and Knight stories. + </p> + <p> + Beside men-warriors there were "women-warriors" in the North, as Saxo + explains. He describes shield-maidens, as Alfhild, Sela, Rusila (the + Ingean Ruadh, or Red Maid of the Irish Annals, as Steenstrup so + ingeniously conjectures); and the three she-captains, Wigbiorg, who fell + on the field, Hetha, who was made queen of Zealand, and Wisna, whose hand + Starcad cut off, all three fighting manfully at Bravalla fight. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SOCIAL LIFE AND MANNERS. + </h2> + <p> + "Feasts".—The hall-dinner was an important feature in the old + Teutonic court-life. Many a fine scene in a saga takes place in the hall + while the king and his men are sitting over their ale. The hall decked + with hangings, with its fires, lights, plate and provisions, appears in + Saxo just as in the Eddic Lays, especially Rigsmal, and the Lives of the + Norwegian Kings and Orkney Earls. + </p> + <p> + The order of seats is a great point of archaic manners. Behaviour at table + was a matter of careful observance. The service, especially that of the + cup-bearer, was minutely regulated by etiquette. An honoured guest was + welcomed by the host rising to receive him and giving him a seat near + himself, but less distinguished visitors were often victims to the rough + horseplay of the baser sort, and of the wanton young gentleman at court. + The food was simple, boiled beef and pork, and mutton without sauce, ale + served in horns from the butt. Roast meat, game, sauces, mead, and flagons + set on the table, are looked on by Starcad as foreign luxuries, and + Germany was credited with luxurious cookery. + </p> + <p> + "Mimes and jugglers", who went through the country or were attached to the + lord's court to amuse the company, were a despised race because of their + ribaldry, obscenity, cowardice, and unabashed self-debasement; and their + newfangled dances and piping were loathsome to the old court-poets, who + accepted the harp alone as an instrument of music. + </p> + <p> + The story that once a king went to war with his jugglers and they ran + away, would represent the point of view of the old house-carle, who was + neglected, though "a first-class fighting man", for these debauched + foreign buffoons. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SUPERNATURAL BEINGS. + </h2> + <p> + GODS AND GODDESSES.—The gods spring, according to Saxo's belief, + from a race of sorcerers, some of whom rose to pre-eminence and expelled + and crushed the rest, ending the "wizard-age", as the wizards had ended + the monster or "giant-age". That they were identic with the classic gods + he is inclined to believe, but his difficulty is that in the week-days we + have Jove : Thor; Mercury : Woden; whereas it is perfectly well known that + Mercury is Jove's son, and also that Woden is the father of Thor—a + comic "embarras". That the persians the heathens worshipped as gods + existed, and that they were men and women false and powerful, Saxo plainly + believes. He has not Snorre's appreciation of the humorous side of the + mythology. He is ironic and scornful, but without the kindly, naive fun of + the Icelander. + </p> + <p> + The most active god, the Dane's chief god (as Frey is the Swede's god, and + patriarch), is "Woden". He appears in heroic life as patron of great + heroes and kings. Cf. "Hyndla-Lay", where it is said of Woden:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Let us pray the Father of Hosts to be gracious to us! + He granteth and giveth gold to his servants, + He gave Heremod a helm and mail-coat, + And Sigmund a sword to take. + He giveth victory to his sons, to his followers wealth, + Ready speech to his children and wisdom to men. + Fair wind to captains, and song to poets; + He giveth luck in love to many a hero." +</pre> + <p> + He appears under various disguises and names, but usually as a one-eyed + old man, cowled and hooded; sometimes with another, bald and ragged, as + before the battle Hadding won; once as "Hroptr", a huge man skilled in + leechcraft, to Ragnar's son Sigfrid. + </p> + <p> + Often he is a helper in battle or doomer of feymen. As "Lysir", a rover of + the sea, he helps Hadding. As veteran slinger and archer he helps his + favourite Hadding; as charioteer, "Brune", he drives Harald to his death + in battle. He teaches Hadding how to array his troops. As "Yggr" the + prophet he advises the hero and the gods. As "Wecha" (Waer) the leech he + woos Wrinda. He invented the wedge array. He can grant charmed lives to + his favourites against steel. He prophesies their victories and death. He + snatches up one of his disciples, sets him on his magic horse that rides + over seas in the air, as in Skida-runa the god takes the beggar over the + North Sea. His image (like that of Frey in the Swedish story of Ogmund + dytt and Gunnar helming, "Flatey book", i, 335) could speak by magic + power. + </p> + <p> + Of his life and career Saxo gives several episodes. + </p> + <p> + Woden himself dwelt at Upsala and Byzantium (Asgard); and the northern + kings sent him a golden image ring-bedecked, which he made to speak + oracles. His wife Frigga stole the bracelets and played him false with a + servant, who advised her to destroy and rob the image. + </p> + <p> + When Woden was away (hiding the disgrace brought on him by Frigga his + wife), an imposter, Mid Odin, possibly Loke in disguise, usurped his place + at Upsala, instituted special drink-offerings, fled to Finland on Woden's + return, and was slain by the Fins and laid in barrow. But the barrow smote + all that approached it with death, till the body was unearthed, beheaded, + and impaled, a well-known process for stopping the haunting of an + obnoxious or dangerous ghost. + </p> + <p> + Woden had a son Balder, rival of Hother for the love of Nanna, daughter of + King Gewar. Woden and Thor his son fought for him against Hother, but in + vain, for Hother won the laity and put Balder to shameful flight; however, + Balder, half-frenzied by his dreams of Nanna, in turn drove him into exile + (winning the lady); finally Hother, befriended hy luck and the Wood + Maidens, to whom he owed his early successes and his magic coat, belt, and + girdle (there is obvious confusion here in the text), at last met Balder + and stabbed him in the side. Of this wound Balder died in three days, as + was foretold by the awful dream in which Proserpina (Hela) appeared to + him. Balder's grand burial, his barrow, and the magic flood which burst + from it when one Harald tried to break into it, and terrified the robbers, + are described. + </p> + <p> + The death of Balder led Woden to seek revenge. Hrossthiof the wizard, whom + he consulted, told him he must beget a son by "Wrinda" (Rinda, daughter of + the King of the Ruthenians), who should avenge his half-brother. + </p> + <p> + Woden's wooing is the best part of this story, half spoilt, however, by + euhemeristic tone and lack of epic dignity. He woos as a victorious + warrior, and receives a cuff; as a generous goldsmith, and gets a buffet; + as a handsome soldier, earning a heavy knock-down blow; but in the garb of + a women as Wecha (Wakr), skilled in leechcraft, he won his way by + trickery; and ("Wale") "Bous" was born, who, after some years, slew Hother + in battle, and died himself of his wounds. Bous' barrow in Bohusland, + Balder's haven, Balder's well, are named as local attestations of the + legend, which is in a late form, as it seems. + </p> + <p> + The story of Woden's being banished for misbehaviour, and especially for + sorcery and for having worn woman's attire to trick Wrinda, his + replacement by "Wuldor" ("Oller"), a high priest who assumed Woden's name + and flourished for ten years, but was ultimately expelled by the returning + Woden, and killed by the Danes in Sweden, is in the same style. But + Wuldor's bone vessel is an old bit of genuine tradition mangled. It would + cross the sea as well as a ship could, by virtue of certain spells marked + on it. + </p> + <p> + Of "Frey", who appears as "satrapa" of the gods at Upsala, and as the + originator of human sacrifice, and as appeased by black victims, at a + sacrifice called Froblod (Freys-blot) instituted by Hadding, who began it + as an atonement for having slain a sea-monster, a deed for which he had + incurred a curse. The priapic and generative influences of Frey are only + indicated by a curious tradition mentioned. It almost looks as if there + had once been such an institution at Upsala as adorned the Phoenician + temples, under Frey's patronage and for a symbolic means of worship. + </p> + <p> + "Thunder", or "Thor", is Woden's son, strongest of gods or men, patron of + Starcad, whom he turned, by pulling off four arms, from a monster to a + man. + </p> + <p> + He fights by Woden's side and Balder's against Hother, by whose magic wand + his club (hammer) was lopped off part of its shaft, a wholly different + and, a much later version than the one Snorre gives in the prose Edda. + Saxo knows of Thor's journey to the haunt of giant Garfred (Geirrod) and + his three daughters, and of the hurling of the iron "bloom", and of the + crushing of the giantesses, though he does not seem to have known of the + river-feats of either the ladies or Thor, if we may judge (never a safe + thing wholly) by his silence. + </p> + <p> + Whether "Tew" is meant by the Mars of the Song of the Voice is not + evident. Saxo may only be imitating the repeated catch-word "war" of the + original. + </p> + <p> + "Loke" appears as Utgard-Loke, Loke of the skirts of the World, as it + were; is treated as a venomous giant bound in agony under a + serpent-haunted cavern (no mention is made of "Sigyn" or her pious + ministry). + </p> + <p> + "Hela" seems to be meant by Saxo's Proserpina. + </p> + <p> + "Nanna" is the daughter of Gewar, and Balder sees her bathing and falls in + love with her, as madly as Frey with Gertha in Skirnismal. + </p> + <p> + "Freya", the mistress of Od, the patroness of Othere the homely, the + sister of Frey-Frode, and daughter of Niord-Fridlaf, appears as Gunwara + Eric's love and Syritha Ottar's love and the hair-clogged maiden, as Dr. + Rydberg has shown. + </p> + <p> + The gods can disguise their form, change their shape, are often met in a + mist, which shrouds them save from the right person; they appear and + disappear at will. For the rest they have the mental and physical + characteristics of the kings and queens they protect or persecute so + capriciously. They can be seen by making a magic sign and looking through + a witch's arm held akimbo. They are no good comates for men or women, and + to meddle with a goddess or nymph or giantess was to ensure evil or death + for a man. The god's loves were apparently not always so fatal, though + there seems to be some tradition to that effect. Most of the god-sprung + heroes are motherless or unborn (i.e., born like Macduff by the Caesarean + operation)—Sigfred, in the Eddic Lays for instance. + </p> + <p> + Besides the gods, possibly older than they are, and presumably mightier, + are the "Fates" (Norns), three Ladies who are met with together, who + fulfil the parts of the gift-fairies of our Sleeping Beauty tales, and + bestow endowments on the new-born child, as in the beautiful "Helge Lay", + a point of the story which survives in Ogier of the Chansons de Geste, + wherein Eadgar (Otkerus or Otgerus) gets what belonged to Holger (Holge), + the Helga of "Beowulf's Lay". The caprices of the Fates, where one + corrects or spoils the others' endowments, are seen in Saxo, when beauty, + bounty, and meanness are given together. They sometimes meet heroes, as + they met Helgi in the Eddic Lay (Helgi and Sigrun Lay), and help or begift + them; they prepare the magic broth for Balder, are charmed with Hother's + lute-playing, and bestow on him a belt of victory and a girdle of + splendour, and prophesy things to come. + </p> + <p> + The verse in Biarca-mal, where "Pluto weaves the dooms of the mighty and + fills Phlegethon with noble shapes," recalls Darrada-liod, and points to + Woden as death-doomer of the warrior. + </p> + <p> + "Giants".—These are stupid, mischievous, evil and cunning in Saxo's + eyes. Oldest of beings, with chaotic force and exuberance, monstrous in + extravagant vitality. + </p> + <p> + The giant nature of the older troll-kind is abhorrent to man and woman. + But a giantess is enamoured of a youth she had fostered, and giants carry + off king's daughters, and a three-bodied giant captures young children. + </p> + <p> + Giants live in caves by the sea, where they keep their treasure. One + giant, Unfoot (Ofoti), is a shepherd, like Polyphemus, and has a famous + dog which passed into the charge of Biorn, and won a battle; a giantess is + keeping goats in the wilds. A giant's fury is so great that it takes + twelve champions to control him, when the rage is on him. The troll (like + our Puss-in-Boots Ogre) can take any shape. + </p> + <p> + Monstrous apparitions are mentioned, a giant hand (like that in one story + of Finn) searching for its prey among the inmates of a booth in the wilds. + But this Grendel-like arm is torn off by a giantess, Hardgrip, daughter of + Wainhead and niece possibly of Hafle. + </p> + <p> + The voice heard at night prophesying is that of some god or monster, + possibly Woden himself. + </p> + <p> + "Dwarves".—These Saxo calls Satyrs, and but rarely mentions. The + dwarf Miming, who lives in the desert, has a precious sword of sharpness + (Mistletoe?) that could even pierce skin-hard Balder, and a ring + (Draupnir) that multiplied itself for its possessor. He is trapped by the + hero and robbed of his treasures. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FUNERAL RITES AND MAN'S FUTURE STATE. + </h2> + <p> + "Barrow-burials".—The obsequies of great men (such as the classic + funeral of "Beowulf's Lay", 3138-80) are much noticed by Saxo, and we + might expect that he knew such a poem (one similar to Ynglingatal, but not + it) which, like the Books of the Kings of Israel and Judah, recorded the + deaths and burials, as well as the pedigrees and deeds, of the Danish + kings. + </p> + <p> + The various stages of the "obsequy by fire" are noted; the byre sometimes + formed out of a ship; the "sati"; the devoted bower-maidens choosing to + die with their mistress, the dead man's beloved (cf. The Eddic funerals of + Balder, Sigfred, and Brunhild, in the Long "Brunhild's Lay", Tregrof + Gudrumar and the lost poem of Balder's death paraphrased in the prose + Edda); the last message given to the corpse on the pyre (Woden's last + words to Balder are famous); the riding round the pyre; the eulogium; the + piling of the barrow, which sometimes took whole days, as the size of many + existing grass mounds assure us; the funeral feast, where an immense vat + of ale or mead is drunk in honor of the dead; the epitaph, like an ogham, + set up on a stone over the barrow. + </p> + <p> + The inclusion of a live man with the dead in a barrow, with the live or + fresh-slain beasts (horse and bound) of the dead man, seems to point to a + time or district when burning was not used. Apparently, at one time, + judging from Frode's law, only chiefs and warriors were burnt. + </p> + <p> + Not to bury was, as in Hellas, an insult to the dead, reserved for the + bodies of hated foes. Conquerors sometimes show their magnanimity (like + Harald Godwineson) by offering to bury their dead foes. + </p> + <p> + The buried "barrow-ghost" was formidable; he could rise and slay and eat, + vampire-like, as in the tale of Asmund and Aswit. He must in such case be + mastered and prevented doing further harm by decapitation and + thigh-forking, or by staking and burning. So criminals' bodies were often + burnt to stop possible haunting. + </p> + <p> + Witches and wizards could raise corpses by spells to make them prophesy. + The dead also appeared in visions, usually foretelling death to the person + they visited. + </p> + <p> + OTHER WORLDS.—The "Land of Undeath" is spoken of as a place reached + by an exiled hero in his wanderings. We know it from Eric the traveller's + S., Helge Thoreson's S., Herrand and Bose S., Herwon S., Thorstan + Baearmagn S., and other Icelandic sources. But the voyage to the Other + Worlds are some of the most remarkable of the narratives Saxo has + preserved for us. + </p> + <p> + "Hadding's Voyage Underground".—(a) A woman bearing in her lap + angelica fresh and green, though it was deep winter, appears to the hero + at supper, raising her head beside the brazier. Hadding wishes to know + where such plants grow. + </p> + <p> + (b) She takes him with her, under cover of her mantle, underground. + </p> + <p> + (c) They pierce a mist, get on a road worn by long use, pass nobly-clad + men, and reach the sunny fields that bear the angelica:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Through griesly shadowes by a beaten path, + Into a garden goodly garnished." + —F.Q. ii. 7, 51. +</pre> + <p> + (d) Next they cross, by a bridge, the "River of Blades", and see "two + armies fighting", ghosts of slain soldiers. + </p> + <p> + (e) Last they came to a high wall, which surrounds the land of Life, for a + cock the woman brought with her, whose neck she wrung and tossed over this + wall, came to life and crowed merrily. + </p> + <p> + Here the story breaks off. It is unfinished, we are only told that + Hadfling got back. Why he was taken to this under-world? Who took him? + What followed therefrom? Saxo does not tell. It is left to us to make out. + </p> + <p> + That it is an archaic story of the kind in the Thomas of Ercildoune and so + many more fairy-tales, e.g., Kate Crack-a-Nuts, is certain. The "River of + Blades" and "The Fighting Warriors" are known from the Eddic Poems. The + angelica is like the green birk of that superb fragment, the ballad of the + Wife of Usher's Well—a little more frankly heathen, of course— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "It fell about the Martinmas, when nights are long and mirk, + The carline wife's three sons cam hame, and their hats were + o' the birk. + It neither grew in syke nor dyke, nor yet in ony sheugh, + But at the gates o' Paradise that birk grew fair eneuch." +</pre> + <p> + The mantel is that of Woden when he bears the hero over seas; the cock is + a bird of sorcery the world over; the black fowl is the proper gift to the + Underground powers—a heriot really, for did not the Culture god + steal all the useful beasts out of the underground world for men's use? + </p> + <p> + Dr. Rydberg has shown that the "Seven Sleepers" story is an old Northern + myth, alluded to here in its early pre-Christian form, and that with this + is mixed other incidents from voyages of Swipdag, the Teutonic Odusseus. + </p> + <p> + "Thorkill's Second Voyage to Outgarth-Loke to get Knowledge".—(a) + Guthrum is troubled as to the immortality and fate of the soul, and the + reward of piety after death. To spite Thorkill, his enviers advised the + king to send him to consult Outgarth-Loke. He required of the king that + his enemies should be sent with him. + </p> + <p> + (b) In one well-stored and hide-defended ship they set out, reached a + sunless, starless land, without fuel; ate raw food and suffered. At last, + after many days, a fire was seen ashore. Thorkill, setting a jewel at the + mast-head to be able to regain his vessel easily, rows ashore to get fire. + </p> + <p> + (c) In a filthy, snake-paved, stinking cavern he sees two horny-nebbed + giants, (2) making a fire. One of the giants offers to direct him to Loke + if he will say three true things in three phrases, and this done, tells + him to row four days and then he would reach a Dark and Grassless Land. + For three more true sayings he obtains fire, and gets back to his vessel. + </p> + <p> + (d) With good wind they make Grassless Land, go ashore, find a huge, rocky + cavern, strike a flint to kindle a fire at the entrance as a safeguard + against demons, and a torch to light them as they explored the cavern. + </p> + <p> + (e) First appears iron seats set amid crawling snakes. + </p> + <p> + (f) Next is sluggish water flowing over sand. + </p> + <p> + (g) Last a steep, sloping cavern is reached, in a chamber of which lay + Outgarth-Loke chained, huge and foul. + </p> + <p> + (h) Thorkill plucks a hair of his beard "as big as a cornel-wood spear." + The stench that arose was fearful; the demens and snakes fell upon the + invaders at once; only Thorkill and five of the crew, who had sheltered + themselves with hides against the virulent poison the demons and snakes + cast, which would take a head off at the neck if it fell upon it, got back + to their ship. + </p> + <p> + (i) By vow to the "God that made the world", and offerings, a good voyage + was made back, and Germany reached, where Thorkill became a Christian. + Only two of his men survived the effects of the poison and stench, and he + himself was scarred and spoilt in the face. + </p> + <p> + (k) When he reached the king, Guthrum would not listen to his tale, + because it was prophesied to him that he would die suddenly if he heard + it; nay, he even sent men to smite him as he lay in bed, but, by the + device of laying a log in his place, he escaped, and going to the king as + he sat at meat, reproached him for his treachery. + </p> + <p> + (l) Guthrum bade him tell his story, but died of horror at hearing his god + Loke foully spoken of, while the stench of the hair that Thorkill + produced, as Othere did his horn for a voucher of his speech, slew many + bystanders. + </p> + <p> + This is the regular myth of Loke, punished by the gods, lying bound with + his own soils' entrails on three sharp stones and a sword-blade, (this + latter an addition, when the myth was made stones were the only blades), + with snakes' venom dripping on to him, so that when it falls on him he + shakes with pain and makes earthquakes—a Titan myth in answer to the + question, "Why does the earth quake?" The vitriolic power of the poison is + excellently expressed in the story. The plucking of the hair as a token is + like the plucking of a horn off the giant or devil that occurs in some + folk-tale. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MAGIC AND FOLK-SCIENCE. + </h2> + <p> + There is a belief in magic throughout Saxo's work, showing how fresh + heathendom still was in men's minds and memories. His explanations, when + he euhemerizes, are those of his day. + </p> + <p> + By means of spells all kinds of wonders could be effected, and the powers + of nature forced to work for the magician or his favourite. + </p> + <p> + "Skin-changing" (so common in "Landnamaboc") was as well known as in the + classic world of Lucian and Apuleius; and, where Frode perishes of the + attacks of a witch metamorphosed into a walrus. + </p> + <p> + "Mist" is induced by spells to cover and hide persons, as in Homer, and + "glamour" is produced by spells to dazzle foemen's sight. To cast glamour + and put confusion into a besieged place a witch is employed by the + beleaguerer, just as William the Conqueror used the witch in the Fens + against Hereward's fortalice. A soothsayer warns Charles the Great of the + coming of a Danish fleet to the Seine's mouth. + </p> + <p> + "Rain and bad weather" may be brought on, as in a battle against the + enemy, but in this, as in other instances, the spell may be counteracted. + </p> + <p> + "Panic Terror" may be induced by the spell worked with a dead horse's head + set up on a pole facing the antagonist, but the spell may be met and + combatted by silence and a counter-curse. + </p> + <p> + "Magic help" may be got by calling on the friendly magician's name. The + magician has also the power of summoning to him anyone, however unwilling, + to appear. + </p> + <p> + Of spells and magic power to blunt steel there are several instances; they + may be counteracted (as in the Icelandic Sagas) by using the hilt, or a + club, or covering the blade with fine skin. In another case the champion + can only be overcome by one that will take up some of the dust from under + his feet. This is effected by the combatants shifting their ground and + exchanging places. In another case the foeman can only be slain by gold, + whereupon the hero has a gold-headed mace made and batters the life out of + him therewith. The brothers of Swanhild cannot be cut by steel, for their + mail was charmed by the witch Gudrun, but Woden taught Eormenric, the + Gothic king, how to overcome them with stones (which apparently cannot, as + archaic weapons, be charmed against at all, resisting magic like wood and + water and fire). Jordanis tells the true history of Ermanaric, that great + Gothic emperor whose rule from the Dnieper to the Baltic and Rhine and + Danube, and long reign of prosperity, were broken by the coming of the + Huns. With him vanished the first great Teutonic empire. + </p> + <p> + Magic was powerful enough even to raise the dead, as was practised by the + Perms, who thus renewed their forces after a battle. In the Everlasting + battle the combatants were by some strange trick of fate obliged to fulfil + a perennial weird (like the unhappy Vanderdecken). Spells to wake the dead + were written on wood and put under the corpses' tongue. Spells (written on + bark) induce frenzy. + </p> + <p> + "Charms" would secure a man against claw or tooth. + </p> + <p> + "Love philtres" (as in the long "Lay of Gudrun) appear as everywhere in + savage and archaic society. + </p> + <p> + "Food", porridge mixed with the slaver of tortured snakes, gives magic + strength or endues the eater with eloquence and knowledge of beast and + bird speech (as Finn's broiled fish and Sigfred's broiled dragon-heart + do). + </p> + <p> + "Poison" like these hell-broths are part of the Witch or Obi + stock-in-trade, and Frode uses powdered gold as an antidote. + </p> + <p> + "Omens" are observed; tripping as one lands is lucky (as with our William + the Norman). Portents, such as a sudden reddening of the sea where the + hero is drowned, are noticed and interpreted. + </p> + <p> + "Dreams" (cf. Eddic Lays of Attila, and the Border ballads) are prophetic + (as nine-tenths of Europeans firmly believe still); thus the visionary + flame-spouting dragon is interpreted exactly as Hogne's and Attila's + dreams. The dreams of the three first bridals nights (which were kept + hallowed by a curious superstition, either because the dreams would then + bold good, or as is more likely, for fear of some Asmodeus) were fateful. + Animals and birds in dreams are read as persons, as nowadays. + </p> + <p> + A "curse" is powerful unless it can be turned back, when it will harm its + utterer, for harm someone it must. The "curse" of a dying man on his + slayer, and its lack of effect, is noted. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes "magic messengers" are sent, like the swans that bore a token + and uttered warning songs to the hero. + </p> + <p> + "Witches and wizards" (as belonging to the older layer of archaic beliefs) + are hateful to the gods, and Woden casts them out as accursed, though he + himself was the mightiest of wizards. Heathen Teutonic life was a long + terror by reason of witchcraft, as is the heathen African life to-day, + continual precautions being needful to escape the magic of enemies. The + Icelandic Sagas, such as Gretter's, are full of magic and witchcraft. It + is by witchcraft that Gretter is first lamed and finally slain; one can + see that Glam's curse, the Beowulf motif, was not really in the original + Gretter story. + </p> + <p> + "Folk-medicine" is really a branch of magic in old days, even to such + pioneers of science as Paracelsus. + </p> + <p> + Saxo's traditions note drinking of a lion's blood that eats men as a means + of gaining might and strength; the drinking of bear's blood is also + declared to give great bodily power. + </p> + <p> + The tests for "madness" are of a primitive character, such as those + applied to Odusseus, who, however, was not able, like Hamlet, to evade + them. + </p> + <p> + The test for death is the red-hot iron or hot brand (used by the + Abyssinians of to-day, as it was supposed in the thirteenth century to + have been used by Grimhild. "And now Grimhild goes and takes a great + brand, where the house had burnt, and goes to Gernot her brother, and + thrusts the burning brand in his mouth, and will know whether he is dead + or living. But Gernot was clearly dead. And now she goes to Gislher and + thrusts the firebrand in his mouth. He was not dead before, but Gislher + died of that. Now King Thidrec of Bern saw what Grimhild is doing, and + speaks to King Attila. `See how that devil Grimhild, thy wife, is killing + her brothers, the good warriors, and how many men have lost their lives + for her sake, and how many good men she has destroyed, Huns and Amalungs + and Niflungs; and in the same way would she bring thee and me to hell, if + she could do it?' Then spake King Attila, `Surely she is a devil, and slay + thou her, and that were a good work if thou had done it seven nights ago! + Then many a gallant fellow were whole that is now dead.' Now King Thidrec + springs at Grimhild and swings up his sword Eckisax, and hews her asunder + at the middle"). + </p> + <p> + It was believed (as in Polynesia, where "Captain Cook's path" was shown in + the grass) that the heat of the hero's body might blast the grass; so + Starcad's entrails withered the grass. + </p> + <p> + It was believed that a severed head might bite the ground in rage, and + there were certainly plenty of opportunities for observation of such + cases. + </p> + <p> + It was believed that a "dumb man" might be so wrought on by passion that + he would speak, and wholly acquire speech-power. + </p> + <p> + Little is told of "surgery", but in one case of intestines protruding + owing to wounds, withies were employed to bind round the trunk and keep + the bowels from risk till the patient could be taken to a house and his + wounds examined and dressed. It was considered heroic to pay little heed + to wounds that were not dangerous, but just to leave them to nature. + </p> + <p> + Personal "cleanliness" was not higher than among savages now. A lover is + loused by his lady after the mediaeval fashion. + </p> + <p> + CHRISTIANITY—In the first nine books of Saxo, which are devoted to + heathendom, there is not much save the author's own Christian point of + view that smacks of the New Faith. The apostleships of Ansgarius in + Denmark, the conversion of King Eric, the Christianity of several later + Danish Kings, one of whom was (like Olaf Tryggwason) baptised in Britain + are also noticed. + </p> + <p> + Of "Christian legends" and beliefs, besides the euhemerist theory, widely + held, of the heathen gods there are few hints, save the idea that Christ + was born in the reign of Frode, Frode having been somehow synchronised + with Augustus, in whose reign also there was a world-peace. + </p> + <p> + Of course the christening of Scandinavia is history, and the mythic books + are little concerned with it. The episode in Adam of Bremen, where the + king offers the people, if they want a new god, to deify Eric, one of + their hero-kings, is eminently characteristic and true. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FOLK-TALES. + </h2> + <p> + There might be a classification of Saxo's stories akin to that of the + Irish poets, Battles, Sieges, Voyages, Rapes, Cattle Forays, etc.; and + quite apart from the historic element, however faint and legendary, there + are a set of stories ascribed by him, or rather his authorities, to + definite persons, which had, even in his day, probably long been the + property of Tis, their original owners not being known owing to lapse of + time and the wear of memory, and the natural and accidental catastrophies + that impair the human record. Such are the "Dragon-Slayer" stories. In one + type of these the hero (Frithlaf) is cast on a desolate island, and warned + by a dream to attack and slay a dragon guarding treasure. He wakes, sees + the dragon arise out of the waves, apparently, to come ashore and go back + to the cavern or mound wherein the treasure lay. His scales are too hard + to pierce; he is terribly strong, lashing trees down with his tail, and + wearing a deep path through the wood and over the stones with his huge and + perpetual bulk; but the hero, covered with hide-wrapped shield against the + poison, gets down into the hollow path, and pierces the monster from + below, afterward rifling its underground store and carrying off its + treasure. + </p> + <p> + Again the story is repeated; the hero (Frode Haddingsson) is warned by a + countryman of the island-dragon and its hoard, is told to cover his shield + and body with bulls' hides against the poison, and smite the monster's + belly. The dragon goes to drink, and, as it is coming back, it is + attacked, slain, and its treasure lifted precisely as before. The + analogies with the Beowulf and Sigfred stories are evident; but no great + poet has arisen to weave the dragon-slaying intimately into the lives of + Frode and Frithlaf as they have been woven into the tragedy of Sigfred the + wooer of Brunhild and, if Dr. Vigffisson be right the conqueror of Varus, + or into the story of Beowulf, whose real engagements were with + sea-monsters, not fiery dragons. + </p> + <p> + Another type is that of the "Loathly Worm". A king out hunting (Herod or + Herraud, King of Sweden), for some unexplained reason brings home two + small snakes as presents for his daughter. They wax wonderfully, have to + be fed a whole ox a day, and proceed to poison and waste the countryside. + The wretched king is forced to offer his daughter (Thora) to anyone who + will slay them. The hero (Ragnar) devises a dress of a peculiar kind (by + help of his nurse, apparently), in this case, woolly mantle and hairy + breeches all frozen and ice-covered to resist the venom, then strapping + his spear to his hand, he encounters them boldly alone. The courtiers hide + "like frightened little girls", and the king betakes him to a "narrow + shelter", an euphemism evidently of Saxo's, for the scene is comic. The + king comes forth when the hero is victorious, and laughing at his hairy + legs, nick-names him Shaggy-breech, and bids him to the feast. Ragnar + fetches up his comrades, and apparently seeks out the frightened courtiers + (no doubt with appropriate quip, omitted by Saxo, who hurries on), feasts, + marries the king's daughter, and begets on her two fine sons. + </p> + <p> + Of somewhat similar type is the proud "Maiden guarded" by Beasts. Here the + scene is laid in Gaulardale in Norway. The lady is Ladgerda, the hero + Ragnar. Enamoured of the maiden by seeing her prowess in war, he accepts + no rebuffs, but leaving his followers, enters the house, slays the + guardian Bear and Dog, thrusting one through with a spear and throttling + the other with his hand. The lady is won and wed, and two daughters and a + son (Frithlaf) duly begotten. The story of Alf and Alfhild combines + several types. There are the tame snakes, the baffled suitors' heads + staked to terrify other suitors, and the hero using red-hot iron and spear + to slay the two reptiles. + </p> + <p> + The "Proud Lady", (cf. Kudrun and the Niebelungen, and Are's story of the + queen that burnt her suitors) appears in Hermintrude, Queen of Scotland, + who battles and slays her lovers, but is out-witted by the hero (Hamlet), + and, abating her arrogance, agrees to wed him. This seems an obvious + accretion in the original Hamlet story, and probably owing not to Saxo, + but to his authority. + </p> + <p> + The "Beggar that stole the Lady" (told of Snio Siwaldson and the daughter + of the King of the Goths), with its brisk dialogue, must have been one of + the most artful of the folk-tales worked on by Saxo or his informants; but + it is only half told, unfortunately. + </p> + <p> + The "Crafty Soaker" is another excellent comic folk-tale. A terrible + famine made the king (Snio) forbid brewing to save the barley for bread, + and abolished all needless toping. The Soaker baffled the king by sipping, + never taking a full draught. Rebuked, he declared that he never drank, but + only sucked a drop. This was forbidden him for the future, so he sopped + his bread in ale, and in that inconvenient manner continued to get drunk, + excusing himself with the plea that though it was forbidden to drink or + sip beer, it was not forbidden to eat it. When this was in turn + prohibited, the Soaker gave up any pretence, and brewed and drank + unabashed, telling the angry king that he was celebrating his approaching + funeral with due respect, which excuse led to the repeal of the obnoxious + decree. A good Rabelaisian tale, that must not have been wide-spread among + the Danish topers, whose powers both Saxo and Shakespeare have celebrated, + from actual experience no doubt. + </p> + <p> + The "Magician's tricks to elude pursuit", so common an incident in our + fairy tales, e.g., Michael Scot's flight, is ascribed here to the + wonder-working and uncanny Finns, who, when pursued, cast behind them + successively three pebbles, which become to their enemies' eyes mountains, + then snow, which appeared like a roaring torrent. But they could not cast + the glamour on Arngrim a third time, and were forced to submit. The + glamour here and in the case of the breaking of Balder's barrow is akin to + that which the Druid puts on the sons of Uisnach. + </p> + <p> + The tale of the king who shuts up his daughter in an "earth-house" or + underground chamber with treasures (weapons and gold and silver), in fear + of invasion, looks like a bit of folk-tale, such as the "Hind in the + Wood", but it may have a traditional base of some kind here. + </p> + <p> + A folk-tale, very imperfectly narrated, is the "Clever King's Daughter", + who evidently in the original story had to choose her suitor by his feet + (as the giantess in the prose Edda chooses her husband), and was able to + do so by the device she had practised of sewing up her ring in his leg + sometime before, so that when she touched the flesh she could feel the + hardness of the ring beneath the scar. + </p> + <p> + Bits of folk-tales are the "Device for escaping threatened death by + putting a log in one's bed" (as in our Jack the Giant-Killer). The device, + as old as David's wife, of dressing up a dummy (here a basket with a dog + inside, covered outside with clothes), while the hero escapes, is told of + Eormenric, the mighty Gothic King of Kings, who, like Walter of Aquitaine, + Theodoric of Varona, Ecgherht, and Arminius, was an exile in his youth. + This traditional escape of the two lads from the Scyths should be compared + with the true story in Paul the Deacon of his little ancestor's captivity + and bold and successful stroke for freedom. + </p> + <p> + "Disguise" plays a great part in the folk-tales used by Saxo. Woden + disguises himself in a cowl on his earthly travels, and heroes do the + same; a king disguises himself as a slave at his rival's court, to try and + find occasion of slaying him; a hero wraps himself up in skins, like + Alleleirah. + </p> + <p> + "Escaped recognition" is accordingly a feature in many of these simple but + artistic plots. A son is not known by his mother in the story of Hrolf. + </p> + <p> + Other "Devices" are exemplified, such as the "booby-trap" loaded with a + millstone, which slays a hateful and despised tyrant, imposed by a foreign + conqueror; evasion by secret passages, and concealment in underground + vaults or earth-houses. The feigning of madness to escape death occurs, as + well as in the better-known Hamlet story. These stratagems are universal + in folk-history. + </p> + <p> + To Eric, the clever and quick of speech, is ascribed an excellent sailor's + smuggling trick to hide slaughtered cattle, by sinking them till the + search is over. + </p> + <p> + The "Hero's Mighty Childhood" (like David's) of course occurs when he + binds a bear with his girdle. Sciold is full grown at fifteen, and Hadding + is full grown in extreme youth. The hero in his boyhood slays a full-grown + man and champion. The cinder-biting, lazy stage of a mighty youth is + exemplified. + </p> + <p> + The "fierce eyes" of the hero or heroine, which can daunt an assassin as + could the piercing glance of Marius, are the "falcon eyes" of the Eddic + Lays. + </p> + <p> + The shining, effulgent, "illuminating hair" of the hero, which gives light + in the darkness, is noticed here, as it obtains in Cuaran's thirteenth + century English legend. + </p> + <p> + The wide-spread tale of the "City founded on a site marked out by a hide + cut into finest thongs", occurs, told of Hella and Iwarus exactly as our + Kentishmen told it of Hengist, and as it is also told of Dido. + </p> + <p> + The incidents of the "hero sleeping by a rill", of the guarded king's + daughter, with her thirty attendants, the king's son keeping sheep, are + part of the regular stock incidents in European folk-tales. So are the + Nausicaa incident of the "king's daughter going a washing", the hero + disguising himself as a woman and winding wool (like a second Heracles). + </p> + <p> + There are a certain number of stories, which only occur in Saxo and in our + other Northern sources with attributions, though they are of course + legendary; such are: + </p> + <p> + The "Everlasting Battle" between Hedhin and Hogne, a legend connected with + the great Brisinga-men story, and paralleled by the Cordelia-tale among + the Britons. + </p> + <p> + The story of the "Children preserved" is not very clearly told, and Saxo + seems to have euhemerized. It is evidently of the same type as the + Lionel-Lancelot story in the Arthurian cycle. Two children, ordered to be + killed, are saved by the slaying of other children in their place; and + afterwards by their being kept and named as dogs; they come to their own + and avenge their wrongs. + </p> + <p> + The "Journey to Hell" story is told of Eric, who goes to a far land to + fetch a princess back, and is successful. It is apparently an adventure of + Swipdag, if everyone had their rights. It is also told of Thorkill, whose + adventures are rather of the "True Thomas" type. + </p> + <p> + The "Test of Endurance" by sitting between fires, and the relief of the + tortured and patient hero by a kindly trick, is a variant of the famous + Eddic Lays concerning Agnar. + </p> + <p> + The "Robbers of the Island", evidently comes from an Icelandic source (cf. + The historic "Holmveria Saga" and Icelandic folk-tales of later date), the + incident of the hero slaying his slave, that the body might be mistaken + for his, is archaic in tone; the powerful horse recalls Grani, Bayard, and + even Sleipner; the dog which had once belonged to Unfoot (Ofote), the + giant shepherd (cf. its analogues in old Welsh tales), is not quite + assimilated or properly used in this story. It seems (as Dr. Rydberg + suspects) a mythical story coloured by the Icelandic relater with memory + full of the robber-hands of his own land. + </p> + <p> + The stratagem of "Starcad", who tried even in death to slay his slayer, + seems an integral part of the Starcad story; as much as the doom of three + crimes which are to be the price for the threefold life that a triple man + or giant should enjoy. The noose story in Starcad (cf. that told of Bicce + in the Eormenric story), is also integral. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SAXO'S MYTHOLOGY. + </h2> + <p> + No one has commented upon Saxo's mythology with such brilliancy, such + minute consideration, and such success as the Swedish scholar, Victor + Rydberg. More than occasionally he is over-ingenious and over-anxious to + reduce chaos to order; sometimes he almost loses his faithful reader in + the maze he treads so easily and confidently, and sometimes he stumbles + badly. But he has placed the whole subject on a fresh footing, and much + that is to follow will be drawn from his "Teutonic Mythology" (cited here + from the English version by Rasmus B. Anderson, London, 1889, as "T.M."). + </p> + <p> + Let us take first some of the incontestable results of his investigations + that affect Saxo. + </p> + <p> + SCIOLD is the father of Gram in Saxo, and the son of Sceaf in other older + authorities. Dr. Rydberg (97-101) forms the following equations for the + Sciolding patriarchs:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + a. Scef—Heimdal—Rig. + b. Sciold—Borgar—Jarl. + c. Gram—Halfdan—Koming. +</pre> + <p> + Chief among the mythic tales that concern Saxo are the various portions of + the Swipdag-Myth, which Dr. Rydberg has been able to complete with much + success. They may be resumed briefly as follows:— + </p> + <p> + Swipdag, helped by the incantations of his dead mother, whom he had raised + from the dead to teach him spells of protection, sets forth on his quests. + He is the Odusseus of the Teutonic mythology. He desires to avenge his + father on Halfdan that slew him. To this end he must have a weapon of + might against Halfdan's club. The Moon-god tells him of the blade Thiasse + has forged. It has been stolen by Mimer, who has gone out into the cold + wilderness on the rim of the world. Swipdag achieves the sword, and + defeats and slays Halfdan. He now buys a wife, Menglad, of her kinsmen the + gods by the gift of the sword, which thus passes into Frey's hands. + </p> + <p> + How he established a claim upon Frey, and who Menglad was, is explained in + Saxo's story of Eric, where the characters may be identified thus:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Swipdag—Eric + Freya—Gunwara + Frey—Frode III + Niord—Fridlaf + Wuldor—Roller + Thor—Brac + Giants—The Greps + Giants—Coller. +</pre> + <p> + Frey and Freya had been carried off by the giants, and Swipdag and his + faithful friend resolve to get them back for the Anses, who bewail their + absence. They journey to Monster-land, win back the lady, who ultimately + is to become the hero's wife, and return her to her kindred; but her + brother can only be rescued by his father Niord. It is by wit rather than + by force that Swipdag is successful here. + </p> + <p> + The third journey of Swipdag is undertaken on Frey's behalf; he goes under + the name of Scirner to woo giant Gymer's daughter Gerth for his + brother-in-law, buying her with the sword that he himself had paid to Frey + as his sister's bride-price. So the sword gets back to the giants again. + </p> + <p> + Swipdag's dead foe Halfdan left two young "avengers", Hadding and Guthorm, + whom he seeks to slay. But Thor-Brache gives them in charge of two giant + brothers. Wainhead took care of Hadding, Hafle of Guthorm. Swipdag made + peace with Guthorm, in a way not fully explained to us, but Hadding took + up the blood-feud as soon as he was old enough. + </p> + <p> + Hadding was befriended by a woman, who took him to the Underworld—the + story is only half told in Saxo, unluckily—and by Woden, who took + him over-sea wrapt in his mantle as they rode Sleipner over the waves; but + here again Saxo either had not the whole story before him, or he wished to + abridge it for some reason or prejudice, and the only result of this + astonishing pilgrimage is that Woden gives the young hero some useful + counsels. He falls into captivity, entrapped by Loke (for what reason + again we are left to guess), and is exposed to wild beasts, but he slays + the wolf that attacks him, and eating its heart as Woden had bidden him, + he gains wisdom and foresight. + </p> + <p> + Prepared by these adventures, he gets Guthorm to join him (how or why the + peace between him and Swipdag was broken, we know not), and they attack + their father's slayer, but are defeated, though Woden sunk Asmund + Swipdag's son's ship, Grio, at Hlessey, and Wainhead and Hardgrip his + daughter fought for Hadding. + </p> + <p> + Hadding wanders off to the East with his foster-sister and mistress and + Hardgrip, who is slain protecting him against an angry ghost raised from + the Underworld by her spells. However, helped by Heimdal and Woden (who at + this time was an exile), Hadding's ultimate success is assured. + </p> + <p> + When Woden came back to power, Swipdag, whose violence and pride grew + horribly upon him, was exiled, possibly by some device of his foes, and + took upon him, whether by will or doom, a sea-monster's shape. His + faithful wife follows him over land and sea, but is not able to save him. + He is met by Hadding and, after a fierce fight, slain. Swipdag's wife + cursed the conqueror, and he was obliged to institute an annual sacrifice + to Frey (her brother) at Upsale, who annuls the curse. Loke, in seal's + guise, tried to steal the necklace of Freya at the Reef of Treasures, + where Swipdag was slain, but Haimdal, also in sealskin, fought him, and + recovered it for the gods. + </p> + <p> + Other myths having reference to the goddesses appear in Saxo. There is the + story of "Heimdall and Sol", which Dr. Rydberg has recognised in the tale + of Alf and Alfhild. The same tale of how the god won the sun for his wife + appears in the mediaeval German King Ruther (in which title Dr. Ryuberg + sees Hrutr, a name of the ram-headed god). + </p> + <p> + The story of "Othar" (Od) and "Syritha" (Sigrid) is obviously that of + Freya and her lover. She has been stolen by the giants, owing to the wiles + of her waiting-maid, Loke's helper, the evil witch Angrbode. Od seeks her, + finds her, slays the evil giant who keeps her in the cave; but she is + still bewitched, her hair knotted into a hard, horny mass, her eyes void + of brightness. Unable to gain recognition he lets her go, and she is made + by a giantess to herd her flocks. Again found by Od, and again refusing to + recognise him, she is let go again. But this time she flies to the world + of men, and takes service with Od's mother and father. Here, after a trial + of her love, she and Od are reconciled. Sywald (Sigwald), her father, weds + Od's sister. + </p> + <p> + The tale of the vengeance of Balder is more clearly given by the Dane, and + with a comic force that recalls the Aristophanic fun of Loka-senna. It + appears that the story had a sequel which only Saxo gives. Woden had the + giantess Angrbode, who stole Freya, punished. Frey, whose mother-in-law + she was, took up her quarrel, and accusing Woden of sorcery and dressing + up like a woman to betray Wrind, got him banished. While in exile Wuldor + takes Woden's place and name, and Woden lives on earth, part of the time + at least, with Scathe Thiasse's daughter, who had parted from Niord. + </p> + <p> + The giants now resolved to attack Ansegard; and Woden, under the name of + Yggr, warned the gods, who recall him after ten years' exile. + </p> + <p> + But for Saxo this part of the story of the wars of the gods would be very + fragmentary. + </p> + <p> + The "Hildiger story", where a father slays his son unwittingly, and then + falls at his brother's hand, a tale combining the Rustam and the + Balin-Balan types, is one of the Hilding tragedies, and curiously + preserved in the late "Saga of Asmund the Champions' bane". It is an + antithesis, as Dr. Rydberg remarks, to the Hildebrand and Hadubrand story, + where father and son must fight and are reconciled. + </p> + <p> + The "story of Orwandel" (the analogue of Orion the Hunter) must be + gathered chiefly from the prose Edda. He was a huntsman, big enough and + brave enough to cope with giants. He was the friend of Thor, the husband + of Groa, the father of Swipdag, the enemy of giant Coller and the monster + Sela. The story of his birth, and of his being blinded, are lost + apparently in the Teutonic stories, unless we may suppose that the + bleeding of Robin Hood till he could not see by the traitorous prioress is + the last remains of the story of the great archer's death. + </p> + <p> + Great part of the troubles which befell the gods arose from the antagonism + of the sons of Iwalde and the brethren Sindre and Brokk (Cinder and + Brank), rival artist families; and it was owing to the retirement of their + artist foster-parents that Frey and Freya were left among the giants. The + Hniflung hoard is also supposed to have consisted of the treasures of one + band of primaeval artists, the Iwaldings. + </p> + <p> + Whether we have here the phenomenon of mythological doublets belonging to + different tribes, or whether we have already among these early names that + descent of story which has led to an adventure of Moses being attributed + to Garibaldi, given to Theodoric the king the adventures of Theodoric the + god, taken Arthur to Rome, and Charles the Great to Constantinople, it is + hard to say. + </p> + <p> + The skeleton-key of identification, used even as ably as Dr. Rydberg uses + it, will not pick every mythologic lock, though it undoubtedly has opened + many hitherto closed. The truth is that man is a finite animal; that he + has a limited number of types of legend; that these legends, as long as + they live and exist, are excessively prehensile; that, like the opossum, + they can swing from tree to tree without falling; as one tree dies out of + memory they pass on to another. When they are scared away by what is + called exact intelligence from the tall forest of great personalities, + they contrive to live humbly clinging to such bare plain stocks and poles + (Tis and Jack and Cinderella) as enable them to find a precarious perch. + </p> + <p> + To drop similitudes, we must be prepared, in unravelling our tangled + mythology, to go through several processes. We must, of course, note the + parallelisms and get back to the earliest attribution-names we can find. + But all system is of late creation, it does not begin till a certain + political stage, a stage where the myths of coalescing clans come into + contact, and an official settlement is attempted by some school of poets + or priests. Moreover, systematization is never so complete that it effaces + all the earlier state of things. Behind the official systems of Homer and + Hesiod lies the actual chaos of local faiths preserved for us by Pausanias + and other mythographers. The common factors in the various local faiths + are much the majority among the factors they each possess; and many of + these common factors are exceedingly primitive, and resolve themselves + into answers to the questions that children still ask, still receiving no + answer but myth—that is, poetic and subjective hypothesis, + containing as much truth as they can receive or their inventors can grasp. + </p> + <p> + Who were our forbears? How did day and night, sun and moon, earth and + water, and fire come? How did the animals come? Why has the bear no tail? + Why are fishes dumb, the swallow cleft-tail? How did evil come? Why did + men begin to quarrel? How did death arise? What will the end be? Why do + dead persons come back? What do the dead do? What is the earth shaped + like? Who invented tools and weapons, and musical instruments, and how? + When did kings and chiefs first come? + </p> + <p> + From accepted answers to such questions most of the huge mass of mythology + arises. Man makes his gods in his own image, and the doctrines of omen, + coincidence, and correspondence helped by incessant and imperfect + observation and logic, bring about a system of religious observance, of + magic and ritual, and all the masses of folly and cruelty, hope and faith, + and even charity, that group about their inventions, and seem to be the + necessary steps in the onward path of progressive races. + </p> + <p> + When to these we add the true and exaggerated memories of actual heroes, + the material before the student is pretty completely comprised. Though he + must be prepared to meet the difficulties caused in the contact of races, + of civilisations, by the conversion of persons holding one set of mythical + ideas to belief in another set of different, more attractive, and often + more advanced stage. + </p> + <p> + The task of arriving at the scientific, speculative ethic, and the actual + practice of our remote ancestry (for to that end is the student of + mythology and folk-lore aiming) is not therefore easy. Nor is the record + perfect, though it is not so poor in most cases as was once believed. The + Brothers Grimm, patriarchs alike as mythologists and folk-lorists, the + Castor and Pollox of our studies, have proved this as regards the Teutonic + nations, just as they showed us, by many a striking example, that in great + part folk-lore was the mythology of to-day, and mythology the folk-lore of + yesterday. + </p> + <p> + In many cases we are helped by quite modern material to make out some + puzzle that an old tale presents, and there is little doubt but that the + present activity in the field of folklore will not only result in fresh + matter but in fresh methods freshly applied. + </p> + <p> + The Scandinavian material, at all events, is particularly rich: there is + the extensive Icelandic written literature touching the ninth and tenth + and eleventh centuries; the noble, if fragmentary remains of Old Northern + poetry of the Wickingtide; and lastly, the mass of tradition which, + surviving in oral form, and changing in colour from generation to + generation, was first recorded in part in the seventeenth, and again in + part, in the present century; and all these yield a plentiful field for + research. But their evidence gains immensely by the existence of Saxo's + nine books of traditional and mythic lore, collected and written down in + an age when much that was antique and heathen was passing away forever. + The gratitude due to the Welshman of the twelfth century, whose garnered + hoard has enriched so many poets and romances from his day to now, is no + less due to the twelfth-century Dane, whose faithful and eloquent + enthusiasm has swept much dust from antique time, and saved us such a + story as Shakespeare has not disdained to consecrate to highest use. Not + only Celtic and Teutonic lore are the richer for these two men, but the + whole Western world of thought and speech. In the history of modern + literature, it is but right that by the side of Geoffrey an honourable + place should be maintained for Saxo, and + </p> + <p> + "awake remembrance of these mighty dead." + </p> + <p> + —Oliver Elton + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) A horn and a tusk of great size are described as things of + price, and great uroch's horns are mentioned in Thorkill's + Second Journey. Horns were used for feast as well as fray. + (2) Such bird-beaked, bird-legged figures occur on the Cross at + Papil, Burra Island, Shetland. Cf. Abbey Morne Cross, and + an Onchan Cross, Isle of Man. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE DANISH HISTORY <br /> OF SAXO GRAMMATICUS. + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + Forasmuch as all other nations are wont to vaunt the glory of their + achievements, and reap joy from the remembrance of their forefathers: + Absalon, Chief Pontiff of the Danes, whose zeal ever burned high for the + glorification of our land, and who would not suffer it to be defrauded of + like renown and record, cast upon me, the least of his followers—since + all the rest refused the task—the work of compiling into a chronicle + the history of Denmark, and by the authority of his constant admonition + spurred my weak faculty to enter on a labour too heavy for its strength. + For who could write a record of the deeds of Denmark? It had but lately + been admitted to the common faith: it still languished as strange to Latin + as to religion. But now that the holy ritual brought also the command of + the Latin tongue, men were as slothful now as they were unskilled before, + and their sluggishness proved as faultful as that former neediness. Thus + it came about that my lowliness, though perceiving itself too feeble for + the aforesaid burden, yet chose rather to strain beyond its strength than + to resist his bidding; fearing that while our neighbours rejoiced and + transmitted records of their deeds, the repute of our own people might + appear not to possess any written chronicle, but rather to be sunk in + oblivion and antiquity. Thus I, forced to put my shoulder, which was + unused to the task, to a burden unfamiliar to all authors of preceding + time, and dreading to slight his command, have obeyed more boldly than + effectually, borrowing from the greatness of my admonisher that good heart + which the weakness of my own wit denied me. + </p> + <p> + And since, ere my enterprise reached its goal, his death outran it; I + entreat thee chiefly, Andrew, who wast chosen by a most wholesome and + accordant vote to be successor in the same office and to headship of + spiritual things, to direct and inspire my theme; that I may baulk by the + defence of so great an advocate that spiteful detraction which ever + reviles what is most conspicuous. For thy breast, very fruitful in + knowledge, and covered with great store of worshipful doctrines, is to be + deemed a kind of shrine of heavenly treasures. Thou who hast searched + through Gaul and Italy and Britain also in order to gather knowledge of + letters and amass them abundantly, didst after thy long wandering obtain a + most illustrious post in a foreign school, and proved such a pillar + thereof, that thou seemedst to confer more grace on thy degree than it did + on thee. Then being made, on account of the height of thy honours and the + desert of thy virtues, Secretary to the King, thou didst adorn that + employment, in itself bounded and insignificant, with such works of wisdom + as to leave it a piece of promotion for men of greatest rank to covet + afterwards, when thou wert transferred to that office which now thou + holdest. Wherefore Skaane has been found to leap for joy that she has + borrowed a Pontiff from her neighbours rather than chosen one from her own + people; inasmuch as she both elected nobly and deserved joy of her + election. Being a shining light, therefore, in lineage, in letters, and in + parts, and guiding the people with the most fruitful labours of thy + teaching, thou hast won the deepest love of thy flock, and by thy boldness + in thy famous administration hast conducted the service thou hast + undertaken unto the summit of renown. And lest thou shouldst seem to + acquire ownership on the strength of prescription, thou hast, by a pious + and bountiful will, made over a very rich inheritance to Holy Church; + choosing rather honourably to reject riches (which are covered with the + rust of cares) than to be shackled with the greed of them and with their + burden. Likewise thou hast set about an amazing work upon the reverend + tenets of the faith; and in thy zeal to set the service of public religion + before thy private concerns, hast, by the lesson of thy wholesome + admonitions, driven those men who refused payment of the dues belonging to + religion to do to holy things the homage that they ought; and by thy pious + gift of treasure hast atoned for the ancient neglect of sacred buildings. + Further, those who pursued a wanton life, and yielded to the stress of + incontinence above measure, thou hast redeemed from nerveless sloth to a + more upright state of mind, partly by continuing instant in wholesome + reproof, and partly by the noble example of simple living; leaving it in + doubt whether thou hast edified them more by word or deed. Thus thou, by + mere counsels of wisdom, hast achieved what it was not granted to any of + thy forerunners to obtain. + </p> + <p> + And I would not have it forgotten that the more ancient of the Danes, when + any notable deeds of mettle had been done, were filled with emulation of + glory, and imitated the Roman style; not only by relating in a choice kind + of composition, which might be called a poetical work, the roll of their + lordly deeds; but also by having graven upon rocks and cliffs, in the + characters of their own language, the works of their forefathers, which + were commonly known in poems in the mother tongue. In the footsteps of + these poems, being as it were classic books of antiquity, I have trod; and + keeping true step with them as I translated, in the endeavour to preserve + their drift, I have taken care to render verses by verses; so that the + chronicle of what I shall have to write, being founded upon these, may + thus be known, not for a modern fabrication, but for the utterance of + antiquity; since this present work promises not a trumpery dazzle of + language, but faithful information concerning times past. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, how many histories must we suppose that men of such genius would + have written, could they have had skill in Latin and so slaked their + thirst for writing! Men who though they lacked acquaintance with, the + speech of Rome, were yet seized with such a passion for bequeathing some + record of their history, that they encompassed huge boulders instead of + scrolls, borrowing rocks for the usage of books. + </p> + <p> + Nor may the pains of the men of Thule be blotted in oblivion; for though + they lack all that can foster luxury (so naturally barren is the soil), + yet they make up for their neediness by their wit, by keeping continually + every observance of soberness, and devoting every instant of their lives + to perfecting our knowledge of the deeds of foreigners. Indeed, they + account it a delight to learn and to consign to remembrance the history of + all nations, deeming it as great a glory to set forth the excellences of + others as to display their own. Their stores, which are stocked with + attestations of historical events, I have examined somewhat closely, and + have woven together no small portion of the present work by following + their narrative, not despising the judgment of men whom I know to be so + well versed in the knowledge of antiquity. And I have taken equal care to + follow the statements of Absalon, and with obedient mind and pen to + include both his own doings and other men's doings of which he learnt; + treasuring the witness of his August narrative as though it were some + teaching from the skies. + </p> + <p> + Wherefore, Waldemar, (1) healthful Prince and Father of us all, shining + light of thy land, whose lineage, most glorious from times of old, I am to + relate, I beseech thee let thy grace attend the faltering course of this + work; for I am fettered under the weight of my purpose, and dread that I + may rather expose my unskillfulness and the feebleness of my parts, than + portray thy descent as I duly should. For, not to speak of thy rich + inheritance from thy fathers, thou hast nobly increased thy realm by + conquering thy neighbours, and in the toil of spreading thy sovereignty + hast encompassed the ebbing and flowing waves of Elbe, thus adding to thy + crowded roll of honours no mean portion of fame. And after outstripping + the renown and repute of thy forerunners by the greatness of thy deeds, + thou didst not forbear to make armed, assault even upon part of the Roman + empire. And though thou art deemed to be well endowed with courage and + generosity, thou hast left it in doubt whether thou dost more terrify to + thy foes in warfare or melt thy people by thy mildness. Also thy most + illustrious grandsire, who was sanctioned with the honours of public + worship, and earned the glory of immortality by an unmerited death, now + dazzles by the refulgence of his holiness those whom living he annexed in + his conquests. And from his most holy wounds more virtue than blood hath + flowed. + </p> + <p> + Moreover I, bound by an old and inherited duty of obedience, have set my + heart on fighting for thee, if it be only with all the forces of my mind; + my father and grandfather being known to have served thy illustrious sire + in camp with loyal endurance of the toils of war. Relying therefore on thy + guidance and regard, I have resolved to begin with the position and + configuration of our own country; for I shall relate all things as they + come more vividly, if the course of this history first traverse the places + to which the events belong, and take their situation as the starting-point + for its narrative. + </p> + <p> + The extremes, then, of this country are partly bounded by a frontier of + another land, and partly enclosed by the waters of the adjacent sea. The + interior is washed and encompassed by the ocean; and this, through the + circuitous winds of the interstices, now straitens into the narrows of a + firth, now advances into ampler bays, forming a number of islands. Hence + Denmark is cut in pieces by the intervening waves of ocean, and has but + few portions of firm and continuous territory; these being divided by the + mass of waters that break them up, in ways varying with the different + angle of the bend of the sea. Of all these, Jutland, being the largest and + first settled, holds the chief place in the Danish kingdom. It both lies + fore-most and stretches furthest, reaching to the frontiers of Teutonland, + from contact with which it is severed by the bed of the river Eyder. + Northwards it swells somewhat in breadth, and runs out to the shore of the + Noric Channel (Skagerrak). In this part is to be found the fjord called + Liim, which is so full of fish that it seems to yield the natives as much + food as the whole soil. + </p> + <p> + Close by this fjord also lies Lesser (North) Friesland, which curves in + from the promontory of Jutland in a cove of sinking plains and shelving + lap, and by the favour of the flooding ocean yields immense crops of + grain. But whether this violent inundation bring the inhabitants more + profit or peril, remains a vexed question. For when the (dykes of the) + estuaries, whereby the waves of the sea are commonly checked among that + people, are broken through by the greatness of the storm, such a mass of + waters is wont to overrun the fields that it sometimes overwhelms not only + the tilled lands, but people and their dwellings likewise. + </p> + <p> + Eastwards, after Jutland, comes the Isle of Funen, cut off from the + mainland by a very narrow sound of sea. This faces Jutland on the west, + and on the east Zealand, which is famed for its remarkable richness in the + necessaries of life. This latter island, being by far the most delightful + of all the provinces of our country, is held to occupy the heart of + Denmark, being divided by equal distances from the extreme frontier; on + its eastern side the sea breaks through and cuts off the western side of + Skaane; and this sea commonly yields each year an abundant haul to the + nets of the fishers. Indeed, the whole sound is apt to be so thronged with + fish that any craft which strikes on them is with difficulty got off by + hard rowing, and the prize is captured no longer by tackle, but by simple + use of the hands. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, Halland and Bleking, shooting forth from the mass of the Skaane + like two branches from a parent trunk, are linked to Gothland and to + Norway, though with wide deviations of course, and with various gaps + consisting of fjords. Now in Bleking is to be seen a rock which travellers + can visit, dotted with letters in a strange character. For there stretches + from the southern sea into the desert of Vaarnsland a road of rock, + contained between two lines a little way apart and very prolonged, between + which is visible in the midst a level space, graven all over with + characters made to be read. And though this lies so unevenly as sometimes + to break through the tops of the hills, sometimes to pass along the valley + bottoms, yet it can be discerned to preserve continuous traces of the + characters. Now Waldemar, well-starred son of holy Canute, marvelled at + these, and desired to know their purport, and sent men to go along the + rock and gather with close search the series of the characters that were + to be seen there; they were then to denote them with certain marks, using + letters of similar shape. These men could not gather any sort of + interpretation of them, because owing to the hollow space of the graving + being partly smeared up with mud and partly worn by the feet of travellers + in the trampling of the road, the long line that had been drawn became + blurred. Hence it is plain that crevices, even in the solid rock, if long + drenched with wet, become choked either by the solid washings of dirt or + the moistening drip of showers. + </p> + <p> + But since this country, by its closeness of language as much as of + position, includes Sweden and Norway, I will record their divisions and + their climates also as I have those of Denmark. These territories, lying + under the northern pole, and facing Bootes and the Great Bear, reach with + their utmost outlying parts the latitude of the freezing zone; and beyond + these the extraordinary sharpness of the cold suffers not human + habitation. Of these two, Norway has been allotted by the choice of nature + a forbidding rocky site. Craggy and barren, it is beset all around by + cliffs, and the huge desolate boulders give it the aspect of a rugged and + a gloomy land; in its furthest part the day-star is not hidden even by + night; so that the sun, scorning the vicissitudes of day and night, + ministers in unbroken presence an equal share of his radiance to either + season. + </p> + <p> + On the west of Norway comes the island called Iceland, with the mighty + ocean washing round it: a land very squalid to dwell in, but noteworthy + for marvels, both strange occurrences and objects that pass belief. A + spring is there which, by the malignant reek of its water, destroys the + original nature of anything whatsoever. Indeed, all that is sprinkled with + the breath of its vapour is changed into the hardness of stone. It remains + a doubt whether it be more marvellous or more perilous, that soft and + flowing water should be invested with such a stiffness, as by a sudden + change to transmute into the nature of stone whatsoever is put to it and + drenched with its reeking fume, nought but the shape surviving. Here also + are said to be other springs, which now are fed with floods of rising + water, and, overflowing in full channels, cast a mass of spray upwards; + and now again their bubbling flags, and they can scarce be seen below at + the bottom, and are swallowed into deep hiding far under ground. Hence, + when they are gushing over, they bespatter everything about them with the + white spume, but when they are spent the sharpest eye cannot discern them. + In this island there is likewise a mountain, whose floods of incessant + fire make it look like a glowing rock, and which, by belching out flames, + keeps its crest in an everlasting blaze. This thing awakens our wonder as + much as those aforesaid; namely, when a land lying close to the extreme of + cold can have such abundance of matter to keep up the heat, as to furnish + eternal fires with unseen fuel, and supply an endless provocative to feed + the burning. To this isle also, at fixed and appointed seasons, there + drifts a boundless mass of ice, and when it approaches and begins to dash + upon the rugged reefs, then, just as if the cliffs rang reply, there is + heard from the deep a roar of voices and a changing din of extraordinary + clamour. Whence it is supposed that spirits, doomed to torture for the + iniquity of their guilty life, do here pay, by that bitter cold, the + penalty of their sins. And so any portion of this mass that is cut off + when the aforesaid ice breaks away from the land, soon slips its bonds and + bars, though it be made fast with ever so great joins and knots. The mind + stands dazed in wonder, that a thing which is covered with bolts past + picking, and shut in by manifold and intricate barriers, should so depart + after that mass whereof it was a portion, as by its enforced and + inevitable flight to baffle the wariest watching. There also, set among + the ridges and crags of the mountains, is another kind of ice which is + known periodically to change and in a way reverse its position, the upper + parts sinking to the bottom, and the lower again returning to the top. For + proof of this story it is told that certain men, while they chanced to be + running over the level of ice, rolled into the abyss before them, and into + the depths of the yawning crevasses, and were a little later picked up + dead without the smallest chink of ice above them. Hence it is common for + many to imagine that the urn of the sling of ice first swallows them, and + then a little after turns upside down and restores them. Here also, is + reported to bubble up the water of a pestilent flood, which if a man + taste, he falls struck as though by poison. Also there are other springs, + whose gushing waters are said to resemble the quality of the bowl of + Ceres. There are also fires, which, though they cannot consume linen, yet + devour so fluent a thing as water. Also there is a rock, which flies over + mountain-steeps, not from any outward impulse, but of its innate and + proper motion. + </p> + <p> + And now to unfold somewhat more thoroughly our delineation of Norway. It + should be known that on the east it is conterminous with Sweden and + Gothland, and is bounded on both sides by the waters of the neighbouring + ocean. Also on the north it faces a region whose position and name are + unknown, and which lacks all civilisation, but teems with peoples of + monstrous strangeness; and a vast interspace of flowing sea severs it from + the portion of Norway opposite. This sea is found hazardous for + navigation, and suffers few that venture thereon to return in peace. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, the upper bend of the ocean, which cuts through Denmark and + flows past it, washes the southern side of Gothland with a gulf of some + width; while its lower channel, passing the northern sides of Gothland and + Norway, turns eastwards, widening much in breadth, and is bounded by a + curve of firm land. This limit of the sea the elders of our race called + Grandvik. Thus between Grandvik and the Southern Sea there lies a short + span of mainland, facing the seas that wash on either shore; and but that + nature had set this as a boundary where the billows almost meet, the tides + of the two seas would have flowed into one, and cut off Sweden and Norway + into an island. The regions on the east of these lands are inhabited by + the Skric-Finns. This people is used to an extraordinary kind of carriage, + and in its passion for the chase strives to climb untrodden mountains, and + attains the coveted ground at the cost of a slippery circuit. For no crag + juts out so high, but they can reach its crest by fetching a cunning + compass. For when they first leave the deep valleys, they glide twisting + and circling among the bases of the rocks, thus making the route very + roundabout by dint of continually swerving aside, until, passing along the + winding curves of the tracks, they conquer the appointed summit. This same + people is wont to use the skins of certain beasts for merchandise with its + neighbours. + </p> + <p> + Now Sweden faces Denmark and Norway on the west, but on the south and on + much of its eastern side it is skirted by the ocean. Past this eastward is + to be found a vast accumulation of motley barbarism. + </p> + <p> + That the country of Denmark was once cultivated and worked by giants, is + attested by the enormous stones attached to the barrows and caves of the + ancients. Should any man question that this is accomplished by superhuman + force, let him look up at the tops of certain mountains and say, if he + knows how, what man hath carried such immense boulders up to their crests. + For anyone considering this marvel will mark that it is inconceivable how + a mass, hardly at all or but with difficulty movable upon a level, could + have been raised to so mighty a peak of so lofty a mountain by mere human + effort, or by the ordinary exertion of human strength. But as to whether, + after the Deluge went forth, there existed giants who could do such deeds, + or men endowed beyond others with bodily force, there is scant tradition + to tell us. + </p> + <p> + But, as our countrymen aver, those who even to-day are said to dwell in + that rugged and inaccessible desert aforesaid, are, by the mutable nature + of their bodies, vouchsafed the power of being now near, now far, and of + appearing and vanishing in turn. The approach to this desert is beset with + perils of a fearful kind, and has seldom granted to those who attempted it + an unscathed return. Now I will let my pen pass to my theme. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) Waldemar the Second (1203-42); Saxo does not reach his + history. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK ONE. + </h2> + <p> + Now Dan and Angul, with whom the stock of the Danes begins, were begotten + of Humble, their father, and were the governors and not only the founders + of our race. (Yet Dudo, the historian of Normandy, considers that the + Danes are sprung and named from the Danai.) And these two men, though by + the wish and favour of their country they gained the lordship of the + realm, and, owing to the wondrous deserts of their bravery, got the + supreme power by the consenting voice of their countrymen, yet lived + without the name of king: the usage whereof was not then commonly resorted + to by any authority among our people. + </p> + <p> + Of these two, Angul, the fountain, so runs the tradition, of the + beginnings of the Anglian race, caused his name to be applied to the + district which he ruled. This was an easy kind of memorial wherewith to + immortalise his fame: for his successors a little later, when they gained + possession of Britain, changed the original name of the island for a fresh + title, that of their own land. This action was much thought of by the + ancients: witness Bede, no mean figure among the writers of the Church, + who was a native of England, and made it his care to embody the doings of + his country in the most hallowed treasury of his pages; deeming it equally + a religious duty to glorify in writing the deeds of his land, and to + chronicle the history of the Church. + </p> + <p> + From Dan, however, so saith antiquity; the pedigrees of our kings have + flowed in glorious series, like channels from some parent spring. Grytha, + a matron most highly revered among the Teutons, bore him two sons, HUMBLE + and LOTHER. + </p> + <p> + The ancients, when they were to choose a king, were wont to stand on + stones planted in the ground, and to proclaim their votes, in order to + foreshadow from the steadfastness of the stones that the deed would be + lasting. By this ceremony Humble was elected king at his father's death, + thus winning a novel favour from his country; but by the malice of ensuing + fate he fell from a king into a common man. For he was taken by Lother in + war, and bought his life by yielding up his crown; such, in truth, were + the only terms of escape offered him in his defeat. Forced, therefore, by + the injustice of a brother to lay down his sovereignty, he furnished the + lesson to mankind, that there is less safety, though more pomp, in the + palace than in the cottage. Also, he bore his wrong so meekly that he + seemed to rejoice at his loss of title as though it were a blessing; and I + think he had a shrewd sense of the quality of a king's estate. But Lother + played the king as insupportably as he had played the soldier, + inaugurating his reign straightway with arrogance and crime; for he + counted it uprightness to strip all the most eminent of life or goods, and + to clear his country of its loyal citizens, thinking all his equals in + birth his rivals for the crown. He was soon chastised for his wickedness; + for he met his end in an insurrection of his country; which had once + bestowed on him his kingdom, and now bereft him of his life. + </p> + <p> + SKIOLD, his son, inherited his natural bent, but not his behaviour; + avoiding his inborn perversity by great discretion in his tender years, + and thus escaping all traces of his father's taint. So he appropriated + what was alike the more excellent and the earlier share of the family + character; for he wisely departed from his father's sins, and became a + happy counterpart of his grandsire's virtues. This man was famous in his + youth among the huntsmen of his father for his conquest of a monstrous + beast: a marvellous incident, which augured his future prowess. For he + chanced to obtain leave from his guardians, who were rearing him very + carefully, to go and see the hunting. A bear of extraordinary size met + him; he had no spear, but with the girdle that he commonly wore he + contrived to bind it, and gave it to his escort to kill. More than this, + many champions of tried prowess were at the same time of his life + vanquished by him singly; of these Attal and Skat were renowned and + famous. While but fifteen years of age he was of unusual bodily size and + displayed mortal strength in its perfection, and so mighty were the proofs + of his powers that the rest of the kings of the Danes were called after + him by a common title, the SKIOLDUNG'S. Those who were wont to live an + abandoned and flaccid life, and to sap their self-control by wantonness, + this man vigilantly spurred to the practice of virtue in an active career. + Thus the ripeness of Skiold's spirit outstripped the fulness of his + strength, and he fought battles at which one of his tender years could + scarce look on. And as he thus waxed in years and valour he beheld the + perfect beauty of Alfhild, daughter of the King of the Saxons, sued for + her hand, and, for her sake, in the sight of the armies of the Teutons and + the Danes, challenged and fought with Skat, governor of Allemannia, and a + suitor for the same maiden; whom he slew, afterwards crushing the whole + nation of the Allemannians, and forcing them to pay tribute, they being + subjugated by the death of their captain. Skiold was eminent for + patriotism as well as arms. For he annulled unrighteous laws, and most + heedfully executed whatsoever made for the amendment of his country's + condition. Further, he regained by his virtue the realm that his father's + wickedness had lost. He was the first to proclaim the law abolishing + manumissions. A slave, to whom he had chanced to grant his freedom, had + attempted his life by stealthy treachery, and he exacted a bitter penalty; + as though it were just that the guilt of one freedman should be visited + upon all. He paid off all men's debts from his own treasury, and + contended, so to say, with all other monarchs in courage, bounty, and + generous dealing. The sick he used to foster, and charitably gave + medicines to those sore stricken; bearing witness that he had taken on him + the care of his country and not of himself. He used to enrich his nobles + not only with home taxes, but also with plunder taken in war; being wont + to aver that the prize-money should flow to the soldiers, and the glory to + the general. + </p> + <p> + Thus delivered of his bitterest rival in wooing, he took as the prize of + combat the maiden, for the love of whom he had fought, and wedded her in + marriage. Soon after, he had by her a son, GRAM, whose wondrous parts + savoured so strongly of his father's virtues that he was deemed to tread + in their very footsteps. The days of Gram's youth were enriched with + surpassing gifts of mind and body, and he raised them to the crest of + renown. Posterity did such homage to his greatness that in the most + ancient poems of the Danes royal dignity is implied in his very name. He + practiced with the most zealous training whatsoever serves to sharpen and + strengthen the bodily powers. Taught by the fencers, he trained himself by + sedulous practice to parrying and dealing blows. He took to wife the + daughter of his upbringer, Roar, she being his foster-sister and of his + own years, in order the better to show his gratefulness for his nursing. A + little while after he gave her in marriage to a certain Bess, since he had + ofttimes used his strenuous service. In this partner of his warlike deeds + he put his trust; and he has left it a question whether he has won more + renown by Bess's valour or his own. + </p> + <p> + Gram, chancing to hear that Groa, daughter of Sigtryg, King of the Swedes, + was plighted to a certain giant, and holding accursed an union so unworthy + of the blood royal, entered on a Swedish war; being destined to emulate + the prowess of Hercules in resisting the attempts of monsters. He went + into Gothland, and, in order to frighten people out of his path, strode on + clad in goats' skins, swathed in the motley hides of beasts, and grasping + in his right hand a dreadful weapon, thus feigning the attire of a giant; + when he met Groa herself riding with a very small escort of women on foot, + and making her way, as it chanced, to the forest-pools to bathe, she + thought it was her betrothed who had hastened to meet her, and was scared + with feminine alarm at so strange a garb: so, flinging up the reins, and + shaking terribly all over, she began in the song of her country, thus: + </p> + <p> + "I see that a giant, hated of the king, has come, and darkens the highways + with his stride. Or my eyes play me false; for it has oft befallen bold + warriors to skulk behind the skin of a beast." + </p> + <p> + Then began Bess: "Maiden, seated on the shoulders of the steed, tell me, + pouring forth in thy turn words of answer, what is thy name, and of what + line art thou born?" + </p> + <p> + Groa replied: "Groa is my name; my sire is a king, glorious in blood, + gleaming in armour. Disclose to us, thou also, who thou art, or whence + sprung!" + </p> + <p> + To whom Bess: "I am Bess, brave in battle, ruthless to foes, a terror to + nations, and oft drenching my right hand in the blood of foes." + </p> + <p> + Then said Groa: "Who, prithee, commands your lines? Under what captain + raise ye the war-standards? What prince controls the battle? Under whose + guidance is the war made ready?" + </p> + <p> + Bess in answer: "Gram, the blest in battle, rules the array: force nor + fear can swerve him; flaming pyre and cruel sword and ocean billow have + never made him afraid. Led by him, maiden, we raise the golden standards + of war." + </p> + <p> + Groa once more: "Turn your feet and go back hence, lest Sigtryg vanquish + you all with his own array, and fasten you to a cruel stake, your throats + haltered with the cord, and doom your carcases to the stiff noose, and, + glaring evilly, thrust out your corpses to the hungry raven." + </p> + <p> + Bess again: "Gram, ere he shall shut his own eyes in death, shall first + make him a ghost, and, smiting him on the crest, shall send him to + Tartarus. We fear no camp of the Swedes. Why threaten us with ghastly + dooms, maiden?" + </p> + <p> + Groa answered him: "Behold, I will ride thence to see again the roof of my + father which I know, that I may not rashly set eyes on the array of my + brother who is coming. And I pray that your death-doom may tarry for you + who abide." + </p> + <p> + Bess replied: "Daughter, to thy father go back with good cheer; nor + imprecate swift death upon us, nor let choler shake thy bosom. For often + has a woman, harsh at first and hard to a wooer, yielded the second time." + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Gram could brook no longer to be silent, and pitching his tones + gruffly, so as to mimic a gruesome and superhuman voice, accosted the + maiden thus: + </p> + <p> + "Let not the maiden fear the brother of the fleet giant, nor turn pale + because I am nigh her. For I am sent by Grip, and never seek the couch and + embrace of damsels save when their wish matches mine." + </p> + <p> + Groa answered: "Who so mad as to wish to be the leman of giants? Or what + woman could love the bed that genders monsters? Who could be the wife of + demons, and know the seed whose fruit is monstrous? Or who would fain + share her couch with a barbarous giant? Who caresses thorns with her + fingers? Who would mingle honest kisses with mire? Who would unite shaggy + limbs to smooth ones which correspond not? Full ease of love cannot be + taken when nature cries out against it: nor doth the love customary in the + use of women sort with monsters." + </p> + <p> + Gram rejoined: "Oft with conquering hand I have tamed the necks of mighty + kings, defeating with stronger arm their insolent pride. Thence take + red-glowing gold, that the troth may be made firm by the gift, and that + the faith to be brought to our wedlock may stand fast." + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he cast off his disguises, and revealed his natural + comeliness; and by a single sight of him he filled the damsel with + well-nigh as much joy as he had struck her with fear before at his + counterfeit. She was even incited to his embraces by the splendour of his + beauty; nor did he fail to offer her the gifts of love. + </p> + <p> + Having won Groa, Bess proceeded and learnt that the road was beset by two + robbers. These he slew simply by charging them as they rushed covetously + forth to despoil him. This done, loth to seem to have done any service to + the soil of an enemy, he put timbers under the carcases of the slain, + fastened them thereto, and stretched them so as to counterfeit an upright + standing position; so that in their death they might menace in seeming + those whom their life had harmed in truth; and that, terrible even after + their decease, they might block the road in effigy as much as they had + once in deed. Whence it appears that in slaying the robbers he took + thought for himself and not for Sweden: for he betokened by so singular an + act how great a hatred of Sweden filled him. Having heard from the + diviners that Sigtryg could only be conquered by gold, he straightway + fixed a knob of gold to a wooden mace, equipped himself therewith in the + war wherein he attacked the king, and obtained his desire. This exploit + was besung by Bess in a most zealous strain of eulogy: + </p> + <p> + "Gram, the fierce wielder of the prosperous mace, knowing not the steel, + rained blows on the outstretched sword, and with a stock beat off the + lances of the mighty. + </p> + <p> + "Following the decrees and will of the gods, he brought low the glory of + the powerless Swedes, doing their king to death and crushing him with the + stiff gold. + </p> + <p> + "For he pondered on the arts of war: he wielded in his clasp the + ruddy-flashing wood, and victoriously with noble stroke made their fallen + captain writhe. + </p> + <p> + "Shrewdly he conquered with the hardness of gold him whom fate forbade + should be slain by steel; unsworded, waging war with the worthier metal. + </p> + <p> + "This treasure, for which its deviser claims glory and the height of + honour, shall abide yet more illustrious hereafter, known far and wide in + ampler fame." + </p> + <p> + Having now slain Sigtryg, the King of Sweden, Gram desired to confirm his + possession of the empire which he had won in war; and therefore, + suspecting Swarin the governor of Gothland of aspiring to the crown, he + challenged him to combat, and slew him. This man's brethren, of whom he + had seven lawfully born, and nine the sons of a concubine, sought to + avenge their brother's death, but Gram, in an unequal contest, cut them + off. + </p> + <p> + Gram, for his marvellous prowess, was granted a share in the sovereignty + by his father, who was now in extreme age, and thought it better and + likewise more convenient to give his own blood a portion of the supremacy + of the realm, than now in the setting of his life to administer it without + a partner. Therefore Ring, a nobly-born Zealander, stirred the greater + part of the Danes with desire for insurrection; fancying that one of these + men was unripe for his rank, and that the other had run the course of his + powers, alleging the weakness in years of both, and declaring that the + wandering wit of an old man made the one, and that of a boy the other, + unfit for royal power. But they fought and crushed him, making him an + example to all men, that no season of life is to be deemed incompatible + with valour. + </p> + <p> + Many other deeds also King Gram did. He declared war against Sumble, King + of the Finns; but when he set eyes upon the King's daughter, Signe, he + laid down his arms, the foeman turned into the suitor, and, promising to + put away his own wife, he plighted troth with her. But, while much busied + with a war against Norway, which he had taken up against King Swipdag for + debauching his sister and his daughter, he heard from a messenger that + Signe had, by Sumble's treachery, been promised in marriage to Henry, King + of Saxony. Then, inclining to love the maiden more than his soldiers, he + left his army, privily made his way to Finland, and came in upon the + wedding, which was already begun. Putting on a garb of the utmost + meanness, he lay down at the table in a seat of no honour. When asked what + he brought, he professed skill in leechcraft. At last, when all were + drenched in drunkenness, he gazed at the maiden, and amid the revels of + the riotous banquet, cursing deep the fickleness of women, and vaunting + loud his own deeds of valour, he poured out the greatness of his wrath in + a song like this: + </p> + <p> + "Singly against eight at once I drove the darts of death, and smote nine + with a back-swung sword, when I slew Swarin, who wrongfully assumed his + honours and tried to win fame unmerited; wherefore I have oft dyed in + foreign blood my blade red with death and reeking with slaughter, and have + never blenched at the clash of dagger or the sheen of helmet. Now Signe, + the daughter of Sumble, vilely spurns me, and endures vows not mine, + cursing her ancient troth; and, conceiving an ill-ordered love, commits a + notable act of female lightness; for she entangles, lures, and bestains + princes, rebuffing beyond all others the lordly of birth; yet remaining + firm to none, but ever wavering, and bringing to birth impulses doubtful + and divided." + </p> + <p> + And as he spoke he leapt up from where he lay, and there he cut Henry down + while at the sacred board and the embraces of his friends, carried off his + bride from amongst the bridesmaids, felled most of the guests, and bore + her off with him in his ship. Thus the bridal was turned into a funeral; + and the Finns might learn the lesson, that hands should not be laid upon + the loves of other men. + </p> + <p> + After this SWIPDAG, King of Norway, destroyed Gram, who was attempting to + avenge the outrage on his sister and the attempt on his daughter's + chastity. This battle was notable for the presence of the Saxon forces, + who were incited to help Swipdag, not so much by love of him, as by desire + to avenge Henry. + </p> + <p> + GUTHORM and HADDING, the son of Gram (Groa being the mother of the first + and Signe of the second), were sent over to Sweden in a ship by their + foster-father, Brage (Swipdag being now master of Denmark), and put in + charge of the giants Wagnhofde and Hafle, for guard as well as rearing. + </p> + <p> + As I shall have briefly to relate doings of these folk, and would fain not + seem to fabricate what conflicts with common belief or outsteps the + faithful truth, it is worth the knowing that there were in old times three + kinds of magicians who by diverse sleights practiced extraordinary + marvels. The first of these were men of monstrous stock, termed by + antiquity giants; these by their exceeding great bodily stature surpassed + the size natural to mankind. Those who came after these were the first who + gained skill in divination from entrails, and attained the Pythonic art. + These surpassed the former in briskness of mental parts as much as they + fell behind them in bodily condition. Constant wars for the supremacy were + waged between these and the giants; till at last the sorcerers prevailed, + subdued the tribe of giants by arms, and acquired not merely the privilege + of ruling, but also the repute of being divine. Both of these kinds had + extreme skill in deluding the eyesight, knowing how to obscure their own + faces and those of others with divers semblances, and to darken the true + aspects of things with beguiling shapes. But the third kind of men, + springing from the natural union of the first two, did not answer to the + nature of their parents either in bodily size or in practice of magic + arts; yet these gained credit for divinity with minds that were befooled + by their jugglings. + </p> + <p> + Nor must we marvel if, tempted by the prodigious miracles of these folk, + the barbaric world fell to worshipping a false religion, when others like + unto these, who were mere mortals, but were reverenced with divine + honours, beguiled even the shrewdness of the Latins. I have touched on + these things lest, when I relate of sleights and marvels, I be checked by + the disbelief of the reader. Now I will leave these matters and return to + my theme. + </p> + <p> + Swipdag, now that he had slain Gram, was enriched with the realms of + Denmark and Sweden; and because of the frequent importunities of his wife + he brought back from banishment her brother Guthorm, upon his promising + tribute, and made him ruler of the Danes. But Hadding preferred to avenge + his father rather than take a boon from his foe. + </p> + <p> + This man's nature so waxed and throve that in the early season of his + youth he was granted the prime of manhood. Leaving the pursuit of + pleasure, he was constantly zealous in warlike exercises; remembering that + he was the son of a fighting father, and was bound to spend his whole span + of life in approved deeds of warfare. Hardgrep, daughter of Wagnhofde, + tried to enfeeble his firm spirit with her lures of love, contending and + constantly averring that he ought to offer the first dues of the marriage + bed in wedlock with her, who had proffered to his childhood most zealous + and careful fostering, and had furnished him with his first rattle. + </p> + <p> + Nor was she content with admonishing in plain words, but began a strain of + song as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Why doth thy life thus waste and wander? Why dost thou pass thy years + unwed, following arms, thirsting for throats? Nor does my beauty draw thy + vows. Carried away by excess of frenzy, thou art little prone to love. + Steeped in blood and slaughter, thou judgest wars better than the bed, nor + refreshest thy soul with incitements. Thy fierceness finds no leisure; + dalliance is far from thee, and savagery fostered. Nor is thy hand free + from blasphemy while thou loathest the rites of love. Let this hateful + strictness pass away, let that loving warmth approach, and plight the + troth of love to me, who gave thee the first breasts of milk in childhood, + and helped thee, playing a mother's part, duteous to thy needs." + </p> + <p> + When he answered that the size of her body was unwieldy for the embraces + of a mortal, since doubtless her nature was framed in conformity to her + giant stock, she said: + </p> + <p> + "Be not moved by my unwonted look of size. For my substance is sometimes + thinner, sometimes ampler; now meagre, now abundant; and I alter and + change at my pleasure the condition of my body, which is at one time + shrivelled up and at another time expanded: now my tallness rises to the + heavens, and now I settle down into a human being, under a more bounded + shape." + </p> + <p> + As he still faltered, and was slow to believe her words, she added the + following song: + </p> + <p> + "Youth, fear not the converse of my bed. I change my bodily outline in + twofold wise, and am wont to enjoin a double law upon my sinews. For I + conform to shapes of different figure in turn, and am altered at my own + sweet will: now my neck is star-high, and soars nigh to the lofty + Thunderer; then it falls and declines to human strength, and plants again + on earth that head which was near the firmament. Thus I lightly shift my + body into diverse phases, and am beheld in varying wise; for changefully + now cramped stiffness draws in my limbs, now the virtue of my tall body + unfolds them, and suffers them to touch the cloud-tops. Now I am short and + straitened, now stretch out with loosened knee; and I have mutably changed + myself like wax into strange aspects. He who knows of Proteus should not + marvel at me. My shape never stays the same, and my aspect is twofold: at + one time it contrasts its outstretched limbs, at another shoots them out + when closed; now disentangling the members and now rolling them back into + a coil. I dart out my ingathered limbs, and presently, while they are + strained, I wrinkle them up, dividing my countenance between shapes twain, + and adopting two forms; with the greater of these I daunt the fierce, + while with the shorter I seek the embraces of men." + </p> + <p> + By thus averring she obtained the embraces of Hadding; and her love for + the youth burned so high that when she found him desirous of revisiting + his own land, she did not hesitate to follow him in man's attire, and + counted it as joy to share his hardships and perils. While upon the + journey she had undertaken, she chanced to enter in his company, in order + to pass the night, a dwelling, the funeral of whose dead master was being + conducted with melancholy rites. Here, desiring to pry into the purposes + of heaven by the help of a magical espial, she graved on wood some very + dreadful spells, and caused Hadding to put them under the dead man's + tongue; thus forcing him to utter, with the voice so given, a strain + terrible to hear: + </p> + <p> + "Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him be + punished for calling a spirit out of bale! + </p> + <p> + "Whoso hath called me, who am lifeless and dead, back from the abode + below, and hath brought me again into upper air, let him pay full penalty + with his own death in the dreary shades beneath livid Styx. Behold, + counter to my will and purpose, I must declare some bitter tidings. For as + ye go away from this house ye will come to the narrow path of a grove, and + will be a prey to demons all about. Then she who hath brought our death + back from out of void, and has given us a sight of this light once more, + by her prayers wondrously drawing forth the ghost and casting it into the + bonds of the body, shall bitterly bewail her rash enterprise. + </p> + <p> + "Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him be + punished for calling a spirit out of bale! + </p> + <p> + "For when the black pestilence of the blast that engenders monsters has + crushed out the inmost entrails with stern effort, and when their hand has + swept away the living with cruel nail, tearing off limbs and rending + ravished bodies; then Hadding, thy life shall survive, nor shall the + nether realms bear off thy ghost, nor thy spirit pass heavily to the + waters of Styx; but the woman who hath made the wretched ghost come back + hither, crushed by her own guilt, shall appease our dust; she shall be + dust herself. + </p> + <p> + "Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him be + punished for calling a spirit out of bale!" + </p> + <p> + So, while they were passing the night in the forest foretold them, in a + shelter framed of twigs, a hand of extraordinary size was seen to wander + over the inside of the dwelling. Terrified at this portent, Hadding + entreated the aid of his nurse. Then Hardgrep, expanding her limbs and + swelling to a mighty bigness, gripped the hand fast and held it to her + foster-child to hew off. What flowed from the noisesome wounds he dealt + was not so much blood as corrupt matter. But she paid the penalty of this + act, presently being torn in pieces by her kindred of the same stock; nor + did her constitution or her bodily size help her against feeling the + attacks of her foes' claws. + </p> + <p> + Hadding, thus bereft of his foster-mother, chanced to be made an ally in a + solemn covenant to a rover, Lysir, by a certain man of great age that had + lost an eye, who took pity on his loneliness. Now the ancients, when about + to make a league, were wont to besprinkle their footsteps with blood of + one another, so to ratify their pledge of friendship by reciprocal barter + of blood. Lysir and Hadding, being bound thus in the strictest league, + declared war against Loker, the tyrant of the Kurlanders. They were + defeated; and the old man aforementioned took Hadding, as he fled on + horseback, to his own house, and there refreshed him with a certain + pleasant draught, telling him that he would find himself quite brisk and + sound in body. This prophetic advice he confirmed by a song as follows: + </p> + <p> + "As thou farest hence, a foe, thinking thee a deserter, will assail thee, + that he may keep thee bound and cast thee to be devoured by the mangling + jaws of beasts. But fill thou the ears of the warders with divers tales, + and when they have done the feast and deep sleep holds them, snap off the + fetters upon thee and the loathly chains. Turn thy feet thence, and when a + little space has fled, with all thy might rise up against a swift lion who + is wont to toss the carcases of the prisoners, and strive with thy stout + arms against his savage shoulders, and with naked sword search his + heart-strings. Straightway put thy throat to him and drink the steaming + blood, and devour with ravenous jaws the banquet of his body. Then renewed + strength will come to thy limbs, then shall undreamed-of might enter thy + sinews, and an accumulation of stout force shall bespread and nerve thy + frame through-out. I myself will pave the path to thy prayers, and will + subdue the henchmen in sleep, and keep them snoring throughout the + lingering night." + </p> + <p> + And as he spoke, he took back the young man on his horse, and set him + where he had found him. Hadding cowered trembling under his mantle; but so + extreme was his wonder at the event, that with keen vision he peered + through its holes. And he saw that before the steps of the horse lay the + sea; but was told not to steal a glimpse of the forbidden thing, and + therefore turned aside his amazed eyes from the dread spectacle of the + roads that he journeyed. Then he was taken by Loker, and found by very + sure experience that every point of the prophecy was fulfilled upon him. + So he assailed Handwan, king of the Hellespont, who was entrenched behind + an impregnable defence of wall in his city Duna, and withstood him not in + the field, but with battlements. Its summit defying all approach by a + besieger, he ordered that the divers kinds of birds who were wont to nest + in that spot should be caught by skilled fowlers, and he caused wicks + which had been set on fire to be fastened beneath their wings. The birds + sought the shelter of their own nests, and filled the city with a blaze; + all the townsmen flocked to quench it, and left the gates defenceless. He + attacked and captured Handwan, but suffered him to redeem his life with + gold for ransom. Thus, when he might have cut off his foe, he preferred to + grant him the breath of life; so far did his mercy qualify his rage. + </p> + <p> + After this he prevailed over a great force of men of the East, and came + back to Sweden. Swipdag met him with a great fleet off Gottland; but + Hadding attacked and destroyed him. And thus he advanced to a lofty pitch + of renown, not only by the fruits of foreign spoil, but by the trophies of + his vengeance for his brother and his father. And he exchanged exile for + royalty, for he became king of his own land as soon as he regained it. + </p> + <p> + At this time there was one Odin, who was credited over all Europe with the + honour, which was false, of godhead, but used more continually to sojourn + at Upsala; and in this spot, either from the sloth of the inhabitants or + from its own pleasantness, he vouchsafed to dwell with somewhat especial + constancy. The kings of the North, desiring more zealously to worship his + deity, embounded his likeness in a golden image; and this statue, which + betokened their homage, they transmitted with much show of worship to + Byzantium, fettering even the effigied arms with a serried mass of + bracelets. Odin was overjoyed at such notoriety, and greeted warmly the + devotion of the senders. But his queen Frigga, desiring to go forth more + beautified, called smiths, and had the gold stripped from the statue. Odin + hanged them, and mounted the statue upon a pedestal, which by the + marvellous skill of his art he made to speak when a mortal touched it. But + still Frigga preferred the splendour of her own apparel to the divine + honours of her husband, and submitted herself to the embraces of one of + her servants; and it was by this man's device she broke down the image, + and turned to the service of her private wantonness that gold which had + been devoted to public idolatry. Little thought she of practicing + unchastity, that she might the easier satisfy her greed, this woman so + unworthy to be the consort of a god; but what should I here add, save that + such a godhead was worthy of such a wife? So great was the error that of + old befooled the minds of men. Thus Odin, wounded by the double trespass + of his wife, resented the outrage to his image as keenly as that to his + bed; and, ruffled by these two stinging dishonours, took to an exile + overflowing with noble shame, imagining so to wipe off the slur of his + ignominy. + </p> + <p> + When he had retired, one Mit-othin, who was famous for his juggling + tricks, was likewise quickened, as though by inspiration from on high, to + seize the opportunity of feigning to be a god; and, wrapping the minds of + the barbarians in fresh darkness, he led them by the renown of his + jugglings to pay holy observance to his name. He said that the wrath of + the gods could never be appeased nor the outrage to their deity expiated + by mixed and indiscriminate sacrifices, and therefore forbade that prayers + for this end should be put up without distinction, appointing to each of + those above his especial drink-offering. But when Odin was returning, he + cast away all help of jugglings, went to Finland to hide himself, and was + there attacked and slain by the inhabitants. Even in his death his + abominations were made manifest, for those who came nigh his barrow were + cut off by a kind of sudden death; and after his end, he spread such + pestilence that he seemed almost to leave a filthier record in his death + than in his life: it was as though he would extort from the guilty a + punishment for his slaughter. The inhabitants, being in this trouble, took + the body out of the mound, beheaded it, and impaled it through the breast + with a sharp stake; and herein that people found relief. + </p> + <p> + The death of Odin's wife revived the ancient splendour of his name, and + seemed to wipe out the disgrace upon his deity; so, returning from exile, + he forced all those, who had used his absence to assume the honours of + divine rank, to resign them as usurped; and the gangs of sorcerers that + had arisen he scattered like a darkness before the advancing glory of his + godhead. And he forced them by his power not only to lay down their + divinity, but further to quit the country, deeming that they, who tried to + foist themselves so iniquitously into the skies, ought to be outcasts from + the earth. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Asmund, the son of Swipdag, fought with Hadding to avenge his + father. And when he heard that Henry his son, his love for whom he set + even before his own life, had fallen fighting valiantly, his soul longed + for death, and loathed the light of day, and made a song in a strain like + this: + </p> + <p> + "What brave hath dared put on my armour? The sheen of the helmet serves + not him who tottereth, nor doth the breastplate fitly shelter him that is + sore spent. Our son is slain, let us riot in battle; my eager love for him + driveth me to my death, that I may not be left outliving my dear child. In + each hand I am fain to grasp the sword; now without shield let us ply our + warfare bare-breasted, with flashing blades. Let the rumour of our rage + beacon forth: boldly let us grind to powder the column of the foe; nor let + the battle be long and chafe us; nor let our onset be shattered in rout + and be still." + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, he gripped his hilt with both hands, and, fearless + of peril, swung his shield upon his back and slew many. Hadding therefore + called on the powers with which he was allied to protect him, and on a + sudden Wagnhofde rode up to fight on his side. And when Asmund saw his + crooked sword, he cried out, and broke into the following strain: + </p> + <p> + "Why fightest thou with curved sword? The short sword shall prove thy + doom, the javelin shall be flung and bring forth death. Thou shouldst + conquer thy foe by thy hand, but thou trustest that he can be rent by + spells; thou trustest more in words than rigour, and puttest thy strength + in thy great resource. Why dost thus beat me back with thy shield, + threatening with thy bold lance, when thou art so covered with wretched + crimes and spotted all over? Thus hath the brand of shame bestained thee, + rotting in sin, lubber-lipped." + </p> + <p> + While he thus clamoured, Hadding, flinging his spear by the thong, pierced + him through. But Asmund lacked not comfort even for his death; for while + his life flickered in the socket he wounded the foot of his slayer, and by + this short instant of revenge he memorized his fall, punishing the other + with an incurable limp. Thus crippling of a limb befell one of them and + loss of life the other. Asmund's body was buried in solemn state at Upsala + and attended with royal obsequies. His wife Gunnhild, loth to outlive him, + cut off her own life with the sword, choosing rather to follow her lord in + death than to forsake him by living. Her friends, in consigning her body + to burial, laid her with her husband's dust, thinking her worthy to share + the mound of the man, her love for whom she had set above life. So there + lies Gunnhild, clasping her lord somewhat more beautifully in the tomb + than she had ever done in the bed. + </p> + <p> + After this Hadding, now triumphant, wasted Sweden. But Asmund's son, named + Uffe, shrinking from a conflict, transported his army into Denmark, + thinking it better to assail the house of his enemy than to guard his own, + and deeming it a timely method of repelling his wrongs to retaliate upon + his foe what he was suffering at his hands. Thus the Danes had to return + and defend their own, preferring the safety of their land to lordship of a + foreign realm; and Uffe went back to his own country, now rid of an + enemy's arms. + </p> + <p> + Hadding, on returning from the Swedish war, perceived that his treasury, + wherein he was wont to store the wealth he had gotten by the spoils of + war, had been forced and robbed, and straightway hanged its keeper Glumer, + proclaiming by a crafty device, that, if any of the culprits brought about + the recovery of the stolen goods, he should have the same post of honour + as Glumer had filled. Upon this promise, one of the guilty men became more + zealous to reap the bounty than to hide his crime, and had the money + brought back to the king. His confederates fancied he had been received + into the king's closest friendship, and believed that the honours paid him + were as real as they were lavish; and therefore they also, hoping to be as + well rewarded, brought back their moneys and avowed their guilt. Their + confession was received at first with promotion and favours, and soon + visited with punishment, thus bequeathing a signal lesson against being + too confiding. I should judge that men, whose foolish blabbing brought + them to destruction, when wholesome silence could have ensured their + safety, well deserved to atone upon the gallows for their breach of + reticence. + </p> + <p> + After this Hadding passed the whole winter season in the utmost + preparation for the renewal of the war. When the frosts had been melted by + the springtime sun, he went back to Sweden and there spent five years in + warfare. By dint of this prolonged expedition, his soldiers, having + consumed all their provision, were reduced almost to the extremity of + emaciation, and began to assuage their hunger with mushrooms from the + wood. At last, under stress of extreme necessity, they devoured their + horses, and finally satisfied themselves with the carcases of dogs. Worse + still, they did not scruple to feed upon human limbs. So, when the Danes + were brought unto the most desperate straits, there sounded in the camp, + in the first sleep of the night, and no man uttering it, the following + song: + </p> + <p> + "With foul augury have ye left the abode of your country, thinking to + harry these fields in War. What idle notion mocks your minds? What blind + self-confidence has seized your senses, that ye think this soil can thus + be won. The might of Sweden cannot yield or quail before the War of the + stranger; but the whole of your column shall melt away when it begins to + assault our people in War. For when flight has broken up the furious + onset, and the straggling part of the fighters wavers, then to those who + prevail in the War is given free scope to slay those who turn their backs, + and they have earned power to smite the harder when fate drives the + renewer of the war headlong. Nor let him whom cowardice deters aim the + spears." + </p> + <p> + This prophecy was accomplished on the morrow's dawn by a great slaughter + of the Danes. On the next night the warriors of Sweden heard an utterance + like this, none knowing who spake it: + </p> + <p> + "Why doth Uffe thus defy me with grievous rebellion? He shall pay the + utmost penalty. For he shall be buried and transpierced under showers of + lances, and shall fall lifeless in atonement for his insolent attempt. Nor + shall the guilt of his wanton rancour be unpunished; and, as I forebode, + as soon as he joins battle and fights, the points shall fasten in his + limbs and strike his body everywhere, and his raw gaping wounds no bandage + shall bind up; nor shall any remedy heal over thy wide gashes." + </p> + <p> + On that same night the armies fought; when two hairless old men, of + appearance fouler than human, and displaying their horrid baldness in the + twinkling starlight, divided their monstrous efforts with opposing ardour, + one of them being zealous on the Danish side, and the other as fervent for + the Swedes. Hadding was conquered and fled to Helsingland, where, while + washing in the cold sea-water his body which was scorched with heat, he + attacked and cut down with many blows a beast of unknown kind, and having + killed it had it carried into camp. As he was exulting in this deed a + woman met him and addressed him in these words: + </p> + <p> + "Whether thou tread the fields afoot, or spread canvas overseas, thou + shalt suffer the hate of the gods, and through all the world shalt behold + the elements oppose thy purposes. Afield thou shalt fall, on sea thou + shalt be tossed, an eternal tempest shall attend the steps of thy + wandering, nor shall frost-bind ever quit thy sails; nor shall thy + roof-tree roof thee, but if thou seekest it, it shall fall smitten by the + hurricane; thy herd shall perish of bitter chill. All things shall be + tainted, and shall lament that thy lot is there. Thou shalt be shunned + like a pestilent tetter, nor shall any plague be fouler than thou. Such + chastisement doth the power of heaven mete out to thee, for truly thy + sacrilegious hands have slain one of the dweller's above, disguised in a + shape that was not his: thus here art thou, the slayer of a benignant god! + But when the sea receives thee, the wrath of the prison of Eolus shall be + loosed upon thy head. The West and the furious North, the South wind shall + beat thee down, shall league and send forth their blasts in rivalry; until + with better prayers thou hast melted the sternness of heaven, and hast + lifted with appeasement the punishment thou hast earned." + </p> + <p> + So, when Hadding went back, he suffered all things after this one fashion, + and his coming brought disquiet upon all peaceful places. For when he was + at sea a mighty storm arose and destroyed his fleet in a great tempest: + and when, a shipwrecked man, he sought entertainment, he found a sudden + downfall of that house. Nor was there any cure for his trouble, ere he + atoned by sacrifice for his crime, and was able to return into favour with + heaven. For, in order to appease the deities, he sacrificed dusky victims + to the god Frey. This manner of propitiation by sacrifice he repeated as + an annual feast, and left posterity to follow. This rite the Swedes call + Froblod (the sacrifice or feast of Frey). + </p> + <p> + Hadding chanced to hear that a certain giant had taken in troth Ragnhild, + daughter of Hakon, King of the Nitherians; and, loathing so ignominious a + state of affairs, and utterly abominating the destined union, he + forestalled the marriage by noble daring. For he went to Norway and + overcame by arms him that was so foul, a lover for a princess. For he + thought so much more of valour than of ease, that, though he was free to + enjoy all the pleasures of a king, he accounted it sweeter than any + delight to repel the wrongs done, not only to himself, but to others. The + maiden, not knowing him, ministered with healing tendance to the man that + had done her kindness and was bruised with many wounds. And in order that + lapse of time might not make her forget him, she shut up a ring in his + wound, and thus left a mark on his leg. Afterwards her father granted her + freedom to choose her own husband; so when the young men were assembled at + banquet, she went along them and felt their bodies carefully, searching + for the tokens she had stored up long ago. All the rest she rejected, but + Hadding she discovered by the sign of the secret ring; then she embraced + him, and gave herself to be the wife of him who had not suffered a giant + to win her in marriage. + </p> + <p> + While Hadding was sojourning with her a marvellous portent befell him. + While he was at supper, a woman bearing hemlocks was seen to raise her + head beside the brazier, and, stretching out the lap of her robe, seemed + to ask, "in what part of the world such fresh herbs had grown in winter?" + The king desired to know; and, wrapping him in her mantle, she drew him + with her underground, and vanished. I take it that the nether gods + purposed that he should pay a visit in the flesh to the regions whither he + must go when he died. So they first pierced through a certain dark misty + cloud, and then advancing along a path that was worn away with long + thoroughfaring, they beheld certain men wearing rich robes, and nobles + clad in purple; these passed, they at last approached sunny regions which + produced the herbs the woman had brought away. Going further, they came on + a swift and tumbling river of leaden waters, whirling down on its rapid + current divers sorts of missiles, and likewise made passable by a bridge. + When they had crossed this, they beheld two armies encountering one + another with might and main. And when Hadding inquired of the woman about + their estate: "These," she said, "are they who, having been slain by the + sword, declare the manner of their death by a continual rehearsal, and + enact the deeds of their past life in a living spectacle." Then a wall + hard to approach and to climb blocked their further advance. The woman + tried to leap it, but in vain, being unable to do so even with her slender + wrinkled body; then she wrung off the head of a cock which she chanced to + be taking down with her, and flung it beyond the barrier of the walls; and + forthwith the bird came to life again, and testified by a loud crow to + recovery of its breathing. Then Hadding turned back and began to make + homewards with his wife; some rovers bore down on him, but by swift + sailing he baffled their snares; for though it was almost the same wind + that helped both, they were behind him as he clove the billows, and, as + they had only just as much sail, could not overtake him. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Uffe, who had a marvellously fair daughter, decreed that the man + who slew Hadding should have her. This sorely tempted one Thuning, who got + together a band of men of Perm (Byarmenses), being fain so to win the + desired advancement. Hadding was going to fall upon him, but while he was + passing Norway in his fleet he saw upon the beach an old man signing to + him, with many wavings of his mantle, to put into shore. His companions + opposed it, and declared that it would be a ruinous diversion from their + journey; but he took the man on board, and was instructed by him how to + order his army. For this man, in arranging the system of the columns, used + to take special care that the front row consisted of two, the second of + four, while the third increased and was made up to eight, and likewise + each row was double that in front of it. Also the old man bade the wings + of the slingers go back to the extremity of the line, and put with them + the ranks of the archers. So when the squadrons were arranged in the + wedge, he stood himself behind the warriors, and from the wallet which was + slung round his neck drew an arbalist. This seemed small at first, but + soon projected with more prolonged tip, and accommodated ten arrows to its + string at once, which were shot all at once at the enemy in a brisk + volley, and inflicted as many wounds. Then the men of Perm, quitting arms + for cunning, by their spells loosed the sky in clouds of rain, and melted + the joyous visage of the air in dismal drenching showers. But the old man, + on the other hand, drove back with a cloud the heavy mass of storm which + had arisen, and checked the dripping rain by this barrier of mist. Thus + Hadding prevailed. But the old man, when he parted from him, foretold that + the death whereby he would perish would be inflicted, not by the might of + an enemy, but by his own hand. Also he forbade him to prefer obscure wars + to such as were glorious, and border wars to those remote. + </p> + <p> + Hadding, after leaving him, was bidden by Uffe to Upsala on pretence of a + interview; but lost all his escort by treachery, and made his escape + sheltered by the night. For when the Danes sought to leave the house into + which they had been gathered on pretext of a banquet, they found one + awaiting them, who mowed off the head of each of them with his sword as it + was thrust out of the door. For this wrongful act Hadding retaliated and + slew Uffe; but put away his hatred and consigned his body to a sepulchre + of notable handiwork, thus avowing the greatness of his foe by his pains + to beautify his tomb, and decking in death with costly distinctions the + man whom he used to pursue in his life with hot enmity. Then, to win the + hearts of the people he had subdued, he appointed Hunding, the brother of + Uffe, over the realm, that the sovereignty might seem to be maintained in + the house of Asmund, and not to have passed into the hand of a stranger. + </p> + <p> + Thus his enemy was now removed, and he passed several years without any + stirring events and in utter disuse of arms; but at last he pleaded the + long while he had been tilling the earth, and the immoderate time he had + forborne from exploits on the seas; and seeming to think war a merrier + thing than peace, he began to upbraid himself with slothfulness in a + strain like this: + </p> + <p> + "Why loiter I thus in darksome hiding, in the folds of rugged hills, nor + follow seafaring as of old? The continual howling of the band of wolves, + and the plaintive cry of harmful beasts that rises to heaven, and the + fierce impatient lions, all rob my eyes of sleep. Dreary are the ridges + and the desolation to hearts that trusted to do wilder work. The stark + rocks and the rugged lie of the ground bar the way to spirits who are wont + to love the sea. It were better service to sound the firths with the oars, + to revel in plundered wares, to pursue the gold of others for my coffer, + to gloat over sea-gotten gains, than to dwell in rough lands and winding + woodlands and barren glades." + </p> + <p> + Then his wife, loving a life in the country, and weary of the marin + harmony of the sea-birds, declared how great joy she found in frequenting + the woodlands, in the following strain: + </p> + <p> + "The shrill bird vexes me as I tarry by the shore, and with its chattering + rouses me when I cannot sleep. Wherefore the noisy sweep of its boisterous + rush takes gentle rest from my sleeping eye, nor doth the loud-chattering + sea-mew suffer me to rest in the night, forcing its wearisome tale into my + dainty ears; nor when I would lie down doth it suffer me to be refreshed, + clamouring with doleful modulation of its ill-boding voice. Safer and + sweeter do I deem the enjoyment of the woods. How are the fruits of rest + plucked less by day or night than by tarrying tossed on the shifting sea?" + </p> + <p> + At this time one Toste emerged, from the obscure spot of Jutland where he + was born, into bloody notoriety. For by all manner of wanton attacks upon + the common people he spread wide the fame of his cruelty, and gained so + universal a repute for rancour, that he was branded with the name of the + Wicked. Nor did he even refrain from wrongdoing to foreigners, but, after + foully harrying his own land, went on to assault Saxony. The Saxon general + Syfrid, when his men were hard put to it in the battle, entreated peace. + Toste declared that he should have what he asked, but only if he would + promise to become his ally in a war against Hadding. Syfrid demurred, + dreading to fulfill the condition, but by sharp menaces Toste induced him + to promise what he asked. For threats can sometimes gain a request which + soft-dealing cannot compass. Hadding was conquered by this man in an + affair by land; but in the midst of his flight he came on his enemy's + fleet, and made it unseaworthy by boring the sides; then he got a skiff + and steered it out to sea. Toste thought he was slain, but though he + sought long among the indiscriminate heaps of dead, could not find him, + and came back to his fleet; when he saw from afar off a light boat tossing + on the ocean billows. Putting out some vessels, he resolved to give it + chase, but was brought back by peril of shipwreck, and only just reached + the shore. Then he quickly took some sound craft, and accomplished the + journey which he had before begun. Hadding, seeing he was caught, + proceeded to ask his companion whether he was a skilled and practised + swimmer; and when the other said he was not, Hadding despairing of flight, + deliberately turned the vessel over and held on inside to its hollow, thus + making his pursuers think him dead. Then he attacked Toste, who, careless + and unaware, was greedily watching over the remnants of his spoil; cut + down his army, forced him to quit his plunder, and avenged his own rout by + that of Toste. + </p> + <p> + But Toste lacked not heart to avenge himself. For, not having store enough + in his own land to recruit his forces—so heavy was the blow he had + received—he went to Britain, calling himself an ambassador. Upon his + outward voyage, for sheer wantonness, he got his crew together to play + dice, and when a wrangle arose from the throwing of the cubes, he taught + them to wind it up with a fatal affray. And so, by means of this peaceful + sport, he spread the spirit of strife through the whole ship, and the jest + gave place to quarrelling, which engendered bloody combat. Also, fain to + get some gain out of the misfortunes of others, he seized the moneys of + the slain, and attached to him a certain rover then famous, named Koll; + and a little after returned in his company to his own land, where he was + challenged and slain by Hadding, who preferred to hazard his own fortune + rather than that of his soldiers. For generals of antique valour were loth + to accomplish by general massacre what could be decided by the lot of a + few. + </p> + <p> + After these deeds the figure of Hadding's dead wife appeared before him in + his sleep, and sang thus: + </p> + <p> + "A monster is born to thee that shall tame the rage of wild beasts, and + crush with fierce mouth the fleet wolves." + </p> + <p> + Then she added a little: "Take thou heed; from thee hath issued a bird of + harm, in choler a wild screech-owl, in tongue a tuneful swan." + </p> + <p> + On the morrow the king, when he had shaken off slumber, told the vision to + a man skilled in interpretations, who explained the wolf to denote a son + that would be truculent and the word swan as signifying a daughter; and + foretold that the son would be deadly to enemies and the daughter + treacherous to her father. The result answered to the prophecy. Hadding's + daughter, Ulfhild, who was wife to a certain private person called + Guthorm, was moved either by anger at her match, or with aspirations to + glory, and throwing aside all heed of daughterly love, tempted her husband + to slay her father; declaring that she preferred the name of queen to that + of princess. I have resolved to set forth the manner of her exhortation + almost in the words in which she uttered it; they were nearly these: + </p> + <p> + "Miserable am I, whose nobleness is shadowed by an unequal yoke! Hapless + am I, to whose pedigree is bound the lowliness of a peasant! Luckless + issue of a king, to whom a common man is equal by law of marriage! + Pitiable daughter of a prince, whose comeliness her spiritless father hath + made over to base and contemptible embraces! Unhappy child of thy mother, + with thy happiness marred by consorting with this bed! thy purity is + handled by the impurity of a peasant, thy nobility is bowed down by + ignoble commonness, thy high birth is impaired by the estate of thy + husband! But thou, if any pith be in thee, if valour reign in thy soul at + all, if thou deem thyself fit husband for a king's daughter, wrest the + sceptre from her father, retrieve thy lineage by thy valour, balance with + courage thy lack of ancestry, requite by bravery thy detriment of blood. + Power won by daring is more prosperous than that won by inheritance. + Boldness climbs to the top better than inheritance, and worth wins power + better than birth. Moreover, it is no shame to overthrow old age, which of + its own weight sinks and totters to its fall. It shall be enough for my + father to have borne the sceptre for so long; let the dotard's power fall + to thee; if it elude thee, it will pass to another. Whatsoever rests on + old age is near its fall. Think that his reign has been long enough, and + be it thine, though late in the day, to be first. Further, I would rather + have my husband than my father king—would rather be ranked a king's + wife than daughter. It is better to embrace a monarch in one's home, than + to give him homage from afar; it is nobler to be a king's bride than his + courtier. Thou, too, must surely prefer thyself to thy wife's father for + bearing the sceptre; for nature has made each one nearest to himself. If + there be a will for the deed, a way will open; there is nothing but yields + to the wit of man. The feast must be kept, the banquet decked, the + preparations looked to, and my father bidden. The path to treachery shall + be smoothed by a pretence of friendship, for nothing cloaks a snare better + than the name of kindred. Also his soddenness shall open a short way to + his slaughter; for when the king shall be intent upon the dressing of his + hair, and his hand is upon his beard and his mind upon stories; when he + has parted his knotted locks, either with hairpin or disentangling comb, + then let him feel the touch of the steel in his flesh. Busy men commonly + devise little precaution. Let thy hand draw near to punish all his sins. + It is a righteous deed to put forth thy hand to avenge the wretched!" + </p> + <p> + Thus Ulfhild importuned, and her husband was overcome by her promptings, + and promised his help to the treachery. But meantime Hadding was warned in + a dream to beware of his son-in-law's guile. He went to the feast, which + his daughter had made ready for him with a show of love, and posted an + armed guard hard by to use against the treachery when need was. As he ate, + the henchman who was employed to do the deed of guile silently awaited a + fitting moment for his crime, his dagger hid under his robe. The king, + remarking him, blew on the trumpet a signal to the soldiers who were + stationed near; they straightway brought aid, and he made the guile recoil + on its deviser. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Hunding, King of the Swedes, heard false tidings that Hadding + was dead, and resolved to greet them with obsequies. So he gathered his + nobles together, and filled a jar of extraordinary size with ale, and had + this set in the midst of the feasters for their delight, and, to omit no + mark of solemnity, himself assumed a servant's part, not hesitating to + play the cupbearer. And while he was passing through the palace in + fulfilment of his office, he stumbled and fell into the jar, and, being + choked by the liquor, gave up the ghost; thus atoning either to Orcus, + whom he was appeasing by a baseless performance of the rites, or to + Hadding, about whose death he had spoken falsely. Hadding, when he heard + this, wished to pay like thanks to his worshipper, and, not enduring to + survive his death, hanged himself in sight of the whole people. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK TWO + </h2> + <p> + HADDING was succeeded by FRODE, his son, whose fortunes were many and + changeful. When he had passed the years of a stripling, he displayed the + fulness of a warrior's prowess; and being loth that this should be spoilt + by slothfulness, he sequestered his mind from delights and perseveringly + constrained it to arms. Warfare having drained his father's treasury, he + lacked a stock of pay to maintain his troops, and cast about diligently + for the supplies that he required; and while thus employed, a man of the + country met him and roused his hopes by the following strain: + </p> + <p> + "Not far off is an island rising in delicate slopes, hiding treasure in + its hills and ware of its rich booty. Here a noble pile is kept by the + occupant of the mount, who is a snake wreathed in coils, doubled in many a + fold, and with tail drawn out in winding whorls, shaking his manifold + spirals and shedding venom. If thou wouldst conquer him, thou must use thy + shield and stretch thereon bulls' hides, and cover thy body with the skins + of kine, nor let thy limbs lie bare to the sharp poison; his slaver burns + up what it bespatters. Though the three-forked tongue flicker and leap out + of the gaping mouth, and with awful yawn menace ghastly wounds remember to + keep the dauntless temper of thy mind; nor let the point of the jagged + tooth trouble thee, nor the starkness of the beast, nor the venom spat + from the swift throat. Though the force of his scales spurn thy spears, + yet know there is a place under his lowest belly whither thou mayst plunge + the blade; aim at this with thy sword, and thou shalt probe the snake to + his centre. Thence go fearless up to the hill, drive the mattock, dig and + ransack the holes; soon fill thy pouch with treasure, and bring back to + the shore thy craft laden." + </p> + <p> + Frode believed, and crossed alone to the island, loth to attack the beast + with any stronger escort than that wherewith it was the custom for + champions to attack. When it had drunk water and was repairing to its + cave, its rough and sharp hide spurned the blow of Frode's steel. Also the + darts that he flung against it rebounded idly, foiling the effort of the + thrower. But when the hard back yielded not a whit, he noted the belly + heedfully, and its softness gave entrance to the steel. The beast tried to + retaliate by biting, but only struck the sharp point of its mouth upon the + shield. Then it shot out its flickering tongue again and again, and gasped + away life and venom together. + </p> + <p> + The money which the King found made him rich; and with this supply he + approached in his fleet the region of the Kurlanders, whose king Dorn, + dreading a perilous war, is said to have made a speech of the following + kind to his soldiers: + </p> + <p> + "Nobles! Our enemy is a foreigner, begirt with the arms and the wealth of + almost all the West; let us, by endeavouring to defer the battle for our + profit, make him a prey to famine, which is all inward malady; and he will + find it very hard to conquer a peril among his own people. It is easy to + oppose the starving. Hunger will be a better weapon against our foe than + arms; famine will be the sharpest lance we shall hurl at him. For lack of + food nourishes the pestilence that eats away men's strength, and lack of + victual undermines store of weapons. Let this whirl the spears while we + sit still; let this take up the prerogative and the duty of fighting. + Unimperilled, we shall be able to imperil others; we can drain their blood + and lose no drop of ours. One may defeat an enemy by inaction. Who would + not rather fight safely than at a loss? Who would strive to suffer + chastisement when he may contend unhurt? Our success in arms will be more + prosperous if hunger joins battle first. Let hunger captain us, and so let + us take the first chance of conflict. Let it decide the day in our stead, + and let our camp remain free from the stir of war; if hunger retreat + beaten, we must break off idleness. He who is fresh easily overpowers him + who is shaken with languor. The hand that is flaccid and withered will + come fainter to the battle. He whom any hardship has first wearied, will + bring slacker hands to the steel. When he that is wasted with sickness + engages with the sturdy, the victory hastens. Thus, undamaged ourselves, + we shall be able to deal damage to others." + </p> + <p> + Having said this, he wasted all the places which he saw would be hard to + protect, distrusting his power to guard them, and he so far forestalled + the ruthlessness of the foe in ravaging his own land, that he left nothing + untouched which could be seized by those who came after. Then he shut up + the greater part of his forces in a town of undoubted strength, and + suffered the enemy to blockade him. Frode, distrusting his power of + attacking this town, commanded several trenches of unwonted depth to be + made within the camp, and the earth to be secretly carried out in baskets + and cast quietly into the river bordering the walls. Then he had a mass of + turf put over the trenches to hide the trap: wishing to cut off the unwary + enemy by tumbling them down headlong, and thinking that they would be + overwhelmed unawares by the slip of the subsiding earth. Then he feigned a + panic, and proceeded to forsake the camp for a short while. The townsmen + fell upon it, missed their footing everywhere, rolled forward into the + pits, and were massacred by him under a shower of spears. + </p> + <p> + Thence he travelled and fell in with Trannon, the monarch of the + Ruthenians. Desiring to spy out the strength of his navy, he made a number + of pegs out of sticks, and loaded a skiff with them; and in this he + approached the enemy's fleet by night, and bored the hulls of the vessels + with an auger. And to save them from a sudden influx of the waves, he + plugged up the open holes with the pegs he had before provided, and by + these pieces of wood he made good the damage done by the auger. But when + he thought there were enough holes to drown the fleet, he took out the + plugs, thus giving instant access to the waters, and then made haste to + surround the enemy's fleet with his own. The Ruthenians were beset with a + double peril, and wavered whether they should first withstand waves or + weapons. Fighting to save their ships from the foe, they were shipwrecked. + Within, the peril was more terrible than without: within, they fell back + before the waves, while drawing the sword on those without. For the + unhappy men were assaulted by two dangers at once; it was doubtful whether + the swiftest way of safety was to swim or to battle to the end; and the + fray was broken off at its hottest by a fresh cause of doom. Two forms of + death advanced in a single onset; two paths of destruction offered united + peril: it was hard to say whether the sword or the sea hurt them more. + While one man was beating off the swords, the waters stole up silently and + took him. Contrariwise, another was struggling with the waves, when the + steel came up and encompassed him. The flowing waters were befouled with + the gory spray. Thus the Ruthenians were conquered, and Frode made his way + back home. + </p> + <p> + Finding that some envoys, whom he had sent into Russia to levy tribute, + had been horribly murdered through the treachery of the inhabitants, Frode + was stung by the double wrong and besieged closely their town Rotel. Loth + that the intervening river should delay his capture of the town, he + divided the entire mass of the waters by making new and different streams, + thus changing what had been a channel of unknown depth into passable + fords; not ceasing till the speed of the eddy, slackened by the division + of its outlet, rolled its waves onward in fainter current, and winding + along its slender reaches, slowly thinned and dwindled into a shallow. + Thus he prevailed over the river; and the town, which lacked natural + defences, he overthrew, his soldiers breaking in without resistance. This + done, he took his army to the city of Paltisca. Thinking no force could + overcome it, he exchanged war for guile. He went into a dark and unknown + hiding-place, only a very few being in the secret, and ordered a report of + his death to be spread abroad, so as to inspire the enemy with less fear; + his obsequies being also held, and a barrow raised, to give the tale + credit. Even the soldiers bewailed his supposed death with a mourning + which was in the secret of the trick. This rumour led Vespasins, the king + of the city, to show so faint and feeble a defence, as though the victory + was already his, that the enemy got a chance of breaking in, and slew him + as he sported at his ease. + </p> + <p> + Frode, when he had taken this town, aspired to the Empire of the East, and + attacked the city of Handwan. This king, warned by Hadding's having once + fired his town, accordingly cleared the tame birds out of all his houses, + to save himself from the peril of like punishment. But Frode was not at a + loss for new trickery. He exchanged garments with a serving-maid, and + feigned himself to be a maiden skilled in fighting; and having thus laid + aside the garb of man and imitated that of woman, he went to the town, + calling himself a deserter. Here he reconnoitred everything narrowly, and + on the next day sent out an attendant with orders that the army should be + up at the walls, promising that he would see to it that the gates were + opened. Thus the sentries were eluded and the city despoiled while it was + buried in sleep; so that it paid for its heedlessness with destruction, + and was more pitiable for its own sloth than by reason of the valour of + the foe. For in warfare nought is found to be more ruinous than that a + man, made foolhardy by ease, should neglect and slacken his affairs and + doze in arrogant self-confidence. + </p> + <p> + Handwan, seeing that the fortunes of his country were lost and overthrown, + put all his royal wealth on shipboard and drowned it in the sea, so as to + enrich the waves rather than his enemy. Yet it had been better to + forestall the goodwill of his adversaries with gifts of money than to + begrudge the profit of it to the service of mankind. After this, when + Frode sent ambassadors to ask for the hand of his daughter, he answered, + that he must take heed not to be spoiled by his thriving fortunes, or to + turn his triumph into haughtiness; but let him rather bethink him to spare + the conquered, and in this their abject estate to respect their former + bright condition; let him learn to honour their past fortune in their + present pitiable lot. Therefore, said Handwan, he must mind that he did + not rob of his empire the man with whom he sought alliance, nor bespatter + her with the filth of ignobleness whom he desired to honour with marriage: + else he would tarnish the honour of the union with covetousness. The + courtliness of this saying not only won him his conqueror for son-in-law, + but saved the freedom of his realm. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Thorhild, wife of Hunding, King of the Swedes, possessed with a + boundless hatred for her stepsons Ragnar and Thorwald, and fain to + entangle them in divers perils, at last made them the king's shepherds. + But Swanhwid, daughter of Hadding, wished to arrest by woman's wit the + ruin of natures so noble; and taking her sisters to serve as retinue, + journeyed to Sweden. Seeing the said youths beset with sundry prodigies + while busy watching at night over their flocks, she forbade her sisters, + who desired to dismount, in a poem of the following strain: + </p> + <p> + "Monsters I behold taking swift leaps and flinging themselves over the + night places. The demon is at war, and the unholy throng, devoted to the + mischievous fray, battles in the mid-thoroughfare. Prodigies of aspect + grim to behold pass by, and suffer no mortal to enter this country. The + ranks galloping in headlong career through the void bid us stay our + advance in this spot; they warn us to turn our rein and hold off from the + accursed fields, they forbid us to approach the country beyond. A scowling + horde of ghosts draws near, and scurries furiously through the wind, + bellowing drearily to the stars. Fauns join Satyrs, and the throng of Pans + mingles with the Spectres and battles with fierce visage. The Swart ones + meet the Woodland Spirits, and the pestilent phantoms strive to share the + path with the Witches. Furies poise themselves on the leap, and on them + huddle the Phantoms, whom Foreboder (Fantua) joined to the Flatnoses + (Satyrs), jostles. The path that the footfarer must tread brims with + horror. It were safer to burden the back of the tall horse." + </p> + <p> + Thereon Ragnar declared that he was a slave of the king, and gave as + reason of his departure so far from home that, when he had been banished + to the country on his shepherd's business, he had lost the flock of which + he had charge, and despairing to recover it, had chosen rather to forbear + from returning than to incur punishment. Also, loth to say nothing about + the estate of his brother, he further spoke the following poem: + </p> + <p> + "Think us men, not monsters; we are slaves who drove our lingering flocks + for pasture through the country. But while we took our pastime in gentle + sports, our flock chanced to stray and went into far-off fields. And when + our hope of finding them, our long quest failed, trouble came upon the + mind of the wretched culprits. And when sure tracks of our kine were + nowhere to be seen, dismal panic filled our guilty hearts. That is why, + dreading the penal stripe of the rod, we thought it doleful to return to + our own roof. We supposed it safer to hold aloof from the familiar hearth + than to bear the hand of punishment. Thus we are fain to put off the + punishment; we loathe going back and our wish is to lie hid here and + escape our master's eye. This will aid us to elude the avenger of his + neglected flock; and this is the one way of escape that remains safe for + us." + </p> + <p> + Then Swanhwid gazed intently, and surveying his features, which were very + comely, admired them ardently, and said: + </p> + <p> + "The radiant flashing of thine eyes is eloquent that thou art of kingly + and not of servile stock. Beauty announces blood, and loveliness of soul + glitters in the flash of the eyes. A keen glance betokens lordly birth, + and it is plain that he whom fairness, that sure sign of nobleness, + commends, is of no mean station. The outward alertness of thine eyes + signifies a spirit of radiance within. Face vouches for race; and the + lustre of forefathers is beheld in the brightness of the countenance. For + an aspect so benign and noble could never have issued from base parentage. + The grace of thy blood makes thy brow mantle with a kindred grace, and the + estate of thy birth is reflected in the mirror of thy countenance. It is + no obscure craftsman, therefore, that has finished the portrait of so + choice a chasing. Now therefore turn aside with all speed, seek constantly + to depart out of the road, shun encounters with monsters, lest ye yield + your most gracious bodies to be the prey and pasture of the vilest + hordes." + </p> + <p> + But Ragnar was seized with great shame for his unsightly attire, which he + thought was the only possible device to disguise his birth. So he + rejoined, "That slaves were not always found to lack manhood; that a + strong hand was often hidden under squalid raiment, and sometimes a stout + arm was muffled trader a dusky cloak; thus the fault of nature was + retrieved by valour, and deficiency in race requited by nobleness of + spirit. He therefore feared the might of no supernatural prowess, save of + the god Thor only, to the greatness of whose force nothing human or divine + could fitly be compared. The hearts of men ought not to be terrified at + phantoms, which were only awful from their ghastly foulness, and whose + semblances, marked by counterfeit ghostliness, were wont for a moment to + borrow materiality from the fluent air. Swanhwid therefore erred in + trying, womanlike, to sap the firm strength of men, and to melt in unmanly + panic that might which knew not defeat." + </p> + <p> + Swanhwid marvelled at the young man's steadfastness, and cast off the + cloud of mist which overshadowed her, dispelling the darkness which + shrouded her face, till it was clear and cloudless. Then, promising that + she would give him a sword fitted for diver's kinds of battle, she + revealed the marvellous maiden beauty of her lustrous limbs. Thus was the + youth kindled, and she plighted her troth with him, and proffering the + sword, she thus began: + </p> + <p> + "King, in this sword, which shall expose the monsters to thy blows, take + the first gift of thy betrothed. Show thyself duly deserving hereof; let + hand rival sword, and aspire to add lustre to its weapon. Let the might of + steel strengthen the defenceless point of thy wit, and let spirit know how + to work with hand. Let the bearer match the burden: and that thy deed may + sort with thy blade, let equal weight in each be thine. What avails the + javelin when the breast is weak and faint, and the quivering hands have + dropped the lance? Let steel join soul, and be both the body's armour! Let + the right hand be linked with its hilt in alliance. These fight famous + battles, because they always keep more force when together; but less when + parted. Therefore if it be joy to thee to win fame by the palm of war, + pursue with daring whatsoever is hard pressed by thy hand." + </p> + <p> + After thus discoursing long in harmoniously-adjusted strains, she sent + away her retinue, and passed all the night in combat against the foulest + throngs of monsters; and at return of daybreak she perceived fallen all + over the fields diverse shapes of phantoms, and figures extraordinary to + look on; and among them was seen the semblance of Thorhild herself covered + with wounds. All these she piled in a heap and burnt, kindling a huge + pyre, lest the foul stench of the filthy carcases might spread in + pestilent vapour and hurt those who came nigh with its taint of + corruption. This done, she won the throne of Sweden for Ragnar, and Ragnar + for her husband. And though he deemed it uncomely to inaugurate his first + campaign with a wedding, yet, moved by gratitude for the preservation of + his safety, he kept his promise. + </p> + <p> + Meantime one Ubbe, who had long since wedded Ulfhild the sister of Frode, + trusting in the high birth of his wife, seized the kingdom of Denmark, + which he was managing carelessly as deputy. Frode was thus forced to quit + the wars of the East and fought a great battle in Sweden with his sister + Swanhwid, in which he was beaten. So he got on board a skiff, and sailed + stealthily in a circuit, seeking some way of boring through the enemy's + fleet. When surprised by his sister and asked why he was rowing silently + and following divers meandering courses, he cut short her inquiry by a + similar question; for Swanhwid had also, at the same time of the night, + taken to sailing about alone, and was stealthily searching out all the + ways of approach and retreat through devious and dangerous windings. So + she reminded her brother of the freedom he had given her long since, and + went on to ask him that he should allow her full enjoyment of the husband + she had taken; since, before he started on the Russian war, he had given + her the boon of marrying as she would; and that he should hold valid after + the event what he had himself allowed to happen. These reasonable + entreaties touched Frode, and he made a peace with Ragnar, and forgave, at + his sister's request, the wrongdoing which Ragnar, seemed to have begun + because of her wantonness. They presented him with a force equal to that + which they had caused him to lose: a handsome gift in which he rejoiced as + compensation for so ugly a reverse. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar, entering Denmark, captured Ubbe, had him brought before him, and + pardoned him, preferring to visit his ill deserts with grace rather than + chastisement; because the man seemed to have aimed at the crown rather at + his wife's instance than of his own ambition, and to have been the + imitator and not the cause of the wrong. But he took Ulfhild away from him + and forced her to wed his friend Scot, the same man that founded the + Scottish name; esteeming change of wedlock a punishment for her. As she + went away he even escorted her in the royal chariot, requiting evil with + good; for he regarded the kinship of his sister rather than her + disposition, and took more thought for his own good name than of her + iniquity. But the fair deeds of her brother did not make her obstinate and + wonted hatred slacken a whit; she wore the spirit of her new husband with + her design of slaying Frode and mastering the sovereignty of the Danes. + For whatsoever design the mind has resolutely conceived, it is slow to + quit; nor is a sin that is long schemed swept away by the stream of years. + For the temper of later life follows the mind of childhood; nor do the + traces easily fade of vices which have been stamped upon the character in + the impressible age. Finding the ears of her husband deaf, she diverted + her treachery from her brother against her lord, hiring bravoes to cut his + throat while he slept. Scot was told about this by a waiting-woman, and + retired to bed in his cuirass on the night on which he had heard the deed + of murder was to be wrought upon him. Ulfhild asked him why he had + exchanged his wonted ways to wear the garb of steel; he rejoined that such + was just then his fancy. The agents of the treachery, when they imagined + him in a deep sleep, burst in; but he slipped from his bed and cut them + down. The result was, that he prevented Ulfhild from weaving plots against + her brother, and also left a warning to others to beware of treachery from + their wives. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the design occurred to Frode of a campaign against Friesland; he + was desirous to dazzle the eyes of the West with the glory he had won in + conquering the East. He put out to ocean, and his first contest was with + Witthe, a rover of the Frisians; and in this battle he bade his crews + patiently bear the first brunt of the enemy's charge by merely opposing + their shields, ordering that they should not use their missiles before + they perceived that the shower of the enemy's spears was utterly silent. + This the Frisians hurled as vehemently as the Danes received it + impassively; for Witthe supposed that the long-suffering of Frode was due + to a wish for peace. High rose the blast of the trumpet, and loud whizzed + the javelins everywhere, till at last the heedless Frisians had not a + single lance remaining, and they were conquered, overwhelmed by the + missiles of the Danes. They fled hugging the shore, and were cut to pieces + amid the circuitous windings of the canals. Then Frode explored the Rhine + in his fleet, and laid hands on the farthest parts of Germany. Then he + went back to the ocean, and attacked the Frisian fleet, which had struck + on shoals; and thus he crowned shipwreck with slaughter. Nor was he + content with the destruction of so great an army of his foes, but assailed + Britain, defeated its king, and attacked Melbrik, the Governor of the + Scottish district. Just as he was preparing to fight him, he heard from a + scout that the King of the Britons was at hand, and could not look to his + front and his rear both at once. So he assembled the soldiers, and ordered + that they should abandon their chariots, fling away all their goods, and + scatter everywhere over the fields the gold which they had about them; for + he declared that their one chance was to squander their treasure; and + that, now they were hemmed in, their only remaining help was to tempt the + enemy from combat to covetousness. They ought cheerfully to spend on so + extreme a need the spoil they had gotten among foreigners; for the enemy + would drop it as eagerly, when it was once gathered, as they would snatch + it when they first found it; for it would be to them more burden than + profit. + </p> + <p> + Then Thorkill, who was a more notable miser and a better orator than them + all, dishelming and leaning on his shield, said: + </p> + <p> + "O King! Most of us who rate high what we have bought with our life-blood + find thy bidding hard. We take it ill that we should fling away what we + have won with utmost hazard; and men are loth to forsake what they have + purchased at peril of their lives. For it is utter madness to spurn away + like women what our manly hearts and hands have earned, and enrich the + enemy beyond their hopes. What is more odious than to anticipate the + fortune of war by despising the booty which is ours, and, in terror of an + evil that may never come, to quit a good which is present and assured? + Shall we scatter our gold upon the earth, ere we have set eyes upon the + Scots? Those who faint at the thought of warring when they are out for + war, what manner of men are they to be thought in the battle? Shall we be + a derision to our foes, we who were their terror? Shall we take scorn + instead of glory? The Briton will marvel that he was conquered by men whom + he sees fear is enough to conquer. We struck them before with panic; shall + we be panic-stricken by them? We scorned them when before us; shall we + dread them when they are not here? When will our bravery win the treasure + which our cowardice rejects? Shall we shirk the fight, in scorn of the + money which we fought to win, and enrich those whom we should rightly have + impoverished? What deed more despicable can we do than to squander gold on + those whom we should smite with steel? Panic must never rob us of the + spoils of valour; and only war must make us quit what in warfare we have + won. Let us sell our plunder at the price at which we bought it; let the + purchase-money be weighed out in steel. It is better to die a noble death, + than to molder away too much in love with the light life. In a fleeting + instant of time life forsakes us, but shame pursues us past the grave. + Further, if we cast away this gold, the greater the enemy thinks our fear, + the hotter will be his chase. Besides, whichever the issue of the day, the + gold is not hateful to us. Conquerors, we shall triumph in the treasure + which now we bear; conquered, we shall leave it to pay our burying." + </p> + <p> + So spoke the old man; but the soldiers regarded the advice of their king + rather than of their comrade, and thought more of the former than of the + latter counsel. So each of them eagerly drew his wealth, whatever he had, + from his pouch; they unloaded their ponies of the various goods they were + carrying; and having thus cleared their money-bags, girded on their arms + more deftly. They went on, and the Britons came up, but broke away after + the plunder which lay spread out before them. Their king, when he beheld + them too greedily busied with scrambling for the treasure, bade them "take + heed not to weary with a load of riches those hands which were meant for + battle, since they ought to know that a victory must be culled ere it is + counted. Therefore let them scorn the gold and give chase to the + possessors of the gold; let them admire the lustre, not of lucre, but of + conquest; remembering, that a trophy gave more reward than gain. Courage + was worth more than dross, if they measured aright the quality of both; + for the one furnished outward adorning, but the other enhanced both + outward and inward grace. Therefore they must keep their eyes far from the + sight of money, and their soul from covetousness, and devote it to the + pursuits of war. Further, they should know that the plunder had been + abandoned by the enemy of set purpose, and that the gold had been + scattered rather to betray them than to profit them. Moreover, the honest + lustre of the silver was only a bait on the barb of secret guile. It was + not thought to be that they, who had first forced the Britons to fly, + would lightly fly themselves. Besides, nothing was more shameful than + riches which betrayed into captivity the plunderer whom they were supposed + to enrich. For the Danes thought that the men to whom they pretended to + have offered riches ought to be punished with sword and slaughter. Let + them therefore feel that they were only giving the enemy a weapon if they + seized what he had scattered. For if they were caught by the look of the + treasure that had been exposed, they must lose, not only that, but any of + their own money that might remain. What could it profit them to gather + what they must straightway disgorge? But if they refuse to abase + themselves before money, they would doubtless abase the foe. Thus it was + better for them to stand erect in valour than be grovelling in greed; with + their souls not sinking into covetousness, but up and doing for renown. In + the battle they would have to use not gold but swords." + </p> + <p> + As the king ended, a British knight, shewing them all his lapful of gold, + said: + </p> + <p> + "O King! From thy speech can be gathered two feelings; and one of them + witnesses to thy cowardice and the other to thy ill will: inasmuch as thou + forbiddest us the use of the wealth because of the enemy, and also + thinkest it better that we should serve thee needy than rich. What is more + odious than such a wish? What more senseless than such a counsel? We + recognise these as the treasures of our own homes, and having done so, + shall we falter to pick them up? We were on our way to regain them by + fighting, we were zealous to win them back by our blood: shall we shun + them when they are restored unasked? Shall we hesitate to claim our own? + Which is the greater coward, he who squanders his winnings, or he who is + fearful to pick up what is squandered? Look how chance has restored what + compulsion took! These are, not spoils from the enemy, but from ourselves; + the Dane took gold from Britain, he brought none. Beaten and loth we lost + it; it comes back for nothing, and shall we run away from it? Such a gift + of fortune it were a shame to take in an unworthy spirit. For what were + madder than to spurn wealth that is set openly before us, and to desire it + when it is shut up and kept from us? Shall we squeamishly yield what is + set under our eyes, and clutch at it when it vanishes? Shall we seek + distant and foreign treasure, refraining from what is made public + property? If we disown what is ours, when shall we despoil the goods of + others? No anger of heaven can I experience which can force me to unload + of its lawful burden the lap which is filled with my father's and my + grandsire's gold. I know the wantonness of the Danes: never would they + have left jars full of wine had not fear forced them to flee. They would + rather have sacrificed their life than their liquor. This passion we share + with them, and herein we are like them. Grant that their flight is + feigned; yet they will light upon the Scots ere they can come back. This + gold shall never rust in the country, to be trodden underfoot of swine or + brutes: it will better serve the use of men. Besides, if we plunder the + spoil of the army that prevailed over us, we transfer the luck of the + conqueror to ourselves. For what surer omen of triumph could be got, than + to bear off the booty before the battle, and to capture ere the fray the + camp which the enemy have forsaken? Better conquer by fear than by steel." + </p> + <p> + The knight had scarce ended, when behold; the hands of all were loosed + upon the booty and everywhere plucked up the shining treasure. There you + might have marvelled at their disposition of filthy greed, and watched a + portentous spectacle of avarice. You could have seen gold and grass + clutched up together; the birth of domestic discord; fellow-countrymen in + deadly combat, heedless of the foe; neglect of the bonds of comradeship + and of reverence for ties; greed the object of all minds, and friendship + of none. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Frode traversed in a great march the forest which separates + Scotland and Britain, and bade his soldiers arm. When the Scots beheld his + line, and saw that they had only a supply of light javelins, while the + Danes were furnished with a more excellent style of armour, they + forestalled the battle by flight. Frode pursued them but a little way, + fearing a sally of the British, and on returning met Scot, the husband of + Ulfhild, with a great army; he had been brought from the utmost ends of + Scotland by the desire of aiding the Danes. Scot entreated him to abandon + the pursuit of the Scottish and turn back into Britain. So he eagerly + regained the plunder which he had cunningly sacrificed; and got back his + wealth with the greater ease, that he had so tranquilly let it go. Then + did the British repent of their burden and pay for their covetousness with + their blood. They were sorry to have clutched at greed with insatiate + arms, and ashamed to have hearkened to their own avarice rather than to + the counsel of their king. + </p> + <p> + Then Frode attacked London, the most populous city of Britain; but the + strength of its walls gave him no chance of capturing it. Therefore he + reigned to be dead, and his guile strengthened him. For Daleman, the + governor of London, on hearing the false news of his death, accepted the + surrender of the Danes, offered them a native general, and suffered them + to enter the town, that they might choose him out of a great throng. They + feigned to be making a careful choice, but beset Daleman in a night + surprise and slew him. + </p> + <p> + When he had done these things, and gone back to his own land, one Skat + entertained him at a banquet, desirous to mingle his toilsome warfare with + joyous licence. Frode was lying in his house, in royal fashion, upon + cushions of cloth of gold, and a certain Hunding challenged him to fight. + Then, though he had bent his mind to the joys of wassail, he had more + delight in the prospect of a fray than in the presence of a feast, and + wound up the supper with a duel and the duel with a triumph. In the combat + he received a dangerous wound; but a taunt of Hakon the champion again + roused him, and, slaying his challenger, he took vengeance for the + disturbance of his rest. Two of his chamber-servants were openly convicted + of treachery, and he had them tied to vast stones and drowned in the sea; + thus chastising the weighty guilt of their souls by fastening boulders to + their bodies. Some relate that Ulfhild gave him a coat which no steel + could pierce, so that when he wore it no missile's point could hurt him. + Nor must I omit how Frode was wont to sprinkle his food with brayed and + pounded atoms of gold, as a resource against the usual snares of + poisoners. While he was attacking Ragnar, the King of Sweden, who had been + falsely accused of treachery, he perished, not by the spears, but stifled + in the weight of his arms and by the heat of his own body. + </p> + <p> + Frode left three sons, Halfdan, Ro, and Skat, who were equal in valour, + and were seized with an equal desire for the throne. All thought of sway, + none was constrained by brotherly regard: for love of others forsaketh him + who is eaten up with love of self, nor can any man take thought at once + for his own advancement and for his friendship with others. Halfdan, the + eldest son, disgraced his birth with the sin of slaying his brethren, + winning his kingdom by the murder of his kin; and, to complete his display + of cruelty, arrested their adherents, first confining them in bonds, and + presently hanging them. The most notable thing in the fortunes of Halfdan + was this, that though he devoted every instant of his life to the practice + of cruel deeds, yet he died of old age, and not by the steel. + </p> + <p> + Halfdan's sons were Ro and Helge. Ro is said to have been the founder of + Roskild, which was later increased in population and enhanced in power by + Sweyn, who was famous for the surname Forkbeard. Ro was short and spare, + while Helge was rather tall of stature. Dividing the realm with his + brother, Helge was allotted the domain of the sea; and attacking Skalk, + the King of Sklavia, with his naval force, he slew him. Having reduced + Sklavia into a province, he scoured the various arms of the sea in a + wandering voyage. Savage of temper as Helge was, his cruelty was not + greater than his lust. For he was so immoderately prone to love, that it + was doubtful whether the heat of his tyranny or of his concupiscence was + the greater. In Thorey he ravished the maiden Thora, who bore a daughter, + to whom she afterwards gave the name of Urse. Then he conquered in battle, + before the town of Stad, the son of Syrik, King of Saxony, Hunding, whom + he challenged, attacked, and slew in duel. For this he was called + Hunding's-Bane, and by that name gained glory of his victory. He took + Jutland out of the power of the Saxons, and entrusted its management to + his generals, Heske, Eyr, and Ler. In Saxony he enacted that the slaughter + of a freedman and of a noble should be visited with the same punishment; + as though he wished it to be clearly known that all the households of the + Teutons were held in equal slavery, and that the freedom of all was + tainted and savoured equally of dishonour. + </p> + <p> + Then Helge went freebooting to Thorey. But Thora had not ceased to bewail + her lost virginity, and planned a shameful device in abominable vengeance + for her rape. For she deliberately sent down to the beach her daughter, + who was of marriageable age, and prompted her father to deflower her. And + though she yielded her body to the treacherous lures of delight, yet she + must not be thought to have abjured her integrity of soul, inasmuch as her + fault had a ready excuse by virtue of her ignorance. Insensate mother, who + allowed the forfeiture of her child's chastity in order to avenge her own; + caring nought for the purity of her own blood, so she might stain with + incest the man who had cost her her own maidenhood at first! + Infamous-hearted woman, who, to punish her defiler, measured out as it + were a second defilement to herself, whereas she clearly by the selfsame + act rather swelled than lessened the transgression! Surely, by the very + act wherewith she thought to reach her revenge, she accumulated guilt; she + added a sin in trying to remove a crime: she played the stepdame to her + own offspring, not sparing her daughter abomination in order to atone for + her own disgrace. Doubtless her soul was brimming over with shamelessness, + since she swerved so far from shamefastness, as without a blush to seek + solace for her wrong in her daughter's infamy. A great crime, with but one + atonement; namely, that the guilt of this intercourse was wiped away by a + fortunate progeny, its fruits being as delightful as its repute was evil. + </p> + <p> + ROLF, the son of Urse, retrieved the shame of his birth by signal deeds of + valour; and their exceeding lustre is honoured with bright laudation by + the memory of all succeeding time. For lamentation sometimes ends in + laughter, and foul beginnings pass to fair issues. So that the father's + fault, though criminal, was fortunate, being afterwards atoned for by a + son of such marvellous splendour. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Ragnar died in Sweden; and Swanhwid his wife passed away soon + after of a malady which she had taken from her sorrow, following in death + the husband from whom she had not endured severance in life. For it often + happens that some people desire to follow out of life those whom they + loved exceedingly when alive. Their son Hothbrodd succeeded them. Fain to + extend his empire, he warred upon the East, and after a huge massacre of + many peoples begat two sons, Athisl and Hother, and appointed as their + tutor a certain Gewar, who was bound to him by great services. Not content + with conquering the East, he assailed Denmark, challenged its king, Ro, in + three battles, and slew him. Helge, when he heard this, shut up his son + Rolf in Leire, wishing, however he might have managed his own fortunes, to + see to the safety of his heir. When Hothbrodd sent in governors, wanting + to free his country from alien rule, he posted his people about the city + and prevailed and slew them. Also he annihilated Hothbrodd himself and all + his forces in a naval battle; so avenging fully the wrongs of his country + as well as of his brother. Hence he who had before won a nickname for + slaying Hunding, now bore a surname for the slaughter of Hothbrodd. + Besides, as if the Swedes had not been enough stricken in the battles, he + punished them by stipulating for most humiliating terms; providing by law + that no wrong done to any of them should receive amends according to the + form of legal covenants. After these deeds, ashamed of his former infamy, + he hated his country and his home, went back to the East, and there died. + Some think that he was affected by the disgrace which was cast in his + teeth, and did himself to death by falling upon his drawn sword. + </p> + <p> + He was succeeded by his son Rolf, who was comely with every gift of mind + and body, and graced his mighty stature with as high a courage. In his + time Sweden was subject to the sway of the Danes; wherefore Athisl, the + son of Hothbrodd, in pursuit of a crafty design to set his country free, + contrived to marry Rolf's mother, Urse, thinking that his kinship by + marriage would plead for him, and enable him to prompt his stepson more + effectually to relax the tribute; and fortune prospered his wishes. But + Athisl had from his boyhood been imbued with a hatred of liberality, and + was so grasping of money, that he accounted it a disgrace to be called + openhanded. Urse, seeing him so steeped in filthy covetousness, desired to + be rid of him; but, thinking that she must act by cunning, veiled the + shape of her guile with a marvellous skill. Feigning to be unmotherly, she + spurred on her husband to grasp his freedom, and urged and tempted him to + insurrection; causing her son to be summoned to Sweden with a promise of + vast gifts. For she thought that she would best gain her desire if, as + soon as her son had got his stepfather's gold, she could snatch up the + royal treasures and flee, robbing her husband of bed and money to hoot. + For she fancied that the best way to chastise his covetousness would be to + steal away his wealth. This deep guilefulness was hard to detect, from + such recesses of cunning did it spring; because she dissembled her longing + for a change of wedlock under a show of aspiration for freedom. + Blind-witted husband, fancying the mother kindled against the life of the + son, never seeing that it was rather his own ruin being compassed! Doltish + lord, blind to the obstinate scheming of his wife, who, out of pretended + hatred of her son, devised opportunity for change of wedlock! Though the + heart of woman should never be trusted, he believed in a woman all the + more insensately, because he supposed her faithful to himself and + treacherous to her son. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, Rolf, tempted by the greatness of the gifts, chanced to enter + the house of Athisl. He was not recognised by his mother owing to his long + absence and the cessation of their common life; so in jest he first asked + for some victual to appease his hunger. She advised him to ask the king + for a luncheon. Then he thrust out a torn piece of his coat, and begged of + her the service of sewing it up. Finding his mother's ears shut to him, he + observed, "That it was hard to discover a friendship that was firm and + true, when a mother refused her son a meal, and a sister refused a brother + the help of her needle." Thus he punished his mother's error, and made her + blush deep for her refusal of kindness. Athisl, when he saw him reclining + close to his mother at the banquet, taunted them both with wantonness, + declaring that it was an impure intercourse of brother and sister. Rolf + repelled the charge against his honour by an appeal to the closest of + natural bonds, and answered, that it was honourable for a son to embrace a + beloved mother. Also, when the feasters asked him what kind of courage he + set above all others, he named Endurance. When they also asked Athisl, + what was the virtue which above all he desired most devotedly, he + declared, Generosity. Proofs were therefore demanded of bravery on the one + hand and munificence on the other, and Rolf was asked to give an evidence + of courage first. He was placed to the fire, and defending with his target + the side that was most hotly assailed, had only the firmness of his + endurance to fortify the other, which had no defence. How dexterous, to + borrow from his shield protection to assuage the heat, and to guard his + body, which was exposed to the flames, with that which sometime sheltered + it amid the hurtling spears! But the glow was hotter than the fire of + spears; as though it could not storm the side that was entrenched by the + shield, yet it assaulted the flank that lacked its protection. But a + waiting-maid who happened to be standing near the hearth, saw that he was + being roasted by the unbearable heat upon his ribs; so taking the stopper + out of a cask, she spilt the liquid and quenched the flame, and by the + timely kindness of the shower checked in its career the torturing blaze. + Rolf was lauded for supreme endurance, and then came the request for + Athisl's gifts. And they say that he showered treasures on his stepson, + and at last, in order to crown the gift, bestowed on him an enormously + heavy necklace. + </p> + <p> + Now Urse, who had watched her chance for the deed of guile, on the third + day of the banquet, without her husband ever dreaming of such a thing, put + all the king's wealth into carriages, and going out stealthily, stole away + from her own dwelling and fled in the glimmering twilight, departing with + her son. Thrilled with fear of her husband's pursuit, and utterly + despairing of escape beyond, she begged and bade her companions to cast + away the money, declaring that they must lose either life or riches; the + short and only path to safety lay in flinging away the treasure, nor could + any aid to escape be found save in the loss of their possessions. + Therefore, said she, they must follow the example of the manner in which + Frode was said to have saved himself among the Britons. She added, that it + was not paying a great price to lay down the Swedes' own goods for them to + regain; if only they could themselves gain a start in flight, by the very + device which would check the others in their pursuit, and if they seemed + not so much to abandon their own possessions as to restore those of other + men. Not a moment was lost; in order to make the flight swifter, they did + the bidding of the queen. The gold is cleared from their purses; the + riches are left for the enemy to seize. Some declare that Urse kept back + the money, and strewed the tracks of her flight with copper that was gilt + over. For it was thought credible that a woman who could scheme such great + deeds could also have painted with lying lustre the metal that was meant + to be lost, mimicking riches of true worth with the sheen of spurious + gold. So Athisl, when he saw the necklace that he had given to Rolf left + among the other golden ornaments, gazed fixedly upon the dearest treasure + of his avarice, and, in order to pick up the plunder, glued his knees to + the earth and deigned to stoop his royalty unto greed. Rolf, seeing him + lie abjectly on his face in order to gather up the money, smiled at the + sight of a man prostrated by his own gifts, just as if he were seeking + covetously to regain what he had craftily yielded up. The Swedes were + content with their booty, and Rolf quickly retired to his ships, and + managed to escape by rowing violently. + </p> + <p> + Now they relate that Rolf used with ready generosity to grant at the first + entreaty whatsoever he was begged to bestow, and never put off the request + till the second time of asking. For he preferred to forestall repeated + supplication by speedy liberality, rather than mar his kindness by delay. + This habit brought him a great concourse of champions; valour having + commonly either rewards for its food or glory for its spur. + </p> + <p> + At this time, a certain Agnar, son of Ingild, being about to wed Rute, the + sister of Rolf, celebrated his bridal with a great banquet. The champions + were rioting at this banquet with every sort of wantonness, and flinging + from all over the room knobbed bones at a certain Hjalte; but it chanced + that his messmate, named Bjarke, received a violent blow on the head + through the ill aim of the thrower; at whom, stung both by the pain and + the jeering, he sent the bone back, so that he twisted the front of his + head to the back, and wrung the back of it to where the front had been; + punishing the wryness of the man's temper by turning his face sidelong. + This deed moderated their wanton and injurious jests, and drove the + champions to quit the place. The bridegroom, nettled at this affront to + the banquet, resolved to fight Bjarke, in order to seek vengeance by means + of a duel for the interruption of their mirth. At the outset of the duel + there was a long dispute, which of them ought to have the chance of + striking first. For of old, in the ordering of combats, men did not try to + exchange their blows thick and fast; but there was a pause, and at the + same time a definite succession in striking: the contest being carried on + with few strokes, but those terrible, so that honour was paid more to the + mightiness than to the number of the blows. Agnar, being of higher rank, + was put first; and the blow which he dealt is said to have been so + furious, that he cut through the front of the helmet, wounded the skin on + the scalp, and had to let go his sword, which became locked in the + vizor-holes. Then Bjarke, who was to deal the return-stroke, leaned his + foot against a stock, in order to give the freer poise to his steel, and + passed his fine-edged blade through the midst of Agnar's body. Some + declare that Agnar, in supreme suppression of his pain, gave up the ghost + with his lips relaxed into a smile. The champions passionately sought to + avenge him, but were visited by Bjarke with like destruction; for he used + a sword of wonderful sharpness and unusual length which he called Lovi. + While he was triumphing in these deeds of prowess, a beast of the forest + furnished him fresh laurels. For he met a huge bear in a thicket, and slew + it with a javelin; and then bade his companion Hjalte put his lips to the + beast and drink the blood that came out, that he might be the stronger + afterwards. For it was believed that a draught of this sort caused an + increase of bodily strength. By these valorous achievements he became + intimate with the most illustrious nobles, and even, became a favourite of + the king; took to wife his sister Rute, and had the bride of the conquered + as the prize of the conquest. When Rolf was harried by Athisl he avenged + himself on him in battle and overthrew Athisl in war. Then Rolf gave his + sister Skulde in marriage to a youth of keen wit, called Hiartuar, and + made him governor of Sweden, ordaining a yearly tax; wishing to soften the + loss of freedom to him by the favour of an alliance with himself. + </p> + <p> + Here let me put into my work a thing that it is mirthful to record. A + youth named Wigg, scanning with attentive eye the bodily size of Rolf, and + smitten with great wonder thereat, proceeded to inquire in jest who was + that "Krage" whom Nature in her beauty had endowed with such towering + stature? Meaning humorously to banter his uncommon tallness. For "Krage" + in the Danish tongue means a tree-trunk, whose branches are pollarded, and + whose summit is climbed in such wise that the foot uses the lopped timbers + as supports, as if leaning on a ladder, and, gradually advancing to the + higher parts, finds the shortest way to the top. Rolf accepted this random + word as though it were a name of honour for him, and rewarded the wit of + the saying with a heavy bracelet. Then Wigg, thrusting out his right arm + decked with the bracelet, put his left behind his back in affected shame, + and walked with a ludicrous gait, declaring that he, whose lot had so long + been poverty-stricken, was glad of a scanty gift. When he was asked why he + was behaving so, he said that the arm which lacked ornament and had no + splendour to boast of was mantling with the modest blush of poverty to + behold the other. The ingenuity of this saying won him a present to match + the first. For Rolf made him bring out to view, like the other, the hand + which he was hiding. Nor was Wigg heedless to repay the kindness; for he + promised, uttering a strict vow, that, if it befell Rolf to perish by the + sword, he would himself take vengeance on his slayers. Nor should it be + omitted that in old time nobles who were entering. The court used to + devote to their rulers the first-fruits of their service by vowing some + mighty exploit; thus bravely inaugurating their first campaign. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Skulde was stung with humiliation at the payment of the tribute, + and bent her mind to devise deeds of horror. Taunting her husband with his + ignominious estate, she urged and egged him to break off his servitude, + induced him to weave plots against Rolf, and filled his mind with the most + abominable plans of disloyalty, declaring that everyone owed more to their + freedom than to kinship. Accordingly, she ordered huge piles of arms to be + muffled up under divers coverings, to be carried by Hiartuar into Denmark, + as if they were tribute: these would furnish a store wherewith to slay the + king by night. So the vessels were loaded with the mass of pretended + tribute, and they proceeded to Leire, a town which Rolf had built and + adorned with the richest treasure of his realm, and which, being a royal + foundation and a royal seat, surpassed in importance all the cities of the + neighbouring districts. The king welcomed the coming of Hiartuar with a + splendid banquet, and drank very deep, while his guests, contrary to their + custom, shunned immoderate tippling. So, while all the others were + sleeping soundly, the Swedes, who had been kept from their ordinary rest + by their eagerness on their guilty purpose, began furtively to slip down + from their sleeping-rooms. Straightway uncovering the hidden heap of + weapons, each girded on his arms silently and then went to the palace. + Bursting into its recesses, they drew their swords upon the sleeping + figures. Many awoke; but, invaded as much by the sudden and dreadful + carnage as by the drowsiness of sleep, they faltered in their resistance; + for the night misled them and made it doubtful whether those they met were + friends or foes. Hjalte, who was foremost in tried bravery among the + nobles of the king, chanced to have gone out in the dead of that same + night into the country and given himself to the embraces of a harlot. But + when his torpid hearing caught from afar the rising din of battle, + preferring valour to wantonness, he chose rather to seek the deadly perils + of the War-god than to yield to the soft allurements of Love. What a love + for his king, must we suppose, burned in this warrior! For he might have + excused his absence by feigning not to have known; but he thought it + better to expose his life to manifest danger than save it for pleasure. As + he went away, his mistress asked him how aged a man she ought to marry if + she were to lose him? Then Hjalte bade her come closer, as though he would + speak to her more privately; and, resenting that she needed a successor to + his love, he cut off her nose and made her unsightly, punishing the + utterance of that wanton question with a shameful wound, and thinking that + the lecherousness of her soul ought to be cooled by outrage to her face. + When he had done this, he said he left her choice free in the matter she + had asked about. Then he went quickly back to the town and plunged into + the densest of the fray, mowing down the opposing ranks as he gave blow + for blow. Passing the sleeping-room of Bjarke, who was still slumbering, + he bade him wake up, addressing him as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Let him awake speedily, whoso showeth himself by service or avoweth + himself in mere loyalty, a friend of the king! Let the princes shake off + slumber, let shameless lethargy begone; let their spirits awake and warm + to the work; each man's own right hand shall either give him to glory, or + steep him in sluggard shame; and this night shall be either end or + vengeance of our woes. + </p> + <p> + "I do not now bid ye learn the sports of maidens, nor stroke soft cheeks, + nor give sweet kisses to the bride and press the slender breasts, nor + desire the flowing wine and chafe the soft thigh and cast eyes upon snowy + arms. I call you out to the sterner fray of War. We need the battle, and + not light love; nerveless languor has no business here: our need calls for + battles. Whoso cherishes friendship for the king, let him take up arms. + Prowess in war is the readiest appraiser of men's spirits. Therefore let + warriors have no fearfulness and the brave no fickleness: let pleasure + quit their soul and yield place to arms. Glory is now appointed for wages; + each can be the arbiter of his own renown, and shine by his own right + hand. Let nought here be tricked out with wantonness: let all be full of + sternness, and learn how to rid them of this calamity. He who covets the + honours or prizes of glory must not be faint with craven fear, but go + forth to meet the brave, nor whiten at the cold steel." + </p> + <p> + At this utterance, Bjarke, awakened, roused up his chamber-page Skalk + speedily, and addressed him as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Up, lad, and fan the fire with constant blowing; sweep the hearth clear + of wood, and scatter the fine ashes. Strike out sparks from the fire, + rouse the fallen embers, draw out the smothered blaze. Force the + slackening hearth to yield light by kindling the coals to a red glow with + a burning log. It will do me good to stretch out my fingers when the fire + is brought nigh. Surely he that takes heed for his friend should have warm + hands, and utterly drive away the blue and hurtful chill." + </p> + <p> + Hjalte said again: "Sweet is it to repay the gifts received from our lord, + to grip the swords, and devote the steel to glory. Behold, each man's + courage tells him loyally to follow a king of such deserts, and to guard + our captain with fitting earnestness. Let the Teuton swords, the helmets, + the shining armlets, the mail-coats that reach the heel, which Rolf of old + bestowed upon his men, let these sharpen our mindful hearts to the fray. + The time requires, and it is just, that in time of war we should earn + whatsoever we have gotten in the deep idleness of peace, that we should + not think more of joyous courses than of sorrowful fortunes, or always + prefer prosperity to hardship. Being noble, let us with even soul accept + either lot, nor let fortune sway our behaviour, for it beseems us to + receive equably difficult and delightsome days; let us pass the years of + sorrow with the same countenance wherewith we took the years of joy. Let + us do with brave hearts all the things that in our cups we boasted with + sodden lips; let us keep the vows which we swore by highest Jove and the + mighty gods. My master is the greatest of the Danes: let each man, as he + is valorous, stand by him; far, far hence be all cowards! We need a brave + and steadfast man, not one that turns his back on a dangerous pass, or + dreads the grim preparations for battle. Often a general's greatest valour + depends on his soldiery, for the chief enters the fray all the more at + ease that a better array of nobles throngs him round. Let the thane catch + up his arms with fighting fingers, setting his right hand on the hilt and + holding fast the shield: let him charge upon the foes, nor pale at any + strokes. Let none offer himself to be smitten by the enemy behind, let + none receive the swords in his back: let the battling breast ever front + the blow. `Eagles fight brow foremost', and with swift gaping beaks speed + onward in the front: be ye like that bird in mien, shrinking from no + stroke, but with body facing the foe. + </p> + <p> + "See how the enemy, furious and confident overduly, his limbs defended by + the steel, and his face with a gilded helmet, charges the thick of the + battle-wedges, as though sure of victory, fearless of rout and invincible + by any endeavour. Ah, misery! Swedish assurance spurns the Danes. Behold, + the Goths with savage eyes and grim aspect advance with crested helms and + clanging spears: wreaking heavy slaughter in our blood, they wield their + swords and their battle-axes hone-sharpened. + </p> + <p> + "Why name thee, Hiartuar, whom Skulde hath filled with guilty purpose, and + hath suffered thus to harden in sin? Why sing of thee, villain, who hast + caused our peril, betrayer of a noble king? Furious lust of sway hath + driven thee to attempt an abomination, and, stung with frenzy, to screen + thyself behind thy wife's everlasting guilt. What error hath made thee to + hurt the Danes and thy lord, and hurled thee into such foul crime as this? + Whence entered thy heart the treason framed with such careful guile? + </p> + <p> + "Why do I linger? Now we have swallowed our last morsel. Our king + perishes, and utter doom overtakes our hapless city. Our last dawn has + risen, unless perchance there be one here so soft that he fears to offer + himself to the blows, or so unwarlike that he dares not avenge his lord, + and disowns all honours worthy of his valour. + </p> + <p> + "Thou, Ruta, rise and put forth thy snow-white head, come forth from thy + hiding into the battle. The carnage that is being done without calls thee. + By now the council-chamber is shaken with warfare, and the gates creak + with the dreadful fray. Steel rends the mail-coats, the woven mesh is torn + apart, and the midriff gives under the rain of spears. By now the huge + axes have hacked small the shield of the king; by now the long swords + clash, and the battle-axe clatters its blows upon the shoulders of men, + and cleaves their breasts. Why are your hearts afraid? Why is your sword + faint and blunted? The gate is cleared of our people, and is filled with + the press of the strangers." + </p> + <p> + And when Hjalte had wrought very great carnage and stained the battle with + blood, he stumbled for the third time on Bjarke's berth, and thinking he + desired to keep quiet because he was afraid, made trial of him with such + taunts at his cowardice as these: + </p> + <p> + "Bjarke, why art thou absent? Doth deep sleep hold thee? I prithee, what + makes thee tarry? Come out, or the fire will overcome thee. Ho! Choose the + better way, charge with me! Bears may be kept off with fire; let us spread + fire in the recesses, and let the blaze attack the door-posts first. Let + the firebrand fall upon the bedchamber, let the falling roof offer fuel + for the flames and serve to feed the fire. It is right to scatter + conflagration on the doomed gates. But let us who honour our king with + better loyalty form the firm battle-wedges, and, having measured the + phalanx in safe rows, go forth in the way the king taught us: our king, + who laid low Rorik, the son of Bok the covetous, and wrapped the coward in + death. He was rich in wealth, but in enjoyment poor, stronger in gain than + bravery; and thinking gold better than warfare, he set lucre above all + things, and ingloriously accumulated piles of treasure, scorning the + service of noble friends. And when he was attacked by the navy of Rolf, he + bade his servants take the gold from the chests and spread it out in front + of the city gates, making ready bribes rather than battle, because he knew + not the soldier, and thought that the foe should be attempted with gifts + and not with arms: as though he could fight with wealth alone, and prolong + the war by using, not men, but wares! So he undid the heavy coffers and + the rich chests; he brought forth the polished bracelets and the heavy + caskets; they only fed his destruction. Rich in treasure, poor in + warriors, he left his foes to take away the prizes which he forebore to + give to the friends of his own land. He who once shrank to give little + rings of his own will, now unwillingly squandered his masses of wealth, + rifling his hoarded heap. But our king in his wisdom spurned him and the + gifts he proffered, and took from him life and goods at once; nor was his + foe profited by the useless wealth which he had greedily heaped up through + long years. But Rolf the righteous assailed him, slew him, and captured + his vast wealth, and shared among worthy friends what the hand of avarice + had piled up in all those years; and, bursting into the camp which was + wealthy but not brave, gave his friends a lordly booty without bloodshed. + Nothing was so fair to him that he would not lavish it, or so dear that he + would not give it to his friends, for he used treasure like ashes, and + measured his years by glory and not by gain. Whence it is plain that the + king who hath died nobly lived also most nobly, that the hour of his doom + is beautiful, and that he graced the years of his life with manliness. For + while he lived his glowing valour prevailed over all things, and he was + allotted might worthy of his lofty stature. He was as swift to war as a + torrent tearing down to sea, and as speedy to begin battle as a stag is to + fly with cleft foot upon his fleet way. + </p> + <p> + "See now, among the pools dripping with human blood, the teeth struck out + of the slain are carried on by the full torrent of gore, and are polished + on the rough sands. Dashed on the slime they glitter, and the torrent of + blood bears along splintered bones and flows above lopped limbs. The blood + of the Danes is wet, and the gory flow stagnates far around, and the + stream pressed out of the steaming veins rolls back the scattered bodies. + Tirelessly against the Danes advances Hiartuar, lover of battle, and + challenges the fighters with outstretched spear. Yet here, amid the + dangers and dooms of war, I see Frode's grandson smiling joyously, who + once sowed the fields of Fyriswald with gold. Let us also be exalted with + an honourable show of joy, following in death the doom of our noble + father. Be we therefore cheery in voice and bold in daring; for it is + right to spurn all fear with words of courage, and to meet our death in + deeds of glory. Let fear quit heart and face; in both let us avow our + dauntless endeavours, that no sign anywhere may show us to betray + faltering fear. Let our drawn sword measure the weight of our service. Fame + follows us in death, and glory shall outlive our crumbling ashes! And that + which perfect valour hath achieved during its span shall not fade for ever + and ever. What want we with closed floors? Why doth the locked bolt close + the folding-gates? For it is now the third cry, Bjarke, that calls thee, + and bids thee come forth from the barred room." + </p> + <p> + Bjarke rejoined: "Warlike Hjalte, why dost thou call me so loud? I am the + son-in-law of Rolf. He who boasts loud and with big words challenges other + men to battle, is bound to be venturous and act up to his words, that his + deed may avouch his vaunt. But stay till I am armed and have girded on the + dread attire of war. + </p> + <p> + "And now I tie my sword to my side, now first I get my body guarded with + mail-coat and headpiece, the helm keeping my brows and the stout iron + shrouding my breast. None shrinks more than I from being burnt a prisoner + inside, and made a pyre together with my own house: though an island + brought me forth, and though the land of my birth be bounded, I shall hold + it a debt to repay to the king the twelve kindreds which he added to my + honours. Hearken, warriors! Let none robe in mail his body that shall + perish; let him last of all draw tight the woven steel; let the shields go + behind the back; let us fight with bared breasts, and load all your arms + with gold. Let your right hands receive the bracelets, that they may swing + their blows the more heavily and plant the grievous wound. Let none fall + back! Let each zealously strive to meet the swords of the enemy and the + threatening spears, that we may avenge our beloved master. Happy beyond + all things is he who can mete out revenge for such a crime, and with + righteous steel punish the guilt of treacheries. + </p> + <p> + "Lo, methinks I surely pierced a wild stag with the Teutonic sword which + is called Snyrtir: from which I won the name of Warrior, when I felled + Agnar, son of Ingild, and brought the trophy home. He shattered and broke + with the bite the sword Hoding which smote upon my head, and would have + dealt worse wounds if the edge of his blade had held out better. In return + I clove asunder his left arm and part of his left side and his right foot, + and the piercing steel ran down his limbs and smote deep into his ribs. By + Hercules! No man ever seemed to me stronger than he. For he sank down + half-conscious, and, leaning on his elbow, welcomed death with a smile, + and spurned destruction with a laugh, and passed rejoicing in the world of + Elysium. Mighty was the man's courage, which knew how with one laugh to + cover his death-hour, and with a joyous face to suppress utter anguish of + mind and body! + </p> + <p> + "Now also with the same blade I searched the heart of one sprung from an + illustrious line, and plunged the steel deep in his breast. He was a + king's son, of illustrious ancestry, of a noble nature, and shone with the + brightness of youth. The mailed metal could not avail him, nor his sword, + nor the smooth target-boss; so keen was the force of my steel, it knew not + how to be stayed by obstacles. + </p> + <p> + "Where, then, are the captains of the Goths, and the soldiery of Hiartuar? + Let them come, and pay for their might with their life-blood. Who can + cast, who whirl the lance, save scions of kings? War springs from the + nobly born: famous pedigrees are the makers of war. For the perilous deeds + which chiefs attempt are not to be done by the ventures of common men. + Renowned nobles are passing away. Lo! Greatest Rolf, thy great ones have + fallen, thy holy line is vanishing. No dim and lowly race, no low-born + dead, no base souls are Pluto's prey, but he weaves the dooms of the + mighty, and fills Phlegethon with noble shapes. + </p> + <p> + "I do not remember any combat wherein swords were crossed in turn and blow + dealt out for blow more speedily. I take three for each I give; thus do + the Goths requite the wounds I deal them, and thus doth the stronger hand + of the enemy avenge with heaped interest the punishment that they receive. + Yet singly in battle I have given over the bodies of so many men to the + pyre of destruction, that a mound like a hill could grow up and be raised + out of their lopped limbs, and the piles of carcases would look like a + burial-barrow. And now what doeth he, who but now bade me come forth, + vaunting himself with mighty praise, and chafing others with his arrogant + words, and scattering harsh taunts, as though in his one body he enclosed + twelve lives?" + </p> + <p> + Hjalte answered: "Though I have but scant help, I am not far off. Even + here, where I stand, there is need of aid, and nowhere is a force or a + chosen band of warriors ready for battle wanted more. Already the hard + edges and the spear-points have cleft my shield in splinters, and the + ravening steel has rent and devoured its portions bit by bit in the + battle. The first of these things testifies to and avows itself. Seeing is + better than telling, eyesight faithfuller than hearing. For of the broken + shield only the fastenings remain, and the boss, pierced and broken in its + circle, is all left me. And now, Bjarke, thou art strong, though thou hast + come forth more tardily than was right, and thou retrievest by bravery the + loss caused by thy loitering." + </p> + <p> + But Bjarke said: "Art thou not yet weary of girding at me and goading me + with taunts? Many things often cause delay. The reason why I tarried was + the sword in my path, which the Swedish foe whirled against my breast with + mighty effort. Nor did the guider of the hilt drive home the sword with + little might; for though the body was armed he smote it as far as one may + when it is bare or defenceless; he pierced the armour of hard steel like + yielding waters; nor could the rough, heavy breastplate give me any help. + </p> + <p> + "But where now is he that is commonly called Odin, the mighty in battle, + content ever with a single eye? If thou see him anywhere, Rute, tell me." + </p> + <p> + Rute replied: "Bring thine eye closer and look under my arm akimbo: thou + must first hallow thine eyes with the victorious sign, if thou wilt safely + know the War-god face to face." + </p> + <p> + Then said Bjarke: "If I may look on the awful husband of Frigg, howsoever + he be covered with his white shield, and guide his tall steed, he shall in + no wise go safe out of Leire; it is lawful to lay low in war the + war-waging god. Let a noble death come to those that fall before the eyes + of their king. While life lasts, let us strive for the power to die + honourably and to reap a noble end by our deeds. I will die overpowered + near the head of my slain captain, and at his feet thou also shalt slip on + thy face in death, so that whoso scans the piled corpses may see in what + wise we rate the gold our lord gave us. We shall be the prey of ravens and + a morsel for hungry eagles, and the ravening bird shall feast on the + banquet of our body. Thus should fall princes dauntless in war, clasping + their famous king in a common death." + </p> + <p> + I have composed this particular series of harangues in metrical shape, + because the gist of the same thoughts is found arranged in a short form in + a certain ancient Danish song, which is repeated by heart by many + conversant with antiquity. + </p> + <p> + Now, it came to pass that the Goths gained the victory and all the array + of Rolf fell, no man save Wigg remaining out of all those warriors. For + the soldiers of the king paid this homage to his noble virtues in that + battle, that his slaying inspired in all the longing to meet their end, + and union with him in death was accounted sweeter than life. + </p> + <p> + HIARTUAR rejoiced, and had the tables spread for feasting, bidding the + banquet come after the battle, and fain to honour his triumph with a + carouse. And when he was well filled therewith, he said that it was matter + of great marvel to him, that out of all the army of Rolf no man had been + found to take thought for his life by flight or fraud. Hence, he said, it + had been manifest with what zealous loyalty they had kept their love for + their king, because they had not endured to survive him. He also blamed + his ill fortune, because it had not suffered the homage of a single one of + them to be left for himself: protesting that he would very willingly + accept the service of such men. Then Wigg came forth, and Hiartuar, as + though he were congratulating him on the gift, asked him if he were + willing to fight for him. Wigg assenting, he drew and proferred him a + sword. But Wigg refused the point, and asked for the hilt, saying first + that this had been Rolf's custom when he handed forth a sword to his + soldiers. For in old time those who were about to put themselves in + dependence on the king used to promise fealty by touching the hilt of the + sword. And in this wise Wigg clasped the hilt, and then drove the point + through Hiartuar; thus gaining the vengeance which he had promised Rolf to + accomplish for him. When he had done this, and the soldiers of Hiartuar + rushed at him, he exposed his body to them eagerly and exultantly, + shouting that he felt more joy in the slaughter of the tyrant than + bitterness at his own. Thus the feast was turned into a funeral, and the + wailing of burial followed the joy of victory. Glorious, ever memorable + hero, who valiantly kept his vow, and voluntarily courted death, staining + with blood by his service the tables of the despot! For the lively valour + of his spirit feared not the hands of the slaughterers, when he had once + beheld the place where Rolf had been wont to live bespattered with the + blood of his slayer. Thus the royalty of Hiartuar was won and ended on the + same day. For whatsoever is gotten with guile melts away in like fashion + as it is sought, and no fruits are long-lasting that have been won by + treachery and crime. Hence it came to pass that the Swedes, who had a + little before been the possessors of Denmark, came to lose even their own + liberty. For they were straightway cut off by the Zealanders, and paid + righteous atonement to the injured shades of Rolf. In this way does stern + fortune commonly avenge the works of craft and cunning. + </p> + <p> + <a name="book3" id="book3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK THREE. + </h2> + <p> + After Hiartuar, HOTHER, whom I mentioned above, the brother of Athisl, and + also the fosterling of King Gewar, became sovereign of both realms. It + will be easier to relate his times if I begin with the beginning of his + life. For if the earlier years of his career are not doomed to silence, + the latter ones can be more fully and fairly narrated. + </p> + <p> + When Helgi had slain Hodbrodd, his son Hother passed the length of his + boyhood under the tutelage of King Gewar. While a stripling, he excelled + in strength of body all his foster-brethren and compeers. Moreover, he was + gifted with many accomplishments of mind. He was very skilled in swimming + and archery, and also with the gloves; and further was as nimble as such a + youth could be, his training being equal to his strength. Though his years + were unripe, his richly-dowered spirit surpassed them. None was more + skilful on lyre or harp; and he was cunning on the timbrel, on the lute, + and in every modulation of string instruments. With his changing measures + he could sway the feelings of men to what passions he would; he knew how + to fill human hearts with joy or sadness, with pity or with hatred, and + used to enwrap the soul with the delight or terror of the ear. All these + accomplishments of the youth pleased Nanna, the daughter of Gewar, + mightily, and she began to seek his embraces. For the valour of a youth + will often kindle a maid, and the courage of those whose looks are not so + winning is often acceptable. For love hath many avenues; the path of + pleasure is opened to some by grace, to others by bravery of soul, and to + some by skill in accomplishments. Courtesy brings to some stores of Love, + while most are commended by brightness of beauty. Nor do the brave inflict + a shallower wound on maidens than the comely. + </p> + <p> + Now it befell that Balder the son of Odin was troubled at the sight of + Nanna bathing, and was seized with boundless love. He was kindled by her + fair and lustrous body, and his heart was set on fire by her manifest + beauty; for nothing exciteth passion like comeliness. Therefore he + resolved to slay with the sword Hother, who, he feared, was likeliest to + baulk his wishes; so that his love, which brooked no postponement, might + not be delayed in the enjoyment of its desire by any obstacle. + </p> + <p> + About this time Hother chanced, while hunting, to be led astray by a mist, + and he came on a certain lodge in which were wood-maidens; and when they + greeted him by his own name, he asked who they were. They declared that it + was their guidance and government that mainly determined the fortunes of + war. For they often invisibly took part in battles, and by their secret + assistance won for their friends the coveted victories. They averted, + indeed, that they could win triumphs and inflict defeats as they would; + and further told him how Balder had seen his foster-sister Nanna while she + bathed, and been kindled with passion for her; but counselled Hother not + to attack him in war, worthy as he was of his deadliest hate, for they + declared that Balder was a demigod, sprung secretly from celestial seed. + When Hother had heard this, the place melted away and left him + shelterless, and he found himself standing in the open and out in the + midst of the fields, without a vestige of shade. Most of all he marvelled + at the swift flight of the maidens, the shifting of the place, and the + delusive semblance of the building. For he knew not that all that had + passed around him had been a mere mockery and an unreal trick of the arts + of magic. + </p> + <p> + Returning thence, he related to Gewar the mystification that had followed + on his straying, and straightway asked him for his daughter. Gewar + answered that he would most gladly favour him, but that he feared if he + rejected Balder he would incur his wrath; for Balder, he said, had + proffered him a like request. For he said that the sacred strength of + Balder's body was proof even against steel; adding, however, that he knew + of a sword which could deal him his death, which was fastened up in the + closest bonds; this was in the keeping of Miming, the Satyr of the woods, + who also had a bracelet of a secret and marvellous virtue, that used to + increase the wealth of the owner. Moreover, the way to these regions was + impassable and filled with obstacles, and therefore hard for mortal men to + travel. For the greater part of the road was perpetually beset with + extraordinary cold. So he advised him to harness a car with reindeer, by + means of whose great speed he could cross the hard-frozen ridges. And when + he had got to the place, he should set up his tent away from the sun in + such wise that it should catch the shadow of the cave where Miming was + wont to be; while he should not in return cast a shade upon Miming, so + that no unaccustomed darkness might be thrown and prevent the Satyr from + going out. Thus both the bracelet and the sword would be ready to his + hand, one being attended by fortune in wealth and the other by fortune in + war, and each of them thus bringing a great prize to the owner. Thus much + said Gewar; and Hother was not slow to carry out his instructions. + Planting his tent in the manner aforesaid, he passed the nights in + anxieties and the days in hunting. But through either season he remained + very wakeful and sleepless, allotting the divisions of night and day so as + to devote the one to reflection on events, and to spend the other in + providing food for his body. Once as he watched all night, his spirit was + drooping and dazed with anxiety, when the Satyr cast a shadow on his tent. + Aiming a spear at him, he brought him down with the blow, stopped him, and + bound him, while he could not make his escape. Then in the most dreadful + words he threatened him with the worst, and demanded the sword and + bracelets. The Satyr was not slow to tender him the ransom of his life for + which he was asked. So surely do all prize life beyond wealth; for nothing + is ever cherished more among mortals than the breath of their own life. + Hother, exulting in the treasure he had gained, went home enriched with + trophies which, though few, were noble. + </p> + <p> + When Gelder, the King of Saxony, heard that Hother had gained these + things, he kept constantly urging his soldiers to go and carry off such + glorious booty; and the warriors speedily equipped a fleet in obedience to + their king. Gewar, being very learned in divining and an expert in the + knowledge of omens, foresaw this; and summoning Hother, told him, when + Gelder should join battle with him, to receive his spears with patience, + and not let his own fly until he saw the enemy's missiles exhausted; and + further, to bring up the curved scythes wherewith the vessels could be + rent and the helmets and shields plucked from the soldiers. Hother + followed his advice and found its result fortunate. For he bade his men, + when Gelder began to charge, to stand their ground and defend their bodies + with their shields, affirming that the victory in that battle must be won + by patience. But the enemy nowhere kept back their missiles, spending them + all in their extreme eagerness to fight; and the more patiently they found + Hother bear himself in his reception of their spears and lances, the more + furiously they began to hurl them. Some of these stuck in the shields and + some in the ships, and few were the wounds they inflicted; many of them + were seen to be shaken off idly and to do no hurt. For the soldiers of + Hother performed the bidding of their king, and kept off the attack of the + spears by a penthouse of interlocked shields; while not a few of the + spears smote lightly on the bosses and fell into the waves. When Gelder + was emptied of all his store, and saw the enemy picking it up, and swiftly + hurling it back at him, he covered the summit of the mast with a crimson + shield, as a signal of peace, and surrendered to save his life. Hother + received him with the friendliest face and the kindliest words, and + conquered him as much by his gentleness as he had by his skill. + </p> + <p> + At this time Helgi, King of Halogaland, was sending frequent embassies to + press his suit for Thora, daughter of Kuse, sovereign of the Finns and + Perms. Thus is weakness ever known by its wanting help from others. For + while all other young men of that time used to sue in marriage with their + own lips, this man was afflicted with so faulty an utterance that he was + ashamed to be heard not only by strangers, but by those of his own house. + So much doth calamity shun all witnesses; for natural defects are the more + vexing the more manifest they are. Kuse despised his embassy, answering + that that man did not deserve a wife who trusted too little to his own + manhood, and borrowed by entreaty the aid of others in order to gain his + suit. When Helgi heard this, he besought Hother, whom he knew to be an + accomplished pleader, to favour his desires, promising that he would + promptly perform whatsoever he should command him. The earnest entreaties + of the youth prevailed on Hother, and he went to Norway with an armed + fleet, intending to achieve by arms the end which he could not by words. + And when he had pleaded for Helgi with the most dulcet eloquence, Kuse + rejoined that his daughter's wish must be consulted, in order that no + paternal strictness might forestall anything against her will. He called + her in and asked her whether she felt a liking for her wooer; and when she + assented he promised Helgi her hand. In this way Hother, by the sweet + sounds of his fluent and well-turned oratory, opened the ears of Kuse, + which were before deaf to the suit he urged. + </p> + <p> + While this was passing in Halogaland, Balder entered the country of Gewar + armed, in order to sue for Nanna. Gewar bade him learn Nanna's own mind; + so he approached the maiden with the most choice and cajoling words; and + when he could win no hearing for his prayers, he persisted in asking the + reason of his refusal. She replied, that a god could not wed with a + mortal, because the vast difference of their natures prevented any bond of + intercourse. Also the gods sometimes used to break their pledges; and the + bond contracted between unequals was apt to snap suddenly. There was no + firm tie between those of differing estate; for beside the great, the + fortunes of the lowly were always dimmed. Also lack and plenty dwelt in + diverse tents, nor was there any fast bond of intercourse between gorgeous + wealth and obscure poverty. In fine, the things of earth would not mate + with those of heaven, being sundered by a great original gulf through a + difference in nature; inasmuch as mortal man was infinitely far from the + glory of the divine majesty. With this shuffling answer she eluded the + suit of Balder, and shrewdly wove excuses to refuse his hand. + </p> + <p> + When Hother heard this from Gewar, he complained long to Helgi of Balder's + insolence. Both were in doubt as to what should be done, and beat their + brains over divers plans; for converse with a friend in the day of + trouble, though it removeth not the peril, yet maketh the heart less sick. + Amid all the desires of their souls the passion of valour prevailed, and a + naval battle was fought with Balder. One would have thought it a contest + of men against gods, for Odin and Thor and the holy array of the gods + fought for Balder. There one could have beheld a war in which divine and + human might were mingled. But Hother was clad in his steel-defying tunic, + and charged the closest bands of the gods, assailing them as vehemently as + a son of earth could assail the powers above. However, Thor was swinging + his club with marvellous might, and shattered all interposing shields, + calling as loudly on his foes to attack him as upon his friends to back + him up. No kind of armour withstood his onset, no man could receive his + stroke and live. Whatsoever his blow fended off it crushed; neither shield + nor helm endured the weight of its dint; no greatness of body or of + strength could serve. Thus the victory would have passed to the gods, but + that Hother, though his line had already fallen back, darted up, hewed off + the club at the haft, and made it useless. And the gods, when they had + lost this weapon, fled incontinently. But that antiquity vouches for it, + it were quite against common belief to think that men prevailed against + gods. (We call them gods in a supposititious rather than in a real sense; + for to such we give the title of deity by the custom of nations, not + because of their nature.) + </p> + <p> + As for Balder, he took to flight and was saved. The conquerors either + hacked his ships with their swords or sunk them in the sea; not content to + have defeated gods, they pursued the wrecks of the fleet with such rage, + as if they would destroy them to satiate their deadly passion for war. + Thus doth prosperity commonly whet the edge of licence. The haven, + recalling by its name Balder's flight, bears witness to the war. Gelder, + the King of Saxony, who met his end in the same war, was set by Hother + upon the corpses of his oarsmen, and then laid on a pyre built of vessels, + and magnificently honoured in his funeral by Hother, who not only put his + ashes in a noble barrow, treating them as the remains of a king, but also + graced them with most reverent obsequies. Then, to prevent any more + troublesome business delaying his hopes of marriage, he went back to Gewar + and enjoyed the coveted embraces of Nanna. Next, having treated Helgi and + Thora very generously, he brought his new queen back to Sweden, being as + much honoured by all for his victory as Balder was laughed at for his + flight. + </p> + <p> + At this time the nobles of the Swedes repaired to Demnark to pay their + tribute; but Hother, who had been honoured as a king by his countrymen for + the splendid deeds of his father, experienced what a lying pander Fortune + is. For he was conquered in the field by Balder, whom a little before he + had crushed, and was forced to flee to Gewar, thus losing while a king + that victory which he had won as a common man. The conquering Balder, in + order to slake his soldiers, who were parched with thirst, with the + blessing of a timely draught, pierced the earth deep and disclosed a fresh + spring. The thirsty ranks made with gaping lips for the water that gushed + forth everywhere. The traces of these springs, eternised by the name, are + thought not quite to have dried up yet, though they have ceased to well so + freely as of old. Balder was continually harassed by night phantoms + feigning the likeness of Nanna, and fell into such ill health that he + could not so much as walk, and began the habit of going his journeys in a + two horse car or a four-wheeled carriage. So great was the love that had + steeped his heart and now had brought him down almost to the extremity of + decline. For he thought that his victory had brought him nothing if Nanna + was not his prize. Also Frey, the regent of the gods, took his abode not + far from Upsala, where he exchanged for a ghastly and infamous + sin-offering the old custom of prayer by sacrifice, which had been used by + so many ages and generations. For he paid to the gods abominable + offerings, by beginning to slaughter human victims. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Hother (1) learned that Denmark lacked leaders, and that Hiartuar + had swiftly expiated the death of Rolf; and he used to say that chance had + thrown into his hands that to which he could scarce have aspired. For + first, Rolf, whom he ought to have killed, since he remembered that Rolf's + father had slain his own, had been punished by the help of another; and + also, by the unexpected bounty of events, a chance had been opened to him + of winning Denmark. In truth, if the pedigree of his forefathers were + rightly traced, that realm was his by ancestral right! Thereupon he took + possession, with a very great fleet, of Isefjord, a haven of Zealand, so + as to make use of his impending fortune. There the people of the Danes met + him and appointed him king; and a little after, on hearing of the death of + his brother Athisl, whom he had bidden rule the Swedes, he joined the + Swedish empire to that of Denmark. But Athisl was cut off by an + ignominious death. For whilst, in great jubilation of spirit, he was + honouring the funeral rites of Rolf with a feast, he drank too greedily, + and paid for his filthy intemperance by his sudden end. And so, while he + was celebrating the death of another with immoderate joviality, he forced + on his own apace. + </p> + <p> + While Hother was in Sweden, Balder also came to Zealand with a fleet; and + since he was thought to be rich in arms and of singular majesty, the Danes + accorded him with the readiest of voices whatever he asked concerning the + supreme power. With such wavering judgment was the opinion of our + forefathers divided. Hother returned from Sweden and attacked him. They + both coveted sway, and the keenest contest for the sovereignty began + between them; but it was cut short by the flight of Hother. He retired to + Jutland, and caused to be named after him the village in which he was wont + to stay. Here he passed the winter season, and then went back to Sweden + alone and unattended. There he summoned the grandees, and told them that + he was weary of the light of life because of the misfortunes wherewith + Balder had twice victoriously stricken him. Then he took farewell of all, + and went by a circuitous path to a place that was hard of access, + traversing forests uncivilised. For it oft happens that those upon whom + has come some inconsolable trouble of spirit seek, as though it were a + medicine to drive away their sadness, far and sequestered retreats, and + cannot bear the greatness of their grief amid the fellowship of men; so + dear, for the most part, is solitude to sickness. For filthiness and grime + are chiefly pleasing to those who have been stricken with ailments of the + soul. Now he had been wont to give out from the top of a hill decrees to + the people when they came to consult him; and hence when they came they + upbraided the sloth of the king for hiding himself, and his absence was + railed at by all with the bitterest complaints. + </p> + <p> + But Hother, when he had wandered through remotest byways and crossed an + uninhabited forest, chanced to come upon a cave where dwelt some maidens + whom he knew not; but they proved to be the same who had once given him + the invulnerable coat. Asked by them wherefore he had come thither, he + related the disastrous issue of the war. So he began to bewail the ill + luck of his failures and his dismal misfortunes, condemning their breach + of faith, and lamenting that it had not turned out for him as they had + promised him. But the maidens said that though he had seldom come off + victorious, he had nevertheless inflicted as much defeat on the enemy as + they on him, and had dealt as much carnage as he had shared in. Moreover, + the favour of victory would be speedily his, if he could first lay hands + upon a food of extraordinary delightsomeness which had been devised to + increase the strength of Balder. For nothing would be difficult if he + could only get hold of the dainty which was meant to enhance the rigour of + his foe. + </p> + <p> + Hard as it sounded for earthborn endeavours to make armed assault upon the + gods, the words of the maidens inspired Hother's mind with instant + confidence to fight with Balder. Also some of his own people said that he + could not safely contend with those above; but all regard for their + majesty was expelled by the boundless fire of his spirit. For in brave + souls vehemence is not always sapped by reason, nor doth counsel defeat + rashness. Or perchance it was that Hother remembered how the might of the + lordliest oft proveth unstable, and how a little clod can batter down + great chariots. + </p> + <p> + On the other side, Balder mustered the Danes to arms and met Hother in the + field. Both sides made a great slaughter; the carnage of the opposing + parties was nearly equal, and night stayed the battle. About the third + watch, Hother, unknown to any man, went out to spy upon the enemy, anxiety + about the impending peril having banished sleep. This strong excitement + favours not bodily rest, and inward disquiet suffers not outward repose. + So, when he came to the camp of the enemy he heard that three maidens had + gone out carrying the secret feast of Balder. He ran after them (for their + footsteps in the dew betrayed their flight), and at last entered their + accustomed dwelling. When they asked him who he was, he answered, a + lutanist, nor did the trial belie his profession. For when the lyre was + offered him, he tuned its strings, ordered and governed the chords with + his quill, and with ready modulation poured forth a melody pleasant to the + ear. Now they had three snakes, of whose venom they were wont to mix a + strengthening compound for the food of Balder, and even now a flood of + slaver was dripping on the food from the open mouths of the serpents. And + some of the maidens would, for kindness sake, have given Hother a share of + the dish, had not eldest of the three forbidden them, declaring that + Balder would be cheated if they increased the bodily powers of his enemy. + He had said, not that he was Hother, but that he was one of his company. + Now the same nymphs, in their gracious kindliness, bestowed on him a belt + of perfect sheen and a girdle which assured victory. + </p> + <p> + Retracing the path by which he had come, he went back on the same road, + and meeting Balder plunged his sword into his side, and laid him low half + dead. When the news was told to the soldiers, a cheery shout of triumph + rose from all the camp of Hother, while the Danes held a public mourning + for the fate of Balder. He, feeling no doubt of his impending death, and + stung by the anguish of his wound, renewed the battle on the morrow; and, + when it raged hotly, bade that he should be borne on a litter into the + fray, that he might not seem to die ignobly within his tent. On the night + following, Proserpine was seen to stand by him in a vision, and to promise + that on the morrow he should have her embrace. The boding of the dream was + not idle; for when three days had passed, Balder perished from the + excessive torture of his wound; and his body given a royal funeral, the + army causing it to be buried in a barrow which they had made. + </p> + <p> + Certain men of our day, Chief among whom was Harald, (2) since the story + of the ancient burial-place still survived, made a raid on it by night in + the hope of finding money, but abandoned their attempt in sudden panic. + For the hill split, and from its crest a sudden and mighty torrent of + loud-roaring waters seemed to burst; so that its flying mass, shooting + furiously down, poured over the fields below, and enveloped whatsoever it + struck upon, and at its onset the delvers were dislodged, flung down their + mattocks, and fled divers ways; thinking that if they strove any longer to + carry through their enterprise they would be caught in the eddies of the + water that was rushing down. Thus the guardian gods of that spot smote + fear suddenly into the minds of the youths, taking them away from + covetousness, and turning them to see to their safety; teaching them to + neglect their greedy purpose and be careful of their lives. Now it is + certain that this apparent flood was not real but phantasmal; not born in + the bowels of the earth (since Nature suffereth not liquid springs to gush + forth in a dry place), but produced by some magic agency. All men + afterwards, to whom the story of that breaking in had come down, left this + hill undisturbed. Wherefore it has never been made sure whether it really + contains any wealth; for the dread of peril has daunted anyone since + Harald from probing its dark foundations. + </p> + <p> + But Odin, though he was accounted the chief of the gods, began to inquire + of the prophets and diviners concerning the way to accomplish vengeance + for his son, as well as all others whom he had beard were skilled in the + most recondite arts of soothsaying. For godhead that is incomplete is oft + in want of the help of man. Rostioph (Hrossthiof), the Finn, foretold to + him that another son must be born to him by Rinda (Wrinda), daughter of + the King of the Ruthenians; this son was destined to exact punishment for + the slaying of his brother. For the gods had appointed to the brother that + was yet to be born the task of avenging his kinsman. Odin, when he heard + this, muffled his face with a cap, that his garb might not betray him, and + entered the service of the said king as a soldier; and being made by him + captain of the soldiers, and given an army, won a splendid victory over + the enemy. And for his stout achievement in this battle the king admitted + him into the chief place in his friendship, distinguishing him as + generously with gifts as with honours. A very little while afterwards Odin + routed the enemy single-handed, and returned, at once the messenger and + the doer of the deed. All marvelled that the strength of one man could + deal such slaughter upon a countless host. Trusting in these services, he + privily let the king into the secret of his love, and was refreshed by his + most gracious favour; but when he sought a kiss from the maiden, he + received a cuff. But he was not driven from his purpose either by anger at + the slight or by the odiousness of the insult. + </p> + <p> + Next year, loth to quit ignobly the quest he had taken up so eagerly, he + put on the dress of a foreigner and went back to dwell with the king. It + was hard for those who met him to recognise him; for his assumed filth + obliterated his true features, and new grime hid his ancient aspect. He + said that his name was Roster (Hrosstheow), and that he was skilled in + smithcraft. And his handiwork did honour to his professions: for he + portrayed in bronze many and many a shape most beautifully, so that he + received a great mass of gold from the king, and was ordered to hammer out + the ornaments of the matrons. So, after having wrought many adornments for + women's wearing, he at last offered to the maiden a bracelet which he had + polished more laboriously than the rest and several rings which were + adorned with equal care. But no services could assuage the wrath of Rinda; + when he was fain to kiss her she cuffed him; for gifts offered by one we + hate are unacceptable, while those tendered by a friend are far more + grateful: so much doth the value of the offering oft turn on the offerer. + For this stubborn-hearted maiden never doubted that the crafty old man was + feigning generosity in order to seize an opening to work his lust. His + temper, moreover, was keen and indomitable; for she knew that his homage + covered guile, and that under the devotion of his gifts there lay a desire + for crime. Her father fell to upbraiding her heavily for refusing the + match; but she loathed to wed an old man, and the plea of her tender years + lent her some support in her scorning of his hand; for she said that a + young girl ought not to marry prematurely. + </p> + <p> + But Odin, who had found that nothing served the wishes of lovers more than + tough persistency, though he was stung with the shame of his double + rebuff, nevertheless, effacing the form he had worn before, went to the + king for the third time, professing the completest skill in soldiership. + He was led to take this pains not only by pleasure but by the wish to wipe + out his disgrace. For of old those who were skilled in magic gained this + power of instantly changing their aspect and exhibiting the most different + shapes. Indeed, they were clever at imitating any age, not only in its + natural bodily appearance, but also in its stature; and so the old man, in + order to exhibit his calling agreeably, used to ride proudly up and down + among the briskest of them. But not even such a tribute could move the + rigour of the maiden; for it is hard for the mind to come back to a + genuine liking for one against whom it has once borne heavy dislike. When + he tried to kiss her at his departure, she repulsed him so that he + tottered and smote his chin upon the ground. Straightway he touched her + with a piece of bark whereon spells were written, and made her like unto + one in frenzy: which was a gentle revenge to take for all the insults he + had received. + </p> + <p> + But still he did not falter in the fulfilment of his purpose; for trust in + his divine majesty buoyed him up with confidence; so, assuming the garb of + a maiden, this indefatigable journeyer repaired for the fourth time to the + king, and, on being received by him, showed himself assiduous and even + forward. Most people believed him to be a woman, as he was dressed almost + in female attire. Also he declared that his name was Wecha, and his + calling that of a physician: and this assertion he confirmed by the + readiest services. At last he was taken into the household of the queen, + and played the part of a waiting-woman to the princess, and even used to + wash the soil off her feet at eventide; and as he was applying the water + he was suffered to touch her calves and the upper part of the thighs. But + fortune goes with mutable steps, and thus chance put into his hand what + his address had never won. For it happened that the girl fell sick, and + looked around for a cure; and she summoned to protect her health those + very hands which aforetime she had rejected, and appealed for preservation + to him whom she had ever held in loathing. He examined narrowly all the + symptoms of the trouble, and declared that, in order to check the disease + as soon as possible, it was needful to use a certain drugged draught; but + that it was so bitterly compounded, that the girl could never endure so + violent a cure unless she submitted to be bound; since the stuff of the + malady must be ejected from the very innermost tissues. When her father + heard this he did not hesitate to bind his daughter; and laying her on the + bed, he bade her endure patiently all the applications of the doctor. For + the king was tricked by the sight of the female dress, which the old man + was using to disguise his persistent guile; and thus the seeming remedy + became an opportunity of outrage. For the physician seized the chance of + love, and, abandoning his business of healing, sped to the work, not of + expelling the fever, but of working his lust; making use of the sickness + of the princess, whom in sound health he had found adverse to him. It will + not be wearisome if I subjoin another version of this affair. For there + are certain who say that the king, when he saw the physician groaning with + love, but despite all his expense of mind and body accomplishing nothing, + did not wish to rob of his due reward one who had so well earned it, and + allowed him to lie privily with his daughter. So doth the wickedness of + the father sometimes assail the child, when vehement passion perverts + natural mildness. But his fault was soon followed by a remorse that was + full of shame, when his daughter bore a child. + </p> + <p> + But the gods, whose chief seat was then at Byzantium, (Asgard), seeing + that Odin had tarnished the fair name of godhead by divers injuries to its + majesty, thought that he ought to be removed from their society. And they + had him not only ousted from the headship, but outlawed and stripped of + all worship and honour at home; thinking it better that the power of their + infamous president should be overthrown than that public religion should + be profaned; and fearing that they might themselves be involved in the sin + of another, and though guiltless be punished for the crime of the guilty. + For they saw that, now the derision of their great god was brought to + light, those whom they had lured to proffer them divine honours were + exchanging obeisance for scorn and worship for shame; that holy rites were + being accounted sacrilege, and fixed and regular ceremonies deemed so much + childish raving. Fear was in their souls, death before their eyes, and one + would have supposed that the fault of one was visited upon the heads of + all. So, not wishing Odin to drive public religion into exile, they exiled + him and put one Oller (Wulder?) in his place, to bear the symbols not only + Of royalty but also of godhead, as though it had been as easy a task to + create a god as a king. And though they had appointed him priest for + form's sake, they endowed him actually with full distinction, that he + might be seen to be the lawful heir to the dignity, and no mere deputy + doing another's work. Also, to omit no circumstance of greatness, they + further gave his the name of Odin, trying by the prestige of that title to + be rid of the obloquy of innovation. For nearly ten years Oller held the + presidency of the divine senate; but at last the gods pitied the horrible + exile of Odin, and thought that he had now been punished heavily enough; + so he exchanged his foul and unsightly estate for his ancient splendour; + for the lapse of time had now wiped out the brand of his earlier disgrace. + Yet some were to be found who judged that he was not worthy to approach + and resume his rank, because by his stage-tricks and his assumption of a + woman's work he had brought the foulest scandal on the name of the gods. + Some declare that he bought back the fortune of his lost divinity with + money; flattering some of the gods and mollifying some with bribes; and + that at the cost of a vast sum he contrived to get back to the distinction + which he had long quitted. If you ask how much he paid for them, inquire + of those who have found out what is the price of a godhead. I own that to + me it is but little worth. + </p> + <p> + Thus Oller was driven out from Byzantium by Odin and retired into Sweden. + Here, while he was trying, as if in a new world, to repair the records of + his glory, the Danes slew him. The story goes that he was such a cunning + wizard that he used a certain bone, which he had marked with awful spells, + wherewith to cross the seas, instead of a vessel; and that by this bone he + passed over the waters that barred his way as quickly as by rowing. + </p> + <p> + But Odin, now that he had regained the emblems of godhead, shone over all + parts of the world with such a lustre of renown that all nations welcomed + him as though he were light restored to the universe; nor was any spot to + be found on the earth which did not hornage to his might. Then finding + that Boe, his son by Rhlda, was enamoured of the hardships of war, he + called him, and bade him bear in mind the slaying of his brother: saying + that it would be better for him to take vengeande on the murderers of + Balder than to overcome them in battle; for warfare was most fitting and + wholesome when a holy occasion for waging it was furnished by a righteous + opening for vengeande. + </p> + <p> + News came meantime that Gewar had been slain by the guile of his own + satrap (jarl), Gunne. Hother determined to visit his murder with the + strongest and sharpest revenge. So he surprised Gunne, cast him on a + blazing pyre, and burnt him; for Gunne had himself treacherously waylaid + Gewar, and burnt him alive in the night. This was his offering of + vengeance to the shade of his foster-father; and then he made his sons, + Herlek and Gerit, rulers of Norway. + </p> + <p> + Then he summoned the elders to assembly, and told them that he would + perish in the war wherein he was bound to meet Boe, and said that he knew + this by no doubtful guesswork, but by sure prophecies of seers. So he + besought them to make his son RORIK king, so that the judgment of wicked + men should not transfer the royalty to strange and unknown houses; + averring that he would reap more joy from the succession of his son than + bitterness from his own impending death. This request was speedily + granted. Then he met Boe in battle and was killed; but small joy the + victory gave Boe. Indeed, he left the battle so sore stricken that he was + lifted on his shield and carried home by his foot-soldiers supporting him + in turn, to perish next day of the pain of his wounds. The Ruthenian army + gave his body a gorgeous funeral and buried it in a splendid howe, which + it piled in his name, to save the record of so mighty a warrior from + slipping out of the recollection of after ages. + </p> + <p> + So the Kurlanders and the Swedes, as though the death of Hother set them + free from the burden of their subjection, resolved to attack Denmark, to + which they were accustomed to do homage with a yearly tax. By this the + Slavs also were emboldened to revolt, and a number of others were turned + from subjects into foes. Rorik, in order to check this wrongdoing, + summoned his country to arms, recounted the deeds of his forefathers, and + urged them in a passionate harangue unto valorous deeds. But the + barbarians, loth to engage without a general, and seeing that they needed + a head, appointed a king over them; and, displaying all the rest of their + military force, hid two companies of armed men in a dark spot. But Rorik + saw the trap; and perceiving that his fleet was wedged in a certain narrow + creek among the shoal water, took it out from the sands where it was + lying, and brought it forth to sea; lest it should strike on the oozy + swamps, and be attacked by the foe on different sides. Also, he resolved + that his men should go into hiding during the day, where they could stay + and suddenly fall on the invaders of his ships. He said that perchance the + guile might in the end recoil on the heads of its devisors. And in fact + the barbarians who had been appointed to the ambuscade knew nothing of the + wariness of the Danes, and sallying against them rashly, were all + destroyed. The remaining force of the Slavs, knowing nothing of the + slaughter of their friends, hung in doubt wondering over the reason of + Rorik's tarrying. And after waiting long for him as the months wearily + rolled by, and finding delay every day more burdensome, they at last + thought they should attack him with their fleet. + </p> + <p> + Now among them there was a man of remarkable stature, a wizard by calling. + He, when he beheld the squadrons of the Danes, said: "Suffer a private + combat to forestall a public slaughter, so that the danger of many may be + bought off at the cost of a few. And if any of you shall take heart to + fight it out with me, I will not flinch from these terms of conflict. But + first of all I demand that you accept the terms I prescribe, the form + whereof I have devised as follows: If I conquer, let freedom be granted us + from taxes; if I am conquered, let the tribute be paid you as of old: For + to-day I will either free my country from the yoke of slavery by my + victory or bind her under it by my defeat. Accept me as the surety and the + pledge for either issue." One of the Danes, whose spirit was stouter than + his strength, heard this, and proceeded to ask Rorik, what would be the + reward for the man who met the challenger in combat? Rorik chanced to have + six bracelets, which were so intertwined that they could not be parted + from one another, the chain of knots being inextricaly laced; and he + promised them as a reward for the man who would venture on the combat. But + the youth, who doubted his fortune, said: "Rorik, if I prove successful, + let thy generosity award the prize of the conqueror, do thou decide and + allot the palm; but if my enterprise go little to my liking, what prize + canst thou owe to the beaten, who will be wrapped either in cruel death or + in bitter shame? These things commonly go with feebleness, these are the + wages of the defeated, for whom naught remains but utter infamy. What + guerdon must be paid, what thanks offered, to him who lacks the prize of + courage? Who has ever garlanded with ivy the weakling in War, or decked + him with a conqueror's wage? Valour wins the prize, not sloth, and failure + lacks renown. For one is followed by triumph and honour, the other by an + unsightly life or by a stagnant end. I, who know not which way the issue + of this duel inclines, dare not boldly anticipate that as a reward, of + which I know not whether it be rightly mine. For one whose victory is + doubtful may not seize the assured reward of the victor. I forbear, while + I am not sure of the day, to claim firmly the title to the wreath. I + refuse the gain, which may be the wages of my death as much as of my life. + It is folly to lay hands on the fruit before it is ripe, and to be fain to + pluck that which one is not yet sure is one's title. This hand shall win + me the prize, or death." Having thus spoken, he smote the barbarian with + his sword; but his fortune was tardier than his spirit; for the other + smote him back, and he fell dead under the force of the first blow. Thus + he was a sorry sight unto the Danes, but the Slavs granted their + triumphant comrade a great procession, and received him with splendid + dances. On the morrow the same man, whether he was elated with the good + fortune of his late victory, or was fired with the wish to win another, + came close to the enemy, and set to girding at them in the words of his + former challenge. For, supposing that he had laid low the bravest of the + Danes, he did not think that any of them would have any heart left to + fight further with him upon his challenge. Also, trusting that, now one + champion had fallen, he had shattered the strength of the whole army, he + thought that naught would be hard to achieve upon which his later + endeavours were bent. For nothing pampers arrogance more than success, or + prompts to pride more surely than prosperity. + </p> + <p> + So Rorik was vexed that the general courage should be sapped by the + impudence of one man; and that the Danes, with their roll of victories, + should be met presumptuously by those whom they had beaten of old; nay, + should be ignominiously spurned; further, that in all that host not one + man should be found so quick of spirit or so vigorous of arm, that he + longed to sacrifice his life for his country. It was the high-hearted Ubbe + who first wiped off this infamous reproach upon the hesitating Danes. For + he was of great bodily strength and powerful in incantations. He also + purposely asked the prize of the combat, and the king promised him the + bracelets. Then said he: "How can I trust the promise when thou keepest + the pledge in thine own hands, and dost not deposit the gift in the charge + of another? Let there be some one to whom thou canst entrust the pledge, + that thou mayst not be able to take thy promise back. For the courage of + the champion is kindled by the irrevocable certainty of the prize." Of + course it was plain that he had said this in jest; sheer courage had armed + him to repel the insult to his country. But Rorik thought he was tempted + by avarice, and was loth to seem as if, contrary to royal fashion, he + meant to take back the gift or revoke his promise; so, being stationed on + his vessel, he resolved to shake off the bracelets, and with a mighty + swing send them to the asker. But his attempt was baulked by the width of + the gap between them; for the bracelets fell short of the intended spot, + the impulse being too faint and slack, and were reft away by the waters. + For this nickname of Slyngebond, (swing-bracelet) clung to Rorik. But this + event testified much to the valour of Ubbe. For the loss of his drowned + prize never turned his mind from his bold venture; he would not seem to + let his courage be tempted by the wages of covetousness. So he eagerly + went to fight, showing that he was a seeker of honour and not the slave of + lucre, and that he set bravery before lust of pelf; and intent to prove + that his confidence was based not on hire, but on his own great soul. Not + a moment is lost; a ring is made; the course is thronged with soldiers; + the champions engage; a din arises; the crowd of onlookers shouts in + discord, each backing his own. And so the valour of the champions blazes + to white-heat; falling dead under the wounds dealt by one another, they + end together the combat and their lives. I think that it was a provision + of fortune that neither of them should reap joy and honour by the other's + death. This event won back to Rorik the hearts of the insurgents and + regained him the tribute. + </p> + <p> + At this time Horwendil and Feng, whose father Gerwendil had been governor + of the Jutes, were appointed in his place by Rorik to defend Jutland. But + Horwendil held the monarchy for three years, and then, to will the height + of glory, devoted himself to roving. Then Koller, King of Norway, in + rivalry of his great deeds and renown, deemed it would be a handsome deed + if by his greater strength in arms he could bedim the far-famed glory of + the rover; and cruising about the sea, he watched for Horwendil's fleet + and came up with it. There was an island lying in the middle of the sea, + which each of the rovers, bringing his ships up on either side, was + holding. The captains were tempted by the pleasant look of the beach, and + the comeliness of the shores led them to look through the interior of the + springtide woods, to go through the glades, and roam over the sequestered + forests. It was here that the advance of Koller and Horwendil brought them + face to face without any witness. Then Horwendil endeavoured to address + the king first, asking him in what way it was his pleasure to fight, and + declaring that one best which needed the courage of as few as possible. + For, said he, the duel was the surest of all modes of combat for winning + the meed of bravery, because it relied only upon native courage, and + excluded all help from the hand of another. Koller marvelled at so brave a + judgment in a youth, and said: "Since thou hast granted me the choice of + battle, I think it is best to employ that kind which needs only the + endeavours of two, and is free from all the tumult. Certainly it is more + venturesome, and allows of a speedier award of the victory. This thought + we share, in this opinion we agree of our own accord. But since the issue + remains doubtful, we must pay some regard to gentle dealing, and must not + give way so far to our inclinations as to leave the last offices undone. + Hatred is in our hearts; yet let piety be there also, which in its due + time may take the place of rigour. For the rights of nature reconcile us, + though we are parted by differences of purpose; they link us together, + howsoever rancour estrange our spirit. Let us, therefore, have this pious + stipulation, that the conqueror shall give funeral rites to the conquered. + For all allow that these are the last duties of human kind, from which no + righteous man shrinks. Let each army lay aside its sternness and perform + this function in harmony. Let jealousy depart at death, let the feud be + buried in the tomb. Let us not show such an example of cruelty as to + persecute one another's dust, though hatred has come between us in our + lives. It will be a boast for the victor if he has borne his beaten foe in + a lordly funeral. For the man who pays the rightful dues over his dead + enemy wins the goodwill of the survivor; and whoso devotes gentle dealing + to him who is no more, conquers the living by his kindness. Also there is + another disaster, not less lamentable, which sometimes befalls the living—the + loss of some part of their body; and I think that succor is due to this + just as much as to the worst hap that may befall. For often those who + fight keep their lives safe, but suffer maiming; and this lot is commonly + thought more dismal than any death; for death cuts off memory of all + things, while the living cannot forget the devastation of his own body. + Therefore this mischief also must be helped somehow; so let it be agreed, + that the injury of either of us by the other shall be made good with ten + talents (marks) of gold. For if it be righteous to have compassion on the + calamities of another, how much more is it to pity one's own? No man but + obeys nature's prompting; and he who slights it is a self-murderer." + </p> + <p> + After mutually pledging their faiths to these terms, they began the + battle. Nor was their strangeness his meeting one another, nor the + sweetness of that spring-green spot, so heeded as to prevent them from the + fray. Horwendil, in his too great ardour, became keener to attack his + enemy than to defend his own body; and, heedless of his shield, had + grasped his sword with both hands; and his boldness did not fail. For by + his rain of blows he destroyed Koller's shield and deprived him of it, and + at last hewed off his foot and drove him lifeless to the ground. Then, not + to fail of his compact, he buried him royally, gave him a howe of lordly + make and pompous obsequies. Then he pursued and slew Koller's sister Sela, + who was a skilled warrior and experienced in roving. + </p> + <p> + He had now passed three years in valiant deeds of war; and, in order to + win higher rank in Rorik's favour, he assigned to him the best trophies + and the pick of the plunder. His friendship with Rorik enabled him to woo + and will in marriage his daughter Gerutha, who bore him a son Amleth. + </p> + <p> + Such great good fortune stung Feng with jealousy, so that he resolved + treacherously to waylay his brother, thus showing that goodness is not + safe even from those of a man's own house. And behold, when a chance came + to murder him, his bloody hand sated the deadly passion of his soul. Then + he took the wife of the brother he had butchered, capping unnatural murder + with incest. For whoso yields to one iniquity, speedily falls an easier + victim to the next, the first being an incentive to the second. Also, the + man veiled the monstrosity of his deed with such hardihood of cunning, + that he made up a mock pretence of goodwill to excuse his crime, and + glossed over fratricide with a show of righteousness. Gerutha, said he, + though so gentle that she would do no man the slightest hurt, had been + visited with her husband's extremest hate; and it was all to save her that + he had slain his brother; for he thought it shameful that a lady so meek + and unrancorous should suffer the heavy disdain of her husband. Nor did + his smooth words fail in their intent; for at courts, where fools are + sometimes favoured and backbiters preferred, a lie lacks not credit. Nor + did Feng keep from shameful embraces the hands that had slain a brother; + pursuing with equal guilt both of his wicked and impious deeds. + </p> + <p> + Amleth beheld all this, but feared lest too shrewd a behaviour might make + his uncle suspect him. So he chose to feign dulness, and pretend an utter + lack of wits. This cunning course not only concealed his intelligence but + ensured his safety. Every day he remained in his mother's house utterly + listless and unclean, flinging himself on the ground and bespattering his + person with foul and filthy dirt. His discoloured face and visage smutched + with slime denoted foolish and grotesque madness. All he said was of a + piece with these follies; all he did savoured of utter lethargy. In a + word, you would not have thought him a man at all, but some absurd + abortion due to a mad fit of destiny. He used at times to sit over the + fire, and, raking up the embers with his hands, to fashion wooden crooks, + and harden them in the fire, shaping at their lips certain barbs, to make + them hold more tightly to their fastenings. When asked what he was about, + he said that he was preparing sharp javelins to avenge his father. This + answer was not a little scoffed at, all men deriding his idle and + ridiculous pursuit; but the thing helped his purpose afterwards. Now it + was his craft in this matter that first awakened in the deeper observers a + suspicion of his cunning. For his skill in a trifling art betokened the + hidden talent of the craftsman; nor could they believe the spirit dull + where the hand had acquired so cunning a workmanship. Lastly, he always + watched with the most punctual care over his pile of stakes that he had + pointed in the fire. Some people, therefore, declared that his mind was + quick enough, and fancied that he only played the simpleton in order to + hide his understanding, and veiled some deep purpose under a cunning + feint. His wiliness (said these) would be most readily detected, if a fair + woman were put in his way in some secluded place, who should provoke his + mind to the temptations of love; all men's natural temper being too + blindly amorous to be artfully dissembled, and this passion being also too + impetuous to be checked by cunning. Therefore, if his lethargy were + feigned, he would seize the opportunity, and yield straightway to violent + delights. So men were commissioned to draw the young man in his rides into + a remote part of the forest, and there assail him with a temptation of + this nature. Among these chanced to be a foster-brother of Amleth, who had + not ceased to have regard to their common nurture; and who esteemed his + present orders less than the memory of their past fellowship. He attended + Amleth among his appointed train, being anxious not to entrap, but to warn + him; and was persuaded that he would suffer the worst if he showed the + slightest glimpse of sound reason, and above all if he did the act of love + openly. This was also plain enough to Amleth himself. For when he was + bidden mount his horse, he deliberately set himself in such a fashion that + he turned his back to the neck and faced about, fronting the tail; which + he proceeded to encompass with the reins, just as if on that side he would + check the horse in its furious pace. By this cunning thought he eluded the + trick, and overcame the treachery of his uncle. The reinless steed + galloping on, with rider directing its tail, was ludicrous enough to + behold. + </p> + <p> + Amleth went on, and a wolf crossed his path amid the thicket. When his + companions told him that a young colt had met him, he retorted, that in + Feng's stud there were too few of that kind fighting. This was a gentle + but witty fashion of invoking a curse upon his uncle's riches. When they + averred that he had given a cunning answer, he answered that he had spoken + deliberately; for he was loth, to be thought prone to lying about any + matter, and wished to be held a stranger to falsehood; and accordingly he + mingled craft and candour in such wise that, though his words did lack + truth, yet there was nothing to betoken the truth and betray how far his + keenness went. + </p> + <p> + Again, as he passed along the beach, his companions found the rudder of a + ship, which had been wrecked, and said they had discovered a huge knife. + "This," said he, "was the right thing to carve such a huge ham;" by which + he really meant the sea, to whose infinitude, he thought, this enormous + rudder matched. Also, as they passed the sandhills, and bade him look at + the meal, meaning the sand, he replied that it had been ground small by + the hoary tempests of the ocean. His companions praising his answer, he + said that he had spoken it wittingly. Then they purposely left him, that + he might pluck up more courage to practise wantonness. The woman whom his + uncle had dispatched met him in a dark spot, as though she had crossed him + by chance; and he took her and would have ravished her, had not his + foster-brother, by a secret device, given him an inkling of the trap. For + this man, while pondering the fittest way to play privily the prompter's + part, and forestall the young man's hazardous lewdness, found a straw on + the ground and fastened it underneath the tail of a gadfly that was flying + past; which he then drove towards the particular quarter where he knew + Amleth to be: an act which served the unwary prince exceedingly well. The + token was interpreted as shrewdly as it had been sent. For Amleth saw the + gadfly, espied with curiosity the straw which it wore embedded in its + tail, and perceived that it was a secret warning to beware of treachery. + Alarmed, scenting a trap, and fain to possess his desire in greater + safety, he caught up the woman in his arms and dragged her off to a + distant and impenetrable fen. Moreover, when they had lain together, he + conjured her earnestly to disclose the matter to none, and the promise of + silence was accorded as heartily as it was asked. For both of them had + been under the same fostering in their childhood; and this early rearing + in common had brought Amleth and the girl into great intimacy. + </p> + <p> + So, when he had returned home, they all jeeringly asked him whether he had + given way to love, and he avowed that he had ravished the maid. When he + was next asked where he did it, and what had been his pillow, he said that + he had rested upon the hoof of a beast of burden, upon a cockscomb, and + also upon a ceiling. For, when he was starting into temptation, he had + gathered fragments of all these things, in order to avoid lying. And + though his jest did not take aught of the truth out of the story, the + answer was greeted with shouts of merriment from the bystanders. The + maiden, too, when questioned on the matter, declared that he had done no + such thing; and her denial was the more readily credited when it was found + that the escort had not witnessed the deed. Then he who had marked the + gadfly in order to give a hint, wishing to show Amleth that to his trick + he owed his salvation, observed that latterly he had been singly devoted + to Amleth. The young man's reply was apt. Not to seem forgetful of his + informant's service, he said that he had seen a certain thing bearing a + straw flit by suddenly, wearing a stalk of chaff fixed in its hinder + parts. The cleverness of this speech, which made the rest split with + laughter, rejoiced the heart of Amleth's friend. + </p> + <p> + Thus all were worsted, and none could open the secret lock of the young + man's wisdom. But a friend of Feng, gifted more with assurance than + judgment, declared that the unfathomable cunning of such a mind could not + be detected by any vulgar plot, for the man's obstinacy was so great that + it ought not to be assailed with any mild measures; there were many sides + to his wiliness, and it ought not to be entrapped by any one method. + Accordingly, said he, his own profounder acuteness had hit on a more + delicate way, which was well fitted to be put in practice, and would + effectually discover what they desired to know. Feng was purposely to + absent himself, pretending affairs of great import. Amleth should be + closeted alone with his mother in her chamber; but a man should first be + commissioned to place himself in a concealed part of the room and listen + heedfully to what they talked about. For if the son had any wits at all he + would not hesitate to speak out in the hearing of his mother, or fear to + trust himself to the fidelity of her who bore him. The speaker, loth to + seem readier to devise than to carry out the plot, zealously proffered + himself as the agent of the eavesdropping. Feng rejoiced at the scheme, + and departed on pretence of a long journey. Now he who had given this + counsel repaired privily to the room where Amleth was shut up with his + mother, and lay flown skulking in the straw. But Amleth had his antidote + for the treachery. Afraid of being overheard by some eavesdropper, he at + first resorted to his usual imbecile ways, and crowed like a noisy cock, + beating his arms together to mimic the flapping of wings. Then he mounted + the straw and began to swing his body and jump again and again, wishing to + try if aught lurked there in hiding. Feeling a lump beneath his feet, he + drove his sword into the spot, and impaled him who lay hid. Then he + dragged him from his concealment and slew him. Then, cutting his body into + morsels, he seethed it in boiling water, and flung it through the mouth of + an open sewer for the swine to eat, bestrewing the stinking mire with his + hapless limbs. Having in this wise eluded the snare, he went back to the + room. Then his mother set up a great wailing, and began to lament her + son's folly to his face; but he said: "Most infamous of women; dost thou + seek with such lying lamentations to hide thy most heavy guilt? Wantoning + like a harlot, thou hast entered a wicked and abominable state of wedlock, + embracing with incestuous bosom thy husband's slayer, and wheedling with + filthy lures of blandishment him who had slain the father of thy son. + This, forsooth, is the way that the mares couple with the vanquishers of + their mates; for brute beasts are naturally incited to pair + indiscriminately; and it would seem that thou, like them, hast clean + forgot thy first husband. As for me, not idly do I wear the mask of folly; + for I doubt not that he who destroyed his brother will riot as ruthlessly + in the blood of his kindred. Therefore it is better to choose the garb of + dulness than that of sense, and to borrow some protection from a show of + utter frenzy. Yet the passion to avenge my father still burns in my heart; + but I am watching the chances, I await the fitting hour. There is a place + for all things; against so merciless and dark spirit must be used the + deeper devices of the mind. And thou, who hadst been better employed in + lamenting thine own disgrace, know it is superfluity to bewail my + witlessness; thou shouldst weep for the blemish in thine own mind, not for + that in another's. On the rest see thou keep silence." With such + reproaches he rent the heart of his mother and redeemed her to walk in the + ways of virtue; teaching her to set the fires of the past above the + seductions of the present. + </p> + <p> + When Feng returned, nowhere could he find the man who had suggested the + treacherous espial; he searched for him long and carefully, but none said + they had seen him anywhere. Amleth, among others, was asked in jest if he + had come on any trace of him, and replied that the man had gone to the + sewer, but had fallen through its bottom and been stifled by the floods of + filth, and that he had then been devoured by the swine that came up all + about that place. This speech was flouted by those who heard; for it + seemed senseless, though really it expressly avowed the truth. + </p> + <p> + Feng now suspected that his stepson was certainly full of guile, and + desired to make away with him, but durst not do the deed for fear of the + displeasure, not only of Amleth's grandsire Rorik, but also of his own + wife. So he thought that the King of Britain should be employed to slay + him, so that another could do the deed, and he be able to feign innocence. + Thus, desirous to hide his cruelty, he chose rather to besmirch his friend + than to bring disgrace on his own head. Amleth, on departing, gave secret + orders to his mother to hang the hall with woven knots, and to perform + pretended obsequies for him a year thence; promising that he would then + return. Two retainers of Feng then accompanied him, bearing a letter + graven on wood—a kind of writing material frequent in old times; + this letter enjoined the king of the Britons to put to death the youth who + was sent over to him. While they were reposing, Amleth searched their + coffers, found the letter, and read the instructions therein. Whereupon he + erased all the writing on the surface, substituted fresh characters, and + so, changing the purport of the instructions, shifted his own doom upon + his companions. Nor was he satisfied with removing from himself the + sentence of death and passing the peril on to others, but added an + entreaty that the King of Britain would grant his daughter in marriage to + a youth of great judgment whom he was sending to him. Under this was + falsely marked the signature of Feng. + </p> + <p> + Now when they had reached Britain, the envoys went to the king, and + proffered him the letter which they supposed was an implement of + destruction to another, but which really betokened death to themselves. + The king dissembled the truth, and entreated them hospitably and kindly. + Then Amleth scouted all the splendour of the royal banquet like vulgar + viands, and abstaining very strangely, rejected that plenteous feast, + refraining from the drink even as from the banquet. All marvelled that a + youth and a foreigner should disdain the carefully cooked dainties of the + royal board and the luxurious banquet provided, as if it were some + peasant's relish. So, when the revel broke up, and the king was dismissing + his friends to rest, he had a man sent into the sleeping-room to listen + secretly, in order that he might hear the midnight conversation of his + guests. Now, when Amleth's companions asked him why he had refrained from + the feast of yestereve, as if it were poison, he answered that the bread + was flecked with blood and tainted; that there was a tang of iron in the + liquor; while the meats of the feast reeked of the stench of a human + carcase, and were infected by a kind of smack of the odour of the charnel. + He further said that the king had the eyes of a slave, and that the queen + had in three ways shown the behaviour of a bondmaid. Thus he reviled with + insulting invective not so much the feast as its givers. And presently his + companions, taunting him with his old defect of wits, began to flout him + with many saucy jeers, because he blamed and cavilled at seemly and worthy + things, and because he attacked thus ignobly an illustrious king and a + lady of so refined a behaviour, bespattering with the shamefullest abuse + those who merited all praise. + </p> + <p> + All this the king heard from his retainer; and declared that he who could + say such things had either more than mortal wisdom or more than mortal + folly; in these few words fathoming the full depth of Amleth's + penetration. Then he summoned his steward and asked him whence he had + procured the bread. The steward declared that it had been made by the + king's own baker. The king asked where the corn had grown of which it was + made, and whether any sign was to be found there of human carnage? The + other answered, that not far off was a field, covered with the ancient + bones of slaughtered men, and still bearing plainly all the signs of + ancient carnage; and that he had himself planted this field with grain in + springtide, thinking it more fruitful than the rest, and hoping for + plenteous abundance; and so, for aught he knew, the bread had caught some + evil savour from this bloodshed. The king, on hearing this, surmised that + Amleth had spoken truly, and took the pains to learn also what had been + the source of the lard. The other declared that his hogs had, through + negligence, strayed from keeping, and battened on the rotten carcase of a + robber, and that perchance their pork had thus come to have something of a + corrupt smack. The king, finding that Amletll's judgment was right in this + thing also, asked of what liquor the steward had mixed the drink? Hearing + that it had been brewed of water and meal, he had the spot of the spring + pointed out to him, and set to digging deep down; and there he found, + rusted away, several swords, the tang whereof it was thought had tainted + the waters. Others relate that Amleth blamed the drink because, while + quaffing it, he had detected some bees that had fed in the paunch of a + dead man; and that the taint, which had formerly been imparted to the + combs, had reappeared in the taste. The king, seeing that Amleth had + rightly given the causes of the taste he had found so faulty, and learning + that the ignoble eyes wherewith Amleth had reproached him concerned some + stain upon his birth, had a secret interview with his mother, and asked + her who his father had really been. She said she had submitted to no man + but the king. But when he threatened that he would have the truth out of + her by a trial, he was told that he was the offspring of a slave. By the + evidence of the avowal thus extorted he understood the whole mystery of + the reproach upon his origin. Abashed as he was with shame for his low + estate, he was so ravished with the young man's cleverness, that he asked + him why he had aspersed the queen with the reproach that she had demeaned + herself like a slave? But while resenting that the courtliness of his wife + had been accused in the midnight gossip of guest, he found that her mother + had been a bondmaid. For Amleth said he had noted in her three blemishes + showing the demeanor of a slave; first, she had muffled her head in her + mantle as handmaids do; next, that she had gathered up her gown for + walking; and thirdly, that she had first picked out with a splinter, and + then chewed up, the remnant of food that stuck in the crevices between her + teeth. Further, he mentioned that the king's mother had been brought into + slavery from captivity, lest she should seem servile only in her habits, + yet not in her birth. + </p> + <p> + Then the king adored the wisdom of Amleth as though it were inspired, and + gave him his daughter to wife; accepting his bare word as though it were a + witness from the skies. Moreover, in order to fulfil the bidding of his + friend, he hanged Amleth's companions on the morrow. Amleth, feigning + offence, treated this piece of kindness as a grievance, and received from + the king, as compensation, some gold, which he afterwards melted in the + fire, and secretly caused to be poured into some hollowed sticks. + </p> + <p> + When he had passed a whole year with the king he obtained leave to make a + journey, and returned to his own land, carrying away of all his princely + wealth and state only the sticks which held the gold. On reaching Jutland, + he exchanged his present attire for his ancient demeanour, which he had + adopted for righteous ends, purposely assuming an aspect of absurdity. + Covered with filth, he entered the banquet-room where his own obsequies + were being held, and struck all men utterly aghast, rumour having falsely + noised abroad his death. At last terror melted into mirth, and the guests + jeered and taunted one another, that he whose last rites they were + celebrating as through he were dead, should appear in the flesh. When he + was asked concerning his comrades, he pointed to the sticks he was + carrying, and said, "Here is both the one and the other." This he observed + with equal truth and pleasantry; for his speech, though most thought it + idle, yet departed not from the truth; for it pointed at the weregild of + the slain as though it were themselves. Thereon, wishing to bring the + company into a gayer mood, he jollied the cupbearers, and diligently did + the office of plying the drink. Then, to prevent his loose dress hampering + his walk, he girdled his sword upon his side, and purposely drawing it + several times, pricked his fingers with its point. The bystanders + accordingly had both sword and scabbard riveted across with all iron nail. + Then, to smooth the way more safely to his plot, he went to the lords and + plied them heavily with draught upon draught, and drenched them all so + deep in wine, that their feet were made feeble with drunkenness, and they + turned to rest within the palace, making their bed where they had + revelled. Then he saw they were in a fit state for his plots, and thought + that here was a chance offered to do his purpose. So he took out of his + bosom the stakes he has long ago prepared, and went into the building, + where the ground lay covered with the bodies of the nobles wheezing off + their sleep and their debauch. Then, cutting away its support, he brought + down the hanging his mother had knitted, which covered the inner as well + as the outer walls of the hall. This he flung upon the snorers, and then + applying the crooked stakes, he knotted and bound them up in such + insoluble intricacy, that not one of the men beneath, however hard he + might struggle, could contrive to rise. After this he set fire to the + palace. The flames spread, scattering the conflagration far and wide. It + enveloped the whole dwelling, destroyed the palace, and burnt them all + while they were either buried in deep sleep or vainly striving to arise. + Then he went to the chamber of Feng, who had before this been conducted by + his train into his pavilion; plucked up a sword that chanced to be hanging + to the bed, and planted his own in its place. Then, awakening his uncle, + he told him that his nobles were perishing in the flames, and that Amleth + was here, armed with his crooks to help him, and thirsting to exact the + vengeance, now long overdue, for his father's murder. Feng, on hearing + this, leapt from his couch, but was cut down while deprived of his own + sword, and as he strove in vain to draw the strange one. O valiant Amleth, + and worthy of immortal fame, who being shrewdly armed with a feint of + folly, covered a wisdom too high for human wit under a marvellous disguise + of silliness! And not only found in his subtlety means to protect his own + safety, but also by its guidance found opportunity to avenge his father. + By this skilful defence of himself, and strenuous revenge for his parent, + he has left it doubtful whether we are to think more of his wit or his + bravery. (3) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) Saxo now goes back to the history of Denmark. All the + events hitherto related in Bk. III, after the first + paragraph, are a digression in retrospect. + (2) M. conjectures that this was a certain Harald, the bastard + son of Erik the Good, and a wild and dissolute man, who died + in 1135, not long before the probable date of Saxo's birth. + (3) Shakespere's tragedy, "Hamlet", is derived from this story. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK FOUR. + </h2> + <p> + Amleth, when he had accomplished the slaughter of his stepfather, feared + to expose his deed to the fickle judgment of his countrymen, and thought + it well to lie in hiding till he had learnt what way the mob of the + uncouth populace was tending. So the whole neighbourhood, who had watched + the blaze during the night, and in the morning desired to know the cause + of the fire they had seen, perceived the royal palace fallen in ashes; + and, on searching through its ruins, which were yet warm, found only some + shapeless remains of burnt corpses. For the devouring flame had consumed + everything so utterly that not a single token was left to inform them of + the cause of such a disaster. Also they saw the body of Feng lying pierced + by the sword, amid his blood-stained raiment. Some were seized with open + anger, others with grief, and some with secret delight. One party bewailed + the death of their leader, the other gave thanks that the tyranny of the + fratricide was now laid at rest. Thus the occurrence of the king's + slaughter was greeted by the beholders with diverse minds. + </p> + <p> + Amleth, finding the people so quiet, made bold to leave his hiding. + Summoning those in whom he knew the memory of his father to be + fast-rooted, he went to the assembly and there made a speech after this + manner: + </p> + <p> + "Nobles! Let not any who are troubled by the piteous end of Horwendil be + worried by the sight of this disaster before you; be not ye, I say, + distressed, who have remained loyal to your king and duteous to your + father. Behold the corpse, not of a prince, but of a fratricide. Indeed, + it was a sorrier sight when ye saw our prince lying lamentably butchered + by a most infamous fratricide-brother, let me not call him. With your own + compassionating eyes ye have beheld the mangled limbs of Horwendil; they + have seen his body done to death with many wounds. Surely that most + abominable butcher only deprived his king of life that he might despoil + his country of freedom! The hand that slew him made you slaves. Who then + so mad as to choose Feng the cruel before Horwendil the righteous? + Remember how benignantly Horwendil fostered you, how justly he dealt with + you, how kindly he loved you. Remember how you lost the mildest of princes + and the justest of fathers, while in his place was put a tyrant and an + assassin set up; how your rights were confiscated; how everything was + plague-stricken; how the country was stained with infamies; how the yoke + was planted on your necks, and how, your free will was forfeited! And now + all this is over; for ye see the criminal stifled in his own crimes, the + slayer of his kin punished for his misdoings. What man of but ordinary + wit, beholding it, would account this kindness a wrong? What sane man + could be sorry that the crime has recoiled upon the culprit? Who could + lament the killing of a most savage executioner? Or bewail the righteous + death of a most cruel despot? Ye behold the doer of the deed; he is before + you. Yea, I own that I have taken vengeance for my country and my father. + Your hands were equally bound to the task which mine fulfilled. What it + would have beseemed you to accomplish with me, I achieved alone. Nor had I + any partner in so glorious a deed, or the service of any man to help me. + Not that I forget that you would have helped this work, had I asked you; + for doubtless you have remained loyal to your king and loving to your + prince. But I chose that the wicked should be punished without imperilling + you; I thought that others need not set their shoulders to the burden when + I deemed mine strong enough to bear it. Therefore I consumed all the + others to ashes, and left only the trunk of Feng for your hands to burn, + so that on this at least you may wreak all your longing for a righteous + vengeance. Now haste up speedily, heap the pyre, burn up the body of the + wicked, consume away his guilty limbs, scatter his sinful ashes, strew + broadcast his ruthless dust; let no urn or barrow enclose the abominable + remnants of his bones. Let no trace of his fratricide remain; let there be + no spot in his own land for his tainted limbs; let no neighbourhood suck + infection from him; let not sea nor soil be defiled by harboring his + accursed carcase. I have done the rest; this one loyal duty is left for + you. These must be the tyrant's obsequies, this the funeral procession of + the fratricide. It is not seemly that he who stripped his country of her + freedom should have his ashes covered by his country's earth. + </p> + <p> + "Besides, why tell again my own sorrows? Why count over my troubles? Why + weave the thread of my miseries anew? Ye know them more fully than I + myself. I, pursued to the death by my stepfather, scorned by my mother, + spat upon by friends, have passed my years in pitiable wise, and my days + in adversity; and my insecure life has teemed with fear and perils. In + fine, I passed every season of my age wretchedly and in extreme calamity. + Often in your secret murmurings together you have sighed over my lack of + wits; there was none (you said) to avenge the father, none to punish the + fratricide. And in this I found a secret testimony of your love; for I saw + that the memory of the King's murder had not yet faded from your minds. + </p> + <p> + "Whose breast is so hard that it can be softened by no fellow-feeling for + what I have felt? Who is so stiff and stony, that he is swayed by no + compassion for my griefs? Ye whose hands are clean of the blood of + Horwendil, pity your fosterling, be moved by my calamities. Pity also my + stricken mother, and rejoice with me that the infamy of her who was once + your queen is quenched. For this weak woman had to bear a twofold weight + of ignominy, embracing one who was her husband's brother and murderer. + Therefore, to hide my purpose of revenge and to veil my wit, I + counterfeited a listless bearing; I feigned dulness; I planned a + stratagem; and now you can see with your own eyes whether it has + succeeded, whether it has achieved its purpose to the full; I am content + to leave you to judge so great a matter. It is your turn; trample under + foot the ashes of the murderer! Disdain the dust of him who slew his + brother, and defiled his brother's queen with infamous desecration, who + outraged his sovereign and treasonably assailed his majesty, who brought + the sharpest tyranny upon you, stole your freedom, and crowned fratricide + with incest. I have been the agent of this just vengeance; I have burned + for this righteous retribution; uphold me with a high-born spirit; pay me + the homage that you owe; warm me with your kindly looks. It is I who have + wiped off my country's shame; I who have quenched my mother's dishonour; I + who have beaten back oppression; I who have put to death the murderer; I + who have baffled the artful hand of my uncle with retorted arts. Were he + living, each new day would have multiplied his crimes. I resented the + wrong done to father and to fatherland: I slew him who was governing you + outrageously and more hardly than it beseemed men. Acknowledge my service, + honour my wit, give me the throne if I have earned it; for you have in me + one who has done you a mighty service, and who is no degenerate heir to + his father's power; no fratricide, but the lawful successor to the throne; + and a dutiful avenger of the crime of murder. It is I who have stripped + you of slavery, and clothed you with freedom; I have restored your height + of fortune, and given you your glory back; I have deposed the despot and + triumphed over the butcher. In your hands is the reward; you know what I + have done for you, and from your righteousness I ask my wage." + </p> + <p> + Every heart had been moved while the young man thus spoke; he affected + some to compassion, and some even to tears. When the lamentation ceased, + he was appointed king by prompt and general acclaim. For one and all + rested their greatest hopes on his wisdom, since he had devised the whole + of such an achievement with the deepest cunning, and accomplished it with + the most astonishing contrivance. Many could have been seen marvelling how + he had concealed so subtle a plan over so long a space of time. + </p> + <p> + After these deeds in Denmark, Amleth equipped three vessels, and went back + to Britain to see his wife and her father. He had also enrolled in his + service the flower of the warriors, and arrayed them very choicely, + wishing to have everything now magnificently appointed, even as of old he + had always worn contemptible gear, and to change all his old devotion to + poverty for outlay on luxury. He also had a shield made for him, whereon + the whole series of his exploits, beginning with his earliest youth, was + painted in exquisite designs. This he bore as a record of his deeds of + prowess, and gained great increase of fame thereby. Here were to be seen + depicted the slaying of Horwendil; the fratricide and incest of Feng; the + infamous uncle, the whimsical nephew; the shapes of the hooked stakes; the + stepfather suspecting, the stepson dissembling; the various temptations + offered, and the woman brought to beguile him; the gaping wolf; the + finding of the rudder; the passing of the sand; the entering of the wood; + the putting of the straw through the gadfly; the warning of the youth by + the tokens; and the privy dealings with the maiden after the escort was + eluded. And likewise could be seen the picture of the palace; the queen + there with her son; the slaying of the eavesdropper; and how, after being + killed, he was boiled down, and so dropped into the sewer, and so thrown + out to the swine; how his limbs were strewn in the mud, and so left for + the beasts to finish. Also it could be seen how Amleth surprised the + secret of his sleeping attendants, how he erased the letters, and put new + characters in their places; how he disdained the banquet and scorned the + drink; how he condemned time face of the king and taxed the Queen with + faulty behaviour. There was also represented the hanging of the envoys, + and the young man's wedding; then the voyage back to Denmark; the festive + celebration of the funeral rites; Amleth, in answer to questions, pointing + to the sticks in place of his attendants, acting as cupbearer, and + purposely drawing his sword and pricking his fingers; the sword riveted + through, the swelling cheers of the banquet, the dance growing fast and + furious; the hangings flung upon the sleepers, then fastened with the + interlacing crooks, and wrapped tightly round them as they slumbered; the + brand set to the mansion, the burning of the guests, the royal palace + consumed with fire and tottering down; the visit to the sleeping-room of + Feng, the theft of his sword, the useless one set in its place; and the + king slain with his own sword's point by his stepson's hand. All this was + there, painted upon Amleth's battle-shield by a careful craftsman in the + choicest of handiwork; he copied truth in his figures, and embodied real + deeds in his outlines. Moreover, Amleth's followers, to increase the + splendour of their presence, wore shields which were gilt over. + </p> + <p> + The King of Britain received them very graciously, and treated them with + costly and royal pomp. During the feast he asked anxiously whether Feng + was alive and prosperous. His son-in-law told him that the man of whose + welfare he was vainly inquiring had perished by the sword. With a flood of + questions he tried to find out who had slain Feng, and learnt that the + messenger of his death was likewise its author. And when the king heard + this, he was secretly aghast, because he found that an old promise to + avenge Feng now devolved upon himself. For Feng and he had determined of + old, by a mutual compact, that one of them should act as avenger of the + other. Thus the king was drawn one way by his love for his daughter and + his affection for his son-in-law; another way by his regard for his + friend, and moreover by his strict oath and the sanctity of their mutual + declarations, which it was impious to violate. At last he slighted the + ties of kinship, and sworn faith prevailed. His heart turned to vengeance, + and he put the sanctity of his oath before family bonds. But since it was + thought sin to wrong the holy ties of hospitality, he preferred to + execrate his revenge by the hand of another, wishing to mask his secret + crime with a show of innocence. So he veiled his treachery with + attentions, and hid his intent to harm under a show of zealous goodwill. + His queen having lately died of illness, he requested Amleth to undertake + the mission of making him a fresh match, saying that he was highly + delighted with his extraordinary shrewdness. He declared that there was a + certain queen reigning in Scotland, whom he vehemently desired to marry. + Now he knew that she was not only unwedded by reason of her chastity, but + that in the cruelty of her arrogance she had always loathed her wooers, + and had inflicted on her lovers the uttermost punishment, so that not one + but of all the multitude was to be found who had not paid for his + insolence with his life. + </p> + <p> + Perilous as this commission was Amleth started, never shrinking to obey + the duty imposed upon him, but trusting partly in his own servants, and + partly in the attendants of the king. He entered Scotland, and, when quite + close to the abode of the queen, he went into a meadow by the wayside to + rest his horses. Pleased by the look of the spot, he thought of resting—the + pleasant prattle of the stream exciting a desire to sleep—and posted + men to keep watch some way off. The queen on hearing of this, sent out ten + warriors to spy on the approach of the foreigners and their equipment. One + of these, being quick-witted, slipped past the sentries, pertinaciously + made his way up, and took away the shield, which Amleth had chanced to set + at his head before he slept, so gently that he did not ruffle his + slumbers, though he was lying upon it, nor awaken one man of all that + troop; for he wished to assure his mistress not only by report but by some + token. With equal address he filched the letter entrusted to Amleth from + the coffer in which it was kept. When these things were brought to the + queen, she scanned the shield narrowly, and from the notes appended made + out the whole argument. Then she knew that here was the man who, trusting + in his own nicely calculated scheme, had avenged on his uncle the murder + of his father. She also looked at the letter containing the suit for her + band, and rubbed out all the writing; for wedlock with the old she utterly + abhorred, and desired the embraces of young men. But she wrote in its + place a commission purporting to be sent from the King of Britain to + herself, signed like the other with his name and title, wherein she + pretended that she was asked to marry the bearer. Moreover, she included + an account of the deeds of which she had learnt from Amleth's shield, so + that one would have thought the shield confirmed the letter, while the + letter explained the shield. Then she told the same spies whom she had + employed before to take the shield back, and put the letter in its place + again; playing the very trick on Amleth which, as she had learnt, he had + himself used in outwitting his companions. + </p> + <p> + Amleth, meanwhile, who found that his shield had been filched from under + his head, deliberately shut his eyes and cunningly feigned sleep, hoping + to regain by pretended what he had lost by real slumbers. For he thought + that the success of his one attempt would incline the spy to deceive him a + second time. And he was not mistaken. For as the spy came up stealthily, + and wanted to put back the shield and the writing in their old place, + Amleth leapt up, seized him, and detained him in bonds. Then he roused his + retinue, and went to the abode of the queen. As representing his + father-in-law, he greeted her, and handled her the writing, sealed with + the king's seal. The queen, who was named Hermutrude, took and read it, + and spoke most warmly of Amleth's diligence and shrewdness, saying, that + Feng had deserved his punishment, and that the unfathomable wit of Amleth + had accomplished a deed past all human estimation; seeing that not only + had his impenetrable depth devised a mode of revenging his father's death + and his mother's adultery, but it had further, by his notable deeds Of + prowess, seized the kingdom of the man whom he had found constantly + plotting against him. She marvelled therefore that a man of such + instructed mind could have made the one slip of a mistaken marriage; for + though his renown almost rose above mortality, he seemed to have stumbled + into an obscure and ignoble match. For the parents of his wife had been + slaves, though good luck had graced them with the honours of royalty. Now + (said she), when looking for a wife a wise man must reckon the lustre of + her birth and not of her beauty. Therefore, if he were to seek a match in + a proper spirit, he should weigh the ancestry, and not be smitten by the + looks; for though looks were a lure to temptation, yet their empty + bedizenment had tarnished the white simplicity of many a man. Now there + was a woman, as nobly born as himself, whom he could take. She herself, + whose means were not poor nor her birth lowly, was worthy his embraces, + since he did not surpass her in royal wealth nor outshine her in the + honour of his ancestors. Indeed she was a queen, and but that her sex + gainsaid it, might be deemed a king; may (and this is yet truer), + whomsoever she thought worthy of her bed was at once a king, and she + yielded her kingdom with herself. Thus her sceptre and her hand went + together. It was no mean favour for such a woman to offer her love, who in + the case of other men had always followed her refusal with the sword. + Therefore she pressed him to transfer his wooing, to make over to her his + marriage vows, and to learn to prefer birth to beauty. So saying, she fell + upon him with a close embrace. + </p> + <p> + Amleth was overjoyed at the gracious speech of the maiden, fell to kissing + back, and returned her close embrace, protesting that the maiden's wish + was his own. Then a banquet was held, friends bidden, the nobles gathered, + and the marriage rites performed. When they were accomplished, he went + back to Britain with his bride, a strong band of Scots being told to + follow close behind, that he might have its help against the diverse + treacheries in his path. As he was returning, the daughter of the King of + Britain, to whom he was still married, met him. Though she complained that + she was slighted by the wrong of having a paramour put over her, yet, she + said, it would be unworthy for her to hate him as an adulterer more than + she loved him as a husband: nor would she so far shrink from her lord as + to bring herself to hide in silence the guile which she knew was intended + against him. For she had a son as a pledge of their marriage, and regard + for him, if nothing else, must have inclined his mother to the affection + of a wife. "He," she said, "may hate the supplanter of his mother, I will + love her; no disaster shall put out my flame for thee; no ill-will shall + quench it, or prevent me from exposing the malignant designs against thee, + or from revealing the snares I have detected. Bethink thee, then, that + thou must beware of thy father-in-law, for thou hast thyself reaped the + harvest of thy mission, foiled the wishes of him who sent thee, and with + willful trespass seized over all the fruit for thyself." By this speech + she showed herself more inclined to love her husband than her father. + </p> + <p> + While she thus spoke, the King of Britain came up and embraced his + son-in-law closely, but with little love, and welcomed him with a banquet, + to hide his intended guile under a show of generosity. But Amleth, having + learnt the deceit, dissembled his fear, took a retinue of two hundred + horsemen, put on an under-shirt (of mail), and complied with the + invitation, preferring the peril of falling in with the king's deceit to + the shame of hanging back. So much heed for honour did he think that he + must take in all things. As he rode up close, the king attacked him just + under the porch of the folding doors, and would have thrust him through + with his javelin, but that the hard shirt of mail threw off the blade. + Amleth received a slight wound, and went to the spot where he had bidden + the Scottish warriors wait on duty. He then sent back to the king his new + wife's spy, whom he had captured. This man was to bear witness that he had + secretly taken from the coffer where it was kept the letter which was + meant for his mistress, and thus was to make the whole blame recoil on + Hermutrude, by this studied excuse absolving Amleth from the charge of + treachery. The king without tarrying pursued Amleth hotly as he fled, and + deprived him of most of his forces. So Amleth, on the morrow, wishing to + fight for dear life, and utterly despairing of his powers of resistance, + tried to increase his apparent numbers. He put stakes under some of the + dead bodies of his comrades to prop them up, set others on horseback like + living men, and tied others to neighbouring stones, not taking off any of + their armour, and dressing them in due order of line and wedge, just as if + they were about to engage. The wing composed of the dead was as thick as + the troop of the living. It was an amazing spectacle this, of dead men + dragged out to battle, and corpses mustered to fight. The plan served him + well, for the very figures of the dead men showed like a vast array as the + sunbeams struck them. For those dead and senseless shapes restored the + original number of the army so well, that the mass might have been + unthinned by the slaughter of yesterday. The Britons, terrified at the + spectacle, fled before fighting, conquered by the dead men whom they had + overcome in life. I cannot tell whether to think more of the cunning or of + the good fortune of this victory. The Danes came down on the king as he + was tardily making off, and killed him. Amleth, triumphant, made a great + plundering, seized the spoils of Britain, and went back with his wives to + his own land. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Rorik had died, and Wiglek, who had come to the throne, had + harassed Amleth's mother with all manner of insolence and stripped her of + her royal wealth, complaining that her son had usurped the kingdom of + Jutland and defrauded the King of Leire, who had the sole privilege of + giving and taking away the rights of high offices. This treatment Amleth + took with such forbearance as apparently to return kindness for slander, + for he presented Wiglek with the richest of his spoils. But afterwards he + seized a chance of taking vengeance, attacked him, subdued him, and from a + covert became an open foe. Fialler, the governor of Skaane, he drove into + exile; and the tale is that Fialler retired to a spot called Undensakre, + which is unknown to our peoples. After this, Wiglek, recruited with the + forces of Skaane and Zealand, sent envoys to challenge Amleth to a war. + Amleth, with his marvellous shrewdness, saw that he was tossed between two + difficulties, one of which involved disgrace and the other danger. For he + knew that if he took up the challenge he was threatened with peril of his + life, while to shrink from it would disgrace his reputation as a soldier. + Yet in that spirit ever fixed on deeds of prowess the desire to save his + honour won the day. Dread of disaster was blunted by more vehement thirst + for glory; he would not tarnish the unblemished lustre of his fame by + timidly skulking from his fate. Also he saw that there is almost as wide a + gap between a mean life and a noble death as that which is acknowledged + between honour and disgrace themselves. + </p> + <p> + Yet Amleth was enchained by such great love for Hermutrude, that he was + more deeply concerned in his mind about her future widowhood than about + his own death, and cast about very zealously how he could decide on some + second husband for her before the opening of the war. Hermutrude, + therefore, declared that she had the courage of a man, and promised that + she would not forsake him even on the field, saying that the woman who + dreaded to be united with her lord in death was abominable. But she kept + this rare promise ill; for when Amleth had been slain by Wiglek in battle + in Jutland, she yielded herself up unasked to be the conqueror's spoil and + bride. Thus all vows of woman are loosed by change of fortune and melted + by the shifting of time; the faith of their soul rests on a slippery + foothold, and is weakened by casual chances; glib in promises, and as + sluggish in performance, all manner of lustful promptings enslave it, and + it bounds away with panting and precipitate desire, forgetful of old + things in the ever hot pursuit after something fresh. So ended Amleth. Had + fortune been as kind to him as nature, he would have equalled the gods in + glory, and surpassed the labours of Hercules by his deeds of prowess. A + plain in Jutland is to be found, famous for his name and burial-place. + Wiglek's administration of the kingdom was long and peaceful, and he died + of disease. + </p> + <p> + WERMUND, his son, succeeded him. The long and leisurely tranquillity of a + most prosperous and quiet time flowed by and Wermund in undisturbed + security maintained a prolonged and steady peace at home. He had no + children during the prime of his life, but in his old age, by a belated + gift of fortune, he begat a son, Uffe, though all the years which had + glided by had raised him up no offspring. This Uffe surpassed all of his + age in stature, but in his early youth was supposed to have so dull and + foolish a spirit as to be useless for all affairs public or private. For + from his first years he never used to play or make merry, but was so void + of all human pleasure that he kept his lips sealed in a perennial silence, + and utterly restrained his austere visage from the business of laughter. + But though through the years of his youth he was reputed for an utter + fool, he afterwards left that despised estate and became famous, turning + out as great a pattern of wisdom and hardihood as he had been a picture of + stagnation. His father, seeing him such a simpleton, got him for a wife + the daughter of Frowin, the governor of the men of Sleswik; thinking that + by his alliance with so famous a man Uffe would receive help which would + serve him well in administering the realm. Frowin had two sons, Ket and + Wig, who were youths of most brilliant parts, and their excellence, not + less than that of Frowin, Wermund destined to the future advantage of his + son. + </p> + <p> + At this time the King of Sweden was Athisl, a man of notable fame and + energy. After defeating his neighbours far around, he was loth to leave + the renown won by his prowess to be tarnished in slothful ease, and by + constant and zealous practice brought many novel exercises into vogue. For + one thing he had a daily habit of walking alone girt with splendid armour: + in part because he knew that nothing was more excellent in warfare than + the continual practice of arms; and in part that he might swell his glory + by ever following this pursuit. Self-confidence claimed as large a place + in this man as thirst for fame. Nothing, he thought, could be so terrible + as to make him afraid that it would daunt his stout heart by its + opposition. He carried his arms into Denmark, and challenged Frowin to + battle near Sleswik. The armies routed one another with vast slaughter, + and it happened that the generals came to engage in person, so that they + conducted the affair like a duel; and, in addition to the public issues of + the war, the fight was like a personal conflict. For both of them longed + with equal earnestness for an issue of the combat by which they might + exhibit their valour, not by the help of their respective sides, but by a + trial of personal strength. The end was that, though the blows rained + thick on either side, Athisl prevailed and overthrew Frowin, and won a + public victory as well as a duel, breaking up and shattering the Danish + ranks in all directions. When he returned to Sweden, he not only counted + the slaying of Frowin among the trophies of his valour, but even bragged + of it past measure, so ruining the glory of the deed by his wantonness of + tongue. For it is sometimes handsomer for deeds of valour to be shrouded + in the modesty of silence than to be blazoned in wanton talk. + </p> + <p> + Wermund raised the sons of Frowin to honours of the same rank as their + father's, a kindness which was only due to the children of his friend who + had died for the country. This prompted Athisl to carry the war again into + Denmark. Emboldened therefore by his previous battle, he called back, + bringing with him not only no slender and feeble force, but all the flower + of the valour of Sweden, thinking he would seize the supremacy of all + Denmark. Ket, the son of Frowin, sent Folk, his chief officer, to take + this news to Wermund, who then chanced to be in his house Jellinge. (1) + Folk found the king feasting with his friends, and did his errand, + admonishing him that here was the long-wished-for chance of war at hand, + and pressing itself upon the wishes of Wermund, to whom was give an + immediate chance of victory and the free choice of a speedy and honourable + triumph. Great and unexpected were the sweets of good fortune, so long + sighed for, and now granted to him by this lucky event. For Athisl had + come encompassed with countless forces of the Swedes, just as though in + his firm assurance he had made sure of victory; and since the enemy who + was going to fight would doubtless prefer death to flight, this chance of + war gave them a fortunate opportunity to take vengeance for their late + disaster. + </p> + <p> + Wermund, declaring that he had performed his mission nobly and bravely, + ordered that he should take some little refreshment of the banquet, since + "far-faring ever hurt fasters." When Folk said that he had no kind of + leisure to take food, he begged him to take a draught to quench his + thirst. This was given him; and Wermund also bade him keep the cup, which + was of gold, saying that men who were weary with the heat of wayfaring + found it handier to take up the water in a goblet than in the palms, and + that it was better to use a cup for drinking than the hand. When the king + accompanied his great gift with such gracious words, the young man, + overjoyed at both, promised that, before the king should see him turn and + flee, he would take a draught of his own blood to the full measure of the + liquor he had drunk. + </p> + <p> + With this doughty vow Wermund accounted himself well repaid, and got + somewhat more joy from giving the boon than the soldier had from gaining + it. Nor did he find that Folk's talk was braver than his fighting. + </p> + <p> + For, when battle had begun, it came to pass that amidst divers charges of + the troops Folk and Athisl met and fought a long while together; and that + the host of the Swedes, following the fate of their captain, took to + flight, and Athisl also was wounded and fled from the battle to his ships. + And when Folk, dazed with wounds and toils, and moreover steeped alike in + heat and toil and thirst, had ceased to follow the rout of the enemy, + then, in order to refresh himself, he caught his own blood in his helmet, + and put it to his lips to drain: by which deed he gloriously requited the + king's gift of the cup. Wermund, who chanced to see this, praised him + warmly for fulfilling his vow. Folk answered, that a noble vow ought to be + strictly performed to the end: a speech wherein he showed no less approval + of his own deed than Wermund. + </p> + <p> + Now, while the conquerors had laid down their arms, and, as is usual after + battle, were exchanging diverse talk with one another, Ket, the governor + of the men of Sleswik, declared that it was a matter of great marvel to + him how it was that Athisl, though difficulties strewed his path, had + contrived an opportunity to escape, especially as he had been the first + and foremost in the battle, but last of all in the retreat; and though + there had not been one of the enemy whose fall was so vehemently desired + by the Danes. Wermund rejoined that he should know that there were four + kinds of warrior to be distinguished in every army. The fighters of the + first order were those who, tempering valour with forbearance, were keen + to slay those who resisted, but were ashamed to bear hard on fugitives. + For these were the men who had won undoubted proofs of prowess by veteran + experience in arms, and who found their glory not in the flight of the + conquered, but in overcoming those whom they had to conquer. Then there + was a second kind of warriors, who were endowed with stout frame and + spirit, but with no jot of compassion, and who raged with savage and + indiscriminate carnage against the backs as well as the breasts of their + foes. Now of this sort were the men carried away by hot and youthful + blood, and striving to grace their first campaign with good auguries of + warfare. They burned as hotly with the glow of youth as with the glow for + glory, and thus rushed headlong into right or wrong with equal + recklessness. There was also the third kind, who, wavering betwixt shame + and fear, could not go forward for terror, while shame barred retreat. Of + distinguished blood, but only notable for their useless stature, they + crowded the ranks with numbers and not with strength, smote the foe more + with their shadows than with their arms, and were only counted among the + throng of warriors as so many bodies to be seen. These men were lords of + great riches, but excelled more in birth than bravery; hungry for life + because owning great possessions, they were forced to yield to the sway of + cowardice rather than nobleness. There were others, again, who brought + show to the war, and not substance, and who, foisting themselves into the + rear of their comrades, were the first to fly and the last to fight. One + sure token of fear betrayed their feebleness; for they always deliberately + sought excuses to shirk, and followed with timid and sluggish advance in + the rear of the fighters. It must be supposed, therefore, that these were + the reasons why the king had escaped safely; for when he fled he was not + pursued pertinaciously by the men of the front rank; since these made it + their business to preserve the victory, not to arrest the conquered, and + massed their wedges, in order that the fresh-won victory might be duly and + sufficiently guarded, and attain the fulness of triumph. + </p> + <p> + Now the second class of fighters, whose desire was to cut down everything + in their way, had left Athisl unscathed, from lack not of will but of + opportunity; for they had lacked the chance to hurt him rather than the + daring. Moreover, though the men of the third kind, who frittered away the + very hour of battle by wandering about in a flurried fashion, and also + hampered the success of their own side, had had their chance of harming + the king, they yet lacked courage to assail him. In this way Wermund + satisfied the dull amazement of Ket, and declared that he had set forth + and expounded the true reasons of the king's safe escape. + </p> + <p> + After this Athisl fled back to Sweden, still wantonly bragging of the + slaughter of Frowin, and constantly boasting the memory of his exploit + with prolix recital of his deeds; not that he bore calmly the shame of his + defeat, but that he might salve the wound of his recent flight by the + honours of his ancient victory. This naturally much angered Ket and Wig, + and they swore a vow to unite in avenging their father. Thinking that they + could hardly accomplish this in open war, they took an equipment of + lighter armament, and went to Sweden alone. Then, entering a wood in which + they had learnt by report that the king used to take his walks + unaccompanied, they hid their weapons. Then they talked long with Athisl, + giving themselves out as deserters; and when he asked them what was their + native country, they said they were men of Sleswik, and had left their + land "for manslaughter". The king thought that this statement referred not + to their vow to commit the crime, but to the guilt of some crime already + committed. For they desired by this deceit to foil his inquisitiveness, so + that the truthfulness of the statement might baffle the wit of the + questioner, and their true answer, being covertly shadowed forth in a + fiction, might inspire in him a belief that it was false. For famous men + of old thought lying a most shameful thing. Then Athisl said he would like + to know whom the Danes believed to be the slayer of Frowin. Ket replied + that there was a doubt as to who ought to claim so illustrious a deed, + especially as the general testimony was that he had perished on the field + of battle. Athisl answered that it was idle to credit others with the + death of Frowin, which he, and he alone, had accomplished in mutual + combat. Soon he asked whether Frowin had left any children. Ket answering + that two sons of his were alive, said that he would be very glad to learn + their age and stature. Ket replied that they were almost of the same size + as themselves in body, alike in years, and much resembling them in + tallness. Then Athisl said: "If the mind and the valour of their sire were + theirs, a bitter tempest would break upon me." Then he asked whether those + men constantly spoke of the slaying of their father. Ket rejoined that it + was idle to go on talking and talking about a thing that could not be + softened by any remedy, and declared that it was no good to harp with + constant vexation on an inexpiable ill. By saying this he showed that + threats ought not to anticipate vengeance. + </p> + <p> + When Ket saw that the king regularly walked apart alone in order to train + his strength, he took up his arms, and with his brother followed the king + as he walked in front of them. Athisl, when he saw them, stood his ground + on the sand, thinking it shameful to avoid threateners. Then they said + that they would take vengeance for his slaying of Frowin, especially as he + avowed with so many arrogant vaunts that he alone was his slayer. But he + told them to take heed lest while they sought to compass their revenge, + they should be so foolhardy as to engage him with their feeble and + powerless hand, and while desiring the destruction of another, should find + they had fallen themselves. Thus they would cut off their goodly promise + of overhasty thirst for glory. Let them then save their youth and spare + their promise; let them not be seized so lightly with a desire to perish. + Therefore, let them suffer him to requite with money the trespass done + them in their father's death, and account it great honour that they would + be credited with forcing so mighty a chief to pay a fine, and in a manner + with shaking him with overmastering fear. Yet he said he advised them + thus, not because he was really terrified, but because he was moved with + compassion for their youth. Ket replied that it was idle to waste time in + beating so much about the bush and trying to sap their righteous longing + for revenge by an offer of pelf. So he bade him come forward and make + trial with him in single combat of whatever strength he had. He himself + would do without the aid of his brother, and would fight with his own + strength, lest it should appear a shameful and unequal combat, for the + ancients held it to be unfair, and also infamous, for two men to fight + against one; and a victory gained by this kind of fighting they did not + account honourable, but more like a disgrace than a glory. Indeed, it was + considered not only a poor, but a most shameful exploit for two men to + overpower one. + </p> + <p> + But Athisl was filled with such assurance that he bade them both assail + him at once, declaring that if he could not cure them of the desire to + fight, he would at least give them the chance of fighting more safely. But + Ket shrank so much from this favour that he swore he would accept death + sooner: for he thought that the terms of battle thus offered would be + turned into a reproach to himself. So he engaged hotly with Athisl, who + desirous to fight him in a forbearing fashion, merely thrust lightly with + his blade and struck upon his shield; thus guarding his own safety with + more hardihood than success. When he had done this some while, he advised + him to take his brother to share in his enterprise, and not be ashamed to + ask for the help of another hand, since his unaided efforts were useless. + If he refused, said Athisl, he should not be spared; then making good his + threats, he assailed him with all his might. But Ket received him with so + sturdy a stroke of his sword, that it split the helmet and forced its way + down upon the head. Stung by the wound (for a stream of blood flowed from + his poll), he attacked Ket with a shower of nimble blows, and drove him to + his knees. Wig, leaning more to personal love than to general usage, (2) + could not bear the sight, but made affection conquer shame, and attacking + Athisl, chose rather to defend the weakness of his brother than to look on + at it. But he won more infamy than glory by the deed. In helping his + brother he had violated the appointed conditions of the duel; and the help + that he gave him was thought more useful than honourable. For on the one + scale he inclined to the side of disgrace, and on the other to that of + affection. Thereupon they perceived themselves that their killing of + Athisl had been more swift than glorious. Yet, not to hide the deed from + the common people, they cut off his head, slung his body on a horse, took + it out of the wood, and handed it over to the dwellers in a village near, + announcing that the sons of Frowin had taken vengeance upon Athisl, King + of the Swedes, for the slaying of their father. Boasting of such a victory + as this, they were received by Wermund with the highest honours; for he + thought they had done a most useful deed, and he preferred to regard the + glory of being rid of a rival with more attention than the infamy of + committing an outrage. Nor did he judge that the killing of a tyrant was + in any wise akin to shame. It passed into a proverb among foreigners, that + the death of the king had broken down the ancient principle of combat. + </p> + <p> + When Wermund was losing his sight by infirmity of age, the King of Saxony, + thinking that Denmark lacked a leader, sent envoys ordering him to + surrender to his charge the kingdom which he held beyond the due term of + life; lest, if he thirsted to hold sway too long, he should strip his + country of laws and defence. For how could he be reckoned a king, whose + spirit was darkened with age, and his eyes with blindness not less black + and awful? If he refused, but yet had a son who would dare to accept a + challenge and fight with his son, let him agree that the victor should + possess the realm. But if he approved neither offer, let him learn that he + must be dealt with by weapons and not by warnings; and in the end he must + unwillingly surrender what he was too proud at first to yield uncompelled. + Wermund, shaken by deep sighs, answered that it was too insolent to sting + him with these taunts upon his years; for he had passed no timorous youth, + nor shrunk from battle, that age should bring him to this extreme misery. + It was equally unfitting to cast in his teeth the infirmity of his + blindness: for it was common for a loss of this kind to accompany such a + time of life as his, and it seemed a calamity fitter for sympathy than for + taunts. It were juster to fix the blame on the impatience of the King of + Saxony, whom it would have beseemed to wait for the old man's death, and + not demand his throne; for it was somewhat better to succeed to the dead + than to rob the living. Yet, that he might not be thought to make over the + honours of his ancient freedom, like a madman, to the possession of + another, he would accept the challenge with his own hand. The envoys + answered that they knew that their king would shrink from the mockery of + fighting a blind man, for such an absurd mode of combat was thought more + shameful than honourable. It would surely be better to settle the affair + by means of their offspring on either side. The Danes were in + consternation, and at a sudden loss for a reply: but Uffe, who happened to + be there with the rest, craved his father's leave to answer; and suddenly + the dumb as it were spake. When Wermund asked who had thus begged leave to + speak, and the attendants said that it was Uffe, he declared that it was + enough that the insolent foreigner should jeer at the pangs of his misery, + without those of his own household vexing him with the same wanton + effrontery. But the courtiers persistently averred that this man was Uffe; + and the king said: "He is free, whosoever he be, to say out what he + thinks." Then said Uffe, "that it was idle for their king to covet a realm + which could rely not only on the service of its own ruler, but also on the + arms and wisdom of most valiant nobles. Moreover, the king did not lack a + son nor the kingdom an heir; and they were to know that he had made up his + mind to fight not only the son of their king, but also, at the same time, + whatsoever man the prince should elect as his comrade out of the bravest + of their nation." + </p> + <p> + The envoys laughed when they beard this, thinking it idle lip-courage. + Instantly the ground for the battle was agreed on, and a fixed time + appointed. But the bystanders were so amazed by the strangeness of Uffe's + speaking and challenging, that one can scarce say if they were more + astonished at his words or at his assurance. + </p> + <p> + But on the departure of the envoys Wermund praised him who had made the + answer, because he had proved his confidence in his own valour by + challenging not one only, but two; and said that he would sooner quit his + kingdom for him, whoever he was, than for an insolent foe. But when one + and all testified that he who with lofty self-confidence had spurned the + arrogance of the envoys was his own son, he bade him come nearer to him, + wishing to test with his hands what he could not with his eyes. Then he + carefully felt his body, and found by the size of his limbs and by his + features that he was his son; and then began to believe their assertions, + and to ask him why he had taken pains to hide so sweet an eloquence with + such careful dissembling, and had borne to live through so long a span of + life without utterance or any intercourse of talk, so as to let men think + him utterly incapable of speech, and a born mute. He replied that he had + been hitherto satisfied with the protection of his father, that he had not + needed the use of his own voice, until he saw the wisdom of his own land + hard pressed by the glibness of a foreigner. The king also asked him why + he had chosen to challenge two rather than one. He said he had desired + this mode of combat in order that the death of King Athisl, which, having + been caused by two men, was a standing reproach to the Danes, might be + balanced by the exploit of one, and that a new ensample of valour might + erase the ancient record of their disgrace. Fresh honour, he said, would + thus obliterate the guilt of their old dishonour. + </p> + <p> + Wermund said that his son had judged all things rightly, and bade him + first learn the use of arms, since he had been little accustomed to them. + When they were offered to Uffe, he split the narrow links of the + mail-coats by the mighty girth of his chest, nor could any be found large + enough to hold him properly. For he was too hugely built to be able to use + the arms of any other man. At last, when he was bursting even his father's + coat of mail by the violent compression of his body, Wermund ordered it to + be cut away on the left side and patched with a buckle; thinking it + mattered little if the side guarded by the shield were exposed to the + sword. He also told him to be most careful in fixing on a sword which he + could use safely. Several were offered him; but Uffe, grasping the hilt, + shattered them one after the other into flinders by shaking them, and not + a single blade was of so hard a temper but at the first blow he broke it + into many pieces. But the king had a sword of extraordinary sharpness, + called "Skrep", which at a single blow of the smiter struck straight + through and cleft asunder any obstacle whatsoever; nor would aught be hard + enough to check its edge when driven home. The king, loth to leave this + for the benefit of posterity, and greatly grudging others the use of it, + had buried it deep in the earth, meaning, since he had no hopes of his + son's improvement, to debar everyone else from using it. But when he was + now asked whether he had a sword worthy of the strength of Uffe, he said + that he had one which, if he could recognize the lie of the ground and + find what he had consigned long ago to earth, he could offer him as worthy + of his bodily strength. Then he bade them lead him into a field, and kept + questioning his companions over all the ground. At last he recognised the + tokens, found the spot where he had buried the sword, drew it out of its + hole, and handed it to his son. Uffe saw it was frail with great age and + rusted away; and, not daring to strike with it, asked if he must prove + this one also like the rest, declaring that he must try its temper before + the battle ought to be fought. Wermund replied that if this sword were + shattered by mere brandishing, there was nothing left which could serve + for such strength as his. He must, therefore, forbear from the act, whose + issue remained so doubtful. + </p> + <p> + So they repaired to the field of battle as agreed. It is fast encompassed + by the waters of the river Eider, which roll between, and forbid any + approach save by ship. Hither Uffe went unattended, while the Prince of + Saxony was followed by a champion famous for his strength. Dense crowds on + either side, eager to see, thronged each winding bank, and all bent their + eyes upon this scene. Wermund planted himself on the end of the bridge, + determined to perish in the waters if defeat were the lot of his son: he + would rather share the fall of his own flesh and blood than behold, with + heart full of anguish, the destruction of his own country. Both the + warriors assaulted Uffe; but, distrusting his sword, he parried the blows + of both with his shield, being determined to wait patiently and see which + of the two he must beware of most heedfully, so that he might reach that + one at all events with a single stroke of his blade. Wermund, thinking + that his feebleness was at fault, that he took the blows so patiently, + dragged himself little by little, in his longing for death, forward to the + western edge of the bridge, meaning to fling himself down and perish, + should all be over with his son. + </p> + <p> + Fortune shielded the old father, for Uffe told the prince to engage with + him more briskly, and to do some deed of prowess worthy of his famous + race; lest the lowborn squire should seem braver than the prince. Then, in + order to try the bravery of the champion, he bade him not skulk timorously + at his master's heels, but requite by noble deeds of combat the trust + placed in him by his prince, who had chosen him to be his single partner + in the battle. The other complied, and when shame drove him to fight at + close quarters, Uffe clove him through with the first stroke of his blade. + The sound revived Wermund, who said that he heard the sword of his son, + and asked "on what particular part he had dealt the blow?" Then the + retainers answered that it had gone through no one limb, but the man's + whole frame; whereat Wermund drew back from the precipice and came on the + bridge, longing now as passionately to live as he had just wished to die. + Then Uffe, wishing to destroy his remaining foe after the fashion of the + first, incited the prince with vehement words to offer some sacrifice by + way of requital to the shade of the servant slain in his cause. Drawing + him by those appeals, and warily noting the right spot to plant his blow, + he turned the other edge of his sword to the front, fearing that the thin + side of his blade was too frail for his strength, and smote with a + piercing stroke through the prince's body. When Wermund heard it, he said + that the sound of his sword "Skrep" had reached his ear for the second + time. Then, when the judges announced that his son had killed both + enemies, he burst into tears from excess of joy. Thus gladness bedewed the + cheeks which sorrow could not moisten. So while the Saxons, sad and + shamefaced, bore their champions to burial with bitter shame, the Danes + welcomed Uffe and bounded for joy. Then no more was heard of the disgrace + of the murder of Athisl, and there was an end of the taunts of the Saxons. + </p> + <p> + Thus the realm of Saxony was transferred to the Danes, and Uffe, after his + father, undertook its government; and he, who had not been thought equal + to administering a single kingdom properly, was now appointed to manage + both. Most men have called him Olaf, and he has won the name of "the + Gentle" for his forbearing spirit. His later deeds, lost in antiquity, + have lacked formal record. But it may well be supposed that when their + beginnings were so notable, their sequel was glorious. I am so brief in + considering his doings, because the lustre of the famous men of our nation + has been lost to memory and praise by the lack of writings. But if by good + luck our land had in old time been endowed with the Latin tongue, there + would have been countless volumes to read of the exploits of the Danes. + </p> + <p> + Uffe was succeeded by his son DAN, who carried his arms against + foreigners, and increased his sovereignty with many a trophy; but he + tarnished the brightness of the glory he had won by foul and abominable + presumption; falling so far away from the honour of his famous father, who + surpassed all others in modesty, that he contrariwise was puffed up and + proudly exalted in spirit, so that he scorned all other men. He also + squandered the goods of his father on infamies, as well as his own + winnings from the spoils of foreign nations; and he devoured in + expenditure on luxuries the wealth which should have ministered to his + royal estate. Thus do sons sometimes, like monstrous births, degenerate + from their ancestors. + </p> + <p> + After this HUGLEIK was king, who is said to have defeated in battle at sea + Homod and Hogrim, the despots of Sweden. + </p> + <p> + To him succeeded FRODE, surnamed the Vigorous, who bore out his name by + the strength of his body and mind. He destroyed in war ten captains of + Norway, and finally approached the island which afterwards had its name + from him, meaning to attack the king himself last of all. This king, + Froger, was in two ways very distinguished, being notable in arms no less + than in wealth; and graced his sovereignty with the deeds of a champion, + being as rich in prizes for bodily feats as in the honours of rank. + According to some, he was the son of Odin, and when he begged the immortal + gods to grant him a boon, received the privilege that no man should + conquer him, save he who at the time of the conflict could catch up in his + hand the dust lying beneath Froger's feet. When Frode found that Heaven + had endowed this king with such might, he challenged him to a duel, + meaning to try to outwit the favour of the gods. So at first, feigning + inexperience, he besought the king for a lesson in fighting, knowing (he + said) his skill and experience in the same. The other, rejoicing that his + enemy not only yielded to his pretensions, but even made him a request, + said that he was wise to submit his youthful mind to an old man's wisdom; + for his unscarred face and his brow, ploughed by no marks of battle, + showed that his knowledge of such matters was but slender. So he marked + off on the ground two square spaces with sides an ell long, opposite one + another, meaning to begin by instructing him about the use of these plots. + When they had been marked off, each took the side assigned to him. Then + Frode asked Froger to exchange arms and ground with him, and the request + was readily granted. For Froger was excited with the dashing of his + enemy's arms, because Frode wore a gold-hilted sword, a breastplate + equally bright, and a headpiece most brilliantly adorned in the same + manner. So Frode caught up some dust from the ground whence Froger had + gone, and thought that he had been granted an omen of victory. Nor was he + deceived in his presage; for he straightway slew Froger, and by this petty + trick won the greatest name for bravery; for he gained by craft what had + been permitted to no man's strength before. + </p> + <p> + After him DAN came to the throne. When he was in the twelfth year of his + age, he was wearied by the insolence of the embassies, which commanded him + either to fight the Saxons or to pay them tribute. Ashamed, he preferred + fighting to payment and was moved to die stoutly rather than live a + coward. So he elected to fight; and the warriors of the Danes filled the + Elbe with such a throng of vessels, that the decks of the ships lashed + together made it quite easy to cross, as though along a continuous bridge. + The end was that the King of Saxony had to accept the very terms he was + demanding from the Danes. + </p> + <p> + After Dan, FRIDLEIF, surnamed the Swift, assumed the sovereignty. During + his reign, Huyrwil, the lord of Oland, made a league with the Danes and + attacked Norway. No small fame was added to his deeds by the defeat of the + amazon Rusila, who aspired with military ardour to prowess in battle: but + he gained manly glory over a female foe. Also he took into his alliance, + on account of their deeds of prowess, her five partners, the children of + Finn, named Brodd, Bild, Bug, Fanning, and Gunholm. Their confederacy + emboldened him to break the treaty which he made with the Danes; and the + treachery of the violation made it all the more injurious, for the Danes + could not believe that he could turn so suddenly from a friend into an + enemy; so easily can some veer from goodwill into hate. I suppose that + this man inaugurated the morals of our own day, for we do not account + lying and treachery as sinful and sordid. When Huyrwil attacked the + southern side of Zealand, Fridleif assailed him in the harbour which was + afterwards called by Huyrwil's name. In this battle the soldiers, in their + rivalry for glory, engaged with such bravery that very few fled to escape + peril, and both armies were utterly destroyed; nor did the victory fall to + either side, where both were enveloped in an equal ruin. So much more + desirous were they all of glory than of life. So the survivors of + Huyrwil's army, in order to keep united, had the remnants of their fleet + lashed together at night. But, in the same night, Bild and Brodd cut the + cables with which the ships were joined, and stealthily severed their own + vessels from the rest, thus yielding to their own terrors by deserting + their brethren, and obeying the impulses of fear rather than fraternal + love. When daylight returned, Fridleif, finding that after the great + massacre of their friends only Huyrwil, Gunholm, Bug, and Fanning were + left, determined to fight them all single-handed, so that the mangled + relics of his fleet might not again have to be imperilled. Besides his + innate courage, a shirt of steel-defying mail gave him confidence; a garb + which he used to wear in all public battles and in duels, as a + preservative of his life. He accomplished his end with as much fortune as + courage, and ended the battle successfully. For, after slaying Huyrwil, + Bug, and Fanning, he killed Gunholm, who was accustomed to blunt the blade + of an enemy with spells, by a shower of blows from his hilt. But while he + gripped the blade too eagerly, the sinews, being cut and disabled, + contracted the fingers upon the palm, and cramped them with life-long + curvature. + </p> + <p> + While Fridleif was besieging Dublin, a town in Ireland, and saw from the + strength of the walls that there was no chance of storming them, he + imitated the shrewd wit of Hadding, and ordered fire to be shut up in + wicks and fastened to the wings of swallows. When the birds got back in + their own nesting-place, the dwellings suddenly flared up; and while the + citizens all ran up to quench them, and paid more heed to abating the fire + than to looking after the enemy, Fridleif took Dublin. After this he lost + his soldiers in Britain, and, thinking that he would find it hard to get + back to the coast, he set up the corpses of the slain (Amleth's device) + and stationed them in line, thus producing so nearly the look of his + original host that its great reverse seemed not to have lessened the show + of it a whit. By this deed he not only took out of the enemy all heart for + fighting, but inspired them with the desire to make their escape. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) Jellinge. Lat. "Ialunga", Icel. "Jalangr". + (2) General usage. "publicus consuetudini": namely, the rule of + combat that two should not fight against one. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK FIVE. + </h2> + <p> + After the death of Fridleif, his son FRODE, aged seven, was elected in his + stead by the unanimous decision of the Danes. But they held an assembly + first, and judged that the minority of the king should be taken in charge + by guardians, lest the sovereignty should pass away owing to the + boyishness of the ruler. For one and all paid such respect to the name and + memory of Fridleif, that the royalty was bestowed on his son despite his + tender years. So a selection was made, and the brothers Westmar and Koll + were summoned to the charge of bringing up the king. Isulf, also, and Agg + and eight other men of mark were not only entrusted with the guardianship + of the king, but also granted authority to administer the realm under him. + These men were rich in strength and courage, and endowed with ample gifts + of mind as well as of body. Thus the state of the Danes was governed with + the aid of regents until the time when the king should be a man. + </p> + <p> + The wife of Koll was Gotwar, who used to paralyse the most eloquent and + fluent men by her glib and extraordinary insolence; for she was potent in + wrangling, and full of resource in all kinds of disputation. Words were + her weapons; and she not only trusted in questions, but was armed with + stubborn answers. No man could subdue this woman, who could not fight, but + who found darts in her tongue instead. Some she would argue down with a + flood of impudent words, while others she seemed to entangle in the meshes + of her quibbles, and strangle in the noose of her sophistries; so nimble a + wit had the woman. Moreover, she was very strong, either in making or + cancelling a bargain, and the sting of her tongue was the secret of her + power in both. She was clever both at making and at breaking leagues; thus + she had two sides to her tongue, and used it for either purpose. + </p> + <p> + Westmar had twelve sons, three of whom had the same name—Grep in + common. These three men were conceived at once and delivered at one birth, + and their common name declared their simultaneous origin. They were + exceedingly skillful swordsmen and boxers. Frode had also given the + supremacy of the sea to Odd; who was very closely related to the king. + Koll rejoiced in an offspring of three sons. At this time a certain son of + Frode's brother held the chief command of naval affairs for the protection + of the country, Now the king had a sister, Gunwar, surnamed the Fair + because of her surpassing beauty. The sons of Westmar and Koll, being + ungrown in years and bold in spirit, let their courage become recklessness + and devoted their guilt-stained minds to foul and degraded orgies. + </p> + <p> + Their behaviour was so outrageous and uncontrollable that they ravished + other men's brides and daughters, and seemed to have outlawed chastity and + banished it to the stews. Nay, they defiled the couches of matrons, and + did not even refrain from the bed of virgins. A man's own chamber was no + safety to him: there was scarce a spot in the land but bore traces of + their lust. Husbands were vexed with fear, and wives with insult to their + persons: and to these wrongs folk bowed. No ties were respected, and + forced embraces became a common thing. Love was prostituted, all reverence + for marriage ties died out, and lust was greedily run after. And the + reason of all this was the peace; for men's bodies lacked exercise and + were enervated in the ease so propitious to vices. At last the eldest of + those who shared the name of Grep, wishing to regulate and steady his + promiscuous wantonness, ventured to seek a haven for his vagrant amours in + the love of the king's sister. Yet he did amiss. For though it was right + that his vagabond and straying delights should be bridled by modesty, yet + it was audacious for a man of the people to covet the child of a king. + She, much fearing the impudence of her wooer, and wishing to be safer from + outrage, went into a fortified building. Thirty attendants were given to + her, to keep guard and constant watch over her person. + </p> + <p> + Now the comrades of Frode, sadly lacking the help of women in the matter + of the wear of their garments, inasmuch as they had no means of patching + or of repairing rents, advised and urged the king to marry. At first he + alleged his tender years as an excuse, but in the end yielded to the + persistent requests of his people. And when he carefully inquired of his + advisers who would be a fit wife for him, they all praised the daughter of + the King of the Huns beyond the rest. When the question was pushed, what + reason Frode had for objecting to her, he replied that he had heard from + his father that it was not expedient for kings to seek alliance far + afield, or to demand love save from neighbours. When Gotwar heard this she + knew that the king's resistance to his friends was wily. Wishing to + establish his wavering spirit, and strengthen the courage of his weakling + soul, she said: "Bridals are for young men, but the tomb awaits the old. + The steps of youth go forward in desires and in fortune; but old age + declines helpless to the sepulchre. Hope attends youth; age is bowed with + hopeless decay. The fortune of young men increases; it will never leave + unfinished what it begins." Respecting her words, he begged her to + undertake the management of the suit. But she refused, pleading her age as + her pretext, and declaring herself too stricken in years to bear so + difficult a commission. The king saw that a bribe was wanted, and, + proffering a golden necklace, promised it as the reward of her embassy. + For the necklace had links consisting of studs, and figures of kings + interspersed in bas-relief, which could be now separated and now drawn + together by pulling a thread inside; a gewgaw devised more for luxury than + use. Frode also ordered that Westmar and Koll, with their sons, should be + summoned to go on the same embassy, thinking that their cunning would + avoid the shame of a rebuff. + </p> + <p> + They went with Gotwar, and were entertained by the King of the Huns at a + three days' banquet, ere they uttered the purpose of their embassy. For it + was customary of old thus to welcome guests. When the feast had been + prolonged three days, the princess came forth to make herself pleasant to + the envoys with a most courteous address, and her blithe presence added + not a little to the festal delights of the banqueters. And as the drink + went faster Westmar revealed his purpose in due course, in a very merry + declaration, wishing to sound the mind of the maiden in talk of a friendly + sort. And, in order not to inflict on himself a rebuff, he spoke in a + mirthful vein, and broke the ground of his mission, by venturing to make + up a sportive speech amid the applause of the revellers. The princess said + that she disdained Frode because he lacked honour and glory. For in days + of old no men were thought fit for the hand of high-born women but those + who had won some great prize of glory by the lustre of their admirable + deeds. Sloth was the worst of vices in a suitor, and nothing was more of a + reproach in one who sought marriage than the lack of fame. A harvest of + glory, and that alone, could bring wealth in everything else. Maidens + admired in their wooers not so much good looks as deeds nobly done. So the + envoys, flagging and despairing of their wish, left the further conduct of + the affair to the wisdom of Gotwar, who tried to subdue the maiden not + only with words but with love-philtres, and began to declare that Frode + used his left hand as well as his right, and was a quick and skillful + swimmer and fighter. Also by the drink which she gave she changed the + strictness of the maiden to desire, and replaced her vanished anger with + love and delight. Then she bade Westmar, Koll, and their sons go to the + king and urge their mission afresh; and finally, should they find him + froward, to anticipate a rebuff by a challenge to fight. + </p> + <p> + So Westmar entered the palace with his men-at-arms, and said: "Now thou + must needs either consent to our entreaties, or meet in battle us who + entreat thee. We would rather die nobly than go back with our mission + unperformed; lest, foully repulsed and foiled of our purpose, we should + take home disgrace where we hoped to will honour. If thou refuse thy + daughter, consent to fight: thou must needs grant one thing or the other. + We wish either to die or to have our prayers beard. Something—sorrow + if not joy—we will get from thee. Frode will be better pleased to + hear of our slaughter than of our repulse." Without another word, he + threatened to aim a blow at the king's throat with his sword. The king + replied that it was unseemly for the royal majesty to meet an inferior in + rank in level combat, and unfit that those of unequal station should fight + as equals. But when Westmar persisted in urging him to fight, he at last + bade him find out what the real mind of the maiden was; for in old time + men gave women who were to marry, free choice of a husband. For the king + was embarrassed, and hung vacillating betwixt shame and fear of battle. + Thus Westmar, having been referred to the thoughts of the girl's heart, + and knowing that every woman is as changeable in purpose as she is fickle + in soul, proceeded to fulfil his task all the more confidently because he + knew how mutable the wishes of maidens were. His confidence in his charge + was increased and his zeal encouraged, because she had both a maiden's + simplicity, which was left to its own counsels, and a woman's freedom of + choice, which must be wheedled with the most delicate and mollifying + flatteries; and thus she would be not only easy to lead away, but even + hasty in compliance. But her father went after the envoys, that he might + see more surely into his daughter's mind. She had already been drawn by + the stealthy working of the draught to love her suitor, and answered that + the promise of Frode, rather than his present renown, had made her expect + much of his nature: since he was sprung from so famous a father, and every + nature commonly answered to its origin. The youth therefore had pleased + her by her regard of his future, rather than his present, glory. These + words amazed the father; but neither could he bear to revoke the freedom + he had granted her, and he promised her in marriage to Frode. Then, having + laid in ample stores, he took her away with the most splendid pomp, and, + followed by the envoys, hastened to Denmark, knowing that a father was the + best person to give away a daughter in marriage. Frode welcomed his bride + most joyfully, and also bestowed the highest honours upon his future royal + father-in-law; and when the marriage rites were over, dismissed him with a + large gift of gold and silver. + </p> + <p> + And so with Hanund, the daughter of the King of the Huns, for his wife, he + passed three years in the most prosperous peace. But idleness brought + wantonness among his courtiers, and peace begot lewdness, which they + displayed in the most abominable crimes. For they would draw some men up + in the air on ropes, and torment them, pushing their bodies as they hung, + like a ball that is tossed; or they would put a kid's hide under the feet + of others as they walked, and, by stealthily pulling a rope, trip their + unwary steps on the slippery skill in their path; others they would strip + of their clothes, and lash with sundry tortures of stripes; others they + fastened to pegs, as with a noose, and punished with mock-hanging. They + scorched off the beard and hair with tapers; of others they burned the + hair of the groin with a brand. Only those maidens might marry whose + chastity they had first deflowered. Strangers they battered with bones; + others they compelled to drunkenness with immoderate draughts, and made + them burst. No man might give his daughter to wife unless he had first + bought their favour and goodwill. None might contract any marriage without + first purchasing their consent with a bribe. Moreover, they extended their + abominable and abandoned lust not only to virgins, but to the multitude of + matrons indiscriminately. Thus a twofold madness incited this mixture of + wantonness and frenzy. Guests and strangers were proffered not shelter but + revilings. All these maddening mockeries did this insolent and wanton crew + devise, and thus under a boy-king freedom fostered licence. For nothing + prolongs reckless sin like the procrastination of punishment and + vengeance. This unbridled impudence of the soldiers ended by making the + king detested, not only by foreigners, but even by his own people, for the + Danes resented such an arrogant and cruel rule. But Grep was contented + with no humble loves; he broke out so outrageously that he was guilty of + intercourse with the queen, and proved as false to the king as he was + violent to all other men. Then by degrees the scandal grew, and the + suspicion of his guilt crept on with silent step. The common people found + it out before the king. For Grep, by always punishing all who alluded in + the least to this circumstance, had made it dangerous to accuse him. But + the rumour of his crime, which at first was kept alive in whispers, was + next passed on in public reports; for it is hard for men to hide another's + guilt if they are aware of it. Gunwar had many suitors; and accordingly + Grep, trying to take revenge for his rebuff by stealthy wiles, demanded + the right of judging the suitors, declaring that the princess ought to + make the choicest match. But he disguised his anger, lest he should seem + to have sought the office from hatred of the maiden. At his request the + king granted him leave to examine the merits of the young men. So he first + gathered all the wooers of Gunwar together on the pretence of a banquet, + and then lined the customary room of the princess with their heads—a + gruesome spectacle for all the rest. Yet he forfeited none of his favour + with Frode, nor abated his old intimacy with him. For he decided that any + opportunity of an interview with the king must be paid for, and gave out + that no one should have any conversation with him who brought no presents. + Access, he announced, to so great a general must be gained by no stale or + usual method, but by making interest most zealously. He wished to lighten + the scandal of his cruelty by the pretence of affection to his king. The + people, thus tormented, vented their complaint of their trouble in silent + groans. None had the spirit to lift up his voice in public against this + season of misery. No one had become so bold as to complain openly of the + affliction that was falling upon them. Inward resentment vexed the hearts + of men, secretly indeed, but all the more bitterly. + </p> + <p> + When Gotar, the King of Norway, heard this, he assembled his soldiers, and + said that the Danes were disgusted with their own king, and longed for + another if they could get the opportunity; that he had himself resolved to + lead an army thither, and that Denmark would be easy to seize if attacked. + Frode's government of his country was as covetous as it was cruel. Then + Erik rose up and gainsaid the project with contrary reasons. "We + remember," he said, "how often coveters of other men's goods lose their + own. He who snatches at both has oft lost both. It must be a very strong + bird that can wrest the prey from the claws of another. It is idle for + thee to be encouraged by the internal jealousies of the country, for these + are oft blown away by the approach of an enemy. For though the Danes now + seem divided in counsel, yet they will soon be of one mind to meet the + foe. The wolves have often made peace between the quarrelling swine. Every + man prefers a leader of his own land to a foreigner, and every province is + warmer in loyalty to a native than to a stranger king. For Frode will not + await thee at home, but will intercept thee abroad as thou comest. Eagles + claw each other with their talons, and fowls fight fronting. Thou thyself + knowest that the keen sight of the wise man must leave no cause for + repentance. Thou hast an ample guard of nobles. Keep thou quiet as thou + art; indeed thou wilt almost be able to find out by means of others what + are thy resources for war. Let the soldiers first try the fortunes of + their king. Provide in peace for thine own safety, and risk others if thou + dost undertake the enterprise: better that the slave should perish than + the master. Let thy servant do for thee what the tongs do for the smith, + who by the aid of his iron tool guards his hand from scorching, and saves + his fingers from burning. Learn thou also, by using thy men, to spare and + take thought for thyself." + </p> + <p> + So spake Erik, and Gotar, who had hitherto held him a man of no parts, now + marvelled that he had graced his answer with sentences so choice and + weighty, and gave him the name of Shrewd-spoken, thinking that his + admirable wisdom deserved some title. For the young man's reputation had + been kept in the shade by the exceeding brilliancy of his brother Roller. + Erik begged that some substantial gift should be added to the name, + declaring that the bestowal of the title ought to be graced by a present + besides. The king gave him a ship, and the oarsmen called it "Skroter." + Now Erik and Roller were the sons of Ragnar, the champion, and children of + one father by different mothers; Roller's mother and Erik's stepmother was + named Kraka. + </p> + <p> + And so, by leave of Gotar, the task of making a raid on the Danes fell to + one Hrafn. He was encountered by Odd, who had at that time the greatest + prestige among the Danes as a rover, for he was such a skilled magician + that he could range over the sea without a ship, and could often raise + tempests by his spells, and wreck the vessels of the enemy. Accordingly, + that he might not have to condescend to pit his sea-forces against the + rovers, he used to ruffle the waters by enchantment, and cause them to + shipwreck his foes. To traders this man was ruthless, but to tillers of + the soil he was merciful, for he thought less of merchandise than of the + plough-handle, but rated the clean business of the country higher than the + toil for filthy lucre. When he began to fight with the Northmen he so + dulled the sight of the enemy by the power of his spells that they thought + the drawn swords of the Danes cast their beams from afar off, and sparkled + as if aflame. Moreover, their vision was so blunted that they could not so + much as look upon the sword when it was drawn from the sheath: the dazzle + was too much for their eyesight, which could not endure the glittering + mirage. So Hrafn and many of his men were slain, and only six vessels + slipped back to Norway to teach the king that it was not so easy to crush + the Danes. The survivors also spread the news that Frode trusted only in + the help of his champions, and reigned against the will of his people, for + his rule had become a tyranny. + </p> + <p> + In order to examine this rumour, Roller, who was a great traveller abroad, + and eager to visit unknown parts, made a vow that he would get into the + company of Frode. But Erik declared that, splendid as were his bodily + parts, he had been rash in pronouncing the vow. At last, seeing him + persisting stubbornly in his purpose, Erik bound himself under a similar + vow; and the king promised them that he would give them for companions + whomsoever they approved by their choice. The brethren, therefore, first + resolved to visit their father and beg for the stores and the necessaries + that were wanted for so long a journey. He welcomed them paternally, and + on the morrow took them to the forest to inspect the herd, for the old man + was wealthy in cattle. Also he revealed to them treasures which had long + lain hid in caverns of the earth; and they were suffered to gather up + whatsoever of these they would. The boon was accepted as heartily as it + was offered: so they took the riches out of the ground, and bore away what + pleased them. + </p> + <p> + Their rowers meanwhile were either refreshing themselves or exercising + their skill with casting weights. Some sped leaping, some running; others + tried their strength by sturdily hurling stones; others tested their + archery by drawing the bow. Thus they essayed to strengthen themselves + with divers exercises. Some again tried to drink themselves into a drowse. + Roller was sent by his father to find out what had passed at home in the + meanwhile. And when he saw smoke coming from his mother's hut he went up + outside, and, stealthily applying his eye, saw through the little chink + and into the house, where he perceived his mother stirring a cooked mess + in an ugly-looking pot. Also he looked up at three snakes hanging from + above by a thin cord, from whose mouths flowed a slaver which dribbled + drops of moisture on the meal. Now two of these were pitchy of hue, while + the third seemed to have whitish scales, and was hung somewhat higher than + the others. This last had a fastening on its tail, while the others were + held by a cord round their bellies. Roller thought the affair looked like + magic, but was silent on what he had seen, that he might not be thought to + charge his mother with sorcery. For he did not know that the snakes were + naturally harmless, or how much strength was being brewed for that meal. + Then Ragnar and Erik came up, and, when they saw the smoke issuing from + the cottage, entered and went to sit at meat. When they were at table, and + Kraka's son and stepson were about to eat together, she put before them a + small dish containing a piebald mess, part looking pitchy, but spotted + with specks of yellow, while part was whitish: the pottage having taken a + different hue answering to the different appearance of the snakes. And + when each had tasted a single morsel, Erik, judging the feast not by the + colours but by the inward strengthening effected, turned the dish around + very quickly, and transferred to himself the part which was black but + compounded of stronger juices; and, putting over to Roller the whitish + part which had first been set before himself, throve more on his supper. + And, to avoid showing that the exchange was made on purpose, he said, + "Thus does prow become stern when the sea boils up." The man had no little + shrewdness, thus to use the ways of a ship to dissemble his cunning act. + </p> + <p> + So Erik, now refreshed by this lucky meal, attained by its inward working + to the highest pitch of human wisdom. For the potency of the meal bred in + him the fulness of all kinds of knowledge to an incredible degree, so that + he had cunning to interpret even the utterances of wild beasts and cattle. + For he was not only well versed in all the affairs of men, but he could + interpret the particular feelings which brutes experienced from the sounds + which expressed them. He was also gifted with an eloquence so courteous + and graceful, that he adorned whatsoever he desired to expound with a flow + of witty adages. But when Kraka came up, and found that the dish had been + turned round, and that Erik had eaten the stronger share of the meal, she + lamented that the good luck she had bred for her son should have passed to + her stepson. Soon she began to sigh, and entreat Eric that he should never + fail to help his brother, whose mother had heaped on him fortune so rich + and strange: for by tasting a single savoury meal he had clearly attained + sovereign wit and eloquence, besides the promise of success in combat. She + added also, that Roller was almost as capable of good counsel, and that he + should not utterly miss the dainty that had been intended for him. She + also told him that in case of extreme and violent need, he could find + speedy help by calling on her name; declaring that she trusted partially + in her divine attributes, and that, consorting as she did in a manner with + the gods, she wielded an innate and heavenly power. Erik said that he was + naturally drawn to stand by his brother, and that the bird was infamous + which fouled its own nest. But Kraka was more vexed by her own + carelessness than weighed down by her son's ill-fortune: for in old time + it made a craftsman bitterly ashamed to be outwitted by his own + cleverness. + </p> + <p> + Then Kraka, accompanied by her husband, took away the brothers on their + journey to the sea. They embarked in a single ship, but soon attached two + others. They had already reached the coast of Denmark, when, + reconnoitering, they learned that seven ships had come up at no great + distance. Then Erik bade two men who could speak the Danish tongue well, + to go to them unclothed, and, in order to spy better, to complain to Odd + of their nakedness, as if Erik had caused it, and to report when they had + made careful scrutiny. These men were received as friends by Odd, and + hunted for every plan of the general with their sharp ears. He had + determined to attack the enemy unawares at daybreak, that he might + massacre them the more speedily while they were swathed in their night + garments: for he said that men's bodies were wont to be most dull and + heavy at that hour of dawn. He also told them, thereby hastening what was + to prove his own destruction, that his ships were laden with stones fit + for throwing. The spies slipped off in the first sleep of the night, + reported that Odd had filled all his vessels with pebbles, and also told + everything else they had heard. Erik now quite understood the case, and, + when he considered the smallness of his own fleet, thought that he must + call the waters to destroy the enemy, and win their aid for himself. + </p> + <p> + So he got into a boat and rowed, pulling silently, close up to the keels + of the enemy; and gradually, by screwing in an auger, he bored the planks + (a device practiced by Hadding and also by Frode), nearest to the water, + and soon made good his return, the oar-beat being scarce audible. Now he + bore himself so warily, that not one of the watchers noted his approach or + departure. As he rowed off, the water got in through the chinks of Odd's + vessels, and sank them, so that they were seen disappearing in the deep, + as the water flooded them more and more within. The weight of the stones + inside helped them mightily to sink. The billows were washing away the + thwarts, and the sea was flush with the decks, when Odd, seeing the + vessels almost on a level with the waves, ordered the heavy seas that had + been shipped to be baled out with pitchers. And so, while the crews were + toiling on to protect the sinking parts of the vessels from the flood of + waters, the enemy hove close up. Thus, as they fell to their arms, the + flood came upon them harder, and as they prepared to fight, they found + they must swim for it. Waves, not weapons, fought for Erik, and the sea, + which he had himself Enabled to approach and do harm, battled for him. + Thus Erik made better use of the billow than of the steel, and by the + effectual aid of the waters seemed to fight in his own absence, the ocean + lending him defence. The victory was given to his craft; for a flooded + ship could not endure a battle. Thus was Odd slain with all his crew; the + look-outs were captured, and it was found that no man escaped to tell the + tale of the disaster. + </p> + <p> + Erik, when the massacre was accomplished, made a rapid retreat, and put in + at the isle Lesso. Finding nothing there to appease his hunger, he sent + the spoil homeward on two ships, which were to bring back supplies for + another year. He tried to go by himself to the king in a single ship. So + he put in to Zealand, and the sailors ran about over the shore, and began + to cut down the cattle: for they must either ease their hunger or perish + of famine. So they killed the herd, skinned the carcases, and cast them on + board. When the owners of the cattle found this out, they hastily pursued + the free-booters with a fleet. And when Erik found that he was being + attacked by the owners of the cattle, he took care that the carcases of + the slaughtered cows should be tied with marked ropes and hidden under + water. Then, when the Zealanders came up, he gave them leave to look about + and see if any of the carcases they were seeking were in his hands; saying + that a ship's corners were too narrow to hide things. Unable to find a + carcase anywhere, they turned their suspicions on others, and thought the + real criminals were guiltless of the plunder. Since no traces of + free-booting were to be seen, they fancied that others had injured them, + and pardoned the culprits. As they sailed off, Erik lifted the carcase out + of the water and took it in. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Frode learnt that Odd and his men had gone down. For a widespread + rumour of the massacre had got wind, though the author of the deed was + unknown. There were men, however, who told how they had seen three sails + putting in to shore, and departing again northwards. Then Erik went to the + harbour, not far from which Frode was tarrying, and, the moment that he + stepped out of the ship, tripped inadvertently, and came tumbling to the + ground. He found in the slip a presage of a lucky issue, and forecast + better results from this mean beginning. When Grep heard of his coming, he + hastened down to the sea, intending to assail with chosen and pointed + phrases the man whom he had heard was better-spoken than all other folk. + Grep's eloquence was not so much excellent as impudent, for he surpassed + all in stubbornness of speech. So he began the dispute with reviling, and + assailed Erik as follows: + </p> + <p> + Grep: "Fool, who art thou? What idle quest is thine? Tell me, whence or + whither dost thou journey? What is thy road? What thy desire? Who thy + father? What thy lineage? Those have strength beyond others who have never + left their own homes, and the Luck of kings is their houseluck. For the + things of a vile man are acceptable unto few, and seldom are the deeds of + the hated pleasing." + </p> + <p> + Erik: "Ragnar is my father; eloquence clothes my tongue; I have ever loved + virtue only. Wisdom hath been my one desire; I have travelled many ways + over the world, and seen the different manners of men. The mind of the + fool can keep no bounds in aught: it is base and cannot control its + feelings. The use of sails is better than being drawn by the oar; the gale + troubles the waters, a drearier gust the land. For rowing goes through the + seas and lying the lands; and it is certain that the lands are ruled with + the lips, but the seas with the hand." + </p> + <p> + Grep: "Thou art thought to be as full of quibbling as a cock of dirt. Thou + stinkest heavy with filth, and reekest of nought but sin. There is no need + to lengthen the plea against a buffoon, whose strength is in an empty and + voluble tongue." + </p> + <p> + Erik: "By Hercules, if I mistake not, the coward word is wont to come back + to the utterer. The gods with righteous endeavour bring home to the + speaker words cast forth without knowledge. As soon as we espy the + sinister ears of the wolf, we believe that the wolf himself is near. Men + think no credit due to him that hath no credit, whom report accuses of + treachery." + </p> + <p> + Grep: "Shameless boy, owl astray from the path, night-owl in the darkness, + thou shalt pay for thy reckless words. Thou shalt be sorry for the words + thou now belchest forth madly, and shalt pay with thy death for thy + unhallowed speech. Lifeless thou shalt pasture crows on thy bloodless + corpse, to be a morsel for beasts, a prey to the ravenous bird." + </p> + <p> + Erik: "The boding of the coward, and the will that is trained to evil, + have never kept themselves within due measure. He who betrays his lord, he + who conceives foul devices, will be as great a snare to himself as to his + friends. Whoso fosters a wolf in his house is thought to feed a thief and + a pest for his own hearth." + </p> + <p> + Grep: "I did not, as thou thinkest, beguile the queen, but I was the + guardian of her tender estate. She increased my fortunes, and her favour + first brought me gifts and strength, and wealth and counsel." + </p> + <p> + Erik: "Lo, thy guilty disquiet lies heavy on thee; that man's freedom is + safest whose mind remains untainted. Whoso asks a slave to be a friend, is + deceived; often the henchman hurts his master." + </p> + <p> + At this Grep, shorn of his glibness of rejoinder, set spurs to his horse + and rode away. Now when he reached home, he filled the palace with + uproarious and vehement clamour; and shouting that he had been worsted in + words, roused all his soldiers to fight, as though he would avenge by main + force his luckless warfare of tongues. For he swore that he would lay the + host of the foreigners under the claws of eagles. But the king warned him + that he should give his frenzy pause for counsel, that blind plans were + commonly hurtful; that nothing could be done both cautiously and quickly + at once; that headstrong efforts were the worst obstacle; and lastly, that + it was unseemly to attack a handful with a host. Also, said he, the + sagacious man was he who could bridle a raging spirit, and stop his + frantic empetuosity in time. Thus the king forced the headlong rage of the + young man to yield to reflection. But he could not wholly recall to + self-control the frenzy of his heated mind, or prevent the champion of + wrangles, abashed by his hapless debate, and finding armed vengeance + refused him, from asking leave at least to try his sorceries by way of + revenge. He gained his request, and prepared to go back to the shore with + a chosen troop of wizards. So he first put on a pole the severed head of a + horse that had been sacrificed to the gods, and setting sticks beneath + displayed the jaws grinning agape; hoping that he would foil the first + efforts of Erik by the horror of this wild spectacle. For he supposed that + the silly souls of the barbarians would give away at the bogey of a + protruding neck. + </p> + <p> + Erik was already on his road to meet them, and saw the head from afar off, + and, understanding the whole foul contrivance, he bade his men keep silent + and behave warily; no man was to be rash or hasty of speech, lest by some + careless outburst they might give some opening to the sorceries; adding + that if talking happened to be needed, he would speak for all. And they + were now parted by a river; when the wizards, in order to dislodge Erik + from the approach to the bridge, set up close to the river, on their own + side, the pole on which they had fixed the horse's head. Nevertheless Erik + made dauntlessly for the bridge, and said: "On the bearer fall the + ill-luck of what he bears! May a better issue attend our steps! Evil + befall the evil-workers! Let the weight of the ominous burden crush the + carrier! Let the better auguries bring us safety!" And it happened + according to his prayer. For straightway the head was shaken off, the + stick fell and crushed the bearer. And so all that array of sorceries was + baffled at the bidding of a single curse, and extinguished. + </p> + <p> + Then, as Erik advanced a little, it came into his mind that strangers + ought to fix on gifts for the king. So he carefully wrapped up in his robe + a piece of ice which he happened to find, and managed to take it to the + king by way of a present. But when they reached the palace he sought + entrance first, and bade his brother follow close behind. Already the + slaves of the king, in order to receive him with mockery as he entered, + had laid a slippery hide on the threshold; and when Erik stepped upon it, + they suddenly jerked it away by dragging a rope, and would have tripped + him as he stood upon it, had not Roller, following behind, caught his + brother on his breast as he tottered. So Erik, having half fallen, said + that "bare was the back of the brotherless." And when Gunwar said that + such a trick ought not to be permitted by a king, the king condemned the + folly of the messenger who took no heed against treachery. And thus he + excused his flout by the heedlessness of the man he flouted. + </p> + <p> + Within the palace was blazing a fire, which the aspect of the season + required: for it was now gone midwinter. By it, in different groups, sat + the king on one side and the champions on the other. These latter, when + Erik joined them, uttered gruesome sounds like things howling. The king + stopped the clamour, telling them that the noises of wild beasts ought not + to be in the breasts of men. Erik added, that it was the way of dogs, for + all the others to set up barking when one started it; for all folk by + their bearing betrayed their birth and revealed their race. But when Koll, + who was the keeper of the gifts offered to the king, asked him whether he + had brought any presents with him, he produced the ice which he had hidden + in his breast. And when he had handed it to Koll across the hearth, he + purposely let it go into the fire, as though it had slipped from the hand + of the receiver. All present saw the shining fragment, and it seemed as + though molten metal had fallen into the fire. Erik, maintaining that it + had been jerked away by the carelessness of him who took it, asked what + punishment was due to the loser of the gift. + </p> + <p> + The king consulted the opinion of the queen, who advised him not to relax + the statute of the law which he had passed, whereby he gave warning that + all who lost presents that were transmitted to him should be punished with + death. Everyone else also said that the penalty by law appointed ought not + to be remitted. And so the king, being counselled to allow the punishment + as inevitable, gave leave for Koll to be hanged. + </p> + <p> + Then Frode began to accost Erik thus: "O thou, wantoning in insolent + phrase, in boastful and bedizened speech, whence dost thou say that thou + hast come hither, and why?" + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "I came from Rennes Isle, and I took my seat by a stone." + </p> + <p> + Frode rejoined: "I ask, whither thou wentest next?" + </p> + <p> + Erik answered. "I went off from the stone riding on a beam, and often + again took station by a stone." + </p> + <p> + Frode replied: "I ask thee whither thou next didst bend thy course, or + where the evening found thee?" + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "Leaving a crag, I came to a rock, and likewise lay by a + stone." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "The boulders lay thick in those parts." + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "Yet thicker lies the sand, plain to see." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "Tell what thy business was, and whither thou struckest off + thence." + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "Leaving the rock, as my ship ran on, I found a dolphin." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "Now thou hast said something fresh, though both these things + are common in the sea: but I would know what path took thee after that?" + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "After a dolphin I went to a dolphin." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "The herd of dolphins is somewhat common." + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "It does swim somewhat commonly on the waters." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "I would fain blow whither thou wert borne on thy toilsome + journey after leaving the dolphins?" + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "I soon came upon the trunk of a tree." + </p> + <p> + Frode rejoined: "Whither didst thou next pass on thy journey?" + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "From a trunk I passed on to a log." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "That spot must be thick with trees, since thou art always + calling the abodes of thy hosts by the name of trunks." + </p> + <p> + Erik replied: "There is a thicker place in the woods." + </p> + <p> + Frode went on: "Relate whither thou next didst bear thy steps." + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "Oft again I made my way to the lopped timbers of the + woods; but, as I rested there, wolves that were sated on human carcases + licked the points of the spears. There a lance-head was shaken from the + shaft of the king, and it was the grandson of Fridleif." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "I am bewildered, and know not what to think about the + dispute: for thou hast beguiled my mind with very dark riddling." + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "Thou owest me the prize for this contest that is finished: + for under a veil I have declared to thee certain things thou hast ill + understood. For under the name I gave before of `spear-point' I signified + Odd, whom my hand had slain." + </p> + <p> + And when the queen also had awarded him the palm of eloquence and the + prize for flow of speech, the king straightway took a bracelet from his + arm, and gave it to him as the appointed reward, adding: "I would fain + learn from thyself thy debate with Grep, wherein he was not ashamed openly + to avow himself vanquished." + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "He was smitten with shame for the adultery wherewith he + was taxed; for since he could bring no defence, he confessed that he had + committed it with thy wife." + </p> + <p> + The king turned to Hanund and asked her in what spirit she received the + charge; and she not only confessed her guilt by a cry, but also put forth + in her face a blushing signal of her sin, and gave manifest token of her + fault. The king, observing not only her words, but also the signs of her + countenance, but doubting with what sentence he should punish the + criminal, let the queen settle by her own choice the punishment which her + crime deserved. When she learnt that the sentence committed to her + concerned her own guilt, she wavered awhile as she pondered how to + appraise her transgression; but Grep sprang up and ran forward to transfix + Erik with a spear, wishing to buy off his own death by slaying the + accuser. But Roller fell on him with drawn sword, and dealt him first the + doom he had himself purposed. + </p> + <p> + Erik said: "The service of kin is best for the helpless." + </p> + <p> + And Roller said: "In sore needs good men should be dutifully summoned." + </p> + <p> + Then Frode said: "I think it will happen to you according to the common + saying, `that the striker sometimes has short joy of his stroke', and + `that the hand is seldom long glad of the smiting'." + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "The man must not be impeached whose deed justice excuses. + For my work is as far as from that of Grep, as an act of self-defence is + from an attack upon another." + </p> + <p> + Then the brethren of Grep began to spring up and clamour and swear that + they would either bring avengers upon the whole fleet of Erik, or would + fight him and ten champions with him. + </p> + <p> + Erik said to them: "Sick men have to devise by craft some provision for + their journey. He whose sword-point is dull should only probe things that + are soft and tender. He who has a blunt knife must search out the ways to + cut joint by joint. Since, therefore, it is best for a man in distress to + delay the evil, and nothing is more fortunate in trouble than to stave off + hard necessity, I ask three days' space to get ready, provided that I may + obtain from the king the skill of a freshly slain ox." + </p> + <p> + Frode answered: "He who fell on a hide deserves a hide"; thus openly + taunting the asker with his previous fall. But Erik, when the hide was + given him, made some sandals, which he smeared with a mixture of tar and + sand, in order to plant his steps the more firmly, and fitted them on to + the feet of himself and his people. At last, having meditated what spot he + should choose for the fight—for he said that he was unskilled in + combat by land and in all warfare—he demanded it should be on the + frozen sea. To this both sides agreed. The king granted a truce for + preparations, and bade the sons of Westmar withdraw, saying that it was + amiss that a guest, even if he had deserved ill should be driven from his + lodging. Then he went back to examine into the manner of the punishment, + which he had left to the queen's own choice to exact. For she forebore to + give judgment, and begged pardon for her slip. Erik added, that woman's + errors must often be forgiven, and that punishment ought not to be + inflicted, unless amendment were unable to get rid of her fault. So the + king pardoned Hanund. As twilight drew near, Erik said: "With Gotar, not + only are rooms provided when the soldiers are coming to feast at the + banquet, but each is appointed a separate place and seat where he is to + lie." Then the king gave up for their occupation the places where his own + champions had sat; and next the servants brought the banquet. But Erik, + knowing well the courtesy of the king, which made him forbid them to use + up any of the meal that was left, cast away the piece of which he had + tasted very little, calling whole portions broken bits of food. And so, as + the dishes dwindled, the servants brought up fresh ones to the lacking and + shamefaced guests, thus spending on a little supper what might have served + for a great banquet. + </p> + <p> + So the king said: "Are the soldiers of Gotar wont to squander the meat + after once touching it, as if it were so many pared-off crusts? And to + spurn the first dishes as if they were the last morsels?" + </p> + <p> + Erik said: "Uncouthness claims no place in the manners of Gotar, neither + does any disorderly habit feign there." + </p> + <p> + But Frode said: "Then thy manners are not those of thy lord, and thou hast + proved that thou hast not taken all wisdom to heart. For he who goes + against the example of his elders shows himself a deserter and a + renegade." + </p> + <p> + Then said Erik: "The wise man must be taught by the wiser. For knowledge + grows by learning, and instruction is advanced by doctrine." + </p> + <p> + Frode rejoined: "This affectation of thine of superfluous words, what + exemplary lesson will it teach me?" + </p> + <p> + Erik said: "A loyal few are a safer defence for a king than many + traitors." + </p> + <p> + Frode said to him: "Wilt thou then show us closer allegiance than the + rest?" + </p> + <p> + Erik answered: "No man ties the unborn (horse) to the crib, or the + unbegotten to the stall. For thou hast not yet experienced all things. + Besides, with Gotar there is always a mixture of drinking with feasting; + liquor, over and above, and as well as meat, is the joy of the reveller." + </p> + <p> + Frode said: "Never have I found a more shameless beggar of meat and + drink." + </p> + <p> + Erik replied: "Few reckon the need of the silent, or measure the wants of + him who holds his peace." + </p> + <p> + Then the king bade his sister bring forth the drink in a great goblet. + Erik caught hold of her right hand and of the goblet she offered at the + same time, and said: "Noblest of kings, hath thy benignity granted me this + present? Dost thou assure me that what I hold shall be mine as an + irrevocable gift?" + </p> + <p> + The king, thinking that he was only asking for the cup, declared it was a + gift. But Erik drew the maiden to him, as if she was given with the cup. + When the king saw it, he said: "A fool is shown by his deed; with us + freedom of maidens is ever held inviolate." + </p> + <p> + Then Erik, feigning that he would cut off the girl's hand with his sword, + as though it had been granted under the name of the cup, said: "If I have + taken more than thou gavest, or if I am rash to keep the whole, let me at + least get some." The king saw his mistake in his promise, and gave him the + maiden, being loth to undo his heedlessness by fickleness, and that the + weight of his pledge might seem the greater; though it is held an act more + of ripe judgment than of unsteadfastness to take back a foolish promise. + </p> + <p> + Then, taking from Erik security that he would return, he sent him to the + ships; for the time appointed for the battle was at hand. Erik and his men + went on to the sea, then covered near with ice; and, thanks to the + stability of their sandals, felled the enemy, whose footing was slippery + and unsteady. For Frode had decreed that no man should help either side if + it wavered or were distressed. Then he went back in triumph to the king. + So Gotwar, sorrowing at the destruction of her children who had miserably + perished, and eager to avenge them, announced that it would please her to + have a flyting with Erik, on condition that she should gage a heavy + necklace and he his life; so that if he conquered he should win gold, but + if he gave in, death. Erik agreed to the contest, and the gage was + deposited with Gunwar. So Gotwar began thus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Quando tuam limas admissa cote bipennem, + Nonne terit tremulas mentula quassa nates?" +</pre> + <p> + Erik rejoined: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Ut cuivis natura pilos in corpore sevit, + Omnis nempe suo barba ferenda loco est. + Re Veneris homines artus agitare necesse est; + Motus quippe suos nam labor omnis habet. + Cum natis excipitur nate, vel cum subdita penem + Vulva capit, quid ad haec addere mas renuit?" +</pre> + <p> + Powerless to answer this, Gotwar had to give the gold to the man whom she + had meant to kill, and thus wasted a lordly gift instead of punishing the + slayer of her son. For her ill fate was crowned, instead of her ill-will + being avenged. First bereaved, and then silenced by furious words, she + lost at once her wealth and all reward of her eloquence. She made the man + blest who had taken away her children, and enriched her bereaver with a + present: and took away nothing to make up the slaughter of her sons save + the reproach of ignorance and the loss of goods. Westmar, when he saw + this, determined to attack the man by force, since he was the stronger of + tongue, and laid down the condition that the reward of the conqueror + should be the death of the conquered, so that the life of both parties was + plainly at stake. Erik, unwilling to be thought quicker of tongue than of + hand, did not refuse the terms. + </p> + <p> + Now the manner of combat was as follows. A ring, plaited of withy or rope, + used to be offered to the combatants for them to drag away by wrenching it + with a great effort of foot and hand; and the prize went to the stronger, + for if either of the combatants could wrench it from the other, he was + awarded the victory. Erik struggled in this manner, and, grasping the rope + sharply, wrested it out of the hands of his opponent. When Erode saw this, + he said: "I think it is hard to tug at a rope with a strong man." + </p> + <p> + And Erik said: "Hard, at any rate, when a tumour is in the body or a hunch + sits on the back." + </p> + <p> + And straightway, thrusting his foot forth, he broke the infirm neck and + back of the old man, and crushed him. And so Westmar failed to compass his + revenge: zealous to retaliate, he fell into the portion of those who need + revenging; being smitten down even as those whose slaughter he had desired + to punish. + </p> + <p> + Now Frode intended to pierce Erik by throwing a dagger at him. But Gunwar + knew her brother's purpose, and said, in order to warn her betrothed of + his peril, that no man could be wise who took no forethought for himself. + This speech warned Erik to ward off the treachery, and he shrewdly + understood the counsel of caution. For at once he sprang up and said that + the glory of the wise man would be victorious, but that guile was its own + punishment; thus censuring his treacherous intent in very gentle terms. + But the king suddenly flung his knife at him, yet was too late to hit him; + for he sprang aside, and the steel missed its mark and ran into the wall + opposite. Then said Erik: "Gifts should be handed to friends, and not + thrown; thou hadst made the present acceptable if thou hadst given the + sheath to keep the blade company." + </p> + <p> + On this request the king at once took the sheath from his girdle and gave + it to him, being forced to abate his hatred by the self-control of his + foe. Thus he was mollified by the prudent feigning of the other, and with + goodwill gave him for his own the weapon which he had cast with ill will. + And thus Erik, by taking the wrong done him in a dissembling manner, + turned it into a favour, accepting as a splendid gift the steel which had + been meant to slay him. For he put a generous complexion on what Frode had + done with intent to harm. Then they gave themselves up to rest. In the + night Gunwar awoke Erik silently, and pointed out to him that they ought + to fly, saying that it was very expedient to return with safe chariot ere + harm was done. He went with her to the shore, where he happened to find + the king's fleet beached: so, cutting away part of the sides, he made it + unseaworthy, and by again replacing some laths he patched it so that the + damage might be unnoticed by those who looked at it. Then he caused the + vessel whither he and his company had retired to put off a little from the + shore. + </p> + <p> + The king prepared to give them chase with his mutilated ships, but soon + the waves broke through; and though he was very heavily laden with his + armour, he began to swim off among the rest, having become more anxious to + save his own life than to attack that of others. The bows plunged over + into the sea, the tide flooded in and swept the rowers from their seats. + When Erik and Roller saw this they instantly flung themselves into the + deep water, spurning danger, and by swimming picked up the king, who was + tossing about. Thrice the waves had poured over him and borne him down + when Erik caught him by the hair, and lifted him out of the sea. The + remaining crowd of the wrecked either sank in the waters, or got with + trouble to the land. The king was stripped of his dripping attire and + swathed round with dry garments, and the water poured in floods from his + chest as he kept belching it; his voice also seemed to fail under the + exhaustion of continual pantings. At last heat was restored to his limbs, + which were numbed with cold, and his breathing became quicker. He had not + fully got back his strength, and could sit but not rise. Gradually his + native force returned. But when he was asked at last whether he sued for + life and grace, he put his hand to his eyes, and strove to lift up their + downcast gaze. But as, little by little, power came back to his body, and + as his voice became more assured, he said: + </p> + <p> + "By this light, which I am loth to look on, by this heaven which I behold + and drink in with little joy, I beseech and conjure you not to persuade me + to use either any more. I wished to die; ye have saved me in vain. I was + not allowed to perish in the waters; at least I will die by the sword. I + was unconquered before; thine, Erik, was the first wit to which I yielded: + I was all the more unhappy, because I had never been beaten by men of + note, and now I let a low-born man defeat me. This is great cause for a + king to be ashamed. This is a good and sufficient reason for a general to + die; it is right that he should care for nothing so much as glory. If he + want that, then take it that he lacks all else. For nothing about a king + is more on men's lips than his repute. I was credited with the height of + understanding and eloquence. But I have been stripped of both the things + wherein I was thought to excel, and am all the more miserable because I, + the conqueror of kings, am seen conquered by a peasant. Why grant life to + him whom thou hast robbed of honour? I have lost sister, realm, treasure, + household gear, and, what is greater than them all, renown: I am luckless + in all chances, and in all thy good fortune is confessed. Why am I to be + kept to live on for all this ignominy? What freedom can be so happy for me + that it can wipe out all the shame of captivity? What will all the + following time bring for me? It can beget nothing but long remorse in my + mind, and will savour only of past woes. What will prolonging of life + avail, if it only brings back the memory of sorrow? To the stricken nought + is pleasanter than death, and that decease is happy which comes at a man's + wish, for it cuts not short any sweetness of his days, but annihilates his + disgust at all things. Life in prosperity, but death in adversity, is best + to seek. No hope of better things tempts me to long for life. What hap can + quite repair my shattered fortunes? And by now, had ye not rescued me in + my peril, I should have forgotten even these. What though thou shouldst + give me back my realm, restore my sister, and renew my treasure? Thou + canst never repair my renown. Nothing that is patched up can have the + lustre of the unimpaired, and rumour will recount for ages that Frode was + taken captive. Moreover, if ye reckon the calamities I have inflicted on + you, I have deserved to die at your hands; if ye recall the harms I have + done, ye will repent your kindness. Ye will be ashamed of having aided a + foe, if ye consider how savagely he treated you. Why do ye spare the + guilty? Why do ye stay your hand from the throat of your persecutor? It is + fitting that the lot which I had prepared for you should come home to + myself. I own that if I had happened to have you in my power as ye now + have me, I should have paid no heed to compassion. But if I am innocent + before you in act, I am guilty at least in will. I pray you, let my + wrongful intention, which sometimes is counted to stand for the deed, + recoil upon me. If ye refuse me death by the sword I will take care to + kill myself with my own hand." + </p> + <p> + Erik rejoined thus: "I pray that the gods may turn thee from the folly of + thy purpose; turn thee, I say, that thou mayst not try to end a most + glorious life abominably. Why, surely the gods themselves have forbidden + that a man who is kind to others should commit unnatural self-murder. + Fortune has tried thee to find out with what spirit thou wouldst meet + adversity. Destiny has proved thee, not brought thee low. No sorrow has + been inflicted on thee which a happier lot cannot efface. Thy prosperity + has not been changed; only a warning has been given thee. No man behaves + with self-control in prosperity who has not learnt to endure adversity. + Besides, the whole use of blessings is reaped after misfortunes have been + graciously acknowledged. Sweeter is the joy which follows on the + bitterness of fate. Wilt thou shun thy life because thou hast once had a + drenching, and the waters closed over thee? But if the waters can crush + thy spirit, when wilt thou with calm courage bear the sword? Who would not + reckon swimming away in his armour more to his glory than to his shame? + How many men would think themselves happy were they unhappy with thy + fortune? The sovereignty is still thine; thy courage is in its prime; thy + years are ripening; thou canst hope to compass more than thou hast yet + achieved. I would not find thee fickle enough to wish, not only to shun + hardships, but also to fling away thy life, because thou couldst not bear + them. None is so unmanly as he who from fear of adversity loses heart to + live. No wise man makes up for his calamities by dying. Wrath against + another is foolish, but against a man's self it is foolhardy; and it is a + coward frenzy which dooms its owner. But if thou go without need to thy + death for some wrong suffered, or for some petty perturbation of spirit, + whom dost thou leave behind to avenge thee? Who is so mad that he would + wish to punish the fickleness of fortune by destroying himself? What man + has lived so prosperously but that ill fate has sometimes stricken him? + Hast thou enjoyed felicity unbroken and passed thy days without a shock, + and now, upon a slight cloud of sadness, dost thou prepare to quit thy + life, only to save thy anguish? If thou bear trifles so ill, how shalt + thou endure the heavier frowns of fortune? Callow is the man who has never + tasted of the cup of sorrow; and no man who has not suffered hardships is + temperate in enjoying ease. Wilt thou, who shouldst have been a pillar of + courage, show a sign of a palsied spirit? Born of a brave sire, wilt thou + display utter impotence? Wilt thou fall so far from thy ancestors as to + turn softer than women? Hast thou not yet begun thy prime, and art thou + already taken with weariness of life? Whoever set such an example before? + Shall the grandson of a famous man, and the child of the unvanquished, be + too weak to endure a slight gust of adversity? Thy nature portrays the + courage of thy sires; none has conquered thee, only thine own heedlessness + has hurt thee. We snatched thee from peril, we did not subdue thee; wilt + thou give us hatred for love, and set our friendship down as wrongdoing? + Our service should have appeased thee, and not troubled thee. May the gods + never desire thee to go so far in frenzy, as to persist in branding thy + preserver as a traitor! Shall we be guilty before thee in a matter wherein + we do thee good? Shall we draw anger on us for our service? Wilt thou + account him thy foe whom thou hast to thank for thy life? For thou wert + not free when we took thee, but in distress, and we came in time to help + thee. And, behold, I restore thy treasure, thy wealth, thy goods. If thou + thinkest thy sister was betrothed to me over-hastily, let her marry the + man whom thou commandest; for her chastity remains inviolate. Moreover, if + thou wilt accept me, I wish to fight for thee. Beware lest thou wrongfully + steel thy mind in anger. No loss of power has shattered thee, none of thy + freedom has been forfeited. Thou shalt see that I am obeying, not + commanding thee. I agree to any sentence thou mayst pronounce against my + life. Be assured that thou art as strong here as-in thy palace; thou hast + the same power to rule here as in thy court. Enact concerning us here + whatsoever would have been thy will in the palace: we are ready to obey." + Thus much said Erik. + </p> + <p> + Now this speech softened the king towards himself as much as towards his + foe. Then, everything being arranged and made friendly, they returned to + the shore. The king ordered that Erik and his sailors should be taken in + carriages. But when they reached the palace he had an assembly summoned, + to which he called Erik, and under the pledge of betrothal gave him his + sister and command over a hundred men. Then he added that the queen would + be a weariness to him, and that the daughter of Gotar had taken his + liking. He must, therefore, have a fresh embassy, and the business could + best be done by Erik, for whose efforts nothing seemed too hard. He also + said that he would stone Gotwar to death for her complicity in concealing + the crime; but Hanund he would restore to her father, that he might not + have a traitress against his life dwelling amongst the Danes. Erik + approved his plans, and promised his help to carry out his bidding; except + that he declared that it would be better to marry the queen, when she had + been put away, to Roller, of whom his sovereignty need have no fears. This + opinion Frode received reverentially, as though it were some lesson + vouchsafed from above. The queen also, that she might not seem to be + driven by compulsion, complied, as women will, and declared that there was + no natural necessity to grieve, and that all distress of spirit was a + creature of fancy: and, moreover, that one ought not to bewail the + punishment that befell one's deserts. And so the brethren celebrated their + marriages together, one wedding the sister of the king, and the other his + divorced queen. + </p> + <p> + Then they sailed back to Norway, taking their wives with them. For the + women could not be torn from the side of their husbands, either by + distance of journey or by dread of peril, but declared that they would + stick to their lords like a feather to something shaggy. They found that + Ragnar was dead, and that Kraka had already married one Brak. Then they + remembered the father's treasure, dug up the money, and bore it off. But + Erik's fame had gone before him, and Gotar had learnt all his good + fortune. Now when Gotar learnt that he had come himself, he feared that + his immense self-confidence would lead him to plan the worst against the + Norwegians, and was anxious to take his wife from him and marry him to his + own daughter in her place: for his queen had just died, and he was anxious + to marry the sister of Frode more than anyone. Erik, when he learnt of his + purpose, called his men together, and told them that his fortune had not + yet got off from the reefs. Also he said that he saw, that as a bundle + that was not tied by a band fell to pieces, so likewise the heaviest + punishment that was not constrained on a man by his own fault suddenly + collapsed. They had experienced this of late with Frode; for they saw how + at the hardest pass their innocence had been protected by the help of the + gods; and if they continued to preserve it they should hope for like aid + in their adversity. Next, they must pretend flight for a little while, if + they were attacked by Gotar, for so they would have a juster plea for + fighting. For they had every right to thrust out the hand in order to + shield the head from peril. Seldom could a man carry to a successful end a + battle he had begun against the innocent; so, to give them a better plea + for assaulting the enemy, he must be provoked to attack them first. + </p> + <p> + Erik then turned to Gunwar, and asked her, in order to test her fidelity, + whether she had any love for Gotar, telling her it was unworthy that a + maid of royal lineage should be bound to the bed of a man of the people. + Then she began to conjure him earnestly by the power of heaven to tell her + whether his purpose was true or reigned? He said that he had spoken + seriously, and she cried: "And so thou art prepared to bring on me the + worst of shame by leaving me a widow, whom thou lovedst dearly as a maid! + Common rumour often speaks false, but I have been wrong in my opinion of + thee. I thought I had married a steadfast man; I hoped his loyalty was + past question; but now I find him to be more fickle than the winds." + Saying this, she wept abundantly. + </p> + <p> + Dear to Erik was his wife's fears; presently he embraced her and said: "I + wished to know how loyal thou wert to me. Nought but death has the right + to sever us, but Gotar means to steal thee away, seeking thy love by + robbery. When he has committed the theft, pretend it is done with thy + goodwill; yet put off the wedding till he has given me his daughter in thy + place. When she has been granted, Gotar and I will hold our marriage on + the same day. And take care that thou prepare rooms for our banqueting + which have a common party-wall, yet are separate: lest perchance, if I + were before thine eyes, thou shouldst ruffle the king with thy lukewarm + looks at him. For this will be a most effective trick to baffle the wish + of the ravisher." Then he bade Brak (one of his men), to lie in ambush not + far from the palace with a chosen band of his quickest men, that he might + help him at need. + </p> + <p> + Then he summoned Roller, and fled in his ship with his wife and all his + goods, in order to tempt the king out, pretending panic: So, when he saw + that the fleet of Gotar was pressing him hard, he said: "Behold how the + bow of guile shooteth the shaft of treachery;" and instantly rousing his + sailors with the war-shout, he steered the ship about. Gotar came close up + to him and asked who was the pilot of the ship, and he was told that it + was Erik. He also shouted a question whether he was the same man who by + his marvellous speaking could silence the eloquence of all other men. + Erik, when he heard this, replied that he had long since received the + surname of the "Shrewd-spoken", and that he had not won the auspicious + title for nothing. Then both went back to the nearest shore, where Gotar, + when he learnt the mission of Erik, said that he wished for the sister of + Frode, but would rather offer his own daughter to Frode's envoy, that Erik + might not repent the passing of his own wife to another man. Thus it would + not be unfitting for the fruit of the mission to fall to the ambassador. + </p> + <p> + Erik, he said, was delightful to him as a son-in-law, if only he could win + alliance with Frode through Gunwar. + </p> + <p> + Erik lauded the kindness of the king and approved his judgment, declaring + he could not have expected a greater thing from the immortal gods than + what was now offered him unasked. Still, he said, the king must first + discover Gunwar's own mind and choice. She accepted the flatteries of the + king with feigned goodwill, and seemed to consent readily to his suit, but + besought him to suffer Erik's nuptials to precede hers; because, if Erik's + were accomplished first, there would be a better opportunity for the + king's; but chiefly on this account, that, if she were to marry again, she + might not be disgusted at her new marriage troth by the memory of the old + recurring. She also declared it inexpedient for two sets of preparations + to be confounded in one ceremony. The king was prevailed upon by her + answers, and highly approved her requests. + </p> + <p> + Gotar's constant talks with Erik furnished him with a store of most + fairshapen maxims, wherewith to rejoice and refresh his mind. So, not + satisfied with giving him his daughter in marriage he also made over to + him the district of Lither, thinking that their connection deserved some + kindness. Now Kraka, whom Erik, because of her cunning in witchcraft, had + brought with him on his travels, feigned weakness of the eyes, and muffled + up her face in her cloak, so that not a single particle of her head was + visible for recognition. When people asked her who she was, she said that + she was Gunwar's sister, child of the same mother but a different father. + </p> + <p> + Now when they came to the dwelling of Gotar, the wedding-feast of Alfhild + (this was his daughter's name) was being held. Erik and the king sat at + meat in different rooms, with a party-wall in common, and also entirely + covered on the inside with hanging tapestries. Gunwar sat by Gotar, but + Erik sat close between Kraka on the one side and Alfhild on the other. + Amid the merrymaking, he gradually drew a lath out of the wall, and made + an opening large enough to allow the passage of a human body; and thus, + without the knowledge of the guests, he made a space wide enough to go + through. Then, in the course of the feast, he began to question his + betrothed closely whether she would rather marry himself or Frode: + especially since, if due heed were paid to matches, the daughter of a king + ought to go to the arms of one as noble as herself, so that the lowliness + of one of the pair might not impair the lordliness of the other. She said + that she would never marry against the permission of her father; but he + turned her aversion into compliance by promises that she should be queen, + and that she should be richer than all other women, for she was captivated + by the promise of wealth quite as much as of glory. There is also a + tradition that Kraka turned the maiden's inclinations to Frode by a drink + which she mixed and gave to her. + </p> + <p> + Now Gotar, after the feast, in order to make the marriage-mirth go fast + and furious, went to the revel of Erik. As he passed out, Gunwar, as she + had been previously bidden, went through the hole in the party-wall where + the lath had been removed, and took the seat next to Erik. Gotar marvelled + that she was sitting there by his side, and began to ask eagerly how and + why she had come there. She said that she was Gunwar's sister, and that + the king was deceived by the likeness of their looks. And when the king, + in order to look into the matter, hurried back to the royal room, Gunwar + returned through the back door by which she had come and sat in her old + place in the sight of all. Gotar, when he saw her, could scarcely believe + his eyes, and in the utmost doubt whether he had recognized her aright, he + retraced his steps to Erik; and there he saw before him Gunwar, who had + got back in her own fashion. And so, as often as he changed to go from one + hall to the other, he found her whom he sought in either place. By this + time the king was tormented by great wonder at what was no mere likeness, + but the very same face in both places. For it seemed flatly impossible + that different people should look exactly and undistinguishably alike. At + last, when the revel broke up, he courteously escorted his daughter and + Erik as far as their room, as the manner is at weddings, and went back + himself to bed elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + But Erik suffered Alfhild, who was destined for Frode, to lie apart, and + embraced Gunwar as usual, thus outwitting the king. So Gotar passed a + sleepless night, revolving how he had been apparently deluded with a dazed + and wandering mind: for it seemed to him no mere likeness of looks, but + sameness. Thus he was filled with such wavering and doubtful judgment, + that though he really discerned the truth he thought he must have been + mistaken. At last it flashed across his mind that the wall might have been + tampered with. He gave orders that it should be carefully surveyed and + examined, but found no traces of a breakage: in fact, the entire room + seemed to be whole and unimpaired. For Erik, early in the night, had + patched up the damage of the broken wall, that his trick might not be + detected. Then the king sent two men privily into the bedroom of Erik to + learn the truth, and bade them stand behind the hangings and note all + things carefully. They further received orders to kill Erik if they found + him with Gunwar. They went secretly into the room, and, concealing + themselves in the curtained corners, beheld Erik and Gunwar in bed + together with arms entwined. Thinking them only drowsy, they waited for + their deeper sleep, wishing to stay until a heavier slumber gave them a + chance to commit their crime. Erik snored lustily, and they knew it was a + sure sign that he slept soundly; so they straightway came forth with drawn + blades in order to butcher him. Erik was awakened by their treacherous + onset, and seeing their swords hanging over his head, called out the name + of his stepmother, (Kraka), to which long ago he had been bidden to appeal + when in peril, and he found a speedy help in his need. For his shield, + which hung aloft from the rafter, instantly fell and covered his unarmed + body, and, as if on purpose, covered it from impalement by the cutthroats. + He did not fail to make use of his luck, but, snatching his sword, lopped + off both feet of the nearest of them. Gunwar, with equal energy, ran a + spear through the other: she had the body of a woman, but the spirit of a + man. + </p> + <p> + Thus Erik escaped the trap; whereupon he went back to the sea and made + ready to sail off by night. But Roller sounded on his horn the signal for + those who had been bidden to watch close by, to break into the palace. + When the king heard this, he thought it meant that the enemy was upon + them, and made off hastily in a ship. Meanwhile Brak, and those who had + broken in with him, snatched up the goods of the king, and got them on + board Erik's ships. Almost half the night was spent in pillaging. In the + morning, when the king found that they had fled, he prepared to pursue + them, but was advised by one of his friends not to plan anything on a + sudden or do it in haste. His friend, indeed, tried to convince him that + he needed a larger equipment, and that it was ill-advised to pursue the + fugitives to Denmark with a handful. But neither could this curb the + king's impetuous spirit; it could not bear the loss; for nothing had stung + him more than this, that his preparations to slay another should have + recoiled on his own men. So he sailed to the harbour which is now called + Omi. Here the weather began to be bad, provision failed, and they thought + it better, since die they must, to die by the sword than by famine. And so + the sailors turned their hand against one another, and hastened their end + by mutual blows. The king with a few men took to the cliffs and escaped. + Lofty barrows still mark the scene of the slaughter. Meanwhile Erik ended + his voyage fairly, and the wedding of Alfhild and Frode was kept. + </p> + <p> + Then came tidings of an inroad of the Sclavs, and Erik was commissioned to + suppress it with eight ships, since Frode as yet seemed inexperienced in + war. Erik, loth ever to flinch from any manly undertaking, gladly + undertook the business and did it bravely. Learning that the pirates had + seven ships, he sailed up to them with only one of his own, ordering the + rest to be girt with timber parapets, and covered over with pruned boughs + of trees. Then he advanced to observe the number of the enemy more fully, + but when the Sclavs pursued closely, he beat a quick retreat to his men. + But the enemy, blind to the trap, and as eager to take the fugitives, + rowed smiting the waters fast and incessantly. For the ships of Erik could + not be clearly distinguished, looking like a leafy wood. The enemy, after + venturing into a winding strait, suddenly saw themselves surrounded by the + fleet of Erik. First, confounded by the strange sight, they thought that a + wood was sailing; and then they saw that guile lurked under the leaves. + Therefore, tardily repenting their rashness, they tried to retrace their + incautious voyage: but while they were trying to steer about, they saw the + enemy boarding them; Erik, however, put his ship ashore, and slung stones + against the enemy from afar. Thus most of the Sclavs were killed, and + forty taken, who afterwards under stress of bonds and famine, and in + strait of divers torments, gave up the ghost. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Frode, in order to cross on an expedition into Sclavia, had + mustered a mighty fleet from the Danes, as well as from neighbouring + peoples. The smallest boat of this fleet could carry twelve sailors, and + be rowed by as many oars. Then Erik, bidding his men await him patiently + went to tell Frode the tidings of the defeat he had inflicted. As he + sailed along he happened to see a pirate ship aground on some shallows; + and being wont to utter weighty words upon chance occurrences, he said, + "Obscure is the lot of the base-born, and mean is the fortune of the + lowly." Then he brought his ship up close and destroyed the pirates, who + were trying to get off their own vessel with poles, and busily engrossed + in saving her. This accomplished, he made his way back to the king's + fleet; and wishing to cheer Frode with a greeting that heralded his + victory, he said, "Hail to the maker of a most prosperous peace!" The king + prayed that his word might come true, and declared that the spirit of the + wise man was prophetic. Erik answered that he spoke truly, and that the + petty victory brought an omen of a greater one; declaring that a presage + of great matters could often be got from trifles. Then the king counselled + him to scatter his force, and ordered the horsemen of Jutland to go by the + land way, while the rest of the army went by the short sea-passage. But + the sea was covered with such a throng of vessels, that there were not + enough harbours to take them in, nor shores for them to encamp on, nor + money for their provisions; while the land army is said to have been so + great that, in order to shorten the way, it levelled mountains, made + marshes passable, filled up pits with material, and the hugest chasms by + casting in great boulders. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Strunik the King of the Sclavs sent envoys to ask for a truce; + but Frode refused him time to equip himself, saying that an enemy ought + not to be furnished with a truce. Moreover, he said, he had hitherto + passed his life without experience of war, and now he ought not to delay + its beginning by waiting in doubt; for the man that conducted his first + campaign successfully might hope for as good fortune in the rest. For each + side would take the augury afforded by the first engagements as a presage + of the combat; since the preliminary successes of war were often a + prophecy of the sequel. Erik commended the wisdom of the reply, declaring + that the game ought to be played abroad just as it had been begun at home: + meaning that the Danes had been challenged by the Sclavs. After these + words he fought a furious battle, slew Strunik with the bravest of his + race, and received the surrender of the rest. Then Frode called the Sclavs + together, and proclaimed by a herald that any man among them who had been + trained to theft or plunder should be speedily given up; promising that he + would reward the character of such men with the highest honours. He also + ordered that all of them, who were versed in evil arts should come forth + to have their reward. This offer pleased the Sclavs: and some of them, + tempted by their hopes of the gift, betrayed themselves with more avarice + than judgment, before the others could make them known. These were misled + by such great covetousness, that they thought less of shame than lucre, + and accounted as their glory what was really their guilt. When these had + given themselves up of their own will, he said: "Sclavs! This is the pest + from which you must clear your land yourselves." And straightway he + ordered the executioners to seize them, and had them fixed upon the + highest gallows by the hand of their own countrymen. The punishers looked + fewer than the punished. And thus the shrewd king, by refusing to those + who owned their guilt the pardon which he granted to the conquered foe, + destroyed almost the entire stock of the Sclavic race. Thus the longing + for an undeserved reward was visited with a deserved penalty, and the + thirst for an undue wage justly punished. I should think that these men + were rightly delivered to their doom, who brought the peril on their own + heads by speaking, when they could have saved their lives by the + protection of silence. + </p> + <p> + The king, exalted by the honours of his fresh victory, and loth to seem + less strong in justice than in battle, resolved to remodel his army by + some new laws, some of which are retained by present usage, while others + men have chosen to abolish for new ones. (a) For he decreed, when the + spoil was divided, that each of the vanguard should receive a greater + share than the rest of the soldiery: while he granted all gold that was + taken to the generals (before whom the standards were always borne in + battle) on account of their rank; wishing the common soldiers to be + content with silver. He ordered that the arms should go to the champions, + but the captured ships should pass to the common people, as the due of + those who had the right of building and equipping vessels. (b) Also he + forbade that anyone should venture to lock up his household goods, as he + would receive double the value of any losses from the treasury of the + king; but if anyone thought fit to keep it in locked coffers, he must pay + the king a gold mark. He also laid down that anyone who spared a thief + should be punished as a thief. (d) Further, that the first man to flee in + battle should forfeit all common rights. (e) But when he had returned into + Denmark he wished to amend by good measures any corruption caused by the + evil practices of Grep; and therefore granted women free choice in + marriage, so that there might be no compulsory wedlock. And so he provided + by law that women should be held duly married to those whom they had + wedded without consulting their fathers. (f) But if a free woman agreed to + marry a slave, she must fall to his rank, lose the blessing of freedom, + and adopt the standing of a slave. (g) He also imposed on men the statute + that they must marry any woman whom they had seduced. (h) He ordained that + adulterers should be deprived of a member by the lawful husbands, so that + continence might not be destroyed by shameful sins. (I) Also he ordained + that if a Dane plundered another Dane, he should repay double, and be held + guilty of a breach of the peace. (k) And if any man were to take to the + house of another anything which he had got by thieving, his host, if he + shut the door of his house behind the man, should incur forfeiture of all + his goods, and should be beaten in full assembly, being regarded as having + made himself guilty of the same crime. (l) Also, whatsoever exile should + turn enemy to his country, or bear a shield against his countrymen, should + be punished with the loss of life and goods. (m) But if any man, from a + contumacious spirit, were slack in fulfilling the orders of the king, he + should be punished with exile. For, on all occasion of any sudden and + urgent war, an arrow of wood, looking like iron, used to be passed on + everywhere from man to man as a messenger. (n) But if any one of the + commons went in front of the vanguard in battle, he was to rise from a + slave into a freeman, and from a peasant into a nobleman; but if he were + nobly-born already, he should be created a governor. So great a guerdon + did valiant men earn of old; and thus did the ancients think noble rank + the due of bravery. For it was thought that the luck a man had should be + set down to his valour, and not his valour to his luck. (o) He also + enacted that no dispute should be entered on with a promise made under + oath and a gage deposited; but whosoever requested another man to deposit + a gage against him should pay that man half a gold mark, on pain of severe + bodily chastisement. For the king had foreseen that the greatest occasions + of strife might arise from the depositing of gages. (p) But he decided + that any quarrel whatsoever should be decided by the sword, thinking a + combat of weapons more honourable than one of words. But if either of the + combatants drew back his foot, and stepped out of the ring of the circle + previously marked, he was to consider himself conquered, and suffer the + loss of his case. But a man of the people, if he attacked a champion on + any score, should be armed to meet him; but the champion should only fight + with a truncheon an ell long. (q) Further, he appointed that if an alien + killed a Dane, his death should be redressed by the slaying of two + foreigners. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Gotar, in order to punish Erik, equipped his army for war: and + Frode, on the other side, equipped a great fleet to go against Norway. + When both alike had put into Rennes-Isle, Gotar, terrified by the + greatness of Frode's name, sent ambassadors to pray for peace. Erik said + to them, "Shameless is the robber who is the first to seek peace, or + ventures to offer it to the good. He who longs to win must struggle: blow + must counter blow, malice repel malice." + </p> + <p> + Gotar listened attentively to this from a distance, and then said, as + loudly as he could: "Each man fights for valour according as he remembers + kindness." Erik said to him: "I have requited thy kindness by giving thee + back counsel." By this speech he meant that his excellent advice was worth + more than all manner of gifts. And, in order to show that Gotar was + ungrateful for the counsel he had received, he said: "When thou desiredst + to take my life and my wife, thou didst mar the look of thy fair example. + Only the sword has the right to decide between us." Then Gotar attacked + the fleet of the Danes; he was unsuccessful in the engagement, and slain. + </p> + <p> + Afterwards Roller received his realm from Frode as a gift; it stretched + over seven provinces. Erik likewise presented Roller with the province + which Gotar had once bestowed upon him. After these exploits Frode passed + three years in complete and tranquil peace. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the King of the Huns, when he heard that his daughter had been + put away, allied himself with Olmar, King of the Easterlings, and in two + years equipped an armament against the Danes. So Frode levied an army not + only of native Danes, but also of Norwegians and Sclavs. Erik, whom he had + sent to spy out the array of the enemy, found Olmar, who had received the + command of the fleet, not far from Russia; while the King of the Huns led + the land forces. He addressed Olmar thus: + </p> + <p> + "What means, prithee, this strong equipment of war? Or whither dost thou + speed, King Olmar, mighty in thy fleet?" + </p> + <p> + Olmar. "We are minded to attack the son of Fridleif. And who art thou, + whose bold lips ask such questions?" + </p> + <p> + Erik. "Vain hope of conquering the unconquered hath filled thy heart; over + Frode no man can prevail." + </p> + <p> + Olmar. "Whatsoever befalls, must once happen for the first time; and often + enough the unexpected comes to pass." + </p> + <p> + By this saying he let him know that no man must put too much trust in + fortune. Then Erik rode up to inspect the army of the Huns. As it passed + by him, and he in turn by it, it showed its vanguard to the rising and its + rear to the setting sun. So he asked those whom he met, who had the + command of all those thousands. Hun, the King of the Huns, happened to see + him, and heard that he had undertaken to reconnoitre, and asked what was + the name of the questioner. Erik said he was the man who came everywhere + and was found nowhere. Then the king, when an interpreter was brought, + asked what work Frode was about. Erik replied, "Frode never waits at home + for a hostile army, nor tarries in his house for his foe. For he who + covets the pinnacle of another's power must watch and wake all night. No + man has ever won a victory by snoring, and no wolf has ever found a + carcase by lying asleep." + </p> + <p> + The king, perceiving that he was a cunning speaker of choice maxims, said: + "Here, perchance, is that Erik who, as I have heard, accused my daughter + falsely." + </p> + <p> + But Erik, when they were bidden to seize him instantly, said that it was + unseemly for one man to be dragged off by really; and by this saying he + not only appeased the mind of the king, but even inclined him to be + willing to pardon him. But it was clear that this impunity came more from + cunning than kindness; for the chief reason why he was let go was that he + might terrify Frode by the report of their vast numbers. When he returned, + Frode bad him relate what he had discovered, and he said that he had seen + six kings each with his fleet; and that each of these fleets contained + five thousand ships, each ship being known to hold three hundred rowers. + Each millenary of the whole total he said consisted of four wings; now, + since the full number of a wing is three hundred, he meant that a + millenary should be understood to contain twelve hundred men. When Frode + wavered in doubt what he could do against so many, and looked eagerly + round for reinforcements, Erik said: "Boldness helps the righteous; a + valiant dog must attack the bear; we want wolf-hounds, and not little + unwarlike birds." This said, he advised Frode to muster his fleet. When it + was drawn up they sailed off against the enemy; and so they fought and + subdued the islands lying between Denmark and the East; and as they + advanced thence, met some ships of the Ruthenian fleet. Frode thought it + shameful to attack such a handful, but Erik said: "We must seek food from + the gaunt and lean. He who falls shall seldom fatten, nor has that man the + power to bite whom the huge sack has devoured." By this warning he cured + the king of all shame about making an assault, and presently induced him + to attack a small number with a throng; for he showed him that advantage + must be counted before honour. + </p> + <p> + After this they went on to meet Olmar, who because of the slowness of his + multitude preferred awaiting the enemy to attacking it; for the vessels of + the Ruthenians seemed disorganized, and, owing to their size, not so well + able to row. But not even did the force of his multitudes avail him. For + the extraordinary masses of the Ruthenians were stronger in numbers than + in bravery, and yielded the victory to the stout handful of the Danes. + </p> + <p> + When Frode tried to return home, his voyage encountered an unheard-of + difficulty. For the crowds of dead bodies, and likewise the fragments of + shields and spears, bestrewed the entire gulf of the sea, and tossed on + the tide, so that the harbours were not only straitened, but stank. The + vessels stuck, hampered amid the corpses. They could neither thrust off + with oars, nor drive away with poles, the rotting carcases that floated + around, or prevent, when they had put one away, another rolling up and + driving against the fleet. You would have thought that a war had arisen + with the dead, and there was a strange combat with the lifeless. + </p> + <p> + So Frode summoned the nations which he had conquered, and enacted (a) that + any father of a family who had fallen in that war should be buried with + his horse and all his arms and decorations. And if any body-snatcher, in + his abominable covetousness, made an attempt on him, he was to suffer for + it, not only with his life, but also with the loss of burial for his own + body; he should have no barrow and no funeral. For he thought it just that + he who despoiled another's ashes should be granted no burial, but should + repeat in his own person the fate he had inflicted on another. He + appointed that the body of a centurion or governor should receive funeral + on a pyre built of his own ship. He ordered that the bodies of every ten + pilots should be burnt together with a single ship, but that every earl or + king that was killed should be put on his own ship and burnt with it. He + wished this nice attention to be paid in conducting the funerals of the + slain, because he wished to prevent indiscriminate obsequies. By this time + all the kings of the Russians except Olmar and Dag had fallen in battle. + (b) He also ordered the Russians to conduct their warfare in imitation of + the Danes, and never to marry a wife without buying her. He thought that + bought marriages would have more security, believing that the troth which + was sealed with a price was the safest. (d) Moreover, anyone who durst + attempt the violation of a virgin was to be punished with the severance of + his bodily parts, or else to requite the wrong of his intercourse with a + thousand talents. (e) He also enacted that any man that applied himself to + war, who aspired to the title of tried soldier, should attack a single + man, should stand the attack of two, should only withdraw his foot a + little to avoid three, but should not blush to flee from four. (f) He also + proclaimed that a new custom concerning the pay of the soldiers should be + observed by the princes under his sway. He ordered that each native + soldier and housecarl should be presented in the winter season with three + marks of silver, a common or hired soldier with two, a private soldier who + had finished his service with only one. By this law he did injustice to + valour, reckoning the rank of the soldiers and not their courage; and he + was open to the charge of error in the matter, because he set familiar + acquaintance above desert. + </p> + <p> + After this the king asked Erik whether the army of the Huns was as large + as the forces of Olmar, and Erik answered in the following song: + </p> + <p> + "By Hercules, I came on a countless throng, a throng that neither earth + nor wave could hold. Thick flared all their camp-fires, and the whole wood + blazed up; the flame betokened a numberless array. The earth sank under + the fraying of the horse-hoofs; creaking waggons rattled swiftly. The + wheels rumbled, the driver rode upon the winds, so that the chariots + sounded like thunder. The earth hardly bore the throngs of men-at-arms, + speeding on confusedly; they trod it, but it could not bear their weight. + I thought that the air crashed and the earth was shaken, so mighty was the + motion of the stranger army. For I saw fifteen standards flickering at + once; each of them had a hundred lesser standards, and after each of these + could have been seen twenty; and the captains in their order were equal in + number to the standards." + </p> + <p> + Now when Frode asked wherewithal he was to resist so many, Erik instructed + him that he must return home and suffer the enemy first to perish of their + own hugeness. His counsel was obeyed, the advice being approved as + heartily as it was uttered. But the Huns went on through pathless deserts, + and, finding provisions nowhere, began to run the risk of general + starvation; for it was a huge and swampy district, and nothing could be + found to relieve their want. At last, when the beasts of burden had been + cut down and eaten, they began to scatter, lacking carriages as much as + food. Now their straying from the road was as perilous to them as their + hunger. Neither horses nor asses were spared, nor did they refrain from + filthy garbage. At last they did not even spare dogs: to dying men every + abomination was lawful; for there is nothing too hard for the bidding of + extreme need. At last when they were worn out with hunger, there came a + general mortality. Bodies were carried out for burial without end, for all + feared to perish, and none pitied the perishing. Fear indeed had cast out + humanity. So first the divisions deserted from the king little by little; + and then the army melted away by companies. He was also deserted by the + prophet Ygg, a man of unknown age, which was prolonged beyond the human + span; this man went as a deserter to Frode, and told him of all the + preparations of the Huns. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Hedin, prince of a considerable tribe of the Norwegians, + approached the fleet of Frode with a hundred and fifty vessels. Choosing + twelve out of these, he proceeded to cruise nearer, signalling the + approach of friends by a shield raised on the mast. He thus greatly + augmented the forces of the king, and was received into his closest + friendship. A mutual love afterwards arose between this man and Hilda, the + daughter of Hogni, a chieftain of the Jutes, and a maiden of most eminent + renown. For, though they had not yet seen one another, each had been + kindled by the other's glory. But when they had a chance of beholding one + another, neither could look away; so steadfast was the love that made + their eyes linger. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Frode distributed his soldiers through the towns, and carefully + gathered in the materials needed for the winter supplies; but even so he + could not maintain his army, with its burden of expense: and plague fell + on him almost as great as the destruction that met the Huns. Therefore, to + prevent the influx of foreigners, he sent a fleet to the Elbe to take care + that nothing should cross; the admirals were Revil and Mevil. When the + winter broke up, Hedin and Hogni resolved to make a roving-raid together; + for Hogni did not know that his partner was in love with his daughter. Now + Hogni was of unusual stature, and stiff in temper; while Hedin was very + comely, but short. Also, when Frode saw that the cost of keeping up his + army grew daily harder to bear, he sent Roller to Norway, Olmar to Sweden, + King Onef and Glomer, a rover captain, to the Orkneys for supplies, each + with his own forces. Thirty kings followed Frode, and were his friends or + vassals. But when Hun heard that Frode had sent away his forces he + mustered another and a fresh army. But Hogni betrothed his daughter to + Hedin, after they had sworn to one another that whichever of them should + perish by the sword should be avenged by the other. + </p> + <p> + In the autumn, the men in search of supplies came back, but they were + richer in trophies than in food. For Roller had made tributary the + provinces Sundmor and Nordmor, after slaying Arthor their king. But Olmar + conquered Thor the Long, the King of the Jemts and the Helsings, with two + other captains of no less power, and also took Esthonia and Kurland, with + Oland, and the isles that fringe Sweden; thus he was a most renowned + conqueror of savage lands. So he brought back 700 ships, thus doubling the + numbers of those previously taken out. Onef and Glomer, Hedin and Hogni, + won victories over the Orkneys, and returned with 900 ships. And by this + time revenues had been got in from far and wide, and there were ample + materials gathered by plunder to recruit their resources. They had also + added twenty kingdoms to the sway of Frode, whose kings, added to the + thirty named before, fought on the side of the Danes. + </p> + <p> + Trusting in their strength, they engaged with the Huns. Such a carnage + broke out on the first day of this combat that the three chief rivers of + Russia were bestrewn with a kind of bridge of corpses, and could be + crossed and passed over. Also the traces of the massacre spread so wide + that for the space of three days' ride the ground was to be seen covered + with human carcases. So, when the battle had been seven days prolonged, + King Hun fell; and his brother of the same name, when he saw the line of + the Huns giving way, without delay surrendered himself and his company. In + that war 170 kings, who were either Huns or fighting amongst the Huns, + surrendered to the king. This great number Erik had comprised in his + previous description of the standards, when he was giving an account of + the multitude of the Huns in answer to the questions of Frode. So Frode + summoned the kings to assembly, and imposed a rule upon them that they + should all live under one and the same law. Now he set Olmar over + Holmgard; Onef over Conogard; and he bestowed Saxony on Hun, his prisoner, + and gave Revil the Orkneys. To one Dimar he allotted the management of the + provinces of the Helsings, of the Jarnbers, and the Jemts, as well as both + Laplands; while on Dag he bestowed the government of Esthonia. Each of + these men he burdened with fixed conditions of tribute, thus making + allegiance a condition of his kindness. So the realms of Frode embraced + Russia on the east, and on the west were bounded by the Rhine. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, certain slanderous tongues accused Hedin to Hogni of having + tempted and defiled his daughter before the rites of betrothal; which was + then accounted an enormous crime by all nations. So the credulous ears of + Hogni drank in this lying report, and with his fleet he attacked Hedin, + who was collecting the king's dues among the Slavs; there was an + engagement, and Hogni was beaten, and went to Jutland. And thus the peace + instituted by Frode was disturbed by intestine war, and natives were the + first to disobey the king's law. Frode, therefore, sent men to summon them + both at once, and inquired closely what was the reason of their feud. When + he had heard it, he gave judgment according to the terms of the law he had + enacted; but when he saw that even this could not reconcile them (for the + father obstinately demanded his daughter back), he decreed that the + quarrel should be settled by the sword—it seemed the only remedy for + ending the dispute. The fight began, and Hedin was grievously wounded; but + when he began to lose blood and bodily strength, he received unexpected + mercy from his enemy. For though Hogni had an easy chance of killing him, + yet, pitying youth and beauty, he constrained his cruelty to give way to + clemency. And so, loth to cut off a stripling who was panting at his last + gasp, he refrained his sword. For of old it was accounted shameful to + deprive of his life one who was ungrown or a weakling; so closely did the + antique bravery of champions take heed of all that could incline them to + modesty. So Hedin, with the help of his men, was taken back to his ship, + saved by the kindness of his foe. + </p> + <p> + In the seventh year after, these same men began to fight on Hedin's isle, + and wounded each other so that they died. Hogni would have been lucky if + he had shown severity rather than compassion to Hedin when he had once + conquered him. They say that Hilda longed so ardently for her husband, + that she is believed to have conjured up the spirits of the combatants by + her spells in the night in order to renew the war. + </p> + <p> + At the same time came to pass a savage war between Alrik, king of the + Swedes, and Gestiblind, king of the Goths. The latter, being the weaker, + approached Frode as a suppliant, willing, if he might get his aid, to + surrender his kingdom and himself. He soon received the aid of Skalk, the + Skanian, and Erik, and came back with reinforcements. He had determined to + let loose his attack on Alrik, but Erik thought that he should first + assail his son Gunthion, governor of the men of Wermland and Solongs, + declaring that the storm-weary mariner ought to make for the nearest + shore, and moreover that the rootless trunk seldom burgeoned. So he made + an attack, wherein perished Gunthion, whose tomb records his name. Alrik, + when he heard of the destruction of his son, hastened to avenge him, and + when he had observed his enemies, he summoned Erik, and, in a secret + interview, recounted the leagues of their fathers, imploring him to refuse + to fight for Gestiblind. This Erik steadfastly declined, and Alrik then + asked leave to fight Gestiblind, thinking that a duel was better than a + general engagement. But Erik said that Gestiblind was unfit for arms by + reason of old age, pleading his bad health, and above all his years; but + offered himself to fight in his place, explaining that it would be + shameful to decline a duel on behalf of the man for whom he had come to + make a war. Then they fought without delay: Alrik was killed, and Erik was + most severely wounded; it was hard to find remedies, and he did not for + long time recover health. Now a false report had come to Frode that Erik + had fallen, and was tormenting the king's mind with sore grief; but Erik + dispelled this sadness with his welcome return; indeed, he reported to + Frode that by his efforts Sweden, Wermland, Helsingland, and the islands + of the Sun (Soleyar) had been added to his realm. Frode straightway made + him king of the nations he had subdued, and also granted to him + Helsingland with the two Laplands, Finland and Esthonia, under a yearly + tribute. None of the Swedish kings before him was called by the name of + Erik, but the title passed from him to the rest. + </p> + <p> + At the same time Alf was king in Hethmark, and he had a son Asmund. Biorn + ruled in the province of Wik, and had a son Aswid. Asmund was engaged on + an unsuccessful hunt, and while he was proceeding either to stalk the game + with dogs or to catch it in nets, a mist happened to come on. By this he + was separated from his sharers on a lonely track, wandered over the dreary + ridges, and at last, destitute of horse and clothing, ate fungi and + mushrooms, and wandered on aimlessly till he came to the dwelling of King + Biorn. Moreover, the son of the king and he, when they had lived together + a short while, swore by every vow, in order to ratify the friendship which + they observed to one another, that whichever of them lived longest should + be buried with him who died. For their fellowship and love were so strong, + that each determined he would not prolong his days when the other was cut + off by death. + </p> + <p> + After this Frode gathered together a host of all his subject nations, and + attacked Norway with his fleet, Erik being bidden to lead the land force. + For, after the fashion of human greed, the more he gained the more he + wanted, and would not suffer even the dreariest and most rugged region of + the world to escape this kind of attack; so much is increase of wealth + wont to encourage covetousness. So the Norwegians, casting away all hope + of self-defence, and losing all confidence in their power to revolt, began + to flee for the most part to Halogaland. The maiden Stikla also withdrew + from her country to save her chastity, proferring the occupations of war + to those of wedlock. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Aswid died of an illness, and was consigned with his horse and + dog to a cavern in the earth. And Asmund, because of his oath of + friendship, had the courage to be buried with him, food being put in for + him to eat. + </p> + <p> + Now just at this time Erik, who had crossed the uplands with his army, + happened to draw near the barrow of Aswid; and the Swedes, thinking that + treasures were in it, broke the hill open with mattocks, and saw disclosed + a cave deeper than they had thought. To examine it, a man was wanted, who + would lower himself on a hanging rope tied around him. One of the quickest + of the youths was chosen by lot; and Asmund, when he saw him let down in a + basket following a rope, straightway cast him out and climbed into the + basket. Then he gave the signal to draw him up to those above who were + standing by and controlling the rope. They drew in the basket in the hopes + of great treasure; but when they saw the unknown figure of the man they + had taken out, they were scared by his extraordinary look, and, thinking + that the dead had come to life, flung down the rope and fled all ways. For + Asmund looked ghastly and seemed to be covered as with the corruption of + the charnel. He tried to recall the fugitives, and began to clamour that + they were wrongfully afraid of a living man. And when Erik saw him, he + marvelled most at the aspect of his bloody face: the blood flowing forth + and spurting over it. For Aswid had come to life in the nights, and in his + continual struggles had wrenched off his left ear; and there was to be + seen the horrid sight of a raw and unhealed scar. And when the bystanders + bade him tell how he had got such a wound, he began to speak thus:— + </p> + <p> + "Why stand ye aghast, who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades + among the dead. Evil to the lonely man, and burdensome to the single, + remains every dwelling in the world. Hapless are they whom chance hath + bereft of human help. The listless night of the cavern, the darkness of + the ancient den, have taken all joy from my eyes and soul. The ghastly + ground, the crumbling barrow, and the heavy tide of filthy things have + marred the grace of my youthful countenance, and sapped my wonted pith and + force. Besides all this, I have fought with the dead, enduring the heavy + burden and grievous peril of the wrestle; Aswid rose again and fell on me + with rending nails, by hellish might renewing ghastly warfare after he was + ashes. + </p> + <p> + "Why stand ye aghast, who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades + among the dead. + </p> + <p> + "By some strange enterprise of the power of hell the spirit of Aswid was + sent up from the nether world, and with cruel tooth eats the fleet-footed + (horse), and has given his dog to his abominable jaws. Not sated with + devouring the horse or hound, he soon turned his swift nails upon me, + tearing my cheek and taking off my ear. Hence the hideous sight of my + slashed countenance, the blood-spurts in the ugly wound. Yet the bringer + of horrors did it not unscathed; for soon I cut off his head with my + steel, and impaled his guilty carcase with a stake. + </p> + <p> + "Why stand ye aghast who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades + among the dead." + </p> + <p> + Frode had by this taken his fleet over to Halogaland; and here, in order + to learn the numbers of his host, which seemed to surpass all bounds and + measure that could be counted, he ordered his soldiers to pile up a hill, + one stone being cast upon the heap for each man. The enemy also pursued + the same method of numbering their host, and the hills are still to be + seen to convince the visitor. Here Frode joined battle with the + Norwegians, and the day was bloody. At nightfall both sides determined to + retreat. As daybreak drew near, Erik, who had come across the land, came + up and advised the king to renew the battle. In this war the Danes + suffered such slaughter that out of 3,000 ships only 170 are supposed to + have survived. The Northmen, however, were exterminated in such a mighty + massacre, that (so the story goes) there were not men left to till even a + fifth of their villages. + </p> + <p> + Frode, now triumphant, wished to renew peace among all nations, that he + might ensure each man's property from the inroads of thieves and now + ensure peace to his realms after war. So he hung one bracelet on a crag + which is called Frode's Rock, and another in the district of Wik, after he + had addressed the assembled Norwegians; threatening that these necklaces + should serve to test the honesty which he had decreed, and threatening + that if they were filched punishment should fall on all the governors of + the district. And thus, sorely imperilling the officers, there was the + gold unguarded, hanging up full in the parting of the roads, and the + booty, so easy to plunder, a temptation to all covetous spirits. (a) Frode + also enacted that seafarers should freely use oars wherever they found + them; while to those who wished to cross a river he granted free use of + the horse which they found nearest to the ford. He decreed that they must + dismount from this horse when its fore feet only touched land and its hind + feet were still washed by the waters. For he thought that services such as + these should rather be accounted kindness than wrongdoing. Moreover, he + ordained that whosoever durst try and make further use of the horse after + he had crossed the river should be condemned to death. (b) He also ordered + that no man should hold his house or his coffer under lock and key, or + should keep anything guarded by bolts, promising that all losses should be + made good threefold. Also, he appointed that it was lawful to claim as + much of another man's food for provision as would suffice for a single + supper. If anyone exceeded this measure in his takings, he was to be held + guilty of theft. Now, a thief (so he enacted) was to be hung up with a + sword passed through his sinews, with a wolf fastened by his side, so that + the wicked man might look like the savage beast, both being punished + alike. He also had the same penalty extended to accomplices in thefts. + Here he passed seven most happy years of peace, begetting a son Alf and a + daughter Eyfura. + </p> + <p> + It chanced that in these days Arngrim, a champion of Sweden, who had + challenged, attacked, and slain Skalk the Skanian because he had once + robbed him of a vessel, came to Frode. Elated beyond measure with his + deed, he ventured to sue for Frode's daughter; but, finding the king deaf + to him, he asked Erik, who was ruling Sweden, to help him. Erik advised + him to win Frode's goodwill by some illustrious service, and to fight + against Egther, the King of Permland, and Thengil, the King of Finmark, + since they alone seemed to repudiate the Danish rule, while all men else + submitted. Without delay he led his army to that country. Now, the Finns + are the uttermost peoples of the North, who have taken a portion of the + world that is barely habitable to till and dwell in. They are very keen + spearmen, and no nation has a readier skill in throwing the javelin. They + fight with large, broad arrows; they are addicted to the study of spells; + they are skilled hunters. Their habitation is not fixed, and their + dwellings are migratory; they pitch and settle wherever they have caught + game. Riding on curved boards (skees or snow-skates), they run over ridges + thick with snow. These men Arngrim attacked, in order to win renown, and + he crushed them. They fought with ill success; but, as they were + scattering in flight, they cast three pebbles behind them, which they + caused to appear to the eyes of the enemy like three mountains. Arngrim's + eyes were dazzled and deluded, and he called back his men from the pursuit + of the enemy, fancying that he was checked by a barrier of mighty rocks. + Again, when they engaged and were beaten on the morrow, the Finns cast + snow upon the ground and made it look like a mighty river. So the Swedes, + whose eyes were utterly deluded, were deceived by their misjudgment, for + it seemed the roaring of an extraordinary mass of waters. Thus, the + conqueror dreading the unsubstantial phantom of the waters, the Finns + managed to escape. They renewed the war again on the third day; but there + was no effective means of escape left any longer, for when they saw that + their lines were falling back, they surrendered to the conqueror. Arngrim + imposed on them the following terms of tribute: that the number of the + Finns should be counted, and that, after the lapse of (every) three years, + every ten of them should pay a carriage-full of deer-skins by way of + assessment. Then he challenged and slew in single combat Egther, the + captain of the men of Permland, imposing on the men of Permland the + condition that each of them should pay one skin. Enriched with these + spoils and trophies, he returned to Erik, who went with him into Denmark, + and poured loud praises of the young warrior into the ear of Frode, + declaring that he who had added the ends of the world to his realms + deserved his daughter. Then Frode, considering his splendid deserts, + thought it was not amiss to take for a son-in-law a man who had won + wide-resounding fame by such a roll of noble deeds. + </p> + <p> + Arngrim had twelve sons by Eyfura, whose names I here subjoin: Brand, + Biarbe, Brodd, Hiarrande; Tand, Tyrfing, two Haddings; Hiortuar, Hiartuar, + Hrane, Anganty. These followed the business of sea-roving from their youth + up; and they chanced to sail all in one ship to the island Samso, where + they found lying off the coast two ships belonging to Hialmar and Arvarodd + (Arrow-Odd) the rovers. These ships they attacked and cleared of rowers; + but, not knowing whether they had cut down the captains, they fitted the + bodies of the slain to their several thwarts, and found that those whom + they sought were missing. At this they were sad, knowing that the victory + they had won was not worth a straw, and that their safety would run much + greater risk in the battle that was to come. In fact, Hialmar and + Arvarodd, whose ships had been damaged by a storm, which had torn off + their rudders, went into a wood to hew another; and, going round the trunk + with their axes, pared down the shapeless timber until the huge stock + assumed the form of a marine implement. This they shouldered, and were + bearing it down to the beach, ignorant of the disaster of their friends, + when the sons of Eyfura, reeking with the fresh blood of the slain, + attacked them, so that they two had to fight many; the contest was not + even equal, for it was a band of twelve against two. But the victory did + not go according to the numbers. For all the sons of Eyfura were killed; + Hialmar was slain by them, but Arvarodd gained the honours of victory, + being the only survivor left by fate out of all that band of comrades. He, + with an incredible effort, poised the still shapeless hulk of the rudder, + and drove it so strongly against the bodies of his foes that, with a + single thrust of it, he battered and crushed all twelve. And, so, though + they were rid of the general storm of war, the band of rovers did not yet + quit the ocean. + </p> + <p> + This it was that chiefly led Frode to attack the West, for his one desire + was the spread of peace. So he summoned Erik, and mustered a fleet of all + the kingdoms that bid him allegiance, and sailed to Britain with + numberless ships. But the king of that island, perceiving that he was + unequal in force (for the ships seemed to cover the sea), went to Frode, + affecting to surrender, and not only began to flatter his greatness, but + also promised to the Danes, the conquerors of nations, the submission of + himself and of his country; proffering taxes, assessment, tribute, what + they would. Finally, he gave them a hospitable invitation. Frode was + pleased with the courtesy of the Briton, though his suspicions of + treachery were kept by so ready and unconstrained a promise of everything, + so speedy a surrender of the enemy before fighting; such offers being + seldom made in good faith. They were also troubled with alarm about the + banquet, fearing that as drunkenness came on their sober wits might be + entangled in it, and attacked by hidden treachery. So few guests were + bidden, moreover, that it seemed unsafe for them to accept the invitation; + and it was further thought foolish to trust their lives to the good faith + of an enemy whom they did not know. + </p> + <p> + When the king found their minds thus wavering he again approached Frode, + and invited him to the banquet with 2,400 men; having before bidden him to + come to the feast with 1,200 nobles. Frode was encouraged by the increase + in the number of guests, and was able to go to the banquet with greater + inward confidence; but he could not yet lay aside his suspicions, and + privily caused men to scour the interior and let him know quickly of any + treachery which they might espy. On this errand they went into the forest, + and, coming upon the array of an armed encampment belonging to the forces + of the Britons, they halted in doubt, but hastily retraced their steps + when the truth was apparent. For the tents were dusky in colour, and + muffled in a sort of pitchy coverings, that they might not catch the eye + of anyone who came near. When Frode learned this, he arranged a + counter-ambuscade with a strong force of nobles, that he might not go + heedlessly to the banquet, and be cheated of timely aid. They went into + hiding, and he warned them that the note of the trumpet was the signal for + them to bring assistance. Then with a select band, lightly armed, he went + to the banquet. The hall was decked with regal splendour; it was covered + all round with crimson hangings of marvellous rich handiwork. A curtain of + purple dye adorned the propelled walls. The flooring was bestrewn with + bright mantles, which a man would fear to trample on. Up above was to be + seen the twinkle of many lanterns, the gleam of lamps lit with oil, and + the censers poured forth fragrance whose sweet vapour was laden with the + choicest perfumes. The whole way was blocked by the tables loaded with + good things; and the places for reclining were decked with + gold-embroidered couches; the seats were full of pillows. The majestic + hall seemed to smile upon the guests, and nothing could be noticed in all + that pomp either inharmonious to the eye or offensive to the smell. In the + midst of the hall stood a great butt ready for refilling the goblets, and + holding an enormous amount of liquor; enough could be drawn from it for + the huge revel to drink its fill. Servants, dressed in purple, bore golden + cups, and courteously did the office of serving the drink, pacing in + ordered ranks. Nor did they fail to offer the draught in the horns of the + wild ox. + </p> + <p> + The feast glittered with golden bowls, and was laden with shining goblets, + many of them studded with flashing jewels. The place was filled with an + immense luxury; the tables groaned with the dishes, and the bowls brimmed + over with divers liquors. Nor did they use wine pure and simple, but, with + juices sought far and wide, composed a nectar of many flavours. The dishes + glistened with delicious foods, being filled mostly with the spoils of the + chase; though the flesh of tame animals was not lacking either. The + natives took care to drink more sparingly than the guests; for the latter + felt safe, and were tempted to make an orgy; while the others, meditating + treachery, had lost all temptations to be drunken. So the Danes, who, if I + may say so with my country's leave, were seasoned to drain the bowl + against each other, took quantities of wine. The Britons, when they saw + that the Danes were very drunk, began gradually to slip away from the + banquet, and, leaving their guests within the hall, made immense efforts, + first to block the doors of the palace by applying bars and all kinds of + obstacles, and then to set fire to the house. The Danes were penned inside + the hall, and when the fire began to spread, battered vainly at the doors; + but they could not get out, and soon attempted to make a sally by + assaulting the wall. And the Angles, when they saw that it was tottering + under the stout attack of the Danes, began to shove against it on their + side, and to prop the staggering pile by the application of large blocks + on the outside, to prevent the wall being shattered and releasing the + prisoners. But at last it yielded to the stronger hand of the Danes, whose + efforts increased with their peril; and those pent within could sally out + with ease. Then Frode bade the trumpet strike in, to summon the band that + had been posted in ambush; and these, roused by the note of the clanging + bugle, caught the enemy in their own trap; for the King of the Britons, + with countless hosts of his men, was utterly destroyed. Thus the band + helped Frode doubly, being both the salvation of his men and the + destruction of his enemies. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the renown of the Danish bravery spread far, and moved the Irish + to strew iron calthrops on the ground, in order to make their land harder + to invade, and forbid access to their shores. Now the Irish use armour + which is light and easy to procure. They crop the hair close with razors, + and shave all the hair off the back of the head, that they may not be + seized by it when they run away. They also turn the points of their spears + towards the assailant, and deliberately point their sword against the + pursuer; and they generally fling their lances behind their back, being + more skilled at conquering by flight than by fighting. Hence, when you + fancy that the victory is yours, then is the moment of danger. But Frode + was wary and not rash in his pursuit of the foe who fled so treacherously, + and he routed Kerwil (Cearbal), the leader of the nation, in battle. + Kerwil's brother survived, but lost heart for resistance, and surrendered + his country to the king (Frode), who distributed among his soldiers the + booty he had won, to show himself free from all covetousness and excessive + love of wealth, and only ambitious to gain honour. + </p> + <p> + After the triumphs in Britain and the spoiling of the Irish they went back + to Denmark; and for thirty years there was a pause from all warfare. At + this time the Danish name became famous over the whole world almost for + its extraordinary valour. Frode, therefore, desired to prolong and + establish for ever the lustre of his empire, and made it his first object + to inflict severe treatment upon thefts and brigandage, feeling these were + domestic evils and intestine plagues, and that if the nations were rid of + them they would come to enjoy a more tranquil life; so that no ill-will + should mar and hinder the continual extention of peace. He also took care + that the land should not be devoured by any plague at home when the enemy + was at rest, and that intestine wickedness should not encroach when there + was peace abroad. At last he ordered that in Jutland, the chief district + of his realm, a golden bracelet, very heavy, should be set up on the + highways (as he had done before in the district of Wik), wishing by this + magnificent price to test the honesty which he had enacted. Now, though + the minds of the dishonest were vexed with the provocation it furnished, + and the souls of the evil tempted, yet the unquestioned dread of danger + prevailed. For so potent was the majesty of Frode, that it guarded even + gold that was thus exposed to pillage, as though it were fast with bolts + and bars. The strange device brought great glory upon its inventor. After + dealing destruction everywhere, and gaining famous victories far and wide, + he resolved to bestow quiet on all men, that the cheer of peace should + follow the horrors of war, and the end of slaughter might be the beginning + of safety. He further thought that for the same reason all men's property + should be secured to them by a protective decree, so that what had been + saved from a foreign enemy might not find a plunderer at home. + </p> + <p> + About the same time, the Author of our general salvation, coming to the + earth in order to save mortals, bore to put on the garb of mortality; at + which time the fires of war were quenched, and all the lands were enjoying + the calmest and most tranquil peace. It has been thought that the peace + then shed abroad so widely, so even and uninterrupted over the whole + world, attended not so much an earthly rule as that divine birth; and that + it was a heavenly provision that this extraordinary gift of time should be + a witness to the presence of Him who created all times. + </p> + <p> + Meantime a certain matron, skilled in sorcery, who trusted in her art more + than she feared the severity of the king, tempted the covetousness of her + son to make a secret effort for the prize; promising him impunity, since + Frode was almost at death's door, his body failing, and the remnant of his + doting spirit feeble. To his mother's counsels he objected the greatness + of the peril; but she bade him take hope, declaring, that either a sea-cow + should have a calf, or that the king's vengeance should be baulked by some + other chance. By this speech she banished her son's fears, and made him + obey her advice. When the deed was done, Frode, stung by the affront, + rushed with the utmost heat and fury to raze the house of the matron, + sending men on to arrest her and bring her with her children. This the + woman foreknew, and deluded her enemies by a trick, changing from the + shape of a woman into that of a mare. When Frode came up she took the + shape of a sea-cow, and seemed to be straying and grazing about the shore; + and she also made her sons look like calves of smaller size. This portent + amazed the king, and he ordered that they should be surrounded and cut off + from returning to the waters. Then he left the carriage, which he used + because of the feebleness of his aged body, and sat on the ground + marvelling. But the mother, who had taken the shape of the larger beast, + charged at the king with outstretched tusk, and pierced one of his sides. + The wound killed him; and his end was unworthy of such majesty as his. His + soldiers, thirsting to avenge his death, threw their spears and transfixed + the monsters, and saw, when they were killed, that they were the corpses + of human beings with the heads of wild beasts: a circumstance which + exposed the trick more than anything. + </p> + <p> + So ended Frode, the most famous king in the whole world. The nobles, when + he had been disembowelled, had his body kept embalmed for three years, for + they feared the provinces would rise if the king's end were published. + They wished his death to be concealed above all from foreigners, so that + by the pretence that he was alive they might preserve the boundaries of + the empire, which had been extended for so long; and that, on the strength + of the ancient authority of their general, they might exact the usual + tribute from their subjects. So, the lifeless corpse was carried away by + them in such a way that it seemed to be taken, not in a funeral bier, but + in a royal carriage, as if it were a due and proper tribute from the + soldiers to an infirm old man not in full possession of his forces. Such + splendour did his friends bestow on him even in death. But when his limbs + rotted, and were seized with extreme decay, and when the corruption could + not be arrested, they buried his body with a royal funeral in a barrow + near Waere, a bridge of Zealand; declaring that Frode had desired to die + and be buried in what was thought the chief province of his kingdom. + </p> + <p> + BOOK SIX. + </p> + <p> + After the death of Frode, the Danes wrongly supposed that Fridleif, who + was being reared in Russia, had perished; and, thinking that the + sovereignty halted for lack of an heir, and that it could no longer be + kept on in the hands of the royal line, they considered that the sceptre + would be best deserved by the man who should affix to the yet fresh grave + of Frode a song of praise in his glorification, and commit the renown of + the dead king to after ages by a splendid memorial. Then one HIARN, very + skilled in writing Danish poetry, wishing to give the fame of the hero + some notable record of words, and tempted by the enormous prize, composed, + after his own fashion, a barbarous stave. Its purport, expressed in four + lines, I have transcribed as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Frode, whom the Danes would have wished to live long, they bore long + through their lands when he was dead. The great chief's body, with this + turf heaped above it, bare earth covers under the lucid sky." + </p> + <p> + When the composer of this song had uttered it, the Danes rewarded him with + the crown. Thus they gave a kingdom for an epitaph, and the weight of a + whole empire was presented to a little string of letters. Slender expense + for so vast a guerdon! This huge payment for a little poem exceeded the + glory of Caesar's recompense; for it was enough for the divine Julius to + pension with a township the writer and glorifier of those conquests which + he had achieved over the whole world. But now the spendthrift kindness of + the populace squandered a kingdom on a churl. Nay, not even Africanus, + when he rewarded the records of his deed, rose to the munificence of the + Danes. For there the wage of that laborious volume was in mere gold, while + here a few callow verses won a sceptre for a peasant. + </p> + <p> + At the same time Erik, who held the governorship of Sweden, died of + disease; and his son Halfdan, who governed in his father's stead, alarmed + by the many attacks of twelve brothers of Norwegian birth, and powerless + to punish their violence, fled, hoping for reinforcements, to ask aid of + Fridleif, then sojourning in Russia. Approaching him with a suppliant + face, he lamented that he was himself shattered and bruised by a foreign + foe, and brought a dismal plaint of his wrongs. From him Fridleif heard + the tidings of his father's death, and granting the aid he sought, went to + Norway in armed array. At this time the aforesaid brothers, their allies + forsaking them, built a very high rampart within an island surrounded by a + swift stream, also extending their earthworks along the level. Trusting to + this refuge, they harried the neighborhood with continual raids. For they + built a bridge on which they used to get to the mainland when they left + the island. This bridge was fastened to the gate of the stronghold; and + they worked it by the guidance of ropes, in such a way that it turned as + if on some revolving hinge, and at one time let them pass across the + river; while at another, drawn back from above by unseen cords, it helped + to defend the entrance. + </p> + <p> + These warriors were of valiant temper, young and stalwart, of splendid + bodily presence, renowned for victories over giants, full of trophies of + conquered nations, and wealthy with spoil. I record the names of some of + them—for the rest have perished in antiquity—Gerbiorn, + Gunbiorn, Arinbiorn, Stenbiorn, Esbiorn, Thorbiorn, and Biorn. Biorn is + said to have had a horse which was splendid and of exceeding speed, so + that when all the rest were powerless to cross the river it alone stemmed + the roaring eddy without weariness. This rapid comes down in so swift and + sheer a volume that animals often lose all power of swimming in it, and + perish. For, trickling from the topmost crests of the hills, it comes down + the steep sides, catches on the rocks, and is shattered, falling into the + deep valleys with a manifold clamour of waters; but, being straightway + rebuffed by the rocks that bar the way, it keeps the speed of its current + ever at the same even pace. And so, along the whole length of the channel, + the waves are one turbid mass, and the white foam brims over everywhere. + But, after rolling out of the narrows between the rocks, it spreads abroad + in a slacker and stiller flood, and turns into an island a rock that lies + in its course. On either side of the rock juts out a sheer ridge, thick + with divers trees, which screen the river from distant view. Biorn had + also a dog of extraordinary fierceness, a terribly vicious brute, + dangerous for people to live with, which had often singly destroyed twelve + men. But, since the tale is hearsay rather than certainty, let good judges + weigh its credit. This dog, as I have heard, was the favourite of the + giant Offot (Un-foot), and used to watch his herd amid the pastures. + </p> + <p> + Now the warriors, who were always pillaging the neighbourhood, used often + to commit great slaughters. Plundering houses, cutting down cattle, + sacking everything, making great hauls of booty, rifling houses, then + burning them, massacring male and female promiscuously—these, and + not honest dealings, were their occupations. Fridleif surprised them while + on a reckless raid, and drove them all back for refuge to the stronghold; + he also seized the immensely powerful horse, whose rider, in the haste of + his panic, had left it on the hither side of the river in order to fly + betimes; for he durst not take it with him over the bridge. Then Fridleif + proclaimed that he would pay the weight of the dead body in gold to any + man who slew one of those brothers. The hope of the prize stimulated some + of the champions of the king; and yet they were fired not so much with + covetousness as with valour; so, going secretly to Fridleif, they promised + to attempt the task, vowing to sacrifice their lives if they did not bring + home the severed heads of the robbers. Fridleif praised their valour and + their vows, but bidding the onlookers wait, went in the night to the + river, satisfied with a single companion. For, not to seem better provided + with other men's valour than with his own, he determined to forestall + their aid by his own courage. Thereupon he crushed and killed his + companion with a shower of flints, and flung his bloodless corpse into the + waves, having dressed it in his own clothes; which he stripped off, + borrowing the cast-off garb of the other, so that when the corpse was seen + it might look as if the king had perished. He further deliberately drew + blood from the beast on which he had ridden, and bespattered it, so that + when it came back into camp he might make them think he himself was dead. + Then he set spur to his horse and drove it into the midst of the eddies, + crossed the river and alighted, and tried to climb over the rampart that + screened the stronghold by steps set up against the mound. When he got + over the top and could grasp the battlements with his hand, he quietly put + his foot inside, and, without the knowledge of the watch, went lightly on + tiptoe to the house into which the bandits had gone to carouse. And when + he had reached its hall, he sat down under the porch overhanging the door. + Now the strength of their fastness made the warriors feel so safe that + they were tempted to a debauch; for they thought that the swiftly rushing + river made their garrison inaccessible, since it seemed impossible either + to swim over or to cross in boats. For no part of the river allowed of + fording. + </p> + <p> + Biorn, moved by the revel, said that in his sleep he had seen a beast come + out of the waters, which spouted ghastly fire from its mouth, enveloping + everything in a sheet of flame. Therefore the holes and corners of the + island should, he said, be searched; nor ought they to trust so much to + their position, as rashly to let overweening confidence bring them to + utter ruin. No situation was so strong that the mere protection of nature + was enough for it without human effort. Moreover they must take great care + that the warning of his slumbers was not followed by a yet more gloomy and + disastrous fulfilment. So they all sallied forth from the stronghold, and + narrowly scanned the whole circuit of the island; and finding the horse + they surmised that Fridleif had been drowned in the waters of the river. + They received the horse within the gates with rejoicing, supposing that it + had flung off its rider and swum over. But Biorn, still scared with the + memory of the visions of the night, advised them to keep watch, since it + was not safe for them yet to put aside suspicion of danger. Then he went + to his room to rest, with the memory of his vision deeply stored in his + heart. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the horse, which Fridleif, in order to spread a belief in his + death, had been loosed and besprinkled with blood (though only with that + which lies between flesh and skin), burst all bedabbled into the camp of + his soldiers. They went straight to the river, and finding the carcase of + the slave, took it for the body of the king; the hissing eddies having + cast it on the bank, dressed in brave attire. Nothing helped their mistake + so much as the swelling of the battered body; inasmuch as the skin was + torn and bruised with the flints, so that all the features were blotted + out, bloodless and wan. This exasperated the champions who had just + promised Fridleif to see that the robbers were extirpated: and they + approached the perilous torrent, that they might not seem to tarnish the + honour of their promise by a craven neglect of their vow. The rest + imitated their boldness, and with equal ardour went to the river, ready to + avenge their king or to endure the worst. When Fridleif saw them he + hastened to lower the bridge to the mainland; and when he had got the + champions he cut down the watch at the first attack. Thus he went on to + attack the rest and put them to the sword, all save Biorn; whom he tended + very carefully and cured of his wounds; whereupon, under pledge of solemn + oath, he made him his colleague, thinking it better to use his services + than to boast of his death. He also declared it would be shameful if such + a flower of bravery were plucked in his first youth and perished by an + untimely death. + </p> + <p> + Now the Danes had long ago had false tidings of Fridleif's death, and when + they found that he was approaching, they sent men to fetch him, and + ordered Hiarn to quit the sovereignty, because he was thought to be + holding it only on sufferance and carelessly. But he could not bring + himself to resign such an honour, and chose sooner to spend his life for + glory than pass into the dim lot of common men. Therefore he resolved to + fight for his present estate, that he might not have to resume his former + one stripped of his royal honours. Thus the land was estranged and vexed + with the hasty commotion of civil strife; some were of Hiarn's party, + while others agreed to the claims of Fridleif, because of the vast + services of Frode; and the voice of the commons was perplexed and divided, + some of them respecting things as they were, others the memory of the + past. But regard for the memory of Frode weighed most, and its sweetness + gave Fridleif the balance of popularity. + </p> + <p> + Many wise men thought that a person of peasant rank should be removed from + the sovereignty; since, contrary to the rights of birth, and only by the + favour of fortune, he had reached an unhoped-for eminence; and in order + that the unlawful occupant might not debar the rightful heir to the + office, Fridleif told the envoys of the Danes to return, and request Hiarn + either to resign the kingdom or to meet him in battle. Hiarn thought it + more grievous than death to set lust of life before honour, and to seek + safety at the cost of glory. So he met Fridleif in the field, was crushed, + and fled into Jutland, where, rallying a band, he again attacked his + conqueror. But his men were all consumed with the sword, and he fled + unattended, as the island testifies which has taken its name from his + (Hiarno). And so, feeling his lowly fortune, and seeing himself almost + stripped of his forces by the double defeat, he turned his mind to craft, + and went to Fridleif with his face disguised, meaning to become intimate, + and find an occasion to slay him treacherously. + </p> + <p> + Hiarn was received by the king, hiding his purpose under the pretence of + servitude. For, giving himself out as a salt-distiller, he performed base + offices among the servants who did the filthiest work. He used also to + take the last place at meal-time, and he refrained from the baths, lest + his multitude of scars should betray him if he stripped. The king, in + order to ease his own suspicions, made him wash; and when he knew his + enemy by the scars, he said: "Tell me now, thou shameless bandit, how + wouldst thou have dealt with me, if thou hadst found out plainly that I + wished to murder thee?" Hiarn, stupefied, said: "Had I caught thee I would + have first challenged thee, and then fought thee, to give thee a better + chance of wiping out thy reproach." Fridleif presently took him at his + word, challenged him and slew him, and buried his body in a barrow that + bears the dead man's name. + </p> + <p> + Soon after FRIDLEIF was admonished by his people to think about marrying, + that he might prolong his line; but he maintained that the unmarried life + was best, quoting his father Frode, on whom his wife's wantonness had + brought great dishonour. At last, yielding to the persistent entreaties of + all, he proceeded to send ambassadors to ask for the daughter of Amund, + King of Norway. One of these, named Frok, was swallowed by the waves in + mid-voyage, and showed a strange portent at his death. For when the + closing flood of billows encompassed him, blood arose in the midst of the + eddy, and the whole face of the sea was steeped with an alien redness, so + that the ocean, which a moment before was foaming and white with tempest, + was presently swollen with crimson waves, and was seen to wear a colour + foreign to its nature. + </p> + <p> + Around implacably declined to consent to the wishes of the king, and + treated the legates shamefully, declaring that he spurned the embassy + because the tyranny of Frode had of old borne so heavily upon Norway. But + Amund's daughter, Frogertha, not only looking to the birth of Fridleif, + but also honouring the glory of his deeds, began to upbraid her father, + because he scorned a son-in-law whose nobility was perfect, being both + sufficient in valour and flawless in birth. She added that the portentous + aspect of the sea, when the waves were suddenly turned into blood, simply + and solely signified the defeat of Norway, and was a plain presage of the + victory of Denmark. And when Fridleif sent a further embassy to ask for + her, wishing to vanquish the refusal by persistency, Amund was indignant + that a petition he had once denied should be obstinately pressed, and + hurried the envoys to death, wishing to offer a brutal check to the zeal + of this brazen wooer. Fridleif heard news of this outrage, and summoning + Halfdan and Biorn, sailed round Norway. Amund, equipped with his native + defences, put out his fleet against him. The firth into which both fleets + had mustered is called Frokasund. Here Fridleif left the camp at night to + reconnoitre; and, hearing an unusual kind of sound close to him as of + brass being beaten, he stood still and looked up, and heard the following + song of three swans, who were crying above him: + </p> + <p> + "While Hythin sweeps the sea and cleaves the ravening tide, his serf + drinks out of gold and licks the cups of milk. Best is the estate of the + slave on whom waits the heir, the king's son, for their lots are rashly + interchanged." Next, after the birds had sung, a belt fell from on high, + which showed writing to interpret the song. For while the son of Hythin, + the King of Tellemark, was at his boyish play, a giant, assuming the usual + appearance of men, had carried him off, and using him as an oarsman + (having taken his skiff over to the neighbouring shore), was then sailing + past Fridleif while he was occupied reconnoitering. But the king would not + suffer him to use the service of the captive youth, and longed to rob the + spoiler of his prey. The youth warned him that he must first use sharp + reviling against the giant, promising that he would prove easy to attack, + if only he were assailed with biting verse. Then Fridleif began thus: + </p> + <p> + "Since thou art a giant of three bodies, invincible, and almost reachest + heaven with thy crest, why does this silly sword bind thy thigh? Why doth + a broken spear gird thy huge side? Why, perchance, dost thou defend thy + stalwart breast with a feeble sword, and forget the likeness of thy bodily + stature, trusting in a short dagger, a petty weapon? Soon, soon will I + balk thy bold onset, when with blunted blade thou attemptest war. Since + thou art thyself a timid beast, a lump lacking proper pith, thou art swept + headlong like a flying shadow, having with a fair and famous body got a + heart that is unwarlike and unstable with fear, and a spirit quite + unmatched to thy limbs. Hence thy frame totters, for thy goodly presence + is faulty through the overthrow of thy soul, and thy nature in all her + parts is at strife. Hence shall all tribute of praise quit thee, nor shalt + thou be accounted famous among the brave, but shalt be reckoned among + ranks obscure." + </p> + <p> + When he had said this he lopped off a hand and foot of the giant, made him + fly, and set his prisoner free. Then he went straightway to the giant's + headland, took the treasure out of his cave, and carried it away. + Rejoicing in these trophies, and employing the kidnapped youth to row him + over the sea, he composed with cheery voice the following strain: + </p> + <p> + "In the slaying of the swift monster we wielded our blood-stained swords + and our crimsoned blade, whilst thou, Amund, lord of the Norwegian ruin, + wert in deep slumber; and since blind night covers thee, without any light + of soul, thy valour has melted away and beguiled thee. But we crushed a + giant who lost use of his limbs and wealth, and we pierced into the + disorder of his dreary den. There we seized and plundered his piles of + gold. And now with oars we sweep the wave-wandering main, and joyously + return, rowing back to the shore our booty-laden ship; we fleet over the + waves in a skiff that travels the sea; gaily let us furrow those open + waters, lest the dawn come and betray us to the foe. Lightly therefore, + and pulling our hardest, let us scour the sea, making for our camp and + fleet ere Titan raise his rosy head out of the clear waters; that when + fame noises the deed about, and Frogertha knows that the spoil has been + won with a gallant struggle, her heart may be stirred to be more gentle to + our prayer." + </p> + <p> + On the morrow there was a great muster of the forces, and Fridleif had a + bloody battle with Amund, fought partly by sea and partly by land. For not + only were the lines drawn up in the open country, but the warriors also + made an attack with their fleet. The battle which followed cost much + blood. So Biorn, when his ranks gave back, unloosed his hound and sent it + against the enemy; wishing to win with the biting of a dog the victory + which he could not achieve with the sword. The enemy were by this means + shamefully routed, for a square of the warriors ran away when attacked + with its teeth. + </p> + <p> + There is no saying whether their flight was more dismal or more + disgraceful. Indeed, the army of the Northmen was a thing to blush for; + for an enemy crushed it by borrowing the aid of a brute. Nor was it + treacherous of Fridleif to recruit the failing valour of his men with the + aid of a dog. In this war Amund fell; and his servant Ane, surnamed the + Archer, challenged Fridleif to fight him; but Biorn, being a man of meaner + estate, not suffering the king to engage with a common fellow, attacked + him himself. And when Biorn had bent his bow and was fitting the arrow to + the string, suddenly a dart sent by Ane pierced the top of the cord. Soon + another arrow came after it and struck amid the joints of his fingers. A + third followed, and fell on the arrow as it was laid to the string. For + Ane, who was most dexterous at shooting arrows from a distance, had + purposely only struck the weapon of his opponent, in order that, by + showing it was in his power to do likewise to his person, he might recall + the champion from his purpose. But Biorn abated none of his valour for + this, and, scorning bodily danger, entered the fray with heart and face so + steadfast, that he seemed neither to yield anything to the skill of Ane, + nor lay aside aught of his wonted courage. Thus he would in nowise be made + to swerve from his purpose, and dauntlessly ventured on the battle. Both + of them left it wounded; and fought another also on Agdar Ness with an + emulous thirst for glory. + </p> + <p> + By the death of Amund, Fridleif was freed from a most bitter foe, and + obtained a deep and tranquil peace; whereupon he forced his savage temper + to the service of delight; and, transferring his ardour to love, equipped + a fleet in order to seek the marriage which had once been denied him. At + last he set forth on his voyage; and his fleet being becalmed, he invaded + some villages to look for food; where, being received hospitably by a + certain Grubb, and at last winning his daughter in marriage, he begat a + son named Olaf. After some time had passed he also won Frogertha; but, + while going back to his own country, he had a bad voyage, and was driven + on the shores of an unknown island. A certain man appeared to him in a + vision, and instructed him to dig up a treasure that was buried in the + ground, and also to attack the dragon that guarded it, covering himself in + an ox-hide to escape the poison; teaching him also to meet the envenomed + fangs with a hide stretched over his shield. Therefore, to test the + vision, he attacked the snake as it rose out of the waves, and for a long + time cast spears against its scaly side; in vain, for its hard and shelly + body foiled the darts flung at it. But the snake, shaking its mass of + coils, uprooted the trees which it brushed past by winding its tail about + them. Moreover, by constantly dragging its body, it hollowed the ground + down to the solid rock, and had made a sheer bank on either hand, just as + in some places we see hills parted by an intervening valley. So Fridleif, + seeing that the upper part of the creature was proof against attack, + assailed the lower side with his sword, and piercing the groin, drew blood + from the quivering beast. When it was dead, he unearthed the money from + the underground chamber and had it taken off in his ships. + </p> + <p> + When the year had come to an end, he took great pains to reconcile Biorn + and Ane, who had often challenged and fought one another, and made them + exchange their hatred for friendship; and even entrusted to them his + three-year-old son, Olaf, to rear. But his mistress, Juritha, the mother + of Olaf, he gave in marriage to Ane, whom he made one of his warriors; + thinking that she would endure more calmly to be put away, if she wedded + such a champion, and received his robust embrace instead of a king's. + </p> + <p> + The ancients were wont to consult the oracles of the Fates concerning the + destinies of their children. In this way Fridleif desired to search into + the fate of his son Olaf; and, after solemnly offering up his vows, he + went to the house of the gods in entreaty; where, looking into the chapel, + he saw three maidens, sitting on three seats. The first of them was of a + benignant temper, and bestowed upon the boy abundant beauty and ample + store of favour in the eyes of men. The second granted him the gift of + surpassing generosity. But the third, a woman of more mischievous temper + and malignant disposition, scorning the unanimous kindness of her sisters, + and likewise wishing to mar their gifts, marked the future character of + the boy with the slur of niggardliness. Thus the benefits of the others + were spoilt by the poison of a lamentable doom; and hence, by virtue of + the twofold nature of these gifts Olaf got his surname from the meanness + which was mingled with his bounty. So it came about that this blemish + which found its way into the gift marred the whole sweetness of its first + benignity. + </p> + <p> + When Fridleif had returned from Norway, and was traveling through Sweden, + he took on himself to act as ambassador, and sued successfully for + Hythin's daughter, whom he had once rescued from a monster, to be the wife + of Halfdan, he being still unwedded. Meantime his wife Frogertha bore a + son FRODE, who afterwards got his surname from his noble munificence. And + thus Frode, because of the memory of his grandsire's prosperity, which he + recalled by his name, became from his very cradle and earliest childhood + such a darling of all men, that he was not suffered even to step or stand + on the ground, but was continually cherished in people's laps and kissed. + Thus he was not assigned to one upbringer only, but was in a manner + everybody's fosterling. And, after his father's death, while he was in his + twelfth year, Swerting and Hanef, the kings of Saxony, disowned his sway, + and tried to rebel openly. He overcame them in battle, and imposed on the + conquered peoples a poll-tax of a coin, which they were to pay as his + slaves. For he showed himself so generous that he doubled the ancient pay + of the soldiers: a fashion of bounty which then was novel. For he did not, + as despots do, expose himself to the vulgar allurements of vice, but + strove to covet ardently whatsoever he saw was nearest honour; to make his + wealth public property; to surpass all other men in bounty, to forestall + them all in offices of kindness; and, hardest of all, to conquer envy by + virtue. By this means the youth soon won such favour with all men, that he + not only equalled in renown the honours of his forefathers, but surpassed + the most ancient records of kings. + </p> + <p> + At the same time one Starkad, the son of Storwerk, escaped alone, either + by force or fortune, from a wreck in which his friends perished, and was + received by Frode as his guest for his incredible excellence both of mind + and body. And, after being for some little time his comrade, he was + dressed in a better and more comely fashion every day, and was at last + given a noble vessel, and bidden to ply the calling of a rover, with the + charge of guarding the sea. For nature had gifted him with a body of + superhuman excellence; and his greatness of spirit equalled it, so that + folk thought him behind no man in valour. So far did his glory spread, + that the renown of his name and deeds continues famous even yet. He shone + out among our own countrymen by his glorious roll of exploits, and he had + also won a most splendid record among all the provinces of the Swedes and + Saxons. Tradition says that he was born originally in the country which + borders Sweden on the east, where barbarous hordes of Esthonians and other + nations now dwell far and wide. But a fabulous yet common rumour has + invented tales about his birth which are contrary to reason and flatly + incredible. For some relate that he was sprung from giants, and betrayed + his monstrous birth by an extraordinary number of hands, four of which, + engendered by the superfluity of his nature, they declare that the god + Thor tore off, shattering the framework of the sinews and wrenching from + his whole body the monstrous bunches of fingers; so that he had but two + left, and that his body, which had before swollen to the size of a + giant's, and, by reason of its shapeless crowd of limbs looked gigantic, + was thenceforth chastened to a better appearance, and kept within the + bounds of human shortness. + </p> + <p> + For there were of old certain men versed in sorcery, Thor, namely, and + Odin, and many others, who were cunning in contriving marvellous sleights; + and they, winning the minds of the simple, began to claim the rank of + gods. For, in particular, they ensnared Norway, Sweden and Denmark in the + vainest credulity, and by prompting these lands to worship them, infected + them with their imposture. The effects of their deceit spread so far, that + all other men adored a sort of divine power in them, and, thinking them + either gods or in league with gods, offered up solemn prayers to these + inventors of sorceries, and gave to blasphemous error the honour due to + religion. Hence it has come about that the holy days, in their regular + course, are called among us by the names of these men; for the ancient + Latins are known to have named these days severally, either after the + titles of their own gods, or after the planets, seven in number. But it + can be plainly inferred from the mere names of the holy days that the + objects worshipped by our countrymen were not the same as those whom the + most ancient of the Romans called Jove and Mercury, nor those to whom + Greece and Latium paid idolatrous homage. For the days, called among our + countrymen Thors-day or Odins-day, the ancients termed severally the holy + day of Jove or of Mercury. If, therefore, according to the distinction + implied in the interpretation I have quoted, we take it that Thor is Jove + and Odin Mercury, it follows that Jove was the son of Mercury; that is, if + the assertion of our countrymen holds, among whom it is told as a matter + of common belief, that Thor was Odin's son. Therefore, when the Latins, + believing to the contrary effect, declare that Mercury was sprung from + Jove, then, if their declaration is to stand, we are driven to consider + that Thor was not the same as Jove, and that Odin was also different from + Mercury. Some say that the gods, whom our countrymen worshipped, shared + only the title with those honoured by Greece or Latium, but that, being in + a manner nearly equal to them in dignity, they borrowed from them the + worship as well as the name. This must be sufficient discourse upon the + deities of Danish antiquity. I have expounded this briefly for the general + profit, that my readers may know clearly to what worship in its heathen + superstition our country has bowed the knee. Now I will go back to my + subject where I left it. + </p> + <p> + Ancient tradition says that Starkad, whom I mentioned above, offered the + first-fruits of his deeds to the favour of the gods by slaying Wikar, the + king of the Norwegians. The affair, according to the version of some + people, happened as follows:— + </p> + <p> + Odin once wished to slay Wikar by a grievous death; but, loth to do the + deed openly, he graced Starkad, who was already remarkable for his + extraordinary size, not only with bravery, but also with skill in the + composing of spells, that he might the more readily use his services to + accomplish the destruction of the king. For that was how he hoped that + Starkad would show himself grateful for the honour he paid him. For the + same reason he also endowed him with three spans of mortal life, that he + might be able to commit in them as many abominable deeds. So Odin resolved + that Starkad's days should be prolonged by the following crime: Starkad + presently went to Wikar and dwelt awhile in his company, hiding treachery + under homage. At last he went with him sea-roving. And in a certain place + they were troubled with prolonged and bitter storms; and when the winds + checked their voyage so much that they had to lie still most of the year, + they thought that the gods must be appeased with human blood. When the + lots were cast into the urn it so fell that the king was required for + death as a victim. Then Starkad made a noose of withies and bound the king + in it; saying that for a brief instant he should pay the mere semblance of + a penalty. But the tightness of the knot acted according to its nature, + and cut off his last breath as he hung. And while he was still quivering + Starkad rent away with his steel the remnant of his life; thus disclosing + his treachery when he ought to have brought aid. I do not think that I + need examine the version which relates that the pliant withies, hardened + with the sudden grip, acted like a noose of iron. + </p> + <p> + When Starkad had thus treacherously acted he took Wikar's ship and went to + one Bemon, the most courageous of all the rovers of Denmark, in order to + take up the life of a pirate. For Bemon's partner, named Frakk, weary of + the toil of sea-roving, had lately withdrawn from partnership with him, + after first making a money-bargain. Now Starkad and Bemon were so careful + to keep temperate, that they are said never to have indulged in + intoxicating drink, for fear that continence, the greatest bond of + bravery, might be expelled by the power of wantonness. So when, after + overthrowing provinces far and wide, they invaded Russia also in their + lust for empire, the natives, trusting little in their walls or arms, + began to bar the advance of the enemy with nails of uncommon sharpness, + that they might check their inroad, though they could not curb their onset + in battle; and that the ground might secretly wound the soles of the men + whom their army shrank from confronting in the field. But not even such a + barrier could serve to keep off the foe. The Danes were cunning enough to + foil the pains of the Russians. For they straightway shod themselves with + wooden clogs, and trod with unhurt steps upon the points that lay beneath + their soles. Now this iron thing is divided into four spikes, which are so + arranged that on whatsoever side chance may cast it, it stands steadily on + three equal feet. Then they struck into the pathless glades, where the + woods were thickets, and expelled Flokk, the chief of the Russians, from + the mountain hiding-places into which he had crept. And here they got so + much booty, that there was not one of them but went back to the fleet + laden with gold and silver. + </p> + <p> + Now when Bemon was dead, Starkad was summoned because of his valour by the + champions of Permland. And when he had done many noteworthy deeds among + them, he went into the land of the Swedes, where he lived at leisure for + seven years' space with the sons of Frey. At last he left them and betook + himself to Hakon, the tyrant of Denmark, because when stationed at Upsala, + at the time of the sacrifices, he was disgusted by the effeminate gestures + and the clapping of the mimes on the stage, and by the unmanly clatter of + the bells. Hence it is clear how far he kept his soul from lasciviousness, + not even enduring to look upon it. Thus does virtue withstand wantonness. + </p> + <p> + Starkad took his fleet to the shore of Ireland with Hakon, in order that + even the furthest kingdoms of the world might not be untouched by the + Danish arms. The king of the island at this time was Hugleik, who, though + he had a well-filled treasury, was yet so prone to avarice, that once, + when he gave a pair of shoes which had been adorned by the hand of a + careful craftsman, he took off the ties, and by thus removing the latches + turned his present into a slight. This unhandsome act blemished his gift + so much that he seemed to reap hatred for it instead of thanks. Thus he + used never to be generous to any respectable man, but to spend all his + bounty upon mimes and jugglers. For so base a fellow was bound to keep + friendly company with the base, and such a slough of vices to wheedle his + partners in sin with pandering endearments. + </p> + <p> + Still Hugleik had the friendship of Geigad and Swipdag, nobles of tried + valour, who, by the lustre of their warlike deeds, shone out among their + unmanly companions like jewels embedded in ordure; these alone were found + to defend the riches of the king. When a battle began between Hugleik and + Hakon, the hordes of mimes, whose light-mindedness unsteadied their + bodies, broke their ranks and scurried off in panic; and this shameful + flight was their sole requital for all their king's benefits. Then Geigad + and Swipdag faced all those thousands of the enemy single-handed, and + fought with such incredible courage, that they seemed to do the part not + merely of two warriors, but of a whole army. Geigad, moreover, dealt + Hakon, who pressed him hard, such a wound in the breast that he exposed + the upper part of his liver. It was here that Starkad, while he was + attacking Geigad with his sword, received a very sore wound on the head; + wherefore he afterwards related in a certain song that a ghastlier wound + had never befallen him at any time; for, though the divisions of his + gashed head were bound up by the surrounding outer skin, yet the livid + unseen wound concealed a foul gangrene below. + </p> + <p> + Starkad conquered, killed Hugleik and routed the Irish; and had the actors + beaten whom chance made prisoner; thinking it better to order a pack of + buffoons to be ludicrously punished by the loss of their skins than to + command a more deadly punishment and take their lives. Thus he visited + with a disgraceful chastisement the baseborn throng of professional + jugglers, and was content to punish them with the disgusting flouts of the + lash. Then the Danes ordered that the wealth of the king should be brought + out of the treasury in the city of Dublin and publicly pillaged. For so + vast a treasure had been found that none took much pains to divide it + strictly. + </p> + <p> + After this, Starkad was commissioned, together with Win, the chief of the + Sclavs, to check the revolt of the East. They, having fought against the + armies of the Kurlanders, the Sembs, the Sangals, and, finally, all the + Easterlings, won splendid victories everywhere. + </p> + <p> + A champion of great repute, named Wisin, settled upon a rock in Russia + named Ana-fial, and harried both neighbouring and distant provinces with + all kinds of outrage. This man used to blunt the edge of every weapon by + merely looking at it. He was made so bold in consequence, by having lost + all fear of wounds, that he used to carry off the wives of distinguished + men and drag them to outrage before the eyes of their husbands. Starkad + was roused by the tale of this villainy, and went to Russia to destroy the + criminal; thinking nothing too hard to overcome, he challenged Wisin, + attacked him, made even his tricks useless to him, and slew him. For + Starkad covered his blade with a very fine skin, that it might not met the + eye of the sorcerer; and neither the power of his sleights nor his great + strength were any help to Wisin, for he had to yield to Starkad. Then + Starkad, trusting in his bodily strength, fought with and overcame a giant + at Byzantium, reputed invincible, named Tanne, and drove him to fly an + outlaw to unknown quarters of the earth. Therefore, finding that he was + too mighty for any hard fate to overcome him, he went to the country of + Poland, and conquered in a duel a champion whom our countrymen name Wasce; + but the Teutons, arranging the letters differently, call him Wilzce. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the Saxons began to attempt a revolt, and to consider + particularly how they could destroy Frode, who was unconquered in war, by + some other way than an open conflict. Thinking that it would be best done + by a duel, they sent men to provoke the king with a challenge, knowing + that he was always ready to court any hazard, and that his high spirit + would not yield to any admonition whatever. They fancied that this was the + best time to attack him, because they knew that Starkad, whose valour most + men dreaded, was away on business. But while Frode hesitated, and said + that he would talk with his friends about the answer to be given, Starkad, + who had just returned from his sea-roving, appeared, and blamed such a + challenge, principally (he said) because it was fitting for kings to fight + only with their equals, and because they should not take up arms against + men of the people; but it was more fitting for himself, who was born in a + lowlier station, to manage the battle. + </p> + <p> + The Saxons approached Hame, who was accounted their most famous champion, + with many offers, and promised him that, if he would lend his services for + the duel they would pay him his own weight in gold. The fighter was + tempted by the money, and, with all the ovation of a military procession, + they attended him to the ground appointed for the combat. Thereupon the + Danes, decked in warlike array, led Starkad, who was to represent his + king, out to the duelling-ground. Hame, in his youthful assurance, + despised him as withered with age, and chose to grapple rather than fight + with an outworn old man. Attacking Starkad, he would have flung him + tottering to the earth, but that fortune, who would not suffer the old man + to be conquered, prevented him from being hurt. For he is said to have + been so crushed by the fist of Hame, as he dashed on him, that he touched + the earth with his chin, supporting himself on his knees. But he made up + nobly for his tottering; for, as soon as he could raise his knee and free + his hand to draw his sword, he clove Hame through the middle of the body. + Many lands and sixty bondmen apiece were the reward of the victory. + </p> + <p> + After Hame was killed in this manner the sway of the Danes over the Saxons + grew so insolent, that they were forced to pay every year a small tax for + each of their limbs that was a cubit (ell) long, in token of their + slavery. This Hanef could not bear, and he meditated war in his desire to + remove the tribute. Steadfast love of his country filled his heart every + day with greater compassion for the oppressed; and, longing to spend his + life for the freedom of his countrymen, he openly showed a disposition to + rebel. Frode took his forces over the Elbe, and killed him near the + village of Hanofra (Hanover), so named after Hanef. But Swerting, though + he was equally moved by the distress of his countrymen, said nothing about + the ills of his land, and revolved a plan for freedom with a spirit yet + more dogged than Hanef's. Men often doubt whether this zeal was liker to + vice or to virtue; but I certainly censure it as criminal, because it was + produced by a treacherous desire to revolt. It may have seemed most + expedient to seek the freedom of the country, but it was not lawful to + strive after this freedom by craft and treachery. Therefore, since the + deed of Swerting was far from honourable, neither will it be called + expedient; for it is nobler to attack openly him whom you mean to attack, + and to exhibit hatred in the light of day, than to disguise a real wish to + do harm under a spurious show of friendship. But the gains of crime are + inglorious, its fruits are brief and fading. For even as that soul is + slippery, which hides its insolent treachery by stealthy arts, so is it + right that whatsoever is akin to guilt should be frail and fleeting. For + guilt has been usually found to come home to its author; and rumour + relates that such was the fate of Swerting. For he had resolved to + surprise the king under the pretence of a banquet, and burn him to death; + but the king forestalled and slew him, though slain by him in return. + Hence the crime of one proved the destruction of both; and thus, though + the trick succeeded against the foe, it did not bestow immunity on its + author. + </p> + <p> + Frode was succeeded by his son Ingild, whose soul was perverted from + honour. He forsook the examples of his forefathers, and utterly enthralled + himself to the lures of the most wanton profligacy. Thus he had not a + shadow of goodness and righteousness, but embraced vices instead of + virtue; he cut the sinews of self-control, neglected the duties of his + kingly station, and sank into a filthy slave of riot. Indeed, he fostered + everything that was adverse or ill-fitted to an orderly life. He tainted + the glories of his father and grandfather by practising the foulest lusts, + and bedimmed the brightest honours of his ancestors by most shameful + deeds. For he was so prone to gluttony, that he had no desire to avenge + his father, or repel the aggressions of his foes; and so, could he but + gratify his gullet, he thought that decency and self-control need be + observed in nothing. By idleness and sloth he stained his glorious + lineage, living a loose and sensual life; and his soul, so degenerate, so + far perverted and astray from the steps of his fathers, he loved to plunge + into most abominable gulfs of foulness. Fowl-fatteners, scullions, + frying-pans, countless cook-houses, different cooks to roast or spice the + banquet—the choosing of these stood to him for glory. As to arms, + soldiering, and wars, he could endure neither to train himself to them, + nor to let others practise them. Thus he cast away all the ambitions of a + man and aspired to those of women; for his incontinent itching of palate + stirred in him love of every kitchen-stench. Ever breathing of his + debauch, and stripped of every rag of soberness, with his foul breath he + belched the undigested filth in his belly. He was as infamous in + wantonness as Frode was illustrious in war. So utterly had his spirit been + enfeebled by the untimely seductions of gluttony. Starkad was so disgusted + at the excess of Ingild, that he forsook his friendship, and sought the + fellowship of Halfdan, the King of Swedes, preferring work to idleness. + Thus he could not bear so much as to countenance excessive indulgence. Now + the sons of Swerting, fearing that they would have to pay to Ingild the + penalty of their father's crime, were fain to forestall his vengeance by a + gift, and gave him their sister in marriage. Antiquity relates that she + bore him sons, Frode, Fridleif, Ingild, and Olaf (whom some say was the + son of Ingild's sister). + </p> + <p> + Ingild's sister Helga had been led by amorous wooing to return the flame + of a certain low-born goldsmith, who was apt for soft words, and furnished + with divers of the little gifts which best charm a woman's wishes. For + since the death of the king there had been none to honour the virtues of + the father by attention to the child; she had lacked protection, and had + no guardians. When Starkad had learnt this from the repeated tales of + travellers, he could not bear to let the wantonness of the smith pass + unpunished. For he was always heedful to bear kindness in mind, and as + ready to punish arrogance. So he hastened to chastise such bold and + enormous insolence, wishing to repay the orphan ward the benefits he had + of old received from Frode. Then he travelled through Sweden, went into + the house of the smith, and posted himself near the threshold muffling his + face in a cap to avoid discovery. The smith, who had not learnt the lesson + that "strong hands are sometimes found under a mean garment", reviled him, + and bade him quickly leave the house, saying that he should have the last + broken victuals among the crowd of paupers. But the old man, whose + ingrained self-control lent him patience, was nevertheless fain to rest + there, and gradually study the wantonness of his host. For his reason was + stronger than his impetuosity, and curbed his increasing rage. Then the + smith approached the girl with open shamelessness, and cast himself in her + lap, offering the hair of his head to be combed out by her maidenly hands. + </p> + <p> + Also he thrust forward his loin cloth, and required her help in picking + out the fleas; and exacted from this woman of lordly lineage that she + should not blush to put her sweet fingers in a foul apron. Then, believing + that he was free to have his pleasure, he ventured to put his longing + palms within her gown and to set his unsteady hands close to her breast. + But she, looking narrowly, was aware of the presence of the old man whom + she once had known, and felt ashamed. She spurned the wanton and + libidinous fingering, and repulsed the unchaste hands, telling the man + also that he had need of arms, and urging him to cease his lewd sport. + </p> + <p> + Starkad, who had sat down by the door, with the hat muffling his head, had + already become so deeply enraged at this sight, that he could not find + patience to hold his hand any longer, but put away his covering and + clapped his right hand to his sword to draw it. Then the smith, whose only + skill was in lewdness, faltered with sudden alarm, and finding that it had + come to fighting, gave up all hope of defending himself, and saw in flight + the only remedy for his need. Thus it was as hard to break out of the + door, of which the enemy held the approach, as it was grievous to await + the smiter within the house. At last necessity forced him to put an end to + his delay, and he judged that a hazard wherein there lay but the smallest + chance of safety was more desirable than sure and manifest danger. Also, + hard as it was to fly, the danger being so close, yet he desired flight + because it seemed to bring him aid, and to be the nearer way to safety; + and he cast aside delay, which seemed to be an evil bringing not the + smallest help, but perhaps irretrievable ruin. But just as he gained the + threshold, the old man watching at the door smote him through the hams, + and there, half dead, he tottered and fell. For the smiter thought he + ought carefully to avoid lending his illustrious hands to the death of a + vile cinder-blower, and considered that ignominy would punish his + shameless passion worse than death. Thus some men think that he who + suffers misfortune is worse punished than he who is slain outright. Thus + it was brought about, that the maiden, who had never had parents to tend + her, came to behave like a woman of well-trained nature, and did the part, + as it were, of a zealous guardian to herself. And when Starkad, looking + round, saw that the household sorrowed over the late loss of their master, + he heaped shame on the wounded man with more invective, and thus began to + mock: + </p> + <p> + "Why is the house silent and aghast? What makes this new grief? Or where + now rest that doting husband whom the steel has just punished for his + shameful love? Keeps he still aught of his pride and lazy wantonness? + Holds he to his quest, glows his lust as hot as before? Let him while away + an hour with me in converse, and allay with friendly words my hatred of + yesterday. Let your visage come forth with better cheer; let not + lamentation resound in the house, or suffer the faces to become dulled + with sorrow. + </p> + <p> + "Wishing to know who burned with love for the maiden, and was deeply + enamoured of my beloved ward, I put on a cap, lest my familiar face might + betray me. Then comes in that wanton smith, with lewd steps, bending his + thighs this way and that with studied gesture, and likewise making eyes as + he ducked all ways. His covering was a mantle fringed with beaver, his + sandals were inlaid with gems, his cloak was decked with gold. Gorgeous + ribbons bound his plaited hair, and a many-coloured band drew tight his + straying locks. Hence grew a sluggish and puffed-up temper; he fancied + that wealth was birth, and money forefathers, and reckoned his fortune + more by riches than by blood. Hence came pride unto him, and arrogance led + to fine attire. For the wretch began to think that his dress made him + equal to the high-born; he, the cinder-blower, who hunts the winds with + hides, and puffs with constant draught, who rakes the ashes with his + fingers, and often by drawing back the bellows takes in the air, and with + a little fan makes a breath and kindles the smouldering fires! Then he + goes to the lap of the girl, and leaning close, says, `Maiden, comb my + hair and catch the skipping fleas, and remove what stings my skin.' Then + he sat and spread his arms that sweated under the gold, lolling on the + smooth cushion and leaning back on his elbow, wishing to flaunt his + adornment, just as a barking brute unfolds the gathered coils of its + twisted tail. But she knew me, and began to check her lover and rebuff his + wanton hands; and, declaring that it was I, she said, `Refrain thy + fingers, check thy promptings, take heed to appease the old man sitting + close by the doors. The sport will turn to sorrow. I think Starkad is + here, and his slow gaze scans thy doings.' The smith answered: `Turn not + pale at the peaceful raven and the ragged old man; never has that mighty + one whom thou fearest stooped to such common and base attire. The strong + man loves shining raiment, and looks for clothes to match his courage.' + Then I uncovered and drew my sword, and as the smith fled I clove his + privy parts; his hams were laid open, cut away from the bone; they showed + his entrails. Presently I rise and crush the girl's mouth with my fist, + and draw blood from her bruised nostril. Then her lips, used to evil + laughter, were wet with tears mingled with blood, and foolish love paid + for all the sins it committed with soft eyes. Over is the sport of the + hapless woman who rushed on, blind with desire, like a maddened mare, and + makes her lust the grave of her beauty. Thou deservest to be sold for a + price to foreign peoples and to grind at the mill, unless blood pressed + from thy breasts prove thee falsely accused, and thy nipple's lack of milk + clear thee of the crime. Howbeit, I think thee free from this fault; yet + bear not tokens of suspicion, nor lay thyself open to lying tongues, nor + give thyself to the chattering populace to gird at. Rumour hurts many, and + a lying slander often harms. A little word deceives the thoughts of common + men. Respect thy grandsires, honour thy fathers, forget not thy parents, + value thy forefathers; let thy flesh and blood keep its fame. What madness + came on thee? And thou, shameless smith, what fate drove thee in thy lust + to attempt a high-born race? Or who sped thee, maiden, worthy of the + lordliest pillows, to loves obscure? Tell me, how durst thou taste with + thy rosy lips a mouth reeking of ashes, or endure on thy breast hands + filthy with charcoal, or bring close to thy side the arms that turn the + live coals over, and put the palms hardened with the use of the tongs to + thy pure cheeks, and embrace the head sprinkled with embers, taking it to + thy bright arms? + </p> + <p> + "I remember how smiths differ from one another, for once they smote me. + All share alike the name of their calling, but the hearts beneath are + different in temper. I judge those best who weld warriors' swords and + spears for the battle, whose temper shows their courage, who betoken their + hearts by the sternness of their calling, whose work declares their + prowess. There are also some to whom the hollow mould yields bronze, as + they make the likeness of divers things in molten gold, who smelt the + veins and recast the metal. But Nature has fashioned these of a softer + temper, and has crushed with cowardice the hands which she has gifted with + rare skill. Often such men, while the heat of the blast melts the bronze + that is poured in the mould, craftily filch flakes of gold from the lumps, + when the vessel thirsts after the metal they have stolen." + </p> + <p> + So speaking, Starkad got as much pleasure from his words as from his + works, and went back to Halfdan, embracing his service with the closest + friendship, and never ceasing from the exercise of war; so that he weaned + his mind from delights, and vexed it with incessant application to arms. + </p> + <p> + Now Ingild had two sisters, Helga and Asa; Helga was of full age to marry, + while Asa was younger and unripe for wedlock. Then Helge the Norwegian was + moved with desire to ask for Helga for his wife, and embarked. Now he had + equipped his vessel so luxuriously that he had lordly sails decked with + gold, held up also on gilded masts, and tied with crimson ropes. When he + arrived Ingild promised to grant him his wish if, to test his reputation + publicly, he would first venture to meet in battle the champions pitted + against him. Helge did not flinch at the terms; he answered that he would + most gladly abide by the compact. And so the troth-plight of the future + marriage was most ceremoniously solemnized. + </p> + <p> + A story is remembered that there had grown up at the same time, on the + Isle of Zealand, the nine sons of a certain prince, all highly gifted with + strength and valour, the eldest of whom was Anganty. This last was a rival + suitor for the same maiden; and when he saw that the match which he had + been denied was promised to Helge, he challenged him to a struggle, + wishing to fight away his vexation. Helge agreed to the proposed combat. + The hour of the fight was appointed for the wedding-day by the common wish + of both. For any man who, being challenged, refused to fight, used to be + covered with disgrace in the sight of all men. Thus Helge was tortured on + the one side by the shame of refusing the battle, on the other by the + dread of waging it. For he thought himself attacked unfairly and counter + to the universal laws of combat, as he had apparently undertaken to fight + nine men single-handed. While he was thus reflecting his betrothed told + him that he would need help, and counselled him to refrain from the + battle, wherein it seemed he would encounter only death and disgrace, + especially as he had not stipulated for any definite limit to the number + of those who were to be his opponents. He should therefore avoid the + peril, and consult his safety by appealing to Starkad, who was sojourning + among the Swedes; since it was his way to help the distressed, and often + to interpose successfully to retrieve some dismal mischance. + </p> + <p> + Then Helge, who liked the counsel thus given very well, took a small + escort and went into Sweden; and when he reached its most famous city, + Upsala, he forbore to enter, but sent in a messenger who was to invite + Starkad to the wedding of Frode's daughter, after first greeting him + respectfully to try him. This courtesy stung Starkad like an insult. He + looked sternly on the youth, and said, "That had he not had his beloved + Frode named in his instructions, he should have paid dearly for his + senseless mission. He must think that Starkad, like some buffoon or + trencherman, was accustomed to rush off to the reek of a distant kitchen + for the sake of a richer diet." Helge, when his servant had told him this, + greeted the old man in the name of Frode's daughter, and asked him to + share a battle which he had accepted upon being challenged, saying that he + was not equal to it by himself, the terms of the agreement being such as + to leave the number of his adversaries uncertain. Starkad, when he had + heard the time and place of the combat, not only received the suppliant + well, but also encouraged him with the offer of aid, and told him to go + back to Denmark with his companions, telling him that he would find his + way to him by a short and secret path. Helge departed, and if we may trust + report, Starkad, by sheer speed of foot, travelled in one day's journeying + over as great a space as those who went before him are said to have + accomplished in twelve; so that both parties, by a chance meeting, reached + their journey's end, the palace of Ingild, at the very same time. Here + Starkad passed, just as the servants did, along the tables filled with + guests; and the aforementioned nine, howling horribly with repulsive + gestures, and running about as if they were on the stage, encouraged one + another to the battle. Some say that they barked like furious dogs at the + champion as he approached. Starkad rebuked them for making themselves look + ridiculous with such an unnatural visage, and for clowning with wide + grinning cheeks; for from this, he declared, soft and effeminate + profligates derived their wanton incontinence. When Starkad was asked + banteringly by the nine whether he had valour enough to fight, he answered + that doubtless he was strong enough to meet, not merely one, but any + number that might come against him. And when the nine heard this they + understood that this was the man whom they had heard would come to the + succour of Helge from afar. Starkad also, to protect the bride-chamber + with a more diligent guard, voluntarily took charge of the watch; and, + drawing back the doors of the bedroom, barred them with a sword instead of + a bolt, meaning to post himself so as to give undisturbed quiet to their + bridal. + </p> + <p> + When Helge woke, and, shaking off the torpor of sleep, remembered his + pledge, he thought of buckling on his armour. But, seeing that a little of + the darkness of night yet remained, and wishing to wait for the hour of + dawn, he began to ponder the perilous business at hand, when sleep stole + on him and sweetly seized him, so that he took himself back to bed laden + with slumber. Starkad, coming in on him at daybreak, saw him locked asleep + in the arms of his wife, and would not suffer him to be vexed with a + sudden shock, or summoned from his quiet slumbers; lest he should seem to + usurp the duty of wakening him and breaking upon the sweetness of so new a + union, all because of cowardice. He thought it, therefore, more handsome + to meet the peril alone than to gain a comrade by disturbing the pleasure + of another. So he quietly retraced his steps, and scorning his enemies, + entered the field which in our tongue is called Roliung, and finding a + seat under the slope of a certain hill, he exposed himself to wind and + snow. Then, as though the gentle airs of spring weather were breathing + upon him, he put off his cloak, and set to picking out the fleas. He also + cast on the briars a purple mantle which Helga had lately given him, that + no clothing might seem to lend him shelter against the raging shafts of + hail. Then the champions came and climbed the hill on the opposite side; + and, seeking a spot sheltered from the winds wherein to sit, they lit a + fire and drove off the cold. At last, not seeing Starkad, they sent a man + to the crest of the hill, to watch his coming more clearly, as from a + watch-tower. This man climbed to the top of the lofty mountain, and saw, + on its sloping side, an old man covered shoulder-high with the snow that + showered down. He asked him if he was the man who was to fight according + to the promise. Starkad declared that he was. Then the rest came up and + asked him whether he had resolved to meet them all at once or one by one. + But he said, "Whenever a surly pack of curs yelps at me, I commonly send + them flying all at once, and not in turn." Thus he let them know that he + would rather fight with-them all together than one by one, thinking that + his enemies should be spurned with words first and deeds afterwards. + </p> + <p> + The fight began furiously almost immediately, and he felled six of them + without receiving any wound in return; and though the remaining three + wounded him so hard in seventeen places that most of his bowels gushed out + of his belly, he slew them notwithstanding, like their brethren. + Disembowelled, with failing strength, he suffered from dreadful straits of + thirst, and, crawling on his knees in his desire to find a draught, he + longed for water from the streamlet that ran close by. But when he saw it + was tainted with gore he was disgusted at the look of the water, and + refrained from its infected draught. For Anganty had been struck down in + the waves of the river, and had dyed its course so deep with his red blood + that it seemed now to flow not with water, but with some ruddy liquid. So + Starkad thought it nobler that his bodily strength should fail than that + he should borrow strength from so foul a beverage. Therefore, his force + being all but spent, he wriggled on his knees, up to a rock that happened + to be lying near, and for some little while lay leaning against it. A + hollow in its surface is still to be seen, just as if his weight as he lay + had marked it with a distinct impression of his body. But I think this + appearance is due to human handiwork, for it seems to pass all belief that + the hard and uncleavable rock should so imitate the softness of wax, as, + merely by the contact of a man leaning on it, to present the appearance of + a man having sat there, and assume concavity for ever. + </p> + <p> + A certain man, who chanced to be passing by in a cart, saw Starkad wounded + almost all over his body. Equally aghast and amazed, he turned and drove + closer, asking what reward he should have if he were to tend and heal his + wounds. But Starkad would rather be tortured by grievous wounds than use + the service of a man of base estate, and first asked his birth and + calling. The man said that his profession was that of a sergeant. Starkad, + not content with despising him, also spurned him with revilings, because, + neglecting all honourable business, he followed the calling of a + hanger-on; and because he had tarnished his whole career with ill repute, + thinking the losses of the poor his own gains; suffering none to be + innocent, ready to inflict wrongful accusation upon all men, most + delighted at any lamentable turn in the fortunes of another; and toiling + most at his own design, namely of treacherously spying out all men's + doings, and seeking some traitorous occasion to censure the character of + the innocent. + </p> + <p> + As this first man departed, another came up, promising aid and remedies. + Like the last comer, he was bidden to declare his condition; and he said + that he had a certain man's handmaid to wife, and was doing peasant + service to her master in order to set her free. Starkad refused to accept + his help, because he had married in a shameful way by taking a slave to + his embrace. Had he had a shred of virtue he should at least have + disdained to be intimate with the slave of another, but should have + enjoyed some freeborn partner of his bed. What a mighty man, then, must we + deem Starkad, who, when enveloped in the most deadly perils, showed + himself as great in refusing aid as in receiving wounds! + </p> + <p> + When this man departed a woman chanced to approach and walk past the old + man. She came up to him in order to wipe his wounds, but was first bidden + to declare what was her birth and calling. She said that she was a + handmaid used to grinding at the mill. Starkad then asked her if she had + children; and when he was told that she had a female child, he told her to + go home and give the breast to her squalling daughter; for he thought it + most uncomely that he should borrow help from a woman of the lowest + degree. Moreover, he knew that she could nourish her own flesh and blood + with milk better than she could minister to the wounds of a stranger. + </p> + <p> + As the woman was departing, a young man came riding up in a cart. He saw + the old man, and drew near to minister to his wounds. On being asked who + he was, he said his father was a labourer, and added that he was used to + the labours of a peasant. Starkad praised his origin, and pronounced that + his calling was also most worthy of honour; for, he said, such men sought + a livelihood by honourable traffic in their labour, inasmuch as they knew + not of any gain, save what they had earned by the sweat of their brow. He + also thought that a country life was justly to be preferred even to the + most splendid riches; for the most wholesome fruits of it seemed to be + born and reared in the shelter of a middle estate, halfway between + magnificence and squalor. But he did not wish to pass the kindness of the + youth unrequited, and rewarded the esteem he had shown him with the mantle + he had cast among the thorns. So the peasant's son approached, replaced + the parts of his belly that had been torn away, and bound up with a plait + of withies the mass of intestines that had fallen out. Then he took the + old man to his car, and with the most zealous respect carried him away to + the palace. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Helga, in language betokening the greatest wariness, began to + instruct her husband, saying that she knew that Starkad, as soon as he + came back from conquering the champions, would punish him for his absence, + thinking that he had inclined more to sloth and lust than to his promise + to fight as appointed. Therefore he must withstand Starkad boldly, because + he always spared the brave but loathed the coward. Helge respected equally + her prophecy and her counsel, and braced his soul and body with a glow of + valorous enterprise. Starkad, when he had been driven to the palace, + heedless of the pain of his wounds, leaped swiftly out of the cart, and + just like a man who was well from top to toe, burst into the + bridal-chamber, shattering the doors with his fist. Then Helge leapt from + his bed, and, as he had been taught by the counsel of his wife, plunged + his blade full at Starkad's forehead. And since he seemed to be meditating + a second blow, and to be about to make another thrust with his sword, + Helga flew quickly from the couch, caught up a shield, and, by interposing + it, saved the old man from impending destruction; for, notwithstanding, + Helge with a stronger stroke of his blade smote the shield right through + to the boss. Thus the praiseworthy wit of the woman aided her friend, and + her hand saved him whom her counsel had injured; for she protected the old + man by her deed, as well as her husband by her warning. Starkad was + induced by this to let Helge go scot-free; saying that a man whose ready + and assured courage so surely betokened manliness, ought to be spared; for + he vowed that a man ill deserved death whose brave spirit was graced with + such a dogged will to resist. + </p> + <p> + Starkad went back to Sweden before his wounds had been treated with + medicine, or covered with a single scar. Halfdan had been killed by his + rivals; and Starkad, after quelling certain rebels, set up Siward as the + heir to his father's sovereignty. With him he sojourned a long time; but + when he heard—for the rumour spread—that Ingild, the son of + Frode (who had been treacherously slain), was perversely minded, and + instead of punishing his father's murderers, bestowed upon them kindness + and friendship, he was vexed with stinging wrath at so dreadful a crime. + And, resenting that a youth of such great parts should have renounced his + descent from his glorious father, he hung on his shoulders a mighty mass + of charcoal, as though it were some costly burden, and made his way to + Denmark. When asked by those he met why he was taking along so unusual a + load, he said that he would sharpen the dull wits of King Ingild to a + point by bits of charcoal. So he accomplished a swift and headlong + journey, as though at a single breath, by a short and speedy track; and at + last, becoming the guest of Ingild, he went up, as his custom was, in to + the seat appointed for the great men; for he had been used to occupy the + highest post of distinction with the kings of the last generation. + </p> + <p> + When the queen came in, and saw him covered over with filth and clad in + the mean, patched clothes of a peasant, the ugliness of her guest's dress + made her judge him with little heed; and, measuring the man by the + clothes, she reproached him with crassness of wit, because he had gone + before greater men in taking his place at table, and had assumed a seat + that was too good for his boorish attire. She bade him quit the place, + that he might not touch the cushions with his dress, which was fouler than + it should have been. For she put down to crassness and brazenness what + Starkad only did from proper pride; she knew not that on a high seat of + honour the mind sometimes shines brighter than the raiment. The spirited + old man obeyed, though vexed at the rebuff, and with marvellous + self-control choked down the insult which his bravery so ill deserved; + uttering at this disgrace he had received neither word nor groan. But he + could not long bear to hide the bitterness of his anger in silence. + Rising, and retreating to the furthest end of the palace, he flung his + body against the walls; and strong as they were, he so battered them with + the shock, that the beams quaked mightily; and he nearly brought the house + down in a crash. Thus, stung not only with his rebuff, but with the shame + of having poverty cast in his teeth, he unsheathed his wrath against the + insulting speech of the queen with inexorable sternness. + </p> + <p> + Ingild, on his return from hunting, scanned him closely, and, when he + noticed that he neither looked cheerfully about, nor paid him the respect + of rising, saw by the sternness written on his brow that it was Starkad. + For when he noted his hands horny with fighting, his scars in front, the + force and fire of his eye, he perceived that a man whose body was seamed + with so many traces of wounds had no weakling soul. He therefore rebuked + his wife, and charged her roundly to put away her haughty tempers, and to + soothe and soften with kind words and gentle offices the man she had + reviled; to comfort him with food and drink, and refresh him with kindly + converse; saying, that this man had been appointed his tutor by his father + long ago, and had been a most tender guardian of his childhood. Then, + learning too late the temper of the old man, she turned her harshness into + gentleness, and respectfully waited on him whom she had rebuffed and + railed at with bitter revilings. The angry hostess changed her part, and + became the most fawning of flatterers. She wished to check his anger with + her attentiveness; and her fault was the less, inasmuch as she was so + quick in ministering to him after she had been chidden. But she paid + dearly for it, for she presently beheld stained with the blood of her + brethren the place where she had flouted and rebuffed the brave old man + from his seat. + </p> + <p> + Now, in the evening, Ingild took his meal with the sons of Swerting, and + fell to a magnificent feast, loading the tables with the profusest dishes. + With friendly invitation he kept the old man back from leaving the revel + too early; as though the delights of elaborate dainties could have + undermined that staunch and sturdy virtue! But when Starkad had set eyes + on these things, he scorned so wanton a use of them; and, not to give way + a whit to foreign fashions, he steeled his appetite against these tempting + delicacies with the self-restraint which was his greatest strength. He + would not suffer his repute as a soldier to be impaired by the allurements + of an orgy. For his valour loved thrift, and was a stranger to all + superfluity of food, and averse to feasting in excess. For his was a + courage which never at any moment had time to make luxury of aught + account, and always forewent pleasure to pay due heed to virtue. So, when + he saw that the antique character of self-restraint, and all good old + customs, were being corrupted by new-fangled luxury and sumptuosity, he + wished to be provided with a morsel fitter for a peasant, and scorned the + costly and lavish feast. + </p> + <p> + Spurning profuse indulgence in food, Starkad took some smoky and rather + rancid fare, appeasing his hunger with a bitter relish because more + simply; and being unwilling to enfeeble his true valour with the tainted + sweetness of sophisticated foreign dainties, or break the rule of antique + plainness by such strange idolatries of the belly. He was also very wroth + that they should go, to the extravagance of having the same meat both + roasted and boiled at the same meal; for he considered an eatable which + was steeped in the vapours of the kitchen, and which the skill of the cook + rubbed over with many kinds of flavours, in the light of a monstrosity. + </p> + <p> + Unlike Starkad Ingild flung the example of his ancestors to the winds, and + gave himself freer licence of innovation in the fashions of the table than + the custom of his fathers allowed. For when he had once abandoned himself + to the manners of Teutonland, he did not blush to yield to its unmanly + wantonness. No slight incentives to debauchery have flowed down our + country's throat from that sink of a land. Hence came magnificent dishes, + sumptuous kitchens, the base service of cooks, and all sorts of abominable + sausages. Hence came our adoption, wandering from the ways of our fathers, + of a more dissolute dress. Thus our country, which cherished + self-restraint as its native quality, has gone begging to our neighbours + for luxury; whose allurements so charmed Ingild, that he did not think it + shameful to requite wrongs with kindness; nor did the grievous murder of + his father make him heave one sigh of bitterness when it crossed his mind. + </p> + <p> + But the queen would not depart without effecting her purpose. Thinking + that presents would be the best way to banish the old man's anger, she + took off her own head a band of marvellous handiwork, and put it in his + lap as he supped: desiring to buy his favour since she could not blunt his + courage. But Starkad, whose bitter resentment was not yet abated, flung it + back in the face of the giver, thinking that in such a gift there was more + scorn than respect. And he was wise not to put this strange ornament of + female dress upon the head that was all bescarred and used to the helmet; + for he knew that the locks of a man ought not to wear a woman's head-band. + Thus he avenged slight with slight, and repaid with retorted scorn the + disdain he had received; thereby bearing himself well-nigh as nobly in + avenging his disgrace as he had borne himself in enduring it. + </p> + <p> + To the soul of Starkad reverence for Frode was grappled with hooks of + love. Drawn to him by deeds of bounty, countless kindnesses, he could not + be wheedled into giving up his purpose of revenge by any sort of alluring + complaisance. Even now, when Frode was no more, he was eager to pay the + gratitude due to his benefits, and to requite the kindness of the dead, + whose loving disposition and generous friendship he had experienced while + he lived. For he bore graven so deeply in his heart the grievous picture + of Frode's murder, that his honour for that most famous captain could + never be plucked from the inmost chamber of his soul; and therefore he did + not hesitate to rank his ancient friendship before the present kindness. + Besides, when he recalled the previous affront, he could not thank the + complaisance that followed; he could not put aside the disgraceful wound + to his self-respect. For the memory of benefits or injuries ever sticks + more firmly in the minds of brave men than in those of weaklings. For he + had not the habits of those who follow their friends in prosperity and + quit them in adversity, who pay more regard to fortune than to looks, and + sit closer to their own gain than to charity toward others. + </p> + <p> + But the woman held to her purpose, seeing that even so she could not win + the old man to convivial mirth. Continuing with yet more lavish courtesy + her efforts to soothe him, and to heap more honours on the guest, she bade + a piper strike up, and started music to melt his unbending rage. For she + wanted to unnerve his stubborn nature by means of cunning sounds. But the + cajolery of pipe or string was just as powerless to enfeeble that dogged + warrior. When he heard it, he felt that the respect paid him savoured more + of pretence than of love. Hence the crestfallen performer seemed to be + playing to a statue rather than a man, and learnt that it is vain for + buffoons to assail with, their tricks a settled and weighty sternness, and + that a mighty mass cannot be shaken with the idle puffing of the lips. For + Starkad had set his face so firmly in his stubborn wrath, that he seemed + not a whit easier to move than ever. For the inflexibility which he owed + his vows was not softened either by the strain of the lute or the + enticements of the palate; and he thought that more respect should be paid + to his strenuous and manly purpose than to the tickling of the ears or the + lures of the feast. Accordingly he flung the bone, which he had stripped + in eating the meat, in the face of the harlequin, and drove the wind + violently out of his puffed cheeks, so that they collapsed. By this he + showed how his austerity loathed the clatter of the stage; for his ears + were stopped with anger and open to no influence of delight. This reward, + befitting an actor, punished an unseemly performance with a shameful wage. + For Starkad excellently judged the man's deserts, and bestowed a shankbone + for the piper to pipe on, requiting his soft service with a hard fee. None + could say whether the actor piped or wept the louder; he showed by his + bitter flood of tears how little place bravery has in the breasts of the + dissolute. For the fellow was a mere minion of pleasure, and had never + learnt to bear the assaults of calamity. This man's hurt was ominous of + the carnage that was to follow at the feast. Right well did Starkad's + spirit, heedful of sternness, hold with stubborn gravity to steadfast + revenge; for he was as much disgusted at the lute as others were + delighted, and repaid the unwelcome service by insultingly flinging a + bone; thus avowing that he owed a greater debt to the glorious dust of his + mighty friend than to his shameless and infamous ward. + </p> + <p> + But when Starkad saw that the slayers of Frode were in high favour with + the king, his stern glances expressed the mighty wrath which he harboured, + and his face betrayed what he felt. The visible fury of his gaze betokened + the secret tempest in his heart. At last, when Ingild tried to appease him + with royal fare, he spurned the dainty. Satisfied with cheap and common + food, he utterly spurned outlandish delicacies; he was used to plain diet, + and would not pamper his palate with any delightful flavour. When he was + asked why he had refused the generous attention of the king with such a + clouded brow, he said that he had come to Denmark to find the son of + Frode, not a man who crammed his proud and gluttonous stomach with rich + elaborate feasts. For the Teuton extravagance which the king favoured had + led him, in his longing for the pleasures of abundance, to set to the fire + again, for roasting, dishes which had been already boiled. Thereupon he + could not forbear from attacking Ingild's character, but poured out the + whole bitterness of his reproaches on his head. He condemned his unfilial + spirit, because he gaped with repletion and vented his squeamishness in + filthy hawkings; because, following the lures of the Saxons, he strayed + and departed far from soberness; because he was so lacking in manhood as + not to pursue even the faintest shadow of it. But, declared Starkad, he + bore the heaviest load of infamy, because, even when he first began to see + service, he forgot to avenge his father, to whose butchers, forsaking the + law of nature, he was kind and attentive. Men whose deserts were most vile + he welcomed with loving affection; and not only did he let those go + scot-free, whom he should have punished most sharply, but he even judged + them fit persons to live with and entertain at his table, whereas he + should rather have put them to death. Hereupon Starkad is also said to + have sung as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Let the unwarlike youth yield to the aged, let him honour all the years + of him that is old. When a man is brave, let none reproach the number of + his days. + </p> + <p> + "Though the hair of the ancient whiten with age, their valour stays still + the same; nor shall the lapse of time have power to weaken their manly + heart. + </p> + <p> + "I am elbowed away by the offensive guest, who taints with vice his + outward show of goodness, whilst he is the slave of his belly and prefers + his daily dainties to anything. + </p> + <p> + "When I was counted as a comrade of Frode, I ever sat in the midst of + warriors on a high seat in the hall, and I was the first of the princes to + take my meal. + </p> + <p> + "Now, the lot of a nobler age is reversed; I am shut in a corner, I am + like the fish that seeks shelter as it wanders to and fro hidden in the + waters. + </p> + <p> + "I, who used surely in the former age to lie back on a couch handsomely + spread, am now thrust among the hindmost and driven from the crowded hall. + </p> + <p> + "Perchance I had been driven on my back at the doors, had not the wall + struck my side and turned me back, and had not the beam, in the way made + it hard for me to fly when I was thrust forth. + </p> + <p> + "I am baited with the jeers of the court-folk; I am not received as a + guest should be; I am girded at with harsh gibing, and stung with babbling + taunts. + </p> + <p> + "I am a stranger, and would gladly know what news are spread abroad by + busy rumour; what is the course of events; what the order of the land; + what is doing in your country. + </p> + <p> + "Thou, Ingild, buried in sin, why dost thou tarry in the task of avenging + thy father? Wilt thou think tranquilly of the slaughter of thy righteous + sire? + </p> + <p> + "Why dost thou, sluggard, think only of feasting, and lean thy belly back + in ease, more effeminate than harlots? Is the avenging of thy slaughtered + father a little thing to thee? + </p> + <p> + "When last I left thee, Frode, I learned by my prophetic soul that thou, + mightiest of kings, wouldst surely perish by the sword of enemies. + </p> + <p> + "And while I travelled long in the land, a warning groan rose in my soul, + which augured that thereafter I was never to see thee more. + </p> + <p> + "Wo is me, that then I was far away, harrying the farthest peoples of the + earth, when the traitorous guest aimed craftily at the throat of his king. + </p> + <p> + "Else I would either have shown myself the avenger of my lord, or have + shared his fate and fallen where he fell, and would joyfully have followed + the blessed king in one and the same death. + </p> + <p> + "I have not come to indulge in gluttonous feasting, the sin whereof I will + strive to chastise; nor will I take mine ease, nor the delights of the fat + belly. + </p> + <p> + "No famous king has ever set me before in the middle by the strangers. I + have been wont to sit in the highest seats among friends. + </p> + <p> + "I have come from Sweden, travelling over wide lands, thinking that I + should be rewarded, if only I had the joy to find the son of my beloved + Frode. + </p> + <p> + "But I sought a brave man, and I have come to a glutton, a king who is the + slave of his belly and of vice, whose liking has been turned back towards + wantonness by filthy pleasure. + </p> + <p> + "Famous is the speech men think that Halfdan spoke: he warned us it would + soon come to pass that an understanding father should beget a witless son. + </p> + <p> + "Though the heir be deemed degenerate, I will not suffer the wealth of + mighty Frode to profit strangers or to be made public like plunder." + </p> + <p> + At these words the queen trembled, and she took from her head the ribbon + with which she happened, in woman's fashion, to be adorning her hair, and + proffered it to the enraged old man, as though she could avert his anger + with a gift. Starkad in anger flung it back most ignominiously in the face + of the giver, and began again in a loud voice: + </p> + <p> + "Take hence, I pray thee, thy woman's gift, and set back thy headgear on + thy head; no brave man assumes the chaplets that befit Love only. + </p> + <p> + "For it is amiss that the hair of men that are ready for battle should be + bound back with wreathed gold; such attire is right for the throngs of the + soft and effeminate. + </p> + <p> + "But take this gift to thy husband, who loves luxury, whose finger itches, + while he turns over the rump and handles the flesh of the bird roasted + brown. + </p> + <p> + "The flighty and skittish wife of Ingild longs to observe the fashions of + the Teutons; she prepares the orgy and makes ready the artificial + dainties. + </p> + <p> + "For she tickles the palate with a new-fangled feast; she pursues the zest + of an unknown flavour, raging to load all the tables with dishes yet more + richly than before. + </p> + <p> + "She gives her lord wine to drink in bowls, pondering all things with + zealous preparation; she bids the cooked meats be roasted, and intends + them for a second fire. + </p> + <p> + "Wantonly she feeds her husband like a hog; a shameless whore, + trusting.... + </p> + <p> + "She roasts the boiled, and recooks the roasted meats, planning the meal + with spendthrift extravagance, careless of right and wrong, practising + sin, a foul woman. + </p> + <p> + "Wanton in arrogance, a soldier of Love, longing for dainties, she abjures + the fair ways of self-control, and also provides devices for gluttony. + </p> + <p> + "With craving stomach she desires turnip strained in a smooth pan, cakes + with thin juice, and shellfish in rows. + </p> + <p> + "I do not remember the Great Frode putting his hand to the sinews of + birds, or tearing the rump of a cooked fowl with crooked thumb. + </p> + <p> + "What former king could have been so gluttonous as to stir the stinking + filthy flesh, or rummage in the foul back of a bird with plucking fingers? + </p> + <p> + "The food of valiant men is raw; no need, methinks, of sumptuous tables + for those whose stubborn souls are bent on warfare. + </p> + <p> + "It had been fitter for thee to have torn the stiff beard, biting hard + with thy teeth, than greedily to have drained the bowl of milk with thy + wide mouth. + </p> + <p> + "We fled from the offence of the sumptuous kitchen; we stayed our stomach + with rancid fare; few in the old days loved cooked juices. + </p> + <p> + "A dish with no sauce of herbs gave us the flesh of rams and swine. We + partook temperately, tainting nothing with bold excess. + </p> + <p> + "Thou who now lickest the milk-white fat, put on, prithee, the spirit of a + man; remember Frode, and avenge thy father's death. + </p> + <p> + "The worthless and cowardly heart shall perish, and shall not parry the + thrust of death by flight, though it bury itself in a valley, or crouch in + darkling dens. + </p> + <p> + "Once we were eleven princes, devoted followers of King Hakon, and here + Geigad sat above Helge in the order of the meal. + </p> + <p> + "Geigad used to appease the first pangs of hunger with a dry rump of ham; + and plenty of hard crust quelled the craving of his stomach. + </p> + <p> + "No one asked for a sickly morsel; all took their food in common; the meal + of mighty men cost but slight display. + </p> + <p> + "The commons shunned foreign victual, and the greatest lusted not for a + feast; even the king remembered to live temperately at little cost. + </p> + <p> + "Scorning to look at the mead, he drank the fermented juice of Ceres; he + shrank not from the use of undercooked meats, and hated the roast. + </p> + <p> + "The board used to stand with slight display, a modest salt-cellar showed + the measure of its cost; lest the wise ways of antiquity should in any + wise be changed by foreign usage. + </p> + <p> + "Of old, no man put flagons or mixing-bowls on the tables; the steward + filled the cup from the butt, and there was no abundance of adorned + vessels. + </p> + <p> + "No one who honoured past ages put the smooth wine-jars beside the + tankards, and of old no bedizened lackey heaped the platter with dainties. + </p> + <p> + "Nor did the vainglorious host deck the meal with little salt-shell or + smooth cup; but all has been now abolished in shameful wise by the + new-fangled manners. + </p> + <p> + "Who would ever have borne to take money in ransom for the death of a lost + parent, or to have asked a foe for a gift to atone for the murder of a + father? + </p> + <p> + "What strong heir or well-starred son would have sat side by side with + such as these, letting a shameful bargain utterly unnerve the warrior? + </p> + <p> + "Wherefore, when the honours of kings are sung, and bards relate the + victories of captains, I hide my face for shame in my mantle, sick at + heart. + </p> + <p> + "For nothing shines in thy trophies, worthy to be recorded by the pen; no + heir of Frode is named in the roll of the honourable. + </p> + <p> + "Why dost thou vex me with insolent gaze, thou who honourest the foe + guilty of thy father's blood, and art thought only to take thy vengeance + with loaves and warm soup? + </p> + <p> + "When men speak well of the avengers of crimes, then long thou to lose thy + quick power of hearing, that thy impious spirit may not be ashamed. + </p> + <p> + "For oft has the virtue of another vexed a heart that knows its guilt, and + the malice in the breast is abashed by the fair report of the good. + </p> + <p> + "Though thou go to the East, or live sequestered in the countries of the + West, or whether, driven thence, thou seek the midmost place of the earth; + </p> + <p> + "Whether thou revisit the cold quarter of the heaven where the pole is to + be seen, and carries on the sphere with its swift spin, and looks down + upon the neighbouring Bear; + </p> + <p> + "Shame shall accompany thee far, and shall smite thy countenance with + heavy disgrace, when the united assembly of the great kings is taking + pastime. + </p> + <p> + "Since everlasting dishonour awaits thee, thou canst not come amidst the + ranks of the famous; and in every clime thou shalt pass thy days in + infamy. + </p> + <p> + "The fates have given Frode an offspring born into the world when gods + were adverse, whose desires have been enthralled by crime and ignoble + lust. + </p> + <p> + "Even as in a ship all things foul gather to the filthy hollow of the + bilge, even so hath a flood of vices poured into Ingild. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore, in terror of thy shame being published, thou shalt lie crushed + in the corners of the land, sluggish on thy foul hearth, and never to be + seen in the array of the famous. + </p> + <p> + "Then shalt thou shake thy beard at thine evil fate, kept down by the + taunts of thy mistresses, when thy paramour galls thy ear with her + querulous cries. + </p> + <p> + "Since chill fear retards thy soul, and thou dreadest to become the + avenger of thy sire, thou art utterly degenerate, and thy ways are like a + slave's. + </p> + <p> + "It would have needed scant preparation to destroy thee; even as if a man + should catch and cut the throat of a kid, or slit the weazand of a soft + sheep and butcher it. + </p> + <p> + "Behold, a son of the tyrant Swerting shall take the inheritance of + Denmark after thee; he whose slothful sister thou keepest in infamous + union. + </p> + <p> + "Whilst thou delightest to honour thy bride, laden with gems and shining + in gold apparel, we burn with all indignation that is linked with shame, + lamenting thy infamies. + </p> + <p> + "When thou art stirred by furious lust, our mind is troubled, and recalls + the fashion of ancient times, and bids us grieve sorely. + </p> + <p> + "For we rate otherwise than thou the crime of the foes whom now thou + holdest in honour; wherefore the face of this age is a burden to me, + remembering the ancient ways. + </p> + <p> + "I would crave no greater blessing, O Frode, if I might see those guilty + of thy murder duly punished for such a crime." + </p> + <p> + Now he prevailed so well by this stirring counsel, that his reproach + served like a flint wherewith to strike a blazing flame of valour in the + soul that had been chill and slack. For the king had at first heard the + song inattentively; but, stirred by the earnest admonition of his + guardian, he conceived in his heart a tardy fire of revenge; and, + forgetting the reveller, he changed into the foeman. At last he leapt up + from where he lay, and poured the whole flood of his anger on those at + table with him; insomuch that he unsheathed his sword upon the sons of + Swerting with bloody ruthlessness, and aimed with drawn blade at the + throats of those whose gullets he had pampered with the pleasures of the + table. These men he forthwith slew; and by so doing he drowned the holy + rites of the table in blood. He sundered the feeble bond of their league, + and exchanged a shameful revel for enormous cruelty; the host became the + foe, and that vilest slave of excess the bloodthirsty agent of revenge. + For the vigorous pleading of his counsellor bred a breath of courage in + his soft and unmanly youth; it drew out his valour from its lurking-place, + and renewed it, and so fashioned it that the authors of a most grievous + murder were punished even as they deserved. For the young man's valour had + been not quenched, but only in exile, and the aid of an old man had drawn + it out into the light; and it accomplished a deed which was all the + greater for its tardiness; for it was somewhat nobler to steep the cups in + blood than in wine. What a spirit, then, must we think that old man had, + who by his eloquent adjuration expelled from that king's mind its infinite + sin, and who, bursting the bonds of iniquity, implanted a most effectual + seed of virtue. Starkad aided the king with equal achievements; and not + only showed the most complete courage in his own person, but summoned back + that which had been rooted out of the heart of another. When the deed was + done, he thus begun: + </p> + <p> + "King Ingild, farewell; thy heart, full of valour, hath now shown a deed + of daring. The spirit that reigns in thy body is revealed by its fair + beginning; nor did there lack deep counsel in thy heart, though thou wert + silent till this hour; for thou dost redress by thy bravery what delay had + lost, and redeemest the sloth of thy spirit by mighty valour. Come now, + let us rout the rest, and let none escape the peril which all alike + deserve. Let the crime come home to the culprit; let the sin return and + crush its contriver. + </p> + <p> + "Let the servants take up in a car the bodies of the slain, and let the + attendant quickly bear out the carcases. Justly shall they lack the last + rites; they are unworthy to be covered with a mound; let no funeral + procession or pyre suffer them the holy honour of a barrow; let them be + scattered to rot in the fields, to be consumed by the beaks of birds; let + them taint the country all about with their deadly corruption. + </p> + <p> + "Do thou too, king, if thou hast any wit, flee thy savage bride, lest the + she-wolf bring forth a litter like herself, and a beast spring from thee + that shall hurt its own father. + </p> + <p> + "Tell me, Rote, continual derider of cowards, thinkest thou that we have + avenged Frode enough, when we have spent seven deaths on the vengeance of + one? Lo, those are borne out dead who paid homage not to thy sway in deed, + but only in show, and though obsequious they planned treachery. But I + always cherished this hope, that noble fathers have noble offspring, who + will follow in their character the lot which they received by their birth. + Therefore, Ingild, better now than in time past dost thou deserve to be + called lord of Leire and of Denmark. + </p> + <p> + "When, O King Hakon, I was a beardless youth, and followed thy leading and + command in warfare, I hated luxury and wanton souls, and practiced only + wars. Training body and mind together, I banished every unholy thing from + my soul, and shunned the pleasures of the belly, loving deeds of prowess. + For those that followed the calling of arms had rough clothing and common + gear and short slumbers and scanty rest. Toil drove ease far away, and the + time ran by at scanty cost. Not as with some men now, the light of whose + reason is obscured by insatiate greed with its blind maw. Some one of + these clad in a covering of curiously wrought raiment effeminately guides + the fleet-footed (steed), and unknots his dishevelled locks, and lets his + hair fly abroad loosely. + </p> + <p> + "He loves to plead often in the court, and to covet a base pittance, and + with this pursuit he comforts his sluggish life, doing with venal tongue + the business entrusted to him. + </p> + <p> + "He outrages the laws by force, he makes armed assault upon men's rights, + he tramples on the innocent, he feeds on the wealth of others, he + practices debauchery and gluttony, he vexes good fellowship with biting + jeers, and goes after harlots as a hoe after the grass. + </p> + <p> + "The coward falls when battles are lulled in peace. Though he who fears + death lie in the heart of the valley, no mantlet shall shelter him. His + final fate carries off every living man; doom is not to be averted by + skulking. But I, who have shaken the whole world with my slaughters, shall + I enjoy a peaceful death? Shall I be taken up to the stars in a quiet end? + Shall I die in my bed without a wound?" + </p> + <p> + BOOK SEVEN. + </p> + <p> + We are told by historians of old, that Ingild had four sons, of whom three + perished in war, while OLAF alone reigned after his father; but some say + that Olaf was the son of Ingild's sister, though this opinion is doubtful. + Posterity has but an uncertain knowledge of his deeds, which are dim with + the dust of antiquity; nothing but the last counsel of his wisdom has been + rescued by tradition. For when he was in the last grip of death he took + thought for his sons FRODE and HARALD, and bade them have royal sway, one + over the land and the other over the sea, and receive these several + powers, not in prolonged possession, but in yearly rotation. Thus their + share in the rule was made equal; but Frode, who was the first to have + control of the affairs of the sea, earned disgrace from his continual + defeats in roving. His calamity was due to his sailors being newly + married, and preferring nuptial joys at home to the toils of foreign + warfare. After a time Harald, the younger son, received the rule of the + sea, and chose soldiers who were unmarried, fearing to be baffled like his + brother. Fortune favoured his choice; for he was as glorious a rover as + his brother was inglorious; and this earned him his brother's hatred. + Moreover, their queens, Signe and Ulfhild, one of whom was the daughter of + Siward, King of Sweden, the other of Karl, the governor of Gothland, were + continually wrangling as to which was the nobler, and broke up the mutual + fellowship of their husbands. Hence Harald and Frode, when their common + household was thus shattered, divided up the goods they held in common, + and gave more heed to the wrangling altercations of the women than to the + duties of brotherly affection. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, Frode, judging that his brother's glory was a disgrace to + himself and brought him into contempt, ordered one of his household to put + him to death secretly; for he saw that the man of whom he had the + advantage in years was surpassing him in courage. When the deed was done, + he had the agent of his treachery privily slain, lest the accomplice + should betray the crime. Then, in order to gain the credit of innocence + and escape the brand of crime, he ordered a full inquiry to be made into + the mischance that had cut off his brother so suddenly. But he could not + manage, by all his arts, to escape silent condemnation in the thoughts of + the common people. He afterwards asked Karl, "Who had killed Harald?" and + Karl replied that it was deceitful in him to ask a question about + something which he knew quite well. These words earned him his death; for + Frode thought that he had reproached him covertly with fratricide. + </p> + <p> + After this, the lives of Harald and Halfdan, the sons of Harald by Signe + the daughter of Karl, were attempted by their uncle. But the guardians + devised a cunning method of saving their wards. For they cut off the claws + of wolves and tied them to the soles of their feet; and then made them run + along many times so as to harrow up the mud near their dwelling, as well + as the ground (then covered with, snow), and give the appearance of an + attack by wild beasts. Then they killed the children of some bond-women, + tore their bodies into little pieces, and scattered their mangled limbs + all about. So when the youths were looked for in vain, the scattered limbs + were found, the tracks of the beasts were pointed out, and the ground was + seen besmeared with blood. It was believed that the boys had been devoured + by ravening wolves; and hardly anyone was suffered to doubt so plain a + proof that they were mangled. The belief in this spectacle served to + protect the wards. They were presently shut up by their guardians in a + hollow oak, so that no trace of their being alive should get abroad, and + were fed for a long time under pretence that they were dogs; and were even + called by hounds' names, to prevent any belief getting abroad that they + were hiding. (1) + </p> + <p> + Frode alone refused to believe in their death; and he went and inquired of + a woman skilled in divination where they were hid. So potent were her + spells, that she seemed able, at any distance, to perceive anything, + however intricately locked away, and to summon it out to light. She + declared that one Ragnar had secretly undertaken to rear them, and had + called them by the names of dogs to cover the matter. When the young men + found themselves dragged from their hiding by the awful force of her + spells, and brought before the eyes of the enchantress, loth to be + betrayed by this terrible and imperious compulsion, they flung into her + lap a shower of gold which they had received from their guardians. When + she had taken the gift, she suddenly feigned death, and fell like one + lifeless. Her servants asked the reason why she fell so suddenly; and she + declared that the refuge of the sons of Harald was inscrutable; for their + wondrous might qualified even the most awful effects of her spells. Thus + she was content with a slight benefit, and could not bear to await a + greater reward at the king's hands. After this Ragnar, finding that the + belief concerning himself and his wards was becoming rife in common talk, + took them, both away into Funen. Here he was taken by Frode, and confessed + that he had put the young men in safe keeping; and he prayed the king to + spare the wards whom he had made fatherless, and not to think it a piece + of good fortune to be guilty of two unnatural murders. By this speech he + changed the king's cruelty into shame; and he promised that if they + attempted any plots in their own land, he would give information to the + king. Thus he gained safety for his wards, and lived many years in freedom + from terror. + </p> + <p> + When the boys grew up, they went to Zealand, and were bidden by their + friends to avenge their father. They vowed that they and their uncle + should not both live out the year. When Ragnar found this out, he went by + night to the palace, prompted by the recollection of his covenant, and + announced that he was come privily to tell the king something he had + promised. But the king was asleep, and he would not suffer them to wake + him up, because Frode had been used to punish any disturbance of his rest + with the sword. So mighty a matter was it thought of old to break the + slumbers of a king by untimely intrusion. Frode heard this from the + sentries in the morning; and when he perceived that Ragnar had come to + tell him of the treachery, he gathered together his soldiers, and resolved + to forestall deceit by ruthless measures. Harald's sons had no help for it + but to feign madness. For when they found themselves suddenly attacked, + they began to behave like maniacs, as if they were distraught. And when + Frode thought that they were possessed, he gave up his purpose, thinking + it shameful to attack with the sword those who seemed to be turning the + sword against themselves. But he was burned to death by them on the + following night, and was punished as befitted a fratricide. For they + attacked the palace, and first crushing the queen with a mass of stones + and then, having set fire to the house, they forced Frode to crawl into a + narrow cave that had been cut out long before, and into the dark recesses + of tunnels. Here he lurked in hiding and perished, stifled by the reek and + smoke. + </p> + <p> + After Frode was killed, HALFDAN reigned over his country about three + years, and then, handing over his sovereignty to his brother Harald as + deputy, went roving, and attacked and ravaged Oland and the neighbouring + isles, which are severed from contact with Sweden by a winding sound. Here + in the winter he beached and entrenched his ships, and spent three years + on the expedition. After this he attacked Sweden, and destroyed its king + in the field. Afterwards he prepared to meet the king's grandson Erik, the + son of his own uncle Frode, in battle; and when he heard that Erik's + champion, Hakon, was skillful in blunting swords with his spells, he + fashioned, to use for clubbing, a huge mace studded with iron knobs, as if + he would prevail by the strength of wood over the power of sorcery. Then—for + he was conspicuous beyond all others for his bravery—amid the + hottest charges of the enemy, he covered his head with his helmet, and, + without a shield, poised his club, and with the help of both hands whirled + it against the bulwark of shields before him. No obstacle was so stout but + it was crushed to pieces by the blow of the mass that smote it. Thus he + overthrew the champion, who ran against him in the battle, with a violent + stroke of his weapon. But he was conquered notwithstanding, and fled away + into Helsingland, where he went to one Witolf (who had served of old with + Harald), to seek tendance for his wounds. This man had spent most of his + life in camp; but at last, after the grievous end of his general, he had + retreated into this lonely district, where he lived the life of a peasant, + and rested from the pursuits of war. Often struck himself by the missiles + of the enemy, he had gained no slight skill in leechcraft by constantly + tending his own wounds. But if anyone came with flatteries to seek his + aid, instead of curing him he was accustomed to give him something that + would secretly injure him, thinking it somewhat nobler to threaten than to + wheedle for benefits. When the soldiers of Erik menaced his house, in + their desire to take Halfdan, he so robbed them of the power of sight that + they could neither perceive the house nor trace it with certainty, though + it was close to them. So utterly had their eyesight been dulled by a + decisive mist. + </p> + <p> + When Halfdan had by this man's help regained his full strength, he + summoned Thore, a champion of notable capacity, and proclaimed war against + Erik. But when the forces were led out on the other side, and he saw that + Erik was superior in numbers, he hid a part of his army, and instructed it + to lie in ambush among the bushes by the wayside, in order to destroy the + enemy by an ambuscade as he marched through the narrow part of the path. + Erik foresaw this, having reconnoitred his means of advancing, and thought + he must withdraw for fear, if he advanced along the track he had intended, + of being hard-pressed by the tricks of the enemy among the steep windings + of the hills. They therefore joined battle, force against force, in a deep + valley, inclosed all round by lofty mountain ridges. Here Halfdan, when he + saw the line of his men wavering, climbed with Thore up a crag covered + with stones and, uprooting boulders, rolled them down upon the enemy + below; and the weight of these as they fell crushed the line that was + drawn up in the lower position. Thus he regained with stones the victory + which he had lost with arms. For this deed of prowess he received the name + of Biargramm ("rock strong"), a word which seems to have been compounded + from the name of his fierceness and of the mountains. He soon gained so + much esteem for this among the Swedes that he was thought to be the son of + the great Thor, and the people bestowed divine honours upon him, and + judged him worthy of public libation. + </p> + <p> + But the souls of the conquered find it hard to rest, and the insolence of + the beaten ever struggles towards the forbidden thing. So it came to pass + that Erik, in his desire to repair the losses incurred in flight, attacked + the districts subject to Halfdan. Even Denmark he did not exempt from this + harsh treatment; for he thought it a most worthy deed to assail the + country of the man who had caused him to be driven from his own. And so, + being more anxious to inflict injury than to repel it, he set Sweden free + from the arms of the enemy. When Halfdan heard that his brother Harald had + been beaten by Erik in three battles, and slain in the fourth, he was + afraid of losing his empire; he had to quit the land of the Swedes and go + back to his own country. Thus Erik regained the kingdom of Sweden all the + more quickly, that he quitted it so lightly. Had fortune wished to favour + him in keeping his kingdom as much as she had in regaining it, she would + in nowise have given him into the hand of Halfdan. This capture was made + in the following way: When Halfdan had gone back into Sweden, he hid his + fleet craftily, and went to meet Erik with two vessels. Erik attacked him + with ten; and Halfdan, sailing through sundry winding channels, stole back + to his concealed forces. Erik pursued him too far, and the Danish fleet + came out on the sea. Thus Erik was surrounded; but he rejected the life, + which was offered him under condition of thraldom. He could not bear to + think more of the light of day than liberty, and chose to die rather than + serve; lest he should seem to love life so well as to turn from a slave + into a freeman; and that he might not court with new-born obeisance the + man whom fortune had just before made only his equal. So little knows + virtue how to buy life with dishonour. Wherefore he was put in chains, and + banished to a place haunted by wild beasts; an end unworthy of that lofty + spirit. + </p> + <p> + Halfdan had thus become sovereign of both kingdoms, and graced his fame + with a triple degree of honour. For he was skillful and eloquent in + composing poems in the fashion of his country; and he was no less notable + as a valorous champion than as a powerful king. But when he heard that two + active rovers, Toke and Anund, were threatening the surrounding districts, + he attacked and routed them in a sea-fight. For the ancients thought that + nothing was more desirable than glory which was gained, not by brilliancy + of wealth, but by address in arms. Accordingly, the most famous men of old + were so minded as to love seditions, to renew quarrels, to loathe ease, to + prefer fighting to peace, to be rated by their valour and not by their + wealth, to find their greatest delight in battles, and their least in + banquetings. + </p> + <p> + But Halfdan was not long to seek for a rival. A certain Siwald, of most + illustrious birth, related with lamentation in the assembly of the Swedes + the death of Frode and his queen; and inspired in almost all of them such + a hatred of Halfdan, that the vote of the majority granted him permission + to revolt. Nor was he content with the mere goodwill of their voices, but + so won the heart of the commons by his crafty canvassing that he induced + almost all of them to set with their hands the royal emblem on his head. + Siwald had seven sons, who were such clever sorcerers that often, inspired + with the force of sudden frenzy, they would roar savagely, bite their + shields, swallow hot coals, and go through any fire that could be piled + up; and their frantic passion could only be checked by the rigour of + chains, or propitiated by slaughter of men. With such a frenzy did their + own sanguinary temper, or else the fury of demons, inspire them. + </p> + <p> + When Halfdan had heard of these things while busy roving, he said it was + right that his soldiers, who had hitherto spent their rage upon + foreigners, should now smite with the steel the flesh of their own + countrymen, and that they who had been used to labour to extend their + realm should now avenge its wrongful seizure. On Halfdan approaching, + Siwald sent him ambassadors and requested him, if he was as great in act + as in renown, to meet himself and his sons in single combat, and save the + general peril by his own. When the other answered, that a combat could not + lawfully be fought by more than two men, Siwald said, that it was no + wonder that a childless bachelor should refuse the proffered conflict, + since his nature was void of heat, and had struck a disgraceful frost into + his soul and body. Children, he added, were not different from the man who + begot them, since they drew from him their common principle of birth. Thus + he and his sons were to be accounted as one person, for nature seemed in a + manner to have bestowed on them a single body. Halfdan, stung with this + shameful affront, accepted the challenge; meaning to wipe out with noble + deeds of valour such an insulting taunt upon his celibacy. And while he + chanced to be walking through a shady woodland, he plucked up by the roots + all oak that stuck in his path, and, by simply stripping it of its + branches, made it look like a stout club. Having this trusty weapon, he + composed a short song as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Behold! The rough burden which I bear with straining crest, shall unto + crests bring wounds and destruction. Never shall any weapon of leafy wood + crush the Goths with direr augury. It shall shatter the towering strength + of the knotty neck, and shall bruise the hollow temples with the mass of + timber. The club which shall quell the wild madness of the land shall be + no less fatal to the Swedes. Breaking bones, and brandished about the + mangled limbs of warriors, the stock I have wrenched off shall crush the + backs of the wicked, crush the hearths of our kindred, shed the blood of + our countrymen, and be a destructive pest upon our land." + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, he attacked Siwald and his seven sons, and + destroyed them, their force and bravery being useless against the enormous + mass of his club. + </p> + <p> + At this time one Hardbeen, who came from Helsingland, gloried in + kidnapping and ravishing princesses, and used to kill any man who hindered + him in his lusts. He preferred high matches to those that were lowly; and + the more illustrious the victims he could violate, the more noble he + thought himself. No man escaped unpunished who durst measure himself with + Hardbeen in valour. He was so huge, that his stature reached the measure + of nine ells. He had twelve champions dwelling with him, whose business it + was to rise up and to restrain his fury with the aid of bonds, whenever + the rage came on him that foreboded of battle. These men asked Halfdan to + attack Hardbeen and his champions man by man; and he not only promised to + fight, but assured himself the victory with most confident words. When + Hardbeen heard this, a demoniacal frenzy suddenly took him; he furiously + bit and devoured the edges of his shield; he kept gulping down fiery + coals; he snatched live embers in his mouth and let them pass down into + his entrails; he rushed through the perils of crackling fires; and at + last, when he had raved through every sort of madness, he turned his sword + with raging hand against the hearts of six of his champions. It is + doubtful whether this madness came from thirst for battle or natural + ferocity. Then with the remaining band of his champions he attacked + Halfdan, who crushed him with a hammer of wondrous size, so that he lost + both victory and life; paying the penalty both to Halfdan, whom he had + challenged, and to the kings whose offspring he had violently ravished. + </p> + <p> + Fortune never seemed satisfied with the trying of Halfdan's strength, and + used to offer him unexpected occasions for fighting. It so happened that + Egther, a Finlander, was harrying the Swedes on a roving raid. Halfdan, + having found that he had three ships, attacked him with the same number. + Night closed the battle, so that he could not conquer him; but he + challenged Egther next day, fought with and overthrew him. He next heard + that Grim, a champion of immense strength, was suing, under threats of a + duel, for Thorhild, the daughter of the chief Hather, and that her father + had proclaimed that he who put the champion out of the way should have + her. Halfdan, though he had reached old age a bachelor, was stirred by the + promise of the chief as much as by the insolence of the champion, and went + to Norway. When he entered it, he blotted out every mark by which he could + be recognized, disguising his face with splashes of dirt; and when he came + to the spot of the battle, drew his sword first. And when he knew that it + had been blunted by the glance of the enemy, he cast it on the ground, + drew another from the sheath, with which he attacked Grim, cutting through + the meshes on the edge of his cuirass, as well as the lower part of his + shield. Grim wondered at the deed, and said, "I cannot remember an old man + who fought more keenly;" and, instantly drawing his sword, he pierced + through and shattered the target that was opposed to his blade. But as his + right arm tarried on the stroke, Halfdan, without wavering, met and smote + it swiftly with his sword. The other, notwithstanding, clasped his sword + with his left hand, and cut through the thigh of the striker, revenging + the mangling of his own body with a slight wound. Halfdan, now conqueror, + allowed the conquered man to ransom the remnant of his life with a sum of + money; he would not be thought shamefully to rob a maimed man, who could + not fight, of the pitiful remainder of his days. By this deed he showed + himself almost as great in saving as in conquering his enemy. As a prize + for this victory he won Thorhild in marriage, and had by her a son Asmund, + from whom the kings of Norway treasure the honour of being descended; + retracing the regular succession of their line down from Halfdan. + </p> + <p> + After this, Ebbe, a rover of common birth, was so confident of his valour, + that he was moved to aspire to a splendid marriage. He was a suitor for + Sigrid, the daughter of Yngwin, King of the Goths, and moreover demanded + half the Gothic kingdom for her dowry. Halfdan was consulted whether the + match should be entertained, and advised that a feigned consent should be + given, promising that he would baulk the marriage. He also gave + instructions that a seat should be allotted to himself among the places of + the guests at table. Yngwin approved the advice; and Halfdan, utterly + defacing the dignity of his royal presence with an unsightly and alien + disguise, and coming by night on the wedding feast, alarmed those who met + him; for they marvelled at the coming of a man of such superhuman stature. + </p> + <p> + When Halfdan entered the palace, he looked round on all and asked, who was + he that had taken the place next to the king? Upon Ebbe replying that the + future son-in-law of the king was next to his side, Halfdan asked him, in + the most passionate language, what madness, or what demons, had brought + him to such wantonness, as to make bold to unite his contemptible and + filthy race with a splendid and illustrious line, or to dare to lay his + peasant finger upon the royal family: and, not content even with such a + claim, to aspire, as it seemed, to a share even in the kingdom of another. + Then he bade Ebbe fight him, saying that he must get the victory before he + got his wish. The other answered that the night was the time to fight with + monsters, but the day the time with men; but Halfdan, to prevent him + shirking the battle by pleading the hour, declared that the moon was + shining with the brightness of daylight. Thus he forced Ebbe to fight, and + felled him, turning the banquet into a spectacle, and the wedding into a + funeral. + </p> + <p> + Some years passed, and Halfdan went back to his own country, and being + childless he bequeathed the royal wealth by will to Yngwin, and appointed + him king. YNGWIN was afterwards overthrown in war by a rival named + Ragnald, and he left a son SIWALD. + </p> + <p> + Siwald's daughter, Sigrid, was of such excellent modesty, that though a + great concourse of suitors wooed her for her beauty, it seemed as if she + could not be brought to look at one of them. Confident in this power of + self-restraint, she asked her father for a husband who by the sweetness of + his blandishments should be able to get a look back from her. For in old + time among us the self-restraint of the maidens was a great subduer of + wanton looks, lest the soundness of the soul should be infected by the + licence of the eyes; and women desired to avouch the purity of their + hearts by the modesty of their faces. Then one Ottar, the son of Ebb, + kindled with confidence in the greatness either of his own achievements, + or of his courtesy and eloquent address, stubbornly and ardently desired + to woo the maiden. And though he strove with all the force of his wit to + soften her gaze, no device whatever could move her downcast eyes; and, + marvelling at her persistence in her indomitable rigour, he departed. + </p> + <p> + A giant desired the same thing, but, finding himself equally foiled, he + suborned a woman; and she, pretending friendship for the girl, served her + for a while as her handmaid, and at last enticed her far from her father's + house, by cunningly going out of the way; then the giant rushed upon her + and bore her off into the closest fastnesses of a ledge on the mountain. + Others think that he disguised himself as a woman, treacherously continued + his devices so as to draw the girl away from her own house, and in the end + carried her off. When Ottar heard of this, he ransacked the recesses of + the mountain in search of the maiden, found her, slew the giant, and bore + her off. But the assiduous giant had bound back the locks of the maiden, + tightly twisting her hair in such a way that the matted mass of tresses + was held in a kind of curled bundle; nor was it easy for anyone to unravel + their plaited tangle, without using the steel. Again, he tried with divers + allurements to provoke the maiden to look at him; and when he had long + laid vain siege to her listless eyes, he abandoned his quest, since his + purpose turned out so little to his liking. But he could not bring himself + to violate the girl, loth to defile with ignoble intercourse one of + illustrious birth. She then wandered long, and sped through divers desert + and circuitous paths, and happened to come to the hut of a certain huge + woman of the woods, who set her to the task of pasturing her goats. Again + Ottar granted her his aid to set her free, and again he tried to move her, + addressing her in this fashion: "Wouldst thou rather hearken to my + counsels, and embrace me even as I desire, than be here and tend the flock + of rank goats? + </p> + <p> + "Spurn the hand of thy wicked mistress, and flee hastily from thy cruel + taskmistress, that thou mayst go back with me to the ships of thy friends + and live in freedom. + </p> + <p> + "Quit the care of the sheep entrusted to thee; scorn to drive the steps of + the goats; share my bed, and fitly reward my prayers. + </p> + <p> + "O thou whom I have sought with such pains, turn again thy listless beams; + for a little while—it is an easy gesture—lift thy modest face. + </p> + <p> + "I will take thee hence, and set thee by the house of thy father, and + unite thee joyfully with thy loving mother, if but once thou wilt show me + thine eyes stirred with soft desires. + </p> + <p> + "Thou, whom I have borne so oft from the prisons of the giants, pay thou + some due favour to my toil of old; pity my hard endeavours, and be stern + no more. + </p> + <p> + "For why art thou become so distraught and brainsick, that thou wilt + choose to tend the flock of another, and be counted among the servants of + monsters, sooner than encourage our marriage-troth with fitting and equal + consent?" + </p> + <p> + But she, that she might not suffer the constancy of her chaste mind to + falter by looking at the world without, restrained her gaze, keeping her + lids immovably rigid. How modest, then, must we think, were the women of + that age, when, under the strongest provocations of their lovers, they + could not be brought to make the slightest motion of their eyes! So when + Ottar found that even by the merits of his double service he could not + stir the maiden's gaze towards him, he went back to the fleet, wearied out + with shame and chagrin. Sigrid, in her old fashion, ran far away over the + rocks, and chanced to stray in her wanderings to the abode of Ebb; where, + ashamed of her nakedness and distress, she pretended to be a daughter of + paupers. The mother of Ottar saw that this woman, though bestained and + faded, and covered with a meagre cloak, was the scion of some noble stock; + and took her, and with honourable courtesy kept her by her side in a + distinguished seat. For the beauty of the maiden was a sign that betrayed + her birth, and her telltale features echoed her lineage. Ottar saw her, + and asked why she hid her face in her robe. Also, in order to test her + mind more surely, he feigned that a woman was about to become his wife, + and, as he went up into the bride-bed, gave Sigrid the torch to hold. The + lights had almost burnt down, and she was hard put to it by the flame + coming closer; but she showed such an example of endurance that she was + seen to hold her hand motionless, and might have been thought to feel no + annoyance from the heat. For the fire within mastered the fire without, + and the glow of her longing soul deadened the burn of her scorched skin. + At last Ottar bade her look to her hand. Then, modestly lifting her eyes, + she turned her calm gaze upon him; and straightway, the pretended marriage + being put away, went up unto the bride-bed to be his wife. Siwald + afterwards seized Ottar, and thought that he ought to be hanged for + defiling his daughter. + </p> + <p> + But Sigrid at once explained how she had happened to be carried away, and + not only brought Ottar back into the king's favour, but also induced her + father himself to marry Ottar's sister. After this a battle was fought + between Siwald and Ragnald in Zealand, warriors of picked valour being + chosen on both sides. For three days they slaughtered one another; but so + great was the bravery of both sides, that it was doubtful how the victory + would go. Then Ottar, whether seized with weariness at the prolonged + battle, or with desire of glory, broke, despising death, through the + thickest of the foe, cut down Ragnald among the bravest of his soldiers, + and won the Danes a sudden victory. This battle was notable for the + cowardice of the greatest nobles. For the whole mass fell into such a + panic, that forty of the bravest of the Swedes are said to have turned and + fled. The chief of these, Starkad, had been used to tremble at no fortune, + however cruel, and no danger, however great. But some strange terror stole + upon him, and he chose to follow the flight of his friends rather than to + despise it. I should think that he was filled with this alarm by the power + of heaven, that he might not think himself courageous beyond the measure + of human valour. Thus the prosperity of mankind is wont ever to be + incomplete. Then all these warriors embraced the service of King Hakon, + the mightiest of the rovers, like remnants of the war drifting to him. + </p> + <p> + After this Siwald was succeeded by his son SIGAR, who had sons Siwald, + Alf, and Alger, and a daughter Signe. All excelled the rest in spirit and + beauty, and devoted himself to the business of a rover. Such a grace was + shed on his hair, which had a wonderful dazzling glow, that his locks + seemed to shine silvery. At the same time Siward, the king of the Goths, + is said to have had two sons, Wemund and Osten, and a daughter Alfhild, + who showed almost from her cradle such faithfulness to modesty that she + continually kept her face muffled in her robe, lest she should cause her + beauty to provoke the passion of another. Her father banished her into + very close keeping, and gave her a viper and a snake to rear, wishing to + defend her chastity by the protection of these reptiles when they came to + grow up. For it would have been hard to pry into her chamber when it was + barred by so dangerous a bolt. He also enacted that if any man tried to + enter it, and failed, he must straightway yield his head to be taken off + and impaled on a stake. The terror which was thus attached to wantonness + chastened the heated spirits of the young men. + </p> + <p> + Alf, the son of Sigar, thinking that peril of the attempt only made it + nobler, declared himself a wooer, and went to subdue the beasts that kept + watch beside the room of the maiden; inasmuch as, according to the decree, + the embraces of the maiden were the prize of their subduer. Alf covered + his body with a blood-stained hide in order to make them more frantic + against him. Girt with this, as soon as he had entered the doors of the + enclosure, he took a piece of red-hot steel in the tongs, and plunged it + into the yawning throat of the viper, which he laid dead. Then he flung + his spear full into the gaping mouth of the snake as it wound and writhed + forward, and destroyed it. And when he demanded the gage which was + attached to victory by the terms of the covenant, Siward answered that he + would accept that man only for his daughter's husband of whom she made a + free and decided choice. None but the girl's mother was stiff against the + wooer's suit; and she privately spoke to her daughter in order to search + her mind. The daughter warmly praised her suitor for his valour; whereon + the mother upbraided her sharply, that her chastity should be unstrung, + and she be captivated by charming looks; and because, forgetting to judge + his virtue, she cast the gaze of a wanton mind upon the flattering lures + of beauty. Thus Alfhild was led to despise the young Dane; whereupon she + exchanged woman's for man's attire, and, no longer the most modest of + maidens, began the life of a warlike rover. + </p> + <p> + Enrolling in her service many maidens who were of the same mind, she + happened to come to a spot where a band of rovers were lamenting the death + of their captain, who had been lost in war; they made her their rover + captain for her beauty, and she did deeds beyond the valour of woman. Alf + made many toilsome voyages in pursuit of her, and in winter happened to + come on a fleet of the Blacmen. The waters were at this time frozen hard, + and the ships were caught in such a mass of ice that they could not get on + by the most violent rowing. But the continued frost promised the prisoners + a safer way of advance; and Alf ordered his men to try the frozen surface + of the sea in their brogues, after they had taken off their slippery + shoes, so that they could run over the level ice more steadily. The + Blacmen supposed that they were taking to flight with all the nimbleness + of their heels, and began to fight them, but their steps tottered + exceedingly and they gave back, the slippery surface under their soles + making their footing uncertain. But the Danes crossed the frozen sea with + safer steps, and foiled the feeble advance of the enemy, whom they + conquered, and then turned and sailed to Finland. Here they chanced to + enter a rather narrow gulf, and, on sending a few men to reconnoitre, they + learnt that the harbour was being held by a few ships. For Alfhild had + gone before them with her fleet into the same narrows. And when she saw + the strange ships afar off, she rowed in swift haste forward to encounter + them, thinking it better to attack the foe than to await them. Alf's men + were against attacking so many ships with so few; but he replied that it + would be shameful if anyone should report to Alfhild that his desire to + advance could be checked by a few ships in the path; for he said that + their record of honours ought not to be tarnished by such a trifle. + </p> + <p> + The Danes wondered whence their enemies got such grace of bodily beauty + and such supple limbs. So, when they began the sea-fight, the young man + Alf leapt on Alfhild's prow, and advanced towards the stern, slaughtering + all that withstood him. His comrade Borgar struck off Alfhild's helmet, + and, seeing the smoothness of her chin, saw that he must fight with kisses + and not with arms; that the cruel spears must be put away, and the enemy + handled with gentler dealings. So Alf rejoiced that the woman whom he had + sought over land and sea in the face of so many dangers was now beyond all + expectation in his power; whereupon he took hold of her eagerly, and made + her change her man's apparel for a woman's; and afterwards begot on her a + daughter, Gurid. Also Borgar wedded the attendant of Alfhild, Groa, and + had by her a son, Harald, to whom the following age gave the surname + Hyldeland. + </p> + <p> + And that no one may wonder that this sex laboured at warfare, I will make + a brief digression, in order to give a short account of the estate and + character of such women. There were once women among the Danes who dressed + themselves to look like men, and devoted almost every instant of their + lives to the pursuit of war, that they might not suffer their valour to be + unstrung or dulled by the infection of luxury. For they abhorred all + dainty living, and used to harden their minds and bodies with toil and + endurance. They put away all the softness and lightmindedness of women, + and inured their womanish spirit to masculine ruthlessness. They sought, + moreover, so zealously to be skilled in warfare, that they might have been + thought to have unsexed themselves. Those especially, who had either force + of character or tall and comely persons, used to enter on this kind of + life. These women, therefore (just as if they had forgotten their natural + estate, and preferred sternness to soft words), offered war rather than + kisses, and would rather taste blood than busses, and went about the + business of arms more than that of amours. They devoted those hands to the + lance which they should rather have applied to the loom. They assailed men + with their spears whom they could have melted with their looks, they + thought of death and not of dalliance. Now I will cease to wander, and + will go back to my theme. + </p> + <p> + In the early spring, Alf and Alger, who had gone back to sea-roving, were + exploring the sea in various directions, when they lighted with a hundred + ships upon Helwin, Hagbard, and Hamund, sons of the kinglet Hamund. These + they attacked and only the twilight stayed their blood-wearied hands; and + in the night the soldiers were ordered to keep truce. On the morrow this + was ratified for good by a mutual oath; for such loss had been suffered on + both sides in the battle of the day before that they had no force left to + fight again. Thus, exhausted bye quality of valour, they were driven + perforce to make peace. About the same time Hildigisl, a Teuton Of noble + birth, relying on his looks and his rank, sued for Signe, the daughter of + Sigar. But she scorned him, chiefly for his insignificance, inasmuch as he + was not brave, but wished to adorn his fortunes with the courage of other + people. But this woman was inclined to love Hakon, chiefly for the high + renown of his great deeds. For she thought more of the brave than the + feeble; she admired notable deeds more than looks, knowing that every + allurement of beauty is mere dross when reckoned against simple valour, + and cannot weigh equal with it in the balance. For there are maids that + are more charmed by the fame than by the face of their lovers; who go not + by the looks, but by the mind, and whom naught but regard for a man's + spirit can kindle to pledge their own troth. Now Hagbard, going to Denmark + with the sons of Sigar, gained speech of their sister without their + knowledge, and in the end induced her to pledge her word to him that she + would secretly become his mistress. Afterwards, when the waiting-women + happened to be comparing the honourable deeds of the nobles, she preferred + Hakon to Hildigisl, declaring that the latter had nothing to praise but + his looks, while in the case of the other a wrinkled visage was outweighed + by a choice spirit. Not content with this plain kind of praise, she is + said to have sung as follows: + </p> + <p> + "This man lacks fairness, but shines with foremost courage, measuring his + features by his force. + </p> + <p> + "For the lofty soul redeems the shortcoming of harsh looks, and conquers + the body's blemish. + </p> + <p> + "His look flashes with spirit, his face, notable in its very harshness, + delights in fierceness. + </p> + <p> + "He who strictly judges character praises not the mind for the fair hue, + but rather the complexion for the mind. + </p> + <p> + "This man is not prized for beauty, but for brave daring and war-won + honour. + </p> + <p> + "While the other is commended by his comely head and radiant countenance + and crest of lustrous locks. + </p> + <p> + "Vile is the empty grace of beauty, self-confounded the deceptive pride of + comeliness. + </p> + <p> + "Valour and looks are swayed by different inclinations: one lasts on, the + other perishes. + </p> + <p> + "Empty red and white brings in vice, and is frittered away little by + little by the lightly gliding years; + </p> + <p> + "But courage plants firmer the hearts devoted to it, and does not slip and + straightway fall. + </p> + <p> + "The voice of the multitude is beguiled by outward good, and forsakes the + rule of right; + </p> + <p> + "But I praise virtue at a higher rate, and scorn the grace of comeliness." + </p> + <p> + This utterance fell on the ears of the bystanders in such a way, that they + thought she praised Hagbard under the name of Hakon. And Hildigisl, vexed + that she preferred Hagbard to himself, bribed a certain blind man, Bolwis, + to bring the sons of Sigar and the sons of Hamund to turn their friendship + into hatred. For King Sigar had been used to transact almost all affairs + by the advice of two old men, one of whom was Bolwis. The temper of these + two men was so different, that one used to reconcile folk who were at + feud, while the other loved to sunder in hatred those who were bound by + friendship, and by estranging folk to fan pestilent quarrels. + </p> + <p> + So Bolwis began by reviling the sons of Hamund to the sons of Sigar, in + lying slanders, declaring that they never used to preserve the bonds of + fellowship loyally, and that they must be restrained by war rather than by + league. Thus the alliance of the young men was broken through; and while + Hagbard was far away, the sons of Sigar, Alf and Alger, made an attack, + and Helwin and Hamund were destroyed by the harbour which is called + Hamund's Bay. Hagbard then came up with fresh forces to avenge his + brothers, and destroyed them in battle. Hildigisl slunk off with a spear + through both buttocks, which was the occasion for a jeer at the Teutons, + since the ugliness of the blow did not fail to brand it with disgrace. + </p> + <p> + Afterwards Hagbard dressed himself in woman's attire, and, as though he + had not wronged Sigar's daughter by slaying her brothers, went back to her + alone, trusting in the promise he had from her, and feeling more safe in + her loyalty than alarmed by reason of his own misdeed. Thus does lust + despise peril. And, not to lack a pretext for his journey, he gave himself + out as a fighting-maid of Hakon, saying that he took an embassy from him + to Sigar. And when he was taken to bed at night among the handmaids, and + the woman who washed his feet were wiping them, they asked him why he had + such hairy legs, and why his hands were not at all soft to touch, he + answered: + </p> + <p> + "What wonder that the soft hollow of my foot should harden, and that long + hairs should stay on my shaggy leg, when the sand has so often smitten my + soles beneath, and the briars have caught me in mid-step? + </p> + <p> + "Now I scour the forest with leaping, now the waters with running. Now the + sea, now the earth, now the wave is my path. + </p> + <p> + "Nor could my breast, shut in bonds of steel, and wont to be beaten with + lance and missile, ever have been soft to the touch, as with you who are + covered by the mantle or the smooth gown. + </p> + <p> + "Not the distaff or the wool-frails, but spears dripping from the + slaughter, have served for our handling." + </p> + <p> + Signe did not hesitate to back up his words with like dissembling, and + replied that it was natural that hands which dealt more in wounds than + wools, and in battle than in tasks of the house should show the hardness + that befitted their service; and that, unenfeebled with the pliable + softness of women, they should not feel smooth to the touch of others. For + they were hardened partly by the toils of war, partly by the habit of + seafaring. For, said she, the warlike handmaid of Hakon did not deal in + woman's business, but had been wont to bring her right hand blood-stained + with hurling spears and flinging missiles. It was no wonder, therefore, if + her soles were hardened by the immense journeys she had gone; and that, + when the shores she had scoured so often had bruised them with their rough + and broken shingle, they should toughen in a horny stiffness, and should + not feel soft to the touch like theirs, whose steps never strayed, but who + were forever cooped within the confines of the palace. Hagbard received + her as his bedfellow, under plea that he was to have the couch of honour; + and, amid their converse of mutual delight, he addressed her slowly in + such words as these: + </p> + <p> + "If thy father takes me and gives me to bitter death, wilt thou ever, when + I am dead, forget so strong a troth, and again seek the marriage-plight? + </p> + <p> + "For if the chance should fall that way, I can hope for no room for + pardon; nor will the father who is to avenge his sons spare or have pity. + </p> + <p> + "For I stripped thy brothers of their power on the sea and slew them; and + now, unknown to thy father, as though I had done naught before counter to + his will, I hold thee in the couch we share. + </p> + <p> + "Say, then, my one love, what manner of wish wilt thou show when thou + lackest the accustomed embrace?" + </p> + <p> + Signe answered: + </p> + <p> + "Trust me, dear; I wish to die with thee, if fate brings thy turn to + perish first, and not to prolong my span of life at all, when once dismal + death has cast thee to the tomb. + </p> + <p> + "For if thou chance to close thy eyes for ever, a victim to the maddened + attack of the men-at-arms;—by whatsoever doom thy breath be cut off, + by sword or disease, by sea or soil, I forswear every wanton and corrupt + flame, and vow myself to a death like thine; that they who were bound by + one marriage-union may be embraced in one and the same punishment. Nor + will I quit this man, though I am to feel the pains of death; I have + resolved he is worthy of my love who gathered the first kisses of my + mouth, and had the first fruits of my delicate youth. I think that no vow + will be surer than this, if speech of woman have any loyalty at all." + </p> + <p> + This speech so quickened the spirit of Hagbard, that he found more + pleasure in her promise than peril in his own going away (to his death). + The serving-women betrayed him; and when Sigar's men-at-arms attacked him, + he defended himself long and stubbornly, and slew many of them in the + doorway. But at last he was taken, and brought before the assembly, and + found the voices of the people divided over him. For very many said that + he should be punished for so great an offence; but Bilwis, the brother of + Bolwis, and others, conceived a better judgment, and advised that it would + be better to use his stout service than to deal with him too ruthlessly. + Then Bolwis came forward and declared that it was evil advice which urged + the king to pardon when he ought to take vengeance, and to soften with + unworthy compassion his righteous impulse to anger. For how could Sigar, + in the case of this man, feel any desire to spare or pity him, when he had + not only robbed him of the double comfort of his sons, but had also + bestained him with the insult of deflowering his daughter? The greater + part of the assembly voted for this opinion; Hagbard was condemned, and a + gallows-tree planted to receive him. Hence it came about that he who at + first had hardly one sinister voice against him was punished with general + harshness. Soon after the queen handed him a cup, and, bidding him assuage + his thirst, vexed him with threats after this manner: + </p> + <p> + "Now, insolent Hagbard, whom the whole assembly has pronounced worthy of + death, now to quench thy thirst thou shalt give thy lips liquor to drink + in a cup of horn. + </p> + <p> + "Wherefore cast away fear, and, at this last hour of thy life, taste with + bold lips the deadly goblet; + </p> + <p> + "That, having drunk it, thou mayst presently land by the dwellings of + those below, passing into the sequestered palace of stern Dis, giving thy + body to the gibbet and thy spirit to Orcus." + </p> + <p> + Then the young man took the cup offered him, and is said to have made + answer as follows: + </p> + <p> + "With this hand, wherewith I cut off thy twin sons, I will take my last + taste, yea the draught of the last drink. + </p> + <p> + "Now not unavenged shall I go to the Elysian regions, not unchastising to + the stern ghosts. For these men have first been shut in the dens of + Tartarus by a slaughter wrought by my endeavours. This right hand was wet + with blood that was yours, this hand robbed thy children of the years of + their youth, children whom thy womb brought to light; but the deadly sword + spared it not then. Infamous woman, raving in spirit, hapless, childless + mother, no years shall restore to thee the lost, no time and no day + whatsoever shall save thy child from the starkness of death, or redeem + him!" + </p> + <p> + Thus he avenged the queen's threats of death by taunting her with the + youths whom he had slain; and, flinging back the cup at her, drenched her + face with the sprinkled wine. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Signe asked her weeping women whether they could endure to bear + her company in the things which she purposed. They promised that they + would carry out and perform themselves whatsoever their mistress should + come to wish, and their promise was loyally kept. Then, drowned in tears, + she said that she wished to follow in death the only partner of her bed + that she had ever had; and ordered that, as soon as the signal had been + given from a place of watch, torches should be put to the room, then that + halters should be made out of their robes; and to these they should + proffer their throats to be strangled, thrusting away the support to the + feet. They agreed, and that they might blench the less at death, she gave + them a draught of wine. After this Hagbard was led to the hill, which + afterwards took its name from him, to be hanged. Then, to test the loyalty + of his true love, he told the executioners to hang up his mantle, saying + that it would be a pleasure to him if he could see the likeness of his + approaching death rehearsed in some way. The request was granted; and the + watcher on the outlook, thinking that the thing was being done to Hagbard, + reported what she saw to the maidens who were shut within the palace. They + quickly fired the house, and thrusting away the wooden support under their + feet, gave their necks to the noose to be writhen. So Hagbard, when he saw + the palace wrapped in fire, and the familiar chamber blazing, said that he + felt more joy from the loyalty of his mistress than sorrow at his + approaching death. He also charged the bystanders to do him to death, + witnessing how little he made of his doom by a song like this: + </p> + <p> + "Swiftly, O warriors! Let me be caught and lifted into the air. Sweet, O + my bride! Is it for me to die when thou hast gone. + </p> + <p> + "I perceive the crackling and the house ruddy with flames; and the love, + long-promised, declares our troth. + </p> + <p> + "Behold, thy covenant is fulfilled with no doubtful vows, since thou + sharest my life and my destruction. + </p> + <p> + "We shall have one end, one bond after our troth, and somewhere our first + love will live on. + </p> + <p> + "Happy am I, that have deserved to have joy of such a consort, and not to + go basely alone to the gods of Tartarus! + </p> + <p> + "Then let the knot gripe the midst of the throat; nought but pleasure the + last doom shall bring, + </p> + <p> + "Since there remains a sure hope of the renewal of love, and a death which + will soon have joys of its own. + </p> + <p> + "Either country is sweet; in both worlds shall be held in honour the + repose of our souls together, our equal truth in love, + </p> + <p> + "For, see now, I welcome the doom before me; since not even among the + shades does very love suffer the embrace of its partner to perish." And as + he spoke the executioners strangled him. And, that none may think that all + traces of antiquity have utterly disappeared, a proof of the aforesaid + event is afforded by local marks yet existing; for the killing of Hagbard + gave his name to the stead; and not far from the town of Sigar there is a + place to be seen, where a mound a little above the level, with the + appearance of a swelling in the ground, looks like an ancient homestead. + Moreover, a man told Absalon that he had seen a beam found in the spot, + which a countryman struck with his ploughshare as he burrowed into the + clods. + </p> + <p> + Hakon, the son of Hamund, heard of this; but when he was seen to be on the + point of turning his arms from the Irish against the Danes in order to + avenge his brother, Hakon the Zealander, the son of Wigar, and Starkad + deserted him. They had been his allies from the death of Ragnald up to + that hour: one, because he was moved by regard for friendship, the other + by regard for his birth; so that different reasons made both desire the + same thing. + </p> + <p> + Now patriotism diverted Hakon (of Zealand) from attacking his country; for + it was apparent that he was going to fight his own people, while all the + rest warred with foreigners. But Starkad forbore to become the foe of the + aged Sigar, whose hospitality he had enjoyed, lest he should be thought to + wrong one who deserved well of him. For some men pay such respect to + hospitality that, if they can remember ever to have experienced kindly + offices from folk, they cannot be thought to inflict any annoyance on + them. But Hakon thought the death of his brother a worse loss than the + defection of his champions; and, gathering his fleet into the haven called + Herwig in Danish, and in Latin Hosts' Bight, he drew up his men, and + posted his line of foot-soldiers in the spot where the town built by + Esbern now defends with its fortifications those who dwell hard by, and + repels the approach of barbarous savages. Then he divided his forces in + three, and sent on two-thirds of his ships, appointing a few men to row to + the river Susa. This force was to advance on a dangerous voyage along its + winding reaches, and to help those on foot if necessary. He marched in + person by land with the remainder, advancing chiefly over wooded country + to escape notice. Part of this path, which was once closed up with thick + woods, is now land ready for the plough, and fringed with a scanty scrub. + And, in order that when they got out into the plain they might not lack + the shelter of trees, he told them to cut and carry branches. Also, that + nothing might burden their rapid march, he bade them cast away some of + their clothes, as well as their scabbards; and carry their swords naked. + In memory of this event he left the mountain and the ford a perpetual + name. Thus by his night march he eluded two pickets of sentries; but when + he came upon the third, a scout, observing the marvellous event, went to + the sleeping-room of Sigar, saying that he brought news of a portentous + thing; for he saw leaves and shrubs like men walking. Then the king asked + him how far off was the advancing forest; and when he heard that it was + near, he added that this prodigy boded his own death. Hence the marsh + where the shrubs were cut down was styled in common parlance Deadly Marsh. + Therefore, fearing the narrow passages, he left the town, and went to a + level spot which was more open, there to meet the enemy in battle. Sigar + fought unsuccessfully, and was crushed and slain at the spot that is + called in common speech Walbrunna, but in Latin the Spring of Corpses or + Carnage. Then Hakon used his conquest to cruel purpose, and followed up + his good fortune so wickedly, that he lusted for an indiscriminate + massacre, and thought no forbearance should be shown to rank or sex. Nor + did he yield to any regard for compassion or shame, but stained his sword + in the blood of women, and attacked mothers and children in one general + and ruthless slaughter. + </p> + <p> + SIWALD, the son of Sigar, had thus far stayed under his father's roof. But + when he heard of this, he mustered an army in order to have his vengeance. + So Hakon, alarmed at the gathering of such numbers, went back with a third + of his army to his fleet at Herwig, and planned to depart by sea. But his + colleague, Hakon, surnamed the Proud, thought that he ought himself to + feel more confidence at the late victory than fear at the absence of + Hakon; and, preferring death to flight, tried to defend the remainder of + the army. So he drew back his camp for a little, and for a long time + waited near the town of Axelsted, for the arrival of the fleet, blaming + his friends for their tardy coming. For the fleet that had been sent into + the river had not yet come to anchor in the appointed harbour. Now the + killing of Sigar and the love of Siwald were stirring the temper of the + people one and all, so that both sexes devoted themselves to war, and you + would have thought that the battle did not lack the aid of women. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow Hakon and Siwald met in an encounter and fought two whole + days. The combat was most frightful; both generals fell; and victory + graced the remnants of the Danes. But, in the night after the battle, the + fleet, having penetrated the Susa, reached the appointed haven. It was + once possible to row along this river; but its bed is now choked with + solid substances, and is so narrowed by its straits that few vessels can + get in, being prevented by its sluggishness and contractedness. At + daybreak, when the sailors saw the corpses of their friends, they heaped + up, in order to bury the general, a barrow of notable size, which is + famous to this day, and is commonly named Hakon's Howe. + </p> + <p> + But Borgar, with Skanian chivalry suddenly came up and slaughtered a + multitude of them. When the enemy were destroyed, he manned their ships, + which now lacked their rowers, and hastily, with breathless speed, pursued + the son of Hamund. He encountered him, and ill-fortune befell Hakon, who + fled in hasty panic with three ships to the country of the Scots, where, + after two years had gone by, he died. + </p> + <p> + All these perilous wars and fortunes had so exhausted the royal line among + the Danes, that it was found to be reduced to GURID alone, the daughter of + Alf, and granddaughter of Sigar. And when the Danes saw themselves + deprived of their usual high-born sovereigns, they committed the kingdom + to men of the people, and appointed rulers out of the commons, assigning + to Ostmar the regency of Skaane, and that of Zealand to Hunding; on Hane + they conferred the lordship of Funen; while in the hands of Rorik and + Hather they put the supreme power of Jutland, the authority being divided. + Therefore, that it may not be unknown from what father sprang the + succeeding line of kings, some matters come to my mind which must be + glanced at for a while in a needful digression. + </p> + <p> + They say that Gunnar, the bravest of the Swedes, was once at feud with + Norway for the most weighty reasons, and that he was granted liberty to + attack it, but that he turned this liberty into licence by the greatest + perils, and fell, in the first of the raids he planned, upon the district + of Jather, which he put partly to the sword and partly to the flames. + Forbearing to plunder, he rejoiced only in passing through the paths that + were covered with corpses, and the blood-stained ways. Other men used to + abstain from bloodshed, and love pillage more than slaughter; but he + preferred bloodthirstiness to booty, and liked best to wreak his deadly + pleasure by slaughtering men. His cruelty drove the islanders to forestall + the impending danger by a public submission. Moreover, Ragnald, the King + of the Northmen, now in extreme age, when he heard how the tyrant busied + himself, had a cave made and shut up in it his daughter Drota, giving her + due attendance, and providing her maintenance for a long time. Also he + committed to the cave some swords which had been adorned with the choicest + smith-craft, besides the royal household gear; so that he might not leave + the enemy to capture and use the sword, which he saw that he could not + wield himself. And, to prevent the cave being noticed by its height, he + levelled the hump down to the firmer ground. Then he set out to war; but + being unable with his aged limbs to go down into battle, he leaned on the + shoulders of his escort and walked forth propped by the steps of others. + So he perished in the battle, where he fought with more ardour than + success, and left his country a sore matter for shame. + </p> + <p> + For Gunnar, in order to punish the cowardice of the conquered race by + terms of extraordinary baseness, had a dog set over them as a governor. + What can we suppose to have been his object in this action, unless it were + to make a haughty nation feel that their arrogance was being more signally + punished when they bowed their stubborn heads before a yapping hound? To + let no insult be lacking, he appointed governors to look after public and + private affairs in its name; and he appointed separate ranks of nobles to + keep continual and steadfast watch over it. He also enacted that if any + one of the courtiers thought it contemptible to do allegiance to their + chief, and omitted offering most respectful homage to its various goings + and comings as it ran hither and thither, he should be punished with loss + of his limbs. Also Gunnar imposed on the nation a double tribute, one to + be paid out of the autumn harvest, the other in the spring. Thus he burst + the bubble conceit of the Norwegians, to make them feel clearly how their + pride was gone, when they saw it forced to do homage to a dog. + </p> + <p> + When he heard that the king's daughter was shut up in some distant + hiding-place, Gunnar strained his wits in every nerve to track her out. + Hence, while he was himself conducting the search with others, his + doubtful ear caught the distant sound of a subterranean hum. Then he went + on slowly, and recognized a human voice with greater certainty. He ordered + the ground underfoot to be dug down to the solid rock; and when the cave + was suddenly laid open, he saw the winding tunnels. The servants were + slain as they tried to guard the now uncovered entrance to the cave, and + the girl was dragged out of the hole, together with the booty therein + concealed. With great foresight, she had consigned at any rate her + father's swords to the protection of a more secret place. Gunnar forced + her to submit to his will, and she bore a son Hildiger. This man was such + a rival to his father in cruelty, that he was ever thirsting to kill, and + was bent on nothing but the destruction of men, panting with a boundless + lust for bloodshed. Outlawed by his father on account of his unbearable + ruthlessness, and soon after presented by Alver with a government, he + spent his whole life in arms, visiting his neighbours with wars and + slaughters; nor did he, in his estate of banishment, relax his accustomed + savagery a whir, but would not change his spirit with his habitation. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Borgar, finding that Gunnar had married Drota, the daughter of + Ragnald, by violence, took from him both life and wife, and wedded Drota + himself. She was not an unwilling bride; she thought it right for her to + embrace the avenger of her parent. For the daughter mourned her father, + and could never bring herself to submit with any pleasure to his murderer. + This woman and Borgar had a son Halfdan, who through all his early youth + was believed to be stupid, but whose later years proved illustrious for + the most glorious deeds, and famous for the highest qualities that can + grace life. Once, when a stripling, he mocked in boyish fashion at a + champion of noble repute, who smote him with a buffet; whereupon Halfdan + attacked him with the staff he was carrying and killed him. This deed was + an omen of his future honours; he had hitherto been held in scorn, but + henceforth throughout his life he had the highest honour and glory. The + affair, indeed, was a prophecy of the greatness of his deeds in war. + </p> + <p> + At this period, Rothe, a Ruthenian rover, almost destroyed our country + with his rapine and cruelty. His harshness was so notable that, while + other men spared their prisoners utter nakedness, he did not think it + uncomely to strip of their coverings even the privy parts of their bodies; + wherefore we are wont to this day to call all severe and monstrous acts of + rapine Rothe-Ran (Rothe's Robbery). He used also sometimes to inflict the + following kind of torture: Fastening the men's right feet firmly to the + earth, he tied the left feet to boughs for the purpose that when these + should spring back the body would be rent asunder. Hane, Prince of Funen, + wishing to win honour and glory, tried to attack this man with his + sea-forces, but took to flight with one attendant. It was in reproach of + him that the proverb arose: "The cock (Hane) fights better on its own + dunghill." Then Borgar, who could not bear to see his countrymen perishing + any longer, encountered Rothe. Together they fought and together they + perished. It is said that in this battle Halfdan was sorely stricken, and + was for some time feeble with the wounds he had received. One of these was + inflicted conspicuously on his mouth, and its scar was so manifest that it + remained as an open blotch when all the other wounds were healed; for the + crushed portion of the lip was so ulcerated by the swelling, that the + flesh would not grow out again and mend the noisome gash. This + circumstance fixed on him a most insulting nickname,... although wounds in + the front of the body commonly bring praise and not ignominy. So spiteful + a colour does the belief of the vulgar sometimes put upon men's virtues. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Gurid, the daughter of Alf, seeing that the royal line was + reduced to herself alone, and having no equal in birth whom she could + marry, proclaimed a vow imposing chastity on herself, thinking it better + to have no husband than to take one from the commons. Moreover, to escape + outrage, she guarded her room with a chosen band of champions. Once + Halfdan happened to come to see her. The champions, whose brother he had + himself slain in his boyhood, were away. He told her that she ought to + loose her virgin zone, and exchange her austere chastity for deeds of + love; that she ought not to give in so much to her inclination for modesty + as to be too proud to make a match, and so by her service repair the + fallen monarchy. So he bade her look on himself, who was of eminently + illustrious birth, in the light of a husband, since it appeared that she + would only admit pleasure for the reason he had named. Gurid answered that + she could not bring her mind to ally the remnants of the royal line to a + man of meaner rank. Not content with reproaching his obscure birth, she + also taunted his unsightly countenance. Halfdan rejoined that she brought + against him two faults: one that his blood was not illustrious enough; + another, that he was blemished with a cracked lip whose scar had never + healed. Therefore he would not come back to ask for her before he had + wiped away both marks of shame by winning glory in war. + </p> + <p> + Halfdan entreated her to suffer no man to be privy to her bed until she + heard certain tidings either of his return or his death. The champions, + whom he had bereaved of their brother long ago, were angry that he had + spoken to Gurid, and tried to ride after him as he went away. When he saw + it, he told his comrades to go into ambush, and said he would encounter + the champions alone. His followers lingered, and thought it shameful to + obey his orders, but he drove them off with threats, saying that Gurid + should not find that fear had made him refuse to fight. Presently he cut + down an oak-tree and fashioned it into a club, fought the twelve + single-handed, and killed them. After their destruction, not content with + the honours of so splendid an action, and meaning to do one yet greater, + he got from his mother the swords of his grandfather, one of which was + called Lyusing.... and the other Hwyting, after the sheen of its + well-whetted point. But when he heard that war was raging between Alver, + the King of Sweden, and the Ruthenians (Russians), he instantly went to + Russia, offered help to the natives, and was received by all with the + utmost honour. Alver was not far off, there being only a little ground to + cross to cover the distance between the two. Alver's soldier Hildiger, the + son of Gunnar, challenged the champions of the Ruthenians to fight him; + but when he saw that Halfdan was put up against him, though knowing well + that he was Halfdan's brother, he let natural feeling prevail over + courage, and said that he, who was famous for the destruction of seventy + champions, would not fight with an untried man. Therefore he told him to + measure himself in enterprises of lesser moment, and thenceforth to follow + pursuits fitted to his strength. He made this announcement not from + distrust in his own courage, but in order to preserve his uprightness; for + he was not only very valiant, but also skilled at blunting the sword with + spells. For when he remembered that Halfdan's father had slain his own, he + was moved by two feelings—the desire to avenge his father, and his + love for his brother. He therefore thought it better to retire from the + challenge than to be guilty of a very great crime. Halfdan demanded + another champion in his place, slew him when he appeared, and was soon + awarded the palm of valour even by the voice of the enemy, being accounted + by public acclamation the bravest of all. On the next day he asked for two + men to fight with, and slew them both. On the third day he subdued three; + on the fourth he overcame four who met him; and on the fifth he asked for + five. + </p> + <p> + When Halfdan conquered these, and when the eighth day had been reached + with an equal increase in the combatants and in the victory, he laid low + eleven who attacked him at once. Hildiger, seeing that his own record of + honours was equalled by the greatness of Halfdan's deeds could not bear to + decline to meet him any longer. And when he felt that Halfdan had dealt + him a deadly wound with a sword wrapped in rags, he threw away his arms, + and, lying on the earth, addressed his brother as follows: + </p> + <p> + "It is pleasing to pass an hour away in mutual talk; and, while the sword + rests, to sit a little on the ground and while away the time by speaking + in turn, and keep ourselves in good heart. Time is left for our purpose; + our two destinies have a different lot; one is surely doomed to die by a + fatal weird, while triumph and glory and all the good of living await the + other in better years. Thus our omens differ, and our portions are + distinguished. Thou art a son of the Danish land, I of the country of + Sweden. Once, Drota thy mother had her breast swell for thee; she bore me, + and by her I am thy foster-brother. Lo now, there perishes a righteous + offspring, who had the heart to fight with savage spears; brothers born of + a shining race charge and bring death on one another; while they long for + the height of power, they lose their days, and, having now received a + fatal mischief in their desire for a sceptre, they will go to Styx in a + common death. Fast by my head stands my Swedish shield, which is adorned + with (as) a fresh mirror of diverse chasing, and ringed with layers of + marvellous fretwork. There a picture of really hues shows slain nobles and + conquered champions, and the wars also and the notable deed of my right + hand. In the midst is to be seen, painted in bright relief, the figure of + my son, whom this hand bereft of his span of life. He was our only heir, + the only thought of his father's mind, and given to his mother with + comfort from above. An evil lot, which heaps years of ill-fortune on the + joyous, chokes mirth in mourning, and troubles our destiny. For it is + lamentable and wretched to drag out a downcast life, to draw breath + through dismal days and to chafe at foreboding. But whatsoever things are + bound by the prophetic order of the fates, whatsoever are shadowed in the + secrets of the divine plan, whatsoever are foreseen and fixed in the + course of the destinies, no change of what is transient shall cancel these + things." + </p> + <p> + When he had thus spoken, Halfdan condemned Hildiger for sloth in avowing + so late their bond of brotherhood; he declared he had kept silence that he + might not be thought a coward for refusing to fight, or a villain if he + fought; and while intent on these words of excuse, he died. But report had + given out among the Danes that Hildiger had overthrown Halfdan. After + this, Siwar, a Saxon of very high birth, began to be a suitor for Gurid, + the only survivor of the royal blood among the Danes. Secretly she + preferred Halfdan to him, and imposed on her wooer the condition that he + should not ask her in marriage till he had united into one body the + kingdom of the Danes, which was now torn limb from limb, and restored by + arms what had been wrongfully taken from her. Siwar made a vain attempt to + do this; but as he bribed all the guardians, she was at last granted to + him in betrothal. Halfdan heard of this in Russia through traders, and + voyaged so hard that he arrived before the time of the wedding-rites. On + their first day, before he went to the palace, he gave orders that his men + should not stir from the watches appointed them till their ears caught the + clash of the steel in the distance. Unknown to the guests, he came and + stood before the maiden, and, that he might not reveal his meaning to too + many by bare and common speech, he composed a dark and ambiguous song as + follows: + </p> + <p> + "As I left my father's sceptre, I had no fear of the wiles of woman's + device nor of female subtlety. + </p> + <p> + "When I overthrew, one and two, three and four, and soon five, and next + six, then seven, and also eight, yea eleven single-handed, triumphant in + battle. + </p> + <p> + "But neither did I then think that I was to be shamed with the taint of + disgrace, with thy frailness to thy word and thy beguiling pledges." + </p> + <p> + Gurid answered: "My soul wavered in suspense, with slender power over + events, and shifted about with restless fickleness. The report of thee was + so fleeting, so doubtful, borne on uncertain stories, and parched by + doubting heart. I feared that the years of thy youth had perished by the + sword. Could I withstand singly my elders and governors, when they forbade + me to refuse that thing, and pressed me to become a wife? My love and my + flame are both yet unchanged, they shall be mate and match to thine; nor + has my troth been disturbed, but shall have faithful approach to thee. + </p> + <p> + "For my promise has not yet beguiled thee at all, though I, being alone, + could not reject the counsel of such manifold persuasion, nor oppose their + stern bidding in the matter of my consent to the marriage bond." + </p> + <p> + Before the maiden had finished her answer, Halfdan had already run his + sword through the bridegroom. Not content with having killed one man, he + massacred most of the guests. Staggering tipsily backwards, the Saxons ran + at him, but his servants came up and slaughtered them. After this HALFDAN + took Gurid to wife. But finding in her the fault of barrenness, and + desiring much to have offspring, he went to Upsala in order to procure + fruitfulness for her; and being told in answer, that he must make + atonement to the shades of his brother if he would raise up children, he + obeyed the oracle, and was comforted by gaining his desire. For he had a + son by Gurid, to whom he gave the name of Harald. Under his title Halfdan + tried to restore the kingdom of the Danes to its ancient estate, as it was + torn asunder by the injuries of the chiefs; but, while fighting in + Zealand, he attacked Wesete, a very famous champion, in battle, and was + slain. Gurid was at the battle in man's attire, from love for her son. She + saw the event; the young man fought hotly, but his companions fled; and + she took him on her shoulders to a neighbouring wood. Weariness, more than + anything else, kept the enemy from pursuing him; but one of them shot him + as he hung, with an arrow, through the hinder parts, and Harald thought + that his mother's care brought him more shame than help. + </p> + <p> + HARALD, being of great beauty and unusual size, and surpassing those of + his age in strength and stature, received such favour from Odin (whose + oracle was thought to have been the cause of his birth), that steel could + not injure his perfect soundness. The result was, that shafts which + wounded others were disabled from doing him any harm. Nor was the boon + unrequited; for he is reported to have promised to Odin all the souls + which his sword cast out of their bodies. He also had his father's deeds + recorded for a memorial by craftsmen on a rock in Bleking, whereof I have + made mention. + </p> + <p> + After this, hearing that Wesete was to hold his wedding in Skaane, he went + to the feast disguised as a beggar; and when all were sunken in wine and + sleep, he battered the bride-chamber with a beam. But Wesete, without + inflicting a wound, so beat his mouth with a cudgel, that he took out two + teeth; but two grinders unexpectedly broke out afterwards and repaired + their loss: an event which earned him the name of Hyldetand, which some + declare he obtained on account of a prominent row of teeth. Here he slew + Wesete, and got the sovereignty of Skaane. Next he attacked and killed + Hather in Jutland; and his fall is marked by the lasting name of the town. + After this he overthrew Hunding and Rorik, seized Leire, and reunited the + dismembered realm of Denmark into its original shape. Then he found that + Asmund, the King of the Wikars, had been deprived of his throne by his + elder sister; and, angered by such presumption on the part of a woman, + went to Norway with a single ship, while the war was still undecided, to + help him. The battle began; and, clothed in a purple cloak, with a coif + broidered with gold, and with his hair bound up, he went against the enemy + trusting not in arms, but in his silent certainty of his luck, insomuch + that he seemed dressed more for a feast than a fray. But his spirit did + not match his attire. For, though unarmed and only adorned with his + emblems of royalty, he outstripped the rest who bore arms, and exposed + himself, lightly-armed as he was, to the hottest perils of the battle. For + the shafts aimed against him lost all power to hurt, as if their points + had been blunted. When the other side saw him fighting unarmed, they made + an attack, and were forced for very shame into assailing him more hotly. + But Harald, whole in body, either put them to the sword, or made them take + to flight; and thus he overthrew the sister of Asmund, and restored him + his kingdom. When Asmund offered him the prizes of victory, he said that + the reward of glory was enough by itself; and demeaned himself as greatly + in refusing the gifts as he had in earning them. By this he made all men + admire his self-restraint as much as his valour; and declared that the + victory should give him a harvest not of gold but glory. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Alver, the King of the Swedes, died leaving sons Olaf, Ing, and + Ingild. One of these, Ing, dissatisfied with the honours his father + bequeathed him, declared war with the Danes in order to extend his empire. + And when Harald wished to inquire of oracles how this war would end, an + old man of great height, but lacking one eye, and clad also in a hairy + mantle, appeared before him, and declared that he was called Odin, and was + versed in the practice of warfare; and he gave him the most useful + instruction how to divide up his army in the field. Now he told him, + whenever he was going to make war with his land-forces, to divide his + whole army into three squadrons, each of which he was to pack into twenty + ranks; the centre squadron, however, he was to extend further than the + rest by the number of twenty men. This squadron he was also to arrange in + the form of the point of a cone or pyramid, and to make the wings on + either side slant off obliquely from it. He was to compose the successive + ranks of each squadron in the following way: the front should begin with + two men, and the number in each succeeding rank should only increase by + one; he was, in fact, to post a rank of three in the second line, four in + the third, and so on behind. And thus, when the men mustered, all the + succeeding ranks were to be manned at the same rate of proportion, until + the end of (the edge that made) the junction of men came down to the + wings; each wing was to be drawn up in ten lines from that point. Likewise + after these squadrons he was to put the young men, equipped with lances, + and behind these to set the company of aged men, who would support their + comrades with what one might call a veteran valour if they faltered; next, + a skilful reckoner should attach wings of slingers to stand behind the + ranks of their fellows and attack the enemy from a distance with missiles. + After these he was to enroll men of any age or rank indiscriminately, + without heed of their estate. Moreover, he was to draw up the rear like + the vanguard, in three separated divisions, and arranged in ranks + similarly proportioned. The back of this, joining on to the body in front + would protect it by facing in the opposite direction. But if a sea-battle + happened to occur, he should withdraw a portion of his fleet, which when + he began the intended engagement, was to cruise round that of the enemy, + wheeling to and fro continually. Equipped with this system of warfare, he + forestalled matters in Sweden, and killed Ing and Olaf as they were making + ready to fight. Their brother Ingild sent messengers to beg a truce, on + pretence of his ill-health. Harald granted his request, that his own + valour, which had learnt to spare distress, might not triumph over a man + in the hour of lowliness and dejection. When Ingild afterwards provoked + Harald by wrongfully ravishing his sister, Harald vexed him with long and + indecisive war, but then took him into his friendship, thinking it better + to have him for ally than for enemy. + </p> + <p> + After this he heard that Olaf, King of the Thronds, had to fight with the + maidens Stikla and Rusila for the kingdom. Much angered at this arrogance + on the part of women, he went to Olaf unobserved, put on dress which + concealed the length of his teeth, and attacked the maidens. He overthrew + them both, leaving to two harbours a name akin to theirs. It was then that + he gave a notable exhibition of valour; for defended only by a shirt under + his shoulders, he fronted the spears with unarmed breast. + </p> + <p> + When Olaf offered Harald the prize of victory, he rejected the gift, thus + leaving it a question whether he had shown a greater example of bravery or + self-control. Then he attacked a champion of the Frisian nation, named + Ubbe, who was ravaging the borders of Jutland and destroying numbers of + the common people; and when Harald could not subdue him to his arms, he + charged his soldiers to grip him with their hands, throw him on the + ground, and to bind him while thus overpowered. Thus he only overcame the + man and mastered him by a shameful kind of attack, though a little before + he thought he would inflict a heavy defeat on him. But Harald gave him his + sister in marriage, and thus gained him for his soldier. + </p> + <p> + Harald made tributaries of the nations that lay along the Rhine, levying + troops from the bravest of that race. With these forces he conquered + Sclavonia in war, and caused its generals, Duk and Dal, because of their + bravery, to be captured, and not killed. These men he took to serve with + him, and, after overcoming Aquitania, soon went to Britain, where he + overthrew the King of the Humbrians, and enrolled the smartest of the + warriors he had conquered, the chief of whom was esteemed to be Orm, + surnamed the Briton. The fame of these deeds brought champions from divers + parts of the world, whom he formed into a band of mercenaries. + Strengthened by their numbers, he kept down insurrections in all kingdoms + by the terror of his name, so that he took out of their rulers all courage + to fight with one another. Moreover, no man durst assume any sovereignty + on the sea without his consent; for of old the state of the Danes had the + joint lordship of land and sea. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Ingild died in Sweden, leaving only a very little son, Ring, whom + he had by the sister of Harald. Harald gave the boy guardians, and put him + over his father's kingdom. Thus, when he had overcome princes and + provinces, he passed fifty years in peace. To save the minds of his + soldiers from being melted into sloth by this inaction, he decreed that + they should assiduously learn from the champions the way of parrying and + dealing blows. Some of these were skilled in a remarkable manner of + fighting, and used to smite the eyebrow on the enemy's forehead with an + infallible stroke; but if any man, on receiving the blow, blinked for + fear, twitching his eyebrow, he was at once expelled the court and + dismissed the service. + </p> + <p> + At this time Ole, the son of Siward and of Harald's sister, came to + Denmark from the land of Norway in the desire to see his uncle. Since it + is known that he had the first place among the followers of Harald, and + that after the Swedish war he came to the throne of Denmark, it bears + somewhat on the subject to relate the traditions of his deeds. Ole, then, + when he had passed his tenth to his fifteenth year with his father, showed + incredible proofs of his brilliant gifts both of mind and body. Moreover, + he was so savage of countenance that his eyes were like the arms of other + men against the enemy, and he terrified the bravest with his stern and + flashing glance. He heard the tidings that Gunn, ruler of Tellemark, with + his son Grim, was haunting as a robber the forest of Etha-scog, which was + thick with underbrush and full of gloomy glens. The offence moved his + anger; then he asked his father for a horse, a dog, and such armour as + could be got, and cursed his youth, which was suffering the right season + for valour to slip sluggishly away. He got what he asked, and explored the + aforesaid wood very narrowly. He saw the footsteps of a man printed deep + on the snow; for the rime was blemished by the steps, and betrayed the + robber's progress. Thus guided, he went over a hill, and came on a very + great river. This effaced the human tracks he had seen before, and he + determined that he must cross. But the mere mass of water, whose waves ran + down in a headlong torrent, seemed to forbid all crossing; for it was full + of hidden reefs, and the whole length of its channel was turbid with a + kind of whirl of foam. Yet all fear of danger was banished from Ole's mind + by his impatience to make haste. So valour conquered fear, and rashness + scorned peril; thinking nothing hard to do if it were only to his mind, he + crossed the hissing eddies on horseback. When he had passed these, he came + upon defiles surrounded on all sides with swamps, the interior of which + was barred from easy approach by the pinnacle of a bank in front. He took + his horse over this, and saw an enclosure with a number of stalls. Out of + this he turned many horses, and was minded to put in his own, when a + certain Tok, a servant of Gunn, angry that a stranger should wax so + insolent, attacked him fiercely; but Ole foiled his assailant by simply + opposing his shield. Thinking it a shame to slay the fellow with the + sword, he seized him, shattered him limb by limb, and flung him across + into the house whence he had issued in his haste. This insult quickly + aroused Gunn and Grim: they ran out by different side-doors, and charged + Ole both at once, despising his age and strength. He wounded them fatally; + and, when their bodily powers were quite spent, Grim, who could scarce + muster a final gasp, and whose force was almost utterly gone, with his + last pants composed this song: + </p> + <p> + "Though we be weak in frame, and the loss of blood has drained our + strength; since the life-breath, now drawn out by my wound, scarce quivers + softly in my pierced breast: + </p> + <p> + "I counsel that we should make the battle of our last hour glorious with + dauntless deeds, that none may say that a combat has anywhere been + bravelier waged or harder fought; + </p> + <p> + "And that our wild strife while we bore arms may, when our weary flesh has + found rest in the tomb, win us the wage of immortal fame. + </p> + <p> + "Let our first stroke crush the shoulder-blades of the foe, let our steel + cut off both his hands; so that, when Stygian Pluto has taken us, a like + doom may fall on Ole also, and a common death tremble over three, and one + urn cover the ashes of three." + </p> + <p> + Here Grim ended. But his father, rivalling his indomitable spirit, and + wishing to give some exhortation in answer to his son's valiant speech, + thus began: + </p> + <p> + "What though our veins be wholly bloodless, and in our frail body the life + be brief, yet our last fight be so strong and strenuous that it suffer not + the praise of us to be brief also. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore aim the javelin first at the shoulders and arms of the foe, so + that the work of his hands may be weakened; and thus when we are gone + three shall receive a common sepulchre, and one urn alike for three shall + cover our united dust." + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, both of them, resting on their knees (for the + approach of death had drained their strength), made a desperate effort to + fight Ole hand to hand, in order that, before they perished, they might + slay their enemy also; counting death as nothing if only they might + envelope their slayer in a common fall. Ole slew one of them with his + sword, the other with his hound. But even he gained no bloodless victory; + for though he had been hitherto unscathed, now at last he received a wound + in front. His dog diligently licked him over, and he regained his bodily + strength: and soon, to publish sure news of his victory, he hung the + bodies of the robbers upon gibbets in wide view. Moreover, he took the + stronghold, and put in secret keeping all the booty he found there, in + reserve for future use. + </p> + <p> + At this time the arrogant wantonness of the brothers Skate and Hiale waxed + so high that they would take virgins of notable beauty from their parents + and ravish them. Hence it came about that they formed the purpose of + seizing Esa, the daughter of Olaf, prince of the Werms; and bade her + father, if he would not have her serve the passion of a stranger, fight + either in person, or by some deputy, in defence of his child. When Ole had + news of this, he rejoiced in the chance of a battle, and borrowing the + attire of a peasant, went to the dwelling of Olaf. He received one of the + lowest places at table; and when he saw the household of the king in + sorrow, he called the king's son closer to him, and asked why they all + wore so lamentable a face. The other answered, that unless someone quickly + interposed to protect them, his sister's chastity would soon be outraged + by some ferocious champions. Ole next asked him what reward would be + received by the man who devoted his life for the maiden. Olaf, on his son + asking him about this matter, said that his daughter should go to the man + who fought for her: and these words, more than anything, made Ole long to + encounter the danger. + </p> + <p> + Now the maiden was wont to go from one guest to another in order to scan + their faces narrowly, holding out a light that she might have a surer view + of the dress and character of those who were entertained. It is also + believed that she divined their lineage from the lines and features of the + face, and could discern any man's birth by sheer shrewdness of vision. + When she stood and fixed the scrutiny of her gaze upon Olaf, she was + stricken with the strange awfulness of his eyes, and fell almost lifeless. + But when her strength came slowly back, and her breath went and came more + freely, she again tried to look at the young man, but suddenly slipped and + fell forward, as though distraught. A third time also she strove to lift + her closed and downcast gaze, but suddenly tottered and fell, unable not + only to move her eyes, but even to control her feet; so much can strength + be palsied by amazement. When Olaf saw it, he asked her why she had fallen + so often. She averred that she was stricken by the savage gaze of the + guest; that he was born of kings; and she declared that if he could baulk + the will of the ravishers, he was well worthy of her arms. Then all of + them asked Ole, who was keeping his face muffled in a hat, to fling off + his covering, and let them see something by which to learn his features. + Then, bidding them all lay aside their grief, and keep their heart far + from sorrow, he uncovered his brow; and he drew the eyes of all upon him + in marvel at his great beauty. For his locks were golden and the hair of + his head was radiant; but he kept the lids close over his pupils, that + they might not terrify the beholders. + </p> + <p> + All were heartened with the hope of better things; the guests seemed to + dance and the courtiers to leap for joy; the deepest melancholy seemed to + be scattered by an outburst of cheerfulness. Thus hope relieved their + fears; the banquet wore a new face, and nothing was the same, or like what + it had been before. So the kindly promise of a single guest dispelled the + universal terror. Meanwhile Hiale and Skate came up with ten servants, + meaning to carry off the maiden then and there, and disturbed all the + place with their noisy shouts. They called on the king to give battle, + unless he produced his daughter instantly. Ole at once met their frenzy + with the promise to fight, adding the condition that no one should + stealthily attack an opponent in the rear, but should only combat in the + battle face to face. Then, with his sword called Logthi, he felled them + all, single-handed—an achievement beyond his years. The ground for + the battle was found on an isle in the middle of a swamp, not far from + which is a stead that serves to memorise this slaughter, bearing the names + of the brothers Hiale and Skate together. + </p> + <p> + So the girl was given him as prize of the combat, and bore him a son + Omund. Then he gained his father-in-law's leave to revisit his father. But + when he heard that his country was being attacked by Thore, with the help + of Toste Sacrificer, and Leotar, surnamed.... he went to fight them, + content with a single servant, who was dressed as a woman. When he was + near the house of Thore, he concealed his own and his attendant's swords + in hollowed staves. And when he entered the palace, he disguised his true + countenance, and feigned to be a man broken with age. He said that with + Siward he had been king of the beggars, but that he was now in exile, + having been stubbornly driven forth by the hatred of the king's son Ole. + Presently many of the courtiers greeted him with the name of king, and + began to kneel and offer him their hands in mockery. He told them to bear + out in deeds what they had done in jest; and, plucking out the swords + which he and his man kept shut in their staves, attacked the king. So some + aided Ole, taking it more as jest than earnest, and would not be false to + the loyalty which they mockingly yielded him; but most of them, breaking + their idle vow, took the side of Thore. Thus arose an internecine and + undecided fray. At last Thore was overwhelmed and slain by the arms of his + own folk, as much as by these of his guests; and Leotar, wounded to the + death, and judging that his conqueror, Ole, was as keen in mind as he was + valorous in deeds, gave him the name of the Vigorous, and prophesied that + he should perish by the same kind of trick as he had used with Thore; for, + without question he should fall by the treachery of his own house. And, as + he spoke, he suddenly passed away. Thus we can see that the last speech of + the dying man expressed by its shrewd divination the end that should come + upon his conqueror. + </p> + <p> + After these deeds Ole did not go back to his father till he had restored + peace to his house. His father gave him the command of the sea, and he + destroyed seventy sea-kings in a naval battle. The most distinguished + among these were Birwil and Hwirwil, Thorwil, Nef and Onef, Redward (?), + Rand and Erand (?). By the honour and glory of this exploit he excited + many champions, whose whole heart's desire was for bravery, to join in + alliance with him. He also enrolled into a bodyguard the wild young + warriors who were kindled with a passion for glory. Among these he + received Starkad with the greatest honour, and cherished him with more + friendship than profit. Thus fortified, he checked, by the greatness of + his name, the wantonness of the neighbouring kings, in that he took from + them all their forces and all liking and heart for mutual warfare. + </p> + <p> + After this he went to Harald, who made him commander of the sea; and at + last he was transferred to the service of Ring. At this time one Brun was + the sole partner and confidant of all Harald's councils. To this man both + Harald and Ring, whenever they needed a secret messenger, used to entrust + their commissions. This degree of intimacy he obtained because he had been + reared and fostered with them. But Brun, amid the toils of his constant + journeys to and fro, was drowned in a certain river; and Odin, disguised + under his name and looks, shook the close union of the kings by his + treacherous embassage; and he sowed strife so guilefully that he + engendered in men, who were bound by friendship and blood, a bitter mutual + hate, which seemed unappeasable except by war. Their dissensions first + grew up silently; at last both sides betrayed their leanings, and their + secret malice burst into the light of day. So they declared their feuds, + and seven years passed in collecting the materials of war. Some say that + Harald secretly sought occasions to destroy himself, not being moved by + malice or jealousy for the crown, but by a deliberate and voluntary + effort. His old age and his cruelty made him a burden to his subjects; he + preferred the sword to the pangs of disease, and liked better to lay down + his life in the battle-field than in his bed, that he might have an end in + harmony with the deeds of his past life. Thus, to make his death more + illustrious, and go to the nether world in a larger company, he longed to + summon many men to share his end; and he therefore of his own will + prepared for war, in order to make food for future slaughter. For these + reasons, being seized with as great a thirst to die himself as to kill + others, and wishing the massacre on both sides to be equal, he furnished + both sides with equal resources; but let Ring have a somewhat stronger + force, preferring he should conquer and survive him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) A parallel is the Lionel-Lancelot story of children saved by + being turned into dogs. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK EIGHT. + </h2> + <p> + STARKAD was the first to set in order in Danish speech the history of the + Swedish war, a conflict whereof he was himself a mighty pillar; the said + history being rather an oral than a written tradition. He set forth and + arranged the course of this war in the mother tongue according to the + fashion of our country; but I purpose to put it into Latin, and will first + recount the most illustrious princes on either side. For I have felt no + desire to include the multitude, which are even past exact numbering. And + my pen shall relate first those on the side of Harald, and presently those + who served under Ring. + </p> + <p> + Now the most famous of the captains that mustered to Harald are + acknowledged to have been Sweyn and Sambar (Sam?), Ambar and Elli; Rati of + Funen, Salgard and Roe (Hrothgar), whom his long beard distinguished by a + nickname. Besides these, Skalk the Scanian, and Alf the son of Agg; to + whom are joined Olwir the Broad, and Gnepie the Old. Besides these there + was Gardh, founder of the town Stang. To these are added the kinsfolk or + bound followers of Harald: Blend (Blaeng?), the dweller in furthest Thule, + (1) and Brand, whose surname was Crumb (Bitling?). Allied with these were + Thorguy, with Thorwig, Tatar (Teit), and Hialte. These men voyaged to + Leire with bodies armed for war; but they were also mighty in excellence + of wit, and their trained courage matched their great stature; for they + had skill in discharging arrows both from bow and catapult, and at + fighting their foe as they commonly did, man to man; and also at readily + stringing together verse in the speech of their country: so zealously had + they trained mind and body alike. Now out of Leire came Hortar (Hjort) and + Borrhy (Borgar or Borgny), and also Belgi and Beigad, to whom were added + Bari and Toli. Now out of the town of Sle, under the captains Hetha (Heid) + and Wisna, with Hakon Cut-cheek came Tummi the Sailmaker. On these + captains, who had the bodies of women, nature bestowed the souls of men. + Webiorg was also inspired with the same spirit, and was attended by Bo + (Bui) Bramason and Brat the Jute, thirsting for war. In the same throng + came Orm of England, Ubbe the Frisian, Ari the One-eyed, and Alf Gotar. + Next in the count came Dal the Fat and Duk the Sclav; Wisna, a woman, + filled with sternness, and a skilled warrior, was guarded by a band of + Sclavs: her chief followers were Barri and Gnizli. But the rest of the + same company had their bodies covered by little shields, and used very + long swords and targets of skiey hue, which, in time of war, they either + cast behind their backs or gave over to the baggage-bearers; while they + cast away all protection to their breasts, and exposed their bodies to + every peril, offering battle with drawn swords. The most illustrious of + these were Tolkar and Ymi. After these, Toki of the province of Wohin was + conspicuous together with Otrit surnamed the Young. Hetha, guarded by a + retinue of very active men, brought an armed company to the war, the + chiefs of whom were Grim and Grenzli; next to whom are named Geir the + Livonian, Hame also and Hunger, Humbli and Biari, bravest of the princes. + These men often fought duels successfully, and won famous victories far + and wide. + </p> + <p> + The maidens I have named, in fighting as well as courteous array, led + their land-forces to the battle-field. Thus the Danish army mustered + company by company. There were seven kings, equal in spirit but differing + in allegiance, some defending Harald, and some Ring. Moreover, the + following went to the side of Harald: Homi and Hosathul (Eysothul?), + Him...., Hastin and Hythin (Hedin) the Slight, also Dahar (Dag), named + Grenski, and Harald Olafsson also. From the province of Aland came Har and + Herlewar (Herleif), with Hothbrodd, surnamed the Furious; these fought in + the Danish camp. But from Imisland arrived Humnehy (?) and Harald. They + were joined by Haki and by Sigmund and Serker the sons of Bemon, all + coming from the North. All these were retainers of the king, who + befriended them most generously; for they were held in the highest + distinction by him, receiving swords adorned with gold, and the choicest + spoils of war. There came also.... the sons of Gandal the old, who were in + the intimate favour of Harald by reason of ancient allegiance. Thus the + sea was studded with the Danish fleet, and seemed to interpose a bridge, + uniting Zealand to Skaane. To those that wished to pass between those + provinces, the sea offered a short road on foot over the dense mass of + ships. But Harald would not have the Swedes unprepared in their + arrangements for war, and sent men to Ring to carry his public declaration + of hostilities, and notify the rupture of the mediating peace. The same + men were directed to prescribe the place of combat. These then whom I have + named were the fighters for Harald. + </p> + <p> + Now, on the side of Ring were numbered Ulf, Aggi (Aki?), Windar (Eywind?), + Egil the One-eyed; Gotar, Hildi, Guti Alfsson; Styr the Stout, and (Tolo-) + Stein, who lived by the Wienic Mere. To these were joined Gerd the Glad + and Gromer (Glum?) from Wermland. After these are reckoned the dwellers + north on the Elbe, Saxo the Splitter, Sali the Goth; Thord the Stumbler, + Throndar Big-nose; Grundi, Oddi, Grindir, Tovi; Koll, Biarki, Hogni the + Clever, Rokar the Swart. Now these scorned fellowship with the common + soldiers, and had formed themselves into a separate rank apart from the + rest of the company. Besides these are numbered Hrani Hildisson and Lyuth + Guthi (Hljot Godi), Svein the Topshorn, (Soknarsoti?), Rethyr (Hreidar?) + Hawk, and Rolf the Uxorious (Woman-lover). Massed with these were Ring + Adilsson and Harald who came from Thotn district. Joined to these were + Walstein of Wick, Thorolf the Thick, Thengel the Tall, Hun, Solwe, Birwil + the Pale, Borgar and Skumbar (Skum). But from, Tellemark came the bravest + of all, who had most courage but least arrogance—Thorleif the + Stubborn, Thorkill the Gute (Gothlander), Grettir the Wicked and the Lover + of Invasions. Next to these came Hadd the Hard and Rolder (Hroald) + Toe-joint. + </p> + <p> + From Norway we have the names of Thrand of Throndhjem, Thoke (Thore) of + More, Hrafn the White, Haf (war), Biarni, Blihar (Blig?) surnamed + Snub-nosed; Biorn from the district of Sogni; Findar (Finn) born in the + Firth; Bersi born in the town F(I)alu; Siward Boarhead, Erik the + Story-teller, Holmstein the White, Hrut Rawi (or Vafi, the Doubter), + Erling surnamed Snake. Now from the province of Jather came Odd the + Englishman, Alf the Far-wanderer, Enar the Paunched, and Ywar surnamed + Thriug. Now from Thule (Iceland) came Mar the Red, born and bred in the + district called Midfirth; Grombar the Aged, Gram Brundeluk (Bryndalk?) + Grim from the town of Skier (um) born in Skagafiord. Next came Berg the + Seer, accompanied by Bragi and Rafnkel. + </p> + <p> + Now the bravest of the Swedes were these: Arwakki, Keklu-Karl + (Kelke-Karl), Krok the Peasant, (from Akr), Gudfast and Gummi from + Gislamark. These were kindred of the god Frey, and most faithful witnesses + to the gods. Ingi (Yngwe) also, and Oly, Alver, Folki, all sons of Elrik + (Alrek), embraced the service of Ring; they were men ready of hand, quick + in counsel, and very close friends of Ring. They likewise held the god + Frey to be the founder of their race. Amongst these from the town of + Sigtun also came Sigmund, a champion advocate, versed in making contracts + of sale and purchase; besides him Frosti surnamed Bowl: allied with him + was Alf the Lofty (Proud?) from the district of Upsala; this man was a + swift spear-thrower, and used to go in the front of the battle. + </p> + <p> + Ole had a body-guard in which were seven kings, very ready of hand and of + counsel; namely, Holti, Hendil, Holmar, Lewy (Leif), and Hame; with these + was enrolled Regnald the Russian, the grandson of Radbard; and Siwald also + furrowed the sea with eleven light ships. Lesy (Laesi), the conqueror of + the Pannonians (Huns), fitted with a sail his swift galley ringed with + gold. Thririkar (Erik Helsing) sailed in a ship whose prows were twisted + like a dragon. Also Thrygir (Tryggve) and Torwil sailed and brought twelve + ships jointly. In the entire fleet of Ring there were 2,500 ships. + </p> + <p> + The fleet of Gotland was waiting for the Swedish fleet in the harbour + named Garnum. So Ring led the land-force, while Ole was instructed to + command the fleet. Now the Goths were appointed a time and a place between + Wik and Werund for the conflict with the Swedes. Then was the sea to be + seen furrowed up with prows, and the canvas unfurled upon the masts cut + off the view over the ocean. The Danes had so far been distressed with bad + weather; but the Swedish fleet had a fair voyage, and had reached the + scene of battle earlier. Here Ring disembarked his forces from his fleet, + and then massed and prepared to draw up in line both these and the army he + had himself conducted overland. When these forces were at first loosely + drawn up over the open country, it was found that one wing reached all the + way to Werund. The multitude was confused in its places and ranks; but the + king rode round it, and posted in the van all the smartest and most + excellently-armed men, led by Ole, Regnald, and Wivil; then he massed the + rest of the army on the two wings in a kind of curve. Ung, with the sons + of Alrek, and Trig, he ordered to protect the right wing, while the left + was put under the command of Laesi. Moreover, the wings and the masses + were composed mainly of a close squadron of Kurlanders and of Esthonians. + Last stood the line of slingers. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the Danish fleet, favoured by kindly winds, sailed, without + stopping, for twelve days, and came to the town (stead) of Kalmar. The + wind-blown sails covering the waters were a marvel; and the canvas + stretched upon the yards blotted out the sight of the heavens. For the + fleet was augmented by the Sclavs and the Livonians and 7,000 Saxons. But + the Skanians, knowing the country, were appointed as guides and scouts to + those who were going over the dry land. So when the Danish army came upon + the Swedes, who stood awaiting them, Ring told his men to stand quietly + until Harald had drawn up his line of battle; bidding them not to sound + the signal before they saw the king settled in his chariot beside the + standards; for he said he should hope that an army would soon come to + grief which trusted in the leading of a blind man. Harald, moreover, he + said, had been seized in extreme age with the desire of foreign empire, + and was as witless as he was sightless; wealth could not satisfy a man + who, if he looked to his years, ought to be well-nigh contented with a + grave. The Swedes therefore were bound to fight for their freedom, their + country, and their children, while the enemy had undertaken the war in + rashness and arrogance. Moreover, on the other side, there were very few + Danes, but a mass of Saxons and other unmanly peoples stood arrayed. + Swedes and Norwegians should therefore consider, how far the multitudes of + the North had always surpassed the Germans and the Sclavs. They should + therefore despise an army which seemed to be composed more of a mass of + fickle offscourings than of a firm and stout soldiery. + </p> + <p> + By this harangue of King Ring he kindled high the hearts of the soldiers. + Now Brun, being instructed to form the line on Harald's behalf, made the + front in a wedge, posting Hetha on the right flank, putting Hakon in + command of the left, and making Wisna standard-bearer. Harald stood up in + his chariot and complained, in as loud a voice as he could, that Ring was + requiting his benefits with wrongs; that the man who had got his kingdom + by Harald's own gift was now attacking him; so that Ring neither pitied an + old man nor spared an uncle, but set his own ambitions before any regard + for Harald's kinship or kindness. So he bade the Danes remember how they + had always won glory by foreign conquest, and how they were more wont to + command their neighbours than to obey them. He adjured them not to let + such glory as theirs to be shaken by the insolence of a conquered nation, + nor to suffer the empire, which he had won in the flower of his youth, to + be taken from him in his outworn age. + </p> + <p> + Then the trumpets sounded, and both sides engaged in battle with all their + strength. The sky seemed to fall suddenly on the earth, fields and woods + to sink into the ground; all things were confounded, and old Chaos come + again; heaven and earth mingling in one tempestuous turmoil, and the world + rushing to universal ruin. For, when the spear-throwing began, the + intolerable clash of arms filled the air with an incredible thunder. The + steam of the wounds suddenly hung a mist over the sky, the daylight was + hidden under the hail of spears. The help of the slingers was of great use + in the battle. But when the missiles had all been flung from hand or + engines, they fought with swords or iron-shod maces; and it was now at + close quarters that most blood was spilt. Then the sweat streamed down + their weary bodies, and the clash of the swords could be heard afar. + </p> + <p> + Starkad, who was the first to set forth the history of this war in the + telling, fought foremost in the fray, and relates that he overthrew the + nobles of Harald, Hun and Elli, Hort and Burgha, and cut off the right + hand of Wisna. He also relates that one Roa, with two others, Gnepie and + Gardar, fell wounded by him in the field. To these he adds the father of + Skalk, whose name is not given. He also declares that he cast Hakon, the + bravest of the Danes, to the earth, but received from him such a wound in + return that he had to leave the war with his lung protruding from his + chest, his neck cleft to the centre, and his hand deprived of one finger; + so that he long had a gaping wound, which seemed as if it would never + either scar over or be curable. The same man witnesses that the maiden + Weghbiorg (Webiorg) fought against the enemy and felled Soth the champion. + While she was threatening to slay more champions, she was pierced through + by an arrow from the bowstring of Thorkill, a native of Tellemark. For the + skilled archers of the Gotlanders strung their bows so hard that the + shafts pierced through even the shields; nothing proved more murderous; + for the arrow-points made their way through hauberk and helmet as if they + were men's defenceless bodies. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Ubbe the Frisian, who was the readiest of Harald's soldiers, and + of notable bodily stature, slew twenty-five picked champions, besides + eleven whom he had wounded in the field. All these were of Swedish or + Gothic blood. Then he attacked the vanguard and burst into the thickest of + the enemy, driving the Swedes struggling in a panic every way with spear + and sword. It had all but come to a flight, when Hagder (Hadd), Rolder + (Hroald), and Grettir attacked the champion, emulating his valour, and + resolving at their own risk to retrieve the general ruin. But, fearing to + assault him at close quarters, they accomplished their end with arrows + from afar; and thus Ubbe was riddled by a shower of arrows, no one daring + to fight him hand to hand. A hundred and forty-four arrows had pierced the + breast of the warrior before his bodily strength failed and he bent his + knee to the earth. Then at last the Danes suffered a great defeat, owing + to the Thronds and the dwellers in the province of Dala. For the battle + began afresh by reason of the vast mass of the archers, and nothing + damaged our men more. + </p> + <p> + But when Harald, being now blind with age, heard the lamentable murmur of + his men, he perceived that fortune had smiled on his enemies. So, as he + was riding in a chariot armed with scythes, he told Brun, who was + treacherously acting as charioteer, to find out in what manner Ring had + his line drawn up. Brun's face relaxed into something of a smile, and he + answered that he was fighting with a line in the form of a wedge. When the + king heard this he began to be alarmed, and to ask in great astonishment + from whom Ring could have learnt this method of disposing his line, + especially as Odin was the discoverer and imparter of this teaching, and + none but himself had ever learnt from him this new pattern of warfare. At + this Brun was silent, and it came into the king's mind that here was Odin, + and that the god whom he had once known so well was now disguised in a + changeful shape, in order either to give help or withhold it. Presently he + began to beseech him earnestly to grant the final victory to the Danes, + since he had helped them so graciously before, and to fill up his last + kindness to the measure of the first; promising to dedicate to him as a + gift the spirits of all who fell. But Brun, utterly unmoved by his + entreaties, suddenly jerked the king out of the chariot, battered him to + the earth, plucked the club from him as he fell, whirled it upon his head, + and slew him with his own weapon. Countless corpses lay round the king's + chariot, and the horrid heap overtopped the wheels; the pile of carcases + rose as high as the pole. For about 12,000 of the nobles of Ring fell upon + the field. But on the side of Harald about 30,000 nobles fell, not to name + the slaughter of the commons. + </p> + <p> + When Ring heard that Harald was dead, he gave the signal to his men to + break up their line and cease fighting. Then under cover of truce he made + treaty with the enemy, telling them that it was vain to prolong the fray + without their captain. Next he told the Swedes to look everywhere among + the confused piles of carcases for the body of Harald, that the corpse of + the king might not wrongfully lack its due rights. So the populace set + eagerly to the task of turning over the bodies of the slain, and over this + work half the day was spent. At last the body was found with the club, and + he thought that propitiation should be made to the shade of Harald. So he + harnessed the horse on which he rode to the chariot of the king, decked it + honourably with a golden saddle, and hallowed it in his honour. Then he + proclaimed his vows, and added his prayer that Harald would ride on this + and outstrip those who shared his death in their journey to Tartarus; and + that he would pray Pluto, the lord of Orcus, to grant a calm abode there + for friend and foe. Then he raised a pyre, and bade the Danes fling on the + gilded chariot of their king as fuel to the fire. And while the flames + were burning the body cast upon them, he went round the mourning nobles + and earnestly charged them that they should freely give arms, gold, and + every precious thing to feed the pyre in honour of so great a king, who + had deserved so nobly of them all. He also ordered that the ashes of his + body, when it was quite burnt, should be transferred to an urn, taken to + Leire, and there, together with the horse and armour, receive a royal + funeral. By paying these due rites of honour to his uncle's shade, he won + the favour of the Danes, and turned the hate of his enemies into goodwill. + Then the Danes besought him to appoint Hetha over the remainder of the + realm; but, that the fallen strength of the enemy might not suddenly + rally, he severed Skaane from the mass of Denmark, and put it separately + under the governorship of Ole, ordering that only Zealand and the other + lands of the realm should be subject to Hetha. Thus the changes of fortune + brought the empire of Denmark under the Swedish rule. So ended the Bravic + war. + </p> + <p> + But the Zealanders, who had had Harald for their captain, and still had + the picture of their former fortune hovering before their minds, thought + it shameful to obey the rule of a woman, and appealed to OLE not to suffer + men that had been used to serve under a famous king to be kept under a + woman's yoke. They also promised to revolt to him if he would take up arms + to remove their ignominious lot. Ole, tempted as much by the memory of his + ancestral glory as by the homage of the soldiers, was not slow to answer + their entreaties. So he summoned Hetha, and forced her by threats rather + than by arms to quit every region under her control except Jutland; and + even Jutland he made a tributary state, so as not to allow a woman the + free control of a kingdom. He also begot a son whom he named Omund. But he + was given to cruelty, and showed himself such an unrighteous king, that + all who had found it a shameful thing to be ruled by a queen now repented + of their former scorn. + </p> + <p> + Twelve generals, whether moved by the disasters of their country, or + hating Ole for some other reason, began to plot against his life. Among + these were Hlenni, Atyl, Thott, and Withne, the last of whom was a Dane by + birth, though he held a government among the Sclavs. Moreover, not + trusting in their strength and their cunning to accomplish their deed, + they bribed Starkad to join them. He was prevailed to do the deed with the + sword; he undertook the bloody work, and resolved to attack the king while + at the bath. In he went while the king was washing, but was straightway + stricken by the keenness of his gaze and by the restless and quivering + glare of his eyes. His limbs were palsied with sudden dread; he paused, + stepped back, and stayed his hand and his purpose. Thus he who had + shattered the arms of so many captains and champions could not bear the + gaze of a single unarmed man. But Ole, who well knew about his own + countenance, covered his face, and asked him to come closer and tell him + what his message was; for old fellowship and long-tried friendship made + him the last to suspect treachery. But Starkad drew his sword, leapt + forward, thrust the king through, and struck him in the throat as he tried + to rise. One hundred and twenty marks of gold were kept for his reward. + Soon afterwards he was smitten with remorse and shame, and lamented his + crime so bitterly, that he could not refrain from tears if it happened to + be named. Thus his soul, when he came to his senses, blushed for his + abominable sin. Moreover, to atone for the crime he had committed, he slew + some of those who had inspired him to it, thus avenging the act to which + he had lent his hand. + </p> + <p> + Now the Danes made OMUND, the son of Ole, king, thinking that more heed + should be paid to his father's birth than to his deserts. Omund, when he + had grown up, fell in nowise behind the exploits of his father; for he + made it his aim to equal or surpass the deeds of Ole. + </p> + <p> + At this time a considerable tribe of the Northmen (Norwegians) was + governed by Ring, and his daughter Esa's great fame commended her to + Omund, who was looking out for a wife. + </p> + <p> + But his hopes of wooing her were lessened by the peculiar inclination of + Ring, who desired no son-in-law but one of tried valour; for he found as + much honour in arms as others think lies in wealth. Omund therefore, + wishing to become famous in that fashion, and to win the praise of valour, + endeavoured to gain his desire by force, and sailed to Norway with a + fleet, to make an attempt on the throne of Ring under plea of hereditary + right. Odd, the chief of Jather, who declared that Ring had assuredly + seized his inheritance, and lamented that he harried him with continual + wrongs, received Omund kindly. Ring, in the meantime, was on a roving raid + in Ireland, so that Omund attacked a province without a defender. Sparing + the goods of the common people, he gave the private property of Ring over + to be plundered, and slew his kinsfolk; Odd also having joined his forces + to Omund. Now, among all his divers and manifold deeds, he could never + bring himself to attack an inferior force, remembering that he was the son + of a most valiant father, and that he was bound to fight armed with + courage, and not with numbers. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Ring had returned from roving; and when Omund heard he was back, + he set to and built a vast ship, whence, as from a fortress, he could rain + his missiles on the enemy. To manage this ship he enlisted Homod and Thole + the rowers, the soils of Atyl the Skanian, one of whom was instructed to + act as steersman, while the other was to command at the prow. Ring lacked + neither skill nor dexterity to encounter them. For he showed only a small + part of his forces, and caused the enemy to be attacked on the rear. + Omund, when told of his strategy by Odd, sent men to overpower those + posted in ambush, telling Atyl the Skanian to encounter Ring. The order + was executed with more rashness than success; and Atyl, with his power + defeated and shattered, fled beaten to Skaane. Then Omund recruited his + forces with the help of Odd, and drew up his fleet to fight on the open + sea. + </p> + <p> + Atyl at this time had true visions of the Norwegian war in his dreams, and + started on his voyage in order to make up for his flight as quickly as + possible, and delighted Omund by joining him on the eve of battle. + Trusting in his help, Omund began to fight with equal confidence and + success. For, by fighting himself, he retrieved the victory which he had + lost when his servants were engaged. Ring, wounded to the death, gazed at + him with faint eyes, and, beckoning to him with his hand, as well as he + could—for his voice failed him—he besought him to be his + son-in-law, saying that he would gladly meet his end if he left his + daughter to such a husband. Before he could receive an answer he died. + Omund wept for his death, and gave Homod, whose trusty help he had + received in the war, in marriage to one of the daughters of Ring, taking + the other himself. + </p> + <p> + At the same time the amazon Rusla, whose prowess in warfare exceeded the + spirit of a woman, had many fights in Norway with her brother, Thrond, for + the sovereignty. She could not endure that Omund rule over the Norwegians, + and she had declared war against all the subjects of the Danes. Omund, + when he heard of this, commissioned his most active men to suppress the + rising. Rusla conquered them, and, waxing haughty on her triumph, was + seized with overweening hopes, and bent her mind upon actually acquiring + the sovereignty of Denmark. She began her attack on the region of Halland, + but was met by Homod and Thode, whom the king had sent over. Beaten, she + retreated to her fleet, of which only thirty ships managed to escape, the + rest being taken by the enemy. Thrond encountered his sister as she was + eluding the Danes, but was conquered by her and stripped of his entire + army; he fled over the Dovrefjeld without a single companion. Thus she, + who had first yielded before the Danes, soon overcame her brother, and + turned her flight into a victory. When Omund heard of this, he went back + to Norway with a great fleet, first sending Homod and Thole by a short and + secret way to rouse the people of Tellemark against the rule of Rusla. The + end was that she was driven out of her kingdom by the commons, fled to the + isles for safety, and turned her back, without a blow, upon the Danes as + they came up. The king pursued her hotly, caught up her fleet on the sea, + and utterly destroyed it, the enemy suffered mightily, and he won a + bloodless victory and splendid spoils. But Rusla escaped with a very few + ships, and rowed ploughing the waves furiously; but, while she was + avoiding the Danes, she met her brother and was killed. So much more + effectual for harm are dangers unsurmised; and chance sometimes makes the + less alarming evil worse than that which threatens. The king gave Thrond a + governorship for slaying his sister, put the rest under tribute, and + returned home. + </p> + <p> + At this time Thorias (?) and Ber (Biorn), the most active of the soldiers + of Rusla, were roving in Ireland; but when they heard of the death of + their mistress, whom they had long ago sworn to avenge, they hotly + attacked Omund, and challenged him to a duel, which it used to be + accounted shameful for a king to refuse; for the fame of princes of old + was reckoned more by arms than by riches. So Homod and Thole came forward, + offering to meet in battle the men who had challenged the king. Omund + praised them warmly, but at first declined for very shame to allow their + help. At last, hard besought by his people, he brought himself to try his + fortune by the hand of another. We are told that Ber fell in this combat, + while Thorias left the battle severely wounded. The king, having first + cured him of his wounds, took him into his service, and made him prince + (earl) over Norway. Then he sent ambassadors to exact the usual tribute + from the Sclavs; these were killed, and he was even attacked in Jutland by + a Sclavish force; but he overcame seven kings in a single combat, and + ratified by conquest his accustomed right to tribute. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Starkad, who was now worn out with extreme age, and who seemed + to be past military service and the calling of a champion, was loth to + lose his ancient glory through the fault of eld, and thought it would be a + noble thing if he could make a voluntary end, and hasten his death by his + own free will. Having so often fought nobly, he thought it would be mean + to die a bloodless death; and, wishing to enhance the glory of his past + life by the lustre of his end, he preferred to be slain by some man of + gallant birth rather than await the tardy shaft of nature. So shameful was + it thought that men devoted to war should die by disease. His body was + weak, and his eyes could not see clearly, so that he hated to linger any + more in life. In order to buy himself an executioner, he wore hanging on + his neck the gold which he had earned for the murder of Ole; thinking + there was no fitter way of atoning for the treason he had done than to + make the price of Ole's death that of his own also, and to spend on the + loss of his own life what he had earned by the slaying of another. This, + he thought, would be the noblest use he could make of that shameful price. + So he girded him with two swords, and guided his powerless steps leaning + on two staves. + </p> + <p> + One of the common people, seeing him, thinking two swords superfluous for + the use of an old man, mockingly asked him to make him a present of one of + them. Starkad, holding out hopes of consent, bade him come nearer, drew + the sword from his side, and ran him through. This was seen by a certain + Hather, whose father Hlenne Starkad had once killed in repentance for his + own impious crime. Hatfier was hunting game with his dogs, but now gave + over the chase, and bade two of his companions spur their horses hard and + charge at the old man to frighten him. They galloped forward, and tried to + make off, but were stopped by the staves of Starkad, and paid for it with + their lives. Hather, terrified by the sight, galloped up closer, and saw + who the old man was, but without being recognized by him in turn; and + asked him if he would like to exchange his sword for a carriage. Starkad + replied that he used in old days to chastise jeerers, and that the + insolent had never insulted him unpunished. But his sightless eyes could + not recognize the features of the youth; so he composed a song, wherein he + should declare the greatness of his anger, as follows: + </p> + <p> + "As the unreturning waters sweep down the channel; so, as the years run + by, the life of man flows on never to come back; fast gallops the cycle of + doom, child of old age who shall make an end of all. Old age smites alike + the eyes and the steps of men, robs the warrior of his speech and soul, + tarnishes his fame by slow degrees, and wipes out his deeds of honour. It + seizes his failing limbs, chokes his panting utterance, and numbs his + nimble wit. When a cough is taken, when the skin itches with the scab, and + the teeth are numb and hollow, and the stomach turns squeamish,—then + old age banishes the grace of youth, covers the complexion with decay, and + sows many a wrinkle in the dusky skin. Old age crushes noble arts, brings + down the memorials of men of old, and scorches ancient glories up; + shatters wealth, hungrily gnaws away the worth and good of virtue, turns + athwart and disorders all things. + </p> + <p> + "I myself have felt the hurtful power of injurious age, I, dim-sighted, + and hoarse in my tones and in my chest; and all helpful things have turned + to my hurt. Now my body is less nimble, and I prop it up, leaning my faint + limbs on the support of staves. Sightless I guide my steps with two + sticks, and follow the short path which the rod shows me, trusting more in + the leading of a stock than in my eyes. None takes any charge of me, and + no man in the ranks brings comfort to the veteran, unless, perchance, + Hather is here, and succours his shattered friend. Whomsoever Hather once + thinks worthy of his duteous love, that man he attends continually with + even zeal, constant to his purpose, and fearing to break his early ties. + He also often pays fit rewards to those that have deserved well in war, + and fosters their courage; he bestows dignities on the brave, and honours + his famous friends with gifts. Free with his wealth, he is fain to + increase with bounty the brightness of his name, and to surpass many of + the mighty. Nor is he less in war: his strength is equal to his goodness; + he is swift in the fray, slow to waver, ready to give battle; and he + cannot turn his back when the foe bears him hard. But for me, if I + remember right, fate appointed at my birth that wars I should follow and + in war I should die, that I should mix in broils, watch in arms, and pass + a life of bloodshed. I was a man of camps, and rested not; hating peace, I + grew old under thy standard, O War-god, in utmost peril; conquering fear, + I thought it comely to fight, shameful to loiter, and noble to kill and + kill again, to be for ever slaughtering! Oft have I seen the stern kings + meet in war, seen shield and helmet bruised, and the fields redden with + blood, and the cuirass broken by the spear-point, and the corselets all + around giving at the thrust of the steel, and the wild beasts battening on + the unburied soldier. Here, as it chanced, one that attempted a mighty + thing, a strong-handed warrior, fighting against the press of the foe, + smote through the mail that covered my head, pierced my helmet, and + plunged his blade into my crest. This sword also hath often been driven by + my right hand in war, and, once unsheathed, hath cleft the skin and bitten + into the skull." + </p> + <p> + Hather, in answer, sang as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Whence comest thou, who art used to write the poems of thy land, leaning + thy wavering steps on a frail staff? Or whither dost thou speed, who art + the readiest bard of the Danish muse? All the glory of thy great strength + is faded and lost; the hue is banished from thy face, the joy is gone out + of thy soul; the voice has left thy throat, and is hoarse and dull; thy + body has lost its former stature; the decay of death begins, and has + wasted thy features and thy force. As a ship wearies, buffeted by + continual billows, even so old age, gendered by a long course of years, + brings forth bitter death; and the life falls when its strength is done, + and suffers the loss of its ancient lot. Famous old man, who has told thee + that thou mayst not duly follow the sports of youth, or fling balls, or + bite and eat the nut? I think it were better for thee now to sell thy + sword, and buy a carriage wherein to ride often, or a horse easy on the + bit, or at the same cost to purchase a light cart. It will be more fitting + for beasts of burden to carry weak old men, when their steps fail them; + the wheel, driving round and round, serves for him whose foot totters + feebly. But if perchance thou art loth to sell the useless steel, thy + sword, if it be not for sale, shall be taken from thee and shall slay + thee." + </p> + <p> + Starkad answered: "Wretch, thy glib lips scatter idle words, unfit for the + ears of the good. Why seek the gifts to reward that guidance, which thou + shouldst have offered for naught? Surely I will walk afoot, and will not + basely give up my sword and buy the help of a stranger; nature has given + me the right of passage, and hath bidden me trust in my own feet. Why mock + and jeer with insolent speech at him whom thou shouldst have offered to + guide upon his way? Why give to dishonour my deeds of old, which deserve + the memorial of fame? Why requite my service with reproach? Why pursue + with jeers the old man mighty in battle, and put to shame my unsurpassed + honours and illustrious deeds, belittling my glories and girding at my + prowess? For what valour of thine dost thou demand my sword, which thy + strength does not deserve? It befits not the right hand or the unwarlike + side of a herdsman, who is wont to make his peasant-music on the pipe, to + see to the flock, to keep the herds in the fields. Surely among the + henchmen, close to the greasy pot, thou dippest thy crust in the bubbles + of the foaming pan, drenching a meagre slice in the rich, oily fat, and + stealthily, with thirsty finger, licking the warm juice; more skilled to + spread thy accustomed cloak on the ashes, to sleep on the hearth, and + slumber all day long, and go busily about the work of the reeking kitchen, + than to make the brave blood flow with thy shafts in war. Men think thee a + hater of the light and a lover of a filthy hole, a wretched slave of thy + belly, like a whelp who licks the coarse grain, husk and all. + </p> + <p> + "By heaven, thou didst not try to rob me of my sword when thrice at great + peril I fought (for?) the son of Ole. For truly, in that array, my hand + either broke the sword or shattered the obstacle, so heavy was the blow of + the smiter. What of the day when I first taught them, to run with + wood-shod feet over the shore of the Kurlanders, and the path bestrewn + with countless points? For when I was going to the fields studded with + calthrops, I guarded their wounded feet with clogs below them. After this + I slew Hame, who fought me mightily; and soon, with the captain Rin the + son of Flebak, I crushed the Kurlanders, yea, or all the tribes Esthonia + breeds, and thy peoples, O Semgala! Then I attacked the men of Tellemark, + and took thence my head bloody with bruises, shattered with mallets, and + smitten with the welded weapons. Here first I learnt how strong was the + iron wrought on the anvil, or what valour the common people had. Also it + was my doing that the Teutons were punished, when, in avenging my lord, I + laid low over their cups thy sons, O Swerting, who were guilty of the + wicked slaughter of Frode. + </p> + <p> + "Not less was the deed when, for the sake of a beloved maiden, I slew nine + brethren in one fray;—witness the spot, which was consumed by the + bowels that left me, and brings not forth the grain anew on its scorched + sod. And soon, when Ker the captain made ready a war by sea, with a noble + army we beat his serried ships. Then I put Waske to death, and punished + the insolent smith by slashing his hinder parts; and with the sword I slew + Wisin, who from the snowy rocks blunted the spears. Then I slew the four + sons of Ler, and the champions of Permland; and then having taken the + chief of the Irish race, I rifled the wealth of Dublin; and our courage + shall ever remain manifest by the trophies of Bravalla. Why do I linger? + Countless are the deeds of my bravery, and when I review the works of my + hands I fail to number them to the full. The whole is greater than I can + tell. My work is too great for fame, and speech serves not for my doings." + </p> + <p> + So sang Starkad. At last, when he found by their talk that Hather was the + son of Hlenne, and saw that the youth was of illustrious birth, he offered + him his throat to smite, bidding him not to shrink from punishing the + slayer of his father. He promised him that if he did so he should possess + the gold which he had himself received from Hlenne. And to enrage his + heart more vehemently against him, he is said to have harangued him as + follows: + </p> + <p> + "Moreover, Hather, I robbed thee of thy father Hlenne; requite me this, I + pray, and strike down the old man who longs to die; aim at my throat with + the avenging steel. For my soul chooses the service of a noble smiter, and + shrinks to ask its doom at a coward's hand. Righteously may a man choose + to forstall the ordinance of doom. What cannot be escaped it will be + lawful also to anticipate. The fresh tree must be fostered, the old one + hewn down. He is nature's instrument who destroys what is near its doom + and strikes down what cannot stand. Death is best when it is sought: and + when the end is loved, life is wearisome. Let not the troubles of age + prolong a miserable lot." + </p> + <p> + So saying, he took money from his pouch and gave it him. But Hather, + desiring as much to enjoy the gold as to accomplish vengeance for his + father, promised that he would comply with his prayer, and would not + refuse the reward. Starkad eagerly handed him the sword, and at once + stooped his neck beneath it, counselling him not to do the smiter's work + timidly, or use the sword like a woman; and telling him that if, when he + had killed him, he could spring between the head and the trunk before the + corpse fell, he would be rendered proof against arms. It is not known + whether he said this in order to instruct his executioner or to punish + him, for perhaps, as he leapt, the bulk of the huge body would have + crushed him. So Hather smote sharply with the sword and hacked off the + head of the old man. When the severed head struck the ground, it is said + to have bitten the earth; thus the fury of the dying lips declared the + fierceness of the soul. But the smiter, thinking that the promise hid some + treachery, warily refrained from leaping. Had he done so rashly, perhaps + he would have been crushed by the corpse as it fell, and have paid with + his own life for the old man's murder. But he would not allow so great a + champion to lie unsepulchred, and had his body buried in the field that is + commonly called Rolung. + </p> + <p> + Now Omund, as I have heard, died most tranquilly, while peace was + unbroken, leaving two sons and two daughters. The eldest of these, SIWARD, + came to the throne by right of birth, while his brother Budle was still of + tender years. At this time Gotar, King of the Swedes, conceived boundless + love for one of the daughters of Omund, because of the report of her + extraordinary beauty, and entrusted one Ebb, the son of Sibb, with the + commission of asking for the maiden. Ebb did his work skilfully, and + brought back the good news that the girl had consented. Nothing was now + lacking to Gotar's wishes but the wedding; but, as he feared to hold this + among strangers, he demanded that his betrothed should be sent to him in + charge of Ebb, whom he had before used as envoy. + </p> + <p> + Ebb was crossing Halland with a very small escort, and went for a night's + lodging to a country farm, where the dwellings of two brothers faced one + another on the two sides of a river. Now these men used to receive folk + hospitably and then murder them, but were skilful to hide their brigandage + under a show of generosity. For they had hung on certain hidden chains, in + a lofty part of the house, an oblong beam like a press, and furnished it + with a steel point; they used to lower this in the night by letting down + the fastenings, and cut off the heads of those that lay below. Many had + they beheaded in this way with the hanging mass. So when Ebb and his men + had been feasted abundantly, the servants laid them out a bed near the + hearth, so that by the swing of the treacherous beam they might mow off + their heads, which faced the fire. When they departed, Ebb, suspecting the + contrivance slung overhead, told his men to feign slumber and shift their + bodies, saying that it would be very wholesome for them to change their + place. + </p> + <p> + Now among these were some who despised the orders which the others obeyed, + and lay unmoved, each in the spot where he had chanced to lie down. Then + towards the mirk of night the heavy hanging machine was set in motion by + the doers of the treachery. Loosened from the knots of its fastening, it + fell violently on the ground, and slew those beneath it. Thereupon those + who had the charge of committing the crime brought in a light, that they + might learn clearly what had happened, and saw that Ebb, on whose especial + account they had undertaken the affair, had wisely been equal to the + danger. He straightway set on them and punished them with death; and also, + after losing his men in the mutual slaughter, he happened to find a + vessel, crossed a river full of blocks of ice, and announced to Gotar the + result, not so much of his mission as of his mishap. + </p> + <p> + Gotar judged that this affair had been inspired by Siward, and prepared to + avenge his wrongs by arms. Siward, defeated by him in Halland, retreated + into Jutland, the enemy having taken his sister. Here he conquered the + common people of the Sclavs, who ventured to fight without a leader; and + he won as much honour from this victory as he had got disgrace by his + flight. But a little afterwards, the men whom he had subdued when they + were ungeneraled, found a general and defeated Siward in Funen. Several + times he fought them in Jutland, but with ill-success. The result was that + he lost both Skaane and Jutland, and only retained the middle of his realm + without the head, like the fragments of some body that had been consumed + away. His son Jarmerik (Eormunrec), with his child-sisters, fell into the + hands of the enemy; one of these was sold to the Germans, the other to the + Norwegians; for in old time marriages were matters of purchase. Thus the + kingdom of the Danes, which had been enlarged with such valour, made + famous by such ancestral honours, and enriched by so many conquests, fell, + all by the sloth of one man, from the most illustrious fortune and + prosperity into such disgrace that it paid the tribute which it used to + exact. But Siward, too often defeated and guilty of shameful flights, + could not endure, after that glorious past, to hold the troubled helm of + state any longer in this shameful condition of his land; and, fearing that + living longer might strip him of his last shred of glory, he hastened to + win an honourable death in battle. For his soul could not forget his + calamity, it was fain to cast off its sickness, and was racked with + weariness of life. So much did he abhor the light of life in his longing + to wipe out his shame. So he mustered his army for battle, and openly + declared war with one Simon, who was governor of Skaane under Gotar. This + war he pursued with stubborn rashness; he slew Simon, and ended his own + life amid a great slaughter of his foes. Yet his country could not be + freed from the burden of the tribute. + </p> + <p> + Jarmerik, meantime, with his foster-brother of the same age as himself, + Gunn, was living in prison, in charge of Ismar, the King of the Sclavs. At + last he was taken out and put to agriculture, doing the work of a peasant. + So actively did he manage this matter that he was transferred and made + master of the royal slaves. As he likewise did this business most + uprightly, he was enrolled in the band of the king's retainers. Here he + bore himself most pleasantly as courtiers use, and was soon taken into the + number of the king's friends and obtained the first place in his intimacy; + thus, on the strength of a series of great services, he passed from the + lowest estate to the most distinguished height of honour. Also, loth to + live a slack and enfeebled youth, he trained himself to the pursuits of + war, enriching his natural gifts by diligence. All men loved Jarmerik, and + only the queen mistrusted the young man's temper. A sudden report told + them that the king's brother had died. Ismar, wishing to give his body a + splendid funeral, prepared a banquet of royal bounty to increase the + splendour of the obsequies. + </p> + <p> + But Jarmerik, who used at other times to look after the household affairs + together with the queen, began to cast about for means of escape; for a + chance seemed to be offered by the absence of the king. For he saw that + even in the lap of riches he would be the wretched thrall of a king, and + that he would draw, as it were, his very breath on sufferance and at the + gift of another. Moreover, though he held the highest offices with the + king, he thought that freedom was better than delights, and burned with a + mighty desire to visit his country and learn his lineage. But, knowing + that the queen had provided sufficient guards to see that no prisoner + escaped, he saw that he must approach by craft where he could not arrive + by force. So he plaited one of those baskets of rushes and withies, shaped + like a man, with which countrymen used to scare the birds from the corn, + and put a live dog in it; then he took off his own clothes, and dressed it + in them, to give a more plausible likeness to a human being. Then he broke + into the private treasury of the king, took out the money, and hid himself + in places of which he alone knew. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Gunn, whom he had told to conceal the absence of his friend, took + the basket into the palace and stirred up the dog to bark; and when the + queen asked what this was, he answered that Jarmerik was out of his mind + and howling. She, beholding the effigy, was deceived by the likeness, and + ordered that the madman should be cast out of the house. Then Gunn took + the effigy out and put it to bed, as though it were his distraught friend. + But towards night he plied the watch bountifully with wine and festal + mirth, cut off their heads as they slept, and set them at their groins, in + order to make their slaying more shameful. The queen, roused by the din, + and wishing to learn the reason of it, hastily rushed to the doors. But + while she unwarily put forth her head, the sword of Gunn suddenly pierced + her through. Feeling a mortal wound, she sank, turned her eyes on her + murderer, and said, "Had it been granted me to live unscathed, no screen + or treachery should have let thee leave this land unpunished." A flood of + such threats against her slayer poured from her dying lips. + </p> + <p> + Then Jarmerik, with Gunn, the partner of his noble deed, secretly set fire + to the tent wherein the king was celebrating with a banquet the obsequies + of his brother; all the company were overcome with liquor. The fire filled + the tent and spread all about; and some of them, shaking off the torpor of + drink, took horse and pursued those who had endangered them. But the young + men fled at first on the beasts they had taken; and at last, when these + were exhausted with their long gallop, took to flight on foot. They were + all but caught, when a river saved them. For they crossed a bridge, of + which, in order to delay the pursuer, they first cut the timbers down to + the middle, thus making it not only unequal to a burden, but ready to come + down; then they retreated into a dense morass. + </p> + <p> + The Sclavs pressed on them hard and, not forseeing the danger, unwarily + put the weight of their horses on the bridge; the flooring sank, and they + were shaken off and flung into the river. But, as they swam up to the + bank, they were met by Gunn and Jarmerik, and either drowned or slain. + Thus the young men showed great cunning, and did a deed beyond their + years, being more like sagacious old men than runaway slaves, and + successfully achieving their shrewd design. When they reached the strand + they seized a vessel chance threw in their way, and made for the deep. The + barbarians who pursued them, tried, when they saw them sailing off, to + bring them back by shouting promises after them that they should be kings + if they returned; "for, by the public statute of the ancients, the + succession was appointed to the slayers of the kings." As they retreated, + their ears were long deafened by the Sclavs obstinately shouting their + treacherous promises. + </p> + <p> + At this time BUDLE, the brother of Siward, was Regent over the Danes, who + forced him to make over the kingdom to JARMERIK when he came; so that + Budle fell from a king into a common man. At the same time Gotar charged + Sibb with debauching his sister, and slew him. Sibb's kindred, much + angered by his death, came wailing to Jarmerik, and promised to attack + Gotar with him, in order to avenge their kinsman. They kept their promise + well, for Jarmerik, having overthrown Gotar by their help, gained Sweden. + Thus, holding the sovereignty of both nations, he was encouraged by his + increased power to attack the Sclavs, forty of whom he took and hung with + a wolf tied to each of them. This kind of punishment was assigned of old + to those who slew their own kindred; but he chose to inflict it upon + enemies, that all might see plainly, just from their fellowship with + ruthless beasts, how grasping they had shown themselves towards the Danes. + </p> + <p> + When Jarmerik had conquered the country, he posted garrisons in all the + fitting places, and departing thence, he made a slaughter of the Sembs and + the Kurlanders, and many nations of the East. The Sclavs, thinking that + this employment of the king gave them a chance of revolting, killed the + governors whom he had appointed, and ravaged Denmark. Jarmerik, on his way + back from roving, chanced to intercept their fleet, and destroyed it, a + deed which added honour to his roll of conquests. He also put their nobles + to death in a way that one would weep to see; namely, by first passing + thongs through their legs, and then tying them to the hoofs of savage + bulls; then hounds set on them and dragged them into miry swamps. This + deed took the edge off the valour of the Sclavs, and they obeyed the + authority of the king in fear and trembling. + </p> + <p> + Jarmerik, enriched with great spoils, wished to provide a safe storehouse + for his booty, and built on a lofty hill a treasure-house of marvellous + handiwork. Gathering sods, he raised a mound, laying a mass of rocks for + the foundation, and girt the lower part with a rampart, the centre with + rooms, and the top with battlements. All round he posted a line of + sentries without a break. Four huge gates gave free access on the four + sides; and into this lordly mansion he heaped all his splendid riches. + Having thus settled his affairs at home, he again turned his ambition + abroad. He began to voyage, and speedily fought a naval battle with four + brothers whom he met on the high seas, Hellespontines by race, and veteran + rovers. After this battle had lasted three days, he ceased fighting, + having bargained for their sister and half the tribute which they had + imposed on those they had conquered. + </p> + <p> + After this, Bikk, the son of the King of the Livonians, escaped from the + captivity in which he lay under these said brothers, and went to Jarmerik. + But he did not forget his wrongs, Jarmerik having long before deprived him + of his own brothers. He was received kindly by the king, in all whose + secret counsels he soon came to have a notable voice; and, as soon as he + found the king pliable to his advice in all things, he led him, when his + counsel was asked, into the most abominable acts, and drove him to commit + crimes and infamies. Thus he sought some device to injure the king by a + feint of loyalty, and tried above all to steel him against his nearest of + blood; attempting to accomplish the revenge of his brother by guile, since + he could not by force. So it came to pass that the king embraced filthy + vices instead of virtues, and made himself generally hated by the cruel + deeds which he committed at the instance of his treacherous adviser. Even + the Sclavs began to rise against him; and, as a means of quelling them, he + captured their leaders, passed a rope through their shanks, and delivered + them to be torn asunder by horses pulling different ways. So perished + their chief men, punished for their stubbornness of spirit by having their + bodies rent apart. This kept the Sclavs duly obedient in unbroken and + steady subjugation. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the sons of Jarmerik's sister, who had all been born and bred in + Germany, took up arms, on the strength of their grandsire's title, against + their uncle, contending that they had as good a right to the throne as he. + The king demolished their strongholds in Germany with engines, blockaded + or took several towns, and returned home with a bloodless victory. The + Hellespontines came to meet him, proffering their sister for the promised + marriage. After this had been celebrated, at Bikk's prompting he again + went to Germany, took his nephews in war, and incontinently hanged them. + He also got together the chief men under the pretence of a banquet and had + them put to death in the same fashion. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the king appointed Broder, his son by another marriage, to have + charge over his stepmother, a duty which he fulfilled with full vigilance + and integrity. But Bikk accused this man to his father of incest; and, to + conceal the falsehood of the charge, suborned witnesses against him. When + the plea of the accusation had been fully declared, Broder could not bring + any support for his defence, and his father bade his friends pass sentence + upon the convicted man, thinking it less impious to commit the punishment + proper for his son to the judgment of others. All thought that he deserved + outlawry except Bikk, who did not shrink from giving a more terrible vote + against his life, and declaring that the perpetrator of an infamous + seduction ought to be punished with hanging. But lest any should think + that this punishment was due to the cruelty of his father, Bikk judged + that, when he had been put in the noose, the servants should hold him up + on a beam put beneath him, so that, when weariness made them take their + hands from the burden, they might be as good as guilty of the young man's + death, and by their own fault exonerate the king from an unnatural murder. + He also pretended that, unless the accused were punished, he would plot + against his father's life. The adulteress Swanhild, he said, ought to + suffer a shameful end, trampled under the hoofs of beasts. + </p> + <p> + The king yielded to Bikk; and, when his son was to be hanged, he made the + bystanders hold him up by means of a plank, that he might not be choked. + Thus his throat was only a little squeezed, the knot was harmless, and it + was but a punishment in show. But the king had the queen tied very tight + on the ground, and delivered her to be crushed under the hoofs of horses. + The story goes that she was so beautiful, that even the beasts shrank from + mangling limbs so lovely with their filthy feet. The king, divining that + this proclaimed the innocence of his wife, began to repent of his error, + and hastened to release the slandered lady. But meantime Bikk rushed up, + declaring that when she was on her back she held off the beasts by awful + charms, and could only be crushed if she lay on her face; for he knew that + her beauty saved her. When the body of the queen was placed in this + manner, the herd of beasts was driven upon it, and trod it down deep with + their multitude of feet. Such was the end of Swanhild. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the favourite dog of Broder came creeping to the king making a + sort of moan, and seemed to bewail its master's punishment; and his hawk, + when it was brought in, began to pluck out its breast-feathers with its + beak. The king took its nakedness as an omen of his bereavement, to + frustrate which he quickly sent men to take his son down from the noose: + for he divined by the featherless bird that he would be childless unless + he took good heed. Thus Broder was freed from death, and Bikk, fearing he + would pay the penalty of an informer, went and told the men of the + Hellespont that Swanhild had been abominably slain by her husband. When + they set sail to avenge their sister, he came back to Jarmerik, and told + him that the Hellespontines were preparing war. + </p> + <p> + The king thought that it would be safer to fight with walls than in the + field, and retreated into the stronghold which he had built. To stand the + siege, he filled its inner parts with stores, and its battlements with + men-at-arms. Targets and shields flashing with gold were hung round and + adorned the topmost circle of the building. + </p> + <p> + It happened that the Hellespontines, before sharing their booty, accused a + great band of their men of embezzling, and put them to death. Having now + destroyed so large a part of their forces by internecine slaughter, they + thought that their strength was not equal to storming the palace, and + consulted a sorceress named Gudrun. She brought it to pass that the + defenders of the king's side were suddenly blinded and turned their arms + against one another. When the Hellespontines saw this, they brought up a + shield-mantlet, and seized the approaches of the gates. Then they tore up + the posts, burst into the building, and hewed down the blinded ranks of + the enemy. In this uproar Odin appeared, and, making for the thick of the + ranks of the fighters, restored by his divine power to the Danes that + vision which they had lost by sleights; for he ever cherished them with + fatherly love. He instructed them to shower stones to batter the + Hellespontines, who used spells to harden their bodies against weapons. + Thus both companies slew one another and perished. Jarmerik lost both feet + and both hands, and his trunk was rolled among the dead. BRODER, little + fit for it, followed him as king. + </p> + <p> + The next king was SIWALD. His son SNIO took vigorously to roving in his + father's old age, and not only preserved the fortunes of his country, but + even restored them, lessened as they were, to their former estate. + Likewise, when he came to the sovereignty, he crushed the insolence of the + champions Eskil and Alkil, and by this conquest reunited to his country + Skaane, which had been severed from the general jurisdiction of Denmark. + At last he conceived a passion for the daughter of the King of the Goths; + it was returned, and he sent secret messengers to seek a chance of meeting + her. These men were intercepted by the father of the damsel and hanged: + thus paying dearly for their rash mission. Snio, wishing to avenge their + death, invaded Gothland. Its king met him with his forces, and the + aforesaid champions challenged him to send strong men to fight. Snio laid + down as condition of the duel, that each of the two kings should either + lose his own empire or gain that of the other, according to the fortune of + the champions, and that the kingdom of the conquered should be staked as + the prize of the victory. The result was that the King of the Goths was + beaten by reason of the ill-success of his defenders, and had to quit his + kingdom for the Danes. Snio, learning that this king's daughter had been + taken away at the instance of her father to wed the King of the Swedes, + sent a man clad in ragged attire, who used to ask alms on the public + roads, to try her mind. And while he lay, as beggars do, by the threshold, + he chanced to see the queen, and whined in a weak voice, "Snio loves + thee." She feigned not to have heard the sound that stole on her ears, and + neither looked nor stepped back, but went on to the palace, then returned + straightway, and said in a low whisper, which scarcely reached his ears, + "I love him who loves me"; and having said this she walked away. + </p> + <p> + The beggar rejoiced that she had returned a word of love, and, as he sat + on the next day at the gate, when the queen came up, he said, briefly as + ever, "Wishes should have a tryst." Again she shrewdly caught his cunning + speech, and passed on, dissembling wholly. A little later she passed by + her questioner, and said that she would shortly go to Bocheror; for this + was the spot to which she meant to flee. And when the beggar heard this, + he insisted, with his wonted shrewd questions, upon being told a fitting + time for the tryst. The woman was as cunning as he, and as little clear of + speech, and named as quickly as she could the beginning of the winter. + </p> + <p> + Her train, who had caught a flying word of this love-message, took her + great cleverness for the raving of utter folly. And when Snio had been + told all this by the beggar, he contrived to carry the queen off in a + vessel; for she got away under pretence of bathing, and took her husband's + treasures. After this there were constant wars between Snio and the King + of Sweden, whereof the issue was doubtful and the victory changeful; the + one king seeking to regain his lawful, the other to keep his unlawful + love. + </p> + <p> + At this time the yield of crops was ruined by most inclement weather, and + a mighty dearth of corn befell. Victuals began to be scarce, and the + commons were distressed with famine, so that the king, anxiously pondering + how to relieve the hardness of the times, and seeing that the thirsty + spent somewhat more than the hungry, introduced thrift among the people. + He abolished drinking-bouts, and decreed that no drink should be prepared + from gram, thinking that the bitter famine should be got rid of by + prohibiting needless drinking, and that plentiful food could be levied as + a loan on thirst. + </p> + <p> + Then a certain wanton slave of his belly, lamenting the prohibition + against drink, adopted a deep kind of knavery, and found a new way to + indulge his desires. He broke the public law of temperance by his own + excess, contriving to get at what he loved by a device both cunning and + absurd. For he sipped the forbidden liquor drop by drop, and so satisfied + his longing to be tipsy. When he was summoned for this by the king, he + declared that there was no stricter observer of sobriety than he, inasmuch + as he mortified his longing to quaff deep by this device for moderate + drinking. He persisted in the fault with which he was taxed, saying that + he only sucked. At last he was also menaced with threats, and forbidden + not only to drink, but even to sip; yet he could not check his habits. For + in order to enjoy the unlawful thing in a lawful way, and not to have his + throat subject to the command of another, he sopped morsels of bread in + liquor, and fed on the pieces thus soaked with drink; tasting slowly, so + as to prolong the desired debauch, and attaining, though in no unlawful + manner, the forbidden measure of satiety. + </p> + <p> + Thus his stubborn and frantic intemperance risked his life, all for + luxury; and, undeterred even by the threats of the king, he fortified his + rash appetite to despise every peril. A second time he was summoned by the + king on the charge of disobeying his regulation. Yet he did not even theft + cease to defend his act, but maintained that he had in no wise contravened + the royal decree, and that the temperance prescribed by the ordinance had + been in no way violated by that which allured him; especially as the + thrift ordered in the law of plain living was so described, that it was + apparently forbidden to drink liquor, but not to eat it. Then the king + called heaven to witness, and swore by the general good, that if he + ventured on any such thing hereafter he would punish him with death. But + the man thought that death was not so bad as temperance, and that it was + easier to quit life than luxury; and he again boiled the grain in water, + and then fermented the liquor; whereupon, despairing of any further plea + to excuse his appetite, he openly indulged in drink, and turned to his + cups again unabashed. Giving up cunning for effrontery, he chose rather to + await the punishment of the king than to turn sober. Therefore, when the + king asked him why he had so often made free to use the forbidden thing, + he said: + </p> + <p> + "O king, this craving is begotten, not so much of my thirst, as of my + goodwill towards thee! For I remembered that the funeral rites of a king + must be paid with a drinking-bout. Therefore, led by good judgment more + than the desire to swill, I have, by mixing the forbidden liquid, taken + care that the feast whereat thy obsequies are performed should not, by + reason of the scarcity of corn, lack the due and customary drinking. Now I + do not doubt that thou wilt perish of famine before the rest, and be the + first to need a tomb; for thou hast passed this strange law of thrift in + fear that thou wilt be thyself the first to lack food. Thou art thinking + for thyself, and not for others, when thou bringest thyself to start such + strange miserly ways." + </p> + <p> + This witty quibbling turned the anger of the king into shame; and when he + saw that his ordinance for the general good came home in mockery to + himself, he thought no more of the public profit, but revoked the edict, + relaxing his purpose sooner than anger his subjects. + </p> + <p> + Whether it was that the soil had too little rain, or that it was too hard + baked, the crops, as I have said, were slack, and the fields gave but + little produce; so that the land lacked victual, and was worn with a weary + famine. The stock of food began to fail, and no help was left to stave off + hunger. Then, at the proposal of Agg and of Ebb, it was provided by a + decree of the people that the old men and the tiny children should be + slain; that all who were too young to bear arms should be taken out of the + land, and only the strong should be vouchsafed their own country; that + none but able-bodied soldiers and husbandmen should continue to abide + under their own roofs and in the houses of their fathers. When Agg and Ebb + brought news of this to their mother Gambaruk, she saw that the authors of + this infamous decree had found safety in crime. Condemning the decision of + the assembly, she said that it was wrong to relieve distress by murder of + kindred, and declared that a plan both more honourable and more desirable + for the good of their souls and bodies would be, to preserve respect + towards their parents and children, and choose by lot men who should quit + the country. And if the lot fell on old men and weak, then the stronger + should offer to go into exile in their place, and should of their own free + will undertake to bear the burden of it for the feeble. But those men who + had the heart to save their lives by crime and impiety, and to prosecute + their parents and their children by so abominable a decree, did not + deserve life; for they would be doing a work of cruelty and not of love. + Finally, all those whose own lives were dearer to them than the love of + their parents or their children, deserved but ill of their country. These + words were reported to the assembly, and assented to by the vote of the + majority. So the fortunes of all were staked upon the lot and those upon + whom it fell were doomed to be banished. Thus those who had been loth to + obey necessity of their own accord had now to accept the award of chance. + So they sailed first to Bleking, and then, sailing past Moring, they came + to anchor at Gothland; where, according to Paulus, they are said to have + been prompted by the goddess Frigg to take the name of the Longobardi + (Lombards), whose nation they afterwards founded. In the end they landed + at Rugen, and, abandoning their ships, began to march overland. They + crossed and wasted a great portion of the world; and at last, finding an + abode in Italy, changed the ancient name of the nation for their own. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the land of the Danes, where the tillers laboured less and + less, and all traces of the furrows were covered with overgrowth, began to + look like a forest. Almost stripped of its pleasant native turf, it + bristled with the dense unshapely woods that grew up. Traces of this are + yet seen in the aspect of its fields. What were once acres fertile in + grain are now seen to be dotted with trunks of trees; and where of old the + tillers turned the earth up deep and scattered the huge clods there has + now sprung up a forest covering the fields, which still bear the tracks of + ancient tillage. Had not these lands remained untilled and desolate with + long overgrowth, the tenacious roots of trees could never have shared the + soil of one and the same land with the furrows made by the plough. + Moreover, the mounds which men laboriously built up of old on the level + ground for the burial of the dead are now covered by a mass of woodland. + Many piles of stones are also to be seen interspersed among the forest + glades. These were once scattered over the whole country, but the peasants + carefully gathered the boulders and piled them into a heap that they might + not prevent furrows being cut in all directions; for they would sooner + sacrifice a little of the land than find the whole of it stubborn. From + this work, done by the toil of the peasants for the easier working of the + fields, it is judged that the population in ancient times was greater than + the present one, which is satisfied with small fields, and keeps its + agriculture within narrower limits than those of the ancient tillage. Thus + the present generation is amazed to behold that it has exchanged a soil + which could once produce grain for one only fit to grow acorns, and the + plough-handle and the cornstalks for a landscape studded with trees. Let + this account of Snio, which I have put together as truly as I could, + suffice. + </p> + <p> + Snio was succeeded by BIORN; and after him HARALD became sovereign. + Harald's son GORM won no mean place of honour among the ancient generals + of the Danes by his record of doughty deeds. For he ventured into fresh + fields, preferring to practise his inherited valour, not in war, but in + searching the secrets of nature; and, just as other kings are stirred by + warlike ardour, so his heart thirsted to look into marvels; either what he + could experience himself, or what were merely matters of report. And being + desirous to go and see all things foreign and extraordinary, he thought + that he must above all test a report which he had heard from the men of + Thule concerning the abode of a certain Geirrod. For they boasted past + belief of the mighty piles of treasure in that country, but said that the + way was beset with peril, and hardly passable by mortal man. For those who + had tried it declared that it was needful to sail over the ocean that goes + round the lands, to leave the sun and stars behind, to journey down into + chaos, and at last to pass into a land where no light was and where + darkness reigned eternally. + </p> + <p> + But the warrior trampled down in his soul all fear of the dangers that + beset him. Not that he desired booty, but glory; for he hoped for a great + increase of renown if he ventured on a wholly unattempted quest. Three + hundred men announced that they had the same desire as the king; and he + resolved that Thorkill, who had brought the news, should be chosen to + guide them on the journey, as he knew the ground and was versed in the + approaches to that country. Thorkill did not refuse the task, and advised + that, to meet the extraordinary fury of the sea they had to cross, + strongly-made vessels should be built, fitted with many knotted cords and + close-set nails, filled with great store of provision, and covered above + with ox-hides to protect the inner spaces of the ships from the spray of + the waves breaking in. Then they sailed off in only three galleys, each + containing a hundred chosen men. + </p> + <p> + Now when they had come to Halogaland (Helgeland), they lost their + favouring breezes, and were driven and tossed divers ways over the seas in + perilous voyage. At last, in extreme want of food, and lacking even bread, + they staved off hunger with a little pottage. Some days passed, and they + heard the thunder of a storm brawling in the distance, as if it were + deluging the rocks. By this perceiving that land was near, they bade a + youth of great nimbleness climb to the masthead and look out; and he + reported that a precipitous island was in sight. All were overjoyed, and + gazed with thirsty eyes at the country at which he pointed, eagerly + awaiting the refuge of the promised shore. At last they managed to reach + it, and made their way out over the heights that blocked their way, along + very steep paths, into the higher ground. Then Thorkill told them to take + no more of the herds that were running about in numbers on the coast, than + would serve once to appease their hunger. If they disobeyed, the guardian + gods of the spot would not let them depart. But the seamen, more anxious + to go on filling their bellies than to obey orders, postponed counsels of + safety to the temptations of gluttony, and loaded the now emptied holds of + their ships with the carcases of slaughtered cattle. These beasts were + very easy to capture, because they gathered in amazement at the unwonted + sight of men, their fears being made bold. On the following night monsters + dashed down upon the shore, filled the forest with clamour, and + beleaguered and beset the ships. One of them, huger than the rest, strode + over the waters, armed with a mighty club. Coming close up to them, he + bellowed out that they should never sail away till they had atoned for the + crime they had committed in slaughtering the flock, and had made good the + losses of the herd of the gods by giving up one man for each of their + ships. Thorkill yielded to these threats; and, in order to preserve the + safety of all by imperilling a few, singled out three men by lot and gave + them up. + </p> + <p> + This done, a favouring wind took them, and they sailed to further + Permland. It is a region of eternal cold, covered with very deep snows, + and not sensible to the force even of the summer heats; full of pathless + forests, not fertile in grain and haunted by beasts uncommon elsewhere. + Its many rivers pour onwards in a hissing, foaming flood, because of the + reefs imbedded in their channels. + </p> + <p> + Here Thorkill drew up his ships ashore, and bade them pitch their tents on + the beach, declaring that they had come to a spot whence the passage to + Geirrod would be short. Moreover, he forbade them to exchange any speech + with those that came up to them, declaring that nothing enabled the + monsters to injure strangers so much as uncivil words on their part: it + would be therefore safer for his companions to keep silence; none but he, + who had seen all the manners and customs of this nation before, could + speak safely. As twilight approached, a man of extraordinary bigness + greeted the sailors by their names, and came among them. All were aghast, + but Thorkill told them to greet his arrival cheerfully, telling them that + this was Gudmund, the brother of Geirrod, and the most faithful guardian + in perils of all men who landed in that spot. When the man asked why all + the rest thus kept silence, he answered that they were very unskilled in + his language, and were ashamed to use a speech they did not know. Then + Gudmund invited them to be his guests, and took them up in carriages. As + they went forward, they saw a river which could be crossed by a bridge of + gold. They wished to go over it, but Gudmund restrained them, telling them + that by this channel nature had divided the world of men from the world of + monsters, and that no mortal track might go further. Then they reached the + dwelling of their guide; and here Thorkill took his companions apart and + warned them to behave like men of good counsel amidst the divers + temptations chance might throw in their way; to abstain from the food of + the stranger, and nourish their bodies only on their own; and to seek a + seat apart from the natives, and have no contact with any of them as they + lay at meat. For if they partook of that food they would lose recollection + of all things, and must live for ever in filthy intercourse amongst + ghastly hordes of monsters. Likewise he told them that they must keep + their hands off the servants and the cups of the people. + </p> + <p> + Round the table stood twelve noble sons of Gudmund, and as many daughters + of notable beauty. When Gudmund saw that the king barely tasted what his + servants brought, he reproached him with repulsing his kindness, and + complained that it was a slight on the host. But Thorkill was not at a + loss for a fitting excuse. He reminded him that men who took unaccustomed + food often suffered from it seriously, and that the king was not + ungrateful for the service rendered by another, but was merely taking care + of his health, when he refreshed himself as he was wont, and furnished his + supper with his own viands. An act, therefore, that was only done in the + healthy desire to escape some bane, ought in no wise to be put down to + scorn. Now when Gudmund saw that the temperance of his guest had baffled + his treacherous preparations, he determined to sap their chastity, if he + could not weaken their abstinence, and eagerly strained every nerve of his + wit to enfeeble their self-control. For he offered the king his daughter + in marriage, and promised the rest that they should have whatever women of + his household they desired. Most of them inclined to his offer: but + Thorkill by his healthy admonitions prevented them, as he had done before, + from falling into temptation. + </p> + <p> + With wonderful management Thorkill divided his heed between the suspicious + host and the delighted guests. Four of the Danes, to whom lust was more + than their salvation, accepted the offer; the infection maddened them, + distraught their wits, and blotted out their recollection: for they are + said never to have been in their right mind after this. If these men had + kept themselves within the rightful bounds of temperance, they would have + equalled the glories of Hercules, surpassed with their spirit the bravery + of giants, and been ennobled for ever by their wondrous services to their + country. + </p> + <p> + Gudmund, stubborn to his purpose, and still spreading his nets, extolled + the delights of his garden, and tried to lure the king thither to gather + fruits, desiring to break down his constant wariness by the lust of the + eye and the baits of the palate. The king, as before, was strengthened + against these treacheries by Thorkill, and rejected this feint of kindly + service; he excused himself from accepting it on the plea that he must + hasten on his journey. Gudmund perceived that Thorkill was shrewder than + he at every point; so, despairing to accomplish his treachery, he carried + them all across the further side of the river, and let them finish their + journey. + </p> + <p> + They went on; and saw, not far off, a gloomy, neglected town, looking more + like a cloud exhaling vapour. Stakes interspersed among the battlements + showed the severed heads of warriors and dogs of great ferocity were seen + watching before the doors to guard the entrance. Thorkill threw them a + horn smeared with fat to lick, and so, at slight cost, appeased their most + furious rage. High up the gates lay open to enter, and they climbed to + their level with ladders, entering with difficulty. Inside the town was + crowded with murky and misshapen phantoms, and it was hard to say whether + their shrieking figures were more ghastly to the eye or to the ear; + everything was foul, and the reeking mire afflicted the nostrils of the + visitors with its unbearable stench. Then they found the rocky dwelling + which Geirrod was rumoured to inhabit for his palace. They resolved to + visit its narrow and horrible ledge, but stayed their steps and halted in + panic at the very entrance. Then Thorkill, seeing that they were of two + minds, dispelled their hesitation to enter by manful encouragement, + counselling them, to restrain themselves, and not to touch any piece of + gear in the house they were about to enter, albeit it seemed delightful to + have or pleasant to behold; to keep their hearts as far from all + covetousness as from fear; neither to desire what was pleasant to take, + nor dread what was awful to look upon, though they should find themselves + amidst abundance of both these things. If they did, their greedy hands + would suddenly be bound fast, unable to tear themselves away from the + thing they touched, and knotted up with it as by inextricable bonds. + Moreover, they should enter in order, four by four. + </p> + <p> + Broder and Buchi (Buk?) were the first to show courage to attempt to enter + the vile palace; Thorkill with the king followed them, and the rest + advanced behind these in ordered ranks. + </p> + <p> + Inside, the house was seen to be ruinous throughout, and filled with a + violent and abominable reek. And it also teemed with everything that could + disgust the eye or the mind: the door-posts were begrimed with the soot of + ages, the wall was plastered with filth, the roof was made up of + spear-heads, the flooring was covered with snakes and bespattered with all + manner of uncleanliness. Such an unwonted sight struck terror into the + strangers, and, over all, the acrid and incessant stench assailed their + afflicted nostrils. Also bloodless phantasmal monsters huddled on the iron + seats, and the places for sitting were railed off by leaden trellises; and + hideous doorkeepers stood at watch on the thresholds. Some of these, armed + with clubs lashed together, yelled, while others played a gruesome game, + tossing a goat's hide from one to the other with mutual motion of goatish + backs. + </p> + <p> + Here Thorkill again warned the men, and forbade them to stretch forth + their covetous hands rashly to the forbidden things. Going on through the + breach in the crag, they beheld an old man with his body pierced through, + sitting not far off, on a lofty seat facing the side of the rock that had + been rent away. Moreover, three women, whose bodies were covered with + tumours, and who seemed to have lost the strength of their back-bones, + filled adjoining seats. Thorkill's companions were very curious; and he, + who well knew the reason of the matter, told them that long ago the god + Thor had been provoked by the insolence of the giants to drive red-hot + irons through the vitals of Geirrod, who strove with him, and that the + iron had slid further, torn up the mountain, and battered through its + side; while the women had been stricken by the might of his thunderbolts, + and had been punished (so he declared) for their attempt on the same + deity, by having their bodies broken. + </p> + <p> + As the men were about to depart thence, there were disclosed to them seven + butts hooped round with belts of gold; and from these hung circlets of + silver entwined with them in manifold links. Near these was found the tusk + of a strange beast, tipped at both ends with gold. Close by was a vast + stag-horn, laboriously decked with choice and flashing gems, and this also + did not lack chasing. Hard by was to be seen a very heavy bracelet. One + man was kindled with an inordinate desire for this bracelet, and laid + covetous hands upon the gold, not knowing that the glorious metal covered + deadly mischief, and that a fatal bane lay hid under the shining spoil. A + second also, unable to restrain his covetousness, reached out his + quivering hands to the horn. A third, matching the confidence of the + others, and having no control over his fingers, ventured to shoulder the + tusk. The spoil seemed alike lovely to look upon and desirable to enjoy, + for all that met the eye was fair and tempting to behold. But the bracelet + suddenly took the form of a snake, and attacked him who was carrying it + with its poisoned tooth; the horn lengthened out into a serpent, and took + the life of the man who bore it; the tusk wrought itself into a sword, and + plunged into the vitals of its bearer. + </p> + <p> + The rest dreaded the fate of perishing with their friends, and thought + that the guiltless would be destroyed like the guilty; they durst not hope + that even innocence would be safe. Then the side-door of another room + showed them a narrow alcove: and a privy chamber with a yet richer + treasure was revealed, wherein arms were laid out too great for those of + human stature. Among these were seen a royal mantle, a handsome hat, and a + belt marvellously wrought. Thorkill, struck with amazement at these + things, gave rein to his covetousness, and cast off all his purposed + self-restraint. He who so oft had trained others could not so much as + conquer his own cravings. For he laid his hand upon the mantle, and his + rash example tempted the rest to join in his enterprise of plunder. + Thereupon the recess shook from its lowest foundations, and began suddenly + to reel and totter. Straightway the women raised a shriek that the wicked + robbers were being endured too long. Then they, who were before supposed + to be half-dead or lifeless phantoms, seemed to obey the cries of the + women, and, leaping suddenly up from their seats, attacked the strangers + with furious onset. The other creatures bellowed hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + But Broder and Buchi fell to their old and familiar arts, and attacked the + witches, who ran at them, with a shower of spears from every side; and + with the missiles from their bows and slings they crushed the array of + monsters. There could be no stronger or more successful way to repulse + them; but only twenty men out of all the king's company were rescued by + the intervention of this archery; the rest were torn in pieces by the + monsters. The survivors returned to the river, and were ferried over by + Gudmund, who entertained them at his house. Long and often as he besought + them, he could not keep them back; so at last he gave them presents and + let them go. + </p> + <p> + Buchi relaxed his watch upon himself; his self-control became unstrung, + and he forsook the virtue in which he hitherto rejoiced. For he conceived + an incurable love for one of the daughters of Gudmund, and embraced her; + but he obtained a bride to his undoing, for soon his brain suddenly began + to whirl, and he lost his recollection. Thus the hero who had subdued all + the monsters and overcome all the perils was mastered by passion for one + girl; his soul strayed far from temperance, and he lay under a wretched + sensual yoke. For the sake of respect, he started to accompany the + departing king; but as he was about to ford the river in his carriage, his + wheels sank deep, he was caught up in the violent eddies and destroyed. + </p> + <p> + The king bewailed his friend's disaster and departed hastening on his + voyage. This was at first prosperous, but afterwards he was tossed by bad + weather; his men perished of hunger, and but few survived, so that he + began to feel awe in his heart, and fell to making vows to heaven, + thinking the gods alone could help him in his extreme need. At last the + others besought sundry powers among the gods, and thought they ought to + sacrifice to the majesty of divers deities; but the king, offering both + vows and peace-offerings to Utgarda-Loki, obtained that fair season of + weather for which he prayed. + </p> + <p> + Coming home, and feeling that he had passed through all these seas and + toils, he thought it was time for his spirit, wearied with calamities, to + withdraw from his labours. So he took a queen from Sweden, and exchanged + his old pursuits for meditative leisure. His life was prolonged in the + utmost peace and quietness; but when he had almost come to the end of his + days, certain men persuaded him by likely arguments that souls were + immortal; so that he was constantly turning over in his mind the + questions, to what abode he was to fare when the breath left his limbs, or + what reward was earned by zealous adoration of the gods. + </p> + <p> + While he was thus inclined, certain men who wished ill to Thorkill came + and told Gorm that it was needful to consult the gods, and that assurance + about so great a matter must be sought of the oracles of heaven, since it + was too deep for human wit and hard for mortals to discover. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, they said, Utgarda-Loki must be appeased, and no man would + accomplish this more fitly than Thorkill. Others, again, laid information + against him as guilty of treachery and an enemy of the king's life. + Thorkill, seeing himself doomed to extreme peril, demanded that his + accusers should share his journey. Then they who had aspersed an innocent + man saw that the peril they had designed against the life of another had + recoiled upon themselves, and tried to take back their plan. But vainly + did they pester the ears of the king; he forced them to sail under the + command of Thorkill, and even upbraided them with cowardice. Thus, when a + mischief is designed against another, it is commonly sure to strike home + to its author. And when these men saw that they were constrained, and + could not possibly avoid the peril, they covered their ship with ox-hides, + and filled it with abundant store of provision. + </p> + <p> + In this ship they sailed away, and came to a sunless land, which knew not + the stars, was void of daylight, and seemed to overshadow them with + eternal night. Long they sailed under this strange sky; at last their + timber fell short, and they lacked fuel; and, having no place to boil + their meat in, they staved off their hunger with raw viands. But most of + those who ate contracted extreme disease, being glutted with undigested + food. For the unusual diet first made a faintness steal gradually upon + their stomachs; then the infection spread further, and the malady reached + the vital parts. Thus there was danger in either extreme, which made it + hurtful not to eat, and perilous to indulge; for it was found both unsafe + to feed and bad for them to abstain. Then, when they were beginning to be + in utter despair, a gleam of unexpected help relieved them, even as the + string breaks most easily when it is stretched tightest. For suddenly the + weary men saw the twinkle of a fire at no great distance, and conceived a + hope of prolonging their lives. Thorkill thought this fire a heaven-sent + relief, and resolved to go and take some of it. + </p> + <p> + To be surer of getting back to his friends, Thorkill fastened a jewel upon + the mast-head, to mark it by the gleam. When he got to the shore, his eyes + fell on a cavern in a close defile, to which a narrow way led. Telling his + companions to await him outside, he went in, and saw two men, swart and + very huge, with horny noses, feeding their fire with any chance-given + fuel. Moreover, the entrance was hideous, the door-posts were decayed, the + walls grimy with mould, the roof filthy, and the floor swarming with + snakes; all of which disgusted the eye as much as the mind. Then one of + the giants greeted him, and said that he had begun a most difficult + venture in his burning desire to visit a strange god, and his attempt to + explore with curious search an untrodden region beyond the world. Yet he + promised to tell Thorkill the paths of the journey he proposed to make, if + he would deliver three true judgments in the form of as many sayings. Then + said Thorkill: "In good truth, I do not remember ever to have seen a + household with more uncomely noses; nor have I ever come to a spot where I + had less mind to live." Also he said: "That, I think, is my best foot + which can get out of this foremost." + </p> + <p> + The giant was pleased with the shrewdness of Thorkill, and praised his + sayings, telling him that he must first travel to a grassless land which + was veiled in deep darkness; but he must first voyage for four days, + rowing incessantly, before he could reach his goal. There he could visit + Utgarda-Loki, who had chosen hideous and grisly caves for his filthy + dwelling. Thorkill was much aghast at being bidden to go on a voyage so + long and hazardous; but his doubtful hopes prevailed over his present + fears, and he asked for some live fuel. Then said the giant: "If thou + needest fire, thou must deliver three more judgments in like sayings." + Then said Thorkill: "Good counsel is to be obeyed, though a mean fellow + gave it." Likewise: "I have gone so far in rashness, that if I can get + back I shall owe my safety to none but my own legs." And again: "Were I + free to retreat this moment, I would take good care never to come back." + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Thorkill took the fire along to his companions; and finding a + kindly wind, landed on the fourth day at the appointed harbour. With his + crew he entered a land where an aspect of unbroken night checked the + vicissitude of light and darkness. He could hardly see before him, but + beheld a rock of enormous size. Wishing to explore it, he told his + companions, who were standing posted at the door, to strike a fire from + flints as a timely safeguard against demons, and kindle it in the + entrance. Then he made others bear a light before him, and stooped his + body through the narrow jaws of the cavern, where he beheld a number of + iron seats among a swarm of gliding serpents. Next there met his eye a + sluggish mass of water gently flowing over a sandy bottom. He crossed + this, and approached a cavern which sloped somewhat more steeply. Again, + after this, a foul and gloomy room was disclosed to the visitors, wherein + they saw Utgarda-Loki, laden hand and foot with enormous chains. Each of + his reeking hairs was as large and stiff as a spear of cornel. Thorkill + (his companions lending a hand), in order that his deeds might gain more + credit, plucked one of these from the chin of Utgarda-Loki, who suffered + it. Straightway such a noisome smell reached the bystanders, that they + could not breathe without stopping their noses with their mantles. They + could scarcely make their way out, and were bespattered by the snakes + which darted at them on every side. + </p> + <p> + Only five of Thorkill's company embarked with their captain: the poison + killed the rest. The demons hung furiously over them, and cast their + poisonous slaver from every side upon the men below them. But the sailors + sheltered themselves with their hides, and cast back the venom that fell + upon them. One man by chance at this point wished to peep out; the poison + touched his head, which was taken off his neck as if it had been severed + with a sword. Another put his eyes out of their shelter, and when he + brought them back under it they were blinded. Another thrust forth his + hand while unfolding his covering, and, when he withdrew his arm, it was + withered by the virulence of the same slaver. They besought their deities + to be kinder to them; vainly, until Thorkill prayed to the god of the + universe, and poured forth unto him libations as well as prayers; and + thus, presently finding the sky even as before and the elements clear, he + made a fair voyage. + </p> + <p> + And now they seemed to behold another world, and the way towards the life + of man. At last Thorkill landed in Germany, which had then been admitted + to Christianity; and among its people he began to learn how to worship + God. His band of men were almost destroyed, because of the dreadful air + they had breathed, and he returned to his country accompanied by two men + only, who had escaped the worst. But the corrupt matter which smeared his + face so disguised his person and original features that not even his + friends knew him. But when he wiped off the filth, he made himself + recognizable by those who saw him, and inspired the king with the greatest + eagerness to hear about his quest. But the detraction of his rivals was + not yet silenced; and some pretended that the king would die suddenly if + he learnt Thorkill's tidings. The king was the more disposed to credit + this saying, because he was already credulous by reason of a dream which + falsely prophesied the same thing. Men were therefore hired by the king's + command to slay Thorkill in the night. But somehow he got wind of it, left + his bed unknown to all, and put a heavy log in his place. By this he + baffled the treacherous device of the king, for the hirelings smote only + the stock. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow Thorkill went up to the king as he sat at meat, and said: "I + forgive thy cruelty and pardon thy error, in that thou hast decreed + punishment, and not thanks, to him who brings good tidings of his errand. + For thy sake I have devoted my life to all these afflictions, and battered + it in all these perils; I hoped that thou wouldst requite my services with + much gratitude; and behold! I have found thee, and thee alone, punish my + valour sharpliest. But I forbear all vengeance, and am satisfied with the + shame within thy heart—if, after all, any shame visits the thankless—as + expiation for this wrongdoing towards me. I have a right to surmise that + thou art worse than all demons in fury, and all beasts in cruelty, if, + after escaping the snares of all these monsters, I have failed to be safe + from thine." + </p> + <p> + The king desired to learn everything from Thorkill's own lips; and, + thinking it hard to escape destiny, bade him relate what had happened in + due order. He listened eagerly to his recital of everything, till at last, + when his own god was named, he could not endure him to be unfavourably + judged. For he could not bear to hear Utgarda-Loki reproached with + filthiness, and so resented his shameful misfortunes, that his very life + could not brook such words, and he yielded it up in the midst of + Thorkill's narrative. Thus, whilst he was so zealous in the worship of a + false god, he came to find where the true prison of sorrows really was. + Moreover, the reek of the hair, which Thorkill plucked from the locks of + the giant to testify to the greatness of his own deeds, was exhaled upon + the bystanders, so that many perished of it. + </p> + <p> + After the death of Gorm, GOTRIK his son came to the throne. He was notable + not only for prowess but for generosity, and none can say whether his + courage or his compassion was the greater. He so chastened his harshness + with mercy, that he seemed to counterweigh the one with the other. At this + time Gaut, the King of Norway, was visited by Ber (Biorn?) and Ref, men of + Thule. Gaut treated Ref with attention and friendship, and presented him + with a heavy bracelet. + </p> + <p> + One of the courtiers, when he saw this, praised the greatness of the gift + over-zealously, and declared that no one was equal to King Gaut in + kindliness. But Ref, though he owed thanks for the benefit, could not + approve the inflated words of this extravagant praiser, and said that + Gotrik was more generous than Gaut. Wishing to crush the empty boast of + the flatterer, he chose rather to bear witness to the generosity of the + absent than tickle with lies the vanity of his benefactor who was present. + For another thing, he thought it somewhat more desirable to be charged + with ingratitude than to support with his assent such idle and boastful + praise, and also to move the king by the solemn truth than to beguile him + with lying flatteries. But Ulf persisted not only in stubbornly repeating + his praises of the king, but in bringing them to the proof; and proposed + their gainsayer a wager. + </p> + <p> + With his consent Ref went to Denmark, and found Gotrik seated in state, + and dealing out the pay to his soldiers. When the king asked him who he + was, he said that his name was "Fox-cub" The answer filled some with mirth + and some with marvel, and Gotrik said, "Yea, and it is fitting that a fox + should catch his prey in his mouth." And thereupon he drew a bracelet from + his arm, called the man to him, and put it between his lips. Straightway + Ref put it upon his arm, which he displayed to them all adorned with gold, + but the other arm he kept hidden as lacking ornament; for which shrewdness + he received a gift equal to the first from that hand of matchless + generosity. At this he was overjoyed, not so much because the reward was + great, as because he had won his contention. And when the king learnt from + him about the wager he had laid, he rejoiced that he had been lavish to + him more by accident than of set purpose, and declared that he got more + pleasure from the giving than the receiver from the gift. So Ref returned + to Norway and slew his opponent, who refused to pay the wager. Then he + took the daughter of Gaut captive, and brought her to Gotrik for his own. + </p> + <p> + Gotrik, who is also called Godefride, carried his arms against foreigners, + and increased his strength and glory by his successful generalship. Among + his memorable deeds were the terms of tribute he imposed upon the Saxons; + namely, that whenever a change of kings occurred among the Danes, their + princes should devote a hundred snow-white horses to the new king on his + accession. But if the Saxons should receive a new chief upon a change in + the succession, this chief was likewise to pay the aforesaid tribute + obediently, and bow at the outset of his power to the sovereign majesty of + Denmark; thereby acknowledging the supremacy of our nation, and solemnly + confessing his own subjection. Nor was it enough for Gotrik to subjugate + Germany: he appointed Ref on a mission to try the strength of Sweden. The + Swedes feared to slay him with open violence, but ventured to act like + bandits, and killed him, as he slept, with the blow of a stone. For, + hanging a millstone above him, they cut its fastenings, and let it drop + upon his neck as he lay beneath. To expiate this crime it was decreed that + each of the ringleaders should pay twelve golden talents, while each of + the common people should pay Gotrik one ounce. Men called this "the + Fox-cub's tribute". (Refsgild). + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile it befell that Karl, King of the Franks, crushed Germany in war, + and forced it not only to embrace the worship of Christianity, but also to + obey his authority. When Gotrik heard of this, he attacked the nations + bordering on the Elbe, and attempted to regain under his sway as of old + the realm of Saxony, which eagerly accepted the yoke of Karl, and + preferred the Roman to the Danish arms. Karl had at this time withdrawn + his victorious camp beyond the Rhine, and therefore forbore to engage the + stranger enemy, being prevented by the intervening river. But when he was + intending to cross once more to subdue the power of Gotrik, he was + summoned by Leo the Pope of the Romans to defend the city. + </p> + <p> + Obeying this command, Karl intrusted his son Pepin with the conduct of the + war against Gotrik; so that while he himself was working against a distant + foe, Pepin might manage the conflict he had undertaken with his neighbour. + For Karl was distracted by two anxieties, and had to furnish sufficient + out of a scanty band to meet both of them. Meanwhile Gotrik won a glorious + victory over the Saxons. Then gathering new strength, and mustering a + larger body of forces, he resolved to avenge the wrong he had suffered in + losing his sovereignty, not only upon the Saxons, but upon the whole + people of Germany. He began by subduing Friesland with his fleet. + </p> + <p> + This province lies very low, and whenever the fury of the ocean bursts the + dykes that bar its waves, it is wont to receive the whole mass of the + deluge over its open plains. On this country Gotrik imposed a kind of + tribute, which was not so much harsh as strange. I will briefly relate its + terms and the manner of it. First, a building was arranged, two hundred + and forty feet in length, and divided into twelve spaces; each of these + stretching over an interval of twenty feet, and thus making together, when + the whole room was exhausted, the aforesaid total. Now at the upper end of + this building sat the king's treasurer, and in a line with him at its + further end was displayed a round shield. When the Frisians came to pay + tribute, they used to cast their coins one by one into the hollow of this + shield; but only those coins which struck the ear of the distant + toll-gatherer with a distinct clang were chosen by him, as he counted, to + be reckoned among the royal tribute. The result was that the collector + only reckoned that money towards the treasury of which his distant ear + caught the sound as it fell. But that of which the sound was duller, and + which fell out of his earshot, was received indeed into the treasury, but + did not count as any increase to the sum paid. Now many coins that were + cast in struck with no audible loudness whatever on the collector's ear, + so that men who came to pay their appointed toll sometimes squandered much + of their money in useless tribute. Karl is said to have freed them + afterwards from the burden of this tax. After Gotrik had crossed + Friesland, and Karl had now come back from Rome, Gotrik determined to + swoop down upon the further districts of Germany, but was treacherously + attacked by one of his own servants, and perished at home by the sword of + a traitor. When Karl heard this, he leapt up overjoyed, declaring that + nothing more delightful had ever fallen to his lot than this happy chance. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) Furthest Thule—The names of Icelanders have thus crept + into the account of a battle fought before the discovery of + Iceland. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK NINE. + </h2> + <p> + After Gotrik's death reigned his son OLAF; who, desirous to avenge his + father, did not hesitate to involve his country in civil wars, putting + patriotism after private inclination. When he perished, his body was put + in a barrow, famous for the name of Olaf, which was built up close by + Leire. + </p> + <p> + He was succeeded by HEMMING, of whom I have found no deed worthy of + record, save that he made a sworn peace with Kaiser Ludwig; and yet, + perhaps, envious antiquity hides many notable deeds of his time, albeit + they were then famous. + </p> + <p> + After these men there came to the throne, backed by the Skanians and + Zealanders, SIWARD, surnamed RING. He was the son, born long ago, of the + chief of Norway who bore the same name, by Gotrik's daughter. Now Ring, + cousin of Siward, and also a grandson of Gotrik, was master of Jutland. + Thus the power of the single kingdom was divided; and, as though its two + parts were contemptible for their smallness, foreigners began not only to + despise but to attack it. These Siward assailed with greater hatred than + he did his rival for the throne; and, preferring wars abroad to wars at + home, he stubbornly defended his country against dangers for five years; + for he chose to put up with a trouble at home that he might the more + easily cure one which came from abroad. Wherefore Ring (desiring his) + command, seized the opportunity, tried to transfer the whole sovereignty + to himself, and did not hesitate to injure in his own land the man who was + watching over it without; for he attacked the provinces in the possession + of Siward, which was an ungrateful requital for the defence of their + common country. Therefore, some of the Zealanders who were more zealous + for Siward, in order to show him firmer loyalty in his absence, proclaimed + his son Ragnar as king, when he was scarcely dragged out of his cradle. + Not but what they knew he was too young to govern; yet they hoped that + such a gage would serve to rouse their sluggish allies against Ring. But, + when Ring heard that Siward had meantime returned from his expedition, he + attacked the Zealanders with a large force, and proclaimed that they + should perish by the sword if they did not surrender; but the Zealanders, + who were bidden to choose between shame and peril, were so few that they + distrusted their strength, and requested a truce to consider the matter. + It was granted; but, since it did not seem open to them to seek the favour + of Siward, nor honourable to embrace that of Ring, they wavered long in + perplexity between fear and shame. In this plight even the old were at a + loss for counsel; but Ragnar, who chanced to be present at the assembly, + said: "The short bow shoots its shaft suddenly. Though it may seem the + hardihood of a boy that I venture to forestall the speech of the elders, + yet I pray you to pardon my errors, and be indulgent to my unripe words. + Yet the counsellor of wisdom is not to be spurned, though he seem + contemptible; for the teaching of profitable things should be drunk in + with an open mind. Now it is shameful that we should be branded as + deserters and runaways, but it is just as foolhardy to venture above our + strength; and thus there is proved to be equal blame either way. We must, + then, pretend to go over to the enemy, but, when a chance comes in our + way, we must desert him betimes. It will thus be better to forestall the + wrath of our foe by reigned obedience than, by refusing it, to give him a + weapon wherewith to attack us yet more harshly; for if we decline the sway + of the stronger, are we not simply turning his arms against our own + throat? Intricate devices are often the best nurse of craft. You need + cunning to trap a fox." By this sound counsel he dispelled the wavering of + his countrymen, and strengthened the camp of the enemy to its own hurt. + </p> + <p> + The assembly, marvelling at the eloquence as much as at the wit of one so + young, gladly embraced a proposal of such genius, which they thought + excellent beyond his years. Nor were the old men ashamed to obey the + bidding of a boy when they lacked counsel themselves; for, though it came + from one of tender years, it was full, notwithstanding, of weighty and + sound instruction. But they feared to expose their adviser to immediate + peril, and sent him over to Norway to be brought up. Soon afterwards, + Siward joined battle with Ring and attacked him. He slew Ring, but himself + received an incurable wound, of which he died a few days afterwards. + </p> + <p> + He was succeeded on the throne by RAGNAR. At this time Fro (Frey?), the + King of Sweden, after slaying Siward, the King of the Norwegians, put the + wives of Siward's kinsfolk in bonds in a brothel, and delivered them to + public outrage. When Ragnar heard of this, he went to Norway to avenge his + grandfather. As he came, many of the matrons, who had either suffered + insult to their persons or feared imminent peril to their chastity, + hastened eagerly to his camp in male attire, declaring that they would + prefer death to outrage. Nor did Ragnar, who was to punish this reproach + upon the women, scorn to use against the author of the infamy the help of + those whose shame he had come to avenge. Among them was Ladgerda, a + skilled amazon, who, though a maiden, had the courage of a man, and fought + in front among the bravest with her hair loose over her shoulders. + All-marvelled at her matchless deeds, for her locks flying down her back + betrayed that she was a woman. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar, when he had justly cut down the murderer of his grandfather, asked + many questions of his fellow soldiers concerning the maiden whom he had + seen so forward in the fray, and declared that he had gained the victory + by the might of one woman. Learning that she was of noble birth among the + barbarians, he steadfastly wooed her by means of messengers. She spurned + his mission in her heart, but feigned compliance. Giving false answers, + she made her panting wooer confident that he would gain his desires; but + ordered that a bear and a dog should be set at the porch of her dwelling, + thinking to guard her own room against all the ardour of a lover by means + of the beasts that blocked the way. Ragnar, comforted by the good news, + embarked, crossed the sea, and, telling his men to stop in Gaulardale, as + the valley is called, went to the dwelling of the maiden alone. Here the + beasts met him, and he thrust one through with a spear, and caught the + other by the throat, wrung its neck, and choked it. Thus he had the maiden + as the prize of the peril he had overcome. By this marriage he had two + daughters, whose names have not come down to us, and a son Fridleif. Then + he lived three years at peace. + </p> + <p> + The Jutlanders, a presumptuous race, thinking that because of his recent + marriage he would never return, took the Skanians into alliance, and tried + to attack the Zealanders, who preserved the most zealous and affectionate + loyalty towards Ragnar. He, when he heard of it, equipped thirty ships, + and, the winds favouring his voyage, crushed the Skanians, who ventured to + fight, near the stead of Whiteby, and when the winter was over he fought + successfully with the Jutlanders who dwelt near the Liim-fjord in that + region. A third and a fourth time he conquered the Skanians and the + Hallanders triumphantly. + </p> + <p> + Afterwards, changing his love, and desiring Thora, the daughter of the + King Herodd, to wife, Ragnar divorced himself from Ladgerda; for he + thought ill of her trustworthiness, remembering that she had long ago set + the most savage beasts to destroy him. Meantime Herodd, the King of the + Swedes, happening to go and hunt in the woods, brought home some snakes, + found by his escort, for his daughter to rear. She speedily obeyed the + instructions of her father, and endured to rear a race of adders with her + maiden hands. Moreover, she took care that they should daily have a whole + ox-carcase to gorge upon, not knowing that she was privately feeding and + keeping up a public nuisance. The vipers grew up, and scorched the + country-side with their pestilential breath. Whereupon the king, repenting + of his sluggishness, proclaimed that whosoever removed the pest should + have his daughter. + </p> + <p> + Many warriors were thereto attracted by courage as much as by desire; but + all idly and perilously wasted their pains. Ragnar, learning from men who + travelled to and fro how the matter stood, asked his nurse for a woolen + mantle, and for some thigh-pieces that were very hairy, with which he + could repel the snake-bites. He thought that he ought to use a dress + stuffed with hair to protect himself, and also took one that was not + unwieldy, that he might move nimbly. And when he had landed in Sweden, he + deliberately plunged his body in water, while there was a frost falling, + and, wetting his dress, to make it the less penetrable, he let the cold + freeze it. Thus attired, he took leave of his companions, exhorted them to + remain loyal to Fridleif, and went on to the palace alone. When he saw it, + he tied his sword to his side, and lashed a spear to his right hand with a + thong. As he went on, an enormous snake glided up and met him. Another, + equally huge, crawled up, following in the trail of the first. They strove + now to buffet the young man with the coils of their tails, and now to spit + and belch their venom stubbornly upon him. Meantime the courtiers, + betaking themselves to safer hiding, watched the struggle from afar like + affrighted little girls. The king was stricken with equal fear, and fled, + with a few followers, to a narrow shelter. But Ragnar, trusting in the + hardness of his frozen dress, foiled the poisonous assaults not only with + his arms, but with his attire, and, singlehanded, in unweariable combat, + stood up against the two gaping creatures, who stubbornly poured forth + their venom upon him. For their teeth he repelled with his shield, their + poison with his dress. At last he cast his spear, and drove it against the + bodies of the brutes, who were attacking him hard. He pierced both their + hearts, and his battle ended in victory. + </p> + <p> + After Ragnar had thus triumphed the king scanned his dress closely, and + saw that he was rough and hairy; but, above all, he laughed at the shaggy + lower portion of his garb, and chiefly the uncouth aspect of his breeches; + so that he gave him in jest the nickname of Lodbrog. Also he invited him + to feast with his friends, to refresh him after his labours. Ragnar said + that he would first go back to the witnesses whom he had left behind. He + set out and brought them back, splendidly attired for the coming feast. At + last, when the banquet was over, he received the prize that was appointed + for the victory. By her he begot two nobly-gifted sons, Radbard and + Dunwat. These also had brothers—Siward, Biorn, Agnar, and Iwar. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the Jutes and Skanians were kindled with an unquenchable fire + of sedition; they disallowed the title of Ragnar, and gave a certain + Harald the sovereign power. Ragnar sent envoys to Norway, and besought + friendly assistance against these men; and Ladgerda, whose early love + still flowed deep and steadfast, hastily sailed off with her husband and + her son. She brought herself to offer a hundred and twenty ships to the + man who had once put her away. And he, thinking himself destitute of all + resources, took to borrowing help from folk of every age, crowded the + strong and the feeble all together, and was not ashamed to insert some old + men and boys among the wedges of the strong. So he first tried to crush + the power of the Skanians in the field which in Latin is called Laneus + (Woolly); here he had a hard fight with the rebels. Here, too, Iwar, who + was in his seventh year, fought splendidly, and showed the strength of a + man in the body of a boy. But Siward, while attacking the enemy face to + face, fell forward upon the ground wounded. When his men saw this, it made + them look round most anxiously for means of flight; and this brought low + not only Siward, but almost the whole army on the side of Ragnar. But + Ragnar by his manly deeds and exhortations comforted their amazed and + sunken spirits, and, just when they were ready to be conquered, spurred + them on to try and conquer. + </p> + <p> + Ladgerda, who had a matchless spirit though a delicate frame, covered by + her splendid bravery the inclination of the soldiers to waver. For she + made a sally about, and flew round to the rear of the enemy, taking them + unawares, and thus turned the panic of her friends into the camp of the + enemy. At last the lines of HARALD became slack, and HARALD himself was + routed with a great slaughter of his men. LADGERDA, when she had gone home + after the battle, murdered her husband.... in the night with a spear-head, + which she had hid in her gown. Then she usurped the whole of his name and + sovereignty; for this most presumptuous dame thought it pleasanter to rule + without her husband than to share the throne with him. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Siward was taken to a town in the neighbourhood, and gave + himself to be tended by the doctors, who were reduced to the depths of + despair. But while the huge wound baffled all the remedies they applied, a + certain man of amazing size was seen to approach the litter of the sick + man, and promised that Siward should straightway rejoice and be whole, if + he would consecrate unto him the souls of all whom he should overcome in + battle. Nor did he conceal his name, but said that he was called Rostar. + Now Siward, when he saw that a great benefit could be got at the cost of a + little promise, eagerly acceded to this request. Then the old man + suddenly, by the help of his hand, touched and banished the livid spot, + and suddenly scarred the wound over. At last he poured dust on his eyes + and departed. Spots suddenly arose, and the dust, to the amaze of the + beholders, seemed to become wonderfully like little snakes. + </p> + <p> + I should think that he who did this miracle wished to declare, by the + manifest token of his eyes, that the young man was to be cruel in future, + in order that the more visible part of his body might not lack some omen + of his life that was to follow. When the old woman, who had the care of + his draughts, saw him showing in his face signs of little snakes; she was + seized with an extraordinary horror of the young man, and suddenly fell + and swooned away. Hence it happened that Siward got the widespread name of + Snake-Eye. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Thora, the bride of Ragnar, perished of a violent malady, which + caused infinite trouble and distress to the husband, who dearly loved his + wife. This distress, he thought, would be best dispelled by business, and + he resolved to find solace in exercise and qualify his grief by toil. To + banish his affliction and gain some comfort, he bent his thoughts to + warfare, and decreed that every father of a family should devote to his + service whichever of his children he thought most contemptible, or any + slave of his who was lazy at his work or of doubtful fidelity. And albeit + that this decree seemed little fitted for his purpose, he showed that the + feeblest of the Danish race were better than the strongest men of other + nations; and it did the young men great good, each of those chosen being + eager to wipe off the reproach of indolence. Also he enacted that every + piece of litigation should be referred to the judgment of twelve chosen + elders, all ordinary methods of action being removed, the accuser being + forbidden to charge, and the accused to defend. This law removed all + chance of incurring litigation lightly. Thinking that there was thus + sufficient provision made against false accusations by unscrupulous men, + he lifted up his arms against Britain, and attacked and slew in battle its + king, Hame, the father of Ella, who was a most noble youth. Then he killed + the earls of Scotland and of Pictland, and of the isles that they call the + Southern or Meridional (Sudr-eyar), and made his sons Siward and Radbard + masters of the provinces, which were now without governors. He also + deprived Norway of its chief by force, and commanded it to obey Fridleif, + whom he also set over the Orkneys, from which he took their own earl. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, some of the Danes who were most stubborn in their hatred against + Ragnar were obstinately bent on rebellion. They rallied to the side of + Harald, once an exile, and tried to raise the fallen fortunes of the + tyrant. By this hardihood they raised up against the king the most + virulent blasts of civil war, and entangled him in domestic perils when he + was free from foreign troubles. Ragnar, setting out to check them with a + fleet of the Danes who lived in the isles, crushed the army of the rebels, + drove Harald, the leader of the conquered army, a fugitive to Germany, and + forced him to resign unbashfully an honour which he had gained without + scruple. Nor was he content simply to kill his prisoners: he preferred to + torture them to death, so that those who could not be induced to forsake + their disloyalty might not be so much as suffered to give up the ghost + save under the most grievous punishment. Moreover, the estates of those + who had deserted with Harald he distributed among those who were serving + as his soldiers, thinking that the fathers would be worse punished by + seeing the honour of their inheritance made over to the children whom they + had rejected, while those whom they had loved better lost their patrimony. + But even this did not sate his vengeance, and he further determined to + attack Saxony, thinking it the refuge of his foes and the retreat of + Harald. So, begging his sons to help him, he came on Karl, who happened + then to be tarrying on those borders of his empire. Intercepting his + sentries, he eluded the watch that was posted on guard. But while he + thought that all the rest would therefore be easy and more open to his + attacks, suddenly a woman who was a soothsayer, a kind of divine oracle or + interpreter of the will of heaven, warned the king with a saving prophecy, + and by her fortunate presage forestalled the mischief that impended, + saying that the fleet of Siward had moored at the mouth of the river + Seine. The emperor, heeding the warning, and understanding that the enemy + was at hand, managed to engage with and stop the barbarians, who were thus + pointed out to him. A battle was fought with Ragnar; but Karl did not + succeed as happily in the field as he had got warning of the danger. And + so that tireless conqueror of almost all Europe, who in his calm and + complete career of victory had travelled over so great a portion of the + world, now beheld his army, which had vanquished all these states and + nations, turning its face from the field, and shattered by a handful from + a single province. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar, after loading the Saxons with tribute, had sure tidings from + Sweden of the death of Herodd, and also heard that his own sons, owing to + the slander of Sorle, the king chosen in his stead, had been robbed of + their inheritance. He besought the aid of the brothers Biorn, Fridleif, + and Ragbard (for Ragnald, Hwitserk, and Erik, his sons by Swanloga, had + not yet reached the age of bearing arms), and went to Sweden. Sorle met + him with his army, and offered him the choice between a public conflict + and a duel; and when Ragnar chose personal combat, he sent against him + Starkad, a champion of approved daring, with his band of seven sons, to + challenge and fight with him. Ragnar took his three sons to share the + battle with him, engaged in the sight of both armies, and came out of the + combat triumphant. + </p> + <p> + Biorn, having inflicted great slaughter on the foe without hurt to + himself, gained from the strength of his sides, which were like iron, a + perpetual name (Ironsides). This victory emboldened Ragnar to hope that he + could overcome any peril, and he attacked and slew Sorle with the entire + forces he was leading. He presented Biorn with the lordship of Sweden for + his conspicuous bravery and service. Then for a little interval he rested + from wars, and chanced to fall deeply in love with a certain woman. In + order to find some means of approaching and winning her the more readily, + he courted her father (Esbern) by showing him the most obliging and + attentive kindness. He often invited him to banquets, and received him + with lavish courtesy. When he came, he paid him the respect of rising, and + when he sat, he honoured him with a set next to himself. He also often + comforted him with gifts, and at times with the most kindly speech. The + man saw that no merits of his own could be the cause of all this + distinction, and casting over the matter every way in his mind, he + perceived that the generosity of his monarch was caused by his love for + his daughter, and that he coloured this lustful purpose with the name of + kindness. But, that he might balk the cleverness of the lover, however + well calculated, he had the girl watched all the more carefully that he + saw her beset by secret aims and obstinate methods. But Ragnar, who was + comforted by the surest tidings of her consent, went to the farmhouse in + which she was kept, and fancying that love must find out a way, repaired + alone to a certain peasant in a neighbouring lodging. In the morning he + exchanged dress with the women, and went in female attire, and stood by + his mistress as she was unwinding wool. Cunningly, to avoid betrayal, he + set his hands to the work of a maiden, though they were little skilled in + the art. In the night he embraced the maiden and gained his desire. When + her time drew near, and the girl growing big, betrayed her outraged + chastity, the father, not knowing to whom his daughter had given herself + to be defiled, persisted in asking the girl herself who was the unknown + seducer. She steadfastly affirmed that she had had no one to share her bed + except her handmaid, and he made the affair over to the king to search + into. He would not allow an innocent servant to be branded with an + extraordinary charge, and was not ashamed to prove another's innocence by + avowing his own guilt. By this generosity he partially removed the woman's + reproach, and prevented an absurd report from being sown in the ears of + the wicked. Also he added, that the son to be born of her was of his own + line, and that he wished him to be named Ubbe. When this son had grown up + somewhat, his wit, despite his tender years, equalled the discernment of + manhood. For he took to loving his mother, since she had had converse with + a noble bed, but cast off all respect for his father, because he had + stooped to a union too lowly. + </p> + <p> + After this Ragnar prepared an expedition against the Hellespontines, and + summoned an assembly of the Danes, promising that he would give the people + most wholesome laws. He had enacted before that each father of a household + should offer for service that one among his sons whom he esteemed least; + but now he enacted that each should arm the son who was stoutest of hand + or of most approved loyalty. Thereon, taking all the sons he had by Thora, + in addition to Ubbe, he attacked, crushed in sundry campaigns, and subdued + the Hellespont with its king Dia. At last he involved the same king in + disaster after disaster, and slew him. Dia's sons, Dia and Daxo, who had + before married the daughters of the Russian king, begged forces from their + father-in-law, and rushed with most ardent courage to the work of avenging + their father. But Ragnar, when he saw their boundless army, distrusted his + own forces; and he put brazen horses on wheels that could be drawn easily, + took them round on carriages that would turn, and ordered that they should + be driven with the utmost force against the thickest ranks of the enemy. + This device served so well to break the line of the foe, that the Danes' + hope of conquest seemed to lie more in the engine than in the soldiers: + for its insupportable weight overwhelmed whatever it struck. Thus one of + the leaders was killed, while one made off in flight, and the whole army + of the area of the Hellespont retreated. The Scythians, also, who were + closely related by blood to Daxo on the mother's side, are said to have + been crushed in the same disaster. Their province was made over to + Hwitserk, and the king of the Russians, trusting little in his own + strength, hastened to fly out of the reach of the terrible arms of Ragnar. + </p> + <p> + Now Ragnar had spent almost five years in sea-roving, and had quickly + compelled all other nations to submit; but he found the Perms in open + defiance of his sovereignty. He had just conquered them, but their loyalty + was weak. When they heard that he had come they cast spells upon the sky, + stirred up the clouds, and drove them into most furious storms. This for + some time prevented the Danes from voyaging, and caused their supply of + food to fail. Then, again, the storm suddenly abated, and now they were + scorched by the most fervent and burning heat; nor was this plague any + easier to bear than the great and violent cold had been. Thus the + mischievous excess in both directions affected their bodies alternately, + and injured them by an immoderate increase first of cold and then of heat. + Moreover, dysentery killed most of them. So the mass of the Danes, being + pent in by the dangerous state of the weather, perished of the bodily + plague that arose on every side. And when Ragnar saw that he was hindered, + not so much by a natural as by a factitious tempest, he held on his voyage + as best he could, and got to the country of the Kurlanders and Sembs, who + paid zealous honour to his might and majesty, as if he were the most + revered of conquerors. This service enraged the king all the more against + the arrogance of the men of Permland, and he attempted to avenge his + slighted dignity by a sudden attack. Their king, whose name is not known, + was struck with panic at such a sudden invasion of the enemy, and at the + same time had no heart to join battle with them; and fled to Matul, the + prince of Finmark. He, trusting in the great skill of his archers, + harassed with impunity the army of Ragnar, which was wintering in + Permland. For the Finns, who are wont to glide on slippery timbers + (snowskates), scud along at whatever pace they will, and are considered to + be able to approach or depart very quickly; for as soon as they have + damaged the enemy they fly away as speedily as they approach, nor is the + retreat they make quicker than their charge. Thus their vehicles and their + bodies are so nimble that they acquire the utmost expertness both in + advance and flight. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar was filled with amazement at the poorness of his fortunes when he + saw that he, who had conquered Rome at its pinnacle of power, was dragged + by an unarmed and uncouth race into the utmost peril. He, therefore, who + had signally crushed the most glorious flower of the Roman soldiery, and + the forces of a most great and serene captain, now yielded to a base mob + with the poorest and slenderest equipment; and he whose lustre in war the + might of the strongest race on earth had failed to tarnish, was now too + weak to withstand the tiny band of a miserable tribe. Hence, with that + force which had helped him bravely to defeat the most famous pomp in all + the world and the weightiest weapon of military power, and to subdue in + the field all that thunderous foot, horse, and encampment; with this he + had now, stealthily and like a thief, to endure the attacks of a wretched + and obscure populace; nor must he blush to stain by a treachery in the + night that noble glory of his which had been won in the light of day, for + he took to a secret ambuscade instead of open bravery. This affair was as + profitable in its issue as it was unhandsome in the doing. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar was equally as well pleased at the flight of the Finns as he had + been at that of Karl, and owned that he had found more strength in that + defenceless people than in the best equipped soldiery; for he found the + heaviest weapons of the Romans easier to bear than the light darts of this + ragged tribe. Here, after killing the king of the Perms and routing the + king of the Finns, Ragnar set an eternal memorial of his victory on the + rocks, which bore the characters of his deeds on their face, and looked + down upon them. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Ubbe was led by his grandfather, Esbern, to conceive an unholy + desire for the throne; and, casting away all thought of the reverence due + to his father, he claimed the emblem of royalty for his own head. + </p> + <p> + When Ragnar heard of his arrogance from Kelther and Thorkill, the earls of + Sweden, he made a hasty voyage towards Gothland. Esbern, finding that + these men were attached with a singular loyalty to the side of Ragnar, + tried to bribe them to desert the king. But they did not swerve from their + purpose, and replied that their will depended on that of Biorn, declaring + that not a single Swede would dare to do what went against his pleasure. + Esbern speedily made an attempt on Biorn himself, addressing him most + courteously through his envoys. Biorn said that he would never lean more + to treachery than to good faith, and judged that it would be a most + abominable thing to prefer the favour of an infamous brother to the love + of a most righteous father. The envoys themselves he punished with + hanging, because they counselled him to so grievous a crime. The Swedes, + moreover, slew the rest of the train of the envoys in the same way, as a + punishment for their mischievous advice. So Esbern, thinking that his + secret and stealthy manoeuvres did not succeed fast enough, mustered his + forces openly, and went publicly forth to war. But Iwar, the governor of + Jutland, seeing no righteousness on either side of the impious conflict, + avoided all unholy war by voluntary exile. + </p> + <p> + Ragnar attacked and slew Esbern in the bay that is called in Latin + Viridis; he cut off the dead man's head and bade it be set upon the ship's + prow, a dreadful sight for the seditious. But Ubbe took to flight, and + again attacked his father, having revived the war in Zealand. Ubbe's ranks + broke, and he was assailed single-handed from all sides; but he felled so + many of the enemy's line that he was surrounded with a pile of the corpses + of the foe as with a strong bulwark, and easily checked his assailants + from approaching. At last he was overwhelmed by the thickening masses of + the enemy, captured, and taken off to be laden with public fetters. By + immense violence he disentangled his chains and cut them away. But when he + tried to sunder and rend the bonds that were (then) put upon him, he could + not in any wise escape his bars. But when Iwar heard that the rising in + his country had been quelled by the punishment of the rebel, he went to + Denmark. Ragnar received him with the greatest honour, because, while the + unnatural war had raged its fiercest, he had behaved with the most entire + filial respect. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Daxo long and vainly tried to overcome Hwitserk, who ruled over + Sweden; but at last he enrapped him under pretence of making a peace, and + attacked him. Hwitserk received him hospitably, but Daxo had prepared an + army with weapons, who were to feign to be trading, ride into the city in + carriages, and break with a night-attack into the house of their host. + Hwitserk smote this band of robbers with such a slaughter that he was + surrounded with a heap of his enemies' bodies, and could only be taken by + letting down ladders from above. Twelve of his companions, who were + captured at the same time by the enemy, were given leave to go back to + their country; but they gave up their lives for their king, and chose to + share the dangers of another rather than be quit of their own. + </p> + <p> + Daxo, moved with compassion at the beauty of Hwitserk, had not the heart + to pluck the budding blossom of that noble nature, and offered him not + only his life, but his daughter in marriage, with a dowry of half his + kingdom; choosing rather to spare his comeliness than to punish his + bravery. But the other, in the greatness of his soul, valued as nothing + the life which he was given on sufferance, and spurned his safety as + though it were some trivial benefit. Of his own will he embraced the + sentence of doom, saying, that Ragnar would exact a milder vengeance for + his son if he found that he had made his own choice in selecting the + manner of his death. The enemy wondered at his rashness, and promised that + he should die by the manner of death which he should choose for this + punishment. This leave the young man accepted as a great kindness, and + begged that he might be bound and burned with his friends. Daxo speedily + complied with his prayers that craved for death, and by way of kindness + granted him the end that he had chosen. When Ragnar heard of this, he + began to grieve stubbornly even unto death, and not only put on the garb + of mourning, but, in the exceeding sorrow of his soul, took to his bed and + showed his grief by groaning. But his wife, who had more than a man's + courage, chid his weakness, and put heart into him with her manful + admonitions. Drawing his mind off from his woe, she bade him be zealous in + the pursuit of war; declaring that it was better for so brave a father to + avenge the bloodstained ashes of his son with weapons than with tears. She + also told him not to whimper like a woman, and get as much disgrace by his + tears as he had once earned glory by his valour. Upon these words Ragnar + began to fear lest he should destroy his ancient name for courage by his + womanish sorrow; so, shaking off his melancholy garb and putting away his + signs of mourning, he revived his sleeping valour with hopes of speedy + vengeance. Thus do the weak sometimes nerve the spirits of the strong. So + he put his kingdom in charge of Iwar, and embraced with a father's love + Ubbe, who was now restored to his ancient favour. Then he transported his + fleet over to Russia, took Daxo, bound him in chains, and sent him away to + be kept in Utgard. (1) + </p> + <p> + Ragnar showed on this occasion the most merciful moderation towards the + slayer of his dearest son, since he sufficiently satisfied the vengeance + which he desired, by the exile of the culprit rather than his death. This + compassion shamed the Russians out of any further rage against such a + king, who could not be driven even by the most grievous wrongs to inflict + death upon his prisoners. Ragnar soon took Daxo back into favour, and + restored him to his country, upon his promising that he would every year + pay him his tribute barefoot, like a suppliant, with twelve elders, also + unshod. For he thought it better to punish a prisoner and a suppliant + gently, than to draw the axe of bloodshed; better to punish that proud + neck with constant slavery than to sever it once and for all. Then he went + on and appointed his son Erik, surnamed Wind-hat, over Sweden. Here, while + Fridleif and Siward were serving under him, he found that the Norwegians + and the Scots had wrongfully conferred the title of king on two other men. + So he first overthrew the usurper to the power of Norway, and let Biorn + have the country for his own benefit. + </p> + <p> + Then he summoned Biorn and Erik, ravaged the Orkneys, landed at last on + the territory of the Scots, and in a three-days' battle wearied out their + king Murial, and slew him. But Ragnar's sons, Dunwat and Radbard, after + fighting nobly, were slain by the enemy. So that the victory their father + won was stained with their blood. He returned to Denmark, and found that + his wife Swanloga had in the meantime died of disease. Straightway he + sought medicine for his grief in loneliness, and patiently confined the + grief of his sick soul within the walls of his house. But this bitter + sorrow was driven out of him by the sudden arrival of Iwar, who had been + expelled from the kingdom. For the Gauls had made him fly, and had + wrongfully bestowed royal power on a certain Ella, the son of Hame. Ragnar + took Iwar to guide him, since he was acquainted with the country, gave + orders for a fleet, and approached the harbour called York. Here he + disembarked his forces, and after a battle which lasted three days, he + made Ella, who had trusted in the valour of the Gauls, desirous to fly. + The affair cost much blood to the English and very little to the Danes. + Here Ragnar completed a year of conquest, and then, summoning his sons to + help him, he went to Ireland, slew its king Melbrik, besieged Dublin, + which was filled with wealth of the barbarians, attacked it, and received + its surrender. There he lay in camp for a year; and then, sailing through + the midland sea, he made his way to the Hellespont. He won signal + victories as he crossed all the intervening countries, and no ill-fortune + anywhere checked his steady and prosperous advance. + </p> + <p> + Harald, meanwhile, with the adherence of certain Danes who were + cold-hearted servants in the army of Ragnar, disturbed his country with + renewed sedition, and came forward claiming the title of king. He was met + by the arms of Ragnar returning from the Hellespont; but being + unsuccessful, and seeing that his resources of defence at home were + exhausted, he went to ask help of Ludwig, who was then stationed at Mainz. + But Ludwig, filled with the greatest zeal for promoting his religion, + imposed a condition on the Barbarian, promising him help if he would agree + to follow the worship of Christ. For he said there could be no agreement + of hearts between those who embraced discordant creeds. Anyone, therefore, + who asked for help, must first have a fellowship in religion. No men could + be partners in great works who were separated by a different form of + worship. This decision procured not only salvation for Ludwig's guest, but + the praise of piety for Ludwig himself, who, as soon as Harald had gone to + the holy font, accordingly strengthened him with Saxon auxiliaries. + Trusting in these, Harald built a temple in the land of Sleswik with much + care and cost, to be hallowed to God. Thus he borrowed a pattern of the + most holy way from the worship of Rome. He unhallowed, pulled down the + shrines that had been profaned by the error of misbelievers, outlawed the + sacrificers, abolished the (heathen) priesthood, and was the first to + introduce the religion of Christianity to his uncouth country. Rejecting + the worship of demons, he was zealous for that of God. Lastly, he observed + with the most scrupulous care whatever concerned the protection of + religion. But he began with more piety than success. For Ragnar came up, + outraged the holy rites he had brought in, outlawed the true faith, + restored the false one to its old position, and bestowed on the ceremonies + the same honour as before. As for Harald, he deserted and cast in his lot + with sacrilege. For though he was a notable ensample by his introduction + of religion, yet he was the first who was seen to neglect it, and this + illustrious promoter of holiness proved a most infamous forsaker of the + same. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Ella betook himself to the Irish, and put to the sword or + punished all those who were closely and loyally attached to Ragnar. Then + Ragnar attacked him with his fleet, but, by the just visitation of the + Omnipotent, was openly punished for disparaging religion. For when he had + been taken and cast into prison, his guilty limbs were given to serpents + to devour, and adders found ghastly substance in the fibres of his + entrails. His liver was eaten away, and a snake, like a deadly + executioner, beset his very heart. Then in a courageous voice he recounted + all his deeds in order, and at the end of his recital added the following + sentence: "If the porkers knew the punishment of the boar-pig, surely they + would break into the sty and hasten to loose him from his affliction." At + this saying, Ella conjectured that some of his sons were yet alive, and + bade that the executioners should stop and the vipers be removed. The + servants ran up to accomplish his bidding; but Ragnar was dead, and + forestalled the order of the king. Surely we must say that this man had a + double lot for his share? By one, he had a fleet unscathed, an empire + well-inclined, and immense power as a rover; while the other inflicted on + him the ruin of his fame, the slaughter of his soldiers, and a most bitter + end. The executioner beheld him beset with poisonous beasts, and asps + gorging on that heart which he had borne steadfast in the face of every + peril. Thus a most glorious conqueror declined to the piteous lot of a + prisoner; a lesson that no man should put too much trust in fortune. + </p> + <p> + Iwar heard of this disaster as he happened to be looking on at the games. + Nevertheless, he kept an unmoved countenance, and in nowise broke down. + Not only did he dissemble his grief and conceal the news of his father's + death, but he did not even allow a clamour to arise, and forbade the + panic-stricken people to leave the scene of the sports. Thus, loth to + interrupt the spectacle by the ceasing of the games, he neither clouded + his countenance nor turned his eyes from public merriment to dwell upon + his private sorrow; for he would not fall suddenly into the deepest + melancholy from the height of festal joy, or seem to behave more like an + afflicted son than a blithe captain. + </p> + <p> + But when Siward heard the same tidings, he loved his father more than he + cared for his own pain, and in his distraction plunged deeply into his + foot the spear he chanced to be holding, dead to all bodily troubles in + his stony sadness. For he wished to hurt some part of his body severely, + that he might the more patiently bear the wound in his soul. By this act + he showed at once his bravery and his grief, and bore his lot like a son + who was more afflicted and steadfast. But Biorn received the tidings of + his father's death while he was playing at dice, and squeezed so violently + the piece that he was grasping that he wrung the blood from his fingers + and shed it on the table; whereon he said that assuredly the cast of fate + was more fickle than that of the very die which he was throwing. When Ella + heard this, he judged that his father's death had been borne with the + toughest and most stubborn spirit by that son of the three who had paid no + filial respect to his decease; and therefore he dreaded the bravery of + Iwar most. + </p> + <p> + Iwar went towards England, and when he saw that his fleet was not strong + enough to join battle with the enemy, he chose to be cunning rather than + bold, and tried a shrewd trick on Ella, begging as a pledge of peace + between them a strip of land as great as he could cover with a horse's + hide. He gained his request, for the king supposed that it would cost + little, and thought himself happy that so strong a foe begged for a little + boon instead of a great one; supposing that a tiny skin would cover but a + very little land. But Iwar cut the hide out and lengthened it into very + slender thongs, thus enclosing a piece of ground large enough to build a + city on. Then Ella came to repent of his lavishness, and tardily set to + reckoning the size of the hide, measuring the little skin more narrowly + now that it was cut up than when it was whole. For that which he had + thought would encompass a little strip of ground, he saw lying wide over a + great estate. Iwar brought into the city, when he founded it, supplies + that would serve amply for a siege, wishing the defences to be as good + against scarcity as against an enemy. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Siward and Biorn came up with a fleet of 400 ships, and with + open challenge declared war against the king. This they did at the + appointed time; and when they had captured him, they ordered the figure of + an eagle to be cut in his back, rejoicing to crush their most ruthless foe + by marking him with the cruellest of birds. Not satisfied with imprinting + a wound on him, they salted the mangled flesh. Thus Ella was done to + death, and Biorn and Siward went back to their own kingdoms. + </p> + <p> + Iwar governed England for two years. Meanwhile the Danes were stubborn in + revolt, and made war, and delivered the sovereignty publicly to a certain + SIWARD and to ERIK, both of the royal line. The sons of Ragnar, together + with a fleet of 1,700 ships, attacked them at Sleswik, and destroyed them + in a conflict which lasted six months. Barrows remain to tell the tale. + The sound on which the war was conducted has gained equal glory by the + death of Siward. And now the royal stock was almost extinguished, saving + only the sons of Ragnar. Then, when Biorn and Erik had gone home, Iwar and + Siward settled in Denmark, that they might curb the rebels with a stronger + rein, setting Agnar to govern England. Agnar was stung because the English + rejected him, and, with the help of Siward, chose, rather than foster the + insolence of the province that despised him, to dispeople it and leave its + fields, which were matted in decay, with none to till them. He covered the + richest land of the island with the most hideous desolation, thinking it + better to be lord of a wilderness than of a headstrong country. After this + he wished to avenge Erik, who had been slain in Sweden by the malice of a + certain Osten. But while he was narrowly bent on avenging another, he + squandered his own blood on the foe; and while he was eagerly trying to + punish the slaughter of his brother, sacrificed his own life to brotherly + love. + </p> + <p> + Thus SIWARD, by the sovereign vote of the whole Danish assembly, received + the empire of his father. But after the defeats he had inflicted + everywhere he was satisfied with the honour he received at home, and liked + better to be famous with the gown than with the sword. He ceased to be a + man of camps, and changed from the fiercest of despots into the most + punctual guardian of peace. He found as much honour in ease and leisure as + he had used to think lay in many victories. Fortune so favoured his change + of pursuits, that no foe ever attacked him, nor he any foe. He died, and + ERIK, who was a very young child, inherited his nature, rather than his + realm or his tranquillity. For Erik, the brother of Harald, despising his + exceedingly tender years, invaded the country with rebels, and seized the + crown; nor was he ashamed to assail the lawful infant sovereign, and to + assume an unrightful power. In thus bringing himself to despoil a feeble + child of the kingdom he showed himself the more unworthy of it. Thus he + stripped the other of his throne, but himself of all his virtues, and cast + all manliness out of his heart, when he made war upon a cradle: for where + covetousness and ambition flamed, love of kindred could find no place. But + this brutality was requited by the wrath of a divine vengeance. For the + war between this man and Gudorm, the son of Harald, ended suddenly with + such slaughter that they were both slain, with numberless others; and the + royal stock of the Danes, now worn out by the most terrible massacres, was + reduced to the only son of the above Siward. + </p> + <p> + This man (Erik) won the fortune of a throne by losing his kindred; it was + luckier for him to have his relations dead than alive. He forsook the + example of all the rest, and hastened to tread in the steps of his + grandfather; for he suddenly came out as a most zealous practitioner of + roving. And would that he had not shown himself rashly to inherit the + spirit of Ragnar, by his abolition of Christian worship! For he + continually tortured all the most religious men, or stripped them of their + property and banished them. But it were idle for me to blame the man's + beginnings when I am to praise his end. For that life is more laudable of + which the foul beginning is checked by a glorious close, than that which + begins commendably but declines into faults and infamies. For Erik, upon + the healthy admonitions of Ansgarius, laid aside the errors of his impious + heart, and atoned for whatsoever he had done amiss in the insolence + thereof; showing himself as strong in the observance of religion as he had + been in slighting it. Thus he not only took a draught of more wholesome + teaching with obedient mind, but wiped off early stains by his purity at + the end. He had a son KANUTE by the daughter of Gudorm, who was also the + granddaughter of Harald; and him he left to survive his death. + </p> + <p> + While this child remained in infancy a guardian was required for the pupil + and for the realm. But inasmuch it seemed to most people either invidious + or difficult to give the aid that this office needed, it was resolved that + a man should be chosen by lot. For the wisest of the Danes, fearing much + to make a choice by their own will in so lofty a matter, allowed more + voice to external chance than to their own opinions, and entrusted the + issue of the selection rather to luck than to sound counsel. The issue was + that a certain Enni-gnup (Steep-brow), a man of the highest and most + entire virtue, was forced to put his shoulder to this heavy burden; and + when he entered on the administration which chalice had decreed, he + oversaw, not only the early rearing of the king, but the affairs of the + whole people. For which reason some who are little versed in our history + give this man a central place in its annals. But when Kanute had passed + through the period of boyhood, and had in time grown to be a man, he left + those who had done him the service of bringing him up, and turned from an + almost hopeless youth to the practice of unhoped-for virtue; being + deplorable for this reason only, that he passed from life to death without + the tokens of the Christian faith. + </p> + <p> + But soon the sovereignty passed to his son FRODE. This man's fortune, + increased by arms and warfare, rose to such a height of prosperity that he + brought back to the ancient yoke the provinces which had once revolted + from the Danes, and bound them in their old obedience. He also came + forward to be baptised with holy water in England, which had for some + while past been versed in Christianity. But he desired that his personal + salvation should overflow and become general, and begged that Denmark + should be instructed in divinity by Agapete, who was then Pope of Rome. + But he was cut off before his prayers attained this wish. His death befell + before the arrival of the messengers from Rome: and indeed his intention + was better than his fortune, and he won as great a reward in heaven for + his intended piety as others are vouchsafed for their achievement. + </p> + <p> + His son GORM, who had the surname of "The Englishman," because he was born + in England, gained the sovereignty in the island on his father's death; + but his fortune, though it came soon, did not last long. He left England + for Denmark to put it in order; but a long misfortune was the fruit of + this short absence. For the English, who thought that their whole chance + of freedom lay in his being away, planned an open revolt from the Danes, + and in hot haste took heart to rebel. But the greater the hatred and + contempt of England, the greater the loyal attachment of Denmark to the + king. Thus while he stretched out his two hands to both provinces in his + desire for sway, he gained one, but lost the lordship of the other + irretrievably; for he never made any bold effort to regain it. So hard is + it to keep a hold on very large empires. + </p> + <p> + After this man his son HARALD came to be king of Denmark; he is + half-forgotten by posterity, and lacks all record for famous deeds, + because he rather preserved than extended the possessions of the realm. + </p> + <p> + After this the throne was obtained by GORM, a man whose soul was ever + hostile to religion, and who tried to efface all regard for Christ's + worshippers, as though they were the most abominable of men. All those who + shared this rule of life he harassed with divers kinds of injuries and + incessantly pursued with whatever slanders he could. Also, in order to + restore the old worship to the shrines, he razed to its lowest + foundations, as though it were some unholy abode of impiety, a temple + which religious men had founded in a stead in Sleswik; and those whom he + did not visit with tortures he punished by the demolition of the holy + chapel. Though this man was thought notable for his stature, his mind did + not answer to his body; for he kept himself so well sated with power that + he rejoiced more in saving than increasing his dignity, and thought it + better to guard his own than to attack what belonged to others: caring + more to look to what he had than to swell his havings. + </p> + <p> + This man was counselled by the elders to celebrate the rites of marriage, + and he wooed Thyra, the daughter of Ethelred, the king of the English, for + his wife. She surpassed other women in seriousness and shrewdness, and + laid the condition on her suitor that she would not marry him till she had + received Denmark as a dowry. This compact was made between them, and she + was betrothed to Gorm. But on the first night that she went up on to the + marriage-bed, she prayed her husband most earnestly that she should be + allowed to go for three days free from intercourse with man. For she + resolved to have no pleasure of love till she had learned by some omen in + a vision that her marriage would be fruitful. Thus, under pretence of + self-control, she deferred her experience of marriage, and veiled under a + show of modesty her wish to learn about her issue. She put off lustful + intercourse, inquiring, under the feint of chastity, into the fortune she + would have in continuing her line. Some conjecture that she refused the + pleasures of the nuptial couch in order to win her mate over to + Christianity by her abstinence. But the youth, though he was most ardently + bent on her love, yet chose to regard the continence of another more than + his own desires, and thought it nobler to control the impulses of the + night than to rebuff the prayers of his weeping mistress; for he thought + that her beseechings, really coming from calculation, had to do with + modesty. Thus it befell that he who should have done a husband's part made + himself the guardian of her chastity so that the reproach of an infamous + mind should not be his at the very beginning of his marriage; as though he + had yielded more to the might of passion than to his own self-respect. + Moreover that he might not seem to forestall by his lustful embraces the + love which the maiden would not grant, he not only forbore to let their + sides that were next one another touch, but even severed them by his drawn + sword, and turned the bed into a divided shelter for his bride and + himself. But he soon tasted in the joyous form of a dream the pleasure + which he postponed from free loving kindness. For, when his spirit was + steeped in slumber, he thought that two birds glided down from the privy + parts of his wife, one larger than the other; that they poised their + bodies aloft and soared swiftly to heaven, and, when a little time had + elapsed, came back and sat on either of his hands. A second, and again a + third time, when they had been refreshed by a short rest, they ventured + forth to the air with outspread wings. At last the lesser of them came + back without his fellow, and with wings smeared with blood. He was amazed + with this imagination, and, being in a deep sleep, uttered a cry to + betoken his astonishment, filling the whole house with an uproarious + shout. When his servants questioned him, he related his vision; and Thyra, + thinking that she would be blest with offspring, forbore her purpose to + put off her marriage, eagerly relaxing the chastity for which she had so + hotly prayed. Exchanging celibacy for love, she granted her husband full + joy of herself, requiting his virtuous self-restraint with the fulness of + permitted intercourse, and telling him that she would not have married him + at all, had she not inferred from these images in the dream which he had + related, the certainty of her being fruitful. + </p> + <p> + By a device as cunning as it was strange, Thyra's pretended modesty passed + into an acknowledgment of her future offspring. Nor did fate disappoint + her hopes. Soon she was the fortunate mother of Kanute and Harald. When + these princes had attained man's estate, they put forth a fleet and + quelled the reckless insolence of the Sclavs. Neither did they leave + England free from an attack of the same kind. Ethelred was delighted with + their spirit, and rejoiced at the violence his nephews offered him; + accepting an abominable wrong as though it were the richest of benefits. + For he saw far more merit in their bravery than in piety. Thus he thought + it nobler to be attacked by foes than courted by cowards, and felt that he + saw in their valiant promise a sample of their future manhood. + </p> + <p> + For he could not doubt that they would some day attack foreign realms, + since they so boldly claimed those of their mother. He so much preferred + their wrongdoing to their service, that he passed over his daughter, and + bequeathed England in his will to these two, not scrupling to set the name + of grandfather before that of father. Nor was he unwise; for he knew that + it beseemed men to enjoy the sovereignty rather than women, and considered + that he ought to separate the lot of his unwarlike daughter from that of + her valiant sons. Hence Thyra saw her sons inheriting the goods of her + father, not grudging to be disinherited herself. For she thought that the + preference above herself was honourable to her, rather than insulting. + </p> + <p> + Kanute and Harald enriched themselves with great gains from sea-roving, + and most confidently aspired to lay hands on Ireland. Dublin, which was + considered the capital of the country, was beseiged. Its king went into a + wood adjoining the city with a few very skilled archers, and with + treacherous art surrounded Kanute (who was present with a great throng of + soldiers witnessing the show of the games by night), and aimed a deadly + arrow at him from afar. It struck the body of the king in front, and + pierced him with a mortal wound. But Kanute feared that the enemy would + greet his peril with an outburst of delight. He therefore wished his + disaster to be kept dark; and summoning voice with his last breath, he + ordered the games to be gone through without disturbance. By this device + he made the Danes masters of Ireland ere he made his own death known to + the Irish. + </p> + <p> + Who would not bewail the end of such a man, whose self-mastery served to + give the victory to his soldiers, by reason of the wisdom that outlasted + his life? For the safety of the Danes was most seriously endangered, and + was nearly involved in the most deadly peril; yet because they obeyed the + dying orders of their general they presently triumphed over those they + feared. + </p> + <p> + Germ had now reached the extremity of his days, having been blind for many + years, and had prolonged his old age to the utmost bounds of the human + lot, being more anxious for the life and prosperity of his sons than for + the few days he had to breathe. But so great was his love for his elder + son that he swore that he would slay with his own hand whosoever first + brought him news of his death. As it chanced, Thyra heard sure tidings + that this son had perished. But when no man durst openly hint this to + Germ, she fell back on her cunning to defend her, and revealed by her + deeds the mischance which she durst not speak plainly out. For she took + the royal robes off her husband and dressed him in filthy garments, + bringing him other signs of grief also, to explain the cause of her + mourning; for the ancients were wont to use such things in the performance + of obsequies, bearing witness by their garb to the bitterness of their + sorrow. Then said Germ: "Dost thou declare to me the death of Kanute?" (2) + And Thyra said: "That is proclaimed by thy presage, not by mine." By this + answer she made out her lord a dead man and herself a widow, and had to + lament her husband as soon as her son. Thus, while she announced the fate + of her son to her husband, she united them in death, and followed the + obsequies of both with equal mourning; shedding the tears of a wife upon + the one and of a mother upon the other; though at that moment she ought to + have been cheered with comfort rather than crushed with disasters. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ENDNOTES: + (1) Utgard. Saxo, rationalising as usual, turns the mythical + home of the giants into some terrestrial place in his + vaguely-defined Eastern Europe. + (2) Kanute. Here the vernacular is far finer. The old king + notices "Denmark is drooping, dead must my son be!", puts on + the signs of mourning, and dies. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Danish History, Books I-IX, by +Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned") + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DANISH HISTORY, BOOKS I-IX *** + +***** This file should be named 1150-h.htm or 1150-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/5/1150/ + +Produced by Douglas B. Killings and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> diff --git a/old/1150.txt b/old/1150.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c331d8e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1150.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15179 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Danish History, Books I-IX, by +Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned") + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Danish History, Books I-IX + +Author: Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned") + +Release Date: February 11, 2006 [EBook #1150] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DANISH HISTORY, BOOKS I-IX *** + + + + +Produced by Douglas B. Killings and David Widger + + + + + +THE DANISH HISTORY, + +BOOKS I-IX + +by + +Saxo Grammaticus + +("Saxo the Learned") fl. Late 12th - Early 13th Century A.D. + + + PREPARER'S NOTE: + + Originally written in Latin in the early years of the 13th + Century A.D. by the Danish historian Saxo, of whom little is + known except his name. + + The text of this edition is based on that published as + "The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus", + translated by Oliver Elton (Norroena Society, New York, 1905). + This edition is in the PUBLIC DOMAIN in the United States. + + This electronic edition was edited, proofed, and prepared by + Douglas B. Killings. + + The preparer would like to thank Mr. James W. Marchand and Mr. + Jessie D. Hurlbut for their invaluable assistance in the + production of this electronic text. Thank you. I am indebted to + you both. + + Although Saxo wrote 16 books of his "Danish History", only the + first nine were ever translated by Mr. Oliver Elton; it is these + nine books that are here included. As far as the preparer knows, + there is (unfortunately) no public domain English translation of + Books X-XVI. Those interested in the latter books should search + for the translation mentioned below. + + + + +SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: + +ORIGINAL TEXT-- + +Olrik, J and Raeder (Ed.): "Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum" +(Copenhagen, 1931). + +Dansk Nationallitteraert Arkiv: "Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum" (DNA, +Copenhagen, 1996). Web-based Latin edition of Saxo, substantiallly based +on the above edition; currently at the + + +OTHER TRANSLATIONS-- + +Fisher, Peter (Trans.) and Hilda Ellis Davidson (Ed.): "Saxo +Grammaticus: History of the Danes" (Brewer, Cambridge, 1979). + + +RECOMMENDED READING-- + +Jones, Gwyn: "History of the Vikings" (Oxford University Press, Oxford, +1968, 1973, 1984). + +Sturlson, Snorri: "The Heimskringla" (Translation: Samual Laing, London, +1844; released as Online Medieval and Classical Library E-text +#15, 1996). Web version at the following URL: +http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/OMACL/Heimskringla/ + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + + + +SAXO'S POSITION. + +Saxo Grammaticus, or "The Lettered", one of the notable historians of +the Middle Ages, may fairly be called not only the earliest chronicler +of Denmark, but her earliest writer. In the latter half of the twelfth +century, when Iceland was in the flush of literary production, Denmark +lingered behind. No literature in her vernacular, save a few Runic +inscriptions, has survived. Monkish annals, devotional works, and lives +were written in Latin; but the chronicle of Roskild, the necrology of +Lund, the register of gifts to the cloister of Sora, are not literature. +Neither are the half-mythological genealogies of kings; and besides, the +mass of these, though doubtless based on older verses that are lost, +are not proved to be, as they stand, prior to Saxo. One man only, Saxo's +elder contemporary, Sueno Aggonis, or Sweyn (Svend) Aageson, who wrote +about 1185, shares or anticipates the credit of attempting a connected +record. His brief draft of annals is written in rough mediocre Latin. +It names but a few of the kings recorded by Saxo, and tells little that +Saxo does not. Yet there is a certain link between the two writers. +Sweyn speaks of Saxo with respect; he not obscurely leaves him the task +of filling up his omissions. Both writers, servants of the brilliant +Bishop Absalon, and probably set by him upon their task, proceed, like +Geoffrey of Monmouth, by gathering and editing mythical matter. This +they more or less embroider, and arrive in due course insensibly at +actual history. Both, again, thread their stories upon a genealogy of +kings in part legendary. Both write at the spur of patriotism, both to +let Denmark linger in the race for light and learning, and desirous to +save her glories, as other nations have saved theirs, by a record. But +while Sweyn only made a skeleton chronicle, Saxo leaves a memorial in +which historian and philologist find their account. His seven later +books are the chief Danish authority for the times which they relate; +his first nine, here translated, are a treasure of myth and folk-lore. +Of the songs and stories which Denmark possessed from the common +Scandinavian stock, often her only native record is in Saxo's Latin. +Thus, as a chronicler both of truth and fiction, he had in his own +land no predecessor, nor had he any literary tradition behind him. +Single-handed, therefore, he may be said to have lifted the dead-weight +against him, and given Denmark a writer. The nature of his work will be +discussed presently. + + + + +LIFE OF SAXO. + +Of Saxo little is known but what he himself indicates, though much +doubtful supposition has gathered round his name. + +That he was born a Dane his whole language implies; it is full of a glow +of aggressive patriotism. He also often praises the Zealanders at the +expense of other Danes, and Zealand as the centre of Denmark; but that +is the whole contemporary evidence for the statement that he was a +Zealander. This statement is freely taken for granted three centuries +afterwards by Urne in the first edition of the book (1514), but is not +traced further back than an epitomator, who wrote more than 200 years +after Saxo's death. Saxo tells us that his father and grandfather fought +for Waldemar the First of Denmark, who reigned from 1157 to 1182. Of +these men we know nothing further, unless the Saxo whom he names as one +of Waldemar's admirals be his grandfather, in which case his family was +one of some distinction and his father and grandfather probably "King's +men". But Saxo was a very common name, and we shall see the licence of +hypothesis to which this fact has given rise. The notice, however, +helps us approximately towards Saxo's birth-year. His grandfather, if +he fought for Waldemar, who began to reign in 1157, can hardly have been +born before 1100, nor can Saxo himself have been born before 1145 or +1150. But he was undoubtedly born before 1158, since he speaks of the +death of Bishop Asker, which took place in that year, as occurring "in +our time". His life therefore covers and overlaps the last half of the +twelfth century. + +His calling and station in life are debated. Except by the anonymous +Zealand chronicler, who calls him Saxo "the Long", thus giving us the +one personal detail we have, he has been universally known as Saxo +"Grammaticus" ever since the epitomator of 1431 headed his compilation +with the words, "A certain notable man of letters ("grammaticus"), a +Zealander by birth, named Saxo, wrote," etc. It is almost certain that +this general term, given only to men of signal gifts and learning, +became thus for the first time, and for good, attached to Saxo's name. +Such a title, in the Middle Ages, usually implied that its owner was +a churchman, and Saxo's whole tone is devout, though not conspicuously +professional. + +But a number of Saxos present themselves in the same surroundings with +whom he has been from time to time identified. All he tells us himself +is, that Absalon, Archbishop of Lund from 1179 to 1201, pressed him, who +was "the least of his companions, since all the rest refused the task", +to write the history of Denmark, so that it might record its glories +like other nations. Absalon was previously, and also after his +promotion, Bishop of Roskild, and this is the first circumstance giving +colour to the theory--which lacks real evidence--that Saxo the historian +was the same as a certain Saxo, Provost of the Chapter of Roskild, +whose death is chronicled in a contemporary hand without any mark of +distinction. It is unlikely that so eminent a man would be thus barely +named; and the appended eulogy and verses identifying the Provost and +the historian are of later date. Moreover, the Provost Saxo went on +a mission to Paris in 1165, and was thus much too old for the theory. +Nevertheless, the good Bishop of Roskild, Lave Urne, took this identity +for granted in the first edition, and fostered the assumption. Saxo was +a cleric; and could such a man be of less than canonical rank? He was +(it was assumed) a Zealander; he was known to be a friend of Absalon, +Bishop of Roskild. What more natural than that he should have been the +Provost Saxo? Accordingly this latter worthy had an inscription in gold +letters, written by Lave Urne himself, affixed to the wall opposite his +tomb. + +Even less evidence exists for identifying our Saxo with the scribe of +that name--a comparative menial--who is named in the will of Bishop +Absalon; and hardly more warranted is the theory that he was a member, +perhaps a subdeacon, of the monastery of St. Laurence, whose secular +canons formed part of the Chapter of Lund. It is true that Sweyn +Aageson, Saxo's senior by about twenty years, speaks (writing about +1185) of Saxo as his "contubernalis". Sweyn Aageson is known to have had +strong family connections with the monastery of St. Laurence; but there +is only a tolerably strong probability that he, and therefore that Saxo, +was actually a member of it. ("Contubernalis" may only imply comradeship +in military service.) Equally doubtful is the consequence that +since Saxo calls himself "one of the least" of Absalon's "followers" +("comitum"), he was probably, if not the inferior officer, who is called +an "acolitus", at most a sub-deacon, who also did the work of a superior +"acolitus". This is too poor a place for the chief writer of Denmark, +high in Absalon's favor, nor is there any direct testimony that Saxo +held it. + +His education is unknown, but must have been careful. Of his training +and culture we only know what his book betrays. Possibly, like other +learned Danes, then and afterwards, he acquired his training and +knowledge at some foreign University. Perhaps, like his contemporary +Anders Suneson, he went to Paris; but we cannot tell. It is not even +certain that he had a degree; for there is really little to identify him +with the "M(agister) Saxo" who witnessed the deed of Absalon founding +the monastery at Sora. + + + + +THE HISTORY. + +How he was induced to write his book has been mentioned. The expressions +of modesty Saxo uses, saying that he was "the least" of Absalon's +"followers", and that "all the rest refused the task", are not to be +taken to the letter. A man of his parts would hardly be either the least +in rank, or the last to be solicited. The words, however, enable us to +guess an upward limit for the date of the inception of the work. Absalon +became Archbishop in 1179, and the language of the Preface (written, +as we shall see, last) implies that he was already Archbishop when he +suggested the History to Saxo. But about 1185 we find Sweyn Aageson +complimenting Saxo, and saying that Saxo "had `determined' to set forth +all the deeds" of Sweyn Estridson, in his eleventh book, "at greater +length in a more elegant style". The exact bearing of this notice on +the date of Saxo's History is doubtful. It certainly need not imply that +Saxo had already written ten books, or indeed that he had written +any, of his History. All we call say is, that by 1185 a portion of the +history was planned. The order in which its several parts were composed, +and the date of its completion, are not certainly known, as Absalon died +in 1201. But the work was not then finished; for, at the end of Bk. XI, +one Birger, who died in 1202, is mentioned as still alive. + +We have, however, a yet later notice. In the Preface, which, as its +whole language implies, was written last, Saxo speaks of Waldemar II +having "encompassed (`complexus') the ebbing and flowing waves of Elbe." +This language, though a little vague, can hardly refer to anything but +an expedition of Waldemar to Bremen in 1208. The whole History was in +that case probably finished by about 1208. As to the order in which its +parts were composed, it is likely that Absalon's original instruction +was to write a history of Absalon's own doings. The fourteenth and +succeeding books deal with these at disproportionate length, and +Absalon, at the expense even of Waldemar, is the protagonist. Now Saxo +states in his Preface that he "has taken care to follow the statements +("asserta") of Absalon, and with obedient mind and pen to include both +his own doings and other men's doings of which he learnt." + +The latter books are, therefore, to a great extent, Absalon's personally +communicated memoirs. But we have seen that Absalon died in 1201, +and that Bk. xi, at any rate, was not written after 1202. It almost +certainly follows that the latter books were written in Absalon's +life; but the Preface, written after them, refers to events in 1208. +Therefore, unless we suppose that the issue was for some reason +delayed, or that Saxo spent seven years in polishing--which is not +impossible--there is some reason to surmise that he began with that +portion of his work which was nearest to his own time, and added +the previous (especially the first nine, or mythical) books, as a +completion, and possibly as an afterthought. But this is a point which +there is no real means of settling. We do not know how late the Preface +was written, except that it must have been some time between 1208 and +1223, when Anders Suneson ceased to be Archbishop; nor do we know when +Saxo died. + + + + +HISTORY OF THE WORK. + +Nothing is stranger than that a work of such force and genius, unique in +Danish letters, should have been forgotten for three hundred years, and +have survived only in an epitome and in exceedingly few manuscripts. The +history of the book is worth recording. Doubtless its very merits, its +"marvellous vocabulary, thickly-studded maxims, and excellent variety of +images," which Erasmus admired long afterwards, sealed it to the vulgar. +A man needed some Latin to appreciate it, and Erasmus' natural wonder +"how a Dane at that day could have such a force of eloquence" is a +measure of the rarity both of the gift and of a public that could +appraise it. The epitome (made about 1430) shows that Saxo was felt to +be difficult, its author saying: "Since Saxo's work is in many places +diffuse, and many things are said more for ornament than for historical +truth, and moreover his style is too obscure on account of the number +of terms ("plurima vocabula") and sundry poems, which are unfamiliar to +modern times, this opuscle puts in clear words the more notable of +the deeds there related, with the addition of some that happened after +Saxo's death." A Low-German version of this epitome, which appeared in +1485, had a considerable vogue, and the two together "helped to drive +the history out of our libraries, and explains why the annalists and +geographers of the Middle Ages so seldom quoted it." This neglect +appears to have been greatest of all in Denmark, and to have lasted +until the appearance of the "First Edition" in 1511. + +The first impulse towards this work by which Saxo was saved, is found +in a letter from the Bishop of Roskild, Lave Urne, dated May 1512, to +Christian Pederson, Canon of Lund, whom he compliments as a lover of +letters, antiquary, and patriot, and urges to edit and publish "tam +divinum latinae eruditionis culmen et splendorem Saxonem nostrum". +Nearly two years afterwards Christian Pederson sent Lave Urne a copy of +the first edition, now all printed, with an account of its history. "I +do not think that any mortal was more inclined and ready for" the task. +"When living at Paris, and paying heed to good literature, I twice sent +a messenger at my own charges to buy a faithful copy at any cost, and +bring it back to me. Effecting nothing thus, I went back to my country +for this purpose; I visited and turned over all the libraries, but still +could not pull out a Saxo, even covered with beetles, bookworms, mould, +and dust. So stubbornly had all the owners locked it away." A worthy +prior, in compassion offered to get a copy and transcribe it with his +own hand, but Christian, in respect for the prior's rank, absurdly +declined. At last Birger, the Archbishop of Lund, by some strategy, got +a copy, which King Christian the Second allowed to be taken to Paris on +condition of its being wrought at "by an instructed and skilled graver +(printer)." Such a person was found in Jodocus Badius Ascenshls, who +adds a third letter written by himself to Bishop Urne, vindicating his +application to Saxo of the title Grammaticus, which he well defines +as "one who knows how to speak or write with diligence, acuteness, or +knowledge." The beautiful book he produced was worthy of the zeal, and +unsparing, unweariable pains, which had been spent on it by the band +of enthusiasts, and it was truly a little triumph of humanism. Further +editions were reprinted during the sixteenth century at Basic and at +Frankfort-on-Main, but they did not improve in any way upon the first; +and the next epoch in the study of Saxo was made by the edition and +notes of Stephanus Johansen Stephanius, published at Copenhagen in +the middle of the seventeenth century (1644). Stephanius, the first +commentator on Saxo, still remains the best upon his language. Immense +knowledge of Latin, both good and bad (especially of the authors Saxo +imitated), infinite and prolix industry, a sharp eye for the text, and +continence in emendation, are not his only virtues. His very bulkiness +and leisureliness are charming; he writes like a man who had eternity to +write in, and who knew enough to fill it, and who expected readers of an +equal leisure. He also prints some valuable notes signed with the famous +name of Bishop Bryniolf of Skalholt, a man of force and talent, and +others by Casper Barth, "corculum Musarum", as Stephanius calls him, +whose textual and other comments are sometimes of use, and who worked +with a MS. of Saxo. The edition of Klotz, 1771, based on that of +Stephanius, I have but seen; however, the first standard commentary is +that begun by P. E. Muller, Bishop of Zealand, and finished after his +death by Johan Velschow, Professor of History at Copenhagen, where the +first part of the work, containing text and notes, was published in +1839; the second, with prolegomena and fuller notes, appearing in 1858. +The standard edition, containing bibliography, critical apparatus based +on all the editions and MS. fragments, text, and index, is the admirable +one of that indefatigable veteran, Alfred Holder, Strasburg, 1886. + +Hitherto the translations of Saxo have been into Danish. The first that +survives, by Anders Soffrinson Vedel, dates from 1575, some sixty years +after the first edition. In such passages as I have examined it is +vigorous, but very free, and more like a paraphrase than a translation, +Saxo's verses being put into loose prose. Yet it has had a long life, +having been modified by Vedel's grandson, John Laverentzen, in 1715, +and reissued in 1851. The present version has been much helped by the +translation of Seier Schousbolle, published at Copenhagen in 1752. It is +true that the verses, often the hardest part, are put into periphrastic +verse (by Laurentius Thura, c. 1721), and Schousbolle often does not +face a difficulty; but he gives the sense of Saxo simply and concisely. +The lusty paraphrase by the enthusiastic Nik. Fred. Sev. Grundtvig, of +which there have been several editions, has also been of occasional use. +No other translations, save of a scrap here and there into German, seem +to be extant. + + + + +THE MSS. + +It will be understood, from what has been said, that no complete MS. of +Saxo's History is known. The epitomator in the fourteenth century, and +Krantz in the seventeenth, had MSS. before them; and there was that one +which Christian Pedersen found and made the basis of the first edition, +but which has disappeared. Barth had two manuscripts, which are said to +have been burnt in 1636. Another, possessed by a Swedish parish +priest, Aschaneus, in 1630, which Stephenhis unluckily did not know of, +disappeared in the Royal Archives of Stockholm after his death. These +are practically the only MSS. of which we have sure information, +excepting the four fragments that are now preserved. Of these by far the +most interesting is the "Angers Fragment." + +This was first noticed in 1863, in the Angers Library, where it was +found degraded into the binding of a number of devotional works and a +treatise on metric, dated 1459, and once the property of a priest at +Alencon. In 1877 M. Gaston Paris called the attention of the learned to +it, and the result was that the Danish Government received it next year +in exchange for a valuable French manuscript which was in the Royal +Library at Copenhagen. This little national treasure, the only piece of +contemporary writing of the History, has been carefully photographed and +edited by that enthusiastic and urbane scholar, Christian Bruun. In the +opinion both of Dr. Vigfusson and M. Paris, the writing dates from about +1200; and this date, though difficult to determine, owing to the paucity +of Danish MSS. of the 12th and early lath centuries, is confirmed by the +character of the contents. For there is little doubt that the Fragment +shows us Saxo in the labour of composition. The MSS. looks as if +expressly written for interlineation. Besides a marginal gloss by a +later, fourteenth century hand, there are two distinct sets of variants, +in different writings, interlined and running over into the margin. +These variants are much more numerous in the prose than in the verse. +The first set are in the same hand as the text, the second in another +hand: but both of them have the character, not of variants from some +other MSS., but of alternative expressions put down tentatively. If +either hand is Saxo's it is probably the second. He may conceivably +have dictated both at different times to different scribes. No other man +would tinker the style in this fashion. A complete translation of all +these changes has been deemed unnecessary in these volumes; there is +a full collation in Holder's "Apparatus Criticus". The verdict of the +Angers-Fragment, which, for the very reason mentioned, must not be taken +as the final form of the text, nor therefore, despite its antiquity, +as conclusive against the First Edition where the two differ, is to +confirm, so far as it goes, the editing of Ascensius and Pederson. There +are no vital differences, and the care of the first editors, as well as +the authority of their source, is thus far amply vindicated. + +A sufficient account of the other fragments will be found in Holder's +list. In 1855 M. Kall-Rasmussen found in the private archives at +Kronborg a scrap of fourteenth century MS., containing a short passage +from Bk. vii. Five years later G. F. Lassen found, at Copenhagen, a +fragment of Bk. vi believed to be written in North Zealand, and in +the opinion of Bruun belonging to the same codex as Kall-Rasmussen's +fragment. Of another longish piece, found in Copenhagen at the end of +the seventeenth century by Johannes Laverentzen, and belonging to a +codex burnt in the fire of 1728, a copy still extant in the Copenhagen +Museum, was made by Otto Sperling. For fragments, either extant or +alluded to, of the later books, the student should consult the carefully +collated text of Holder. The whole MS. material, therefore, covers but +a little of Saxo's work, which was practically saved for Europe by the +perseverance and fervour for culture of a single man, Bishop Urne. + + + + +SAXO AS A WRITER. + +Saxo's countrymen have praised without stint his remarkable style, for +he has a style. It is often very bad; but he writes, he is not in +vain called Grammaticus, the man of letters. His style is not merely +remarkable considering its author's difficulties; it is capable at need +of pungency and of high expressiveness. His Latin is not that of the +Golden Age, but neither is it the common Latin of the Middle Ages. There +are traces of his having read Virgil and Cicero. But two writers in +particular left their mark on him. The first and most influential is +Valerius Maximus, the mannered author of the "Memorabilia", who lived in +the first half of the first century, and was much relished in the Middle +Ages. From him Saxo borrowed a multitude of phrases, sometimes apt but +often crabbed and deformed, as well as an exemplary and homiletic turn +of narrative. Other idioms, and perhaps the practice of interspersing +verses amid prose (though this also was a twelfth century Icelandic +practice), Saxo found in a fifth-century writer, Martianus Capella, the +pedantic author of the "De Nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii" Such models +may have saved him from a base mediaeval vocabulary; but they were not +worthy of him, and they must answer for some of his falsities of style. +These are apparent. His accumulation of empty and motley phrase, like a +garish bunch of coloured bladders; his joy in platitude and pomposity, +his proneness to say a little thing in great words, are only too easy +to translate. We shall be well content if our version also gives some +inkling of his qualities; not only of what Erasmus called his "wonderful +vocabulary, his many pithy sayings, and the excellent variety of his +images"; but also of his feeling for grouping, his barbaric sense of +colour, and his stateliness. For he moves with resource and strength +both in prose and verse, and is often only hindered by his own wealth. +With no kind of critical tradition to chasten him, his force is often +misguided and his work shapeless; but he stumbles into many splendours. + + + + +FOLK LORE INDEX. + +The mass of archaic incidents, beliefs, and practices recorded by the +12th-century writer seemed to need some other classification than a bare +alphabetic index. The present plan, a subject-index practically, +has been adopted with a view to the needs of the anthropologist and +folk-lorist. Its details have been largely determined by the bulk and +character of the entries themselves. No attempt has been made to +supply full parallels from any save the more striking and obvious old +Scandinavian sources, the end being to classify material rather than to +point out its significance of geographic distribution. With regard to +the first three heads, the reader who wishes to see how Saxo compares +with the Old Northern poems may be referred to the Grimm Centenary +papers, Oxford, 1886, and the Corpus Poeticurn Boreale, Oxford, 1883. + + + + +POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. + +King--As portrayed by Saxo, the ideal king should be (as in "Beowulf's +Lay") generous, brave and just. He should be a man of accomplishments, +of unblemished body, presumably of royal kin (peasant-birth is +considered a bar to the kingship), usually a son or a nephew, or brother +of his foregoer (though no strict rule of succession seems to appear in +Saxo), and duly chosen and acknowledged at the proper place of election. +In Denmark this was at a stone circle, and the stability of these +stones was taken as an omen for the king's reign. There are exceptional +instances noted, as the serf-king Eormenric (cf. Guthred-Canute +of Northumberland), whose noble birth washed out this blot of his +captivity, and there is a curious tradition of a conqueror setting his +hound as king over a conquered province in mockery. + +The king was of age at twelve. A king of seven years of age has twelve +Regents chosen in the Moot, in one case by lot, to bring him up and rule +for him till his majority. Regents are all appointed in Denmark, in +one case for lack of royal blood, one to Scania, one to Zealand, one to +Funen, two to Jutland. Underkings and Earls are appointed by kings, and +though the Earl's office is distinctly official, succession is sometimes +given to the sons of faithful fathers. The absence of a settled +succession law leads (as in Muslim States) to rebellions and plots. + +Kings sometimes abdicated, giving up the crown perforce to a rival, or +in high age to a kinsman. In heathen times, kings, as Thiodwulf tells us +in the case of Domwald and Yngwere, were sometimes sacrificed for +better seasons (African fashion), and Wicar of Norway perishes, like +Iphigeneia, to procure fair winds. Kings having to lead in war, and +sometimes being willing to fight wagers of battle, are short-lived as a +rule, and assassination is a continual peril, whether by fire at a time +of feast, of which there are numerous examples, besides the classic one +on which Biarea-mal is founded and the not less famous one of Hamlet's +vengeance, or whether by steel, as with Hiartuar, or by trick, as in +Wicar's case above cited. The reward for slaying a king is in one case +120 gold lbs.; 19 "talents" of gold from each ringleader, 1 oz. of gold +from each commoner, in the story of Godfred, known as Ref's gild, "i.e., +Fox tax". In the case of a great king, Frode, his death is concealed for +three years to avoid disturbance within and danger from without. Captive +kings were not as a rule well treated. A Slavonic king, Daxo, offers +Ragnar's son Whitesark his daughter and half his realm, or death, and +the captive strangely desires death by fire. A captive king is exposed, +chained to wild beasts, thrown into a serpent-pit, wherein Ragnar is +given the fate of the elder Gunnar in the Eddic Lays, Atlakvida. The +king is treated with great respect by his people, he is finely clad, and +his commands are carried out, however abhorrent or absurd, as long as +they do not upset customary or statute law. The king has slaves in +his household, men and women, besides his guard of housecarles and his +bearsark champions. A king's daughter has thirty slaves with her, and +the footmaiden existed exactly as in the stories of the Wicked Waiting +Maid. He is not to be awakened in his slumbers (cf. St. Olaf's Life, +where the naming of King Magnus is the result of adherence to this +etiquette). A champion weds the king's leman. + +His thanes are created by the delivery of a sword, which the king +bolds by the blade and the thane takes by the hilt. (English earls were +created by the girding with a sword. "Taking treasure, and weapons +and horses, and feasting in a hall with the king" is synonymous with +thane-hood or gesith-ship in "Beowulf's Lay"). A king's thanes must +avenge him if he falls, and owe him allegiance. (This was paid in the +old English monarchies by kneeling and laying the head down at the +lord's knee.) + +The trick by which the Mock-king, or King of the Beggars (parallel to +our Boy-bishop, and perhaps to that enigmatic churls' King of the "O. E. +Chronicle", s.a. 1017, Eadwiceorla-kyning) gets allegiance paid to +him, and so secures himself in his attack on the real king, is cleverly +devised. The king, besides being a counsel giver himself, and speaking +the law, has "counsellors", old and wise men, "sapientes" (like the +0. E. Thyle). The aged warrior counsellor, as Starcad here and Master +Hildebrand in the "Nibelungenlied", is one type of these persons, +another is the false counsellor, as Woden in guise of Bruni, another +the braggart, as Hunferth in "Beowulf's Lay". At "moots" where laws +are made, kings and regents chosen, cases judged, resolutions taken of +national importance, there are discussions, as in that armed most the +host. + +The king has, beside his estates up and down the country, sometimes +(like Hrothgar with his palace Heorot in "Beowulf's Lay") a great fort +and treasure house, as Eormenric, whose palace may well have really +existed. There is often a primitive and negroid character about +dwellings of formidable personages, heads placed on stakes adorn their +exterior, or shields are ranged round the walls. + +The provinces are ruled by removable earls appointed by the king, +often his own kinsmen, sometimes the heads of old ruling families. The +"hundreds" make up the province or subkingdom. They may be granted to +king's thanes, who became "hundred-elders". Twelve hundreds are in one +case bestowed upon a man. + +The "yeoman's" estate is not only honourable but useful, as Starcad +generously and truly acknowledges. Agriculture should be fostered and +protected by the king, even at the cost of his life. + +But gentle birth and birth royal place certain families above the common +body of freemen (landed or not); and for a commoner to pretend to a +king's daughter is an act of presumption, and generally rigorously +resented. + +The "smith" was the object of a curious prejudice, probably akin to that +expressed in St. Patrick's "Lorica", and derived from the smith's having +inherited the functions of the savage weapon-maker with his poisons and +charms. The curious attempt to distinguish smiths into good and +useful swordsmiths and base and bad goldsmiths seems a merely modern +explanation: Weland could both forge swords and make ornaments of +metal. Starcad's loathing for a smith recalls the mockery with which the +Homeric gods treat Hephaistos. + +Slavery.--As noble birth is manifest by fine eyes and personal beauty, +courage and endurance, and delicate behaviour, so the slave nature +is manifested by cowardice, treachery, unbridled lust, bad manners, +falsehood, and low physical traits. Slaves had, of course, no right +either of honour, or life, or limb. Captive ladies are sent to a +brothel; captive kings cruelly put to death. Born slaves were naturally +still less considered, they were flogged; it was disgraceful to +kill them with honourable steel; to accept a slight service from a +slave-woman was beneath old Starcad's dignity. A man who loved another +man's slave-woman, and did base service to her master to obtain her as +his consort, was looked down on. Slaves frequently ran away to escape +punishment for carelessness, or fault, or to gain liberty. + + + + +CUSTOMARY LAW. + +The evidence of Saxo to archaic law and customary institutions is pretty +much (as we should expect) that to be drawn from the Icelandic Sagas, +and even from the later Icelandic rimur and Scandinavian kaempe-viser. +But it helps to complete the picture of the older stage of North +Teutonic Law, which we are able to piece together out of our various +sources, English, Icelandic, and Scandinavian. In the twilight of Yore +every glowworm is a helper to the searcher. + +There are a few MAXIMS of various times, but all seemingly drawn from +custom cited or implied by Saxo as authoritative:-- + +"It is disgraceful to be ruled by a woman."--The great men of Teutonic +nations held to this maxim. There is no Boudicea or Maidhbh in our own +annals till after the accession of the Tudors, when Great Eliza rivals +her elder kins-women's glories. Though Tacitus expressly notices one +tribe or confederacy, the Sitones, within the compass of his Germania, +ruled by a woman, as an exceptional case, it was contrary to the feeling +of mediaeval Christendom for a woman to be emperor; it was not till late +in the Middle Ages that Spain saw a queen regnant, and France has never +yet allowed such rule. It was not till long after Saxo that the great +queen of the North, Margaret, wielded a wider sway than that rejected by +Gustavus' wayward daughter. + +"The suitor ought to urge his own suit."--This, an axiom of the most +archaic law, gets evaded bit by bit till the professional advocate takes +the place of the plaintiff. "Njal's Saga", in its legal scenes, shows +the transition period, when, as at Rome, a great and skilled chief +was sought by his client as the supporter of his cause at the Moot. In +England, the idea of representation at law is, as is well known, late +and largely derived from canon law practice. + +"To exact the blood-fine was as honourable as to take vengeance."--This +maxim, begotten by Interest upon Legality, established itself both in +Scandinavia and Arabia. It marks the first stage in a progress which, +if carried out wholly, substitutes law for feud. In the society of the +heathen Danes the maxim was a novelty; even in Christian Denmark men +sometimes preferred blood to fees. + + +MARRIAGE.--There are many reminiscences of "archaic marriage customs +in Saxo." The capture marriage has left traces in the guarded king's +daughters, the challenging of kings to fight or hand over their +daughters, in the promises to give a daughter or sister as a reward to +a hero who shall accomplish some feat. The existence of polygamy is +attested, and it went on till the days of Charles the Great and Harold +Fairhair in singular instances, in the case of great kings, and finally +disappeared before the strict ecclesiastic regulations. + +But there are evidences also of later customs, such as "marriage by +purchase", already looked on as archaic in Saxo's day; and the free +women in Denmark had clearly long had a veto or refusal of a husband for +some time back, and sometimes even free choice. "Go-betweens" negotiate +marriages. + +Betrothal was of course the usage. For the groom to defile an espoused +woman is a foul reproach. Gifts made to father-in-law after bridal by +bridegroom seem to denote the old bride-price. Taking the bride home in +her car was an important ceremony, and a bride is taken to her future +husband's by her father. The wedding-feast, as in France in Rabelais' +time, was a noisy and drunken and tumultuous rejoicing, when +bone-throwing was in favor, with other rough sports and jokes. The three +days after the bridal and their observance in "sword-bed" are noticed +below. + +A commoner or one of slave-blood could not pretend to wed a high-born +lady. A woman would sometimes require some proof of power or courage at +her suitor's hands; thus Gywritha, like the famous lady who weds Harold +Fairhair, required her husband Siwar to be over-king of the whole land. +But in most instances the father or brother betrothed the girl, and she +consented to their choice. Unwelcome suitors perish. + +The prohibited degrees were, of course, different from those established +by the mediaeval church, and brother weds brother's widow in good +archaic fashion. Foster-sister and foster-brother may marry, as Saxo +notices carefully. The Wolsung incest is not noticed by Saxo. He only +knew, apparently, the North-German form of the Niflung story. But the +reproachfulness of incest is apparent. + +Birth and beauty were looked for in a bride by Saxo's heroes, and +chastity was required. The modesty of maidens in old days is eulogised +by Saxo, and the penalty for its infraction was severe: sale abroad into +slavery to grind the quern in the mud of the yard. One of the tests of +virtue is noticed, "lac in ubere". + +That favourite "motif", the "Patient Grizzle", occurs, rather, however, +in the Border ballad than the Petrarcan form. + +"Good wives" die with their husbands as they have vowed, or of grief for +their loss, and are wholly devoted to their interests. Among "bad wives" +are those that wed their husband's slayer, run away from their husbands, +plot against their husbands' lives. The penalty for adultery is death to +both, at husband's option--disfigurement by cutting off the nose of +the guilty woman, an archaic practice widely spread. In one case the +adulterous lady is left the choice of her own death. Married women's +Homeric duties are shown. + +There is a curious story, which may rest upon fact, and not be merely +typical, where a mother who had suffered wrong forced her daughter to +suffer the same wrong. + +Captive women are reduced to degrading slavery as "harlots" in one case, +according to the eleventh century English practice of Gytha. + +THE FAMILY AND BLOOD REVENGE.--This duty, one of the strongest links of +the family in archaic Teutonic society, has left deep traces in Saxo. + +To slay those most close in blood, even by accident, is to incur the +guilt of parricide, or kin-killing, a bootless crime, which can only be +purged by religious ceremonies; and which involves exile, lest the gods' +wrath fall on the land, and brings the curse of childlessness on the +offender until he is forgiven. + +BOOTLESS CRIMES.--As among the ancient Teutons, botes and were-gilds +satisfy the injured who seek redress at law rather than by the steel. +But there are certain bootless crimes, or rather sins, that imply +"sacratio", devotion to the gods, for the clearing of the community. +Such are treason, which is punishable by hanging; by drowning in sea. + +Rebellion is still more harshly treated by death and forfeiture; the +rebels' heels are bored and thonged under the sinew, as Hector's feet +were, and they are then fastened by the thongs to wild bulls, hunted +by hounds, till they are dashed to pieces (for which there are classic +parallels), or their feet are fastened with thongs to horses driven +apart, so that they are torn asunder. + +For "parricide", i.e., killing within near degrees, the criminal is hung +up, apparently by the heels, with a live wolf (he having acted as a wolf +which will slay its fellows). Cunning avoidance of the guilt by trick is +shown. + +For "arson" the appropriate punishment is the fire. + +For "incestuous adultery" of stepson with his stepmother, hanging is +awarded to the man. In the same case Swanwhite, the woman, is punished, +by treading to death with horses. A woman accomplice in adultery is +treated to what Homer calls a "stone coat." Incestuous adultery is a +foul slur. + +For "witchcraft", the horror of heathens, hanging was the penalty. + +"Private revenge" sometimes deliberately inflicts a cruel death for +atrocious wrong or insult, as when a king, enraged at the slaying of his +son and seduction of his daughter, has the offender hanged, an instance +famous in Nathan's story, so that Hagbard's hanging and hempen necklace +were proverbial. + +For the slayer by a cruel death of their captive father, Ragnar's sons +act the blood-eagle on Ella, and salt his flesh. There is an undoubted +instance of this act of vengeance (the symbolic meaning of which is not +clear as yet) in the "Orkney Saga". + +But the story of Daxo and of Ref's gild show that for such wrongs +were-gilds were sometimes exacted, and that they were considered highly +honourable to the exactor. + +Among OFFENCES NOT BOOTLESS, and left to individual pursuit, are:-- + +"Highway robbery".--There are several stories of a type such as that of +Ingemund and Ioknl (see "Landnamaboc") told by Saxo of highwaymen; and +an incident of the kind that occurs in the Theseus story (the Bent-tree, +which sprung back and slew the wretch bound to it) is given. The +romantic trick of the mechanic bed, by which a steel-shod beam is +let fall on the sleeping traveller, also occurs. Slain highwaymen are +gibbeted as in Christian days. + +"Assassination", as distinct from manslaughter in vengeance for a wrong, +is not very common. A hidden mail-coat foils a treacherous javelin-cast +(cf. the Story of Olaf the Stout and the Blind King, Hrorec); murderers +lurk spear-armed at the threshold, sides, as in the Icelandic Sagas; a +queen hides a spear-head in her gown, and murders her husband (cf. +Olaf Tryggvason's Life). Godfred was murdered by his servant (and +Ynglingatal). + +"Burglary".--The crafty discovery of the robber of the treasury by +Hadding is a variant of the world-old Rhampsinitos tale, but less +elaborate, possibly abridged and cut down by Saxo, and reduced to a mere +moral example in favour of the goldenness of silence and the danger of +letting the tongue feed the gallows. + +Among other disgraceful acts, that make the offender infamous, but do +not necessarily involve public action:-- + +"Manslaughter in Breach of Hospitality".--Probably any gross breach of +hospitality was disreputable and highly abhorred, but "guest-slaughter" +is especially mentioned. The ethical question as to whether a man should +slay his guest or forego his just vengeance was often a "probleme du +jour" in the archaic times to which these traditions witness. Ingeld +prefers his vengeance, but Thuriswend, in the Lay cited by Paul the +Deacon, chooses to protect his guest. Heremod slew his messmates in his +wrath, and went forth alone into exile. ("Beowulf's Lay".) + +"Suicide".--This was more honourable than what Earl Siward of +Northumberland called a "cow-death." Hadding resolves to commit suicide +at his friend's death. Wermund resolves to commit suicide if his son be +slain (in hopelessness of being able to avenge him, cf. "Njal's Saga", +where the hero, a Christian, prefers to perish in his burning house than +live dishonoured, "for I am an old man and little fitted to avenge my +sons, but I will not live in shame"). Persons commit suicide by slaying +each other in time of famine; while in England (so Baeda tells) they +"decliffed" themselves in companies, and, as in the comic little +Icelandic tale Gautrec's birth, a Tarpeian death is noted as the +customary method of relieving folks from the hateful starvation +death. It is probable that the violent death relieved the ghost or +the survivors of some inconveniences which a "straw death" would have +brought about. + +"Procedure by Wager of Battle".--This archaic process pervades Saxo's +whole narrative. It is the main incident of many of the sagas from +which he drew. It is one of the chief characteristics of early Teutonic +custom-law, and along with "Cormac's Saga", "Landnamaboc", and the +Walter Saga, our author has furnished us with most of the information we +have upon its principles and practice. + +Steps in the process are the Challenge, the Acceptance and Settlement of +Conditions, the Engagement, the Treatment of the vanquished, the Reward +of the conqueror, and there are rules touching each of these, enough +almost to furnish a kind of "Galway code". + +A challenge could not, either to war or wager of battle, be refused with +honor, though a superior was not bound to fight an inferior in rank. An +ally might accept for his principal, or a father for a son, but it was +not honourable for a man unless helpless to send a champion instead of +himself. + +Men were bound to fight one to one, and one man might decline to fight +two at once. Great champions sometimes fought against odds. + +The challenged man chose the place of battle, and possibly fixed the +time. This was usually an island in the river. + +The regular weapons were swords and shields for men of gentle blood. +They fought by alternate separate strokes; the senior had the first +blow. The fight must go on face to face without change of place; for the +ground was marked out for the combatants, as in our prize ring, though +one can hardly help fancying that the fighting ground so carefully +described in "Cormac's Saga", ch. 10, may have been Saxo's authority. +The combatants change places accidentally in the struggle in one story. + +The combat might last, like Cuchullin's with Ferdia, several days; a +nine days' fight occurs; but usually a few blows settled the matter. +Endurance was important, and we are told of a hero keeping himself in +constant training by walking in a mail coat. + +The conqueror ought not to slay his man if he were a stripling, or +maimed, and had better take his were-gild for his life, the holmslausn +or ransom of "Cormac's Saga" (three marks in Iceland); but this was +a mere concession to natural pity, and he might without loss of honor +finish his man, and cut off his head, though it was proper, if the slain +adversary has been a man of honor, to bury him afterward. + +The stakes are sometimes a kingdom or a kingdom's tribute, often a lady, +or the combatants fought for "love" or the point of honor. Giants +and noted champions challenge kings for their daughters (as in the +fictitious parts of the Icelandic family sagas) in true archaic +fashion, and in true archaic fashion the prince rescues the lady from a +disgusting and evil fate by his prowess. + +The champion's fee or reward when he was fighting for his principal and +came off successful was heavy--many lands and sixty slaves. Bracelets +are given him; a wound is compensated for at ten gold pieces; a fee for +killing a king is 120 of the same. + +Of the incidents of the combat, beside fair sleight of fence, there is +the continual occurrence of the sword-blunting spell, often cast by the +eye of the sinister champion, and foiled by the good hero, sometimes +by covering his blade with thin skin, sometimes by changing the blade, +sometimes by using a mace or club. + +The strength of this tradition sufficiently explains the necessity of +the great oath against magic taken by both parties in a wager of battle +in Christian England. + +The chief combats mentioned by Saxo are:-- + +Sciold v. Attila. Sciold v. Scate, for the hand of Alfhild. Gram v. +Swarin and eight more, for the crown of the Swedes. Hadding v. Toste, by +challenge. Frode v. Hunding, on challenge. Frode v. Hacon, on challenge. +Helge v. Hunding, by challenge at Stad. Agnar v. Bearce, by challenge. +Wizard v. Danish champions, for truage of the Slavs. Wizard v. Ubbe, +for truage of the Slavs. Coll v. Horwendill, on challenge. Athisl v. +Frowine, meeting in battle. Athisl v. Ket and Wig, on challenge. Uffe +v. Prince of Saxony and Champion, by challenge. Frode v. Froger, on +challenge. Eric v. Grep's brethren, on challenge, twelve a side. Eric +v. Alrec, by challenge. Hedin v. Hogni, the mythic everlasting battle. +Arngrim v. Scalc, by challenge. Arngrim v. Egtheow, for truage of +Permland. Arrow-Odd and Hialmar v. twelve sons of Arngrim Samsey fight. +Ane Bow-swayer v. Beorn, by challenge. Starkad v. Wisin, by challenge. +Starkad v. Tanlie, by challenge. Starkad v. Wasce--Wilzce, by challenge. +Starkad v. Hame, by challenge. Starkad v. Angantheow and eight of +his brethren, on challenge. Halfdan v. Hardbone and six champions, +on challenge. Halfdan v. Egtheow, by challenge. Halfdan v. Grim, on +challenge. Halfdan v. Ebbe, on challenge, by moonlight. Halfdan v. +Twelve champions, on challenge. Halfdan v. Hildeger, on challenge. Ole +v. Skate and Hiale, on challenge. Homod and Thole v. Beorn and Thore, by +challenge. Ref. v. Gaut, on challenge. Ragnar and three sons v. Starcad +of Sweden and seven sons, on challenge. + +CIVIL PROCEDURE.--"Oaths" are an important art of early procedure, and +noticed by Saxo; one calling the gods to witness and therefor, it is +understood, to avenge perjury if he spake not truth. + +"Testification", or calling witnesses to prove the steps of a legal +action, was known, "Glum's Saga" and "Landnamaboc", and when a manslayer +proceeded (in order to clear himself of murder) to announce the +manslaughter as his act, he brings the dead man's head as his proof, +exactly as the hero in the folk-tales brings the dragon's head or tongue +as his voucher. + +A "will" is spoken of. This seems to be the solemn declaration of +a childless man to his kinsfolk, recommending some person as his +successor. Nothing more was possible before written wills were +introduced by the Christian clergy after the Roman fashion. + + + + +STATUTE LAWS. + +"Lawgivers".--The realm of Custom had already long been curtailed by the +conquests of Law when Saxo wrote, and some epochs of the invasion were +well remembered, such as Canute's laws. But the beginnings were dim, and +there were simply traditions of good and bad lawyers of the past; such +were "Sciold" first of all the arch-king, "Frode" the model lawgiver, +"Helge" the tyrant, "Ragnar" the shrewd conqueror. + +"Sciold", the patriarch, is made by tradition to fulfil, by abolishing +evil customs and making good laws, the ideal of the Saxon and Frankish +Coronation oath formula (which may well go back with its two first +clauses to heathen days). His fame is as widely spread. However, the +only law Saxo gives to him has a story to it that he does not plainly +tell. Sciold had a freedman who repaid his master's manumission of him +by the ingratitude of attempting his life. Sciold thereupon decrees +the unlawfulness of manumissions, or (as Saxo puts it), revoked all +manumissions, thus ordaining perpetual slavery on all that were or might +become slaves. The heathen lack of pity noticed in Alfred's preface +to "Gregory's Handbook" is illustrated here by contrast with the +philosophic humanity of the Civil Law, and the sympathy of the mediaeval +Church. + +But FRODE (known also to the compiler of "Beowulf's Lay", 2025) had, in +the Dane's eyes, almost eclipsed Sciold as conqueror and lawgiver. His +name Frode almost looks as if his epithet Sapiens had become his popular +appellation, and it befits him well. Of him were told many stories, and +notably the one related of our Edwin by Bede (and as it has been told by +many men of many rulers since Bede wrote, and before). Frode was able to +hang up an arm-ring of gold in three parts of his kingdom that no thief +for many years dared touch. How this incident (according to our version +preserved by Saxo), brought the just king to his end is an archaic and +interesting story. Was this ring the Brosinga men? + +Saxo has even recorded the Laws of Frode in four separate bits, which we +give as A, B, C, D. + +A. is mainly a civil and military code of archaic kind: + +(a) The division of spoil shall be--gold to captains, silver to +privates, arms to champions, ships to be shared by all. Cf. Jomswickinga +S. on the division of spoil by the law of the pirate community of Jom. + +(b) No house stuff to be locked; if a man used a lock he must pay a gold +mark. + +(c) He who spares a thief must bear his punishment. + +(d) The coward in battle is to forfeit all rights (cf. "Beowulf", 2885). + +(e) Women to have free choice (or, at least, veto) in taking husbands. + +(f) A free woman that weds a slave loses rank and freedom (cf. Roman +Law). + +(g) A man must marry a girl he has seduced. + +(h) An adulterer to be mutilated at pleasure of injured husband. + +(i) Where Dane robbed Dane, the thief to pay double and peace-breach. + +(k) Receivers of stolen goods suffer forfeiture and flogging at most. + +(l) Deserter bearing shield against his countrymen to lose life and +property. + +(m) Contempt of fyrd-summons or call to military service involves +outlawry and exile. + +(n) Bravery in battle to bring about increase in rank (cf. the old +English "Ranks of Men"). + +(o) No suit to lie on promise and pledge; fine of a gold lb. for asking +pledge. + +(p) Wager of battle is to be the universal mode of proof. + +(q) If an alien kill a Dane two aliens must suffer. (This is practically +the same principle as appears in the half weregild of the Welsh in West +Saxon Law.) + +B. An illustration of the more capricious of the old enactments and the +jealousy of antique kings. + +(a) Loss of gifts sent to the king involves the official responsible; he +shall be hanged. (This is introduced as illustration of the cleverness +of Eric and the folly of Coll.) + +C. Saxo associates another set of enactments with the completion of a +successful campaign of conquest over the Ruthenians, and shows Frode +chiefly as a wise and civilising statesman, making conquest mean +progress. + +(a) Every free householder that fell in war was to be set in his barrow +with horse and arms (cf. "Vatzdaela Saga", ch. 2). + +The body-snatcher was to be punished by death and the lack of sepulture. + +Earl or king to be burned in his own ship. + +Ten sailors may be burnt on one ship. + +(b) Ruthenians to have the same law of war as Danes. + +(c) Ruthenians must adopt Danish sale-marriage. (This involves +the abolition of the Baltic custom of capture-marriage. That +capture-marriage was a bar to social progress appears in the legislation +of Richard II, directed against the custom as carried out on the borders +of the Palatine county of Chester, while cases such as the famous one of +Rob Roy's sons speak to its late continuance in Scotland. In Ireland it +survived in a stray instance or two into this century, and songs like +"William Riley" attest the sympathy of the peasant with the eloping +couple.) + +(d) A veteran, one of the Doughty, must be such a man as will attack one +foe, will stand two, face three without withdrawing more than a little, +and be content to retire only before four. (One of the traditional +folk-sayings respecting the picked men, the Doughty or Old Guard, as +distinguished from the Youth or Young Guard, the new-comers in the +king's Company of House-carles. In Harald Hardrede's Life the Norwegians +dread those English house-carles, "each of whom is a match for four," +who formed the famous guard that won Stamford Bridge and fell about +their lord, a sadly shrunken band, at Senlake.) + +(f) The house-carles to have winter-pay. The house-carle three pieces +of silver, a hired soldier two pieces, a soldier who had finished his +service one piece. + +(The treatment of the house-carles gave Harald Harefoot a reputation +long remembered for generosity, and several old Northern kings have +won their nicknames by their good or ill feeding and rewarding their +comitatus.) + +D. Again a civil code, dealing chiefly with the rights of travellers. + +(a) Seafarers may use what gear they find (the "remis" of the text may +include boat or tackle). + +(b) No house is to be locked, nor coffer, but all thefts to be +compensated threefold. (This, like A, b, which it resembles, seems a +popular tradition intended to show the absolute security of Frode's +reign of seven or three hundred years. It is probably a gloss wrongly +repeated.) + +(c) A traveller may claim a single supper; if he take more he is a +thief (the mark of a prae-tabernal era when hospitality was waxing cold +through misuse). + +(d) Thief and accomplices are to be punished alike, being hung up by +a line through the sinews and a wolf fastened beside. (This, which +contradicts A, i, k, and allots to theft the punishment proper for +parricide, seems a mere distorted tradition.) + +But beside just Frode, tradition spoke of the unjust Kinge HELGE, whose +laws represent ill-judged harshness. They were made for conquered races, +(a) the Saxons and (b) the Swedes. + +(a) Noble and freedmen to have the same were-gild (the lower, of course, +the intent being to degrade all the conquered to one level, and to allow +only the lowest were-gild of a freedman, fifty pieces, probably, in the +tradition). + +(b) No remedy for wrong done to a Swede by a Dane to be legally +recoverable. (This is the traditional interpretation of the conqueror's +haughty dealing; we may compare it with the Middle-English legends of +the pride of the Dane towards the conquered English. The Tradition sums +up the position in such concrete forms as this Law of Helge's.) + +Two statutes of RAGNAR are mentioned:-- + +(a) That any householder should give up to his service in war the worst +of his children, or the laziest of his slaves (a curious tradition, and +used by Saxo as an opportunity for patriotic exaltation). + +(b) That all suits shall be absolutely referred to the judgment of +twelve chosen elders (Lodbroc here appearing in the strange character of +originator of trial by jury). + +"Tributes".--Akin to laws are the tributes decreed and imposed by kings +and conquerors of old. Tribute infers subjection in archaic law. The +poll-tax in the fourteenth century in England was unpopular, because of +its seeming to degrade Englishmen to the level of Frenchmen, who paid +tribute like vanquished men to their absolute lord, as well as for other +reasons connected with the collection of the tax. + +The old fur tax (mentioned in "Egil's Saga") is here ascribed to FRODE, +who makes the Finns pay him, every three years, a car full or sledge +full of skins for every ten heads; and extorts one skin per head from +the Perms. It is Frode, too (though Saxo has carved a number of Frodes +out of one or two kings of gigantic personality), that made the Saxons +pay a poll-tax, a piece of money per head, using, like William the +Conqueror, his extraordinary revenue to reward his soldiers, whom he +first regaled with double pay. But on the conquered folks rebelling, +he marked their reduction by a tax of a piece of money on every limb a +cubit long, a "limb-geld" still more hateful than the "neb-geld." + +HOTHERUS (Hodr) had set a tribute on the Kurlanders and Swedes, and +HROLF laid a tribute on the conquered Swedes. + +GODEFRIDUS-GOTRIC is credited with a third Saxon tribute, a heriot of +100 snow-white horses payable to each Danish king at his succession, and +by each Saxon chief on his accession: a statement that, recalling sacred +snow-white horses kept in North Germany of yore makes one wish for +fuller information. But Godefridus also exacted from the Swedes the +"Ref-gild", or Fox-money; for the slaying of his henchman Ref, twelve +pieces of gold from each man of rank, one from every commoner. And his +Friesland tribute is stranger still, nor is it easy to understand from +Saxo's account. There was a long hall built, 240 feet, and divided up +into twelve "chases" of 20 feet each (probably square). There was a +shield set up at one end, and the taxpayers hurled their money at it; if +it struck so as to sound, it was good; if not, it was forfeit, but not +reckoned in the receipt. This (a popular version, it may be, of some +early system of treasury test) was abolished, so the story goes, by +Charles the Great. + +RAGNAR'S exaction from Daxo, his son's slayer, was a yearly tribute +brought by himself and twelve of his elders barefoot, resembling in part +such submissions as occur in the Angevin family history, the case of the +Calais burgesses, and of such criminals as the Corporation of Oxford, +whose penance was only finally renounced by the local patriots in our +own day. + + + + +WAR. + +"Weapons".--The sword is the weapon par excellence in Saxo's narrative, +and he names several by name, famous old blades like our royal Curtana, +which some believed was once Tristrem's, and that sword of Carlus, whose +fortunes are recorded in Irish annals. Such are "Snyrtir", Bearce's +sword; "Hothing", Agnar's blade; "Lauf", or "Leaf", Bearce's sword; +"Screp", Wermund's sword, long buried and much rust-eaten, but sharp and +trusty, and known by its whistle; Miming's sword ("Mistletoe"), which +slew Balder. Wainhead's curved blade seems to be a halbert; "Lyusing" +and "Hwiting", Ragnald of Norway's swords; "Logthe", the sword of Ole +Siward's son. + +The "war-club" occurs pretty frequently. But it is usually introduced as +a special weapon of a special hero, who fashions a gold-headed club +to slay one that steel cannot touch, or who tears up a tree, like the +Spanish knight in the ballad, or who uses a club to counteract spells +that blunt steel. The bat-shapen archaic rudder of a ship is used as a +club in the story of the Sons of Arngrim. + +The "spear" plays no particular part in Saxo: even Woden's spear Gungne +is not prominent. + +"Bows and arrows" are not often spoken of, but archer heroes, such as +Toki, Ane Bow-swayer, and Orwar-Odd, are known. Slings and stones are +used. + +The shield, of all defensive armour, is far the most prominent. They +were often painted with devices, such as Hamlet's shield, Hildiger's +Swedish shield. Dr. Vigfusson has shown the importance of these painted +shields in the poetic history of the Scandinavians. + +A red shield is a signal of peace. Shields are set round ramparts on +land as round ships at sea. + +"Mail-coats" are worn. Frode has one charmed against steel. Hother has +another; a mail-coat of proof is mentioned and their iron meshes are +spoken of. + +"Helmets" are used, but not so carefully described as in "Beowulf's +Lay"; crested helmets and a gilded helmet occur in Bearca-mal and in +another poem. + +"Banners" serve as rallying points in the battle and on the march. The +Huns' banners are spoken of in the classic passage for the description +of a huge host invading a country. Bearcamal talks of golden banners. + +"Horns" (1) were blown pp at the beginning of the engagement and for +signalling. The gathering of the host was made by delivery of a wooden +arrow painted to look like iron. + +"Tactics".--The hand-to-hand fight of the wager of battle with sword +and shield, and the fighting in ranks and the wedge-column at close +quarters, show that the close infantry combat was the main event of the +battle. The preliminary hurling of stones, and shooting of arrows, +and slinging of pebbles, were harassing and annoying, but seldom +sufficiently important to affect the result of the main engagement. + +Men ride to battle, but fight on foot; occasionally an aged king is +car-borne to the fray, and once the car, whether by Saxo's adorning +hand, or by tradition, is scythe-armed. + +The gathered host is numbered, once, where, as with Xerxes, counting was +too difficult, by making each man as he passed put a pebble in a pile +(which piles survive to mark the huge size of Frode's army). This is, +of course, a folktale, explaining the pebble-hills and illustrating the +belief in Frode's power; but armies were mustered by such expedients of +old. Burton tells of an African army each man of whom presented an egg, +as a token of his presence and a means of taking the number of the host. + +We hear of men marching in light order without even scabbards, and +getting over the ice in socks. + +The war equipment and habits of the Irish, light armoured, clipped at +back of head, hurling the javelin backwards in their feigned flight; of +the Slavs, small blue targets and long swords; of the Finns, with their +darts and skees, are given. + +Watches are kept, and it is noted that "uht", the early watch +after midnight, is the worst to be attacked in (the duke's +two-o'clock-in-the-morning courage being needed, and the darkness and +cold helping the enemy). + +Spies were, of course, slain if discovered. But we have instances of +kings and heroes getting into foeman's camps in disguise (cf. stories of +Alfred and Anlaf). + +The order of battle of Bravalla fight is given, and the ideal array of a +host. To Woden is ascribed the device of the boar's head, hamalt fylking +(the swine-head array of Manu's Indian kings), the terrible column with +wedge head which could cleave the stoutest line. + +The host of Ring has men from Wener, Wermland, Gotaelf, Thotn, Wick, +Thelemark, Throndham, Sogn, Firths, Fialer, Iceland; Sweden, Gislamark, +Sigtun, Upsala, Pannonia. + +The host of Harold had men from Iceland, the Danish provinces, Frisia, +Lifland; Slavs, and men from Jom, Aland, and Sleswick. + +The battle of Bravalla is said to have been won by the Gotland archers +and the men of Throndham, and the Dales. The death of Harald by +treachery completed the defeat, which began when Ubbe fell (after he had +broken the enemy's van) riddled with arrows. + +The defeated, unless they could fly, got little quarter. One-fifth only +of the population of a province are said to have survived an invasion. +After sea-battles (always necessarily more deadly) the corpses choke the +harbours. Seventy sea-kings are swept away in one sea-fight. Heads seem +to have been taken in some cases, but not as a regular Teutonic usage, +and the practice, from its being attributed to ghosts and aliens, +must have already been considered savage by Saxo, and probably by his +informants and authorities. + +Prisoners were slaves; they might be killed, put to cruel death, +outraged, used as slaves, but the feeling in favour of mercy was +growing, and the cruelty of Eormenric, who used tortures to his +prisoners, of Rothe, who stripped his captives, and of Fro, who sent +captive ladies to a brothel in insult, is regarded with dislike. + +Wounds were looked on as honourable, but they must be in front or +honourably got. A man who was shot through the buttocks, or wounded in +the back, was laughed at and disgraced. We hear of a mother helping her +wounded son out of battle. + +That much of human interest centered round war is evident by the mass +of tradition that surrounds the subject in Saxo, both in its public and +private aspects. Quaint is the analysis of the four kinds of warriors: +(a) The Veterans, or Doughty, who kill foes and spare flyers; (b) the +Young men who kill foes and flyers too; (c) the well-to-do, landed, and +propertied men of the main levy, who neither fight for fear nor fly for +shame; (d) the worthless, last to fight and first to fly; and curious +are the remarks about married and unmarried troops, a matter which Chaka +pondered over in later days. Homeric speeches precede the fight. + +"Stratagems of War" greatly interested Saxo (probably because Valerius +Maximus, one of his most esteemed models, was much occupied with such +matters), so that he diligently records the military traditions of the +notably skillful expedients of famous commanders of old. + +There is the device for taking a town by means of the "pretended death" +of the besieging general, a device ascribed to Hastings and many more +commanders (see Steenstrup Normannerne); the plan of "firing" a besieged +town by fire-bearing birds, ascribed here to Fridlev, in the case of +Dublin to Hadding against Duna (where it was foiled by all tame birds +being chased out of the place). + +There is the "Birnam Wood" stratagem, by which men advanced behind a +screen of boughs, which is even used for the concealment of ships, and +the curious legend (occurring in Irish tradition also, and recalling +Capt. B. Hall's "quaker gun" story) by which a commander bluffs off his +enemy by binding his dead to stakes in rows, as if they were living men. + +Less easy to understand are the "brazen horses" or "machines" driven +into the close lines of the enemy to crush and open them, an invention +of Gewar. The use of hooked weapons to pull down the foes' shields and +helmets was also taught to Hother by Gewar. + +The use of black tents to conceal encampment; the defence of a pass by +hurling rocks from the heights; the bridge of boats across the Elbe; +and the employment of spies, and the bold venture, ascribed in our +chronicles to Alfred and Anlaf, of visiting in disguise the enemy's +camp, is here attributed to Frode, who even assumed women's clothes for +the purpose. + +Frode is throughout the typical general, as he is the typical statesman +and law-giver of archaic Denmark. + +There are certain heathen usages connected with war, as the hurling of +a javelin or shooting of an arrow over the enemy's ranks as a "sacratio" +to Woden of the foe at the beginning of a battle. This is recorded in +the older vernacular authorities also, in exact accordance with the +Homeric usage, "Odyssey" xxiv, 516-595. + +The dedication of part of the spoils to the god who gave good omens for +the war is told of the heathen Baltic peoples; but though, as Sidonius +records, it had once prevailed among the Saxons, and, as other witnesses +add, among the Scandinavian people, the tradition is not clearly +preserved by Saxo. + +"Sea and Sea Warfare."--As might be expected, there is much mention of +Wicking adventure and of maritime warfare in Saxo. + +Saxo tells of Asmund's huge ship (Gnod), built high that he might shoot +down on the enemy's craft; he speaks of a ship (such as Godwin gave as +a gift to the king his master), and the monk of St. Bertin and the +court-poets have lovingly described a ship with gold-broidered sails, +gilt masts, and red-dyed rigging. One of his ships has, like the ships +in the Chansons de Geste, a carbuncle for a lantern at the masthead. +Hedin signals to Frode by a shield at the masthead. A red shield was a +peace signal, as noted above. The practice of "strand-hewing", a great +feature in Wicking-life (which, so far as the victualling of raw meat +by the fishing fleets, and its use raw, as Mr. P. H. Emerson informs +me, still survives), is spoken of. There was great fear of monsters +attacking them, a fear probably justified by such occasional attacks of +angry whales as Melville (founding his narrative on repeated facts) has +immortalised. The whales, like Moby Dick, were uncanny, and inspired by +troll-women or witches (cf. "Frithiof Saga" and the older "Lay of +Atle and Rimegerd"). The clever sailing of Hadding, by which he eludes +pursuit, is tantalising, for one gathers that, Saxo knows the details +that he for some reason omits. Big fleets of 150 and a monster armada of +3,000 vessels are recorded. + +The ships were moved by oars and sails; they had rudders, no doubt such +as the Gokstad ship, for the hero Arrow-Odd used a rudder as a weapon. + +"Champions".--Professed fighting men were often kept by kings and +earls about their court as useful in feud and fray. Harald Fairhair's +champions are admirably described in the contemporary Raven Song by +Hornclofe-- + + "Wolf-coats they call them that in battle + Bellow into bloody shields. + They wear wolves' hides when they come into the fight, + And clash their weapons together." + +and Saxo's sources adhere closely to this pattern. + +These "bear-sarks", or wolf-coats of Harald give rise to an O. N. term, +"bear-sarks' way", to describe the frenzy of fight and fury which such +champions indulged in, barking and howling, and biting their shield-rims +(like the ferocious "rook" in the narwhale ivory chessmen in the British +Museum) till a kind of state was produced akin to that of the Malay when +he has worked himself up to "run-a-muck." There seems to have been in +the 10th century a number of such fellows about unemployed, who +became nuisances to their neighbours by reason of their bullying and +highhandedness. Stories are told in the Icelandic sagas of the way such +persons were entrapped and put to death by the chiefs they served when +they became too troublesome. A favourite (and fictitious) episode in +an "edited" Icelandic saga is for the hero to rescue a lady promised to +such a champion (who has bullied her father into consent) by slaying the +ruffian. It is the same "motif" as Guy of Warwick and the Saracen lady, +and one of the regular Giant and Knight stories. + +Beside men-warriors there were "women-warriors" in the North, as Saxo +explains. He describes shield-maidens, as Alfhild, Sela, Rusila +(the Ingean Ruadh, or Red Maid of the Irish Annals, as Steenstrup so +ingeniously conjectures); and the three she-captains, Wigbiorg, who fell +on the field, Hetha, who was made queen of Zealand, and Wisna, whose +hand Starcad cut off, all three fighting manfully at Bravalla fight. + + + + +SOCIAL LIFE AND MANNERS. + +"Feasts".--The hall-dinner was an important feature in the old Teutonic +court-life. Many a fine scene in a saga takes place in the hall while +the king and his men are sitting over their ale. The hall decked with +hangings, with its fires, lights, plate and provisions, appears in Saxo +just as in the Eddic Lays, especially Rigsmal, and the Lives of the +Norwegian Kings and Orkney Earls. + +The order of seats is a great point of archaic manners. Behaviour at +table was a matter of careful observance. The service, especially that +of the cup-bearer, was minutely regulated by etiquette. An honoured +guest was welcomed by the host rising to receive him and giving him a +seat near himself, but less distinguished visitors were often victims to +the rough horseplay of the baser sort, and of the wanton young gentleman +at court. The food was simple, boiled beef and pork, and mutton without +sauce, ale served in horns from the butt. Roast meat, game, sauces, +mead, and flagons set on the table, are looked on by Starcad as foreign +luxuries, and Germany was credited with luxurious cookery. + +"Mimes and jugglers", who went through the country or were attached to +the lord's court to amuse the company, were a despised race because of +their ribaldry, obscenity, cowardice, and unabashed self-debasement; +and their newfangled dances and piping were loathsome to the old +court-poets, who accepted the harp alone as an instrument of music. + +The story that once a king went to war with his jugglers and they ran +away, would represent the point of view of the old house-carle, who +was neglected, though "a first-class fighting man", for these debauched +foreign buffoons. + + + + +SUPERNATURAL BEINGS. + +GODS AND GODDESSES.--The gods spring, according to Saxo's belief, from +a race of sorcerers, some of whom rose to pre-eminence and expelled and +crushed the rest, ending the "wizard-age", as the wizards had ended the +monster or "giant-age". That they were identic with the classic gods he +is inclined to believe, but his difficulty is that in the week-days we +have Jove : Thor; Mercury : Woden; whereas it is perfectly well known +that Mercury is Jove's son, and also that Woden is the father of Thor--a +comic "embarras". That the persians the heathens worshipped as gods +existed, and that they were men and women false and powerful, Saxo +plainly believes. He has not Snorre's appreciation of the humorous side +of the mythology. He is ironic and scornful, but without the kindly, +naive fun of the Icelander. + +The most active god, the Dane's chief god (as Frey is the Swede's god, +and patriarch), is "Woden". He appears in heroic life as patron of great +heroes and kings. Cf. "Hyndla-Lay", where it is said of Woden:-- + + "Let us pray the Father of Hosts to be gracious to us! + He granteth and giveth gold to his servants, + He gave Heremod a helm and mail-coat, + And Sigmund a sword to take. + He giveth victory to his sons, to his followers wealth, + Ready speech to his children and wisdom to men. + Fair wind to captains, and song to poets; + He giveth luck in love to many a hero." + +He appears under various disguises and names, but usually as a one-eyed +old man, cowled and hooded; sometimes with another, bald and ragged, as +before the battle Hadding won; once as "Hroptr", a huge man skilled in +leechcraft, to Ragnar's son Sigfrid. + +Often he is a helper in battle or doomer of feymen. As "Lysir", a rover +of the sea, he helps Hadding. As veteran slinger and archer he helps his +favourite Hadding; as charioteer, "Brune", he drives Harald to his death +in battle. He teaches Hadding how to array his troops. As "Yggr" the +prophet he advises the hero and the gods. As "Wecha" (Waer) the leech he +woos Wrinda. He invented the wedge array. He can grant charmed lives to +his favourites against steel. He prophesies their victories and death. +He snatches up one of his disciples, sets him on his magic horse that +rides over seas in the air, as in Skida-runa the god takes the beggar +over the North Sea. His image (like that of Frey in the Swedish story +of Ogmund dytt and Gunnar helming, "Flatey book", i, 335) could speak by +magic power. + +Of his life and career Saxo gives several episodes. + +Woden himself dwelt at Upsala and Byzantium (Asgard); and the northern +kings sent him a golden image ring-bedecked, which he made to speak +oracles. His wife Frigga stole the bracelets and played him false with a +servant, who advised her to destroy and rob the image. + +When Woden was away (hiding the disgrace brought on him by Frigga his +wife), an imposter, Mid Odin, possibly Loke in disguise, usurped his +place at Upsala, instituted special drink-offerings, fled to Finland on +Woden's return, and was slain by the Fins and laid in barrow. But +the barrow smote all that approached it with death, till the body was +unearthed, beheaded, and impaled, a well-known process for stopping the +haunting of an obnoxious or dangerous ghost. + +Woden had a son Balder, rival of Hother for the love of Nanna, daughter +of King Gewar. Woden and Thor his son fought for him against Hother, +but in vain, for Hother won the laity and put Balder to shameful flight; +however, Balder, half-frenzied by his dreams of Nanna, in turn drove him +into exile (winning the lady); finally Hother, befriended hy luck and +the Wood Maidens, to whom he owed his early successes and his magic +coat, belt, and girdle (there is obvious confusion here in the text), at +last met Balder and stabbed him in the side. Of this wound Balder died +in three days, as was foretold by the awful dream in which Proserpina +(Hela) appeared to him. Balder's grand burial, his barrow, and the magic +flood which burst from it when one Harald tried to break into it, and +terrified the robbers, are described. + +The death of Balder led Woden to seek revenge. Hrossthiof the wizard, +whom he consulted, told him he must beget a son by "Wrinda" (Rinda, +daughter of the King of the Ruthenians), who should avenge his +half-brother. + +Woden's wooing is the best part of this story, half spoilt, however, +by euhemeristic tone and lack of epic dignity. He woos as a victorious +warrior, and receives a cuff; as a generous goldsmith, and gets a +buffet; as a handsome soldier, earning a heavy knock-down blow; but in +the garb of a women as Wecha (Wakr), skilled in leechcraft, he won his +way by trickery; and ("Wale") "Bous" was born, who, after some years, +slew Hother in battle, and died himself of his wounds. Bous' barrow +in Bohusland, Balder's haven, Balder's well, are named as local +attestations of the legend, which is in a late form, as it seems. + +The story of Woden's being banished for misbehaviour, and especially +for sorcery and for having worn woman's attire to trick Wrinda, his +replacement by "Wuldor" ("Oller"), a high priest who assumed Woden's +name and flourished for ten years, but was ultimately expelled by the +returning Woden, and killed by the Danes in Sweden, is in the same +style. But Wuldor's bone vessel is an old bit of genuine tradition +mangled. It would cross the sea as well as a ship could, by virtue of +certain spells marked on it. + +Of "Frey", who appears as "satrapa" of the gods at Upsala, and as the +originator of human sacrifice, and as appeased by black victims, at a +sacrifice called Froblod (Freys-blot) instituted by Hadding, who began +it as an atonement for having slain a sea-monster, a deed for which he +had incurred a curse. The priapic and generative influences of Frey are +only indicated by a curious tradition mentioned. It almost looks as +if there had once been such an institution at Upsala as adorned the +Phoenician temples, under Frey's patronage and for a symbolic means of +worship. + +"Thunder", or "Thor", is Woden's son, strongest of gods or men, patron +of Starcad, whom he turned, by pulling off four arms, from a monster to +a man. + +He fights by Woden's side and Balder's against Hother, by whose magic +wand his club (hammer) was lopped off part of its shaft, a wholly +different and, a much later version than the one Snorre gives in the +prose Edda. Saxo knows of Thor's journey to the haunt of giant Garfred +(Geirrod) and his three daughters, and of the hurling of the iron +"bloom", and of the crushing of the giantesses, though he does not seem +to have known of the river-feats of either the ladies or Thor, if we may +judge (never a safe thing wholly) by his silence. + +Whether "Tew" is meant by the Mars of the Song of the Voice is not +evident. Saxo may only be imitating the repeated catch-word "war" of the +original. + +"Loke" appears as Utgard-Loke, Loke of the skirts of the World, as +it were; is treated as a venomous giant bound in agony under a +serpent-haunted cavern (no mention is made of "Sigyn" or her pious +ministry). + +"Hela" seems to be meant by Saxo's Proserpina. + +"Nanna" is the daughter of Gewar, and Balder sees her bathing and falls +in love with her, as madly as Frey with Gertha in Skirnismal. + +"Freya", the mistress of Od, the patroness of Othere the homely, the +sister of Frey-Frode, and daughter of Niord-Fridlaf, appears as Gunwara +Eric's love and Syritha Ottar's love and the hair-clogged maiden, as Dr. +Rydberg has shown. + +The gods can disguise their form, change their shape, are often met in +a mist, which shrouds them save from the right person; they appear +and disappear at will. For the rest they have the mental and physical +characteristics of the kings and queens they protect or persecute +so capriciously. They can be seen by making a magic sign and looking +through a witch's arm held akimbo. They are no good comates for men or +women, and to meddle with a goddess or nymph or giantess was to ensure +evil or death for a man. The god's loves were apparently not always so +fatal, though there seems to be some tradition to that effect. Most of +the god-sprung heroes are motherless or unborn (i.e., born like Macduff +by the Caesarean operation)--Sigfred, in the Eddic Lays for instance. + +Besides the gods, possibly older than they are, and presumably mightier, +are the "Fates" (Norns), three Ladies who are met with together, who +fulfil the parts of the gift-fairies of our Sleeping Beauty tales, and +bestow endowments on the new-born child, as in the beautiful "Helge +Lay", a point of the story which survives in Ogier of the Chansons de +Geste, wherein Eadgar (Otkerus or Otgerus) gets what belonged to Holger +(Holge), the Helga of "Beowulf's Lay". The caprices of the Fates, where +one corrects or spoils the others' endowments, are seen in Saxo, when +beauty, bounty, and meanness are given together. They sometimes meet +heroes, as they met Helgi in the Eddic Lay (Helgi and Sigrun Lay), +and help or begift them; they prepare the magic broth for Balder, are +charmed with Hother's lute-playing, and bestow on him a belt of victory +and a girdle of splendour, and prophesy things to come. + +The verse in Biarca-mal, where "Pluto weaves the dooms of the mighty and +fills Phlegethon with noble shapes," recalls Darrada-liod, and points to +Woden as death-doomer of the warrior. + +"Giants".--These are stupid, mischievous, evil and cunning in Saxo's +eyes. Oldest of beings, with chaotic force and exuberance, monstrous in +extravagant vitality. + +The giant nature of the older troll-kind is abhorrent to man and woman. +But a giantess is enamoured of a youth she had fostered, and giants +carry off king's daughters, and a three-bodied giant captures young +children. + +Giants live in caves by the sea, where they keep their treasure. One +giant, Unfoot (Ofoti), is a shepherd, like Polyphemus, and has a famous +dog which passed into the charge of Biorn, and won a battle; a giantess +is keeping goats in the wilds. A giant's fury is so great that it takes +twelve champions to control him, when the rage is on him. The troll +(like our Puss-in-Boots Ogre) can take any shape. + +Monstrous apparitions are mentioned, a giant hand (like that in one +story of Finn) searching for its prey among the inmates of a booth +in the wilds. But this Grendel-like arm is torn off by a giantess, +Hardgrip, daughter of Wainhead and niece possibly of Hafle. + +The voice heard at night prophesying is that of some god or monster, +possibly Woden himself. + +"Dwarves".--These Saxo calls Satyrs, and but rarely mentions. The dwarf +Miming, who lives in the desert, has a precious sword of sharpness +(Mistletoe?) that could even pierce skin-hard Balder, and a ring +(Draupnir) that multiplied itself for its possessor. He is trapped by +the hero and robbed of his treasures. + + + + +FUNERAL RITES AND MAN'S FUTURE STATE. + +"Barrow-burials".--The obsequies of great men (such as the classic +funeral of "Beowulf's Lay", 3138-80) are much noticed by Saxo, and we +might expect that he knew such a poem (one similar to Ynglingatal, but +not it) which, like the Books of the Kings of Israel and Judah, recorded +the deaths and burials, as well as the pedigrees and deeds, of the +Danish kings. + +The various stages of the "obsequy by fire" are noted; the byre +sometimes formed out of a ship; the "sati"; the devoted bower-maidens +choosing to die with their mistress, the dead man's beloved (cf. The +Eddic funerals of Balder, Sigfred, and Brunhild, in the Long "Brunhild's +Lay", Tregrof Gudrumar and the lost poem of Balder's death paraphrased +in the prose Edda); the last message given to the corpse on the pyre +(Woden's last words to Balder are famous); the riding round the pyre; +the eulogium; the piling of the barrow, which sometimes took whole days, +as the size of many existing grass mounds assure us; the funeral feast, +where an immense vat of ale or mead is drunk in honor of the dead; the +epitaph, like an ogham, set up on a stone over the barrow. + +The inclusion of a live man with the dead in a barrow, with the live or +fresh-slain beasts (horse and bound) of the dead man, seems to point to +a time or district when burning was not used. Apparently, at one time, +judging from Frode's law, only chiefs and warriors were burnt. + +Not to bury was, as in Hellas, an insult to the dead, reserved for the +bodies of hated foes. Conquerors sometimes show their magnanimity (like +Harald Godwineson) by offering to bury their dead foes. + +The buried "barrow-ghost" was formidable; he could rise and slay and +eat, vampire-like, as in the tale of Asmund and Aswit. He must in such +case be mastered and prevented doing further harm by decapitation and +thigh-forking, or by staking and burning. So criminals' bodies were +often burnt to stop possible haunting. + +Witches and wizards could raise corpses by spells to make them prophesy. +The dead also appeared in visions, usually foretelling death to the +person they visited. + +OTHER WORLDS.--The "Land of Undeath" is spoken of as a place reached by +an exiled hero in his wanderings. We know it from Eric the traveller's +S., Helge Thoreson's S., Herrand and Bose S., Herwon S., Thorstan +Baearmagn S., and other Icelandic sources. But the voyage to the Other +Worlds are some of the most remarkable of the narratives Saxo has +preserved for us. + +"Hadding's Voyage Underground".--(a) A woman bearing in her lap angelica +fresh and green, though it was deep winter, appears to the hero at +supper, raising her head beside the brazier. Hadding wishes to know +where such plants grow. + +(b) She takes him with her, under cover of her mantle, underground. + +(c) They pierce a mist, get on a road worn by long use, pass nobly-clad +men, and reach the sunny fields that bear the angelica:-- + + "Through griesly shadowes by a beaten path, + Into a garden goodly garnished." + --F.Q. ii. 7, 51. + +(d) Next they cross, by a bridge, the "River of Blades", and see "two +armies fighting", ghosts of slain soldiers. + +(e) Last they came to a high wall, which surrounds the land of Life, for +a cock the woman brought with her, whose neck she wrung and tossed over +this wall, came to life and crowed merrily. + +Here the story breaks off. It is unfinished, we are only told that +Hadfling got back. Why he was taken to this under-world? Who took him? +What followed therefrom? Saxo does not tell. It is left to us to make +out. + +That it is an archaic story of the kind in the Thomas of Ercildoune +and so many more fairy-tales, e.g., Kate Crack-a-Nuts, is certain. The +"River of Blades" and "The Fighting Warriors" are known from the Eddic +Poems. The angelica is like the green birk of that superb fragment, the +ballad of the Wife of Usher's Well--a little more frankly heathen, of +course-- + + "It fell about the Martinmas, when nights are long and mirk, + The carline wife's three sons cam hame, and their hats were + o' the birk. + It neither grew in syke nor dyke, nor yet in ony sheugh, + But at the gates o' Paradise that birk grew fair eneuch." + +The mantel is that of Woden when he bears the hero over seas; the cock +is a bird of sorcery the world over; the black fowl is the proper gift +to the Underground powers--a heriot really, for did not the Culture god +steal all the useful beasts out of the underground world for men's use? + +Dr. Rydberg has shown that the "Seven Sleepers" story is an old Northern +myth, alluded to here in its early pre-Christian form, and that with +this is mixed other incidents from voyages of Swipdag, the Teutonic +Odusseus. + +"Thorkill's Second Voyage to Outgarth-Loke to get Knowledge".--(a) +Guthrum is troubled as to the immortality and fate of the soul, and the +reward of piety after death. To spite Thorkill, his enviers advised the +king to send him to consult Outgarth-Loke. He required of the king that +his enemies should be sent with him. + +(b) In one well-stored and hide-defended ship they set out, reached +a sunless, starless land, without fuel; ate raw food and suffered. At +last, after many days, a fire was seen ashore. Thorkill, setting a jewel +at the mast-head to be able to regain his vessel easily, rows ashore to +get fire. + +(c) In a filthy, snake-paved, stinking cavern he sees two horny-nebbed +giants, (2) making a fire. One of the giants offers to direct him to +Loke if he will say three true things in three phrases, and this done, +tells him to row four days and then he would reach a Dark and Grassless +Land. For three more true sayings he obtains fire, and gets back to his +vessel. + +(d) With good wind they make Grassless Land, go ashore, find a huge, +rocky cavern, strike a flint to kindle a fire at the entrance as a +safeguard against demons, and a torch to light them as they explored the +cavern. + +(e) First appears iron seats set amid crawling snakes. + +(f) Next is sluggish water flowing over sand. + +(g) Last a steep, sloping cavern is reached, in a chamber of which lay +Outgarth-Loke chained, huge and foul. + +(h) Thorkill plucks a hair of his beard "as big as a cornel-wood spear." +The stench that arose was fearful; the demens and snakes fell upon the +invaders at once; only Thorkill and five of the crew, who had sheltered +themselves with hides against the virulent poison the demons and snakes +cast, which would take a head off at the neck if it fell upon it, got +back to their ship. + +(i) By vow to the "God that made the world", and offerings, a good +voyage was made back, and Germany reached, where Thorkill became a +Christian. Only two of his men survived the effects of the poison and +stench, and he himself was scarred and spoilt in the face. + +(k) When he reached the king, Guthrum would not listen to his tale, +because it was prophesied to him that he would die suddenly if he heard +it; nay, he even sent men to smite him as he lay in bed, but, by the +device of laying a log in his place, he escaped, and going to the king +as he sat at meat, reproached him for his treachery. + +(l) Guthrum bade him tell his story, but died of horror at hearing his +god Loke foully spoken of, while the stench of the hair that Thorkill +produced, as Othere did his horn for a voucher of his speech, slew many +bystanders. + +This is the regular myth of Loke, punished by the gods, lying bound with +his own soils' entrails on three sharp stones and a sword-blade, (this +latter an addition, when the myth was made stones were the only blades), +with snakes' venom dripping on to him, so that when it falls on him he +shakes with pain and makes earthquakes--a Titan myth in answer to the +question, "Why does the earth quake?" The vitriolic power of the poison +is excellently expressed in the story. The plucking of the hair as a +token is like the plucking of a horn off the giant or devil that occurs +in some folk-tale. + + + + +MAGIC AND FOLK-SCIENCE. + +There is a belief in magic throughout Saxo's work, showing how fresh +heathendom still was in men's minds and memories. His explanations, when +he euhemerizes, are those of his day. + +By means of spells all kinds of wonders could be effected, and the +powers of nature forced to work for the magician or his favourite. + +"Skin-changing" (so common in "Landnamaboc") was as well known as in the +classic world of Lucian and Apuleius; and, where Frode perishes of the +attacks of a witch metamorphosed into a walrus. + +"Mist" is induced by spells to cover and hide persons, as in Homer, +and "glamour" is produced by spells to dazzle foemen's sight. To cast +glamour and put confusion into a besieged place a witch is employed by +the beleaguerer, just as William the Conqueror used the witch in the +Fens against Hereward's fortalice. A soothsayer warns Charles the Great +of the coming of a Danish fleet to the Seine's mouth. + +"Rain and bad weather" may be brought on, as in a battle against +the enemy, but in this, as in other instances, the spell may be +counteracted. + +"Panic Terror" may be induced by the spell worked with a dead horse's +head set up on a pole facing the antagonist, but the spell may be met +and combatted by silence and a counter-curse. + +"Magic help" may be got by calling on the friendly magician's name. +The magician has also the power of summoning to him anyone, however +unwilling, to appear. + +Of spells and magic power to blunt steel there are several instances; +they may be counteracted (as in the Icelandic Sagas) by using the hilt, +or a club, or covering the blade with fine skin. In another case the +champion can only be overcome by one that will take up some of the dust +from under his feet. This is effected by the combatants shifting their +ground and exchanging places. In another case the foeman can only +be slain by gold, whereupon the hero has a gold-headed mace made and +batters the life out of him therewith. The brothers of Swanhild cannot +be cut by steel, for their mail was charmed by the witch Gudrun, but +Woden taught Eormenric, the Gothic king, how to overcome them with +stones (which apparently cannot, as archaic weapons, be charmed against +at all, resisting magic like wood and water and fire). Jordanis tells +the true history of Ermanaric, that great Gothic emperor whose rule +from the Dnieper to the Baltic and Rhine and Danube, and long reign of +prosperity, were broken by the coming of the Huns. With him vanished the +first great Teutonic empire. + +Magic was powerful enough even to raise the dead, as was practised +by the Perms, who thus renewed their forces after a battle. In the +Everlasting battle the combatants were by some strange trick of fate +obliged to fulfil a perennial weird (like the unhappy Vanderdecken). +Spells to wake the dead were written on wood and put under the corpses' +tongue. Spells (written on bark) induce frenzy. + +"Charms" would secure a man against claw or tooth. + +"Love philtres" (as in the long "Lay of Gudrun) appear as everywhere in +savage and archaic society. + +"Food", porridge mixed with the slaver of tortured snakes, gives magic +strength or endues the eater with eloquence and knowledge of beast and +bird speech (as Finn's broiled fish and Sigfred's broiled dragon-heart +do). + +"Poison" like these hell-broths are part of the Witch or Obi +stock-in-trade, and Frode uses powdered gold as an antidote. + +"Omens" are observed; tripping as one lands is lucky (as with our +William the Norman). Portents, such as a sudden reddening of the sea +where the hero is drowned, are noticed and interpreted. + +"Dreams" (cf. Eddic Lays of Attila, and the Border ballads) are +prophetic (as nine-tenths of Europeans firmly believe still); thus the +visionary flame-spouting dragon is interpreted exactly as Hogne's and +Attila's dreams. The dreams of the three first bridals nights (which +were kept hallowed by a curious superstition, either because the dreams +would then bold good, or as is more likely, for fear of some Asmodeus) +were fateful. Animals and birds in dreams are read as persons, as +nowadays. + +A "curse" is powerful unless it can be turned back, when it will harm +its utterer, for harm someone it must. The "curse" of a dying man on his +slayer, and its lack of effect, is noted. + +Sometimes "magic messengers" are sent, like the swans that bore a token +and uttered warning songs to the hero. + +"Witches and wizards" (as belonging to the older layer of archaic +beliefs) are hateful to the gods, and Woden casts them out as accursed, +though he himself was the mightiest of wizards. Heathen Teutonic life +was a long terror by reason of witchcraft, as is the heathen African +life to-day, continual precautions being needful to escape the magic of +enemies. The Icelandic Sagas, such as Gretter's, are full of magic and +witchcraft. It is by witchcraft that Gretter is first lamed and finally +slain; one can see that Glam's curse, the Beowulf motif, was not really +in the original Gretter story. + +"Folk-medicine" is really a branch of magic in old days, even to such +pioneers of science as Paracelsus. + +Saxo's traditions note drinking of a lion's blood that eats men as a +means of gaining might and strength; the drinking of bear's blood is +also declared to give great bodily power. + +The tests for "madness" are of a primitive character, such as those +applied to Odusseus, who, however, was not able, like Hamlet, to evade +them. + +The test for death is the red-hot iron or hot brand (used by the +Abyssinians of to-day, as it was supposed in the thirteenth century to +have been used by Grimhild. "And now Grimhild goes and takes a great +brand, where the house had burnt, and goes to Gernot her brother, and +thrusts the burning brand in his mouth, and will know whether he is dead +or living. But Gernot was clearly dead. And now she goes to Gislher and +thrusts the firebrand in his mouth. He was not dead before, but Gislher +died of that. Now King Thidrec of Bern saw what Grimhild is doing, +and speaks to King Attila. `See how that devil Grimhild, thy wife, is +killing her brothers, the good warriors, and how many men have lost +their lives for her sake, and how many good men she has destroyed, Huns +and Amalungs and Niflungs; and in the same way would she bring thee and +me to hell, if she could do it?' Then spake King Attila, `Surely she is +a devil, and slay thou her, and that were a good work if thou had done +it seven nights ago! Then many a gallant fellow were whole that is now +dead.' Now King Thidrec springs at Grimhild and swings up his sword +Eckisax, and hews her asunder at the middle"). + +It was believed (as in Polynesia, where "Captain Cook's path" was shown +in the grass) that the heat of the hero's body might blast the grass; so +Starcad's entrails withered the grass. + +It was believed that a severed head might bite the ground in rage, and +there were certainly plenty of opportunities for observation of such +cases. + +It was believed that a "dumb man" might be so wrought on by passion that +he would speak, and wholly acquire speech-power. + +Little is told of "surgery", but in one case of intestines protruding +owing to wounds, withies were employed to bind round the trunk and keep +the bowels from risk till the patient could be taken to a house and his +wounds examined and dressed. It was considered heroic to pay little heed +to wounds that were not dangerous, but just to leave them to nature. + +Personal "cleanliness" was not higher than among savages now. A lover is +loused by his lady after the mediaeval fashion. + +CHRISTIANITY--In the first nine books of Saxo, which are devoted to +heathendom, there is not much save the author's own Christian point +of view that smacks of the New Faith. The apostleships of Ansgarius in +Denmark, the conversion of King Eric, the Christianity of several later +Danish Kings, one of whom was (like Olaf Tryggwason) baptised in Britain +are also noticed. + +Of "Christian legends" and beliefs, besides the euhemerist theory, +widely held, of the heathen gods there are few hints, save the idea +that Christ was born in the reign of Frode, Frode having been somehow +synchronised with Augustus, in whose reign also there was a world-peace. + +Of course the christening of Scandinavia is history, and the mythic +books are little concerned with it. The episode in Adam of Bremen, where +the king offers the people, if they want a new god, to deify Eric, one +of their hero-kings, is eminently characteristic and true. + + + + +FOLK-TALES. + +There might be a classification of Saxo's stories akin to that of the +Irish poets, Battles, Sieges, Voyages, Rapes, Cattle Forays, etc.; and +quite apart from the historic element, however faint and legendary, +there are a set of stories ascribed by him, or rather his authorities, +to definite persons, which had, even in his day, probably long been the +property of Tis, their original owners not being known owing to lapse +of time and the wear of memory, and the natural and accidental +catastrophies that impair the human record. Such are the "Dragon-Slayer" +stories. In one type of these the hero (Frithlaf) is cast on a desolate +island, and warned by a dream to attack and slay a dragon guarding +treasure. He wakes, sees the dragon arise out of the waves, apparently, +to come ashore and go back to the cavern or mound wherein the treasure +lay. His scales are too hard to pierce; he is terribly strong, lashing +trees down with his tail, and wearing a deep path through the wood and +over the stones with his huge and perpetual bulk; but the hero, covered +with hide-wrapped shield against the poison, gets down into the +hollow path, and pierces the monster from below, afterward rifling its +underground store and carrying off its treasure. + +Again the story is repeated; the hero (Frode Haddingsson) is warned by +a countryman of the island-dragon and its hoard, is told to cover his +shield and body with bulls' hides against the poison, and smite the +monster's belly. The dragon goes to drink, and, as it is coming back, +it is attacked, slain, and its treasure lifted precisely as before. The +analogies with the Beowulf and Sigfred stories are evident; but no great +poet has arisen to weave the dragon-slaying intimately into the lives of +Frode and Frithlaf as they have been woven into the tragedy of Sigfred +the wooer of Brunhild and, if Dr. Vigffisson be right the conqueror of +Varus, or into the story of Beowulf, whose real engagements were with +sea-monsters, not fiery dragons. + +Another type is that of the "Loathly Worm". A king out hunting (Herod +or Herraud, King of Sweden), for some unexplained reason brings home two +small snakes as presents for his daughter. They wax wonderfully, have +to be fed a whole ox a day, and proceed to poison and waste the +countryside. The wretched king is forced to offer his daughter (Thora) +to anyone who will slay them. The hero (Ragnar) devises a dress of a +peculiar kind (by help of his nurse, apparently), in this case, woolly +mantle and hairy breeches all frozen and ice-covered to resist the +venom, then strapping his spear to his hand, he encounters them boldly +alone. The courtiers hide "like frightened little girls", and the king +betakes him to a "narrow shelter", an euphemism evidently of Saxo's, for +the scene is comic. The king comes forth when the hero is victorious, +and laughing at his hairy legs, nick-names him Shaggy-breech, and bids +him to the feast. Ragnar fetches up his comrades, and apparently seeks +out the frightened courtiers (no doubt with appropriate quip, omitted by +Saxo, who hurries on), feasts, marries the king's daughter, and begets +on her two fine sons. + +Of somewhat similar type is the proud "Maiden guarded" by Beasts. Here +the scene is laid in Gaulardale in Norway. The lady is Ladgerda, the +hero Ragnar. Enamoured of the maiden by seeing her prowess in war, he +accepts no rebuffs, but leaving his followers, enters the house, slays +the guardian Bear and Dog, thrusting one through with a spear and +throttling the other with his hand. The lady is won and wed, and two +daughters and a son (Frithlaf) duly begotten. The story of Alf and +Alfhild combines several types. There are the tame snakes, the baffled +suitors' heads staked to terrify other suitors, and the hero using +red-hot iron and spear to slay the two reptiles. + +The "Proud Lady", (cf. Kudrun and the Niebelungen, and Are's story +of the queen that burnt her suitors) appears in Hermintrude, Queen of +Scotland, who battles and slays her lovers, but is out-witted by the +hero (Hamlet), and, abating her arrogance, agrees to wed him. This seems +an obvious accretion in the original Hamlet story, and probably owing +not to Saxo, but to his authority. + +The "Beggar that stole the Lady" (told of Snio Siwaldson and the +daughter of the King of the Goths), with its brisk dialogue, must have +been one of the most artful of the folk-tales worked on by Saxo or his +informants; but it is only half told, unfortunately. + +The "Crafty Soaker" is another excellent comic folk-tale. A terrible +famine made the king (Snio) forbid brewing to save the barley for +bread, and abolished all needless toping. The Soaker baffled the king by +sipping, never taking a full draught. Rebuked, he declared that he never +drank, but only sucked a drop. This was forbidden him for the future, so +he sopped his bread in ale, and in that inconvenient manner continued to +get drunk, excusing himself with the plea that though it was forbidden +to drink or sip beer, it was not forbidden to eat it. When this was in +turn prohibited, the Soaker gave up any pretence, and brewed and +drank unabashed, telling the angry king that he was celebrating his +approaching funeral with due respect, which excuse led to the repeal of +the obnoxious decree. A good Rabelaisian tale, that must not have +been wide-spread among the Danish topers, whose powers both Saxo and +Shakespeare have celebrated, from actual experience no doubt. + +The "Magician's tricks to elude pursuit", so common an incident in +our fairy tales, e.g., Michael Scot's flight, is ascribed here to the +wonder-working and uncanny Finns, who, when pursued, cast behind +them successively three pebbles, which become to their enemies' eyes +mountains, then snow, which appeared like a roaring torrent. But they +could not cast the glamour on Arngrim a third time, and were forced to +submit. The glamour here and in the case of the breaking of Balder's +barrow is akin to that which the Druid puts on the sons of Uisnach. + +The tale of the king who shuts up his daughter in an "earth-house" or +underground chamber with treasures (weapons and gold and silver), in +fear of invasion, looks like a bit of folk-tale, such as the "Hind in +the Wood", but it may have a traditional base of some kind here. + +A folk-tale, very imperfectly narrated, is the "Clever King's Daughter", +who evidently in the original story had to choose her suitor by his feet +(as the giantess in the prose Edda chooses her husband), and was able to +do so by the device she had practised of sewing up her ring in his leg +sometime before, so that when she touched the flesh she could feel the +hardness of the ring beneath the scar. + +Bits of folk-tales are the "Device for escaping threatened death by +putting a log in one's bed" (as in our Jack the Giant-Killer). The +device, as old as David's wife, of dressing up a dummy (here a basket +with a dog inside, covered outside with clothes), while the hero +escapes, is told of Eormenric, the mighty Gothic King of Kings, who, +like Walter of Aquitaine, Theodoric of Varona, Ecgherht, and Arminius, +was an exile in his youth. This traditional escape of the two lads from +the Scyths should be compared with the true story in Paul the Deacon +of his little ancestor's captivity and bold and successful stroke for +freedom. + +"Disguise" plays a great part in the folk-tales used by Saxo. Woden +disguises himself in a cowl on his earthly travels, and heroes do the +same; a king disguises himself as a slave at his rival's court, to try +and find occasion of slaying him; a hero wraps himself up in skins, like +Alleleirah. + +"Escaped recognition" is accordingly a feature in many of these simple +but artistic plots. A son is not known by his mother in the story of +Hrolf. + +Other "Devices" are exemplified, such as the "booby-trap" loaded with +a millstone, which slays a hateful and despised tyrant, imposed by +a foreign conqueror; evasion by secret passages, and concealment in +underground vaults or earth-houses. The feigning of madness to escape +death occurs, as well as in the better-known Hamlet story. These +stratagems are universal in folk-history. + +To Eric, the clever and quick of speech, is ascribed an excellent +sailor's smuggling trick to hide slaughtered cattle, by sinking them +till the search is over. + +The "Hero's Mighty Childhood" (like David's) of course occurs when +he binds a bear with his girdle. Sciold is full grown at fifteen, and +Hadding is full grown in extreme youth. The hero in his boyhood slays a +full-grown man and champion. The cinder-biting, lazy stage of a mighty +youth is exemplified. + +The "fierce eyes" of the hero or heroine, which can daunt an assassin as +could the piercing glance of Marius, are the "falcon eyes" of the Eddic +Lays. + +The shining, effulgent, "illuminating hair" of the hero, which gives +light in the darkness, is noticed here, as it obtains in Cuaran's +thirteenth century English legend. + +The wide-spread tale of the "City founded on a site marked out by a hide +cut into finest thongs", occurs, told of Hella and Iwarus exactly as our +Kentishmen told it of Hengist, and as it is also told of Dido. + +The incidents of the "hero sleeping by a rill", of the guarded king's +daughter, with her thirty attendants, the king's son keeping sheep, are +part of the regular stock incidents in European folk-tales. So are the +Nausicaa incident of the "king's daughter going a washing", the hero +disguising himself as a woman and winding wool (like a second Heracles). + +There are a certain number of stories, which only occur in Saxo and in +our other Northern sources with attributions, though they are of course +legendary; such are: + +The "Everlasting Battle" between Hedhin and Hogne, a legend connected +with the great Brisinga-men story, and paralleled by the Cordelia-tale +among the Britons. + +The story of the "Children preserved" is not very clearly told, and +Saxo seems to have euhemerized. It is evidently of the same type as the +Lionel-Lancelot story in the Arthurian cycle. Two children, ordered to +be killed, are saved by the slaying of other children in their place; +and afterwards by their being kept and named as dogs; they come to their +own and avenge their wrongs. + +The "Journey to Hell" story is told of Eric, who goes to a far land to +fetch a princess back, and is successful. It is apparently an adventure +of Swipdag, if everyone had their rights. It is also told of Thorkill, +whose adventures are rather of the "True Thomas" type. + +The "Test of Endurance" by sitting between fires, and the relief of the +tortured and patient hero by a kindly trick, is a variant of the famous +Eddic Lays concerning Agnar. + +The "Robbers of the Island", evidently comes from an Icelandic source +(cf. The historic "Holmveria Saga" and Icelandic folk-tales of later +date), the incident of the hero slaying his slave, that the body might +be mistaken for his, is archaic in tone; the powerful horse recalls +Grani, Bayard, and even Sleipner; the dog which had once belonged to +Unfoot (Ofote), the giant shepherd (cf. its analogues in old Welsh +tales), is not quite assimilated or properly used in this story. +It seems (as Dr. Rydberg suspects) a mythical story coloured by the +Icelandic relater with memory full of the robber-hands of his own land. + +The stratagem of "Starcad", who tried even in death to slay his slayer, +seems an integral part of the Starcad story; as much as the doom of +three crimes which are to be the price for the threefold life that a +triple man or giant should enjoy. The noose story in Starcad (cf. that +told of Bicce in the Eormenric story), is also integral. + + + + +SAXO'S MYTHOLOGY. + +No one has commented upon Saxo's mythology with such brilliancy, such +minute consideration, and such success as the Swedish scholar, Victor +Rydberg. More than occasionally he is over-ingenious and over-anxious to +reduce chaos to order; sometimes he almost loses his faithful reader in +the maze he treads so easily and confidently, and sometimes he stumbles +badly. But he has placed the whole subject on a fresh footing, and much +that is to follow will be drawn from his "Teutonic Mythology" (cited +here from the English version by Rasmus B. Anderson, London, 1889, as +"T.M."). + +Let us take first some of the incontestable results of his +investigations that affect Saxo. + +SCIOLD is the father of Gram in Saxo, and the son of Sceaf in other +older authorities. Dr. Rydberg (97-101) forms the following equations +for the Sciolding patriarchs:-- + + a. Scef--Heimdal--Rig. + b. Sciold--Borgar--Jarl. + c. Gram--Halfdan--Koming. + +Chief among the mythic tales that concern Saxo are the various portions +of the Swipdag-Myth, which Dr. Rydberg has been able to complete with +much success. They may be resumed briefly as follows:-- + +Swipdag, helped by the incantations of his dead mother, whom he had +raised from the dead to teach him spells of protection, sets forth on +his quests. He is the Odusseus of the Teutonic mythology. He desires to +avenge his father on Halfdan that slew him. To this end he must have a +weapon of might against Halfdan's club. The Moon-god tells him of the +blade Thiasse has forged. It has been stolen by Mimer, who has gone out +into the cold wilderness on the rim of the world. Swipdag achieves the +sword, and defeats and slays Halfdan. He now buys a wife, Menglad, of +her kinsmen the gods by the gift of the sword, which thus passes into +Frey's hands. + +How he established a claim upon Frey, and who Menglad was, is explained +in Saxo's story of Eric, where the characters may be identified thus:-- + + Swipdag--Eric + Freya--Gunwara + Frey--Frode III + Niord--Fridlaf + Wuldor--Roller + Thor--Brac + Giants--The Greps + Giants--Coller. + +Frey and Freya had been carried off by the giants, and Swipdag and his +faithful friend resolve to get them back for the Anses, who bewail their +absence. They journey to Monster-land, win back the lady, who ultimately +is to become the hero's wife, and return her to her kindred; but her +brother can only be rescued by his father Niord. It is by wit rather +than by force that Swipdag is successful here. + +The third journey of Swipdag is undertaken on Frey's behalf; he goes +under the name of Scirner to woo giant Gymer's daughter Gerth for his +brother-in-law, buying her with the sword that he himself had paid to +Frey as his sister's bride-price. So the sword gets back to the giants +again. + +Swipdag's dead foe Halfdan left two young "avengers", Hadding and +Guthorm, whom he seeks to slay. But Thor-Brache gives them in charge +of two giant brothers. Wainhead took care of Hadding, Hafle of Guthorm. +Swipdag made peace with Guthorm, in a way not fully explained to us, but +Hadding took up the blood-feud as soon as he was old enough. + +Hadding was befriended by a woman, who took him to the Underworld--the +story is only half told in Saxo, unluckily--and by Woden, who took him +over-sea wrapt in his mantle as they rode Sleipner over the waves; but +here again Saxo either had not the whole story before him, or he wished +to abridge it for some reason or prejudice, and the only result of this +astonishing pilgrimage is that Woden gives the young hero some useful +counsels. He falls into captivity, entrapped by Loke (for what reason +again we are left to guess), and is exposed to wild beasts, but he slays +the wolf that attacks him, and eating its heart as Woden had bidden him, +he gains wisdom and foresight. + +Prepared by these adventures, he gets Guthorm to join him (how or why +the peace between him and Swipdag was broken, we know not), and they +attack their father's slayer, but are defeated, though Woden sunk Asmund +Swipdag's son's ship, Grio, at Hlessey, and Wainhead and Hardgrip his +daughter fought for Hadding. + +Hadding wanders off to the East with his foster-sister and mistress and +Hardgrip, who is slain protecting him against an angry ghost raised from +the Underworld by her spells. However, helped by Heimdal and Woden (who +at this time was an exile), Hadding's ultimate success is assured. + +When Woden came back to power, Swipdag, whose violence and pride grew +horribly upon him, was exiled, possibly by some device of his foes, +and took upon him, whether by will or doom, a sea-monster's shape. His +faithful wife follows him over land and sea, but is not able to save +him. He is met by Hadding and, after a fierce fight, slain. Swipdag's +wife cursed the conqueror, and he was obliged to institute an annual +sacrifice to Frey (her brother) at Upsale, who annuls the curse. Loke, +in seal's guise, tried to steal the necklace of Freya at the Reef of +Treasures, where Swipdag was slain, but Haimdal, also in sealskin, +fought him, and recovered it for the gods. + +Other myths having reference to the goddesses appear in Saxo. There is +the story of "Heimdall and Sol", which Dr. Rydberg has recognised in the +tale of Alf and Alfhild. The same tale of how the god won the sun for +his wife appears in the mediaeval German King Ruther (in which title Dr. +Ryuberg sees Hrutr, a name of the ram-headed god). + +The story of "Othar" (Od) and "Syritha" (Sigrid) is obviously that of +Freya and her lover. She has been stolen by the giants, owing to the +wiles of her waiting-maid, Loke's helper, the evil witch Angrbode. Od +seeks her, finds her, slays the evil giant who keeps her in the cave; +but she is still bewitched, her hair knotted into a hard, horny mass, +her eyes void of brightness. Unable to gain recognition he lets her go, +and she is made by a giantess to herd her flocks. Again found by Od, and +again refusing to recognise him, she is let go again. But this time +she flies to the world of men, and takes service with Od's mother and +father. Here, after a trial of her love, she and Od are reconciled. +Sywald (Sigwald), her father, weds Od's sister. + +The tale of the vengeance of Balder is more clearly given by the Dane, +and with a comic force that recalls the Aristophanic fun of Loka-senna. +It appears that the story had a sequel which only Saxo gives. Woden +had the giantess Angrbode, who stole Freya, punished. Frey, whose +mother-in-law she was, took up her quarrel, and accusing Woden of +sorcery and dressing up like a woman to betray Wrind, got him banished. +While in exile Wuldor takes Woden's place and name, and Woden lives on +earth, part of the time at least, with Scathe Thiasse's daughter, who +had parted from Niord. + +The giants now resolved to attack Ansegard; and Woden, under the name of +Yggr, warned the gods, who recall him after ten years' exile. + +But for Saxo this part of the story of the wars of the gods would be +very fragmentary. + +The "Hildiger story", where a father slays his son unwittingly, and +then falls at his brother's hand, a tale combining the Rustam and +the Balin-Balan types, is one of the Hilding tragedies, and curiously +preserved in the late "Saga of Asmund the Champions' bane". It is an +antithesis, as Dr. Rydberg remarks, to the Hildebrand and Hadubrand +story, where father and son must fight and are reconciled. + +The "story of Orwandel" (the analogue of Orion the Hunter) must be +gathered chiefly from the prose Edda. He was a huntsman, big enough and +brave enough to cope with giants. He was the friend of Thor, the husband +of Groa, the father of Swipdag, the enemy of giant Coller and the +monster Sela. The story of his birth, and of his being blinded, are +lost apparently in the Teutonic stories, unless we may suppose that the +bleeding of Robin Hood till he could not see by the traitorous prioress +is the last remains of the story of the great archer's death. + +Great part of the troubles which befell the gods arose from the +antagonism of the sons of Iwalde and the brethren Sindre and Brokk +(Cinder and Brank), rival artist families; and it was owing to the +retirement of their artist foster-parents that Frey and Freya were left +among the giants. The Hniflung hoard is also supposed to have consisted +of the treasures of one band of primaeval artists, the Iwaldings. + +Whether we have here the phenomenon of mythological doublets belonging +to different tribes, or whether we have already among these early names +that descent of story which has led to an adventure of Moses being +attributed to Garibaldi, given to Theodoric the king the adventures +of Theodoric the god, taken Arthur to Rome, and Charles the Great to +Constantinople, it is hard to say. + +The skeleton-key of identification, used even as ably as Dr. Rydberg +uses it, will not pick every mythologic lock, though it undoubtedly has +opened many hitherto closed. The truth is that man is a finite animal; +that he has a limited number of types of legend; that these legends, as +long as they live and exist, are excessively prehensile; that, like the +opossum, they can swing from tree to tree without falling; as one tree +dies out of memory they pass on to another. When they are scared away +by what is called exact intelligence from the tall forest of great +personalities, they contrive to live humbly clinging to such bare plain +stocks and poles (Tis and Jack and Cinderella) as enable them to find a +precarious perch. + +To drop similitudes, we must be prepared, in unravelling our tangled +mythology, to go through several processes. We must, of course, note the +parallelisms and get back to the earliest attribution-names we can find. +But all system is of late creation, it does not begin till a certain +political stage, a stage where the myths of coalescing clans come into +contact, and an official settlement is attempted by some school of +poets or priests. Moreover, systematization is never so complete that it +effaces all the earlier state of things. Behind the official systems of +Homer and Hesiod lies the actual chaos of local faiths preserved for us +by Pausanias and other mythographers. The common factors in the various +local faiths are much the majority among the factors they each possess; +and many of these common factors are exceedingly primitive, and resolve +themselves into answers to the questions that children still ask, still +receiving no answer but myth--that is, poetic and subjective hypothesis, +containing as much truth as they can receive or their inventors can +grasp. + +Who were our forbears? How did day and night, sun and moon, earth and +water, and fire come? How did the animals come? Why has the bear no +tail? Why are fishes dumb, the swallow cleft-tail? How did evil come? +Why did men begin to quarrel? How did death arise? What will the end be? +Why do dead persons come back? What do the dead do? What is the earth +shaped like? Who invented tools and weapons, and musical instruments, +and how? When did kings and chiefs first come? + +From accepted answers to such questions most of the huge mass of +mythology arises. Man makes his gods in his own image, and the doctrines +of omen, coincidence, and correspondence helped by incessant and +imperfect observation and logic, bring about a system of religious +observance, of magic and ritual, and all the masses of folly and +cruelty, hope and faith, and even charity, that group about their +inventions, and seem to be the necessary steps in the onward path of +progressive races. + +When to these we add the true and exaggerated memories of actual heroes, +the material before the student is pretty completely comprised. Though +he must be prepared to meet the difficulties caused in the contact of +races, of civilisations, by the conversion of persons holding one set of +mythical ideas to belief in another set of different, more attractive, +and often more advanced stage. + +The task of arriving at the scientific, speculative ethic, and the +actual practice of our remote ancestry (for to that end is the student +of mythology and folk-lore aiming) is not therefore easy. Nor is the +record perfect, though it is not so poor in most cases as was once +believed. The Brothers Grimm, patriarchs alike as mythologists and +folk-lorists, the Castor and Pollox of our studies, have proved this as +regards the Teutonic nations, just as they showed us, by many a striking +example, that in great part folk-lore was the mythology of to-day, and +mythology the folk-lore of yesterday. + +In many cases we are helped by quite modern material to make out some +puzzle that an old tale presents, and there is little doubt but that the +present activity in the field of folklore will not only result in fresh +matter but in fresh methods freshly applied. + +The Scandinavian material, at all events, is particularly rich: there is +the extensive Icelandic written literature touching the ninth and +tenth and eleventh centuries; the noble, if fragmentary remains of Old +Northern poetry of the Wickingtide; and lastly, the mass of tradition +which, surviving in oral form, and changing in colour from generation to +generation, was first recorded in part in the seventeenth, and again in +part, in the present century; and all these yield a plentiful field for +research. But their evidence gains immensely by the existence of Saxo's +nine books of traditional and mythic lore, collected and written down in +an age when much that was antique and heathen was passing away forever. +The gratitude due to the Welshman of the twelfth century, whose garnered +hoard has enriched so many poets and romances from his day to now, is +no less due to the twelfth-century Dane, whose faithful and eloquent +enthusiasm has swept much dust from antique time, and saved us such a +story as Shakespeare has not disdained to consecrate to highest use. Not +only Celtic and Teutonic lore are the richer for these two men, but +the whole Western world of thought and speech. In the history of modern +literature, it is but right that by the side of Geoffrey an honourable +place should be maintained for Saxo, and + +"awake remembrance of these mighty dead." + + +--Oliver Elton + + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) A horn and a tusk of great size are described as things of + price, and great uroch's horns are mentioned in Thorkill's + Second Journey. Horns were used for feast as well as fray. + (2) Such bird-beaked, bird-legged figures occur on the Cross at + Papil, Burra Island, Shetland. Cf. Abbey Morne Cross, and + an Onchan Cross, Isle of Man. + + + + + +THE DANISH HISTORY OF SAXO GRAMMATICUS. + + + + +PREFACE. + +Forasmuch as all other nations are wont to vaunt the glory of their +achievements, and reap joy from the remembrance of their forefathers: +Absalon, Chief Pontiff of the Danes, whose zeal ever burned high for the +glorification of our land, and who would not suffer it to be +defrauded of like renown and record, cast upon me, the least of his +followers--since all the rest refused the task--the work of compiling +into a chronicle the history of Denmark, and by the authority of his +constant admonition spurred my weak faculty to enter on a labour too +heavy for its strength. For who could write a record of the deeds of +Denmark? It had but lately been admitted to the common faith: it still +languished as strange to Latin as to religion. But now that the holy +ritual brought also the command of the Latin tongue, men were as +slothful now as they were unskilled before, and their sluggishness +proved as faultful as that former neediness. Thus it came about that my +lowliness, though perceiving itself too feeble for the aforesaid burden, +yet chose rather to strain beyond its strength than to resist his +bidding; fearing that while our neighbours rejoiced and transmitted +records of their deeds, the repute of our own people might appear not +to possess any written chronicle, but rather to be sunk in oblivion and +antiquity. Thus I, forced to put my shoulder, which was unused to the +task, to a burden unfamiliar to all authors of preceding time, +and dreading to slight his command, have obeyed more boldly than +effectually, borrowing from the greatness of my admonisher that good +heart which the weakness of my own wit denied me. + +And since, ere my enterprise reached its goal, his death outran it; I +entreat thee chiefly, Andrew, who wast chosen by a most wholesome and +accordant vote to be successor in the same office and to headship of +spiritual things, to direct and inspire my theme; that I may baulk by +the defence of so great an advocate that spiteful detraction which +ever reviles what is most conspicuous. For thy breast, very fruitful in +knowledge, and covered with great store of worshipful doctrines, is to +be deemed a kind of shrine of heavenly treasures. Thou who hast searched +through Gaul and Italy and Britain also in order to gather knowledge of +letters and amass them abundantly, didst after thy long wandering obtain +a most illustrious post in a foreign school, and proved such a pillar +thereof, that thou seemedst to confer more grace on thy degree than it +did on thee. Then being made, on account of the height of thy honours +and the desert of thy virtues, Secretary to the King, thou didst adorn +that employment, in itself bounded and insignificant, with such works of +wisdom as to leave it a piece of promotion for men of greatest rank to +covet afterwards, when thou wert transferred to that office which now +thou holdest. Wherefore Skaane has been found to leap for joy that she +has borrowed a Pontiff from her neighbours rather than chosen one from +her own people; inasmuch as she both elected nobly and deserved joy of +her election. Being a shining light, therefore, in lineage, in letters, +and in parts, and guiding the people with the most fruitful labours of +thy teaching, thou hast won the deepest love of thy flock, and by thy +boldness in thy famous administration hast conducted the service thou +hast undertaken unto the summit of renown. And lest thou shouldst seem +to acquire ownership on the strength of prescription, thou hast, by +a pious and bountiful will, made over a very rich inheritance to Holy +Church; choosing rather honourably to reject riches (which are covered +with the rust of cares) than to be shackled with the greed of them and +with their burden. Likewise thou hast set about an amazing work upon +the reverend tenets of the faith; and in thy zeal to set the service of +public religion before thy private concerns, hast, by the lesson of thy +wholesome admonitions, driven those men who refused payment of the dues +belonging to religion to do to holy things the homage that they ought; +and by thy pious gift of treasure hast atoned for the ancient neglect of +sacred buildings. Further, those who pursued a wanton life, and yielded +to the stress of incontinence above measure, thou hast redeemed from +nerveless sloth to a more upright state of mind, partly by continuing +instant in wholesome reproof, and partly by the noble example of simple +living; leaving it in doubt whether thou hast edified them more by word +or deed. Thus thou, by mere counsels of wisdom, hast achieved what it +was not granted to any of thy forerunners to obtain. + +And I would not have it forgotten that the more ancient of the Danes, +when any notable deeds of mettle had been done, were filled with +emulation of glory, and imitated the Roman style; not only by relating +in a choice kind of composition, which might be called a poetical work, +the roll of their lordly deeds; but also by having graven upon rocks +and cliffs, in the characters of their own language, the works of their +forefathers, which were commonly known in poems in the mother tongue. +In the footsteps of these poems, being as it were classic books of +antiquity, I have trod; and keeping true step with them as I translated, +in the endeavour to preserve their drift, I have taken care to render +verses by verses; so that the chronicle of what I shall have to +write, being founded upon these, may thus be known, not for a modern +fabrication, but for the utterance of antiquity; since this present work +promises not a trumpery dazzle of language, but faithful information +concerning times past. + +Moreover, how many histories must we suppose that men of such genius +would have written, could they have had skill in Latin and so slaked +their thirst for writing! Men who though they lacked acquaintance with, +the speech of Rome, were yet seized with such a passion for bequeathing +some record of their history, that they encompassed huge boulders +instead of scrolls, borrowing rocks for the usage of books. + +Nor may the pains of the men of Thule be blotted in oblivion; for though +they lack all that can foster luxury (so naturally barren is the +soil), yet they make up for their neediness by their wit, by keeping +continually every observance of soberness, and devoting every instant +of their lives to perfecting our knowledge of the deeds of foreigners. +Indeed, they account it a delight to learn and to consign to remembrance +the history of all nations, deeming it as great a glory to set forth the +excellences of others as to display their own. Their stores, which are +stocked with attestations of historical events, I have examined somewhat +closely, and have woven together no small portion of the present work by +following their narrative, not despising the judgment of men whom I know +to be so well versed in the knowledge of antiquity. And I have taken +equal care to follow the statements of Absalon, and with obedient mind +and pen to include both his own doings and other men's doings of which +he learnt; treasuring the witness of his August narrative as though it +were some teaching from the skies. + +Wherefore, Waldemar, (1) healthful Prince and Father of us all, shining +light of thy land, whose lineage, most glorious from times of old, I am +to relate, I beseech thee let thy grace attend the faltering course of +this work; for I am fettered under the weight of my purpose, and dread +that I may rather expose my unskillfulness and the feebleness of my +parts, than portray thy descent as I duly should. For, not to speak of +thy rich inheritance from thy fathers, thou hast nobly increased thy +realm by conquering thy neighbours, and in the toil of spreading thy +sovereignty hast encompassed the ebbing and flowing waves of Elbe, thus +adding to thy crowded roll of honours no mean portion of fame. And after +outstripping the renown and repute of thy forerunners by the greatness +of thy deeds, thou didst not forbear to make armed, assault even upon +part of the Roman empire. And though thou art deemed to be well endowed +with courage and generosity, thou hast left it in doubt whether thou +dost more terrify to thy foes in warfare or melt thy people by thy +mildness. Also thy most illustrious grandsire, who was sanctioned with +the honours of public worship, and earned the glory of immortality by +an unmerited death, now dazzles by the refulgence of his holiness those +whom living he annexed in his conquests. And from his most holy wounds +more virtue than blood hath flowed. + +Moreover I, bound by an old and inherited duty of obedience, have set +my heart on fighting for thee, if it be only with all the forces of +my mind; my father and grandfather being known to have served thy +illustrious sire in camp with loyal endurance of the toils of war. +Relying therefore on thy guidance and regard, I have resolved to begin +with the position and configuration of our own country; for I shall +relate all things as they come more vividly, if the course of this +history first traverse the places to which the events belong, and take +their situation as the starting-point for its narrative. + +The extremes, then, of this country are partly bounded by a frontier of +another land, and partly enclosed by the waters of the adjacent sea. The +interior is washed and encompassed by the ocean; and this, through the +circuitous winds of the interstices, now straitens into the narrows of a +firth, now advances into ampler bays, forming a number of islands. Hence +Denmark is cut in pieces by the intervening waves of ocean, and has but +few portions of firm and continuous territory; these being divided +by the mass of waters that break them up, in ways varying with the +different angle of the bend of the sea. Of all these, Jutland, being the +largest and first settled, holds the chief place in the Danish kingdom. +It both lies fore-most and stretches furthest, reaching to the frontiers +of Teutonland, from contact with which it is severed by the bed of the +river Eyder. Northwards it swells somewhat in breadth, and runs out to +the shore of the Noric Channel (Skagerrak). In this part is to be found +the fjord called Liim, which is so full of fish that it seems to yield +the natives as much food as the whole soil. + +Close by this fjord also lies Lesser (North) Friesland, which curves in +from the promontory of Jutland in a cove of sinking plains and shelving +lap, and by the favour of the flooding ocean yields immense crops of +grain. But whether this violent inundation bring the inhabitants more +profit or peril, remains a vexed question. For when the (dykes of the) +estuaries, whereby the waves of the sea are commonly checked among that +people, are broken through by the greatness of the storm, such a mass +of waters is wont to overrun the fields that it sometimes overwhelms not +only the tilled lands, but people and their dwellings likewise. + +Eastwards, after Jutland, comes the Isle of Funen, cut off from the +mainland by a very narrow sound of sea. This faces Jutland on the west, +and on the east Zealand, which is famed for its remarkable richness +in the necessaries of life. This latter island, being by far the most +delightful of all the provinces of our country, is held to occupy the +heart of Denmark, being divided by equal distances from the extreme +frontier; on its eastern side the sea breaks through and cuts off +the western side of Skaane; and this sea commonly yields each year an +abundant haul to the nets of the fishers. Indeed, the whole sound is apt +to be so thronged with fish that any craft which strikes on them is with +difficulty got off by hard rowing, and the prize is captured no longer +by tackle, but by simple use of the hands. + +Moreover, Halland and Bleking, shooting forth from the mass of the +Skaane like two branches from a parent trunk, are linked to Gothland and +to Norway, though with wide deviations of course, and with various +gaps consisting of fjords. Now in Bleking is to be seen a rock which +travellers can visit, dotted with letters in a strange character. For +there stretches from the southern sea into the desert of Vaarnsland a +road of rock, contained between two lines a little way apart and very +prolonged, between which is visible in the midst a level space, graven +all over with characters made to be read. And though this lies so +unevenly as sometimes to break through the tops of the hills, sometimes +to pass along the valley bottoms, yet it can be discerned to preserve +continuous traces of the characters. Now Waldemar, well-starred son of +holy Canute, marvelled at these, and desired to know their purport, and +sent men to go along the rock and gather with close search the series of +the characters that were to be seen there; they were then to denote them +with certain marks, using letters of similar shape. These men could not +gather any sort of interpretation of them, because owing to the hollow +space of the graving being partly smeared up with mud and partly worn by +the feet of travellers in the trampling of the road, the long line that +had been drawn became blurred. Hence it is plain that crevices, even in +the solid rock, if long drenched with wet, become choked either by the +solid washings of dirt or the moistening drip of showers. + +But since this country, by its closeness of language as much as of +position, includes Sweden and Norway, I will record their divisions and +their climates also as I have those of Denmark. These territories, lying +under the northern pole, and facing Bootes and the Great Bear, reach +with their utmost outlying parts the latitude of the freezing zone; and +beyond these the extraordinary sharpness of the cold suffers not human +habitation. Of these two, Norway has been allotted by the choice of +nature a forbidding rocky site. Craggy and barren, it is beset all +around by cliffs, and the huge desolate boulders give it the aspect of +a rugged and a gloomy land; in its furthest part the day-star is not +hidden even by night; so that the sun, scorning the vicissitudes of day +and night, ministers in unbroken presence an equal share of his radiance +to either season. + +On the west of Norway comes the island called Iceland, with the mighty +ocean washing round it: a land very squalid to dwell in, but noteworthy +for marvels, both strange occurrences and objects that pass belief. A +spring is there which, by the malignant reek of its water, destroys the +original nature of anything whatsoever. Indeed, all that is sprinkled +with the breath of its vapour is changed into the hardness of stone. +It remains a doubt whether it be more marvellous or more perilous, that +soft and flowing water should be invested with such a stiffness, as by a +sudden change to transmute into the nature of stone whatsoever is put to +it and drenched with its reeking fume, nought but the shape surviving. +Here also are said to be other springs, which now are fed with floods +of rising water, and, overflowing in full channels, cast a mass of spray +upwards; and now again their bubbling flags, and they can scarce be +seen below at the bottom, and are swallowed into deep hiding far under +ground. Hence, when they are gushing over, they bespatter everything +about them with the white spume, but when they are spent the sharpest +eye cannot discern them. In this island there is likewise a mountain, +whose floods of incessant fire make it look like a glowing rock, and +which, by belching out flames, keeps its crest in an everlasting blaze. +This thing awakens our wonder as much as those aforesaid; namely, when +a land lying close to the extreme of cold can have such abundance of +matter to keep up the heat, as to furnish eternal fires with unseen +fuel, and supply an endless provocative to feed the burning. To this +isle also, at fixed and appointed seasons, there drifts a boundless mass +of ice, and when it approaches and begins to dash upon the rugged reefs, +then, just as if the cliffs rang reply, there is heard from the deep a +roar of voices and a changing din of extraordinary clamour. Whence it +is supposed that spirits, doomed to torture for the iniquity of their +guilty life, do here pay, by that bitter cold, the penalty of their +sins. And so any portion of this mass that is cut off when the aforesaid +ice breaks away from the land, soon slips its bonds and bars, though it +be made fast with ever so great joins and knots. The mind stands dazed +in wonder, that a thing which is covered with bolts past picking, and +shut in by manifold and intricate barriers, should so depart after that +mass whereof it was a portion, as by its enforced and inevitable flight +to baffle the wariest watching. There also, set among the ridges +and crags of the mountains, is another kind of ice which is known +periodically to change and in a way reverse its position, the upper +parts sinking to the bottom, and the lower again returning to the top. +For proof of this story it is told that certain men, while they chanced +to be running over the level of ice, rolled into the abyss before them, +and into the depths of the yawning crevasses, and were a little later +picked up dead without the smallest chink of ice above them. Hence it +is common for many to imagine that the urn of the sling of ice first +swallows them, and then a little after turns upside down and restores +them. Here also, is reported to bubble up the water of a pestilent +flood, which if a man taste, he falls struck as though by poison. Also +there are other springs, whose gushing waters are said to resemble the +quality of the bowl of Ceres. There are also fires, which, though they +cannot consume linen, yet devour so fluent a thing as water. Also +there is a rock, which flies over mountain-steeps, not from any outward +impulse, but of its innate and proper motion. + +And now to unfold somewhat more thoroughly our delineation of Norway. +It should be known that on the east it is conterminous with Sweden and +Gothland, and is bounded on both sides by the waters of the neighbouring +ocean. Also on the north it faces a region whose position and name are +unknown, and which lacks all civilisation, but teems with peoples of +monstrous strangeness; and a vast interspace of flowing sea severs it +from the portion of Norway opposite. This sea is found hazardous for +navigation, and suffers few that venture thereon to return in peace. + +Moreover, the upper bend of the ocean, which cuts through Denmark and +flows past it, washes the southern side of Gothland with a gulf of some +width; while its lower channel, passing the northern sides of Gothland +and Norway, turns eastwards, widening much in breadth, and is bounded +by a curve of firm land. This limit of the sea the elders of our race +called Grandvik. Thus between Grandvik and the Southern Sea there lies +a short span of mainland, facing the seas that wash on either shore; +and but that nature had set this as a boundary where the billows almost +meet, the tides of the two seas would have flowed into one, and cut off +Sweden and Norway into an island. The regions on the east of these +lands are inhabited by the Skric-Finns. This people is used to an +extraordinary kind of carriage, and in its passion for the chase strives +to climb untrodden mountains, and attains the coveted ground at the cost +of a slippery circuit. For no crag juts out so high, but they can reach +its crest by fetching a cunning compass. For when they first leave the +deep valleys, they glide twisting and circling among the bases of the +rocks, thus making the route very roundabout by dint of continually +swerving aside, until, passing along the winding curves of the tracks, +they conquer the appointed summit. This same people is wont to use the +skins of certain beasts for merchandise with its neighbours. + +Now Sweden faces Denmark and Norway on the west, but on the south and on +much of its eastern side it is skirted by the ocean. Past this eastward +is to be found a vast accumulation of motley barbarism. + +That the country of Denmark was once cultivated and worked by giants, is +attested by the enormous stones attached to the barrows and caves of +the ancients. Should any man question that this is accomplished by +superhuman force, let him look up at the tops of certain mountains and +say, if he knows how, what man hath carried such immense boulders up to +their crests. For anyone considering this marvel will mark that it is +inconceivable how a mass, hardly at all or but with difficulty movable +upon a level, could have been raised to so mighty a peak of so lofty +a mountain by mere human effort, or by the ordinary exertion of human +strength. But as to whether, after the Deluge went forth, there existed +giants who could do such deeds, or men endowed beyond others with bodily +force, there is scant tradition to tell us. + +But, as our countrymen aver, those who even to-day are said to dwell +in that rugged and inaccessible desert aforesaid, are, by the mutable +nature of their bodies, vouchsafed the power of being now near, now far, +and of appearing and vanishing in turn. The approach to this desert is +beset with perils of a fearful kind, and has seldom granted to those +who attempted it an unscathed return. Now I will let my pen pass to my +theme. + + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) Waldemar the Second (1203-42); Saxo does not reach his + history. + + + + +BOOK ONE. + +Now Dan and Angul, with whom the stock of the Danes begins, were +begotten of Humble, their father, and were the governors and not +only the founders of our race. (Yet Dudo, the historian of Normandy, +considers that the Danes are sprung and named from the Danai.) And these +two men, though by the wish and favour of their country they gained +the lordship of the realm, and, owing to the wondrous deserts of +their bravery, got the supreme power by the consenting voice of their +countrymen, yet lived without the name of king: the usage whereof was +not then commonly resorted to by any authority among our people. + +Of these two, Angul, the fountain, so runs the tradition, of the +beginnings of the Anglian race, caused his name to be applied to the +district which he ruled. This was an easy kind of memorial wherewith +to immortalise his fame: for his successors a little later, when they +gained possession of Britain, changed the original name of the island +for a fresh title, that of their own land. This action was much thought +of by the ancients: witness Bede, no mean figure among the writers of +the Church, who was a native of England, and made it his care to embody +the doings of his country in the most hallowed treasury of his pages; +deeming it equally a religious duty to glorify in writing the deeds of +his land, and to chronicle the history of the Church. + +From Dan, however, so saith antiquity; the pedigrees of our kings +have flowed in glorious series, like channels from some parent spring. +Grytha, a matron most highly revered among the Teutons, bore him two +sons, HUMBLE and LOTHER. + +The ancients, when they were to choose a king, were wont to stand on +stones planted in the ground, and to proclaim their votes, in order to +foreshadow from the steadfastness of the stones that the deed would be +lasting. By this ceremony Humble was elected king at his father's death, +thus winning a novel favour from his country; but by the malice of +ensuing fate he fell from a king into a common man. For he was taken by +Lother in war, and bought his life by yielding up his crown; such, in +truth, were the only terms of escape offered him in his defeat. Forced, +therefore, by the injustice of a brother to lay down his sovereignty, he +furnished the lesson to mankind, that there is less safety, though more +pomp, in the palace than in the cottage. Also, he bore his wrong so +meekly that he seemed to rejoice at his loss of title as though it were +a blessing; and I think he had a shrewd sense of the quality of a king's +estate. But Lother played the king as insupportably as he had played the +soldier, inaugurating his reign straightway with arrogance and crime; +for he counted it uprightness to strip all the most eminent of life or +goods, and to clear his country of its loyal citizens, thinking all his +equals in birth his rivals for the crown. He was soon chastised for his +wickedness; for he met his end in an insurrection of his country; which +had once bestowed on him his kingdom, and now bereft him of his life. + +SKIOLD, his son, inherited his natural bent, but not his behaviour; +avoiding his inborn perversity by great discretion in his tender years, +and thus escaping all traces of his father's taint. So he appropriated +what was alike the more excellent and the earlier share of the family +character; for he wisely departed from his father's sins, and became a +happy counterpart of his grandsire's virtues. This man was famous in his +youth among the huntsmen of his father for his conquest of a monstrous +beast: a marvellous incident, which augured his future prowess. For he +chanced to obtain leave from his guardians, who were rearing him very +carefully, to go and see the hunting. A bear of extraordinary size +met him; he had no spear, but with the girdle that he commonly wore he +contrived to bind it, and gave it to his escort to kill. More than +this, many champions of tried prowess were at the same time of his life +vanquished by him singly; of these Attal and Skat were renowned and +famous. While but fifteen years of age he was of unusual bodily size +and displayed mortal strength in its perfection, and so mighty were the +proofs of his powers that the rest of the kings of the Danes were called +after him by a common title, the SKIOLDUNG'S. Those who were wont to +live an abandoned and flaccid life, and to sap their self-control by +wantonness, this man vigilantly spurred to the practice of virtue in +an active career. Thus the ripeness of Skiold's spirit outstripped +the fulness of his strength, and he fought battles at which one of his +tender years could scarce look on. And as he thus waxed in years and +valour he beheld the perfect beauty of Alfhild, daughter of the King of +the Saxons, sued for her hand, and, for her sake, in the sight of the +armies of the Teutons and the Danes, challenged and fought with Skat, +governor of Allemannia, and a suitor for the same maiden; whom he slew, +afterwards crushing the whole nation of the Allemannians, and forcing +them to pay tribute, they being subjugated by the death of their +captain. Skiold was eminent for patriotism as well as arms. For he +annulled unrighteous laws, and most heedfully executed whatsoever made +for the amendment of his country's condition. Further, he regained by +his virtue the realm that his father's wickedness had lost. He was the +first to proclaim the law abolishing manumissions. A slave, to whom he +had chanced to grant his freedom, had attempted his life by stealthy +treachery, and he exacted a bitter penalty; as though it were just that +the guilt of one freedman should be visited upon all. He paid off all +men's debts from his own treasury, and contended, so to say, with all +other monarchs in courage, bounty, and generous dealing. The sick he +used to foster, and charitably gave medicines to those sore stricken; +bearing witness that he had taken on him the care of his country and not +of himself. He used to enrich his nobles not only with home taxes, but +also with plunder taken in war; being wont to aver that the prize-money +should flow to the soldiers, and the glory to the general. + +Thus delivered of his bitterest rival in wooing, he took as the prize of +combat the maiden, for the love of whom he had fought, and wedded her +in marriage. Soon after, he had by her a son, GRAM, whose wondrous parts +savoured so strongly of his father's virtues that he was deemed to tread +in their very footsteps. The days of Gram's youth were enriched with +surpassing gifts of mind and body, and he raised them to the crest of +renown. Posterity did such homage to his greatness that in the most +ancient poems of the Danes royal dignity is implied in his very name. +He practiced with the most zealous training whatsoever serves to sharpen +and strengthen the bodily powers. Taught by the fencers, he trained +himself by sedulous practice to parrying and dealing blows. He took to +wife the daughter of his upbringer, Roar, she being his foster-sister +and of his own years, in order the better to show his gratefulness for +his nursing. A little while after he gave her in marriage to a certain +Bess, since he had ofttimes used his strenuous service. In this partner +of his warlike deeds he put his trust; and he has left it a question +whether he has won more renown by Bess's valour or his own. + +Gram, chancing to hear that Groa, daughter of Sigtryg, King of the +Swedes, was plighted to a certain giant, and holding accursed an union +so unworthy of the blood royal, entered on a Swedish war; being +destined to emulate the prowess of Hercules in resisting the attempts of +monsters. He went into Gothland, and, in order to frighten people out of +his path, strode on clad in goats' skins, swathed in the motley hides of +beasts, and grasping in his right hand a dreadful weapon, thus feigning +the attire of a giant; when he met Groa herself riding with a very +small escort of women on foot, and making her way, as it chanced, to the +forest-pools to bathe, she thought it was her betrothed who had hastened +to meet her, and was scared with feminine alarm at so strange a garb: +so, flinging up the reins, and shaking terribly all over, she began in +the song of her country, thus: + +"I see that a giant, hated of the king, has come, and darkens the +highways with his stride. Or my eyes play me false; for it has oft +befallen bold warriors to skulk behind the skin of a beast." + +Then began Bess: "Maiden, seated on the shoulders of the steed, tell me, +pouring forth in thy turn words of answer, what is thy name, and of what +line art thou born?" + +Groa replied: "Groa is my name; my sire is a king, glorious in blood, +gleaming in armour. Disclose to us, thou also, who thou art, or whence +sprung!" + +To whom Bess: "I am Bess, brave in battle, ruthless to foes, a terror to +nations, and oft drenching my right hand in the blood of foes." + +Then said Groa: "Who, prithee, commands your lines? Under what captain +raise ye the war-standards? What prince controls the battle? Under whose +guidance is the war made ready?" + +Bess in answer: "Gram, the blest in battle, rules the array: force nor +fear can swerve him; flaming pyre and cruel sword and ocean billow have +never made him afraid. Led by him, maiden, we raise the golden standards +of war." + +Groa once more: "Turn your feet and go back hence, lest Sigtryg vanquish +you all with his own array, and fasten you to a cruel stake, your +throats haltered with the cord, and doom your carcases to the stiff +noose, and, glaring evilly, thrust out your corpses to the hungry +raven." + +Bess again: "Gram, ere he shall shut his own eyes in death, shall first +make him a ghost, and, smiting him on the crest, shall send him to +Tartarus. We fear no camp of the Swedes. Why threaten us with ghastly +dooms, maiden?" + +Groa answered him: "Behold, I will ride thence to see again the roof of +my father which I know, that I may not rashly set eyes on the array of +my brother who is coming. And I pray that your death-doom may tarry for +you who abide." + +Bess replied: "Daughter, to thy father go back with good cheer; nor +imprecate swift death upon us, nor let choler shake thy bosom. For often +has a woman, harsh at first and hard to a wooer, yielded the second +time." + +Whereupon Gram could brook no longer to be silent, and pitching his +tones gruffly, so as to mimic a gruesome and superhuman voice, accosted +the maiden thus: + +"Let not the maiden fear the brother of the fleet giant, nor turn pale +because I am nigh her. For I am sent by Grip, and never seek the couch +and embrace of damsels save when their wish matches mine." + +Groa answered: "Who so mad as to wish to be the leman of giants? Or what +woman could love the bed that genders monsters? Who could be the wife +of demons, and know the seed whose fruit is monstrous? Or who would fain +share her couch with a barbarous giant? Who caresses thorns with her +fingers? Who would mingle honest kisses with mire? Who would unite +shaggy limbs to smooth ones which correspond not? Full ease of love +cannot be taken when nature cries out against it: nor doth the love +customary in the use of women sort with monsters." + +Gram rejoined: "Oft with conquering hand I have tamed the necks of +mighty kings, defeating with stronger arm their insolent pride. Thence +take red-glowing gold, that the troth may be made firm by the gift, and +that the faith to be brought to our wedlock may stand fast." + +Thus speaking, he cast off his disguises, and revealed his natural +comeliness; and by a single sight of him he filled the damsel with +well-nigh as much joy as he had struck her with fear before at his +counterfeit. She was even incited to his embraces by the splendour of +his beauty; nor did he fail to offer her the gifts of love. + +Having won Groa, Bess proceeded and learnt that the road was beset +by two robbers. These he slew simply by charging them as they rushed +covetously forth to despoil him. This done, loth to seem to have done +any service to the soil of an enemy, he put timbers under the carcases +of the slain, fastened them thereto, and stretched them so as to +counterfeit an upright standing position; so that in their death they +might menace in seeming those whom their life had harmed in truth; and +that, terrible even after their decease, they might block the road +in effigy as much as they had once in deed. Whence it appears that in +slaying the robbers he took thought for himself and not for Sweden: for +he betokened by so singular an act how great a hatred of Sweden filled +him. Having heard from the diviners that Sigtryg could only be conquered +by gold, he straightway fixed a knob of gold to a wooden mace, equipped +himself therewith in the war wherein he attacked the king, and obtained +his desire. This exploit was besung by Bess in a most zealous strain of +eulogy: + +"Gram, the fierce wielder of the prosperous mace, knowing not the steel, +rained blows on the outstretched sword, and with a stock beat off the +lances of the mighty. + +"Following the decrees and will of the gods, he brought low the glory +of the powerless Swedes, doing their king to death and crushing him with +the stiff gold. + +"For he pondered on the arts of war: he wielded in his clasp the +ruddy-flashing wood, and victoriously with noble stroke made their +fallen captain writhe. + +"Shrewdly he conquered with the hardness of gold him whom fate forbade +should be slain by steel; unsworded, waging war with the worthier metal. + +"This treasure, for which its deviser claims glory and the height of +honour, shall abide yet more illustrious hereafter, known far and wide +in ampler fame." + +Having now slain Sigtryg, the King of Sweden, Gram desired to confirm +his possession of the empire which he had won in war; and therefore, +suspecting Swarin the governor of Gothland of aspiring to the crown, he +challenged him to combat, and slew him. This man's brethren, of whom +he had seven lawfully born, and nine the sons of a concubine, sought to +avenge their brother's death, but Gram, in an unequal contest, cut them +off. + +Gram, for his marvellous prowess, was granted a share in the sovereignty +by his father, who was now in extreme age, and thought it better +and likewise more convenient to give his own blood a portion of +the supremacy of the realm, than now in the setting of his life to +administer it without a partner. Therefore Ring, a nobly-born Zealander, +stirred the greater part of the Danes with desire for insurrection; +fancying that one of these men was unripe for his rank, and that the +other had run the course of his powers, alleging the weakness in years +of both, and declaring that the wandering wit of an old man made the +one, and that of a boy the other, unfit for royal power. But they fought +and crushed him, making him an example to all men, that no season of +life is to be deemed incompatible with valour. + +Many other deeds also King Gram did. He declared war against Sumble, +King of the Finns; but when he set eyes upon the King's daughter, Signe, +he laid down his arms, the foeman turned into the suitor, and, promising +to put away his own wife, he plighted troth with her. But, while much +busied with a war against Norway, which he had taken up against King +Swipdag for debauching his sister and his daughter, he heard from +a messenger that Signe had, by Sumble's treachery, been promised in +marriage to Henry, King of Saxony. Then, inclining to love the maiden +more than his soldiers, he left his army, privily made his way to +Finland, and came in upon the wedding, which was already begun. Putting +on a garb of the utmost meanness, he lay down at the table in a seat of +no honour. When asked what he brought, he professed skill in leechcraft. +At last, when all were drenched in drunkenness, he gazed at the maiden, +and amid the revels of the riotous banquet, cursing deep the fickleness +of women, and vaunting loud his own deeds of valour, he poured out the +greatness of his wrath in a song like this: + +"Singly against eight at once I drove the darts of death, and smote nine +with a back-swung sword, when I slew Swarin, who wrongfully assumed his +honours and tried to win fame unmerited; wherefore I have oft dyed in +foreign blood my blade red with death and reeking with slaughter, and +have never blenched at the clash of dagger or the sheen of helmet. Now +Signe, the daughter of Sumble, vilely spurns me, and endures vows not +mine, cursing her ancient troth; and, conceiving an ill-ordered love, +commits a notable act of female lightness; for she entangles, lures, and +bestains princes, rebuffing beyond all others the lordly of birth; +yet remaining firm to none, but ever wavering, and bringing to birth +impulses doubtful and divided." + +And as he spoke he leapt up from where he lay, and there he cut Henry +down while at the sacred board and the embraces of his friends, carried +off his bride from amongst the bridesmaids, felled most of the guests, +and bore her off with him in his ship. Thus the bridal was turned into a +funeral; and the Finns might learn the lesson, that hands should not be +laid upon the loves of other men. + +After this SWIPDAG, King of Norway, destroyed Gram, who was attempting +to avenge the outrage on his sister and the attempt on his daughter's +chastity. This battle was notable for the presence of the Saxon forces, +who were incited to help Swipdag, not so much by love of him, as by +desire to avenge Henry. + +GUTHORM and HADDING, the son of Gram (Groa being the mother of the first +and Signe of the second), were sent over to Sweden in a ship by their +foster-father, Brage (Swipdag being now master of Denmark), and put in +charge of the giants Wagnhofde and Hafle, for guard as well as rearing. + +As I shall have briefly to relate doings of these folk, and would fain +not seem to fabricate what conflicts with common belief or outsteps the +faithful truth, it is worth the knowing that there were in old times +three kinds of magicians who by diverse sleights practiced extraordinary +marvels. The first of these were men of monstrous stock, termed +by antiquity giants; these by their exceeding great bodily stature +surpassed the size natural to mankind. Those who came after these were +the first who gained skill in divination from entrails, and attained the +Pythonic art. These surpassed the former in briskness of mental parts as +much as they fell behind them in bodily condition. Constant wars for +the supremacy were waged between these and the giants; till at last the +sorcerers prevailed, subdued the tribe of giants by arms, and acquired +not merely the privilege of ruling, but also the repute of being divine. +Both of these kinds had extreme skill in deluding the eyesight, +knowing how to obscure their own faces and those of others with divers +semblances, and to darken the true aspects of things with beguiling +shapes. But the third kind of men, springing from the natural union of +the first two, did not answer to the nature of their parents either in +bodily size or in practice of magic arts; yet these gained credit for +divinity with minds that were befooled by their jugglings. + +Nor must we marvel if, tempted by the prodigious miracles of these folk, +the barbaric world fell to worshipping a false religion, when others +like unto these, who were mere mortals, but were reverenced with divine +honours, beguiled even the shrewdness of the Latins. I have touched on +these things lest, when I relate of sleights and marvels, I be checked +by the disbelief of the reader. Now I will leave these matters and +return to my theme. + +Swipdag, now that he had slain Gram, was enriched with the realms of +Denmark and Sweden; and because of the frequent importunities of his +wife he brought back from banishment her brother Guthorm, upon his +promising tribute, and made him ruler of the Danes. But Hadding +preferred to avenge his father rather than take a boon from his foe. + +This man's nature so waxed and throve that in the early season of +his youth he was granted the prime of manhood. Leaving the pursuit of +pleasure, he was constantly zealous in warlike exercises; remembering +that he was the son of a fighting father, and was bound to spend his +whole span of life in approved deeds of warfare. Hardgrep, daughter of +Wagnhofde, tried to enfeeble his firm spirit with her lures of love, +contending and constantly averring that he ought to offer the first +dues of the marriage bed in wedlock with her, who had proffered to his +childhood most zealous and careful fostering, and had furnished him with +his first rattle. + +Nor was she content with admonishing in plain words, but began a strain +of song as follows: + +"Why doth thy life thus waste and wander? Why dost thou pass thy years +unwed, following arms, thirsting for throats? Nor does my beauty draw +thy vows. Carried away by excess of frenzy, thou art little prone to +love. Steeped in blood and slaughter, thou judgest wars better than the +bed, nor refreshest thy soul with incitements. Thy fierceness finds no +leisure; dalliance is far from thee, and savagery fostered. Nor is thy +hand free from blasphemy while thou loathest the rites of love. Let +this hateful strictness pass away, let that loving warmth approach, and +plight the troth of love to me, who gave thee the first breasts of milk +in childhood, and helped thee, playing a mother's part, duteous to thy +needs." + +When he answered that the size of her body was unwieldy for the embraces +of a mortal, since doubtless her nature was framed in conformity to her +giant stock, she said: + +"Be not moved by my unwonted look of size. For my substance is sometimes +thinner, sometimes ampler; now meagre, now abundant; and I alter and +change at my pleasure the condition of my body, which is at one time +shrivelled up and at another time expanded: now my tallness rises to the +heavens, and now I settle down into a human being, under a more bounded +shape." + +As he still faltered, and was slow to believe her words, she added the +following song: + +"Youth, fear not the converse of my bed. I change my bodily outline in +twofold wise, and am wont to enjoin a double law upon my sinews. For I +conform to shapes of different figure in turn, and am altered at my +own sweet will: now my neck is star-high, and soars nigh to the lofty +Thunderer; then it falls and declines to human strength, and plants +again on earth that head which was near the firmament. Thus I lightly +shift my body into diverse phases, and am beheld in varying wise; for +changefully now cramped stiffness draws in my limbs, now the virtue of +my tall body unfolds them, and suffers them to touch the cloud-tops. +Now I am short and straitened, now stretch out with loosened knee; and I +have mutably changed myself like wax into strange aspects. He who knows +of Proteus should not marvel at me. My shape never stays the same, and +my aspect is twofold: at one time it contrasts its outstretched limbs, +at another shoots them out when closed; now disentangling the members +and now rolling them back into a coil. I dart out my ingathered limbs, +and presently, while they are strained, I wrinkle them up, dividing +my countenance between shapes twain, and adopting two forms; with the +greater of these I daunt the fierce, while with the shorter I seek the +embraces of men." + +By thus averring she obtained the embraces of Hadding; and her love for +the youth burned so high that when she found him desirous of revisiting +his own land, she did not hesitate to follow him in man's attire, and +counted it as joy to share his hardships and perils. While upon the +journey she had undertaken, she chanced to enter in his company, in +order to pass the night, a dwelling, the funeral of whose dead master +was being conducted with melancholy rites. Here, desiring to pry into +the purposes of heaven by the help of a magical espial, she graved on +wood some very dreadful spells, and caused Hadding to put them under the +dead man's tongue; thus forcing him to utter, with the voice so given, a +strain terrible to hear: + +"Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him +be punished for calling a spirit out of bale! + +"Whoso hath called me, who am lifeless and dead, back from the abode +below, and hath brought me again into upper air, let him pay full +penalty with his own death in the dreary shades beneath livid Styx. +Behold, counter to my will and purpose, I must declare some bitter +tidings. For as ye go away from this house ye will come to the narrow +path of a grove, and will be a prey to demons all about. Then she who +hath brought our death back from out of void, and has given us a sight +of this light once more, by her prayers wondrously drawing forth the +ghost and casting it into the bonds of the body, shall bitterly bewail +her rash enterprise. + +"Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him +be punished for calling a spirit out of bale! + +"For when the black pestilence of the blast that engenders monsters has +crushed out the inmost entrails with stern effort, and when their hand +has swept away the living with cruel nail, tearing off limbs and rending +ravished bodies; then Hadding, thy life shall survive, nor shall the +nether realms bear off thy ghost, nor thy spirit pass heavily to the +waters of Styx; but the woman who hath made the wretched ghost come back +hither, crushed by her own guilt, shall appease our dust; she shall be +dust herself. + +"Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, let him +be punished for calling a spirit out of bale!" + +So, while they were passing the night in the forest foretold them, in a +shelter framed of twigs, a hand of extraordinary size was seen to wander +over the inside of the dwelling. Terrified at this portent, Hadding +entreated the aid of his nurse. Then Hardgrep, expanding her limbs and +swelling to a mighty bigness, gripped the hand fast and held it to her +foster-child to hew off. What flowed from the noisesome wounds he dealt +was not so much blood as corrupt matter. But she paid the penalty of +this act, presently being torn in pieces by her kindred of the same +stock; nor did her constitution or her bodily size help her against +feeling the attacks of her foes' claws. + +Hadding, thus bereft of his foster-mother, chanced to be made an ally in +a solemn covenant to a rover, Lysir, by a certain man of great age that +had lost an eye, who took pity on his loneliness. Now the ancients, when +about to make a league, were wont to besprinkle their footsteps with +blood of one another, so to ratify their pledge of friendship by +reciprocal barter of blood. Lysir and Hadding, being bound thus in +the strictest league, declared war against Loker, the tyrant of the +Kurlanders. They were defeated; and the old man aforementioned took +Hadding, as he fled on horseback, to his own house, and there refreshed +him with a certain pleasant draught, telling him that he would find +himself quite brisk and sound in body. This prophetic advice he +confirmed by a song as follows: + +"As thou farest hence, a foe, thinking thee a deserter, will assail +thee, that he may keep thee bound and cast thee to be devoured by the +mangling jaws of beasts. But fill thou the ears of the warders with +divers tales, and when they have done the feast and deep sleep holds +them, snap off the fetters upon thee and the loathly chains. Turn thy +feet thence, and when a little space has fled, with all thy might +rise up against a swift lion who is wont to toss the carcases of the +prisoners, and strive with thy stout arms against his savage shoulders, +and with naked sword search his heart-strings. Straightway put thy +throat to him and drink the steaming blood, and devour with ravenous +jaws the banquet of his body. Then renewed strength will come to +thy limbs, then shall undreamed-of might enter thy sinews, and +an accumulation of stout force shall bespread and nerve thy frame +through-out. I myself will pave the path to thy prayers, and will subdue +the henchmen in sleep, and keep them snoring throughout the lingering +night." + +And as he spoke, he took back the young man on his horse, and set him +where he had found him. Hadding cowered trembling under his mantle; but +so extreme was his wonder at the event, that with keen vision he peered +through its holes. And he saw that before the steps of the horse lay +the sea; but was told not to steal a glimpse of the forbidden thing, and +therefore turned aside his amazed eyes from the dread spectacle of the +roads that he journeyed. Then he was taken by Loker, and found by very +sure experience that every point of the prophecy was fulfilled upon +him. So he assailed Handwan, king of the Hellespont, who was entrenched +behind an impregnable defence of wall in his city Duna, and withstood +him not in the field, but with battlements. Its summit defying all +approach by a besieger, he ordered that the divers kinds of birds who +were wont to nest in that spot should be caught by skilled fowlers, and +he caused wicks which had been set on fire to be fastened beneath their +wings. The birds sought the shelter of their own nests, and filled the +city with a blaze; all the townsmen flocked to quench it, and left the +gates defenceless. He attacked and captured Handwan, but suffered him to +redeem his life with gold for ransom. Thus, when he might have cut off +his foe, he preferred to grant him the breath of life; so far did his +mercy qualify his rage. + +After this he prevailed over a great force of men of the East, and came +back to Sweden. Swipdag met him with a great fleet off Gottland; but +Hadding attacked and destroyed him. And thus he advanced to a lofty +pitch of renown, not only by the fruits of foreign spoil, but by +the trophies of his vengeance for his brother and his father. And he +exchanged exile for royalty, for he became king of his own land as soon +as he regained it. + +At this time there was one Odin, who was credited over all Europe with +the honour, which was false, of godhead, but used more continually +to sojourn at Upsala; and in this spot, either from the sloth of the +inhabitants or from its own pleasantness, he vouchsafed to dwell with +somewhat especial constancy. The kings of the North, desiring more +zealously to worship his deity, embounded his likeness in a golden +image; and this statue, which betokened their homage, they transmitted +with much show of worship to Byzantium, fettering even the effigied arms +with a serried mass of bracelets. Odin was overjoyed at such notoriety, +and greeted warmly the devotion of the senders. But his queen Frigga, +desiring to go forth more beautified, called smiths, and had the gold +stripped from the statue. Odin hanged them, and mounted the statue upon +a pedestal, which by the marvellous skill of his art he made to speak +when a mortal touched it. But still Frigga preferred the splendour of +her own apparel to the divine honours of her husband, and submitted +herself to the embraces of one of her servants; and it was by this +man's device she broke down the image, and turned to the service of her +private wantonness that gold which had been devoted to public idolatry. +Little thought she of practicing unchastity, that she might the easier +satisfy her greed, this woman so unworthy to be the consort of a god; +but what should I here add, save that such a godhead was worthy of such +a wife? So great was the error that of old befooled the minds of men. +Thus Odin, wounded by the double trespass of his wife, resented the +outrage to his image as keenly as that to his bed; and, ruffled by these +two stinging dishonours, took to an exile overflowing with noble shame, +imagining so to wipe off the slur of his ignominy. + +When he had retired, one Mit-othin, who was famous for his juggling +tricks, was likewise quickened, as though by inspiration from on high, +to seize the opportunity of feigning to be a god; and, wrapping the +minds of the barbarians in fresh darkness, he led them by the renown of +his jugglings to pay holy observance to his name. He said that the +wrath of the gods could never be appeased nor the outrage to their deity +expiated by mixed and indiscriminate sacrifices, and therefore forbade +that prayers for this end should be put up without distinction, +appointing to each of those above his especial drink-offering. But when +Odin was returning, he cast away all help of jugglings, went to Finland +to hide himself, and was there attacked and slain by the inhabitants. +Even in his death his abominations were made manifest, for those who +came nigh his barrow were cut off by a kind of sudden death; and after +his end, he spread such pestilence that he seemed almost to leave a +filthier record in his death than in his life: it was as though he would +extort from the guilty a punishment for his slaughter. The inhabitants, +being in this trouble, took the body out of the mound, beheaded it, and +impaled it through the breast with a sharp stake; and herein that people +found relief. + +The death of Odin's wife revived the ancient splendour of his name, +and seemed to wipe out the disgrace upon his deity; so, returning from +exile, he forced all those, who had used his absence to assume the +honours of divine rank, to resign them as usurped; and the gangs of +sorcerers that had arisen he scattered like a darkness before the +advancing glory of his godhead. And he forced them by his power not only +to lay down their divinity, but further to quit the country, deeming +that they, who tried to foist themselves so iniquitously into the skies, +ought to be outcasts from the earth. + +Meanwhile Asmund, the son of Swipdag, fought with Hadding to avenge his +father. And when he heard that Henry his son, his love for whom he set +even before his own life, had fallen fighting valiantly, his soul longed +for death, and loathed the light of day, and made a song in a strain +like this: + +"What brave hath dared put on my armour? The sheen of the helmet serves +not him who tottereth, nor doth the breastplate fitly shelter him that +is sore spent. Our son is slain, let us riot in battle; my eager love +for him driveth me to my death, that I may not be left outliving my dear +child. In each hand I am fain to grasp the sword; now without shield let +us ply our warfare bare-breasted, with flashing blades. Let the rumour +of our rage beacon forth: boldly let us grind to powder the column of +the foe; nor let the battle be long and chafe us; nor let our onset be +shattered in rout and be still." + +When he had said this, he gripped his hilt with both hands, and, +fearless of peril, swung his shield upon his back and slew many. Hadding +therefore called on the powers with which he was allied to protect him, +and on a sudden Wagnhofde rode up to fight on his side. And when Asmund +saw his crooked sword, he cried out, and broke into the following +strain: + +"Why fightest thou with curved sword? The short sword shall prove thy +doom, the javelin shall be flung and bring forth death. Thou shouldst +conquer thy foe by thy hand, but thou trustest that he can be rent +by spells; thou trustest more in words than rigour, and puttest thy +strength in thy great resource. Why dost thus beat me back with thy +shield, threatening with thy bold lance, when thou art so covered with +wretched crimes and spotted all over? Thus hath the brand of shame +bestained thee, rotting in sin, lubber-lipped." + +While he thus clamoured, Hadding, flinging his spear by the thong, +pierced him through. But Asmund lacked not comfort even for his death; +for while his life flickered in the socket he wounded the foot of his +slayer, and by this short instant of revenge he memorized his fall, +punishing the other with an incurable limp. Thus crippling of a limb +befell one of them and loss of life the other. Asmund's body was buried +in solemn state at Upsala and attended with royal obsequies. His wife +Gunnhild, loth to outlive him, cut off her own life with the sword, +choosing rather to follow her lord in death than to forsake him by +living. Her friends, in consigning her body to burial, laid her with her +husband's dust, thinking her worthy to share the mound of the man, her +love for whom she had set above life. So there lies Gunnhild, clasping +her lord somewhat more beautifully in the tomb than she had ever done in +the bed. + +After this Hadding, now triumphant, wasted Sweden. But Asmund's son, +named Uffe, shrinking from a conflict, transported his army into +Denmark, thinking it better to assail the house of his enemy than to +guard his own, and deeming it a timely method of repelling his wrongs +to retaliate upon his foe what he was suffering at his hands. Thus the +Danes had to return and defend their own, preferring the safety of +their land to lordship of a foreign realm; and Uffe went back to his own +country, now rid of an enemy's arms. + +Hadding, on returning from the Swedish war, perceived that his treasury, +wherein he was wont to store the wealth he had gotten by the spoils +of war, had been forced and robbed, and straightway hanged its keeper +Glumer, proclaiming by a crafty device, that, if any of the culprits +brought about the recovery of the stolen goods, he should have the +same post of honour as Glumer had filled. Upon this promise, one of +the guilty men became more zealous to reap the bounty than to hide his +crime, and had the money brought back to the king. His confederates +fancied he had been received into the king's closest friendship, and +believed that the honours paid him were as real as they were lavish; and +therefore they also, hoping to be as well rewarded, brought back their +moneys and avowed their guilt. Their confession was received at first +with promotion and favours, and soon visited with punishment, thus +bequeathing a signal lesson against being too confiding. I should judge +that men, whose foolish blabbing brought them to destruction, when +wholesome silence could have ensured their safety, well deserved to +atone upon the gallows for their breach of reticence. + +After this Hadding passed the whole winter season in the utmost +preparation for the renewal of the war. When the frosts had been melted +by the springtime sun, he went back to Sweden and there spent five years +in warfare. By dint of this prolonged expedition, his soldiers, having +consumed all their provision, were reduced almost to the extremity of +emaciation, and began to assuage their hunger with mushrooms from the +wood. At last, under stress of extreme necessity, they devoured their +horses, and finally satisfied themselves with the carcases of dogs. +Worse still, they did not scruple to feed upon human limbs. So, when the +Danes were brought unto the most desperate straits, there sounded in +the camp, in the first sleep of the night, and no man uttering it, the +following song: + +"With foul augury have ye left the abode of your country, thinking to +harry these fields in War. What idle notion mocks your minds? What blind +self-confidence has seized your senses, that ye think this soil can thus +be won. The might of Sweden cannot yield or quail before the War of the +stranger; but the whole of your column shall melt away when it begins +to assault our people in War. For when flight has broken up the furious +onset, and the straggling part of the fighters wavers, then to those +who prevail in the War is given free scope to slay those who turn their +backs, and they have earned power to smite the harder when fate drives +the renewer of the war headlong. Nor let him whom cowardice deters aim +the spears." + +This prophecy was accomplished on the morrow's dawn by a great slaughter +of the Danes. On the next night the warriors of Sweden heard an +utterance like this, none knowing who spake it: + +"Why doth Uffe thus defy me with grievous rebellion? He shall pay the +utmost penalty. For he shall be buried and transpierced under showers of +lances, and shall fall lifeless in atonement for his insolent attempt. +Nor shall the guilt of his wanton rancour be unpunished; and, as I +forebode, as soon as he joins battle and fights, the points shall fasten +in his limbs and strike his body everywhere, and his raw gaping wounds +no bandage shall bind up; nor shall any remedy heal over thy wide +gashes." + +On that same night the armies fought; when two hairless old men, of +appearance fouler than human, and displaying their horrid baldness in +the twinkling starlight, divided their monstrous efforts with opposing +ardour, one of them being zealous on the Danish side, and the other as +fervent for the Swedes. Hadding was conquered and fled to Helsingland, +where, while washing in the cold sea-water his body which was scorched +with heat, he attacked and cut down with many blows a beast of unknown +kind, and having killed it had it carried into camp. As he was exulting +in this deed a woman met him and addressed him in these words: + +"Whether thou tread the fields afoot, or spread canvas overseas, thou +shalt suffer the hate of the gods, and through all the world shalt +behold the elements oppose thy purposes. Afield thou shalt fall, on sea +thou shalt be tossed, an eternal tempest shall attend the steps of +thy wandering, nor shall frost-bind ever quit thy sails; nor shall thy +roof-tree roof thee, but if thou seekest it, it shall fall smitten by +the hurricane; thy herd shall perish of bitter chill. All things shall +be tainted, and shall lament that thy lot is there. Thou shalt be +shunned like a pestilent tetter, nor shall any plague be fouler than +thou. Such chastisement doth the power of heaven mete out to thee, for +truly thy sacrilegious hands have slain one of the dweller's above, +disguised in a shape that was not his: thus here art thou, the slayer of +a benignant god! But when the sea receives thee, the wrath of the prison +of Eolus shall be loosed upon thy head. The West and the furious North, +the South wind shall beat thee down, shall league and send forth their +blasts in rivalry; until with better prayers thou hast melted the +sternness of heaven, and hast lifted with appeasement the punishment +thou hast earned." + +So, when Hadding went back, he suffered all things after this one +fashion, and his coming brought disquiet upon all peaceful places. For +when he was at sea a mighty storm arose and destroyed his fleet in a +great tempest: and when, a shipwrecked man, he sought entertainment, he +found a sudden downfall of that house. Nor was there any cure for his +trouble, ere he atoned by sacrifice for his crime, and was able to +return into favour with heaven. For, in order to appease the deities, he +sacrificed dusky victims to the god Frey. This manner of propitiation by +sacrifice he repeated as an annual feast, and left posterity to follow. +This rite the Swedes call Froblod (the sacrifice or feast of Frey). + +Hadding chanced to hear that a certain giant had taken in troth +Ragnhild, daughter of Hakon, King of the Nitherians; and, loathing so +ignominious a state of affairs, and utterly abominating the destined +union, he forestalled the marriage by noble daring. For he went +to Norway and overcame by arms him that was so foul, a lover for a +princess. For he thought so much more of valour than of ease, that, +though he was free to enjoy all the pleasures of a king, he accounted it +sweeter than any delight to repel the wrongs done, not only to himself, +but to others. The maiden, not knowing him, ministered with healing +tendance to the man that had done her kindness and was bruised with many +wounds. And in order that lapse of time might not make her forget +him, she shut up a ring in his wound, and thus left a mark on his leg. +Afterwards her father granted her freedom to choose her own husband; so +when the young men were assembled at banquet, she went along them and +felt their bodies carefully, searching for the tokens she had stored up +long ago. All the rest she rejected, but Hadding she discovered by the +sign of the secret ring; then she embraced him, and gave herself to be +the wife of him who had not suffered a giant to win her in marriage. + +While Hadding was sojourning with her a marvellous portent befell him. +While he was at supper, a woman bearing hemlocks was seen to raise her +head beside the brazier, and, stretching out the lap of her robe, +seemed to ask, "in what part of the world such fresh herbs had grown in +winter?" The king desired to know; and, wrapping him in her mantle, she +drew him with her underground, and vanished. I take it that the nether +gods purposed that he should pay a visit in the flesh to the regions +whither he must go when he died. So they first pierced through a certain +dark misty cloud, and then advancing along a path that was worn away +with long thoroughfaring, they beheld certain men wearing rich robes, +and nobles clad in purple; these passed, they at last approached sunny +regions which produced the herbs the woman had brought away. Going +further, they came on a swift and tumbling river of leaden waters, +whirling down on its rapid current divers sorts of missiles, and +likewise made passable by a bridge. When they had crossed this, they +beheld two armies encountering one another with might and main. And when +Hadding inquired of the woman about their estate: "These," she said, +"are they who, having been slain by the sword, declare the manner of +their death by a continual rehearsal, and enact the deeds of their past +life in a living spectacle." Then a wall hard to approach and to climb +blocked their further advance. The woman tried to leap it, but in vain, +being unable to do so even with her slender wrinkled body; then she +wrung off the head of a cock which she chanced to be taking down with +her, and flung it beyond the barrier of the walls; and forthwith the +bird came to life again, and testified by a loud crow to recovery of its +breathing. Then Hadding turned back and began to make homewards with +his wife; some rovers bore down on him, but by swift sailing he baffled +their snares; for though it was almost the same wind that helped both, +they were behind him as he clove the billows, and, as they had only just +as much sail, could not overtake him. + +Meantime Uffe, who had a marvellously fair daughter, decreed that the +man who slew Hadding should have her. This sorely tempted one Thuning, +who got together a band of men of Perm (Byarmenses), being fain so to +win the desired advancement. Hadding was going to fall upon him, but +while he was passing Norway in his fleet he saw upon the beach an old +man signing to him, with many wavings of his mantle, to put into shore. +His companions opposed it, and declared that it would be a ruinous +diversion from their journey; but he took the man on board, and was +instructed by him how to order his army. For this man, in arranging +the system of the columns, used to take special care that the front row +consisted of two, the second of four, while the third increased and was +made up to eight, and likewise each row was double that in front of it. +Also the old man bade the wings of the slingers go back to the extremity +of the line, and put with them the ranks of the archers. So when the +squadrons were arranged in the wedge, he stood himself behind the +warriors, and from the wallet which was slung round his neck drew an +arbalist. This seemed small at first, but soon projected with more +prolonged tip, and accommodated ten arrows to its string at once, which +were shot all at once at the enemy in a brisk volley, and inflicted as +many wounds. Then the men of Perm, quitting arms for cunning, by their +spells loosed the sky in clouds of rain, and melted the joyous visage of +the air in dismal drenching showers. But the old man, on the other hand, +drove back with a cloud the heavy mass of storm which had arisen, +and checked the dripping rain by this barrier of mist. Thus Hadding +prevailed. But the old man, when he parted from him, foretold that the +death whereby he would perish would be inflicted, not by the might of an +enemy, but by his own hand. Also he forbade him to prefer obscure wars +to such as were glorious, and border wars to those remote. + +Hadding, after leaving him, was bidden by Uffe to Upsala on pretence of +a interview; but lost all his escort by treachery, and made his escape +sheltered by the night. For when the Danes sought to leave the house +into which they had been gathered on pretext of a banquet, they found +one awaiting them, who mowed off the head of each of them with his +sword as it was thrust out of the door. For this wrongful act Hadding +retaliated and slew Uffe; but put away his hatred and consigned his body +to a sepulchre of notable handiwork, thus avowing the greatness of his +foe by his pains to beautify his tomb, and decking in death with costly +distinctions the man whom he used to pursue in his life with hot enmity. +Then, to win the hearts of the people he had subdued, he appointed +Hunding, the brother of Uffe, over the realm, that the sovereignty might +seem to be maintained in the house of Asmund, and not to have passed +into the hand of a stranger. + +Thus his enemy was now removed, and he passed several years without any +stirring events and in utter disuse of arms; but at last he pleaded the +long while he had been tilling the earth, and the immoderate time he had +forborne from exploits on the seas; and seeming to think war a merrier +thing than peace, he began to upbraid himself with slothfulness in a +strain like this: + +"Why loiter I thus in darksome hiding, in the folds of rugged hills, nor +follow seafaring as of old? The continual howling of the band of wolves, +and the plaintive cry of harmful beasts that rises to heaven, and the +fierce impatient lions, all rob my eyes of sleep. Dreary are the ridges +and the desolation to hearts that trusted to do wilder work. The stark +rocks and the rugged lie of the ground bar the way to spirits who are +wont to love the sea. It were better service to sound the firths with +the oars, to revel in plundered wares, to pursue the gold of others for +my coffer, to gloat over sea-gotten gains, than to dwell in rough lands +and winding woodlands and barren glades." + +Then his wife, loving a life in the country, and weary of the +marin harmony of the sea-birds, declared how great joy she found in +frequenting the woodlands, in the following strain: + +"The shrill bird vexes me as I tarry by the shore, and with its +chattering rouses me when I cannot sleep. Wherefore the noisy sweep of +its boisterous rush takes gentle rest from my sleeping eye, nor doth +the loud-chattering sea-mew suffer me to rest in the night, forcing its +wearisome tale into my dainty ears; nor when I would lie down doth it +suffer me to be refreshed, clamouring with doleful modulation of its +ill-boding voice. Safer and sweeter do I deem the enjoyment of the +woods. How are the fruits of rest plucked less by day or night than by +tarrying tossed on the shifting sea?" + +At this time one Toste emerged, from the obscure spot of Jutland where +he was born, into bloody notoriety. For by all manner of wanton attacks +upon the common people he spread wide the fame of his cruelty, and +gained so universal a repute for rancour, that he was branded with +the name of the Wicked. Nor did he even refrain from wrongdoing to +foreigners, but, after foully harrying his own land, went on to assault +Saxony. The Saxon general Syfrid, when his men were hard put to it in +the battle, entreated peace. Toste declared that he should have what he +asked, but only if he would promise to become his ally in a war against +Hadding. Syfrid demurred, dreading to fulfill the condition, but by +sharp menaces Toste induced him to promise what he asked. For threats +can sometimes gain a request which soft-dealing cannot compass. Hadding +was conquered by this man in an affair by land; but in the midst of his +flight he came on his enemy's fleet, and made it unseaworthy by boring +the sides; then he got a skiff and steered it out to sea. Toste thought +he was slain, but though he sought long among the indiscriminate heaps +of dead, could not find him, and came back to his fleet; when he saw +from afar off a light boat tossing on the ocean billows. Putting out +some vessels, he resolved to give it chase, but was brought back by +peril of shipwreck, and only just reached the shore. Then he quickly +took some sound craft, and accomplished the journey which he had before +begun. Hadding, seeing he was caught, proceeded to ask his companion +whether he was a skilled and practised swimmer; and when the other said +he was not, Hadding despairing of flight, deliberately turned the vessel +over and held on inside to its hollow, thus making his pursuers think +him dead. Then he attacked Toste, who, careless and unaware, was +greedily watching over the remnants of his spoil; cut down his army, +forced him to quit his plunder, and avenged his own rout by that of +Toste. + +But Toste lacked not heart to avenge himself. For, not having store +enough in his own land to recruit his forces--so heavy was the blow he +had received--he went to Britain, calling himself an ambassador. Upon +his outward voyage, for sheer wantonness, he got his crew together to +play dice, and when a wrangle arose from the throwing of the cubes, he +taught them to wind it up with a fatal affray. And so, by means of this +peaceful sport, he spread the spirit of strife through the whole ship, +and the jest gave place to quarrelling, which engendered bloody combat. +Also, fain to get some gain out of the misfortunes of others, he seized +the moneys of the slain, and attached to him a certain rover then +famous, named Koll; and a little after returned in his company to his +own land, where he was challenged and slain by Hadding, who preferred to +hazard his own fortune rather than that of his soldiers. For generals of +antique valour were loth to accomplish by general massacre what could be +decided by the lot of a few. + +After these deeds the figure of Hadding's dead wife appeared before him +in his sleep, and sang thus: + +"A monster is born to thee that shall tame the rage of wild beasts, and +crush with fierce mouth the fleet wolves." + +Then she added a little: "Take thou heed; from thee hath issued a bird +of harm, in choler a wild screech-owl, in tongue a tuneful swan." + +On the morrow the king, when he had shaken off slumber, told the vision +to a man skilled in interpretations, who explained the wolf to denote a +son that would be truculent and the word swan as signifying a daughter; +and foretold that the son would be deadly to enemies and the daughter +treacherous to her father. The result answered to the prophecy. +Hadding's daughter, Ulfhild, who was wife to a certain private person +called Guthorm, was moved either by anger at her match, or with +aspirations to glory, and throwing aside all heed of daughterly love, +tempted her husband to slay her father; declaring that she preferred +the name of queen to that of princess. I have resolved to set forth the +manner of her exhortation almost in the words in which she uttered it; +they were nearly these: + +"Miserable am I, whose nobleness is shadowed by an unequal yoke! Hapless +am I, to whose pedigree is bound the lowliness of a peasant! Luckless +issue of a king, to whom a common man is equal by law of marriage! +Pitiable daughter of a prince, whose comeliness her spiritless father +hath made over to base and contemptible embraces! Unhappy child of +thy mother, with thy happiness marred by consorting with this bed! thy +purity is handled by the impurity of a peasant, thy nobility is bowed +down by ignoble commonness, thy high birth is impaired by the estate of +thy husband! But thou, if any pith be in thee, if valour reign in thy +soul at all, if thou deem thyself fit husband for a king's daughter, +wrest the sceptre from her father, retrieve thy lineage by thy valour, +balance with courage thy lack of ancestry, requite by bravery thy +detriment of blood. Power won by daring is more prosperous than that won +by inheritance. Boldness climbs to the top better than inheritance, +and worth wins power better than birth. Moreover, it is no shame to +overthrow old age, which of its own weight sinks and totters to its +fall. It shall be enough for my father to have borne the sceptre for +so long; let the dotard's power fall to thee; if it elude thee, it will +pass to another. Whatsoever rests on old age is near its fall. Think +that his reign has been long enough, and be it thine, though late in the +day, to be first. Further, I would rather have my husband than my father +king--would rather be ranked a king's wife than daughter. It is better +to embrace a monarch in one's home, than to give him homage from afar; +it is nobler to be a king's bride than his courtier. Thou, too, must +surely prefer thyself to thy wife's father for bearing the sceptre; for +nature has made each one nearest to himself. If there be a will for the +deed, a way will open; there is nothing but yields to the wit of man. +The feast must be kept, the banquet decked, the preparations looked +to, and my father bidden. The path to treachery shall be smoothed by a +pretence of friendship, for nothing cloaks a snare better than the name +of kindred. Also his soddenness shall open a short way to his slaughter; +for when the king shall be intent upon the dressing of his hair, and his +hand is upon his beard and his mind upon stories; when he has parted his +knotted locks, either with hairpin or disentangling comb, then let +him feel the touch of the steel in his flesh. Busy men commonly devise +little precaution. Let thy hand draw near to punish all his sins. It is +a righteous deed to put forth thy hand to avenge the wretched!" + +Thus Ulfhild importuned, and her husband was overcome by her promptings, +and promised his help to the treachery. But meantime Hadding was warned +in a dream to beware of his son-in-law's guile. He went to the feast, +which his daughter had made ready for him with a show of love, and +posted an armed guard hard by to use against the treachery when need +was. As he ate, the henchman who was employed to do the deed of guile +silently awaited a fitting moment for his crime, his dagger hid under +his robe. The king, remarking him, blew on the trumpet a signal to the +soldiers who were stationed near; they straightway brought aid, and he +made the guile recoil on its deviser. + +Meanwhile Hunding, King of the Swedes, heard false tidings that Hadding +was dead, and resolved to greet them with obsequies. So he gathered his +nobles together, and filled a jar of extraordinary size with ale, and +had this set in the midst of the feasters for their delight, and, +to omit no mark of solemnity, himself assumed a servant's part, not +hesitating to play the cupbearer. And while he was passing through the +palace in fulfilment of his office, he stumbled and fell into the jar, +and, being choked by the liquor, gave up the ghost; thus atoning either +to Orcus, whom he was appeasing by a baseless performance of the rites, +or to Hadding, about whose death he had spoken falsely. Hadding, when +he heard this, wished to pay like thanks to his worshipper, and, not +enduring to survive his death, hanged himself in sight of the whole +people. + + + + +BOOK TWO + +HADDING was succeeded by FRODE, his son, whose fortunes were many and +changeful. When he had passed the years of a stripling, he displayed +the fulness of a warrior's prowess; and being loth that this should +be spoilt by slothfulness, he sequestered his mind from delights +and perseveringly constrained it to arms. Warfare having drained his +father's treasury, he lacked a stock of pay to maintain his troops, and +cast about diligently for the supplies that he required; and while +thus employed, a man of the country met him and roused his hopes by the +following strain: + +"Not far off is an island rising in delicate slopes, hiding treasure in +its hills and ware of its rich booty. Here a noble pile is kept by the +occupant of the mount, who is a snake wreathed in coils, doubled in many +a fold, and with tail drawn out in winding whorls, shaking his manifold +spirals and shedding venom. If thou wouldst conquer him, thou must use +thy shield and stretch thereon bulls' hides, and cover thy body with +the skins of kine, nor let thy limbs lie bare to the sharp poison; +his slaver burns up what it bespatters. Though the three-forked tongue +flicker and leap out of the gaping mouth, and with awful yawn menace +ghastly wounds remember to keep the dauntless temper of thy mind; nor +let the point of the jagged tooth trouble thee, nor the starkness of the +beast, nor the venom spat from the swift throat. Though the force of +his scales spurn thy spears, yet know there is a place under his lowest +belly whither thou mayst plunge the blade; aim at this with thy sword, +and thou shalt probe the snake to his centre. Thence go fearless up to +the hill, drive the mattock, dig and ransack the holes; soon fill thy +pouch with treasure, and bring back to the shore thy craft laden." + +Frode believed, and crossed alone to the island, loth to attack the +beast with any stronger escort than that wherewith it was the custom for +champions to attack. When it had drunk water and was repairing to its +cave, its rough and sharp hide spurned the blow of Frode's steel. Also +the darts that he flung against it rebounded idly, foiling the effort +of the thrower. But when the hard back yielded not a whit, he noted the +belly heedfully, and its softness gave entrance to the steel. The beast +tried to retaliate by biting, but only struck the sharp point of its +mouth upon the shield. Then it shot out its flickering tongue again and +again, and gasped away life and venom together. + +The money which the King found made him rich; and with this supply he +approached in his fleet the region of the Kurlanders, whose king Dorn, +dreading a perilous war, is said to have made a speech of the following +kind to his soldiers: + +"Nobles! Our enemy is a foreigner, begirt with the arms and the wealth +of almost all the West; let us, by endeavouring to defer the battle for +our profit, make him a prey to famine, which is all inward malady; and +he will find it very hard to conquer a peril among his own people. It is +easy to oppose the starving. Hunger will be a better weapon against our +foe than arms; famine will be the sharpest lance we shall hurl at him. +For lack of food nourishes the pestilence that eats away men's strength, +and lack of victual undermines store of weapons. Let this whirl the +spears while we sit still; let this take up the prerogative and the duty +of fighting. Unimperilled, we shall be able to imperil others; we can +drain their blood and lose no drop of ours. One may defeat an enemy by +inaction. Who would not rather fight safely than at a loss? Who would +strive to suffer chastisement when he may contend unhurt? Our success +in arms will be more prosperous if hunger joins battle first. Let hunger +captain us, and so let us take the first chance of conflict. Let it +decide the day in our stead, and let our camp remain free from the stir +of war; if hunger retreat beaten, we must break off idleness. He who is +fresh easily overpowers him who is shaken with languor. The hand that +is flaccid and withered will come fainter to the battle. He whom any +hardship has first wearied, will bring slacker hands to the steel. When +he that is wasted with sickness engages with the sturdy, the victory +hastens. Thus, undamaged ourselves, we shall be able to deal damage to +others." + +Having said this, he wasted all the places which he saw would be hard to +protect, distrusting his power to guard them, and he so far forestalled +the ruthlessness of the foe in ravaging his own land, that he left +nothing untouched which could be seized by those who came after. Then he +shut up the greater part of his forces in a town of undoubted strength, +and suffered the enemy to blockade him. Frode, distrusting his power of +attacking this town, commanded several trenches of unwonted depth to +be made within the camp, and the earth to be secretly carried out in +baskets and cast quietly into the river bordering the walls. Then he had +a mass of turf put over the trenches to hide the trap: wishing to cut +off the unwary enemy by tumbling them down headlong, and thinking that +they would be overwhelmed unawares by the slip of the subsiding earth. +Then he feigned a panic, and proceeded to forsake the camp for a short +while. The townsmen fell upon it, missed their footing everywhere, +rolled forward into the pits, and were massacred by him under a shower +of spears. + +Thence he travelled and fell in with Trannon, the monarch of the +Ruthenians. Desiring to spy out the strength of his navy, he made a +number of pegs out of sticks, and loaded a skiff with them; and in this +he approached the enemy's fleet by night, and bored the hulls of the +vessels with an auger. And to save them from a sudden influx of +the waves, he plugged up the open holes with the pegs he had before +provided, and by these pieces of wood he made good the damage done by +the auger. But when he thought there were enough holes to drown the +fleet, he took out the plugs, thus giving instant access to the waters, +and then made haste to surround the enemy's fleet with his own. The +Ruthenians were beset with a double peril, and wavered whether they +should first withstand waves or weapons. Fighting to save their ships +from the foe, they were shipwrecked. Within, the peril was more terrible +than without: within, they fell back before the waves, while drawing +the sword on those without. For the unhappy men were assaulted by two +dangers at once; it was doubtful whether the swiftest way of safety +was to swim or to battle to the end; and the fray was broken off at +its hottest by a fresh cause of doom. Two forms of death advanced in a +single onset; two paths of destruction offered united peril: it was hard +to say whether the sword or the sea hurt them more. While one man was +beating off the swords, the waters stole up silently and took him. +Contrariwise, another was struggling with the waves, when the steel came +up and encompassed him. The flowing waters were befouled with the gory +spray. Thus the Ruthenians were conquered, and Frode made his way back +home. + +Finding that some envoys, whom he had sent into Russia to levy tribute, +had been horribly murdered through the treachery of the inhabitants, +Frode was stung by the double wrong and besieged closely their town +Rotel. Loth that the intervening river should delay his capture of +the town, he divided the entire mass of the waters by making new and +different streams, thus changing what had been a channel of unknown +depth into passable fords; not ceasing till the speed of the eddy, +slackened by the division of its outlet, rolled its waves onward in +fainter current, and winding along its slender reaches, slowly thinned +and dwindled into a shallow. Thus he prevailed over the river; and the +town, which lacked natural defences, he overthrew, his soldiers breaking +in without resistance. This done, he took his army to the city of +Paltisca. Thinking no force could overcome it, he exchanged war for +guile. He went into a dark and unknown hiding-place, only a very few +being in the secret, and ordered a report of his death to be spread +abroad, so as to inspire the enemy with less fear; his obsequies being +also held, and a barrow raised, to give the tale credit. Even the +soldiers bewailed his supposed death with a mourning which was in the +secret of the trick. This rumour led Vespasins, the king of the city, +to show so faint and feeble a defence, as though the victory was already +his, that the enemy got a chance of breaking in, and slew him as he +sported at his ease. + +Frode, when he had taken this town, aspired to the Empire of the East, +and attacked the city of Handwan. This king, warned by Hadding's having +once fired his town, accordingly cleared the tame birds out of all his +houses, to save himself from the peril of like punishment. But Frode +was not at a loss for new trickery. He exchanged garments with a +serving-maid, and feigned himself to be a maiden skilled in fighting; +and having thus laid aside the garb of man and imitated that of woman, +he went to the town, calling himself a deserter. Here he reconnoitred +everything narrowly, and on the next day sent out an attendant with +orders that the army should be up at the walls, promising that he would +see to it that the gates were opened. Thus the sentries were eluded and +the city despoiled while it was buried in sleep; so that it paid for its +heedlessness with destruction, and was more pitiable for its own sloth +than by reason of the valour of the foe. For in warfare nought is found +to be more ruinous than that a man, made foolhardy by ease, should +neglect and slacken his affairs and doze in arrogant self-confidence. + +Handwan, seeing that the fortunes of his country were lost and +overthrown, put all his royal wealth on shipboard and drowned it in the +sea, so as to enrich the waves rather than his enemy. Yet it had been +better to forestall the goodwill of his adversaries with gifts of money +than to begrudge the profit of it to the service of mankind. After this, +when Frode sent ambassadors to ask for the hand of his daughter, he +answered, that he must take heed not to be spoiled by his thriving +fortunes, or to turn his triumph into haughtiness; but let him rather +bethink him to spare the conquered, and in this their abject estate to +respect their former bright condition; let him learn to honour their +past fortune in their present pitiable lot. Therefore, said Handwan, he +must mind that he did not rob of his empire the man with whom he sought +alliance, nor bespatter her with the filth of ignobleness whom he +desired to honour with marriage: else he would tarnish the honour of the +union with covetousness. The courtliness of this saying not only won him +his conqueror for son-in-law, but saved the freedom of his realm. + +Meantime Thorhild, wife of Hunding, King of the Swedes, possessed with +a boundless hatred for her stepsons Ragnar and Thorwald, and fain to +entangle them in divers perils, at last made them the king's shepherds. +But Swanhwid, daughter of Hadding, wished to arrest by woman's wit the +ruin of natures so noble; and taking her sisters to serve as retinue, +journeyed to Sweden. Seeing the said youths beset with sundry prodigies +while busy watching at night over their flocks, she forbade her sisters, +who desired to dismount, in a poem of the following strain: + +"Monsters I behold taking swift leaps and flinging themselves over the +night places. The demon is at war, and the unholy throng, devoted to the +mischievous fray, battles in the mid-thoroughfare. Prodigies of aspect +grim to behold pass by, and suffer no mortal to enter this country. +The ranks galloping in headlong career through the void bid us stay our +advance in this spot; they warn us to turn our rein and hold off from +the accursed fields, they forbid us to approach the country beyond. A +scowling horde of ghosts draws near, and scurries furiously through the +wind, bellowing drearily to the stars. Fauns join Satyrs, and the throng +of Pans mingles with the Spectres and battles with fierce visage. The +Swart ones meet the Woodland Spirits, and the pestilent phantoms strive +to share the path with the Witches. Furies poise themselves on the leap, +and on them huddle the Phantoms, whom Foreboder (Fantua) joined to the +Flatnoses (Satyrs), jostles. The path that the footfarer must tread +brims with horror. It were safer to burden the back of the tall horse." + +Thereon Ragnar declared that he was a slave of the king, and gave as +reason of his departure so far from home that, when he had been banished +to the country on his shepherd's business, he had lost the flock of +which he had charge, and despairing to recover it, had chosen rather +to forbear from returning than to incur punishment. Also, loth to say +nothing about the estate of his brother, he further spoke the following +poem: + +"Think us men, not monsters; we are slaves who drove our lingering +flocks for pasture through the country. But while we took our pastime in +gentle sports, our flock chanced to stray and went into far-off fields. +And when our hope of finding them, our long quest failed, trouble came +upon the mind of the wretched culprits. And when sure tracks of our kine +were nowhere to be seen, dismal panic filled our guilty hearts. That +is why, dreading the penal stripe of the rod, we thought it doleful +to return to our own roof. We supposed it safer to hold aloof from the +familiar hearth than to bear the hand of punishment. Thus we are fain to +put off the punishment; we loathe going back and our wish is to lie hid +here and escape our master's eye. This will aid us to elude the avenger +of his neglected flock; and this is the one way of escape that remains +safe for us." + +Then Swanhwid gazed intently, and surveying his features, which were +very comely, admired them ardently, and said: + +"The radiant flashing of thine eyes is eloquent that thou art of kingly +and not of servile stock. Beauty announces blood, and loveliness of soul +glitters in the flash of the eyes. A keen glance betokens lordly birth, +and it is plain that he whom fairness, that sure sign of nobleness, +commends, is of no mean station. The outward alertness of thine eyes +signifies a spirit of radiance within. Face vouches for race; and the +lustre of forefathers is beheld in the brightness of the countenance. +For an aspect so benign and noble could never have issued from base +parentage. The grace of thy blood makes thy brow mantle with a kindred +grace, and the estate of thy birth is reflected in the mirror of thy +countenance. It is no obscure craftsman, therefore, that has finished +the portrait of so choice a chasing. Now therefore turn aside with all +speed, seek constantly to depart out of the road, shun encounters with +monsters, lest ye yield your most gracious bodies to be the prey and +pasture of the vilest hordes." + +But Ragnar was seized with great shame for his unsightly attire, which +he thought was the only possible device to disguise his birth. So he +rejoined, "That slaves were not always found to lack manhood; that a +strong hand was often hidden under squalid raiment, and sometimes a +stout arm was muffled trader a dusky cloak; thus the fault of nature +was retrieved by valour, and deficiency in race requited by nobleness of +spirit. He therefore feared the might of no supernatural prowess, save +of the god Thor only, to the greatness of whose force nothing human +or divine could fitly be compared. The hearts of men ought not to +be terrified at phantoms, which were only awful from their ghastly +foulness, and whose semblances, marked by counterfeit ghostliness, were +wont for a moment to borrow materiality from the fluent air. Swanhwid +therefore erred in trying, womanlike, to sap the firm strength of men, +and to melt in unmanly panic that might which knew not defeat." + +Swanhwid marvelled at the young man's steadfastness, and cast off the +cloud of mist which overshadowed her, dispelling the darkness which +shrouded her face, till it was clear and cloudless. Then, promising +that she would give him a sword fitted for diver's kinds of battle, she +revealed the marvellous maiden beauty of her lustrous limbs. Thus was +the youth kindled, and she plighted her troth with him, and proffering +the sword, she thus began: + +"King, in this sword, which shall expose the monsters to thy blows, take +the first gift of thy betrothed. Show thyself duly deserving hereof; let +hand rival sword, and aspire to add lustre to its weapon. Let the might +of steel strengthen the defenceless point of thy wit, and let spirit +know how to work with hand. Let the bearer match the burden: and that +thy deed may sort with thy blade, let equal weight in each be thine. +What avails the javelin when the breast is weak and faint, and the +quivering hands have dropped the lance? Let steel join soul, and be +both the body's armour! Let the right hand be linked with its hilt in +alliance. These fight famous battles, because they always keep more +force when together; but less when parted. Therefore if it be joy to +thee to win fame by the palm of war, pursue with daring whatsoever is +hard pressed by thy hand." + +After thus discoursing long in harmoniously-adjusted strains, she sent +away her retinue, and passed all the night in combat against the foulest +throngs of monsters; and at return of daybreak she perceived fallen all +over the fields diverse shapes of phantoms, and figures extraordinary +to look on; and among them was seen the semblance of Thorhild herself +covered with wounds. All these she piled in a heap and burnt, kindling +a huge pyre, lest the foul stench of the filthy carcases might spread +in pestilent vapour and hurt those who came nigh with its taint of +corruption. This done, she won the throne of Sweden for Ragnar, and +Ragnar for her husband. And though he deemed it uncomely to inaugurate +his first campaign with a wedding, yet, moved by gratitude for the +preservation of his safety, he kept his promise. + +Meantime one Ubbe, who had long since wedded Ulfhild the sister of +Frode, trusting in the high birth of his wife, seized the kingdom of +Denmark, which he was managing carelessly as deputy. Frode was thus +forced to quit the wars of the East and fought a great battle in Sweden +with his sister Swanhwid, in which he was beaten. So he got on board a +skiff, and sailed stealthily in a circuit, seeking some way of boring +through the enemy's fleet. When surprised by his sister and asked why +he was rowing silently and following divers meandering courses, he cut +short her inquiry by a similar question; for Swanhwid had also, at the +same time of the night, taken to sailing about alone, and was stealthily +searching out all the ways of approach and retreat through devious and +dangerous windings. So she reminded her brother of the freedom he had +given her long since, and went on to ask him that he should allow her +full enjoyment of the husband she had taken; since, before he started on +the Russian war, he had given her the boon of marrying as she would; and +that he should hold valid after the event what he had himself allowed to +happen. These reasonable entreaties touched Frode, and he made a peace +with Ragnar, and forgave, at his sister's request, the wrongdoing which +Ragnar, seemed to have begun because of her wantonness. They presented +him with a force equal to that which they had caused him to lose: +a handsome gift in which he rejoiced as compensation for so ugly a +reverse. + +Ragnar, entering Denmark, captured Ubbe, had him brought before him, and +pardoned him, preferring to visit his ill deserts with grace rather than +chastisement; because the man seemed to have aimed at the crown rather +at his wife's instance than of his own ambition, and to have been the +imitator and not the cause of the wrong. But he took Ulfhild away from +him and forced her to wed his friend Scot, the same man that founded the +Scottish name; esteeming change of wedlock a punishment for her. As she +went away he even escorted her in the royal chariot, requiting evil +with good; for he regarded the kinship of his sister rather than her +disposition, and took more thought for his own good name than of her +iniquity. But the fair deeds of her brother did not make her obstinate +and wonted hatred slacken a whit; she wore the spirit of her new husband +with her design of slaying Frode and mastering the sovereignty of the +Danes. For whatsoever design the mind has resolutely conceived, it is +slow to quit; nor is a sin that is long schemed swept away by the stream +of years. For the temper of later life follows the mind of childhood; +nor do the traces easily fade of vices which have been stamped upon the +character in the impressible age. Finding the ears of her husband deaf, +she diverted her treachery from her brother against her lord, hiring +bravoes to cut his throat while he slept. Scot was told about this by a +waiting-woman, and retired to bed in his cuirass on the night on which +he had heard the deed of murder was to be wrought upon him. Ulfhild +asked him why he had exchanged his wonted ways to wear the garb of +steel; he rejoined that such was just then his fancy. The agents of +the treachery, when they imagined him in a deep sleep, burst in; but +he slipped from his bed and cut them down. The result was, that he +prevented Ulfhild from weaving plots against her brother, and also left +a warning to others to beware of treachery from their wives. + +Meantime the design occurred to Frode of a campaign against Friesland; +he was desirous to dazzle the eyes of the West with the glory he had won +in conquering the East. He put out to ocean, and his first contest was +with Witthe, a rover of the Frisians; and in this battle he bade his +crews patiently bear the first brunt of the enemy's charge by merely +opposing their shields, ordering that they should not use their missiles +before they perceived that the shower of the enemy's spears was utterly +silent. This the Frisians hurled as vehemently as the Danes received it +impassively; for Witthe supposed that the long-suffering of Frode was +due to a wish for peace. High rose the blast of the trumpet, and loud +whizzed the javelins everywhere, till at last the heedless Frisians had +not a single lance remaining, and they were conquered, overwhelmed by +the missiles of the Danes. They fled hugging the shore, and were cut to +pieces amid the circuitous windings of the canals. Then Frode explored +the Rhine in his fleet, and laid hands on the farthest parts of Germany. +Then he went back to the ocean, and attacked the Frisian fleet, which +had struck on shoals; and thus he crowned shipwreck with slaughter. Nor +was he content with the destruction of so great an army of his foes, but +assailed Britain, defeated its king, and attacked Melbrik, the Governor +of the Scottish district. Just as he was preparing to fight him, he +heard from a scout that the King of the Britons was at hand, and could +not look to his front and his rear both at once. So he assembled the +soldiers, and ordered that they should abandon their chariots, fling +away all their goods, and scatter everywhere over the fields the gold +which they had about them; for he declared that their one chance was to +squander their treasure; and that, now they were hemmed in, their only +remaining help was to tempt the enemy from combat to covetousness. They +ought cheerfully to spend on so extreme a need the spoil they had gotten +among foreigners; for the enemy would drop it as eagerly, when it was +once gathered, as they would snatch it when they first found it; for it +would be to them more burden than profit. + +Then Thorkill, who was a more notable miser and a better orator than +them all, dishelming and leaning on his shield, said: + +"O King! Most of us who rate high what we have bought with our +life-blood find thy bidding hard. We take it ill that we should fling +away what we have won with utmost hazard; and men are loth to forsake +what they have purchased at peril of their lives. For it is utter +madness to spurn away like women what our manly hearts and hands have +earned, and enrich the enemy beyond their hopes. What is more odious +than to anticipate the fortune of war by despising the booty which is +ours, and, in terror of an evil that may never come, to quit a good +which is present and assured? Shall we scatter our gold upon the earth, +ere we have set eyes upon the Scots? Those who faint at the thought of +warring when they are out for war, what manner of men are they to be +thought in the battle? Shall we be a derision to our foes, we who were +their terror? Shall we take scorn instead of glory? The Briton will +marvel that he was conquered by men whom he sees fear is enough to +conquer. We struck them before with panic; shall we be panic-stricken by +them? We scorned them when before us; shall we dread them when they are +not here? When will our bravery win the treasure which our cowardice +rejects? Shall we shirk the fight, in scorn of the money which we fought +to win, and enrich those whom we should rightly have impoverished? What +deed more despicable can we do than to squander gold on those whom +we should smite with steel? Panic must never rob us of the spoils of +valour; and only war must make us quit what in warfare we have won. +Let us sell our plunder at the price at which we bought it; let the +purchase-money be weighed out in steel. It is better to die a noble +death, than to molder away too much in love with the light life. In a +fleeting instant of time life forsakes us, but shame pursues us past the +grave. Further, if we cast away this gold, the greater the enemy thinks +our fear, the hotter will be his chase. Besides, whichever the issue of +the day, the gold is not hateful to us. Conquerors, we shall triumph in +the treasure which now we bear; conquered, we shall leave it to pay our +burying." + +So spoke the old man; but the soldiers regarded the advice of their king +rather than of their comrade, and thought more of the former than of +the latter counsel. So each of them eagerly drew his wealth, whatever +he had, from his pouch; they unloaded their ponies of the various goods +they were carrying; and having thus cleared their money-bags, girded on +their arms more deftly. They went on, and the Britons came up, but broke +away after the plunder which lay spread out before them. Their king, +when he beheld them too greedily busied with scrambling for the +treasure, bade them "take heed not to weary with a load of riches those +hands which were meant for battle, since they ought to know that a +victory must be culled ere it is counted. Therefore let them scorn the +gold and give chase to the possessors of the gold; let them admire the +lustre, not of lucre, but of conquest; remembering, that a trophy +gave more reward than gain. Courage was worth more than dross, if they +measured aright the quality of both; for the one furnished outward +adorning, but the other enhanced both outward and inward grace. +Therefore they must keep their eyes far from the sight of money, and +their soul from covetousness, and devote it to the pursuits of war. +Further, they should know that the plunder had been abandoned by the +enemy of set purpose, and that the gold had been scattered rather to +betray them than to profit them. Moreover, the honest lustre of the +silver was only a bait on the barb of secret guile. It was not thought +to be that they, who had first forced the Britons to fly, would lightly +fly themselves. Besides, nothing was more shameful than riches which +betrayed into captivity the plunderer whom they were supposed to enrich. +For the Danes thought that the men to whom they pretended to have +offered riches ought to be punished with sword and slaughter. Let them +therefore feel that they were only giving the enemy a weapon if they +seized what he had scattered. For if they were caught by the look of the +treasure that had been exposed, they must lose, not only that, but +any of their own money that might remain. What could it profit them to +gather what they must straightway disgorge? But if they refuse to abase +themselves before money, they would doubtless abase the foe. Thus it was +better for them to stand erect in valour than be grovelling in greed; +with their souls not sinking into covetousness, but up and doing for +renown. In the battle they would have to use not gold but swords." + +As the king ended, a British knight, shewing them all his lapful of +gold, said: + +"O King! From thy speech can be gathered two feelings; and one of them +witnesses to thy cowardice and the other to thy ill will: inasmuch as +thou forbiddest us the use of the wealth because of the enemy, and also +thinkest it better that we should serve thee needy than rich. What is +more odious than such a wish? What more senseless than such a counsel? +We recognise these as the treasures of our own homes, and having done +so, shall we falter to pick them up? We were on our way to regain them +by fighting, we were zealous to win them back by our blood: shall we +shun them when they are restored unasked? Shall we hesitate to claim our +own? Which is the greater coward, he who squanders his winnings, or +he who is fearful to pick up what is squandered? Look how chance has +restored what compulsion took! These are, not spoils from the enemy, but +from ourselves; the Dane took gold from Britain, he brought none. Beaten +and loth we lost it; it comes back for nothing, and shall we run away +from it? Such a gift of fortune it were a shame to take in an unworthy +spirit. For what were madder than to spurn wealth that is set openly +before us, and to desire it when it is shut up and kept from us? Shall +we squeamishly yield what is set under our eyes, and clutch at it when +it vanishes? Shall we seek distant and foreign treasure, refraining from +what is made public property? If we disown what is ours, when shall we +despoil the goods of others? No anger of heaven can I experience which +can force me to unload of its lawful burden the lap which is filled with +my father's and my grandsire's gold. I know the wantonness of the Danes: +never would they have left jars full of wine had not fear forced them +to flee. They would rather have sacrificed their life than their liquor. +This passion we share with them, and herein we are like them. Grant that +their flight is feigned; yet they will light upon the Scots ere they +can come back. This gold shall never rust in the country, to be trodden +underfoot of swine or brutes: it will better serve the use of men. +Besides, if we plunder the spoil of the army that prevailed over us, we +transfer the luck of the conqueror to ourselves. For what surer omen of +triumph could be got, than to bear off the booty before the battle, and +to capture ere the fray the camp which the enemy have forsaken? Better +conquer by fear than by steel." + +The knight had scarce ended, when behold; the hands of all were loosed +upon the booty and everywhere plucked up the shining treasure. There you +might have marvelled at their disposition of filthy greed, and watched +a portentous spectacle of avarice. You could have seen gold and grass +clutched up together; the birth of domestic discord; fellow-countrymen +in deadly combat, heedless of the foe; neglect of the bonds of +comradeship and of reverence for ties; greed the object of all minds, +and friendship of none. + +Meantime Frode traversed in a great march the forest which separates +Scotland and Britain, and bade his soldiers arm. When the Scots beheld +his line, and saw that they had only a supply of light javelins, while +the Danes were furnished with a more excellent style of armour, they +forestalled the battle by flight. Frode pursued them but a little way, +fearing a sally of the British, and on returning met Scot, the husband +of Ulfhild, with a great army; he had been brought from the utmost ends +of Scotland by the desire of aiding the Danes. Scot entreated him to +abandon the pursuit of the Scottish and turn back into Britain. So he +eagerly regained the plunder which he had cunningly sacrificed; and got +back his wealth with the greater ease, that he had so tranquilly let +it go. Then did the British repent of their burden and pay for their +covetousness with their blood. They were sorry to have clutched at greed +with insatiate arms, and ashamed to have hearkened to their own avarice +rather than to the counsel of their king. + +Then Frode attacked London, the most populous city of Britain; but the +strength of its walls gave him no chance of capturing it. Therefore he +reigned to be dead, and his guile strengthened him. For Daleman, the +governor of London, on hearing the false news of his death, accepted the +surrender of the Danes, offered them a native general, and suffered them +to enter the town, that they might choose him out of a great throng. +They feigned to be making a careful choice, but beset Daleman in a night +surprise and slew him. + +When he had done these things, and gone back to his own land, one Skat +entertained him at a banquet, desirous to mingle his toilsome warfare +with joyous licence. Frode was lying in his house, in royal fashion, +upon cushions of cloth of gold, and a certain Hunding challenged him to +fight. Then, though he had bent his mind to the joys of wassail, he had +more delight in the prospect of a fray than in the presence of a feast, +and wound up the supper with a duel and the duel with a triumph. In the +combat he received a dangerous wound; but a taunt of Hakon the champion +again roused him, and, slaying his challenger, he took vengeance for +the disturbance of his rest. Two of his chamber-servants were openly +convicted of treachery, and he had them tied to vast stones and +drowned in the sea; thus chastising the weighty guilt of their souls by +fastening boulders to their bodies. Some relate that Ulfhild gave him a +coat which no steel could pierce, so that when he wore it no missile's +point could hurt him. Nor must I omit how Frode was wont to sprinkle his +food with brayed and pounded atoms of gold, as a resource against the +usual snares of poisoners. While he was attacking Ragnar, the King of +Sweden, who had been falsely accused of treachery, he perished, not by +the spears, but stifled in the weight of his arms and by the heat of his +own body. + +Frode left three sons, Halfdan, Ro, and Skat, who were equal in valour, +and were seized with an equal desire for the throne. All thought of +sway, none was constrained by brotherly regard: for love of others +forsaketh him who is eaten up with love of self, nor can any man take +thought at once for his own advancement and for his friendship with +others. Halfdan, the eldest son, disgraced his birth with the sin of +slaying his brethren, winning his kingdom by the murder of his kin; +and, to complete his display of cruelty, arrested their adherents, first +confining them in bonds, and presently hanging them. The most notable +thing in the fortunes of Halfdan was this, that though he devoted every +instant of his life to the practice of cruel deeds, yet he died of old +age, and not by the steel. + +Halfdan's sons were Ro and Helge. Ro is said to have been the founder of +Roskild, which was later increased in population and enhanced in power +by Sweyn, who was famous for the surname Forkbeard. Ro was short and +spare, while Helge was rather tall of stature. Dividing the realm with +his brother, Helge was allotted the domain of the sea; and attacking +Skalk, the King of Sklavia, with his naval force, he slew him. Having +reduced Sklavia into a province, he scoured the various arms of the sea +in a wandering voyage. Savage of temper as Helge was, his cruelty was +not greater than his lust. For he was so immoderately prone to +love, that it was doubtful whether the heat of his tyranny or of his +concupiscence was the greater. In Thorey he ravished the maiden Thora, +who bore a daughter, to whom she afterwards gave the name of Urse. Then +he conquered in battle, before the town of Stad, the son of Syrik, King +of Saxony, Hunding, whom he challenged, attacked, and slew in duel. For +this he was called Hunding's-Bane, and by that name gained glory of his +victory. He took Jutland out of the power of the Saxons, and entrusted +its management to his generals, Heske, Eyr, and Ler. In Saxony he +enacted that the slaughter of a freedman and of a noble should be +visited with the same punishment; as though he wished it to be clearly +known that all the households of the Teutons were held in equal +slavery, and that the freedom of all was tainted and savoured equally of +dishonour. + +Then Helge went freebooting to Thorey. But Thora had not ceased to +bewail her lost virginity, and planned a shameful device in abominable +vengeance for her rape. For she deliberately sent down to the beach +her daughter, who was of marriageable age, and prompted her father to +deflower her. And though she yielded her body to the treacherous lures +of delight, yet she must not be thought to have abjured her integrity +of soul, inasmuch as her fault had a ready excuse by virtue of her +ignorance. Insensate mother, who allowed the forfeiture of her child's +chastity in order to avenge her own; caring nought for the purity of her +own blood, so she might stain with incest the man who had cost her her +own maidenhood at first! Infamous-hearted woman, who, to punish her +defiler, measured out as it were a second defilement to herself, +whereas she clearly by the selfsame act rather swelled than lessened the +transgression! Surely, by the very act wherewith she thought to reach +her revenge, she accumulated guilt; she added a sin in trying to remove +a crime: she played the stepdame to her own offspring, not sparing her +daughter abomination in order to atone for her own disgrace. Doubtless +her soul was brimming over with shamelessness, since she swerved so far +from shamefastness, as without a blush to seek solace for her wrong in +her daughter's infamy. A great crime, with but one atonement; namely, +that the guilt of this intercourse was wiped away by a fortunate +progeny, its fruits being as delightful as its repute was evil. + +ROLF, the son of Urse, retrieved the shame of his birth by signal deeds +of valour; and their exceeding lustre is honoured with bright laudation +by the memory of all succeeding time. For lamentation sometimes ends in +laughter, and foul beginnings pass to fair issues. So that the father's +fault, though criminal, was fortunate, being afterwards atoned for by a +son of such marvellous splendour. + +Meantime Ragnar died in Sweden; and Swanhwid his wife passed away soon +after of a malady which she had taken from her sorrow, following in +death the husband from whom she had not endured severance in life. For +it often happens that some people desire to follow out of life those +whom they loved exceedingly when alive. Their son Hothbrodd succeeded +them. Fain to extend his empire, he warred upon the East, and after a +huge massacre of many peoples begat two sons, Athisl and Hother, and +appointed as their tutor a certain Gewar, who was bound to him by great +services. Not content with conquering the East, he assailed Denmark, +challenged its king, Ro, in three battles, and slew him. Helge, when +he heard this, shut up his son Rolf in Leire, wishing, however he might +have managed his own fortunes, to see to the safety of his heir. When +Hothbrodd sent in governors, wanting to free his country from alien +rule, he posted his people about the city and prevailed and slew them. +Also he annihilated Hothbrodd himself and all his forces in a naval +battle; so avenging fully the wrongs of his country as well as of his +brother. Hence he who had before won a nickname for slaying Hunding, now +bore a surname for the slaughter of Hothbrodd. Besides, as if the +Swedes had not been enough stricken in the battles, he punished them by +stipulating for most humiliating terms; providing by law that no wrong +done to any of them should receive amends according to the form of legal +covenants. After these deeds, ashamed of his former infamy, he hated his +country and his home, went back to the East, and there died. Some think +that he was affected by the disgrace which was cast in his teeth, and +did himself to death by falling upon his drawn sword. + +He was succeeded by his son Rolf, who was comely with every gift of mind +and body, and graced his mighty stature with as high a courage. In his +time Sweden was subject to the sway of the Danes; wherefore Athisl, the +son of Hothbrodd, in pursuit of a crafty design to set his country free, +contrived to marry Rolf's mother, Urse, thinking that his kinship by +marriage would plead for him, and enable him to prompt his stepson more +effectually to relax the tribute; and fortune prospered his wishes. But +Athisl had from his boyhood been imbued with a hatred of liberality, and +was so grasping of money, that he accounted it a disgrace to be called +openhanded. Urse, seeing him so steeped in filthy covetousness, desired +to be rid of him; but, thinking that she must act by cunning, veiled the +shape of her guile with a marvellous skill. Feigning to be unmotherly, +she spurred on her husband to grasp his freedom, and urged and tempted +him to insurrection; causing her son to be summoned to Sweden with a +promise of vast gifts. For she thought that she would best gain her +desire if, as soon as her son had got his stepfather's gold, she could +snatch up the royal treasures and flee, robbing her husband of bed +and money to hoot. For she fancied that the best way to chastise his +covetousness would be to steal away his wealth. This deep guilefulness +was hard to detect, from such recesses of cunning did it spring; because +she dissembled her longing for a change of wedlock under a show of +aspiration for freedom. Blind-witted husband, fancying the mother +kindled against the life of the son, never seeing that it was rather his +own ruin being compassed! Doltish lord, blind to the obstinate +scheming of his wife, who, out of pretended hatred of her son, devised +opportunity for change of wedlock! Though the heart of woman should +never be trusted, he believed in a woman all the more insensately, +because he supposed her faithful to himself and treacherous to her son. + +Accordingly, Rolf, tempted by the greatness of the gifts, chanced to +enter the house of Athisl. He was not recognised by his mother owing to +his long absence and the cessation of their common life; so in jest he +first asked for some victual to appease his hunger. She advised him +to ask the king for a luncheon. Then he thrust out a torn piece of +his coat, and begged of her the service of sewing it up. Finding his +mother's ears shut to him, he observed, "That it was hard to discover a +friendship that was firm and true, when a mother refused her son a meal, +and a sister refused a brother the help of her needle." Thus he punished +his mother's error, and made her blush deep for her refusal of kindness. +Athisl, when he saw him reclining close to his mother at the banquet, +taunted them both with wantonness, declaring that it was an impure +intercourse of brother and sister. Rolf repelled the charge against his +honour by an appeal to the closest of natural bonds, and answered, that +it was honourable for a son to embrace a beloved mother. Also, when +the feasters asked him what kind of courage he set above all others, he +named Endurance. When they also asked Athisl, what was the virtue which +above all he desired most devotedly, he declared, Generosity. Proofs +were therefore demanded of bravery on the one hand and munificence on +the other, and Rolf was asked to give an evidence of courage first. He +was placed to the fire, and defending with his target the side that was +most hotly assailed, had only the firmness of his endurance to fortify +the other, which had no defence. How dexterous, to borrow from his +shield protection to assuage the heat, and to guard his body, which was +exposed to the flames, with that which sometime sheltered it amid the +hurtling spears! But the glow was hotter than the fire of spears; as +though it could not storm the side that was entrenched by the +shield, yet it assaulted the flank that lacked its protection. But a +waiting-maid who happened to be standing near the hearth, saw that he +was being roasted by the unbearable heat upon his ribs; so taking the +stopper out of a cask, she spilt the liquid and quenched the flame, and +by the timely kindness of the shower checked in its career the torturing +blaze. Rolf was lauded for supreme endurance, and then came the request +for Athisl's gifts. And they say that he showered treasures on his +stepson, and at last, in order to crown the gift, bestowed on him an +enormously heavy necklace. + +Now Urse, who had watched her chance for the deed of guile, on the third +day of the banquet, without her husband ever dreaming of such a thing, +put all the king's wealth into carriages, and going out stealthily, +stole away from her own dwelling and fled in the glimmering twilight, +departing with her son. Thrilled with fear of her husband's pursuit, and +utterly despairing of escape beyond, she begged and bade her companions +to cast away the money, declaring that they must lose either life or +riches; the short and only path to safety lay in flinging away the +treasure, nor could any aid to escape be found save in the loss of their +possessions. Therefore, said she, they must follow the example of the +manner in which Frode was said to have saved himself among the Britons. +She added, that it was not paying a great price to lay down the Swedes' +own goods for them to regain; if only they could themselves gain a start +in flight, by the very device which would check the others in their +pursuit, and if they seemed not so much to abandon their own possessions +as to restore those of other men. Not a moment was lost; in order to +make the flight swifter, they did the bidding of the queen. The gold is +cleared from their purses; the riches are left for the enemy to seize. +Some declare that Urse kept back the money, and strewed the tracks of +her flight with copper that was gilt over. For it was thought credible +that a woman who could scheme such great deeds could also have painted +with lying lustre the metal that was meant to be lost, mimicking riches +of true worth with the sheen of spurious gold. So Athisl, when he saw +the necklace that he had given to Rolf left among the other golden +ornaments, gazed fixedly upon the dearest treasure of his avarice, +and, in order to pick up the plunder, glued his knees to the earth and +deigned to stoop his royalty unto greed. Rolf, seeing him lie abjectly +on his face in order to gather up the money, smiled at the sight of a +man prostrated by his own gifts, just as if he were seeking covetously +to regain what he had craftily yielded up. The Swedes were content +with their booty, and Rolf quickly retired to his ships, and managed to +escape by rowing violently. + +Now they relate that Rolf used with ready generosity to grant at the +first entreaty whatsoever he was begged to bestow, and never put off the +request till the second time of asking. For he preferred to forestall +repeated supplication by speedy liberality, rather than mar his kindness +by delay. This habit brought him a great concourse of champions; valour +having commonly either rewards for its food or glory for its spur. + +At this time, a certain Agnar, son of Ingild, being about to wed Rute, +the sister of Rolf, celebrated his bridal with a great banquet. The +champions were rioting at this banquet with every sort of wantonness, +and flinging from all over the room knobbed bones at a certain Hjalte; +but it chanced that his messmate, named Bjarke, received a violent blow +on the head through the ill aim of the thrower; at whom, stung both by +the pain and the jeering, he sent the bone back, so that he twisted the +front of his head to the back, and wrung the back of it to where the +front had been; punishing the wryness of the man's temper by turning his +face sidelong. This deed moderated their wanton and injurious jests, and +drove the champions to quit the place. The bridegroom, nettled at this +affront to the banquet, resolved to fight Bjarke, in order to seek +vengeance by means of a duel for the interruption of their mirth. At the +outset of the duel there was a long dispute, which of them ought to have +the chance of striking first. For of old, in the ordering of combats, +men did not try to exchange their blows thick and fast; but there was +a pause, and at the same time a definite succession in striking: the +contest being carried on with few strokes, but those terrible, so that +honour was paid more to the mightiness than to the number of the blows. +Agnar, being of higher rank, was put first; and the blow which he dealt +is said to have been so furious, that he cut through the front of the +helmet, wounded the skin on the scalp, and had to let go his sword, +which became locked in the vizor-holes. Then Bjarke, who was to deal +the return-stroke, leaned his foot against a stock, in order to give the +freer poise to his steel, and passed his fine-edged blade through the +midst of Agnar's body. Some declare that Agnar, in supreme suppression +of his pain, gave up the ghost with his lips relaxed into a smile. The +champions passionately sought to avenge him, but were visited by Bjarke +with like destruction; for he used a sword of wonderful sharpness and +unusual length which he called Lovi. While he was triumphing in these +deeds of prowess, a beast of the forest furnished him fresh laurels. For +he met a huge bear in a thicket, and slew it with a javelin; and then +bade his companion Hjalte put his lips to the beast and drink the blood +that came out, that he might be the stronger afterwards. For it was +believed that a draught of this sort caused an increase of bodily +strength. By these valorous achievements he became intimate with the +most illustrious nobles, and even, became a favourite of the king; took +to wife his sister Rute, and had the bride of the conquered as the prize +of the conquest. When Rolf was harried by Athisl he avenged himself on +him in battle and overthrew Athisl in war. Then Rolf gave his sister +Skulde in marriage to a youth of keen wit, called Hiartuar, and made him +governor of Sweden, ordaining a yearly tax; wishing to soften the loss +of freedom to him by the favour of an alliance with himself. + +Here let me put into my work a thing that it is mirthful to record. A +youth named Wigg, scanning with attentive eye the bodily size of Rolf, +and smitten with great wonder thereat, proceeded to inquire in jest +who was that "Krage" whom Nature in her beauty had endowed with such +towering stature? Meaning humorously to banter his uncommon tallness. +For "Krage" in the Danish tongue means a tree-trunk, whose branches are +pollarded, and whose summit is climbed in such wise that the foot +uses the lopped timbers as supports, as if leaning on a ladder, and, +gradually advancing to the higher parts, finds the shortest way to the +top. Rolf accepted this random word as though it were a name of honour +for him, and rewarded the wit of the saying with a heavy bracelet. Then +Wigg, thrusting out his right arm decked with the bracelet, put his left +behind his back in affected shame, and walked with a ludicrous gait, +declaring that he, whose lot had so long been poverty-stricken, was glad +of a scanty gift. When he was asked why he was behaving so, he said +that the arm which lacked ornament and had no splendour to boast of +was mantling with the modest blush of poverty to behold the other. The +ingenuity of this saying won him a present to match the first. For +Rolf made him bring out to view, like the other, the hand which he was +hiding. Nor was Wigg heedless to repay the kindness; for he promised, +uttering a strict vow, that, if it befell Rolf to perish by the sword, +he would himself take vengeance on his slayers. Nor should it be omitted +that in old time nobles who were entering. The court used to devote to +their rulers the first-fruits of their service by vowing some mighty +exploit; thus bravely inaugurating their first campaign. + +Meantime, Skulde was stung with humiliation at the payment of the +tribute, and bent her mind to devise deeds of horror. Taunting her +husband with his ignominious estate, she urged and egged him to break +off his servitude, induced him to weave plots against Rolf, and filled +his mind with the most abominable plans of disloyalty, declaring that +everyone owed more to their freedom than to kinship. Accordingly, she +ordered huge piles of arms to be muffled up under divers coverings, +to be carried by Hiartuar into Denmark, as if they were tribute: these +would furnish a store wherewith to slay the king by night. So the +vessels were loaded with the mass of pretended tribute, and they +proceeded to Leire, a town which Rolf had built and adorned with the +richest treasure of his realm, and which, being a royal foundation and +a royal seat, surpassed in importance all the cities of the neighbouring +districts. The king welcomed the coming of Hiartuar with a splendid +banquet, and drank very deep, while his guests, contrary to their +custom, shunned immoderate tippling. So, while all the others were +sleeping soundly, the Swedes, who had been kept from their ordinary rest +by their eagerness on their guilty purpose, began furtively to slip down +from their sleeping-rooms. Straightway uncovering the hidden heap of +weapons, each girded on his arms silently and then went to the palace. +Bursting into its recesses, they drew their swords upon the sleeping +figures. Many awoke; but, invaded as much by the sudden and dreadful +carnage as by the drowsiness of sleep, they faltered in their +resistance; for the night misled them and made it doubtful whether those +they met were friends or foes. Hjalte, who was foremost in tried bravery +among the nobles of the king, chanced to have gone out in the dead of +that same night into the country and given himself to the embraces of a +harlot. But when his torpid hearing caught from afar the rising din of +battle, preferring valour to wantonness, he chose rather to seek the +deadly perils of the War-god than to yield to the soft allurements of +Love. What a love for his king, must we suppose, burned in this warrior! +For he might have excused his absence by feigning not to have known; but +he thought it better to expose his life to manifest danger than save it +for pleasure. As he went away, his mistress asked him how aged a man +she ought to marry if she were to lose him? Then Hjalte bade her come +closer, as though he would speak to her more privately; and, resenting +that she needed a successor to his love, he cut off her nose and made +her unsightly, punishing the utterance of that wanton question with a +shameful wound, and thinking that the lecherousness of her soul ought to +be cooled by outrage to her face. When he had done this, he said he left +her choice free in the matter she had asked about. Then he went quickly +back to the town and plunged into the densest of the fray, mowing down +the opposing ranks as he gave blow for blow. Passing the sleeping-room +of Bjarke, who was still slumbering, he bade him wake up, addressing him +as follows: + +"Let him awake speedily, whoso showeth himself by service or avoweth +himself in mere loyalty, a friend of the king! Let the princes shake off +slumber, let shameless lethargy begone; let their spirits awake and warm +to the work; each man's own right hand shall either give him to glory, +or steep him in sluggard shame; and this night shall be either end or +vengeance of our woes. + +"I do not now bid ye learn the sports of maidens, nor stroke soft +cheeks, nor give sweet kisses to the bride and press the slender +breasts, nor desire the flowing wine and chafe the soft thigh and cast +eyes upon snowy arms. I call you out to the sterner fray of War. We need +the battle, and not light love; nerveless languor has no business here: +our need calls for battles. Whoso cherishes friendship for the king, +let him take up arms. Prowess in war is the readiest appraiser of men's +spirits. Therefore let warriors have no fearfulness and the brave no +fickleness: let pleasure quit their soul and yield place to arms. Glory +is now appointed for wages; each can be the arbiter of his own renown, +and shine by his own right hand. Let nought here be tricked out with +wantonness: let all be full of sternness, and learn how to rid them of +this calamity. He who covets the honours or prizes of glory must not be +faint with craven fear, but go forth to meet the brave, nor whiten at +the cold steel." + +At this utterance, Bjarke, awakened, roused up his chamber-page Skalk +speedily, and addressed him as follows: + +"Up, lad, and fan the fire with constant blowing; sweep the hearth clear +of wood, and scatter the fine ashes. Strike out sparks from the fire, +rouse the fallen embers, draw out the smothered blaze. Force the +slackening hearth to yield light by kindling the coals to a red glow +with a burning log. It will do me good to stretch out my fingers when +the fire is brought nigh. Surely he that takes heed for his friend +should have warm hands, and utterly drive away the blue and hurtful +chill." + +Hjalte said again: "Sweet is it to repay the gifts received from our +lord, to grip the swords, and devote the steel to glory. Behold, each +man's courage tells him loyally to follow a king of such deserts, and to +guard our captain with fitting earnestness. Let the Teuton swords, the +helmets, the shining armlets, the mail-coats that reach the heel, which +Rolf of old bestowed upon his men, let these sharpen our mindful hearts +to the fray. The time requires, and it is just, that in time of war we +should earn whatsoever we have gotten in the deep idleness of peace, +that we should not think more of joyous courses than of sorrowful +fortunes, or always prefer prosperity to hardship. Being noble, let us +with even soul accept either lot, nor let fortune sway our behaviour, +for it beseems us to receive equably difficult and delightsome days; let +us pass the years of sorrow with the same countenance wherewith we took +the years of joy. Let us do with brave hearts all the things that in our +cups we boasted with sodden lips; let us keep the vows which we swore +by highest Jove and the mighty gods. My master is the greatest of the +Danes: let each man, as he is valorous, stand by him; far, far hence be +all cowards! We need a brave and steadfast man, not one that turns his +back on a dangerous pass, or dreads the grim preparations for battle. +Often a general's greatest valour depends on his soldiery, for the +chief enters the fray all the more at ease that a better array of +nobles throngs him round. Let the thane catch up his arms with fighting +fingers, setting his right hand on the hilt and holding fast the shield: +let him charge upon the foes, nor pale at any strokes. Let none offer +himself to be smitten by the enemy behind, let none receive the swords +in his back: let the battling breast ever front the blow. `Eagles fight +brow foremost', and with swift gaping beaks speed onward in the front: +be ye like that bird in mien, shrinking from no stroke, but with body +facing the foe. + +"See how the enemy, furious and confident overduly, his limbs defended +by the steel, and his face with a gilded helmet, charges the thick +of the battle-wedges, as though sure of victory, fearless of rout and +invincible by any endeavour. Ah, misery! Swedish assurance spurns the +Danes. Behold, the Goths with savage eyes and grim aspect advance with +crested helms and clanging spears: wreaking heavy slaughter in our +blood, they wield their swords and their battle-axes hone-sharpened. + +"Why name thee, Hiartuar, whom Skulde hath filled with guilty purpose, +and hath suffered thus to harden in sin? Why sing of thee, villain, who +hast caused our peril, betrayer of a noble king? Furious lust of sway +hath driven thee to attempt an abomination, and, stung with frenzy, to +screen thyself behind thy wife's everlasting guilt. What error hath +made thee to hurt the Danes and thy lord, and hurled thee into such foul +crime as this? Whence entered thy heart the treason framed with such +careful guile? + +"Why do I linger? Now we have swallowed our last morsel. Our king +perishes, and utter doom overtakes our hapless city. Our last dawn has +risen, unless perchance there be one here so soft that he fears to offer +himself to the blows, or so unwarlike that he dares not avenge his lord, +and disowns all honours worthy of his valour. + +"Thou, Ruta, rise and put forth thy snow-white head, come forth from +thy hiding into the battle. The carnage that is being done without calls +thee. By now the council-chamber is shaken with warfare, and the gates +creak with the dreadful fray. Steel rends the mail-coats, the woven mesh +is torn apart, and the midriff gives under the rain of spears. By now +the huge axes have hacked small the shield of the king; by now the long +swords clash, and the battle-axe clatters its blows upon the shoulders +of men, and cleaves their breasts. Why are your hearts afraid? Why is +your sword faint and blunted? The gate is cleared of our people, and is +filled with the press of the strangers." + +And when Hjalte had wrought very great carnage and stained the battle +with blood, he stumbled for the third time on Bjarke's berth, and +thinking he desired to keep quiet because he was afraid, made trial of +him with such taunts at his cowardice as these: + +"Bjarke, why art thou absent? Doth deep sleep hold thee? I prithee, what +makes thee tarry? Come out, or the fire will overcome thee. Ho! Choose +the better way, charge with me! Bears may be kept off with fire; let +us spread fire in the recesses, and let the blaze attack the door-posts +first. Let the firebrand fall upon the bedchamber, let the falling roof +offer fuel for the flames and serve to feed the fire. It is right to +scatter conflagration on the doomed gates. But let us who honour our +king with better loyalty form the firm battle-wedges, and, having +measured the phalanx in safe rows, go forth in the way the king taught +us: our king, who laid low Rorik, the son of Bok the covetous, and +wrapped the coward in death. He was rich in wealth, but in enjoyment +poor, stronger in gain than bravery; and thinking gold better than +warfare, he set lucre above all things, and ingloriously accumulated +piles of treasure, scorning the service of noble friends. And when he +was attacked by the navy of Rolf, he bade his servants take the gold +from the chests and spread it out in front of the city gates, making +ready bribes rather than battle, because he knew not the soldier, and +thought that the foe should be attempted with gifts and not with arms: +as though he could fight with wealth alone, and prolong the war by +using, not men, but wares! So he undid the heavy coffers and the rich +chests; he brought forth the polished bracelets and the heavy caskets; +they only fed his destruction. Rich in treasure, poor in warriors, he +left his foes to take away the prizes which he forebore to give to the +friends of his own land. He who once shrank to give little rings of his +own will, now unwillingly squandered his masses of wealth, rifling his +hoarded heap. But our king in his wisdom spurned him and the gifts he +proffered, and took from him life and goods at once; nor was his foe +profited by the useless wealth which he had greedily heaped up through +long years. But Rolf the righteous assailed him, slew him, and captured +his vast wealth, and shared among worthy friends what the hand of +avarice had piled up in all those years; and, bursting into the camp +which was wealthy but not brave, gave his friends a lordly booty without +bloodshed. Nothing was so fair to him that he would not lavish it, or so +dear that he would not give it to his friends, for he used treasure like +ashes, and measured his years by glory and not by gain. Whence it is +plain that the king who hath died nobly lived also most nobly, that the +hour of his doom is beautiful, and that he graced the years of his life +with manliness. For while he lived his glowing valour prevailed over all +things, and he was allotted might worthy of his lofty stature. He was +as swift to war as a torrent tearing down to sea, and as speedy to begin +battle as a stag is to fly with cleft foot upon his fleet way. + +"See now, among the pools dripping with human blood, the teeth struck +out of the slain are carried on by the full torrent of gore, and are +polished on the rough sands. Dashed on the slime they glitter, and the +torrent of blood bears along splintered bones and flows above lopped +limbs. The blood of the Danes is wet, and the gory flow stagnates far +around, and the stream pressed out of the steaming veins rolls back the +scattered bodies. Tirelessly against the Danes advances Hiartuar, lover +of battle, and challenges the fighters with outstretched spear. Yet +here, amid the dangers and dooms of war, I see Frode's grandson smiling +joyously, who once sowed the fields of Fyriswald with gold. Let us also +be exalted with an honourable show of joy, following in death the doom +of our noble father. Be we therefore cheery in voice and bold in daring; +for it is right to spurn all fear with words of courage, and to meet our +death in deeds of glory. Let fear quit heart and face; in both let us +avow our dauntless endeavours, that no sign anywhere may show us to +betray faltering fear. Let our drawn sword measure the weight of our +service. Fame follows us in death, and glory shall outlive our crumbling +ashes! And that which perfect valour hath achieved during its span shall +not fade for ever and ever. What want we with closed floors? Why doth +the locked bolt close the folding-gates? For it is now the third cry, +Bjarke, that calls thee, and bids thee come forth from the barred room." + +Bjarke rejoined: "Warlike Hjalte, why dost thou call me so loud? I am +the son-in-law of Rolf. He who boasts loud and with big words challenges +other men to battle, is bound to be venturous and act up to his words, +that his deed may avouch his vaunt. But stay till I am armed and have +girded on the dread attire of war. + +"And now I tie my sword to my side, now first I get my body guarded with +mail-coat and headpiece, the helm keeping my brows and the stout +iron shrouding my breast. None shrinks more than I from being burnt a +prisoner inside, and made a pyre together with my own house: though an +island brought me forth, and though the land of my birth be bounded, I +shall hold it a debt to repay to the king the twelve kindreds which he +added to my honours. Hearken, warriors! Let none robe in mail his body +that shall perish; let him last of all draw tight the woven steel; let +the shields go behind the back; let us fight with bared breasts, +and load all your arms with gold. Let your right hands receive the +bracelets, that they may swing their blows the more heavily and plant +the grievous wound. Let none fall back! Let each zealously strive to +meet the swords of the enemy and the threatening spears, that we may +avenge our beloved master. Happy beyond all things is he who can mete +out revenge for such a crime, and with righteous steel punish the guilt +of treacheries. + +"Lo, methinks I surely pierced a wild stag with the Teutonic sword which +is called Snyrtir: from which I won the name of Warrior, when I felled +Agnar, son of Ingild, and brought the trophy home. He shattered and +broke with the bite the sword Hoding which smote upon my head, and would +have dealt worse wounds if the edge of his blade had held out better. +In return I clove asunder his left arm and part of his left side and +his right foot, and the piercing steel ran down his limbs and smote deep +into his ribs. By Hercules! No man ever seemed to me stronger than he. +For he sank down half-conscious, and, leaning on his elbow, welcomed +death with a smile, and spurned destruction with a laugh, and passed +rejoicing in the world of Elysium. Mighty was the man's courage, which +knew how with one laugh to cover his death-hour, and with a joyous face +to suppress utter anguish of mind and body! + +"Now also with the same blade I searched the heart of one sprung from +an illustrious line, and plunged the steel deep in his breast. He was a +king's son, of illustrious ancestry, of a noble nature, and shone with +the brightness of youth. The mailed metal could not avail him, nor his +sword, nor the smooth target-boss; so keen was the force of my steel, it +knew not how to be stayed by obstacles. + +"Where, then, are the captains of the Goths, and the soldiery of +Hiartuar? Let them come, and pay for their might with their life-blood. +Who can cast, who whirl the lance, save scions of kings? War springs +from the nobly born: famous pedigrees are the makers of war. For the +perilous deeds which chiefs attempt are not to be done by the ventures +of common men. Renowned nobles are passing away. Lo! Greatest Rolf, thy +great ones have fallen, thy holy line is vanishing. No dim and lowly +race, no low-born dead, no base souls are Pluto's prey, but he weaves +the dooms of the mighty, and fills Phlegethon with noble shapes. + +"I do not remember any combat wherein swords were crossed in turn and +blow dealt out for blow more speedily. I take three for each I give; +thus do the Goths requite the wounds I deal them, and thus doth the +stronger hand of the enemy avenge with heaped interest the punishment +that they receive. Yet singly in battle I have given over the bodies of +so many men to the pyre of destruction, that a mound like a hill could +grow up and be raised out of their lopped limbs, and the piles of +carcases would look like a burial-barrow. And now what doeth he, who but +now bade me come forth, vaunting himself with mighty praise, and chafing +others with his arrogant words, and scattering harsh taunts, as though +in his one body he enclosed twelve lives?" + +Hjalte answered: "Though I have but scant help, I am not far off. Even +here, where I stand, there is need of aid, and nowhere is a force or a +chosen band of warriors ready for battle wanted more. Already the hard +edges and the spear-points have cleft my shield in splinters, and the +ravening steel has rent and devoured its portions bit by bit in the +battle. The first of these things testifies to and avows itself. Seeing +is better than telling, eyesight faithfuller than hearing. For of the +broken shield only the fastenings remain, and the boss, pierced and +broken in its circle, is all left me. And now, Bjarke, thou art strong, +though thou hast come forth more tardily than was right, and thou +retrievest by bravery the loss caused by thy loitering." + +But Bjarke said: "Art thou not yet weary of girding at me and goading me +with taunts? Many things often cause delay. The reason why I tarried was +the sword in my path, which the Swedish foe whirled against my breast +with mighty effort. Nor did the guider of the hilt drive home the sword +with little might; for though the body was armed he smote it as far as +one may when it is bare or defenceless; he pierced the armour of hard +steel like yielding waters; nor could the rough, heavy breastplate give +me any help. + +"But where now is he that is commonly called Odin, the mighty in battle, +content ever with a single eye? If thou see him anywhere, Rute, tell +me." + +Rute replied: "Bring thine eye closer and look under my arm akimbo: +thou must first hallow thine eyes with the victorious sign, if thou wilt +safely know the War-god face to face." + +Then said Bjarke: "If I may look on the awful husband of Frigg, +howsoever he be covered with his white shield, and guide his tall steed, +he shall in no wise go safe out of Leire; it is lawful to lay low in war +the war-waging god. Let a noble death come to those that fall before the +eyes of their king. While life lasts, let us strive for the power to die +honourably and to reap a noble end by our deeds. I will die overpowered +near the head of my slain captain, and at his feet thou also shalt slip +on thy face in death, so that whoso scans the piled corpses may see in +what wise we rate the gold our lord gave us. We shall be the prey of +ravens and a morsel for hungry eagles, and the ravening bird shall feast +on the banquet of our body. Thus should fall princes dauntless in war, +clasping their famous king in a common death." + +I have composed this particular series of harangues in metrical shape, +because the gist of the same thoughts is found arranged in a short form +in a certain ancient Danish song, which is repeated by heart by many +conversant with antiquity. + +Now, it came to pass that the Goths gained the victory and all the array +of Rolf fell, no man save Wigg remaining out of all those warriors. For +the soldiers of the king paid this homage to his noble virtues in that +battle, that his slaying inspired in all the longing to meet their end, +and union with him in death was accounted sweeter than life. + +HIARTUAR rejoiced, and had the tables spread for feasting, bidding the +banquet come after the battle, and fain to honour his triumph with a +carouse. And when he was well filled therewith, he said that it was +matter of great marvel to him, that out of all the army of Rolf no man +had been found to take thought for his life by flight or fraud. Hence, +he said, it had been manifest with what zealous loyalty they had kept +their love for their king, because they had not endured to survive him. +He also blamed his ill fortune, because it had not suffered the homage +of a single one of them to be left for himself: protesting that he would +very willingly accept the service of such men. Then Wigg came forth, and +Hiartuar, as though he were congratulating him on the gift, asked him if +he were willing to fight for him. Wigg assenting, he drew and proferred +him a sword. But Wigg refused the point, and asked for the hilt, saying +first that this had been Rolf's custom when he handed forth a sword to +his soldiers. For in old time those who were about to put themselves in +dependence on the king used to promise fealty by touching the hilt of +the sword. And in this wise Wigg clasped the hilt, and then drove the +point through Hiartuar; thus gaining the vengeance which he had promised +Rolf to accomplish for him. When he had done this, and the soldiers +of Hiartuar rushed at him, he exposed his body to them eagerly and +exultantly, shouting that he felt more joy in the slaughter of the +tyrant than bitterness at his own. Thus the feast was turned into +a funeral, and the wailing of burial followed the joy of victory. +Glorious, ever memorable hero, who valiantly kept his vow, and +voluntarily courted death, staining with blood by his service the tables +of the despot! For the lively valour of his spirit feared not the hands +of the slaughterers, when he had once beheld the place where Rolf had +been wont to live bespattered with the blood of his slayer. Thus the +royalty of Hiartuar was won and ended on the same day. For whatsoever +is gotten with guile melts away in like fashion as it is sought, and no +fruits are long-lasting that have been won by treachery and crime. +Hence it came to pass that the Swedes, who had a little before been the +possessors of Denmark, came to lose even their own liberty. For they +were straightway cut off by the Zealanders, and paid righteous atonement +to the injured shades of Rolf. In this way does stern fortune commonly +avenge the works of craft and cunning. + + + +BOOK THREE. + +After Hiartuar, HOTHER, whom I mentioned above, the brother of Athisl, +and also the fosterling of King Gewar, became sovereign of both realms. +It will be easier to relate his times if I begin with the beginning +of his life. For if the earlier years of his career are not doomed to +silence, the latter ones can be more fully and fairly narrated. + +When Helgi had slain Hodbrodd, his son Hother passed the length of his +boyhood under the tutelage of King Gewar. While a stripling, he excelled +in strength of body all his foster-brethren and compeers. Moreover, he +was gifted with many accomplishments of mind. He was very skilled in +swimming and archery, and also with the gloves; and further was as +nimble as such a youth could be, his training being equal to his +strength. Though his years were unripe, his richly-dowered spirit +surpassed them. None was more skilful on lyre or harp; and he was +cunning on the timbrel, on the lute, and in every modulation of string +instruments. With his changing measures he could sway the feelings of +men to what passions he would; he knew how to fill human hearts with joy +or sadness, with pity or with hatred, and used to enwrap the soul with +the delight or terror of the ear. All these accomplishments of the youth +pleased Nanna, the daughter of Gewar, mightily, and she began to seek +his embraces. For the valour of a youth will often kindle a maid, and +the courage of those whose looks are not so winning is often acceptable. +For love hath many avenues; the path of pleasure is opened to some +by grace, to others by bravery of soul, and to some by skill in +accomplishments. Courtesy brings to some stores of Love, while most are +commended by brightness of beauty. Nor do the brave inflict a shallower +wound on maidens than the comely. + +Now it befell that Balder the son of Odin was troubled at the sight of +Nanna bathing, and was seized with boundless love. He was kindled by her +fair and lustrous body, and his heart was set on fire by her manifest +beauty; for nothing exciteth passion like comeliness. Therefore he +resolved to slay with the sword Hother, who, he feared, was likeliest to +baulk his wishes; so that his love, which brooked no postponement, might +not be delayed in the enjoyment of its desire by any obstacle. + +About this time Hother chanced, while hunting, to be led astray by a +mist, and he came on a certain lodge in which were wood-maidens; and +when they greeted him by his own name, he asked who they were. +They declared that it was their guidance and government that mainly +determined the fortunes of war. For they often invisibly took part +in battles, and by their secret assistance won for their friends the +coveted victories. They averted, indeed, that they could win triumphs +and inflict defeats as they would; and further told him how Balder had +seen his foster-sister Nanna while she bathed, and been kindled with +passion for her; but counselled Hother not to attack him in war, worthy +as he was of his deadliest hate, for they declared that Balder was a +demigod, sprung secretly from celestial seed. When Hother had heard +this, the place melted away and left him shelterless, and he found +himself standing in the open and out in the midst of the fields, without +a vestige of shade. Most of all he marvelled at the swift flight of the +maidens, the shifting of the place, and the delusive semblance of the +building. For he knew not that all that had passed around him had been a +mere mockery and an unreal trick of the arts of magic. + +Returning thence, he related to Gewar the mystification that had +followed on his straying, and straightway asked him for his daughter. +Gewar answered that he would most gladly favour him, but that he feared +if he rejected Balder he would incur his wrath; for Balder, he said, had +proffered him a like request. For he said that the sacred strength of +Balder's body was proof even against steel; adding, however, that he +knew of a sword which could deal him his death, which was fastened up in +the closest bonds; this was in the keeping of Miming, the Satyr of the +woods, who also had a bracelet of a secret and marvellous virtue, that +used to increase the wealth of the owner. Moreover, the way to these +regions was impassable and filled with obstacles, and therefore hard for +mortal men to travel. For the greater part of the road was perpetually +beset with extraordinary cold. So he advised him to harness a car with +reindeer, by means of whose great speed he could cross the hard-frozen +ridges. And when he had got to the place, he should set up his tent away +from the sun in such wise that it should catch the shadow of the cave +where Miming was wont to be; while he should not in return cast a +shade upon Miming, so that no unaccustomed darkness might be thrown and +prevent the Satyr from going out. Thus both the bracelet and the sword +would be ready to his hand, one being attended by fortune in wealth +and the other by fortune in war, and each of them thus bringing a great +prize to the owner. Thus much said Gewar; and Hother was not slow to +carry out his instructions. Planting his tent in the manner aforesaid, +he passed the nights in anxieties and the days in hunting. But through +either season he remained very wakeful and sleepless, allotting the +divisions of night and day so as to devote the one to reflection on +events, and to spend the other in providing food for his body. Once as +he watched all night, his spirit was drooping and dazed with anxiety, +when the Satyr cast a shadow on his tent. Aiming a spear at him, he +brought him down with the blow, stopped him, and bound him, while he +could not make his escape. Then in the most dreadful words he threatened +him with the worst, and demanded the sword and bracelets. The Satyr was +not slow to tender him the ransom of his life for which he was asked. +So surely do all prize life beyond wealth; for nothing is ever cherished +more among mortals than the breath of their own life. Hother, exulting +in the treasure he had gained, went home enriched with trophies which, +though few, were noble. + +When Gelder, the King of Saxony, heard that Hother had gained these +things, he kept constantly urging his soldiers to go and carry off such +glorious booty; and the warriors speedily equipped a fleet in obedience +to their king. Gewar, being very learned in divining and an expert in +the knowledge of omens, foresaw this; and summoning Hother, told him, +when Gelder should join battle with him, to receive his spears with +patience, and not let his own fly until he saw the enemy's missiles +exhausted; and further, to bring up the curved scythes wherewith the +vessels could be rent and the helmets and shields plucked from the +soldiers. Hother followed his advice and found its result fortunate. For +he bade his men, when Gelder began to charge, to stand their ground and +defend their bodies with their shields, affirming that the victory in +that battle must be won by patience. But the enemy nowhere kept back +their missiles, spending them all in their extreme eagerness to fight; +and the more patiently they found Hother bear himself in his reception +of their spears and lances, the more furiously they began to hurl them. +Some of these stuck in the shields and some in the ships, and few were +the wounds they inflicted; many of them were seen to be shaken off idly +and to do no hurt. For the soldiers of Hother performed the bidding +of their king, and kept off the attack of the spears by a penthouse of +interlocked shields; while not a few of the spears smote lightly on +the bosses and fell into the waves. When Gelder was emptied of all his +store, and saw the enemy picking it up, and swiftly hurling it back +at him, he covered the summit of the mast with a crimson shield, as a +signal of peace, and surrendered to save his life. Hother received him +with the friendliest face and the kindliest words, and conquered him as +much by his gentleness as he had by his skill. + +At this time Helgi, King of Halogaland, was sending frequent embassies +to press his suit for Thora, daughter of Kuse, sovereign of the Finns +and Perms. Thus is weakness ever known by its wanting help from others. +For while all other young men of that time used to sue in marriage with +their own lips, this man was afflicted with so faulty an utterance that +he was ashamed to be heard not only by strangers, but by those of his +own house. So much doth calamity shun all witnesses; for natural defects +are the more vexing the more manifest they are. Kuse despised his +embassy, answering that that man did not deserve a wife who trusted too +little to his own manhood, and borrowed by entreaty the aid of others in +order to gain his suit. When Helgi heard this, he besought Hother, whom +he knew to be an accomplished pleader, to favour his desires, promising +that he would promptly perform whatsoever he should command him. The +earnest entreaties of the youth prevailed on Hother, and he went to +Norway with an armed fleet, intending to achieve by arms the end which +he could not by words. And when he had pleaded for Helgi with the +most dulcet eloquence, Kuse rejoined that his daughter's wish must be +consulted, in order that no paternal strictness might forestall anything +against her will. He called her in and asked her whether she felt a +liking for her wooer; and when she assented he promised Helgi her hand. +In this way Hother, by the sweet sounds of his fluent and well-turned +oratory, opened the ears of Kuse, which were before deaf to the suit he +urged. + +While this was passing in Halogaland, Balder entered the country of +Gewar armed, in order to sue for Nanna. Gewar bade him learn Nanna's +own mind; so he approached the maiden with the most choice and cajoling +words; and when he could win no hearing for his prayers, he persisted in +asking the reason of his refusal. She replied, that a god could not wed +with a mortal, because the vast difference of their natures prevented +any bond of intercourse. Also the gods sometimes used to break their +pledges; and the bond contracted between unequals was apt to snap +suddenly. There was no firm tie between those of differing estate; for +beside the great, the fortunes of the lowly were always dimmed. Also +lack and plenty dwelt in diverse tents, nor was there any fast bond of +intercourse between gorgeous wealth and obscure poverty. In fine, the +things of earth would not mate with those of heaven, being sundered by +a great original gulf through a difference in nature; inasmuch as mortal +man was infinitely far from the glory of the divine majesty. With +this shuffling answer she eluded the suit of Balder, and shrewdly wove +excuses to refuse his hand. + +When Hother heard this from Gewar, he complained long to Helgi of +Balder's insolence. Both were in doubt as to what should be done, and +beat their brains over divers plans; for converse with a friend in the +day of trouble, though it removeth not the peril, yet maketh the heart +less sick. Amid all the desires of their souls the passion of valour +prevailed, and a naval battle was fought with Balder. One would have +thought it a contest of men against gods, for Odin and Thor and the holy +array of the gods fought for Balder. There one could have beheld a war +in which divine and human might were mingled. But Hother was clad in +his steel-defying tunic, and charged the closest bands of the gods, +assailing them as vehemently as a son of earth could assail the powers +above. However, Thor was swinging his club with marvellous might, and +shattered all interposing shields, calling as loudly on his foes +to attack him as upon his friends to back him up. No kind of armour +withstood his onset, no man could receive his stroke and live. +Whatsoever his blow fended off it crushed; neither shield nor helm +endured the weight of its dint; no greatness of body or of strength +could serve. Thus the victory would have passed to the gods, but that +Hother, though his line had already fallen back, darted up, hewed off +the club at the haft, and made it useless. And the gods, when they had +lost this weapon, fled incontinently. But that antiquity vouches for it, +it were quite against common belief to think that men prevailed against +gods. (We call them gods in a supposititious rather than in a real +sense; for to such we give the title of deity by the custom of nations, +not because of their nature.) + +As for Balder, he took to flight and was saved. The conquerors either +hacked his ships with their swords or sunk them in the sea; not content +to have defeated gods, they pursued the wrecks of the fleet with such +rage, as if they would destroy them to satiate their deadly passion for +war. Thus doth prosperity commonly whet the edge of licence. The haven, +recalling by its name Balder's flight, bears witness to the war. Gelder, +the King of Saxony, who met his end in the same war, was set by Hother +upon the corpses of his oarsmen, and then laid on a pyre built of +vessels, and magnificently honoured in his funeral by Hother, who not +only put his ashes in a noble barrow, treating them as the remains of +a king, but also graced them with most reverent obsequies. Then, to +prevent any more troublesome business delaying his hopes of marriage, +he went back to Gewar and enjoyed the coveted embraces of Nanna. Next, +having treated Helgi and Thora very generously, he brought his new queen +back to Sweden, being as much honoured by all for his victory as Balder +was laughed at for his flight. + +At this time the nobles of the Swedes repaired to Demnark to pay their +tribute; but Hother, who had been honoured as a king by his countrymen +for the splendid deeds of his father, experienced what a lying pander +Fortune is. For he was conquered in the field by Balder, whom a little +before he had crushed, and was forced to flee to Gewar, thus losing +while a king that victory which he had won as a common man. The +conquering Balder, in order to slake his soldiers, who were parched with +thirst, with the blessing of a timely draught, pierced the earth deep +and disclosed a fresh spring. The thirsty ranks made with gaping lips +for the water that gushed forth everywhere. The traces of these springs, +eternised by the name, are thought not quite to have dried up yet, +though they have ceased to well so freely as of old. Balder was +continually harassed by night phantoms feigning the likeness of Nanna, +and fell into such ill health that he could not so much as walk, +and began the habit of going his journeys in a two horse car or a +four-wheeled carriage. So great was the love that had steeped his heart +and now had brought him down almost to the extremity of decline. For he +thought that his victory had brought him nothing if Nanna was not his +prize. Also Frey, the regent of the gods, took his abode not far from +Upsala, where he exchanged for a ghastly and infamous sin-offering the +old custom of prayer by sacrifice, which had been used by so many +ages and generations. For he paid to the gods abominable offerings, by +beginning to slaughter human victims. + +Meantime Hother (1) learned that Denmark lacked leaders, and that +Hiartuar had swiftly expiated the death of Rolf; and he used to say +that chance had thrown into his hands that to which he could scarce +have aspired. For first, Rolf, whom he ought to have killed, since he +remembered that Rolf's father had slain his own, had been punished by +the help of another; and also, by the unexpected bounty of events, +a chance had been opened to him of winning Denmark. In truth, if the +pedigree of his forefathers were rightly traced, that realm was his by +ancestral right! Thereupon he took possession, with a very great fleet, +of Isefjord, a haven of Zealand, so as to make use of his impending +fortune. There the people of the Danes met him and appointed him king; +and a little after, on hearing of the death of his brother Athisl, whom +he had bidden rule the Swedes, he joined the Swedish empire to that of +Denmark. But Athisl was cut off by an ignominious death. For whilst, in +great jubilation of spirit, he was honouring the funeral rites of +Rolf with a feast, he drank too greedily, and paid for his filthy +intemperance by his sudden end. And so, while he was celebrating the +death of another with immoderate joviality, he forced on his own apace. + +While Hother was in Sweden, Balder also came to Zealand with a fleet; +and since he was thought to be rich in arms and of singular majesty, +the Danes accorded him with the readiest of voices whatever he asked +concerning the supreme power. With such wavering judgment was the +opinion of our forefathers divided. Hother returned from Sweden and +attacked him. They both coveted sway, and the keenest contest for the +sovereignty began between them; but it was cut short by the flight of +Hother. He retired to Jutland, and caused to be named after him the +village in which he was wont to stay. Here he passed the winter season, +and then went back to Sweden alone and unattended. There he summoned the +grandees, and told them that he was weary of the light of life because +of the misfortunes wherewith Balder had twice victoriously stricken him. +Then he took farewell of all, and went by a circuitous path to a place +that was hard of access, traversing forests uncivilised. For it oft +happens that those upon whom has come some inconsolable trouble of +spirit seek, as though it were a medicine to drive away their sadness, +far and sequestered retreats, and cannot bear the greatness of their +grief amid the fellowship of men; so dear, for the most part, is +solitude to sickness. For filthiness and grime are chiefly pleasing to +those who have been stricken with ailments of the soul. Now he had been +wont to give out from the top of a hill decrees to the people when they +came to consult him; and hence when they came they upbraided the sloth +of the king for hiding himself, and his absence was railed at by all +with the bitterest complaints. + +But Hother, when he had wandered through remotest byways and crossed an +uninhabited forest, chanced to come upon a cave where dwelt some maidens +whom he knew not; but they proved to be the same who had once given him +the invulnerable coat. Asked by them wherefore he had come thither, he +related the disastrous issue of the war. So he began to bewail the ill +luck of his failures and his dismal misfortunes, condemning their breach +of faith, and lamenting that it had not turned out for him as they had +promised him. But the maidens said that though he had seldom come off +victorious, he had nevertheless inflicted as much defeat on the enemy +as they on him, and had dealt as much carnage as he had shared in. +Moreover, the favour of victory would be speedily his, if he could first +lay hands upon a food of extraordinary delightsomeness which had +been devised to increase the strength of Balder. For nothing would be +difficult if he could only get hold of the dainty which was meant to +enhance the rigour of his foe. + +Hard as it sounded for earthborn endeavours to make armed assault upon +the gods, the words of the maidens inspired Hother's mind with instant +confidence to fight with Balder. Also some of his own people said that +he could not safely contend with those above; but all regard for their +majesty was expelled by the boundless fire of his spirit. For in brave +souls vehemence is not always sapped by reason, nor doth counsel defeat +rashness. Or perchance it was that Hother remembered how the might of +the lordliest oft proveth unstable, and how a little clod can batter +down great chariots. + +On the other side, Balder mustered the Danes to arms and met Hother +in the field. Both sides made a great slaughter; the carnage of the +opposing parties was nearly equal, and night stayed the battle. About +the third watch, Hother, unknown to any man, went out to spy upon the +enemy, anxiety about the impending peril having banished sleep. This +strong excitement favours not bodily rest, and inward disquiet suffers +not outward repose. So, when he came to the camp of the enemy he heard +that three maidens had gone out carrying the secret feast of Balder. He +ran after them (for their footsteps in the dew betrayed their flight), +and at last entered their accustomed dwelling. When they asked him who +he was, he answered, a lutanist, nor did the trial belie his profession. +For when the lyre was offered him, he tuned its strings, ordered and +governed the chords with his quill, and with ready modulation poured +forth a melody pleasant to the ear. Now they had three snakes, of whose +venom they were wont to mix a strengthening compound for the food of +Balder, and even now a flood of slaver was dripping on the food from the +open mouths of the serpents. And some of the maidens would, for kindness +sake, have given Hother a share of the dish, had not eldest of the three +forbidden them, declaring that Balder would be cheated if they increased +the bodily powers of his enemy. He had said, not that he was Hother, but +that he was one of his company. Now the same nymphs, in their gracious +kindliness, bestowed on him a belt of perfect sheen and a girdle which +assured victory. + +Retracing the path by which he had come, he went back on the same road, +and meeting Balder plunged his sword into his side, and laid him low +half dead. When the news was told to the soldiers, a cheery shout of +triumph rose from all the camp of Hother, while the Danes held a public +mourning for the fate of Balder. He, feeling no doubt of his impending +death, and stung by the anguish of his wound, renewed the battle on +the morrow; and, when it raged hotly, bade that he should be borne on a +litter into the fray, that he might not seem to die ignobly within his +tent. On the night following, Proserpine was seen to stand by him in a +vision, and to promise that on the morrow he should have her embrace. +The boding of the dream was not idle; for when three days had passed, +Balder perished from the excessive torture of his wound; and his body +given a royal funeral, the army causing it to be buried in a barrow +which they had made. + +Certain men of our day, Chief among whom was Harald, (2) since the story +of the ancient burial-place still survived, made a raid on it by night +in the hope of finding money, but abandoned their attempt in sudden +panic. For the hill split, and from its crest a sudden and mighty +torrent of loud-roaring waters seemed to burst; so that its flying mass, +shooting furiously down, poured over the fields below, and enveloped +whatsoever it struck upon, and at its onset the delvers were dislodged, +flung down their mattocks, and fled divers ways; thinking that if they +strove any longer to carry through their enterprise they would be caught +in the eddies of the water that was rushing down. Thus the guardian gods +of that spot smote fear suddenly into the minds of the youths, taking +them away from covetousness, and turning them to see to their safety; +teaching them to neglect their greedy purpose and be careful of their +lives. Now it is certain that this apparent flood was not real but +phantasmal; not born in the bowels of the earth (since Nature suffereth +not liquid springs to gush forth in a dry place), but produced by some +magic agency. All men afterwards, to whom the story of that breaking in +had come down, left this hill undisturbed. Wherefore it has never been +made sure whether it really contains any wealth; for the dread of peril +has daunted anyone since Harald from probing its dark foundations. + +But Odin, though he was accounted the chief of the gods, began to +inquire of the prophets and diviners concerning the way to accomplish +vengeance for his son, as well as all others whom he had beard were +skilled in the most recondite arts of soothsaying. For godhead that is +incomplete is oft in want of the help of man. Rostioph (Hrossthiof), +the Finn, foretold to him that another son must be born to him by Rinda +(Wrinda), daughter of the King of the Ruthenians; this son was destined +to exact punishment for the slaying of his brother. For the gods had +appointed to the brother that was yet to be born the task of avenging +his kinsman. Odin, when he heard this, muffled his face with a cap, that +his garb might not betray him, and entered the service of the said king +as a soldier; and being made by him captain of the soldiers, and given +an army, won a splendid victory over the enemy. And for his stout +achievement in this battle the king admitted him into the chief place +in his friendship, distinguishing him as generously with gifts as +with honours. A very little while afterwards Odin routed the enemy +single-handed, and returned, at once the messenger and the doer of +the deed. All marvelled that the strength of one man could deal such +slaughter upon a countless host. Trusting in these services, he privily +let the king into the secret of his love, and was refreshed by his most +gracious favour; but when he sought a kiss from the maiden, he received +a cuff. But he was not driven from his purpose either by anger at the +slight or by the odiousness of the insult. + +Next year, loth to quit ignobly the quest he had taken up so eagerly, he +put on the dress of a foreigner and went back to dwell with the king. It +was hard for those who met him to recognise him; for his assumed filth +obliterated his true features, and new grime hid his ancient aspect. He +said that his name was Roster (Hrosstheow), and that he was skilled +in smithcraft. And his handiwork did honour to his professions: for he +portrayed in bronze many and many a shape most beautifully, so that he +received a great mass of gold from the king, and was ordered to +hammer out the ornaments of the matrons. So, after having wrought many +adornments for women's wearing, he at last offered to the maiden a +bracelet which he had polished more laboriously than the rest and +several rings which were adorned with equal care. But no services could +assuage the wrath of Rinda; when he was fain to kiss her she cuffed him; +for gifts offered by one we hate are unacceptable, while those tendered +by a friend are far more grateful: so much doth the value of the +offering oft turn on the offerer. For this stubborn-hearted maiden never +doubted that the crafty old man was feigning generosity in order to +seize an opening to work his lust. His temper, moreover, was keen and +indomitable; for she knew that his homage covered guile, and that under +the devotion of his gifts there lay a desire for crime. Her father fell +to upbraiding her heavily for refusing the match; but she loathed to wed +an old man, and the plea of her tender years lent her some support in +her scorning of his hand; for she said that a young girl ought not to +marry prematurely. + +But Odin, who had found that nothing served the wishes of lovers more +than tough persistency, though he was stung with the shame of his double +rebuff, nevertheless, effacing the form he had worn before, went to the +king for the third time, professing the completest skill in soldiership. +He was led to take this pains not only by pleasure but by the wish to +wipe out his disgrace. For of old those who were skilled in magic gained +this power of instantly changing their aspect and exhibiting the most +different shapes. Indeed, they were clever at imitating any age, not +only in its natural bodily appearance, but also in its stature; and so +the old man, in order to exhibit his calling agreeably, used to ride +proudly up and down among the briskest of them. But not even such a +tribute could move the rigour of the maiden; for it is hard for the mind +to come back to a genuine liking for one against whom it has once borne +heavy dislike. When he tried to kiss her at his departure, she repulsed +him so that he tottered and smote his chin upon the ground. Straightway +he touched her with a piece of bark whereon spells were written, and +made her like unto one in frenzy: which was a gentle revenge to take for +all the insults he had received. + +But still he did not falter in the fulfilment of his purpose; for trust +in his divine majesty buoyed him up with confidence; so, assuming the +garb of a maiden, this indefatigable journeyer repaired for the +fourth time to the king, and, on being received by him, showed himself +assiduous and even forward. Most people believed him to be a woman, as +he was dressed almost in female attire. Also he declared that his name +was Wecha, and his calling that of a physician: and this assertion +he confirmed by the readiest services. At last he was taken into the +household of the queen, and played the part of a waiting-woman to the +princess, and even used to wash the soil off her feet at eventide; and +as he was applying the water he was suffered to touch her calves and the +upper part of the thighs. But fortune goes with mutable steps, and thus +chance put into his hand what his address had never won. For it happened +that the girl fell sick, and looked around for a cure; and she summoned +to protect her health those very hands which aforetime she had rejected, +and appealed for preservation to him whom she had ever held in loathing. +He examined narrowly all the symptoms of the trouble, and declared that, +in order to check the disease as soon as possible, it was needful to use +a certain drugged draught; but that it was so bitterly compounded, that +the girl could never endure so violent a cure unless she submitted to +be bound; since the stuff of the malady must be ejected from the very +innermost tissues. When her father heard this he did not hesitate +to bind his daughter; and laying her on the bed, he bade her endure +patiently all the applications of the doctor. For the king was tricked +by the sight of the female dress, which the old man was using to +disguise his persistent guile; and thus the seeming remedy became an +opportunity of outrage. For the physician seized the chance of love, +and, abandoning his business of healing, sped to the work, not of +expelling the fever, but of working his lust; making use of the sickness +of the princess, whom in sound health he had found adverse to him. It +will not be wearisome if I subjoin another version of this affair. +For there are certain who say that the king, when he saw the physician +groaning with love, but despite all his expense of mind and body +accomplishing nothing, did not wish to rob of his due reward one who had +so well earned it, and allowed him to lie privily with his daughter. +So doth the wickedness of the father sometimes assail the child, when +vehement passion perverts natural mildness. But his fault was soon +followed by a remorse that was full of shame, when his daughter bore a +child. + +But the gods, whose chief seat was then at Byzantium, (Asgard), seeing +that Odin had tarnished the fair name of godhead by divers injuries to +its majesty, thought that he ought to be removed from their society. +And they had him not only ousted from the headship, but outlawed and +stripped of all worship and honour at home; thinking it better that the +power of their infamous president should be overthrown than that public +religion should be profaned; and fearing that they might themselves be +involved in the sin of another, and though guiltless be punished for the +crime of the guilty. For they saw that, now the derision of their great +god was brought to light, those whom they had lured to proffer them +divine honours were exchanging obeisance for scorn and worship for +shame; that holy rites were being accounted sacrilege, and fixed and +regular ceremonies deemed so much childish raving. Fear was in their +souls, death before their eyes, and one would have supposed that the +fault of one was visited upon the heads of all. So, not wishing Odin +to drive public religion into exile, they exiled him and put one Oller +(Wulder?) in his place, to bear the symbols not only Of royalty but also +of godhead, as though it had been as easy a task to create a god as a +king. And though they had appointed him priest for form's sake, they +endowed him actually with full distinction, that he might be seen to be +the lawful heir to the dignity, and no mere deputy doing another's work. +Also, to omit no circumstance of greatness, they further gave his the +name of Odin, trying by the prestige of that title to be rid of the +obloquy of innovation. For nearly ten years Oller held the presidency +of the divine senate; but at last the gods pitied the horrible exile of +Odin, and thought that he had now been punished heavily enough; so he +exchanged his foul and unsightly estate for his ancient splendour; for +the lapse of time had now wiped out the brand of his earlier disgrace. +Yet some were to be found who judged that he was not worthy to approach +and resume his rank, because by his stage-tricks and his assumption of a +woman's work he had brought the foulest scandal on the name of the gods. +Some declare that he bought back the fortune of his lost divinity with +money; flattering some of the gods and mollifying some with bribes; +and that at the cost of a vast sum he contrived to get back to the +distinction which he had long quitted. If you ask how much he paid +for them, inquire of those who have found out what is the price of a +godhead. I own that to me it is but little worth. + +Thus Oller was driven out from Byzantium by Odin and retired into +Sweden. Here, while he was trying, as if in a new world, to repair the +records of his glory, the Danes slew him. The story goes that he was +such a cunning wizard that he used a certain bone, which he had marked +with awful spells, wherewith to cross the seas, instead of a vessel; +and that by this bone he passed over the waters that barred his way as +quickly as by rowing. + +But Odin, now that he had regained the emblems of godhead, shone over +all parts of the world with such a lustre of renown that all nations +welcomed him as though he were light restored to the universe; nor was +any spot to be found on the earth which did not hornage to his might. +Then finding that Boe, his son by Rhlda, was enamoured of the hardships +of war, he called him, and bade him bear in mind the slaying of his +brother: saying that it would be better for him to take vengeande on the +murderers of Balder than to overcome them in battle; for warfare was +most fitting and wholesome when a holy occasion for waging it was +furnished by a righteous opening for vengeande. + +News came meantime that Gewar had been slain by the guile of his own +satrap (jarl), Gunne. Hother determined to visit his murder with the +strongest and sharpest revenge. So he surprised Gunne, cast him on a +blazing pyre, and burnt him; for Gunne had himself treacherously waylaid +Gewar, and burnt him alive in the night. This was his offering of +vengeance to the shade of his foster-father; and then he made his sons, +Herlek and Gerit, rulers of Norway. + +Then he summoned the elders to assembly, and told them that he would +perish in the war wherein he was bound to meet Boe, and said that he +knew this by no doubtful guesswork, but by sure prophecies of seers. +So he besought them to make his son RORIK king, so that the judgment +of wicked men should not transfer the royalty to strange and unknown +houses; averring that he would reap more joy from the succession of +his son than bitterness from his own impending death. This request was +speedily granted. Then he met Boe in battle and was killed; but small +joy the victory gave Boe. Indeed, he left the battle so sore stricken +that he was lifted on his shield and carried home by his foot-soldiers +supporting him in turn, to perish next day of the pain of his wounds. +The Ruthenian army gave his body a gorgeous funeral and buried it in +a splendid howe, which it piled in his name, to save the record of so +mighty a warrior from slipping out of the recollection of after ages. + +So the Kurlanders and the Swedes, as though the death of Hother set them +free from the burden of their subjection, resolved to attack Denmark, to +which they were accustomed to do homage with a yearly tax. By this the +Slavs also were emboldened to revolt, and a number of others were turned +from subjects into foes. Rorik, in order to check this wrongdoing, +summoned his country to arms, recounted the deeds of his forefathers, +and urged them in a passionate harangue unto valorous deeds. But the +barbarians, loth to engage without a general, and seeing that they +needed a head, appointed a king over them; and, displaying all the rest +of their military force, hid two companies of armed men in a dark spot. +But Rorik saw the trap; and perceiving that his fleet was wedged in a +certain narrow creek among the shoal water, took it out from the sands +where it was lying, and brought it forth to sea; lest it should strike +on the oozy swamps, and be attacked by the foe on different sides. Also, +he resolved that his men should go into hiding during the day, where +they could stay and suddenly fall on the invaders of his ships. He said +that perchance the guile might in the end recoil on the heads of its +devisors. And in fact the barbarians who had been appointed to the +ambuscade knew nothing of the wariness of the Danes, and sallying +against them rashly, were all destroyed. The remaining force of the +Slavs, knowing nothing of the slaughter of their friends, hung in doubt +wondering over the reason of Rorik's tarrying. And after waiting long +for him as the months wearily rolled by, and finding delay every day +more burdensome, they at last thought they should attack him with their +fleet. + +Now among them there was a man of remarkable stature, a wizard by +calling. He, when he beheld the squadrons of the Danes, said: "Suffer +a private combat to forestall a public slaughter, so that the danger +of many may be bought off at the cost of a few. And if any of you shall +take heart to fight it out with me, I will not flinch from these terms +of conflict. But first of all I demand that you accept the terms I +prescribe, the form whereof I have devised as follows: If I conquer, let +freedom be granted us from taxes; if I am conquered, let the tribute be +paid you as of old: For to-day I will either free my country from the +yoke of slavery by my victory or bind her under it by my defeat. Accept +me as the surety and the pledge for either issue." One of the Danes, +whose spirit was stouter than his strength, heard this, and proceeded to +ask Rorik, what would be the reward for the man who met the challenger +in combat? Rorik chanced to have six bracelets, which were so +intertwined that they could not be parted from one another, the chain of +knots being inextricaly laced; and he promised them as a reward for +the man who would venture on the combat. But the youth, who doubted his +fortune, said: "Rorik, if I prove successful, let thy generosity award +the prize of the conqueror, do thou decide and allot the palm; but if +my enterprise go little to my liking, what prize canst thou owe to the +beaten, who will be wrapped either in cruel death or in bitter shame? +These things commonly go with feebleness, these are the wages of the +defeated, for whom naught remains but utter infamy. What guerdon must +be paid, what thanks offered, to him who lacks the prize of courage? Who +has ever garlanded with ivy the weakling in War, or decked him with a +conqueror's wage? Valour wins the prize, not sloth, and failure lacks +renown. For one is followed by triumph and honour, the other by an +unsightly life or by a stagnant end. I, who know not which way the issue +of this duel inclines, dare not boldly anticipate that as a reward, of +which I know not whether it be rightly mine. For one whose victory is +doubtful may not seize the assured reward of the victor. I forbear, +while I am not sure of the day, to claim firmly the title to the wreath. +I refuse the gain, which may be the wages of my death as much as of my +life. It is folly to lay hands on the fruit before it is ripe, and to be +fain to pluck that which one is not yet sure is one's title. This hand +shall win me the prize, or death." Having thus spoken, he smote the +barbarian with his sword; but his fortune was tardier than his spirit; +for the other smote him back, and he fell dead under the force of the +first blow. Thus he was a sorry sight unto the Danes, but the Slavs +granted their triumphant comrade a great procession, and received him +with splendid dances. On the morrow the same man, whether he was elated +with the good fortune of his late victory, or was fired with the wish to +win another, came close to the enemy, and set to girding at them in the +words of his former challenge. For, supposing that he had laid low the +bravest of the Danes, he did not think that any of them would have any +heart left to fight further with him upon his challenge. Also, trusting +that, now one champion had fallen, he had shattered the strength of the +whole army, he thought that naught would be hard to achieve upon which +his later endeavours were bent. For nothing pampers arrogance more than +success, or prompts to pride more surely than prosperity. + +So Rorik was vexed that the general courage should be sapped by the +impudence of one man; and that the Danes, with their roll of victories, +should be met presumptuously by those whom they had beaten of old; nay, +should be ignominiously spurned; further, that in all that host not one +man should be found so quick of spirit or so vigorous of arm, that he +longed to sacrifice his life for his country. It was the high-hearted +Ubbe who first wiped off this infamous reproach upon the hesitating +Danes. For he was of great bodily strength and powerful in incantations. +He also purposely asked the prize of the combat, and the king promised +him the bracelets. Then said he: "How can I trust the promise when thou +keepest the pledge in thine own hands, and dost not deposit the gift in +the charge of another? Let there be some one to whom thou canst entrust +the pledge, that thou mayst not be able to take thy promise back. For +the courage of the champion is kindled by the irrevocable certainty of +the prize." Of course it was plain that he had said this in jest; sheer +courage had armed him to repel the insult to his country. But Rorik +thought he was tempted by avarice, and was loth to seem as if, contrary +to royal fashion, he meant to take back the gift or revoke his promise; +so, being stationed on his vessel, he resolved to shake off the +bracelets, and with a mighty swing send them to the asker. But his +attempt was baulked by the width of the gap between them; for the +bracelets fell short of the intended spot, the impulse being too faint +and slack, and were reft away by the waters. For this nickname of +Slyngebond, (swing-bracelet) clung to Rorik. But this event testified +much to the valour of Ubbe. For the loss of his drowned prize never +turned his mind from his bold venture; he would not seem to let his +courage be tempted by the wages of covetousness. So he eagerly went +to fight, showing that he was a seeker of honour and not the slave of +lucre, and that he set bravery before lust of pelf; and intent to prove +that his confidence was based not on hire, but on his own great soul. +Not a moment is lost; a ring is made; the course is thronged with +soldiers; the champions engage; a din arises; the crowd of onlookers +shouts in discord, each backing his own. And so the valour of the +champions blazes to white-heat; falling dead under the wounds dealt by +one another, they end together the combat and their lives. I think that +it was a provision of fortune that neither of them should reap joy and +honour by the other's death. This event won back to Rorik the hearts of +the insurgents and regained him the tribute. + +At this time Horwendil and Feng, whose father Gerwendil had been +governor of the Jutes, were appointed in his place by Rorik to defend +Jutland. But Horwendil held the monarchy for three years, and then, to +will the height of glory, devoted himself to roving. Then Koller, King +of Norway, in rivalry of his great deeds and renown, deemed it would be +a handsome deed if by his greater strength in arms he could bedim the +far-famed glory of the rover; and cruising about the sea, he watched for +Horwendil's fleet and came up with it. There was an island lying in the +middle of the sea, which each of the rovers, bringing his ships up on +either side, was holding. The captains were tempted by the pleasant look +of the beach, and the comeliness of the shores led them to look through +the interior of the springtide woods, to go through the glades, and roam +over the sequestered forests. It was here that the advance of Koller and +Horwendil brought them face to face without any witness. Then Horwendil +endeavoured to address the king first, asking him in what way it was his +pleasure to fight, and declaring that one best which needed the courage +of as few as possible. For, said he, the duel was the surest of all +modes of combat for winning the meed of bravery, because it relied only +upon native courage, and excluded all help from the hand of another. +Koller marvelled at so brave a judgment in a youth, and said: "Since +thou hast granted me the choice of battle, I think it is best to employ +that kind which needs only the endeavours of two, and is free from all +the tumult. Certainly it is more venturesome, and allows of a speedier +award of the victory. This thought we share, in this opinion we agree of +our own accord. But since the issue remains doubtful, we must pay +some regard to gentle dealing, and must not give way so far to our +inclinations as to leave the last offices undone. Hatred is in our +hearts; yet let piety be there also, which in its due time may take the +place of rigour. For the rights of nature reconcile us, though we are +parted by differences of purpose; they link us together, howsoever +rancour estrange our spirit. Let us, therefore, have this pious +stipulation, that the conqueror shall give funeral rites to the +conquered. For all allow that these are the last duties of human +kind, from which no righteous man shrinks. Let each army lay aside its +sternness and perform this function in harmony. Let jealousy depart +at death, let the feud be buried in the tomb. Let us not show such an +example of cruelty as to persecute one another's dust, though hatred has +come between us in our lives. It will be a boast for the victor if he +has borne his beaten foe in a lordly funeral. For the man who pays the +rightful dues over his dead enemy wins the goodwill of the survivor; and +whoso devotes gentle dealing to him who is no more, conquers the living +by his kindness. Also there is another disaster, not less lamentable, +which sometimes befalls the living--the loss of some part of their body; +and I think that succor is due to this just as much as to the worst hap +that may befall. For often those who fight keep their lives safe, but +suffer maiming; and this lot is commonly thought more dismal than any +death; for death cuts off memory of all things, while the living cannot +forget the devastation of his own body. Therefore this mischief also +must be helped somehow; so let it be agreed, that the injury of either +of us by the other shall be made good with ten talents (marks) of gold. +For if it be righteous to have compassion on the calamities of another, +how much more is it to pity one's own? No man but obeys nature's +prompting; and he who slights it is a self-murderer." + +After mutually pledging their faiths to these terms, they began the +battle. Nor was their strangeness his meeting one another, nor the +sweetness of that spring-green spot, so heeded as to prevent them from +the fray. Horwendil, in his too great ardour, became keener to attack +his enemy than to defend his own body; and, heedless of his shield, had +grasped his sword with both hands; and his boldness did not fail. For by +his rain of blows he destroyed Koller's shield and deprived him of it, +and at last hewed off his foot and drove him lifeless to the ground. +Then, not to fail of his compact, he buried him royally, gave him a howe +of lordly make and pompous obsequies. Then he pursued and slew Koller's +sister Sela, who was a skilled warrior and experienced in roving. + +He had now passed three years in valiant deeds of war; and, in order to +win higher rank in Rorik's favour, he assigned to him the best trophies +and the pick of the plunder. His friendship with Rorik enabled him +to woo and will in marriage his daughter Gerutha, who bore him a son +Amleth. + +Such great good fortune stung Feng with jealousy, so that he resolved +treacherously to waylay his brother, thus showing that goodness is not +safe even from those of a man's own house. And behold, when a chance +came to murder him, his bloody hand sated the deadly passion of his +soul. Then he took the wife of the brother he had butchered, capping +unnatural murder with incest. For whoso yields to one iniquity, speedily +falls an easier victim to the next, the first being an incentive to +the second. Also, the man veiled the monstrosity of his deed with such +hardihood of cunning, that he made up a mock pretence of goodwill +to excuse his crime, and glossed over fratricide with a show of +righteousness. Gerutha, said he, though so gentle that she would do no +man the slightest hurt, had been visited with her husband's extremest +hate; and it was all to save her that he had slain his brother; for he +thought it shameful that a lady so meek and unrancorous should suffer +the heavy disdain of her husband. Nor did his smooth words fail in their +intent; for at courts, where fools are sometimes favoured and backbiters +preferred, a lie lacks not credit. Nor did Feng keep from shameful +embraces the hands that had slain a brother; pursuing with equal guilt +both of his wicked and impious deeds. + +Amleth beheld all this, but feared lest too shrewd a behaviour might +make his uncle suspect him. So he chose to feign dulness, and pretend +an utter lack of wits. This cunning course not only concealed his +intelligence but ensured his safety. Every day he remained in his +mother's house utterly listless and unclean, flinging himself on the +ground and bespattering his person with foul and filthy dirt. His +discoloured face and visage smutched with slime denoted foolish and +grotesque madness. All he said was of a piece with these follies; all +he did savoured of utter lethargy. In a word, you would not have thought +him a man at all, but some absurd abortion due to a mad fit of destiny. +He used at times to sit over the fire, and, raking up the embers with +his hands, to fashion wooden crooks, and harden them in the fire, +shaping at their lips certain barbs, to make them hold more tightly +to their fastenings. When asked what he was about, he said that he was +preparing sharp javelins to avenge his father. This answer was not a +little scoffed at, all men deriding his idle and ridiculous pursuit; but +the thing helped his purpose afterwards. Now it was his craft in this +matter that first awakened in the deeper observers a suspicion of his +cunning. For his skill in a trifling art betokened the hidden talent of +the craftsman; nor could they believe the spirit dull where the hand had +acquired so cunning a workmanship. Lastly, he always watched with the +most punctual care over his pile of stakes that he had pointed in the +fire. Some people, therefore, declared that his mind was quick enough, +and fancied that he only played the simpleton in order to hide his +understanding, and veiled some deep purpose under a cunning feint. His +wiliness (said these) would be most readily detected, if a fair woman +were put in his way in some secluded place, who should provoke his mind +to the temptations of love; all men's natural temper being too blindly +amorous to be artfully dissembled, and this passion being also too +impetuous to be checked by cunning. Therefore, if his lethargy were +feigned, he would seize the opportunity, and yield straightway to +violent delights. So men were commissioned to draw the young man in +his rides into a remote part of the forest, and there assail him with a +temptation of this nature. Among these chanced to be a foster-brother of +Amleth, who had not ceased to have regard to their common nurture; +and who esteemed his present orders less than the memory of their past +fellowship. He attended Amleth among his appointed train, being anxious +not to entrap, but to warn him; and was persuaded that he would suffer +the worst if he showed the slightest glimpse of sound reason, and above +all if he did the act of love openly. This was also plain enough to +Amleth himself. For when he was bidden mount his horse, he deliberately +set himself in such a fashion that he turned his back to the neck and +faced about, fronting the tail; which he proceeded to encompass with the +reins, just as if on that side he would check the horse in its furious +pace. By this cunning thought he eluded the trick, and overcame the +treachery of his uncle. The reinless steed galloping on, with rider +directing its tail, was ludicrous enough to behold. + +Amleth went on, and a wolf crossed his path amid the thicket. When his +companions told him that a young colt had met him, he retorted, that in +Feng's stud there were too few of that kind fighting. This was a gentle +but witty fashion of invoking a curse upon his uncle's riches. When +they averred that he had given a cunning answer, he answered that he had +spoken deliberately; for he was loth, to be thought prone to lying +about any matter, and wished to be held a stranger to falsehood; and +accordingly he mingled craft and candour in such wise that, though his +words did lack truth, yet there was nothing to betoken the truth and +betray how far his keenness went. + +Again, as he passed along the beach, his companions found the rudder +of a ship, which had been wrecked, and said they had discovered a huge +knife. "This," said he, "was the right thing to carve such a huge ham;" +by which he really meant the sea, to whose infinitude, he thought, this +enormous rudder matched. Also, as they passed the sandhills, and bade +him look at the meal, meaning the sand, he replied that it had been +ground small by the hoary tempests of the ocean. His companions praising +his answer, he said that he had spoken it wittingly. Then they purposely +left him, that he might pluck up more courage to practise wantonness. +The woman whom his uncle had dispatched met him in a dark spot, as +though she had crossed him by chance; and he took her and would have +ravished her, had not his foster-brother, by a secret device, given him +an inkling of the trap. For this man, while pondering the fittest way +to play privily the prompter's part, and forestall the young man's +hazardous lewdness, found a straw on the ground and fastened it +underneath the tail of a gadfly that was flying past; which he then +drove towards the particular quarter where he knew Amleth to be: an +act which served the unwary prince exceedingly well. The token was +interpreted as shrewdly as it had been sent. For Amleth saw the gadfly, +espied with curiosity the straw which it wore embedded in its tail, and +perceived that it was a secret warning to beware of treachery. Alarmed, +scenting a trap, and fain to possess his desire in greater safety, he +caught up the woman in his arms and dragged her off to a distant and +impenetrable fen. Moreover, when they had lain together, he conjured her +earnestly to disclose the matter to none, and the promise of silence was +accorded as heartily as it was asked. For both of them had been under +the same fostering in their childhood; and this early rearing in common +had brought Amleth and the girl into great intimacy. + +So, when he had returned home, they all jeeringly asked him whether he +had given way to love, and he avowed that he had ravished the maid. When +he was next asked where he did it, and what had been his pillow, he said +that he had rested upon the hoof of a beast of burden, upon a cockscomb, +and also upon a ceiling. For, when he was starting into temptation, he +had gathered fragments of all these things, in order to avoid lying. And +though his jest did not take aught of the truth out of the story, the +answer was greeted with shouts of merriment from the bystanders. The +maiden, too, when questioned on the matter, declared that he had done +no such thing; and her denial was the more readily credited when it was +found that the escort had not witnessed the deed. Then he who had marked +the gadfly in order to give a hint, wishing to show Amleth that to his +trick he owed his salvation, observed that latterly he had been singly +devoted to Amleth. The young man's reply was apt. Not to seem forgetful +of his informant's service, he said that he had seen a certain thing +bearing a straw flit by suddenly, wearing a stalk of chaff fixed in its +hinder parts. The cleverness of this speech, which made the rest split +with laughter, rejoiced the heart of Amleth's friend. + +Thus all were worsted, and none could open the secret lock of the young +man's wisdom. But a friend of Feng, gifted more with assurance than +judgment, declared that the unfathomable cunning of such a mind could +not be detected by any vulgar plot, for the man's obstinacy was so great +that it ought not to be assailed with any mild measures; there were +many sides to his wiliness, and it ought not to be entrapped by any one +method. Accordingly, said he, his own profounder acuteness had hit on +a more delicate way, which was well fitted to be put in practice, and +would effectually discover what they desired to know. Feng was purposely +to absent himself, pretending affairs of great import. Amleth should be +closeted alone with his mother in her chamber; but a man should first be +commissioned to place himself in a concealed part of the room and listen +heedfully to what they talked about. For if the son had any wits at all +he would not hesitate to speak out in the hearing of his mother, or fear +to trust himself to the fidelity of her who bore him. The speaker, +loth to seem readier to devise than to carry out the plot, zealously +proffered himself as the agent of the eavesdropping. Feng rejoiced at +the scheme, and departed on pretence of a long journey. Now he who had +given this counsel repaired privily to the room where Amleth was shut up +with his mother, and lay flown skulking in the straw. But Amleth had +his antidote for the treachery. Afraid of being overheard by some +eavesdropper, he at first resorted to his usual imbecile ways, and +crowed like a noisy cock, beating his arms together to mimic the +flapping of wings. Then he mounted the straw and began to swing his +body and jump again and again, wishing to try if aught lurked there in +hiding. Feeling a lump beneath his feet, he drove his sword into +the spot, and impaled him who lay hid. Then he dragged him from his +concealment and slew him. Then, cutting his body into morsels, he +seethed it in boiling water, and flung it through the mouth of an +open sewer for the swine to eat, bestrewing the stinking mire with his +hapless limbs. Having in this wise eluded the snare, he went back to the +room. Then his mother set up a great wailing, and began to lament her +son's folly to his face; but he said: "Most infamous of women; dost +thou seek with such lying lamentations to hide thy most heavy guilt? +Wantoning like a harlot, thou hast entered a wicked and abominable state +of wedlock, embracing with incestuous bosom thy husband's slayer, and +wheedling with filthy lures of blandishment him who had slain the father +of thy son. This, forsooth, is the way that the mares couple with the +vanquishers of their mates; for brute beasts are naturally incited to +pair indiscriminately; and it would seem that thou, like them, hast +clean forgot thy first husband. As for me, not idly do I wear the mask +of folly; for I doubt not that he who destroyed his brother will riot as +ruthlessly in the blood of his kindred. Therefore it is better to choose +the garb of dulness than that of sense, and to borrow some protection +from a show of utter frenzy. Yet the passion to avenge my father still +burns in my heart; but I am watching the chances, I await the fitting +hour. There is a place for all things; against so merciless and dark +spirit must be used the deeper devices of the mind. And thou, who +hadst been better employed in lamenting thine own disgrace, know it is +superfluity to bewail my witlessness; thou shouldst weep for the blemish +in thine own mind, not for that in another's. On the rest see thou +keep silence." With such reproaches he rent the heart of his mother +and redeemed her to walk in the ways of virtue; teaching her to set the +fires of the past above the seductions of the present. + +When Feng returned, nowhere could he find the man who had suggested the +treacherous espial; he searched for him long and carefully, but none +said they had seen him anywhere. Amleth, among others, was asked in jest +if he had come on any trace of him, and replied that the man had gone +to the sewer, but had fallen through its bottom and been stifled by the +floods of filth, and that he had then been devoured by the swine that +came up all about that place. This speech was flouted by those who +heard; for it seemed senseless, though really it expressly avowed the +truth. + +Feng now suspected that his stepson was certainly full of guile, and +desired to make away with him, but durst not do the deed for fear of the +displeasure, not only of Amleth's grandsire Rorik, but also of his own +wife. So he thought that the King of Britain should be employed to +slay him, so that another could do the deed, and he be able to feign +innocence. Thus, desirous to hide his cruelty, he chose rather to +besmirch his friend than to bring disgrace on his own head. Amleth, on +departing, gave secret orders to his mother to hang the hall with +woven knots, and to perform pretended obsequies for him a year thence; +promising that he would then return. Two retainers of Feng then +accompanied him, bearing a letter graven on wood--a kind of writing +material frequent in old times; this letter enjoined the king of the +Britons to put to death the youth who was sent over to him. While they +were reposing, Amleth searched their coffers, found the letter, and read +the instructions therein. Whereupon he erased all the writing on the +surface, substituted fresh characters, and so, changing the purport of +the instructions, shifted his own doom upon his companions. Nor was he +satisfied with removing from himself the sentence of death and passing +the peril on to others, but added an entreaty that the King of Britain +would grant his daughter in marriage to a youth of great judgment whom +he was sending to him. Under this was falsely marked the signature of +Feng. + +Now when they had reached Britain, the envoys went to the king, and +proffered him the letter which they supposed was an implement of +destruction to another, but which really betokened death to themselves. +The king dissembled the truth, and entreated them hospitably and kindly. +Then Amleth scouted all the splendour of the royal banquet like vulgar +viands, and abstaining very strangely, rejected that plenteous feast, +refraining from the drink even as from the banquet. All marvelled that +a youth and a foreigner should disdain the carefully cooked dainties of +the royal board and the luxurious banquet provided, as if it were +some peasant's relish. So, when the revel broke up, and the king was +dismissing his friends to rest, he had a man sent into the sleeping-room +to listen secretly, in order that he might hear the midnight +conversation of his guests. Now, when Amleth's companions asked him why +he had refrained from the feast of yestereve, as if it were poison, he +answered that the bread was flecked with blood and tainted; that there +was a tang of iron in the liquor; while the meats of the feast reeked of +the stench of a human carcase, and were infected by a kind of smack of +the odour of the charnel. He further said that the king had the eyes of +a slave, and that the queen had in three ways shown the behaviour of a +bondmaid. Thus he reviled with insulting invective not so much the feast +as its givers. And presently his companions, taunting him with his old +defect of wits, began to flout him with many saucy jeers, because he +blamed and cavilled at seemly and worthy things, and because he attacked +thus ignobly an illustrious king and a lady of so refined a behaviour, +bespattering with the shamefullest abuse those who merited all praise. + +All this the king heard from his retainer; and declared that he who +could say such things had either more than mortal wisdom or more than +mortal folly; in these few words fathoming the full depth of Amleth's +penetration. Then he summoned his steward and asked him whence he had +procured the bread. The steward declared that it had been made by the +king's own baker. The king asked where the corn had grown of which it +was made, and whether any sign was to be found there of human carnage? +The other answered, that not far off was a field, covered with the +ancient bones of slaughtered men, and still bearing plainly all the +signs of ancient carnage; and that he had himself planted this field +with grain in springtide, thinking it more fruitful than the rest, and +hoping for plenteous abundance; and so, for aught he knew, the bread had +caught some evil savour from this bloodshed. The king, on hearing this, +surmised that Amleth had spoken truly, and took the pains to learn also +what had been the source of the lard. The other declared that his hogs +had, through negligence, strayed from keeping, and battened on the +rotten carcase of a robber, and that perchance their pork had thus come +to have something of a corrupt smack. The king, finding that Amletll's +judgment was right in this thing also, asked of what liquor the steward +had mixed the drink? Hearing that it had been brewed of water and meal, +he had the spot of the spring pointed out to him, and set to digging +deep down; and there he found, rusted away, several swords, the tang +whereof it was thought had tainted the waters. Others relate that Amleth +blamed the drink because, while quaffing it, he had detected some bees +that had fed in the paunch of a dead man; and that the taint, which had +formerly been imparted to the combs, had reappeared in the taste. The +king, seeing that Amleth had rightly given the causes of the taste he +had found so faulty, and learning that the ignoble eyes wherewith Amleth +had reproached him concerned some stain upon his birth, had a secret +interview with his mother, and asked her who his father had really +been. She said she had submitted to no man but the king. But when he +threatened that he would have the truth out of her by a trial, he was +told that he was the offspring of a slave. By the evidence of the avowal +thus extorted he understood the whole mystery of the reproach upon +his origin. Abashed as he was with shame for his low estate, he was so +ravished with the young man's cleverness, that he asked him why he had +aspersed the queen with the reproach that she had demeaned herself like +a slave? But while resenting that the courtliness of his wife had been +accused in the midnight gossip of guest, he found that her mother had +been a bondmaid. For Amleth said he had noted in her three blemishes +showing the demeanor of a slave; first, she had muffled her head in +her mantle as handmaids do; next, that she had gathered up her gown for +walking; and thirdly, that she had first picked out with a splinter, and +then chewed up, the remnant of food that stuck in the crevices between +her teeth. Further, he mentioned that the king's mother had been brought +into slavery from captivity, lest she should seem servile only in her +habits, yet not in her birth. + +Then the king adored the wisdom of Amleth as though it were inspired, +and gave him his daughter to wife; accepting his bare word as though it +were a witness from the skies. Moreover, in order to fulfil the bidding +of his friend, he hanged Amleth's companions on the morrow. Amleth, +feigning offence, treated this piece of kindness as a grievance, and +received from the king, as compensation, some gold, which he afterwards +melted in the fire, and secretly caused to be poured into some hollowed +sticks. + +When he had passed a whole year with the king he obtained leave to +make a journey, and returned to his own land, carrying away of all +his princely wealth and state only the sticks which held the gold. +On reaching Jutland, he exchanged his present attire for his ancient +demeanour, which he had adopted for righteous ends, purposely assuming +an aspect of absurdity. Covered with filth, he entered the banquet-room +where his own obsequies were being held, and struck all men utterly +aghast, rumour having falsely noised abroad his death. At last terror +melted into mirth, and the guests jeered and taunted one another, that +he whose last rites they were celebrating as through he were dead, +should appear in the flesh. When he was asked concerning his comrades, +he pointed to the sticks he was carrying, and said, "Here is both the +one and the other." This he observed with equal truth and pleasantry; +for his speech, though most thought it idle, yet departed not from the +truth; for it pointed at the weregild of the slain as though it were +themselves. Thereon, wishing to bring the company into a gayer mood, +he jollied the cupbearers, and diligently did the office of plying the +drink. Then, to prevent his loose dress hampering his walk, he girdled +his sword upon his side, and purposely drawing it several times, pricked +his fingers with its point. The bystanders accordingly had both sword +and scabbard riveted across with all iron nail. Then, to smooth the way +more safely to his plot, he went to the lords and plied them heavily +with draught upon draught, and drenched them all so deep in wine, that +their feet were made feeble with drunkenness, and they turned to rest +within the palace, making their bed where they had revelled. Then he +saw they were in a fit state for his plots, and thought that here was a +chance offered to do his purpose. So he took out of his bosom the stakes +he has long ago prepared, and went into the building, where the ground +lay covered with the bodies of the nobles wheezing off their sleep and +their debauch. Then, cutting away its support, he brought down the +hanging his mother had knitted, which covered the inner as well as +the outer walls of the hall. This he flung upon the snorers, and then +applying the crooked stakes, he knotted and bound them up in such +insoluble intricacy, that not one of the men beneath, however hard he +might struggle, could contrive to rise. After this he set fire to the +palace. The flames spread, scattering the conflagration far and wide. It +enveloped the whole dwelling, destroyed the palace, and burnt them all +while they were either buried in deep sleep or vainly striving to arise. +Then he went to the chamber of Feng, who had before this been conducted +by his train into his pavilion; plucked up a sword that chanced to be +hanging to the bed, and planted his own in its place. Then, awakening +his uncle, he told him that his nobles were perishing in the flames, and +that Amleth was here, armed with his crooks to help him, and thirsting +to exact the vengeance, now long overdue, for his father's murder. Feng, +on hearing this, leapt from his couch, but was cut down while deprived +of his own sword, and as he strove in vain to draw the strange one. O +valiant Amleth, and worthy of immortal fame, who being shrewdly armed +with a feint of folly, covered a wisdom too high for human wit under +a marvellous disguise of silliness! And not only found in his subtlety +means to protect his own safety, but also by its guidance found +opportunity to avenge his father. By this skilful defence of himself, +and strenuous revenge for his parent, he has left it doubtful whether we +are to think more of his wit or his bravery. (3) + + ENDNOTES: + (1) Saxo now goes back to the history of Denmark. All the + events hitherto related in Bk. III, after the first + paragraph, are a digression in retrospect. + (2) M. conjectures that this was a certain Harald, the bastard + son of Erik the Good, and a wild and dissolute man, who died + in 1135, not long before the probable date of Saxo's birth. + (3) Shakespere's tragedy, "Hamlet", is derived from this story. + + + + +BOOK FOUR. + +Amleth, when he had accomplished the slaughter of his stepfather, feared +to expose his deed to the fickle judgment of his countrymen, and thought +it well to lie in hiding till he had learnt what way the mob of the +uncouth populace was tending. So the whole neighbourhood, who had +watched the blaze during the night, and in the morning desired to know +the cause of the fire they had seen, perceived the royal palace fallen +in ashes; and, on searching through its ruins, which were yet warm, +found only some shapeless remains of burnt corpses. For the devouring +flame had consumed everything so utterly that not a single token was +left to inform them of the cause of such a disaster. Also they saw the +body of Feng lying pierced by the sword, amid his blood-stained raiment. +Some were seized with open anger, others with grief, and some with +secret delight. One party bewailed the death of their leader, the other +gave thanks that the tyranny of the fratricide was now laid at rest. +Thus the occurrence of the king's slaughter was greeted by the beholders +with diverse minds. + +Amleth, finding the people so quiet, made bold to leave his hiding. +Summoning those in whom he knew the memory of his father to be +fast-rooted, he went to the assembly and there made a speech after this +manner: + +"Nobles! Let not any who are troubled by the piteous end of Horwendil +be worried by the sight of this disaster before you; be not ye, I say, +distressed, who have remained loyal to your king and duteous to your +father. Behold the corpse, not of a prince, but of a fratricide. Indeed, +it was a sorrier sight when ye saw our prince lying lamentably butchered +by a most infamous fratricide-brother, let me not call him. With your +own compassionating eyes ye have beheld the mangled limbs of Horwendil; +they have seen his body done to death with many wounds. Surely that most +abominable butcher only deprived his king of life that he might despoil +his country of freedom! The hand that slew him made you slaves. Who +then so mad as to choose Feng the cruel before Horwendil the righteous? +Remember how benignantly Horwendil fostered you, how justly he dealt +with you, how kindly he loved you. Remember how you lost the mildest of +princes and the justest of fathers, while in his place was put a tyrant +and an assassin set up; how your rights were confiscated; how everything +was plague-stricken; how the country was stained with infamies; how the +yoke was planted on your necks, and how, your free will was forfeited! +And now all this is over; for ye see the criminal stifled in his own +crimes, the slayer of his kin punished for his misdoings. What man of +but ordinary wit, beholding it, would account this kindness a wrong? +What sane man could be sorry that the crime has recoiled upon the +culprit? Who could lament the killing of a most savage executioner? Or +bewail the righteous death of a most cruel despot? Ye behold the doer of +the deed; he is before you. Yea, I own that I have taken vengeance for +my country and my father. Your hands were equally bound to the task +which mine fulfilled. What it would have beseemed you to accomplish with +me, I achieved alone. Nor had I any partner in so glorious a deed, or +the service of any man to help me. Not that I forget that you would have +helped this work, had I asked you; for doubtless you have remained loyal +to your king and loving to your prince. But I chose that the wicked +should be punished without imperilling you; I thought that others need +not set their shoulders to the burden when I deemed mine strong enough +to bear it. Therefore I consumed all the others to ashes, and left only +the trunk of Feng for your hands to burn, so that on this at least +you may wreak all your longing for a righteous vengeance. Now haste up +speedily, heap the pyre, burn up the body of the wicked, consume away +his guilty limbs, scatter his sinful ashes, strew broadcast his ruthless +dust; let no urn or barrow enclose the abominable remnants of his bones. +Let no trace of his fratricide remain; let there be no spot in his own +land for his tainted limbs; let no neighbourhood suck infection from +him; let not sea nor soil be defiled by harboring his accursed carcase. +I have done the rest; this one loyal duty is left for you. These must be +the tyrant's obsequies, this the funeral procession of the fratricide. +It is not seemly that he who stripped his country of her freedom should +have his ashes covered by his country's earth. + +"Besides, why tell again my own sorrows? Why count over my troubles? +Why weave the thread of my miseries anew? Ye know them more fully than I +myself. I, pursued to the death by my stepfather, scorned by my mother, +spat upon by friends, have passed my years in pitiable wise, and my days +in adversity; and my insecure life has teemed with fear and perils. +In fine, I passed every season of my age wretchedly and in extreme +calamity. Often in your secret murmurings together you have sighed over +my lack of wits; there was none (you said) to avenge the father, none +to punish the fratricide. And in this I found a secret testimony of your +love; for I saw that the memory of the King's murder had not yet faded +from your minds. + +"Whose breast is so hard that it can be softened by no fellow-feeling +for what I have felt? Who is so stiff and stony, that he is swayed by +no compassion for my griefs? Ye whose hands are clean of the blood of +Horwendil, pity your fosterling, be moved by my calamities. Pity also my +stricken mother, and rejoice with me that the infamy of her who was once +your queen is quenched. For this weak woman had to bear a twofold weight +of ignominy, embracing one who was her husband's brother and murderer. +Therefore, to hide my purpose of revenge and to veil my wit, I +counterfeited a listless bearing; I feigned dulness; I planned a +stratagem; and now you can see with your own eyes whether it has +succeeded, whether it has achieved its purpose to the full; I am content +to leave you to judge so great a matter. It is your turn; trample under +foot the ashes of the murderer! Disdain the dust of him who slew his +brother, and defiled his brother's queen with infamous desecration, who +outraged his sovereign and treasonably assailed his majesty, who +brought the sharpest tyranny upon you, stole your freedom, and crowned +fratricide with incest. I have been the agent of this just vengeance; I +have burned for this righteous retribution; uphold me with a high-born +spirit; pay me the homage that you owe; warm me with your kindly looks. +It is I who have wiped off my country's shame; I who have quenched my +mother's dishonour; I who have beaten back oppression; I who have put to +death the murderer; I who have baffled the artful hand of my uncle with +retorted arts. Were he living, each new day would have multiplied his +crimes. I resented the wrong done to father and to fatherland: I slew +him who was governing you outrageously and more hardly than it beseemed +men. Acknowledge my service, honour my wit, give me the throne if I have +earned it; for you have in me one who has done you a mighty service, and +who is no degenerate heir to his father's power; no fratricide, but the +lawful successor to the throne; and a dutiful avenger of the crime of +murder. It is I who have stripped you of slavery, and clothed you with +freedom; I have restored your height of fortune, and given you your +glory back; I have deposed the despot and triumphed over the butcher. +In your hands is the reward; you know what I have done for you, and from +your righteousness I ask my wage." + +Every heart had been moved while the young man thus spoke; he affected +some to compassion, and some even to tears. When the lamentation ceased, +he was appointed king by prompt and general acclaim. For one and all +rested their greatest hopes on his wisdom, since he had devised the +whole of such an achievement with the deepest cunning, and accomplished +it with the most astonishing contrivance. Many could have been seen +marvelling how he had concealed so subtle a plan over so long a space of +time. + +After these deeds in Denmark, Amleth equipped three vessels, and went +back to Britain to see his wife and her father. He had also enrolled in +his service the flower of the warriors, and arrayed them very choicely, +wishing to have everything now magnificently appointed, even as of old +he had always worn contemptible gear, and to change all his old devotion +to poverty for outlay on luxury. He also had a shield made for him, +whereon the whole series of his exploits, beginning with his earliest +youth, was painted in exquisite designs. This he bore as a record of his +deeds of prowess, and gained great increase of fame thereby. Here were +to be seen depicted the slaying of Horwendil; the fratricide and incest +of Feng; the infamous uncle, the whimsical nephew; the shapes of the +hooked stakes; the stepfather suspecting, the stepson dissembling; the +various temptations offered, and the woman brought to beguile him; the +gaping wolf; the finding of the rudder; the passing of the sand; the +entering of the wood; the putting of the straw through the gadfly; the +warning of the youth by the tokens; and the privy dealings with the +maiden after the escort was eluded. And likewise could be seen the +picture of the palace; the queen there with her son; the slaying of the +eavesdropper; and how, after being killed, he was boiled down, and so +dropped into the sewer, and so thrown out to the swine; how his limbs +were strewn in the mud, and so left for the beasts to finish. Also +it could be seen how Amleth surprised the secret of his sleeping +attendants, how he erased the letters, and put new characters in their +places; how he disdained the banquet and scorned the drink; how +he condemned time face of the king and taxed the Queen with faulty +behaviour. There was also represented the hanging of the envoys, and +the young man's wedding; then the voyage back to Denmark; the festive +celebration of the funeral rites; Amleth, in answer to questions, +pointing to the sticks in place of his attendants, acting as cupbearer, +and purposely drawing his sword and pricking his fingers; the sword +riveted through, the swelling cheers of the banquet, the dance growing +fast and furious; the hangings flung upon the sleepers, then fastened +with the interlacing crooks, and wrapped tightly round them as they +slumbered; the brand set to the mansion, the burning of the guests, the +royal palace consumed with fire and tottering down; the visit to the +sleeping-room of Feng, the theft of his sword, the useless one set +in its place; and the king slain with his own sword's point by his +stepson's hand. All this was there, painted upon Amleth's battle-shield +by a careful craftsman in the choicest of handiwork; he copied truth in +his figures, and embodied real deeds in his outlines. Moreover, Amleth's +followers, to increase the splendour of their presence, wore shields +which were gilt over. + +The King of Britain received them very graciously, and treated them with +costly and royal pomp. During the feast he asked anxiously whether Feng +was alive and prosperous. His son-in-law told him that the man of whose +welfare he was vainly inquiring had perished by the sword. With a flood +of questions he tried to find out who had slain Feng, and learnt that +the messenger of his death was likewise its author. And when the king +heard this, he was secretly aghast, because he found that an old promise +to avenge Feng now devolved upon himself. For Feng and he had determined +of old, by a mutual compact, that one of them should act as avenger of +the other. Thus the king was drawn one way by his love for his daughter +and his affection for his son-in-law; another way by his regard for his +friend, and moreover by his strict oath and the sanctity of their mutual +declarations, which it was impious to violate. At last he slighted +the ties of kinship, and sworn faith prevailed. His heart turned to +vengeance, and he put the sanctity of his oath before family bonds. +But since it was thought sin to wrong the holy ties of hospitality, he +preferred to execrate his revenge by the hand of another, wishing +to mask his secret crime with a show of innocence. So he veiled his +treachery with attentions, and hid his intent to harm under a show of +zealous goodwill. His queen having lately died of illness, he requested +Amleth to undertake the mission of making him a fresh match, saying that +he was highly delighted with his extraordinary shrewdness. He declared +that there was a certain queen reigning in Scotland, whom he vehemently +desired to marry. Now he knew that she was not only unwedded by reason +of her chastity, but that in the cruelty of her arrogance she had +always loathed her wooers, and had inflicted on her lovers the uttermost +punishment, so that not one but of all the multitude was to be found who +had not paid for his insolence with his life. + +Perilous as this commission was Amleth started, never shrinking to obey +the duty imposed upon him, but trusting partly in his own servants, and +partly in the attendants of the king. He entered Scotland, and, when +quite close to the abode of the queen, he went into a meadow by the +wayside to rest his horses. Pleased by the look of the spot, he thought +of resting--the pleasant prattle of the stream exciting a desire to +sleep--and posted men to keep watch some way off. The queen on hearing +of this, sent out ten warriors to spy on the approach of the foreigners +and their equipment. One of these, being quick-witted, slipped past +the sentries, pertinaciously made his way up, and took away the shield, +which Amleth had chanced to set at his head before he slept, so gently +that he did not ruffle his slumbers, though he was lying upon it, nor +awaken one man of all that troop; for he wished to assure his mistress +not only by report but by some token. With equal address he filched the +letter entrusted to Amleth from the coffer in which it was kept. When +these things were brought to the queen, she scanned the shield narrowly, +and from the notes appended made out the whole argument. Then she knew +that here was the man who, trusting in his own nicely calculated scheme, +had avenged on his uncle the murder of his father. She also looked at +the letter containing the suit for her band, and rubbed out all the +writing; for wedlock with the old she utterly abhorred, and desired +the embraces of young men. But she wrote in its place a commission +purporting to be sent from the King of Britain to herself, signed like +the other with his name and title, wherein she pretended that she was +asked to marry the bearer. Moreover, she included an account of the +deeds of which she had learnt from Amleth's shield, so that one would +have thought the shield confirmed the letter, while the letter explained +the shield. Then she told the same spies whom she had employed before to +take the shield back, and put the letter in its place again; playing the +very trick on Amleth which, as she had learnt, he had himself used in +outwitting his companions. + +Amleth, meanwhile, who found that his shield had been filched from under +his head, deliberately shut his eyes and cunningly feigned sleep, hoping +to regain by pretended what he had lost by real slumbers. For he thought +that the success of his one attempt would incline the spy to deceive +him a second time. And he was not mistaken. For as the spy came up +stealthily, and wanted to put back the shield and the writing in their +old place, Amleth leapt up, seized him, and detained him in bonds. +Then he roused his retinue, and went to the abode of the queen. As +representing his father-in-law, he greeted her, and handled her +the writing, sealed with the king's seal. The queen, who was named +Hermutrude, took and read it, and spoke most warmly of Amleth's +diligence and shrewdness, saying, that Feng had deserved his punishment, +and that the unfathomable wit of Amleth had accomplished a deed past +all human estimation; seeing that not only had his impenetrable +depth devised a mode of revenging his father's death and his mother's +adultery, but it had further, by his notable deeds Of prowess, seized +the kingdom of the man whom he had found constantly plotting against +him. She marvelled therefore that a man of such instructed mind could +have made the one slip of a mistaken marriage; for though his renown +almost rose above mortality, he seemed to have stumbled into an obscure +and ignoble match. For the parents of his wife had been slaves, though +good luck had graced them with the honours of royalty. Now (said she), +when looking for a wife a wise man must reckon the lustre of her birth +and not of her beauty. Therefore, if he were to seek a match in a proper +spirit, he should weigh the ancestry, and not be smitten by the looks; +for though looks were a lure to temptation, yet their empty bedizenment +had tarnished the white simplicity of many a man. Now there was a woman, +as nobly born as himself, whom he could take. She herself, whose means +were not poor nor her birth lowly, was worthy his embraces, since he did +not surpass her in royal wealth nor outshine her in the honour of his +ancestors. Indeed she was a queen, and but that her sex gainsaid it, +might be deemed a king; may (and this is yet truer), whomsoever she +thought worthy of her bed was at once a king, and she yielded her +kingdom with herself. Thus her sceptre and her hand went together. It +was no mean favour for such a woman to offer her love, who in the case +of other men had always followed her refusal with the sword. Therefore +she pressed him to transfer his wooing, to make over to her his marriage +vows, and to learn to prefer birth to beauty. So saying, she fell upon +him with a close embrace. + +Amleth was overjoyed at the gracious speech of the maiden, fell to +kissing back, and returned her close embrace, protesting that the +maiden's wish was his own. Then a banquet was held, friends bidden, +the nobles gathered, and the marriage rites performed. When they were +accomplished, he went back to Britain with his bride, a strong band of +Scots being told to follow close behind, that he might have its help +against the diverse treacheries in his path. As he was returning, the +daughter of the King of Britain, to whom he was still married, met him. +Though she complained that she was slighted by the wrong of having a +paramour put over her, yet, she said, it would be unworthy for her to +hate him as an adulterer more than she loved him as a husband: nor would +she so far shrink from her lord as to bring herself to hide in silence +the guile which she knew was intended against him. For she had a son as +a pledge of their marriage, and regard for him, if nothing else, must +have inclined his mother to the affection of a wife. "He," she said, +"may hate the supplanter of his mother, I will love her; no disaster +shall put out my flame for thee; no ill-will shall quench it, or prevent +me from exposing the malignant designs against thee, or from revealing +the snares I have detected. Bethink thee, then, that thou must beware +of thy father-in-law, for thou hast thyself reaped the harvest of +thy mission, foiled the wishes of him who sent thee, and with willful +trespass seized over all the fruit for thyself." By this speech she +showed herself more inclined to love her husband than her father. + +While she thus spoke, the King of Britain came up and embraced his +son-in-law closely, but with little love, and welcomed him with a +banquet, to hide his intended guile under a show of generosity. But +Amleth, having learnt the deceit, dissembled his fear, took a retinue of +two hundred horsemen, put on an under-shirt (of mail), and complied +with the invitation, preferring the peril of falling in with the king's +deceit to the shame of hanging back. So much heed for honour did he +think that he must take in all things. As he rode up close, the king +attacked him just under the porch of the folding doors, and would have +thrust him through with his javelin, but that the hard shirt of mail +threw off the blade. Amleth received a slight wound, and went to the +spot where he had bidden the Scottish warriors wait on duty. He then +sent back to the king his new wife's spy, whom he had captured. This man +was to bear witness that he had secretly taken from the coffer where it +was kept the letter which was meant for his mistress, and thus was +to make the whole blame recoil on Hermutrude, by this studied excuse +absolving Amleth from the charge of treachery. The king without tarrying +pursued Amleth hotly as he fled, and deprived him of most of his forces. +So Amleth, on the morrow, wishing to fight for dear life, and utterly +despairing of his powers of resistance, tried to increase his apparent +numbers. He put stakes under some of the dead bodies of his comrades to +prop them up, set others on horseback like living men, and tied others +to neighbouring stones, not taking off any of their armour, and dressing +them in due order of line and wedge, just as if they were about to +engage. The wing composed of the dead was as thick as the troop of the +living. It was an amazing spectacle this, of dead men dragged out to +battle, and corpses mustered to fight. The plan served him well, for the +very figures of the dead men showed like a vast array as the sunbeams +struck them. For those dead and senseless shapes restored the original +number of the army so well, that the mass might have been unthinned by +the slaughter of yesterday. The Britons, terrified at the spectacle, +fled before fighting, conquered by the dead men whom they had overcome +in life. I cannot tell whether to think more of the cunning or of the +good fortune of this victory. The Danes came down on the king as he was +tardily making off, and killed him. Amleth, triumphant, made a great +plundering, seized the spoils of Britain, and went back with his wives +to his own land. + +Meanwhile Rorik had died, and Wiglek, who had come to the throne, had +harassed Amleth's mother with all manner of insolence and stripped her +of her royal wealth, complaining that her son had usurped the kingdom of +Jutland and defrauded the King of Leire, who had the sole privilege of +giving and taking away the rights of high offices. This treatment Amleth +took with such forbearance as apparently to return kindness for slander, +for he presented Wiglek with the richest of his spoils. But afterwards +he seized a chance of taking vengeance, attacked him, subdued him, and +from a covert became an open foe. Fialler, the governor of Skaane, he +drove into exile; and the tale is that Fialler retired to a spot +called Undensakre, which is unknown to our peoples. After this, +Wiglek, recruited with the forces of Skaane and Zealand, sent envoys to +challenge Amleth to a war. Amleth, with his marvellous shrewdness, +saw that he was tossed between two difficulties, one of which involved +disgrace and the other danger. For he knew that if he took up the +challenge he was threatened with peril of his life, while to shrink from +it would disgrace his reputation as a soldier. Yet in that spirit ever +fixed on deeds of prowess the desire to save his honour won the day. +Dread of disaster was blunted by more vehement thirst for glory; he +would not tarnish the unblemished lustre of his fame by timidly skulking +from his fate. Also he saw that there is almost as wide a gap between a +mean life and a noble death as that which is acknowledged between honour +and disgrace themselves. + +Yet Amleth was enchained by such great love for Hermutrude, that he was +more deeply concerned in his mind about her future widowhood than about +his own death, and cast about very zealously how he could decide on +some second husband for her before the opening of the war. Hermutrude, +therefore, declared that she had the courage of a man, and promised that +she would not forsake him even on the field, saying that the woman who +dreaded to be united with her lord in death was abominable. But she +kept this rare promise ill; for when Amleth had been slain by Wiglek in +battle in Jutland, she yielded herself up unasked to be the conqueror's +spoil and bride. Thus all vows of woman are loosed by change of fortune +and melted by the shifting of time; the faith of their soul rests on a +slippery foothold, and is weakened by casual chances; glib in promises, +and as sluggish in performance, all manner of lustful promptings enslave +it, and it bounds away with panting and precipitate desire, forgetful +of old things in the ever hot pursuit after something fresh. So ended +Amleth. Had fortune been as kind to him as nature, he would have +equalled the gods in glory, and surpassed the labours of Hercules by his +deeds of prowess. A plain in Jutland is to be found, famous for his name +and burial-place. Wiglek's administration of the kingdom was long and +peaceful, and he died of disease. + +WERMUND, his son, succeeded him. The long and leisurely tranquillity of +a most prosperous and quiet time flowed by and Wermund in undisturbed +security maintained a prolonged and steady peace at home. He had no +children during the prime of his life, but in his old age, by a belated +gift of fortune, he begat a son, Uffe, though all the years which had +glided by had raised him up no offspring. This Uffe surpassed all of his +age in stature, but in his early youth was supposed to have so dull and +foolish a spirit as to be useless for all affairs public or private. +For from his first years he never used to play or make merry, but was so +void of all human pleasure that he kept his lips sealed in a perennial +silence, and utterly restrained his austere visage from the business of +laughter. But though through the years of his youth he was reputed +for an utter fool, he afterwards left that despised estate and became +famous, turning out as great a pattern of wisdom and hardihood as he had +been a picture of stagnation. His father, seeing him such a simpleton, +got him for a wife the daughter of Frowin, the governor of the men of +Sleswik; thinking that by his alliance with so famous a man Uffe would +receive help which would serve him well in administering the realm. +Frowin had two sons, Ket and Wig, who were youths of most brilliant +parts, and their excellence, not less than that of Frowin, Wermund +destined to the future advantage of his son. + +At this time the King of Sweden was Athisl, a man of notable fame and +energy. After defeating his neighbours far around, he was loth to leave +the renown won by his prowess to be tarnished in slothful ease, and by +constant and zealous practice brought many novel exercises into vogue. +For one thing he had a daily habit of walking alone girt with splendid +armour: in part because he knew that nothing was more excellent in +warfare than the continual practice of arms; and in part that he might +swell his glory by ever following this pursuit. Self-confidence claimed +as large a place in this man as thirst for fame. Nothing, he thought, +could be so terrible as to make him afraid that it would daunt his +stout heart by its opposition. He carried his arms into Denmark, and +challenged Frowin to battle near Sleswik. The armies routed one another +with vast slaughter, and it happened that the generals came to engage in +person, so that they conducted the affair like a duel; and, in addition +to the public issues of the war, the fight was like a personal conflict. +For both of them longed with equal earnestness for an issue of the +combat by which they might exhibit their valour, not by the help of +their respective sides, but by a trial of personal strength. The end was +that, though the blows rained thick on either side, Athisl prevailed and +overthrew Frowin, and won a public victory as well as a duel, breaking +up and shattering the Danish ranks in all directions. When he returned +to Sweden, he not only counted the slaying of Frowin among the trophies +of his valour, but even bragged of it past measure, so ruining the glory +of the deed by his wantonness of tongue. For it is sometimes handsomer +for deeds of valour to be shrouded in the modesty of silence than to be +blazoned in wanton talk. + +Wermund raised the sons of Frowin to honours of the same rank as their +father's, a kindness which was only due to the children of his friend +who had died for the country. This prompted Athisl to carry the war +again into Denmark. Emboldened therefore by his previous battle, he +called back, bringing with him not only no slender and feeble force, +but all the flower of the valour of Sweden, thinking he would seize the +supremacy of all Denmark. Ket, the son of Frowin, sent Folk, his chief +officer, to take this news to Wermund, who then chanced to be in his +house Jellinge. (1) Folk found the king feasting with his friends, and +did his errand, admonishing him that here was the long-wished-for chance +of war at hand, and pressing itself upon the wishes of Wermund, to whom +was give an immediate chance of victory and the free choice of a speedy +and honourable triumph. Great and unexpected were the sweets of good +fortune, so long sighed for, and now granted to him by this lucky event. +For Athisl had come encompassed with countless forces of the Swedes, +just as though in his firm assurance he had made sure of victory; and +since the enemy who was going to fight would doubtless prefer death to +flight, this chance of war gave them a fortunate opportunity to take +vengeance for their late disaster. + +Wermund, declaring that he had performed his mission nobly and bravely, +ordered that he should take some little refreshment of the banquet, +since "far-faring ever hurt fasters." When Folk said that he had no kind +of leisure to take food, he begged him to take a draught to quench his +thirst. This was given him; and Wermund also bade him keep the cup, +which was of gold, saying that men who were weary with the heat of +wayfaring found it handier to take up the water in a goblet than in the +palms, and that it was better to use a cup for drinking than the hand. +When the king accompanied his great gift with such gracious words, the +young man, overjoyed at both, promised that, before the king should see +him turn and flee, he would take a draught of his own blood to the full +measure of the liquor he had drunk. + +With this doughty vow Wermund accounted himself well repaid, and got +somewhat more joy from giving the boon than the soldier had from gaining +it. Nor did he find that Folk's talk was braver than his fighting. + +For, when battle had begun, it came to pass that amidst divers charges +of the troops Folk and Athisl met and fought a long while together; and +that the host of the Swedes, following the fate of their captain, took +to flight, and Athisl also was wounded and fled from the battle to his +ships. And when Folk, dazed with wounds and toils, and moreover steeped +alike in heat and toil and thirst, had ceased to follow the rout of the +enemy, then, in order to refresh himself, he caught his own blood in +his helmet, and put it to his lips to drain: by which deed he gloriously +requited the king's gift of the cup. Wermund, who chanced to see this, +praised him warmly for fulfilling his vow. Folk answered, that a noble +vow ought to be strictly performed to the end: a speech wherein he +showed no less approval of his own deed than Wermund. + +Now, while the conquerors had laid down their arms, and, as is usual +after battle, were exchanging diverse talk with one another, Ket, the +governor of the men of Sleswik, declared that it was a matter of great +marvel to him how it was that Athisl, though difficulties strewed his +path, had contrived an opportunity to escape, especially as he had been +the first and foremost in the battle, but last of all in the retreat; +and though there had not been one of the enemy whose fall was so +vehemently desired by the Danes. Wermund rejoined that he should know +that there were four kinds of warrior to be distinguished in every army. +The fighters of the first order were those who, tempering valour with +forbearance, were keen to slay those who resisted, but were ashamed to +bear hard on fugitives. For these were the men who had won undoubted +proofs of prowess by veteran experience in arms, and who found their +glory not in the flight of the conquered, but in overcoming those whom +they had to conquer. Then there was a second kind of warriors, who were +endowed with stout frame and spirit, but with no jot of compassion, and +who raged with savage and indiscriminate carnage against the backs as +well as the breasts of their foes. Now of this sort were the men carried +away by hot and youthful blood, and striving to grace their first +campaign with good auguries of warfare. They burned as hotly with the +glow of youth as with the glow for glory, and thus rushed headlong into +right or wrong with equal recklessness. There was also the third kind, +who, wavering betwixt shame and fear, could not go forward for terror, +while shame barred retreat. Of distinguished blood, but only notable for +their useless stature, they crowded the ranks with numbers and not with +strength, smote the foe more with their shadows than with their arms, +and were only counted among the throng of warriors as so many bodies +to be seen. These men were lords of great riches, but excelled more in +birth than bravery; hungry for life because owning great possessions, +they were forced to yield to the sway of cowardice rather than +nobleness. There were others, again, who brought show to the war, and +not substance, and who, foisting themselves into the rear of their +comrades, were the first to fly and the last to fight. One sure token +of fear betrayed their feebleness; for they always deliberately sought +excuses to shirk, and followed with timid and sluggish advance in the +rear of the fighters. It must be supposed, therefore, that these were +the reasons why the king had escaped safely; for when he fled he was not +pursued pertinaciously by the men of the front rank; since these made it +their business to preserve the victory, not to arrest the conquered, and +massed their wedges, in order that the fresh-won victory might be duly +and sufficiently guarded, and attain the fulness of triumph. + +Now the second class of fighters, whose desire was to cut down +everything in their way, had left Athisl unscathed, from lack not of +will but of opportunity; for they had lacked the chance to hurt him +rather than the daring. Moreover, though the men of the third kind, who +frittered away the very hour of battle by wandering about in a flurried +fashion, and also hampered the success of their own side, had had their +chance of harming the king, they yet lacked courage to assail him. In +this way Wermund satisfied the dull amazement of Ket, and declared +that he had set forth and expounded the true reasons of the king's safe +escape. + +After this Athisl fled back to Sweden, still wantonly bragging of the +slaughter of Frowin, and constantly boasting the memory of his exploit +with prolix recital of his deeds; not that he bore calmly the shame of +his defeat, but that he might salve the wound of his recent flight by +the honours of his ancient victory. This naturally much angered Ket and +Wig, and they swore a vow to unite in avenging their father. Thinking +that they could hardly accomplish this in open war, they took an +equipment of lighter armament, and went to Sweden alone. Then, entering +a wood in which they had learnt by report that the king used to take his +walks unaccompanied, they hid their weapons. Then they talked long with +Athisl, giving themselves out as deserters; and when he asked them what +was their native country, they said they were men of Sleswik, and had +left their land "for manslaughter". The king thought that this statement +referred not to their vow to commit the crime, but to the guilt of some +crime already committed. For they desired by this deceit to foil his +inquisitiveness, so that the truthfulness of the statement might +baffle the wit of the questioner, and their true answer, being covertly +shadowed forth in a fiction, might inspire in him a belief that it was +false. For famous men of old thought lying a most shameful thing. Then +Athisl said he would like to know whom the Danes believed to be the +slayer of Frowin. Ket replied that there was a doubt as to who ought +to claim so illustrious a deed, especially as the general testimony was +that he had perished on the field of battle. Athisl answered that it was +idle to credit others with the death of Frowin, which he, and he alone, +had accomplished in mutual combat. Soon he asked whether Frowin had left +any children. Ket answering that two sons of his were alive, said that +he would be very glad to learn their age and stature. Ket replied that +they were almost of the same size as themselves in body, alike in years, +and much resembling them in tallness. Then Athisl said: "If the mind and +the valour of their sire were theirs, a bitter tempest would break upon +me." Then he asked whether those men constantly spoke of the slaying of +their father. Ket rejoined that it was idle to go on talking and talking +about a thing that could not be softened by any remedy, and declared +that it was no good to harp with constant vexation on an inexpiable ill. +By saying this he showed that threats ought not to anticipate vengeance. + +When Ket saw that the king regularly walked apart alone in order to +train his strength, he took up his arms, and with his brother followed +the king as he walked in front of them. Athisl, when he saw them, stood +his ground on the sand, thinking it shameful to avoid threateners. Then +they said that they would take vengeance for his slaying of Frowin, +especially as he avowed with so many arrogant vaunts that he alone was +his slayer. But he told them to take heed lest while they sought to +compass their revenge, they should be so foolhardy as to engage him with +their feeble and powerless hand, and while desiring the destruction of +another, should find they had fallen themselves. Thus they would cut off +their goodly promise of overhasty thirst for glory. Let them then save +their youth and spare their promise; let them not be seized so lightly +with a desire to perish. Therefore, let them suffer him to requite with +money the trespass done them in their father's death, and account it +great honour that they would be credited with forcing so mighty a chief +to pay a fine, and in a manner with shaking him with overmastering fear. +Yet he said he advised them thus, not because he was really terrified, +but because he was moved with compassion for their youth. Ket replied +that it was idle to waste time in beating so much about the bush and +trying to sap their righteous longing for revenge by an offer of pelf. +So he bade him come forward and make trial with him in single combat +of whatever strength he had. He himself would do without the aid of his +brother, and would fight with his own strength, lest it should appear a +shameful and unequal combat, for the ancients held it to be unfair, and +also infamous, for two men to fight against one; and a victory gained by +this kind of fighting they did not account honourable, but more like a +disgrace than a glory. Indeed, it was considered not only a poor, but a +most shameful exploit for two men to overpower one. + +But Athisl was filled with such assurance that he bade them both assail +him at once, declaring that if he could not cure them of the desire to +fight, he would at least give them the chance of fighting more safely. +But Ket shrank so much from this favour that he swore he would accept +death sooner: for he thought that the terms of battle thus offered would +be turned into a reproach to himself. So he engaged hotly with Athisl, +who desirous to fight him in a forbearing fashion, merely thrust lightly +with his blade and struck upon his shield; thus guarding his own safety +with more hardihood than success. When he had done this some while, he +advised him to take his brother to share in his enterprise, and not be +ashamed to ask for the help of another hand, since his unaided efforts +were useless. If he refused, said Athisl, he should not be spared; then +making good his threats, he assailed him with all his might. But Ket +received him with so sturdy a stroke of his sword, that it split the +helmet and forced its way down upon the head. Stung by the wound (for a +stream of blood flowed from his poll), he attacked Ket with a shower of +nimble blows, and drove him to his knees. Wig, leaning more to personal +love than to general usage, (2) could not bear the sight, but made +affection conquer shame, and attacking Athisl, chose rather to defend +the weakness of his brother than to look on at it. But he won more +infamy than glory by the deed. In helping his brother he had violated +the appointed conditions of the duel; and the help that he gave him was +thought more useful than honourable. For on the one scale he inclined to +the side of disgrace, and on the other to that of affection. Thereupon +they perceived themselves that their killing of Athisl had been more +swift than glorious. Yet, not to hide the deed from the common people, +they cut off his head, slung his body on a horse, took it out of the +wood, and handed it over to the dwellers in a village near, announcing +that the sons of Frowin had taken vengeance upon Athisl, King of the +Swedes, for the slaying of their father. Boasting of such a victory as +this, they were received by Wermund with the highest honours; for he +thought they had done a most useful deed, and he preferred to regard +the glory of being rid of a rival with more attention than the infamy of +committing an outrage. Nor did he judge that the killing of a tyrant was +in any wise akin to shame. It passed into a proverb among foreigners, +that the death of the king had broken down the ancient principle of +combat. + +When Wermund was losing his sight by infirmity of age, the King of +Saxony, thinking that Denmark lacked a leader, sent envoys ordering him +to surrender to his charge the kingdom which he held beyond the due term +of life; lest, if he thirsted to hold sway too long, he should strip his +country of laws and defence. For how could he be reckoned a king, whose +spirit was darkened with age, and his eyes with blindness not less black +and awful? If he refused, but yet had a son who would dare to accept a +challenge and fight with his son, let him agree that the victor should +possess the realm. But if he approved neither offer, let him learn that +he must be dealt with by weapons and not by warnings; and in the end +he must unwillingly surrender what he was too proud at first to yield +uncompelled. Wermund, shaken by deep sighs, answered that it was too +insolent to sting him with these taunts upon his years; for he had +passed no timorous youth, nor shrunk from battle, that age should bring +him to this extreme misery. It was equally unfitting to cast in his +teeth the infirmity of his blindness: for it was common for a loss +of this kind to accompany such a time of life as his, and it seemed a +calamity fitter for sympathy than for taunts. It were juster to fix +the blame on the impatience of the King of Saxony, whom it would have +beseemed to wait for the old man's death, and not demand his throne; for +it was somewhat better to succeed to the dead than to rob the living. +Yet, that he might not be thought to make over the honours of his +ancient freedom, like a madman, to the possession of another, he would +accept the challenge with his own hand. The envoys answered that they +knew that their king would shrink from the mockery of fighting a blind +man, for such an absurd mode of combat was thought more shameful than +honourable. It would surely be better to settle the affair by means of +their offspring on either side. The Danes were in consternation, and at +a sudden loss for a reply: but Uffe, who happened to be there with the +rest, craved his father's leave to answer; and suddenly the dumb as it +were spake. When Wermund asked who had thus begged leave to speak, and +the attendants said that it was Uffe, he declared that it was enough +that the insolent foreigner should jeer at the pangs of his misery, +without those of his own household vexing him with the same wanton +effrontery. But the courtiers persistently averred that this man was +Uffe; and the king said: "He is free, whosoever he be, to say out what +he thinks." Then said Uffe, "that it was idle for their king to covet +a realm which could rely not only on the service of its own ruler, but +also on the arms and wisdom of most valiant nobles. Moreover, the king +did not lack a son nor the kingdom an heir; and they were to know that +he had made up his mind to fight not only the son of their king, but +also, at the same time, whatsoever man the prince should elect as his +comrade out of the bravest of their nation." + +The envoys laughed when they beard this, thinking it idle lip-courage. +Instantly the ground for the battle was agreed on, and a fixed time +appointed. But the bystanders were so amazed by the strangeness of +Uffe's speaking and challenging, that one can scarce say if they were +more astonished at his words or at his assurance. + +But on the departure of the envoys Wermund praised him who had made +the answer, because he had proved his confidence in his own valour by +challenging not one only, but two; and said that he would sooner quit +his kingdom for him, whoever he was, than for an insolent foe. But when +one and all testified that he who with lofty self-confidence had spurned +the arrogance of the envoys was his own son, he bade him come nearer +to him, wishing to test with his hands what he could not with his eyes. +Then he carefully felt his body, and found by the size of his limbs and +by his features that he was his son; and then began to believe their +assertions, and to ask him why he had taken pains to hide so sweet an +eloquence with such careful dissembling, and had borne to live through +so long a span of life without utterance or any intercourse of talk, so +as to let men think him utterly incapable of speech, and a born mute. He +replied that he had been hitherto satisfied with the protection of his +father, that he had not needed the use of his own voice, until he saw +the wisdom of his own land hard pressed by the glibness of a foreigner. +The king also asked him why he had chosen to challenge two rather than +one. He said he had desired this mode of combat in order that the death +of King Athisl, which, having been caused by two men, was a standing +reproach to the Danes, might be balanced by the exploit of one, and +that a new ensample of valour might erase the ancient record of their +disgrace. Fresh honour, he said, would thus obliterate the guilt of +their old dishonour. + +Wermund said that his son had judged all things rightly, and bade him +first learn the use of arms, since he had been little accustomed to +them. When they were offered to Uffe, he split the narrow links of the +mail-coats by the mighty girth of his chest, nor could any be found +large enough to hold him properly. For he was too hugely built to be +able to use the arms of any other man. At last, when he was bursting +even his father's coat of mail by the violent compression of his body, +Wermund ordered it to be cut away on the left side and patched with a +buckle; thinking it mattered little if the side guarded by the shield +were exposed to the sword. He also told him to be most careful in fixing +on a sword which he could use safely. Several were offered him; but +Uffe, grasping the hilt, shattered them one after the other into +flinders by shaking them, and not a single blade was of so hard a temper +but at the first blow he broke it into many pieces. But the king had a +sword of extraordinary sharpness, called "Skrep", which at a single blow +of the smiter struck straight through and cleft asunder any obstacle +whatsoever; nor would aught be hard enough to check its edge when driven +home. The king, loth to leave this for the benefit of posterity, and +greatly grudging others the use of it, had buried it deep in the earth, +meaning, since he had no hopes of his son's improvement, to debar +everyone else from using it. But when he was now asked whether he had a +sword worthy of the strength of Uffe, he said that he had one which, if +he could recognize the lie of the ground and find what he had consigned +long ago to earth, he could offer him as worthy of his bodily strength. +Then he bade them lead him into a field, and kept questioning his +companions over all the ground. At last he recognised the tokens, found +the spot where he had buried the sword, drew it out of its hole, and +handed it to his son. Uffe saw it was frail with great age and rusted +away; and, not daring to strike with it, asked if he must prove this +one also like the rest, declaring that he must try its temper before +the battle ought to be fought. Wermund replied that if this sword were +shattered by mere brandishing, there was nothing left which could serve +for such strength as his. He must, therefore, forbear from the act, +whose issue remained so doubtful. + +So they repaired to the field of battle as agreed. It is fast +encompassed by the waters of the river Eider, which roll between, and +forbid any approach save by ship. Hither Uffe went unattended, while +the Prince of Saxony was followed by a champion famous for his strength. +Dense crowds on either side, eager to see, thronged each winding bank, +and all bent their eyes upon this scene. Wermund planted himself on the +end of the bridge, determined to perish in the waters if defeat were +the lot of his son: he would rather share the fall of his own flesh and +blood than behold, with heart full of anguish, the destruction of his +own country. Both the warriors assaulted Uffe; but, distrusting his +sword, he parried the blows of both with his shield, being determined +to wait patiently and see which of the two he must beware of most +heedfully, so that he might reach that one at all events with a single +stroke of his blade. Wermund, thinking that his feebleness was at fault, +that he took the blows so patiently, dragged himself little by little, +in his longing for death, forward to the western edge of the bridge, +meaning to fling himself down and perish, should all be over with his +son. + +Fortune shielded the old father, for Uffe told the prince to engage with +him more briskly, and to do some deed of prowess worthy of his famous +race; lest the lowborn squire should seem braver than the prince. Then, +in order to try the bravery of the champion, he bade him not skulk +timorously at his master's heels, but requite by noble deeds of combat +the trust placed in him by his prince, who had chosen him to be his +single partner in the battle. The other complied, and when shame drove +him to fight at close quarters, Uffe clove him through with the first +stroke of his blade. The sound revived Wermund, who said that he heard +the sword of his son, and asked "on what particular part he had dealt +the blow?" Then the retainers answered that it had gone through no one +limb, but the man's whole frame; whereat Wermund drew back from the +precipice and came on the bridge, longing now as passionately to live as +he had just wished to die. Then Uffe, wishing to destroy his remaining +foe after the fashion of the first, incited the prince with vehement +words to offer some sacrifice by way of requital to the shade of the +servant slain in his cause. Drawing him by those appeals, and warily +noting the right spot to plant his blow, he turned the other edge of +his sword to the front, fearing that the thin side of his blade was too +frail for his strength, and smote with a piercing stroke through the +prince's body. When Wermund heard it, he said that the sound of his +sword "Skrep" had reached his ear for the second time. Then, when the +judges announced that his son had killed both enemies, he burst into +tears from excess of joy. Thus gladness bedewed the cheeks which sorrow +could not moisten. So while the Saxons, sad and shamefaced, bore their +champions to burial with bitter shame, the Danes welcomed Uffe and +bounded for joy. Then no more was heard of the disgrace of the murder of +Athisl, and there was an end of the taunts of the Saxons. + +Thus the realm of Saxony was transferred to the Danes, and Uffe, after +his father, undertook its government; and he, who had not been thought +equal to administering a single kingdom properly, was now appointed to +manage both. Most men have called him Olaf, and he has won the name +of "the Gentle" for his forbearing spirit. His later deeds, lost in +antiquity, have lacked formal record. But it may well be supposed that +when their beginnings were so notable, their sequel was glorious. I am +so brief in considering his doings, because the lustre of the famous +men of our nation has been lost to memory and praise by the lack of +writings. But if by good luck our land had in old time been endowed with +the Latin tongue, there would have been countless volumes to read of the +exploits of the Danes. + +Uffe was succeeded by his son DAN, who carried his arms against +foreigners, and increased his sovereignty with many a trophy; but he +tarnished the brightness of the glory he had won by foul and abominable +presumption; falling so far away from the honour of his famous father, +who surpassed all others in modesty, that he contrariwise was puffed up +and proudly exalted in spirit, so that he scorned all other men. He +also squandered the goods of his father on infamies, as well as his +own winnings from the spoils of foreign nations; and he devoured in +expenditure on luxuries the wealth which should have ministered to his +royal estate. Thus do sons sometimes, like monstrous births, degenerate +from their ancestors. + +After this HUGLEIK was king, who is said to have defeated in battle at +sea Homod and Hogrim, the despots of Sweden. + +To him succeeded FRODE, surnamed the Vigorous, who bore out his name by +the strength of his body and mind. He destroyed in war ten captains of +Norway, and finally approached the island which afterwards had its name +from him, meaning to attack the king himself last of all. This king, +Froger, was in two ways very distinguished, being notable in arms no +less than in wealth; and graced his sovereignty with the deeds of a +champion, being as rich in prizes for bodily feats as in the honours of +rank. According to some, he was the son of Odin, and when he begged the +immortal gods to grant him a boon, received the privilege that no man +should conquer him, save he who at the time of the conflict could catch +up in his hand the dust lying beneath Froger's feet. When Frode found +that Heaven had endowed this king with such might, he challenged him to +a duel, meaning to try to outwit the favour of the gods. So at first, +feigning inexperience, he besought the king for a lesson in fighting, +knowing (he said) his skill and experience in the same. The other, +rejoicing that his enemy not only yielded to his pretensions, but even +made him a request, said that he was wise to submit his youthful mind to +an old man's wisdom; for his unscarred face and his brow, ploughed by +no marks of battle, showed that his knowledge of such matters was but +slender. So he marked off on the ground two square spaces with sides +an ell long, opposite one another, meaning to begin by instructing him +about the use of these plots. When they had been marked off, each took +the side assigned to him. Then Frode asked Froger to exchange arms and +ground with him, and the request was readily granted. For Froger was +excited with the dashing of his enemy's arms, because Frode wore a +gold-hilted sword, a breastplate equally bright, and a headpiece most +brilliantly adorned in the same manner. So Frode caught up some dust +from the ground whence Froger had gone, and thought that he had been +granted an omen of victory. Nor was he deceived in his presage; for he +straightway slew Froger, and by this petty trick won the greatest name +for bravery; for he gained by craft what had been permitted to no man's +strength before. + +After him DAN came to the throne. When he was in the twelfth year of his +age, he was wearied by the insolence of the embassies, which commanded +him either to fight the Saxons or to pay them tribute. Ashamed, he +preferred fighting to payment and was moved to die stoutly rather than +live a coward. So he elected to fight; and the warriors of the Danes +filled the Elbe with such a throng of vessels, that the decks of the +ships lashed together made it quite easy to cross, as though along a +continuous bridge. The end was that the King of Saxony had to accept the +very terms he was demanding from the Danes. + +After Dan, FRIDLEIF, surnamed the Swift, assumed the sovereignty. During +his reign, Huyrwil, the lord of Oland, made a league with the Danes and +attacked Norway. No small fame was added to his deeds by the defeat +of the amazon Rusila, who aspired with military ardour to prowess in +battle: but he gained manly glory over a female foe. Also he took into +his alliance, on account of their deeds of prowess, her five partners, +the children of Finn, named Brodd, Bild, Bug, Fanning, and Gunholm. +Their confederacy emboldened him to break the treaty which he made +with the Danes; and the treachery of the violation made it all the +more injurious, for the Danes could not believe that he could turn +so suddenly from a friend into an enemy; so easily can some veer from +goodwill into hate. I suppose that this man inaugurated the morals of +our own day, for we do not account lying and treachery as sinful and +sordid. When Huyrwil attacked the southern side of Zealand, Fridleif +assailed him in the harbour which was afterwards called by Huyrwil's +name. In this battle the soldiers, in their rivalry for glory, engaged +with such bravery that very few fled to escape peril, and both armies +were utterly destroyed; nor did the victory fall to either side, where +both were enveloped in an equal ruin. So much more desirous were they +all of glory than of life. So the survivors of Huyrwil's army, in order +to keep united, had the remnants of their fleet lashed together at +night. But, in the same night, Bild and Brodd cut the cables with which +the ships were joined, and stealthily severed their own vessels from the +rest, thus yielding to their own terrors by deserting their brethren, +and obeying the impulses of fear rather than fraternal love. When +daylight returned, Fridleif, finding that after the great massacre +of their friends only Huyrwil, Gunholm, Bug, and Fanning were left, +determined to fight them all single-handed, so that the mangled relics +of his fleet might not again have to be imperilled. Besides his innate +courage, a shirt of steel-defying mail gave him confidence; a garb which +he used to wear in all public battles and in duels, as a preservative of +his life. He accomplished his end with as much fortune as courage, and +ended the battle successfully. For, after slaying Huyrwil, Bug, and +Fanning, he killed Gunholm, who was accustomed to blunt the blade of +an enemy with spells, by a shower of blows from his hilt. But while +he gripped the blade too eagerly, the sinews, being cut and disabled, +contracted the fingers upon the palm, and cramped them with life-long +curvature. + +While Fridleif was besieging Dublin, a town in Ireland, and saw from +the strength of the walls that there was no chance of storming them, he +imitated the shrewd wit of Hadding, and ordered fire to be shut up in +wicks and fastened to the wings of swallows. When the birds got back in +their own nesting-place, the dwellings suddenly flared up; and while the +citizens all ran up to quench them, and paid more heed to abating the +fire than to looking after the enemy, Fridleif took Dublin. After this +he lost his soldiers in Britain, and, thinking that he would find +it hard to get back to the coast, he set up the corpses of the slain +(Amleth's device) and stationed them in line, thus producing so nearly +the look of his original host that its great reverse seemed not to have +lessened the show of it a whit. By this deed he not only took out of the +enemy all heart for fighting, but inspired them with the desire to make +their escape. + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) Jellinge. Lat. "Ialunga", Icel. "Jalangr". + (2) General usage. "publicus consuetudini": namely, the rule of + combat that two should not fight against one. + + + + +BOOK FIVE. + +After the death of Fridleif, his son FRODE, aged seven, was elected +in his stead by the unanimous decision of the Danes. But they held an +assembly first, and judged that the minority of the king should be taken +in charge by guardians, lest the sovereignty should pass away owing to +the boyishness of the ruler. For one and all paid such respect to the +name and memory of Fridleif, that the royalty was bestowed on his son +despite his tender years. So a selection was made, and the brothers +Westmar and Koll were summoned to the charge of bringing up the king. +Isulf, also, and Agg and eight other men of mark were not only entrusted +with the guardianship of the king, but also granted authority to +administer the realm under him. These men were rich in strength and +courage, and endowed with ample gifts of mind as well as of body. Thus +the state of the Danes was governed with the aid of regents until the +time when the king should be a man. + +The wife of Koll was Gotwar, who used to paralyse the most eloquent and +fluent men by her glib and extraordinary insolence; for she was potent +in wrangling, and full of resource in all kinds of disputation. Words +were her weapons; and she not only trusted in questions, but was armed +with stubborn answers. No man could subdue this woman, who could not +fight, but who found darts in her tongue instead. Some she would argue +down with a flood of impudent words, while others she seemed to +entangle in the meshes of her quibbles, and strangle in the noose of +her sophistries; so nimble a wit had the woman. Moreover, she was very +strong, either in making or cancelling a bargain, and the sting of +her tongue was the secret of her power in both. She was clever both at +making and at breaking leagues; thus she had two sides to her tongue, +and used it for either purpose. + +Westmar had twelve sons, three of whom had the same name--Grep in +common. These three men were conceived at once and delivered at one +birth, and their common name declared their simultaneous origin. They +were exceedingly skillful swordsmen and boxers. Frode had also given the +supremacy of the sea to Odd; who was very closely related to the king. +Koll rejoiced in an offspring of three sons. At this time a certain +son of Frode's brother held the chief command of naval affairs for the +protection of the country, Now the king had a sister, Gunwar, surnamed +the Fair because of her surpassing beauty. The sons of Westmar and Koll, +being ungrown in years and bold in spirit, let their courage become +recklessness and devoted their guilt-stained minds to foul and degraded +orgies. + +Their behaviour was so outrageous and uncontrollable that they ravished +other men's brides and daughters, and seemed to have outlawed chastity +and banished it to the stews. Nay, they defiled the couches of matrons, +and did not even refrain from the bed of virgins. A man's own chamber +was no safety to him: there was scarce a spot in the land but bore +traces of their lust. Husbands were vexed with fear, and wives with +insult to their persons: and to these wrongs folk bowed. No ties +were respected, and forced embraces became a common thing. Love was +prostituted, all reverence for marriage ties died out, and lust was +greedily run after. And the reason of all this was the peace; for men's +bodies lacked exercise and were enervated in the ease so propitious to +vices. At last the eldest of those who shared the name of Grep, wishing +to regulate and steady his promiscuous wantonness, ventured to seek a +haven for his vagrant amours in the love of the king's sister. Yet +he did amiss. For though it was right that his vagabond and straying +delights should be bridled by modesty, yet it was audacious for a man of +the people to covet the child of a king. She, much fearing the impudence +of her wooer, and wishing to be safer from outrage, went into a +fortified building. Thirty attendants were given to her, to keep guard +and constant watch over her person. + +Now the comrades of Frode, sadly lacking the help of women in the matter +of the wear of their garments, inasmuch as they had no means of patching +or of repairing rents, advised and urged the king to marry. At first +he alleged his tender years as an excuse, but in the end yielded to the +persistent requests of his people. And when he carefully inquired of his +advisers who would be a fit wife for him, they all praised the daughter +of the King of the Huns beyond the rest. When the question was pushed, +what reason Frode had for objecting to her, he replied that he had heard +from his father that it was not expedient for kings to seek alliance far +afield, or to demand love save from neighbours. When Gotwar heard this +she knew that the king's resistance to his friends was wily. Wishing +to establish his wavering spirit, and strengthen the courage of his +weakling soul, she said: "Bridals are for young men, but the tomb awaits +the old. The steps of youth go forward in desires and in fortune; but +old age declines helpless to the sepulchre. Hope attends youth; age is +bowed with hopeless decay. The fortune of young men increases; it will +never leave unfinished what it begins." Respecting her words, he begged +her to undertake the management of the suit. But she refused, pleading +her age as her pretext, and declaring herself too stricken in years to +bear so difficult a commission. The king saw that a bribe was wanted, +and, proffering a golden necklace, promised it as the reward of her +embassy. For the necklace had links consisting of studs, and figures of +kings interspersed in bas-relief, which could be now separated and now +drawn together by pulling a thread inside; a gewgaw devised more for +luxury than use. Frode also ordered that Westmar and Koll, with their +sons, should be summoned to go on the same embassy, thinking that their +cunning would avoid the shame of a rebuff. + +They went with Gotwar, and were entertained by the King of the Huns at a +three days' banquet, ere they uttered the purpose of their embassy. For +it was customary of old thus to welcome guests. When the feast had been +prolonged three days, the princess came forth to make herself pleasant +to the envoys with a most courteous address, and her blithe presence +added not a little to the festal delights of the banqueters. And as the +drink went faster Westmar revealed his purpose in due course, in a very +merry declaration, wishing to sound the mind of the maiden in talk of +a friendly sort. And, in order not to inflict on himself a rebuff, +he spoke in a mirthful vein, and broke the ground of his mission, +by venturing to make up a sportive speech amid the applause of the +revellers. The princess said that she disdained Frode because he lacked +honour and glory. For in days of old no men were thought fit for the +hand of high-born women but those who had won some great prize of glory +by the lustre of their admirable deeds. Sloth was the worst of vices in +a suitor, and nothing was more of a reproach in one who sought marriage +than the lack of fame. A harvest of glory, and that alone, could bring +wealth in everything else. Maidens admired in their wooers not so much +good looks as deeds nobly done. So the envoys, flagging and despairing +of their wish, left the further conduct of the affair to the wisdom +of Gotwar, who tried to subdue the maiden not only with words but with +love-philtres, and began to declare that Frode used his left hand as +well as his right, and was a quick and skillful swimmer and fighter. +Also by the drink which she gave she changed the strictness of the +maiden to desire, and replaced her vanished anger with love and delight. +Then she bade Westmar, Koll, and their sons go to the king and urge +their mission afresh; and finally, should they find him froward, to +anticipate a rebuff by a challenge to fight. + +So Westmar entered the palace with his men-at-arms, and said: "Now thou +must needs either consent to our entreaties, or meet in battle us who +entreat thee. We would rather die nobly than go back with our mission +unperformed; lest, foully repulsed and foiled of our purpose, we should +take home disgrace where we hoped to will honour. If thou refuse thy +daughter, consent to fight: thou must needs grant one thing or +the other. We wish either to die or to have our prayers beard. +Something--sorrow if not joy--we will get from thee. Frode will be +better pleased to hear of our slaughter than of our repulse." Without +another word, he threatened to aim a blow at the king's throat with his +sword. The king replied that it was unseemly for the royal majesty +to meet an inferior in rank in level combat, and unfit that those of +unequal station should fight as equals. But when Westmar persisted in +urging him to fight, he at last bade him find out what the real mind of +the maiden was; for in old time men gave women who were to marry, free +choice of a husband. For the king was embarrassed, and hung vacillating +betwixt shame and fear of battle. Thus Westmar, having been referred +to the thoughts of the girl's heart, and knowing that every woman is as +changeable in purpose as she is fickle in soul, proceeded to fulfil his +task all the more confidently because he knew how mutable the wishes of +maidens were. His confidence in his charge was increased and his zeal +encouraged, because she had both a maiden's simplicity, which was left +to its own counsels, and a woman's freedom of choice, which must be +wheedled with the most delicate and mollifying flatteries; and thus she +would be not only easy to lead away, but even hasty in compliance. But +her father went after the envoys, that he might see more surely into his +daughter's mind. She had already been drawn by the stealthy working of +the draught to love her suitor, and answered that the promise of Frode, +rather than his present renown, had made her expect much of his nature: +since he was sprung from so famous a father, and every nature commonly +answered to its origin. The youth therefore had pleased her by her +regard of his future, rather than his present, glory. These words amazed +the father; but neither could he bear to revoke the freedom he had +granted her, and he promised her in marriage to Frode. Then, having +laid in ample stores, he took her away with the most splendid pomp, and, +followed by the envoys, hastened to Denmark, knowing that a father was +the best person to give away a daughter in marriage. Frode welcomed +his bride most joyfully, and also bestowed the highest honours upon +his future royal father-in-law; and when the marriage rites were over, +dismissed him with a large gift of gold and silver. + +And so with Hanund, the daughter of the King of the Huns, for his wife, +he passed three years in the most prosperous peace. But idleness brought +wantonness among his courtiers, and peace begot lewdness, which they +displayed in the most abominable crimes. For they would draw some men +up in the air on ropes, and torment them, pushing their bodies as they +hung, like a ball that is tossed; or they would put a kid's hide under +the feet of others as they walked, and, by stealthily pulling a rope, +trip their unwary steps on the slippery skill in their path; others they +would strip of their clothes, and lash with sundry tortures of stripes; +others they fastened to pegs, as with a noose, and punished with +mock-hanging. They scorched off the beard and hair with tapers; of +others they burned the hair of the groin with a brand. Only those +maidens might marry whose chastity they had first deflowered. Strangers +they battered with bones; others they compelled to drunkenness with +immoderate draughts, and made them burst. No man might give his daughter +to wife unless he had first bought their favour and goodwill. None might +contract any marriage without first purchasing their consent with a +bribe. Moreover, they extended their abominable and abandoned lust not +only to virgins, but to the multitude of matrons indiscriminately. Thus +a twofold madness incited this mixture of wantonness and frenzy. Guests +and strangers were proffered not shelter but revilings. All these +maddening mockeries did this insolent and wanton crew devise, and thus +under a boy-king freedom fostered licence. For nothing prolongs reckless +sin like the procrastination of punishment and vengeance. This unbridled +impudence of the soldiers ended by making the king detested, not only by +foreigners, but even by his own people, for the Danes resented such an +arrogant and cruel rule. But Grep was contented with no humble loves; +he broke out so outrageously that he was guilty of intercourse with the +queen, and proved as false to the king as he was violent to all other +men. Then by degrees the scandal grew, and the suspicion of his guilt +crept on with silent step. The common people found it out before the +king. For Grep, by always punishing all who alluded in the least to this +circumstance, had made it dangerous to accuse him. But the rumour of his +crime, which at first was kept alive in whispers, was next passed on in +public reports; for it is hard for men to hide another's guilt if they +are aware of it. Gunwar had many suitors; and accordingly Grep, trying +to take revenge for his rebuff by stealthy wiles, demanded the right +of judging the suitors, declaring that the princess ought to make the +choicest match. But he disguised his anger, lest he should seem to have +sought the office from hatred of the maiden. At his request the king +granted him leave to examine the merits of the young men. So he first +gathered all the wooers of Gunwar together on the pretence of a banquet, +and then lined the customary room of the princess with their heads--a +gruesome spectacle for all the rest. Yet he forfeited none of his favour +with Frode, nor abated his old intimacy with him. For he decided that +any opportunity of an interview with the king must be paid for, and gave +out that no one should have any conversation with him who brought no +presents. Access, he announced, to so great a general must be gained +by no stale or usual method, but by making interest most zealously. +He wished to lighten the scandal of his cruelty by the pretence +of affection to his king. The people, thus tormented, vented their +complaint of their trouble in silent groans. None had the spirit to lift +up his voice in public against this season of misery. No one had become +so bold as to complain openly of the affliction that was falling upon +them. Inward resentment vexed the hearts of men, secretly indeed, but +all the more bitterly. + +When Gotar, the King of Norway, heard this, he assembled his soldiers, +and said that the Danes were disgusted with their own king, and longed +for another if they could get the opportunity; that he had himself +resolved to lead an army thither, and that Denmark would be easy to +seize if attacked. Frode's government of his country was as covetous as +it was cruel. Then Erik rose up and gainsaid the project with contrary +reasons. "We remember," he said, "how often coveters of other men's +goods lose their own. He who snatches at both has oft lost both. It must +be a very strong bird that can wrest the prey from the claws of another. +It is idle for thee to be encouraged by the internal jealousies of the +country, for these are oft blown away by the approach of an enemy. For +though the Danes now seem divided in counsel, yet they will soon be of +one mind to meet the foe. The wolves have often made peace between +the quarrelling swine. Every man prefers a leader of his own land to a +foreigner, and every province is warmer in loyalty to a native than to a +stranger king. For Frode will not await thee at home, but will intercept +thee abroad as thou comest. Eagles claw each other with their talons, +and fowls fight fronting. Thou thyself knowest that the keen sight of +the wise man must leave no cause for repentance. Thou hast an ample +guard of nobles. Keep thou quiet as thou art; indeed thou wilt almost be +able to find out by means of others what are thy resources for war. Let +the soldiers first try the fortunes of their king. Provide in peace for +thine own safety, and risk others if thou dost undertake the enterprise: +better that the slave should perish than the master. Let thy servant +do for thee what the tongs do for the smith, who by the aid of his iron +tool guards his hand from scorching, and saves his fingers from burning. +Learn thou also, by using thy men, to spare and take thought for +thyself." + +So spake Erik, and Gotar, who had hitherto held him a man of no parts, +now marvelled that he had graced his answer with sentences so choice +and weighty, and gave him the name of Shrewd-spoken, thinking that his +admirable wisdom deserved some title. For the young man's reputation +had been kept in the shade by the exceeding brilliancy of his brother +Roller. Erik begged that some substantial gift should be added to the +name, declaring that the bestowal of the title ought to be graced by +a present besides. The king gave him a ship, and the oarsmen called it +"Skroter." Now Erik and Roller were the sons of Ragnar, the champion, +and children of one father by different mothers; Roller's mother and +Erik's stepmother was named Kraka. + +And so, by leave of Gotar, the task of making a raid on the Danes +fell to one Hrafn. He was encountered by Odd, who had at that time the +greatest prestige among the Danes as a rover, for he was such a skilled +magician that he could range over the sea without a ship, and could +often raise tempests by his spells, and wreck the vessels of the enemy. +Accordingly, that he might not have to condescend to pit his sea-forces +against the rovers, he used to ruffle the waters by enchantment, and +cause them to shipwreck his foes. To traders this man was ruthless, +but to tillers of the soil he was merciful, for he thought less of +merchandise than of the plough-handle, but rated the clean business +of the country higher than the toil for filthy lucre. When he began to +fight with the Northmen he so dulled the sight of the enemy by the power +of his spells that they thought the drawn swords of the Danes cast their +beams from afar off, and sparkled as if aflame. Moreover, their vision +was so blunted that they could not so much as look upon the sword +when it was drawn from the sheath: the dazzle was too much for their +eyesight, which could not endure the glittering mirage. So Hrafn and +many of his men were slain, and only six vessels slipped back to Norway +to teach the king that it was not so easy to crush the Danes. The +survivors also spread the news that Frode trusted only in the help of +his champions, and reigned against the will of his people, for his rule +had become a tyranny. + +In order to examine this rumour, Roller, who was a great traveller +abroad, and eager to visit unknown parts, made a vow that he would get +into the company of Frode. But Erik declared that, splendid as were his +bodily parts, he had been rash in pronouncing the vow. At last, seeing +him persisting stubbornly in his purpose, Erik bound himself under a +similar vow; and the king promised them that he would give them for +companions whomsoever they approved by their choice. The brethren, +therefore, first resolved to visit their father and beg for the stores +and the necessaries that were wanted for so long a journey. He welcomed +them paternally, and on the morrow took them to the forest to inspect +the herd, for the old man was wealthy in cattle. Also he revealed to +them treasures which had long lain hid in caverns of the earth; and they +were suffered to gather up whatsoever of these they would. The boon was +accepted as heartily as it was offered: so they took the riches out of +the ground, and bore away what pleased them. + +Their rowers meanwhile were either refreshing themselves or exercising +their skill with casting weights. Some sped leaping, some running; +others tried their strength by sturdily hurling stones; others tested +their archery by drawing the bow. Thus they essayed to strengthen +themselves with divers exercises. Some again tried to drink themselves +into a drowse. Roller was sent by his father to find out what had passed +at home in the meanwhile. And when he saw smoke coming from his mother's +hut he went up outside, and, stealthily applying his eye, saw through +the little chink and into the house, where he perceived his mother +stirring a cooked mess in an ugly-looking pot. Also he looked up at +three snakes hanging from above by a thin cord, from whose mouths flowed +a slaver which dribbled drops of moisture on the meal. Now two of these +were pitchy of hue, while the third seemed to have whitish scales, and +was hung somewhat higher than the others. This last had a fastening +on its tail, while the others were held by a cord round their bellies. +Roller thought the affair looked like magic, but was silent on what +he had seen, that he might not be thought to charge his mother with +sorcery. For he did not know that the snakes were naturally harmless, or +how much strength was being brewed for that meal. Then Ragnar and Erik +came up, and, when they saw the smoke issuing from the cottage, entered +and went to sit at meat. When they were at table, and Kraka's son and +stepson were about to eat together, she put before them a small dish +containing a piebald mess, part looking pitchy, but spotted with specks +of yellow, while part was whitish: the pottage having taken a different +hue answering to the different appearance of the snakes. And when each +had tasted a single morsel, Erik, judging the feast not by the colours +but by the inward strengthening effected, turned the dish around +very quickly, and transferred to himself the part which was black but +compounded of stronger juices; and, putting over to Roller the whitish +part which had first been set before himself, throve more on his supper. +And, to avoid showing that the exchange was made on purpose, he said, +"Thus does prow become stern when the sea boils up." The man had no +little shrewdness, thus to use the ways of a ship to dissemble his +cunning act. + +So Erik, now refreshed by this lucky meal, attained by its inward +working to the highest pitch of human wisdom. For the potency of the +meal bred in him the fulness of all kinds of knowledge to an incredible +degree, so that he had cunning to interpret even the utterances of wild +beasts and cattle. For he was not only well versed in all the affairs +of men, but he could interpret the particular feelings which brutes +experienced from the sounds which expressed them. He was also gifted +with an eloquence so courteous and graceful, that he adorned whatsoever +he desired to expound with a flow of witty adages. But when Kraka came +up, and found that the dish had been turned round, and that Erik had +eaten the stronger share of the meal, she lamented that the good luck +she had bred for her son should have passed to her stepson. Soon she +began to sigh, and entreat Eric that he should never fail to help his +brother, whose mother had heaped on him fortune so rich and strange: for +by tasting a single savoury meal he had clearly attained sovereign wit +and eloquence, besides the promise of success in combat. She added also, +that Roller was almost as capable of good counsel, and that he should +not utterly miss the dainty that had been intended for him. She also +told him that in case of extreme and violent need, he could find speedy +help by calling on her name; declaring that she trusted partially in her +divine attributes, and that, consorting as she did in a manner with the +gods, she wielded an innate and heavenly power. Erik said that he was +naturally drawn to stand by his brother, and that the bird was +infamous which fouled its own nest. But Kraka was more vexed by her own +carelessness than weighed down by her son's ill-fortune: for in old +time it made a craftsman bitterly ashamed to be outwitted by his own +cleverness. + +Then Kraka, accompanied by her husband, took away the brothers on their +journey to the sea. They embarked in a single ship, but soon attached +two others. They had already reached the coast of Denmark, when, +reconnoitering, they learned that seven ships had come up at no great +distance. Then Erik bade two men who could speak the Danish tongue well, +to go to them unclothed, and, in order to spy better, to complain to Odd +of their nakedness, as if Erik had caused it, and to report when they +had made careful scrutiny. These men were received as friends by Odd, +and hunted for every plan of the general with their sharp ears. He +had determined to attack the enemy unawares at daybreak, that he might +massacre them the more speedily while they were swathed in their night +garments: for he said that men's bodies were wont to be most dull and +heavy at that hour of dawn. He also told them, thereby hastening what +was to prove his own destruction, that his ships were laden with stones +fit for throwing. The spies slipped off in the first sleep of the night, +reported that Odd had filled all his vessels with pebbles, and also told +everything else they had heard. Erik now quite understood the case, and, +when he considered the smallness of his own fleet, thought that he must +call the waters to destroy the enemy, and win their aid for himself. + +So he got into a boat and rowed, pulling silently, close up to the +keels of the enemy; and gradually, by screwing in an auger, he bored the +planks (a device practiced by Hadding and also by Frode), nearest to the +water, and soon made good his return, the oar-beat being scarce audible. +Now he bore himself so warily, that not one of the watchers noted his +approach or departure. As he rowed off, the water got in through +the chinks of Odd's vessels, and sank them, so that they were seen +disappearing in the deep, as the water flooded them more and more +within. The weight of the stones inside helped them mightily to sink. +The billows were washing away the thwarts, and the sea was flush with +the decks, when Odd, seeing the vessels almost on a level with the +waves, ordered the heavy seas that had been shipped to be baled out with +pitchers. And so, while the crews were toiling on to protect the sinking +parts of the vessels from the flood of waters, the enemy hove close up. +Thus, as they fell to their arms, the flood came upon them harder, and +as they prepared to fight, they found they must swim for it. Waves, not +weapons, fought for Erik, and the sea, which he had himself Enabled to +approach and do harm, battled for him. Thus Erik made better use of the +billow than of the steel, and by the effectual aid of the waters seemed +to fight in his own absence, the ocean lending him defence. The victory +was given to his craft; for a flooded ship could not endure a battle. +Thus was Odd slain with all his crew; the look-outs were captured, and +it was found that no man escaped to tell the tale of the disaster. + +Erik, when the massacre was accomplished, made a rapid retreat, and put +in at the isle Lesso. Finding nothing there to appease his hunger, he +sent the spoil homeward on two ships, which were to bring back supplies +for another year. He tried to go by himself to the king in a single +ship. So he put in to Zealand, and the sailors ran about over the shore, +and began to cut down the cattle: for they must either ease their hunger +or perish of famine. So they killed the herd, skinned the carcases, and +cast them on board. When the owners of the cattle found this out, they +hastily pursued the free-booters with a fleet. And when Erik found that +he was being attacked by the owners of the cattle, he took care that the +carcases of the slaughtered cows should be tied with marked ropes and +hidden under water. Then, when the Zealanders came up, he gave them +leave to look about and see if any of the carcases they were seeking +were in his hands; saying that a ship's corners were too narrow to hide +things. Unable to find a carcase anywhere, they turned their suspicions +on others, and thought the real criminals were guiltless of the plunder. +Since no traces of free-booting were to be seen, they fancied that +others had injured them, and pardoned the culprits. As they sailed off, +Erik lifted the carcase out of the water and took it in. + +Meantime Frode learnt that Odd and his men had gone down. For a +widespread rumour of the massacre had got wind, though the author of the +deed was unknown. There were men, however, who told how they had seen +three sails putting in to shore, and departing again northwards. Then +Erik went to the harbour, not far from which Frode was tarrying, and, +the moment that he stepped out of the ship, tripped inadvertently, and +came tumbling to the ground. He found in the slip a presage of a lucky +issue, and forecast better results from this mean beginning. When Grep +heard of his coming, he hastened down to the sea, intending to +assail with chosen and pointed phrases the man whom he had heard was +better-spoken than all other folk. Grep's eloquence was not so much +excellent as impudent, for he surpassed all in stubbornness of speech. +So he began the dispute with reviling, and assailed Erik as follows: + +Grep: "Fool, who art thou? What idle quest is thine? Tell me, whence or +whither dost thou journey? What is thy road? What thy desire? Who thy +father? What thy lineage? Those have strength beyond others who have +never left their own homes, and the Luck of kings is their houseluck. +For the things of a vile man are acceptable unto few, and seldom are the +deeds of the hated pleasing." + +Erik: "Ragnar is my father; eloquence clothes my tongue; I have ever +loved virtue only. Wisdom hath been my one desire; I have travelled many +ways over the world, and seen the different manners of men. The mind of +the fool can keep no bounds in aught: it is base and cannot control its +feelings. The use of sails is better than being drawn by the oar; the +gale troubles the waters, a drearier gust the land. For rowing goes +through the seas and lying the lands; and it is certain that the lands +are ruled with the lips, but the seas with the hand." + +Grep: "Thou art thought to be as full of quibbling as a cock of dirt. +Thou stinkest heavy with filth, and reekest of nought but sin. There is +no need to lengthen the plea against a buffoon, whose strength is in an +empty and voluble tongue." + +Erik: "By Hercules, if I mistake not, the coward word is wont to come +back to the utterer. The gods with righteous endeavour bring home to +the speaker words cast forth without knowledge. As soon as we espy the +sinister ears of the wolf, we believe that the wolf himself is near. Men +think no credit due to him that hath no credit, whom report accuses of +treachery." + +Grep: "Shameless boy, owl astray from the path, night-owl in the +darkness, thou shalt pay for thy reckless words. Thou shalt be sorry for +the words thou now belchest forth madly, and shalt pay with thy death +for thy unhallowed speech. Lifeless thou shalt pasture crows on thy +bloodless corpse, to be a morsel for beasts, a prey to the ravenous +bird." + +Erik: "The boding of the coward, and the will that is trained to evil, +have never kept themselves within due measure. He who betrays his lord, +he who conceives foul devices, will be as great a snare to himself as +to his friends. Whoso fosters a wolf in his house is thought to feed a +thief and a pest for his own hearth." + +Grep: "I did not, as thou thinkest, beguile the queen, but I was the +guardian of her tender estate. She increased my fortunes, and her favour +first brought me gifts and strength, and wealth and counsel." + +Erik: "Lo, thy guilty disquiet lies heavy on thee; that man's freedom is +safest whose mind remains untainted. Whoso asks a slave to be a friend, +is deceived; often the henchman hurts his master." + +At this Grep, shorn of his glibness of rejoinder, set spurs to his +horse and rode away. Now when he reached home, he filled the palace with +uproarious and vehement clamour; and shouting that he had been worsted +in words, roused all his soldiers to fight, as though he would avenge by +main force his luckless warfare of tongues. For he swore that he would +lay the host of the foreigners under the claws of eagles. But the king +warned him that he should give his frenzy pause for counsel, that blind +plans were commonly hurtful; that nothing could be done both cautiously +and quickly at once; that headstrong efforts were the worst obstacle; +and lastly, that it was unseemly to attack a handful with a host. Also, +said he, the sagacious man was he who could bridle a raging spirit, and +stop his frantic empetuosity in time. Thus the king forced the headlong +rage of the young man to yield to reflection. But he could not wholly +recall to self-control the frenzy of his heated mind, or prevent the +champion of wrangles, abashed by his hapless debate, and finding armed +vengeance refused him, from asking leave at least to try his sorceries +by way of revenge. He gained his request, and prepared to go back to +the shore with a chosen troop of wizards. So he first put on a pole +the severed head of a horse that had been sacrificed to the gods, and +setting sticks beneath displayed the jaws grinning agape; hoping that +he would foil the first efforts of Erik by the horror of this wild +spectacle. For he supposed that the silly souls of the barbarians would +give away at the bogey of a protruding neck. + +Erik was already on his road to meet them, and saw the head from afar +off, and, understanding the whole foul contrivance, he bade his men keep +silent and behave warily; no man was to be rash or hasty of speech, lest +by some careless outburst they might give some opening to the sorceries; +adding that if talking happened to be needed, he would speak for all. +And they were now parted by a river; when the wizards, in order to +dislodge Erik from the approach to the bridge, set up close to the +river, on their own side, the pole on which they had fixed the horse's +head. Nevertheless Erik made dauntlessly for the bridge, and said: "On +the bearer fall the ill-luck of what he bears! May a better issue attend +our steps! Evil befall the evil-workers! Let the weight of the ominous +burden crush the carrier! Let the better auguries bring us safety!" And +it happened according to his prayer. For straightway the head was shaken +off, the stick fell and crushed the bearer. And so all that array +of sorceries was baffled at the bidding of a single curse, and +extinguished. + +Then, as Erik advanced a little, it came into his mind that strangers +ought to fix on gifts for the king. So he carefully wrapped up in his +robe a piece of ice which he happened to find, and managed to take it to +the king by way of a present. But when they reached the palace he sought +entrance first, and bade his brother follow close behind. Already the +slaves of the king, in order to receive him with mockery as he entered, +had laid a slippery hide on the threshold; and when Erik stepped upon +it, they suddenly jerked it away by dragging a rope, and would have +tripped him as he stood upon it, had not Roller, following behind, +caught his brother on his breast as he tottered. So Erik, having half +fallen, said that "bare was the back of the brotherless." And when +Gunwar said that such a trick ought not to be permitted by a king, +the king condemned the folly of the messenger who took no heed against +treachery. And thus he excused his flout by the heedlessness of the man +he flouted. + +Within the palace was blazing a fire, which the aspect of the season +required: for it was now gone midwinter. By it, in different groups, sat +the king on one side and the champions on the other. These latter, when +Erik joined them, uttered gruesome sounds like things howling. The king +stopped the clamour, telling them that the noises of wild beasts ought +not to be in the breasts of men. Erik added, that it was the way of +dogs, for all the others to set up barking when one started it; for all +folk by their bearing betrayed their birth and revealed their race. But +when Koll, who was the keeper of the gifts offered to the king, asked +him whether he had brought any presents with him, he produced the ice +which he had hidden in his breast. And when he had handed it to Koll +across the hearth, he purposely let it go into the fire, as though it +had slipped from the hand of the receiver. All present saw the shining +fragment, and it seemed as though molten metal had fallen into the fire. +Erik, maintaining that it had been jerked away by the carelessness of +him who took it, asked what punishment was due to the loser of the gift. + +The king consulted the opinion of the queen, who advised him not to +relax the statute of the law which he had passed, whereby he gave +warning that all who lost presents that were transmitted to him should +be punished with death. Everyone else also said that the penalty by law +appointed ought not to be remitted. And so the king, being counselled to +allow the punishment as inevitable, gave leave for Koll to be hanged. + +Then Frode began to accost Erik thus: "O thou, wantoning in insolent +phrase, in boastful and bedizened speech, whence dost thou say that thou +hast come hither, and why?" + +Erik answered: "I came from Rennes Isle, and I took my seat by a stone." + +Frode rejoined: "I ask, whither thou wentest next?" + +Erik answered. "I went off from the stone riding on a beam, and often +again took station by a stone." + +Frode replied: "I ask thee whither thou next didst bend thy course, or +where the evening found thee?" + +Then said Erik: "Leaving a crag, I came to a rock, and likewise lay by a +stone." + +Frode said: "The boulders lay thick in those parts." + +Erik answered: "Yet thicker lies the sand, plain to see." + +Frode said: "Tell what thy business was, and whither thou struckest off +thence." + +Then said Erik: "Leaving the rock, as my ship ran on, I found a +dolphin." + +Frode said: "Now thou hast said something fresh, though both these +things are common in the sea: but I would know what path took thee after +that?" + +Erik answered: "After a dolphin I went to a dolphin." + +Frode said: "The herd of dolphins is somewhat common." + +Then said Erik: "It does swim somewhat commonly on the waters." + +Frode said: "I would fain blow whither thou wert borne on thy toilsome +journey after leaving the dolphins?" + +Erik answered: "I soon came upon the trunk of a tree." + +Frode rejoined: "Whither didst thou next pass on thy journey?" + +Then said Erik: "From a trunk I passed on to a log." + +Frode said: "That spot must be thick with trees, since thou art always +calling the abodes of thy hosts by the name of trunks." + +Erik replied: "There is a thicker place in the woods." + +Frode went on: "Relate whither thou next didst bear thy steps." + +Erik answered: "Oft again I made my way to the lopped timbers of the +woods; but, as I rested there, wolves that were sated on human carcases +licked the points of the spears. There a lance-head was shaken from the +shaft of the king, and it was the grandson of Fridleif." + +Frode said: "I am bewildered, and know not what to think about the +dispute: for thou hast beguiled my mind with very dark riddling." + +Erik answered: "Thou owest me the prize for this contest that is +finished: for under a veil I have declared to thee certain things thou +hast ill understood. For under the name I gave before of `spear-point' I +signified Odd, whom my hand had slain." + +And when the queen also had awarded him the palm of eloquence and the +prize for flow of speech, the king straightway took a bracelet from his +arm, and gave it to him as the appointed reward, adding: "I would fain +learn from thyself thy debate with Grep, wherein he was not ashamed +openly to avow himself vanquished." + +Then said Erik: "He was smitten with shame for the adultery wherewith he +was taxed; for since he could bring no defence, he confessed that he had +committed it with thy wife." + +The king turned to Hanund and asked her in what spirit she received +the charge; and she not only confessed her guilt by a cry, but also put +forth in her face a blushing signal of her sin, and gave manifest token +of her fault. The king, observing not only her words, but also the signs +of her countenance, but doubting with what sentence he should punish the +criminal, let the queen settle by her own choice the punishment which +her crime deserved. When she learnt that the sentence committed to +her concerned her own guilt, she wavered awhile as she pondered how +to appraise her transgression; but Grep sprang up and ran forward to +transfix Erik with a spear, wishing to buy off his own death by slaying +the accuser. But Roller fell on him with drawn sword, and dealt him +first the doom he had himself purposed. + +Erik said: "The service of kin is best for the helpless." + +And Roller said: "In sore needs good men should be dutifully summoned." + +Then Frode said: "I think it will happen to you according to the common +saying, `that the striker sometimes has short joy of his stroke', and +`that the hand is seldom long glad of the smiting'." + +Erik answered: "The man must not be impeached whose deed justice +excuses. For my work is as far as from that of Grep, as an act of +self-defence is from an attack upon another." + +Then the brethren of Grep began to spring up and clamour and swear that +they would either bring avengers upon the whole fleet of Erik, or would +fight him and ten champions with him. + +Erik said to them: "Sick men have to devise by craft some provision for +their journey. He whose sword-point is dull should only probe things +that are soft and tender. He who has a blunt knife must search out the +ways to cut joint by joint. Since, therefore, it is best for a man in +distress to delay the evil, and nothing is more fortunate in trouble +than to stave off hard necessity, I ask three days' space to get ready, +provided that I may obtain from the king the skill of a freshly slain +ox." + +Frode answered: "He who fell on a hide deserves a hide"; thus openly +taunting the asker with his previous fall. But Erik, when the hide was +given him, made some sandals, which he smeared with a mixture of tar and +sand, in order to plant his steps the more firmly, and fitted them on to +the feet of himself and his people. At last, having meditated what spot +he should choose for the fight--for he said that he was unskilled in +combat by land and in all warfare--he demanded it should be on the +frozen sea. To this both sides agreed. The king granted a truce for +preparations, and bade the sons of Westmar withdraw, saying that it was +amiss that a guest, even if he had deserved ill should be driven +from his lodging. Then he went back to examine into the manner of the +punishment, which he had left to the queen's own choice to exact. For +she forebore to give judgment, and begged pardon for her slip. Erik +added, that woman's errors must often be forgiven, and that punishment +ought not to be inflicted, unless amendment were unable to get rid of +her fault. So the king pardoned Hanund. As twilight drew near, Erik +said: "With Gotar, not only are rooms provided when the soldiers are +coming to feast at the banquet, but each is appointed a separate place +and seat where he is to lie." Then the king gave up for their occupation +the places where his own champions had sat; and next the servants +brought the banquet. But Erik, knowing well the courtesy of the king, +which made him forbid them to use up any of the meal that was left, +cast away the piece of which he had tasted very little, calling whole +portions broken bits of food. And so, as the dishes dwindled, the +servants brought up fresh ones to the lacking and shamefaced guests, +thus spending on a little supper what might have served for a great +banquet. + +So the king said: "Are the soldiers of Gotar wont to squander the meat +after once touching it, as if it were so many pared-off crusts? And to +spurn the first dishes as if they were the last morsels?" + +Erik said: "Uncouthness claims no place in the manners of Gotar, neither +does any disorderly habit feign there." + +But Frode said: "Then thy manners are not those of thy lord, and thou +hast proved that thou hast not taken all wisdom to heart. For he who +goes against the example of his elders shows himself a deserter and a +renegade." + +Then said Erik: "The wise man must be taught by the wiser. For knowledge +grows by learning, and instruction is advanced by doctrine." + +Frode rejoined: "This affectation of thine of superfluous words, what +exemplary lesson will it teach me?" + +Erik said: "A loyal few are a safer defence for a king than many +traitors." + +Frode said to him: "Wilt thou then show us closer allegiance than the +rest?" + +Erik answered: "No man ties the unborn (horse) to the crib, or the +unbegotten to the stall. For thou hast not yet experienced all things. +Besides, with Gotar there is always a mixture of drinking with +feasting; liquor, over and above, and as well as meat, is the joy of the +reveller." + +Frode said: "Never have I found a more shameless beggar of meat and +drink." + +Erik replied: "Few reckon the need of the silent, or measure the wants +of him who holds his peace." + +Then the king bade his sister bring forth the drink in a great goblet. +Erik caught hold of her right hand and of the goblet she offered at the +same time, and said: "Noblest of kings, hath thy benignity granted me +this present? Dost thou assure me that what I hold shall be mine as an +irrevocable gift?" + +The king, thinking that he was only asking for the cup, declared it was +a gift. But Erik drew the maiden to him, as if she was given with the +cup. When the king saw it, he said: "A fool is shown by his deed; with +us freedom of maidens is ever held inviolate." + +Then Erik, feigning that he would cut off the girl's hand with his +sword, as though it had been granted under the name of the cup, said: +"If I have taken more than thou gavest, or if I am rash to keep the +whole, let me at least get some." The king saw his mistake in his +promise, and gave him the maiden, being loth to undo his heedlessness +by fickleness, and that the weight of his pledge might seem the greater; +though it is held an act more of ripe judgment than of unsteadfastness +to take back a foolish promise. + +Then, taking from Erik security that he would return, he sent him to the +ships; for the time appointed for the battle was at hand. Erik and his +men went on to the sea, then covered near with ice; and, thanks to the +stability of their sandals, felled the enemy, whose footing was slippery +and unsteady. For Frode had decreed that no man should help either side +if it wavered or were distressed. Then he went back in triumph to the +king. So Gotwar, sorrowing at the destruction of her children who had +miserably perished, and eager to avenge them, announced that it would +please her to have a flyting with Erik, on condition that she should +gage a heavy necklace and he his life; so that if he conquered he should +win gold, but if he gave in, death. Erik agreed to the contest, and the +gage was deposited with Gunwar. So Gotwar began thus: + + "Quando tuam limas admissa cote bipennem, + Nonne terit tremulas mentula quassa nates?" + +Erik rejoined: + + "Ut cuivis natura pilos in corpore sevit, + Omnis nempe suo barba ferenda loco est. + Re Veneris homines artus agitare necesse est; + Motus quippe suos nam labor omnis habet. + Cum natis excipitur nate, vel cum subdita penem + Vulva capit, quid ad haec addere mas renuit?" + +Powerless to answer this, Gotwar had to give the gold to the man +whom she had meant to kill, and thus wasted a lordly gift instead of +punishing the slayer of her son. For her ill fate was crowned, instead +of her ill-will being avenged. First bereaved, and then silenced +by furious words, she lost at once her wealth and all reward of her +eloquence. She made the man blest who had taken away her children, and +enriched her bereaver with a present: and took away nothing to make up +the slaughter of her sons save the reproach of ignorance and the loss of +goods. Westmar, when he saw this, determined to attack the man by force, +since he was the stronger of tongue, and laid down the condition that +the reward of the conqueror should be the death of the conquered, so +that the life of both parties was plainly at stake. Erik, unwilling to +be thought quicker of tongue than of hand, did not refuse the terms. + +Now the manner of combat was as follows. A ring, plaited of withy or +rope, used to be offered to the combatants for them to drag away by +wrenching it with a great effort of foot and hand; and the prize went to +the stronger, for if either of the combatants could wrench it from the +other, he was awarded the victory. Erik struggled in this manner, and, +grasping the rope sharply, wrested it out of the hands of his opponent. +When Erode saw this, he said: "I think it is hard to tug at a rope with +a strong man." + +And Erik said: "Hard, at any rate, when a tumour is in the body or a +hunch sits on the back." + +And straightway, thrusting his foot forth, he broke the infirm neck and +back of the old man, and crushed him. And so Westmar failed to compass +his revenge: zealous to retaliate, he fell into the portion of those who +need revenging; being smitten down even as those whose slaughter he had +desired to punish. + +Now Frode intended to pierce Erik by throwing a dagger at him. But +Gunwar knew her brother's purpose, and said, in order to warn +her betrothed of his peril, that no man could be wise who took no +forethought for himself. This speech warned Erik to ward off the +treachery, and he shrewdly understood the counsel of caution. For at +once he sprang up and said that the glory of the wise man would be +victorious, but that guile was its own punishment; thus censuring his +treacherous intent in very gentle terms. But the king suddenly flung his +knife at him, yet was too late to hit him; for he sprang aside, and the +steel missed its mark and ran into the wall opposite. Then said Erik: +"Gifts should be handed to friends, and not thrown; thou hadst made +the present acceptable if thou hadst given the sheath to keep the blade +company." + +On this request the king at once took the sheath from his girdle and +gave it to him, being forced to abate his hatred by the self-control of +his foe. Thus he was mollified by the prudent feigning of the other, and +with goodwill gave him for his own the weapon which he had cast with +ill will. And thus Erik, by taking the wrong done him in a dissembling +manner, turned it into a favour, accepting as a splendid gift the steel +which had been meant to slay him. For he put a generous complexion on +what Frode had done with intent to harm. Then they gave themselves up +to rest. In the night Gunwar awoke Erik silently, and pointed out to him +that they ought to fly, saying that it was very expedient to return with +safe chariot ere harm was done. He went with her to the shore, where he +happened to find the king's fleet beached: so, cutting away part of +the sides, he made it unseaworthy, and by again replacing some laths he +patched it so that the damage might be unnoticed by those who looked at +it. Then he caused the vessel whither he and his company had retired to +put off a little from the shore. + +The king prepared to give them chase with his mutilated ships, but soon +the waves broke through; and though he was very heavily laden with his +armour, he began to swim off among the rest, having become more anxious +to save his own life than to attack that of others. The bows plunged +over into the sea, the tide flooded in and swept the rowers from their +seats. When Erik and Roller saw this they instantly flung themselves +into the deep water, spurning danger, and by swimming picked up the +king, who was tossing about. Thrice the waves had poured over him and +borne him down when Erik caught him by the hair, and lifted him out of +the sea. The remaining crowd of the wrecked either sank in the waters, +or got with trouble to the land. The king was stripped of his dripping +attire and swathed round with dry garments, and the water poured in +floods from his chest as he kept belching it; his voice also seemed +to fail under the exhaustion of continual pantings. At last heat was +restored to his limbs, which were numbed with cold, and his breathing +became quicker. He had not fully got back his strength, and could sit +but not rise. Gradually his native force returned. But when he was asked +at last whether he sued for life and grace, he put his hand to his eyes, +and strove to lift up their downcast gaze. But as, little by little, +power came back to his body, and as his voice became more assured, he +said: + +"By this light, which I am loth to look on, by this heaven which I +behold and drink in with little joy, I beseech and conjure you not to +persuade me to use either any more. I wished to die; ye have saved me in +vain. I was not allowed to perish in the waters; at least I will die by +the sword. I was unconquered before; thine, Erik, was the first wit to +which I yielded: I was all the more unhappy, because I had never been +beaten by men of note, and now I let a low-born man defeat me. This +is great cause for a king to be ashamed. This is a good and sufficient +reason for a general to die; it is right that he should care for nothing +so much as glory. If he want that, then take it that he lacks all else. +For nothing about a king is more on men's lips than his repute. I was +credited with the height of understanding and eloquence. But I have been +stripped of both the things wherein I was thought to excel, and am all +the more miserable because I, the conqueror of kings, am seen conquered +by a peasant. Why grant life to him whom thou hast robbed of honour? I +have lost sister, realm, treasure, household gear, and, what is greater +than them all, renown: I am luckless in all chances, and in all thy +good fortune is confessed. Why am I to be kept to live on for all this +ignominy? What freedom can be so happy for me that it can wipe out all +the shame of captivity? What will all the following time bring for me? +It can beget nothing but long remorse in my mind, and will savour only +of past woes. What will prolonging of life avail, if it only brings back +the memory of sorrow? To the stricken nought is pleasanter than death, +and that decease is happy which comes at a man's wish, for it cuts not +short any sweetness of his days, but annihilates his disgust at all +things. Life in prosperity, but death in adversity, is best to seek. +No hope of better things tempts me to long for life. What hap can quite +repair my shattered fortunes? And by now, had ye not rescued me in my +peril, I should have forgotten even these. What though thou shouldst +give me back my realm, restore my sister, and renew my treasure? Thou +canst never repair my renown. Nothing that is patched up can have the +lustre of the unimpaired, and rumour will recount for ages that +Frode was taken captive. Moreover, if ye reckon the calamities I have +inflicted on you, I have deserved to die at your hands; if ye recall the +harms I have done, ye will repent your kindness. Ye will be ashamed of +having aided a foe, if ye consider how savagely he treated you. Why do +ye spare the guilty? Why do ye stay your hand from the throat of your +persecutor? It is fitting that the lot which I had prepared for you +should come home to myself. I own that if I had happened to have you in +my power as ye now have me, I should have paid no heed to compassion. +But if I am innocent before you in act, I am guilty at least in will. I +pray you, let my wrongful intention, which sometimes is counted to stand +for the deed, recoil upon me. If ye refuse me death by the sword I will +take care to kill myself with my own hand." + +Erik rejoined thus: "I pray that the gods may turn thee from the folly +of thy purpose; turn thee, I say, that thou mayst not try to end a most +glorious life abominably. Why, surely the gods themselves have forbidden +that a man who is kind to others should commit unnatural self-murder. +Fortune has tried thee to find out with what spirit thou wouldst meet +adversity. Destiny has proved thee, not brought thee low. No sorrow has +been inflicted on thee which a happier lot cannot efface. Thy prosperity +has not been changed; only a warning has been given thee. No man behaves +with self-control in prosperity who has not learnt to endure adversity. +Besides, the whole use of blessings is reaped after misfortunes have +been graciously acknowledged. Sweeter is the joy which follows on the +bitterness of fate. Wilt thou shun thy life because thou hast once had a +drenching, and the waters closed over thee? But if the waters can crush +thy spirit, when wilt thou with calm courage bear the sword? Who would +not reckon swimming away in his armour more to his glory than to his +shame? How many men would think themselves happy were they unhappy +with thy fortune? The sovereignty is still thine; thy courage is in its +prime; thy years are ripening; thou canst hope to compass more than thou +hast yet achieved. I would not find thee fickle enough to wish, not only +to shun hardships, but also to fling away thy life, because thou couldst +not bear them. None is so unmanly as he who from fear of adversity loses +heart to live. No wise man makes up for his calamities by dying. Wrath +against another is foolish, but against a man's self it is foolhardy; +and it is a coward frenzy which dooms its owner. But if thou go +without need to thy death for some wrong suffered, or for some petty +perturbation of spirit, whom dost thou leave behind to avenge thee? +Who is so mad that he would wish to punish the fickleness of fortune by +destroying himself? What man has lived so prosperously but that ill +fate has sometimes stricken him? Hast thou enjoyed felicity unbroken +and passed thy days without a shock, and now, upon a slight cloud of +sadness, dost thou prepare to quit thy life, only to save thy anguish? +If thou bear trifles so ill, how shalt thou endure the heavier frowns +of fortune? Callow is the man who has never tasted of the cup of sorrow; +and no man who has not suffered hardships is temperate in enjoying ease. +Wilt thou, who shouldst have been a pillar of courage, show a sign of a +palsied spirit? Born of a brave sire, wilt thou display utter impotence? +Wilt thou fall so far from thy ancestors as to turn softer than women? +Hast thou not yet begun thy prime, and art thou already taken with +weariness of life? Whoever set such an example before? Shall the +grandson of a famous man, and the child of the unvanquished, be too weak +to endure a slight gust of adversity? Thy nature portrays the courage of +thy sires; none has conquered thee, only thine own heedlessness has hurt +thee. We snatched thee from peril, we did not subdue thee; wilt thou +give us hatred for love, and set our friendship down as wrongdoing? Our +service should have appeased thee, and not troubled thee. May the gods +never desire thee to go so far in frenzy, as to persist in branding +thy preserver as a traitor! Shall we be guilty before thee in a matter +wherein we do thee good? Shall we draw anger on us for our service? Wilt +thou account him thy foe whom thou hast to thank for thy life? For thou +wert not free when we took thee, but in distress, and we came in time to +help thee. And, behold, I restore thy treasure, thy wealth, thy goods. +If thou thinkest thy sister was betrothed to me over-hastily, let her +marry the man whom thou commandest; for her chastity remains inviolate. +Moreover, if thou wilt accept me, I wish to fight for thee. Beware lest +thou wrongfully steel thy mind in anger. No loss of power has shattered +thee, none of thy freedom has been forfeited. Thou shalt see that I +am obeying, not commanding thee. I agree to any sentence thou mayst +pronounce against my life. Be assured that thou art as strong here as-in +thy palace; thou hast the same power to rule here as in thy court. Enact +concerning us here whatsoever would have been thy will in the palace: we +are ready to obey." Thus much said Erik. + +Now this speech softened the king towards himself as much as towards his +foe. Then, everything being arranged and made friendly, they returned to +the shore. The king ordered that Erik and his sailors should be taken in +carriages. But when they reached the palace he had an assembly summoned, +to which he called Erik, and under the pledge of betrothal gave him +his sister and command over a hundred men. Then he added that the queen +would be a weariness to him, and that the daughter of Gotar had taken +his liking. He must, therefore, have a fresh embassy, and the business +could best be done by Erik, for whose efforts nothing seemed too hard. +He also said that he would stone Gotwar to death for her complicity in +concealing the crime; but Hanund he would restore to her father, that he +might not have a traitress against his life dwelling amongst the Danes. +Erik approved his plans, and promised his help to carry out his bidding; +except that he declared that it would be better to marry the queen, when +she had been put away, to Roller, of whom his sovereignty need have no +fears. This opinion Frode received reverentially, as though it were some +lesson vouchsafed from above. The queen also, that she might not seem +to be driven by compulsion, complied, as women will, and declared that +there was no natural necessity to grieve, and that all distress of +spirit was a creature of fancy: and, moreover, that one ought not to +bewail the punishment that befell one's deserts. And so the brethren +celebrated their marriages together, one wedding the sister of the king, +and the other his divorced queen. + +Then they sailed back to Norway, taking their wives with them. For +the women could not be torn from the side of their husbands, either by +distance of journey or by dread of peril, but declared that they would +stick to their lords like a feather to something shaggy. They found that +Ragnar was dead, and that Kraka had already married one Brak. Then they +remembered the father's treasure, dug up the money, and bore it off. +But Erik's fame had gone before him, and Gotar had learnt all his good +fortune. Now when Gotar learnt that he had come himself, he feared that +his immense self-confidence would lead him to plan the worst against the +Norwegians, and was anxious to take his wife from him and marry him to +his own daughter in her place: for his queen had just died, and he was +anxious to marry the sister of Frode more than anyone. Erik, when he +learnt of his purpose, called his men together, and told them that his +fortune had not yet got off from the reefs. Also he said that he saw, +that as a bundle that was not tied by a band fell to pieces, so likewise +the heaviest punishment that was not constrained on a man by his own +fault suddenly collapsed. They had experienced this of late with Frode; +for they saw how at the hardest pass their innocence had been protected +by the help of the gods; and if they continued to preserve it they +should hope for like aid in their adversity. Next, they must pretend +flight for a little while, if they were attacked by Gotar, for so they +would have a juster plea for fighting. For they had every right to +thrust out the hand in order to shield the head from peril. Seldom +could a man carry to a successful end a battle he had begun against the +innocent; so, to give them a better plea for assaulting the enemy, he +must be provoked to attack them first. + +Erik then turned to Gunwar, and asked her, in order to test her +fidelity, whether she had any love for Gotar, telling her it was +unworthy that a maid of royal lineage should be bound to the bed of a +man of the people. Then she began to conjure him earnestly by the power +of heaven to tell her whether his purpose was true or reigned? He said +that he had spoken seriously, and she cried: "And so thou art prepared +to bring on me the worst of shame by leaving me a widow, whom thou +lovedst dearly as a maid! Common rumour often speaks false, but I have +been wrong in my opinion of thee. I thought I had married a steadfast +man; I hoped his loyalty was past question; but now I find him to be +more fickle than the winds." Saying this, she wept abundantly. + +Dear to Erik was his wife's fears; presently he embraced her and said: +"I wished to know how loyal thou wert to me. Nought but death has the +right to sever us, but Gotar means to steal thee away, seeking thy love +by robbery. When he has committed the theft, pretend it is done with thy +goodwill; yet put off the wedding till he has given me his daughter in +thy place. When she has been granted, Gotar and I will hold our +marriage on the same day. And take care that thou prepare rooms for +our banqueting which have a common party-wall, yet are separate: lest +perchance, if I were before thine eyes, thou shouldst ruffle the king +with thy lukewarm looks at him. For this will be a most effective trick +to baffle the wish of the ravisher." Then he bade Brak (one of his +men), to lie in ambush not far from the palace with a chosen band of his +quickest men, that he might help him at need. + +Then he summoned Roller, and fled in his ship with his wife and all his +goods, in order to tempt the king out, pretending panic: So, when he saw +that the fleet of Gotar was pressing him hard, he said: "Behold how the +bow of guile shooteth the shaft of treachery;" and instantly rousing his +sailors with the war-shout, he steered the ship about. Gotar came close +up to him and asked who was the pilot of the ship, and he was told that +it was Erik. He also shouted a question whether he was the same man who +by his marvellous speaking could silence the eloquence of all other men. +Erik, when he heard this, replied that he had long since received the +surname of the "Shrewd-spoken", and that he had not won the auspicious +title for nothing. Then both went back to the nearest shore, where +Gotar, when he learnt the mission of Erik, said that he wished for the +sister of Frode, but would rather offer his own daughter to Frode's +envoy, that Erik might not repent the passing of his own wife to another +man. Thus it would not be unfitting for the fruit of the mission to fall +to the ambassador. + +Erik, he said, was delightful to him as a son-in-law, if only he could +win alliance with Frode through Gunwar. + +Erik lauded the kindness of the king and approved his judgment, +declaring he could not have expected a greater thing from the immortal +gods than what was now offered him unasked. Still, he said, the king +must first discover Gunwar's own mind and choice. She accepted the +flatteries of the king with feigned goodwill, and seemed to consent +readily to his suit, but besought him to suffer Erik's nuptials to +precede hers; because, if Erik's were accomplished first, there would be +a better opportunity for the king's; but chiefly on this account, +that, if she were to marry again, she might not be disgusted at her new +marriage troth by the memory of the old recurring. She also declared +it inexpedient for two sets of preparations to be confounded in one +ceremony. The king was prevailed upon by her answers, and highly +approved her requests. + +Gotar's constant talks with Erik furnished him with a store of most +fairshapen maxims, wherewith to rejoice and refresh his mind. So, not +satisfied with giving him his daughter in marriage he also made over to +him the district of Lither, thinking that their connection deserved some +kindness. Now Kraka, whom Erik, because of her cunning in witchcraft, +had brought with him on his travels, feigned weakness of the eyes, and +muffled up her face in her cloak, so that not a single particle of her +head was visible for recognition. When people asked her who she was, +she said that she was Gunwar's sister, child of the same mother but a +different father. + +Now when they came to the dwelling of Gotar, the wedding-feast of +Alfhild (this was his daughter's name) was being held. Erik and the king +sat at meat in different rooms, with a party-wall in common, and also +entirely covered on the inside with hanging tapestries. Gunwar sat by +Gotar, but Erik sat close between Kraka on the one side and Alfhild on +the other. Amid the merrymaking, he gradually drew a lath out of the +wall, and made an opening large enough to allow the passage of a human +body; and thus, without the knowledge of the guests, he made a space +wide enough to go through. Then, in the course of the feast, he began to +question his betrothed closely whether she would rather marry himself or +Frode: especially since, if due heed were paid to matches, the daughter +of a king ought to go to the arms of one as noble as herself, so that +the lowliness of one of the pair might not impair the lordliness of the +other. She said that she would never marry against the permission of her +father; but he turned her aversion into compliance by promises that she +should be queen, and that she should be richer than all other women, for +she was captivated by the promise of wealth quite as much as of glory. +There is also a tradition that Kraka turned the maiden's inclinations to +Frode by a drink which she mixed and gave to her. + +Now Gotar, after the feast, in order to make the marriage-mirth go fast +and furious, went to the revel of Erik. As he passed out, Gunwar, as +she had been previously bidden, went through the hole in the party-wall +where the lath had been removed, and took the seat next to Erik. Gotar +marvelled that she was sitting there by his side, and began to ask +eagerly how and why she had come there. She said that she was Gunwar's +sister, and that the king was deceived by the likeness of their looks. +And when the king, in order to look into the matter, hurried back to the +royal room, Gunwar returned through the back door by which she had come +and sat in her old place in the sight of all. Gotar, when he saw her, +could scarcely believe his eyes, and in the utmost doubt whether he had +recognized her aright, he retraced his steps to Erik; and there he saw +before him Gunwar, who had got back in her own fashion. And so, as often +as he changed to go from one hall to the other, he found her whom he +sought in either place. By this time the king was tormented by great +wonder at what was no mere likeness, but the very same face in both +places. For it seemed flatly impossible that different people should +look exactly and undistinguishably alike. At last, when the revel broke +up, he courteously escorted his daughter and Erik as far as their room, +as the manner is at weddings, and went back himself to bed elsewhere. + +But Erik suffered Alfhild, who was destined for Frode, to lie apart, and +embraced Gunwar as usual, thus outwitting the king. So Gotar passed a +sleepless night, revolving how he had been apparently deluded with +a dazed and wandering mind: for it seemed to him no mere likeness of +looks, but sameness. Thus he was filled with such wavering and doubtful +judgment, that though he really discerned the truth he thought he must +have been mistaken. At last it flashed across his mind that the +wall might have been tampered with. He gave orders that it should be +carefully surveyed and examined, but found no traces of a breakage: in +fact, the entire room seemed to be whole and unimpaired. For Erik, early +in the night, had patched up the damage of the broken wall, that his +trick might not be detected. Then the king sent two men privily into +the bedroom of Erik to learn the truth, and bade them stand behind the +hangings and note all things carefully. They further received orders +to kill Erik if they found him with Gunwar. They went secretly into the +room, and, concealing themselves in the curtained corners, beheld +Erik and Gunwar in bed together with arms entwined. Thinking them only +drowsy, they waited for their deeper sleep, wishing to stay until a +heavier slumber gave them a chance to commit their crime. Erik snored +lustily, and they knew it was a sure sign that he slept soundly; so they +straightway came forth with drawn blades in order to butcher him. Erik +was awakened by their treacherous onset, and seeing their swords hanging +over his head, called out the name of his stepmother, (Kraka), to which +long ago he had been bidden to appeal when in peril, and he found a +speedy help in his need. For his shield, which hung aloft from the +rafter, instantly fell and covered his unarmed body, and, as if on +purpose, covered it from impalement by the cutthroats. He did not fail +to make use of his luck, but, snatching his sword, lopped off both feet +of the nearest of them. Gunwar, with equal energy, ran a spear through +the other: she had the body of a woman, but the spirit of a man. + +Thus Erik escaped the trap; whereupon he went back to the sea and made +ready to sail off by night. But Roller sounded on his horn the signal +for those who had been bidden to watch close by, to break into the +palace. When the king heard this, he thought it meant that the enemy was +upon them, and made off hastily in a ship. Meanwhile Brak, and those who +had broken in with him, snatched up the goods of the king, and got them +on board Erik's ships. Almost half the night was spent in pillaging. +In the morning, when the king found that they had fled, he prepared to +pursue them, but was advised by one of his friends not to plan anything +on a sudden or do it in haste. His friend, indeed, tried to convince him +that he needed a larger equipment, and that it was ill-advised to pursue +the fugitives to Denmark with a handful. But neither could this curb +the king's impetuous spirit; it could not bear the loss; for nothing had +stung him more than this, that his preparations to slay another should +have recoiled on his own men. So he sailed to the harbour which is now +called Omi. Here the weather began to be bad, provision failed, and +they thought it better, since die they must, to die by the sword than +by famine. And so the sailors turned their hand against one another, and +hastened their end by mutual blows. The king with a few men took to the +cliffs and escaped. Lofty barrows still mark the scene of the slaughter. +Meanwhile Erik ended his voyage fairly, and the wedding of Alfhild and +Frode was kept. + +Then came tidings of an inroad of the Sclavs, and Erik was commissioned +to suppress it with eight ships, since Frode as yet seemed inexperienced +in war. Erik, loth ever to flinch from any manly undertaking, gladly +undertook the business and did it bravely. Learning that the pirates had +seven ships, he sailed up to them with only one of his own, ordering +the rest to be girt with timber parapets, and covered over with pruned +boughs of trees. Then he advanced to observe the number of the enemy +more fully, but when the Sclavs pursued closely, he beat a quick retreat +to his men. But the enemy, blind to the trap, and as eager to take the +fugitives, rowed smiting the waters fast and incessantly. For the ships +of Erik could not be clearly distinguished, looking like a leafy +wood. The enemy, after venturing into a winding strait, suddenly saw +themselves surrounded by the fleet of Erik. First, confounded by the +strange sight, they thought that a wood was sailing; and then they saw +that guile lurked under the leaves. Therefore, tardily repenting their +rashness, they tried to retrace their incautious voyage: but while they +were trying to steer about, they saw the enemy boarding them; Erik, +however, put his ship ashore, and slung stones against the enemy +from afar. Thus most of the Sclavs were killed, and forty taken, who +afterwards under stress of bonds and famine, and in strait of divers +torments, gave up the ghost. + +Meantime Frode, in order to cross on an expedition into Sclavia, had +mustered a mighty fleet from the Danes, as well as from neighbouring +peoples. The smallest boat of this fleet could carry twelve sailors, and +be rowed by as many oars. Then Erik, bidding his men await him patiently +went to tell Frode the tidings of the defeat he had inflicted. As he +sailed along he happened to see a pirate ship aground on some shallows; +and being wont to utter weighty words upon chance occurrences, he said, +"Obscure is the lot of the base-born, and mean is the fortune of the +lowly." Then he brought his ship up close and destroyed the pirates, who +were trying to get off their own vessel with poles, and busily engrossed +in saving her. This accomplished, he made his way back to the king's +fleet; and wishing to cheer Frode with a greeting that heralded his +victory, he said, "Hail to the maker of a most prosperous peace!" The +king prayed that his word might come true, and declared that the spirit +of the wise man was prophetic. Erik answered that he spoke truly, and +that the petty victory brought an omen of a greater one; declaring that +a presage of great matters could often be got from trifles. Then the +king counselled him to scatter his force, and ordered the horsemen of +Jutland to go by the land way, while the rest of the army went by +the short sea-passage. But the sea was covered with such a throng of +vessels, that there were not enough harbours to take them in, nor shores +for them to encamp on, nor money for their provisions; while the land +army is said to have been so great that, in order to shorten the way, it +levelled mountains, made marshes passable, filled up pits with material, +and the hugest chasms by casting in great boulders. + +Meanwhile Strunik the King of the Sclavs sent envoys to ask for a truce; +but Frode refused him time to equip himself, saying that an enemy ought +not to be furnished with a truce. Moreover, he said, he had hitherto +passed his life without experience of war, and now he ought not to delay +its beginning by waiting in doubt; for the man that conducted his first +campaign successfully might hope for as good fortune in the rest. For +each side would take the augury afforded by the first engagements as a +presage of the combat; since the preliminary successes of war were +often a prophecy of the sequel. Erik commended the wisdom of the reply, +declaring that the game ought to be played abroad just as it had been +begun at home: meaning that the Danes had been challenged by the Sclavs. +After these words he fought a furious battle, slew Strunik with the +bravest of his race, and received the surrender of the rest. Then Frode +called the Sclavs together, and proclaimed by a herald that any man +among them who had been trained to theft or plunder should be speedily +given up; promising that he would reward the character of such men with +the highest honours. He also ordered that all of them, who were versed +in evil arts should come forth to have their reward. This offer pleased +the Sclavs: and some of them, tempted by their hopes of the gift, +betrayed themselves with more avarice than judgment, before the others +could make them known. These were misled by such great covetousness, +that they thought less of shame than lucre, and accounted as their glory +what was really their guilt. When these had given themselves up of their +own will, he said: "Sclavs! This is the pest from which you must clear +your land yourselves." And straightway he ordered the executioners to +seize them, and had them fixed upon the highest gallows by the hand of +their own countrymen. The punishers looked fewer than the punished. And +thus the shrewd king, by refusing to those who owned their guilt the +pardon which he granted to the conquered foe, destroyed almost the +entire stock of the Sclavic race. Thus the longing for an undeserved +reward was visited with a deserved penalty, and the thirst for an +undue wage justly punished. I should think that these men were rightly +delivered to their doom, who brought the peril on their own heads by +speaking, when they could have saved their lives by the protection of +silence. + +The king, exalted by the honours of his fresh victory, and loth to seem +less strong in justice than in battle, resolved to remodel his army by +some new laws, some of which are retained by present usage, while others +men have chosen to abolish for new ones. (a) For he decreed, when the +spoil was divided, that each of the vanguard should receive a greater +share than the rest of the soldiery: while he granted all gold that was +taken to the generals (before whom the standards were always borne in +battle) on account of their rank; wishing the common soldiers to +be content with silver. He ordered that the arms should go to the +champions, but the captured ships should pass to the common people, as +the due of those who had the right of building and equipping vessels. +(b) Also he forbade that anyone should venture to lock up his household +goods, as he would receive double the value of any losses from the +treasury of the king; but if anyone thought fit to keep it in locked +coffers, he must pay the king a gold mark. He also laid down that anyone +who spared a thief should be punished as a thief. (d) Further, that the +first man to flee in battle should forfeit all common rights. (e) But +when he had returned into Denmark he wished to amend by good measures +any corruption caused by the evil practices of Grep; and therefore +granted women free choice in marriage, so that there might be no +compulsory wedlock. And so he provided by law that women should be held +duly married to those whom they had wedded without consulting their +fathers. (f) But if a free woman agreed to marry a slave, she must fall +to his rank, lose the blessing of freedom, and adopt the standing of a +slave. (g) He also imposed on men the statute that they must marry any +woman whom they had seduced. (h) He ordained that adulterers should be +deprived of a member by the lawful husbands, so that continence might +not be destroyed by shameful sins. (I) Also he ordained that if a Dane +plundered another Dane, he should repay double, and be held guilty of +a breach of the peace. (k) And if any man were to take to the house of +another anything which he had got by thieving, his host, if he shut the +door of his house behind the man, should incur forfeiture of all his +goods, and should be beaten in full assembly, being regarded as having +made himself guilty of the same crime. (l) Also, whatsoever exile should +turn enemy to his country, or bear a shield against his countrymen, +should be punished with the loss of life and goods. (m) But if any man, +from a contumacious spirit, were slack in fulfilling the orders of the +king, he should be punished with exile. For, on all occasion of any +sudden and urgent war, an arrow of wood, looking like iron, used to be +passed on everywhere from man to man as a messenger. (n) But if any one +of the commons went in front of the vanguard in battle, he was to rise +from a slave into a freeman, and from a peasant into a nobleman; but if +he were nobly-born already, he should be created a governor. So great +a guerdon did valiant men earn of old; and thus did the ancients think +noble rank the due of bravery. For it was thought that the luck a man +had should be set down to his valour, and not his valour to his luck. +(o) He also enacted that no dispute should be entered on with a promise +made under oath and a gage deposited; but whosoever requested another +man to deposit a gage against him should pay that man half a gold mark, +on pain of severe bodily chastisement. For the king had foreseen that +the greatest occasions of strife might arise from the depositing of +gages. (p) But he decided that any quarrel whatsoever should be decided +by the sword, thinking a combat of weapons more honourable than one of +words. But if either of the combatants drew back his foot, and stepped +out of the ring of the circle previously marked, he was to consider +himself conquered, and suffer the loss of his case. But a man of the +people, if he attacked a champion on any score, should be armed to meet +him; but the champion should only fight with a truncheon an ell long. +(q) Further, he appointed that if an alien killed a Dane, his death +should be redressed by the slaying of two foreigners. + +Meanwhile, Gotar, in order to punish Erik, equipped his army for war: +and Frode, on the other side, equipped a great fleet to go against +Norway. When both alike had put into Rennes-Isle, Gotar, terrified by +the greatness of Frode's name, sent ambassadors to pray for peace. Erik +said to them, "Shameless is the robber who is the first to seek peace, +or ventures to offer it to the good. He who longs to win must struggle: +blow must counter blow, malice repel malice." + +Gotar listened attentively to this from a distance, and then said, +as loudly as he could: "Each man fights for valour according as he +remembers kindness." Erik said to him: "I have requited thy kindness by +giving thee back counsel." By this speech he meant that his excellent +advice was worth more than all manner of gifts. And, in order to show +that Gotar was ungrateful for the counsel he had received, he said: +"When thou desiredst to take my life and my wife, thou didst mar the +look of thy fair example. Only the sword has the right to decide between +us." Then Gotar attacked the fleet of the Danes; he was unsuccessful in +the engagement, and slain. + +Afterwards Roller received his realm from Frode as a gift; it stretched +over seven provinces. Erik likewise presented Roller with the province +which Gotar had once bestowed upon him. After these exploits Frode +passed three years in complete and tranquil peace. + +Meanwhile the King of the Huns, when he heard that his daughter had been +put away, allied himself with Olmar, King of the Easterlings, and in two +years equipped an armament against the Danes. So Frode levied an army +not only of native Danes, but also of Norwegians and Sclavs. Erik, whom +he had sent to spy out the array of the enemy, found Olmar, who had +received the command of the fleet, not far from Russia; while the King +of the Huns led the land forces. He addressed Olmar thus: + +"What means, prithee, this strong equipment of war? Or whither dost thou +speed, King Olmar, mighty in thy fleet?" + +Olmar. "We are minded to attack the son of Fridleif. And who art thou, +whose bold lips ask such questions?" + +Erik. "Vain hope of conquering the unconquered hath filled thy heart; +over Frode no man can prevail." + +Olmar. "Whatsoever befalls, must once happen for the first time; and +often enough the unexpected comes to pass." + +By this saying he let him know that no man must put too much trust in +fortune. Then Erik rode up to inspect the army of the Huns. As it passed +by him, and he in turn by it, it showed its vanguard to the rising and +its rear to the setting sun. So he asked those whom he met, who had the +command of all those thousands. Hun, the King of the Huns, happened to +see him, and heard that he had undertaken to reconnoitre, and asked +what was the name of the questioner. Erik said he was the man who came +everywhere and was found nowhere. Then the king, when an interpreter +was brought, asked what work Frode was about. Erik replied, "Frode never +waits at home for a hostile army, nor tarries in his house for his foe. +For he who covets the pinnacle of another's power must watch and wake +all night. No man has ever won a victory by snoring, and no wolf has +ever found a carcase by lying asleep." + +The king, perceiving that he was a cunning speaker of choice maxims, +said: "Here, perchance, is that Erik who, as I have heard, accused my +daughter falsely." + +But Erik, when they were bidden to seize him instantly, said that it was +unseemly for one man to be dragged off by really; and by this saying +he not only appeased the mind of the king, but even inclined him to be +willing to pardon him. But it was clear that this impunity came more +from cunning than kindness; for the chief reason why he was let go was +that he might terrify Frode by the report of their vast numbers. When he +returned, Frode bad him relate what he had discovered, and he said that +he had seen six kings each with his fleet; and that each of these fleets +contained five thousand ships, each ship being known to hold three +hundred rowers. Each millenary of the whole total he said consisted of +four wings; now, since the full number of a wing is three hundred, he +meant that a millenary should be understood to contain twelve hundred +men. When Frode wavered in doubt what he could do against so many, and +looked eagerly round for reinforcements, Erik said: "Boldness helps the +righteous; a valiant dog must attack the bear; we want wolf-hounds, and +not little unwarlike birds." This said, he advised Frode to muster his +fleet. When it was drawn up they sailed off against the enemy; and so +they fought and subdued the islands lying between Denmark and the East; +and as they advanced thence, met some ships of the Ruthenian fleet. +Frode thought it shameful to attack such a handful, but Erik said: +"We must seek food from the gaunt and lean. He who falls shall seldom +fatten, nor has that man the power to bite whom the huge sack has +devoured." By this warning he cured the king of all shame about making +an assault, and presently induced him to attack a small number with a +throng; for he showed him that advantage must be counted before honour. + +After this they went on to meet Olmar, who because of the slowness of +his multitude preferred awaiting the enemy to attacking it; for the +vessels of the Ruthenians seemed disorganized, and, owing to their size, +not so well able to row. But not even did the force of his multitudes +avail him. For the extraordinary masses of the Ruthenians were stronger +in numbers than in bravery, and yielded the victory to the stout handful +of the Danes. + +When Frode tried to return home, his voyage encountered an unheard-of +difficulty. For the crowds of dead bodies, and likewise the fragments of +shields and spears, bestrewed the entire gulf of the sea, and tossed on +the tide, so that the harbours were not only straitened, but stank. The +vessels stuck, hampered amid the corpses. They could neither thrust off +with oars, nor drive away with poles, the rotting carcases that floated +around, or prevent, when they had put one away, another rolling up and +driving against the fleet. You would have thought that a war had arisen +with the dead, and there was a strange combat with the lifeless. + +So Frode summoned the nations which he had conquered, and enacted (a) +that any father of a family who had fallen in that war should be +buried with his horse and all his arms and decorations. And if any +body-snatcher, in his abominable covetousness, made an attempt on him, +he was to suffer for it, not only with his life, but also with the loss +of burial for his own body; he should have no barrow and no funeral. +For he thought it just that he who despoiled another's ashes should be +granted no burial, but should repeat in his own person the fate he +had inflicted on another. He appointed that the body of a centurion +or governor should receive funeral on a pyre built of his own ship. He +ordered that the bodies of every ten pilots should be burnt together +with a single ship, but that every earl or king that was killed should +be put on his own ship and burnt with it. He wished this nice attention +to be paid in conducting the funerals of the slain, because he wished +to prevent indiscriminate obsequies. By this time all the kings of the +Russians except Olmar and Dag had fallen in battle. (b) He also ordered +the Russians to conduct their warfare in imitation of the Danes, +and never to marry a wife without buying her. He thought that bought +marriages would have more security, believing that the troth which +was sealed with a price was the safest. (d) Moreover, anyone who durst +attempt the violation of a virgin was to be punished with the severance +of his bodily parts, or else to requite the wrong of his intercourse +with a thousand talents. (e) He also enacted that any man that applied +himself to war, who aspired to the title of tried soldier, should attack +a single man, should stand the attack of two, should only withdraw his +foot a little to avoid three, but should not blush to flee from four. +(f) He also proclaimed that a new custom concerning the pay of the +soldiers should be observed by the princes under his sway. He ordered +that each native soldier and housecarl should be presented in the winter +season with three marks of silver, a common or hired soldier with two, a +private soldier who had finished his service with only one. By this law +he did injustice to valour, reckoning the rank of the soldiers and not +their courage; and he was open to the charge of error in the matter, +because he set familiar acquaintance above desert. + +After this the king asked Erik whether the army of the Huns was as large +as the forces of Olmar, and Erik answered in the following song: + +"By Hercules, I came on a countless throng, a throng that neither earth +nor wave could hold. Thick flared all their camp-fires, and the whole +wood blazed up; the flame betokened a numberless array. The earth sank +under the fraying of the horse-hoofs; creaking waggons rattled swiftly. +The wheels rumbled, the driver rode upon the winds, so that the chariots +sounded like thunder. The earth hardly bore the throngs of men-at-arms, +speeding on confusedly; they trod it, but it could not bear their +weight. I thought that the air crashed and the earth was shaken, so +mighty was the motion of the stranger army. For I saw fifteen standards +flickering at once; each of them had a hundred lesser standards, and +after each of these could have been seen twenty; and the captains in +their order were equal in number to the standards." + +Now when Frode asked wherewithal he was to resist so many, Erik +instructed him that he must return home and suffer the enemy first to +perish of their own hugeness. His counsel was obeyed, the advice being +approved as heartily as it was uttered. But the Huns went on through +pathless deserts, and, finding provisions nowhere, began to run the +risk of general starvation; for it was a huge and swampy district, and +nothing could be found to relieve their want. At last, when the beasts +of burden had been cut down and eaten, they began to scatter, lacking +carriages as much as food. Now their straying from the road was as +perilous to them as their hunger. Neither horses nor asses were spared, +nor did they refrain from filthy garbage. At last they did not even +spare dogs: to dying men every abomination was lawful; for there is +nothing too hard for the bidding of extreme need. At last when they +were worn out with hunger, there came a general mortality. Bodies were +carried out for burial without end, for all feared to perish, and none +pitied the perishing. Fear indeed had cast out humanity. So first the +divisions deserted from the king little by little; and then the army +melted away by companies. He was also deserted by the prophet Ygg, a man +of unknown age, which was prolonged beyond the human span; this man +went as a deserter to Frode, and told him of all the preparations of the +Huns. + +Meanwhile Hedin, prince of a considerable tribe of the Norwegians, +approached the fleet of Frode with a hundred and fifty vessels. Choosing +twelve out of these, he proceeded to cruise nearer, signalling the +approach of friends by a shield raised on the mast. He thus greatly +augmented the forces of the king, and was received into his closest +friendship. A mutual love afterwards arose between this man and Hilda, +the daughter of Hogni, a chieftain of the Jutes, and a maiden of most +eminent renown. For, though they had not yet seen one another, each +had been kindled by the other's glory. But when they had a chance of +beholding one another, neither could look away; so steadfast was the +love that made their eyes linger. + +Meanwhile, Frode distributed his soldiers through the towns, and +carefully gathered in the materials needed for the winter supplies; but +even so he could not maintain his army, with its burden of expense: and +plague fell on him almost as great as the destruction that met the Huns. +Therefore, to prevent the influx of foreigners, he sent a fleet to the +Elbe to take care that nothing should cross; the admirals were Revil +and Mevil. When the winter broke up, Hedin and Hogni resolved to make +a roving-raid together; for Hogni did not know that his partner was in +love with his daughter. Now Hogni was of unusual stature, and stiff in +temper; while Hedin was very comely, but short. Also, when Frode saw +that the cost of keeping up his army grew daily harder to bear, he +sent Roller to Norway, Olmar to Sweden, King Onef and Glomer, a rover +captain, to the Orkneys for supplies, each with his own forces. Thirty +kings followed Frode, and were his friends or vassals. But when Hun +heard that Frode had sent away his forces he mustered another and a +fresh army. But Hogni betrothed his daughter to Hedin, after they had +sworn to one another that whichever of them should perish by the sword +should be avenged by the other. + +In the autumn, the men in search of supplies came back, but they were +richer in trophies than in food. For Roller had made tributary the +provinces Sundmor and Nordmor, after slaying Arthor their king. But +Olmar conquered Thor the Long, the King of the Jemts and the Helsings, +with two other captains of no less power, and also took Esthonia and +Kurland, with Oland, and the isles that fringe Sweden; thus he was a +most renowned conqueror of savage lands. So he brought back 700 ships, +thus doubling the numbers of those previously taken out. Onef and +Glomer, Hedin and Hogni, won victories over the Orkneys, and returned +with 900 ships. And by this time revenues had been got in from far and +wide, and there were ample materials gathered by plunder to recruit +their resources. They had also added twenty kingdoms to the sway of +Frode, whose kings, added to the thirty named before, fought on the side +of the Danes. + +Trusting in their strength, they engaged with the Huns. Such a carnage +broke out on the first day of this combat that the three chief rivers +of Russia were bestrewn with a kind of bridge of corpses, and could be +crossed and passed over. Also the traces of the massacre spread so wide +that for the space of three days' ride the ground was to be seen covered +with human carcases. So, when the battle had been seven days prolonged, +King Hun fell; and his brother of the same name, when he saw the line of +the Huns giving way, without delay surrendered himself and his company. +In that war 170 kings, who were either Huns or fighting amongst the +Huns, surrendered to the king. This great number Erik had comprised in +his previous description of the standards, when he was giving an account +of the multitude of the Huns in answer to the questions of Frode. So +Frode summoned the kings to assembly, and imposed a rule upon them that +they should all live under one and the same law. Now he set Olmar +over Holmgard; Onef over Conogard; and he bestowed Saxony on Hun, his +prisoner, and gave Revil the Orkneys. To one Dimar he allotted the +management of the provinces of the Helsings, of the Jarnbers, and the +Jemts, as well as both Laplands; while on Dag he bestowed the government +of Esthonia. Each of these men he burdened with fixed conditions of +tribute, thus making allegiance a condition of his kindness. So the +realms of Frode embraced Russia on the east, and on the west were +bounded by the Rhine. + +Meantime, certain slanderous tongues accused Hedin to Hogni of having +tempted and defiled his daughter before the rites of betrothal; which +was then accounted an enormous crime by all nations. So the credulous +ears of Hogni drank in this lying report, and with his fleet he attacked +Hedin, who was collecting the king's dues among the Slavs; there was +an engagement, and Hogni was beaten, and went to Jutland. And thus the +peace instituted by Frode was disturbed by intestine war, and natives +were the first to disobey the king's law. Frode, therefore, sent men to +summon them both at once, and inquired closely what was the reason of +their feud. When he had heard it, he gave judgment according to the +terms of the law he had enacted; but when he saw that even this could +not reconcile them (for the father obstinately demanded his daughter +back), he decreed that the quarrel should be settled by the sword--it +seemed the only remedy for ending the dispute. The fight began, and +Hedin was grievously wounded; but when he began to lose blood and bodily +strength, he received unexpected mercy from his enemy. For though Hogni +had an easy chance of killing him, yet, pitying youth and beauty, he +constrained his cruelty to give way to clemency. And so, loth to cut off +a stripling who was panting at his last gasp, he refrained his sword. +For of old it was accounted shameful to deprive of his life one who was +ungrown or a weakling; so closely did the antique bravery of champions +take heed of all that could incline them to modesty. So Hedin, with the +help of his men, was taken back to his ship, saved by the kindness of +his foe. + +In the seventh year after, these same men began to fight on Hedin's +isle, and wounded each other so that they died. Hogni would have been +lucky if he had shown severity rather than compassion to Hedin when he +had once conquered him. They say that Hilda longed so ardently for her +husband, that she is believed to have conjured up the spirits of the +combatants by her spells in the night in order to renew the war. + +At the same time came to pass a savage war between Alrik, king of the +Swedes, and Gestiblind, king of the Goths. The latter, being the weaker, +approached Frode as a suppliant, willing, if he might get his aid, to +surrender his kingdom and himself. He soon received the aid of Skalk, +the Skanian, and Erik, and came back with reinforcements. He had +determined to let loose his attack on Alrik, but Erik thought that he +should first assail his son Gunthion, governor of the men of Wermland +and Solongs, declaring that the storm-weary mariner ought to make +for the nearest shore, and moreover that the rootless trunk seldom +burgeoned. So he made an attack, wherein perished Gunthion, whose tomb +records his name. Alrik, when he heard of the destruction of his +son, hastened to avenge him, and when he had observed his enemies, he +summoned Erik, and, in a secret interview, recounted the leagues of +their fathers, imploring him to refuse to fight for Gestiblind. +This Erik steadfastly declined, and Alrik then asked leave to fight +Gestiblind, thinking that a duel was better than a general engagement. +But Erik said that Gestiblind was unfit for arms by reason of old age, +pleading his bad health, and above all his years; but offered himself +to fight in his place, explaining that it would be shameful to decline a +duel on behalf of the man for whom he had come to make a war. Then +they fought without delay: Alrik was killed, and Erik was most severely +wounded; it was hard to find remedies, and he did not for long time +recover health. Now a false report had come to Frode that Erik had +fallen, and was tormenting the king's mind with sore grief; but Erik +dispelled this sadness with his welcome return; indeed, he reported to +Frode that by his efforts Sweden, Wermland, Helsingland, and the islands +of the Sun (Soleyar) had been added to his realm. Frode straightway +made him king of the nations he had subdued, and also granted to him +Helsingland with the two Laplands, Finland and Esthonia, under a yearly +tribute. None of the Swedish kings before him was called by the name of +Erik, but the title passed from him to the rest. + +At the same time Alf was king in Hethmark, and he had a son Asmund. +Biorn ruled in the province of Wik, and had a son Aswid. Asmund was +engaged on an unsuccessful hunt, and while he was proceeding either to +stalk the game with dogs or to catch it in nets, a mist happened to +come on. By this he was separated from his sharers on a lonely track, +wandered over the dreary ridges, and at last, destitute of horse and +clothing, ate fungi and mushrooms, and wandered on aimlessly till he +came to the dwelling of King Biorn. Moreover, the son of the king and +he, when they had lived together a short while, swore by every vow, in +order to ratify the friendship which they observed to one another, that +whichever of them lived longest should be buried with him who died. For +their fellowship and love were so strong, that each determined he would +not prolong his days when the other was cut off by death. + +After this Frode gathered together a host of all his subject nations, +and attacked Norway with his fleet, Erik being bidden to lead the land +force. For, after the fashion of human greed, the more he gained the +more he wanted, and would not suffer even the dreariest and most rugged +region of the world to escape this kind of attack; so much is increase +of wealth wont to encourage covetousness. So the Norwegians, casting +away all hope of self-defence, and losing all confidence in their power +to revolt, began to flee for the most part to Halogaland. The maiden +Stikla also withdrew from her country to save her chastity, proferring +the occupations of war to those of wedlock. + +Meanwhile Aswid died of an illness, and was consigned with his horse +and dog to a cavern in the earth. And Asmund, because of his oath of +friendship, had the courage to be buried with him, food being put in for +him to eat. + +Now just at this time Erik, who had crossed the uplands with his army, +happened to draw near the barrow of Aswid; and the Swedes, thinking +that treasures were in it, broke the hill open with mattocks, and saw +disclosed a cave deeper than they had thought. To examine it, a man was +wanted, who would lower himself on a hanging rope tied around him. One +of the quickest of the youths was chosen by lot; and Asmund, when he saw +him let down in a basket following a rope, straightway cast him out and +climbed into the basket. Then he gave the signal to draw him up to those +above who were standing by and controlling the rope. They drew in the +basket in the hopes of great treasure; but when they saw the unknown +figure of the man they had taken out, they were scared by his +extraordinary look, and, thinking that the dead had come to life, flung +down the rope and fled all ways. For Asmund looked ghastly and seemed to +be covered as with the corruption of the charnel. He tried to recall the +fugitives, and began to clamour that they were wrongfully afraid of a +living man. And when Erik saw him, he marvelled most at the aspect of +his bloody face: the blood flowing forth and spurting over it. For +Aswid had come to life in the nights, and in his continual struggles had +wrenched off his left ear; and there was to be seen the horrid sight of +a raw and unhealed scar. And when the bystanders bade him tell how he +had got such a wound, he began to speak thus:-- + +"Why stand ye aghast, who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades +among the dead. Evil to the lonely man, and burdensome to the single, +remains every dwelling in the world. Hapless are they whom chance hath +bereft of human help. The listless night of the cavern, the darkness of +the ancient den, have taken all joy from my eyes and soul. The ghastly +ground, the crumbling barrow, and the heavy tide of filthy things have +marred the grace of my youthful countenance, and sapped my wonted pith +and force. Besides all this, I have fought with the dead, enduring the +heavy burden and grievous peril of the wrestle; Aswid rose again and +fell on me with rending nails, by hellish might renewing ghastly warfare +after he was ashes. + +"Why stand ye aghast, who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades +among the dead. + +"By some strange enterprise of the power of hell the spirit of Aswid +was sent up from the nether world, and with cruel tooth eats the +fleet-footed (horse), and has given his dog to his abominable jaws. Not +sated with devouring the horse or hound, he soon turned his swift nails +upon me, tearing my cheek and taking off my ear. Hence the hideous sight +of my slashed countenance, the blood-spurts in the ugly wound. Yet the +bringer of horrors did it not unscathed; for soon I cut off his head +with my steel, and impaled his guilty carcase with a stake. + +"Why stand ye aghast who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades +among the dead." + +Frode had by this taken his fleet over to Halogaland; and here, in order +to learn the numbers of his host, which seemed to surpass all bounds +and measure that could be counted, he ordered his soldiers to pile up +a hill, one stone being cast upon the heap for each man. The enemy also +pursued the same method of numbering their host, and the hills are still +to be seen to convince the visitor. Here Frode joined battle with the +Norwegians, and the day was bloody. At nightfall both sides determined +to retreat. As daybreak drew near, Erik, who had come across the land, +came up and advised the king to renew the battle. In this war the Danes +suffered such slaughter that out of 3,000 ships only 170 are supposed to +have survived. The Northmen, however, were exterminated in such a mighty +massacre, that (so the story goes) there were not men left to till even +a fifth of their villages. + +Frode, now triumphant, wished to renew peace among all nations, that +he might ensure each man's property from the inroads of thieves and now +ensure peace to his realms after war. So he hung one bracelet on a crag +which is called Frode's Rock, and another in the district of Wik, +after he had addressed the assembled Norwegians; threatening that these +necklaces should serve to test the honesty which he had decreed, and +threatening that if they were filched punishment should fall on all the +governors of the district. And thus, sorely imperilling the officers, +there was the gold unguarded, hanging up full in the parting of the +roads, and the booty, so easy to plunder, a temptation to all covetous +spirits. (a) Frode also enacted that seafarers should freely use oars +wherever they found them; while to those who wished to cross a river he +granted free use of the horse which they found nearest to the ford. He +decreed that they must dismount from this horse when its fore feet only +touched land and its hind feet were still washed by the waters. For he +thought that services such as these should rather be accounted kindness +than wrongdoing. Moreover, he ordained that whosoever durst try and +make further use of the horse after he had crossed the river should +be condemned to death. (b) He also ordered that no man should hold his +house or his coffer under lock and key, or should keep anything guarded +by bolts, promising that all losses should be made good threefold. Also, +he appointed that it was lawful to claim as much of another man's food +for provision as would suffice for a single supper. If anyone exceeded +this measure in his takings, he was to be held guilty of theft. Now, a +thief (so he enacted) was to be hung up with a sword passed through his +sinews, with a wolf fastened by his side, so that the wicked man might +look like the savage beast, both being punished alike. He also had the +same penalty extended to accomplices in thefts. Here he passed seven +most happy years of peace, begetting a son Alf and a daughter Eyfura. + +It chanced that in these days Arngrim, a champion of Sweden, who had +challenged, attacked, and slain Skalk the Skanian because he had once +robbed him of a vessel, came to Frode. Elated beyond measure with his +deed, he ventured to sue for Frode's daughter; but, finding the king +deaf to him, he asked Erik, who was ruling Sweden, to help him. Erik +advised him to win Frode's goodwill by some illustrious service, and +to fight against Egther, the King of Permland, and Thengil, the King of +Finmark, since they alone seemed to repudiate the Danish rule, while all +men else submitted. Without delay he led his army to that country. +Now, the Finns are the uttermost peoples of the North, who have taken a +portion of the world that is barely habitable to till and dwell in. They +are very keen spearmen, and no nation has a readier skill in throwing +the javelin. They fight with large, broad arrows; they are addicted to +the study of spells; they are skilled hunters. Their habitation is not +fixed, and their dwellings are migratory; they pitch and settle wherever +they have caught game. Riding on curved boards (skees or snow-skates), +they run over ridges thick with snow. These men Arngrim attacked, in +order to win renown, and he crushed them. They fought with ill success; +but, as they were scattering in flight, they cast three pebbles behind +them, which they caused to appear to the eyes of the enemy like three +mountains. Arngrim's eyes were dazzled and deluded, and he called back +his men from the pursuit of the enemy, fancying that he was checked by a +barrier of mighty rocks. Again, when they engaged and were beaten on +the morrow, the Finns cast snow upon the ground and made it look like +a mighty river. So the Swedes, whose eyes were utterly deluded, +were deceived by their misjudgment, for it seemed the roaring of +an extraordinary mass of waters. Thus, the conqueror dreading the +unsubstantial phantom of the waters, the Finns managed to escape. They +renewed the war again on the third day; but there was no effective +means of escape left any longer, for when they saw that their lines were +falling back, they surrendered to the conqueror. Arngrim imposed on them +the following terms of tribute: that the number of the Finns should be +counted, and that, after the lapse of (every) three years, every ten of +them should pay a carriage-full of deer-skins by way of assessment. Then +he challenged and slew in single combat Egther, the captain of the men +of Permland, imposing on the men of Permland the condition that each of +them should pay one skin. Enriched with these spoils and trophies, +he returned to Erik, who went with him into Denmark, and poured loud +praises of the young warrior into the ear of Frode, declaring that he +who had added the ends of the world to his realms deserved his daughter. +Then Frode, considering his splendid deserts, thought it was not amiss +to take for a son-in-law a man who had won wide-resounding fame by such +a roll of noble deeds. + +Arngrim had twelve sons by Eyfura, whose names I here subjoin: Brand, +Biarbe, Brodd, Hiarrande; Tand, Tyrfing, two Haddings; Hiortuar, +Hiartuar, Hrane, Anganty. These followed the business of sea-roving from +their youth up; and they chanced to sail all in one ship to the island +Samso, where they found lying off the coast two ships belonging to +Hialmar and Arvarodd (Arrow-Odd) the rovers. These ships they attacked +and cleared of rowers; but, not knowing whether they had cut down the +captains, they fitted the bodies of the slain to their several thwarts, +and found that those whom they sought were missing. At this they were +sad, knowing that the victory they had won was not worth a straw, and +that their safety would run much greater risk in the battle that was to +come. In fact, Hialmar and Arvarodd, whose ships had been damaged by +a storm, which had torn off their rudders, went into a wood to hew +another; and, going round the trunk with their axes, pared down the +shapeless timber until the huge stock assumed the form of a marine +implement. This they shouldered, and were bearing it down to the beach, +ignorant of the disaster of their friends, when the sons of Eyfura, +reeking with the fresh blood of the slain, attacked them, so that they +two had to fight many; the contest was not even equal, for it was a +band of twelve against two. But the victory did not go according to the +numbers. For all the sons of Eyfura were killed; Hialmar was slain +by them, but Arvarodd gained the honours of victory, being the only +survivor left by fate out of all that band of comrades. He, with an +incredible effort, poised the still shapeless hulk of the rudder, and +drove it so strongly against the bodies of his foes that, with a single +thrust of it, he battered and crushed all twelve. And, so, though they +were rid of the general storm of war, the band of rovers did not yet +quit the ocean. + +This it was that chiefly led Frode to attack the West, for his one +desire was the spread of peace. So he summoned Erik, and mustered a +fleet of all the kingdoms that bid him allegiance, and sailed to Britain +with numberless ships. But the king of that island, perceiving that he +was unequal in force (for the ships seemed to cover the sea), went +to Frode, affecting to surrender, and not only began to flatter his +greatness, but also promised to the Danes, the conquerors of nations, +the submission of himself and of his country; proffering taxes, +assessment, tribute, what they would. Finally, he gave them a hospitable +invitation. Frode was pleased with the courtesy of the Briton, though +his suspicions of treachery were kept by so ready and unconstrained +a promise of everything, so speedy a surrender of the enemy before +fighting; such offers being seldom made in good faith. They were also +troubled with alarm about the banquet, fearing that as drunkenness came +on their sober wits might be entangled in it, and attacked by hidden +treachery. So few guests were bidden, moreover, that it seemed unsafe +for them to accept the invitation; and it was further thought foolish to +trust their lives to the good faith of an enemy whom they did not know. + +When the king found their minds thus wavering he again approached Frode, +and invited him to the banquet with 2,400 men; having before bidden +him to come to the feast with 1,200 nobles. Frode was encouraged by the +increase in the number of guests, and was able to go to the banquet +with greater inward confidence; but he could not yet lay aside his +suspicions, and privily caused men to scour the interior and let him +know quickly of any treachery which they might espy. On this errand they +went into the forest, and, coming upon the array of an armed encampment +belonging to the forces of the Britons, they halted in doubt, but +hastily retraced their steps when the truth was apparent. For the tents +were dusky in colour, and muffled in a sort of pitchy coverings, that +they might not catch the eye of anyone who came near. When Frode learned +this, he arranged a counter-ambuscade with a strong force of nobles, +that he might not go heedlessly to the banquet, and be cheated of timely +aid. They went into hiding, and he warned them that the note of the +trumpet was the signal for them to bring assistance. Then with a select +band, lightly armed, he went to the banquet. The hall was decked with +regal splendour; it was covered all round with crimson hangings of +marvellous rich handiwork. A curtain of purple dye adorned the propelled +walls. The flooring was bestrewn with bright mantles, which a man +would fear to trample on. Up above was to be seen the twinkle of many +lanterns, the gleam of lamps lit with oil, and the censers poured forth +fragrance whose sweet vapour was laden with the choicest perfumes. The +whole way was blocked by the tables loaded with good things; and the +places for reclining were decked with gold-embroidered couches; the +seats were full of pillows. The majestic hall seemed to smile upon +the guests, and nothing could be noticed in all that pomp either +inharmonious to the eye or offensive to the smell. In the midst of the +hall stood a great butt ready for refilling the goblets, and holding an +enormous amount of liquor; enough could be drawn from it for the huge +revel to drink its fill. Servants, dressed in purple, bore golden cups, +and courteously did the office of serving the drink, pacing in ordered +ranks. Nor did they fail to offer the draught in the horns of the wild +ox. + +The feast glittered with golden bowls, and was laden with shining +goblets, many of them studded with flashing jewels. The place was filled +with an immense luxury; the tables groaned with the dishes, and the +bowls brimmed over with divers liquors. Nor did they use wine pure and +simple, but, with juices sought far and wide, composed a nectar of many +flavours. The dishes glistened with delicious foods, being filled mostly +with the spoils of the chase; though the flesh of tame animals was not +lacking either. The natives took care to drink more sparingly than the +guests; for the latter felt safe, and were tempted to make an orgy; +while the others, meditating treachery, had lost all temptations to be +drunken. So the Danes, who, if I may say so with my country's leave, +were seasoned to drain the bowl against each other, took quantities of +wine. The Britons, when they saw that the Danes were very drunk, began +gradually to slip away from the banquet, and, leaving their guests +within the hall, made immense efforts, first to block the doors of the +palace by applying bars and all kinds of obstacles, and then to set fire +to the house. The Danes were penned inside the hall, and when the fire +began to spread, battered vainly at the doors; but they could not get +out, and soon attempted to make a sally by assaulting the wall. And the +Angles, when they saw that it was tottering under the stout attack of +the Danes, began to shove against it on their side, and to prop the +staggering pile by the application of large blocks on the outside, to +prevent the wall being shattered and releasing the prisoners. But +at last it yielded to the stronger hand of the Danes, whose efforts +increased with their peril; and those pent within could sally out with +ease. Then Frode bade the trumpet strike in, to summon the band that +had been posted in ambush; and these, roused by the note of the clanging +bugle, caught the enemy in their own trap; for the King of the Britons, +with countless hosts of his men, was utterly destroyed. Thus the +band helped Frode doubly, being both the salvation of his men and the +destruction of his enemies. + +Meantime the renown of the Danish bravery spread far, and moved the +Irish to strew iron calthrops on the ground, in order to make their land +harder to invade, and forbid access to their shores. Now the Irish use +armour which is light and easy to procure. They crop the hair close with +razors, and shave all the hair off the back of the head, that they may +not be seized by it when they run away. They also turn the points of +their spears towards the assailant, and deliberately point their sword +against the pursuer; and they generally fling their lances behind their +back, being more skilled at conquering by flight than by fighting. +Hence, when you fancy that the victory is yours, then is the moment of +danger. But Frode was wary and not rash in his pursuit of the foe who +fled so treacherously, and he routed Kerwil (Cearbal), the leader of +the nation, in battle. Kerwil's brother survived, but lost heart +for resistance, and surrendered his country to the king (Frode), who +distributed among his soldiers the booty he had won, to show himself +free from all covetousness and excessive love of wealth, and only +ambitious to gain honour. + +After the triumphs in Britain and the spoiling of the Irish they +went back to Denmark; and for thirty years there was a pause from all +warfare. At this time the Danish name became famous over the whole +world almost for its extraordinary valour. Frode, therefore, desired to +prolong and establish for ever the lustre of his empire, and made it +his first object to inflict severe treatment upon thefts and brigandage, +feeling these were domestic evils and intestine plagues, and that if the +nations were rid of them they would come to enjoy a more tranquil life; +so that no ill-will should mar and hinder the continual extention of +peace. He also took care that the land should not be devoured by any +plague at home when the enemy was at rest, and that intestine wickedness +should not encroach when there was peace abroad. At last he ordered that +in Jutland, the chief district of his realm, a golden bracelet, very +heavy, should be set up on the highways (as he had done before in the +district of Wik), wishing by this magnificent price to test the honesty +which he had enacted. Now, though the minds of the dishonest were vexed +with the provocation it furnished, and the souls of the evil tempted, +yet the unquestioned dread of danger prevailed. For so potent was the +majesty of Frode, that it guarded even gold that was thus exposed to +pillage, as though it were fast with bolts and bars. The strange +device brought great glory upon its inventor. After dealing destruction +everywhere, and gaining famous victories far and wide, he resolved +to bestow quiet on all men, that the cheer of peace should follow the +horrors of war, and the end of slaughter might be the beginning of +safety. He further thought that for the same reason all men's property +should be secured to them by a protective decree, so that what had been +saved from a foreign enemy might not find a plunderer at home. + +About the same time, the Author of our general salvation, coming to the +earth in order to save mortals, bore to put on the garb of mortality; +at which time the fires of war were quenched, and all the lands were +enjoying the calmest and most tranquil peace. It has been thought that +the peace then shed abroad so widely, so even and uninterrupted over the +whole world, attended not so much an earthly rule as that divine birth; +and that it was a heavenly provision that this extraordinary gift of +time should be a witness to the presence of Him who created all times. + +Meantime a certain matron, skilled in sorcery, who trusted in her art +more than she feared the severity of the king, tempted the covetousness +of her son to make a secret effort for the prize; promising him +impunity, since Frode was almost at death's door, his body failing, and +the remnant of his doting spirit feeble. To his mother's counsels +he objected the greatness of the peril; but she bade him take hope, +declaring, that either a sea-cow should have a calf, or that the king's +vengeance should be baulked by some other chance. By this speech she +banished her son's fears, and made him obey her advice. When the deed +was done, Frode, stung by the affront, rushed with the utmost heat and +fury to raze the house of the matron, sending men on to arrest her and +bring her with her children. This the woman foreknew, and deluded her +enemies by a trick, changing from the shape of a woman into that of a +mare. When Frode came up she took the shape of a sea-cow, and seemed to +be straying and grazing about the shore; and she also made her sons +look like calves of smaller size. This portent amazed the king, and he +ordered that they should be surrounded and cut off from returning to +the waters. Then he left the carriage, which he used because of the +feebleness of his aged body, and sat on the ground marvelling. But the +mother, who had taken the shape of the larger beast, charged at the king +with outstretched tusk, and pierced one of his sides. The wound killed +him; and his end was unworthy of such majesty as his. His soldiers, +thirsting to avenge his death, threw their spears and transfixed the +monsters, and saw, when they were killed, that they were the corpses of +human beings with the heads of wild beasts: a circumstance which exposed +the trick more than anything. + +So ended Frode, the most famous king in the whole world. The nobles, +when he had been disembowelled, had his body kept embalmed for three +years, for they feared the provinces would rise if the king's end +were published. They wished his death to be concealed above all from +foreigners, so that by the pretence that he was alive they might +preserve the boundaries of the empire, which had been extended for +so long; and that, on the strength of the ancient authority of their +general, they might exact the usual tribute from their subjects. So, the +lifeless corpse was carried away by them in such a way that it seemed to +be taken, not in a funeral bier, but in a royal carriage, as if it were +a due and proper tribute from the soldiers to an infirm old man not in +full possession of his forces. Such splendour did his friends bestow +on him even in death. But when his limbs rotted, and were seized with +extreme decay, and when the corruption could not be arrested, they +buried his body with a royal funeral in a barrow near Waere, a bridge of +Zealand; declaring that Frode had desired to die and be buried in what +was thought the chief province of his kingdom. + + + +BOOK SIX. + +After the death of Frode, the Danes wrongly supposed that Fridleif, +who was being reared in Russia, had perished; and, thinking that the +sovereignty halted for lack of an heir, and that it could no longer be +kept on in the hands of the royal line, they considered that the sceptre +would be best deserved by the man who should affix to the yet fresh +grave of Frode a song of praise in his glorification, and commit the +renown of the dead king to after ages by a splendid memorial. Then one +HIARN, very skilled in writing Danish poetry, wishing to give the fame +of the hero some notable record of words, and tempted by the enormous +prize, composed, after his own fashion, a barbarous stave. Its purport, +expressed in four lines, I have transcribed as follows: + +"Frode, whom the Danes would have wished to live long, they bore long +through their lands when he was dead. The great chief's body, with this +turf heaped above it, bare earth covers under the lucid sky." + +When the composer of this song had uttered it, the Danes rewarded him +with the crown. Thus they gave a kingdom for an epitaph, and the weight +of a whole empire was presented to a little string of letters. Slender +expense for so vast a guerdon! This huge payment for a little poem +exceeded the glory of Caesar's recompense; for it was enough for the +divine Julius to pension with a township the writer and glorifier of +those conquests which he had achieved over the whole world. But now the +spendthrift kindness of the populace squandered a kingdom on a churl. +Nay, not even Africanus, when he rewarded the records of his deed, rose +to the munificence of the Danes. For there the wage of that laborious +volume was in mere gold, while here a few callow verses won a sceptre +for a peasant. + +At the same time Erik, who held the governorship of Sweden, died of +disease; and his son Halfdan, who governed in his father's stead, +alarmed by the many attacks of twelve brothers of Norwegian birth, and +powerless to punish their violence, fled, hoping for reinforcements, to +ask aid of Fridleif, then sojourning in Russia. Approaching him with a +suppliant face, he lamented that he was himself shattered and bruised +by a foreign foe, and brought a dismal plaint of his wrongs. From him +Fridleif heard the tidings of his father's death, and granting the aid +he sought, went to Norway in armed array. At this time the aforesaid +brothers, their allies forsaking them, built a very high rampart within +an island surrounded by a swift stream, also extending their earthworks +along the level. Trusting to this refuge, they harried the neighborhood +with continual raids. For they built a bridge on which they used to get +to the mainland when they left the island. This bridge was fastened to +the gate of the stronghold; and they worked it by the guidance of ropes, +in such a way that it turned as if on some revolving hinge, and at one +time let them pass across the river; while at another, drawn back from +above by unseen cords, it helped to defend the entrance. + +These warriors were of valiant temper, young and stalwart, of splendid +bodily presence, renowned for victories over giants, full of trophies of +conquered nations, and wealthy with spoil. I record the names of some +of them--for the rest have perished in antiquity--Gerbiorn, Gunbiorn, +Arinbiorn, Stenbiorn, Esbiorn, Thorbiorn, and Biorn. Biorn is said to +have had a horse which was splendid and of exceeding speed, so that +when all the rest were powerless to cross the river it alone stemmed the +roaring eddy without weariness. This rapid comes down in so swift and +sheer a volume that animals often lose all power of swimming in it, and +perish. For, trickling from the topmost crests of the hills, it comes +down the steep sides, catches on the rocks, and is shattered, falling +into the deep valleys with a manifold clamour of waters; but, being +straightway rebuffed by the rocks that bar the way, it keeps the speed +of its current ever at the same even pace. And so, along the whole +length of the channel, the waves are one turbid mass, and the white foam +brims over everywhere. But, after rolling out of the narrows between the +rocks, it spreads abroad in a slacker and stiller flood, and turns into +an island a rock that lies in its course. On either side of the rock +juts out a sheer ridge, thick with divers trees, which screen the river +from distant view. Biorn had also a dog of extraordinary fierceness, +a terribly vicious brute, dangerous for people to live with, which had +often singly destroyed twelve men. But, since the tale is hearsay rather +than certainty, let good judges weigh its credit. This dog, as I have +heard, was the favourite of the giant Offot (Un-foot), and used to watch +his herd amid the pastures. + +Now the warriors, who were always pillaging the neighbourhood, used +often to commit great slaughters. Plundering houses, cutting down +cattle, sacking everything, making great hauls of booty, rifling houses, +then burning them, massacring male and female promiscuously--these, and +not honest dealings, were their occupations. Fridleif surprised them +while on a reckless raid, and drove them all back for refuge to the +stronghold; he also seized the immensely powerful horse, whose rider, in +the haste of his panic, had left it on the hither side of the river in +order to fly betimes; for he durst not take it with him over the bridge. +Then Fridleif proclaimed that he would pay the weight of the dead body +in gold to any man who slew one of those brothers. The hope of the prize +stimulated some of the champions of the king; and yet they were fired +not so much with covetousness as with valour; so, going secretly to +Fridleif, they promised to attempt the task, vowing to sacrifice their +lives if they did not bring home the severed heads of the robbers. +Fridleif praised their valour and their vows, but bidding the onlookers +wait, went in the night to the river, satisfied with a single companion. +For, not to seem better provided with other men's valour than with his +own, he determined to forestall their aid by his own courage. Thereupon +he crushed and killed his companion with a shower of flints, and flung +his bloodless corpse into the waves, having dressed it in his own +clothes; which he stripped off, borrowing the cast-off garb of the +other, so that when the corpse was seen it might look as if the king had +perished. He further deliberately drew blood from the beast on which he +had ridden, and bespattered it, so that when it came back into camp he +might make them think he himself was dead. Then he set spur to his +horse and drove it into the midst of the eddies, crossed the river +and alighted, and tried to climb over the rampart that screened the +stronghold by steps set up against the mound. When he got over the top +and could grasp the battlements with his hand, he quietly put his foot +inside, and, without the knowledge of the watch, went lightly on tiptoe +to the house into which the bandits had gone to carouse. And when he had +reached its hall, he sat down under the porch overhanging the door. Now +the strength of their fastness made the warriors feel so safe that they +were tempted to a debauch; for they thought that the swiftly rushing +river made their garrison inaccessible, since it seemed impossible +either to swim over or to cross in boats. For no part of the river +allowed of fording. + +Biorn, moved by the revel, said that in his sleep he had seen a beast +come out of the waters, which spouted ghastly fire from its mouth, +enveloping everything in a sheet of flame. Therefore the holes and +corners of the island should, he said, be searched; nor ought they to +trust so much to their position, as rashly to let overweening confidence +bring them to utter ruin. No situation was so strong that the mere +protection of nature was enough for it without human effort. Moreover +they must take great care that the warning of his slumbers was not +followed by a yet more gloomy and disastrous fulfilment. So they all +sallied forth from the stronghold, and narrowly scanned the whole +circuit of the island; and finding the horse they surmised that Fridleif +had been drowned in the waters of the river. They received the horse +within the gates with rejoicing, supposing that it had flung off its +rider and swum over. But Biorn, still scared with the memory of the +visions of the night, advised them to keep watch, since it was not safe +for them yet to put aside suspicion of danger. Then he went to his room +to rest, with the memory of his vision deeply stored in his heart. + +Meanwhile the horse, which Fridleif, in order to spread a belief in his +death, had been loosed and besprinkled with blood (though only with that +which lies between flesh and skin), burst all bedabbled into the camp of +his soldiers. They went straight to the river, and finding the carcase +of the slave, took it for the body of the king; the hissing eddies +having cast it on the bank, dressed in brave attire. Nothing helped +their mistake so much as the swelling of the battered body; inasmuch as +the skin was torn and bruised with the flints, so that all the features +were blotted out, bloodless and wan. This exasperated the champions who +had just promised Fridleif to see that the robbers were extirpated: +and they approached the perilous torrent, that they might not seem to +tarnish the honour of their promise by a craven neglect of their vow. +The rest imitated their boldness, and with equal ardour went to the +river, ready to avenge their king or to endure the worst. When Fridleif +saw them he hastened to lower the bridge to the mainland; and when he +had got the champions he cut down the watch at the first attack. Thus +he went on to attack the rest and put them to the sword, all save Biorn; +whom he tended very carefully and cured of his wounds; whereupon, under +pledge of solemn oath, he made him his colleague, thinking it better to +use his services than to boast of his death. He also declared it would +be shameful if such a flower of bravery were plucked in his first youth +and perished by an untimely death. + +Now the Danes had long ago had false tidings of Fridleif's death, and +when they found that he was approaching, they sent men to fetch him, +and ordered Hiarn to quit the sovereignty, because he was thought to +be holding it only on sufferance and carelessly. But he could not bring +himself to resign such an honour, and chose sooner to spend his life for +glory than pass into the dim lot of common men. Therefore he resolved +to fight for his present estate, that he might not have to resume his +former one stripped of his royal honours. Thus the land was estranged +and vexed with the hasty commotion of civil strife; some were of Hiarn's +party, while others agreed to the claims of Fridleif, because of the +vast services of Frode; and the voice of the commons was perplexed and +divided, some of them respecting things as they were, others the memory +of the past. But regard for the memory of Frode weighed most, and its +sweetness gave Fridleif the balance of popularity. + +Many wise men thought that a person of peasant rank should be removed +from the sovereignty; since, contrary to the rights of birth, and only +by the favour of fortune, he had reached an unhoped-for eminence; and +in order that the unlawful occupant might not debar the rightful heir to +the office, Fridleif told the envoys of the Danes to return, and request +Hiarn either to resign the kingdom or to meet him in battle. Hiarn +thought it more grievous than death to set lust of life before honour, +and to seek safety at the cost of glory. So he met Fridleif in the +field, was crushed, and fled into Jutland, where, rallying a band, he +again attacked his conqueror. But his men were all consumed with the +sword, and he fled unattended, as the island testifies which has taken +its name from his (Hiarno). And so, feeling his lowly fortune, and +seeing himself almost stripped of his forces by the double defeat, he +turned his mind to craft, and went to Fridleif with his face +disguised, meaning to become intimate, and find an occasion to slay him +treacherously. + +Hiarn was received by the king, hiding his purpose under the pretence +of servitude. For, giving himself out as a salt-distiller, he performed +base offices among the servants who did the filthiest work. He used also +to take the last place at meal-time, and he refrained from the baths, +lest his multitude of scars should betray him if he stripped. The king, +in order to ease his own suspicions, made him wash; and when he knew his +enemy by the scars, he said: "Tell me now, thou shameless bandit, how +wouldst thou have dealt with me, if thou hadst found out plainly that +I wished to murder thee?" Hiarn, stupefied, said: "Had I caught thee I +would have first challenged thee, and then fought thee, to give thee a +better chance of wiping out thy reproach." Fridleif presently took +him at his word, challenged him and slew him, and buried his body in a +barrow that bears the dead man's name. + +Soon after FRIDLEIF was admonished by his people to think about +marrying, that he might prolong his line; but he maintained that the +unmarried life was best, quoting his father Frode, on whom his wife's +wantonness had brought great dishonour. At last, yielding to the +persistent entreaties of all, he proceeded to send ambassadors to ask +for the daughter of Amund, King of Norway. One of these, named Frok, was +swallowed by the waves in mid-voyage, and showed a strange portent at +his death. For when the closing flood of billows encompassed him, +blood arose in the midst of the eddy, and the whole face of the sea was +steeped with an alien redness, so that the ocean, which a moment before +was foaming and white with tempest, was presently swollen with crimson +waves, and was seen to wear a colour foreign to its nature. + +Around implacably declined to consent to the wishes of the king, and +treated the legates shamefully, declaring that he spurned the embassy +because the tyranny of Frode had of old borne so heavily upon Norway. +But Amund's daughter, Frogertha, not only looking to the birth of +Fridleif, but also honouring the glory of his deeds, began to upbraid +her father, because he scorned a son-in-law whose nobility was perfect, +being both sufficient in valour and flawless in birth. She added that +the portentous aspect of the sea, when the waves were suddenly turned +into blood, simply and solely signified the defeat of Norway, and was +a plain presage of the victory of Denmark. And when Fridleif sent a +further embassy to ask for her, wishing to vanquish the refusal by +persistency, Amund was indignant that a petition he had once denied +should be obstinately pressed, and hurried the envoys to death, wishing +to offer a brutal check to the zeal of this brazen wooer. Fridleif heard +news of this outrage, and summoning Halfdan and Biorn, sailed round +Norway. Amund, equipped with his native defences, put out his fleet +against him. The firth into which both fleets had mustered is called +Frokasund. Here Fridleif left the camp at night to reconnoitre; and, +hearing an unusual kind of sound close to him as of brass being beaten, +he stood still and looked up, and heard the following song of three +swans, who were crying above him: + +"While Hythin sweeps the sea and cleaves the ravening tide, his serf +drinks out of gold and licks the cups of milk. Best is the estate of the +slave on whom waits the heir, the king's son, for their lots are rashly +interchanged." Next, after the birds had sung, a belt fell from on high, +which showed writing to interpret the song. For while the son of Hythin, +the King of Tellemark, was at his boyish play, a giant, assuming the +usual appearance of men, had carried him off, and using him as an +oarsman (having taken his skiff over to the neighbouring shore), was +then sailing past Fridleif while he was occupied reconnoitering. But the +king would not suffer him to use the service of the captive youth, and +longed to rob the spoiler of his prey. The youth warned him that he +must first use sharp reviling against the giant, promising that he would +prove easy to attack, if only he were assailed with biting verse. Then +Fridleif began thus: + +"Since thou art a giant of three bodies, invincible, and almost reachest +heaven with thy crest, why does this silly sword bind thy thigh? Why +doth a broken spear gird thy huge side? Why, perchance, dost thou defend +thy stalwart breast with a feeble sword, and forget the likeness of thy +bodily stature, trusting in a short dagger, a petty weapon? Soon, soon +will I balk thy bold onset, when with blunted blade thou attemptest war. +Since thou art thyself a timid beast, a lump lacking proper pith, thou +art swept headlong like a flying shadow, having with a fair and famous +body got a heart that is unwarlike and unstable with fear, and a spirit +quite unmatched to thy limbs. Hence thy frame totters, for thy goodly +presence is faulty through the overthrow of thy soul, and thy nature in +all her parts is at strife. Hence shall all tribute of praise quit +thee, nor shalt thou be accounted famous among the brave, but shalt be +reckoned among ranks obscure." + +When he had said this he lopped off a hand and foot of the giant, made +him fly, and set his prisoner free. Then he went straightway to the +giant's headland, took the treasure out of his cave, and carried it +away. Rejoicing in these trophies, and employing the kidnapped youth +to row him over the sea, he composed with cheery voice the following +strain: + +"In the slaying of the swift monster we wielded our blood-stained swords +and our crimsoned blade, whilst thou, Amund, lord of the Norwegian ruin, +wert in deep slumber; and since blind night covers thee, without any +light of soul, thy valour has melted away and beguiled thee. But we +crushed a giant who lost use of his limbs and wealth, and we pierced +into the disorder of his dreary den. There we seized and plundered his +piles of gold. And now with oars we sweep the wave-wandering main, and +joyously return, rowing back to the shore our booty-laden ship; we fleet +over the waves in a skiff that travels the sea; gaily let us furrow +those open waters, lest the dawn come and betray us to the foe. Lightly +therefore, and pulling our hardest, let us scour the sea, making for our +camp and fleet ere Titan raise his rosy head out of the clear waters; +that when fame noises the deed about, and Frogertha knows that the spoil +has been won with a gallant struggle, her heart may be stirred to be +more gentle to our prayer." + +On the morrow there was a great muster of the forces, and Fridleif had +a bloody battle with Amund, fought partly by sea and partly by land. For +not only were the lines drawn up in the open country, but the warriors +also made an attack with their fleet. The battle which followed cost +much blood. So Biorn, when his ranks gave back, unloosed his hound and +sent it against the enemy; wishing to win with the biting of a dog the +victory which he could not achieve with the sword. The enemy were by +this means shamefully routed, for a square of the warriors ran away when +attacked with its teeth. + +There is no saying whether their flight was more dismal or more +disgraceful. Indeed, the army of the Northmen was a thing to blush for; +for an enemy crushed it by borrowing the aid of a brute. Nor was it +treacherous of Fridleif to recruit the failing valour of his men with +the aid of a dog. In this war Amund fell; and his servant Ane, surnamed +the Archer, challenged Fridleif to fight him; but Biorn, being a man of +meaner estate, not suffering the king to engage with a common fellow, +attacked him himself. And when Biorn had bent his bow and was fitting +the arrow to the string, suddenly a dart sent by Ane pierced the top of +the cord. Soon another arrow came after it and struck amid the joints of +his fingers. A third followed, and fell on the arrow as it was laid to +the string. For Ane, who was most dexterous at shooting arrows from a +distance, had purposely only struck the weapon of his opponent, in order +that, by showing it was in his power to do likewise to his person, he +might recall the champion from his purpose. But Biorn abated none of +his valour for this, and, scorning bodily danger, entered the fray with +heart and face so steadfast, that he seemed neither to yield anything +to the skill of Ane, nor lay aside aught of his wonted courage. Thus +he would in nowise be made to swerve from his purpose, and dauntlessly +ventured on the battle. Both of them left it wounded; and fought another +also on Agdar Ness with an emulous thirst for glory. + +By the death of Amund, Fridleif was freed from a most bitter foe, and +obtained a deep and tranquil peace; whereupon he forced his savage +temper to the service of delight; and, transferring his ardour to love, +equipped a fleet in order to seek the marriage which had once been +denied him. At last he set forth on his voyage; and his fleet being +becalmed, he invaded some villages to look for food; where, being +received hospitably by a certain Grubb, and at last winning his daughter +in marriage, he begat a son named Olaf. After some time had passed he +also won Frogertha; but, while going back to his own country, he had a +bad voyage, and was driven on the shores of an unknown island. A certain +man appeared to him in a vision, and instructed him to dig up a treasure +that was buried in the ground, and also to attack the dragon that +guarded it, covering himself in an ox-hide to escape the poison; +teaching him also to meet the envenomed fangs with a hide stretched over +his shield. Therefore, to test the vision, he attacked the snake as it +rose out of the waves, and for a long time cast spears against its scaly +side; in vain, for its hard and shelly body foiled the darts flung at +it. But the snake, shaking its mass of coils, uprooted the trees which +it brushed past by winding its tail about them. Moreover, by constantly +dragging its body, it hollowed the ground down to the solid rock, and +had made a sheer bank on either hand, just as in some places we see +hills parted by an intervening valley. So Fridleif, seeing that the +upper part of the creature was proof against attack, assailed the +lower side with his sword, and piercing the groin, drew blood from +the quivering beast. When it was dead, he unearthed the money from the +underground chamber and had it taken off in his ships. + +When the year had come to an end, he took great pains to reconcile Biorn +and Ane, who had often challenged and fought one another, and made them +exchange their hatred for friendship; and even entrusted to them his +three-year-old son, Olaf, to rear. But his mistress, Juritha, the mother +of Olaf, he gave in marriage to Ane, whom he made one of his warriors; +thinking that she would endure more calmly to be put away, if she wedded +such a champion, and received his robust embrace instead of a king's. + +The ancients were wont to consult the oracles of the Fates concerning +the destinies of their children. In this way Fridleif desired to search +into the fate of his son Olaf; and, after solemnly offering up his vows, +he went to the house of the gods in entreaty; where, looking into the +chapel, he saw three maidens, sitting on three seats. The first of them +was of a benignant temper, and bestowed upon the boy abundant beauty +and ample store of favour in the eyes of men. The second granted him +the gift of surpassing generosity. But the third, a woman of more +mischievous temper and malignant disposition, scorning the unanimous +kindness of her sisters, and likewise wishing to mar their gifts, marked +the future character of the boy with the slur of niggardliness. Thus the +benefits of the others were spoilt by the poison of a lamentable doom; +and hence, by virtue of the twofold nature of these gifts Olaf got his +surname from the meanness which was mingled with his bounty. So it came +about that this blemish which found its way into the gift marred the +whole sweetness of its first benignity. + +When Fridleif had returned from Norway, and was traveling through +Sweden, he took on himself to act as ambassador, and sued successfully +for Hythin's daughter, whom he had once rescued from a monster, to +be the wife of Halfdan, he being still unwedded. Meantime his wife +Frogertha bore a son FRODE, who afterwards got his surname from +his noble munificence. And thus Frode, because of the memory of his +grandsire's prosperity, which he recalled by his name, became from his +very cradle and earliest childhood such a darling of all men, that +he was not suffered even to step or stand on the ground, but was +continually cherished in people's laps and kissed. Thus he was not +assigned to one upbringer only, but was in a manner everybody's +fosterling. And, after his father's death, while he was in his twelfth +year, Swerting and Hanef, the kings of Saxony, disowned his sway, and +tried to rebel openly. He overcame them in battle, and imposed on the +conquered peoples a poll-tax of a coin, which they were to pay as his +slaves. For he showed himself so generous that he doubled the ancient +pay of the soldiers: a fashion of bounty which then was novel. For he +did not, as despots do, expose himself to the vulgar allurements of +vice, but strove to covet ardently whatsoever he saw was nearest honour; +to make his wealth public property; to surpass all other men in bounty, +to forestall them all in offices of kindness; and, hardest of all, to +conquer envy by virtue. By this means the youth soon won such favour +with all men, that he not only equalled in renown the honours of his +forefathers, but surpassed the most ancient records of kings. + +At the same time one Starkad, the son of Storwerk, escaped alone, either +by force or fortune, from a wreck in which his friends perished, and +was received by Frode as his guest for his incredible excellence both of +mind and body. And, after being for some little time his comrade, he was +dressed in a better and more comely fashion every day, and was at last +given a noble vessel, and bidden to ply the calling of a rover, with +the charge of guarding the sea. For nature had gifted him with a body of +superhuman excellence; and his greatness of spirit equalled it, so that +folk thought him behind no man in valour. So far did his glory spread, +that the renown of his name and deeds continues famous even yet. He +shone out among our own countrymen by his glorious roll of exploits, and +he had also won a most splendid record among all the provinces of the +Swedes and Saxons. Tradition says that he was born originally in the +country which borders Sweden on the east, where barbarous hordes of +Esthonians and other nations now dwell far and wide. But a fabulous yet +common rumour has invented tales about his birth which are contrary to +reason and flatly incredible. For some relate that he was sprung from +giants, and betrayed his monstrous birth by an extraordinary number of +hands, four of which, engendered by the superfluity of his nature, they +declare that the god Thor tore off, shattering the framework of the +sinews and wrenching from his whole body the monstrous bunches of +fingers; so that he had but two left, and that his body, which had +before swollen to the size of a giant's, and, by reason of its shapeless +crowd of limbs looked gigantic, was thenceforth chastened to a better +appearance, and kept within the bounds of human shortness. + +For there were of old certain men versed in sorcery, Thor, namely, +and Odin, and many others, who were cunning in contriving marvellous +sleights; and they, winning the minds of the simple, began to claim +the rank of gods. For, in particular, they ensnared Norway, Sweden +and Denmark in the vainest credulity, and by prompting these lands to +worship them, infected them with their imposture. The effects of their +deceit spread so far, that all other men adored a sort of divine power +in them, and, thinking them either gods or in league with gods, +offered up solemn prayers to these inventors of sorceries, and gave to +blasphemous error the honour due to religion. Hence it has come about +that the holy days, in their regular course, are called among us by the +names of these men; for the ancient Latins are known to have named these +days severally, either after the titles of their own gods, or after the +planets, seven in number. But it can be plainly inferred from the mere +names of the holy days that the objects worshipped by our countrymen +were not the same as those whom the most ancient of the Romans called +Jove and Mercury, nor those to whom Greece and Latium paid idolatrous +homage. For the days, called among our countrymen Thors-day or +Odins-day, the ancients termed severally the holy day of Jove or of +Mercury. If, therefore, according to the distinction implied in the +interpretation I have quoted, we take it that Thor is Jove and Odin +Mercury, it follows that Jove was the son of Mercury; that is, if the +assertion of our countrymen holds, among whom it is told as a matter +of common belief, that Thor was Odin's son. Therefore, when the Latins, +believing to the contrary effect, declare that Mercury was sprung from +Jove, then, if their declaration is to stand, we are driven to consider +that Thor was not the same as Jove, and that Odin was also different +from Mercury. Some say that the gods, whom our countrymen worshipped, +shared only the title with those honoured by Greece or Latium, but that, +being in a manner nearly equal to them in dignity, they borrowed from +them the worship as well as the name. This must be sufficient discourse +upon the deities of Danish antiquity. I have expounded this briefly for +the general profit, that my readers may know clearly to what worship in +its heathen superstition our country has bowed the knee. Now I will go +back to my subject where I left it. + +Ancient tradition says that Starkad, whom I mentioned above, offered the +first-fruits of his deeds to the favour of the gods by slaying Wikar, +the king of the Norwegians. The affair, according to the version of some +people, happened as follows:-- + +Odin once wished to slay Wikar by a grievous death; but, loth to do +the deed openly, he graced Starkad, who was already remarkable for his +extraordinary size, not only with bravery, but also with skill in the +composing of spells, that he might the more readily use his services to +accomplish the destruction of the king. For that was how he hoped that +Starkad would show himself grateful for the honour he paid him. For the +same reason he also endowed him with three spans of mortal life, that +he might be able to commit in them as many abominable deeds. So Odin +resolved that Starkad's days should be prolonged by the following crime: +Starkad presently went to Wikar and dwelt awhile in his company, hiding +treachery under homage. At last he went with him sea-roving. And in a +certain place they were troubled with prolonged and bitter storms; and +when the winds checked their voyage so much that they had to lie still +most of the year, they thought that the gods must be appeased with human +blood. When the lots were cast into the urn it so fell that the king was +required for death as a victim. Then Starkad made a noose of withies and +bound the king in it; saying that for a brief instant he should pay +the mere semblance of a penalty. But the tightness of the knot acted +according to its nature, and cut off his last breath as he hung. And +while he was still quivering Starkad rent away with his steel the +remnant of his life; thus disclosing his treachery when he ought to +have brought aid. I do not think that I need examine the version which +relates that the pliant withies, hardened with the sudden grip, acted +like a noose of iron. + +When Starkad had thus treacherously acted he took Wikar's ship and went +to one Bemon, the most courageous of all the rovers of Denmark, in order +to take up the life of a pirate. For Bemon's partner, named Frakk, weary +of the toil of sea-roving, had lately withdrawn from partnership with +him, after first making a money-bargain. Now Starkad and Bemon were so +careful to keep temperate, that they are said never to have indulged +in intoxicating drink, for fear that continence, the greatest bond of +bravery, might be expelled by the power of wantonness. So when, after +overthrowing provinces far and wide, they invaded Russia also in their +lust for empire, the natives, trusting little in their walls or arms, +began to bar the advance of the enemy with nails of uncommon sharpness, +that they might check their inroad, though they could not curb their +onset in battle; and that the ground might secretly wound the soles of +the men whom their army shrank from confronting in the field. But not +even such a barrier could serve to keep off the foe. The Danes were +cunning enough to foil the pains of the Russians. For they straightway +shod themselves with wooden clogs, and trod with unhurt steps upon the +points that lay beneath their soles. Now this iron thing is divided into +four spikes, which are so arranged that on whatsoever side chance may +cast it, it stands steadily on three equal feet. Then they struck into +the pathless glades, where the woods were thickets, and expelled Flokk, +the chief of the Russians, from the mountain hiding-places into which +he had crept. And here they got so much booty, that there was not one of +them but went back to the fleet laden with gold and silver. + +Now when Bemon was dead, Starkad was summoned because of his valour by +the champions of Permland. And when he had done many noteworthy deeds +among them, he went into the land of the Swedes, where he lived at +leisure for seven years' space with the sons of Frey. At last he left +them and betook himself to Hakon, the tyrant of Denmark, because when +stationed at Upsala, at the time of the sacrifices, he was disgusted by +the effeminate gestures and the clapping of the mimes on the stage, and +by the unmanly clatter of the bells. Hence it is clear how far he kept +his soul from lasciviousness, not even enduring to look upon it. Thus +does virtue withstand wantonness. + +Starkad took his fleet to the shore of Ireland with Hakon, in order that +even the furthest kingdoms of the world might not be untouched by the +Danish arms. The king of the island at this time was Hugleik, who, +though he had a well-filled treasury, was yet so prone to avarice, that +once, when he gave a pair of shoes which had been adorned by the hand +of a careful craftsman, he took off the ties, and by thus removing the +latches turned his present into a slight. This unhandsome act blemished +his gift so much that he seemed to reap hatred for it instead of thanks. +Thus he used never to be generous to any respectable man, but to spend +all his bounty upon mimes and jugglers. For so base a fellow was bound +to keep friendly company with the base, and such a slough of vices to +wheedle his partners in sin with pandering endearments. + +Still Hugleik had the friendship of Geigad and Swipdag, nobles of tried +valour, who, by the lustre of their warlike deeds, shone out among their +unmanly companions like jewels embedded in ordure; these alone were +found to defend the riches of the king. When a battle began between +Hugleik and Hakon, the hordes of mimes, whose light-mindedness +unsteadied their bodies, broke their ranks and scurried off in panic; +and this shameful flight was their sole requital for all their king's +benefits. Then Geigad and Swipdag faced all those thousands of the enemy +single-handed, and fought with such incredible courage, that they seemed +to do the part not merely of two warriors, but of a whole army. Geigad, +moreover, dealt Hakon, who pressed him hard, such a wound in the breast +that he exposed the upper part of his liver. It was here that Starkad, +while he was attacking Geigad with his sword, received a very sore wound +on the head; wherefore he afterwards related in a certain song that +a ghastlier wound had never befallen him at any time; for, though the +divisions of his gashed head were bound up by the surrounding outer +skin, yet the livid unseen wound concealed a foul gangrene below. + +Starkad conquered, killed Hugleik and routed the Irish; and had the +actors beaten whom chance made prisoner; thinking it better to order a +pack of buffoons to be ludicrously punished by the loss of their skins +than to command a more deadly punishment and take their lives. Thus +he visited with a disgraceful chastisement the baseborn throng +of professional jugglers, and was content to punish them with the +disgusting flouts of the lash. Then the Danes ordered that the wealth of +the king should be brought out of the treasury in the city of Dublin and +publicly pillaged. For so vast a treasure had been found that none took +much pains to divide it strictly. + +After this, Starkad was commissioned, together with Win, the chief of +the Sclavs, to check the revolt of the East. They, having fought against +the armies of the Kurlanders, the Sembs, the Sangals, and, finally, all +the Easterlings, won splendid victories everywhere. + +A champion of great repute, named Wisin, settled upon a rock in Russia +named Ana-fial, and harried both neighbouring and distant provinces with +all kinds of outrage. This man used to blunt the edge of every weapon by +merely looking at it. He was made so bold in consequence, by having lost +all fear of wounds, that he used to carry off the wives of distinguished +men and drag them to outrage before the eyes of their husbands. Starkad +was roused by the tale of this villainy, and went to Russia to destroy +the criminal; thinking nothing too hard to overcome, he challenged +Wisin, attacked him, made even his tricks useless to him, and slew him. +For Starkad covered his blade with a very fine skin, that it might not +met the eye of the sorcerer; and neither the power of his sleights +nor his great strength were any help to Wisin, for he had to yield to +Starkad. Then Starkad, trusting in his bodily strength, fought with +and overcame a giant at Byzantium, reputed invincible, named Tanne, and +drove him to fly an outlaw to unknown quarters of the earth. Therefore, +finding that he was too mighty for any hard fate to overcome him, he +went to the country of Poland, and conquered in a duel a champion +whom our countrymen name Wasce; but the Teutons, arranging the letters +differently, call him Wilzce. + +Meanwhile the Saxons began to attempt a revolt, and to consider +particularly how they could destroy Frode, who was unconquered in war, +by some other way than an open conflict. Thinking that it would be best +done by a duel, they sent men to provoke the king with a challenge, +knowing that he was always ready to court any hazard, and that his high +spirit would not yield to any admonition whatever. They fancied that +this was the best time to attack him, because they knew that Starkad, +whose valour most men dreaded, was away on business. But while Frode +hesitated, and said that he would talk with his friends about the +answer to be given, Starkad, who had just returned from his sea-roving, +appeared, and blamed such a challenge, principally (he said) because it +was fitting for kings to fight only with their equals, and because +they should not take up arms against men of the people; but it was more +fitting for himself, who was born in a lowlier station, to manage the +battle. + +The Saxons approached Hame, who was accounted their most famous +champion, with many offers, and promised him that, if he would lend his +services for the duel they would pay him his own weight in gold. +The fighter was tempted by the money, and, with all the ovation of a +military procession, they attended him to the ground appointed for the +combat. Thereupon the Danes, decked in warlike array, led Starkad, who +was to represent his king, out to the duelling-ground. Hame, in his +youthful assurance, despised him as withered with age, and chose to +grapple rather than fight with an outworn old man. Attacking Starkad, he +would have flung him tottering to the earth, but that fortune, who would +not suffer the old man to be conquered, prevented him from being hurt. +For he is said to have been so crushed by the fist of Hame, as he dashed +on him, that he touched the earth with his chin, supporting himself on +his knees. But he made up nobly for his tottering; for, as soon as he +could raise his knee and free his hand to draw his sword, he clove Hame +through the middle of the body. Many lands and sixty bondmen apiece were +the reward of the victory. + +After Hame was killed in this manner the sway of the Danes over the +Saxons grew so insolent, that they were forced to pay every year a small +tax for each of their limbs that was a cubit (ell) long, in token of +their slavery. This Hanef could not bear, and he meditated war in his +desire to remove the tribute. Steadfast love of his country filled his +heart every day with greater compassion for the oppressed; and, longing +to spend his life for the freedom of his countrymen, he openly showed +a disposition to rebel. Frode took his forces over the Elbe, and killed +him near the village of Hanofra (Hanover), so named after Hanef. But +Swerting, though he was equally moved by the distress of his countrymen, +said nothing about the ills of his land, and revolved a plan for freedom +with a spirit yet more dogged than Hanef's. Men often doubt whether +this zeal was liker to vice or to virtue; but I certainly censure it as +criminal, because it was produced by a treacherous desire to revolt. It +may have seemed most expedient to seek the freedom of the country, but +it was not lawful to strive after this freedom by craft and treachery. +Therefore, since the deed of Swerting was far from honourable, neither +will it be called expedient; for it is nobler to attack openly him whom +you mean to attack, and to exhibit hatred in the light of day, than to +disguise a real wish to do harm under a spurious show of friendship. But +the gains of crime are inglorious, its fruits are brief and fading. For +even as that soul is slippery, which hides its insolent treachery by +stealthy arts, so is it right that whatsoever is akin to guilt should be +frail and fleeting. For guilt has been usually found to come home to its +author; and rumour relates that such was the fate of Swerting. For he +had resolved to surprise the king under the pretence of a banquet, and +burn him to death; but the king forestalled and slew him, though slain +by him in return. Hence the crime of one proved the destruction of both; +and thus, though the trick succeeded against the foe, it did not bestow +immunity on its author. + +Frode was succeeded by his son Ingild, whose soul was perverted +from honour. He forsook the examples of his forefathers, and utterly +enthralled himself to the lures of the most wanton profligacy. Thus +he had not a shadow of goodness and righteousness, but embraced vices +instead of virtue; he cut the sinews of self-control, neglected the +duties of his kingly station, and sank into a filthy slave of riot. +Indeed, he fostered everything that was adverse or ill-fitted to an +orderly life. He tainted the glories of his father and grandfather by +practising the foulest lusts, and bedimmed the brightest honours of his +ancestors by most shameful deeds. For he was so prone to gluttony, that +he had no desire to avenge his father, or repel the aggressions of his +foes; and so, could he but gratify his gullet, he thought that decency +and self-control need be observed in nothing. By idleness and sloth he +stained his glorious lineage, living a loose and sensual life; and his +soul, so degenerate, so far perverted and astray from the steps of his +fathers, he loved to plunge into most abominable gulfs of foulness. +Fowl-fatteners, scullions, frying-pans, countless cook-houses, different +cooks to roast or spice the banquet--the choosing of these stood to him +for glory. As to arms, soldiering, and wars, he could endure neither +to train himself to them, nor to let others practise them. Thus he cast +away all the ambitions of a man and aspired to those of women; for +his incontinent itching of palate stirred in him love of every +kitchen-stench. Ever breathing of his debauch, and stripped of every rag +of soberness, with his foul breath he belched the undigested filth in +his belly. He was as infamous in wantonness as Frode was illustrious in +war. So utterly had his spirit been enfeebled by the untimely seductions +of gluttony. Starkad was so disgusted at the excess of Ingild, that he +forsook his friendship, and sought the fellowship of Halfdan, the King +of Swedes, preferring work to idleness. Thus he could not bear so +much as to countenance excessive indulgence. Now the sons of Swerting, +fearing that they would have to pay to Ingild the penalty of their +father's crime, were fain to forestall his vengeance by a gift, and gave +him their sister in marriage. Antiquity relates that she bore him sons, +Frode, Fridleif, Ingild, and Olaf (whom some say was the son of Ingild's +sister). + +Ingild's sister Helga had been led by amorous wooing to return the +flame of a certain low-born goldsmith, who was apt for soft words, and +furnished with divers of the little gifts which best charm a woman's +wishes. For since the death of the king there had been none to honour +the virtues of the father by attention to the child; she had lacked +protection, and had no guardians. When Starkad had learnt this from the +repeated tales of travellers, he could not bear to let the wantonness of +the smith pass unpunished. For he was always heedful to bear kindness in +mind, and as ready to punish arrogance. So he hastened to chastise +such bold and enormous insolence, wishing to repay the orphan ward the +benefits he had of old received from Frode. Then he travelled through +Sweden, went into the house of the smith, and posted himself near the +threshold muffling his face in a cap to avoid discovery. The smith, who +had not learnt the lesson that "strong hands are sometimes found under a +mean garment", reviled him, and bade him quickly leave the house, saying +that he should have the last broken victuals among the crowd of paupers. +But the old man, whose ingrained self-control lent him patience, was +nevertheless fain to rest there, and gradually study the wantonness of +his host. For his reason was stronger than his impetuosity, and curbed +his increasing rage. Then the smith approached the girl with open +shamelessness, and cast himself in her lap, offering the hair of his +head to be combed out by her maidenly hands. + +Also he thrust forward his loin cloth, and required her help in picking +out the fleas; and exacted from this woman of lordly lineage that +she should not blush to put her sweet fingers in a foul apron. Then, +believing that he was free to have his pleasure, he ventured to put his +longing palms within her gown and to set his unsteady hands close to her +breast. But she, looking narrowly, was aware of the presence of the old +man whom she once had known, and felt ashamed. She spurned the wanton +and libidinous fingering, and repulsed the unchaste hands, telling the +man also that he had need of arms, and urging him to cease his lewd +sport. + +Starkad, who had sat down by the door, with the hat muffling his head, +had already become so deeply enraged at this sight, that he could not +find patience to hold his hand any longer, but put away his covering and +clapped his right hand to his sword to draw it. Then the smith, whose +only skill was in lewdness, faltered with sudden alarm, and finding that +it had come to fighting, gave up all hope of defending himself, and saw +in flight the only remedy for his need. Thus it was as hard to break out +of the door, of which the enemy held the approach, as it was grievous to +await the smiter within the house. At last necessity forced him to put +an end to his delay, and he judged that a hazard wherein there lay but +the smallest chance of safety was more desirable than sure and manifest +danger. Also, hard as it was to fly, the danger being so close, yet he +desired flight because it seemed to bring him aid, and to be the nearer +way to safety; and he cast aside delay, which seemed to be an evil +bringing not the smallest help, but perhaps irretrievable ruin. But just +as he gained the threshold, the old man watching at the door smote him +through the hams, and there, half dead, he tottered and fell. For the +smiter thought he ought carefully to avoid lending his illustrious hands +to the death of a vile cinder-blower, and considered that ignominy would +punish his shameless passion worse than death. Thus some men think +that he who suffers misfortune is worse punished than he who is slain +outright. Thus it was brought about, that the maiden, who had never had +parents to tend her, came to behave like a woman of well-trained nature, +and did the part, as it were, of a zealous guardian to herself. And when +Starkad, looking round, saw that the household sorrowed over the late +loss of their master, he heaped shame on the wounded man with more +invective, and thus began to mock: + +"Why is the house silent and aghast? What makes this new grief? Or where +now rest that doting husband whom the steel has just punished for his +shameful love? Keeps he still aught of his pride and lazy wantonness? +Holds he to his quest, glows his lust as hot as before? Let him while +away an hour with me in converse, and allay with friendly words my +hatred of yesterday. Let your visage come forth with better cheer; let +not lamentation resound in the house, or suffer the faces to become +dulled with sorrow. + +"Wishing to know who burned with love for the maiden, and was deeply +enamoured of my beloved ward, I put on a cap, lest my familiar face +might betray me. Then comes in that wanton smith, with lewd steps, +bending his thighs this way and that with studied gesture, and likewise +making eyes as he ducked all ways. His covering was a mantle fringed +with beaver, his sandals were inlaid with gems, his cloak was decked +with gold. Gorgeous ribbons bound his plaited hair, and a many-coloured +band drew tight his straying locks. Hence grew a sluggish and puffed-up +temper; he fancied that wealth was birth, and money forefathers, and +reckoned his fortune more by riches than by blood. Hence came pride unto +him, and arrogance led to fine attire. For the wretch began to think +that his dress made him equal to the high-born; he, the cinder-blower, +who hunts the winds with hides, and puffs with constant draught, who +rakes the ashes with his fingers, and often by drawing back the bellows +takes in the air, and with a little fan makes a breath and kindles the +smouldering fires! Then he goes to the lap of the girl, and leaning +close, says, `Maiden, comb my hair and catch the skipping fleas, and +remove what stings my skin.' Then he sat and spread his arms that +sweated under the gold, lolling on the smooth cushion and leaning back +on his elbow, wishing to flaunt his adornment, just as a barking brute +unfolds the gathered coils of its twisted tail. But she knew me, and +began to check her lover and rebuff his wanton hands; and, declaring +that it was I, she said, `Refrain thy fingers, check thy promptings, +take heed to appease the old man sitting close by the doors. The sport +will turn to sorrow. I think Starkad is here, and his slow gaze scans +thy doings.' The smith answered: `Turn not pale at the peaceful raven +and the ragged old man; never has that mighty one whom thou fearest +stooped to such common and base attire. The strong man loves shining +raiment, and looks for clothes to match his courage.' Then I uncovered +and drew my sword, and as the smith fled I clove his privy parts; his +hams were laid open, cut away from the bone; they showed his entrails. +Presently I rise and crush the girl's mouth with my fist, and draw blood +from her bruised nostril. Then her lips, used to evil laughter, were wet +with tears mingled with blood, and foolish love paid for all the sins +it committed with soft eyes. Over is the sport of the hapless woman who +rushed on, blind with desire, like a maddened mare, and makes her +lust the grave of her beauty. Thou deservest to be sold for a price to +foreign peoples and to grind at the mill, unless blood pressed from thy +breasts prove thee falsely accused, and thy nipple's lack of milk clear +thee of the crime. Howbeit, I think thee free from this fault; yet bear +not tokens of suspicion, nor lay thyself open to lying tongues, nor give +thyself to the chattering populace to gird at. Rumour hurts many, and a +lying slander often harms. A little word deceives the thoughts of common +men. Respect thy grandsires, honour thy fathers, forget not thy parents, +value thy forefathers; let thy flesh and blood keep its fame. What +madness came on thee? And thou, shameless smith, what fate drove thee in +thy lust to attempt a high-born race? Or who sped thee, maiden, worthy +of the lordliest pillows, to loves obscure? Tell me, how durst thou +taste with thy rosy lips a mouth reeking of ashes, or endure on thy +breast hands filthy with charcoal, or bring close to thy side the arms +that turn the live coals over, and put the palms hardened with the use +of the tongs to thy pure cheeks, and embrace the head sprinkled with +embers, taking it to thy bright arms? + +"I remember how smiths differ from one another, for once they smote me. +All share alike the name of their calling, but the hearts beneath are +different in temper. I judge those best who weld warriors' swords and +spears for the battle, whose temper shows their courage, who betoken +their hearts by the sternness of their calling, whose work declares +their prowess. There are also some to whom the hollow mould yields +bronze, as they make the likeness of divers things in molten gold, who +smelt the veins and recast the metal. But Nature has fashioned these of +a softer temper, and has crushed with cowardice the hands which she +has gifted with rare skill. Often such men, while the heat of the blast +melts the bronze that is poured in the mould, craftily filch flakes of +gold from the lumps, when the vessel thirsts after the metal they have +stolen." + +So speaking, Starkad got as much pleasure from his words as from his +works, and went back to Halfdan, embracing his service with the closest +friendship, and never ceasing from the exercise of war; so that he +weaned his mind from delights, and vexed it with incessant application +to arms. + +Now Ingild had two sisters, Helga and Asa; Helga was of full age to +marry, while Asa was younger and unripe for wedlock. Then Helge the +Norwegian was moved with desire to ask for Helga for his wife, and +embarked. Now he had equipped his vessel so luxuriously that he had +lordly sails decked with gold, held up also on gilded masts, and tied +with crimson ropes. When he arrived Ingild promised to grant him his +wish if, to test his reputation publicly, he would first venture to meet +in battle the champions pitted against him. Helge did not flinch at the +terms; he answered that he would most gladly abide by the compact. +And so the troth-plight of the future marriage was most ceremoniously +solemnized. + +A story is remembered that there had grown up at the same time, on the +Isle of Zealand, the nine sons of a certain prince, all highly gifted +with strength and valour, the eldest of whom was Anganty. This last was +a rival suitor for the same maiden; and when he saw that the match +which he had been denied was promised to Helge, he challenged him to +a struggle, wishing to fight away his vexation. Helge agreed to the +proposed combat. The hour of the fight was appointed for the wedding-day +by the common wish of both. For any man who, being challenged, refused +to fight, used to be covered with disgrace in the sight of all men. Thus +Helge was tortured on the one side by the shame of refusing the battle, +on the other by the dread of waging it. For he thought himself attacked +unfairly and counter to the universal laws of combat, as he had +apparently undertaken to fight nine men single-handed. While he was +thus reflecting his betrothed told him that he would need help, and +counselled him to refrain from the battle, wherein it seemed he would +encounter only death and disgrace, especially as he had not stipulated +for any definite limit to the number of those who were to be his +opponents. He should therefore avoid the peril, and consult his safety +by appealing to Starkad, who was sojourning among the Swedes; since it +was his way to help the distressed, and often to interpose successfully +to retrieve some dismal mischance. + +Then Helge, who liked the counsel thus given very well, took a small +escort and went into Sweden; and when he reached its most famous city, +Upsala, he forbore to enter, but sent in a messenger who was to invite +Starkad to the wedding of Frode's daughter, after first greeting him +respectfully to try him. This courtesy stung Starkad like an insult. He +looked sternly on the youth, and said, "That had he not had his beloved +Frode named in his instructions, he should have paid dearly for his +senseless mission. He must think that Starkad, like some buffoon or +trencherman, was accustomed to rush off to the reek of a distant kitchen +for the sake of a richer diet." Helge, when his servant had told him +this, greeted the old man in the name of Frode's daughter, and asked him +to share a battle which he had accepted upon being challenged, saying +that he was not equal to it by himself, the terms of the agreement being +such as to leave the number of his adversaries uncertain. Starkad, when +he had heard the time and place of the combat, not only received the +suppliant well, but also encouraged him with the offer of aid, and told +him to go back to Denmark with his companions, telling him that he would +find his way to him by a short and secret path. Helge departed, and if +we may trust report, Starkad, by sheer speed of foot, travelled in one +day's journeying over as great a space as those who went before him are +said to have accomplished in twelve; so that both parties, by a chance +meeting, reached their journey's end, the palace of Ingild, at the very +same time. Here Starkad passed, just as the servants did, along the +tables filled with guests; and the aforementioned nine, howling horribly +with repulsive gestures, and running about as if they were on the stage, +encouraged one another to the battle. Some say that they barked like +furious dogs at the champion as he approached. Starkad rebuked them for +making themselves look ridiculous with such an unnatural visage, and for +clowning with wide grinning cheeks; for from this, he declared, soft and +effeminate profligates derived their wanton incontinence. When Starkad +was asked banteringly by the nine whether he had valour enough to fight, +he answered that doubtless he was strong enough to meet, not merely one, +but any number that might come against him. And when the nine heard this +they understood that this was the man whom they had heard would come +to the succour of Helge from afar. Starkad also, to protect the +bride-chamber with a more diligent guard, voluntarily took charge of the +watch; and, drawing back the doors of the bedroom, barred them with +a sword instead of a bolt, meaning to post himself so as to give +undisturbed quiet to their bridal. + +When Helge woke, and, shaking off the torpor of sleep, remembered his +pledge, he thought of buckling on his armour. But, seeing that a little +of the darkness of night yet remained, and wishing to wait for the hour +of dawn, he began to ponder the perilous business at hand, when sleep +stole on him and sweetly seized him, so that he took himself back to +bed laden with slumber. Starkad, coming in on him at daybreak, saw him +locked asleep in the arms of his wife, and would not suffer him to be +vexed with a sudden shock, or summoned from his quiet slumbers; lest +he should seem to usurp the duty of wakening him and breaking upon the +sweetness of so new a union, all because of cowardice. He thought it, +therefore, more handsome to meet the peril alone than to gain a comrade +by disturbing the pleasure of another. So he quietly retraced his steps, +and scorning his enemies, entered the field which in our tongue is +called Roliung, and finding a seat under the slope of a certain hill, +he exposed himself to wind and snow. Then, as though the gentle airs of +spring weather were breathing upon him, he put off his cloak, and set to +picking out the fleas. He also cast on the briars a purple mantle which +Helga had lately given him, that no clothing might seem to lend him +shelter against the raging shafts of hail. Then the champions came and +climbed the hill on the opposite side; and, seeking a spot sheltered +from the winds wherein to sit, they lit a fire and drove off the cold. +At last, not seeing Starkad, they sent a man to the crest of the hill, +to watch his coming more clearly, as from a watch-tower. This man +climbed to the top of the lofty mountain, and saw, on its sloping side, +an old man covered shoulder-high with the snow that showered down. He +asked him if he was the man who was to fight according to the promise. +Starkad declared that he was. Then the rest came up and asked him +whether he had resolved to meet them all at once or one by one. But he +said, "Whenever a surly pack of curs yelps at me, I commonly send them +flying all at once, and not in turn." Thus he let them know that he +would rather fight with-them all together than one by one, thinking that +his enemies should be spurned with words first and deeds afterwards. + +The fight began furiously almost immediately, and he felled six of them +without receiving any wound in return; and though the remaining three +wounded him so hard in seventeen places that most of his bowels gushed +out of his belly, he slew them notwithstanding, like their brethren. +Disembowelled, with failing strength, he suffered from dreadful straits +of thirst, and, crawling on his knees in his desire to find a draught, +he longed for water from the streamlet that ran close by. But when he +saw it was tainted with gore he was disgusted at the look of the water, +and refrained from its infected draught. For Anganty had been struck +down in the waves of the river, and had dyed its course so deep with his +red blood that it seemed now to flow not with water, but with some ruddy +liquid. So Starkad thought it nobler that his bodily strength should +fail than that he should borrow strength from so foul a beverage. +Therefore, his force being all but spent, he wriggled on his knees, up +to a rock that happened to be lying near, and for some little while lay +leaning against it. A hollow in its surface is still to be seen, just as +if his weight as he lay had marked it with a distinct impression of +his body. But I think this appearance is due to human handiwork, for it +seems to pass all belief that the hard and uncleavable rock should so +imitate the softness of wax, as, merely by the contact of a man leaning +on it, to present the appearance of a man having sat there, and assume +concavity for ever. + +A certain man, who chanced to be passing by in a cart, saw Starkad +wounded almost all over his body. Equally aghast and amazed, he turned +and drove closer, asking what reward he should have if he were to tend +and heal his wounds. But Starkad would rather be tortured by grievous +wounds than use the service of a man of base estate, and first asked +his birth and calling. The man said that his profession was that of a +sergeant. Starkad, not content with despising him, also spurned him with +revilings, because, neglecting all honourable business, he followed the +calling of a hanger-on; and because he had tarnished his whole career +with ill repute, thinking the losses of the poor his own gains; +suffering none to be innocent, ready to inflict wrongful accusation +upon all men, most delighted at any lamentable turn in the fortunes of +another; and toiling most at his own design, namely of treacherously +spying out all men's doings, and seeking some traitorous occasion to +censure the character of the innocent. + +As this first man departed, another came up, promising aid and remedies. +Like the last comer, he was bidden to declare his condition; and he +said that he had a certain man's handmaid to wife, and was doing peasant +service to her master in order to set her free. Starkad refused to +accept his help, because he had married in a shameful way by taking a +slave to his embrace. Had he had a shred of virtue he should at least +have disdained to be intimate with the slave of another, but should have +enjoyed some freeborn partner of his bed. What a mighty man, then, must +we deem Starkad, who, when enveloped in the most deadly perils, showed +himself as great in refusing aid as in receiving wounds! + +When this man departed a woman chanced to approach and walk past the +old man. She came up to him in order to wipe his wounds, but was first +bidden to declare what was her birth and calling. She said that she was +a handmaid used to grinding at the mill. Starkad then asked her if she +had children; and when he was told that she had a female child, he told +her to go home and give the breast to her squalling daughter; for he +thought it most uncomely that he should borrow help from a woman of the +lowest degree. Moreover, he knew that she could nourish her own flesh +and blood with milk better than she could minister to the wounds of a +stranger. + +As the woman was departing, a young man came riding up in a cart. He saw +the old man, and drew near to minister to his wounds. On being asked who +he was, he said his father was a labourer, and added that he was used +to the labours of a peasant. Starkad praised his origin, and pronounced +that his calling was also most worthy of honour; for, he said, such men +sought a livelihood by honourable traffic in their labour, inasmuch as +they knew not of any gain, save what they had earned by the sweat +of their brow. He also thought that a country life was justly to be +preferred even to the most splendid riches; for the most wholesome +fruits of it seemed to be born and reared in the shelter of a middle +estate, halfway between magnificence and squalor. But he did not wish +to pass the kindness of the youth unrequited, and rewarded the esteem +he had shown him with the mantle he had cast among the thorns. So the +peasant's son approached, replaced the parts of his belly that had been +torn away, and bound up with a plait of withies the mass of intestines +that had fallen out. Then he took the old man to his car, and with the +most zealous respect carried him away to the palace. + +Meantime Helga, in language betokening the greatest wariness, began to +instruct her husband, saying that she knew that Starkad, as soon as +he came back from conquering the champions, would punish him for his +absence, thinking that he had inclined more to sloth and lust than to +his promise to fight as appointed. Therefore he must withstand Starkad +boldly, because he always spared the brave but loathed the coward. Helge +respected equally her prophecy and her counsel, and braced his soul +and body with a glow of valorous enterprise. Starkad, when he had been +driven to the palace, heedless of the pain of his wounds, leaped swiftly +out of the cart, and just like a man who was well from top to toe, burst +into the bridal-chamber, shattering the doors with his fist. Then Helge +leapt from his bed, and, as he had been taught by the counsel of his +wife, plunged his blade full at Starkad's forehead. And since he seemed +to be meditating a second blow, and to be about to make another thrust +with his sword, Helga flew quickly from the couch, caught up a shield, +and, by interposing it, saved the old man from impending destruction; +for, notwithstanding, Helge with a stronger stroke of his blade smote +the shield right through to the boss. Thus the praiseworthy wit of the +woman aided her friend, and her hand saved him whom her counsel had +injured; for she protected the old man by her deed, as well as her +husband by her warning. Starkad was induced by this to let Helge go +scot-free; saying that a man whose ready and assured courage so surely +betokened manliness, ought to be spared; for he vowed that a man ill +deserved death whose brave spirit was graced with such a dogged will to +resist. + +Starkad went back to Sweden before his wounds had been treated with +medicine, or covered with a single scar. Halfdan had been killed by his +rivals; and Starkad, after quelling certain rebels, set up Siward as the +heir to his father's sovereignty. With him he sojourned a long time; but +when he heard--for the rumour spread--that Ingild, the son of Frode (who +had been treacherously slain), was perversely minded, and instead +of punishing his father's murderers, bestowed upon them kindness and +friendship, he was vexed with stinging wrath at so dreadful a crime. +And, resenting that a youth of such great parts should have renounced +his descent from his glorious father, he hung on his shoulders a mighty +mass of charcoal, as though it were some costly burden, and made his +way to Denmark. When asked by those he met why he was taking along so +unusual a load, he said that he would sharpen the dull wits of King +Ingild to a point by bits of charcoal. So he accomplished a swift and +headlong journey, as though at a single breath, by a short and speedy +track; and at last, becoming the guest of Ingild, he went up, as his +custom was, in to the seat appointed for the great men; for he had been +used to occupy the highest post of distinction with the kings of the +last generation. + +When the queen came in, and saw him covered over with filth and clad +in the mean, patched clothes of a peasant, the ugliness of her guest's +dress made her judge him with little heed; and, measuring the man by the +clothes, she reproached him with crassness of wit, because he had gone +before greater men in taking his place at table, and had assumed a seat +that was too good for his boorish attire. She bade him quit the place, +that he might not touch the cushions with his dress, which was fouler +than it should have been. For she put down to crassness and brazenness +what Starkad only did from proper pride; she knew not that on a high +seat of honour the mind sometimes shines brighter than the raiment. The +spirited old man obeyed, though vexed at the rebuff, and with marvellous +self-control choked down the insult which his bravery so ill deserved; +uttering at this disgrace he had received neither word nor groan. But +he could not long bear to hide the bitterness of his anger in silence. +Rising, and retreating to the furthest end of the palace, he flung his +body against the walls; and strong as they were, he so battered them +with the shock, that the beams quaked mightily; and he nearly brought +the house down in a crash. Thus, stung not only with his rebuff, but +with the shame of having poverty cast in his teeth, he unsheathed +his wrath against the insulting speech of the queen with inexorable +sternness. + +Ingild, on his return from hunting, scanned him closely, and, when +he noticed that he neither looked cheerfully about, nor paid him the +respect of rising, saw by the sternness written on his brow that it was +Starkad. For when he noted his hands horny with fighting, his scars in +front, the force and fire of his eye, he perceived that a man whose +body was seamed with so many traces of wounds had no weakling soul. +He therefore rebuked his wife, and charged her roundly to put away her +haughty tempers, and to soothe and soften with kind words and gentle +offices the man she had reviled; to comfort him with food and drink, +and refresh him with kindly converse; saying, that this man had been +appointed his tutor by his father long ago, and had been a most tender +guardian of his childhood. Then, learning too late the temper of the old +man, she turned her harshness into gentleness, and respectfully waited +on him whom she had rebuffed and railed at with bitter revilings. +The angry hostess changed her part, and became the most fawning of +flatterers. She wished to check his anger with her attentiveness; and +her fault was the less, inasmuch as she was so quick in ministering +to him after she had been chidden. But she paid dearly for it, for she +presently beheld stained with the blood of her brethren the place where +she had flouted and rebuffed the brave old man from his seat. + +Now, in the evening, Ingild took his meal with the sons of Swerting, +and fell to a magnificent feast, loading the tables with the profusest +dishes. With friendly invitation he kept the old man back from leaving +the revel too early; as though the delights of elaborate dainties could +have undermined that staunch and sturdy virtue! But when Starkad had set +eyes on these things, he scorned so wanton a use of them; and, not to +give way a whit to foreign fashions, he steeled his appetite against +these tempting delicacies with the self-restraint which was his greatest +strength. He would not suffer his repute as a soldier to be impaired +by the allurements of an orgy. For his valour loved thrift, and was a +stranger to all superfluity of food, and averse to feasting in excess. +For his was a courage which never at any moment had time to make luxury +of aught account, and always forewent pleasure to pay due heed to +virtue. So, when he saw that the antique character of self-restraint, +and all good old customs, were being corrupted by new-fangled luxury +and sumptuosity, he wished to be provided with a morsel fitter for a +peasant, and scorned the costly and lavish feast. + +Spurning profuse indulgence in food, Starkad took some smoky and rather +rancid fare, appeasing his hunger with a bitter relish because more +simply; and being unwilling to enfeeble his true valour with the tainted +sweetness of sophisticated foreign dainties, or break the rule of +antique plainness by such strange idolatries of the belly. He was also +very wroth that they should go, to the extravagance of having the same +meat both roasted and boiled at the same meal; for he considered an +eatable which was steeped in the vapours of the kitchen, and which the +skill of the cook rubbed over with many kinds of flavours, in the light +of a monstrosity. + +Unlike Starkad Ingild flung the example of his ancestors to the winds, +and gave himself freer licence of innovation in the fashions of the +table than the custom of his fathers allowed. For when he had once +abandoned himself to the manners of Teutonland, he did not blush to +yield to its unmanly wantonness. No slight incentives to debauchery have +flowed down our country's throat from that sink of a land. Hence came +magnificent dishes, sumptuous kitchens, the base service of cooks, and +all sorts of abominable sausages. Hence came our adoption, wandering +from the ways of our fathers, of a more dissolute dress. Thus our +country, which cherished self-restraint as its native quality, has +gone begging to our neighbours for luxury; whose allurements so charmed +Ingild, that he did not think it shameful to requite wrongs with +kindness; nor did the grievous murder of his father make him heave one +sigh of bitterness when it crossed his mind. + +But the queen would not depart without effecting her purpose. Thinking +that presents would be the best way to banish the old man's anger, she +took off her own head a band of marvellous handiwork, and put it in his +lap as he supped: desiring to buy his favour since she could not blunt +his courage. But Starkad, whose bitter resentment was not yet abated, +flung it back in the face of the giver, thinking that in such a gift +there was more scorn than respect. And he was wise not to put this +strange ornament of female dress upon the head that was all bescarred +and used to the helmet; for he knew that the locks of a man ought not to +wear a woman's head-band. Thus he avenged slight with slight, and repaid +with retorted scorn the disdain he had received; thereby bearing himself +well-nigh as nobly in avenging his disgrace as he had borne himself in +enduring it. + +To the soul of Starkad reverence for Frode was grappled with hooks of +love. Drawn to him by deeds of bounty, countless kindnesses, he could +not be wheedled into giving up his purpose of revenge by any sort of +alluring complaisance. Even now, when Frode was no more, he was eager +to pay the gratitude due to his benefits, and to requite the kindness +of the dead, whose loving disposition and generous friendship he had +experienced while he lived. For he bore graven so deeply in his heart +the grievous picture of Frode's murder, that his honour for that most +famous captain could never be plucked from the inmost chamber of his +soul; and therefore he did not hesitate to rank his ancient friendship +before the present kindness. Besides, when he recalled the previous +affront, he could not thank the complaisance that followed; he could not +put aside the disgraceful wound to his self-respect. For the memory of +benefits or injuries ever sticks more firmly in the minds of brave +men than in those of weaklings. For he had not the habits of those who +follow their friends in prosperity and quit them in adversity, who pay +more regard to fortune than to looks, and sit closer to their own gain +than to charity toward others. + +But the woman held to her purpose, seeing that even so she could not win +the old man to convivial mirth. Continuing with yet more lavish courtesy +her efforts to soothe him, and to heap more honours on the guest, she +bade a piper strike up, and started music to melt his unbending rage. +For she wanted to unnerve his stubborn nature by means of cunning +sounds. But the cajolery of pipe or string was just as powerless to +enfeeble that dogged warrior. When he heard it, he felt that the respect +paid him savoured more of pretence than of love. Hence the crestfallen +performer seemed to be playing to a statue rather than a man, and learnt +that it is vain for buffoons to assail with, their tricks a settled and +weighty sternness, and that a mighty mass cannot be shaken with the +idle puffing of the lips. For Starkad had set his face so firmly in his +stubborn wrath, that he seemed not a whit easier to move than ever. For +the inflexibility which he owed his vows was not softened either by the +strain of the lute or the enticements of the palate; and he thought that +more respect should be paid to his strenuous and manly purpose than to +the tickling of the ears or the lures of the feast. Accordingly he flung +the bone, which he had stripped in eating the meat, in the face of the +harlequin, and drove the wind violently out of his puffed cheeks, so +that they collapsed. By this he showed how his austerity loathed the +clatter of the stage; for his ears were stopped with anger and open to +no influence of delight. This reward, befitting an actor, punished +an unseemly performance with a shameful wage. For Starkad excellently +judged the man's deserts, and bestowed a shankbone for the piper to pipe +on, requiting his soft service with a hard fee. None could say whether +the actor piped or wept the louder; he showed by his bitter flood of +tears how little place bravery has in the breasts of the dissolute. For +the fellow was a mere minion of pleasure, and had never learnt to bear +the assaults of calamity. This man's hurt was ominous of the carnage +that was to follow at the feast. Right well did Starkad's spirit, +heedful of sternness, hold with stubborn gravity to steadfast revenge; +for he was as much disgusted at the lute as others were delighted, +and repaid the unwelcome service by insultingly flinging a bone; thus +avowing that he owed a greater debt to the glorious dust of his mighty +friend than to his shameless and infamous ward. + +But when Starkad saw that the slayers of Frode were in high favour +with the king, his stern glances expressed the mighty wrath which he +harboured, and his face betrayed what he felt. The visible fury of his +gaze betokened the secret tempest in his heart. At last, when Ingild +tried to appease him with royal fare, he spurned the dainty. Satisfied +with cheap and common food, he utterly spurned outlandish delicacies; +he was used to plain diet, and would not pamper his palate with any +delightful flavour. When he was asked why he had refused the generous +attention of the king with such a clouded brow, he said that he had come +to Denmark to find the son of Frode, not a man who crammed his proud +and gluttonous stomach with rich elaborate feasts. For the Teuton +extravagance which the king favoured had led him, in his longing for the +pleasures of abundance, to set to the fire again, for roasting, dishes +which had been already boiled. Thereupon he could not forbear from +attacking Ingild's character, but poured out the whole bitterness of +his reproaches on his head. He condemned his unfilial spirit, because +he gaped with repletion and vented his squeamishness in filthy hawkings; +because, following the lures of the Saxons, he strayed and departed far +from soberness; because he was so lacking in manhood as not to pursue +even the faintest shadow of it. But, declared Starkad, he bore the +heaviest load of infamy, because, even when he first began to see +service, he forgot to avenge his father, to whose butchers, forsaking +the law of nature, he was kind and attentive. Men whose deserts were +most vile he welcomed with loving affection; and not only did he let +those go scot-free, whom he should have punished most sharply, but he +even judged them fit persons to live with and entertain at his table, +whereas he should rather have put them to death. Hereupon Starkad is +also said to have sung as follows: + +"Let the unwarlike youth yield to the aged, let him honour all the years +of him that is old. When a man is brave, let none reproach the number of +his days. + +"Though the hair of the ancient whiten with age, their valour stays +still the same; nor shall the lapse of time have power to weaken their +manly heart. + +"I am elbowed away by the offensive guest, who taints with vice his +outward show of goodness, whilst he is the slave of his belly and +prefers his daily dainties to anything. + +"When I was counted as a comrade of Frode, I ever sat in the midst of +warriors on a high seat in the hall, and I was the first of the princes +to take my meal. + +"Now, the lot of a nobler age is reversed; I am shut in a corner, I am +like the fish that seeks shelter as it wanders to and fro hidden in the +waters. + +"I, who used surely in the former age to lie back on a couch handsomely +spread, am now thrust among the hindmost and driven from the crowded +hall. + +"Perchance I had been driven on my back at the doors, had not the wall +struck my side and turned me back, and had not the beam, in the way made +it hard for me to fly when I was thrust forth. + +"I am baited with the jeers of the court-folk; I am not received as +a guest should be; I am girded at with harsh gibing, and stung with +babbling taunts. + +"I am a stranger, and would gladly know what news are spread abroad by +busy rumour; what is the course of events; what the order of the land; +what is doing in your country. + +"Thou, Ingild, buried in sin, why dost thou tarry in the task of +avenging thy father? Wilt thou think tranquilly of the slaughter of thy +righteous sire? + +"Why dost thou, sluggard, think only of feasting, and lean thy belly +back in ease, more effeminate than harlots? Is the avenging of thy +slaughtered father a little thing to thee? + +"When last I left thee, Frode, I learned by my prophetic soul that thou, +mightiest of kings, wouldst surely perish by the sword of enemies. + +"And while I travelled long in the land, a warning groan rose in my +soul, which augured that thereafter I was never to see thee more. + +"Wo is me, that then I was far away, harrying the farthest peoples of +the earth, when the traitorous guest aimed craftily at the throat of his +king. + +"Else I would either have shown myself the avenger of my lord, or +have shared his fate and fallen where he fell, and would joyfully have +followed the blessed king in one and the same death. + +"I have not come to indulge in gluttonous feasting, the sin whereof I +will strive to chastise; nor will I take mine ease, nor the delights of +the fat belly. + +"No famous king has ever set me before in the middle by the strangers. I +have been wont to sit in the highest seats among friends. + +"I have come from Sweden, travelling over wide lands, thinking that I +should be rewarded, if only I had the joy to find the son of my beloved +Frode. + +"But I sought a brave man, and I have come to a glutton, a king who is +the slave of his belly and of vice, whose liking has been turned back +towards wantonness by filthy pleasure. + +"Famous is the speech men think that Halfdan spoke: he warned us it +would soon come to pass that an understanding father should beget a +witless son. + +"Though the heir be deemed degenerate, I will not suffer the wealth of +mighty Frode to profit strangers or to be made public like plunder." + +At these words the queen trembled, and she took from her head the ribbon +with which she happened, in woman's fashion, to be adorning her hair, +and proffered it to the enraged old man, as though she could avert his +anger with a gift. Starkad in anger flung it back most ignominiously in +the face of the giver, and began again in a loud voice: + +"Take hence, I pray thee, thy woman's gift, and set back thy headgear on +thy head; no brave man assumes the chaplets that befit Love only. + +"For it is amiss that the hair of men that are ready for battle should +be bound back with wreathed gold; such attire is right for the throngs +of the soft and effeminate. + +"But take this gift to thy husband, who loves luxury, whose finger +itches, while he turns over the rump and handles the flesh of the bird +roasted brown. + +"The flighty and skittish wife of Ingild longs to observe the fashions +of the Teutons; she prepares the orgy and makes ready the artificial +dainties. + +"For she tickles the palate with a new-fangled feast; she pursues the +zest of an unknown flavour, raging to load all the tables with dishes +yet more richly than before. + +"She gives her lord wine to drink in bowls, pondering all things with +zealous preparation; she bids the cooked meats be roasted, and intends +them for a second fire. + +"Wantonly she feeds her husband like a hog; a shameless whore, +trusting.... + +"She roasts the boiled, and recooks the roasted meats, planning the meal +with spendthrift extravagance, careless of right and wrong, practising +sin, a foul woman. + +"Wanton in arrogance, a soldier of Love, longing for dainties, she +abjures the fair ways of self-control, and also provides devices for +gluttony. + +"With craving stomach she desires turnip strained in a smooth pan, cakes +with thin juice, and shellfish in rows. + +"I do not remember the Great Frode putting his hand to the sinews of +birds, or tearing the rump of a cooked fowl with crooked thumb. + +"What former king could have been so gluttonous as to stir the stinking +filthy flesh, or rummage in the foul back of a bird with plucking +fingers? + +"The food of valiant men is raw; no need, methinks, of sumptuous tables +for those whose stubborn souls are bent on warfare. + +"It had been fitter for thee to have torn the stiff beard, biting hard +with thy teeth, than greedily to have drained the bowl of milk with thy +wide mouth. + +"We fled from the offence of the sumptuous kitchen; we stayed our +stomach with rancid fare; few in the old days loved cooked juices. + +"A dish with no sauce of herbs gave us the flesh of rams and swine. We +partook temperately, tainting nothing with bold excess. + +"Thou who now lickest the milk-white fat, put on, prithee, the spirit of +a man; remember Frode, and avenge thy father's death. + +"The worthless and cowardly heart shall perish, and shall not parry the +thrust of death by flight, though it bury itself in a valley, or crouch +in darkling dens. + +"Once we were eleven princes, devoted followers of King Hakon, and here +Geigad sat above Helge in the order of the meal. + +"Geigad used to appease the first pangs of hunger with a dry rump of +ham; and plenty of hard crust quelled the craving of his stomach. + +"No one asked for a sickly morsel; all took their food in common; the +meal of mighty men cost but slight display. + +"The commons shunned foreign victual, and the greatest lusted not for a +feast; even the king remembered to live temperately at little cost. + +"Scorning to look at the mead, he drank the fermented juice of Ceres; he +shrank not from the use of undercooked meats, and hated the roast. + +"The board used to stand with slight display, a modest salt-cellar +showed the measure of its cost; lest the wise ways of antiquity should +in any wise be changed by foreign usage. + +"Of old, no man put flagons or mixing-bowls on the tables; the steward +filled the cup from the butt, and there was no abundance of adorned +vessels. + +"No one who honoured past ages put the smooth wine-jars beside the +tankards, and of old no bedizened lackey heaped the platter with +dainties. + +"Nor did the vainglorious host deck the meal with little salt-shell +or smooth cup; but all has been now abolished in shameful wise by the +new-fangled manners. + +"Who would ever have borne to take money in ransom for the death of a +lost parent, or to have asked a foe for a gift to atone for the murder +of a father? + +"What strong heir or well-starred son would have sat side by side with +such as these, letting a shameful bargain utterly unnerve the warrior? + +"Wherefore, when the honours of kings are sung, and bards relate the +victories of captains, I hide my face for shame in my mantle, sick at +heart. + +"For nothing shines in thy trophies, worthy to be recorded by the pen; +no heir of Frode is named in the roll of the honourable. + +"Why dost thou vex me with insolent gaze, thou who honourest the foe +guilty of thy father's blood, and art thought only to take thy vengeance +with loaves and warm soup? + +"When men speak well of the avengers of crimes, then long thou to lose +thy quick power of hearing, that thy impious spirit may not be ashamed. + +"For oft has the virtue of another vexed a heart that knows its guilt, +and the malice in the breast is abashed by the fair report of the good. + +"Though thou go to the East, or live sequestered in the countries of +the West, or whether, driven thence, thou seek the midmost place of the +earth; + +"Whether thou revisit the cold quarter of the heaven where the pole is +to be seen, and carries on the sphere with its swift spin, and looks +down upon the neighbouring Bear; + +"Shame shall accompany thee far, and shall smite thy countenance with +heavy disgrace, when the united assembly of the great kings is taking +pastime. + +"Since everlasting dishonour awaits thee, thou canst not come amidst +the ranks of the famous; and in every clime thou shalt pass thy days in +infamy. + +"The fates have given Frode an offspring born into the world when gods +were adverse, whose desires have been enthralled by crime and ignoble +lust. + +"Even as in a ship all things foul gather to the filthy hollow of the +bilge, even so hath a flood of vices poured into Ingild. + +"Therefore, in terror of thy shame being published, thou shalt lie +crushed in the corners of the land, sluggish on thy foul hearth, and +never to be seen in the array of the famous. + +"Then shalt thou shake thy beard at thine evil fate, kept down by the +taunts of thy mistresses, when thy paramour galls thy ear with her +querulous cries. + +"Since chill fear retards thy soul, and thou dreadest to become the +avenger of thy sire, thou art utterly degenerate, and thy ways are like +a slave's. + +"It would have needed scant preparation to destroy thee; even as if a +man should catch and cut the throat of a kid, or slit the weazand of a +soft sheep and butcher it. + +"Behold, a son of the tyrant Swerting shall take the inheritance of +Denmark after thee; he whose slothful sister thou keepest in infamous +union. + +"Whilst thou delightest to honour thy bride, laden with gems and shining +in gold apparel, we burn with all indignation that is linked with shame, +lamenting thy infamies. + +"When thou art stirred by furious lust, our mind is troubled, and +recalls the fashion of ancient times, and bids us grieve sorely. + +"For we rate otherwise than thou the crime of the foes whom now thou +holdest in honour; wherefore the face of this age is a burden to me, +remembering the ancient ways. + +"I would crave no greater blessing, O Frode, if I might see those guilty +of thy murder duly punished for such a crime." + +Now he prevailed so well by this stirring counsel, that his reproach +served like a flint wherewith to strike a blazing flame of valour in the +soul that had been chill and slack. For the king had at first heard +the song inattentively; but, stirred by the earnest admonition of +his guardian, he conceived in his heart a tardy fire of revenge; and, +forgetting the reveller, he changed into the foeman. At last he leapt up +from where he lay, and poured the whole flood of his anger on those at +table with him; insomuch that he unsheathed his sword upon the sons of +Swerting with bloody ruthlessness, and aimed with drawn blade at the +throats of those whose gullets he had pampered with the pleasures of the +table. These men he forthwith slew; and by so doing he drowned the +holy rites of the table in blood. He sundered the feeble bond of their +league, and exchanged a shameful revel for enormous cruelty; the host +became the foe, and that vilest slave of excess the bloodthirsty agent +of revenge. For the vigorous pleading of his counsellor bred a breath of +courage in his soft and unmanly youth; it drew out his valour from its +lurking-place, and renewed it, and so fashioned it that the authors of a +most grievous murder were punished even as they deserved. For the young +man's valour had been not quenched, but only in exile, and the aid of +an old man had drawn it out into the light; and it accomplished a deed +which was all the greater for its tardiness; for it was somewhat nobler +to steep the cups in blood than in wine. What a spirit, then, must we +think that old man had, who by his eloquent adjuration expelled from +that king's mind its infinite sin, and who, bursting the bonds of +iniquity, implanted a most effectual seed of virtue. Starkad aided the +king with equal achievements; and not only showed the most complete +courage in his own person, but summoned back that which had been rooted +out of the heart of another. When the deed was done, he thus begun: + +"King Ingild, farewell; thy heart, full of valour, hath now shown a deed +of daring. The spirit that reigns in thy body is revealed by its fair +beginning; nor did there lack deep counsel in thy heart, though thou +wert silent till this hour; for thou dost redress by thy bravery what +delay had lost, and redeemest the sloth of thy spirit by mighty valour. +Come now, let us rout the rest, and let none escape the peril which +all alike deserve. Let the crime come home to the culprit; let the sin +return and crush its contriver. + +"Let the servants take up in a car the bodies of the slain, and let the +attendant quickly bear out the carcases. Justly shall they lack the +last rites; they are unworthy to be covered with a mound; let no funeral +procession or pyre suffer them the holy honour of a barrow; let them be +scattered to rot in the fields, to be consumed by the beaks of birds; +let them taint the country all about with their deadly corruption. + +"Do thou too, king, if thou hast any wit, flee thy savage bride, lest +the she-wolf bring forth a litter like herself, and a beast spring from +thee that shall hurt its own father. + +"Tell me, Rote, continual derider of cowards, thinkest thou that we have +avenged Frode enough, when we have spent seven deaths on the vengeance +of one? Lo, those are borne out dead who paid homage not to thy sway in +deed, but only in show, and though obsequious they planned treachery. +But I always cherished this hope, that noble fathers have noble +offspring, who will follow in their character the lot which they +received by their birth. Therefore, Ingild, better now than in time past +dost thou deserve to be called lord of Leire and of Denmark. + +"When, O King Hakon, I was a beardless youth, and followed thy leading +and command in warfare, I hated luxury and wanton souls, and practiced +only wars. Training body and mind together, I banished every unholy +thing from my soul, and shunned the pleasures of the belly, loving +deeds of prowess. For those that followed the calling of arms had rough +clothing and common gear and short slumbers and scanty rest. Toil drove +ease far away, and the time ran by at scanty cost. Not as with some men +now, the light of whose reason is obscured by insatiate greed with its +blind maw. Some one of these clad in a covering of curiously wrought +raiment effeminately guides the fleet-footed (steed), and unknots his +dishevelled locks, and lets his hair fly abroad loosely. + +"He loves to plead often in the court, and to covet a base pittance, and +with this pursuit he comforts his sluggish life, doing with venal tongue +the business entrusted to him. + +"He outrages the laws by force, he makes armed assault upon men's +rights, he tramples on the innocent, he feeds on the wealth of others, +he practices debauchery and gluttony, he vexes good fellowship with +biting jeers, and goes after harlots as a hoe after the grass. + +"The coward falls when battles are lulled in peace. Though he who fears +death lie in the heart of the valley, no mantlet shall shelter him. His +final fate carries off every living man; doom is not to be averted by +skulking. But I, who have shaken the whole world with my slaughters, +shall I enjoy a peaceful death? Shall I be taken up to the stars in a +quiet end? Shall I die in my bed without a wound?" + + + +BOOK SEVEN. + +We are told by historians of old, that Ingild had four sons, of whom +three perished in war, while OLAF alone reigned after his father; but +some say that Olaf was the son of Ingild's sister, though this opinion +is doubtful. Posterity has but an uncertain knowledge of his deeds, +which are dim with the dust of antiquity; nothing but the last counsel +of his wisdom has been rescued by tradition. For when he was in the last +grip of death he took thought for his sons FRODE and HARALD, and bade +them have royal sway, one over the land and the other over the sea, and +receive these several powers, not in prolonged possession, but in yearly +rotation. Thus their share in the rule was made equal; but Frode, who +was the first to have control of the affairs of the sea, earned disgrace +from his continual defeats in roving. His calamity was due to his +sailors being newly married, and preferring nuptial joys at home to the +toils of foreign warfare. After a time Harald, the younger son, received +the rule of the sea, and chose soldiers who were unmarried, fearing to +be baffled like his brother. Fortune favoured his choice; for he was as +glorious a rover as his brother was inglorious; and this earned him his +brother's hatred. Moreover, their queens, Signe and Ulfhild, one of +whom was the daughter of Siward, King of Sweden, the other of Karl, the +governor of Gothland, were continually wrangling as to which was the +nobler, and broke up the mutual fellowship of their husbands. Hence +Harald and Frode, when their common household was thus shattered, +divided up the goods they held in common, and gave more heed to the +wrangling altercations of the women than to the duties of brotherly +affection. + +Moreover, Frode, judging that his brother's glory was a disgrace to +himself and brought him into contempt, ordered one of his household to +put him to death secretly; for he saw that the man of whom he had the +advantage in years was surpassing him in courage. When the deed +was done, he had the agent of his treachery privily slain, lest the +accomplice should betray the crime. Then, in order to gain the credit of +innocence and escape the brand of crime, he ordered a full inquiry to be +made into the mischance that had cut off his brother so suddenly. But he +could not manage, by all his arts, to escape silent condemnation in the +thoughts of the common people. He afterwards asked Karl, "Who had killed +Harald?" and Karl replied that it was deceitful in him to ask a question +about something which he knew quite well. These words earned him his +death; for Frode thought that he had reproached him covertly with +fratricide. + +After this, the lives of Harald and Halfdan, the sons of Harald by Signe +the daughter of Karl, were attempted by their uncle. But the guardians +devised a cunning method of saving their wards. For they cut off the +claws of wolves and tied them to the soles of their feet; and then +made them run along many times so as to harrow up the mud near their +dwelling, as well as the ground (then covered with, snow), and give the +appearance of an attack by wild beasts. Then they killed the children +of some bond-women, tore their bodies into little pieces, and scattered +their mangled limbs all about. So when the youths were looked for in +vain, the scattered limbs were found, the tracks of the beasts were +pointed out, and the ground was seen besmeared with blood. It was +believed that the boys had been devoured by ravening wolves; and hardly +anyone was suffered to doubt so plain a proof that they were mangled. +The belief in this spectacle served to protect the wards. They were +presently shut up by their guardians in a hollow oak, so that no trace +of their being alive should get abroad, and were fed for a long time +under pretence that they were dogs; and were even called by hounds' +names, to prevent any belief getting abroad that they were hiding. (1) + +Frode alone refused to believe in their death; and he went and inquired +of a woman skilled in divination where they were hid. So potent were +her spells, that she seemed able, at any distance, to perceive anything, +however intricately locked away, and to summon it out to light. She +declared that one Ragnar had secretly undertaken to rear them, and had +called them by the names of dogs to cover the matter. When the young +men found themselves dragged from their hiding by the awful force of +her spells, and brought before the eyes of the enchantress, loth to be +betrayed by this terrible and imperious compulsion, they flung into her +lap a shower of gold which they had received from their guardians. When +she had taken the gift, she suddenly feigned death, and fell like one +lifeless. Her servants asked the reason why she fell so suddenly; and +she declared that the refuge of the sons of Harald was inscrutable; +for their wondrous might qualified even the most awful effects of her +spells. Thus she was content with a slight benefit, and could not +bear to await a greater reward at the king's hands. After this Ragnar, +finding that the belief concerning himself and his wards was becoming +rife in common talk, took them, both away into Funen. Here he was taken +by Frode, and confessed that he had put the young men in safe keeping; +and he prayed the king to spare the wards whom he had made fatherless, +and not to think it a piece of good fortune to be guilty of two +unnatural murders. By this speech he changed the king's cruelty into +shame; and he promised that if they attempted any plots in their own +land, he would give information to the king. Thus he gained safety for +his wards, and lived many years in freedom from terror. + +When the boys grew up, they went to Zealand, and were bidden by their +friends to avenge their father. They vowed that they and their uncle +should not both live out the year. When Ragnar found this out, he went +by night to the palace, prompted by the recollection of his covenant, +and announced that he was come privily to tell the king something he had +promised. But the king was asleep, and he would not suffer them to wake +him up, because Frode had been used to punish any disturbance of his +rest with the sword. So mighty a matter was it thought of old to break +the slumbers of a king by untimely intrusion. Frode heard this from the +sentries in the morning; and when he perceived that Ragnar had come +to tell him of the treachery, he gathered together his soldiers, and +resolved to forestall deceit by ruthless measures. Harald's sons had +no help for it but to feign madness. For when they found themselves +suddenly attacked, they began to behave like maniacs, as if they were +distraught. And when Frode thought that they were possessed, he gave +up his purpose, thinking it shameful to attack with the sword those who +seemed to be turning the sword against themselves. But he was burned +to death by them on the following night, and was punished as befitted a +fratricide. For they attacked the palace, and first crushing the queen +with a mass of stones and then, having set fire to the house, they +forced Frode to crawl into a narrow cave that had been cut out long +before, and into the dark recesses of tunnels. Here he lurked in hiding +and perished, stifled by the reek and smoke. + +After Frode was killed, HALFDAN reigned over his country about three +years, and then, handing over his sovereignty to his brother Harald as +deputy, went roving, and attacked and ravaged Oland and the neighbouring +isles, which are severed from contact with Sweden by a winding sound. +Here in the winter he beached and entrenched his ships, and spent three +years on the expedition. After this he attacked Sweden, and destroyed +its king in the field. Afterwards he prepared to meet the king's +grandson Erik, the son of his own uncle Frode, in battle; and when he +heard that Erik's champion, Hakon, was skillful in blunting swords with +his spells, he fashioned, to use for clubbing, a huge mace studded with +iron knobs, as if he would prevail by the strength of wood over the +power of sorcery. Then--for he was conspicuous beyond all others for his +bravery--amid the hottest charges of the enemy, he covered his head with +his helmet, and, without a shield, poised his club, and with the help +of both hands whirled it against the bulwark of shields before him. No +obstacle was so stout but it was crushed to pieces by the blow of the +mass that smote it. Thus he overthrew the champion, who ran against him +in the battle, with a violent stroke of his weapon. But he was conquered +notwithstanding, and fled away into Helsingland, where he went to one +Witolf (who had served of old with Harald), to seek tendance for his +wounds. This man had spent most of his life in camp; but at last, after +the grievous end of his general, he had retreated into this lonely +district, where he lived the life of a peasant, and rested from the +pursuits of war. Often struck himself by the missiles of the enemy, he +had gained no slight skill in leechcraft by constantly tending his own +wounds. But if anyone came with flatteries to seek his aid, instead of +curing him he was accustomed to give him something that would secretly +injure him, thinking it somewhat nobler to threaten than to wheedle for +benefits. When the soldiers of Erik menaced his house, in their desire +to take Halfdan, he so robbed them of the power of sight that they could +neither perceive the house nor trace it with certainty, though it was +close to them. So utterly had their eyesight been dulled by a decisive +mist. + +When Halfdan had by this man's help regained his full strength, he +summoned Thore, a champion of notable capacity, and proclaimed war +against Erik. But when the forces were led out on the other side, and +he saw that Erik was superior in numbers, he hid a part of his army, and +instructed it to lie in ambush among the bushes by the wayside, in order +to destroy the enemy by an ambuscade as he marched through the narrow +part of the path. Erik foresaw this, having reconnoitred his means of +advancing, and thought he must withdraw for fear, if he advanced along +the track he had intended, of being hard-pressed by the tricks of the +enemy among the steep windings of the hills. They therefore joined +battle, force against force, in a deep valley, inclosed all round by +lofty mountain ridges. Here Halfdan, when he saw the line of his +men wavering, climbed with Thore up a crag covered with stones and, +uprooting boulders, rolled them down upon the enemy below; and the +weight of these as they fell crushed the line that was drawn up in the +lower position. Thus he regained with stones the victory which he +had lost with arms. For this deed of prowess he received the name of +Biargramm ("rock strong"), a word which seems to have been compounded +from the name of his fierceness and of the mountains. He soon gained so +much esteem for this among the Swedes that he was thought to be the son +of the great Thor, and the people bestowed divine honours upon him, and +judged him worthy of public libation. + +But the souls of the conquered find it hard to rest, and the insolence +of the beaten ever struggles towards the forbidden thing. So it came to +pass that Erik, in his desire to repair the losses incurred in flight, +attacked the districts subject to Halfdan. Even Denmark he did not +exempt from this harsh treatment; for he thought it a most worthy deed +to assail the country of the man who had caused him to be driven from +his own. And so, being more anxious to inflict injury than to repel it, +he set Sweden free from the arms of the enemy. When Halfdan heard that +his brother Harald had been beaten by Erik in three battles, and slain +in the fourth, he was afraid of losing his empire; he had to quit the +land of the Swedes and go back to his own country. Thus Erik regained +the kingdom of Sweden all the more quickly, that he quitted it so +lightly. Had fortune wished to favour him in keeping his kingdom as much +as she had in regaining it, she would in nowise have given him into +the hand of Halfdan. This capture was made in the following way: When +Halfdan had gone back into Sweden, he hid his fleet craftily, and went +to meet Erik with two vessels. Erik attacked him with ten; and Halfdan, +sailing through sundry winding channels, stole back to his concealed +forces. Erik pursued him too far, and the Danish fleet came out on +the sea. Thus Erik was surrounded; but he rejected the life, which was +offered him under condition of thraldom. He could not bear to think more +of the light of day than liberty, and chose to die rather than serve; +lest he should seem to love life so well as to turn from a slave into +a freeman; and that he might not court with new-born obeisance the man +whom fortune had just before made only his equal. So little knows virtue +how to buy life with dishonour. Wherefore he was put in chains, and +banished to a place haunted by wild beasts; an end unworthy of that +lofty spirit. + +Halfdan had thus become sovereign of both kingdoms, and graced his fame +with a triple degree of honour. For he was skillful and eloquent in +composing poems in the fashion of his country; and he was no less +notable as a valorous champion than as a powerful king. But when he +heard that two active rovers, Toke and Anund, were threatening the +surrounding districts, he attacked and routed them in a sea-fight. For +the ancients thought that nothing was more desirable than glory which +was gained, not by brilliancy of wealth, but by address in arms. +Accordingly, the most famous men of old were so minded as to love +seditions, to renew quarrels, to loathe ease, to prefer fighting to +peace, to be rated by their valour and not by their wealth, to find +their greatest delight in battles, and their least in banquetings. + +But Halfdan was not long to seek for a rival. A certain Siwald, of +most illustrious birth, related with lamentation in the assembly of the +Swedes the death of Frode and his queen; and inspired in almost all of +them such a hatred of Halfdan, that the vote of the majority granted him +permission to revolt. Nor was he content with the mere goodwill of their +voices, but so won the heart of the commons by his crafty canvassing +that he induced almost all of them to set with their hands the royal +emblem on his head. Siwald had seven sons, who were such clever +sorcerers that often, inspired with the force of sudden frenzy, they +would roar savagely, bite their shields, swallow hot coals, and go +through any fire that could be piled up; and their frantic passion could +only be checked by the rigour of chains, or propitiated by slaughter +of men. With such a frenzy did their own sanguinary temper, or else the +fury of demons, inspire them. + +When Halfdan had heard of these things while busy roving, he said it +was right that his soldiers, who had hitherto spent their rage upon +foreigners, should now smite with the steel the flesh of their own +countrymen, and that they who had been used to labour to extend their +realm should now avenge its wrongful seizure. On Halfdan approaching, +Siwald sent him ambassadors and requested him, if he was as great in act +as in renown, to meet himself and his sons in single combat, and save +the general peril by his own. When the other answered, that a combat +could not lawfully be fought by more than two men, Siwald said, that +it was no wonder that a childless bachelor should refuse the proffered +conflict, since his nature was void of heat, and had struck a +disgraceful frost into his soul and body. Children, he added, were not +different from the man who begot them, since they drew from him their +common principle of birth. Thus he and his sons were to be accounted +as one person, for nature seemed in a manner to have bestowed on them +a single body. Halfdan, stung with this shameful affront, accepted +the challenge; meaning to wipe out with noble deeds of valour such an +insulting taunt upon his celibacy. And while he chanced to be walking +through a shady woodland, he plucked up by the roots all oak that stuck +in his path, and, by simply stripping it of its branches, made it look +like a stout club. Having this trusty weapon, he composed a short song +as follows: + +"Behold! The rough burden which I bear with straining crest, shall unto +crests bring wounds and destruction. Never shall any weapon of leafy +wood crush the Goths with direr augury. It shall shatter the towering +strength of the knotty neck, and shall bruise the hollow temples with +the mass of timber. The club which shall quell the wild madness of +the land shall be no less fatal to the Swedes. Breaking bones, and +brandished about the mangled limbs of warriors, the stock I have +wrenched off shall crush the backs of the wicked, crush the hearths of +our kindred, shed the blood of our countrymen, and be a destructive pest +upon our land." + +When he had said this, he attacked Siwald and his seven sons, and +destroyed them, their force and bravery being useless against the +enormous mass of his club. + +At this time one Hardbeen, who came from Helsingland, gloried in +kidnapping and ravishing princesses, and used to kill any man who +hindered him in his lusts. He preferred high matches to those that were +lowly; and the more illustrious the victims he could violate, the more +noble he thought himself. No man escaped unpunished who durst measure +himself with Hardbeen in valour. He was so huge, that his stature +reached the measure of nine ells. He had twelve champions dwelling with +him, whose business it was to rise up and to restrain his fury with the +aid of bonds, whenever the rage came on him that foreboded of battle. +These men asked Halfdan to attack Hardbeen and his champions man by man; +and he not only promised to fight, but assured himself the victory with +most confident words. When Hardbeen heard this, a demoniacal frenzy +suddenly took him; he furiously bit and devoured the edges of his +shield; he kept gulping down fiery coals; he snatched live embers in his +mouth and let them pass down into his entrails; he rushed through the +perils of crackling fires; and at last, when he had raved through every +sort of madness, he turned his sword with raging hand against the hearts +of six of his champions. It is doubtful whether this madness came from +thirst for battle or natural ferocity. Then with the remaining band +of his champions he attacked Halfdan, who crushed him with a hammer of +wondrous size, so that he lost both victory and life; paying the +penalty both to Halfdan, whom he had challenged, and to the kings whose +offspring he had violently ravished. + +Fortune never seemed satisfied with the trying of Halfdan's strength, +and used to offer him unexpected occasions for fighting. It so happened +that Egther, a Finlander, was harrying the Swedes on a roving raid. +Halfdan, having found that he had three ships, attacked him with the +same number. Night closed the battle, so that he could not conquer him; +but he challenged Egther next day, fought with and overthrew him. He +next heard that Grim, a champion of immense strength, was suing, under +threats of a duel, for Thorhild, the daughter of the chief Hather, and +that her father had proclaimed that he who put the champion out of the +way should have her. Halfdan, though he had reached old age a bachelor, +was stirred by the promise of the chief as much as by the insolence of +the champion, and went to Norway. When he entered it, he blotted out +every mark by which he could be recognized, disguising his face with +splashes of dirt; and when he came to the spot of the battle, drew his +sword first. And when he knew that it had been blunted by the glance of +the enemy, he cast it on the ground, drew another from the sheath, with +which he attacked Grim, cutting through the meshes on the edge of his +cuirass, as well as the lower part of his shield. Grim wondered at the +deed, and said, "I cannot remember an old man who fought more keenly;" +and, instantly drawing his sword, he pierced through and shattered the +target that was opposed to his blade. But as his right arm tarried on +the stroke, Halfdan, without wavering, met and smote it swiftly with his +sword. The other, notwithstanding, clasped his sword with his left hand, +and cut through the thigh of the striker, revenging the mangling of +his own body with a slight wound. Halfdan, now conqueror, allowed the +conquered man to ransom the remnant of his life with a sum of money; +he would not be thought shamefully to rob a maimed man, who could not +fight, of the pitiful remainder of his days. By this deed he showed +himself almost as great in saving as in conquering his enemy. As a +prize for this victory he won Thorhild in marriage, and had by her a +son Asmund, from whom the kings of Norway treasure the honour of being +descended; retracing the regular succession of their line down from +Halfdan. + +After this, Ebbe, a rover of common birth, was so confident of his +valour, that he was moved to aspire to a splendid marriage. He was +a suitor for Sigrid, the daughter of Yngwin, King of the Goths, and +moreover demanded half the Gothic kingdom for her dowry. Halfdan was +consulted whether the match should be entertained, and advised that +a feigned consent should be given, promising that he would baulk the +marriage. He also gave instructions that a seat should be allotted to +himself among the places of the guests at table. Yngwin approved the +advice; and Halfdan, utterly defacing the dignity of his royal presence +with an unsightly and alien disguise, and coming by night on the wedding +feast, alarmed those who met him; for they marvelled at the coming of a +man of such superhuman stature. + +When Halfdan entered the palace, he looked round on all and asked, who +was he that had taken the place next to the king? Upon Ebbe replying +that the future son-in-law of the king was next to his side, Halfdan +asked him, in the most passionate language, what madness, or what +demons, had brought him to such wantonness, as to make bold to unite his +contemptible and filthy race with a splendid and illustrious line, or to +dare to lay his peasant finger upon the royal family: and, not content +even with such a claim, to aspire, as it seemed, to a share even in the +kingdom of another. Then he bade Ebbe fight him, saying that he must get +the victory before he got his wish. The other answered that the night +was the time to fight with monsters, but the day the time with men; +but Halfdan, to prevent him shirking the battle by pleading the hour, +declared that the moon was shining with the brightness of daylight. +Thus he forced Ebbe to fight, and felled him, turning the banquet into a +spectacle, and the wedding into a funeral. + +Some years passed, and Halfdan went back to his own country, and +being childless he bequeathed the royal wealth by will to Yngwin, and +appointed him king. YNGWIN was afterwards overthrown in war by a rival +named Ragnald, and he left a son SIWALD. + +Siwald's daughter, Sigrid, was of such excellent modesty, that though a +great concourse of suitors wooed her for her beauty, it seemed as if she +could not be brought to look at one of them. Confident in this power of +self-restraint, she asked her father for a husband who by the sweetness +of his blandishments should be able to get a look back from her. For in +old time among us the self-restraint of the maidens was a great subduer +of wanton looks, lest the soundness of the soul should be infected by +the licence of the eyes; and women desired to avouch the purity of their +hearts by the modesty of their faces. Then one Ottar, the son of Ebb, +kindled with confidence in the greatness either of his own achievements, +or of his courtesy and eloquent address, stubbornly and ardently desired +to woo the maiden. And though he strove with all the force of his wit to +soften her gaze, no device whatever could move her downcast eyes; and, +marvelling at her persistence in her indomitable rigour, he departed. + +A giant desired the same thing, but, finding himself equally foiled, he +suborned a woman; and she, pretending friendship for the girl, served +her for a while as her handmaid, and at last enticed her far from her +father's house, by cunningly going out of the way; then the giant rushed +upon her and bore her off into the closest fastnesses of a ledge on +the mountain. Others think that he disguised himself as a woman, +treacherously continued his devices so as to draw the girl away from her +own house, and in the end carried her off. When Ottar heard of this, he +ransacked the recesses of the mountain in search of the maiden, found +her, slew the giant, and bore her off. But the assiduous giant had bound +back the locks of the maiden, tightly twisting her hair in such a way +that the matted mass of tresses was held in a kind of curled bundle; nor +was it easy for anyone to unravel their plaited tangle, without using +the steel. Again, he tried with divers allurements to provoke the maiden +to look at him; and when he had long laid vain siege to her listless +eyes, he abandoned his quest, since his purpose turned out so little to +his liking. But he could not bring himself to violate the girl, loth +to defile with ignoble intercourse one of illustrious birth. She then +wandered long, and sped through divers desert and circuitous paths, and +happened to come to the hut of a certain huge woman of the woods, who +set her to the task of pasturing her goats. Again Ottar granted her his +aid to set her free, and again he tried to move her, addressing her in +this fashion: "Wouldst thou rather hearken to my counsels, and embrace +me even as I desire, than be here and tend the flock of rank goats? + +"Spurn the hand of thy wicked mistress, and flee hastily from thy +cruel taskmistress, that thou mayst go back with me to the ships of thy +friends and live in freedom. + +"Quit the care of the sheep entrusted to thee; scorn to drive the steps +of the goats; share my bed, and fitly reward my prayers. + +"O thou whom I have sought with such pains, turn again thy listless +beams; for a little while--it is an easy gesture--lift thy modest face. + +"I will take thee hence, and set thee by the house of thy father, and +unite thee joyfully with thy loving mother, if but once thou wilt show +me thine eyes stirred with soft desires. + +"Thou, whom I have borne so oft from the prisons of the giants, pay thou +some due favour to my toil of old; pity my hard endeavours, and be stern +no more. + +"For why art thou become so distraught and brainsick, that thou wilt +choose to tend the flock of another, and be counted among the servants +of monsters, sooner than encourage our marriage-troth with fitting and +equal consent?" + +But she, that she might not suffer the constancy of her chaste mind to +falter by looking at the world without, restrained her gaze, keeping her +lids immovably rigid. How modest, then, must we think, were the women of +that age, when, under the strongest provocations of their lovers, they +could not be brought to make the slightest motion of their eyes! So when +Ottar found that even by the merits of his double service he could not +stir the maiden's gaze towards him, he went back to the fleet, wearied +out with shame and chagrin. Sigrid, in her old fashion, ran far away +over the rocks, and chanced to stray in her wanderings to the abode of +Ebb; where, ashamed of her nakedness and distress, she pretended to be +a daughter of paupers. The mother of Ottar saw that this woman, though +bestained and faded, and covered with a meagre cloak, was the scion of +some noble stock; and took her, and with honourable courtesy kept her +by her side in a distinguished seat. For the beauty of the maiden was +a sign that betrayed her birth, and her telltale features echoed her +lineage. Ottar saw her, and asked why she hid her face in her robe. +Also, in order to test her mind more surely, he feigned that a woman was +about to become his wife, and, as he went up into the bride-bed, gave +Sigrid the torch to hold. The lights had almost burnt down, and she +was hard put to it by the flame coming closer; but she showed such an +example of endurance that she was seen to hold her hand motionless, and +might have been thought to feel no annoyance from the heat. For the +fire within mastered the fire without, and the glow of her longing soul +deadened the burn of her scorched skin. At last Ottar bade her look to +her hand. Then, modestly lifting her eyes, she turned her calm gaze upon +him; and straightway, the pretended marriage being put away, went up +unto the bride-bed to be his wife. Siwald afterwards seized Ottar, and +thought that he ought to be hanged for defiling his daughter. + +But Sigrid at once explained how she had happened to be carried away, +and not only brought Ottar back into the king's favour, but also induced +her father himself to marry Ottar's sister. After this a battle was +fought between Siwald and Ragnald in Zealand, warriors of picked valour +being chosen on both sides. For three days they slaughtered one another; +but so great was the bravery of both sides, that it was doubtful how +the victory would go. Then Ottar, whether seized with weariness at +the prolonged battle, or with desire of glory, broke, despising death, +through the thickest of the foe, cut down Ragnald among the bravest +of his soldiers, and won the Danes a sudden victory. This battle was +notable for the cowardice of the greatest nobles. For the whole mass +fell into such a panic, that forty of the bravest of the Swedes are said +to have turned and fled. The chief of these, Starkad, had been used to +tremble at no fortune, however cruel, and no danger, however great. But +some strange terror stole upon him, and he chose to follow the flight of +his friends rather than to despise it. I should think that he was filled +with this alarm by the power of heaven, that he might not think himself +courageous beyond the measure of human valour. Thus the prosperity of +mankind is wont ever to be incomplete. Then all these warriors embraced +the service of King Hakon, the mightiest of the rovers, like remnants of +the war drifting to him. + +After this Siwald was succeeded by his son SIGAR, who had sons Siwald, +Alf, and Alger, and a daughter Signe. All excelled the rest in spirit +and beauty, and devoted himself to the business of a rover. Such a grace +was shed on his hair, which had a wonderful dazzling glow, that his +locks seemed to shine silvery. At the same time Siward, the king of the +Goths, is said to have had two sons, Wemund and Osten, and a daughter +Alfhild, who showed almost from her cradle such faithfulness to modesty +that she continually kept her face muffled in her robe, lest she should +cause her beauty to provoke the passion of another. Her father banished +her into very close keeping, and gave her a viper and a snake to rear, +wishing to defend her chastity by the protection of these reptiles +when they came to grow up. For it would have been hard to pry into her +chamber when it was barred by so dangerous a bolt. He also enacted that +if any man tried to enter it, and failed, he must straightway yield his +head to be taken off and impaled on a stake. The terror which was thus +attached to wantonness chastened the heated spirits of the young men. + +Alf, the son of Sigar, thinking that peril of the attempt only made it +nobler, declared himself a wooer, and went to subdue the beasts that +kept watch beside the room of the maiden; inasmuch as, according to the +decree, the embraces of the maiden were the prize of their subduer. Alf +covered his body with a blood-stained hide in order to make them more +frantic against him. Girt with this, as soon as he had entered the doors +of the enclosure, he took a piece of red-hot steel in the tongs, and +plunged it into the yawning throat of the viper, which he laid dead. +Then he flung his spear full into the gaping mouth of the snake as it +wound and writhed forward, and destroyed it. And when he demanded the +gage which was attached to victory by the terms of the covenant, Siward +answered that he would accept that man only for his daughter's husband +of whom she made a free and decided choice. None but the girl's mother +was stiff against the wooer's suit; and she privately spoke to her +daughter in order to search her mind. The daughter warmly praised her +suitor for his valour; whereon the mother upbraided her sharply, that +her chastity should be unstrung, and she be captivated by charming +looks; and because, forgetting to judge his virtue, she cast the gaze of +a wanton mind upon the flattering lures of beauty. Thus Alfhild was led +to despise the young Dane; whereupon she exchanged woman's for man's +attire, and, no longer the most modest of maidens, began the life of a +warlike rover. + +Enrolling in her service many maidens who were of the same mind, she +happened to come to a spot where a band of rovers were lamenting the +death of their captain, who had been lost in war; they made her their +rover captain for her beauty, and she did deeds beyond the valour of +woman. Alf made many toilsome voyages in pursuit of her, and in winter +happened to come on a fleet of the Blacmen. The waters were at this time +frozen hard, and the ships were caught in such a mass of ice that they +could not get on by the most violent rowing. But the continued frost +promised the prisoners a safer way of advance; and Alf ordered his men +to try the frozen surface of the sea in their brogues, after they had +taken off their slippery shoes, so that they could run over the level +ice more steadily. The Blacmen supposed that they were taking to flight +with all the nimbleness of their heels, and began to fight them, but +their steps tottered exceedingly and they gave back, the slippery +surface under their soles making their footing uncertain. But the Danes +crossed the frozen sea with safer steps, and foiled the feeble advance +of the enemy, whom they conquered, and then turned and sailed to +Finland. Here they chanced to enter a rather narrow gulf, and, on +sending a few men to reconnoitre, they learnt that the harbour was being +held by a few ships. For Alfhild had gone before them with her fleet +into the same narrows. And when she saw the strange ships afar off, she +rowed in swift haste forward to encounter them, thinking it better to +attack the foe than to await them. Alf's men were against attacking +so many ships with so few; but he replied that it would be shameful +if anyone should report to Alfhild that his desire to advance could be +checked by a few ships in the path; for he said that their record of +honours ought not to be tarnished by such a trifle. + +The Danes wondered whence their enemies got such grace of bodily beauty +and such supple limbs. So, when they began the sea-fight, the young +man Alf leapt on Alfhild's prow, and advanced towards the stern, +slaughtering all that withstood him. His comrade Borgar struck off +Alfhild's helmet, and, seeing the smoothness of her chin, saw that he +must fight with kisses and not with arms; that the cruel spears must be +put away, and the enemy handled with gentler dealings. So Alf rejoiced +that the woman whom he had sought over land and sea in the face of so +many dangers was now beyond all expectation in his power; whereupon he +took hold of her eagerly, and made her change her man's apparel for +a woman's; and afterwards begot on her a daughter, Gurid. Also Borgar +wedded the attendant of Alfhild, Groa, and had by her a son, Harald, to +whom the following age gave the surname Hyldeland. + +And that no one may wonder that this sex laboured at warfare, I will +make a brief digression, in order to give a short account of the estate +and character of such women. There were once women among the Danes who +dressed themselves to look like men, and devoted almost every instant +of their lives to the pursuit of war, that they might not suffer their +valour to be unstrung or dulled by the infection of luxury. For they +abhorred all dainty living, and used to harden their minds and +bodies with toil and endurance. They put away all the softness and +lightmindedness of women, and inured their womanish spirit to masculine +ruthlessness. They sought, moreover, so zealously to be skilled in +warfare, that they might have been thought to have unsexed themselves. +Those especially, who had either force of character or tall and comely +persons, used to enter on this kind of life. These women, therefore +(just as if they had forgotten their natural estate, and preferred +sternness to soft words), offered war rather than kisses, and would +rather taste blood than busses, and went about the business of arms more +than that of amours. They devoted those hands to the lance which they +should rather have applied to the loom. They assailed men with their +spears whom they could have melted with their looks, they thought of +death and not of dalliance. Now I will cease to wander, and will go back +to my theme. + +In the early spring, Alf and Alger, who had gone back to sea-roving, +were exploring the sea in various directions, when they lighted with +a hundred ships upon Helwin, Hagbard, and Hamund, sons of the kinglet +Hamund. These they attacked and only the twilight stayed their +blood-wearied hands; and in the night the soldiers were ordered to keep +truce. On the morrow this was ratified for good by a mutual oath; for +such loss had been suffered on both sides in the battle of the day +before that they had no force left to fight again. Thus, exhausted bye +quality of valour, they were driven perforce to make peace. About the +same time Hildigisl, a Teuton Of noble birth, relying on his looks and +his rank, sued for Signe, the daughter of Sigar. But she scorned him, +chiefly for his insignificance, inasmuch as he was not brave, but wished +to adorn his fortunes with the courage of other people. But this woman +was inclined to love Hakon, chiefly for the high renown of his great +deeds. For she thought more of the brave than the feeble; she admired +notable deeds more than looks, knowing that every allurement of beauty +is mere dross when reckoned against simple valour, and cannot weigh +equal with it in the balance. For there are maids that are more charmed +by the fame than by the face of their lovers; who go not by the looks, +but by the mind, and whom naught but regard for a man's spirit can +kindle to pledge their own troth. Now Hagbard, going to Denmark with the +sons of Sigar, gained speech of their sister without their knowledge, +and in the end induced her to pledge her word to him that she would +secretly become his mistress. Afterwards, when the waiting-women +happened to be comparing the honourable deeds of the nobles, she +preferred Hakon to Hildigisl, declaring that the latter had nothing to +praise but his looks, while in the case of the other a wrinkled visage +was outweighed by a choice spirit. Not content with this plain kind of +praise, she is said to have sung as follows: + +"This man lacks fairness, but shines with foremost courage, measuring +his features by his force. + +"For the lofty soul redeems the shortcoming of harsh looks, and conquers +the body's blemish. + +"His look flashes with spirit, his face, notable in its very harshness, +delights in fierceness. + +"He who strictly judges character praises not the mind for the fair hue, +but rather the complexion for the mind. + +"This man is not prized for beauty, but for brave daring and war-won +honour. + +"While the other is commended by his comely head and radiant countenance +and crest of lustrous locks. + +"Vile is the empty grace of beauty, self-confounded the deceptive pride +of comeliness. + +"Valour and looks are swayed by different inclinations: one lasts on, +the other perishes. + +"Empty red and white brings in vice, and is frittered away little by +little by the lightly gliding years; + +"But courage plants firmer the hearts devoted to it, and does not slip +and straightway fall. + +"The voice of the multitude is beguiled by outward good, and forsakes +the rule of right; + +"But I praise virtue at a higher rate, and scorn the grace of +comeliness." + +This utterance fell on the ears of the bystanders in such a way, that +they thought she praised Hagbard under the name of Hakon. And Hildigisl, +vexed that she preferred Hagbard to himself, bribed a certain blind man, +Bolwis, to bring the sons of Sigar and the sons of Hamund to turn their +friendship into hatred. For King Sigar had been used to transact almost +all affairs by the advice of two old men, one of whom was Bolwis. The +temper of these two men was so different, that one used to reconcile +folk who were at feud, while the other loved to sunder in hatred those +who were bound by friendship, and by estranging folk to fan pestilent +quarrels. + +So Bolwis began by reviling the sons of Hamund to the sons of Sigar, in +lying slanders, declaring that they never used to preserve the bonds of +fellowship loyally, and that they must be restrained by war rather than +by league. Thus the alliance of the young men was broken through; and +while Hagbard was far away, the sons of Sigar, Alf and Alger, made an +attack, and Helwin and Hamund were destroyed by the harbour which is +called Hamund's Bay. Hagbard then came up with fresh forces to avenge +his brothers, and destroyed them in battle. Hildigisl slunk off with a +spear through both buttocks, which was the occasion for a jeer at the +Teutons, since the ugliness of the blow did not fail to brand it with +disgrace. + +Afterwards Hagbard dressed himself in woman's attire, and, as though he +had not wronged Sigar's daughter by slaying her brothers, went back to +her alone, trusting in the promise he had from her, and feeling more +safe in her loyalty than alarmed by reason of his own misdeed. Thus does +lust despise peril. And, not to lack a pretext for his journey, he gave +himself out as a fighting-maid of Hakon, saying that he took an embassy +from him to Sigar. And when he was taken to bed at night among the +handmaids, and the woman who washed his feet were wiping them, they +asked him why he had such hairy legs, and why his hands were not at all +soft to touch, he answered: + +"What wonder that the soft hollow of my foot should harden, and that +long hairs should stay on my shaggy leg, when the sand has so often +smitten my soles beneath, and the briars have caught me in mid-step? + +"Now I scour the forest with leaping, now the waters with running. Now +the sea, now the earth, now the wave is my path. + +"Nor could my breast, shut in bonds of steel, and wont to be beaten with +lance and missile, ever have been soft to the touch, as with you who are +covered by the mantle or the smooth gown. + +"Not the distaff or the wool-frails, but spears dripping from the +slaughter, have served for our handling." + +Signe did not hesitate to back up his words with like dissembling, and +replied that it was natural that hands which dealt more in wounds than +wools, and in battle than in tasks of the house should show the hardness +that befitted their service; and that, unenfeebled with the pliable +softness of women, they should not feel smooth to the touch of others. +For they were hardened partly by the toils of war, partly by the habit +of seafaring. For, said she, the warlike handmaid of Hakon did not +deal in woman's business, but had been wont to bring her right hand +blood-stained with hurling spears and flinging missiles. It was no +wonder, therefore, if her soles were hardened by the immense journeys +she had gone; and that, when the shores she had scoured so often had +bruised them with their rough and broken shingle, they should toughen +in a horny stiffness, and should not feel soft to the touch like theirs, +whose steps never strayed, but who were forever cooped within the +confines of the palace. Hagbard received her as his bedfellow, under +plea that he was to have the couch of honour; and, amid their converse +of mutual delight, he addressed her slowly in such words as these: + +"If thy father takes me and gives me to bitter death, wilt thou +ever, when I am dead, forget so strong a troth, and again seek the +marriage-plight? + +"For if the chance should fall that way, I can hope for no room for +pardon; nor will the father who is to avenge his sons spare or have +pity. + +"For I stripped thy brothers of their power on the sea and slew them; +and now, unknown to thy father, as though I had done naught before +counter to his will, I hold thee in the couch we share. + +"Say, then, my one love, what manner of wish wilt thou show when thou +lackest the accustomed embrace?" + +Signe answered: + +"Trust me, dear; I wish to die with thee, if fate brings thy turn to +perish first, and not to prolong my span of life at all, when once +dismal death has cast thee to the tomb. + +"For if thou chance to close thy eyes for ever, a victim to the maddened +attack of the men-at-arms;--by whatsoever doom thy breath be cut off, +by sword or disease, by sea or soil, I forswear every wanton and corrupt +flame, and vow myself to a death like thine; that they who were bound by +one marriage-union may be embraced in one and the same punishment. Nor +will I quit this man, though I am to feel the pains of death; I have +resolved he is worthy of my love who gathered the first kisses of my +mouth, and had the first fruits of my delicate youth. I think that no +vow will be surer than this, if speech of woman have any loyalty at +all." + +This speech so quickened the spirit of Hagbard, that he found more +pleasure in her promise than peril in his own going away (to his death). +The serving-women betrayed him; and when Sigar's men-at-arms attacked +him, he defended himself long and stubbornly, and slew many of them in +the doorway. But at last he was taken, and brought before the assembly, +and found the voices of the people divided over him. For very many said +that he should be punished for so great an offence; but Bilwis, the +brother of Bolwis, and others, conceived a better judgment, and advised +that it would be better to use his stout service than to deal with him +too ruthlessly. Then Bolwis came forward and declared that it was evil +advice which urged the king to pardon when he ought to take vengeance, +and to soften with unworthy compassion his righteous impulse to anger. +For how could Sigar, in the case of this man, feel any desire to spare +or pity him, when he had not only robbed him of the double comfort of +his sons, but had also bestained him with the insult of deflowering +his daughter? The greater part of the assembly voted for this opinion; +Hagbard was condemned, and a gallows-tree planted to receive him. Hence +it came about that he who at first had hardly one sinister voice against +him was punished with general harshness. Soon after the queen handed him +a cup, and, bidding him assuage his thirst, vexed him with threats after +this manner: + +"Now, insolent Hagbard, whom the whole assembly has pronounced worthy of +death, now to quench thy thirst thou shalt give thy lips liquor to drink +in a cup of horn. + +"Wherefore cast away fear, and, at this last hour of thy life, taste +with bold lips the deadly goblet; + +"That, having drunk it, thou mayst presently land by the dwellings of +those below, passing into the sequestered palace of stern Dis, giving +thy body to the gibbet and thy spirit to Orcus." + +Then the young man took the cup offered him, and is said to have made +answer as follows: + +"With this hand, wherewith I cut off thy twin sons, I will take my last +taste, yea the draught of the last drink. + +"Now not unavenged shall I go to the Elysian regions, not unchastising +to the stern ghosts. For these men have first been shut in the dens of +Tartarus by a slaughter wrought by my endeavours. This right hand was +wet with blood that was yours, this hand robbed thy children of the +years of their youth, children whom thy womb brought to light; but +the deadly sword spared it not then. Infamous woman, raving in spirit, +hapless, childless mother, no years shall restore to thee the lost, no +time and no day whatsoever shall save thy child from the starkness of +death, or redeem him!" + +Thus he avenged the queen's threats of death by taunting her with the +youths whom he had slain; and, flinging back the cup at her, drenched +her face with the sprinkled wine. + +Meantime Signe asked her weeping women whether they could endure to bear +her company in the things which she purposed. They promised that they +would carry out and perform themselves whatsoever their mistress should +come to wish, and their promise was loyally kept. Then, drowned in +tears, she said that she wished to follow in death the only partner of +her bed that she had ever had; and ordered that, as soon as the signal +had been given from a place of watch, torches should be put to the room, +then that halters should be made out of their robes; and to these they +should proffer their throats to be strangled, thrusting away the support +to the feet. They agreed, and that they might blench the less at death, +she gave them a draught of wine. After this Hagbard was led to the hill, +which afterwards took its name from him, to be hanged. Then, to test +the loyalty of his true love, he told the executioners to hang up his +mantle, saying that it would be a pleasure to him if he could see the +likeness of his approaching death rehearsed in some way. The request +was granted; and the watcher on the outlook, thinking that the thing +was being done to Hagbard, reported what she saw to the maidens who were +shut within the palace. They quickly fired the house, and thrusting away +the wooden support under their feet, gave their necks to the noose to +be writhen. So Hagbard, when he saw the palace wrapped in fire, and the +familiar chamber blazing, said that he felt more joy from the loyalty of +his mistress than sorrow at his approaching death. He also charged the +bystanders to do him to death, witnessing how little he made of his doom +by a song like this: + +"Swiftly, O warriors! Let me be caught and lifted into the air. Sweet, O +my bride! Is it for me to die when thou hast gone. + +"I perceive the crackling and the house ruddy with flames; and the love, +long-promised, declares our troth. + +"Behold, thy covenant is fulfilled with no doubtful vows, since thou +sharest my life and my destruction. + +"We shall have one end, one bond after our troth, and somewhere our +first love will live on. + +"Happy am I, that have deserved to have joy of such a consort, and not +to go basely alone to the gods of Tartarus! + +"Then let the knot gripe the midst of the throat; nought but pleasure +the last doom shall bring, + +"Since there remains a sure hope of the renewal of love, and a death +which will soon have joys of its own. + +"Either country is sweet; in both worlds shall be held in honour the +repose of our souls together, our equal truth in love, + +"For, see now, I welcome the doom before me; since not even among the +shades does very love suffer the embrace of its partner to perish." And +as he spoke the executioners strangled him. And, that none may think +that all traces of antiquity have utterly disappeared, a proof of the +aforesaid event is afforded by local marks yet existing; for the killing +of Hagbard gave his name to the stead; and not far from the town of +Sigar there is a place to be seen, where a mound a little above the +level, with the appearance of a swelling in the ground, looks like an +ancient homestead. Moreover, a man told Absalon that he had seen a beam +found in the spot, which a countryman struck with his ploughshare as he +burrowed into the clods. + +Hakon, the son of Hamund, heard of this; but when he was seen to be on +the point of turning his arms from the Irish against the Danes in +order to avenge his brother, Hakon the Zealander, the son of Wigar, and +Starkad deserted him. They had been his allies from the death of Ragnald +up to that hour: one, because he was moved by regard for friendship, +the other by regard for his birth; so that different reasons made both +desire the same thing. + +Now patriotism diverted Hakon (of Zealand) from attacking his country; +for it was apparent that he was going to fight his own people, while all +the rest warred with foreigners. But Starkad forbore to become the foe +of the aged Sigar, whose hospitality he had enjoyed, lest he should be +thought to wrong one who deserved well of him. For some men pay +such respect to hospitality that, if they can remember ever to have +experienced kindly offices from folk, they cannot be thought to inflict +any annoyance on them. But Hakon thought the death of his brother a +worse loss than the defection of his champions; and, gathering his fleet +into the haven called Herwig in Danish, and in Latin Hosts' Bight, he +drew up his men, and posted his line of foot-soldiers in the spot where +the town built by Esbern now defends with its fortifications those who +dwell hard by, and repels the approach of barbarous savages. Then +he divided his forces in three, and sent on two-thirds of his ships, +appointing a few men to row to the river Susa. This force was to advance +on a dangerous voyage along its winding reaches, and to help those on +foot if necessary. He marched in person by land with the remainder, +advancing chiefly over wooded country to escape notice. Part of this +path, which was once closed up with thick woods, is now land ready for +the plough, and fringed with a scanty scrub. And, in order that when +they got out into the plain they might not lack the shelter of trees, +he told them to cut and carry branches. Also, that nothing might burden +their rapid march, he bade them cast away some of their clothes, as +well as their scabbards; and carry their swords naked. In memory of this +event he left the mountain and the ford a perpetual name. Thus by his +night march he eluded two pickets of sentries; but when he came upon +the third, a scout, observing the marvellous event, went to the +sleeping-room of Sigar, saying that he brought news of a portentous +thing; for he saw leaves and shrubs like men walking. Then the king +asked him how far off was the advancing forest; and when he heard that +it was near, he added that this prodigy boded his own death. Hence +the marsh where the shrubs were cut down was styled in common parlance +Deadly Marsh. Therefore, fearing the narrow passages, he left the town, +and went to a level spot which was more open, there to meet the enemy +in battle. Sigar fought unsuccessfully, and was crushed and slain at the +spot that is called in common speech Walbrunna, but in Latin the Spring +of Corpses or Carnage. Then Hakon used his conquest to cruel purpose, +and followed up his good fortune so wickedly, that he lusted for an +indiscriminate massacre, and thought no forbearance should be shown to +rank or sex. Nor did he yield to any regard for compassion or shame, +but stained his sword in the blood of women, and attacked mothers and +children in one general and ruthless slaughter. + +SIWALD, the son of Sigar, had thus far stayed under his father's roof. +But when he heard of this, he mustered an army in order to have his +vengeance. So Hakon, alarmed at the gathering of such numbers, went back +with a third of his army to his fleet at Herwig, and planned to depart +by sea. But his colleague, Hakon, surnamed the Proud, thought that he +ought himself to feel more confidence at the late victory than fear at +the absence of Hakon; and, preferring death to flight, tried to defend +the remainder of the army. So he drew back his camp for a little, and +for a long time waited near the town of Axelsted, for the arrival of the +fleet, blaming his friends for their tardy coming. For the fleet that +had been sent into the river had not yet come to anchor in the appointed +harbour. Now the killing of Sigar and the love of Siwald were stirring +the temper of the people one and all, so that both sexes devoted +themselves to war, and you would have thought that the battle did not +lack the aid of women. + +On the morrow Hakon and Siwald met in an encounter and fought two whole +days. The combat was most frightful; both generals fell; and victory +graced the remnants of the Danes. But, in the night after the battle, +the fleet, having penetrated the Susa, reached the appointed haven. It +was once possible to row along this river; but its bed is now choked +with solid substances, and is so narrowed by its straits that +few vessels can get in, being prevented by its sluggishness and +contractedness. At daybreak, when the sailors saw the corpses of their +friends, they heaped up, in order to bury the general, a barrow of +notable size, which is famous to this day, and is commonly named Hakon's +Howe. + +But Borgar, with Skanian chivalry suddenly came up and slaughtered a +multitude of them. When the enemy were destroyed, he manned their ships, +which now lacked their rowers, and hastily, with breathless speed, +pursued the son of Hamund. He encountered him, and ill-fortune befell +Hakon, who fled in hasty panic with three ships to the country of the +Scots, where, after two years had gone by, he died. + +All these perilous wars and fortunes had so exhausted the royal line +among the Danes, that it was found to be reduced to GURID alone, the +daughter of Alf, and granddaughter of Sigar. And when the Danes saw +themselves deprived of their usual high-born sovereigns, they committed +the kingdom to men of the people, and appointed rulers out of the +commons, assigning to Ostmar the regency of Skaane, and that of Zealand +to Hunding; on Hane they conferred the lordship of Funen; while in the +hands of Rorik and Hather they put the supreme power of Jutland, the +authority being divided. Therefore, that it may not be unknown from what +father sprang the succeeding line of kings, some matters come to my mind +which must be glanced at for a while in a needful digression. + +They say that Gunnar, the bravest of the Swedes, was once at feud with +Norway for the most weighty reasons, and that he was granted liberty to +attack it, but that he turned this liberty into licence by the greatest +perils, and fell, in the first of the raids he planned, upon the +district of Jather, which he put partly to the sword and partly to the +flames. Forbearing to plunder, he rejoiced only in passing through the +paths that were covered with corpses, and the blood-stained ways. +Other men used to abstain from bloodshed, and love pillage more than +slaughter; but he preferred bloodthirstiness to booty, and liked best +to wreak his deadly pleasure by slaughtering men. His cruelty drove +the islanders to forestall the impending danger by a public submission. +Moreover, Ragnald, the King of the Northmen, now in extreme age, when he +heard how the tyrant busied himself, had a cave made and shut up in +it his daughter Drota, giving her due attendance, and providing her +maintenance for a long time. Also he committed to the cave some swords +which had been adorned with the choicest smith-craft, besides the royal +household gear; so that he might not leave the enemy to capture and use +the sword, which he saw that he could not wield himself. And, to prevent +the cave being noticed by its height, he levelled the hump down to the +firmer ground. Then he set out to war; but being unable with his aged +limbs to go down into battle, he leaned on the shoulders of his escort +and walked forth propped by the steps of others. So he perished in the +battle, where he fought with more ardour than success, and left his +country a sore matter for shame. + +For Gunnar, in order to punish the cowardice of the conquered race by +terms of extraordinary baseness, had a dog set over them as a governor. +What can we suppose to have been his object in this action, unless it +were to make a haughty nation feel that their arrogance was being more +signally punished when they bowed their stubborn heads before a yapping +hound? To let no insult be lacking, he appointed governors to look after +public and private affairs in its name; and he appointed separate ranks +of nobles to keep continual and steadfast watch over it. He also +enacted that if any one of the courtiers thought it contemptible to do +allegiance to their chief, and omitted offering most respectful homage +to its various goings and comings as it ran hither and thither, he +should be punished with loss of his limbs. Also Gunnar imposed on the +nation a double tribute, one to be paid out of the autumn harvest, the +other in the spring. Thus he burst the bubble conceit of the Norwegians, +to make them feel clearly how their pride was gone, when they saw it +forced to do homage to a dog. + +When he heard that the king's daughter was shut up in some distant +hiding-place, Gunnar strained his wits in every nerve to track her +out. Hence, while he was himself conducting the search with others, his +doubtful ear caught the distant sound of a subterranean hum. Then he +went on slowly, and recognized a human voice with greater certainty. He +ordered the ground underfoot to be dug down to the solid rock; and +when the cave was suddenly laid open, he saw the winding tunnels. The +servants were slain as they tried to guard the now uncovered entrance +to the cave, and the girl was dragged out of the hole, together with the +booty therein concealed. With great foresight, she had consigned at +any rate her father's swords to the protection of a more secret place. +Gunnar forced her to submit to his will, and she bore a son Hildiger. +This man was such a rival to his father in cruelty, that he was ever +thirsting to kill, and was bent on nothing but the destruction of men, +panting with a boundless lust for bloodshed. Outlawed by his father +on account of his unbearable ruthlessness, and soon after presented by +Alver with a government, he spent his whole life in arms, visiting +his neighbours with wars and slaughters; nor did he, in his estate of +banishment, relax his accustomed savagery a whir, but would not change +his spirit with his habitation. + +Meanwhile Borgar, finding that Gunnar had married Drota, the daughter of +Ragnald, by violence, took from him both life and wife, and wedded Drota +himself. She was not an unwilling bride; she thought it right for her to +embrace the avenger of her parent. For the daughter mourned her father, +and could never bring herself to submit with any pleasure to his +murderer. This woman and Borgar had a son Halfdan, who through all his +early youth was believed to be stupid, but whose later years proved +illustrious for the most glorious deeds, and famous for the highest +qualities that can grace life. Once, when a stripling, he mocked in +boyish fashion at a champion of noble repute, who smote him with a +buffet; whereupon Halfdan attacked him with the staff he was carrying +and killed him. This deed was an omen of his future honours; he had +hitherto been held in scorn, but henceforth throughout his life he had +the highest honour and glory. The affair, indeed, was a prophecy of the +greatness of his deeds in war. + +At this period, Rothe, a Ruthenian rover, almost destroyed our country +with his rapine and cruelty. His harshness was so notable that, while +other men spared their prisoners utter nakedness, he did not think +it uncomely to strip of their coverings even the privy parts of their +bodies; wherefore we are wont to this day to call all severe and +monstrous acts of rapine Rothe-Ran (Rothe's Robbery). He used also +sometimes to inflict the following kind of torture: Fastening the men's +right feet firmly to the earth, he tied the left feet to boughs for +the purpose that when these should spring back the body would be rent +asunder. Hane, Prince of Funen, wishing to win honour and glory, tried +to attack this man with his sea-forces, but took to flight with one +attendant. It was in reproach of him that the proverb arose: "The cock +(Hane) fights better on its own dunghill." Then Borgar, who could not +bear to see his countrymen perishing any longer, encountered Rothe. +Together they fought and together they perished. It is said that in this +battle Halfdan was sorely stricken, and was for some time feeble with +the wounds he had received. One of these was inflicted conspicuously +on his mouth, and its scar was so manifest that it remained as an open +blotch when all the other wounds were healed; for the crushed portion of +the lip was so ulcerated by the swelling, that the flesh would not grow +out again and mend the noisome gash. This circumstance fixed on him a +most insulting nickname,... although wounds in the front of the body +commonly bring praise and not ignominy. So spiteful a colour does the +belief of the vulgar sometimes put upon men's virtues. + +Meanwhile Gurid, the daughter of Alf, seeing that the royal line was +reduced to herself alone, and having no equal in birth whom she could +marry, proclaimed a vow imposing chastity on herself, thinking it better +to have no husband than to take one from the commons. Moreover, to +escape outrage, she guarded her room with a chosen band of champions. +Once Halfdan happened to come to see her. The champions, whose brother +he had himself slain in his boyhood, were away. He told her that she +ought to loose her virgin zone, and exchange her austere chastity for +deeds of love; that she ought not to give in so much to her inclination +for modesty as to be too proud to make a match, and so by her service +repair the fallen monarchy. So he bade her look on himself, who was +of eminently illustrious birth, in the light of a husband, since it +appeared that she would only admit pleasure for the reason he had named. +Gurid answered that she could not bring her mind to ally the remnants of +the royal line to a man of meaner rank. Not content with reproaching +his obscure birth, she also taunted his unsightly countenance. Halfdan +rejoined that she brought against him two faults: one that his blood was +not illustrious enough; another, that he was blemished with a cracked +lip whose scar had never healed. Therefore he would not come back to ask +for her before he had wiped away both marks of shame by winning glory in +war. + +Halfdan entreated her to suffer no man to be privy to her bed until she +heard certain tidings either of his return or his death. The champions, +whom he had bereaved of their brother long ago, were angry that he had +spoken to Gurid, and tried to ride after him as he went away. When +he saw it, he told his comrades to go into ambush, and said he would +encounter the champions alone. His followers lingered, and thought it +shameful to obey his orders, but he drove them off with threats, saying +that Gurid should not find that fear had made him refuse to fight. +Presently he cut down an oak-tree and fashioned it into a club, fought +the twelve single-handed, and killed them. After their destruction, not +content with the honours of so splendid an action, and meaning to do one +yet greater, he got from his mother the swords of his grandfather, one +of which was called Lyusing.... and the other Hwyting, after the sheen +of its well-whetted point. But when he heard that war was raging between +Alver, the King of Sweden, and the Ruthenians (Russians), he instantly +went to Russia, offered help to the natives, and was received by all +with the utmost honour. Alver was not far off, there being only a little +ground to cross to cover the distance between the two. Alver's soldier +Hildiger, the son of Gunnar, challenged the champions of the Ruthenians +to fight him; but when he saw that Halfdan was put up against him, +though knowing well that he was Halfdan's brother, he let natural +feeling prevail over courage, and said that he, who was famous for the +destruction of seventy champions, would not fight with an untried +man. Therefore he told him to measure himself in enterprises of lesser +moment, and thenceforth to follow pursuits fitted to his strength. He +made this announcement not from distrust in his own courage, but in +order to preserve his uprightness; for he was not only very valiant, but +also skilled at blunting the sword with spells. For when he remembered +that Halfdan's father had slain his own, he was moved by two +feelings--the desire to avenge his father, and his love for his brother. +He therefore thought it better to retire from the challenge than to be +guilty of a very great crime. Halfdan demanded another champion in +his place, slew him when he appeared, and was soon awarded the palm +of valour even by the voice of the enemy, being accounted by public +acclamation the bravest of all. On the next day he asked for two men to +fight with, and slew them both. On the third day he subdued three; on +the fourth he overcame four who met him; and on the fifth he asked for +five. + +When Halfdan conquered these, and when the eighth day had been reached +with an equal increase in the combatants and in the victory, he laid low +eleven who attacked him at once. Hildiger, seeing that his own record of +honours was equalled by the greatness of Halfdan's deeds could not bear +to decline to meet him any longer. And when he felt that Halfdan had +dealt him a deadly wound with a sword wrapped in rags, he threw away his +arms, and, lying on the earth, addressed his brother as follows: + +"It is pleasing to pass an hour away in mutual talk; and, while the +sword rests, to sit a little on the ground and while away the time by +speaking in turn, and keep ourselves in good heart. Time is left for our +purpose; our two destinies have a different lot; one is surely doomed to +die by a fatal weird, while triumph and glory and all the good of living +await the other in better years. Thus our omens differ, and our portions +are distinguished. Thou art a son of the Danish land, I of the country +of Sweden. Once, Drota thy mother had her breast swell for thee; she +bore me, and by her I am thy foster-brother. Lo now, there perishes +a righteous offspring, who had the heart to fight with savage spears; +brothers born of a shining race charge and bring death on one another; +while they long for the height of power, they lose their days, and, +having now received a fatal mischief in their desire for a sceptre, they +will go to Styx in a common death. Fast by my head stands my Swedish +shield, which is adorned with (as) a fresh mirror of diverse chasing, +and ringed with layers of marvellous fretwork. There a picture of really +hues shows slain nobles and conquered champions, and the wars also and +the notable deed of my right hand. In the midst is to be seen, painted +in bright relief, the figure of my son, whom this hand bereft of his +span of life. He was our only heir, the only thought of his father's +mind, and given to his mother with comfort from above. An evil lot, +which heaps years of ill-fortune on the joyous, chokes mirth in +mourning, and troubles our destiny. For it is lamentable and wretched +to drag out a downcast life, to draw breath through dismal days and to +chafe at foreboding. But whatsoever things are bound by the prophetic +order of the fates, whatsoever are shadowed in the secrets of the divine +plan, whatsoever are foreseen and fixed in the course of the destinies, +no change of what is transient shall cancel these things." + +When he had thus spoken, Halfdan condemned Hildiger for sloth in avowing +so late their bond of brotherhood; he declared he had kept silence that +he might not be thought a coward for refusing to fight, or a villain +if he fought; and while intent on these words of excuse, he died. +But report had given out among the Danes that Hildiger had overthrown +Halfdan. After this, Siwar, a Saxon of very high birth, began to be a +suitor for Gurid, the only survivor of the royal blood among the Danes. +Secretly she preferred Halfdan to him, and imposed on her wooer the +condition that he should not ask her in marriage till he had united into +one body the kingdom of the Danes, which was now torn limb from limb, +and restored by arms what had been wrongfully taken from her. Siwar made +a vain attempt to do this; but as he bribed all the guardians, she was +at last granted to him in betrothal. Halfdan heard of this in Russia +through traders, and voyaged so hard that he arrived before the time of +the wedding-rites. On their first day, before he went to the palace, he +gave orders that his men should not stir from the watches appointed them +till their ears caught the clash of the steel in the distance. Unknown +to the guests, he came and stood before the maiden, and, that he +might not reveal his meaning to too many by bare and common speech, he +composed a dark and ambiguous song as follows: + +"As I left my father's sceptre, I had no fear of the wiles of woman's +device nor of female subtlety. + +"When I overthrew, one and two, three and four, and soon five, and next +six, then seven, and also eight, yea eleven single-handed, triumphant in +battle. + +"But neither did I then think that I was to be shamed with the taint of +disgrace, with thy frailness to thy word and thy beguiling pledges." + +Gurid answered: "My soul wavered in suspense, with slender power over +events, and shifted about with restless fickleness. The report of thee +was so fleeting, so doubtful, borne on uncertain stories, and parched by +doubting heart. I feared that the years of thy youth had perished by +the sword. Could I withstand singly my elders and governors, when they +forbade me to refuse that thing, and pressed me to become a wife? My +love and my flame are both yet unchanged, they shall be mate and match +to thine; nor has my troth been disturbed, but shall have faithful +approach to thee. + +"For my promise has not yet beguiled thee at all, though I, being alone, +could not reject the counsel of such manifold persuasion, nor oppose +their stern bidding in the matter of my consent to the marriage bond." + +Before the maiden had finished her answer, Halfdan had already run his +sword through the bridegroom. Not content with having killed one man, he +massacred most of the guests. Staggering tipsily backwards, the Saxons +ran at him, but his servants came up and slaughtered them. After this +HALFDAN took Gurid to wife. But finding in her the fault of barrenness, +and desiring much to have offspring, he went to Upsala in order to +procure fruitfulness for her; and being told in answer, that he must +make atonement to the shades of his brother if he would raise up +children, he obeyed the oracle, and was comforted by gaining his desire. +For he had a son by Gurid, to whom he gave the name of Harald. Under his +title Halfdan tried to restore the kingdom of the Danes to its ancient +estate, as it was torn asunder by the injuries of the chiefs; but, while +fighting in Zealand, he attacked Wesete, a very famous champion, in +battle, and was slain. Gurid was at the battle in man's attire, from +love for her son. She saw the event; the young man fought hotly, but +his companions fled; and she took him on her shoulders to a neighbouring +wood. Weariness, more than anything else, kept the enemy from pursuing +him; but one of them shot him as he hung, with an arrow, through the +hinder parts, and Harald thought that his mother's care brought him more +shame than help. + +HARALD, being of great beauty and unusual size, and surpassing those of +his age in strength and stature, received such favour from Odin (whose +oracle was thought to have been the cause of his birth), that steel +could not injure his perfect soundness. The result was, that shafts +which wounded others were disabled from doing him any harm. Nor was the +boon unrequited; for he is reported to have promised to Odin all the +souls which his sword cast out of their bodies. He also had his father's +deeds recorded for a memorial by craftsmen on a rock in Bleking, whereof +I have made mention. + +After this, hearing that Wesete was to hold his wedding in Skaane, he +went to the feast disguised as a beggar; and when all were sunken in +wine and sleep, he battered the bride-chamber with a beam. But Wesete, +without inflicting a wound, so beat his mouth with a cudgel, that he +took out two teeth; but two grinders unexpectedly broke out afterwards +and repaired their loss: an event which earned him the name of +Hyldetand, which some declare he obtained on account of a prominent row +of teeth. Here he slew Wesete, and got the sovereignty of Skaane. Next +he attacked and killed Hather in Jutland; and his fall is marked by the +lasting name of the town. After this he overthrew Hunding and Rorik, +seized Leire, and reunited the dismembered realm of Denmark into its +original shape. Then he found that Asmund, the King of the Wikars, had +been deprived of his throne by his elder sister; and, angered by such +presumption on the part of a woman, went to Norway with a single ship, +while the war was still undecided, to help him. The battle began; and, +clothed in a purple cloak, with a coif broidered with gold, and with his +hair bound up, he went against the enemy trusting not in arms, but in +his silent certainty of his luck, insomuch that he seemed dressed more +for a feast than a fray. But his spirit did not match his attire. +For, though unarmed and only adorned with his emblems of royalty, he +outstripped the rest who bore arms, and exposed himself, lightly-armed +as he was, to the hottest perils of the battle. For the shafts aimed +against him lost all power to hurt, as if their points had been blunted. +When the other side saw him fighting unarmed, they made an attack, and +were forced for very shame into assailing him more hotly. But Harald, +whole in body, either put them to the sword, or made them take to +flight; and thus he overthrew the sister of Asmund, and restored him his +kingdom. When Asmund offered him the prizes of victory, he said that the +reward of glory was enough by itself; and demeaned himself as greatly +in refusing the gifts as he had in earning them. By this he made all men +admire his self-restraint as much as his valour; and declared that the +victory should give him a harvest not of gold but glory. + +Meantime Alver, the King of the Swedes, died leaving sons Olaf, Ing, +and Ingild. One of these, Ing, dissatisfied with the honours his father +bequeathed him, declared war with the Danes in order to extend his +empire. And when Harald wished to inquire of oracles how this war would +end, an old man of great height, but lacking one eye, and clad also in a +hairy mantle, appeared before him, and declared that he was called Odin, +and was versed in the practice of warfare; and he gave him the most +useful instruction how to divide up his army in the field. Now he told +him, whenever he was going to make war with his land-forces, to divide +his whole army into three squadrons, each of which he was to pack into +twenty ranks; the centre squadron, however, he was to extend further +than the rest by the number of twenty men. This squadron he was also to +arrange in the form of the point of a cone or pyramid, and to make the +wings on either side slant off obliquely from it. He was to compose the +successive ranks of each squadron in the following way: the front should +begin with two men, and the number in each succeeding rank should only +increase by one; he was, in fact, to post a rank of three in the second +line, four in the third, and so on behind. And thus, when the men +mustered, all the succeeding ranks were to be manned at the same rate +of proportion, until the end of (the edge that made) the junction of men +came down to the wings; each wing was to be drawn up in ten lines from +that point. Likewise after these squadrons he was to put the young men, +equipped with lances, and behind these to set the company of aged men, +who would support their comrades with what one might call a veteran +valour if they faltered; next, a skilful reckoner should attach wings of +slingers to stand behind the ranks of their fellows and attack the enemy +from a distance with missiles. After these he was to enroll men of any +age or rank indiscriminately, without heed of their estate. Moreover, he +was to draw up the rear like the vanguard, in three separated divisions, +and arranged in ranks similarly proportioned. The back of this, joining +on to the body in front would protect it by facing in the opposite +direction. But if a sea-battle happened to occur, he should withdraw a +portion of his fleet, which when he began the intended engagement, was +to cruise round that of the enemy, wheeling to and fro continually. +Equipped with this system of warfare, he forestalled matters in Sweden, +and killed Ing and Olaf as they were making ready to fight. Their +brother Ingild sent messengers to beg a truce, on pretence of his +ill-health. Harald granted his request, that his own valour, which had +learnt to spare distress, might not triumph over a man in the hour +of lowliness and dejection. When Ingild afterwards provoked Harald +by wrongfully ravishing his sister, Harald vexed him with long and +indecisive war, but then took him into his friendship, thinking it +better to have him for ally than for enemy. + +After this he heard that Olaf, King of the Thronds, had to fight with +the maidens Stikla and Rusila for the kingdom. Much angered at this +arrogance on the part of women, he went to Olaf unobserved, put on dress +which concealed the length of his teeth, and attacked the maidens. He +overthrew them both, leaving to two harbours a name akin to theirs. It +was then that he gave a notable exhibition of valour; for defended +only by a shirt under his shoulders, he fronted the spears with unarmed +breast. + +When Olaf offered Harald the prize of victory, he rejected the gift, +thus leaving it a question whether he had shown a greater example of +bravery or self-control. Then he attacked a champion of the Frisian +nation, named Ubbe, who was ravaging the borders of Jutland and +destroying numbers of the common people; and when Harald could not +subdue him to his arms, he charged his soldiers to grip him with their +hands, throw him on the ground, and to bind him while thus overpowered. +Thus he only overcame the man and mastered him by a shameful kind of +attack, though a little before he thought he would inflict a heavy +defeat on him. But Harald gave him his sister in marriage, and thus +gained him for his soldier. + +Harald made tributaries of the nations that lay along the Rhine, levying +troops from the bravest of that race. With these forces he conquered +Sclavonia in war, and caused its generals, Duk and Dal, because of their +bravery, to be captured, and not killed. These men he took to serve with +him, and, after overcoming Aquitania, soon went to Britain, where he +overthrew the King of the Humbrians, and enrolled the smartest of the +warriors he had conquered, the chief of whom was esteemed to be Orm, +surnamed the Briton. The fame of these deeds brought champions from +divers parts of the world, whom he formed into a band of mercenaries. +Strengthened by their numbers, he kept down insurrections in all +kingdoms by the terror of his name, so that he took out of their rulers +all courage to fight with one another. Moreover, no man durst assume any +sovereignty on the sea without his consent; for of old the state of the +Danes had the joint lordship of land and sea. + +Meantime Ingild died in Sweden, leaving only a very little son, Ring, +whom he had by the sister of Harald. Harald gave the boy guardians, and +put him over his father's kingdom. Thus, when he had overcome princes +and provinces, he passed fifty years in peace. To save the minds of his +soldiers from being melted into sloth by this inaction, he decreed that +they should assiduously learn from the champions the way of parrying +and dealing blows. Some of these were skilled in a remarkable manner of +fighting, and used to smite the eyebrow on the enemy's forehead with an +infallible stroke; but if any man, on receiving the blow, blinked for +fear, twitching his eyebrow, he was at once expelled the court and +dismissed the service. + +At this time Ole, the son of Siward and of Harald's sister, came to +Denmark from the land of Norway in the desire to see his uncle. Since it +is known that he had the first place among the followers of Harald, and +that after the Swedish war he came to the throne of Denmark, it bears +somewhat on the subject to relate the traditions of his deeds. Ole, +then, when he had passed his tenth to his fifteenth year with his +father, showed incredible proofs of his brilliant gifts both of mind and +body. Moreover, he was so savage of countenance that his eyes were like +the arms of other men against the enemy, and he terrified the bravest +with his stern and flashing glance. He heard the tidings that Gunn, +ruler of Tellemark, with his son Grim, was haunting as a robber the +forest of Etha-scog, which was thick with underbrush and full of gloomy +glens. The offence moved his anger; then he asked his father for a +horse, a dog, and such armour as could be got, and cursed his youth, +which was suffering the right season for valour to slip sluggishly away. +He got what he asked, and explored the aforesaid wood very narrowly. He +saw the footsteps of a man printed deep on the snow; for the rime was +blemished by the steps, and betrayed the robber's progress. Thus guided, +he went over a hill, and came on a very great river. This effaced the +human tracks he had seen before, and he determined that he must cross. +But the mere mass of water, whose waves ran down in a headlong torrent, +seemed to forbid all crossing; for it was full of hidden reefs, and the +whole length of its channel was turbid with a kind of whirl of foam. +Yet all fear of danger was banished from Ole's mind by his impatience +to make haste. So valour conquered fear, and rashness scorned peril; +thinking nothing hard to do if it were only to his mind, he crossed +the hissing eddies on horseback. When he had passed these, he came upon +defiles surrounded on all sides with swamps, the interior of which was +barred from easy approach by the pinnacle of a bank in front. He took +his horse over this, and saw an enclosure with a number of stalls. Out +of this he turned many horses, and was minded to put in his own, when +a certain Tok, a servant of Gunn, angry that a stranger should wax so +insolent, attacked him fiercely; but Ole foiled his assailant by simply +opposing his shield. Thinking it a shame to slay the fellow with the +sword, he seized him, shattered him limb by limb, and flung him across +into the house whence he had issued in his haste. This insult quickly +aroused Gunn and Grim: they ran out by different side-doors, and charged +Ole both at once, despising his age and strength. He wounded them +fatally; and, when their bodily powers were quite spent, Grim, who could +scarce muster a final gasp, and whose force was almost utterly gone, +with his last pants composed this song: + +"Though we be weak in frame, and the loss of blood has drained our +strength; since the life-breath, now drawn out by my wound, scarce +quivers softly in my pierced breast: + +"I counsel that we should make the battle of our last hour glorious +with dauntless deeds, that none may say that a combat has anywhere been +bravelier waged or harder fought; + +"And that our wild strife while we bore arms may, when our weary flesh +has found rest in the tomb, win us the wage of immortal fame. + +"Let our first stroke crush the shoulder-blades of the foe, let our +steel cut off both his hands; so that, when Stygian Pluto has taken us, +a like doom may fall on Ole also, and a common death tremble over three, +and one urn cover the ashes of three." + +Here Grim ended. But his father, rivalling his indomitable spirit, and +wishing to give some exhortation in answer to his son's valiant speech, +thus began: + +"What though our veins be wholly bloodless, and in our frail body the +life be brief, yet our last fight be so strong and strenuous that it +suffer not the praise of us to be brief also. + +"Therefore aim the javelin first at the shoulders and arms of the foe, +so that the work of his hands may be weakened; and thus when we are +gone three shall receive a common sepulchre, and one urn alike for three +shall cover our united dust." + +When he had said this, both of them, resting on their knees (for the +approach of death had drained their strength), made a desperate effort +to fight Ole hand to hand, in order that, before they perished, they +might slay their enemy also; counting death as nothing if only they +might envelope their slayer in a common fall. Ole slew one of them with +his sword, the other with his hound. But even he gained no bloodless +victory; for though he had been hitherto unscathed, now at last he +received a wound in front. His dog diligently licked him over, and he +regained his bodily strength: and soon, to publish sure news of his +victory, he hung the bodies of the robbers upon gibbets in wide view. +Moreover, he took the stronghold, and put in secret keeping all the +booty he found there, in reserve for future use. + +At this time the arrogant wantonness of the brothers Skate and Hiale +waxed so high that they would take virgins of notable beauty from +their parents and ravish them. Hence it came about that they formed the +purpose of seizing Esa, the daughter of Olaf, prince of the Werms; +and bade her father, if he would not have her serve the passion of a +stranger, fight either in person, or by some deputy, in defence of his +child. When Ole had news of this, he rejoiced in the chance of a battle, +and borrowing the attire of a peasant, went to the dwelling of Olaf. +He received one of the lowest places at table; and when he saw the +household of the king in sorrow, he called the king's son closer to him, +and asked why they all wore so lamentable a face. The other answered, +that unless someone quickly interposed to protect them, his sister's +chastity would soon be outraged by some ferocious champions. Ole next +asked him what reward would be received by the man who devoted his life +for the maiden. Olaf, on his son asking him about this matter, said that +his daughter should go to the man who fought for her: and these words, +more than anything, made Ole long to encounter the danger. + +Now the maiden was wont to go from one guest to another in order to scan +their faces narrowly, holding out a light that she might have a surer +view of the dress and character of those who were entertained. It is +also believed that she divined their lineage from the lines and features +of the face, and could discern any man's birth by sheer shrewdness of +vision. When she stood and fixed the scrutiny of her gaze upon Olaf, +she was stricken with the strange awfulness of his eyes, and fell almost +lifeless. But when her strength came slowly back, and her breath went +and came more freely, she again tried to look at the young man, but +suddenly slipped and fell forward, as though distraught. A third time +also she strove to lift her closed and downcast gaze, but suddenly +tottered and fell, unable not only to move her eyes, but even to control +her feet; so much can strength be palsied by amazement. When Olaf saw +it, he asked her why she had fallen so often. She averred that she was +stricken by the savage gaze of the guest; that he was born of kings; and +she declared that if he could baulk the will of the ravishers, he was +well worthy of her arms. Then all of them asked Ole, who was keeping +his face muffled in a hat, to fling off his covering, and let them see +something by which to learn his features. Then, bidding them all lay +aside their grief, and keep their heart far from sorrow, he uncovered +his brow; and he drew the eyes of all upon him in marvel at his great +beauty. For his locks were golden and the hair of his head was radiant; +but he kept the lids close over his pupils, that they might not terrify +the beholders. + +All were heartened with the hope of better things; the guests seemed to +dance and the courtiers to leap for joy; the deepest melancholy seemed +to be scattered by an outburst of cheerfulness. Thus hope relieved their +fears; the banquet wore a new face, and nothing was the same, or +like what it had been before. So the kindly promise of a single guest +dispelled the universal terror. Meanwhile Hiale and Skate came up +with ten servants, meaning to carry off the maiden then and there, and +disturbed all the place with their noisy shouts. They called on the king +to give battle, unless he produced his daughter instantly. Ole at once +met their frenzy with the promise to fight, adding the condition that +no one should stealthily attack an opponent in the rear, but should only +combat in the battle face to face. Then, with his sword called Logthi, +he felled them all, single-handed--an achievement beyond his years. The +ground for the battle was found on an isle in the middle of a swamp, +not far from which is a stead that serves to memorise this slaughter, +bearing the names of the brothers Hiale and Skate together. + +So the girl was given him as prize of the combat, and bore him a son +Omund. Then he gained his father-in-law's leave to revisit his father. +But when he heard that his country was being attacked by Thore, with +the help of Toste Sacrificer, and Leotar, surnamed.... he went to fight +them, content with a single servant, who was dressed as a woman. When +he was near the house of Thore, he concealed his own and his attendant's +swords in hollowed staves. And when he entered the palace, he disguised +his true countenance, and feigned to be a man broken with age. He said +that with Siward he had been king of the beggars, but that he was now in +exile, having been stubbornly driven forth by the hatred of the king's +son Ole. Presently many of the courtiers greeted him with the name of +king, and began to kneel and offer him their hands in mockery. He told +them to bear out in deeds what they had done in jest; and, plucking out +the swords which he and his man kept shut in their staves, attacked the +king. So some aided Ole, taking it more as jest than earnest, and would +not be false to the loyalty which they mockingly yielded him; but most +of them, breaking their idle vow, took the side of Thore. Thus arose an +internecine and undecided fray. At last Thore was overwhelmed and slain +by the arms of his own folk, as much as by these of his guests; and +Leotar, wounded to the death, and judging that his conqueror, Ole, was +as keen in mind as he was valorous in deeds, gave him the name of the +Vigorous, and prophesied that he should perish by the same kind of trick +as he had used with Thore; for, without question he should fall by the +treachery of his own house. And, as he spoke, he suddenly passed away. +Thus we can see that the last speech of the dying man expressed by its +shrewd divination the end that should come upon his conqueror. + +After these deeds Ole did not go back to his father till he had restored +peace to his house. His father gave him the command of the sea, and he +destroyed seventy sea-kings in a naval battle. The most distinguished +among these were Birwil and Hwirwil, Thorwil, Nef and Onef, Redward (?), +Rand and Erand (?). By the honour and glory of this exploit he excited +many champions, whose whole heart's desire was for bravery, to join +in alliance with him. He also enrolled into a bodyguard the wild young +warriors who were kindled with a passion for glory. Among these he +received Starkad with the greatest honour, and cherished him with more +friendship than profit. Thus fortified, he checked, by the greatness of +his name, the wantonness of the neighbouring kings, in that he took from +them all their forces and all liking and heart for mutual warfare. + +After this he went to Harald, who made him commander of the sea; and at +last he was transferred to the service of Ring. At this time one Brun +was the sole partner and confidant of all Harald's councils. To this man +both Harald and Ring, whenever they needed a secret messenger, used to +entrust their commissions. This degree of intimacy he obtained because +he had been reared and fostered with them. But Brun, amid the toils of +his constant journeys to and fro, was drowned in a certain river; and +Odin, disguised under his name and looks, shook the close union of the +kings by his treacherous embassage; and he sowed strife so guilefully +that he engendered in men, who were bound by friendship and blood, +a bitter mutual hate, which seemed unappeasable except by war. Their +dissensions first grew up silently; at last both sides betrayed their +leanings, and their secret malice burst into the light of day. So they +declared their feuds, and seven years passed in collecting the materials +of war. Some say that Harald secretly sought occasions to destroy +himself, not being moved by malice or jealousy for the crown, but by a +deliberate and voluntary effort. His old age and his cruelty made him a +burden to his subjects; he preferred the sword to the pangs of disease, +and liked better to lay down his life in the battle-field than in his +bed, that he might have an end in harmony with the deeds of his past +life. Thus, to make his death more illustrious, and go to the nether +world in a larger company, he longed to summon many men to share his +end; and he therefore of his own will prepared for war, in order to make +food for future slaughter. For these reasons, being seized with as great +a thirst to die himself as to kill others, and wishing the massacre on +both sides to be equal, he furnished both sides with equal resources; +but let Ring have a somewhat stronger force, preferring he should +conquer and survive him. + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) A parallel is the Lionel-Lancelot story of children saved by + being turned into dogs. + + + + +BOOK EIGHT. + +STARKAD was the first to set in order in Danish speech the history of +the Swedish war, a conflict whereof he was himself a mighty pillar; the +said history being rather an oral than a written tradition. He set forth +and arranged the course of this war in the mother tongue according to +the fashion of our country; but I purpose to put it into Latin, and will +first recount the most illustrious princes on either side. For I have +felt no desire to include the multitude, which are even past exact +numbering. And my pen shall relate first those on the side of Harald, +and presently those who served under Ring. + +Now the most famous of the captains that mustered to Harald are +acknowledged to have been Sweyn and Sambar (Sam?), Ambar and Elli; Rati +of Funen, Salgard and Roe (Hrothgar), whom his long beard distinguished +by a nickname. Besides these, Skalk the Scanian, and Alf the son of Agg; +to whom are joined Olwir the Broad, and Gnepie the Old. Besides these +there was Gardh, founder of the town Stang. To these are added the +kinsfolk or bound followers of Harald: Blend (Blaeng?), the dweller +in furthest Thule, (1) and Brand, whose surname was Crumb (Bitling?). +Allied with these were Thorguy, with Thorwig, Tatar (Teit), and Hialte. +These men voyaged to Leire with bodies armed for war; but they were also +mighty in excellence of wit, and their trained courage matched their +great stature; for they had skill in discharging arrows both from bow +and catapult, and at fighting their foe as they commonly did, man to +man; and also at readily stringing together verse in the speech of their +country: so zealously had they trained mind and body alike. Now out of +Leire came Hortar (Hjort) and Borrhy (Borgar or Borgny), and also Belgi +and Beigad, to whom were added Bari and Toli. Now out of the town of +Sle, under the captains Hetha (Heid) and Wisna, with Hakon Cut-cheek +came Tummi the Sailmaker. On these captains, who had the bodies of +women, nature bestowed the souls of men. Webiorg was also inspired with +the same spirit, and was attended by Bo (Bui) Bramason and Brat the +Jute, thirsting for war. In the same throng came Orm of England, Ubbe +the Frisian, Ari the One-eyed, and Alf Gotar. Next in the count came Dal +the Fat and Duk the Sclav; Wisna, a woman, filled with sternness, and +a skilled warrior, was guarded by a band of Sclavs: her chief followers +were Barri and Gnizli. But the rest of the same company had their bodies +covered by little shields, and used very long swords and targets of +skiey hue, which, in time of war, they either cast behind their backs or +gave over to the baggage-bearers; while they cast away all protection to +their breasts, and exposed their bodies to every peril, offering battle +with drawn swords. The most illustrious of these were Tolkar and Ymi. +After these, Toki of the province of Wohin was conspicuous together with +Otrit surnamed the Young. Hetha, guarded by a retinue of very active +men, brought an armed company to the war, the chiefs of whom were Grim +and Grenzli; next to whom are named Geir the Livonian, Hame also and +Hunger, Humbli and Biari, bravest of the princes. These men often fought +duels successfully, and won famous victories far and wide. + +The maidens I have named, in fighting as well as courteous array, led +their land-forces to the battle-field. Thus the Danish army mustered +company by company. There were seven kings, equal in spirit but +differing in allegiance, some defending Harald, and some Ring. Moreover, +the following went to the side of Harald: Homi and Hosathul (Eysothul?), +Him...., Hastin and Hythin (Hedin) the Slight, also Dahar (Dag), named +Grenski, and Harald Olafsson also. From the province of Aland came Har +and Herlewar (Herleif), with Hothbrodd, surnamed the Furious; these +fought in the Danish camp. But from Imisland arrived Humnehy (?) and +Harald. They were joined by Haki and by Sigmund and Serker the sons of +Bemon, all coming from the North. All these were retainers of the king, +who befriended them most generously; for they were held in the highest +distinction by him, receiving swords adorned with gold, and the choicest +spoils of war. There came also.... the sons of Gandal the old, who were +in the intimate favour of Harald by reason of ancient allegiance. Thus +the sea was studded with the Danish fleet, and seemed to interpose a +bridge, uniting Zealand to Skaane. To those that wished to pass between +those provinces, the sea offered a short road on foot over the dense +mass of ships. But Harald would not have the Swedes unprepared in +their arrangements for war, and sent men to Ring to carry his public +declaration of hostilities, and notify the rupture of the mediating +peace. The same men were directed to prescribe the place of combat. +These then whom I have named were the fighters for Harald. + +Now, on the side of Ring were numbered Ulf, Aggi (Aki?), Windar +(Eywind?), Egil the One-eyed; Gotar, Hildi, Guti Alfsson; Styr the +Stout, and (Tolo-) Stein, who lived by the Wienic Mere. To these were +joined Gerd the Glad and Gromer (Glum?) from Wermland. After these are +reckoned the dwellers north on the Elbe, Saxo the Splitter, Sali the +Goth; Thord the Stumbler, Throndar Big-nose; Grundi, Oddi, Grindir, +Tovi; Koll, Biarki, Hogni the Clever, Rokar the Swart. Now these scorned +fellowship with the common soldiers, and had formed themselves into +a separate rank apart from the rest of the company. Besides these +are numbered Hrani Hildisson and Lyuth Guthi (Hljot Godi), Svein the +Topshorn, (Soknarsoti?), Rethyr (Hreidar?) Hawk, and Rolf the Uxorious +(Woman-lover). Massed with these were Ring Adilsson and Harald who came +from Thotn district. Joined to these were Walstein of Wick, Thorolf the +Thick, Thengel the Tall, Hun, Solwe, Birwil the Pale, Borgar and Skumbar +(Skum). But from, Tellemark came the bravest of all, who had most +courage but least arrogance--Thorleif the Stubborn, Thorkill the Gute +(Gothlander), Grettir the Wicked and the Lover of Invasions. Next to +these came Hadd the Hard and Rolder (Hroald) Toe-joint. + +From Norway we have the names of Thrand of Throndhjem, Thoke (Thore) +of More, Hrafn the White, Haf (war), Biarni, Blihar (Blig?) surnamed +Snub-nosed; Biorn from the district of Sogni; Findar (Finn) born in +the Firth; Bersi born in the town F(I)alu; Siward Boarhead, Erik the +Story-teller, Holmstein the White, Hrut Rawi (or Vafi, the Doubter), +Erling surnamed Snake. Now from the province of Jather came Odd the +Englishman, Alf the Far-wanderer, Enar the Paunched, and Ywar surnamed +Thriug. Now from Thule (Iceland) came Mar the Red, born and bred in the +district called Midfirth; Grombar the Aged, Gram Brundeluk (Bryndalk?) +Grim from the town of Skier (um) born in Skagafiord. Next came Berg the +Seer, accompanied by Bragi and Rafnkel. + +Now the bravest of the Swedes were these: Arwakki, Keklu-Karl +(Kelke-Karl), Krok the Peasant, (from Akr), Gudfast and Gummi from +Gislamark. These were kindred of the god Frey, and most faithful +witnesses to the gods. Ingi (Yngwe) also, and Oly, Alver, Folki, all +sons of Elrik (Alrek), embraced the service of Ring; they were men ready +of hand, quick in counsel, and very close friends of Ring. They likewise +held the god Frey to be the founder of their race. Amongst these from +the town of Sigtun also came Sigmund, a champion advocate, versed in +making contracts of sale and purchase; besides him Frosti surnamed Bowl: +allied with him was Alf the Lofty (Proud?) from the district of Upsala; +this man was a swift spear-thrower, and used to go in the front of the +battle. + +Ole had a body-guard in which were seven kings, very ready of hand and +of counsel; namely, Holti, Hendil, Holmar, Lewy (Leif), and Hame; with +these was enrolled Regnald the Russian, the grandson of Radbard; and +Siwald also furrowed the sea with eleven light ships. Lesy (Laesi), the +conqueror of the Pannonians (Huns), fitted with a sail his swift galley +ringed with gold. Thririkar (Erik Helsing) sailed in a ship whose prows +were twisted like a dragon. Also Thrygir (Tryggve) and Torwil sailed +and brought twelve ships jointly. In the entire fleet of Ring there were +2,500 ships. + +The fleet of Gotland was waiting for the Swedish fleet in the harbour +named Garnum. So Ring led the land-force, while Ole was instructed +to command the fleet. Now the Goths were appointed a time and a place +between Wik and Werund for the conflict with the Swedes. Then was the +sea to be seen furrowed up with prows, and the canvas unfurled upon +the masts cut off the view over the ocean. The Danes had so far been +distressed with bad weather; but the Swedish fleet had a fair voyage, +and had reached the scene of battle earlier. Here Ring disembarked his +forces from his fleet, and then massed and prepared to draw up in line +both these and the army he had himself conducted overland. When these +forces were at first loosely drawn up over the open country, it was +found that one wing reached all the way to Werund. The multitude was +confused in its places and ranks; but the king rode round it, and posted +in the van all the smartest and most excellently-armed men, led by Ole, +Regnald, and Wivil; then he massed the rest of the army on the two wings +in a kind of curve. Ung, with the sons of Alrek, and Trig, he ordered +to protect the right wing, while the left was put under the command +of Laesi. Moreover, the wings and the masses were composed mainly of a +close squadron of Kurlanders and of Esthonians. Last stood the line of +slingers. + +Meantime the Danish fleet, favoured by kindly winds, sailed, without +stopping, for twelve days, and came to the town (stead) of Kalmar. +The wind-blown sails covering the waters were a marvel; and the canvas +stretched upon the yards blotted out the sight of the heavens. For the +fleet was augmented by the Sclavs and the Livonians and 7,000 Saxons. +But the Skanians, knowing the country, were appointed as guides and +scouts to those who were going over the dry land. So when the Danish +army came upon the Swedes, who stood awaiting them, Ring told his men to +stand quietly until Harald had drawn up his line of battle; bidding them +not to sound the signal before they saw the king settled in his chariot +beside the standards; for he said he should hope that an army would +soon come to grief which trusted in the leading of a blind man. Harald, +moreover, he said, had been seized in extreme age with the desire of +foreign empire, and was as witless as he was sightless; wealth could +not satisfy a man who, if he looked to his years, ought to be well-nigh +contented with a grave. The Swedes therefore were bound to fight for +their freedom, their country, and their children, while the enemy had +undertaken the war in rashness and arrogance. Moreover, on the other +side, there were very few Danes, but a mass of Saxons and other unmanly +peoples stood arrayed. Swedes and Norwegians should therefore consider, +how far the multitudes of the North had always surpassed the Germans +and the Sclavs. They should therefore despise an army which seemed to be +composed more of a mass of fickle offscourings than of a firm and stout +soldiery. + +By this harangue of King Ring he kindled high the hearts of the +soldiers. Now Brun, being instructed to form the line on Harald's +behalf, made the front in a wedge, posting Hetha on the right flank, +putting Hakon in command of the left, and making Wisna standard-bearer. +Harald stood up in his chariot and complained, in as loud a voice as he +could, that Ring was requiting his benefits with wrongs; that the man +who had got his kingdom by Harald's own gift was now attacking him; so +that Ring neither pitied an old man nor spared an uncle, but set his own +ambitions before any regard for Harald's kinship or kindness. So he bade +the Danes remember how they had always won glory by foreign conquest, +and how they were more wont to command their neighbours than to obey +them. He adjured them not to let such glory as theirs to be shaken by +the insolence of a conquered nation, nor to suffer the empire, which he +had won in the flower of his youth, to be taken from him in his outworn +age. + +Then the trumpets sounded, and both sides engaged in battle with all +their strength. The sky seemed to fall suddenly on the earth, fields and +woods to sink into the ground; all things were confounded, and old Chaos +come again; heaven and earth mingling in one tempestuous turmoil, and +the world rushing to universal ruin. For, when the spear-throwing began, +the intolerable clash of arms filled the air with an incredible thunder. +The steam of the wounds suddenly hung a mist over the sky, the daylight +was hidden under the hail of spears. The help of the slingers was of +great use in the battle. But when the missiles had all been flung from +hand or engines, they fought with swords or iron-shod maces; and it was +now at close quarters that most blood was spilt. Then the sweat streamed +down their weary bodies, and the clash of the swords could be heard +afar. + +Starkad, who was the first to set forth the history of this war in the +telling, fought foremost in the fray, and relates that he overthrew the +nobles of Harald, Hun and Elli, Hort and Burgha, and cut off the right +hand of Wisna. He also relates that one Roa, with two others, Gnepie and +Gardar, fell wounded by him in the field. To these he adds the father of +Skalk, whose name is not given. He also declares that he cast Hakon, the +bravest of the Danes, to the earth, but received from him such a wound +in return that he had to leave the war with his lung protruding from +his chest, his neck cleft to the centre, and his hand deprived of one +finger; so that he long had a gaping wound, which seemed as if it would +never either scar over or be curable. The same man witnesses that the +maiden Weghbiorg (Webiorg) fought against the enemy and felled Soth +the champion. While she was threatening to slay more champions, she was +pierced through by an arrow from the bowstring of Thorkill, a native of +Tellemark. For the skilled archers of the Gotlanders strung their bows +so hard that the shafts pierced through even the shields; nothing proved +more murderous; for the arrow-points made their way through hauberk and +helmet as if they were men's defenceless bodies. + +Meanwhile Ubbe the Frisian, who was the readiest of Harald's soldiers, +and of notable bodily stature, slew twenty-five picked champions, +besides eleven whom he had wounded in the field. All these were of +Swedish or Gothic blood. Then he attacked the vanguard and burst into +the thickest of the enemy, driving the Swedes struggling in a panic +every way with spear and sword. It had all but come to a flight, when +Hagder (Hadd), Rolder (Hroald), and Grettir attacked the champion, +emulating his valour, and resolving at their own risk to retrieve +the general ruin. But, fearing to assault him at close quarters, they +accomplished their end with arrows from afar; and thus Ubbe was riddled +by a shower of arrows, no one daring to fight him hand to hand. A +hundred and forty-four arrows had pierced the breast of the warrior +before his bodily strength failed and he bent his knee to the earth. +Then at last the Danes suffered a great defeat, owing to the Thronds +and the dwellers in the province of Dala. For the battle began afresh +by reason of the vast mass of the archers, and nothing damaged our men +more. + +But when Harald, being now blind with age, heard the lamentable murmur +of his men, he perceived that fortune had smiled on his enemies. So, +as he was riding in a chariot armed with scythes, he told Brun, who was +treacherously acting as charioteer, to find out in what manner Ring had +his line drawn up. Brun's face relaxed into something of a smile, and he +answered that he was fighting with a line in the form of a wedge. +When the king heard this he began to be alarmed, and to ask in great +astonishment from whom Ring could have learnt this method of disposing +his line, especially as Odin was the discoverer and imparter of this +teaching, and none but himself had ever learnt from him this new pattern +of warfare. At this Brun was silent, and it came into the king's mind +that here was Odin, and that the god whom he had once known so well +was now disguised in a changeful shape, in order either to give help or +withhold it. Presently he began to beseech him earnestly to grant the +final victory to the Danes, since he had helped them so graciously +before, and to fill up his last kindness to the measure of the first; +promising to dedicate to him as a gift the spirits of all who fell. But +Brun, utterly unmoved by his entreaties, suddenly jerked the king out of +the chariot, battered him to the earth, plucked the club from him as +he fell, whirled it upon his head, and slew him with his own weapon. +Countless corpses lay round the king's chariot, and the horrid heap +overtopped the wheels; the pile of carcases rose as high as the pole. +For about 12,000 of the nobles of Ring fell upon the field. But on the +side of Harald about 30,000 nobles fell, not to name the slaughter of +the commons. + +When Ring heard that Harald was dead, he gave the signal to his men to +break up their line and cease fighting. Then under cover of truce he +made treaty with the enemy, telling them that it was vain to prolong the +fray without their captain. Next he told the Swedes to look everywhere +among the confused piles of carcases for the body of Harald, that the +corpse of the king might not wrongfully lack its due rights. So the +populace set eagerly to the task of turning over the bodies of the +slain, and over this work half the day was spent. At last the body was +found with the club, and he thought that propitiation should be made to +the shade of Harald. So he harnessed the horse on which he rode to the +chariot of the king, decked it honourably with a golden saddle, and +hallowed it in his honour. Then he proclaimed his vows, and added his +prayer that Harald would ride on this and outstrip those who shared his +death in their journey to Tartarus; and that he would pray Pluto, the +lord of Orcus, to grant a calm abode there for friend and foe. Then he +raised a pyre, and bade the Danes fling on the gilded chariot of their +king as fuel to the fire. And while the flames were burning the body +cast upon them, he went round the mourning nobles and earnestly charged +them that they should freely give arms, gold, and every precious thing +to feed the pyre in honour of so great a king, who had deserved so nobly +of them all. He also ordered that the ashes of his body, when it was +quite burnt, should be transferred to an urn, taken to Leire, and there, +together with the horse and armour, receive a royal funeral. By paying +these due rites of honour to his uncle's shade, he won the favour of the +Danes, and turned the hate of his enemies into goodwill. Then the Danes +besought him to appoint Hetha over the remainder of the realm; but, that +the fallen strength of the enemy might not suddenly rally, he severed +Skaane from the mass of Denmark, and put it separately under the +governorship of Ole, ordering that only Zealand and the other lands +of the realm should be subject to Hetha. Thus the changes of fortune +brought the empire of Denmark under the Swedish rule. So ended the +Bravic war. + +But the Zealanders, who had had Harald for their captain, and still had +the picture of their former fortune hovering before their minds, thought +it shameful to obey the rule of a woman, and appealed to OLE not to +suffer men that had been used to serve under a famous king to be kept +under a woman's yoke. They also promised to revolt to him if he would +take up arms to remove their ignominious lot. Ole, tempted as much by +the memory of his ancestral glory as by the homage of the soldiers, was +not slow to answer their entreaties. So he summoned Hetha, and forced +her by threats rather than by arms to quit every region under her +control except Jutland; and even Jutland he made a tributary state, so +as not to allow a woman the free control of a kingdom. He also begot a +son whom he named Omund. But he was given to cruelty, and showed himself +such an unrighteous king, that all who had found it a shameful thing to +be ruled by a queen now repented of their former scorn. + +Twelve generals, whether moved by the disasters of their country, or +hating Ole for some other reason, began to plot against his life. Among +these were Hlenni, Atyl, Thott, and Withne, the last of whom was a Dane +by birth, though he held a government among the Sclavs. Moreover, not +trusting in their strength and their cunning to accomplish their deed, +they bribed Starkad to join them. He was prevailed to do the deed with +the sword; he undertook the bloody work, and resolved to attack the +king while at the bath. In he went while the king was washing, but was +straightway stricken by the keenness of his gaze and by the restless and +quivering glare of his eyes. His limbs were palsied with sudden dread; +he paused, stepped back, and stayed his hand and his purpose. Thus he +who had shattered the arms of so many captains and champions could not +bear the gaze of a single unarmed man. But Ole, who well knew about his +own countenance, covered his face, and asked him to come closer and tell +him what his message was; for old fellowship and long-tried friendship +made him the last to suspect treachery. But Starkad drew his sword, +leapt forward, thrust the king through, and struck him in the throat as +he tried to rise. One hundred and twenty marks of gold were kept for +his reward. Soon afterwards he was smitten with remorse and shame, and +lamented his crime so bitterly, that he could not refrain from tears +if it happened to be named. Thus his soul, when he came to his senses, +blushed for his abominable sin. Moreover, to atone for the crime he +had committed, he slew some of those who had inspired him to it, thus +avenging the act to which he had lent his hand. + +Now the Danes made OMUND, the son of Ole, king, thinking that more heed +should be paid to his father's birth than to his deserts. Omund, when he +had grown up, fell in nowise behind the exploits of his father; for he +made it his aim to equal or surpass the deeds of Ole. + +At this time a considerable tribe of the Northmen (Norwegians) was +governed by Ring, and his daughter Esa's great fame commended her to +Omund, who was looking out for a wife. + +But his hopes of wooing her were lessened by the peculiar inclination of +Ring, who desired no son-in-law but one of tried valour; for he found +as much honour in arms as others think lies in wealth. Omund therefore, +wishing to become famous in that fashion, and to win the praise of +valour, endeavoured to gain his desire by force, and sailed to Norway +with a fleet, to make an attempt on the throne of Ring under plea of +hereditary right. Odd, the chief of Jather, who declared that Ring had +assuredly seized his inheritance, and lamented that he harried him with +continual wrongs, received Omund kindly. Ring, in the meantime, was on +a roving raid in Ireland, so that Omund attacked a province without a +defender. Sparing the goods of the common people, he gave the private +property of Ring over to be plundered, and slew his kinsfolk; Odd +also having joined his forces to Omund. Now, among all his divers and +manifold deeds, he could never bring himself to attack an inferior +force, remembering that he was the son of a most valiant father, and +that he was bound to fight armed with courage, and not with numbers. + +Meanwhile Ring had returned from roving; and when Omund heard he was +back, he set to and built a vast ship, whence, as from a fortress, he +could rain his missiles on the enemy. To manage this ship he enlisted +Homod and Thole the rowers, the soils of Atyl the Skanian, one of whom +was instructed to act as steersman, while the other was to command at +the prow. Ring lacked neither skill nor dexterity to encounter them. +For he showed only a small part of his forces, and caused the enemy to +be attacked on the rear. Omund, when told of his strategy by Odd, sent +men to overpower those posted in ambush, telling Atyl the Skanian to +encounter Ring. The order was executed with more rashness than success; +and Atyl, with his power defeated and shattered, fled beaten to Skaane. +Then Omund recruited his forces with the help of Odd, and drew up his +fleet to fight on the open sea. + +Atyl at this time had true visions of the Norwegian war in his dreams, +and started on his voyage in order to make up for his flight as quickly +as possible, and delighted Omund by joining him on the eve of battle. +Trusting in his help, Omund began to fight with equal confidence and +success. For, by fighting himself, he retrieved the victory which he had +lost when his servants were engaged. Ring, wounded to the death, gazed +at him with faint eyes, and, beckoning to him with his hand, as well +as he could--for his voice failed him--he besought him to be his +son-in-law, saying that he would gladly meet his end if he left his +daughter to such a husband. Before he could receive an answer he died. +Omund wept for his death, and gave Homod, whose trusty help he had +received in the war, in marriage to one of the daughters of Ring, taking +the other himself. + +At the same time the amazon Rusla, whose prowess in warfare exceeded the +spirit of a woman, had many fights in Norway with her brother, Thrond, +for the sovereignty. She could not endure that Omund rule over the +Norwegians, and she had declared war against all the subjects of the +Danes. Omund, when he heard of this, commissioned his most active men +to suppress the rising. Rusla conquered them, and, waxing haughty on +her triumph, was seized with overweening hopes, and bent her mind upon +actually acquiring the sovereignty of Denmark. She began her attack on +the region of Halland, but was met by Homod and Thode, whom the king +had sent over. Beaten, she retreated to her fleet, of which only thirty +ships managed to escape, the rest being taken by the enemy. Thrond +encountered his sister as she was eluding the Danes, but was conquered +by her and stripped of his entire army; he fled over the Dovrefjeld +without a single companion. Thus she, who had first yielded before the +Danes, soon overcame her brother, and turned her flight into a victory. +When Omund heard of this, he went back to Norway with a great fleet, +first sending Homod and Thole by a short and secret way to rouse the +people of Tellemark against the rule of Rusla. The end was that she was +driven out of her kingdom by the commons, fled to the isles for safety, +and turned her back, without a blow, upon the Danes as they came up. +The king pursued her hotly, caught up her fleet on the sea, and utterly +destroyed it, the enemy suffered mightily, and he won a bloodless +victory and splendid spoils. But Rusla escaped with a very few ships, +and rowed ploughing the waves furiously; but, while she was avoiding the +Danes, she met her brother and was killed. So much more effectual +for harm are dangers unsurmised; and chance sometimes makes the less +alarming evil worse than that which threatens. The king gave Thrond a +governorship for slaying his sister, put the rest under tribute, and +returned home. + +At this time Thorias (?) and Ber (Biorn), the most active of the +soldiers of Rusla, were roving in Ireland; but when they heard of the +death of their mistress, whom they had long ago sworn to avenge, they +hotly attacked Omund, and challenged him to a duel, which it used to be +accounted shameful for a king to refuse; for the fame of princes of +old was reckoned more by arms than by riches. So Homod and Thole came +forward, offering to meet in battle the men who had challenged the king. +Omund praised them warmly, but at first declined for very shame to allow +their help. At last, hard besought by his people, he brought himself +to try his fortune by the hand of another. We are told that Ber fell in +this combat, while Thorias left the battle severely wounded. The king, +having first cured him of his wounds, took him into his service, and +made him prince (earl) over Norway. Then he sent ambassadors to exact +the usual tribute from the Sclavs; these were killed, and he was even +attacked in Jutland by a Sclavish force; but he overcame seven kings +in a single combat, and ratified by conquest his accustomed right to +tribute. + +Meantime, Starkad, who was now worn out with extreme age, and who seemed +to be past military service and the calling of a champion, was loth to +lose his ancient glory through the fault of eld, and thought it would be +a noble thing if he could make a voluntary end, and hasten his death by +his own free will. Having so often fought nobly, he thought it would be +mean to die a bloodless death; and, wishing to enhance the glory of his +past life by the lustre of his end, he preferred to be slain by some +man of gallant birth rather than await the tardy shaft of nature. So +shameful was it thought that men devoted to war should die by disease. +His body was weak, and his eyes could not see clearly, so that he hated +to linger any more in life. In order to buy himself an executioner, he +wore hanging on his neck the gold which he had earned for the murder of +Ole; thinking there was no fitter way of atoning for the treason he had +done than to make the price of Ole's death that of his own also, and to +spend on the loss of his own life what he had earned by the slaying of +another. This, he thought, would be the noblest use he could make of +that shameful price. So he girded him with two swords, and guided his +powerless steps leaning on two staves. + +One of the common people, seeing him, thinking two swords superfluous +for the use of an old man, mockingly asked him to make him a present +of one of them. Starkad, holding out hopes of consent, bade him come +nearer, drew the sword from his side, and ran him through. This was +seen by a certain Hather, whose father Hlenne Starkad had once killed in +repentance for his own impious crime. Hatfier was hunting game with his +dogs, but now gave over the chase, and bade two of his companions +spur their horses hard and charge at the old man to frighten him. They +galloped forward, and tried to make off, but were stopped by the staves +of Starkad, and paid for it with their lives. Hather, terrified by the +sight, galloped up closer, and saw who the old man was, but without +being recognized by him in turn; and asked him if he would like to +exchange his sword for a carriage. Starkad replied that he used in old +days to chastise jeerers, and that the insolent had never insulted him +unpunished. But his sightless eyes could not recognize the features +of the youth; so he composed a song, wherein he should declare the +greatness of his anger, as follows: + +"As the unreturning waters sweep down the channel; so, as the years run +by, the life of man flows on never to come back; fast gallops the cycle +of doom, child of old age who shall make an end of all. Old age smites +alike the eyes and the steps of men, robs the warrior of his speech and +soul, tarnishes his fame by slow degrees, and wipes out his deeds of +honour. It seizes his failing limbs, chokes his panting utterance, and +numbs his nimble wit. When a cough is taken, when the skin itches with +the scab, and the teeth are numb and hollow, and the stomach turns +squeamish,--then old age banishes the grace of youth, covers the +complexion with decay, and sows many a wrinkle in the dusky skin. Old +age crushes noble arts, brings down the memorials of men of old, and +scorches ancient glories up; shatters wealth, hungrily gnaws away the +worth and good of virtue, turns athwart and disorders all things. + +"I myself have felt the hurtful power of injurious age, I, dim-sighted, +and hoarse in my tones and in my chest; and all helpful things have +turned to my hurt. Now my body is less nimble, and I prop it up, leaning +my faint limbs on the support of staves. Sightless I guide my steps with +two sticks, and follow the short path which the rod shows me, trusting +more in the leading of a stock than in my eyes. None takes any charge +of me, and no man in the ranks brings comfort to the veteran, unless, +perchance, Hather is here, and succours his shattered friend. Whomsoever +Hather once thinks worthy of his duteous love, that man he attends +continually with even zeal, constant to his purpose, and fearing to +break his early ties. He also often pays fit rewards to those that have +deserved well in war, and fosters their courage; he bestows dignities +on the brave, and honours his famous friends with gifts. Free with his +wealth, he is fain to increase with bounty the brightness of his name, +and to surpass many of the mighty. Nor is he less in war: his strength +is equal to his goodness; he is swift in the fray, slow to waver, ready +to give battle; and he cannot turn his back when the foe bears him hard. +But for me, if I remember right, fate appointed at my birth that wars +I should follow and in war I should die, that I should mix in broils, +watch in arms, and pass a life of bloodshed. I was a man of camps, and +rested not; hating peace, I grew old under thy standard, O War-god, in +utmost peril; conquering fear, I thought it comely to fight, shameful to +loiter, and noble to kill and kill again, to be for ever slaughtering! +Oft have I seen the stern kings meet in war, seen shield and helmet +bruised, and the fields redden with blood, and the cuirass broken by the +spear-point, and the corselets all around giving at the thrust of the +steel, and the wild beasts battening on the unburied soldier. Here, as +it chanced, one that attempted a mighty thing, a strong-handed warrior, +fighting against the press of the foe, smote through the mail that +covered my head, pierced my helmet, and plunged his blade into my crest. +This sword also hath often been driven by my right hand in war, and, +once unsheathed, hath cleft the skin and bitten into the skull." + +Hather, in answer, sang as follows: + +"Whence comest thou, who art used to write the poems of thy land, +leaning thy wavering steps on a frail staff? Or whither dost thou speed, +who art the readiest bard of the Danish muse? All the glory of thy great +strength is faded and lost; the hue is banished from thy face, the joy +is gone out of thy soul; the voice has left thy throat, and is hoarse +and dull; thy body has lost its former stature; the decay of death +begins, and has wasted thy features and thy force. As a ship wearies, +buffeted by continual billows, even so old age, gendered by a long +course of years, brings forth bitter death; and the life falls when its +strength is done, and suffers the loss of its ancient lot. Famous old +man, who has told thee that thou mayst not duly follow the sports of +youth, or fling balls, or bite and eat the nut? I think it were better +for thee now to sell thy sword, and buy a carriage wherein to ride +often, or a horse easy on the bit, or at the same cost to purchase a +light cart. It will be more fitting for beasts of burden to carry weak +old men, when their steps fail them; the wheel, driving round and round, +serves for him whose foot totters feebly. But if perchance thou art loth +to sell the useless steel, thy sword, if it be not for sale, shall be +taken from thee and shall slay thee." + +Starkad answered: "Wretch, thy glib lips scatter idle words, unfit for +the ears of the good. Why seek the gifts to reward that guidance, which +thou shouldst have offered for naught? Surely I will walk afoot, and +will not basely give up my sword and buy the help of a stranger; nature +has given me the right of passage, and hath bidden me trust in my own +feet. Why mock and jeer with insolent speech at him whom thou shouldst +have offered to guide upon his way? Why give to dishonour my deeds of +old, which deserve the memorial of fame? Why requite my service with +reproach? Why pursue with jeers the old man mighty in battle, and put +to shame my unsurpassed honours and illustrious deeds, belittling my +glories and girding at my prowess? For what valour of thine dost thou +demand my sword, which thy strength does not deserve? It befits not the +right hand or the unwarlike side of a herdsman, who is wont to make his +peasant-music on the pipe, to see to the flock, to keep the herds in the +fields. Surely among the henchmen, close to the greasy pot, thou dippest +thy crust in the bubbles of the foaming pan, drenching a meagre slice +in the rich, oily fat, and stealthily, with thirsty finger, licking the +warm juice; more skilled to spread thy accustomed cloak on the ashes, to +sleep on the hearth, and slumber all day long, and go busily about the +work of the reeking kitchen, than to make the brave blood flow with +thy shafts in war. Men think thee a hater of the light and a lover of a +filthy hole, a wretched slave of thy belly, like a whelp who licks the +coarse grain, husk and all. + +"By heaven, thou didst not try to rob me of my sword when thrice at +great peril I fought (for?) the son of Ole. For truly, in that array, my +hand either broke the sword or shattered the obstacle, so heavy was the +blow of the smiter. What of the day when I first taught them, to run +with wood-shod feet over the shore of the Kurlanders, and the path +bestrewn with countless points? For when I was going to the fields +studded with calthrops, I guarded their wounded feet with clogs below +them. After this I slew Hame, who fought me mightily; and soon, with the +captain Rin the son of Flebak, I crushed the Kurlanders, yea, or all the +tribes Esthonia breeds, and thy peoples, O Semgala! Then I attacked the +men of Tellemark, and took thence my head bloody with bruises, shattered +with mallets, and smitten with the welded weapons. Here first I learnt +how strong was the iron wrought on the anvil, or what valour the common +people had. Also it was my doing that the Teutons were punished, when, +in avenging my lord, I laid low over their cups thy sons, O Swerting, +who were guilty of the wicked slaughter of Frode. + +"Not less was the deed when, for the sake of a beloved maiden, I slew +nine brethren in one fray;--witness the spot, which was consumed by the +bowels that left me, and brings not forth the grain anew on its scorched +sod. And soon, when Ker the captain made ready a war by sea, with a +noble army we beat his serried ships. Then I put Waske to death, and +punished the insolent smith by slashing his hinder parts; and with the +sword I slew Wisin, who from the snowy rocks blunted the spears. Then +I slew the four sons of Ler, and the champions of Permland; and then +having taken the chief of the Irish race, I rifled the wealth of Dublin; +and our courage shall ever remain manifest by the trophies of Bravalla. +Why do I linger? Countless are the deeds of my bravery, and when I +review the works of my hands I fail to number them to the full. The +whole is greater than I can tell. My work is too great for fame, and +speech serves not for my doings." + +So sang Starkad. At last, when he found by their talk that Hather was +the son of Hlenne, and saw that the youth was of illustrious birth, +he offered him his throat to smite, bidding him not to shrink from +punishing the slayer of his father. He promised him that if he did so he +should possess the gold which he had himself received from Hlenne. And +to enrage his heart more vehemently against him, he is said to have +harangued him as follows: + +"Moreover, Hather, I robbed thee of thy father Hlenne; requite me this, +I pray, and strike down the old man who longs to die; aim at my throat +with the avenging steel. For my soul chooses the service of a noble +smiter, and shrinks to ask its doom at a coward's hand. Righteously may +a man choose to forstall the ordinance of doom. What cannot be escaped +it will be lawful also to anticipate. The fresh tree must be fostered, +the old one hewn down. He is nature's instrument who destroys what is +near its doom and strikes down what cannot stand. Death is best when +it is sought: and when the end is loved, life is wearisome. Let not the +troubles of age prolong a miserable lot." + +So saying, he took money from his pouch and gave it him. But Hather, +desiring as much to enjoy the gold as to accomplish vengeance for his +father, promised that he would comply with his prayer, and would not +refuse the reward. Starkad eagerly handed him the sword, and at once +stooped his neck beneath it, counselling him not to do the smiter's work +timidly, or use the sword like a woman; and telling him that if, when +he had killed him, he could spring between the head and the trunk before +the corpse fell, he would be rendered proof against arms. It is not +known whether he said this in order to instruct his executioner or to +punish him, for perhaps, as he leapt, the bulk of the huge body would +have crushed him. So Hather smote sharply with the sword and hacked off +the head of the old man. When the severed head struck the ground, it is +said to have bitten the earth; thus the fury of the dying lips declared +the fierceness of the soul. But the smiter, thinking that the promise +hid some treachery, warily refrained from leaping. Had he done so +rashly, perhaps he would have been crushed by the corpse as it fell, and +have paid with his own life for the old man's murder. But he would not +allow so great a champion to lie unsepulchred, and had his body buried +in the field that is commonly called Rolung. + +Now Omund, as I have heard, died most tranquilly, while peace was +unbroken, leaving two sons and two daughters. The eldest of these, +SIWARD, came to the throne by right of birth, while his brother Budle +was still of tender years. At this time Gotar, King of the Swedes, +conceived boundless love for one of the daughters of Omund, because of +the report of her extraordinary beauty, and entrusted one Ebb, the son +of Sibb, with the commission of asking for the maiden. Ebb did his work +skilfully, and brought back the good news that the girl had consented. +Nothing was now lacking to Gotar's wishes but the wedding; but, as he +feared to hold this among strangers, he demanded that his betrothed +should be sent to him in charge of Ebb, whom he had before used as +envoy. + +Ebb was crossing Halland with a very small escort, and went for a +night's lodging to a country farm, where the dwellings of two brothers +faced one another on the two sides of a river. Now these men used to +receive folk hospitably and then murder them, but were skilful to +hide their brigandage under a show of generosity. For they had hung on +certain hidden chains, in a lofty part of the house, an oblong beam like +a press, and furnished it with a steel point; they used to lower this in +the night by letting down the fastenings, and cut off the heads of those +that lay below. Many had they beheaded in this way with the hanging +mass. So when Ebb and his men had been feasted abundantly, the servants +laid them out a bed near the hearth, so that by the swing of the +treacherous beam they might mow off their heads, which faced the fire. +When they departed, Ebb, suspecting the contrivance slung overhead, told +his men to feign slumber and shift their bodies, saying that it would be +very wholesome for them to change their place. + +Now among these were some who despised the orders which the others +obeyed, and lay unmoved, each in the spot where he had chanced to lie +down. Then towards the mirk of night the heavy hanging machine was set +in motion by the doers of the treachery. Loosened from the knots of its +fastening, it fell violently on the ground, and slew those beneath it. +Thereupon those who had the charge of committing the crime brought in +a light, that they might learn clearly what had happened, and saw that +Ebb, on whose especial account they had undertaken the affair, had +wisely been equal to the danger. He straightway set on them and punished +them with death; and also, after losing his men in the mutual slaughter, +he happened to find a vessel, crossed a river full of blocks of ice, +and announced to Gotar the result, not so much of his mission as of his +mishap. + +Gotar judged that this affair had been inspired by Siward, and prepared +to avenge his wrongs by arms. Siward, defeated by him in Halland, +retreated into Jutland, the enemy having taken his sister. Here he +conquered the common people of the Sclavs, who ventured to fight without +a leader; and he won as much honour from this victory as he had got +disgrace by his flight. But a little afterwards, the men whom he had +subdued when they were ungeneraled, found a general and defeated Siward +in Funen. Several times he fought them in Jutland, but with ill-success. +The result was that he lost both Skaane and Jutland, and only retained +the middle of his realm without the head, like the fragments of some +body that had been consumed away. His son Jarmerik (Eormunrec), with his +child-sisters, fell into the hands of the enemy; one of these was sold +to the Germans, the other to the Norwegians; for in old time marriages +were matters of purchase. Thus the kingdom of the Danes, which had been +enlarged with such valour, made famous by such ancestral honours, and +enriched by so many conquests, fell, all by the sloth of one man, from +the most illustrious fortune and prosperity into such disgrace that it +paid the tribute which it used to exact. But Siward, too often defeated +and guilty of shameful flights, could not endure, after that glorious +past, to hold the troubled helm of state any longer in this shameful +condition of his land; and, fearing that living longer might strip him +of his last shred of glory, he hastened to win an honourable death in +battle. For his soul could not forget his calamity, it was fain to cast +off its sickness, and was racked with weariness of life. So much did +he abhor the light of life in his longing to wipe out his shame. So he +mustered his army for battle, and openly declared war with one Simon, +who was governor of Skaane under Gotar. This war he pursued with +stubborn rashness; he slew Simon, and ended his own life amid a great +slaughter of his foes. Yet his country could not be freed from the +burden of the tribute. + +Jarmerik, meantime, with his foster-brother of the same age as himself, +Gunn, was living in prison, in charge of Ismar, the King of the Sclavs. +At last he was taken out and put to agriculture, doing the work of a +peasant. So actively did he manage this matter that he was transferred +and made master of the royal slaves. As he likewise did this business +most uprightly, he was enrolled in the band of the king's retainers. +Here he bore himself most pleasantly as courtiers use, and was soon +taken into the number of the king's friends and obtained the first place +in his intimacy; thus, on the strength of a series of great services, +he passed from the lowest estate to the most distinguished height of +honour. Also, loth to live a slack and enfeebled youth, he trained +himself to the pursuits of war, enriching his natural gifts by +diligence. All men loved Jarmerik, and only the queen mistrusted the +young man's temper. A sudden report told them that the king's brother +had died. Ismar, wishing to give his body a splendid funeral, prepared a +banquet of royal bounty to increase the splendour of the obsequies. + +But Jarmerik, who used at other times to look after the household +affairs together with the queen, began to cast about for means of +escape; for a chance seemed to be offered by the absence of the king. +For he saw that even in the lap of riches he would be the wretched +thrall of a king, and that he would draw, as it were, his very breath +on sufferance and at the gift of another. Moreover, though he held the +highest offices with the king, he thought that freedom was better than +delights, and burned with a mighty desire to visit his country and learn +his lineage. But, knowing that the queen had provided sufficient guards +to see that no prisoner escaped, he saw that he must approach by craft +where he could not arrive by force. So he plaited one of those baskets +of rushes and withies, shaped like a man, with which countrymen used to +scare the birds from the corn, and put a live dog in it; then he took +off his own clothes, and dressed it in them, to give a more plausible +likeness to a human being. Then he broke into the private treasury of +the king, took out the money, and hid himself in places of which he +alone knew. + +Meantime Gunn, whom he had told to conceal the absence of his friend, +took the basket into the palace and stirred up the dog to bark; and when +the queen asked what this was, he answered that Jarmerik was out of +his mind and howling. She, beholding the effigy, was deceived by the +likeness, and ordered that the madman should be cast out of the house. +Then Gunn took the effigy out and put it to bed, as though it were his +distraught friend. But towards night he plied the watch bountifully with +wine and festal mirth, cut off their heads as they slept, and set them +at their groins, in order to make their slaying more shameful. The +queen, roused by the din, and wishing to learn the reason of it, hastily +rushed to the doors. But while she unwarily put forth her head, the +sword of Gunn suddenly pierced her through. Feeling a mortal wound, she +sank, turned her eyes on her murderer, and said, "Had it been granted +me to live unscathed, no screen or treachery should have let thee leave +this land unpunished." A flood of such threats against her slayer poured +from her dying lips. + +Then Jarmerik, with Gunn, the partner of his noble deed, secretly set +fire to the tent wherein the king was celebrating with a banquet the +obsequies of his brother; all the company were overcome with liquor. The +fire filled the tent and spread all about; and some of them, shaking +off the torpor of drink, took horse and pursued those who had endangered +them. But the young men fled at first on the beasts they had taken; +and at last, when these were exhausted with their long gallop, took to +flight on foot. They were all but caught, when a river saved them. For +they crossed a bridge, of which, in order to delay the pursuer, they +first cut the timbers down to the middle, thus making it not only +unequal to a burden, but ready to come down; then they retreated into a +dense morass. + +The Sclavs pressed on them hard and, not forseeing the danger, unwarily +put the weight of their horses on the bridge; the flooring sank, and +they were shaken off and flung into the river. But, as they swam up +to the bank, they were met by Gunn and Jarmerik, and either drowned or +slain. Thus the young men showed great cunning, and did a deed beyond +their years, being more like sagacious old men than runaway slaves, and +successfully achieving their shrewd design. When they reached the strand +they seized a vessel chance threw in their way, and made for the deep. +The barbarians who pursued them, tried, when they saw them sailing off, +to bring them back by shouting promises after them that they should be +kings if they returned; "for, by the public statute of the ancients, +the succession was appointed to the slayers of the kings." As they +retreated, their ears were long deafened by the Sclavs obstinately +shouting their treacherous promises. + +At this time BUDLE, the brother of Siward, was Regent over the Danes, +who forced him to make over the kingdom to JARMERIK when he came; so +that Budle fell from a king into a common man. At the same time Gotar +charged Sibb with debauching his sister, and slew him. Sibb's kindred, +much angered by his death, came wailing to Jarmerik, and promised to +attack Gotar with him, in order to avenge their kinsman. They kept +their promise well, for Jarmerik, having overthrown Gotar by their help, +gained Sweden. Thus, holding the sovereignty of both nations, he was +encouraged by his increased power to attack the Sclavs, forty of whom he +took and hung with a wolf tied to each of them. This kind of punishment +was assigned of old to those who slew their own kindred; but he chose +to inflict it upon enemies, that all might see plainly, just from their +fellowship with ruthless beasts, how grasping they had shown themselves +towards the Danes. + +When Jarmerik had conquered the country, he posted garrisons in all the +fitting places, and departing thence, he made a slaughter of the Sembs +and the Kurlanders, and many nations of the East. The Sclavs, thinking +that this employment of the king gave them a chance of revolting, killed +the governors whom he had appointed, and ravaged Denmark. Jarmerik, +on his way back from roving, chanced to intercept their fleet, and +destroyed it, a deed which added honour to his roll of conquests. He +also put their nobles to death in a way that one would weep to see; +namely, by first passing thongs through their legs, and then tying them +to the hoofs of savage bulls; then hounds set on them and dragged them +into miry swamps. This deed took the edge off the valour of the Sclavs, +and they obeyed the authority of the king in fear and trembling. + +Jarmerik, enriched with great spoils, wished to provide a safe +storehouse for his booty, and built on a lofty hill a treasure-house of +marvellous handiwork. Gathering sods, he raised a mound, laying a mass +of rocks for the foundation, and girt the lower part with a rampart, the +centre with rooms, and the top with battlements. All round he posted a +line of sentries without a break. Four huge gates gave free access on +the four sides; and into this lordly mansion he heaped all his splendid +riches. Having thus settled his affairs at home, he again turned his +ambition abroad. He began to voyage, and speedily fought a naval battle +with four brothers whom he met on the high seas, Hellespontines by race, +and veteran rovers. After this battle had lasted three days, he ceased +fighting, having bargained for their sister and half the tribute which +they had imposed on those they had conquered. + +After this, Bikk, the son of the King of the Livonians, escaped from +the captivity in which he lay under these said brothers, and went to +Jarmerik. But he did not forget his wrongs, Jarmerik having long before +deprived him of his own brothers. He was received kindly by the king, in +all whose secret counsels he soon came to have a notable voice; and, as +soon as he found the king pliable to his advice in all things, he led +him, when his counsel was asked, into the most abominable acts, and +drove him to commit crimes and infamies. Thus he sought some device to +injure the king by a feint of loyalty, and tried above all to steel him +against his nearest of blood; attempting to accomplish the revenge of +his brother by guile, since he could not by force. So it came to pass +that the king embraced filthy vices instead of virtues, and made himself +generally hated by the cruel deeds which he committed at the instance of +his treacherous adviser. Even the Sclavs began to rise against him; and, +as a means of quelling them, he captured their leaders, passed a rope +through their shanks, and delivered them to be torn asunder by horses +pulling different ways. So perished their chief men, punished for their +stubbornness of spirit by having their bodies rent apart. This kept the +Sclavs duly obedient in unbroken and steady subjugation. + +Meantime, the sons of Jarmerik's sister, who had all been born and bred +in Germany, took up arms, on the strength of their grandsire's title, +against their uncle, contending that they had as good a right to the +throne as he. The king demolished their strongholds in Germany with +engines, blockaded or took several towns, and returned home with a +bloodless victory. The Hellespontines came to meet him, proffering their +sister for the promised marriage. After this had been celebrated, at +Bikk's prompting he again went to Germany, took his nephews in war, and +incontinently hanged them. He also got together the chief men under the +pretence of a banquet and had them put to death in the same fashion. + +Meantime, the king appointed Broder, his son by another marriage, to +have charge over his stepmother, a duty which he fulfilled with full +vigilance and integrity. But Bikk accused this man to his father of +incest; and, to conceal the falsehood of the charge, suborned witnesses +against him. When the plea of the accusation had been fully declared, +Broder could not bring any support for his defence, and his father +bade his friends pass sentence upon the convicted man, thinking it less +impious to commit the punishment proper for his son to the judgment of +others. All thought that he deserved outlawry except Bikk, who did not +shrink from giving a more terrible vote against his life, and declaring +that the perpetrator of an infamous seduction ought to be punished with +hanging. But lest any should think that this punishment was due to the +cruelty of his father, Bikk judged that, when he had been put in the +noose, the servants should hold him up on a beam put beneath him, so +that, when weariness made them take their hands from the burden, they +might be as good as guilty of the young man's death, and by their own +fault exonerate the king from an unnatural murder. He also pretended +that, unless the accused were punished, he would plot against his +father's life. The adulteress Swanhild, he said, ought to suffer a +shameful end, trampled under the hoofs of beasts. + +The king yielded to Bikk; and, when his son was to be hanged, he made +the bystanders hold him up by means of a plank, that he might not +be choked. Thus his throat was only a little squeezed, the knot was +harmless, and it was but a punishment in show. But the king had the +queen tied very tight on the ground, and delivered her to be crushed +under the hoofs of horses. The story goes that she was so beautiful, +that even the beasts shrank from mangling limbs so lovely with their +filthy feet. The king, divining that this proclaimed the innocence of +his wife, began to repent of his error, and hastened to release the +slandered lady. But meantime Bikk rushed up, declaring that when she was +on her back she held off the beasts by awful charms, and could only be +crushed if she lay on her face; for he knew that her beauty saved her. +When the body of the queen was placed in this manner, the herd of beasts +was driven upon it, and trod it down deep with their multitude of feet. +Such was the end of Swanhild. + +Meantime, the favourite dog of Broder came creeping to the king making +a sort of moan, and seemed to bewail its master's punishment; and his +hawk, when it was brought in, began to pluck out its breast-feathers +with its beak. The king took its nakedness as an omen of his +bereavement, to frustrate which he quickly sent men to take his son down +from the noose: for he divined by the featherless bird that he would be +childless unless he took good heed. Thus Broder was freed from death, +and Bikk, fearing he would pay the penalty of an informer, went and told +the men of the Hellespont that Swanhild had been abominably slain by +her husband. When they set sail to avenge their sister, he came back to +Jarmerik, and told him that the Hellespontines were preparing war. + +The king thought that it would be safer to fight with walls than in the +field, and retreated into the stronghold which he had built. To stand +the siege, he filled its inner parts with stores, and its battlements +with men-at-arms. Targets and shields flashing with gold were hung round +and adorned the topmost circle of the building. + +It happened that the Hellespontines, before sharing their booty, accused +a great band of their men of embezzling, and put them to death. Having +now destroyed so large a part of their forces by internecine slaughter, +they thought that their strength was not equal to storming the palace, +and consulted a sorceress named Gudrun. She brought it to pass that the +defenders of the king's side were suddenly blinded and turned their arms +against one another. When the Hellespontines saw this, they brought up +a shield-mantlet, and seized the approaches of the gates. Then they tore +up the posts, burst into the building, and hewed down the blinded ranks +of the enemy. In this uproar Odin appeared, and, making for the thick +of the ranks of the fighters, restored by his divine power to the Danes +that vision which they had lost by sleights; for he ever cherished them +with fatherly love. He instructed them to shower stones to batter the +Hellespontines, who used spells to harden their bodies against weapons. +Thus both companies slew one another and perished. Jarmerik lost both +feet and both hands, and his trunk was rolled among the dead. BRODER, +little fit for it, followed him as king. + +The next king was SIWALD. His son SNIO took vigorously to roving in his +father's old age, and not only preserved the fortunes of his country, +but even restored them, lessened as they were, to their former estate. +Likewise, when he came to the sovereignty, he crushed the insolence +of the champions Eskil and Alkil, and by this conquest reunited to his +country Skaane, which had been severed from the general jurisdiction of +Denmark. At last he conceived a passion for the daughter of the King +of the Goths; it was returned, and he sent secret messengers to seek a +chance of meeting her. These men were intercepted by the father of the +damsel and hanged: thus paying dearly for their rash mission. Snio, +wishing to avenge their death, invaded Gothland. Its king met him with +his forces, and the aforesaid champions challenged him to send strong +men to fight. Snio laid down as condition of the duel, that each of the +two kings should either lose his own empire or gain that of the other, +according to the fortune of the champions, and that the kingdom of the +conquered should be staked as the prize of the victory. The result was +that the King of the Goths was beaten by reason of the ill-success of +his defenders, and had to quit his kingdom for the Danes. Snio, learning +that this king's daughter had been taken away at the instance of her +father to wed the King of the Swedes, sent a man clad in ragged attire, +who used to ask alms on the public roads, to try her mind. And while he +lay, as beggars do, by the threshold, he chanced to see the queen, and +whined in a weak voice, "Snio loves thee." She feigned not to have heard +the sound that stole on her ears, and neither looked nor stepped back, +but went on to the palace, then returned straightway, and said in a low +whisper, which scarcely reached his ears, "I love him who loves me"; and +having said this she walked away. + +The beggar rejoiced that she had returned a word of love, and, as he sat +on the next day at the gate, when the queen came up, he said, briefly +as ever, "Wishes should have a tryst." Again she shrewdly caught his +cunning speech, and passed on, dissembling wholly. A little later +she passed by her questioner, and said that she would shortly go to +Bocheror; for this was the spot to which she meant to flee. And when the +beggar heard this, he insisted, with his wonted shrewd questions, upon +being told a fitting time for the tryst. The woman was as cunning as +he, and as little clear of speech, and named as quickly as she could the +beginning of the winter. + +Her train, who had caught a flying word of this love-message, took her +great cleverness for the raving of utter folly. And when Snio had been +told all this by the beggar, he contrived to carry the queen off in +a vessel; for she got away under pretence of bathing, and took her +husband's treasures. After this there were constant wars between Snio +and the King of Sweden, whereof the issue was doubtful and the victory +changeful; the one king seeking to regain his lawful, the other to keep +his unlawful love. + +At this time the yield of crops was ruined by most inclement weather, +and a mighty dearth of corn befell. Victuals began to be scarce, and +the commons were distressed with famine, so that the king, anxiously +pondering how to relieve the hardness of the times, and seeing that the +thirsty spent somewhat more than the hungry, introduced thrift among the +people. He abolished drinking-bouts, and decreed that no drink should be +prepared from gram, thinking that the bitter famine should be got rid +of by prohibiting needless drinking, and that plentiful food could be +levied as a loan on thirst. + +Then a certain wanton slave of his belly, lamenting the prohibition +against drink, adopted a deep kind of knavery, and found a new way to +indulge his desires. He broke the public law of temperance by his own +excess, contriving to get at what he loved by a device both cunning +and absurd. For he sipped the forbidden liquor drop by drop, and so +satisfied his longing to be tipsy. When he was summoned for this by the +king, he declared that there was no stricter observer of sobriety than +he, inasmuch as he mortified his longing to quaff deep by this device +for moderate drinking. He persisted in the fault with which he was +taxed, saying that he only sucked. At last he was also menaced with +threats, and forbidden not only to drink, but even to sip; yet he could +not check his habits. For in order to enjoy the unlawful thing in +a lawful way, and not to have his throat subject to the command of +another, he sopped morsels of bread in liquor, and fed on the pieces +thus soaked with drink; tasting slowly, so as to prolong the desired +debauch, and attaining, though in no unlawful manner, the forbidden +measure of satiety. + +Thus his stubborn and frantic intemperance risked his life, all for +luxury; and, undeterred even by the threats of the king, he fortified +his rash appetite to despise every peril. A second time he was summoned +by the king on the charge of disobeying his regulation. Yet he did not +even theft cease to defend his act, but maintained that he had in no +wise contravened the royal decree, and that the temperance prescribed +by the ordinance had been in no way violated by that which allured +him; especially as the thrift ordered in the law of plain living was so +described, that it was apparently forbidden to drink liquor, but not to +eat it. Then the king called heaven to witness, and swore by the general +good, that if he ventured on any such thing hereafter he would punish +him with death. But the man thought that death was not so bad as +temperance, and that it was easier to quit life than luxury; and +he again boiled the grain in water, and then fermented the liquor; +whereupon, despairing of any further plea to excuse his appetite, he +openly indulged in drink, and turned to his cups again unabashed. Giving +up cunning for effrontery, he chose rather to await the punishment of +the king than to turn sober. Therefore, when the king asked him why he +had so often made free to use the forbidden thing, he said: + +"O king, this craving is begotten, not so much of my thirst, as of my +goodwill towards thee! For I remembered that the funeral rites of a king +must be paid with a drinking-bout. Therefore, led by good judgment more +than the desire to swill, I have, by mixing the forbidden liquid, taken +care that the feast whereat thy obsequies are performed should not, by +reason of the scarcity of corn, lack the due and customary drinking. Now +I do not doubt that thou wilt perish of famine before the rest, and +be the first to need a tomb; for thou hast passed this strange law of +thrift in fear that thou wilt be thyself the first to lack food. Thou +art thinking for thyself, and not for others, when thou bringest thyself +to start such strange miserly ways." + +This witty quibbling turned the anger of the king into shame; and when +he saw that his ordinance for the general good came home in mockery to +himself, he thought no more of the public profit, but revoked the edict, +relaxing his purpose sooner than anger his subjects. + +Whether it was that the soil had too little rain, or that it was too +hard baked, the crops, as I have said, were slack, and the fields gave +but little produce; so that the land lacked victual, and was worn with +a weary famine. The stock of food began to fail, and no help was left +to stave off hunger. Then, at the proposal of Agg and of Ebb, it +was provided by a decree of the people that the old men and the tiny +children should be slain; that all who were too young to bear arms +should be taken out of the land, and only the strong should be +vouchsafed their own country; that none but able-bodied soldiers and +husbandmen should continue to abide under their own roofs and in the +houses of their fathers. When Agg and Ebb brought news of this to their +mother Gambaruk, she saw that the authors of this infamous decree had +found safety in crime. Condemning the decision of the assembly, she said +that it was wrong to relieve distress by murder of kindred, and declared +that a plan both more honourable and more desirable for the good of +their souls and bodies would be, to preserve respect towards their +parents and children, and choose by lot men who should quit the country. +And if the lot fell on old men and weak, then the stronger should offer +to go into exile in their place, and should of their own free will +undertake to bear the burden of it for the feeble. But those men who +had the heart to save their lives by crime and impiety, and to prosecute +their parents and their children by so abominable a decree, did not +deserve life; for they would be doing a work of cruelty and not of love. +Finally, all those whose own lives were dearer to them than the love +of their parents or their children, deserved but ill of their country. +These words were reported to the assembly, and assented to by the vote +of the majority. So the fortunes of all were staked upon the lot and +those upon whom it fell were doomed to be banished. Thus those who had +been loth to obey necessity of their own accord had now to accept the +award of chance. So they sailed first to Bleking, and then, sailing past +Moring, they came to anchor at Gothland; where, according to Paulus, +they are said to have been prompted by the goddess Frigg to take the +name of the Longobardi (Lombards), whose nation they afterwards founded. +In the end they landed at Rugen, and, abandoning their ships, began to +march overland. They crossed and wasted a great portion of the world; +and at last, finding an abode in Italy, changed the ancient name of the +nation for their own. + +Meanwhile, the land of the Danes, where the tillers laboured less and +less, and all traces of the furrows were covered with overgrowth, began +to look like a forest. Almost stripped of its pleasant native turf, it +bristled with the dense unshapely woods that grew up. Traces of this are +yet seen in the aspect of its fields. What were once acres fertile in +grain are now seen to be dotted with trunks of trees; and where of old +the tillers turned the earth up deep and scattered the huge clods there +has now sprung up a forest covering the fields, which still bear the +tracks of ancient tillage. Had not these lands remained untilled and +desolate with long overgrowth, the tenacious roots of trees could never +have shared the soil of one and the same land with the furrows made by +the plough. Moreover, the mounds which men laboriously built up of old +on the level ground for the burial of the dead are now covered by a mass +of woodland. Many piles of stones are also to be seen interspersed among +the forest glades. These were once scattered over the whole country, but +the peasants carefully gathered the boulders and piled them into a heap +that they might not prevent furrows being cut in all directions; for +they would sooner sacrifice a little of the land than find the whole of +it stubborn. From this work, done by the toil of the peasants for +the easier working of the fields, it is judged that the population in +ancient times was greater than the present one, which is satisfied with +small fields, and keeps its agriculture within narrower limits than +those of the ancient tillage. Thus the present generation is amazed to +behold that it has exchanged a soil which could once produce grain for +one only fit to grow acorns, and the plough-handle and the cornstalks +for a landscape studded with trees. Let this account of Snio, which I +have put together as truly as I could, suffice. + +Snio was succeeded by BIORN; and after him HARALD became sovereign. +Harald's son GORM won no mean place of honour among the ancient generals +of the Danes by his record of doughty deeds. For he ventured into fresh +fields, preferring to practise his inherited valour, not in war, but in +searching the secrets of nature; and, just as other kings are stirred by +warlike ardour, so his heart thirsted to look into marvels; either what +he could experience himself, or what were merely matters of report. And +being desirous to go and see all things foreign and extraordinary, he +thought that he must above all test a report which he had heard from the +men of Thule concerning the abode of a certain Geirrod. For they boasted +past belief of the mighty piles of treasure in that country, but said +that the way was beset with peril, and hardly passable by mortal man. +For those who had tried it declared that it was needful to sail over the +ocean that goes round the lands, to leave the sun and stars behind, to +journey down into chaos, and at last to pass into a land where no light +was and where darkness reigned eternally. + +But the warrior trampled down in his soul all fear of the dangers that +beset him. Not that he desired booty, but glory; for he hoped for a +great increase of renown if he ventured on a wholly unattempted quest. +Three hundred men announced that they had the same desire as the king; +and he resolved that Thorkill, who had brought the news, should be +chosen to guide them on the journey, as he knew the ground and was +versed in the approaches to that country. Thorkill did not refuse the +task, and advised that, to meet the extraordinary fury of the sea they +had to cross, strongly-made vessels should be built, fitted with many +knotted cords and close-set nails, filled with great store of provision, +and covered above with ox-hides to protect the inner spaces of the ships +from the spray of the waves breaking in. Then they sailed off in only +three galleys, each containing a hundred chosen men. + +Now when they had come to Halogaland (Helgeland), they lost their +favouring breezes, and were driven and tossed divers ways over the seas +in perilous voyage. At last, in extreme want of food, and lacking even +bread, they staved off hunger with a little pottage. Some days passed, +and they heard the thunder of a storm brawling in the distance, as if +it were deluging the rocks. By this perceiving that land was near, they +bade a youth of great nimbleness climb to the masthead and look out; and +he reported that a precipitous island was in sight. All were overjoyed, +and gazed with thirsty eyes at the country at which he pointed, eagerly +awaiting the refuge of the promised shore. At last they managed to reach +it, and made their way out over the heights that blocked their way, +along very steep paths, into the higher ground. Then Thorkill told them +to take no more of the herds that were running about in numbers on the +coast, than would serve once to appease their hunger. If they disobeyed, +the guardian gods of the spot would not let them depart. But the +seamen, more anxious to go on filling their bellies than to obey orders, +postponed counsels of safety to the temptations of gluttony, and loaded +the now emptied holds of their ships with the carcases of slaughtered +cattle. These beasts were very easy to capture, because they gathered in +amazement at the unwonted sight of men, their fears being made bold. +On the following night monsters dashed down upon the shore, filled the +forest with clamour, and beleaguered and beset the ships. One of them, +huger than the rest, strode over the waters, armed with a mighty club. +Coming close up to them, he bellowed out that they should never +sail away till they had atoned for the crime they had committed in +slaughtering the flock, and had made good the losses of the herd of the +gods by giving up one man for each of their ships. Thorkill yielded +to these threats; and, in order to preserve the safety of all by +imperilling a few, singled out three men by lot and gave them up. + +This done, a favouring wind took them, and they sailed to further +Permland. It is a region of eternal cold, covered with very deep snows, +and not sensible to the force even of the summer heats; full of pathless +forests, not fertile in grain and haunted by beasts uncommon elsewhere. +Its many rivers pour onwards in a hissing, foaming flood, because of the +reefs imbedded in their channels. + +Here Thorkill drew up his ships ashore, and bade them pitch their tents +on the beach, declaring that they had come to a spot whence the passage +to Geirrod would be short. Moreover, he forbade them to exchange any +speech with those that came up to them, declaring that nothing enabled +the monsters to injure strangers so much as uncivil words on their part: +it would be therefore safer for his companions to keep silence; none +but he, who had seen all the manners and customs of this nation before, +could speak safely. As twilight approached, a man of extraordinary +bigness greeted the sailors by their names, and came among them. All +were aghast, but Thorkill told them to greet his arrival cheerfully, +telling them that this was Gudmund, the brother of Geirrod, and the most +faithful guardian in perils of all men who landed in that spot. When the +man asked why all the rest thus kept silence, he answered that they were +very unskilled in his language, and were ashamed to use a speech they +did not know. Then Gudmund invited them to be his guests, and took them +up in carriages. As they went forward, they saw a river which could +be crossed by a bridge of gold. They wished to go over it, but Gudmund +restrained them, telling them that by this channel nature had divided +the world of men from the world of monsters, and that no mortal track +might go further. Then they reached the dwelling of their guide; and +here Thorkill took his companions apart and warned them to behave like +men of good counsel amidst the divers temptations chance might throw in +their way; to abstain from the food of the stranger, and nourish their +bodies only on their own; and to seek a seat apart from the natives, +and have no contact with any of them as they lay at meat. For if they +partook of that food they would lose recollection of all things, and +must live for ever in filthy intercourse amongst ghastly hordes of +monsters. Likewise he told them that they must keep their hands off the +servants and the cups of the people. + +Round the table stood twelve noble sons of Gudmund, and as many +daughters of notable beauty. When Gudmund saw that the king barely +tasted what his servants brought, he reproached him with repulsing his +kindness, and complained that it was a slight on the host. But Thorkill +was not at a loss for a fitting excuse. He reminded him that men who +took unaccustomed food often suffered from it seriously, and that the +king was not ungrateful for the service rendered by another, but was +merely taking care of his health, when he refreshed himself as he was +wont, and furnished his supper with his own viands. An act, therefore, +that was only done in the healthy desire to escape some bane, ought +in no wise to be put down to scorn. Now when Gudmund saw that the +temperance of his guest had baffled his treacherous preparations, +he determined to sap their chastity, if he could not weaken their +abstinence, and eagerly strained every nerve of his wit to enfeeble +their self-control. For he offered the king his daughter in marriage, +and promised the rest that they should have whatever women of his +household they desired. Most of them inclined to his offer: but Thorkill +by his healthy admonitions prevented them, as he had done before, from +falling into temptation. + +With wonderful management Thorkill divided his heed between the +suspicious host and the delighted guests. Four of the Danes, to whom +lust was more than their salvation, accepted the offer; the +infection maddened them, distraught their wits, and blotted out their +recollection: for they are said never to have been in their right mind +after this. If these men had kept themselves within the rightful +bounds of temperance, they would have equalled the glories of Hercules, +surpassed with their spirit the bravery of giants, and been ennobled for +ever by their wondrous services to their country. + +Gudmund, stubborn to his purpose, and still spreading his nets, extolled +the delights of his garden, and tried to lure the king thither to gather +fruits, desiring to break down his constant wariness by the lust of the +eye and the baits of the palate. The king, as before, was strengthened +against these treacheries by Thorkill, and rejected this feint of kindly +service; he excused himself from accepting it on the plea that he must +hasten on his journey. Gudmund perceived that Thorkill was shrewder +than he at every point; so, despairing to accomplish his treachery, +he carried them all across the further side of the river, and let them +finish their journey. + +They went on; and saw, not far off, a gloomy, neglected town, looking +more like a cloud exhaling vapour. Stakes interspersed among the +battlements showed the severed heads of warriors and dogs of great +ferocity were seen watching before the doors to guard the entrance. +Thorkill threw them a horn smeared with fat to lick, and so, at slight +cost, appeased their most furious rage. High up the gates lay open +to enter, and they climbed to their level with ladders, entering +with difficulty. Inside the town was crowded with murky and misshapen +phantoms, and it was hard to say whether their shrieking figures were +more ghastly to the eye or to the ear; everything was foul, and the +reeking mire afflicted the nostrils of the visitors with its unbearable +stench. Then they found the rocky dwelling which Geirrod was rumoured to +inhabit for his palace. They resolved to visit its narrow and horrible +ledge, but stayed their steps and halted in panic at the very entrance. +Then Thorkill, seeing that they were of two minds, dispelled their +hesitation to enter by manful encouragement, counselling them, to +restrain themselves, and not to touch any piece of gear in the house +they were about to enter, albeit it seemed delightful to have or +pleasant to behold; to keep their hearts as far from all covetousness as +from fear; neither to desire what was pleasant to take, nor dread +what was awful to look upon, though they should find themselves amidst +abundance of both these things. If they did, their greedy hands would +suddenly be bound fast, unable to tear themselves away from the thing +they touched, and knotted up with it as by inextricable bonds. Moreover, +they should enter in order, four by four. + +Broder and Buchi (Buk?) were the first to show courage to attempt to +enter the vile palace; Thorkill with the king followed them, and the +rest advanced behind these in ordered ranks. + +Inside, the house was seen to be ruinous throughout, and filled with +a violent and abominable reek. And it also teemed with everything that +could disgust the eye or the mind: the door-posts were begrimed with the +soot of ages, the wall was plastered with filth, the roof was made up of +spear-heads, the flooring was covered with snakes and bespattered with +all manner of uncleanliness. Such an unwonted sight struck terror into +the strangers, and, over all, the acrid and incessant stench assailed +their afflicted nostrils. Also bloodless phantasmal monsters huddled +on the iron seats, and the places for sitting were railed off by leaden +trellises; and hideous doorkeepers stood at watch on the thresholds. +Some of these, armed with clubs lashed together, yelled, while others +played a gruesome game, tossing a goat's hide from one to the other with +mutual motion of goatish backs. + +Here Thorkill again warned the men, and forbade them to stretch forth +their covetous hands rashly to the forbidden things. Going on through +the breach in the crag, they beheld an old man with his body pierced +through, sitting not far off, on a lofty seat facing the side of the +rock that had been rent away. Moreover, three women, whose bodies were +covered with tumours, and who seemed to have lost the strength of their +back-bones, filled adjoining seats. Thorkill's companions were very +curious; and he, who well knew the reason of the matter, told them that +long ago the god Thor had been provoked by the insolence of the giants +to drive red-hot irons through the vitals of Geirrod, who strove with +him, and that the iron had slid further, torn up the mountain, and +battered through its side; while the women had been stricken by the +might of his thunderbolts, and had been punished (so he declared) for +their attempt on the same deity, by having their bodies broken. + +As the men were about to depart thence, there were disclosed to them +seven butts hooped round with belts of gold; and from these hung +circlets of silver entwined with them in manifold links. Near these was +found the tusk of a strange beast, tipped at both ends with gold. Close +by was a vast stag-horn, laboriously decked with choice and flashing +gems, and this also did not lack chasing. Hard by was to be seen a very +heavy bracelet. One man was kindled with an inordinate desire for this +bracelet, and laid covetous hands upon the gold, not knowing that the +glorious metal covered deadly mischief, and that a fatal bane lay +hid under the shining spoil. A second also, unable to restrain his +covetousness, reached out his quivering hands to the horn. A third, +matching the confidence of the others, and having no control over his +fingers, ventured to shoulder the tusk. The spoil seemed alike lovely to +look upon and desirable to enjoy, for all that met the eye was fair and +tempting to behold. But the bracelet suddenly took the form of a snake, +and attacked him who was carrying it with its poisoned tooth; the horn +lengthened out into a serpent, and took the life of the man who bore it; +the tusk wrought itself into a sword, and plunged into the vitals of its +bearer. + +The rest dreaded the fate of perishing with their friends, and thought +that the guiltless would be destroyed like the guilty; they durst not +hope that even innocence would be safe. Then the side-door of another +room showed them a narrow alcove: and a privy chamber with a yet richer +treasure was revealed, wherein arms were laid out too great for those of +human stature. Among these were seen a royal mantle, a handsome hat, and +a belt marvellously wrought. Thorkill, struck with amazement at these +things, gave rein to his covetousness, and cast off all his purposed +self-restraint. He who so oft had trained others could not so much as +conquer his own cravings. For he laid his hand upon the mantle, and +his rash example tempted the rest to join in his enterprise of plunder. +Thereupon the recess shook from its lowest foundations, and began +suddenly to reel and totter. Straightway the women raised a shriek that +the wicked robbers were being endured too long. Then they, who were +before supposed to be half-dead or lifeless phantoms, seemed to obey the +cries of the women, and, leaping suddenly up from their seats, attacked +the strangers with furious onset. The other creatures bellowed hoarsely. + +But Broder and Buchi fell to their old and familiar arts, and attacked +the witches, who ran at them, with a shower of spears from every side; +and with the missiles from their bows and slings they crushed the +array of monsters. There could be no stronger or more successful way +to repulse them; but only twenty men out of all the king's company +were rescued by the intervention of this archery; the rest were torn in +pieces by the monsters. The survivors returned to the river, and were +ferried over by Gudmund, who entertained them at his house. Long and +often as he besought them, he could not keep them back; so at last he +gave them presents and let them go. + +Buchi relaxed his watch upon himself; his self-control became unstrung, +and he forsook the virtue in which he hitherto rejoiced. For he +conceived an incurable love for one of the daughters of Gudmund, and +embraced her; but he obtained a bride to his undoing, for soon his brain +suddenly began to whirl, and he lost his recollection. Thus the hero who +had subdued all the monsters and overcome all the perils was mastered by +passion for one girl; his soul strayed far from temperance, and he lay +under a wretched sensual yoke. For the sake of respect, he started to +accompany the departing king; but as he was about to ford the river +in his carriage, his wheels sank deep, he was caught up in the violent +eddies and destroyed. + +The king bewailed his friend's disaster and departed hastening on his +voyage. This was at first prosperous, but afterwards he was tossed by +bad weather; his men perished of hunger, and but few survived, so that +he began to feel awe in his heart, and fell to making vows to heaven, +thinking the gods alone could help him in his extreme need. At last the +others besought sundry powers among the gods, and thought they ought to +sacrifice to the majesty of divers deities; but the king, offering both +vows and peace-offerings to Utgarda-Loki, obtained that fair season of +weather for which he prayed. + +Coming home, and feeling that he had passed through all these seas and +toils, he thought it was time for his spirit, wearied with calamities, +to withdraw from his labours. So he took a queen from Sweden, and +exchanged his old pursuits for meditative leisure. His life was +prolonged in the utmost peace and quietness; but when he had almost come +to the end of his days, certain men persuaded him by likely arguments +that souls were immortal; so that he was constantly turning over in his +mind the questions, to what abode he was to fare when the breath left +his limbs, or what reward was earned by zealous adoration of the gods. + +While he was thus inclined, certain men who wished ill to Thorkill +came and told Gorm that it was needful to consult the gods, and that +assurance about so great a matter must be sought of the oracles of +heaven, since it was too deep for human wit and hard for mortals to +discover. + +Therefore, they said, Utgarda-Loki must be appeased, and no man +would accomplish this more fitly than Thorkill. Others, again, laid +information against him as guilty of treachery and an enemy of the +king's life. Thorkill, seeing himself doomed to extreme peril, demanded +that his accusers should share his journey. Then they who had aspersed +an innocent man saw that the peril they had designed against the life of +another had recoiled upon themselves, and tried to take back their plan. +But vainly did they pester the ears of the king; he forced them to sail +under the command of Thorkill, and even upbraided them with cowardice. +Thus, when a mischief is designed against another, it is commonly sure +to strike home to its author. And when these men saw that they were +constrained, and could not possibly avoid the peril, they covered their +ship with ox-hides, and filled it with abundant store of provision. + +In this ship they sailed away, and came to a sunless land, which knew +not the stars, was void of daylight, and seemed to overshadow them with +eternal night. Long they sailed under this strange sky; at last their +timber fell short, and they lacked fuel; and, having no place to boil +their meat in, they staved off their hunger with raw viands. But most of +those who ate contracted extreme disease, being glutted with undigested +food. For the unusual diet first made a faintness steal gradually +upon their stomachs; then the infection spread further, and the malady +reached the vital parts. Thus there was danger in either extreme, which +made it hurtful not to eat, and perilous to indulge; for it was found +both unsafe to feed and bad for them to abstain. Then, when they were +beginning to be in utter despair, a gleam of unexpected help relieved +them, even as the string breaks most easily when it is stretched +tightest. For suddenly the weary men saw the twinkle of a fire at no +great distance, and conceived a hope of prolonging their lives. Thorkill +thought this fire a heaven-sent relief, and resolved to go and take some +of it. + +To be surer of getting back to his friends, Thorkill fastened a jewel +upon the mast-head, to mark it by the gleam. When he got to the shore, +his eyes fell on a cavern in a close defile, to which a narrow way led. +Telling his companions to await him outside, he went in, and saw two +men, swart and very huge, with horny noses, feeding their fire with any +chance-given fuel. Moreover, the entrance was hideous, the door-posts +were decayed, the walls grimy with mould, the roof filthy, and the floor +swarming with snakes; all of which disgusted the eye as much as the +mind. Then one of the giants greeted him, and said that he had begun a +most difficult venture in his burning desire to visit a strange god, and +his attempt to explore with curious search an untrodden region beyond +the world. Yet he promised to tell Thorkill the paths of the journey he +proposed to make, if he would deliver three true judgments in the +form of as many sayings. Then said Thorkill: "In good truth, I do not +remember ever to have seen a household with more uncomely noses; nor +have I ever come to a spot where I had less mind to live." Also he said: +"That, I think, is my best foot which can get out of this foremost." + +The giant was pleased with the shrewdness of Thorkill, and praised his +sayings, telling him that he must first travel to a grassless land which +was veiled in deep darkness; but he must first voyage for four days, +rowing incessantly, before he could reach his goal. There he could visit +Utgarda-Loki, who had chosen hideous and grisly caves for his filthy +dwelling. Thorkill was much aghast at being bidden to go on a voyage so +long and hazardous; but his doubtful hopes prevailed over his present +fears, and he asked for some live fuel. Then said the giant: "If thou +needest fire, thou must deliver three more judgments in like sayings." +Then said Thorkill: "Good counsel is to be obeyed, though a mean fellow +gave it." Likewise: "I have gone so far in rashness, that if I can get +back I shall owe my safety to none but my own legs." And again: "Were I +free to retreat this moment, I would take good care never to come back." + +Thereupon Thorkill took the fire along to his companions; and finding a +kindly wind, landed on the fourth day at the appointed harbour. With +his crew he entered a land where an aspect of unbroken night checked the +vicissitude of light and darkness. He could hardly see before him, +but beheld a rock of enormous size. Wishing to explore it, he told his +companions, who were standing posted at the door, to strike a fire +from flints as a timely safeguard against demons, and kindle it in the +entrance. Then he made others bear a light before him, and stooped his +body through the narrow jaws of the cavern, where he beheld a number of +iron seats among a swarm of gliding serpents. Next there met his eye a +sluggish mass of water gently flowing over a sandy bottom. He crossed +this, and approached a cavern which sloped somewhat more steeply. +Again, after this, a foul and gloomy room was disclosed to the visitors, +wherein they saw Utgarda-Loki, laden hand and foot with enormous chains. +Each of his reeking hairs was as large and stiff as a spear of cornel. +Thorkill (his companions lending a hand), in order that his deeds might +gain more credit, plucked one of these from the chin of Utgarda-Loki, +who suffered it. Straightway such a noisome smell reached the +bystanders, that they could not breathe without stopping their noses +with their mantles. They could scarcely make their way out, and were +bespattered by the snakes which darted at them on every side. + +Only five of Thorkill's company embarked with their captain: the poison +killed the rest. The demons hung furiously over them, and cast their +poisonous slaver from every side upon the men below them. But the +sailors sheltered themselves with their hides, and cast back the venom +that fell upon them. One man by chance at this point wished to peep out; +the poison touched his head, which was taken off his neck as if it had +been severed with a sword. Another put his eyes out of their shelter, +and when he brought them back under it they were blinded. Another thrust +forth his hand while unfolding his covering, and, when he withdrew his +arm, it was withered by the virulence of the same slaver. They besought +their deities to be kinder to them; vainly, until Thorkill prayed to +the god of the universe, and poured forth unto him libations as well +as prayers; and thus, presently finding the sky even as before and the +elements clear, he made a fair voyage. + +And now they seemed to behold another world, and the way towards the +life of man. At last Thorkill landed in Germany, which had then been +admitted to Christianity; and among its people he began to learn how +to worship God. His band of men were almost destroyed, because of +the dreadful air they had breathed, and he returned to his country +accompanied by two men only, who had escaped the worst. But the corrupt +matter which smeared his face so disguised his person and original +features that not even his friends knew him. But when he wiped off the +filth, he made himself recognizable by those who saw him, and inspired +the king with the greatest eagerness to hear about his quest. But the +detraction of his rivals was not yet silenced; and some pretended that +the king would die suddenly if he learnt Thorkill's tidings. The king +was the more disposed to credit this saying, because he was already +credulous by reason of a dream which falsely prophesied the same thing. +Men were therefore hired by the king's command to slay Thorkill in the +night. But somehow he got wind of it, left his bed unknown to all, and +put a heavy log in his place. By this he baffled the treacherous device +of the king, for the hirelings smote only the stock. + +On the morrow Thorkill went up to the king as he sat at meat, and said: +"I forgive thy cruelty and pardon thy error, in that thou hast decreed +punishment, and not thanks, to him who brings good tidings of his +errand. For thy sake I have devoted my life to all these afflictions, +and battered it in all these perils; I hoped that thou wouldst requite +my services with much gratitude; and behold! I have found thee, and thee +alone, punish my valour sharpliest. But I forbear all vengeance, and +am satisfied with the shame within thy heart--if, after all, any shame +visits the thankless--as expiation for this wrongdoing towards me. I +have a right to surmise that thou art worse than all demons in fury, +and all beasts in cruelty, if, after escaping the snares of all these +monsters, I have failed to be safe from thine." + +The king desired to learn everything from Thorkill's own lips; and, +thinking it hard to escape destiny, bade him relate what had happened +in due order. He listened eagerly to his recital of everything, till +at last, when his own god was named, he could not endure him to +be unfavourably judged. For he could not bear to hear Utgarda-Loki +reproached with filthiness, and so resented his shameful misfortunes, +that his very life could not brook such words, and he yielded it up in +the midst of Thorkill's narrative. Thus, whilst he was so zealous in the +worship of a false god, he came to find where the true prison of sorrows +really was. Moreover, the reek of the hair, which Thorkill plucked from +the locks of the giant to testify to the greatness of his own deeds, was +exhaled upon the bystanders, so that many perished of it. + +After the death of Gorm, GOTRIK his son came to the throne. He was +notable not only for prowess but for generosity, and none can say +whether his courage or his compassion was the greater. He so chastened +his harshness with mercy, that he seemed to counterweigh the one with +the other. At this time Gaut, the King of Norway, was visited by Ber +(Biorn?) and Ref, men of Thule. Gaut treated Ref with attention and +friendship, and presented him with a heavy bracelet. + +One of the courtiers, when he saw this, praised the greatness of the +gift over-zealously, and declared that no one was equal to King Gaut in +kindliness. But Ref, though he owed thanks for the benefit, could not +approve the inflated words of this extravagant praiser, and said that +Gotrik was more generous than Gaut. Wishing to crush the empty boast of +the flatterer, he chose rather to bear witness to the generosity of +the absent than tickle with lies the vanity of his benefactor who was +present. For another thing, he thought it somewhat more desirable to be +charged with ingratitude than to support with his assent such idle and +boastful praise, and also to move the king by the solemn truth than +to beguile him with lying flatteries. But Ulf persisted not only in +stubbornly repeating his praises of the king, but in bringing them to +the proof; and proposed their gainsayer a wager. + +With his consent Ref went to Denmark, and found Gotrik seated in state, +and dealing out the pay to his soldiers. When the king asked him who +he was, he said that his name was "Fox-cub" The answer filled some with +mirth and some with marvel, and Gotrik said, "Yea, and it is fitting +that a fox should catch his prey in his mouth." And thereupon he drew +a bracelet from his arm, called the man to him, and put it between his +lips. Straightway Ref put it upon his arm, which he displayed to them +all adorned with gold, but the other arm he kept hidden as lacking +ornament; for which shrewdness he received a gift equal to the first +from that hand of matchless generosity. At this he was overjoyed, not so +much because the reward was great, as because he had won his contention. +And when the king learnt from him about the wager he had laid, he +rejoiced that he had been lavish to him more by accident than of set +purpose, and declared that he got more pleasure from the giving than the +receiver from the gift. So Ref returned to Norway and slew his opponent, +who refused to pay the wager. Then he took the daughter of Gaut captive, +and brought her to Gotrik for his own. + +Gotrik, who is also called Godefride, carried his arms against +foreigners, and increased his strength and glory by his successful +generalship. Among his memorable deeds were the terms of tribute +he imposed upon the Saxons; namely, that whenever a change of kings +occurred among the Danes, their princes should devote a hundred +snow-white horses to the new king on his accession. But if the Saxons +should receive a new chief upon a change in the succession, this chief +was likewise to pay the aforesaid tribute obediently, and bow at +the outset of his power to the sovereign majesty of Denmark; thereby +acknowledging the supremacy of our nation, and solemnly confessing his +own subjection. Nor was it enough for Gotrik to subjugate Germany: he +appointed Ref on a mission to try the strength of Sweden. The Swedes +feared to slay him with open violence, but ventured to act like bandits, +and killed him, as he slept, with the blow of a stone. For, hanging a +millstone above him, they cut its fastenings, and let it drop upon his +neck as he lay beneath. To expiate this crime it was decreed that each +of the ringleaders should pay twelve golden talents, while each of +the common people should pay Gotrik one ounce. Men called this "the +Fox-cub's tribute". (Refsgild). + +Meanwhile it befell that Karl, King of the Franks, crushed Germany in +war, and forced it not only to embrace the worship of Christianity, but +also to obey his authority. When Gotrik heard of this, he attacked the +nations bordering on the Elbe, and attempted to regain under his sway as +of old the realm of Saxony, which eagerly accepted the yoke of Karl, and +preferred the Roman to the Danish arms. Karl had at this time withdrawn +his victorious camp beyond the Rhine, and therefore forbore to engage +the stranger enemy, being prevented by the intervening river. But when +he was intending to cross once more to subdue the power of Gotrik, he +was summoned by Leo the Pope of the Romans to defend the city. + +Obeying this command, Karl intrusted his son Pepin with the conduct of +the war against Gotrik; so that while he himself was working against a +distant foe, Pepin might manage the conflict he had undertaken with his +neighbour. For Karl was distracted by two anxieties, and had to furnish +sufficient out of a scanty band to meet both of them. Meanwhile Gotrik +won a glorious victory over the Saxons. Then gathering new strength, and +mustering a larger body of forces, he resolved to avenge the wrong he +had suffered in losing his sovereignty, not only upon the Saxons, but +upon the whole people of Germany. He began by subduing Friesland with +his fleet. + +This province lies very low, and whenever the fury of the ocean bursts +the dykes that bar its waves, it is wont to receive the whole mass of +the deluge over its open plains. On this country Gotrik imposed a kind +of tribute, which was not so much harsh as strange. I will briefly +relate its terms and the manner of it. First, a building was arranged, +two hundred and forty feet in length, and divided into twelve spaces; +each of these stretching over an interval of twenty feet, and thus +making together, when the whole room was exhausted, the aforesaid total. +Now at the upper end of this building sat the king's treasurer, and in a +line with him at its further end was displayed a round shield. When the +Frisians came to pay tribute, they used to cast their coins one by one +into the hollow of this shield; but only those coins which struck the +ear of the distant toll-gatherer with a distinct clang were chosen by +him, as he counted, to be reckoned among the royal tribute. The result +was that the collector only reckoned that money towards the treasury of +which his distant ear caught the sound as it fell. But that of which the +sound was duller, and which fell out of his earshot, was received indeed +into the treasury, but did not count as any increase to the sum paid. +Now many coins that were cast in struck with no audible loudness +whatever on the collector's ear, so that men who came to pay their +appointed toll sometimes squandered much of their money in useless +tribute. Karl is said to have freed them afterwards from the burden of +this tax. After Gotrik had crossed Friesland, and Karl had now come back +from Rome, Gotrik determined to swoop down upon the further districts of +Germany, but was treacherously attacked by one of his own servants, and +perished at home by the sword of a traitor. When Karl heard this, he +leapt up overjoyed, declaring that nothing more delightful had ever +fallen to his lot than this happy chance. + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) Furthest Thule--The names of Icelanders have thus crept + into the account of a battle fought before the discovery of + Iceland. + + + + +BOOK NINE. + +After Gotrik's death reigned his son OLAF; who, desirous to avenge his +father, did not hesitate to involve his country in civil wars, putting +patriotism after private inclination. When he perished, his body was put +in a barrow, famous for the name of Olaf, which was built up close by +Leire. + +He was succeeded by HEMMING, of whom I have found no deed worthy of +record, save that he made a sworn peace with Kaiser Ludwig; and yet, +perhaps, envious antiquity hides many notable deeds of his time, albeit +they were then famous. + +After these men there came to the throne, backed by the Skanians and +Zealanders, SIWARD, surnamed RING. He was the son, born long ago, of the +chief of Norway who bore the same name, by Gotrik's daughter. Now Ring, +cousin of Siward, and also a grandson of Gotrik, was master of Jutland. +Thus the power of the single kingdom was divided; and, as though its two +parts were contemptible for their smallness, foreigners began not only +to despise but to attack it. These Siward assailed with greater hatred +than he did his rival for the throne; and, preferring wars abroad to +wars at home, he stubbornly defended his country against dangers for +five years; for he chose to put up with a trouble at home that he +might the more easily cure one which came from abroad. Wherefore Ring +(desiring his) command, seized the opportunity, tried to transfer the +whole sovereignty to himself, and did not hesitate to injure in his +own land the man who was watching over it without; for he attacked the +provinces in the possession of Siward, which was an ungrateful requital +for the defence of their common country. Therefore, some of the +Zealanders who were more zealous for Siward, in order to show him firmer +loyalty in his absence, proclaimed his son Ragnar as king, when he was +scarcely dragged out of his cradle. Not but what they knew he was too +young to govern; yet they hoped that such a gage would serve to rouse +their sluggish allies against Ring. But, when Ring heard that Siward had +meantime returned from his expedition, he attacked the Zealanders with a +large force, and proclaimed that they should perish by the sword if they +did not surrender; but the Zealanders, who were bidden to choose between +shame and peril, were so few that they distrusted their strength, and +requested a truce to consider the matter. It was granted; but, since it +did not seem open to them to seek the favour of Siward, nor honourable +to embrace that of Ring, they wavered long in perplexity between fear +and shame. In this plight even the old were at a loss for counsel; but +Ragnar, who chanced to be present at the assembly, said: "The short bow +shoots its shaft suddenly. Though it may seem the hardihood of a boy +that I venture to forestall the speech of the elders, yet I pray you +to pardon my errors, and be indulgent to my unripe words. Yet the +counsellor of wisdom is not to be spurned, though he seem contemptible; +for the teaching of profitable things should be drunk in with an open +mind. Now it is shameful that we should be branded as deserters and +runaways, but it is just as foolhardy to venture above our strength; +and thus there is proved to be equal blame either way. We must, then, +pretend to go over to the enemy, but, when a chance comes in our way, we +must desert him betimes. It will thus be better to forestall the wrath +of our foe by reigned obedience than, by refusing it, to give him a +weapon wherewith to attack us yet more harshly; for if we decline the +sway of the stronger, are we not simply turning his arms against our own +throat? Intricate devices are often the best nurse of craft. You need +cunning to trap a fox." By this sound counsel he dispelled the wavering +of his countrymen, and strengthened the camp of the enemy to its own +hurt. + +The assembly, marvelling at the eloquence as much as at the wit of one +so young, gladly embraced a proposal of such genius, which they thought +excellent beyond his years. Nor were the old men ashamed to obey the +bidding of a boy when they lacked counsel themselves; for, though it +came from one of tender years, it was full, notwithstanding, of weighty +and sound instruction. But they feared to expose their adviser to +immediate peril, and sent him over to Norway to be brought up. Soon +afterwards, Siward joined battle with Ring and attacked him. He slew +Ring, but himself received an incurable wound, of which he died a few +days afterwards. + +He was succeeded on the throne by RAGNAR. At this time Fro (Frey?), the +King of Sweden, after slaying Siward, the King of the Norwegians, put +the wives of Siward's kinsfolk in bonds in a brothel, and delivered +them to public outrage. When Ragnar heard of this, he went to Norway to +avenge his grandfather. As he came, many of the matrons, who had either +suffered insult to their persons or feared imminent peril to their +chastity, hastened eagerly to his camp in male attire, declaring that +they would prefer death to outrage. Nor did Ragnar, who was to punish +this reproach upon the women, scorn to use against the author of the +infamy the help of those whose shame he had come to avenge. Among them +was Ladgerda, a skilled amazon, who, though a maiden, had the courage +of a man, and fought in front among the bravest with her hair loose +over her shoulders. All-marvelled at her matchless deeds, for her locks +flying down her back betrayed that she was a woman. + +Ragnar, when he had justly cut down the murderer of his grandfather, +asked many questions of his fellow soldiers concerning the maiden whom +he had seen so forward in the fray, and declared that he had gained the +victory by the might of one woman. Learning that she was of noble birth +among the barbarians, he steadfastly wooed her by means of messengers. +She spurned his mission in her heart, but feigned compliance. Giving +false answers, she made her panting wooer confident that he would gain +his desires; but ordered that a bear and a dog should be set at the +porch of her dwelling, thinking to guard her own room against all the +ardour of a lover by means of the beasts that blocked the way. Ragnar, +comforted by the good news, embarked, crossed the sea, and, telling his +men to stop in Gaulardale, as the valley is called, went to the dwelling +of the maiden alone. Here the beasts met him, and he thrust one through +with a spear, and caught the other by the throat, wrung its neck, and +choked it. Thus he had the maiden as the prize of the peril he had +overcome. By this marriage he had two daughters, whose names have not +come down to us, and a son Fridleif. Then he lived three years at peace. + +The Jutlanders, a presumptuous race, thinking that because of his recent +marriage he would never return, took the Skanians into alliance, and +tried to attack the Zealanders, who preserved the most zealous and +affectionate loyalty towards Ragnar. He, when he heard of it, equipped +thirty ships, and, the winds favouring his voyage, crushed the Skanians, +who ventured to fight, near the stead of Whiteby, and when the winter +was over he fought successfully with the Jutlanders who dwelt near the +Liim-fjord in that region. A third and a fourth time he conquered the +Skanians and the Hallanders triumphantly. + +Afterwards, changing his love, and desiring Thora, the daughter of the +King Herodd, to wife, Ragnar divorced himself from Ladgerda; for he +thought ill of her trustworthiness, remembering that she had long ago +set the most savage beasts to destroy him. Meantime Herodd, the King +of the Swedes, happening to go and hunt in the woods, brought home some +snakes, found by his escort, for his daughter to rear. She speedily +obeyed the instructions of her father, and endured to rear a race of +adders with her maiden hands. Moreover, she took care that they should +daily have a whole ox-carcase to gorge upon, not knowing that she was +privately feeding and keeping up a public nuisance. The vipers grew up, +and scorched the country-side with their pestilential breath. Whereupon +the king, repenting of his sluggishness, proclaimed that whosoever +removed the pest should have his daughter. + +Many warriors were thereto attracted by courage as much as by desire; +but all idly and perilously wasted their pains. Ragnar, learning from +men who travelled to and fro how the matter stood, asked his nurse for +a woolen mantle, and for some thigh-pieces that were very hairy, with +which he could repel the snake-bites. He thought that he ought to use a +dress stuffed with hair to protect himself, and also took one that +was not unwieldy, that he might move nimbly. And when he had landed in +Sweden, he deliberately plunged his body in water, while there was a +frost falling, and, wetting his dress, to make it the less penetrable, +he let the cold freeze it. Thus attired, he took leave of his +companions, exhorted them to remain loyal to Fridleif, and went on to +the palace alone. When he saw it, he tied his sword to his side, +and lashed a spear to his right hand with a thong. As he went on, an +enormous snake glided up and met him. Another, equally huge, crawled up, +following in the trail of the first. They strove now to buffet the young +man with the coils of their tails, and now to spit and belch their venom +stubbornly upon him. Meantime the courtiers, betaking themselves to +safer hiding, watched the struggle from afar like affrighted little +girls. The king was stricken with equal fear, and fled, with a few +followers, to a narrow shelter. But Ragnar, trusting in the hardness of +his frozen dress, foiled the poisonous assaults not only with his arms, +but with his attire, and, singlehanded, in unweariable combat, stood +up against the two gaping creatures, who stubbornly poured forth their +venom upon him. For their teeth he repelled with his shield, their +poison with his dress. At last he cast his spear, and drove it against +the bodies of the brutes, who were attacking him hard. He pierced both +their hearts, and his battle ended in victory. + +After Ragnar had thus triumphed the king scanned his dress closely, +and saw that he was rough and hairy; but, above all, he laughed at the +shaggy lower portion of his garb, and chiefly the uncouth aspect of his +breeches; so that he gave him in jest the nickname of Lodbrog. Also he +invited him to feast with his friends, to refresh him after his labours. +Ragnar said that he would first go back to the witnesses whom he had +left behind. He set out and brought them back, splendidly attired for +the coming feast. At last, when the banquet was over, he received +the prize that was appointed for the victory. By her he begot two +nobly-gifted sons, Radbard and Dunwat. These also had brothers--Siward, +Biorn, Agnar, and Iwar. + +Meanwhile, the Jutes and Skanians were kindled with an unquenchable fire +of sedition; they disallowed the title of Ragnar, and gave a certain +Harald the sovereign power. Ragnar sent envoys to Norway, and besought +friendly assistance against these men; and Ladgerda, whose early love +still flowed deep and steadfast, hastily sailed off with her husband and +her son. She brought herself to offer a hundred and twenty ships to the +man who had once put her away. And he, thinking himself destitute of all +resources, took to borrowing help from folk of every age, crowded the +strong and the feeble all together, and was not ashamed to insert some +old men and boys among the wedges of the strong. So he first tried to +crush the power of the Skanians in the field which in Latin is called +Laneus (Woolly); here he had a hard fight with the rebels. Here, too, +Iwar, who was in his seventh year, fought splendidly, and showed the +strength of a man in the body of a boy. But Siward, while attacking the +enemy face to face, fell forward upon the ground wounded. When his men +saw this, it made them look round most anxiously for means of flight; +and this brought low not only Siward, but almost the whole army on the +side of Ragnar. But Ragnar by his manly deeds and exhortations comforted +their amazed and sunken spirits, and, just when they were ready to be +conquered, spurred them on to try and conquer. + +Ladgerda, who had a matchless spirit though a delicate frame, covered by +her splendid bravery the inclination of the soldiers to waver. For she +made a sally about, and flew round to the rear of the enemy, taking them +unawares, and thus turned the panic of her friends into the camp of the +enemy. At last the lines of HARALD became slack, and HARALD himself was +routed with a great slaughter of his men. LADGERDA, when she had gone +home after the battle, murdered her husband.... in the night with a +spear-head, which she had hid in her gown. Then she usurped the whole +of his name and sovereignty; for this most presumptuous dame thought +it pleasanter to rule without her husband than to share the throne with +him. + +Meantime, Siward was taken to a town in the neighbourhood, and gave +himself to be tended by the doctors, who were reduced to the depths of +despair. But while the huge wound baffled all the remedies they applied, +a certain man of amazing size was seen to approach the litter of the +sick man, and promised that Siward should straightway rejoice and be +whole, if he would consecrate unto him the souls of all whom he should +overcome in battle. Nor did he conceal his name, but said that he was +called Rostar. Now Siward, when he saw that a great benefit could be got +at the cost of a little promise, eagerly acceded to this request. Then +the old man suddenly, by the help of his hand, touched and banished the +livid spot, and suddenly scarred the wound over. At last he poured dust +on his eyes and departed. Spots suddenly arose, and the dust, to the +amaze of the beholders, seemed to become wonderfully like little snakes. + +I should think that he who did this miracle wished to declare, by +the manifest token of his eyes, that the young man was to be cruel in +future, in order that the more visible part of his body might not lack +some omen of his life that was to follow. When the old woman, who had +the care of his draughts, saw him showing in his face signs of little +snakes; she was seized with an extraordinary horror of the young man, +and suddenly fell and swooned away. Hence it happened that Siward got +the widespread name of Snake-Eye. + +Meantime Thora, the bride of Ragnar, perished of a violent malady, which +caused infinite trouble and distress to the husband, who dearly +loved his wife. This distress, he thought, would be best dispelled by +business, and he resolved to find solace in exercise and qualify his +grief by toil. To banish his affliction and gain some comfort, he bent +his thoughts to warfare, and decreed that every father of a family +should devote to his service whichever of his children he thought +most contemptible, or any slave of his who was lazy at his work or of +doubtful fidelity. And albeit that this decree seemed little fitted for +his purpose, he showed that the feeblest of the Danish race were better +than the strongest men of other nations; and it did the young men great +good, each of those chosen being eager to wipe off the reproach of +indolence. Also he enacted that every piece of litigation should be +referred to the judgment of twelve chosen elders, all ordinary methods +of action being removed, the accuser being forbidden to charge, and the +accused to defend. This law removed all chance of incurring litigation +lightly. Thinking that there was thus sufficient provision made against +false accusations by unscrupulous men, he lifted up his arms against +Britain, and attacked and slew in battle its king, Hame, the father of +Ella, who was a most noble youth. Then he killed the earls of Scotland +and of Pictland, and of the isles that they call the Southern or +Meridional (Sudr-eyar), and made his sons Siward and Radbard masters of +the provinces, which were now without governors. He also deprived Norway +of its chief by force, and commanded it to obey Fridleif, whom he also +set over the Orkneys, from which he took their own earl. + +Meantime, some of the Danes who were most stubborn in their hatred +against Ragnar were obstinately bent on rebellion. They rallied to the +side of Harald, once an exile, and tried to raise the fallen fortunes of +the tyrant. By this hardihood they raised up against the king the most +virulent blasts of civil war, and entangled him in domestic perils when +he was free from foreign troubles. Ragnar, setting out to check them +with a fleet of the Danes who lived in the isles, crushed the army of +the rebels, drove Harald, the leader of the conquered army, a fugitive +to Germany, and forced him to resign unbashfully an honour which he had +gained without scruple. Nor was he content simply to kill his prisoners: +he preferred to torture them to death, so that those who could not be +induced to forsake their disloyalty might not be so much as suffered to +give up the ghost save under the most grievous punishment. Moreover, the +estates of those who had deserted with Harald he distributed among those +who were serving as his soldiers, thinking that the fathers would be +worse punished by seeing the honour of their inheritance made over to +the children whom they had rejected, while those whom they had loved +better lost their patrimony. But even this did not sate his vengeance, +and he further determined to attack Saxony, thinking it the refuge of +his foes and the retreat of Harald. So, begging his sons to help him, he +came on Karl, who happened then to be tarrying on those borders of his +empire. Intercepting his sentries, he eluded the watch that was posted +on guard. But while he thought that all the rest would therefore be easy +and more open to his attacks, suddenly a woman who was a soothsayer, a +kind of divine oracle or interpreter of the will of heaven, warned the +king with a saving prophecy, and by her fortunate presage forestalled +the mischief that impended, saying that the fleet of Siward had moored +at the mouth of the river Seine. The emperor, heeding the warning, and +understanding that the enemy was at hand, managed to engage with and +stop the barbarians, who were thus pointed out to him. A battle was +fought with Ragnar; but Karl did not succeed as happily in the field +as he had got warning of the danger. And so that tireless conqueror of +almost all Europe, who in his calm and complete career of victory had +travelled over so great a portion of the world, now beheld his army, +which had vanquished all these states and nations, turning its face from +the field, and shattered by a handful from a single province. + +Ragnar, after loading the Saxons with tribute, had sure tidings from +Sweden of the death of Herodd, and also heard that his own sons, owing +to the slander of Sorle, the king chosen in his stead, had been robbed +of their inheritance. He besought the aid of the brothers Biorn, +Fridleif, and Ragbard (for Ragnald, Hwitserk, and Erik, his sons by +Swanloga, had not yet reached the age of bearing arms), and went to +Sweden. Sorle met him with his army, and offered him the choice between +a public conflict and a duel; and when Ragnar chose personal combat, he +sent against him Starkad, a champion of approved daring, with his band +of seven sons, to challenge and fight with him. Ragnar took his three +sons to share the battle with him, engaged in the sight of both armies, +and came out of the combat triumphant. + +Biorn, having inflicted great slaughter on the foe without hurt to +himself, gained from the strength of his sides, which were like iron, a +perpetual name (Ironsides). This victory emboldened Ragnar to hope that +he could overcome any peril, and he attacked and slew Sorle with the +entire forces he was leading. He presented Biorn with the lordship +of Sweden for his conspicuous bravery and service. Then for a little +interval he rested from wars, and chanced to fall deeply in love with +a certain woman. In order to find some means of approaching and winning +her the more readily, he courted her father (Esbern) by showing him the +most obliging and attentive kindness. He often invited him to banquets, +and received him with lavish courtesy. When he came, he paid him the +respect of rising, and when he sat, he honoured him with a set next to +himself. He also often comforted him with gifts, and at times with the +most kindly speech. The man saw that no merits of his own could be the +cause of all this distinction, and casting over the matter every way in +his mind, he perceived that the generosity of his monarch was caused +by his love for his daughter, and that he coloured this lustful purpose +with the name of kindness. But, that he might balk the cleverness of +the lover, however well calculated, he had the girl watched all the more +carefully that he saw her beset by secret aims and obstinate methods. +But Ragnar, who was comforted by the surest tidings of her consent, went +to the farmhouse in which she was kept, and fancying that love must +find out a way, repaired alone to a certain peasant in a neighbouring +lodging. In the morning he exchanged dress with the women, and went +in female attire, and stood by his mistress as she was unwinding wool. +Cunningly, to avoid betrayal, he set his hands to the work of a maiden, +though they were little skilled in the art. In the night he embraced +the maiden and gained his desire. When her time drew near, and the girl +growing big, betrayed her outraged chastity, the father, not knowing to +whom his daughter had given herself to be defiled, persisted in asking +the girl herself who was the unknown seducer. She steadfastly affirmed +that she had had no one to share her bed except her handmaid, and he +made the affair over to the king to search into. He would not allow an +innocent servant to be branded with an extraordinary charge, and was not +ashamed to prove another's innocence by avowing his own guilt. By this +generosity he partially removed the woman's reproach, and prevented an +absurd report from being sown in the ears of the wicked. Also he added, +that the son to be born of her was of his own line, and that he wished +him to be named Ubbe. When this son had grown up somewhat, his wit, +despite his tender years, equalled the discernment of manhood. For he +took to loving his mother, since she had had converse with a noble bed, +but cast off all respect for his father, because he had stooped to a +union too lowly. + +After this Ragnar prepared an expedition against the Hellespontines, +and summoned an assembly of the Danes, promising that he would give the +people most wholesome laws. He had enacted before that each father of +a household should offer for service that one among his sons whom he +esteemed least; but now he enacted that each should arm the son who was +stoutest of hand or of most approved loyalty. Thereon, taking all the +sons he had by Thora, in addition to Ubbe, he attacked, crushed in +sundry campaigns, and subdued the Hellespont with its king Dia. At last +he involved the same king in disaster after disaster, and slew him. +Dia's sons, Dia and Daxo, who had before married the daughters of the +Russian king, begged forces from their father-in-law, and rushed with +most ardent courage to the work of avenging their father. But Ragnar, +when he saw their boundless army, distrusted his own forces; and he put +brazen horses on wheels that could be drawn easily, took them round on +carriages that would turn, and ordered that they should be driven with +the utmost force against the thickest ranks of the enemy. This device +served so well to break the line of the foe, that the Danes' hope of +conquest seemed to lie more in the engine than in the soldiers: for its +insupportable weight overwhelmed whatever it struck. Thus one of the +leaders was killed, while one made off in flight, and the whole army +of the area of the Hellespont retreated. The Scythians, also, who were +closely related by blood to Daxo on the mother's side, are said to +have been crushed in the same disaster. Their province was made over +to Hwitserk, and the king of the Russians, trusting little in his own +strength, hastened to fly out of the reach of the terrible arms of +Ragnar. + +Now Ragnar had spent almost five years in sea-roving, and had quickly +compelled all other nations to submit; but he found the Perms in open +defiance of his sovereignty. He had just conquered them, but their +loyalty was weak. When they heard that he had come they cast spells upon +the sky, stirred up the clouds, and drove them into most furious storms. +This for some time prevented the Danes from voyaging, and caused their +supply of food to fail. Then, again, the storm suddenly abated, and now +they were scorched by the most fervent and burning heat; nor was this +plague any easier to bear than the great and violent cold had been. +Thus the mischievous excess in both directions affected their bodies +alternately, and injured them by an immoderate increase first of cold +and then of heat. Moreover, dysentery killed most of them. So the mass +of the Danes, being pent in by the dangerous state of the weather, +perished of the bodily plague that arose on every side. And when Ragnar +saw that he was hindered, not so much by a natural as by a factitious +tempest, he held on his voyage as best he could, and got to the country +of the Kurlanders and Sembs, who paid zealous honour to his might and +majesty, as if he were the most revered of conquerors. This service +enraged the king all the more against the arrogance of the men of +Permland, and he attempted to avenge his slighted dignity by a sudden +attack. Their king, whose name is not known, was struck with panic at +such a sudden invasion of the enemy, and at the same time had no heart +to join battle with them; and fled to Matul, the prince of Finmark. He, +trusting in the great skill of his archers, harassed with impunity the +army of Ragnar, which was wintering in Permland. For the Finns, who are +wont to glide on slippery timbers (snowskates), scud along at whatever +pace they will, and are considered to be able to approach or depart very +quickly; for as soon as they have damaged the enemy they fly away as +speedily as they approach, nor is the retreat they make quicker than +their charge. Thus their vehicles and their bodies are so nimble that +they acquire the utmost expertness both in advance and flight. + +Ragnar was filled with amazement at the poorness of his fortunes when +he saw that he, who had conquered Rome at its pinnacle of power, was +dragged by an unarmed and uncouth race into the utmost peril. He, +therefore, who had signally crushed the most glorious flower of the +Roman soldiery, and the forces of a most great and serene captain, now +yielded to a base mob with the poorest and slenderest equipment; and he +whose lustre in war the might of the strongest race on earth had failed +to tarnish, was now too weak to withstand the tiny band of a miserable +tribe. Hence, with that force which had helped him bravely to defeat the +most famous pomp in all the world and the weightiest weapon of military +power, and to subdue in the field all that thunderous foot, horse, and +encampment; with this he had now, stealthily and like a thief, to endure +the attacks of a wretched and obscure populace; nor must he blush to +stain by a treachery in the night that noble glory of his which had been +won in the light of day, for he took to a secret ambuscade instead +of open bravery. This affair was as profitable in its issue as it was +unhandsome in the doing. + +Ragnar was equally as well pleased at the flight of the Finns as he had +been at that of Karl, and owned that he had found more strength in that +defenceless people than in the best equipped soldiery; for he found the +heaviest weapons of the Romans easier to bear than the light darts of +this ragged tribe. Here, after killing the king of the Perms and routing +the king of the Finns, Ragnar set an eternal memorial of his victory +on the rocks, which bore the characters of his deeds on their face, and +looked down upon them. + +Meanwhile Ubbe was led by his grandfather, Esbern, to conceive an unholy +desire for the throne; and, casting away all thought of the reverence +due to his father, he claimed the emblem of royalty for his own head. + +When Ragnar heard of his arrogance from Kelther and Thorkill, the earls +of Sweden, he made a hasty voyage towards Gothland. Esbern, finding that +these men were attached with a singular loyalty to the side of Ragnar, +tried to bribe them to desert the king. But they did not swerve from +their purpose, and replied that their will depended on that of Biorn, +declaring that not a single Swede would dare to do what went against his +pleasure. Esbern speedily made an attempt on Biorn himself, addressing +him most courteously through his envoys. Biorn said that he would never +lean more to treachery than to good faith, and judged that it would be a +most abominable thing to prefer the favour of an infamous brother to the +love of a most righteous father. The envoys themselves he punished with +hanging, because they counselled him to so grievous a crime. The Swedes, +moreover, slew the rest of the train of the envoys in the same way, as +a punishment for their mischievous advice. So Esbern, thinking that his +secret and stealthy manoeuvres did not succeed fast enough, mustered his +forces openly, and went publicly forth to war. But Iwar, the governor of +Jutland, seeing no righteousness on either side of the impious conflict, +avoided all unholy war by voluntary exile. + +Ragnar attacked and slew Esbern in the bay that is called in Latin +Viridis; he cut off the dead man's head and bade it be set upon the +ship's prow, a dreadful sight for the seditious. But Ubbe took to +flight, and again attacked his father, having revived the war in +Zealand. Ubbe's ranks broke, and he was assailed single-handed from all +sides; but he felled so many of the enemy's line that he was surrounded +with a pile of the corpses of the foe as with a strong bulwark, +and easily checked his assailants from approaching. At last he was +overwhelmed by the thickening masses of the enemy, captured, and taken +off to be laden with public fetters. By immense violence he disentangled +his chains and cut them away. But when he tried to sunder and rend the +bonds that were (then) put upon him, he could not in any wise escape +his bars. But when Iwar heard that the rising in his country had been +quelled by the punishment of the rebel, he went to Denmark. Ragnar +received him with the greatest honour, because, while the unnatural +war had raged its fiercest, he had behaved with the most entire filial +respect. + +Meanwhile Daxo long and vainly tried to overcome Hwitserk, who ruled +over Sweden; but at last he enrapped him under pretence of making a +peace, and attacked him. Hwitserk received him hospitably, but Daxo had +prepared an army with weapons, who were to feign to be trading, ride +into the city in carriages, and break with a night-attack into the house +of their host. Hwitserk smote this band of robbers with such a slaughter +that he was surrounded with a heap of his enemies' bodies, and could +only be taken by letting down ladders from above. Twelve of his +companions, who were captured at the same time by the enemy, were given +leave to go back to their country; but they gave up their lives for +their king, and chose to share the dangers of another rather than be +quit of their own. + +Daxo, moved with compassion at the beauty of Hwitserk, had not the heart +to pluck the budding blossom of that noble nature, and offered him not +only his life, but his daughter in marriage, with a dowry of half his +kingdom; choosing rather to spare his comeliness than to punish his +bravery. But the other, in the greatness of his soul, valued as nothing +the life which he was given on sufferance, and spurned his safety as +though it were some trivial benefit. Of his own will he embraced the +sentence of doom, saying, that Ragnar would exact a milder vengeance +for his son if he found that he had made his own choice in selecting the +manner of his death. The enemy wondered at his rashness, and promised +that he should die by the manner of death which he should choose for +this punishment. This leave the young man accepted as a great kindness, +and begged that he might be bound and burned with his friends. Daxo +speedily complied with his prayers that craved for death, and by way of +kindness granted him the end that he had chosen. When Ragnar heard of +this, he began to grieve stubbornly even unto death, and not only put on +the garb of mourning, but, in the exceeding sorrow of his soul, took +to his bed and showed his grief by groaning. But his wife, who had more +than a man's courage, chid his weakness, and put heart into him with her +manful admonitions. Drawing his mind off from his woe, she bade him be +zealous in the pursuit of war; declaring that it was better for so brave +a father to avenge the bloodstained ashes of his son with weapons than +with tears. She also told him not to whimper like a woman, and get as +much disgrace by his tears as he had once earned glory by his valour. +Upon these words Ragnar began to fear lest he should destroy his ancient +name for courage by his womanish sorrow; so, shaking off his melancholy +garb and putting away his signs of mourning, he revived his sleeping +valour with hopes of speedy vengeance. Thus do the weak sometimes nerve +the spirits of the strong. So he put his kingdom in charge of Iwar, and +embraced with a father's love Ubbe, who was now restored to his ancient +favour. Then he transported his fleet over to Russia, took Daxo, bound +him in chains, and sent him away to be kept in Utgard. (1) + +Ragnar showed on this occasion the most merciful moderation towards the +slayer of his dearest son, since he sufficiently satisfied the vengeance +which he desired, by the exile of the culprit rather than his death. +This compassion shamed the Russians out of any further rage against +such a king, who could not be driven even by the most grievous wrongs +to inflict death upon his prisoners. Ragnar soon took Daxo back into +favour, and restored him to his country, upon his promising that he +would every year pay him his tribute barefoot, like a suppliant, +with twelve elders, also unshod. For he thought it better to punish +a prisoner and a suppliant gently, than to draw the axe of bloodshed; +better to punish that proud neck with constant slavery than to sever it +once and for all. Then he went on and appointed his son Erik, surnamed +Wind-hat, over Sweden. Here, while Fridleif and Siward were serving +under him, he found that the Norwegians and the Scots had wrongfully +conferred the title of king on two other men. So he first overthrew the +usurper to the power of Norway, and let Biorn have the country for his +own benefit. + +Then he summoned Biorn and Erik, ravaged the Orkneys, landed at last +on the territory of the Scots, and in a three-days' battle wearied out +their king Murial, and slew him. But Ragnar's sons, Dunwat and Radbard, +after fighting nobly, were slain by the enemy. So that the victory their +father won was stained with their blood. He returned to Denmark, and +found that his wife Swanloga had in the meantime died of disease. +Straightway he sought medicine for his grief in loneliness, and +patiently confined the grief of his sick soul within the walls of +his house. But this bitter sorrow was driven out of him by the sudden +arrival of Iwar, who had been expelled from the kingdom. For the Gauls +had made him fly, and had wrongfully bestowed royal power on a certain +Ella, the son of Hame. Ragnar took Iwar to guide him, since he was +acquainted with the country, gave orders for a fleet, and approached the +harbour called York. Here he disembarked his forces, and after a battle +which lasted three days, he made Ella, who had trusted in the valour of +the Gauls, desirous to fly. The affair cost much blood to the English +and very little to the Danes. Here Ragnar completed a year of conquest, +and then, summoning his sons to help him, he went to Ireland, slew +its king Melbrik, besieged Dublin, which was filled with wealth of the +barbarians, attacked it, and received its surrender. There he lay in +camp for a year; and then, sailing through the midland sea, he made his +way to the Hellespont. He won signal victories as he crossed all the +intervening countries, and no ill-fortune anywhere checked his steady +and prosperous advance. + +Harald, meanwhile, with the adherence of certain Danes who were +cold-hearted servants in the army of Ragnar, disturbed his country with +renewed sedition, and came forward claiming the title of king. He was +met by the arms of Ragnar returning from the Hellespont; but being +unsuccessful, and seeing that his resources of defence at home were +exhausted, he went to ask help of Ludwig, who was then stationed at +Mainz. But Ludwig, filled with the greatest zeal for promoting his +religion, imposed a condition on the Barbarian, promising him help if he +would agree to follow the worship of Christ. For he said there could +be no agreement of hearts between those who embraced discordant creeds. +Anyone, therefore, who asked for help, must first have a fellowship in +religion. No men could be partners in great works who were separated by +a different form of worship. This decision procured not only salvation +for Ludwig's guest, but the praise of piety for Ludwig himself, who, as +soon as Harald had gone to the holy font, accordingly strengthened him +with Saxon auxiliaries. Trusting in these, Harald built a temple in the +land of Sleswik with much care and cost, to be hallowed to God. Thus +he borrowed a pattern of the most holy way from the worship of Rome. He +unhallowed, pulled down the shrines that had been profaned by the error +of misbelievers, outlawed the sacrificers, abolished the (heathen) +priesthood, and was the first to introduce the religion of Christianity +to his uncouth country. Rejecting the worship of demons, he was zealous +for that of God. Lastly, he observed with the most scrupulous care +whatever concerned the protection of religion. But he began with more +piety than success. For Ragnar came up, outraged the holy rites he had +brought in, outlawed the true faith, restored the false one to its old +position, and bestowed on the ceremonies the same honour as before. As +for Harald, he deserted and cast in his lot with sacrilege. For though +he was a notable ensample by his introduction of religion, yet he was +the first who was seen to neglect it, and this illustrious promoter of +holiness proved a most infamous forsaker of the same. + +Meanwhile, Ella betook himself to the Irish, and put to the sword or +punished all those who were closely and loyally attached to Ragnar. Then +Ragnar attacked him with his fleet, but, by the just visitation of the +Omnipotent, was openly punished for disparaging religion. For when he +had been taken and cast into prison, his guilty limbs were given to +serpents to devour, and adders found ghastly substance in the fibres +of his entrails. His liver was eaten away, and a snake, like a deadly +executioner, beset his very heart. Then in a courageous voice he +recounted all his deeds in order, and at the end of his recital added +the following sentence: "If the porkers knew the punishment of the +boar-pig, surely they would break into the sty and hasten to loose him +from his affliction." At this saying, Ella conjectured that some of his +sons were yet alive, and bade that the executioners should stop and the +vipers be removed. The servants ran up to accomplish his bidding; but +Ragnar was dead, and forestalled the order of the king. Surely we must +say that this man had a double lot for his share? By one, he had a fleet +unscathed, an empire well-inclined, and immense power as a rover; while +the other inflicted on him the ruin of his fame, the slaughter of his +soldiers, and a most bitter end. The executioner beheld him beset with +poisonous beasts, and asps gorging on that heart which he had borne +steadfast in the face of every peril. Thus a most glorious conqueror +declined to the piteous lot of a prisoner; a lesson that no man should +put too much trust in fortune. + +Iwar heard of this disaster as he happened to be looking on at the +games. Nevertheless, he kept an unmoved countenance, and in nowise broke +down. Not only did he dissemble his grief and conceal the news of +his father's death, but he did not even allow a clamour to arise, and +forbade the panic-stricken people to leave the scene of the sports. +Thus, loth to interrupt the spectacle by the ceasing of the games, +he neither clouded his countenance nor turned his eyes from public +merriment to dwell upon his private sorrow; for he would not fall +suddenly into the deepest melancholy from the height of festal joy, or +seem to behave more like an afflicted son than a blithe captain. + +But when Siward heard the same tidings, he loved his father more than he +cared for his own pain, and in his distraction plunged deeply into his +foot the spear he chanced to be holding, dead to all bodily troubles in +his stony sadness. For he wished to hurt some part of his body severely, +that he might the more patiently bear the wound in his soul. By this act +he showed at once his bravery and his grief, and bore his lot like a son +who was more afflicted and steadfast. But Biorn received the tidings +of his father's death while he was playing at dice, and squeezed so +violently the piece that he was grasping that he wrung the blood from +his fingers and shed it on the table; whereon he said that assuredly +the cast of fate was more fickle than that of the very die which he was +throwing. When Ella heard this, he judged that his father's death had +been borne with the toughest and most stubborn spirit by that son of the +three who had paid no filial respect to his decease; and therefore he +dreaded the bravery of Iwar most. + +Iwar went towards England, and when he saw that his fleet was not strong +enough to join battle with the enemy, he chose to be cunning rather than +bold, and tried a shrewd trick on Ella, begging as a pledge of peace +between them a strip of land as great as he could cover with a horse's +hide. He gained his request, for the king supposed that it would cost +little, and thought himself happy that so strong a foe begged for a +little boon instead of a great one; supposing that a tiny skin would +cover but a very little land. But Iwar cut the hide out and lengthened +it into very slender thongs, thus enclosing a piece of ground large +enough to build a city on. Then Ella came to repent of his lavishness, +and tardily set to reckoning the size of the hide, measuring the little +skin more narrowly now that it was cut up than when it was whole. For +that which he had thought would encompass a little strip of ground, he +saw lying wide over a great estate. Iwar brought into the city, when +he founded it, supplies that would serve amply for a siege, wishing the +defences to be as good against scarcity as against an enemy. + +Meantime, Siward and Biorn came up with a fleet of 400 ships, and with +open challenge declared war against the king. This they did at the +appointed time; and when they had captured him, they ordered the +figure of an eagle to be cut in his back, rejoicing to crush their most +ruthless foe by marking him with the cruellest of birds. Not satisfied +with imprinting a wound on him, they salted the mangled flesh. Thus Ella +was done to death, and Biorn and Siward went back to their own kingdoms. + +Iwar governed England for two years. Meanwhile the Danes were stubborn +in revolt, and made war, and delivered the sovereignty publicly to a +certain SIWARD and to ERIK, both of the royal line. The sons of Ragnar, +together with a fleet of 1,700 ships, attacked them at Sleswik, and +destroyed them in a conflict which lasted six months. Barrows remain to +tell the tale. The sound on which the war was conducted has gained +equal glory by the death of Siward. And now the royal stock was almost +extinguished, saving only the sons of Ragnar. Then, when Biorn and Erik +had gone home, Iwar and Siward settled in Denmark, that they might curb +the rebels with a stronger rein, setting Agnar to govern England. +Agnar was stung because the English rejected him, and, with the help +of Siward, chose, rather than foster the insolence of the province that +despised him, to dispeople it and leave its fields, which were matted in +decay, with none to till them. He covered the richest land of the island +with the most hideous desolation, thinking it better to be lord of a +wilderness than of a headstrong country. After this he wished to avenge +Erik, who had been slain in Sweden by the malice of a certain Osten. But +while he was narrowly bent on avenging another, he squandered his +own blood on the foe; and while he was eagerly trying to punish the +slaughter of his brother, sacrificed his own life to brotherly love. + +Thus SIWARD, by the sovereign vote of the whole Danish assembly, +received the empire of his father. But after the defeats he had +inflicted everywhere he was satisfied with the honour he received at +home, and liked better to be famous with the gown than with the sword. +He ceased to be a man of camps, and changed from the fiercest of despots +into the most punctual guardian of peace. He found as much honour in +ease and leisure as he had used to think lay in many victories. Fortune +so favoured his change of pursuits, that no foe ever attacked him, nor +he any foe. He died, and ERIK, who was a very young child, inherited his +nature, rather than his realm or his tranquillity. For Erik, the brother +of Harald, despising his exceedingly tender years, invaded the country +with rebels, and seized the crown; nor was he ashamed to assail the +lawful infant sovereign, and to assume an unrightful power. In thus +bringing himself to despoil a feeble child of the kingdom he showed +himself the more unworthy of it. Thus he stripped the other of his +throne, but himself of all his virtues, and cast all manliness out of +his heart, when he made war upon a cradle: for where covetousness and +ambition flamed, love of kindred could find no place. But this brutality +was requited by the wrath of a divine vengeance. For the war between +this man and Gudorm, the son of Harald, ended suddenly with such +slaughter that they were both slain, with numberless others; and the +royal stock of the Danes, now worn out by the most terrible massacres, +was reduced to the only son of the above Siward. + +This man (Erik) won the fortune of a throne by losing his kindred; it +was luckier for him to have his relations dead than alive. He forsook +the example of all the rest, and hastened to tread in the steps of his +grandfather; for he suddenly came out as a most zealous practitioner of +roving. And would that he had not shown himself rashly to inherit +the spirit of Ragnar, by his abolition of Christian worship! For he +continually tortured all the most religious men, or stripped them of +their property and banished them. But it were idle for me to blame the +man's beginnings when I am to praise his end. For that life is more +laudable of which the foul beginning is checked by a glorious close, +than that which begins commendably but declines into faults and +infamies. For Erik, upon the healthy admonitions of Ansgarius, laid +aside the errors of his impious heart, and atoned for whatsoever he had +done amiss in the insolence thereof; showing himself as strong in the +observance of religion as he had been in slighting it. Thus he not only +took a draught of more wholesome teaching with obedient mind, but wiped +off early stains by his purity at the end. He had a son KANUTE by the +daughter of Gudorm, who was also the granddaughter of Harald; and him he +left to survive his death. + +While this child remained in infancy a guardian was required for the +pupil and for the realm. But inasmuch it seemed to most people either +invidious or difficult to give the aid that this office needed, it +was resolved that a man should be chosen by lot. For the wisest of the +Danes, fearing much to make a choice by their own will in so lofty +a matter, allowed more voice to external chance than to their own +opinions, and entrusted the issue of the selection rather to luck than +to sound counsel. The issue was that a certain Enni-gnup (Steep-brow), +a man of the highest and most entire virtue, was forced to put his +shoulder to this heavy burden; and when he entered on the administration +which chalice had decreed, he oversaw, not only the early rearing of the +king, but the affairs of the whole people. For which reason some who +are little versed in our history give this man a central place in its +annals. But when Kanute had passed through the period of boyhood, +and had in time grown to be a man, he left those who had done him the +service of bringing him up, and turned from an almost hopeless youth +to the practice of unhoped-for virtue; being deplorable for this reason +only, that he passed from life to death without the tokens of the +Christian faith. + +But soon the sovereignty passed to his son FRODE. This man's fortune, +increased by arms and warfare, rose to such a height of prosperity +that he brought back to the ancient yoke the provinces which had once +revolted from the Danes, and bound them in their old obedience. He also +came forward to be baptised with holy water in England, which had for +some while past been versed in Christianity. But he desired that his +personal salvation should overflow and become general, and begged that +Denmark should be instructed in divinity by Agapete, who was then Pope +of Rome. But he was cut off before his prayers attained this wish. His +death befell before the arrival of the messengers from Rome: and indeed +his intention was better than his fortune, and he won as great a reward +in heaven for his intended piety as others are vouchsafed for their +achievement. + +His son GORM, who had the surname of "The Englishman," because he was +born in England, gained the sovereignty in the island on his father's +death; but his fortune, though it came soon, did not last long. He left +England for Denmark to put it in order; but a long misfortune was the +fruit of this short absence. For the English, who thought that their +whole chance of freedom lay in his being away, planned an open revolt +from the Danes, and in hot haste took heart to rebel. But the greater +the hatred and contempt of England, the greater the loyal attachment of +Denmark to the king. Thus while he stretched out his two hands to both +provinces in his desire for sway, he gained one, but lost the lordship +of the other irretrievably; for he never made any bold effort to regain +it. So hard is it to keep a hold on very large empires. + +After this man his son HARALD came to be king of Denmark; he is +half-forgotten by posterity, and lacks all record for famous deeds, +because he rather preserved than extended the possessions of the realm. + +After this the throne was obtained by GORM, a man whose soul was ever +hostile to religion, and who tried to efface all regard for Christ's +worshippers, as though they were the most abominable of men. All those +who shared this rule of life he harassed with divers kinds of injuries +and incessantly pursued with whatever slanders he could. Also, in +order to restore the old worship to the shrines, he razed to its lowest +foundations, as though it were some unholy abode of impiety, a temple +which religious men had founded in a stead in Sleswik; and those whom +he did not visit with tortures he punished by the demolition of the holy +chapel. Though this man was thought notable for his stature, his mind +did not answer to his body; for he kept himself so well sated with power +that he rejoiced more in saving than increasing his dignity, and thought +it better to guard his own than to attack what belonged to others: +caring more to look to what he had than to swell his havings. + +This man was counselled by the elders to celebrate the rites of +marriage, and he wooed Thyra, the daughter of Ethelred, the king of +the English, for his wife. She surpassed other women in seriousness +and shrewdness, and laid the condition on her suitor that she would not +marry him till she had received Denmark as a dowry. This compact was +made between them, and she was betrothed to Gorm. But on the first night +that she went up on to the marriage-bed, she prayed her husband most +earnestly that she should be allowed to go for three days free from +intercourse with man. For she resolved to have no pleasure of love till +she had learned by some omen in a vision that her marriage would +be fruitful. Thus, under pretence of self-control, she deferred her +experience of marriage, and veiled under a show of modesty her wish to +learn about her issue. She put off lustful intercourse, inquiring, under +the feint of chastity, into the fortune she would have in continuing +her line. Some conjecture that she refused the pleasures of the nuptial +couch in order to win her mate over to Christianity by her abstinence. +But the youth, though he was most ardently bent on her love, yet chose +to regard the continence of another more than his own desires, and +thought it nobler to control the impulses of the night than to +rebuff the prayers of his weeping mistress; for he thought that her +beseechings, really coming from calculation, had to do with modesty. +Thus it befell that he who should have done a husband's part made +himself the guardian of her chastity so that the reproach of an infamous +mind should not be his at the very beginning of his marriage; as +though he had yielded more to the might of passion than to his own +self-respect. Moreover that he might not seem to forestall by his +lustful embraces the love which the maiden would not grant, he not only +forbore to let their sides that were next one another touch, but even +severed them by his drawn sword, and turned the bed into a divided +shelter for his bride and himself. But he soon tasted in the joyous form +of a dream the pleasure which he postponed from free loving kindness. +For, when his spirit was steeped in slumber, he thought that two birds +glided down from the privy parts of his wife, one larger than the other; +that they poised their bodies aloft and soared swiftly to heaven, and, +when a little time had elapsed, came back and sat on either of his +hands. A second, and again a third time, when they had been refreshed +by a short rest, they ventured forth to the air with outspread wings. +At last the lesser of them came back without his fellow, and with wings +smeared with blood. He was amazed with this imagination, and, being in a +deep sleep, uttered a cry to betoken his astonishment, filling the whole +house with an uproarious shout. When his servants questioned him, he +related his vision; and Thyra, thinking that she would be blest with +offspring, forbore her purpose to put off her marriage, eagerly relaxing +the chastity for which she had so hotly prayed. Exchanging celibacy +for love, she granted her husband full joy of herself, requiting his +virtuous self-restraint with the fulness of permitted intercourse, and +telling him that she would not have married him at all, had she not +inferred from these images in the dream which he had related, the +certainty of her being fruitful. + +By a device as cunning as it was strange, Thyra's pretended modesty +passed into an acknowledgment of her future offspring. Nor did fate +disappoint her hopes. Soon she was the fortunate mother of Kanute and +Harald. When these princes had attained man's estate, they put forth a +fleet and quelled the reckless insolence of the Sclavs. Neither did +they leave England free from an attack of the same kind. Ethelred was +delighted with their spirit, and rejoiced at the violence his nephews +offered him; accepting an abominable wrong as though it were the richest +of benefits. For he saw far more merit in their bravery than in piety. +Thus he thought it nobler to be attacked by foes than courted by +cowards, and felt that he saw in their valiant promise a sample of their +future manhood. + +For he could not doubt that they would some day attack foreign realms, +since they so boldly claimed those of their mother. He so much preferred +their wrongdoing to their service, that he passed over his daughter, and +bequeathed England in his will to these two, not scrupling to set the +name of grandfather before that of father. Nor was he unwise; for he +knew that it beseemed men to enjoy the sovereignty rather than women, +and considered that he ought to separate the lot of his unwarlike +daughter from that of her valiant sons. Hence Thyra saw her sons +inheriting the goods of her father, not grudging to be disinherited +herself. For she thought that the preference above herself was +honourable to her, rather than insulting. + +Kanute and Harald enriched themselves with great gains from sea-roving, +and most confidently aspired to lay hands on Ireland. Dublin, which was +considered the capital of the country, was beseiged. Its king went into +a wood adjoining the city with a few very skilled archers, and with +treacherous art surrounded Kanute (who was present with a great throng +of soldiers witnessing the show of the games by night), and aimed a +deadly arrow at him from afar. It struck the body of the king in front, +and pierced him with a mortal wound. But Kanute feared that the enemy +would greet his peril with an outburst of delight. He therefore wished +his disaster to be kept dark; and summoning voice with his last breath, +he ordered the games to be gone through without disturbance. By this +device he made the Danes masters of Ireland ere he made his own death +known to the Irish. + +Who would not bewail the end of such a man, whose self-mastery served to +give the victory to his soldiers, by reason of the wisdom that outlasted +his life? For the safety of the Danes was most seriously endangered, and +was nearly involved in the most deadly peril; yet because they obeyed +the dying orders of their general they presently triumphed over those +they feared. + +Germ had now reached the extremity of his days, having been blind for +many years, and had prolonged his old age to the utmost bounds of the +human lot, being more anxious for the life and prosperity of his sons +than for the few days he had to breathe. But so great was his love +for his elder son that he swore that he would slay with his own hand +whosoever first brought him news of his death. As it chanced, Thyra +heard sure tidings that this son had perished. But when no man durst +openly hint this to Germ, she fell back on her cunning to defend her, +and revealed by her deeds the mischance which she durst not speak +plainly out. For she took the royal robes off her husband and dressed +him in filthy garments, bringing him other signs of grief also, to +explain the cause of her mourning; for the ancients were wont to use +such things in the performance of obsequies, bearing witness by their +garb to the bitterness of their sorrow. Then said Germ: "Dost thou +declare to me the death of Kanute?" (2) And Thyra said: "That is +proclaimed by thy presage, not by mine." By this answer she made out her +lord a dead man and herself a widow, and had to lament her husband as +soon as her son. Thus, while she announced the fate of her son to her +husband, she united them in death, and followed the obsequies of both +with equal mourning; shedding the tears of a wife upon the one and of +a mother upon the other; though at that moment she ought to have been +cheered with comfort rather than crushed with disasters. + + + ENDNOTES: + (1) Utgard. Saxo, rationalising as usual, turns the mythical + home of the giants into some terrestrial place in his + vaguely-defined Eastern Europe. + (2) Kanute. Here the vernacular is far finer. The old king + notices "Denmark is drooping, dead must my son be!", puts on + the signs of mourning, and dies. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Danish History, Books I-IX, by +Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned") + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DANISH HISTORY, BOOKS I-IX *** + +***** This file should be named 1150.txt or 1150.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/5/1150/ + +Produced by Douglas B. Killings and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/1150.zip b/old/1150.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9ff3aaa --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1150.zip diff --git a/old/old/dnhst10.txt b/old/old/dnhst10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4773ad --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/dnhst10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16472 @@ +*The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Danish History, Books I-IX* +by Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned") + + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. Do not remove this. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* + +Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and +further information is included below. We need your donations. + + +The Danish History, Books I-IX* + +by Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned") + +December, 1997 [Etext #1150] + + +*The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Danish History, Books I-IX* +******This file should be named dnhst10.txt or dnhst10.zip****** + +Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, dnhst11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, dnhst10a.txt + + +This electronic edition was edited, proofed, and prepared by +Douglas B. Killings (DeTroyes@EnterAct.COM) + + +We are now trying to release all our books one month in advance +of the official release dates, for time for better editing. + +Please note: neither this list nor its contents are final till +midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. +The official release date of all Project Gutenberg Etexts is at +Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A +preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment +and editing by those who wish to do so. To be sure you have an +up to date first edition [xxxxx10x.xxx] please check file sizes +in the first week of the next month. Since our ftp program has +a bug in it that scrambles the date [tried to fix and failed] a +look at the file size will have to do, but we will try to see a +new copy has at least one byte more or less. + + +Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) + +We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The +fifty hours is one conservative estimate for how long it we take +to get any etext selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright +searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. This +projected audience is one hundred million readers. If our value +per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2 +million dollars per hour this year as we release thirty-two text +files per month, or 384 more Etexts in 1997 for a total of 1000+ +If these reach just 10% of the computerized population, then the +total should reach over 100 billion Etexts given away. + +The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away One Trillion Etext +Files by the December 31, 2001. [10,000 x 100,000,000=Trillion] +This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers, +which is only 10% of the present number of computer users. 2001 +should have at least twice as many computer users as that, so it +will require us reaching less than 5% of the users in 2001. + + +We need your donations more than ever! + + +All donations should be made to "Project Gutenberg/CMU": and are +tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. (CMU = Carnegie- +Mellon University). + +For these and other matters, please mail to: + +Project Gutenberg +P. O. Box 2782 +Champaign, IL 61825 + +When all other email fails try our Executive Director: +Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com> + +We would prefer to send you this information by email +(Internet, Bitnet, Compuserve, ATTMAIL or MCImail). + +****** +If you have an FTP program (or emulator), please +FTP directly to the Project Gutenberg archives: +[Mac users, do NOT point and click. . .type] + +ftp uiarchive.cso.uiuc.edu +login: anonymous +password: your@login +cd etext/etext90 through /etext96 +or cd etext/articles [get suggest gut for more information] +dir [to see files] +get or mget [to get files. . .set bin for zip files] +GET INDEX?00.GUT +for a list of books +and +GET NEW GUT for general information +and +MGET GUT* for newsletters. + +**Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor** +(Three Pages) + + +***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS**START*** +Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers. +They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with +your copy of this etext, even if you got it for free from +someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our +fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement +disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how +you can distribute copies of this etext if you want to. + +*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS ETEXT +By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +etext, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept +this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive +a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this etext by +sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person +you got it from. If you received this etext on a physical +medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request. + +ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM ETEXTS +This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG- +tm etexts, is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor +Michael S. Hart through the Project Gutenberg Association at +Carnegie-Mellon University (the "Project"). Among other +things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright +on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and +distribute it in the United States without permission and +without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth +below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this etext +under the Project's "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark. + +To create these etexts, the Project expends considerable +efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain +works. Despite these efforts, the Project's etexts and any +medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other +things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged +disk or other etext medium, a computer virus, or computer +codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. + +LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES +But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below, +[1] the Project (and any other party you may receive this +etext from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext) disclaims all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including +legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR +UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT, +INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE +OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE +POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. + +If you discover a Defect in this etext within 90 days of +receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) +you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that +time to the person you received it from. If you received it +on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and +such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement +copy. If you received it electronically, such person may +choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to +receive it electronically. + +THIS ETEXT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS +TO THE ETEXT OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A +PARTICULAR PURPOSE. + +Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or +the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the +above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you +may have other legal rights. + +INDEMNITY +You will indemnify and hold the Project, its directors, +officers, members and agents harmless from all liability, cost +and expense, including legal fees, that arise directly or +indirectly from any of the following that you do or cause: +[1] distribution of this etext, [2] alteration, modification, +or addition to the etext, or [3] any Defect. + +DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm" +You may distribute copies of this etext electronically, or by +disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this +"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg, +or: + +[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this + requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the + etext or this "small print!" statement. You may however, + if you wish, distribute this etext in machine readable + binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form, + including any form resulting from conversion by word pro- + cessing or hypertext software, but only so long as + *EITHER*: + + [*] The etext, when displayed, is clearly readable, and + does *not* contain characters other than those + intended by the author of the work, although tilde + (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may + be used to convey punctuation intended by the + author, and additional characters may be used to + indicate hypertext links; OR + + [*] The etext may be readily converted by the reader at + no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent + form by the program that displays the etext (as is + the case, for instance, with most word processors); + OR + + [*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at + no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the + etext in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC + or other equivalent proprietary form). + +[2] Honor the etext refund and replacement provisions of this + "Small Print!" statement. + +[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Project of 20% of the + net profits you derive calculated using the method you + already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you + don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are + payable to "Project Gutenberg Association/Carnegie-Mellon + University" within the 60 days following each + date you prepare (or were legally required to prepare) + your annual (or equivalent periodic) tax return. + +WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? +The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time, +scanning machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty +free copyright licenses, and every other sort of contribution +you can think of. Money should be paid to "Project Gutenberg +Association / Carnegie-Mellon University". + +*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + +This electronic edition was edited, proofed, and prepared by +Douglas B. Killings (DeTroyes@EnterAct.COM) + + + + + +The Danish History, Books I-IX + +by + +Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned") +fl. Late 12th - Early 13th Century A.D. + +Originally written in Latin in the early years of the 13th +Century A.D. by the Danish historian Saxo, of whom little is +known except his name. + +The text of this edition is based on that published as +"The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus", +translated by Oliver Elton (Norroena Society, New York, 1905). +This edition is in the PUBLIC DOMAIN in the United States. + +This electronic edition was edited, proofed, and prepared by +Douglas B. Killings (DeTroyes@EnterAct.COM) + +The preparer would like to thank Mr. James W. Marchand and Mr. +Jessie D. Hurlbut for their invaluable assistance in the +production of this electronic text. Thank you. I am indebted to +you both. + +PREPARER'S NOTE: +Although Saxo wrote 16 books of his "Danish History", only the +first nine were ever translated by Mr. Oliver Elton; it is these +nine books that are here included. As far as the preparer knows, +there is (unfortunately) no public domain English translation of +Books X-XVI. Those interested in the latter books should search +for the translation mentioned below. + + +SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: + +ORIGINAL TEXT -- + +Olrik, J and Raeder (Ed.): "Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum" +(Copenhagen, 1931). + +Dansk Nationallitteraert Arkiv: "Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum" +(DNA, Copenhagen, 1996). Web-based Latin edition of Saxo, +substantiallly based on the above edition; currently at the +following URL: +http://www.kb.dk/elib/lit/dan/old/authors/saxo/lat/or.dsr/ + + +OTHER TRANSLATIONS -- + +Fisher, Peter (Trans.) and Hilda Ellis Davidson (Ed.): "Saxo +Grammaticus: History of the Danes" (Brewer, Cambridge, 1979). + + +RECOMMENDED READING -- + +Jones, Gwyn: "History of the Vikings" (Oxford University Press, +Oxford, 1968, 1973, 1984). + +Sturlson, Snorri: "The Heimskringla" (Translation: Samual Laing, +London, 1844; released as Online Medieval and Classical Library +E-text #15, 1996). Web version at the following URL: +http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/OMACL/Heimskringla/ + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + +SAXO'S POSITION. + +Saxo Grammaticus, or "The Lettered", one of the notable +historians of the Middle Ages, may fairly be called not only the +earliest chronicler of Denmark, but her earliest writer. In the +latter half of the twelfth century, when Iceland was in the flush +of literary production, Denmark lingered behind. No literature +in her vernacular, save a few Runic inscriptions, has survived. +Monkish annals, devotional works, and lives were written in +Latin; but the chronicle of Roskild, the necrology of Lund, the +register of gifts to the cloister of Sora, are not literature. +Neither are the half-mythological genealogies of kings; and +besides, the mass of these, though doubtless based on older +verses that are lost, are not proved to be, as they stand, prior +to Saxo. One man only, Saxo's elder contemporary, Sueno Aggonis, +or Sweyn (Svend) Aageson, who wrote about 1185, shares or +anticipates the credit of attempting a connected record. His +brief draft of annals is written in rough mediocre Latin. It +names but a few of the kings recorded by Saxo, and tells little +that Saxo does not. Yet there is a certain link between the two +writers. Sweyn speaks of Saxo with respect; he not obscurely +leaves him the task of filling up his omissions. Both writers, +servants of the brilliant Bishop Absalon, and probably set by him +upon their task, proceed, like Geoffrey of Monmouth, by gathering +and editing mythical matter. This they more or less embroider, +and arrive in due course insensibly at actual history. Both, +again, thread their stories upon a genealogy of kings in part +legendary. Both write at the spur of patriotism, both to let +Denmark linger in the race for light and learning, and desirous +to save her glories, as other nations have saved theirs, by a +record. But while Sweyn only made a skeleton chronicle, Saxo +leaves a memorial in which historian and philologist find their +account. His seven later books are the chief Danish authority +for the times which they relate; his first nine, here translated, +are a treasure of myth and folk-lore. Of the songs and stories +which Denmark possessed from the common Scandinavian stock, often +her only native record is in Saxo's Latin. Thus, as a chronicler +both of truth and fiction, he had in his own land no predecessor, +nor had he any literary tradition behind him. Single-handed, +therefore, he may be said to have lifted the dead-weight against +him, and given Denmark a writer. The nature of his work will be +discussed presently. + + +LIFE OF SAXO. + +Of Saxo little is known but what he himself indicates, though +much doubtful supposition has gathered round his name. + +That he was born a Dane his whole language implies; it is full of +a glow of aggressive patriotism. He also often praises the +Zealanders at the expense of other Danes, and Zealand as the +centre of Denmark; but that is the whole contemporary evidence +for the statement that he was a Zealander. This statement is +freely taken for granted three centuries afterwards by Urne in +the first edition of the book (1514), but is not traced further +back than an epitomator, who wrote more than 200 years after +Saxo's death. Saxo tells us that his father and grandfather +fought for Waldemar the First of Denmark, who reigned from 1157 +to 1182. Of these men we know nothing further, unless the Saxo +whom he names as one of Waldemar's admirals be his grandfather, +in which case his family was one of some distinction and his +father and grandfather probably "King's men". But Saxo was a +very common name, and we shall see the licence of hypothesis to +which this fact has given rise. The notice, however, helps us +approximately towards Saxo's birth-year. His grandfather, if he +fought for Waldemar, who began to reign in 1157, can hardly have +been born before 1100, nor can Saxo himself have been born before +1145 or 1150. But he was undoubtedly born before 1158, since he +speaks of the death of Bishop Asker, which took place in that +year, as occurring "in our time". His life therefore covers and +overlaps the last half of the twelfth century. + +His calling and station in life are debated. Except by the +anonymous Zealand chronicler, who calls him Saxo "the Long", thus +giving us the one personal detail we have, he has been +universally known as Saxo "Grammaticus" ever since the epitomator +of 1431 headed his compilation with the words, "A certain +notable man of letters ("grammaticus"), a Zealander by birth, +named Saxo, wrote," etc. It is almost certain that this general +term, given only to men of signal gifts and learning, became thus +for the first time, and for good, attached to Saxo's name. Such +a title, in the Middle Ages, usually implied that its owner was a +churchman, and Saxo's whole tone is devout, though not +conspicuously professional. + +But a number of Saxos present themselves in the same surroundings +with whom he has been from time to time identified. All he tells +us himself is, that Absalon, Archbishop of Lund from 1179 to +1201, pressed him, who was "the least of his companions, since +all the rest refused the task", to write the history of Denmark, +so that it might record its glories like other nations. Absalon +was previously, and also after his promotion, Bishop of Roskild, +and this is the first circumstance giving colour to the theory -- +which lacks real evidence -- that Saxo the historian was the same +as a certain Saxo, Provost of the Chapter of Roskild, whose death +is chronicled in a contemporary hand without any mark of +distinction. It is unlikely that so eminent a man would be thus +barely named; and the appended eulogy and verses identifying the +Provost and the historian are of later date. Moreover, the +Provost Saxo went on a mission to Paris in 1165, and was thus +much too old for the theory. Nevertheless, the good Bishop of +Roskild, Lave Urne, took this identity for granted in the first +edition, and fostered the assumption. Saxo was a cleric; and +could such a man be of less than canonical rank? He was (it was +assumed) a Zealander; he was known to be a friend of Absalon, +Bishop of Roskild. What more natural than that he should have +been the Provost Saxo? Accordingly this latter worthy had an +inscription in gold letters, written by Lave Urne himself, +affixed to the wall opposite his tomb. + +Even less evidence exists for identifying our Saxo with the +scribe of that name -- a comparative menial -- who is named in +the will of Bishop Absalon; and hardly more warranted is the +theory that he was a member, perhaps a subdeacon, of the +monastery of St. Laurence, whose secular canons formed part of +the Chapter of Lund. It is true that Sweyn Aageson, Saxo's +senior by about twenty years, speaks (writing about 1185) of Saxo +as his "contubernalis". Sweyn Aageson is known to have had +strong family connections with the monastery of St. Laurence; but +there is only a tolerably strong probability that he, and +therefore that Saxo, was actually a member of it. +("Contubernalis" may only imply comradeship in military service.) +Equally doubtful is the consequence that since Saxo calls himself +"one of the least" of Absalon's "followers" ("comitum"), he was +probably, if not the inferior officer, who is called an +"acolitus", at most a sub-deacon, who also did the work of a +superior "acolitus". This is too poor a place for the chief +writer of Denmark, high in Absalon's favor, nor is there any +direct testimony that Saxo held it. + +His education is unknown, but must have been careful. Of his +training and culture we only know what his book betrays. +Possibly, like other learned Danes, then and afterwards, he +acquired his training and knowledge at some foreign University. +Perhaps, like his contemporary Anders Suneson, he went to Paris; +but we cannot tell. It is not even certain that he had a degree; +for there is really little to identify him with the "M(agister) +Saxo" who witnessed the deed of Absalon founding the monastery at +Sora. + + +THE HISTORY. + +How he was induced to write his book has been mentioned. The +expressions of modesty Saxo uses, saying that he was "the least" +of Absalon's "followers", and that "all the rest refused the +task", are not to be taken to the letter. A man of his parts +would hardly be either the least in rank, or the last to be +solicited. The words, however, enable us to guess an upward +limit for the date of the inception of the work. Absalon became +Archbishop in 1179, and the language of the Preface (written, as +we shall see, last) implies that he was already Archbishop when +he suggested the History to Saxo. But about 1185 we find Sweyn +Aageson complimenting Saxo, and saying that Saxo "had +`determined' to set forth all the deeds" of Sweyn Estridson, in +his eleventh book, "at greater length in a more elegant style". +The exact bearing of this notice on the date of Saxo's History is +doubtful. It certainly need not imply that Saxo had already +written ten books, or indeed that he had written any, of his +History. All we call say is, that by 1185 a portion of the +history was planned. The order in which its several parts were +composed, and the date of its completion, are not certainly +known, as Absalon died in 1201. But the work was not then +finished; for, at the end of Bk. XI, one Birger, who died in +1202, is mentioned as still alive. + +We have, however, a yet later notice. In the Preface, which, as +its whole language implies, was written last, Saxo speaks of +Waldemar II having "encompassed (`complexus') the ebbing and +flowing waves of Elbe." This language, though a little vague, +can hardly refer to anything but an expedition of Waldemar to +Bremen in 1208. The whole History was in that case probably +finished by about 1208. As to the order in which its parts were +composed, it is likely that Absalon's original instruction was to +write a history of Absalon's own doings. The fourteenth and +succeeding books deal with these at disproportionate length, and +Absalon, at the expense even of Waldemar, is the protagonist. +Now Saxo states in his Preface that he "has taken care to follow +the statements ("asserta") of Absalon, and with obedient mind and +pen to include both his own doings and other men's doings of +which he learnt." + +The latter books are, therefore, to a great extent, Absalon's +personally communicated memoirs. But we have seen that Absalon +died in 1201, and that Bk. xi, at any rate, was not written after +1202. It almost certainly follows that the latter books were +written in Absalon's life; but the Preface, written after them, +refers to events in 1208. Therefore, unless we suppose that the +issue was for some reason delayed, or that Saxo spent seven years +in polishing -- which is not impossible -- there is some reason +to surmise that he began with that portion of his work which was +nearest to his own time, and added the previous (especially the +first nine, or mythical) books, as a completion, and possibly as +an afterthought. But this is a point which there is no real +means of settling. We do not know how late the Preface was +written, except that it must have been some time between 1208 and +1223, when Anders Suneson ceased to be Archbishop; nor do we know +when Saxo died. + + +HISTORY OF THE WORK. + +Nothing is stranger than that a work of such force and genius, +unique in Danish letters, should have been forgotten for three +hundred years, and have survived only in an epitome and in +exceedingly few manuscripts. The history of the book is worth +recording. Doubtless its very merits, its "marvellous +vocabulary, thickly-studded maxims, and excellent variety of +images," which Erasmus admired long afterwards, sealed it to the +vulgar. A man needed some Latin to appreciate it, and Erasmus' +natural wonder "how a Dane at that day could have such a force of +eloquence" is a measure of the rarity both of the gift and of a +public that could appraise it. The epitome (made about 1430) +shows that Saxo was felt to be difficult, its author saying: +"Since Saxo's work is in many places diffuse, and many things are +said more for ornament than for historical truth, and moreover +his style is too obscure on account of the number of terms +("plurima vocabula") and sundry poems, which are unfamiliar to +modern times, this opuscle puts in clear words the more notable +of the deeds there related, with the addition of some that +happened after Saxo's death." A Low-German version of this +epitome, which appeared in 1485, had a considerable vogue, and +the two together "helped to drive the history out of our +libraries, and explains why the annalists and geographers of the +Middle Ages so seldom quoted it." This neglect appears to have +been greatest of all in Denmark, and to have lasted until the +appearance of the "First Edition" in 1511. + +The first impulse towards this work by which Saxo was saved, is +found in a letter from the Bishop of Roskild, Lave Urne, dated +May 1512, to Christian Pederson, Canon of Lund, whom he +compliments as a lover of letters, antiquary, and patriot, and +urges to edit and publish "tam divinum latinae eruditionis culmen +et splendorem Saxonem nostrum". Nearly two years afterwards +Christian Pederson sent Lave Urne a copy of the first edition, +now all printed, with an account of its history. "I do not think +that any mortal was more inclined and ready for" the task. "When +living at Paris, and paying heed to good literature, I twice sent +a messenger at my own charges to buy a faithful copy at any cost, +and bring it back to me. Effecting nothing thus, I went back to +my country for this purpose; I visited and turned over all the +libraries, but still could not pull out a Saxo, even covered with +beetles, bookworms, mould, and dust. So stubbornly had all the +owners locked it away." A worthy prior, in compassion offered to +get a copy and transcribe it with his own hand, but Christian, in +respect for the prior's rank, absurdly declined. At last Birger, +the Archbishop of Lund, by some strategy, got a copy, which King +Christian the Second allowed to be taken to Paris on condition of +its being wrought at "by an instructed and skilled graver +(printer)." Such a person was found in Jodocus Badius Ascenshls, +who adds a third letter written by himself to Bishop Urne, +vindicating his application to Saxo of the title Grammaticus, +which he well defines as "one who knows how to speak or write +with diligence, acuteness, or knowledge." The beautiful book he +produced was worthy of the zeal, and unsparing, unweariable +pains, which had been spent on it by the band of enthusiasts, and +it was truly a little triumph of humanism. Further editions were +reprinted during the sixteenth century at Basic and at +Frankfort-on-Main, but they did not improve in any way upon the +first; and the next epoch in the study of Saxo was made by the +edition and notes of Stephanus Johansen Stephanius, published at +Copenhagen in the middle of the seventeenth century (1644). +Stephanius, the first commentator on Saxo, still remains the best +upon his language. Immense knowledge of Latin, both good and bad +(especially of the authors Saxo imitated), infinite and prolix +industry, a sharp eye for the text, and continence in emendation, +are not his only virtues. His very bulkiness and leisureliness +are charming; he writes like a man who had eternity to write in, +and who knew enough to fill it, and who expected readers of an +equal leisure. He also prints some valuable notes signed with +the famous name of Bishop Bryniolf of Skalholt, a man of force +and talent, and others by Casper Barth, "corculum Musarum", as +Stephanius calls him, whose textual and other comments are +sometimes of use, and who worked with a MS. of Saxo. The edition +of Klotz, 1771, based on that of Stephanius, I have but seen; +however, the first standard commentary is that begun by P. E. +Muller, Bishop of Zealand, and finished after his death by Johan +Velschow, Professor of History at Copenhagen, where the first +part of the work, containing text and notes, was published in +1839; the second, with prolegomena and fuller notes, appearing in +1858. The standard edition, containing bibliography, critical +apparatus based on all the editions and MS. fragments, text, and +index, is the admirable one of that indefatigable veteran, Alfred +Holder, Strasburg, 1886. + +Hitherto the translations of Saxo have been into Danish. The +first that survives, by Anders Soffrinson Vedel, dates from 1575, +some sixty years after the first edition. In such passages as I +have examined it is vigorous, but very free, and more like a +paraphrase than a translation, Saxo's verses being put into loose +prose. Yet it has had a long life, having been modified by +Vedel's grandson, John Laverentzen, in 1715, and reissued in +1851. The present version has been much helped by the +translation of Seier Schousbolle, published at Copenhagen in +1752. It is true that the verses, often the hardest part, are +put into periphrastic verse (by Laurentius Thura, c. 1721), and +Schousbolle often does not face a difficulty; but he gives the +sense of Saxo simply and concisely. The lusty paraphrase by the +enthusiastic Nik. Fred. Sev. Grundtvig, of which there have been +several editions, has also been of occasional use. No other +translations, save of a scrap here and there into German, seem to +be extant. + + +THE MSS. + +It will be understood, from what has been said, that no complete +MS. of Saxo's History is known. The epitomator in the fourteenth +century, and Krantz in the seventeenth, had MSS. before them; and +there was that one which Christian Pedersen found and made the +basis of the first edition, but which has disappeared. Barth had +two manuscripts, which are said to have been burnt in 1636. +Another, possessed by a Swedish parish priest, Aschaneus, in +1630, which Stephenhis unluckily did not know of, disappeared in +the Royal Archives of Stockholm after his death. These are +practically the only MSS. of which we have sure information, +excepting the four fragments that are now preserved. Of these by +far the most interesting is the "Angers Fragment." + +This was first noticed in 1863, in the Angers Library, where it +was found degraded into the binding of a number of devotional +works and a treatise on metric, dated 1459, and once the property +of a priest at Alencon. In 1877 M. Gaston Paris called the +attention of the learned to it, and the result was that the +Danish Government received it next year in exchange for a +valuable French manuscript which was in the Royal Library at +Copenhagen. This little national treasure, the only piece of +contemporary writing of the History, has been carefully +photographed and edited by that enthusiastic and urbane scholar, +Christian Bruun. In the opinion both of Dr. Vigfusson and M. +Paris, the writing dates from about 1200; and this date, though +difficult to determine, owing to the paucity of Danish MSS. of +the 12th and early lath centuries, is confirmed by the character +of the contents. For there is little doubt that the Fragment +shows us Saxo in the labour of composition. The MSS. looks as if +expressly written for interlineation. Besides a marginal gloss +by a later, fourteenth century hand, there are two distinct sets +of variants, in different writings, interlined and running over +into the margin. These variants are much more numerous in the +prose than in the verse. The first set are in the same hand as +the text, the second in another hand: but both of them have the +character, not of variants from some other MSS., but of +alternative expressions put down tentatively. If either hand is +Saxo's it is probably the second. He may conceivably have +dictated both at different times to different scribes. No other +man would tinker the style in this fashion. A complete +translation of all these changes has been deemed unnecessary in +these volumes; there is a full collation in Holder's "Apparatus +Criticus". The verdict of the Angers-Fragment, which, for the +very reason mentioned, must not be taken as the final form of the +text, nor therefore, despite its antiquity, as conclusive against +the First Edition where the two differ, is to confirm, so far as +it goes, the editing of Ascensius and Pederson. There are no +vital differences, and the care of the first editors, as well as +the authority of their source, is thus far amply vindicated. + +A sufficient account of the other fragments will be found in +Holder's list. In 1855 M. Kall-Rasmussen found in the private +archives at Kronborg a scrap of fourteenth century MS., +containing a short passage from Bk. vii. Five years later G. F. +Lassen found, at Copenhagen, a fragment of Bk. vi believed to be +written in North Zealand, and in the opinion of Bruun belonging +to the same codex as Kall-Rasmussen's fragment. Of another +longish piece, found in Copenhagen at the end of the seventeenth +century by Johannes Laverentzen, and belonging to a codex burnt +in the fire of 1728, a copy still extant in the Copenhagen +Museum, was made by Otto Sperling. For fragments, either extant +or alluded to, of the later books, the student should consult the +carefully collated text of Holder. The whole MS. material, +therefore, covers but a little of Saxo's work, which was +practically saved for Europe by the perseverance and fervour for +culture of a single man, Bishop Urne. + + +SAXO AS A WRITER. + +Saxo's countrymen have praised without stint his remarkable +style, for he has a style. It is often very bad; but he writes, +he is not in vain called Grammaticus, the man of letters. His +style is not merely remarkable considering its author's +difficulties; it is capable at need of pungency and of high +expressiveness. His Latin is not that of the Golden Age, but +neither is it the common Latin of the Middle Ages. There are +traces of his having read Virgil and Cicero. But two writers in +particular left their mark on him. The first and most +influential is Valerius Maximus, the mannered author of the +"Memorabilia", who lived in the first half of the first century, +and was much relished in the Middle Ages. From him Saxo borrowed +a multitude of phrases, sometimes apt but often crabbed and +deformed, as well as an exemplary and homiletic turn of +narrative. Other idioms, and perhaps the practice of +interspersing verses amid prose (though this also was a twelfth +century Icelandic practice), Saxo found in a fifth-century +writer, Martianus Capella, the pedantic author of the "De Nuptiis +Philologiae et Mercurii" Such models may have saved him from a +base mediaeval vocabulary; but they were not worthy of him, and +they must answer for some of his falsities of style. These are +apparent. His accumulation of empty and motley phrase, like a +garish bunch of coloured bladders; his joy in platitude and +pomposity, his proneness to say a little thing in great words, +are only too easy to translate. We shall be well content if our +version also gives some inkling of his qualities; not only of +what Erasmus called his "wonderful vocabulary, his many pithy +sayings, and the excellent variety of his images"; but also of +his feeling for grouping, his barbaric sense of colour, and his +stateliness. For he moves with resource and strength both in +prose and verse, and is often only hindered by his own wealth. +With no kind of critical tradition to chasten him, his force is +often misguided and his work shapeless; but he stumbles into many +splendours. + + +FOLK LORE INDEX. + +The mass of archaic incidents, beliefs, and practices recorded by +the 12th-century writer seemed to need some other classification +than a bare alphabetic index. The present plan, a subject-index +practically, has been adopted with a view to the needs of the +anthropologist and folk-lorist. Its details have been largely +determined by the bulk and character of the entries themselves. +No attempt has been made to supply full parallels from any save +the more striking and obvious old Scandinavian sources, the end +being to classify material rather than to point out its +significance of geographic distribution. With regard to the +first three heads, the reader who wishes to see how Saxo compares +with the Old Northern poems may be referred to the Grimm +Centenary papers, Oxford, 1886, and the Corpus Poeticurn Boreale, +Oxford, 1883. + + +POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. + +King -- As portrayed by Saxo, the ideal king should be (as in +"Beowulf's Lay") generous, brave and just. He should be a man of +accomplishments, of unblemished body, presumably of royal kin +(peasant-birth is considered a bar to the kingship), usually a +son or a nephew, or brother of his foregoer (though no strict +rule of succession seems to appear in Saxo), and duly chosen and +acknowledged at the proper place of election. In Denmark this +was at a stone circle, and the stability of these stones was +taken as an omen for the king's reign. There are exceptional +instances noted, as the serf-king Eormenric (cf. Guthred-Canute +of Northumberland), whose noble birth washed out this blot of his +captivity, and there is a curious tradition of a conqueror +setting his hound as king over a conquered province in mockery. + +The king was of age at twelve. A king of seven years of age has +twelve Regents chosen in the Moot, in one case by lot, to bring +him up and rule for him till his majority. Regents are all +appointed in Denmark, in one case for lack of royal blood, one to +Scania, one to Zealand, one to Funen, two to Jutland. Underkings +and Earls are appointed by kings, and though the Earl's office is +distinctly official, succession is sometimes given to the sons of +faithful fathers. The absence of a settled succession law leads +(as in Muslim States) to rebellions and plots. + +Kings sometimes abdicated, giving up the crown perforce to a +rival, or in high age to a kinsman. In heathen times, kings, as +Thiodwulf tells us in the case of Domwald and Yngwere, were +sometimes sacrificed for better seasons (African fashion), and +Wicar of Norway perishes, like Iphigeneia, to procure fair winds. +Kings having to lead in war, and sometimes being willing to fight +wagers of battle, are short-lived as a rule, and assassination is +a continual peril, whether by fire at a time of feast, of which +there are numerous examples, besides the classic one on which +Biarea-mal is founded and the not less famous one of Hamlet's +vengeance, or whether by steel, as with Hiartuar, or by trick, as +in Wicar's case above cited. The reward for slaying a king is in +one case 120 gold lbs.; 19 "talents" of gold from each +ringleader, 1 oz. of gold from each commoner, in the story of +Godfred, known as Ref's gild, "i.e., Fox tax". In the case of a +great king, Frode, his death is concealed for three years to +avoid disturbance within and danger from without. Captive kings +were not as a rule well treated. A Slavonic king, Daxo, offers +Ragnar's son Whitesark his daughter and half his realm, or death, +and the captive strangely desires death by fire. A captive king +is exposed, chained to wild beasts, thrown into a serpent-pit, +wherein Ragnar is given the fate of the elder Gunnar in the Eddic +Lays, Atlakvida. The king is treated with great respect by his +people, he is finely clad, and his commands are carried out, +however abhorrent or absurd, as long as they do not upset +customary or statute law. The king has slaves in his household, +men and women, besides his guard of housecarles and his bearsark +champions. A king's daughter has thirty slaves with her, and the +footmaiden existed exactly as in the stories of the Wicked +Waiting Maid. He is not to be awakened in his slumbers (cf. St. +Olaf's Life, where the naming of King Magnus is the result of +adherence to this etiquette). A champion weds the king's leman. + +His thanes are created by the delivery of a sword, which the king +bolds by the blade and the thane takes by the hilt. (English +earls were created by the girding with a sword. "Taking +treasure, and weapons and horses, and feasting in a hall with the +king" is synonymous with thane-hood or gesith-ship in "Beowulf's +Lay"). A king's thanes must avenge him if he falls, and owe him +allegiance. (This was paid in the old English monarchies by +kneeling and laying the head down at the lord's knee.) + +The trick by which the Mock-king, or King of the Beggars +(parallel to our Boy-bishop, and perhaps to that enigmatic +churls' King of the "O. E. Chronicle", s.a. 1017, Eadwiceorla- +kyning) gets allegiance paid to him, and so secures himself in +his attack on the real king, is cleverly devised. The king, +besides being a counsel giver himself, and speaking the law, has +"counsellors", old and wise men, "sapientes" (like the 0. E. +Thyle). The aged warrior counsellor, as Starcad here and Master +Hildebrand in the "Nibelungenlied", is one type of these persons, +another is the false counsellor, as Woden in guise of Bruni, +another the braggart, as Hunferth in "Beowulf's Lay". At "moots" +where laws are made, kings and regents chosen, cases judged, +resolutions taken of national importance, there are discussions, +as in that armed most the host. + +The king has, beside his estates up and down the country, +sometimes (like Hrothgar with his palace Heorot in "Beowulf's +Lay") a great fort and treasure house, as Eormenric, whose palace +may well have really existed. There is often a primitive and +negroid character about dwellings of formidable personages, heads +placed on stakes adorn their exterior, or shields are ranged +round the walls. + +The provinces are ruled by removable earls appointed by the king, +often his own kinsmen, sometimes the heads of old ruling +families. The "hundreds" make up the province or subkingdom. +They may be granted to king's thanes, who became "hundred- +elders". Twelve hundreds are in one case bestowed upon a man. + +The "yeoman's" estate is not only honourable but useful, as +Starcad generously and truly acknowledges. Agriculture should be +fostered and protected by the king, even at the cost of his life. + +But gentle birth and birth royal place certain families above the +common body of freemen (landed or not); and for a commoner to +pretend to a king's daughter is an act of presumption, and +generally rigorously resented. + +The "smith" was the object of a curious prejudice, probably akin +to that expressed in St. Patrick's "Lorica", and derived from the +smith's having inherited the functions of the savage weapon-maker +with his poisons and charms. The curious attempt to distinguish +smiths into good and useful swordsmiths and base and bad +goldsmiths seems a merely modern explanation: Weland could both +forge swords and make ornaments of metal. Starcad's loathing for +a smith recalls the mockery with which the Homeric gods treat +Hephaistos. + +Slavery. -- As noble birth is manifest by fine eyes and personal +beauty, courage and endurance, and delicate behaviour, so the +slave nature is manifested by cowardice, treachery, unbridled +lust, bad manners, falsehood, and low physical traits. Slaves +had, of course, no right either of honour, or life, or limb. +Captive ladies are sent to a brothel; captive kings cruelly put +to death. Born slaves were naturally still less considered, they +were flogged; it was disgraceful to kill them with honourable +steel; to accept a slight service from a slave-woman was beneath +old Starcad's dignity. A man who loved another man's slave- +woman, and did base service to her master to obtain her as his +consort, was looked down on. Slaves frequently ran away to +escape punishment for carelessness, or fault, or to gain liberty. + + +CUSTOMARY LAW. + +The evidence of Saxo to archaic law and customary institutions is +pretty much (as we should expect) that to be drawn from the +Icelandic Sagas, and even from the later Icelandic rimur and +Scandinavian kaempe-viser. But it helps to complete the picture +of the older stage of North Teutonic Law, which we are able to +piece together out of our various sources, English, Icelandic, +and Scandinavian. In the twilight of Yore every glowworm is a +helper to the searcher. + +There are a few MAXIMS of various times, but all seemingly drawn +from custom cited or implied by Saxo as authoritative: -- + +"It is disgraceful to be ruled by a woman." -- The great men of +Teutonic nations held to this maxim. There is no Boudicea or +Maidhbh in our own annals till after the accession of the Tudors, +when Great Eliza rivals her elder kins-women's glories. Though +Tacitus expressly notices one tribe or confederacy, the Sitones, +within the compass of his Germania, ruled by a woman, as an +exceptional case, it was contrary to the feeling of mediaeval +Christendom for a woman to be emperor; it was not till late in +the Middle Ages that Spain saw a queen regnant, and France has +never yet allowed such rule. It was not till long after Saxo +that the great queen of the North, Margaret, wielded a wider sway +than that rejected by Gustavus' wayward daughter. + +"The suitor ought to urge his own suit." -- This, an axiom of the +most archaic law, gets evaded bit by bit till the professional +advocate takes the place of the plaintiff. "Njal's Saga", in its +legal scenes, shows the transition period, when, as at Rome, a +great and skilled chief was sought by his client as the supporter +of his cause at the Moot. In England, the idea of representation +at law is, as is well known, late and largely derived from canon +law practice. + +"To exact the blood-fine was as honourable as to take vengeance." +-- This maxim, begotten by Interest upon Legality, established +itself both in Scandinavia and Arabia. It marks the first stage +in a progress which, if carried out wholly, substitutes law for +feud. In the society of the heathen Danes the maxim was a +novelty; even in Christian Denmark men sometimes preferred blood +to fees. + +MARRIAGE. -- There are many reminiscences of "archaic marriage +customs in Saxo." The capture marriage has left traces in the +guarded king's daughters, the challenging of kings to fight or +hand over their daughters, in the promises to give a daughter or +sister as a reward to a hero who shall accomplish some feat. The +existence of polygamy is attested, and it went on till the days +of Charles the Great and Harold Fairhair in singular instances, +in the case of great kings, and finally disappeared before the +strict ecclesiastic regulations. + +But there are evidences also of later customs, such as "marriage +by purchase", already looked on as archaic in Saxo's day; and the +free women in Denmark had clearly long had a veto or refusal of a +husband for some time back, and sometimes even free choice. "Go- +betweens" negotiate marriages. + +Betrothal was of course the usage. For the groom to defile an +espoused woman is a foul reproach. Gifts made to father-in-law +after bridal by bridegroom seem to denote the old bride-price. +Taking the bride home in her car was an important ceremony, and a +bride is taken to her future husband's by her father. The +wedding-feast, as in France in Rabelais' time, was a noisy and +drunken and tumultuous rejoicing, when bone-throwing was in +favor, with other rough sports and jokes. The three days after +the bridal and their observance in "sword-bed" are noticed below. + +A commoner or one of slave-blood could not pretend to wed a high- +born lady. A woman would sometimes require some proof of power +or courage at her suitor's hands; thus Gywritha, like the famous +lady who weds Harold Fairhair, required her husband Siwar to be +over-king of the whole land. But in most instances the father or +brother betrothed the girl, and she consented to their choice. +Unwelcome suitors perish. + +The prohibited degrees were, of course, different from those +established by the mediaeval church, and brother weds brother's +widow in good archaic fashion. Foster-sister and foster-brother +may marry, as Saxo notices carefully. The Wolsung incest is not +noticed by Saxo. He only knew, apparently, the North-German form +of the Niflung story. But the reproachfulness of incest is +apparent. + +Birth and beauty were looked for in a bride by Saxo's heroes, and +chastity was required. The modesty of maidens in old days is +eulogised by Saxo, and the penalty for its infraction was severe: +sale abroad into slavery to grind the quern in the mud of the +yard. One of the tests of virtue is noticed, "lac in ubere". + +That favourite "motif", the "Patient Grizzle", occurs, rather, +however, in the Border ballad than the Petrarcan formú + +"Good wives" die with their husbands as they have vowed, or of +grief for their loss, and are wholly devoted to their interests. +Among "bad wives" are those that wed their husband's slayer, run +away from their husbands, plot against their husbands' lives. +The penalty for adultery is death to both, at husband's option -- +disfigurement by cutting off the nose of the guilty woman, an +archaic practice widely spread. In one case the adulterous lady +is left the choice of her own death. Married women's Homeric +duties are shown. + +There is a curious story, which may rest upon fact, and not be +merely typical, where a mother who had suffered wrong forced her +daughter to suffer the same wrong. + +Captive women are reduced to degrading slavery as "harlots" in +one case, according to the eleventh century English practice of +Gytha. + +THE FAMILY AND BLOOD REVENGE. -- This duty, one of the strongest +links of the family in archaic Teutonic society, has left deep +traces in Saxo. + +To slay those most close in blood, even by accident, is to incur +the guilt of parricide, or kin-killing, a bootless crime, which +can only be purged by religious ceremonies; and which involves +exile, lest the gods' wrath fall on the land, and brings the +curse of childlessness on the offender until he is forgiven. + +BOOTLESS CRIMES. -- As among the ancient Teutons, botes and were- +gilds satisfy the injured who seek redress at law rather than by +the steel. But there are certain bootless crimes, or rather +sins, that imply "sacratio", devotion to the gods, for the +clearing of the community. Such are treason, which is punishable +by hanging; by drowning in sea. + +Rebellion is still more harshly treated by death and forfeiture; +the rebels' heels are bored and thonged under the sinew, as +Hector's feet were, and they are then fastened by the thongs to +wild bulls, hunted by hounds, till they are dashed to pieces (for +which there are classic parallels), or their feet are fastened +with thongs to horses driven apart, so that they are torn +asunder. + +For "parricide", i.e., killing within near degrees, the criminal +is hung up, apparently by the heels, with a live wolf (he haying +acted as a wolf which will slay its fellows). Cunning avoidance +of the guilt by trick is shown. + +For "arson" the appropriate punishment is the fire. + +For "incestuous adultery" of stepson with his stepmother, hanging +is awarded to the man. In the same case Swanwhite, the woman, is +punished, by treading to death with horses. A woman accomplice +in adultery is treated to what Homer calls a "stone coat." +Incestuous adultery is a foul slur. + +For "witchcraft", the horror of heathens, hanging was the +penalty. + +"Private revenge" sometimes deliberately inflicts a cruel death +for atrocious wrong or insult, as when a king, enraged at the +slaying of his son and seduction of his daughter, has the +offender hanged, an instance famous in Nathan's story, so that +Hagbard's hanging and hempen necklace were proverbial. + +For the slayer by a cruel death of their captive father, Ragnar's +sons act the blood-eagle on Ella, and salt his flesh. There is +an undoubted instance of this act of vengeance (the symbolic +meaning of which is not clear as yet) in the "Orkney Saga". + +But the story of Daxo and of Ref's gild show that for such wrongs +were-gilds were sometimes exacted, and that they were considered +highly honourable to the exactor. + +Among OFFENCES NOT BOOTLESS, and left to individual pursuit, are: +-- + +"Highway robbery". -- There are several stories of a type such as +that of Ingemund and Ioknl (see "Landnamaboc") told by Saxo of +highwaymen; and an incident of the kind that occurs in the +Theseus story (the Bent-tree, which sprung back and slew the +wretch bound to it) is given. The romantic trick of the mechanic +bed, by which a steel-shod beam is let fall on the sleeping +traveller, also occurs. Slain highwaymen are gibbeted as in +Christian days. + +"Assassination", as distinct from manslaughter in vengeance for a +wrong, is not very common. A hidden mail-coat foils a +treacherous javelin-cast (cf. the Story of Olaf the Stout and the +Blind King, Hrorec); murderers lurk spear-armed at the threshold, +sides, as in the Icelandic Sagas; a queen hides a spear-head in +her gown, and murders her husband (cf. Olaf Tryggvason's Life). +Godfred was murdered by his servant (and Ynglingatal). + +"Burglary". -- The crafty discovery of the robber of the treasury +by Hadding is a variant of the world-old Rhampsinitos tale, but +less elaborate, possibly abridged and cut down by Saxo, and +reduced to a mere moral example in favour of the goldenness of +silence and the danger of letting the tongue feed the gallows. + +Among other disgraceful acts, that make the offender infamous, +but do not necessarily involve public action: -- + +"Manslaughter in Breach of Hospitality". -- Probably any gross +breach of hospitality was disreputable and highly abhorred, but +"guest-slaughter" is especially mentioned. The ethical question +as to whether a man should slay his guest or forego his just +vengeance was often a "probleme du jour" in the archaic times to +which these traditions witness. Ingeld prefers his vengeance, +but Thuriswend, in the Lay cited by Paul the Deacon, chooses to +protect his guest. Heremod slew his messmates in his wrath, and +went forth alone into exile. ("Beowulf's Lay".) + +"Suicide". ~- This was more honourable than what Earl Siward of +Northumberland called a "cow-death." Hadding resolves to commit +suicide at his friend's death. Wermund resolves to commit +suicide if his son be slain (in hopelessness of being able to +avenge him, cf. "Njal's Saga", where the hero, a Christian, +prefers to perish in his burning house than live dishonoured, +"for I am an old man and little fitted to avenge my sons, but I +will not live in shame"). Persons commit suicide by slaying each +other in time of famine; while in England (so Baeda tells) they +"decliffed" themselves in companies, and, as in the comic little +Icelandic tale Gautrec s birth, a Tarpeian death is noted as the +customary method of relieving folks from the hateful starvation +death. It is probable that the violent death relieved the ghost +or the survivors of some inconveniences which a "straw death" +would have brought about. + +"Procedure by Wager of Battle". -- This archaic process pervades +Saxo's whole narrative. It is the main incident of many of the +sagas from which he drew. It is one of the chief characteristics +of early Teutonic custom-law, and along with "Cormac's Saga", +"Landnamaboc", and the Walter Saga, our author has furnished us +with most of the information we have upon its principles and +practice. + +Steps in the process are the Challenge, the Acceptance and +Settlement of Conditions, the Engagement, the Treatment of the +vanquished, the Reward of the conqueror, and there are rules +touching each of these, enough almost to furnish a kind of +"Galway code". + +A challenge could not, either to war or wager of battle, be +refused with honor, though a superior was not bound to fight an +inferior in rank. An ally might accept for his principal, or a +father for a son, but it was not honourable for a man unless +helpless to send a champion instead of himself. + +Men were bound to fight one to one, and one man might decline to +fight two at once. Great champions sometimes fought against +odds. + +The challenged man chose the place of battle, and possibly fixed +the time. This was usually an island in the river. + +The regular weapons were swords and shields for men of gentle +blood. They fought by alternate separate strokes; the senior had +the first blow. The fight must go on face to face without change +of place; for the ground was marked out for the combatants, as in +our prize ring, though one can hardly help fancying that the +fighting ground so carefully described in "Cormac's Saga", ch. +10, may have been Saxo's authority. The combatants change places +accidentally in the struggle in one story. + +The combat might last, like Cuchullin's with Ferdia, several +days; a nine days' fight occurs; but usually a few blows settled +the matter. Endurance was important, and we are told of a hero +keeping himself in constant training by walking in a mail coat. + +The conqueror ought not to slay his man if he were a stripling, +or maimed, and had better take his were-gild for his life, the +holmslausn or ransom of "Cormac's Saga" (three marks in Iceland); +but this was a mere concession to natural pity, and he might +without loss of honor finish his man, and cut off his head, +though it was proper, if the slain adversary has been a man of +honor, to bury him afterward. + +The stakes are sometimes a kingdom or a kingdom's tribute, often +a lady, or the combatants fought for "love" or the point of +honor. Giants and noted champions challenge kings for their +daughters (as in the fictitious parts of the Icelandic family +sagas) in true archaic fashion, and in true archaic fashion the +prince rescues the lady from a disgusting and evil fate by his +prowess. + +The champion's fee or reward when he was fighting for his +principal and came off successful was heavy -- many lands and +sixty slaves. Bracelets are given him; a wound is compensated +for at ten gold pieces; a fee for killing a king is 120 of the +same. + +Of the incidents of the combat, beside fair sleight of fence, +there is the continual occurrence of the sword-blunting spell, +often cast by the eye of the sinister champion, and foiled by the +good hero, sometimes by covering his blade with thin skin, +sometimes by changing the blade, sometimes by using a mace or +club. + +The strength of this tradition sufficiently explains the +necessity of the great oath against magic taken by both parties +in a wager of battle in Christian England. + +The chief combats mentioned by Saxo are: -- + +Sciold v. Attila. +Sciold v. Scate, for the hand of Alfhild. +Gram v. Swarin and eight more, for the crown of the Swedes. +Hadding v. Toste, by challenge. +Frode v. Hunding, on challenge. +Frode v. Hacon, on challenge. +Helge v. Hunding, by challenge at Stad. +Agnar v. Bearce, by challenge. +Wizard v. Danish champions, for truage of the Slavs. +Wizard v. Ubbe, for truage of the Slavs. +Coll v. Horwendill, on challenge. +Athisl v. Frowine, meeting in battle. +Athisl v. Ket and Wig, on challenge. +Uffe v. Prince of Saxony and Champion, by challenge. +Frode v. Froger, on challenge. +Eric v. Grep's brethren, on challenge, twelve a side. +Eric v. Alrec, by challenge. +Hedin v. Hogni, the mythic everlasting battle. +Arngrim v. Scalc, by challenge. +Arngrim v. Egtheow, for truage of Permland. +Arrow-Odd and Hialmar v. twelve sons of Arngrim Samsey fight. +Ane Bow-swayer v. Beorn, by challenge. +Starkad v. Wisin, by challenge. +Starkad v. Tanlie, by challenge. +Starkad v. Wasce--Wilzce, by challenge. +Starkad v. Hame, by challenge. +Starkad v. Angantheow and eight of his brethren, on challenge. +Halfdan v. Hardbone and six champions, on challenge. +Halfdan v. Egtheow, by challenge. +Halfdan v. Grim, on challenge. +Halfdan v. Ebbe, on challenge, by moonlight. +Halfdan v. Twelve champions, on challenge. +Halfdan v. Hildeger, on challenge. +Ole v. Skate and Hiale, on challenge. +Homod and Thole v. Beorn and Thore, by challenge. +Ref. v. Gaut, on challenge. +Ragnar and three sons v. Starcad of Sweden and seven sons, on + challenge. + +CIVIL PROCEDURE. -- "Oaths" are an important art of early +procedure, and noticed by Saxo; one calling the gods to witness +and therefor, it is understood, to avenge perjury if he spake not +truth. + +"Testification", or calling witnesses to prove the steps of a +legal action, was known, "Glum's Saga" and "Landnamaboc", and +when +a manslayer proceeded (in order to clear himself of murder) to +announce the manslaughter as his act, he brings the dead man's +head as his proof, exactly as the hero in the folk-tales brings +the dragon's head or tongue as his voucher. + +A "will" is spoken of. This seems to be the solemn declaration +of a childless man to his kinsfolk, recommending some person as +his successor. Nothing more was possible before written wills +were introduced by the Christian clergy after the Roman fashion. + + +STATUTE LAWS. + +"Lawgivers". -- The realm of Custom had already long been +curtailed by the conquests of Law when Saxo wrote, and some +epochs of the invasion were well remembered, such as Canute's +laws. But the beginnings were dim, and there were simply +traditions of good and bad lawyers of the past; such were +"Sciold" first of all the arch-king, "Frode" the model lawgiver, +"Helge" the tyrant, "Ragnar" the shrewd conqueror. + +"Sciold", the patriarch, is made by tradition to fulfil, by +abolishing evil customs and making good laws, the ideal of the +Saxon and Frankish Coronation oath formula (which may well go +back with its two first clauses to heathen days). His fame is as +widely spread. However, the only law Saxo gives to him has a +story to it that he does not plainly tell. Sciold had a freedman +who repaid his master's manumission of him by the ingratitude of +attempting his life. Sciold thereupon decrees the unlawfulness +of manumissions, or (as Saxo puts it), revoked all manumissions, +thus ordaining perpetual slavery on all that were or might become +slaves. The heathen lack of pity noticed in Alfred's preface to +"Gregory's Handbook" is illustrated here by contrast with the +philosophic humanity of the Civil Law, and the sympathy of the +mediaeval Church. + +But FRODE (known also to the compiler of "Beowulf's Lay", 2025) +had, in the Dane's eyes, almost eclipsed Sciold as conqueror and +lawgiver. His name Frode almost looks as if his epithet Sapiens +had become his popular appellation, and it befits him well. Of +him were told many stories, and notably the one related of our +Edwin by Bede (and as it has been told by many men of many rulers +since Bede wrote, and before). Frode was able to hang up an +arm-ring of gold in three parts of his kingdom that no thief for +many years dared touch. How this incident (according to our +version preserved by Saxo), brought the just king to his end is +an archaic and interesting story. Was this ring the Brosinga +men? + +Saxo has even recorded the Laws of Frode in four separate bits, +which we give as A, B, C, D. + +A. is mainly a civil and military code of archaic kind: + +(a) The division of spoil shall be -- gold to captains, silver +to privates, arms to champions, ships to be shared by all. Cf. +Jomswickinga S. on the division of spoil by the law of the pirate +community of Jom. + +(b) No house stuff to be locked; if a man used a lock he must +pay a gold mark. + +(c) He who spares a thief must bear his punishment. + +(d) The coward in battle is to forfeit all rights (cf. +"Beowulf", +2885). + +(e) Women to have free choice (or, at least, veto) in taking +husbands. + +(f) A free woman that weds a slave loses rank and freedom (cf. +Roman Law). + +(g) A man must marry a girl he has seduced. + +(h) An adulterer to be mutilated at pleasure of injured husband. + +(i) Where Dane robbed Dane, the thief to pay double and peace- +breach. + +(k) Receivers of stolen goods suffer forfeiture and flogging at +most. + +(l) Deserter bearing shield against his countrymen to lose life +and property. + +(m) Contempt of fyrd-summons or call to military service +involves outlawry and exile. + +(n) Bravery in battle to bring about increase in rank (cf. the +old English "Ranks of Men"). + +(o) No suit to lie on promise and pledge; fine of « gold lb. +for asking pledge. + +(p) Wager of battle is to be the universal mode of proof. + +(q) If an alien kill a Dane two aliens must suffer. (This is +practically the same principle as appears in the half weregild of +the Welsh in West Saxon Law.) + +B. An illustration of the more capricious of the old enactments +and the jealousy of antique kings. + +(a) Loss of gifts sent to the king involves the official +responsible; he shall be hanged. (This is introduced as +illustration of the cleverness of Eric and the folly of Coll.) + +C. Saxo associates another set of enactments with the completion +of a successful campaign of conquest over the Ruthenians, and +shows Frode chiefly as a wise and civilising statesman, making +conquest mean progress. + +(a) Every free householder that fell in war was to be set in his +barrow with horse and arms (cf. "Vatzdaela Saga", ch. 2). + +The body-snatcher was to be punished by death and the lack of +sepulture. + +Earl or king to be burned in his own ship. + +Ten sailors may be burnt on one ship. + +(b) Ruthenians to have the same law of war as Danes. + +(c) Ruthenians must adopt Danish sale-marriage. (This involves +the abolition of the Baltic custom of capture-marriage. That +capture-marriage was a bar to social progress appears in the +legislation of Richard II, directed against the custom as carried +out on the borders of the Palatine county of Chester, while cases +such as the famous one of Rob Roy's sons speak to its late +continuance in Scotland. In Ireland it survived in a stray +instance or two into this century, and songs like "William Riley" +attest the sympathy of the peasant with the eloping couple.) + +(d) A veteran, one of the Doughty, must be such a man as will +attack one foe, will stand two, face three without withdrawing +more than a little, and be content to retire only before four. +(One of the traditional folk-sayings respecting the picked men, +the Doughty or Old Guard, as distinguished from the Youth or +Young Guard, the new-comers in the king's Company of House- +carles. In Harald Hardrede's Life the Norwegians dread those +English house-carles, "each of whom is a match for four," who +formed the famous guard that won Stamford Bridge and fell about +their lord, a sadly shrunken band, at Senlake.) + +(f) The house-carles to have winter-pay. The house-carle three +pieces of silver, a hired soldier two pieces, a soldier who had +finished his service one piece. + +(The treatment of the house-carles gave Harald Harefoot a +reputation long remembered for generosity, and several old +Northern kings have won their nicknames by their good or ill +feeding and rewarding their comitatus.) + +D. Again a civil code, dealing chiefly with the rights of +travellers. + +(a) Seafarers may use what gear they find (the "remis" of the +text may include boat or tackle). + +(b) No house is to be locked, nor coffer, but all thefts to be +compensated threefold. (This, like A, b, which it resembles, +seems a popular tradition intended to show the absolute security +of Frode's reign of seven or three hundred years. It is probably +a gloss wrongly repeated.) + +(c) A traveller may claim a single supper; if he take more he is +a thief (the mark of a prae-tabernal era when hospitality was +waxing cold through misuse). + +(d) Thief and accomplices are to be punished alike, being hung +up by a line through the sinews and a wolf fastened beside. +(This, which contradicts A, i, k, and allots to theft the +punishment proper for parricide, seems a mere distorted +tradition.) + +But beside just Frode, tradition spoke of the unjust Kinge HELGE, +whose laws represent ill-judged harshness. They were made for +conquered races, (a) the Saxons and (b) the Swedes. + +(a) Noble and freedmen to have the same were-gild (the lower, of +course, the intent being to degrade all the conquered to one +level, and to allow only the lowest were-gild of a freedman, +fifty pieces, probably, in the tradition). + +(b) No remedy for wrong done to a Swede by a Dane to be legally +recoverable. (This is the traditional interpretation of the +conqueror's haughty dealing; we may compare it with the Middle- +English legends of the pride of the Dane towards the conquered +English. The Tradition sums up the position in such concrete +forms as this Law of Helge's.) + +Two statutes of RAGNAR are mentioned: -- + +(a) That any householder should give up to his service in war +the worst of his children, or the laziest of his slaves (a +curious tradition, and used by Saxo as an opportunity for +patriotic exaltation). + +(b) That all suits shall be absolutely referred to the judgment +of twelve chosen elders (Lodbroc here appearing in the strange +character of originator of trial by jury). + +"Tributes". -- Akin to laws are the tributes decreed and imposed +by kings and conquerors of old. Tribute infers subjection in +archaic law. The poll-tax in the fourteenth century in England +was unpopular, because of its seeming to degrade Englishmen to +the level of Frenchmen, who paid tribute like vanquished men to +their absolute lord, as well as for other reasons connected with +the collection of the tax. + +The old fur tax (mentioned in "Egil's Saga") is here ascribed to +FRODE, who makes the Finns pay him, every three years, a car full +or sledge full of skins for every ten heads; and extorts one skin +per head from the Perms. It is Frode, too (though Saxo has +carved a number of Frodes out of one or two kings of gigantic +personality), that made the Saxons pay a poll-tax, a piece of +money per head, using, like William the Conqueror, his +extraordinary revenue to reward his soldiers, whom he first +regaled with double pay. But on the conquered folks rebelling, +he marked their reduction by a tax of a piece of money on every +limb a cubit long, a "limb-geld" still more hateful than the +"neb-geld." + +HOTHERUS (Hodr) had set a tribute on the Kurlanders and Swedes, +and HROLF laid a tribute on the conquered Swedes. + +GODEFRIDUS-GOTRIC is credited with a third Saxon tribute, a +heriot of 100 snow-white horses payable to each Danish king at +his succession, and by each Saxon chief on his accession: a +statement that, recalling sacred snow-white horses kept in North +Germany of yore makes one wish for fuller information. But +Godefridus also exacted from the Swedes the "Ref-gild", or Fox- +money; for the slaying of his henchman Ref, twelve pieces of gold +from each man of rank, one from every commoner. And his +Friesland tribute is stranger still, nor is it easy to understand +from Saxo's account. There was a long hall built, 240 feet, and +divided up into twelve "chases" of 20 feet each (probably +square). There was a shield set up at one end, and the taxpayers +hurled their money at it; if it struck so as to sound, it was +good; if not, it was forfeit, but not reckoned in the receipt. +This (a popular version, it may be, of some early system of +treasury test) was abolished, so the story goes, by Charles the +Great. + +RAGNAR'S exaction from Daxo, his son's slayer, was a yearly +tribute brought by himself and twelve of his elders barefoot, +resembling in part such submissions as occur in the Angevin +family history, the case of the Calais burgesses, and of such +criminals as the Corporation of Oxford, whose penance was only +finally renounced by the local patriots in our own day. + + +WAR. + +"Weapons". -- The sword is the weapon par excellence in Saxo's +narrative, and he names several by name, famous old blades like +our royal Curtana, which some believed was once Tristrem's, and +that sword of Carlus, whose fortunes are recorded in Irish +annals. Such are "Snyrtir", Bearce's sword; "Hothing", Agnar's +blade; "Lauf", or "Leaf", Bearce's sword; "Screp", Wermund's +sword, long buried and much rust-eaten, but sharp and trusty, and +known by its whistle; Miming's sword ("Mistletoe"), which slew +Balder. Wainhead's curved blade seems to be a halbert; "Lyusing" +and "Hwiting", Ragnald of Norway's swords; "Logthe", the sword of +Ole Siward's son. + +The "war-club" occurs pretty frequently. But it is usually +introduced as a special weapon of a special hero, who fashions a +gold-headed club to slay one that steel cannot touch, or who +tears up a tree, like the Spanish knight in the ballad, or who +uses a club to counteract spells that blunt steel. The bat- +shapen archaic rudder of a ship is used as a club in the story of +the Sons of Arngrim. + +The "spear" plays no particular part in Saxo: even Woden's spear +Gungne is not prominent. + +"Bows and arrows" are not often spoken of, but archer heroes, +such as Toki, Ane Bow-swayer, and Orwar-Odd, are known. Slings +and stones are used. + +The shield, of all defensive armour, is far the most prominent. +They were often painted with devices, such as Hamlet's shield, +Hildiger's Swedish shield. Dr. Vigfusson has shown the +importance of these painted shields in the poetic history of the +Scandinavians. + +A red shield is a signal of peace. Shields are set round +ramparts on land as round ships at sea. + +"Mail-coats" are worn. Frode has one charmed against steel. +Hother has another; a mail-coat of proof is mentioned and their +iron meshes are spoken of. + +"Helmets" are used, but not so carefully described as in +"Beowulf's Lay"; crested helmets and a gilded helmet occur in +Bearca-mal and in another poem. + +"Banners" serve as rallying points in the battle and on the +march. The Huns' banners are spoken of in the classic passage +for the description of a huge host invading a country. Bearca- +mal talks of golden banners. + +"Horns" (1) were blown pp at the beginning of the engagement and +for signalling. The gathering of the host was made by delivery +of a wooden arrow painted to look like iron. + +"Tactics". -- The hand-to-hand fight of the wager of battle with +sword and shield, and the fighting in ranks and the wedge-column +at close quarters, show that the close infantry combat was the +main event of the battle. The preliminary hurling of stones, and +shooting of arrows, and slinging of pebbles, were harassing and +annoying, but seldom sufficiently important to affect the result +of the main engagement. + +Men ride to battle, but fight on foot; occasionally an aged king +is car-borne to the fray, and once the car, whether by Saxo's +adorning hand, or by tradition, is scythe-armed. + +The gathered host is numbered, once, where, as with Xerxes, +counting was too difficult, by making each man as he passed put a +pebble in a pile (which piles survive to mark the huge size of +Frode's army). This is, of course, a folktale, explaining the +pebble-hills and illustrating the belief in Frode's power; but +armies were mustered by such expedients of old. Burton tells of +an African army each man of whom presented an egg, as a token of +his presence and a means of taking the number of the host. + +We hear of men marching in light order without even scabbards, +and getting over the ice in socks. + +The war equipment and habits of the Irish, light armoured, +clipped at back of head, hurling the javelin backwards in their +feigned flight; of the Slavs, small blue targets and long swords; +of the Finns, with their darts and skees, are given. + +Watches are kept, and it is noted that "uht", the early watch +after midnight, is the worst to be attacked in (the duke's two- +o'clock-in-the-morning courage being needed, and the darkness and +cold helping the enemy). + +Spies were, of course, slain if discovered. But we have +instances of kings and heroes getting into foeman's camps in +disguise (cf. stories of Alfred and Anlaf). + +The order of battle of Bravalla fight is given, and the ideal +array of a host. To Woden is ascribed the device of the boar's +head, hamalt fylking (the swine-head array of Manu's Indian +kings), the terrible column with wedge head which could cleave +the stoutest line. + +The host of Ring has men from Wener, Wermland, Gotaelf, Thotn, +Wick, Thelemark, Throndham, Sogn, Firths, Fialer, Iceland; +Sweden, Gislamark, Sigtun, Upsala, Pannonia. + +The host of Harold had men from Iceland, the Danish provinces, +Frisia, Lifland; Slavs, and men from Jom, Aland, and Sleswick. + +The battle of Bravalla is said to have been won by the Gotland +archers and the men of Throndham, and the Dales. The death of +Harald by treachery completed the defeat, which began when Ubbe +fell (after he had broken the enemy's van) riddled with arrows. + +The defeated, unless they could fly, got little quarter. One- +fifth only of the population of a province are said to have +survived an invasion. After sea-battles (always necessarily more +deadly) the corpses choke the harbours. Seventy sea-kings are +swept away in one sea-fight. Heads seem to have been taken in +some cases, but not as a regular Teutonic usage, and the +practice, from its being attributed to ghosts and aliens, must +have already been considered savage by Saxo, and probably by his +informants and authorities. + +Prisoners were slaves; they might be killed, put to cruel death, +outraged, used as slaves, but the feeling in favour of mercy was +growing, and the cruelty of Eormenric, who used tortures to his +prisoners, of Rothe, who stripped his captives, and of Fro, who +sent captive ladies to a brothel in insult, is regarded with +dislike. + +Wounds were looked on as honourable, but they must be in front or +honourably got. A man who was shot through the buttocks, or +wounded in the back, was laughed at and disgraced. We hear of a +mother helping her wounded son out of battle. + +That much of human interest centered round war is evident by the +mass of tradition that surrounds the subject in Saxo, both in its +public and private aspects. Quaint is the analysis of the four +kinds of warriors: (a) The Veterans, or Doughty, who kill foes +and spare flyers; (b) the Young men who kill foes and flyers too; +(c) the well-to-do, landed, and propertied men of the main levy, +who neither fight for fear nor fly for shame; (d) the worthless, +last to fight and first to fly; and curious are the remarks about +married and unmarried troops, a matter which Chaka pondered over +in later days. Homeric speeches precede the fight. + +"Stratagems of War" greatly interested Saxo (probably because +Valerius Maximus, one of his most esteemed models, was much +occupied with such matters), so that he diligently records the +military traditions of the notably skillful expedients of famous +commanders of old. + +There is the device for taking a town by means of the "pretended +death" of the besieging general, a device ascribed to Hastings +and many more commanders (see Steenstrup Normannerne); the plan +of "firing" a besieged town by fire-bearing birds, ascribed here +to Fridlev, in the case of Dublin to Hadding against Duna (where +it was foiled by all tame birds being chased out of the place). + +There is the "Birnam Wood" stratagem, by which men advanced +behind a screen of boughs, which is even used for the concealment +of ships, and the curious legend (occurring in Irish tradition +also, and recalling Capt. B. Hall's "quaker gun" story) by which +a commander bluffs off his enemy by binding his dead to stakes in +rows, as if they were living men. + +Less easy to understand are the "brazen horses" or "machines" +driven into the close lines of the enemy to crush and open them, +an invention of Gewar. The use of hooked weapons to pull down +the foes' shields and helmets was also taught to Hother by Gewar. + +The use of black tents to conceal encampment; the defence of a +pass by hurling rocks from the heights; the bridge of boats +across the Elbe; and the employment of spies, and the bold +venture, ascribed in our chronicles to Alfred and Anlaf, of +visiting in disguise the enemy's camp, is here attributed to +Frode, who even assumed women's clothes for the purpose. + +Frode is throughout the typical general, as he is the typical +statesman and law-giver of archaic Denmark. + +There are certain heathen usages connected with war, as the +hurling of a javelin or shooting of an arrow over the enemy's +ranks as a "sacratio" to Woden of the foe at the beginning of a +battle. This is recorded in the older vernacular authorities +also, in exact accordance with the Homeric usage, "Odyssey" xxiv, +516-595. + +The dedication of part of the spoils to the god who gave good +omens for the war is told of the heathen Baltic peoples; but +though, as Sidonius records, it had once prevailed among the +Saxons, and, as other witnesses add, among the Scandinavian +people, the tradition is not clearly preserved by Saxo. + +"Sea and Sea Warfare." -- As might be expected, there is much +mention of Wicking adventure and of maritime warfare in Saxo. + +Saxo tells of Asmund's huge ship (Gnod), built high that he might +shoot down on the enemy's craft; he speaks of a ship (such as +Godwin gave as a gift to the king his master), and the monk of +St. Bertin and the court-poets have lovingly described a ship +with gold-broidered sails, gilt masts, and red-dyed rigging. One +of his ships has, like the ships in the Chansons de Geste, a +carbuncle for a lantern at the masthead. Hedin signals to Frode +by a shield at the masthead. A red shield was a peace signal, as +noted above. The practice of "strand-hewing", a great feature in +Wicking-life (which, so far as the victualling of raw meat by the +fishing fleets, and its use raw, as Mr. P. H. Emerson informs me, +still survives), is spoken of. There was great fear of monsters +attacking them, a fear probably justified by such occasional +attacks of angry whales as Melville (founding his narrative on +repeated facts) has immortalised. The whales, like Moby Dick, +were uncanny, and inspired by troll-women or witches (cf. +"Frithiof Saga" and the older "Lay of Atle and Rimegerd"). The +clever sailing of Hadding, by which he eludes pursuit, is +tantalising, for one gathers that, Saxo knows the details that he +for some reason omits. Big fleets of 150 and a monster armada of +3,000 vessels are recorded. + +The ships were moved by oars and sails; they had rudders, no +doubt such as the Gokstad ship, for the hero Arrow-Odd used a +rudder as a weapon. + +"Champions". -- Professed fighting men were often kept by kings +and earls about their court as useful in feud and fray. Harald +Fairhair's champions are admirably described in the contemporary +Raven Song by Hornclofe -- + + "Wolf-coats they call them that in battle + Bellow into bloody shields. + They wear wolves' hides when they come into the fight, + And clash their weapons together." + +and Saxo's sources adhere closely to this pattern. + +These "bear-sarks", or wolf-coats of Harald give rise to an O. N. +term, "bear-sarks' way", to describe the frenzy of fight and fury +which such champions indulged in, barking and howling, and biting +their shield-rims (like the ferocious "rook" in the narwhale +ivory chessmen in the British Museum) till a kind of state was +produced akin to that of the Malay when he has worked himself up +to "run-a-muck." There seems to have been in the 10th century a +number of such fellows about unemployed, who became nuisances to +their neighbours by reason of their bullying and highhandedness. +Stories are told in the Icelandic sagas of the way such persons +were entrapped and put to death by the chiefs they served when +they became too troublesome. A favourite (and fictitious) +episode in an "edited" Icelandic saga is for the hero to rescue a +lady promised to such a champion (who has bullied her father into +consent) by slaying the ruffian. It is the same "motif" as Guy +of Warwick and the Saracen lady, and one of the regular Giant and +Knight stories. + +Beside men-warriors there were "women-warriors" in the North, as +Saxo explains. He describes shield-maidens, as Alfhild, Sela, +Rusila (the Ingean Ruadh, or Red Maid of the Irish Annals, as +Steenstrup so ingeniously conjectures); and the three she- +captains, Wigbiorg, who fell on the field, Hetha, who was made +queen of Zealand, and Wisna, whose hand Starcad cut off, all +three fighting manfully at Bravalla fight. + + +SOCIAL LIFE AND MANNERS. + +"Feasts". -- The hall-dinner was an important feature in the old +Teutonic court-life. Many a fine scene in a saga takes place in +the hall while the king and his men are sitting over their ale. +The hall decked with hangings, with its fires, lights, plate and +provisions, appears in Saxo just as in the Eddic Lays, especially +Rigsmal, and the Lives of the Norwegian Kings and Orkney Earls. + +The order of seats is a great point of archaic manners. +Behaviour at table was a matter of careful observance. The +service, especially that of the cup-bearer, was minutely +regulated by etiquette. An honoured guest was welcomed by the +host rising to receive him and giving him a seat near himself, +but less distinguished visitors were often victims to the rough +horseplay of the baser sort, and of the wanton young gentleman at +court. The food was simple, boiled beef and pork, and mutton +without sauce, ale served in horns from the butt. Roast meat, +game, sauces, mead, and flagons set on the table, are looked on +by Starcad as foreign luxuries, and Germany was credited with +luxurious cookery. + +"Mimes and jugglers", who went through the country or were +attached to the lord's court to amuse the company, were a +despised race because of their ribaldry, obscenity, cowardice, +and unabashed self-debasement; and their newfangled dances and +piping were loathsome to the old court-poets, who accepted the +harp alone as an instrument of music. + +The story that once a king went to war with his jugglers and they +ran away, would represent the point of view of the old house- +carle, who was neglected, though "a first-class fighting man", +for these debauched foreign buffoons. + + +SUPERNATURAL BEINGS. + +GODS AND GODDESSES. -- The gods spring, according to Saxo's +belief, from a race of sorcerers, some of whom rose to +pre-eminence and expelled and crushed the rest, ending the +"wizard-age", as the wizards had ended the monster or +"giant-age". +That they were identic with the classic gods he is inclined to +believe, but his difficulty is that in the week-days we have +Jove : Thor; Mercury : Woden; whereas it is perfectly well known +that Mercury is Jove's son, and also that Woden is the father of +Thor -- a comic "embarras". That the persians the heathens +worshipped as gods existed, and that they were men and women +false and powerful, Saxo plainly believes. He has not Snorre's +appreciation of the humorous side of the mythology. He is ironic +and scornful, but without the kindly, naive fun of the Icelander. + +The most active god, the Dane's chief god (as Frey is the Swede's +god, and patriarch), is "Woden". He appears in heroic life as +patron of great heroes and kings. Cf. "Hyndla-Lay", where it is +said of Woden: -- + + "Let us pray the Father of Hosts to be gracious to us! + He granteth and giveth gold to his servants, + He gave Heremod a helm and mail-coat, + And Sigmund a sword to take. + He giveth victory to his sons, to his followers wealth, + Ready speech to his children and wisdom to men. + Fair wind to captains, and song to poets; + He giveth luck in love to many a hero." + +He appears under various disguises and names, but usually as a +one-eyed old man, cowled and hooded; sometimes with another, bald +and ragged, as before the battle Hadding won; once as "Hroptr", a +huge man skilled in leechcraft, to Ragnar's son Sigfrid. + +Often he is a helper in battle or doomer of feymen. As "Lysir", +a rover of the sea, he helps Hadding. As veteran slinger and +archer he helps his favourite Hadding; as charioteer, "Brune", he +drives Harald to his death in battle. He teaches Hadding how to +array his troops. As "Yggr" the prophet he advises the hero and +the gods. As "Wecha" (Waer) the leech he woos Wrinda. He +invented the wedge array. He can grant charmed lives to his +favourites against steel. He prophesies their victories and +death. He snatches up one of his disciples, sets him on his +magic horse that rides over seas in the air, as in Skida-runa the +god takes the beggar over the North Sea. His image (like that of +Frey in the Swedish story of Ogmund dytt and Gunnar helming, +"Flatey book", i, 335) could speak by magic power. + +Of his life and career Saxo gives several episodes. + +Woden himself dwelt at Upsala and Byzantium (Asgard); and the +northern kings sent him a golden image ring-bedecked, which he +made to speak oracles. His wife Frigga stole the bracelets and +played him false with a servant, who advised her to destroy and +rob the image. + +When Woden was away (hiding the disgrace brought on him hy Frigga +his wife), an imposter, Mid Odin, possibly Loke in disguise, +usurped his place at Upsala, instituted special drink-offerings, +fled to Finland on Woden's return, and was slain by the Fins and +laid in barrow. But the barrow smote all that approached it with +death, till the body was unearthed, beheaded, and impaled, a +well-known process for stopping the haunting of an obnoxious or +dangerous ghost. + +Woden had a son Balder, rival of Hother for the love of Nanna, +daughter of King Gewar. Woden and Thor his son fought for him +against Hother, but in vain, for Hother won the laity and put +Balder to shameful flight; however, Balder, half-frenzied by his +dreams of Nanna, in turn drove him into exile (winning the lady); +finally Hother, befriended hy luck and the Wood Maidens, to whom +he owed his early successes and his magic coat, belt, and girdle +(there is obvious confusion here in the text), at last met Balder +and stabbed him in the side. Of this wound Balder died in three +days, as was foretold by the awful dream in which Proserpina +(Hela) appeared to him. Balder's grand burial, his barrow, and +the magic flood which burst from it when one Harald tried to +break into it, and terrified the robbers, are described. + +The death of Balder led Woden to seek revenge. Hrossthiof the +wizard, whom he consulted, told him he must beget a son by +"Wrinda" (Rinda, daughter of the King of the Ruthenians), who +should avenge his half-brother. + +Woden's wooing is the best part of this story, half spoilt, +however, by euhemeristic tone and lack of epic dignity. He woos +as a victorious warrior, and receives a cuff; as a generous +goldsmith, and gets a buffet; as a handsome soldier, earning a +heavy knock-down blow; but in the garb of a women as Wecha +(Wakr), skilled in leechcraft, he won his way by trickery; and +("Wale") "Bous" was born, who, after some years, slew Hother in +battle, and died himself of his wounds. Bous' barrow in +Bohusland, Balder's haven, Balder's well, are named as local +attestations of the legend, which is in a late form, as it seems. + +The story of Woden's being banished for misbehaviour, and +especially for sorcery and for having worn woman's attire to +trick Wrinda, his replacement by "Wuldor" ("Oller"), a high +priest +who assumed Woden's name and flourished for ten years, but was +ultimately expelled by the returning Woden, and killed by the +Danes in Sweden, is in the same style. But Wuldor's bone vessel +is an old bit of genuine tradition mangled. It would cross the +sea as well as a ship could, by virtue of certain spells marked +on it. + +Of "Frey", who appears as "satrapa" of the gods at Upsala, and as +the originator of human sacrifice, and as appeased by black +victims, at a sacrifice called Froblod (Freys-blot) instituted by +Hadding, who began it as an atonement for having slain a +sea-monster, a deed for which he had incurred a curse. The +priapic and generative influences of Frey are only indicated by a +curious tradition mentioned. It almost looks as if there had +once been such an institution at Upsala as adorned the Phoenician +temples, under Frey's patronage and for a symbolic means of +worship. + +"Thunder", or "Thor", is Woden's son, strongest of gods or men, +patron of Starcad, whom he turned, by pulling off four arms, from +a monster to a man. + +He fights by Woden's side and Balder's against Hother, by whose +magic wand his club (hammer) was lopped off part of its shaft, a +wholly different and, a much later version than the one Snorre +gives in the prose Edda. Saxo knows of Thor's journey to the +haunt of giant Garfred (Geirrod) and his three daughters, and of +the hurling of the iron "bloom", and of the crushing of the +giantesses, though he does not seem to have known of the river- +feats of either the ladies or Thor, if we may judge (never a safe +thing wholly) by his silence. + +Whether "Tew" is meant by the Mars of the Song of the Voice is +not evident. Saxo may only be imitating the repeated catch-word +"war" of the original. + +"Loke" appears as Utgard-Loke, Loke of the skirts of the World, +as it were; is treated as a venomous giant bound in agony under a +serpent-haunted cavern (no mention is made of "Sigyn" or her +pious ministry). + +"Hela" seems to be meant by Saxo's Proserpina. + +"Nanna" is the daughter of Gewar, and Balder sees her bathing and +falls in love with her, as madly as Frey with Gertha in +Skirnismal. + +"Freya", the mistress of Od, the patroness of Othere the homely, +the sister of Frey-Frode, and daughter of Niord-Fridlaf, appears +as Gunwara Eric's love and Syritha Ottar's love and the hair- +clogged maiden, as Dr. Rydberg has shown. + +The gods can disguise their form, change their shape, are often +met in a mist, which shrouds them save from the right person; +they appear and disappear at will. For the rest they have the +mental and physical characteristics of the kings and queens they +protect or persecute so capriciously. They can be seen by making +a magic sign and looking through a witch's arm held akimbo. They +are no good comates for men or women, and to meddle with a +goddess or nymph or giantess was to ensure evil or death for a +man. The god's loves were apparently not always so fatal, though +there seems to be some tradition to that effect. Most of the +god-sprung heroes are motherless or unborn (i.e., born like +Macduff by the Caesarean operation) -- Sigfred, in the Eddic Lays +for instance. + +Besides the gods, possibly older than they are, and presumably +mightier, are the "Fates" (Norns), three Ladies who are met with +together, who fulfil the parts of the gift-fairies of our +Sleeping Beauty tales, and bestow endowments on the new-born +child, as in the beautiful "Helge Lay", a point of the story +which survives in Ogier of the Chansons de Geste, wherein Eadgar +(Otkerus or Otgerus) gets what belonged to Holger (Holge), the +Helga of "Beowulf's Lay". The caprices of the Fates, where one +corrects or spoils the others' endowments, are seen in Saxo, when +beauty, bounty, and meanness are given together. They sometimes +meet heroes, as they met Helgi in the Eddic Lay (Helgi and Sigrun +Lay), and help or begift them; they prepare the magic broth for +Balder, are charmed with Hother's lute-playing, and bestow on him +a belt of victory and a girdle of splendour, and prophesy things +to come. + +The verse in Biarca-mal, where "Pluto weaves the dooms of the +mighty and fills Phlegethon with noble shapes," recalls +Darrada-liod, and points to Woden as death-doomer of the warrior. + +"Giants". -- These are stupid, mischievous, evil and cunning in +Saxo's eyes. Oldest of beings, with chaotic force and +exuberance, monstrous in extravagant vitality. + +The giant nature of the older troll-kind is abhorrent to man and +woman. But a giantess is enamoured of a youth she had fostered, +and giants carry off king's daughters, and a three-bodied giant +captures young children. + +Giants live in caves by the sea, where they keep their treasure. +One giant, Unfoot (Ofoti), is a shepherd, like Polyphemus, and +has a famous dog which passed into the charge of Biorn, and won a +battle; a giantess is keeping goats in the wilds. A giant's fury +is so great that it takes twelve champions to control him, when +the rage is on him. The troll (like our Puss-in-Boots Ogre) can +take any shape. + +Monstrous apparitions are mentioned, a giant hand (like that in +one story of Finn) searching for its prey among the inmates of a +booth in the wilds. But this Grendel-like arm is torn off by a +giantess, Hardgrip, daughter of Wainhead and niece possibly of +Hafle. + +The voice heard at night prophesying is that of some god or +monster, possibly Woden himself. + +"Dwarves". -- These Saxo calls Satyrs, and but rarely mentions. +The dwarf Miming, who lives in the desert, has a precious sword +of sharpness (Mistletoe?) that could even pierce skin-hard +Balder, and a ring (Draupnir) that multiplied itself for its +possessor. He is trapped by the hero and robbed of his +treasures. + + +FUNERAL RITES AND MAN'S FUTURE STATE. + +"Barrow-burials". -- The obsequies of great men (such as the +classic funeral of "Beowulf's Lay", 3138-80) are much noticed by +Saxo, and we might expect that he knew such a poem (one similar +to Ynglingatal, but not it) which, like the Books of the Kings of +Israel and Judah, recorded the deaths and burials, as well as the +pedigrees and deeds, of the Danish kings. + +The various stages of the "obsequy by fire" are noted; the byre +sometimes formed out of a ship; the "sati"; the devoted bower- +maidens choosing to die with their mistress, the dead man's +beloved (cf. The Eddic funerals of Balder, Sigfred, and Brunhild, +in the Long "Brunhild's Lay", Tregrof Gudrumar and the lost poem +of Balder's death paraphrased in the prose Edda); the last +message given to the corpse on the pyre (Woden's last words to +Balder are famous); the riding round the pyre; the eulogium; the +piling of the barrow, which sometimes took whole days, as the +size of many existing grass mounds assure us; the funeral feast, +where an immense vat of ale or mead is drunk in honor of the +dead; the epitaph, like an ogham, set up on a stone over the +barrow. + +The inclusion of a live man with the dead in a barrow, with the +live or fresh-slain beasts (horse and bound) of the dead man, +seems to point to a time or district when burning was not used. +Apparently, at one time, judging from Frode's law, only chiefs +and warriors were burnt. + +Not to bury was, as in Hellas, an insult to the dead, reserved +for the bodies of hated foes. Conquerors sometimes show their +magnanimity (like Harald Godwineson) by offering to bury their +dead foes. + +The buried "barrow-ghost" was formidable; he could rise and slay +and eat, vampire-like, as in the tale of Asmund and Aswit. He +must in such case be mastered and prevented doing further harm by +decapitation and thigh-forking, or by staking and burning. So +criminals' bodies were often burnt to stop possible haunting. + +Witches and wizards could raise corpses by spells to make them +prophesy. The dead also appeared in visions, usually foretelling +death to the person they visited. + +OTHER WORLDS. -- The "Land of Undeath" is spoken of as a place +reached by an exiled hero in his wanderings. We know it from +Eric the traveller's S., Helge Thoreson's S., Herrand and Bose +S., Herwon S., Thorstan Baearmagn S., and other Icelandic +sources. But the voyage to the Other Worlds are some of the most +remarkable of the narratives Saxo has preserved for us. + +"Hadding's Voyage Underground". -- (a) A woman bearing in her +lap angelica fresh and green, though it was deep winter, appears +to the hero at supper, raising her head beside the brazier. +Hadding wishes to know where such plants grow. + +(b) She takes him with her, under cover of her mantle, +underground. + +(c) They pierce a mist, get on a road worn by long use, pass +nobly-clad men, and reach the sunny fields that bear the +angelica: -- + + "Through griesly shadowes by a beaten path, + Into a garden goodly garnished." + -- F.Q. ii. 7, 51. + +(d) Next they cross, by a bridge, the "River of Blades", and see +"two armies fighting", ghosts of slain soldiers. + +(e) Last they came to a high wall, which surrounds the land of +Life, for a cock the woman brought with her, whose neck she wrung +and tossed over this wall, came to life and crowed merrily. + +Here the story breaks off. It is unfinished, we are only told +that Hadfling got back. Why he was taken to this under-world? +Who took him? What followed therefrom? Saxo does not tell. It +is left to us to make out. + +That it is an archaic story of the kind in the Thomas of +Ercildoune and so many more fairy-tales, e.g., Kate Crack-a-Nuts, +is certain. The "River of Blades" and "The Fighting Warriors" +are known from the Eddic Poems. The angelica is like the green +birk of that superb fragment, the ballad of the Wife of Usher's +Well -- a little more frankly heathen, of course -- + + "It fell about the Martinmas, when nights are long and mirk, + The carline wife's three sons cam hame, and their hats were + o' the birk. + It neither grew in syke nor dyke, nor yet in ony sheugh, + But at the gates o' Paradise that birk grew fair eneuch." + +The mantel is that of Woden when he bears the hero over seas; the +cock is a bird of sorcery the world over; the black fowl is the +proper gift to the Underground powers -- a heriot really, for did +not the Culture god steal all the useful beasts out of the +underground world for men's use? + +Dr. Rydberg has shown that the "Seven Sleepers" story is an old +Northern myth, alluded to here in its early pre-Christian form, +and that with this is mixed other incidents from voyages of +Swipdag, the Teutonic Odusseus. + +"Thorkill's Second Voyage to Outgarth-Loke to get Knowledge". -- +(a) Guthrum is troubled as to the immortality and fate of the +soul, and the reward of piety after death. To spite Thorkill, +his enviers advised the king to send him to consult Outgarth- +Loke. He required of the king that his enemies should be sent +with him. + +(b) In one well-stored and hide-defended ship they set out, +reached a sunless, starless land, without fuel; ate raw food and +suffered. At last, after many days, a fire was seen ashore. +Thorkill, setting a jewel at the mast-head to be able to regain +his vessel easily, rows ashore to get fire. + +(c) In a filthy, snake-paved, stinking cavern he sees two horny- +nebbed giants, (2) making a fire. One of the giants offers to +direct him to Loke if he will say three true things in three +phrases, and this done, tells him to row four days and then he +would reach a Dark and Grassless Land. For three more true +sayings he obtains fire, and gets back to his vessel. + +(d) With good wind they make Grassless Land, go ashore, find a +huge, rocky cavern, strike a flint to kindle a fire at the +entrance as a safeguard against demons, and a torch to light them +as they explored the cavern. + +(e) First appears iron seats set amid crawling snakes. + +(f) Next is sluggish water flowing over sand. + +(g) Last a steep, sloping cavern is reached, in a chamber of +which lay Outgarth-Loke chained, huge and foul. + +(h) Thorkill plucks a hair of his beard "as big as a cornel-wood +spear." The stench that arose was fearful; the demens and snakes +fell upon the invaders at once; only Thorkill and five of the +crew, who had sheltered themselves with hides against the +virulent poison the demons and snakes cast, which would take a +head off at the neck if it fell upon it, got back to their ship. + +(i) By vow to the "God that made the world", and offerings, a +good voyage was made back, and Germany reached, where Thorkill +became a Christian. Only two of his men survived the effects of +the poison and stench, and he himself was scarred and spoilt in +the face. + +(k) When he reached the king, Guthrum would not listen to his +tale, because it was prophesied to him that he would die suddenly +if he heard it; nay, he even sent men to smite him as he lay in +bed, but, by the device of laying a log in his place, he escaped, +and going to the king as he sat at meat, reproached him for his +treachery. + +(l) Guthrum bade him tell his story, but died of horror at +hearing his god Loke foully spoken of, while the stench of the +hair that Thorkill produced, as Othere did his horn for a voucher +of his speech, slew many bystanders. + +This is the regular myth of Loke, punished by the gods, lying +bound with his own soils' entrails on three sharp stones and a +sword-blade, (this latter an addition, when the myth was made +stones were the only blades), with snakes' venom dripping on to +him, so that when it falls on him he shakes with pain and makes +earthquakes -- a Titan myth in answer to the question, "Why does +the earth quake?" The vitriolic power of the poison is +excellently expressed in the story. The plucking of the hair as +a token is like the plucking of a horn off the giant or devil +that occurs in some folk-tale. + + +MAGIC AND FOLK-SCIENCE. + +There is a belief in magic throughout Saxo's work, showing how +fresh heathendom still was in men's minds and memories. His +explanations, when he euhemerizes, are those of his day. + +By means of spells all kinds of wonders could be effected, and +the powers of nature forced to work for the magician or his +favourite. + +"Skin-changing" (so common in "Landnamaboc") was as well known as +in the classic world of Lucian and Apuleius; and, where Frode +perishes of the attacks of a witch metamorphosed into a walrus. + +"Mist" is induced by spells to cover and hide persons, as in +Homer, and "glamour" is produced by spells to dazzle foemen's +sight. To cast glamour and put confusion into a besieged place a +witch is employed by the beleaguerer, just as William the +Conqueror used the witch in the Fens against Hereward's +fortalice. A soothsayer warns Charles the Great of the coming of +a Danish fleet to the Seine's mouth. + +"Rain and bad weather" may be brought on, as in a battle against +the enemy, but in this, as in other instances, the spell may be +counteracted. + +"Panic Terror" may be induced by the spell worked with a dead +horse's head set up on a pole facing the antagonist, but the +spell may be met and combatted by silence and a counter-curse. + +"Magic help" may be got by calling on the friendly magician's +name. The magician has also the power of summoning to him +anyone, however unwilling, to appear. + +Of spells and magic power to blunt steel there are several +instances; they may be counteracted (as in the Icelandic Sagas) +by using the hilt, or a club, or covering the blade with fine +skin. In another case the champion can only be overcome by one +that will take up some of the dust from under his feet. This is +effected by the combatants shifting their ground and exchanging +places. In another case the foeman can only be slain by gold, +whereupon the hero has a gold-headed mace made and batters the +life out of him therewith. The brothers of Swanhild cannot be +cut by steel, for their mail was charmed by the witch Gudrun, but +Woden taught Eormenric, the Gothic king, how to overcome them +with stones (which apparently cannot, as archaic weapons, be +charmed against at all, resisting magic like wood and water and +fire). Jordanis tells the true history of Ermanaric, that great +Gothic emperor whose rule from the Dnieper to the Baltic and +Rhine and Danube, and long reign of prosperity, were broken by +the coming of the Huns. With him vanished the first great +Teutonic empire. + +Magic was powerful enough even to raise the dead, as was +practised by the Perms, who thus renewed their forces after a +battle. In the Everlasting battle the combatants were by some +strange trick of fate obliged to fulfil a perennial weird (like +the unhappy Vanderdecken). Spells to wake the dead were written +on wood and put under the corpses' tongue. Spells (written on +bark) induce frenzy. + +"Charms" would secure a man against claw or tooth. + +"Love philtres" (as in the long "Lay of Gudrun) appear as +everywhere in savage and archaic society. + +"Food", porridge mixed with the slaver of tortured snakes, gives +magic strength or endues the eater with eloquence and knowledge +of beast and bird speech (as Finn's broiled fish and Sigfred's +broiled dragon-heart do). + +"Poison" like these hell-broths are part of the Witch or Obi +stock-in-trade, and Frode uses powdered gold as an antidote. + +"Omens" are observed; tripping as one lands is lucky (as with our +William the Norman). Portents, such as a sudden reddening of the +sea where the hero is drowned, are noticed and interpreted. + +"Dreams" (cf. Eddic Lays of Attila, and the Border ballads) are +prophetic (as nine-tenths of Europeans firmly believe still); +thus the visionary flame-spouting dragon is interpreted exactly +as Hogne's and Attila's dreams. The dreams of the three first +bridals nights (which were kept hallowed by a curious +superstition, either because the dreams would then bold good, or +as is more likely, for fear of some Asmodeus) were fateful. +Animals and birds in dreams are read as persons, as nowadays. + +A "curse" is powerful unless it can be turned back, when it will +harm its utterer, for harm someone it must. The "curse" of a +dying man on his slayer, and its lack of effect, is noted. + +Sometimes "magic messengers" are sent, like the swans that bore a +token and uttered warning songs to the hero. + +"Witches and wizards" (as belonging to the older layer of archaic +beliefs) are hateful to the gods, and Woden casts them out as +accursed, though he himself was the mightiest of wizards. +Heathen Teutonic life was a long terror by reason of witchcraft, +as is the heathen African life to-day, continual precautions +being needful to escape the magic of enemies. The Icelandic +Sagas, such as Gretter's, are full of magic and witchcraft. It +is by witchcraft that Gretter is first lamed and finally slain; +one can see that Glam's curse, the Beowulf motif, was not really +in the original Gretter story. + +"Folk-medicine" is really a branch of magic in old days, even to +such pioneers of science as Paracelsus. + +Saxo's traditions note drinking of a lion's blood that eats men +as a means of gaining might and strength; the drinking of bear's +blood is also declared to give great bodily power. + +The tests for "madness" are of a primitive character, such as +those applied to Odusseus, who, however, was not able, like +Hamlet, to evade them. + +The test for death is the red-hot iron or hot brand (used by the +Abyssinians of to-day, as it was supposed in the thirteenth +century to have been used by Grimhild. "And now Grimhild goes +and takes a great brand, where the house had burnt, and goes to +Gernot her brother, and thrusts the burning brand in his mouth, +and will know whether he is dead or living. But Gernot was +clearly dead. And now she goes to Gislher and thrusts the +firebrand in his mouth. He was not dead before, but Gislher died +of that. Now King Thidrec of Bern saw what Grimhild is doing, +and speaks to King Attila. `See how that devil Grimhild, thy +wife, is killing her brothers, the good warriors, and how many +men have lost their lives for her sake, and how many good men she +has destroyed, Huns and Amalungs and Niflungs; and in the same +way would she bring thee and me to hell, if she could do it?' +Then spake King Attila, `Surely she is a devil, and slay thou +her, and that were a good work if thou had done it seven nights +ago! Then many a gallant fellow were whole that is now dead.' +Now King Thidrec springs at Grimhild and swings up his sword +Eckisax, and hews her asunder at the middle"). + +It was believed (as in Polynesia, where "Captain Cook's path" was +shown in the grass) that the heat of the hero's body might blast +the grass; so Starcad's entrails withered the grass. + +It was believed that a severed head might bite the ground in +rage, and there were certainly plenty of opportunities for +observation of such cases. + +It was believed that a "dumb man" might be so wrought on by +passion that he would speak, and wholly acquire speech-power. + +Little is told of "surgery", but in one case of intestines +protruding owing to wounds, withies were employed to bind round +the trunk and keep the bowels from risk till the patient could be +taken to a house and his wounds examined and dressed. It was +considered heroic to pay little heed to wounds that were not +dangerous, but just to leave them to nature. + +Personal "cleanliness" was not higher than among savages now. A +lover is loused by his lady after the mediaeval fashion. + +CHRISTIANITY -- In the first nine books of Saxo, which are +devoted to heathendom, there is not much save the author's own +Christian point of view that smacks of the New Faith. The +apostleships of Ansgarius in Denmark, the conversion of King +Eric, the Christianity of several later Danish Kings, one of whom +was (like Olaf Tryggwason) baptised in Britain are also noticed. + +Of "Christian legends" and beliefs, besides the euhemerist +theory, widely held, of the heathen gods there are few hints, +save the idea that Christ was born in the reign of Frode, Frode +having been somehow synchronised with Augustus, in whose reign +also there was a world-peace. + +Of course the christening of Scandinavia is history, and the +mythic books are little concerned with it. The episode in Adam +of Bremen, where the king offers the people, if they want a new +god, to deify Eric, one of their hero-kings, is eminently +characteristic and true. + + +FOLK-TALES. + +There might be a classification of Saxo's stories akin to that of +the Irish poets, Battles, Sieges, Voyages, Rapes, Cattle Forays, +etc.; and quite apart from the historic element, however faint +and legendary, there are a set of stories ascribed by him, or +rather his authorities, to definite persons, which had, even in +his day, probably long been the property of Tis, their original +owners not being known owing to lapse of time and the wear of +memory, and the natural and accidental catastrophies that impair +the human record. Such are the "Dragon-Slayer" stories. In one +type of these the hero (Frithlaf) is cast on a desolate island, +and warned by a dream to attack and slay a dragon guarding +treasure. He wakes, sees the dragon arise out of the waves, +apparently, to come ashore and go back to the cavern or mound +wherein the treasure lay. His scales are too hard to pierce; he +is terribly strong, lashing trees down with his tail, and wearing +a deep path through the wood and over the stones with his huge +and perpetual bulk; but the hero, covered with hide-wrapped +shield against the poison, gets down into the hollow path, and +pierces the monster from below, afterward rifling its underground +store and carrying off its treasure. + +Again the story is repeated; the hero (Frode Haddingsson) is +warned by a countryman of the island-dragon and its hoard, is +told to cover his shield and body with bulls' hides against the +poison, and smite the monster's belly. The dragon goes to drink, +and, as it is coming back, it is attacked, slain, and its +treasure lifted precisely as before. The analogies with the +Beowulf and Sigfred stories are evident; but no great poet has +arisen to weave the dragon-slaying intimately into the lives of +Frode and Frithlaf as they have been woven into the tragedy of +Sigfred the wooer of Brunhild and, if Dr. Vigffisson be right the +conqueror of Varus, or into the story of Beowulf, whose real +engagements were with sea-monsters, not fiery dragons. + +Another type is that of the "Loathly Worm". A king out hunting +(Herod or Herraud, King of Sweden), for some unexplained reason +brings home two small snakes as presents for his daughter. They +wax wonderfully, have to be fed a whole ox a day, and proceed to +poison and waste the countryside. The wretched king is forced to +offer his daughter (Thora) to anyone who will slay them. The +hero (Ragnar) devises a dress of a peculiar kind (by help of his +nurse, apparently), in this case, woolly mantle and hairy +breeches all frozen and ice-covered to resist the venom, then +strapping his spear to his hand, he encounters them boldly alone. +The courtiers hide "like frightened little girls", and the king +betakes him to a "narrow shelter", an euphemism evidently of +Saxo's, for the scene is comic. The king comes forth when the +hero is victorious, and laughing at his hairy legs, nick-names +him Shaggy-breech, and bids him to the feast. Ragnar fetches up +his comrades, and apparently seeks out the frightened courtiers +(no doubt with appropriate quip, omitted by Saxo, who hurries +on), feasts, marries the king's daughter, and begets on her two +fine sons. + +Of somewhat similar type is the proud "Maiden guarded" by Beasts. +Here the scene is laid in Gaulardale in Norway. The lady is +Ladgerda, the hero Ragnar. Enamoured of the maiden by seeing her +prowess in war, he accepts no rebuffs, but leaving his followers, +enters the house, slays the guardian Bear and Dog, thrusting one +through with a spear and throttling the other with his hand. The +lady is won and wed, and two daughters and a son (Frithlaf) duly +begotten. The story of Alf and Alfhild combines several types. +There are the tame snakes, the baffled suitors' heads staked to +terrify other suitors, and the hero using red-hot iron and spear +to slay the two reptiles. + +The "Proud Lady", (cf. Kudrun and the Niebelungen, and Are's +story of the queen that burnt her suitors) appears in +Hermintrude, Queen of Scotland, who battles and slays her lovers, +but is out-witted by the hero (Hamlet), and, abating her +arrogance, agrees to wed him. This seems an obvious accretion in +the original Hamlet story, and probably owing not to Saxo, but to +his authority. + +The "Beggar that stole the Lady" (told of Snio Siwaldson and the +daughter of the King of the Goths), with its brisk dialogue, must +have been one of the most artful of the folk-tales worked on by +Saxo or his informants; but it is only half told, unfortunately. + +The "Crafty Soaker" is another excellent comic folk-tale. A +terrible famine made the king (Snio) forbid brewing to save the +barley for bread, and abolished all needless toping. The Soaker +baffled the king by sipping, never taking a full draught. +Rebuked, be declared that he never drank, but only sucked a drop. +This was forbidden him for the future, so he sopped his bread in +ale, and in that inconvenient manner continued to get drunk, +excusing himself with the plea that though it was forbidden to +drink or sip beer, it was not forbidden to eat it. When this was +in turn prohibited, the Soaker gave up any pretence, and brewed +and drank unabashed, telling the angry king that he was +celebrating his approaching funeral with due respect, which +excuse led to the repeal of the obnoxious decree. A good +Rabelaisian tale, that must not have been wide-spread among the +Danish topers, whose powers both Saxo and Shakespeare have +celebrated, from actual experience no doubt. + +The "Magician's tricks to elude pursuit", so common an incident +in our fairy tales, e.g., Michael Scot's flight, is ascribed here +to the wonder-working and uncanny Finns, who, when pursued, cast +behind them successively three pebbles, which become to their +enemies' eyes mountains, then snow, which appeared like a roaring +torrent. But they could not cast the glamour on Arngrim a third +time, and were forced to submit. The glamour here and in the +case of the breaking of Balder's barrow is akin to that which the +Druid puts on the sons of Uisnach. + +The tale of the king who shuts up his daughter in an "earth- +house" or underground chamber with treasures (weapons and gold +and silver), in fear of invasion, looks like a bit of folk-tale, +such as the "Hind in the Wood", but it may have a traditional +base of some kind here. + +A folk-tale, very imperfectly narrated, is the "Clever King's +Daughter", who evidently in the original story had to choose her +suitor by his feet (as the giantess in the prose Edda chooses her +husband), and was able to do so by the device she had practised +of sewing up her ring in his leg sometime before, so that when +she touched the flesh she could feel the hardness of the ring +beneath the scar. + +Bits of folk-tales are the "Device for escaping threatened death +by putting a log in one's bed" (as in our Jack the Giant-Killer). +The device, as old as David's wife, of dressing up a dummy (here +a basket with a dog inside, covered outside with clothes), while +the hero escapes, is told of Eormenric, the mighty Gothic King of +Kings, who, like Walter of Aquitaine, Theodoric of Varona, +Ecgherht, and Arminius, was an exile in his youth. This +traditional escape of the two lads from the Scyths should be +compared with the true story in Paul the Deacon of his little +ancestor's captivity and bold and successful stroke for freedom. + +"Disguise" plays a great part in the folk-tales used by Saxo. +Woden disguises himself in a cowl on his earthly travels, and +heroes do the same; a king disguises himself as a slave at his +rival's court, to try and find occasion of slaying him; a hero +wraps himself up in skins, like Alleleirah. + +"Escaped recognition" is accordingly a feature in many of these +simple but artistic plots. A son is not known by his mother in +the story of Hrolf. + +Other "Devices" are exemplified, such as the "booby-trap" loaded +with a millstone, which slays a hateful and despised tyrant, +imposed by a foreign conqueror; evasion by secret passages, and +concealment in underground vaults or earth-houses. The feigning +of madness to escape death occurs, as well as in the better-known +Hamlet story. These stratagems are universal in folk-history. + +To Eric, the clever and quick of speech, is ascribed an excellent +sailor's smuggling trick to hide slaughtered cattle, by sinking +them till the search is over. + +The "Hero's Mighty Childhood" (like David's) of course occurs +when he binds a bear with his girdle. Sciold is full grown at +fifteen, and Hadding is full grown in extreme youth. The hero in +his boyhood slays a full-grown man and champion. The cinder- +biting, lazy stage of a mighty youth is exemplified. + +The "fierce eyes" of the hero or heroine, which can daunt an +assassin as could the piercing glance of Marius, are the "falcon +eyes" of the Eddic Lays. + +The shining, effulgent, "illuminating hair" of the hero, which +gives light in the darkness, is noticed here, as it obtains in +Cuaran's thirteenth century English legend. + +The wide-spread tale of the "City founded on a site marked out by +a hide cut into finest thongs", occurs, told of Hella and Iwarus +exactly as our Kentishmen told it of Hengist, and as it is also +told of Dido. + +The incidents of the "hero sleeping by a rill", of the guarded +king's daughter, with her thirty attendants, the king's son +keeping sheep, are part of the regular stock incidents in +European folk-tales. So are the Nausicaa incident of the "king's +daughter going a washing", the hero disguising himself as a woman +and winding wool (like a second Heracles). + +There are a certain number of stories, which only occur in Saxo +and in our other Northern sources with attributions, though they +are of course legendary; such are: + +The "Everlasting Battle" between Hedhin and Hogne, a legend +connected with the great Brisinga-men story, and paralleled by +the Cordelia-tale among the Britons. + +The story of the "Children preserved" is not very clearly told, +and Saxo seems to have euhemerized. It is evidently of the same +type as the Lionel-Lancelot story in the Arthurian cycle. Two +children, ordered to be killed, are saved by the slaying of other +children in their place; and afterwards by their being kept and +named as dogs; they come to their own and avenge their wrongs. + +The "Journey to Hell" story is told of Eric, who goes to a far +land to fetch a princess back, and is successful. It is +apparently an adventure of Swipdag, if everyone had their rights. +It is also told of Thorkill, whose adventures are rather of the +"True Thomas" type. + +The "Test of Endurance" by sitting between fires, and the relief +of the tortured and patient hero by a kindly trick, is a variant +of the famous Eddic Lays concerning Agnar. + +The "Robbers of the Island", evidently comes from an Icelandic +source (cf. The historic "Holmveria Saga" and Icelandic folk- +tales of later date), the incident of the hero slaying his slave, +that the body might be mistaken for his, is archaic in tone; the +powerful horse recalls Grani, Bayard, and even Sleipner; the dog +which had once belonged to Unfoot (Ofote), the giant shepherd +(cf. its analogues in old Welsh tales), is not quite assimilated +or properly used in this story. It seems (as Dr. Rydberg +suspects) a mythical story coloured by the Icelandic relater with +memory full of the robber-hands of his own land. + +The stratagem of "Starcad", who tried even in death to slay his +slayer, seems an integral part of the Starcad story; as much as +the doom of three crimes which are to be the price for the +threefold life that a triple man or giant should enjoy. The +noose story in Starcad (cf. that told of Bicce in the Eormenric +story), is also integral. + + +SAXO'S MYTHOLOGY. + +No one has commented upon Saxo's mythology with such brilliancy, +such minute consideration, and such success as the Swedish +scholar, Victor Rydberg. More than occasionally he is over- +ingenious and over-anxious to reduce chaos to order; sometimes he +almost loses his faithful reader in the maze he treads so easily +and confidently, and sometimes he stumbles badly. But he has +placed the whole subject on a fresh footing, and much that is to +follow will be drawn from his "Teutonic Mythology" (cited here +from the English version by Rasmus B. Anderson, London, 1889, as +"T.M."). + +Let us take first some of the incontestable results of his +investigations that affect Saxo. + +SCIOLD is the father of Gram in Saxo, and the son of Sceaf in +other older authorities. Dr. Rydberg (97-101) forms the +following equations for the Sciolding patriarchs: -- + + a. Scef -- Heimdal -- Rig. + b. Sciold -- Borgar -- Jarl. + c. Gram -- Halfdan -- Koming. + +Chief among the mythic tales that concern Saxo are the various +portions of the Swipdag-Myth, which Dr. Rydberg has been able to +complete with much success. They may be resumed briefly as +follows: -- + +Swipdag, helped by the incantations of his dead mother, whom he +had raised from the dead to teach him spells of protection, sets +forth on his quests. He is the Odusseus of the Teutonic +mythology. He desires to avenge his father on Halfdan that slew +him. To this end he must have a weapon of might against +Halfdan's club. The Moon-god tells him of the blade Thiasse +has forged. It has been stolen by Mimer, who has gone out into +the cold wilderness on the rim of the world. Swipdag achieves +the sword, and defeats and slays Halfdan. He now buys a wife, +Menglad, of her kinsmen the gods by the gift of the sword, which +thus passes into Frey's hands. + +How he established a claim upon Frey, and who Menglad was, is +explained in Saxo's story of Eric, where the characters may be +identified thus: -- + + Swipdag -- Eric + Freya -- Gunwara + Frey -- Frode III + Niord -- Fridlaf + Wuldor -- Roller + Thor -- Brac + Giants -- The Greps + Giants -- Coller. + +Frey and Freya had been carried off by the giants, and Swipdag +and his faithful friend resolve to get them back for the Anses, +who bewail their absence. They journey to Monster-land, win back +the lady, who ultimately is to become the hero's wife, and return +her to her kindred; but her brother can only be rescued by his +father Niord. It is by wit rather than by force that Swipdag is +successful here. + +The third journey of Swipdag is undertaken on Frey's behalf; he +goes under the name of Scirner to woo giant Gymer's daughter +Gerth for his brother-in-law, buying her with the sword that he +himself had paid to Frey as his sister's bride-price. So the +sword gets back to the giants again. + +Swipdag's dead foe Halfdan left two young "avengers", Hadding and +Guthorm, whom he seeks to slay. But Thor-Brache gives them in +charge of two giant brothers. Wainhead took care of Hadding, +Hafle of Guthorm. Swipdag made peace with Guthorm, in a way not +fully explained to us, but Hadding took up the blood-feud as soon +as he was old enough. + +Hadding was befriended by a woman, who took him to the Underworld +-- the story is only half told in Saxo, unluckily -- and by +Woden, who took him over-sea wrapt in his mantle as they rode +Sleipner over the waves; but here again Saxo either had not the +whole story before him, or he wished to abridge it for some +reason or prejudice, and the only result of this astonishing +pilgrimage is that Woden gives the young hero some useful +counsels. He falls into captivity, entrapped by Loke (for what +reason again we are left to guess), and is exposed to wild +beasts, but he slays the wolf that attacks him, and eating its +heart as Woden had bidden him, he gains wisdom and foresight. + +Prepared by these adventures, he gets Guthorm to join him (how or +why the peace between him and Swipdag was broken, we know not), +and they attack their father's slayer, but are defeated, though +Woden sunk Asmund Swipdag's son's ship, Grio, at Hlessey, and +Wainhead and Hardgrip his daughter fought for Hadding. + +Hadding wanders off to the East with his foster-sister and +mistress and Hardgrip, who is slain protecting him against an +angry ghost raised from the Underworld by her spells. However, +helped by Heimdal and Woden (who at this time was an exile), +Hadding's ultimate success is assured. + +When Woden came back to power, Swipdag, whose violence and pride +grew horribly upon him, was exiled, possibly by some device of +his foes, and took upon him, whether by will or doom, a sea- +monster's shape. His faithful wife follows him over land and +sea, but is not able to save him. He is met by Hadding and, +after a fierce fight, slain. Swipdag's wife cursed the +conqueror, and he was obliged to institute an annual sacrifice to +Frey (her brother) at Upsale, who annuls the curse. Loke, in +seal's guise, tried to steal the necklace of Freya at the Reef of +Treasures, where Swipdag was slain, but Haimdal, also in seal- +skin, fought him, and recovered it for the gods. + +Other myths having reference to the goddesses appear in Saxo. +There is the story of "Heimdall and Sol", which Dr. Rydberg has +recognised in the tale of Alf and Alfhild. The same tale of how +the god won the sun for his wife appears in the mediaeval German +King Ruther (in which title Dr. Ryuberg sees Hrutr, a name of the +ram-headed god). + +The story of "Othar" (Od) and "Syritha" (Sigrid) is obviously +that +of Freya and her lover. She has been stolen by the giants, owing +to the wiles of her waiting-maid, Loke's helper, the evil witch +Angrbode. Od seeks her, finds her, slays the evil giant who +keeps her in the cave; but she is still bewitched, her hair +knotted into a hard, horny mass, her eyes void of brightness. +Unable to gain recognition he lets her go, and she is made by a +giantess to herd her flocks. Again found by Od, and again +refusing to recognise him, she is let go again. But this time +she flies to the world of men, and takes service with Od's mother +and father. Here, after a trial of her love, she and Od are +reconciled. Sywald (Sigwald), her father, weds Od's sister. + +The tale of the vengeance of Balder is more clearly given by the +Dane, and with a comic force that recalls the Aristophanic fun of +Loka-senna. It appears that the story had a sequel which only +Saxo gives. Woden had the giantess Angrbode, who stole Freya, +punished. Frey, whose mother-in-law she was, took up her +quarrel, and accusing Woden of sorcery and dressing up like a +woman to betray Wrind, got him banished. While in exile Wuldor +takes Woden's place and name, and Woden lives on earth, part of +the time at least, with Scathe Thiasse's daughter, who had parted +from Niord. + +The giants now resolved to attack Ansegard; and Woden, under the +name of Yggr, warned the gods, who recall him after ten years' +exile. + +But for Saxo this part of the story of the wars of the gods would +be very fragmentary. + +The "Hildiger story", where a father slays his son unwittingly, +and then falls at his brother's hand, a tale combining the Rustam +and the Balin-Balan types, is one of the Hilding tragedies, and +curiously preserved in the late "Saga of Asmund the Champions' +bane". It is an antithesis, as Dr. Rydberg remarks, to the +Hildebrand and Hadubrand story, where father and son must fight +and are reconciled. + +The "story of Orwandel" (the analogue of Orion the Hunter) must +be gathered chiefly from the prose Edda. He was a huntsman, big +enough and brave enough to cope with giants. He was the friend +of Thor, the husband of Groa, the father of Swipdag, the enemy of +giant Coller and the monster Sela. The story of his birth, and +of his being blinded, are lost apparently in the Teutonic +stories, unless we may suppose that the bleeding of Robin Hood +till he could not see by the traitorous prioress is the last +remains of the story of the great archer's death. + +Great part of the troubles which befell the gods arose from the +antagonism of the sons of Iwalde and the brethren Sindre and +Brokk (Cinder and Brank), rival artist families; and it was owing +to the retirement of their artist foster-parents that Frey and +Freya were left among the giants. The Hniflung hoard is also +supposed to have consisted of the treasures of one band of +primaeval artists, the Iwaldings. + +Whether we have here the phenomenon of mythological doublets +belonging to different tribes, or whether we have already among +these early names that descent of story which has led to an +adventure of Moses being attributed to Garibaldi, given to +Theodoric the king the adventures of Theodoric the god, taken +Arthur to Rome, and Charles the Great to Constantinople, it is +hard to say. + +The skeleton-key of identification, used even as ably as Dr. +Rydberg uses it, will not pick every mythologic lock, though it +undoubtedly has opened many hitherto closed. The truth is that +man is a finite animal; that he has a limited number of types of +legend; that these legends, as long as they live and exist, are +excessively prehensile; that, like the opossum, they can swing +from tree to tree without falling; as one tree dies out of memory +they pass on to another. When they are scared away by what is +called exact intelligence from the tall forest of great +personalities, they contrive to live humbly clinging to such bare +plain stocks and poles (Tis and Jack and Cinderella) as enable +them to find a precarious perch. + +To drop similitudes, we must be prepared, in unravelling our +tangled mythology, to go through several processes. We must, of +course, note the parallelisms and get back to the earliest +attribution-names we can find. But all system is of late +creation, it does not begin till a certain political stage, a +stage where the myths of coalescing clans come into contact, and +an official settlement is attempted by some school of poets or +priests. Moreover, systematization is never so complete that it +effaces all the earlier state of things. Behind the official +systems of Homer and Hesiod lies the actual chaos of local faiths +preserved for us by Pausanias and other mythographers. The +common factors in the various local faiths are much the majority +among the factors they each possess; and many of these common +factors are exceedingly primitive, and resolve themselves into +answers to the questions that children still ask, still receiving +no answer but myth -- that is, poetic and subjective hypothesis, +containing as much truth as they can receive or their inventors +can grasp. + +Who were our forbears? How did day and night, sun and moon, +earth and water, and fire come? How did the animals come? Why +has the bear no tail? Why are fishes dumb, the swallow cleft- +tail? How did evil come? Why did men begin to quarrel? How did +death arise? What will the end be? Why do dead persons come +back? What do the dead do? What is the earth shaped like? Who +invented tools and weapons, and musical instruments, and how? +When did kings and chiefs first come? + +From accepted answers to such questions most of the huge mass of +mythology arises. Man makes his gods in his own image, and the +doctrines of omen, coincidence, and correspondence helped by +incessant and imperfect observation and logic, bring about a +system of religious observance, of magic and ritual, and all the +masses of folly and cruelty, hope and faith, and even charity, +that group about their inventions, and seem to be the necessary +steps in the onward path of progressive races. + +When to these we add the true and exaggerated memories of actual +heroes, the material before the student is pretty completely +comprised. Though he must be prepared to meet the difficulties +caused in the contact of races, of civilisations, by the +conversion of persons holding one set of mythical ideas to belief +in another set of different, more attractive, and often more +advanced stage. + +The task of arriving at the scientific, speculative ethic, and +the actual practice of our remote ancestry (for to that end is +the student of mythology and folk-lore aiming) is not therefore +easy. Nor is the record perfect, though it is not so poor in +most cases as was once believed. The Brothers Grimm, patriarchs +alike as mythologists and folk-lorists, the Castor and Pollox of +our studies, have proved this as regards the Teutonic nations, +just as they showed us, by many a striking example, that in great +part folk-lore was the mythology of to-day, and mythology the +folk-lore of yesterday. + +In many cases we are helped by quite modern material to make out +some puzzle that an old tale presents, and there is little doubt +but that the present activity in the field of folklore will not +only result in fresh matter but in fresh methods freshly applied. + +The Scandinavian material, at all events, is particularly rich: +there is the extensive Icelandic written literature touching the +ninth and tenth and eleventh centuries; the noble, if fragmentary +remains of Old Northern poetry of the Wickingtide; and lastly, +the mass of tradition which, surviving in oral form, and changing +in colour from generation to generation, was first recorded in +part in the seventeenth, and again in part, in the present +century; and all these yield a plentiful field for research. But +their evidence gains immensely by the existence of Saxo's nine +books of traditional and mythic lore, collected and written down +in an age when much that was antique and heathen was passing away +forever. The gratitude due to the Welshman of the twelfth +century, whose garnered hoard has enriched so many poets and +romances from his day to now, is no less due to the twelfth- +century Dane, whose faithful and eloquent enthusiasm has swept +much dust from antique time, and saved us such a story as +Shakespeare has not disdained to consecrate to highest use. Not +only Celtic and Teutonic lore are the richer for these two men, +but the whole Western world of thought and speech. In the +history of modern literature, it is but right that by the side of +Geoffrey an honourable place should be maintained for Saxo, and + + "awake remembrance of these mighty dead." + + +-- Oliver Elton + + +ENDNOTES: +(1) A horn and a tusk of great size are described as things of + price, and great uroch's horns are mentioned in Thorkill's + Second Journey. Horns were used for feast as well as fray. +(2) Such bird-beaked, bird-legged figures occur on the Cross at + Papil, Burra Island, Shetland. Cf. Abbey Morne Cross, and + an Onchan Cross, Isle of Man. + + + +THE DANISH HISTORY OF SAXO GRAMMATICUS. + + +PREFACE. + +Forasmuch as all other nations are wont to vaunt the glory of +their achievements, and reap joy from the remembrance of their +forefathers: Absalon, Chief Pontiff of the Danes, whose zeal ever +burned high for the glorification of our land, and who would not +suffer it to be defrauded of like renown and record, cast upon +me, the least of his followers -- since all the rest refused the +task -- the work of compiling into a chronicle the history of +Denmark, and by the authority of his constant admonition spurred +my weak faculty to enter on a labour too heavy for its strength. +For who could write a record of the deeds of Denmark? It had but +lately been admitted to the common faith: it still languished as +strange to Latin as to religion. But now that the holy ritual +brought also the command of the Latin tongue, men were as +slothful now as they were unskilled before, and their +sluggishness proved as faultful as that former neediness. Thus +it came about that my lowliness, though perceiving itself too +feeble for the aforesaid burden, yet chose rather to strain +beyond its strength than to resist his bidding; fearing that +while our neighbours rejoiced and transmitted records of their +deeds, the repute of our own people might appear not to possess +any written chronicle, but rather to be sunk in oblivion and +antiquity. Thus I, forced to put my shoulder, which was unused +to the task, to a burden unfamiliar to all authors of preceding +time, and dreading to slight his command, have obeyed more boldly +than effectually, borrowing from the greatness of my admonisher +that good heart which the weakness of my own wit denied me. + +And since, ere my enterprise reached its goal, his death outran +it; I entreat thee chiefly, Andrew, who wast chosen by a most +wholesome and accordant vote to be successor in the same office +and to headship of spiritual things, to direct and inspire my +theme; that I may baulk by the defence of so great an advocate +that spiteful detraction which ever reviles what is most +conspicuous. For thy breast, very fruitful in knowledge, and +covered with great store of worshipful doctrines, is to be deemed +a kind of shrine of heavenly treasures. Thou who hast searched +through Gaul and Italy and Britain also in order to gather +knowledge of letters and amass them abundantly, didst after thy +long wandering obtain a most illustrious post in a foreign +school, and proved such a pillar thereof, that thou seemedst to +confer more grace on thy degree than it did on thee. Then being +made, on account of the height of thy honours and the desert of +thy virtues, Secretary to the King, thou didst adorn that +employment, in itself bounded and insignificant, with such works +of wisdom as to leave it a piece of promotion for men of greatest +rank to covet afterwards, when thou wert transferred to that +office which now thou holdest. Wherefore Skaane has been found +to leap for joy that she has borrowed a Pontiff from her +neighbours rather than chosen one from her own people; inasmuch +as she both elected nobly and deserved joy of her election. +Being a shining light, therefore, in lineage, in letters, and in +parts, and guiding the people with the most fruitful labours of +thy teaching, thou hast won the deepest love of thy flock, and by +thy boldness in thy famous administration hast conducted the +service thou hast undertaken unto the summit of renown. And lest +thou shouldst seem to acquire ownership on the strength of +prescription, thou hast, by a pious and bountiful will, made over +a very rich inheritance to Holy Church; choosing rather +honourably to reject riches (which are covered with the rust of +cares) than to be shackled with the greed of them and with their +burden. Likewise thou hast set about an amazing work upon the +reverend tenets of the faith; and in thy zeal to set the service +of public religion before thy private concerns, hast, by the +lesson of thy wholesome admonitions, driven those men who refused +payment of the dues belonging to religion to do to holy things +the homage that they ought; and by thy pious gift of treasure +hast atoned for the ancient neglect of sacred buildings. +Further, those who pursued a wanton life, and yielded to the +stress of incontinence above measure, thou hast redeemed from +nerveless sloth to a more upright state of mind, partly by +continuing instant in wholesome reproof, and partly by the noble +example of simple living; leaving it in doubt whether thou hast +edified them more by word or deed. Thus thou, by mere counsels +of wisdom, hast achieved what it was not granted to any of thy +forerunners to obtain. + +And I would not have it forgotten that the more ancient of the +Danes, when any notable deeds of mettle had been done, were +filled with emulation of glory, and imitated the Roman style; not +only by relating in a choice kind of composition, which might be +called a poetical work, the roll of their lordly deeds; but also +by having graven upon rocks and cliffs, in the characters of +their own language, the works of their forefathers, which were +commonly known in poems in the mother tongue. In the footsteps +of these poems, being as it were classic books of antiquity, I +have trod; and keeping true step with them as I translated, in +the endeavour to preserve their drift, I have taken care to +render verses by verses; so that the chronicle of what I shall +have to write, being founded upon these, may thus be known, not +for a modern fabrication, but for the utterance of antiquity; +since this present work promises not a trumpery dazzle of +language, but faithful information concerning times past. + +Moreover, how many histories must we suppose that men of such +genius would have written, could they have had skill in Latin and +so slaked their thirst for writing! Men who though they lacked +acquaintance with, the speech of Rome, were yet seized with such +a passion for bequeathing some record of their history, that they +encompassed huge boulders instead of scrolls, borrowing rocks for +the usage of books. + +Nor may the pains of the men of Thule be blotted in oblivion; for +though they lack all that can foster luxury (so naturally barren +is the soil), yet they make up for their neediness by their wit, +by keeping continually every observance of soberness, and +devoting every instant of their lives to perfecting our knowledge +of the deeds of foreigners. Indeed, they account it a delight to +learn and to consign to remembrance the history of all nations, +deeming it as great a glory to set forth the excellences of +others as to display their own. Their stores, which are stocked +with attestations of historical events, I have examined somewhat +closely, and have woven together no small portion of the present +work by following their narrative, not despising the judgment of +men whom I know to be so well versed in the knowledge of +antiquity. And I have taken equal care to follow the statements +of Absalon, and with obedient mind and pen to include both his +own doings and other men's doings of which he learnt; treasuring +the witness of his August narrative as though it were some +teaching from the skies. + +Wherefore, Waldemar, (1) healthful Prince and Father of us all, +shining light of thy land, whose lineage, most glorious from +times of old, I am to relate, I beseech thee let thy grace attend +the faltering course of this work; for I am fettered under the +weight of my purpose, and dread that I may rather expose my +unskillfulness and the feebleness of my parts, than portray thy +descent as I duly should. For, not to speak of thy rich +inheritance from thy fathers, thou hast nobly increased thy realm +by conquering thy neighbours, and in the toil of spreading thy +sovereignty hast encompassed the ebbing and flowing waves of +Elbe, thus adding to thy crowded roll of honours no mean portion +of fame. And after outstripping the renown and repute of thy +forerunners by the greatness of thy deeds, thou didst not forbear +to make armed, assault even upon part of the Roman empire. And +though thou art deemed to be well endowed with courage and +generosity, thou hast left it in doubt whether thou dost more +terrify to thy foes in warfare or melt thy people by thy +mildness. Also thy most illustrious grandsire, who was +sanctioned with the honours of public worship, and earned the +glory of immortality by an unmerited death, now dazzles by the +refulgence of his holiness those whom living he annexed in his +conquests. And from his most holy wounds more virtue than blood +hath flowed. + +Moreover I, bound by an old and inherited duty of obedience, have +set my heart on fighting for thee, if it be only with all the +forces of my mind; my father and grandfather being known to have +served thy illustrious sire in camp with loyal endurance of the +toils of war. Relying therefore on thy guidance and regard, I +have resolved to begin with the position and configuration of our +own country; for I shall relate all things as they come more +vividly, if the course of this history first traverse the +places to which the events belong, and take their situation as +the starting-point for its narrative. + +The extremes, then, of this country are partly bounded by a +frontier of another land, and partly enclosed by the waters of +the adjacent sea. The interior is washed and encompassed by the +ocean; and this, through the circuitous winds of the interstices, +now straitens into the narrows of a firth, now advances into +ampler bays, forming a number of islands. Hence Denmark is cut +in pieces by the intervening waves of ocean, and has but few +portions of firm and continuous territory; these being divided by +the mass of waters that break them up, in ways varying with the +different angle of the bend of the sea. Of all these, Jutland, +being the largest and first settled, holds the chief place in the +Danish kingdom. It both lies fore-most and stretches furthest, +reaching to the frontiers of Teutonland, from contact with which +it is severed by the bed of the river Eyder. Northwards it +swells somewhat in breadth, and runs out to the shore of the +Noric Channel (Skagerrak). In this part is to be found the fjord +called Liim, which is so full of fish that it seems to yield the +natives as much food as the whole soil. + +Close by this fjord also lies Lesser (North) Friesland, which +curves in from the promontory of Jutland in a cove of sinking +plains and shelving lap, and by the favour of the flooding ocean +yields immense crops of grain. But whether this violent +inundation bring the inhabitants more profit or peril, remains a +vexed question. For when the (dykes of the) estuaries, whereby +the waves of the sea are commonly checked among that people, are +broken through by the greatness of the storm, such a mass of +waters is wont to overrun the fields that it sometimes overwhelms +not only the tilled lands, but people and their dwellings +likewise. + +Eastwards, after Jutland, comes the Isle of Funen, cut off from +the mainland by a very narrow sound of sea. This faces Jutland +on the west, and on the east Zealand, which is famed for its +remarkable richness in the necessaries of life. This latter +island, being by far the most delightful of all the provinces of +our country, is held to occupy the heart of Denmark, being +divided by equal distances from the extreme frontier; on its +eastern side the sea breaks through and cuts off the western side +of Skaane; and this sea commonly yields each year an abundant +haul to the nets of the fishers. Indeed, the whole sound is apt +to be so thronged with fish that any craft which strikes on them +is with difficulty got off by hard rowing, and the prize is +captured no longer by tackle, but by simple use of the hands. + +Moreover, Halland and Bleking, shooting forth from the mass of +the Skaane like two branches from a parent trunk, are linked to +Gothland and to Norway, though with wide deviations of course, +and with various gaps consisting of fjords. Now in Bleking is to +be seen a rock which travellers can visit, dotted with letters in +a strange character. For there stretches from the southern sea +into the desert of Vaarnsland a road of rock, contained between +two lines a little way apart and very prolonged, between which is +visible in the midst a level space, graven all over with +characters made to be read. And though this lies so unevenly as +sometimes to break through the tops of the hills, sometimes to +pass along the valley bottoms, yet it can be discerned to +preserve continuous traces of the characters. Now Waldemar, +well-starred son of holy Canute, marvelled at these, and desired +to know their purport, and sent men to go along the rock and +gather with close search the series of the characters that were +to be seen there; they were then to denote them with certain +marks, using letters of similar shape. These men could not +gather any sort of interpretation of them, because owing to the +hollow space of the graving being partly smeared up with mud and +partly worn by the feet of travellers in the trampling of the +road, the long line that had been drawn became blurred. Hence it +is plain that crevices, even in the solid rock, if long drenched +with wet, become choked either by the solid washings of dirt or +the moistening drip of showers. + +But since this country, by its closeness of language as much as +of position, includes Sweden and Norway, I will record their +divisions and their climates also as I have those of Denmark. +These territories, lying under the northern pole, and facing +Bootes and the Great Bear, reach with their utmost outlying parts +the latitude of the freezing zone; and beyond these the +extraordinary sharpness of the cold suffers not human habitation. +Of these two, Norway has been allotted by the choice of nature a +forbidding rocky site. Craggy and barren, it is beset all around +by cliffs, and the huge desolate boulders give it the aspect of a +rugged and a gloomy land; in its furthest part the day-star is +not hidden even by night; so that the sun, scorning the +vicissitudes of day and night, ministers in unbroken presence an +equal share of his radiance to either season. + +On the west of Norway comes the island called Iceland, with the +mighty ocean washing round it: a land very squalid to dwell in, +but noteworthy for marvels, both strange occurrences and objects +that pass belief. A spring is there which, by the malignant reek +of its water, destroys the original nature of anything +whatsoever. Indeed, all that is sprinkled with the breath of its +vapour is changed into the hardness of stone. It remains a doubt +whether it be more marvellous or more perilous, that soft and +flowing water should be invested with such a stiffness, as by a +sudden change to transmute into the nature of stone whatsoever is +put to it and drenched with its reeking fume, nought but the +shape surviving. Here also are said to be other springs, which +now are fed with floods of rising water, and, overflowing in full +channels, cast a mass of spray upwards; and now again their +bubbling flags, and they can scarce be seen below at the bottom, +and are swallowed into deep hiding far under ground. Hence, when +they are gushing over, they bespatter everything about them with +the white spume, but when they are spent the sharpest eye cannot +discern them. In this island there is likewise a mountain, whose +floods of incessant fire make it look like a glowing rock, and +which, by belching out flames, keeps its crest in an everlasting +blaze. This thing awakens our wonder as much as those aforesaid; +namely, when a land lying close to the extreme of cold can have +such abundance of matter to keep up the heat, as to furnish +eternal fires with unseen fuel, and supply an endless provocative +to feed the burning. To this isle also, at fixed and appointed +seasons, there drifts a boundless mass of ice, and when it +approaches and begins to dash upon the rugged reefs, then, just +as if the cliffs rang reply, there is heard from the deep a roar +of voices and a changing din of extraordinary clamour. Whence it +is supposed that spirits, doomed to torture for the iniquity of +their guilty life, do here pay, by that bitter cold, the penalty +of their sins. And so any portion of this mass that is cut off +when the aforesaid ice breaks away from the land, soon slips its +bonds and bars, though it be made fast with ever so great joins +and knots. The mind stands dazed in wonder, that a thing which +is covered with bolts past picking, and shut in by manifold and +intricate barriers, should so depart after that mass whereof it +was a portion, as by its enforced and inevitable flight to baffle +the wariest watching. There also, set among the ridges and crags +of the mountains, is another kind of ice which is known +periodically to change and in a way reverse its position, the +upper parts sinking to the bottom, and the lower again returning +to the top. For proof of this story it is told that certain men, +while they chanced to be running over the level of ice, rolled +into the abyss before them, and into the depths of the yawning +crevasses, and were a little later picked up dead without the +smallest chink of ice above them. Hence it is common for many to +imagine that the urn of the sling of ice first swallows them, and +then a little after turns upside down and restores them. Here +also, is reported to bubble up the water of a pestilent flood, +which if a man taste, he falls struck as though by poison. Also +there are other springs, whose gushing waters are said to +resemble the quality of the bowl of Ceres. There are also fires, +which, though they cannot consume linen, yet devour so fluent a +thing as water. Also there is a rock, which flies over mountain- +steeps, not from any outward impulse, but of its innate and +proper motion. + +And now to unfold somewhat more thoroughly our delineation of +Norway. It should be known that on the east it is conterminous +with Sweden and Gothland, and is bounded on both sides by the +waters of the neighbouring ocean. Also on the north it faces a +region whose position and name are unknown, and which lacks all +civilisation, but teems with peoples of monstrous strangeness; +and a vast interspace of flowing sea severs it from the portion +of Norway opposite. This sea is found hazardous for navigation, +and suffers few that venture thereon to return in peace. + +Moreover, the upper bend of the ocean, which cuts through Denmark +and flows past it, washes the southern side of Gothland with a +gulf of some width; while its lower channel, passing the northern +sides of Gothland and Norway, turns eastwards, widening much in +breadth, and is bounded by a curve of firm land. This limit of +the sea the elders of our race called Grandvik. Thus between +Grandvik and the Southern Sea there lies a short span of +mainland, facing the seas that wash on either shore; and but that +nature had set this as a boundary where the billows almost meet, +the tides of the two seas would have flowed into one, and cut off +Sweden and Norway into an island. The regions on the east of +these lands are inhabited by the Skric-Finns. This people is +used to an extraordinary kind of carriage, and in its passion for +the chase strives to climb untrodden mountains, and attains the +coveted ground at the cost of a slippery circuit. For no crag +juts out so high, but they can reach its crest by fetching a +cunning. compass. For when they first leave the deep valleys, +they glide twisting and circling among the bases of the rocks, +thus making the route very roundabout by dint of continually +swerving aside, until, passing along the winding curves of the +tracks, they conquer the appointed summit. This same people is +wont to use the skins of certain beasts for merchandise with its +neighbours. + +Now Sweden faces Denmark and Norway on the west, but on the south +and on much of its eastern side it is skirted by the ocean. Past +this eastward is to be found a vast accumulation of motley +barbarism. + +That the country of Denmark was once cultivated and worked by +giants, is attested by the enormous stones attached to the +barrows and caves of the ancients. Should any man question that +this is accomplished by superhuman force, let him look up at the +tops of certain mountains and say, if he knows how, what man hath +carried such immense boulders up to their crests. For anyone +considering this marvel will mark that it is inconceivable how a +mass, hardly at all or but with difficulty movable upon a level, +could have been raised to so mighty a peak of so lofty a mountain +by mere human effort, or by the ordinary exertion of human +strength. But as to whether, after the Deluge went forth, there +existed giants who could do such deeds, or men endowed beyond +others with bodily force, there is scant tradition to tell us. + +But, as our countrymen aver, those who even to-day are said to +dwell in that rugged and inaccessible desert aforesaid, are, by +the mutable nature of their bodies, vouchsafed the power of being +now near, now far, and of appearing and vanishing in turn. The +approach to this desert is beset with perils of a fearful kind, +and has seldom granted to those who attempted it an unscathed +return. Now I will let my pen pass to my theme. + + +ENDNOTES: +(1) Waldemar the Second (1203-42); Saxo does not reach his + history. + + + +BOOK ONE. + +Now Dan and Angul, with whom the stock of the Danes begins, were +begotten of Humble, their father, and were the governors and not +only the founders of our race. (Yet Dudo, the historian of +Normandy, considers that the Danes are sprung and named from the +Danai.) And these two men, though by the wish and favour of +their country they gained the lordship of the realm, and, owing +to the wondrous deserts of their bravery, got the supreme power +by the consenting voice of their countrymen, yet lived without +the name of king: the usage whereof was not then commonly +resorted to by any authority among our people. + +Of these two, Angul, the fountain, so runs the tradition, of the +beginnings of the Anglian race, caused his name to be applied to +the district which he ruled. This was an easy kind of memorial +wherewith to immortalise his fame: for his successors a little +later, when they gained possession of Britain, changed the +original name of the island for a fresh title, that of their own +land. This action was much thought of by the ancients: witness +Bede, no mean figure among the writers of the Church, who was a +native of England, and made it his care to embody the doings of +his country in the most hallowed treasury of his pages; deeming +it equally a religious duty to glorify in writing the deeds of +his land, and to chronicle the history of the Church. + +From Dan, however, so saith antiquity; the pedigrees of our kings +have flowed in glorious series, like channels from some parent +spring. Grytha, a matron most highly revered among the Teutons, +bore him two sons, HUMBLE and LOTHER. + +The ancients, when they were to choose a king, were wont to stand +on stones planted in the ground, and to proclaim their votes, in +order to foreshadow from the steadfastness of the stones that the +deed would be lasting. By this ceremony Humble was elected king +at his father's death, thus winning a novel favour from his +country; but by the malice of ensuing fate he fell from a king +into a common man. For he was taken by Lother in war, and bought +his life by yielding up his crown; such, in truth, were the only +terms of escape offered him in his defeat. Forced, therefore, by +the injustice of a brother to lay down his sovereignty, he +furnished the lesson to mankind, that there is less safety, +though more pomp, in the palace than in the cottage. Also, he +bore his wrong so meekly that he seemed to rejoice at his loss of +title as though it were a blessing; and I think he had a shrewd +sense of the quality of a king's estate. But Lother played the +king as insupportably as he had played the soldier, inaugurating +his reign straightway with arrogance and crime; for he counted it +uprightness to strip all the most eminent of life or goods, and +to clear his country of its loyal citizens, thinking all his +equals in birth his rivals for the crown. He was soon chastised +for his wickedness; for he met his end in an insurrection of his +country; which had once bestowed on him his kingdom, and now +bereft him of his life. + +SKIOLD, his son, inherited his natural bent, but not his +behaviour; avoiding his inborn perversity by great discretion in +his tender years, and thus escaping all traces of his father's +taint. So he appropriated what was alike the more excellent and +the earlier share of the family character; for he wisely departed +from his father's sins, and became a happy counterpart of his +grandsire's virtues. This man was famous in his youth among the +huntsmen of his father for his conquest of a monstrous beast: a +marvellous incident, which augured his future prowess. For he +chanced to obtain leave from his guardians, who were rearing him +very carefully, to go and see the hunting. A bear of +extraordinary size met him; he had no spear, but with the girdle +that he commonly wore he contrived to bind it, and gave it to his +escort to kill. More than this, many champions of tried prowess +were at the same time of his life vanquished by him singly; of +these Attal and Skat were renowned and famous. While but fifteen +years of age he was of unusual bodily size and displayed mortal +strength in its perfection, and so mighty were the proofs of his +powers that the rest of the kings of the Danes were called after +him by a common title, the SKIOLDUNG'S. Those who were wont to +live an abandoned and flaccid life, and to sap their selfcontrol +by wantonness, this man vigilantly spurred to the practice of +virtue in an active career. Thus the ripeness of Skiold's spirit +outstripped the fulness of his strength, and he fought battles at +which one of his tender years could scarce look on. And as he +thus waxed in years and valour he beheld the perfect beauty of +Alfhild, daughter of the King of the Saxons, sued for her hand, +and, for her sake, in the sight of the armies of the Teutons and +the Danes, challenged and fought with Skat, governor of +Allemannia, and a suitor for the same maiden; whom he slew, +afterwards crushing the whole nation of the Allemannians, and +forcing them to pay tribute, they being subjugated by the death +of their captain. Skiold was eminent for patriotism as well as +arms. For he annulled unrighteous laws, and most heedfully +executed whatsoever made for the amendment of his country's +condition. Further, he regained by his virtue the realm that his +father's wickedness had lost. He was the first to proclaim the +law abolishing manumissions. A slave, to whom he had chanced to +grant his freedom, had attempted his life by stealthy treachery, +and he exacted a bitter penalty; as though it were just that the +guilt of one freedman should be visited upon all. He paid off +all men's debts from his own treasury, and contended, so to say, +with all other monarchs in courage, bounty, and generous dealing. +The sick he used to foster, and charitably gave medicines to +those sore stricken; bearing witness that he had taken on him the +care of his country and not of himself. He used to enrich his +nobles not only with home taxes, but also with plunder taken in +war; being wont to aver that the prize-money should flow to the +soldiers, and the glory to the general. + +Thus delivered of his bitterest rival in wooing, he took as the +prize of combat the maiden, for the love of whom he had fought, +and wedded her in marriage. Soon after, he had by her a son, +GRAM, whose wondrous parts savoured so strongly of his father's +virtues that he was deemed to tread in their very footsteps. The +days of Gram's youth were enriched with surpassing gifts of mind +and body, and he raised them to the crest of renown. Posterity +did such homage to his greatness that in the most ancient poems +of the Danes royal dignity is implied in his very name. He +practiced with the most zealous training whatsoever serves to +sharpen and strengthen the bodily powers. Taught by the fencers, +he trained himself by sedulous practice to parrying and dealing +blows. He took to wife the daughter of his upbringer, Roar, she +being his foster-sister and of his own years, in order the better +to show his gratefulness for his nursing. A little while after +he gave her in marriage to a certain Bess, since he had ofttimes +used his strenuous service. In this partner of his warlike deeds +he put his trust; and he has left it a question whether he has +won more renown by Bess's valour or his own. + +Gram, chancing to hear that Groa, daughter of Sigtryg, King of +the Swedes, was plighted to a certain giant, and holding accursed +an union so unworthy of the blood royal, entered on a Swedish +war; being destined to emulate the prowess of Hercules in +resisting the attempts of monsters. He went into Gothland, and, +in order to frighten people out of his path, strode on clad in +goats' skins, swathed in the motley hides of beasts, and grasping +in his right hand a dreadful weapon, thus feigning the attire of +a giant; when he met Groa herself riding with a very small escort +of women on foot, and making her way, as it chanced, to the +forest-pools to bathe, she thought it was her betrothed who had +hastened to meet her, and was scared with feminine alarm at so +strange a garb: so, flinging up the reins, and shaking terribly +all over, she began in the song of her country, thus: + +"I see that a giant, hated of the king, has come, and darkens the +highways with his stride. Or my eyes play me false; for it has +oft befallen bold warriors to skulk behind the skin of a beast." + +Then began Bess: "Maiden, seated on the shoulders of the steed, +tell me, pouring forth in thy turn words of answer, what is thy +name, and of what line art thou born?" + +Groa replied: "Groa is my name; my sire is a king, glorious in +blood, gleaming in armour. Disclose to us, thou also, who thou +art, or whence sprung!" + +To whom Bess: "I am Bess, brave in battle, ruthless to foes, a +terror to nations, and oft drenching my right hand in the blood +of foes." + +Then said Groa: "Who, prithee, commands your lines? Under what +captain raise ye the war-standards? What prince controls the +battle? Under whose guidance is the war made ready?" + +Bess in answer: "Gram, the blest in battle, rules the array: +force nor fear can swerve him; flaming pyre and cruel sword and +ocean billow have never made him afraid. Led by him, maiden, we +raise the golden standards of war." + +Groa once more: "Turn your feet and go back hence, lest Sigtryg +vanquish you all with his own array, and fasten you to a cruel +stake, your throats haltered with the cord, and doom your +carcases to the stiff noose, and, glaring evilly, thrust out your +corpses to the hungry raven." + +Bess again: "Gram, ere he shall shut his own eyes in death, shall +first make him a ghost, and, smiting him on the crest, shall send +him to Tartarus. We fear no camp of the Swedes. Why threaten us +with ghastly dooms, maiden?" + +Groa answered him: "Behold, I will ride thence to see again the +roof of my father which I know, that I may not rashly set eyes on +the array of my brother who is coming. And I pray that your +death-doom may tarry for you who abide." + +Bess replied: "Daughter, to thy father go back with good cheer; +nor imprecate swift death upon us, nor let choler shake thy +bosom. For often has a woman, harsh at first and hard to a +wooer, yielded the second time." + +Whereupon Gram could brook no longer to be silent, and pitching +his tones gruffly, so as to mimic a gruesome and superhuman +voice, accosted the maiden thus: + +"Let not the maiden fear the brother of the fleet giant, nor turn +pale because I am nigh her. For I am sent by Grip, and never +seek the couch and embrace of damsels save when their wish +matches mine." + +Groa answered: "Who so mad as to wish to be the leman of giants? +Or what woman could love the bed that genders monsters? Who +could be the wife of demons, and know the seed whose fruit is +monstrous? Or who would fain share her couch with a barbarous +giant? Who caresses thorns with her fingers? Who would mingle +honest kisses with mire? Who would unite shaggy limbs to smooth +ones which correspond not? Full ease of love cannot be taken +when nature cries out against it: nor doth the love customary in +the use of women sort with monsters." + +Gram rejoined: "Oft with conquering hand I have tamed the necks +of mighty kings, defeating with stronger arm their insolent +pride. Thence take red-glowing gold, that the troth may be made +firm by the gift, and that the faith to be brought to our wedlock +may stand fast." + +Thus speaking, he cast off his disguises, and revealed his +natural comeliness; and by a single sight of him he filled the +damsel with well-nigh as much joy as he had struck her with fear +before at his counterfeit. She was even incited to his embraces +by the splendour of his beauty; nor did he fail to offer her the +gifts of love. + +Having won Groa, Bess proceeded and learnt that the road was +beset by two robbers. These he slew simply by charging them as +they rushed covetously forth to despoil him. This done, loth to +seem to have done any service to the soil of an enemy, he put +timbers under the carcases of the slain, fastened them thereto, +and stretched them so as to counterfeit an upright standing +position; so that in their death they might menace in seeming +those whom their life had harmed in truth; and that, terrible +even after their decease, they might block the road in effigy as +much as they had once in deed. Whence it appears that in slaying +the robbers he took thought for himself and not for Sweden: for +he betokened by so singular an act how great a hatred of Sweden +filled him. Having heard from the diviners that Sigtryg could +only be conquered by gold, he straightway fixed a knob of gold to +a wooden mace, equipped himself therewith in the war wherein he +attacked the king, and obtained his desire. This exploit was +besung by Bess in a most zealous strain of eulogy: + +"Gram, the fierce wielder of the prosperous mace, knowing not the +steel, rained blows on the outstretched sword, and with a stock +beat off the lances of the mighty. + +"Following the decrees and will of the gods, he brought low the +glory of the powerless Swedes, doing their king to death and +crushing him with the stiff gold. + +"For he pondered on the arts of war: he wielded in his clasp the +ruddy-flashing wood, and victoriously with noble stroke made +their fallen captain writhe. + +"Shrewdly he conquered with the hardness of gold him whom fate +forbade should be slain by steel; unsworded, waging war with the +worthier metal. + +"This treasure, for which its deviser claims glory and the height +of honour, shall abide yet more illustrious hereafter, known far +and wide in ampler fame." + +Having now slain Sigtryg, the King of Sweden, Gram desired to +confirm his possession of the empire which he had won in war; and +therefore, suspecting Swarin the governor of Gothland of aspiring +to the crown, he challenged him to combat, and slew him. This +man's brethren, of whom he had seven lawfully born, and nine the +sons of a concubine, sought to avenge their brother's death, but +Gram, in an unequal contest, cut them off. + +Gram, for his marvellous prowess, was granted a share in the +sovereignty by his father, who was now in extreme age, and +thought it better and likewise more convenient to give his own +blood a portion of the supremacy of the realm, than now in the +setting of his life to administer it without a partner. +Therefore Ring, a nobly-born Zealander, stirred the greater part +of the Danes with desire for insurrection; fancying that one of +these men was unripe for his rank, and that the other had run the +course of his powers, alleging the weakness in years of both, and +declaring that the wandering wit of an old man made the one, and +that of a boy the other, unfit for royal power. But they fought +and crushed him, making him an example to all men, that no season +of life is to be deemed incompatible with valour. + +Many other deeds also King Gram did. He declared war against +Sumble, King of the Finns; but when he set eyes upon the King's +daughter, Signe, he laid down his arms, the foeman turned into +the suitor, and, promising to put away his own wife, he plighted +troth with her. But, while much busied with a war against +Norway, which he had taken up against King Swipdag for debauching +his sister and his daughter, he heard from a messenger that Signe +had, by Sumble's treachery, been promised in marriage to Henry, +King of Saxony. Then, inclining to love the maiden more than his +soldiers, he left his army, privily made his way to Finland, and +came in upon the wedding, which was already begun. Putting on a +garb of the utmost meanness, he lay down at the table in a seat +of no honour. When asked what he brought, he professed skill in +leechcraft. At last, when all were drenched in drunkenness, he +gazed at the maiden, and amid the revels of the riotous banquet, +cursing deep the fickleness of women, and vaunting loud his own +deeds of valour, he poured out the greatness of his wrath in a +song like this: + +"Singly against eight at once I drove the darts of death, and +smote nine with a back-swung sword, when I slew Swarin, who +wrongfully assumed his honours and tried to win fame unmerited; +wherefore I have oft dyed in foreign blood my blade red with +death and reeking with slaughter, and have never blenched at the +clash of dagger or the sheen of helmet. Now Signe, the daughter +of Sumble, vilely spurns me, and endures vows not mine, cursing +her ancient troth; and, conceiving an ill-ordered love, commits a +notable act of female lightness; for she entangles, lures, and +bestains princes, rebuffing beyond all others the lordly of +birth; yet remaining firm to none, but ever wavering, and +bringing to birth impulses doubtful and divided." + +And as he spoke he leapt up from where he lay, and there he cut +Henry down while at the sacred board and the embraces of his +friends, carried off his bride from amongst the bridesmaids, +felled most of the guests, and bore her off with him in his ship. +Thus the bridal was turned into a funeral; and the Finns might +learn the lesson, that hands should not be laid upon the loves of +other men. + +After this SWIPDAG, King of Norway, destroyed Gram, who was +attempting to avenge the outrage on his sister and the attempt on +his daughter's chastity. This battle was notable for the +presence of the Saxon forces, who were incited to help Swipdag, +not so much by love of him, as by desire to avenge Henry. + +GUTHORM and HADDING, the son of Gram (Groa being the mother of +the first and Signe of the second), were sent over to Sweden in a +ship by their foster-father, Brage (Swipdag being now master of +Denmark), and put in charge of the giants Wagnhofde and Hafle, +for guard as well as rearing. + +As I shall have briefly to relate doings of these folk, and would +fain not seem to fabricate what conflicts with common belief or +outsteps the faithful truth, it is worth the knowing that there +were in old times three kinds of magicians who by diverse +sleights practiced extraordinary marvels. The first of these +were men of monstrous stock, termed by antiquity giants; these by +their exceeding great bodily stature surpassed the size natural +to mankind. Those who came after these were the first who gained +skill in divination from entrails, and attained the Pythonic art. +These surpassed the former in briskness of mental parts as much +as they fell behind them in bodily condition. Constant wars for +the supremacy were waged between these and the giants; till at +last the sorcerers prevailed, subdued the tribe of giants by +arms, and acquired not merely the privilege of ruling, but also +the repute of being divine. Both of these kinds had extreme +skill in deluding the eyesight, knowing how to obscure their own +faces and those of others with divers semblances, and to darken +the true aspects of things with beguiling shapes. But the third +kind of men, springing from the natural union of the first two, +did not answer to the nature of their parents either in bodily +size or in practice of magic arts; yet these gained credit for +divinity with minds that were befooled by their jugglings. + +Nor must we marvel if, tempted by the prodigious miracles of +these folk, the barbaric world fell to worshipping a false +religion, when others like unto these, who were mere mortals, but +were reverenced with divine honours, beguiled even the shrewdness +of the Latins. I have touched on these things lest, when I +relate of sleights and marvels, I be checked by the disbelief of +the reader. Now I will leave these matters and return to my +theme. + +Swipdag, now that he had slain Gram, was enriched with the realms +of Denmark and Sweden; and because of the frequent importunities +of his wife he brought back from banishment her brother Guthorm, +upon his promising tribute, and made him ruler of the Danes. But +Hadding preferred to avenge his father rather than take a boon +from his foe. + +This man's nature so waxed and throve that in the early season of +his youth he was granted the prime of manhood. Leaving the +pursuit of pleasure, he was constantly zealous in warlike +exercises; remembering that he was the son of a fighting father, +and was bound to spend his whole span of life in approved deeds +of warfare. Hardgrep, daughter of Wagnhofde, tried to enfeeble +his firm spirit with her lures of love, contending and constantly +averring that he ought to offer the first dues of the marriage +bed in wedlock with her, who had proffered to his childhood most +zealous and careful fostering, and had furnished him with his +first rattle. + +Nor was she content with admonishing in plain words, but began a +strain of song as follows: + +"Why doth thy life thus waste and wander? Why dost thou pass thy +years unwed, following arms, thirsting for throats? Nor does my +beauty draw thy vows. Carried away by excess of frenzy, thou art +little prone to love. Steeped in blood and slaughter, thou +judgest wars better than the bed, nor refreshest thy soul with +incitements. Thy fierceness finds no leisure; dalliance is far +from thee, and savagery fostered. Nor is thy hand free from +blasphemy while thou loathest the rites of love. Let this +hateful strictness pass away, let that loving warmth approach, +and plight the troth of love to me, who gave thee the first +breasts of milk in childhood, and helped thee, playing a mother's +part, duteous to thy needs." + +When he answered that the size of her body was unwieldy for the +embraces of a mortal, since doubtless her nature was framed in +conformity to her giant stock, she said: + +"Be not moved by my unwonted look of size. For my substance is +sometimes thinner, sometimes ampler; now meagre, now abundant; +and I alter and change at my pleasure the condition of my body, +which is at one time shrivelled up and at another time expanded: +now my tallness rises to the heavens, and now I settle down into +a human being, under a more bounded shape." + +As he still faltered, and was slow to believe her words, she +added the following song: + +"Youth, fear not the converse of my bed. I change my bodily +outline in twofold wise, and am wont to enjoin a double law upon +my sinews. For I conform to shapes of different figure in turn, +and am altered at my own sweet will: now my neck is star-high, +and soars nigh to the lofty Thunderer; then it falls and declines +to human strength, and plants again on earth that head which was +near the firmament. Thus I lightly shift my body into diverse +phases, and am beheld in varying wise; for changefully now +cramped stiffness draws in my limbs, now the virtue of my tall +body unfolds them, and suffers them to touch the cloud-tops. Now +I am short and straitened, now stretch out with loosened knee; +and I have mutably changed myself like wax into strange aspects. +He who knows of Proteus should not marvel at me. My shape never +stays the same, and my aspect is twofold: at one time it +contrasts its outstretched limbs, at another shoots them out when +closed; now disentangling the members and now rolling them back +into a coil. I dart out my ingathered limbs, and presently, +while they are strained, I wrinkle them up, dividing my +countenance between shapes twain, and adopting two forms; with +the greater of these I daunt the fierce, while with the shorter I +seek the embraces of men." + +By thus averring she obtained the embraces of Hadding; and her +love for the youth burned so high that when she found him +desirous of revisiting his own land, she did not hesitate to +follow him in man's attire, and counted it as joy to share his +hardships and perils. While upon the journey she had undertaken, +she chanced to enter in his company, in order to pass the night, +a dwelling, the funeral of whose dead master was being conducted +with melancholy rites. Here, desiring to pry into the purposes +of heaven by the help of a magical espial, she graved on wood +some very dreadful spells, and caused Hadding to put them under +the dead man's tongue; thus forcing him to utter, with the voice +so given, a strain terrible to hear: + +"Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, +let him be punished for calling a spirit out of bale! + +"Whoso hath called me, who am lifeless and dead, back from the +abode below, and hath brought me again into upper air, let him +pay full penalty with his own death in the dreary shades beneath +livid Styx. Behold, counter to my will and purpose, I must +declare some bitter tidings. For as ye go away from this house +ye will come to the narrow path of a grove, and will be a prey to +demons all about. Then she who hath brought our death back from +out of void, and has given us a sight of this light once more, by +her prayers wondrously drawing forth the ghost and casting it +into the bonds of the body, shall bitterly bewail her rash +enterprise. + +"Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, +let him be punished for calling a spirit out of bale! + +"For when the black pestilence of the blast that engenders +monsters has crushed out the inmost entrails with stern effort, +and when their hand has swept away the living with cruel nail, +tearing off limbs and rending ravished bodies; then Hadding, thy +life shall survive, nor shall the nether realms bear off thy +ghost, nor thy spirit pass heavily to the waters of Styx; but the +woman who hath made the wretched ghost come back hither, crushed +by her own guilt, shall appease our dust; she shall be dust +herself. + +"Perish accursed he who hath dragged me back from those below, +let him be punished for calling a spirit out of bale!" + +So, while they were passing the night in the forest foretold +them, in a shelter framed of twigs, a hand of extraordinary size +was seen to wander over the inside of the dwelling. Terrified at +this portent, Hadding entreated the aid of his nurse. Then +Hardgrep, expanding her limbs and swelling to a mighty bigness, +gripped the hand fast and held it to her foster-child to hew off. +What flowed from the noisesome wounds he dealt was not so much +blood as corrupt matter. But she paid the penalty of this act, +presently being torn in pieces by her kindred of the same stock; +nor did her constitution or her bodily size help her against +feeling the attacks of her foes' claws. + +Hadding, thus bereft of his foster-mother, chanced to be made an +ally in a solemn covenant to a rover, Lysir, by a certain man of +great age that had lost an eye, who took pity on his loneliness. +Now the ancients, when about to make a league, were wont to +besprinkle their footsteps with blood of one another, so to +ratify their pledge of friendship by reciprocal barter of blood. +Lysir and Hadding, being bound thus in the strictest league, +declared war against Loker, the tyrant of the Kurlanders. They +were defeated; and the old man aforementioned took Hadding, as he +fled on horseback, to his own house, and there refreshed him with +a certain pleasant draught, telling him that he would find +himself quite brisk and sound in body. This prophetic advice he +confirmed by a song as follows: + +"As thou farest hence, a foe, thinking thee a deserter, will +assail thee, that he may keep thee bound and cast thee to be +devoured by the mangling jaws of beasts. But fill thou the ears +of the warders with divers tales, and when they have done the +feast and deep sleep holds them, snap off the fetters upon thee +and the loathly chains. Turn thy feet thence, and when a little +space has fled, with all thy might rise up against a swift lion +who is wont to toss the carcases of the prisoners, and strive +with thy stout arms against his savage shoulders, and with naked +sword search his heart-strings. Straightway put thy throat to +him and drink the steaming blood, and devour with ravenous jaws +the banquet of his body. Then renewed strength will come to thy +limbs, then shall undreamed-of might enter thy sinews, and an +accumulation of stout force shall bespread and nerve thy frame +through~out. I myself will pave the path to thy prayers, and +will subdue the henchmen in sleep, and keep them snoring +throughout the lingering night." + +And as he spoke, he took back the young man on his horse, and set +him where he had found him. Hadding cowered trembling under his +mantle; but so extreme was his wonder at the event, that with +keen vision he peered through its holes. And he saw that before +the steps of the horse lay the sea; but was told not to steal a +glimpse of the forbidden thing, and therefore turned aside his +amazed eyes from the dread spectacle of the roads that he +journeyed. Then he was taken by Loker, and found by very sure +experience that every point of the prophecy was fulfilled upon +him. So he assailed Handwan, king of the Hellespont, who was +entrenched behind an impregnable defence of wall in his city +Duna, and withstood him not in the field, but with battlements. +Its summit defying all approach by a besieger, he ordered that +the divers kinds of birds who were wont to nest in that spot +should be caught by skilled fowlers, and he caused wicks which +had been set on fire to be fastened beneath their wings. The +birds sought the shelter of their own nests, and filled the city +with a blaze; all the townsmen flocked to quench it, and left the +gates defenceless. He attacked and captured Handwan, but +suffered him to redeem his life with gold for ransom. Thus, when +he might have cut off his foe, he preferred to grant him the +breath of life; so far did his mercy qualify his rage. + +After this he prevailed over a great force of men of the East, +and came back to Sweden. Swipdag met him with a great fleet off +Gottland; but Hadding attacked and destroyed him. And thus he +advanced to a lofty pitch of renown, not only by the fruits of +foreign spoil, but by the trophies of his vengeance for his +brother and his father. And he exchanged exile for royalty, for +he became king of his own land as soon as he regained it. + +At this time there was one Odin, who was credited over all Europe +with the honour, which was false, of godhead, but used more +continually to sojourn at Upsala; and in this spot, either from +the sloth of the inhabitants or from its own pleasantness, he +vouchsafed to dwell with somewhat especial constancy. The kings +of the North, desiring more zealously to worship his deity, +embounded his likeness in a golden image; and this statue, which +betokened their homage, they transmitted with much show of +worship to Byzantium, fettering even the effigied arms with a +serried mass of bracelets. Odin was overjoyed at such notoriety, +and greeted warmly the devotion of the senders. But his queen +Frigga, desiring to go forth more beautified, called smiths, and +had the gold stripped from the statue. Odin hanged them, and +mounted the statue upon a pedestal, which by the marvellous skill +of his art he made to speak when a mortal touched it. But still +Frigga preferred the splendour of her own apparel to the divine +honours of her husband, and submitted herself to the embraces of +one of her servants; and it was by this man's device she broke +down the image, and turned to the service of her private +wantonness that gold which had been devoted to public idolatry. +Little thought she of practicing unchastity, that she might the +easier satisfy her greed, this woman so unworthy to be the +consort of a god; but what should I here add, save that such a +godhead was worthy of such a wife? So great was the error that +of old befooled the minds of men. Thus Odin, wounded by the +double trespass of his wife, resented the outrage to his image as +keenly as that to his bed; and, ruffled by these two stinging +dishonours, took to an exile overflowing with noble shame, +imagining so to wipe off the slur of his ignominy. + +When he had retired, one Mit-othin, who was famous for his +juggling tricks, was likewise quickened, as though by inspiration +from on high, to seize the opportunity of feigning to be a god; +and, wrapping the minds of the barbarians in fresh darkness, he +led them by the renown of his jugglings to pay holy observance to +his name. He said that the wrath of the gods could never be +appeased nor the outrage to their deity expiated by mixed and +indiscriminate sacrifices, and therefore forbade that prayers for +this end should be put up without distinction, appointing to each +of those above his especial drink-offering. But when Odin was +returning, he cast away all help of jugglings, went to Finland to +hide himself, and was there attacked and slain by the +inhabitants. Even in his death his abominations were made +manifest, for those who came nigh his barrow were cut off by a +kind of sudden death; and after his end, he spread such +pestilence that he seemed almost to leave a filthier record in +his death than in his life: it was as though he would extort from +the guilty a punishment for his slaughter. The inhabitants, +being in this trouble, took the body out of the mound, beheaded +it, and impaled it through the breast with a sharp stake; and +herein that people found relief. + +The death of Odin's wife revived the ancient splendour of his +name, and seemed to wipe out the disgrace upon his deity; so, +returning from exile, he forced all those, who had used his +absence to assume the honours of divine rank, to resign them as +usurped; and the gangs of sorcerers that had arisen he scattered +like a darkness before the advancing glory of his godhead. And +he forced them by his power not only to lay down their divinity, +but further to quit the country, deeming that they, who tried to +foist themselves so iniquitously into the skies, ought to be +outcasts from the earth. + +Meanwhile Asmund, the son of Swipdag, fought with Hadding to +avenge his father. And when he heard that Henry his son, his +love for whom he set even before his own life, had fallen +fighting valiantly, his soul longed for death, and loathed the +light of day, and made a song in a strain like this: + +"What brave hath dared put on my armour? The sheen of the helmet +serves not him who tottereth, nor doth the breastplate fitly +shelter him that is sore spent. Our son is slain, let us riot in +battle; my eager love for him driveth me to my death, that I may +not be left outliving my dear child. In each hand I am fain to +grasp the sword; now without shield let us ply our warfare bare- +breasted, with flashing blades. Let the rumour of our rage +beacon forth: boldly let us grind to powder the column of the +foe; nor let the battle be long and chafe us; nor let our onset +be shattered in rout and be still." + +When he had said this, he gripped his hilt with both hands, and, +fearless of peril, swung his shield upon his back and slew many. +Hadding therefore called on the powers with which he was allied +to protect him, and on a sudden Wagnhofde rode up to fight on his +side. And when Asmund saw his crooked sword, he cried out, and +broke into the following strain: + +"Why fightest thou with curved sword? The short sword shall +prove thy doom, the javelin shall be flung and bring forth death. +Thou shouldst conquer thy foe by thy hand, but thou trustest +that he can be rent by spells; thou trustest more in words than +rigour, and puttest thy strength in thy great resource. Why dost +thus beat me back with thy shield, threatening with thy bold +lance, when thou art so covered with wretched crimes and spotted +all over? Thus hath the brand of shame bestained thee, rotting +in sin, lubber-lipped." + +While he thus clamoured, Hadding, flinging his spear by the +thong, pierced him through. But Asmund lacked not comfort even +for his death; for while his life flickered in the socket he +wounded the foot of his slayer, and by this short instant of +revenge he memorized his fall, punishing the other with an +incurable limp. Thus crippling of a limb befell one of them and +loss of life the other. Asmund's body was buried in solemn state +at Upsala and attended with royal obsequies. His wife Gunnhild, +loth to outlive him, cut off her own life with the sword, +choosing rather to follow her lord in death than to forsake him +by living. Her friends, in consigning her body to burial, laid +her with her husband's dust, thinking her worthy to share the +mound of the man, her love for whom she had set above life. So +there lies Gunnhild, clasping her lord somewhat more beautifully +in the tomb than the had ever done in the bed. + +After this Hadding, now triumphant, wasted Sweden. But Asmund's +son, named Uffe, shrinking from a conflict, transported his army +into Denmark, thinking it better to assail the house of his enemy +than to guard his own, and deeming it a timely method of +repelling his wrongs to retaliate upon his foe what he was +suffering at his hands. Thus the Danes had to return and defend +their own, preferring the safety of their land to lordship of a +foreign realm; and Uffe went back to his own country, now rid of +an enemy's arms. + +Hadding, on returning from the Swedish war, perceived that his +treasury, wherein he was wont to store the wealth he had gotten +by the spoils of war, had been forced and robbed, and straightway +hanged its keeper Glumer, proclaiming by a crafty device, that, +if any of the culprits brought about the recovery of the stolen +goods, he should have the same post of honour as Glumer had +filled. Upon this promise, one of the guilty men became more +zealous to reap the bounty than to hide his crime, and had the +money brought back to the king. His confederates fancied he had +been received into the king's closest friendship, and believed +that the honours paid him were as real as they were lavish; and +therefore they also, hoping to be as well rewarded, brought back +their moneys and avowed their guilt. Their confession was +received at first with promotion and favours, and soon visited +with punishment, thus bequeathing a signal lesson against being +too confiding. I should judge that men, whose foolish blabbing +brought them to destruction, when wholesome silence could have +ensured their safety, well deserved to atone upon the gallows for +their breach of reticence. + +After this Hadding passed the whole winter season in the utmost +preparation for the renewal of the war. When the frosts had been +melted by the springtime sun, he went back to Sweden and there +spent five years in warfare. By dint of this prolonged +expedition, his soldiers, having consumed all their provision, +were reduced almost to the extremity of emaciation, and began to +assuage their hunger with mushrooms from the wood. At last, +under stress of extreme necessity, they devoured their horses, +and finally satisfied themselves with the carcases of dogs. +Worse still, they did not scruple to feed upon human limbs. So, +when the Danes were brought unto the most desperate straits, +there sounded in the camp, in the first sleep of the night, and +no man uttering it, the following song: + +"With foul augury have ye left the abode of your country, +thinking to harry these fields in War. What idle notion mocks +your minds? What blind self-confidence has seized your senses, +that ye think this soil can thus be won. The might of Sweden +cannot yield or quail before the War of the stranger; but the +whole of your column shall melt away when it begins to assault +our people in War. For when flight has broken up the furious +onset, and the straggling part of the fighters wavers, then to +those who prevail in the War is given free scope to slay those +who turn their backs, and they have earned power to smite the +harder when fate drives the renewer of the war headlong. Nor let +him whom cowardice deters aim the spears." + +This prophecy was accomplished on the morrow's dawn by a great +slaughter of the Danes. On the next night the warriors of Sweden +heard an utterance like this, none knowing who spake it: + +"Why doth Uffe thus defy me with grievous rebellion? He shall +pay the utmost penalty. For he shall he buried and transpierced +under showers of lances, and shall fall lifeless in atonement for +his insolent attempt. Nor shall the guilt of his wanton rancour +be unpunished; and, as I forebode, as soon as he joins battle and +fights, the points shall fasten in his limbs and strike his body +everywhere, and his raw gaping wounds no bandage shall bind up; +nor shall any remedy heal over thy wide gashes." + +On that same night the armies fought; when two hairless old men, +of appearance fouler than human, and displaying their horrid +baldness in the twinkling starlight, divided their monstrous +efforts with opposing ardour, one of them being zealous on the +Danish side, and the other as fervent for the Swedes. Hadding +was conquered and fled to Helsingland, where, while washing in +the cold sea-water his body which was scorched with heat, he +attacked and cut down with many blows a beast of unknown kind, +and having killed it had it carried into camp. As he was +exulting in this deed a woman met him and addressed him in these +words: + +"Whether thou tread the fields afoot, or spread canvas overseas, +thou shalt suffer the hate of the gods, and through all the world +shalt behold the elements oppose thy purposes. Afield thou shalt +fall, on sea thou shalt be tossed, an eternal tempest shall +attend the steps of thy wandering, nor shall frost-bind ever quit +thy sails; nor shall thy roof-tree roof thee, but if thou seekest +it, it shall fall smitten by the hurricane; thy herd shall perish +of bitter chill. All things shall be tainted, and shall lament +that thy lot is there. Thou shalt be shunned like a pestilent +tetter, nor shall any plague be fouler than thou. Such +chastisement doth the power of heaven mete out to thee, for truly +thy sacrilegious hands have slain one of the dweller's above, +disguised in a shape that was not his: thus here art thou, the +slayer of a benignant god! But when the sea receives thee, the +wrath of the prison of Eolus shall be loosed upon thy head. The +West and the furious North, the South wind shall beat thee down, +shall league and send forth their blasts in rivalry; until with +better prayers thou hast melted the sternness of heaven, and hast +lifted with appeasement the punishment thou hast earned." + +So, when Hadding went back, he suffered all things after this one +fashion, and his coming brought disquiet upon all peaceful +places. For when he was at sea a mighty storm arose and +destroyed his fleet in a great tempest: and when, a shipwrecked +man, he sought entertainment, he found a sudden downfall of that +house. Nor was there any cure for his trouble, ere he atoned by +sacrifice for his crime, and was able to return into favour with +heaven. For, in order to appease the deities, he sacrificed +dusky victims to the god Frey. This manner of propitiation by +sacrifice he repeated as an annual feast, and left posterity to +follow. This rite the Swedes call Froblod (the sacrifice or +feast of Frey). + +Hadding chanced to hear that a certain giant had taken in troth +Ragnhild, daughter of Hakon, King of the Nitherians; and, +loathing so ignominious a state of affairs, and utterly +abominating the destined union, he forestalled the marriage by +noble daring. For he went to Norway and overcame by arms him +that was so foul, a lover for a princess. For he thought so much +more of valour than of ease, that, though he was free to enjoy +all the pleasures of a king, he accounted it sweeter than any +delight to repel the wrongs done, not only to himself, but to +others. The maiden, not knowing him, ministered with healing +tendance to the man that had done her kindness and was bruised +with many wounds. And in order that lapse of time might not make +her forget him, she shut up a ring in his wound, and thus left a +mark on his leg. Afterwards her father granted her freedom to +choose her own husband; so when the young men were assembled at +banquet, she went along them and felt their bodies carefully, +searching for the tokens she had stored up long ago. All the +rest she rejected, but Hadding she discovered by the sign of the +secret ring; then she embraced him, and gave herself to be the +wife of him who had not suffered a giant to win her in marriage. + +While Hadding was sojourning with her a marvellous portent befell +him. While he was at supper, a woman bearing hemlocks was seen +to raise her head beside the brazier, and, stretching out the lap +of her robe, seemed to ask, "in what part of the world such fresh +herbs had grown in winter?" The king desired to know; and, +wrapping him in her mantle, she drew him with her underground, +and vanished. I take it that the nether gods purposed that he +should pay a visit in the flesh to the regions whither he must go +when he died. So they first pierced through a certain dark misty +cloud, and then advancing along a path that was worn away with +long thoroughfaring, they beheld certain men wearing rich robes, +and nobles clad in purple; these passed, they at last approached +sunny regions which produced the herbs the woman had brought +away. Going further, they came on a swift and tumbling river of +leaden waters, whirling down on its rapid current divers sorts of +missiles, and likewise made passable by a bridge. When they had +crossed this, they beheld two armies encountering one another +with might and main. And when Hadding inquired of the woman +about their estate: "These," she said, "are they who, having been +slain by the sword, declare the manner of their death by a +continual rehearsal, and enact the deeds of their past life in a +living spectacle." Then a wall hard to approach and to climb +blocked their further advance. The woman tried to leap it, but +in vain, being unable to do so even with her slender wrinkled +body; then she wrung off the head of a cock which she chanced to +be taking down with her, and flung it beyond the barrier of the +walls; and forthwith the bird came to life again, and testified +by a loud crow to recovery of its breathing. Then Hadding turned +back and began to make homewards with his wife; some rovers bore +down on him, but by swift sailing he baffled their snares; for +though it was almost the same wind that helped both, they were +behind him as he clove the billows, and, as they had only just as +much sail, could not overtake him. + +Meantime Uffe, who had a marvellously fair daughter, decreed that +the man who slew Hadding should have her. This sorely tempted +one Thuning, who got together a band of men of Perm (Byarmenses), +being fain so to win the desired advancement. Hadding was going +to fall upon him, but while he was passing Norway in his fleet he +saw upon the beach an old man signing to him, with many wavings +of his mantle, to put into shore. His companions opposed it, and +declared that it would be a ruinous diversion from their journey; +but he took the man on board, and was instructed by him how to +order his army. For this man, in arranging the system of the +columns, used to take special care that the front row consisted +of two, the second of four, while the third increased and was +made up to eight, and likewise each row was double that in front +of it. Also the old man bade the wings of the slingers go back +to the extremity of the line, and put with them the ranks of the +archers. So when the squadrons were arranged in the wedge, he +stood himself behind the warriors, and from the wallet which was +slung round his neck drew an arbalist. This seemed small at +first, but soon projected with more prolonged tip, and +accommodated ten arrows to its string at once, which were shot +all at once at the enemy in a brisk volley, and inflicted as many +wounds. Then the men of Perm, quitting arms for cunning, by +their spells loosed the sky in clouds of rain, and melted the +joyous visage of the air in dismal drenching showers. But the +old man, on the other hand, drove back with a cloud the heavy +mass of storm which had arisen, and checked the dripping rain by +this barrier of mist. Thus Hadding prevailed. But the old man, +when he parted from him, foretold that the death whereby he would +perish would be inflicted, not by the might of an enemy, but by +his own hand. Also he forbade him to prefer obscure wars to such +as were glorious, and border wars to those remote. + +Hadding, after leaving him, was bidden by Uffe to Upsala on +pretence of a interview; but lost all his escort by treachery, +and made his escape sheltered by the night. For when the Danes +sought to leave the house into which they had been gathered on +pretext of a banquet, they found one awaiting them, who mowed off +the head of each of them with his sword as it was thrust out of +the door. For this wrongful act Hadding retaliated and slew +Uffe; but put away his hatred and consigned his body to a +sepulchre of notable handiwork, thus avowing the greatness of his +foe by his pains to beautify his tomb, and decking in death with +costly distinctions the man whom he used to pursue in his life +with hot enmity. Then, to win the hearts of the people he had +subdued, he appointed Hunding, the brother of Uffe, over the +realm, that the sovereignty might seem to be maintained in the +house of Asmund, and not to have passed into the hand of a +stranger. + +Thus his enemy was now removed, and he passed several years +without any stirring events and in utter disuse of arms; but at +last he pleaded the long while he had been tilling the earth, and +the immoderate time he had forborne from exploits on the seas; +and seeming to think war a merrier thing than peace, he began to +upbraid himself with slothfulness in a strain like this: + +"Why loiter I thus in darksome hiding, in the folds of rugged +hills, nor follow seafaring as of old? The continual howling of +the band of wolves, and the plaintive cry of harmful beasts that +rises to heaven, and the fierce impatient lions, all rob my eyes +of sleep. Dreary are the ridges and the desolation to hearts +that trusted to do wilder work. The stark rocks and the rugged +lie of the ground bar the way to spirits who are wont to love the +sea. It were better service to sound the firths with the oars, +to revel in plundered wares, to pursue the gold of others for my +coffer, to gloat over sea-gotten gains, than to dwell in rough +lands and winding woodlands and barren glades." + +Then his wife, loving a life in the country, and weary of the +marin harmony of the sea-birds, declared how great joy she found +in frequenting the woodlands, in the following strain: + +"The shrill bird vexes me as I tarry by the shore, and with its +chattering rouses me when I cannot sleep. Wherefore the noisy +sweep of its boisterous rush takes gentle rest from my sleeping +eye, nor doth the loud-chattering sea-mew suffer me to rest in +the night, forcing its wearisome tale into my dainty ears; nor +when I would lie down doth it suffer me to be refreshed, +clamouring with doleful modulation of its ill-boding voice. +Safer and sweeter do I deem the enjoyment of the woods. How are +the fruits of rest plucked less by day or night than by tarrying +tossed on the shifting sea?" + +At this time one Toste emerged, from the obscure spot of Jutland +where he was born, into bloody notoriety. For by all manner of +wanton attacks upon the common people he spread wide the fame of +his cruelty, and gained so universal a repute for rancour, that +he was branded with the name of the Wicked. Nor did he even +refrain from wrongdoing to foreigners, but, after foully harrying +his own land, went on to assault Saxony. The Saxon general +Syfrid, when his men were hard put to it in the battle, entreated +peace. Toste declared that he should have what he asked, but +only if he would promise to become his ally in a war against +Hadding. Syfrid demurred, dreading to fulfill the condition, but +by sharp menaces Toste induced him to promise what he asked. For +threats can sometimes gain a request which softdealing cannot +compass. Hadding was conquered by this man in an affair by land; +but in the midst of his flight he came on his enemy's fleet, and +made it unseaworthy by boring the sides; then he got a skiff and +steered it out to sea. Toste thought he was slain, but though he +sought long among the indiscriminate heaps of dead, could not +find him, and came back to his fleet; when he saw from afar off a +light boat tossing on the ocean billows. Putting out some +vessels, he resolved to give it chase, but was brought back by +peril of shipwreck, and only just reached the shore. Then he +quickly took some sound craft, and accomplished the journey which +he had before begun. Hadding, seeing he was caught, proceeded to +ask his companion whether he was a skilled and practised swimmer; +and when the other said he was not, Hadding despairing of flight, +deliberately turned the vessel over and held on inside to its +hollow, thus making his pursuers think him dead. Then he +attacked Toste, who, careless and unaware, was greedily watching +over the remnants of his spoil; cut down his army, forced him to +quit his plunder, and avenged his own rout by that of Toste. + +But Toste lacked not heart to avenge himself. For, not having +store enough in his own land to recruit his forces -- so heavy +was the blow he had received -- he went to Britain, calling +himself an ambassador. Upon his outward voyage, for sheer +wantonness, he got his crew together to play dice, and when a +wrangle arose from the throwing of the cubes, he taught them to +wind it up with a fatal affray. And so, by means of this +peaceful sport, he spread the spirit of strife through the whole +ship, and the jest gave place to quarrelling, which engendered +bloody combat. Also, fain to get some gain out of the +misfortunes of others, he seized the moneys of the slain, and +attached to him a certain rover then famous, named Koll; and a +little after returned in his company to his own land, where he +was challenged and slain by Hadding, who preferred to hazard his +own fortune rather than that of his soldiers. For generals of +antique valour were loth to accomplish by general massacre what +could be decided by the lot of a few. + +After these deeds the figure of Hadding's dead wife appeared +before him in his sleep, and sang thus: + +"A monster is born to thee that shall tame the rage of wild +beasts, and crush with fierce mouth the fleet wolves." + +Then she added a little: "Take thou heed; from thee hath issued a +bird of harm, in choler a wild screech-owl, in tongue a tuneful +swan." + +On the morrow the king, when he had shaken off slumber, told the +vision to a man skilled in interpretations, who explained the +wolf to denote a son that would be truculent and the word swan as +signifying a daughter; and foretold that the son would be deadly +to enemies and the daughter treacherous to her father. The +result answered to the prophecy. Hadding's daughter, Ulfhild, +who was wife to a certain private person called Guthorm, was +moved either by anger at her match, or with aspirations to glory, +and throwing aside all heed of daughterly love, tempted her +husband to slay her father; declaring that she preferred the name +of queen to that of princess. I have resolved to set forth the +manner of her exhortation almost in the words in which she +uttered it; they were nearly these: + +"Miserable am I, whose nobleness is shadowed by an unequal yoke! +Hapless am I, to whose pedigree is bound the lowliness of a +peasant! Luckless issue of a king, to whom a common man is equal +by law of marriage! Pitiable daughter of a prince, whose +comeliness her spiritless father hath made over to base and +contemptible embraces! Unhappy child of thy mother, with thy +happiness marred by consorting with this bed! thy purity is +handled by the impurity of a peasant, thy nobility is bowed down +by ignoble commonness, thy high birth is impaired by the estate +of thy husband! But thou, if any pith be in thee, if valour +reign in thy soul at all, if thou deem thyself fit husband for a +king's daughter, wrest the sceptre from her father, retrieve thy +lineage by thy valour, balance with courage thy lack of ancestry, +requite by bravery thy detriment of blood. Power won by daring +is more prosperous than that won by inheritance. Boldness climbs +to the top better than inheritance, and worth wins power better +than birth. Moreover, it is no shame to overthrow old age, which +of its own weight sinks and totters to its fall. It shall be +enough for my father to have borne the sceptre for so long; let +the dotard's power fall to thee; if it elude thee, it will pass +to another. Whatsoever rests on old age is near its fall. Think +that his reign has been long enough, and be it thine, though late +in the day, to be first. Further, I would rather have my husband +than my father king -- would rather be ranked a king's wife than +daughter. It is better to embrace a monarch in one's home, than +to give him homage from afar; it is nobler to be a king's bride +than his courtier. Thou, too, must surely prefer thyself to thy +wife's father for bearing the sceptre; for nature has made each +one nearest to himself. If there be a will for the deed, a way +will open; there is nothing but yields to the wit of man. The +feast must be kept, the banquet decked, the preparations looked +to, and my father bidden. The path to treachery shall be +smoothed by a pretence of friendship, for nothing cloaks a snare +better than the name of kindred. Also his soddenness shall open +a short way to his slaughter; for when the king shall be intent +upon the dressing of his hair, and his hand is upon his beard and +his mind upon stories; when he has parted his knotted locks, +either with hairpin or disentangling comb, then let him feel the +touch of the steel in his flesh. Busy men commonly devise little +precaution. Let thy hand draw near to punish all his sins. It +is a righteous deed to put forth thy hand to avenge the +wretched!" + +Thus Ulfhild importuned, and her husband was overcome by her +promptings, and promised his help to the treachery. But meantime +Hadding was warned in a dream to beware of his son-in-law's +guile. He went to the feast, which his daughter had made ready +for him with a show of love, and posted an armed guard hard by to +use against the treachery when need was. As he ate, the henchman +who was employed to do the deed of guile silently awaited a +fitting moment for his crime, his dagger hid under his robe. The +king, remarking him, blew on the trumpet a signal to the soldiers +who were stationed near; they straightway brought aid, and he +made the guile recoil on its deviser. + +Meanwhile Hunding, King of the Swedes, heard false tidings that +Hadding was dead, and resolved to greet them with obsequies. So +he gathered his nobles together, and filled a jar of +extraordinary size with ale, and had this set in the midst of +the feasters for their delight, and, to omit no mark of +solemnity, himself assumed a servant's part, not hesitating to +play the cupbearer. And while he was passing through the palace +in fulfilment of his office, he stumbled and fell into the jar, +and, being choked by the liquor, gave up the ghost; thus atoning +either to Orcus, whom he was appeasing by a baseless performance +of the rites, or to Hadding, about whose death he had spoken +falsely. Hadding, when he heard this, wished to pay like thanks +to his worshipper, and, not enduring to survive his death, hanged +himself in sight of the whole people. + + + +BOOK TWO + +HADDING was succeeded by FRODE, his son, whose fortunes were many +and changeful. When he had passed the years of a stripling, he +displayed the fulness of a warrior's prowess; and being loth that +this should be spoilt by slothfulness, he sequestered his mind +from delights and perseveringly constrained it to arms. Warfare +having drained his father's treasury, he lacked a stock of pay to +maintain his troops, and cast about diligently for the supplies +that he required; and while thus employed, a man of the country +met him and roused his hopes by the following strain: + +"Not far off is an island rising in delicate slopes, hiding +treasure in its hills and ware of its rich booty. Here a noble +pile is kept by the occupant of the mount, who is a snake +wreathed in coils, doubled in many a fold, and with tail drawn +out in winding whorls, shaking his manifold spirals and shedding +venom. If thou wouldst conquer him, thou must use thy shield and +stretch thereon bulls' hides, and cover thy body with the skins +of kine, nor let thy limbs lie bare to the sharp poison; his +slaver burns up what it bespatters. Though the three-forked +tongue flicker and leap out of the gaping mouth, and with awful +yawn menace ghastly wounds remember to keep the dauntless temper +of thy mind; nor let the point of the jagged tooth trouble thee, +nor the starkness of the beast, nor the venom spat from the swift +throat. Though the force of his scales spurn thy spears, yet +know there is a place under his lowest belly whither thou mayst +plunge the blade; aim at this with thy sword, and thou shalt +probe the snake to his centre. Thence go fearless up to the +hill, drive the mattock, dig and ransack the holes; soon fill thy +pouch with treasure, and bring back to the shore thy craft +laden." + +Frode believed, and crossed alone to the island, loth to attack +the beast with any stronger escort than that wherewith it was the +custom for champions to attack. When it had drunk water and was +repairing to its cave, its rough and sharp hide spurned the blow +of Frode's steel. Also the darts that he flung against it +rebounded idly, foiling the effort of the thrower. But when the +hard back yielded not a whit, he noted the belly heedfully, and +its softness gave entrance to the steel. The beast tried to +retaliate by biting, but only struck the sharp point of its mouth +upon the shield. Then it shot out its flickering tongue again +and again, and gasped away life and venom together. + +The money which the King found made him rich; and with this +supply he approached in his fleet the region of the Kurlanders, +whose king Dorn, dreading a perilous war, is said to have made a +speech of the following kind to his soldiers: + +"Nobles! Our enemy is a foreigner, begirt with the arms and the +wealth of almost all the West; let us, by endeavouring to defer +the battle for our profit, make him a prey to famine, which is +all inward malady; and he will find it very hard to conquer a +peril among his own people. It is easy to oppose the starving. +Hunger will be a better weapon against our foe than arms; famine +will be the sharpest lance we shall hurl at him. For lack of +food nourishes the pestilence that eats away men's strength, and +lack of victual undermines store of weapons. Let this whirl the +spears while we sit still; let this take up the prerogative and +the duty of fighting. Unimperilled, we shall be able to imperil +others; we can drain their blood and lose no drop of ours. One +may defeat an enemy by inaction. Who would not rather fight +safely than at a loss? Who would strive to suffer chastisement +when he may contend unhurt? Our success in arms will be more +prosperous if hunger joins battle first. Let hunger captain us, +and so let us take the first chance of conflict. Let it decide +the day in our stead, and let our camp remain free from the stir +of war; if hunger retreat beaten, we must break off idleness. He +who is fresh easily overpowers him who is shaken with languor. +The hand that is flaccid and withered will come fainter to the +battle. He whom any hardship has first wearied, will bring +slacker hands to the steel. When he that is wasted with sickness +engages with the sturdy, the victory hastens. Thus, undamaged +ourselves, we shall be able to deal damage to others." + +Having said this, he wasted all the places which he saw would be +hard to protect, distrusting his power to guard them, and he so +far forestalled the ruthlessness of the foe in ravaging his own +land, that he left nothing untouched which could be seized by +those who came after. Then he shut up the greater part of his +forces in a town of undoubted strength, and suffered the enemy to +blockade him. Frode, distrusting his power of attacking this +town, commanded several trenches of unwonted depth to be made +within the camp, and the earth to be secretly carried out in +baskets and cast quietly into the river bordering the walls. +Then he had a mass of turf put over the trenches to hide the +trap: wishing to cut off the unwary enemy by tumbling them down +headlong, and thinking that they would be overwhelmed unawares by +the slip of the subsiding earth. Then he feigned a panic, and +proceeded to forsake the camp for a short while. The townsmen +fell upon it, missed their footing everywhere, rolled forward +into the pits, and were massacred by him under a shower of +spears. + +Thence he travelled and fell in with Trannon, the monarch of the +Ruthenians. Desiring to spy out the strength of his navy, he +made a number of pegs out of sticks, and loaded a skiff with +them; and in this he approached the enemy's fleet by night, and +bored the hulls of the vessels with an auger. And to save them +from a sudden influx of the waves, he plugged up the open holes +with the pegs he had before provided, and by these pieces of wood +he made good the damage done by the auger. But when he thought +there were enough holes to drown the fleet, he took out the +plugs, thus giving instant access to the waters, and then made +haste to surround the enemy's fleet with his own. The Ruthenians +were beset with a double peril, and wavered whether they should +first withstand waves or weapons. Fighting to save their ships +from the foe, they were shipwrecked. Within, the peril was more +terrible than without: within, they fell back before the waves, +while drawing the sword on those without. For the unhappy men +were assaulted by two dangers at once; it was doubtful whether +the swiftest way of safety was to swim or to battle to the end; +and the fray was broken off at its hottest by a fresh cause of +doom. Two forms of death advanced in a single onset; two paths +of destruction offered united peril: it was hard to say whether +the sword or the sea hurt them more. While one man was beating +off the swords, the waters stole up silently and took him. +Contrariwise, another was struggling with the waves, when the +steel came up and encompassed him. The flowing waters were +befouled with the gory spray. Thus the Ruthenians were +conquered, and Frode made his way back home. + +Finding that some envoys, whom he had sent into Russia to levy +tribute, had been horribly murdered through the treachery of the +inhabitants, Frode was stung by the double wrong and besieged +closely their town Rotel. Loth that the intervening river should +delay his capture of the town, he divided the entire mass of the +waters by making new and different streams, thus changing what +had been a channel of unknown depth into passable fords; not +ceasing till the speed of the eddy, slackened by the division of +its outlet, rolled its waves onward in fainter current, and +winding along its slender reaches, slowly thinned and dwindled +into a shallow. Thus he prevailed over the river; and the town, +which lacked natural defences, he overthrew, his soldiers +breaking in without resistance. This done, he took his army to +the city of Paltisca. Thinking no force could overcome it, he +exchanged war for guile. He went into a dark and unknown hiding- +place, only a very few being in the secret, and ordered a report +of his death to be spread abroad, so as to inspire the enemy with +less fear; his obsequies being also held, and a barrow raised, to +give the tale credit. Even the soldiers bewailed his supposed +death with a mourning which was in the secret of the trick. This +rumour led Vespasins, the king of the city, to show so faint and +feeble a defence, as though the victory was already his, that the +enemy got a chance of breaking in, and slew him as he sported at +his ease. + +Frode, when he had taken this town, aspired to the Empire of the +East, and attacked the city of Handwan. This king, warned by +Hadding's having once fired his town, accordingly cleared the +tame birds out of all his houses, to save himself from the peril +of like punishment. But Frode was not at a loss for new +trickery. He exchanged garments with a serving-maid, and feigned +himself to be a maiden skilled in fighting; and having thus laid +aside the garb of man and imitated that of woman, he went to the +town, calling himself a deserter. Here he reconnoitred +everything narrowly, and on the next day sent out an attendant +with orders that the army should be up at the walls, promising +that he would see to it that the gates were opened. Thus the +sentries were eluded and the city despoiled while it was buried +in sleep; so that it paid for its heedlessness with destruction, +and was more pitiable for its own sloth than by reason of the +valour of the foe. For in warfare nought is found to be more +ruinous than that a man, made foolhardy by ease, should neglect +and slacken his affairs and doze in arrogant self-confidence. + +Handwan, seeing that the fortunes of his country were lost and +overthrown, put all his royal wealth on shipboard and drowned it +in the sea, so as to enrich the waves rather than his enemy. Yet +it had been better to forestall the goodwill of his adversaries +with gifts of money than to begrudge the profit of it to the +service of mankind. After this, when Frode sent ambassadors to +ask for the hand of his daughter, he answered, that he must take +heed not to be spoiled by his thriving fortunes, or to turn his +triumph into haughtiness; but let him rather bethink him to spare +the conquered, and in this their abject estate to respect their +former bright condition; let him learn to honour their past +fortune in their present pitiable lot. Therefore, said Handwan, +he must mind that he did not rob of his empire the man with whom +he sought alliance, nor bespatter her with the filth of +ignobleness whom he desired to honour with marriage: else he +would tarnish the honour of the union with covetousness. The +courtliness of this saying not only won him his conqueror for +son-in-law, but saved the freedom of his realm. + +Meantime Thorhild, wife of Hunding, King of the Swedes, possessed +with a boundless hatred for her stepsons Ragnar and Thorwald, and +fain to entangle them in divers perils, at last made them the +king's shepherds. But Swanhwid, daughter of Hadding, wished to +arrest by woman's wit the ruin of natures so noble; and taking +her sisters to serve as retinue, journeyed to Sweden. Seeing the +said youths beset with sundry prodigies while busy watching at +night over their flocks, she forbade her sisters, who desired to +dismount, in a poem of the following strain: + +"Monsters I behold taking swift leaps and flinging themselves +over the night places. The demon is at war, and the unholy +throng, devoted to the mischievous fray, battles in the mid- +thoroughfare. Prodigies of aspect grim to behold pass by, and +suffer no mortal to enter this country. The ranks galloping in +headlong career through the void bid us stay our advance in this +spot; they warn us to turn our rein and hold off from the +accursed fields, they forbid us to approach the country beyond. +A scowling horde of ghosts draws near, and scurries furiously +through the wind, bellowing drearily to the stars. Fauns join +Satyrs, and the throng of Pans mingles with the Spectres and +battles with fierce visage. The Swart ones meet the Woodland +Spirits, and the pestilent phantoms strive to share the path with +the Witches. Furies poise themselves on the leap, and on them +huddle the Phantoms, whom Foreboder (Fantua) joined to the +Flatnoses (Satyrs), jostles. The path that the footfarer must +tread brims with horror. It were safer to burden the back of the +tall horse." + +Thereon Ragnar declared that he was a slave of the king, and gave +as reason of his departure so far from home that, when he had +been banished to the country on his shepherd's business, he had +lost the flock of which he had charge, and despairing to recover +it, had chosen rather to forbear from returning than to incur +punishment. Also, loth to say nothing about the estate of his +brother, he further spoke the following poem: + +"Think us men, not monsters; we are slaves who drove our +lingering flocks for pasture through the country. But while we +took our pastime in gentle sports, our flock chanced to stray and +went into far-off fields. And when our hope of finding them, our +long quest failed, trouble came upon the mind of the wretched +culprits. And when sure tracks of our kine were nowhere to be +seen, dismal panic filled our guilty hearts. That is why, +dreading the penal stripe of the rod, we thought it doleful to +return to our own roof. We supposed it safer to hold aloof from +the familiar hearth than to bear the hand of punishment. Thus we +are fain to put off the punishment; we loathe going back and our +wish is to lie hid here and escape our master's eye. This will +aid us to elude the avenger of his neglected flock; and this is +the one way of escape that remains safe for us." + +Then Swanhwid gazed intently, and surveying his features, which +were very comely, admired them ardently, and said: + +"The radiant flashing of thine eyes is eloquent that thou art of +kingly and not of servile stock. Beauty announces blood, and +loveliness of soul glitters in the flash of the eyes. A keen +glance betokens lordly birth, and it is plain that he whom +fairness, that sure sign of nobleness, commends, is of no mean +station. The outward alertness of thine eyes signifies a spirit +of radiance within. Face vouches for race; and the lustre of +forefathers is beheld in the brightness of the countenance. For +an aspect so benign and noble could never have issued from base +parentage. The grace of thy blood makes thy brow mantle with a +kindred grace, and the estate of thy birth is reflected in the +mirror of thy countenance. It is no obscure craftsman, +therefore, that has finished the portrait of so choice a chasing. +Now therefore turn aside with all speed, seek constantly to +depart out of the road, shun encounters with monsters, lest ye +yield your most gracious bodies to be the prey and pasture of the +vilest hordes." + +But Ragnar was seized with great shame for his unsightly attire, +which he thought was the only possible device to disguise his +birth. So he rejoined, "That slaves were not always found to +lack manhood; that a strong hand was often hidden under squalid +raiment, and sometimes a stout arm was muffled trader a dusky +cloak; thus the fault of nature was retrieved by valour, and +deficiency in race requited by nobleness of spirit. He therefore +feared the might of no supernatural prowess, save of the god Thor +only, to the greatness of whose force nothing human or divine +could fitly be compared. The hearts of men ought not to be +terrified at phantoms, which were only awful from their ghastly +foulness, and whose semblances, marked by counterfeit +ghostliness, were wont for a moment to borrow materiality from +the fluent air. Swanhwid therefore erred in trying, womanlike, +to sap the firm strength of men, and to melt in unmanly panic +that might which knew not defeat." + +Swanhwid marvelled at the young man's steadfastness, and cast off +the cloud of mist which overshadowed her, dispelling the darkness +which shrouded her face, till it was clear and cloudless. Then, +promising that she would give him a sword fitted for diver's +kinds of battle, she revealed the marvellous maiden beauty of her +lustrous limbs. Thus was the youth kindled, and she plighted her +troth with him, and proffering the sword, she thus began: + +"King, in this sword, which shall expose the monsters to thy +blows, take the first gift of thy betrothed. Show thyself duly +deserving hereof; let hand rival sword, and aspire to add lustre +to its weapon. Let the might of steel strengthen the defenceless +point of thy wit, and let spirit know how to work with hand. Let +the bearer match the burden: and that thy deed may sort with thy +blade, let equal weight in each be thine. What avails the +javelin when the breast is weak and faint, and the quivering +hands have dropped the lance? Let steel join soul, and be both +the body's armour! Let the right hand be linked with its hilt in +alliance. These fight famous battles, because they always keep +more force when together; but less when parted. Therefore if it +be joy to thee to win fame by the palm of war, pursue with daring +whatsoever is hard pressed by thy hand." + +After thus discoursing long in harmoniously-adjusted strains, she +sent away her retinue, and passed all the night in combat against +the foulest throngs of monsters; and at return of daybreak she +perceived fallen all over the fields diverse shapes of phantoms, +and figures extraordinary to look on; and among them was seen the +semblance of Thorhild herself covered with wounds. All these she +piled in a heap and burnt, kindling a huge pyre, lest the foul +stench of the filthy carcases might spread in pestilent vapour +and hurt those who came nigh with its taint of corruption. This +done, she won the throne of Sweden for Ragnar, and Ragnar for her +husband. And though he deemed it uncomely to inaugurate his +first campaign with a wedding, yet, moved by gratitude for the +preservation of his safety, he kept his promise. + +Meantime one Ubbe, who had long since wedded Ulfhild the sister +of Frode, trusting in the high birth of his wife, seized the +kingdom of Denmark, which he was managing carelessly as deputy. +Frode was thus forced to quit the wars of the East and fought a +great battle in Sweden with his sister Swanhwid, in which he was +beaten. So he got on board a skiff, and sailed stealthily in a +circuit, seeking some way of boring through the enemy's fleet. +When surprised by his sister and asked why he was rowing silently +and following divers meandering courses, he cut short her inquiry +by a similar question; for Swanhwid had also, at the same time of +the night, taken to sailing about alone, and was stealthily +searching out all the ways of approach and retreat through +devious and dangerous windings. So she reminded her brother of +the freedom he had given her long since, and went on to ask him +that he should allow her full enjoyment of the husband she had +taken; since, before he started on the Russian war, he had given +her the boon of marrying as she would; and that he should hold +valid after the event what he had himself allowed to happen. +These reasonable entreaties touched Frode, and he made a peace +with Ragnar, and forgave, at his sister's request, the wrongdoing +which Ragnar, seemed to have begun because of her wantonness. +They presented him with a force equal to that which they had +caused him to lose: a handsome gift in which he rejoiced as +compensation for so ugly a reverse. + +Ragnar, entering Denmark, captured Ubbe, had him brought before +him, and pardoned him, preferring to visit his ill deserts with +grace rather than chastisement; because the man seemed to have +aimed at the crown rather at his wife's instance than of his own +ambition, and to have been the imitator and not the cause of the +wrong. But he took Ulfhild away from him and forced her to wed +his friend Scot, the same man that founded the Scottish name; +esteeming change of wedlock a punishment for her. As she went +away he even escorted her in the royal chariot, requiting evil +with good; for he regarded the kinship of his sister rather than +her disposition, and took more thought for his own good name than +of her iniquity. But the fair deeds of her brother did not make +her obstinate and wonted hatred slacken a whit; she wore the +spirit of her new husband with her design of slaying Frode and +mastering the sovereignty of the Danes. For whatsoever design +the mind has resolutely conceived, it is slow to quit; nor is a +sin that is long schemed swept away by the stream of years. For +the temper of later life follows the mind of childhood; nor do +the traces easily fade of vices which have been stamped upon the +character in the impressible age. Finding the ears of her +husband deaf, she diverted her treachery from her brother against +her lord, hiring bravoes to cut his throat while he slept. Scot +was told about this by a waiting-woman, and retired to bed in his +cuirass on the night on which he had heard the deed of murder was +to be wrought upon him. Ulfhild asked him why he had exchanged +his wonted ways to wear the garb of steel; he rejoined that such +was just then his fancy. The agents of the treachery, when they +imagined him in a deep sleep, burst in; but he slipped from his +bed and cut them down. The result was, that he prevented Ulfhild +from weaving plots against her brother, and also left a warning +to others to beware of treachery from their wives. + +Meantime the design occurred to Frode of a campaign against +Friesland; he was desirous to dazzle the eyes of the West with +the glory he had won in conquering the East. He put out to +ocean, and his first contest was with Witthe, a rover of the +Frisians; and in this battle he bade his crews patiently bear the +first brunt of the enemy's charge by merely opposing their +shields, ordering that they should not use their missiles before +they perceived that the shower of the enemy's spears was utterly +silent. This the Frisians hurled as vehemently as the Danes +received it impassively; for Witthe supposed that the long- +suffering of Frode was due to a wish for peace. High rose the +blast of the trumpet, and loud whizzed the javelins everywhere, +till at last the heedless Frisians had not a single lance +remaining, and they were conquered, overwhelmed by the missiles +of the Danes. They fled hugging the shore, and were cut to +pieces amid the circuitous windings of the canals. Then Frode +explored the Rhine in his fleet, and laid hands on the farthest +parts of Germany. Then he went back to the ocean, and attacked +the Frisian fleet, which had struck on shoals; and thus he +crowned shipwreck with slaughter. Nor was he content with the +destruction of so great an army of his foes, but assailed +Britain, defeated its king, and attacked Melbrik, the Governor of +the Scottish district. Just as he was preparing to fight him, he +heard from a scout that the King of the Britons was at hand, and +could not look to his front and his rear both at once. So he +assembled the soldiers, and ordered that they should abandon +their chariots, fling away all their goods, and scatter +everywhere over the fields the gold which they had about them; +for he declared that their one chance was to squander their +treasure; and that, now they were hemmed in, their only remaining +help was to tempt the enemy from combat to covetousness. They +ought cheerfully to spend on so extreme a need the spoil they had +gotten among foreigners; for the enemy would drop it as eagerly, +when it was once gathered, as they would snatch it when they +first found it; for it would be to them more burden than profit. + +Then Thorkill, who was a more notable miser and a better orator +than them all, dishelming and leaning on his shield, said: + +"O King! Most of us who rate high what we have bought with our +life-blood find thy bidding hard. We take it ill that we should +fling away what we have won with utmost hazard; and men are loth +to forsake what they have purchased at peril of their lives. For +it is utter madness to spurn away like women what our manly +hearts and hands have earned, and enrich the enemy beyond their +hopes. What is more odious than to anticipate the fortune of war +by despising the booty which is ours, and, in terror of an evil +that may never come, to quit a good which is present and assured? +Shall we scatter our gold upon the earth, ere we have set eyes +upon the Scots? Those who faint at the thought of warring when +they are out for war, what manner of men are they to be thought +in the battle? Shall we be a derision to our foes, we who were +their terror? Shall we take scorn instead of glory? The Briton +will marvel that he was conquered by men whom he sees fear is +enough to conquer. We struck them before with panic; shall we be +panic-stricken by them? We scorned them when before us; shall we +dread them when they are not here? When will our bravery win the +treasure which our cowardice rejects? Shall we shirk the fight, +in scorn of the money which we fought to win, and enrich those +whom we should rightly have impoverished? What deed more +despicable can we do than to squander gold on those whom we +should smite with steel? Panic must never rob us of the spoils +of valour; and only war must make us quit what in warfare we have +won. Let us sell our plunder at the price at which we bought it; +let the purchase-money be weighed out in steel. It is better to +die a noble death, than to molder away too much in love with the +light life. In a fleeting instant of time life forsakes us, but +shame pursues us past the grave. Further, if we cast away this +gold, the greater the enemy thinks our fear, the hotter will be +his chase. Besides, whichever the issue of the day, the gold is +not hateful to us. Conquerors, we shall triumph in the treasure +which now we bear; conquered, we shall leave it to pay our +burying." + +So spoke the old man; but the soldiers regarded the advice of +their king rather than of their comrade, and thought more of the +former than of the latter counsel. So each of them eagerly drew +his wealth, whatever he had, from his pouch; they unloaded their +ponies of the various goods they were carrying; and having thus +cleared their money-bags, girded on their arms more deftly. They +went on, and the Britons came up, but broke away after the +plunder which lay spread out before them. Their king, when he +beheld them too greedily busied with scrambling for the treasure, +bade them "take heed not to weary with a load of riches those +hands which were meant for battle, since they ought to know that +a victory must be culled ere it is counted. Therefore let them +scorn the gold and give chase to the possessors of the gold; let +them admire the lustre, not of lucre, but of conquest; +remembering, that a trophy gave more reward than gain. Courage +was worth more than dross, if they measured aright the quality of +both; for the one furnished outward adorning, but the other +enhanced both outward and inward grace. Therefore they must keep +their eyes far from the sight of money, and their soul from +covetousness, and devote it to the pursuits of war. Further, +they should know that the plunder had been abandoned by the enemy +of set purpose, and that the gold had been scattered rather to +betray them than to profit them. Moreover, the honest lustre of +the silver was only a bait on the barb of secret guile. It was +not thought to be that they, who had first forced the Britons to +fly, would lightly fly themselves. Besides, nothing was more +shameful than riches which betrayed into captivity the plunderer +whom they were supposed to enrich. For the Danes thought that +the men to whom they pretended to have offered riches ought to be +punished with sword and slaughter. Let them therefore feel that +they were only giving the enemy a weapon if they seized what he +had scattered. For if they were caught by the look of the +treasure that had been exposed, they must lose, not only that, +but any of their own money that might remain. What could it +profit them to gather what they must straightway disgorge? But +if they refuse to abase themselves before money, they would +doubtless abase the foe. Thus it was better for them to stand +erect in valour than be grovelling in greed; with their souls not +sinking into covetousness, but up and doing for renown. In the +battle they would have to use not gold but swords." + +As the king ended, a British knight, shewing them all his lapful +of gold, said: + +"O King! From thy speech can be gathered two feelings; and one +of them witnesses to thy cowardice and the other to thy ill will: +inasmuch as thou forbiddest us the use of the wealth because of +the enemy, and also thinkest it better that we should serve thee +needy than rich. What is more odious than such a wish? What +more senseless than such a counsel? We recognise these as the +treasures of our own homes, and having done so, shall we falter +to pick them up? We were on our way to regain them by fighting, +we were zealous to win them back by our blood: shall we shun them +when they are restored unasked? Shall we hesitate to claim our +own? Which is the greater coward, he who squanders his winnings, +or he who is fearful to pick up what is squandered? Look how +chance has restored what compulsion took! These are, not spoils +from the enemy, but from ourselves; the Dane took gold from +Britain, he brought none. Beaten and loth we lost it; it comes +back for nothing, and shall we run away from it? Such a gift of +fortune it were a shame to take in an unworthy spirit. For what +were madder than to spurn wealth that is set openly before us, +and to desire it when it is shut up and kept from us? Shall we +squeamishly yield what is set under our eyes, and clutch at it +when it vanishes? Shall we seek distant and foreign treasure, +refraining from what is made public property? If we disown what +is ours, when shall we despoil the goods of others? No anger of +heaven can I experience which can force me to unload of its +lawful burden the lap which is filled with my father's and my +grandsire's gold. I know the wantonness of the Danes: never +would they have left jars full of wine had not fear forced them +to flee. They would rather have sacrificed their life than their +liquor. This passion we share with them, and herein we are like +them. Grant that their flight is feigned; yet they will light +upon the Scots ere they can come back. This gold shall never +rust in the country, to be trodden underfoot of swine or brutes: +it will better serve the use of men. Besides, if we plunder the +spoil of the army that prevailed over us, we transfer the luck of +the conqueror to ourselves. For what surer omen of triumph could +be got, than to bear off the booty before the battle, and to +capture ere the fray the camp which the enemy have forsaken? +Better conquer by fear than by steel." + +The knight had scarce ended, when behold; the hands of all were +loosed upon the booty and everywhere plucked up the shining +treasure. There you might have marvelled at their disposition of +filthy greed, and watched a portentous spectacle of avarice. You +could have seen gold and grass clutched up together; the birth of +domestic discord; fellow-countrymen in deadly combat, heedless of +the foe; neglect of the bonds of comradeship and of reverence for +ties; greed the object of all minds, and friendship of none. + +Meantime Frode traversed in a great march the forest which +separates Scotland and Britain, and bade his soldiers arm. When +the Scots beheld his line, and saw that they had only a supply of +light javelins, while the Danes were furnished with a more +excellent style of armour, they forestalled the battle by flight. +Frode pursued them but a little way, fearing a sally of the +British, and on returning met Scot, the husband of Ulfhild, with +a great army; he had been brought from the utmost ends of +Scotland by the desire of aiding the Danes. Scot entreated him +to abandon the pursuit of the Scottish and turn back into +Britain. So he eagerly regained the plunder which he had +cunningly sacrificed; and got back his wealth with the greater +ease, that he had so tranquilly let it go. Then did the British +repent of their burden and pay for their covetousness with their +blood. They were sorry to have clutched at greed with insatiate +arms, and ashamed to have hearkened to their own avarice rather +than to the counsel of their king. + +Then Frode attacked London, the most populous city of Britain; +but the strength of its walls gave him no chance of capturing it. +Therefore he reigned to be dead, and his guile strengthened him. +For Daleman, the governor of London, on hearing the false news +of his death, accepted the surrender of the Danes, offered them a +native general, and suffered them to enter the town, that they +might choose him out of a great throng. They feigned to be +making a careful choice, but beset Daleman in a night surprise +and slew him. + +When he had done these things, and gone back to his own land, one +Skat entertained him at a banquet, desirous to mingle his +toilsome warfare with joyous licence. Frode was lying in his +house, in royal fashion, upon cushions of cloth of gold, and a +certain Hunding challenged him to fight. Then, though he had +bent his mind to the joys of wassail, he had more delight in the +prospect of a fray than in the presence of a feast, and wound up +the supper with a duel and the duel with a triumph. In the +combat he received a dangerous wound; but a taunt of Hakon the +champion again roused him, and, slaying his challenger, he took +vengeance for the disturbance of his rest. Two of his chamber- +servants were openly convicted of treachery, and he had them tied +to vast stones and drowned in the sea; thus chastising the +weighty guilt of their souls by fastening boulders to their +bodies. Some relate that Ulfhild gave him a coat which no steel +could pierce, so that when he wore it no missile's point could +hurt him. Nor must I omit how Frode was wont to sprinkle his +food with brayed and pounded atoms of gold, as a resource against +the usual snares of poisoners. While he was attacking Ragnar, +the King of Sweden, who had been falsely accused of treachery, he +perished, not by the spears, but stifled in the weight of his +arms and by the heat of his own body. + +Frode left three sons, Halfdan, Ro, and Skat, who were equal in +valour, and were seized with an equal desire for the throne. All +thought of sway, none was constrained by brotherly regard: for +love of others forsaketh him who is eaten up with love of self, +nor can any man take thought at once for his own advancement and +for his friendship with others. Halfdan, the eldest son, +disgraced his birth with the sin of slaying his brethren, winning +his kingdom by the murder of his kin; and, to complete his +display of cruelty, arrested their adherents, first confining +them in bonds, and presently hanging them. The most notable +thing in the fortunes of Halfdan was this, that though he devoted +every instant of his life to the practice of cruel deeds, yet he +died of old age, and not by the steel. + +Halfdan's sons were Ro and Helge. Ro is said to have been the +founder of Roskild, which was later increased in population and +enhanced in power by Sweyn, who was famous for the surname +Forkbeard. Ro was short and spare, while Helge was rather tall +of stature. Dividing the realm with his brother, Helge was +allotted the domain of the sea; and attacking Skalk, the King of +Sklavia, with his naval force, he slew him. Having reduced +Sklavia into a province, he scoured the various arms of the sea +in a wandering voyage. Savage of temper as Helge was, his +cruelty was not greater than his lust. For he was so +immoderately prone to love, that it was doubtful whether the heat +of his tyranny or of his concupiscence was the greater. In +Thorey he ravished the maiden Thora, who bore a daughter, to whom +she afterwards gave the name of Urse. Then he conquered in +battle, before the town of Stad, the son of Syrik, King of +Saxony, Hunding, whom he challenged, attacked, and slew in duel. +For this he was called Hunding's-Bane, and by that name gained +glory of his victory. He took Jutland out of the power of the +Saxons, and entrusted its management to his generals, Heske, Eyr, +and Ler. In Saxony he enacted that the slaughter of a freedman +and of a noble should be visited with the same punishment; as +though he wished it to be clearly known that all the households +of the Teutons were held in equal slavery, and that the freedom +of all was tainted and savoured equally of dishonour. + +Then Helge went freebooting to Thorey. But Thora had not ceased +to bewail her lost virginity, and planned a shameful device in +abominable vengeance for her rape. For she deliberately sent +down to the beach her daughter, who was of marriageable age, and +prompted her father to deflower her. And though she yielded her +body to the treacherous lures of delight, yet she must not be +thought to have abjured her integrity of soul, inasmuch as her +fault had a ready excuse by virtue of her ignorance. Insensate +mother, who allowed the forfeiture of her child's chastity in +order to avenge her own; caring nought for the purity of her own +blood, so she might stain with incest the man who had cost her +her own maidenhood at first! Infamous-hearted woman, who, to +punish her defiler, measured out as it were a second defilement +to herself, whereas she clearly by the selfsame act rather +swelled than lessened the transgression! Surely, by the very act +wherewith she thought to reach her revenge, she accumulated +guilt; she added a sin in trying to remove a crime: she played +the stepdame to her own offspring, not sparing her daughter +abomination in order to atone for her own disgrace. Doubtless +her soul was brimming over with shamelessness, since she swerved +so far from shamefastness, as without a blush to seek solace for +her wrong in her daughter's infamy. A great crime, with but one +atonement; namely, that the guilt of this intercourse was wiped +away by a fortunate progeny, its fruits being as delightful as +its repute was evil. + +ROLF, the son of Urse, retrieved the shame of his birth by signal +deeds of valour; and their exceeding lustre is honoured with +bright laudation by the memory of all succeeding time. For +lamentation sometimes ends in laughter, and foul beginnings pass +to fair issues. So that the father's fault, though criminal, was +fortunate, being afterwards atoned for by a son of such +marvellous splendour. + +Meantime Ragnar died in Sweden; and Swanhwid his wife passed away +soon after of a malady which she had taken from her sorrow, +following in death the husband from whom she had not endured +severance in life. For it often happens that some people desire +to follow out of life those whom they loved exceedingly when +alive. Their son Hothbrodd succeeded them. Fain to extend his +empire, he warred upon the East, and after a huge massacre of +many peoples begat two sons, Athisl and Hother, and appointed as +their tutor a certain Gewar, who was bound to him by great +services. Not content with conquering the East, he assailed +Denmark, challenged its king, Ro, in three battles, and slew him. +Helge, when he heard this, shut up his son Rolf in Leire, +wishing, however he might have managed his own fortunes, to see +to the safety of his heir. When Hothbrodd sent in governors, +wanting to free his country from alien rule, he posted his people +about the city and prevailed and slew them. Also he annihilated +Hothbrodd himself and all his forces in a naval battle; so +avenging fully the wrongs of his country as well as of his +brother. Hence he who had before won a nickname for slaying +Hunding, now bore a surname for the slaughter of Hothbrodd. +Besides, as if the Swedes had not been enough stricken in the +battles, he punished them by stipulating for most humiliating +terms; providing by law that no wrong done to any of them should +receive amends according to the form of legal covenants. After +these deeds, ashamed of his former infamy, he hated his country +and his home, went back to the East, and there died. Some think +that he was affected by the disgrace which was cast in his teeth, +and did himself to death by falling upon his drawn sword. + +He was succeeded by his son Rolf, who was comely with every gift +of mind and body, and graced his mighty stature with as high a +courage. In his time Sweden was subject to the sway of the +Danes; wherefore Athisl, the son of Hothbrodd, in pursuit of a +crafty design to set his country free, contrived to marry Rolf's +mother, Urse, thinking that his kinship by marriage would plead +for him, and enable him to prompt his stepson more effectually to +relax the tribute; and fortune prospered his wishes. But Athisl +had from his boyhood been imbued with a hatred of liberality, and +was so grasping of money, that he accounted it a disgrace to be +called openhanded. Urse, seeing him so steeped in filthy +covetousness, desired to be rid of him; but, thinking that she +must act by cunning, veiled the shape of her guile with a +marvellous skill. Feigning to be unmotherly, she spurred on her +husband to grasp his freedom, and urged and tempted him to +insurrection; causing her son to be summoned to Sweden with a +promise of vast gifts. For she thought that she would best gain +her desire if, as soon as her son had got his stepfather's gold, +she could snatch up the royal treasures and flee, robbing her +husband of bed and money to hoot. For she fancied that the best +way to chastise his covetousness would be to steal away his +wealth. This deep guilefulness was hard to detect, from such +recesses of cunning did it spring; because she dissembled her +longing for a change of wedlock under a show of aspiration for +freedom. Blind-witted husband, fancying the mother kindled +against the life of the son, never seeing that it was rather his +own ruin being compassed! Doltish lord, blind to the obstinate +scheming of his wife, who, out of pretended hatred of her son, +devised opportunity for change of wedlock! Though the heart of +woman should never be trusted, he believed in a woman all the +more insensately, because he supposed her faithful to himself and +treacherous to her son. + +Accordingly, Rolf, tempted by the greatness of the gifts, chanced +to enter the house of Athisl. He was not recognised by his +mother owing to his long absence and the cessation of their +common life; so in jest he first asked for some victual to +appease his hunger. She advised him to ask the king for a +luncheon. Then he thrust out a torn piece of his coat, and +begged of her the service of sewing it up. Finding his mother's +ears shut to him, he observed, "That it was hard to discover a +friendship that was firm and true, when a mother refused her son +a meal, and a sister refused a brother the help of her needle." +Thus he punished his mother's error, and made her blush deep for +her refusal of kindness. Athisl, when he saw him reclining close +to his mother at the banquet, taunted them both with wantonness, +declaring that it was an impure intercourse of brother and +sister. Rolf repelled the charge against his honour by an appeal +to the closest of natural bonds, and answered, that it was +honourable for a son to embrace a beloved mother. Also, when the +feasters asked him what kind of courage he set above all others, +he named Endurance. When they also asked Athisl, what was the +virtue which above all he desired most devotedly, he declared, +Generosity. Proofs were therefore demanded of bravery on the one +hand and munificence on the other, and Rolf was asked to give an +evidence of courage first. He was placed to the fire, and +defending with his target the side that was most hotly assailed, +had only the firmness of his endurance to fortify the other, +which had no defence. How dexterous, to borrow from his shield +protection to assuage the heat, and to guard his body, which was +exposed to the flames, with that which sometime sheltered it amid +the hurtling spears! But the glow was hotter than the fire of +spears; as though it could not storm the side that was entrenched +by the shield, yet it assaulted the flank that lacked its +protection. But a waiting-maid who happened to be standing near +the hearth, saw that he was being roasted by the unbearable heat +upon his ribs; so taking the stopper out of a cask, she spilt the +liquid and quenched the flame, and by the timely kindness of the +shower checked in its career the torturing blaze. Rolf was +lauded for supreme endurance, and then came the request for +Athisl's gifts. And they say that he showered treasures on his +stepson, and at last, in order to crown the gift, bestowed on him +an enormously heavy necklace. + +Now Urse, who had watched her chance for the deed of guile, on +the third day of the banquet, without her husband ever dreaming +of such a thing, put all the king's wealth into carriages, and +going out stealthily, stole away from her own dwelling and fled +in the glimmering twilight, departing with her son. Thrilled +with fear of her husband's pursuit, and utterly despairing of +escape beyond, she begged and bade her companions to cast away +the money, declaring that they must lose either life or riches; +the short and only path to safety lay in flinging away the +treasure, nor could any aid to escape be found save in the loss +of their possessions. Therefore, said she, they must follow the +example of the manner in which Frode was said to have saved +himself among the Britons. She added, that it was not paying a +great price to lay down the Swedes' own goods for them to regain; +if only they could themselves gain a start in flight, by the very +device which would check the others in their pursuit, and if they +seemed not so much to abandon their own possessions as to restore +those of other men. Not a moment was lost; in order to make the +flight swifter, they did the bidding of the queen. The gold is +cleared from their purses; the riches are left for the enemy to +seize. Some declare that Urse kept back the money, and strewed +the tracks of her flight with copper that was gilt over. For it +was thought credible that a woman who could scheme such great +deeds could also have painted with lying lustre the metal that +was meant to he lost, mimicking riches of true worth with the +sheen of spurious gold. So Athisl, when he saw the necklace that +he had given to Rolf left among the other golden ornaments, gazed +fixedly upon the dearest treasure of his avarice, and, in order +to pick up the plunder, glued his knees to the earth and deigned +to stoop his royalty unto greed. Rolf, seeing him lie abjectly +on his face in order to gather up the money, smiled at the sight +of a man prostrated by his own gifts, just as if he were seeking +covetously to regain what he had craftily yielded up. The Swedes +were content with their booty, and Rolf quickly retired to his +ships, and managed to escape by rowing violently. + +Now they relate that Rolf used with ready generosity to grant at +the first entreaty whatsoever he was begged to bestow, and never +put off the request till the second time of asking. For he +preferred to forestall repeated supplication by speedy +liberality, rather than mar his kindness by delay. This habit +brought him a great concourse of champions; valour having +commonly either rewards for its food or glory for its spur. + +At this time, a certain Agnar, son of Ingild, being about to wed +Rute, the sister of Rolf, celebrated his bridal with a great +banquet. The champions were rioting at this banquet with every +sort of wantonness, and flinging from all over the room knobbed +bones at a certain Hjalte; but it chanced that his messmate, +named Bjarke, received a violent blow on the head through the ill +aim of the thrower; at whom, stung both by the pain and the +jeering, he sent the bone back, so that he twisted the front of +his head to the back, and wrung the back of it to where the front +had been; punishing the wryness of the man's temper by turning +his face sidelong. This deed moderated their wanton and +injurious jests, and drove the champions to quit the place. The +bridegroom, nettled at this affront to the banquet, resolved to +fight Bjarke, in order to seek vengeance by means of a duel for +the interruption of their mirth. At the outset of the duel there +was a long dispute, which of them ought to have the chance of +striking first. For of old, in the ordering of combats, men did +not try to exchange their blows thick and fast; but there was a +pause, and at the same time a definite succession in striking: +the contest being carried on with few strokes, but those +terrible, so that honour was paid more to the mightiness than to +the number of the blows. Agnar, being of higher rank, was put +first; and the blow which he dealt is said to have been so +furious, that he cut through the front of the helmet, wounded the +skin on the scalp, and had to let go his sword, which became +locked in the vizor-holes. Then Bjarke, who was to deal the +return-stroke, leaned his foot against a stock, in order to give +the freer poise to his steel, and passed his fine-edged blade +through the midst of Agnar's body. Some declare that Agnar, in +supreme suppression of his pain, gave up the ghost with his lips +relaxed into a smile. The champions passionately sought to +avenge him, but were visited by Bjarke with like destruction; for +he used a sword of wonderful sharpness and unusual length which +he called Lovi. While he was triumphing in these deeds of +prowess, a beast of the forest furnished him fresh laurels. For +he met a huge bear in a thicket, and slew it with a javelin; and +then bade his companion Hjalte put his lips to the beast and +drink the blood that came out, that he might be the stronger +afterwards. For it was believed that a draught of this sort +caused an increase of bodily strength. By these valorous +achievements he became intimate with the most illustrious nobles, +and even, became a favourite of the king; took to wife his sister +Rute, and had the bride of the conquered as the prize of the +conquest. When Rolf was harried by Athisl he avenged himself on +him in battle and overthrew Athisl in war. Then Rolf gave his +sister Skulde in marriage to a youth of keen wit, called +Hiartuar, and made him governor of Sweden, ordaining a yearly +tax; wishing to soften the loss of freedom to him by the favour +of an alliance with himself. + +Here let me put into my work a thing that it is mirthful to +record. A youth named Wigg, scanning with attentive eye the +bodily size of Rolf, and smitten with great wonder thereat, +proceeded to inquire in jest who was that "Krage" whom Nature in +her beauty had endowed with such towering stature? Meaning +humorously to banter his uncommon tallness. For "Krage" in the +Danish tongue means a tree-trunk, whose branches are pollarded, +and whose summit is climbed in such wise that the foot uses the +lopped timbers as supports, as if leaning on a ladder, and, +gradually advancing to the higher parts, finds the shortest way +to the top. Rolf accepted this random word as though it were a +name of honour for him, and rewarded the wit of the saying with a +heavy bracelet. Then Wigg, thrusting out his right arm decked +with the bracelet, put his left behind his back in affected +shame, and walked with a ludicrous gait, declaring that he, whose +lot had so long been poverty-stricken, was glad of a scanty gift. +When he was asked why he was behaving so, he said that the arm +which lacked ornament and had no splendour to boast of was +mantling with the modest blush of poverty to behold the other. +The ingenuity of this saying won him a present to match the +first. For Rolf made him bring out to view, like the other, the +hand which he was hiding. Nor was Wigg heedless to repay the +kindness; for be promised, uttering a strict vow, that, if it +befell Rolf to perish by the sword, he would himself take +vengeance on his slayers. Nor should it be omitted that in old +time nobles who were entering. The court used to devote to their +rulers the first-fruits of their service by vowing some mighty +exploit; thus bravely inaugurating their first campaign. + +Meantime, Skulde was stung with humiliation at the payment of the +tribute, and bent her mind to devise deeds of horror. Taunting +her husband with his ignominious estate, she urged and egged him +to break off his servitude, induced him to weave plots against +Rolf, and filled his mind with the most abominable plans of +disloyalty, declaring that everyone owed more to their freedom +than to kinship. Accordingly, she ordered huge piles of arms to +be muffled up under divers coverings, to be carried by Hiartuar +into Denmark, as if they were tribute: these would furnish a +store wherewith to slay the king by night. So the vessels were +loaded with the mass of pretended tribute, and they proceeded to +Leire, a town which Rolf had built and adorned with the richest +treasure of his realm, and which, being a royal foundation and a +royal seat, surpassed in importance all the cities of the +neighbouring districts. The king welcomed the coming of Hiartuar +with a splendid banquet, and drank very deep, while his guests, +contrary to their custom, shunned immoderate tippling. So, while +all the others were sleeping soundly, the Swedes, who had been +kept from their ordinary rest by their eagerness on their guilty +purpose, began furtively to slip down from their sleeping-rooms. +Straightway uncovering the hidden heap of weapons, each girded on +his arms silently and then went to the palace. Bursting into its +recesses, they drew their swords upon the sleeping figures. Many +awoke; but, invaded as much by the sudden and dreadful carnage as +by the drowsiness of sleep, they faltered in their resistance; +for the night misled them and made it doubtful whether those they +met were friends or foes. Hjalte, who was foremost in tried +bravery among the nobles of the king, chanced to have gone out in +the dead of that same night into the country and given himself to +the embraces of a harlot. But when his torpid hearing caught +from afar the rising din of battle, preferring valour to +wantonness, he chose rather to seek the deadly perils of the War- +god than to yield to the soft allurements of Love. What a love +for his king, must we suppose, burned in this warrior! For he +might have excused his absence by feigning not to have known; but +he thought it better to expose his life to manifest danger than +save it for pleasure. As he went away, his mistress asked him +how aged a man she ought to marry if she were to lose him? Then +Hjalte bade her come closer, as though he would speak to her more +privately; and, resenting that she needed a successor to his +love, he cut off her nose and made her unsightly, punishing the +utterance of that wanton question with a shameful wound, and +thinking that the lecherousness of her soul ought to be cooled by +outrage to her face. When he had done this, he said he left her +choice free in the matter she had asked about. Then he went +quickly back to the town and plunged into the densest of the +fray, mowing down the opposing ranks as he gave blow for blow. +Passing the sleeping-room of Bjarke, who was still slumbering, he +bade him wake up, addressing him as follows: + +"Let him awake speedily, whoso showeth himself by service or +avoweth himself in mere loyalty, a friend of the king! Let the +princes shake off slumber, let shameless lethargy begone; let +their spirits awake and warm to the work; each man's own right +hand shall either give him to glory, or steep him in sluggard +shame; and this night shall be either end or vengeance of our +woes. + +"I do not now bid ye learn the sports of maidens, nor stroke soft +cheeks, nor give sweet kisses to the bride and press the slender +breasts, nor desire the flowing wine and chafe the soft thigh and +cast eyes upon snowy arms. I call you out to the sterner fray of +War. We need the battle, and not light love; nerveless languor +has no business here: our need calls for battles. Whoso +cherishes friendship for the king, let him take up arms. Prowess +in war is the readiest appraiser of men's spirits. Therefore let +warriors have no fearfulness and the brave no fickleness: let +pleasure quit their soul and yield place to arms. Glory is now +appointed for wages; each can be the arbiter of his own renown, +and shine by his own right hand. Let nought here be tricked out +with wantonness: let all be full of sternness, and learn how to +rid them of this calamity. He who covets the honours or prizes +of glory must not be faint with craven fear, but go forth to meet +the brave, nor whiten at the cold steel." + +At this utterance, Bjarke, awakened, roused up his chamber-page +Skalk speedily, and addressed him as follows: + +"Up, lad, and fan the fire with constant blowing; sweep the +hearth clear of wood, and scatter the fine ashes. Strike out +sparks from the fire, rouse the fallen embers, draw out the +smothered blaze. Force the slackening hearth to yield light by +kindling the coals to a red glow with a burning log. It will do +me good to stretch out my fingers when the fire is brought nigh. +Surely he that takes heed for his friend should have warm hands, +and utterly drive away the blue and hurtful chill." + +Hjalte said again: "Sweet is it to repay the gifts received from +our lord, to grip the swords, and devote the steel to glory. +Behold, each man's courage tells him loyally to follow a king of +such deserts, and to guard our captain with fitting earnestness. +Let the Teuton swords, the helmets, the shining armlets, the +mail-coats that reach the heel, which Rolf of old bestowed upon +his men, let these sharpen our mindful hearts to the fray. The +time requires, and it is just, that in time of war we should earn +whatsoever we have gotten in the deep idleness of peace, that we +should not think more of joyous courses than of sorrowful +fortunes, or always prefer prosperity to hardship. Being noble, +let us with even soul accept either lot, nor let fortune sway our +behaviour, for it beseems us to receive equably difficult and +delightsome days; let us pass the years of sorrow with the same +countenance wherewith we took the years of joy. Let us do with +brave hearts all the things that in our cups we boasted with +sodden lips; let us keep the vows which we swore by highest Jove +and the mighty gods. My master is the greatest of the Danes: let +each man, as he is valorous, stand by him; far, far hence be all +cowards! We need a brave and steadfast man, not one that turns +his back on a dangerous pass, or dreads the grim preparations for +battle. Often a general's greatest valour depends on his +soldiery, for the chief enters the fray all the more at ease that +a better array of nobles throngs him round. Let the thane catch +up his arms with fighting fingers, setting his right hand on the +hilt and holding fast the shield: let him charge upon the foes, +nor pale at any strokes. Let none offer himself to be smitten by +the enemy behind, let none receive the swords in his back: let +the battling breast ever front the blow. `Eagles fight brow +foremost', and with swift gaping beaks speed onward in the front: +be ye like that bird in mien, shrinking from no stroke, but with +body facing the foe. + +"See how the enemy, furious and confident overduly, his limbs +defended by the steel, and his face with a gilded helmet, charges +the thick of the battle-wedges, as though sure of victory, +fearless of rout and invincible by any endeavour. Ah, misery! +Swedish assurance spurns the Danes. Behold, the Goths with +savage eyes and grim aspect advance with crested helms and +clanging spears: wreaking heavy slaughter in our blood, they +wield their swords and their battle-axes hone-sharpened. + +"Why name thee, Hiartuar, whom Skulde hath filled with guilty +purpose, and hath suffered thus to harden in sin? Why sing of +thee, villain, who hast caused our peril, betrayer of a noble +king? Furious lust of sway hath driven thee to attempt an +abomination, and, stung with frenzy, to screen thyself behind thy +wife's everlasting guilt. What error hath made thee to hurt the +Danes and thy lord, and hurled thee into such foul crime as this? +Whence entered thy heart the treason framed with such careful +guile? + +"Why do I linger? Now we have swallowed our last morsel. Our +king perishes, and utter doom overtakes our hapless city. Our +last dawn has risen, unless perchance there be one here so soft +that he fears to offer himself to the blows, or so unwarlike that +he dares not avenge his lord, and disowns all honours worthy of +his valour. + +"Thou, Ruta, rise and put forth thy snow-white head, come forth +from thy hiding into the battle. The carnage that is being done +without calls thee. By now the council-chamber is shaken with +warfare, and the gates creak with the dreadful fray. Steel rends +the mail-coats, the woven mesh is torn apart, and the midriff +gives under the rain of spears. By now the huge axes have hacked +small the shield of the king; by now the long swords clash, and +the battle-axe clatters its blows upon the shoulders of men, and +cleaves their breasts. Why are your hearts afraid? Why is your +sword faint and blunted? The gate is cleared of our people, and +is filled with the press of the strangers." + +And when Hjalte had wrought very great carnage and stained the +battle with blood, he stumbled for the third time on Bjarke's +berth, and thinking he desired to keep quiet because he was +afraid, made trial of him with such taunts at his cowardice as +these: + +"Bjarke, why art thou absent? Doth deep sleep hold thee? I +prithee, what makes thee tarry? Come out, or the fire will +overcome thee. Ho! Choose the better way, charge with me! +Bears may be kept off with fire; let us spread fire in the +recesses, and let the blaze attack the door-posts first. Let the +firebrand fall upon the bedchamber, let the falling roof offer +fuel for the flames and serve to feed the fire. It is right to +scatter conflagration on the doomed gates. But let us who honour +our king with better loyalty form the firm battle-wedges, and, +having measured the phalanx in safe rows, go forth in the way the +king taught us: our king, who laid low Rorik, the son of Bok the +covetous, and wrapped the coward in death. He was rich in +wealth, but in enjoyment poor, stronger in gain than bravery; and +thinking gold better than warfare, he set lucre above all things, +and ingloriously accumulated piles of treasure, scorning the +service of noble friends. And when he was attacked by the navy +of Rolf, he bade his servants take the gold from the chests and +spread it out in front of the city gates, making ready bribes +rather than battle, because he knew not the soldier, and thought +that the foe should be attempted with gifts and not with arms: as +though he could fight with wealth alone, and prolong the war by +using, not men, but wares! So he undid the heavy coffers and the +rich chests; he brought forth the polished bracelets and the +heavy caskets; they only fed his destruction. Rich in treasure, +poor in warriors, he left his foes to take away the prizes which +he forebore to give to the friends of his own land. He who once +shrank to give little rings of his own will, now unwillingly +squandered his masses of wealth, rifling his hoarded heap. But +our king in his wisdom spurned him and the gifts he proffered, +and took from him life and goods at once; nor was his foe +profited by the useless wealth which he had greedily heaped up +through long years. But Rolf the righteous assailed him, slew +him, and captured his vast wealth, and shared among worthy +friends what the hand of avarice had piled up in all those years; +and, bursting into the camp which was wealthy but not brave, gave +his friends a lordly booty without bloodshed. Nothing was so +fair to him that he would not lavish it, or so dear that he would +not give it to his friends, for he used treasure like ashes, and +measured his years by glory and not by gain. Whence it is plain +that the king who hath died nobly lived also most nobly, that the +hour of his doom is beautiful, and that he graced the years of +his life with manliness. For while he lived his glowing valour +prevailed over all things, and he was allotted might worthy of +his lofty stature. He was as swift to war as a torrent tearing +down to sea, and as speedy to begin battle as a stag is to fly +with cleft foot upon his fleet way. + +"See now, among the pools dripping with human blood, the teeth +struck out of the slain are carried on by the full torrent of +gore, and are polished on the rough sands. Dashed on the slime +they glitter, and the torrent of blood bears along splintered +bones and flows above lopped limbs. The blood of the Danes is +wet, and the gory flow stagnates far around, and the stream +pressed out of the steaming veins rolls back the scattered +bodies. Tirelessly against the Danes advances Hiartuar, lover of +battle, and challenges the fighters with outstretched spear. Yet +here, amid the dangers and dooms of war, I see Frode's grandson +smiling joyously, who once sowed the fields of Fyriswald with +gold. Let us also be exalted with an honourable show of joy, +following in death the doom of our noble father. Be we therefore +cheery in voice and bold in daring; for it is right to spurn all +fear with words of courage, and to meet our death in deeds of +glory. Let fear quit heart and face; in both let us avow our +dauntless endeavours, that no sign anywhere may show us to betray +faltering fear. Let our drawn sword measure the weight of our +service. Fame follows us in death, and glory shall outlive our +crumbling ashes! And that which perfect valour hath achieved +during its span shall not fade for ever and ever. What want we +with closed floors? Why doth the locked bolt close the folding- +gates? For it is now the third cry, Bjarke, that calls thee, and +bids thee come forth from the barred room." + +Bjarke rejoined: "Warlike Hjalte, why dost thou call me so loud? +I am the son-in-law of Rolf. He who boasts loud and with big +words challenges other men to battle, is bound to be venturous +and act up to his words, that his deed may avouch his vaunt. But +stay till I am armed and have girded on the dread attire of war. + +"And now I tie my sword to my side, now first I get my body +guarded with mail-coat and headpiece, the helm keeping my brows +and the stout iron shrouding my breast. None shrinks more than I +from being burnt a prisoner inside, and made a pyre together with +my own house: though an island brought me forth, and though the +land of my birth be bounded, I shall hold it a debt to repay to +the king the twelve kindreds which he added to my honours. +Hearken, warriors! Let none robe in mail his body that shall +perish; let him last of all draw tight the woven steel; let the +shields go behind the back; let us fight with bared breasts, and +load all your arms with gold. Let your right hands receive the +bracelets, that they may swing their blows the more heavily and +plant the grievous wound. Let none fall back! Let each +zealously strive to meet the swords of the enemy and the +threatening spears, that we may avenge our beloved master. Happy +beyond all things is he who can mete out revenge for such a +crime, and with righteous steel punish the guilt of treacheries. + +"Lo, methinks I surely pierced a wild stag with the Teutonic +sword which is called Snyrtir: from which I won the name of +Warrior, when I felled Agnar, son of Ingild, and brought the +trophy home. He shattered and broke with the bite the sword +Hoding which smote upon my head, and would have dealt worse +wounds if the edge of his blade had held out better. In return I +clove asunder his left arm and part of his left side and his +right foot, and the piercing steel ran down his limbs and smote +deep into his ribs. By Hercules! No man ever seemed to me +stronger than he. For he sank down half-conscious, and, leaning +on his elbow, welcomed death with a smile, and spurned +destruction with a laugh, and passed rejoicing in the world of +Elysium. Mighty was the man's courage, which knew how with one +laugh to cover his death-hour, and with a joyous face to suppress +utter anguish of mind and body! + +"Now also with the same blade I searched the heart of one sprung +from an illustrious line, and plunged the steel deep in his +breast. He was a king's son, of illustrious ancestry, of a noble +nature, and shone with the brightness of youth. The mailed metal +could not avail him, nor his sword, nor the smooth target-boss; +so keen was the force of my steel, it knew not how to be stayed +by obstacles. + +"Where, then, are the captains of the Goths, and the soldiery of +Hiartuar? Let them come, and pay for their might with their +life-blood. Who can cast, who whirl the lance, save scions of +kings? War springs from the nobly born: famous pedigrees are the +makers of war. For the perilous deeds which chiefs attempt are +not to be done by the ventures of common men. Renowned nobles +are passing away. Lo! Greatest Rolf, thy great ones have +fallen, thy holy line is vanishing. No dim and lowly race, no +low-born dead, no base souls are Pluto's prey, but he weaves the +dooms of the mighty, and fills Phlegethon with noble shapes. + +"I do not remember any combat wherein swords were crossed in turn +and blow dealt out for blow more speedily. I take three for each +I give; thus do the Goths requite the wounds I deal them, and +thus doth the stronger hand of the enemy avenge with heaped +interest the punishment that they receive. Yet singly in battle +I have given over the bodies of so many men to the pyre of +destruction, that a mound like a hill could grow up and be raised +out of their lopped limbs, and the piles of carcases would look +like a burial-barrow. And now what doeth he, who but now bade me +come forth, vaunting himself with mighty praise, and chafing +others with his arrogant words, and scattering harsh taunts, as +though in his one body he enclosed twelve lives?" + +Hjalte answered: "Though I have but scant help, I am not far off. +Even here, where I stand, there is need of aid, and nowhere is a +force or a chosen band of warriors ready for battle wanted more. +Already the hard edges and the spear-points have cleft my shield +in splinters, and the ravening steel has rent and devoured its +portions bit by bit in the battle. The first of these things +testifies to and avows itself. Seeing is better than telling, +eyesight faithfuller than hearing. For of the broken shield only +the fastenings remain, and the boss, pierced and broken in its +circle, is all left me. And now, Bjarke, thou art strong, though +thou hast come forth more tardily than was right, and thou +retrievest by bravery the loss caused by thy loitering." + +But Bjarke said: "Art thou not yet weary of girding at me and +goading me with taunts? Many things often cause delay. The +reason why I tarried was the sword in my path, which the Swedish +foe whirled against my breast with mighty effort. Nor did the +guider of the hilt drive home the sword with little might; for +though the body was armed he smote it as far as one may when it +is bare or defenceless; he pierced the armour of hard steel like +yielding waters; nor could the rough, heavy breastplate give me +any help. + +"But where now is he that is commonly called Odin, the mighty in +battle, content ever with a single eye? If thou see him +anywhere, Rute, tell me." + +Rute replied: "Bring thine eye closer and look under my arm +akimbo: thou must first hallow thine eyes with the victorious +sign, if thou wilt safely know the War-god face to face." + +Then said Bjarke: "If I may look on the awful husband of Frigg, +howsoever he be covered with his white shield, and guide his tall +steed, he shall in no wise go safe out of Leire; it is lawful to +lay low in war the war-waging god. Let a noble death come to +those that fall before the eyes of their king. While life lasts, +let us strive for the power to die honourably and to reap a noble +end by our deeds. I will die overpowered near the head of my +slain captain, and at his feet thou also shalt slip on thy face +in death, so that whoso scans the piled corpses may see in what +wise we rate the gold our lord gave us. We shall be the prey of +ravens and a morsel for hungry eagles, and the ravening bird +shall feast on the banquet of our body. Thus should fall princes +dauntless in war, clasping their famous king in a common death." + +I have composed this particular series of harangues in metrical +shape, because the gist of the same thoughts is found arranged in +a short form in a certain ancient Danish song, which is repeated +by heart by many conversant with antiquity. + +Now, it came to pass that the Goths gained the victory and all +the array of Rolf fell, no man save Wigg remaining out of all +those warriors. For the soldiers of the king paid this homage to +his noble virtues in that battle, that his slaying inspired in +all the longing to meet their end, and union with him in death +was accounted sweeter than life. + +HIARTUAR rejoiced, and had the tables spread for feasting, +bidding the banquet come after the battle, and fain to honour his +triumph with a carouse. And when he was well filled therewith, +he said that it was matter of great marvel to him, that out of +all the army of Rolf no man had been found to take thought for +his life by flight or fraud. Hence, he said, it had been +manifest with what zealous loyalty they had kept their love for +their king, because they had not endured to survive him. He also +blamed his ill fortune, because it had not suffered the homage of +a single one of them to be left for himself: protesting that he +would very willingly accept the service of such men. Then Wigg +came forth, and Hiartuar, as though he were congratulating him on +the gift, asked him if he were willing to fight for him. Wigg +assenting, he drew and proferred him a sword. But Wigg refused +the point, and asked for the hilt, saying first that this had +been Rolf's custom when he handed forth a sword to his soldiers. +For in old time those who were about to put themselves in +dependence on the king used to promise fealty by touching the +hilt of the sword. And in this wise Wigg clasped the hilt, and +then drove the point through Hiartuar; thus gaining the vengeance +which he had promised Rolf to accomplish for him. When he had +done this, and the soldiers of Hiartuar rushed at him, he exposed +his body to them eagerly and exultantly, shouting that he felt +more joy in the slaughter of the tyrant than bitterness at his +own. Thus the feast was turned into a funeral, and the wailing +of burial followed the joy of victory. Glorious, ever memorable +hero, who valiantly kept his vow, and voluntarily courted death, +staining with blood by his service the tables of the despot! For +the lively valour of his spirit feared not the hands of the +slaughterers, when he had once beheld the place where Rolf had +been wont to live bespattered with the blood of his slayer. Thus +the royalty of Hiartuar was won and ended on the same day. For +whatsoever is gotten with guile melts away in like fashion as it +is sought, and no fruits are long-lasting that have been won by +treachery and crime. Hence it came to pass that the Swedes, who +had a little before been the possessors of Denmark, came to lose +even their own liberty. For they were straightway cut off by the +Zealanders, and paid righteous atonement to the injured shades of +Rolf. In this way does stern fortune commonly avenge the works +of craft and cunning. + + + +BOOK THREE. + +After Hiartuar, HOTHER, whom I mentioned above, the brother of +Athisl, and also the fosterling of King Gewar, became sovereign +of both realms. It will be easier to relate his times if I begin +with the beginning of his life. For if the earlier years of his +career are not doomed to silence, the latter ones can be more +fully and fairly narrated. + +When Helgi had slain Hodbrodd, his son Hother passed the length +of his boyhood under the tutelage of King Gewar. While a +stripling, he excelled in strength of body all his foster- +brethren and compeers. Moreover, he was gifted with many +accomplishments of mind. He was very skilled in swimming and +archery, and also with the gloves; and further was as nimble as +such a youth could be, his training being equal to his strength. +Though his years were unripe, his richly-dowered spirit surpassed +them. None was more skilful on lyre or harp; and he was cunning +on the timbrel, on the lute, and in every modulation of string +instruments. With his changing measures he could sway the +feelings of men to what passions he would; he knew how to fill +human hearts with joy or sadness, with pity or with hatred, and +used to enwrap the soul with the delight or terror of the ear. +All these accomplishments of the youth pleased Nanna, the +daughter of Gewar, mightily, and she began to seek his embraces. +For the valour of a youth will often kindle a maid, and the +courage of those whose looks are not so winning is often +acceptable. For love hath many avenues; the path of pleasure is +opened to some by grace, to others by bravery of soul, and to +some by skill in accomplishments. Courtesy brings to some stores +of Love, while most are commended by brightness of beauty. Nor +do the brave inflict a shallower wound on maidens than the +comely. + +Now it befell that Balder the son of Odin was troubled at the +sight of Nanna bathing, and was seized with boundless love. He +was kindled by her fair and lustrous body, and his heart was set +on fire by her manifest beauty; for nothing exciteth passion like +comeliness. Therefore he resolved to slay with the sword Hother, +who, he feared, was likeliest to baulk his wishes; so that his +love, which brooked no postponement, might not be delayed in the +enjoyment of its desire by any obstacle. + +About this time Hother chanced, while hunting, to be led astray +by a mist, and he came on a certain lodge in which were wood- +maidens; and when they greeted him by his own name, he asked who +they were. They declared that it was their guidance and +government that mainly determined the fortunes of war. For they +often invisibly took part in battles, and by their secret +assistance won for their friends the coveted victories. They +averted, indeed, that they could win triumphs and inflict defeats +as they would; and further told him how Balder had seen his +foster-sister Nanna while she bathed, and been kindled with +passion for her; but counselled Hother not to attack him in war, +worthy as he was of his deadliest hate, for they declared that +Balder was a demigod, sprung secretly from celestial seed. When +Hother had heard this, the place melted away and left him +shelterless, and he found himself standing in the open and out in +the midst of the fields, without a vestige of shade. Most of all +he marvelled at the swift flight of the maidens, the shifting of +the place, and the delusive semblance of the building. For he +knew not that all that had passed around him had been a mere +mockery and an unreal trick of the arts of magic. + +Returning thence, he related to Gewar the mystification that had +followed on his straying, and straightway asked him for his +daughter. Gewar answered that he would most gladly favour him, +but that he feared if he rejected Balder he would incur his +wrath; for Balder, he said, had proffered him a like request. +For he said that the sacred strength of Balder's body was proof +even against steel; adding, however, that he knew of a sword +which could deal him his death, which was fastened up in the +closest bonds; this was in the keeping of Miming, the Satyr of +the woods, who also had a bracelet of a secret and marvellous +virtue, that used to increase the wealth of the owner. Moreover, +the way to these regions was impassable and filled with +obstacles, and therefore hard for mortal men to travel. For the +greater part of the road was perpetually beset with extraordinary +cold. So he advised him to harness a car with reindeer, by means +of whose great speed he could cross the hard-frozen ridges. And +when he had got to the place, he should set up his tent away from +the sun in such wise that it should catch the shadow of the cave +where Miming was wont to be; while he should not in return cast a +shade upon Miming, so that no unaccustomed darkness might be +thrown and prevent the Satyr from going out. Thus both the +bracelet and the sword would be ready to his hand, one being +attended by fortune in wealth and the other by fortune in war, +and each of them thus bringing a great prize to the owner. Thus +much said Gewar; and Hother was not slow to carry out his +instructions. Planting his tent in the manner aforesaid, he +passed the nights in anxieties and the days in hunting. But +through either season he remained very wakeful and sleepless, +allotting the divisions of night and day so as to devote the one +to reflection on events, and to spend the other in providing food +for his body. Once as he watched all night, his spirit was +drooping and dazed with anxiety, when the Satyr cast a shadow on +his tent. Aiming a spear at him, he brought him down with the +blow, stopped him, and bound him, while he could not make his +escape. Then in the most dreadful words he threatened him with +the worst, and demanded the sword and bracelets. The Satyr was +not slow to tender him the ransom of his life for which he was +asked. So surely do all prize life beyond wealth; for nothing is +ever cherished more among mortals than the breath of their own +life. Hother, exulting in the treasure he had gained, went home +enriched with trophies which, though few, were noble. + +When Gelder, the King of Saxony, heard that Hother had gained +these things, he kept constantly urging his soldiers to go and +carry off such glorious booty; and the warriors speedily equipped +a fleet in obedience to their king. Gewar, being very learned in +divining and an expert in the knowledge of omens, foresaw this; +and summoning Hother, told him, when Gelder should join battle +with him, to receive his spears with patience, and not let his +own fly until he saw the enemy's missiles exhausted; and further, +to bring up the curved scythes wherewith the vessels could be +rent and the helmets and shields plucked from the soldiers. +Hother followed his advice and found its result fortunate. For +he bade his men, when Gelder began to charge, to stand their +ground and defend their bodies with their shields, affirming that +the victory in that battle must be won by patience. But the +enemy nowhere kept back their missiles, spending them all in +their extreme eagerness to fight; and the more patiently they +found Hother bear himself in his reception of their spears and +lances, the more furiously they began to hurl them. Some of +these stuck in the shields and some in the ships, and few were +the wounds they inflicted; many of them were seen to be shaken +off idly and to do no hurt. For the soldiers of Hother performed +the bidding of their king, and kept off the attack of the spears +by a penthouse of interlocked shields; while not a few of the +spears smote lightly on the bosses and fell into the waves. When +Gelder was emptied of all his store, and saw the enemy picking it +up, and swiftly hurling it back at him, he covered the summit of +the mast with a crimson shield, as a signal of peace, and +surrendered to save his life. Hother received him with the +friendliest face and the kindliest words, and conquered him as +much by his gentleness as he had by his skill. + +At this time Helgi, King of Halogaland, was sending frequent +embassies to press his suit for Thora, daughter of Kuse, +sovereign of the Finns and Perms. Thus is weakness ever known by +its wanting help from others. For while all other young men of +that time used to sue in marriage with their own lips, this man +was afflicted with so faulty an utterance that he was ashamed to +be heard not only by strangers, but by those of his own house. +So much doth calamity shun all witnesses; for natural defects are +the more vexing the more manifest they are. Kuse despised his +embassy, answering that that man did not deserve a wife who +trusted too little to his own manhood, and borrowed by entreaty +the aid of others in order to gain his suit. When Helgi heard +this, be besought Hother, whom he knew to be an accomplished +pleader, to favour his desires, promising that he would promptly +perform whatsoever he should command him. The earnest entreaties +of the youth prevailed on Hother, and he went to Norway with an +armed fleet, intending to achieve by arms the end which he could +not by words. And when he had pleaded for Helgi with the most +dulcet eloquence, Kuse rejoined that his daughter's wish must be +consulted, in order that no paternal strictness might forestall +anything against her will. He called her in and asked her +whether she felt a liking for her wooer; and when she assented he +promised Helgi her hand. In this way Hother, by the sweet sounds +of his fluent and well-turned oratory, opened the ears of Kuse, +which were before deaf to the suit he urged. + +While this was passing in Halogaland, Balder entered the country +of Gewar armed, in order to sue for Nanna. Gewar bade him learn +Nanna's own mind; so he approached the maiden with the most +choice and cajoling words; and when he could win no hearing for +his prayers, he persisted in asking the reason of his refusal. +She replied, that a god could not wed with a mortal, because the +vast difference of their natures prevented any bond of +intercourse. Also the gods sometimes used to break their +pledges; and the bond contracted between unequals was apt to snap +suddenly. There was no firm tie between those of differing +estate; for beside the great, the fortunes of the lowly were +always dimmed. Also lack and plenty dwelt in diverse tents, nor +was there any fast bond of intercourse between gorgeous wealth +and obscure poverty. In fine, the things of earth would not mate +with those of heaven, being sundered by a great original gulf +through a difference in nature; inasmuch as mortal man was +infinitely far from the glory of the divine majesty. With this +shuffling answer she eluded the suit of Balder, and shrewdly wove +excuses to refuse his hand. + +When Hother heard this from Gewar, he complained long to Helgi of +Balder's insolence. Both were in doubt as to what should be +done, and beat their brains over divers plans; for converse with +a friend in the day of trouble, though it removeth not the peril, +yet maketh the heart less sick. Amid all the desires of their +souls the passion of valour prevailed, and a naval battle was +fought with Balder. One would have thought it a contest of men +against gods, for Odin and Thor and the holy array of the gods +fought for Balder. There one could have beheld a war in which +divine and human might were mingled. But Hother was clad in his +steel-defying tunic, and charged the closest bands of the gods, +assailing them as vehemently as a son of earth could assail the +powers above. However, Thor was swinging his club with +marvellous might, and shattered all interposing shields, calling +as loudly on his foes to attack him as upon his friends to back +him up. No kind of armour withstood his onset, no man could +receive his stroke and live. Whatsoever his blow fended off it +crushed; neither shield nor helm endured the weight of its dint; +no greatness of body or of strength could serve. Thus the +victory would have passed to the gods, but that Hother, though +his line had already fallen back, darted up, hewed off the club +at the haft, and made it useless. And the gods, when they had +lost this weapon, fled incontinently. But that antiquity vouches +for it, it were quite against common belief to think that men +prevailed against gods. (We call them gods in a supposititious +rather than in a real sense; for to such we give the title of +deity by the custom of nations, not because of their nature.) + +As for Balder, he took to flight and was saved. The conquerors +either hacked his ships with their swords or sunk them in the +sea; not content to have defeated gods, they pursued the wrecks +of the fleet with such rage, as if they would destroy them to +satiate their deadly passion for war. Thus doth prosperity +commonly whet the edge of licence. The haven, recalling by its +name Balder's flight, bears witness to the war. Gelder, the King +of Saxony, who met his end in the same war, was set by Hother +upon the corpses of his oarsmen, and then laid on a pyre built of +vessels, and magnificently honoured in his funeral by Hother, who +not only put his ashes in a noble barrow, treating them as the +remains of a king, but also graced them with most reverent +obsequies. Then, to prevent any more troublesome business +delaying his hopes of marriage, he went back to Gewar and enjoyed +the coveted embraces of Nanna. Next, having treated Helgi and +Thora very generously, he brought his new queen back to Sweden, +being as much honoured by all for his victory as Balder was +laughed at for his flight. + +At this time the nobles of the Swedes repaired to Demnark to pay +their tribute; but Hother, who had been honoured as a king by his +countrymen for the splendid deeds of his father, experienced what +a lying pander Fortune is. For he was conquered in the field by +Balder, whom a little before he had crushed, and was forced to +flee to Gewar, thus losing while a king that victory which he had +won as a common man. The conquering Balder, in order to slake +his soldiers, who were parched with thirst, with the blessing of +a timely draught, pierced the earth deep and disclosed a fresh +spring. The thirsty ranks made with gaping lips for the water +that gushed forth everywhere. The traces of these springs, +eternised by the name, are thought not quite to have dried up +yet, though they have ceased to well so freely as of old. Balder +was continually harassed by night phantoms feigning the likeness +of Nanna, and fell into such ill health that he could not so much +as walk, and began the habit of going his journeys in a two horse +car or a four-wheeled carriage. So great was the love that had +steeped his heart and now had brought him down almost to the +extremity of decline. For he thought that his victory had +brought him nothing if Nanna was not his prize. Also Frey, the +regent of the gods, took his abode not far from Upsala, where he +exchanged for a ghastly and infamous sin-offering the old custom +of prayer by sacrifice, which had been used by so many ages and +generations. For he paid to the gods abominable offerings, by +beginning to slaughter human victims. + +Meantime Hother (1) learned that Denmark lacked leaders, and that +Hiartuar had swiftly expiated the death of Rolf; and he used to +say that chance had thrown into his hands that to which he could +scarce have aspired. For first, Rolf, whom he ought to have +killed, since he remembered that Rolf's father had slain his own, +had been punished by the help of another; and also, by the +unexpected bounty of events, a chance had been opened to him of +winning Denmark. In truth, if the pedigree of his forefathers +were rightly traced, that realm was his by ancestral right! +Thereupon he took possession, with a very great fleet, of +Isefjord, a haven of Zealand, so as to make use of his impending +fortune. There the people of the Danes met him and appointed him +king; and a little after, on hearing of the death of his brother +Athisl, whom he had bidden rule the Swedes, he joined the Swedish +empire to that of Denmark. But Athisl was cut off by an +ignominious death. For whilst, in great jubilation of spirit, he +was honouring the funeral rites of Rolf with a feast, he drank +too greedily, and paid for his filthy intemperance by his sudden +end. And so, while he was celebrating the death of another with +immoderate joviality, he forced on his own apace. + +While Hother was in Sweden, Balder also came to Zealand with a +fleet; and since he was thought to be rich in arms and of +singular majesty, the Danes accorded him with the readiest of +voices whatever he asked concerning the supreme power. With such +wavering judgment was the opinion of our forefathers divided. +Hother returned from Sweden and attacked him. They both coveted +sway, and the keenest contest for the sovereignty began between +them; but it was cut short by the flight of Hother. He retired +to Jutland, and caused to be named after him the village in which +he was wont to stay. Here he passed the winter season, and then +went back to Sweden alone and unattended. There he summoned the +grandees, and told them that he was weary of the light of life +because of the misfortunes wherewith Balder had twice +victoriously stricken him. Then he took farewell of all, and +went by a circuitous path to a place that was hard of access, +traversing forests uncivilised. For it oft happens that those +upon whom has come some inconsolable trouble of spirit seek, as +though it were a medicine to drive away their sadness, far and +sequestered retreats, and cannot bear the greatness of their +grief amid the fellowship of men; so dear, for the most part, is +solitude to sickness. For filthiness and grime are chiefly +pleasing to those who have been stricken with ailments of the +soul. Now he had been wont to give out from the top of a hill +decrees to the people when they came to consult him; and hence +when they came they upbraided the sloth of the king for hiding +himself, and his absence was railed at by all with the bitterest +complaints. + +But Hother, when he had wandered through remotest byways and +crossed an uninhabited forest, chanced to come upon a cave where +dwelt some maidens whom he knew not; but they proved to be the +same who had once given him the invulnerable coat. Asked by them +wherefore he had come thither, he related the disastrous issue of +the war. So he began to bewail the ill luck of his failures and +his dismal misfortunes, condemning their breach of faith, and +lamenting that it had not turned out for him as they had promised +him. But the maidens said that though he had seldom come off +victorious, he had nevertheless inflicted as much defeat on the +enemy as they on him, and had dealt as much carnage as he had +shared in. Moreover, the favour of victory would be speedily +his, if he could first lay hands upon a food of extraordinary +delightsomeness which had been devised to increase the strength +of Balder. For nothing would be difficult if he could only get +hold of the dainty which was meant to enhance the rigour of his +foe. + +Hard as it sounded for earthborn endeavours to make armed assault +upon the gods, the words of the maidens inspired Hother's mind +with instant confidence to fight with Balder. Also some of his +own people said that he could not safely contend with those +above; but all regard for their majesty was expelled by the +boundless fire of his spirit. For in brave souls vehemence is +not always sapped by reason, nor doth counsel defeat rashness. +Or perchance it was that Hother remembered how the might of the +lordliest oft proveth unstable, and how a little clod can batter +down great chariots. + +On the other side, Balder mustered the Danes to arms and met +Hother in the field. Both sides made a great slaughter; the +carnage of the opposing parties was nearly equal, and night +stayed the battle. About the third watch, Hother, unknown to any +man, went out to spy upon the enemy, anxiety about the impending +peril having banished sleep. This strong excitement favours not +bodily rest, and inward disquiet suffers not outward repose. So, +when he came to the camp of the enemy he heard that three maidens +had gone out carrying the secret feast of Balder. He ran after +them (for their footsteps in the dew betrayed their flight), and +at last entered their accustomed dwelling. When they asked him +who he was, he answered, a lutanist, nor did the trial belie his +profession. For when the lyre was offered him, he tuned its +strings, ordered and governed the chords with his quill, and with +ready modulation poured forth a melody pleasant to the ear. Now +they had three snakes, of whose venom they were wont to mix a +strengthening compound for the food of Balder, and even now a +flood of slaver was dripping on the food from the open mouths of +the serpents. And some of the maidens would, for kindness sake, +have given Hother a share of the dish, had not eldest of the +three forbidden them, declaring that Balder would be cheated if +they increased the bodily powers of his enemy. He had said, not +that he was Hother, but that he was one of his company. Now the +same nymphs, in their gracious kindliness, bestowed on him a belt +of perfect sheen and a girdle which assured victory. + +Retracing the path by which he had come, he went back on the same +road, and meeting Balder plunged his sword into his side, and +laid him low half dead. When the news was told to the soldiers, +a cheery shout of triumph rose from all the camp of Hother, while +the Danes held a public mourning for the fate of Balder. He, +feeling no doubt of his impending death, and stung by the anguish +of his wound, renewed the battle on the morrow; and, when it +raged hotly, bade that he should be borne on a litter into the +fray, that he might not seem to die ignobly within his tent. On +the night following, Proserpine was seen to stand by him in a +vision, and to promise that on the morrow he should have her +embrace. The boding of the dream was not idle; for when three +days had passed, Balder perished from the excessive torture of +his wound; and his body given a royal funeral, the army causing +it to be buried in a barrow which they had made. + +Certain men of our day, Chief among whom was Harald, (2) since +the story of the ancient burial-place still survived, made a raid +on it by night in the hope of finding money, but abandoned their +attempt in sudden panic. For the hill split, and from its crest +a sudden and mighty torrent of loud-roaring waters seemed to +burst; so that its flying mass, shooting furiously down, poured +over the fields below, and enveloped whatsoever it struck upon, +and at its onset the delvers were dislodged, flung down their +mattocks, and fled divers ways; thinking that if they strove any +longer to carry through their enterprise they would be caught in +the eddies of the water that was rushing down. Thus the guardian +gods of that spot smote fear suddenly into the minds of the +youths, taking them away from covetousness, and turning them to +see to their safety; teaching them to neglect their greedy +purpose and be careful of their lives. Now it is certain that +this apparent flood was not real but phantasmal; not born in the +bowels of the earth (since Nature suffereth not liquid springs to +gush forth in a dry place), but produced by some magic agency. +All men afterwards, to whom the story of that breaking in had +come down, left this hill undisturbed. Wherefore it has never +been made sure whether it really contains any wealth; for the +dread of peril has daunted anyone since Harald from probing its +dark foundations. + +But Odin, though he was accounted the chief of the gods, began to +inquire of the prophets and diviners concerning the way to +acomplish vengeance for his son, as well as all others whom he +had beard were skilled in the most recondite arts of soothsaying. +For godhead that is incomplete is oft in want of the help of man. +Rostioph (Hrossthiof), the Finn, foretold to him that another son +must be born to him by Rinda (Wrinda), daughter of the King of +the Ruthenians; this son was destined to exact punishment for the +slaying of his brother. For the gods had appointed to the +brother that was yet to be born the task of avenging his kinsman. +Odin, when he heard this, muffled his face with a cap, that his +garb might not betray him, and entered the service of the said +king as a soldier; and being made by him captain of the soldiers, +and given an army, won a splendid victory over the enemy. And +for his stout achievement in this battle the king admitted him +into the chief place in his friendship, distinguishing him as +generously with gifts as with honours. A very little while +afterwards Odin routed the enemy single-handed, and returned, at +once the messenger and the doer of the deed. All marvelled that +the strength of one man could deal such slaughter upon a +countless host. Trusting in these services, he privily let the +king into the secret of his love, and was refreshed by his most +gracious favour; but when he sought a kiss from the maiden, he +received a cuff. But he was not driven from his purpose either +by anger at the slight or by the odiousness of the insult. + +Next year, loth to quit ignobly the quest he had taken up so +eagerly, he put on the dress of a foreigner and went back to +dwell with the king. It was hard for those who met him to +recognise him; for his assumed filth obliterated his true +features, and new grime hid his ancient aspect. He said that his +name was Roster (Hrosstheow), and that he was skilled in +smithcraft. And his handiwork did honour to his professions: for +he portrayed in bronze many and many a shape most beautifully, so +that he received a great mass of gold from the king, and was +ordered to hammer out the ornaments of the matrons. So, after +having wrought many adornments for women's wearing, he at last +offered to the maiden a bracelet which he had polished more +laboriously than the rest and several rings which were adorned +with equal care. But no services could assuage the wrath of +Rinda; when he was fain to kiss her she cuffed him; for gifts +offered by one we hate are unacceptable, while those tendered by +a friend are far more grateful: so much doth the value of the +offering oft turn on the offerer. For this stubborn-hearted +maiden never doubted that the crafty old man was feigning +generosity in order to seize an opening to work his lust. His +temper, moreover, was keen and indomitable; for she knew that his +homage covered guile, and that under the devotion of his gifts +there lay a desire for crime. Her father fell to upbraiding her +heavily for refusing the match; but she loathed to wed an old +man, and the plea of her tender years lent her some support in +her scorning of his hand; for she said that a young girl ought +not to marry prematurely. + +But Odin, who had found that nothing served the wishes of lovers +more than tough persistency, though he was stung with the shame +of his double rebuff, nevertheless, effacing the form he had worn +before, went to the king for the third time, professing the +completest skill in soldiership. He was led to take this pains +not only by pleasure but by the wish to wipe out his disgrace. +For of old those who were skilled in magic gained this power of +instantly changing their aspect and exhibiting the most different +shapes. Indeed, they were clever at imitating any age, not only +in its natural bodily appearance, but also in its stature; and so +the old man, in order to exhibit his calling agreeably, used to +ride proudly up and down among the briskest of them. But not +even such a tribute could move the rigour of the maiden; for it +is hard for the mind to come back to a genuine liking for one +against whom it has once borne heavy dislike. When he tried to +kiss her at his departure, she repulsed him so that he tottered +and smote his chin upon the ground. Straightway he touched her +with a piece of bark whereon spells were written, and made her +like unto one in frenzy: which was a gentle revenge to take for +all the insults he had received. + +But still he did not falter in the fulfilment of his purpose; for +trust in his divine majesty buoyed him up with confidence; so, +assuming the garb of a maiden, this indefatigable journeyer +repaired for the fourth time to the king, and, on being received +by him, showed himself assiduous and even forward. Most people +believed him to be a woman, as he was dressed almost in female +attire. Also he declared that his name wa s Wecha, and his +calling that of a physician: and this assertion he confirmed by +the readiest services. At last he was taken into the household +of the queen, and played the part of a waiting-woman to the +princess, and even used to wash the soil off her feet at +eventide; and as he was applying the water he was suffered to +touch her calves and the upper part of the thighs. But fortune +goes with mutable steps, and thus chance put into his hand what +his address had never won. For it happened that the girl fell +sick, and looked around for a cure; and she summoned to protect +her health those very hands which aforetime she had rejected, and +appealed for preservation to him whom she had ever held in +loathing. He examined narrowly all the symptoms of the trouble, +and declared that, in order to check the disease as soon as +possible, it was needful to use a certain drugged draught; but +that it was so bitterly compounded, that the girl could never +endure so violent a cure unless she submitted to be bound; since +the stuff of the malady must be ejected from the very innermost +tissues. When her father heard this he did not hesitate to bind +his daughter; and laying her on the bed, he bade her endure +patiently all the applications of the doctor. For the king was +tricked by the sight of the female dress, which the old man was +using to disguise his persistent guile; and thus the seeming +remedy became an opportunity of outrage. For the physician +seized the chance of love, and, abandoning his business of +healing, sped to the work, not of expelling the fever, but of +working his lust; making use of the sickness of the princess, +whom in sound health he had found adverse to him. It will not be +wearisome if I subjoin another version of this affair. For there +are certain who say that the king, when he saw the physician +groaning with love, but despite all his expense of mind and body +accomplishing nothing, did not wish to rob of his due reward one +who had so well earned it, and allowed him to lie privily with +his daughter. So doth the wickedness of the father sometimes +assail the child, when vehement passion perverts natural +mildness. But his fault was soon followed by a remorse that was +full of shame, when his daughter bore a child. + +But the gods, whose chief seat was then at Byzantium, (Asgard), +seeing that Odin had tarnished the fair name of godhead by divers +injuries to its majesty, thought that he ought to be removed from +their society. And they had him not only ousted from the +headship, but outlawed and stripped of all worship and honour at +home; thinking it better that the power of their infamous +president should be overthrown than that public religion should +be profaned; and fearing that they might themselves be involved +in the sin of another, and though guiltless be punished for the +crime of the guilty. For they saw that, now the derision of +their great god was brought to light, those whom they had lured +to proffer them divine honours were exchanging obeisance for +scorn and worship for shame; that holy rites were being accounted +sacrilege, and fixed and regular ceremonies deemed so much +childish raving. Fear was in their souls, death before their +eyes, and one would have supposed that the fault of one was +visited upon the heads of all. So, not wishing Odin to drive +public religion into exile, they exiled him and put one Oller +(Wulder?) in his place, to bear the symbols not only Of royalty +but also of godhead, as though it had been as easy a task to +create a god as a king. And though they had appointed him priest +for form's sake, they endowed him actually with full distinction, +that he might be seen to be the lawful heir to the dignity, and +no mere deputy doing another's work. Also, to omit no +circumstance of greatness, they further gave his the name of +Odin, trying by the prestige of that title to be rid of the +obloquy of innovation. For nearly ten years Oller held the +presidency of the divine senate; but at last the gods pitied the +horrible exile of Odin, and thought that he had now been punished +heavily enough; so he exchanged his foul and unsightly estate for +his ancient splendour; for the lapse of time had now wiped out +the brand of his earlier disgrace. Yet some were to be found who +judged that he was not worthy to approach and resume his rank, +because by his stage-tricks and his assumption of a woman's work +he had brought the foulest scandal on the name of the gods. Some +declare that he bought back the fortune of his lost divinity with +money; flattering some of the gods and mollifying some with +bribes; and that at the cost of a vast sum he contrived to get +back to the distinction which he had long quitted. If you ask +how much he paid for them, inquire of those who have found out +what is the price of a godhead. I own that to me it is but +little worth. + +Thus Oller was driven out from Byzantium by Odin and retired into +Sweden. Here, while he was trying, as if in a new world, to +repair the records of his glory, the Danes slew him. The story +goes that he was such a cunning wizard that he used a certain +bone, which he had marked with awful spells, wherewith to cross +the seas, instead of a vessel; and that by this bone he passed +over the waters that barred his way as quickly as by rowing. + +But Odin, now that he had regained the emblems of godhead, shone +over all parts of the world with such a lustre of renown that all +nations welcomed him as though he were light restored to the +universe; nor was any spot to be found on the earth which did not +hornage to his might. Then finding that Boe, his son by Rhlda, +was enamoured of the hardships of war, he called him, and bade +him bear in mind the slaying of his brother: saying that it would +be better for him to take vengeande on the murderers of Balder +than to overcome the im~occ~}t in battle; for warfare was most +fitting and wholesome when a holy occ,tsion fot' waging it was +furnished by a righteous opening for vengeande. + +News came meantime that Gewar had been slain by the guile of his +own satrap (jarl), Gunne. Hother determined to visit his murder +with the strongest and sharpest revenge. So he surprised Gunne, +cast him on a blazing pyre, and burnt him; for Gunne had himself +treacherously waylaid Gewar, and burnt him alive in the night. +This was his offering of vengeance to the shade of his foster- +father; and then he made his sons, Herlek and Gerit, rulers of +Norway. + +Then he summoned the elders to assembly, and told them that he +would perish in the war wherein he was bound to meet Boe, and +said that he knew this by no doubtful guesswork, but by sure +prophecies of seers. So he besought them to make his son RORIK +king, so that the judgment of wicked men should not transfer the +royalty to strange and unknown houses; averring that he would +reap more joy from the succession of his son than bitterness from +his own impending death. This request was speedily granted. +Then he met Boe in battle and was killed; but small joy the +victory gave Boe. Indeed, he left the battle so sore stricken +that he was lifted on his shield and carried home by his foot- +soldiers supporting him in turn, to perish next day of the pain +of his wounds. The Ruthenian army gave his body a gorgeous +funeral and buried it in a splendid howe, which it piled in his +name, to save the record of so mighty a warrior from slipping out +of the recollection of after ages. + +So the Kurlanders and the Swedes, as though the death of Hother +set them free from the burden of their subjection, resolved to +attack Denmark, to which they were accustomed to do homage with a +yearly tax. By this the Slavs also were emboldened to revolt, +and a number of others were turned from subjects into foes. +Rorik, in order to check this wrongdoing, summoned his country to +arms, recounted the deeds of his forefathers, and urged them in a +passionate harangue unto valorous deeds. But the barbarians, +loth to engage without a general, and seeing that they needed a +head, appointed a king over them; and, displaying all the rest of +their military force, hid two companies of armed men in a dark +spot. But Rorik saw the trap; and perceiving that his fleet was +wedged in a certain narrow creek among the shoal water, took it +out from the sands where it was lying, and brought it forth to +sea; lest it should strike on the oozy swamps, and be attacked by +the foe on different sides. Also, he resolved that his men +should go into hiding during the day, where they could stay and +suddenly fall on the invaders of his ships. He said that +perchance the guile might in the end recoil on the heads of its +devisors. And in fact the barbarians who had been appointed to +the ambuscade knew nothing of the wariness of the Danes, and +sallying against them rashly, were all destroyed. The remaining +force of the Slavs, knowing nothing of the slaughter of their +friends, hung in doubt wondering over the reason of Rorik's +tarrying. And after waiting long for him as the months wearily +rolled by, and finding delay every day more burdensome, they at +last thought they should attack him with their fleet. + +Now among them there was a man of remarkable stature, a wizard by +calling. He, when he beheld the squadrons of the Danes, said: +"Suffer a private combat to forestall a public slaughter, so that +the danger of many may be bought off at the cost of a few. And +if any of you shall take heart to fight it out with me, I will +not flinch from these terms of conflict. But first of all I +demand that you accept the terms I prescribe, the form whereof I +have devised as follows: If I conquer, let freedom be granted us +from taxes; if I am conquered, let the tribute be paid you as of +old: For to-day I will either free my country from the yoke of +slavery by my victory or bind her under it by my defeat. Accept +me as the surety and the pledge for either issue." One of the +Danes, whose spirit was stouter than his strength, heard this, +and proceeded to ask Rorik, what would be the reward for the man +who met the challenger in combat? Rorik chanced to have six +bracelets, which were so intertwined that they could not be +parted from one another, the chain of knots being inextricaly +laced; and he promised them as a reward for the man who would +venture on the combat. But the youth, who doubted his fortune, +said: "Rorik, if I prove successful, let thy generosity award the +prize of the conqueror, do thou decide and allot the palm; but if +my enterprise go little to my liking, what prize canst thou owe +to the beaten, who will be wrapped either in cruel death or in +bitter shame? These things commonly go with feebleness, these +are the wages of the defeated, for whom naught remains but utter +infamy. What guerdon must be paid, what thanks offered, to him +who lacks the prize of courage? Who has ever garlanded with ivy +the weakling in War, or decked him with a conqueror's wage? +Valour wins the prize, not sloth, and failure lacks renown. For +one is followed by triumph and honour, the other by an unsightly +life or by a stagnant end. I, who know not which way the issue +of this duel inclines, dare not boldly anticipate that as a +reward, of which I know not whether it be rightly mine. For one +whose victory is doubtful may not seize the assured reward of the +victor. I forbear, while I am not sure of the day, to claim +firmly the title to the wreath. I refuse the gain, which may be +the wages of my death as much as of my life. It is folly to lay +hands on the fruit before it is ripe, and to be fain to pluck +that which one is not yet sure is one's title. This hand shall +win me the prize, or death." Having thus spoken, he smote the +barbarian with his sword; but his fortune was tardier than his +spirit; for the other smote him back, and he fell dead under the +force of the first blow. Thus he was a sorry sight unto the +Danes, but the Slavs granted their triumphant comrade a great +procession, and received him with splendid dances. On the morrow +the same man, whether he was elated with the good fortune of his +late victory, or was fired with the wish to win another, came +close to the enemy, and set to girding at them in the words of +his former challenge. For, supposing that he had laid low the +bravest of the Danes, he did not think that any of them would +have any heart left to fight further with him upon his challenge. +Also, trusting that, now one champion had fallen, he had +shattered the strength of the whole army, he thought that naught +would be hard to achieve upon which his later endeavours were +bent. For nothing pampers arrogance more than success, or +prompts to pride more surely than prosperity. + +So Rorik was vexed that the general courage should be sapped by +the impudence of one man; and that the Danes, with their roll of +victories, should be met presumptuously by those whom they had +beaten of old; nay, should be ignominiously spurned; further, +that in all that host not one man should be found so quick of +spirit or so vigorous of arm, that he longed to sacrifice his +life for his country. It was the high-hearted Ubbe who first +wiped off this infamous reproach upon the hesitating Danes. For +he was of great bodily strength and powerful in incantations. He +also purposely asked the prize of the combat, and the king +promised him the bracelets. Then said he: "How can I trust the +promise when thou keepest the pledge in thine own hands, and dost +not deposit the gift in the charge of another? Let there be some +one to whom thou canst entrust the pledge, that thou mayst not be +able to take thy promise back. For the courage of the champion +is kindled by the irrevocable certainty of the prize." Of course +it was plain that he had said this in jest; sheer courage had +armed him to repel the insult to his country. But Rorik thought +he was tempted by avarice, and was loth to seem as if, contrary +to royal fashion, he meant to take back the gift or revoke his +promise; so, being stationed on his vessel, he resolved to shake +off the bracelets, and with a mighty swing send them to the +asker. But his attempt was baulked by the width of the gap +between them; for the bracelets fell short of the intended spot, +the impulse being too faint and slack, and were reft away by the +waters. For this nickname of Slyngebond, (swing-bracelet) clung +to Rorik. But this event testified much to the valour of Ubbe. +For the loss of his drowned prize never turned his mind from his +bold venture; he would not seem to let his courage be tempted by +the wages of covetousness. So he eagerly went to fight, showing +that he was a seeker of honour and not thc slave of lucre, and +that he set bravery before lust of pelf; and intent to prove that +his confidence was based not on hire, but on his own great soul. +Not a moment is lost; a ring is made; the course is thronged with +soldiers; the champions engage; a din arises; the crowd of +onlookers shouts in discord, each backing his own. And so the +valour of the champions blazes to white-heat; falling dead under +the wounds dealt by one another, they end together the combat and +their lives. I think that it was a provision of fortune that +neither of them should reap joy and honour by the other's death. +This event won back to Rorik the hearts of the insurgents and +regained him the tribute. + +At this time Horwendil and Feng, whose father Gerwendil had been +governor of the Jutes, were appointed in his place by Rorik to +defend Jutland. But Horwendil held the monarchy for three years, +and then, to will the height of glory, devoted himself to roving. +Then Koller, King of Norway, in rivalry of his great deeds and +renown, deemed it would be a handsome deed if by his greater +strength in arms he could bedim the far-famed glory of the rover; +and cruising about the sea, he watched for Horwendil's fleet and +came up with it. There was an island lying in the middle of the +sea, which each of the rovers, bringing his ships up on either +side, was holding. The captains were tempted by the pleasant +look of the beach, and the comeliness of the shores led them to +look through the interior of the springtide woods, to go through +the glades, and roam over the sequestered forests. It was here +that the advance of Koller and Horwendil brought them face to +face without any witness. Then Horwendil endeavoured to address +the king first, asking him in what way it was his pleasure to +fight, and declaring that one best which needed the courage of as +few as possible. For, said he, the duel was the surest of all +modes of combat for winning the meed of bravery, because it +relied only upon native courage, and excluded all help from the +hand of another. Koller marvelled at so brave a judgment in a +youth, and said: "Since thou hast granted me the choice of +battle, I think it is best to employ that kind which needs only +the endeavours of two, and is free from all the tumult. +Certainly it is more venturesome, and allows of a speedier award +of the victory. This thought we share, in this opinion we agree +of our own accord. But since the issue remains doubtful, we must +pay some regard to gentle dealing, and must not give way so far +to our inclinations as to leave the last offices undone. Hatred +is in our hearts; yet let piety be there also, which in its due +time may take the place of rigour. For the rights of nature +reconcile us, though we are parted by differences of purpose; +they link us together, howsoever rancour estrange our spirit. +Let us, therefore, have this pious stipulation, that the +conqueror shall give funeral rites to the conquered. For all +allow that these are the last duties of human kind, from which no +righteous man shrinks. Let each army lay aside its sternness and +perform this function in harmony. Let jealousy depart at death, +let the feud be buried in the tomb. Let us not show such an +example of cruelty as to persecute one another's dust, though +hatred has come between us in our lives. It will be a boast for +the victor if he has borne his beaten foe in a lordly funeral. +For the man who pays the rightful dues over his dead enemy wins +the goodwill of the survivor; and whoso devotes gentle dealing to +him who is no more, conquers the living by his kindness. Also +there is another disaster, not less lamentable, which sometimes +befalls the living -- the loss of some part of their body; and I +think that succor is due to this just as much as to the worst hap +that may befall. For often those who fight keep their lives +safe, but suffer maiming; and this lot is commonly thought more +dismal than any death; for death cuts off memory of all things, +while the living cannot forget the devastation of his own body. +Therefore this mischief also must be helped somehow; so let it be +agreed, that the injury of either of us by the other shall be +made good with ten talents (marks) of gold. For if it be +righteous to have compassion on the calamities of another, how +much more is it to pity one's own? No man but obeys nature's +prompting; and he who slights it is a self-murderer." + +After mutually pledging their faiths to these terms, they began +the battle. Nor was their strangeness his meeting one another, +nor the sweetness of that spring-green spot, so heeded as to +prevent them from the fray. Horwendil, in his too great ardour, +became keener to attack his enemy than to defend his own body; +and, heedless of his shield, had grasped his sword with both +hands; and his boldness did not fail. For by his rain of blows +he destroyed Koller's shield and deprived him of it, and at last +hewed off his foot and drove him lifeless to the ground. Then, +not to fail of his compact, he buried him royally, gave him a +howe of lordly make and pompous obsequies. Then he pursued and +slew Koller's sister Sela, who was a skilled warrior and +experienced in roving. + +He had now passed three years in valiant deeds of war; and, in +order to win higher rank in Rorik's favour, he assigned to him +the best trophies and the pick of the plunder. His friendship +with Rorik enabled him to woo and will in marriage his daughter +Gerutha, who bore him a son Amleth. + +Such great good fortune stung Feng with jealousy, so that he +resolved treacherously to waylay his brother, thus showing that +goodness is not safe even from those of a man's own house. And +behold, when a chance came to murder him, his bloody hand sated +the deadly passion of his soul. Then he took the wife of the +brother he had butchered, capping unnatural murder with incest. +For whoso yields to one iniquity, speedily falls an easier victim +to the next, the first being an incentive to the second. Also, +the man veiled the monstrosity of his deed with such hardihood of +cunning, that he made up a mock pretence of goodwill to excuse +his crime, and glossed over fratricide with a show of +righteousness. Gerutha, said he, though so gentle that she would +do no man the slightest hurt, had been visited with her husband's +extremest hate; and it was all to save her that he had slain his +brother; for he thought it shameful that a lady so meek and +unrancorous should suffer the heavy disdain of her husband. Nor +did his smooth words fail in their intent; for at courts, where +fools are sometimes favoured and backbiters preferred, a lie +lacks not credit. Nor did Feng keep from shameful embraces the +hands that had slain a brother; pursuing with equal guilt both of +his wicked and impious deeds. + +Amleth beheld all this, but feared lest too shrewd a behaviour +might make his uncle suspect him. So he chose to feign dulness, +and pretend an utter lack of wits. This cunning course not only +concealed his intelligence but ensured his safety. Every day he +remained in his mother's house utterly listless and unclean, +flinging himself on the ground and bespattering his person with +foul and filthy dirt. His discoloured face and visage smutched +with slime denoted foolish and grotesque madness. All he said +was of a piece with these follies; all he did savoured of utter +lethargy. In a word, you would not have thought him a man at +all, but some absurd abortion due to a mad fit of destiny. He +used at times to sit over the fire, and, raking up the embers +with his hands, to fashion wooden crooks, and harden them in the +fire, shaping at their lips certain barbs, to make them hold more +tightly to their fastenings. When asked what he was about, he +said that he was preparing sharp javelins to avenge his father. +This answer was not a little scoffed at, all men deriding his +idle and ridiculous pursuit; but the thing helped his purpose +afterwards. Now it was his craft in this matter that first +awakened in the deeper observers a suspicion of his cunning. For +his skill in a trifling art betokened the hidden talent of the +craftsman; nor could they believe the spirit dull where the hand +had acquired so cunning a workmanship. Lastly, he always watched +with the most punctual care over his pile of stakes that he had +pointed in the fire. Some people, therefore, declared that his +mind was quick enough, and fancied that he only played the +simpleton in order to hide his understanding, and veiled some +deep purpose under a cunning feint. His wiliness (said these) +would be most readily detected, if a fair woman were put in his +way in some secluded place, who should provoke his mind to the +temptations of love; all men's natural temper being too blindly +amorous to be artfully dissembled, and this passion being also +too impetuous to be checked by cunning. Therefore, if his +lethargy were feigned, he would seize the opportunity, and yield +straightway to violent delights. So men were commissioned to +draw the young man in his rides into a remote part of the forest, +and there assail him with a temptation of this nature. Among +these chanced to be a foster-brother of Amleth, who had not +ceased to have regard to their common nurture; and who esteemed +his present orders less than the memory of their past fellowship. +He attended Amleth among his appointed train, being anxious not +to entrap, but to warn him; and was persuaded that he would +suffer the worst if he showed the slightest glimpse of sound +reason, and above all if he did the act of love openly. This was +also plain enough to Amleth himself. For when he was bidden +mount his horse, he deliberately set himself in such a fashion +that he turned his back to the neck and faced about, fronting the +tail; which he proceeded to encompass with the reins, just as if +on that side he would check the horse in its furious pace. By +this cunning thought he eluded the trick, and overcame the +treachery of his uncle. The reinless steed galloping on, with +rider directing its tail, was ludicrous enough to behold. + +Amleth went on, and a wolf crossed his path amid the thicket. +When his companions told him that a young colt had met him, he +retorted, that in Feng's stud there were too few of that kind +fighting. This was a gentle but witty fashion of invoking a +curse upon his uncle's riches. When they averred that he had +given a cunning answer, he answered that he had spoken +deliberately; for he was loth, to be thought prone to lying about +any matter, and wished to be held a stranger to falsehood; and +accordingly he mingled craft and candour in such wise that, +though his words did lack truth, yet there was nothing to betoken +the truth and betray how far his keenness went. + +Again, as he passed along the beach, his companions found the +rudder of a ship, which had been wrecked, and said they had +discovered a huge knife. "This," said he, "was the right thing +to carve such a huge ham;" by which he really meant the sea, to +whose infinitude, he thought, this enormous rudder matched. +Also, as they passed the sandhills, and bade him look at the +meal, meaning the sand, he replied that it had been ground small +by the hoary tempests of the ocean. His companions praising his +answer, he said that he had spoken it wittingly. Then they +purposely left him, that he might pluck up more courage to +practise wantonness. The woman whom his uncle had dispatched met +him in a dark spot, as though she had crossed him by chance; and +he took her and would have ravished her, had not his foster- +brother, by a secret device, given him an inkling of the trap. +For this man, while pondering the fittest way to play privily the +prompter's part, and forestall the young man's hazardous +lewdness, found a straw on the ground and fastened it underneath +the tail of a gadfly that was flying past; which he then drove +towards the particular quarter where he knew Amleth to be: an act +which served the unwary prince exceedingly well. The token was +interpreted as shrewdly as it had been sent. For Amleth saw the +gadfly, espied with curiosity the straw which it wore embedded in +its tail, and perceived that it was a secret warning to beware of +treachery. Alarmed, scenting a trap, and fain to possess his +desire in greater safety, he caught up the woman in his arms and +dragged her off to a distant and impenetrable fen. Moreover, +when they had lain together, he conjured her earnestly to +disclose the matter to none, and the promise of silence was +accorded as heartily as it was asked. For both of them had been +under the same fostering in their childhood; and this early +rearing in common had brought Amleth and the girl into great +intimacy. + +So, when he had returned home, they all jeeringly asked him +whether he had given way to love, and he avowed that he had +ravished the maid. When he was next asked where he did it, and +what had been his pillow, he said that he had rested upon the +hoof of a beast of burden, upon a cockscomb, and also upon a +ceiling. For, when he was starting into temptation, he had +gathered fragments of all these things, in order to avoid lying. +And though his jest did not take aught of the truth out of the +story, the answer was greeted with shouts of merriment from the +bystanders. The maiden, too, when questioned on the matter, +declared that he had done no such thing; and her denial was the +more readily credited when it was found that the escort had not +witnessed the deed. Then he who had marked the gadfly in order +to give a hint, wishing to show Amleth that to his trick he owed +his salvation, observed that latterly he had been singly devoted +to Amleth. The young man's reply was apt. Not to seem forgetful +of his informant's service, he said that he had seen a certain +thing bearing a straw flit by suddenly, wearing a stalk of chaff +fixed in its hinder parts. The cleverness of this speech, which +made the rest split with laughter, rejoiced the heart of Amleth's +friend. + +Thus all were worsted, and none could open the secret lock of the +young man's wisdom. But a friend of Feng, gifted more with +assurance than judgment, declared that the unfathomable cunning +of such a mind could not be detected by any vulgar plot, for the +man's obstinacy was so great that it ought not to be assailed +with any mild measures; there were many sides to his wiliness, +and it ought not to be entrapped by any one method. Accordingly, +said he, his own profounder acuteness had hit on a more delicate +way, which was well fitted to be put in practice, and would +effectually discover what they desired to know. Feng was +purposely to absent himself, pretending affairs of great import. +Amleth should be closeted alone with his mother in her chamber; +but a man should first be commissioned to place himself in a +concealed part of the room and listen heedfully to what they +talked about. For if the son had any wits at all he would not +hesitate to speak out in the hearing of his mother, or fear to +trust himself to the fidelity of her who bore him. The speaker, +loth to seem readier to devise than to carry out the plot, +zealously proffered himself as the agent of the eavesdropping. +Feng rejoiced at the scheme, and departed on pretence of a long +journey. Now he who had given this counsel repaired privily to +the room where Amleth was shut up with his mother, and lay flown +skulking in the straw. But Amleth had his antidote for the +treachery. Afraid of being overheard by some eavesdropper, he at +first resorted to his usual imbecile ways, and crowed like a +noisy cock, beating his arms together to mimic the flapping of +wings. Then he mounted the straw and began to swing his body and +jump again and again, wishing to try if aught lurked there in +hiding. Feeling a lump beneath his feet, he drove his sword into +the spot, and impaled him who lay hid. Then he dragged him from +his concealment and slew him. Then, cutting his body into +morsels, he seethed it in boiling water, and flung it through the +mouth of an open sewer for the swine to eat, bestrewing the +stinking mire with his hapless limbs. Having in this wise eluded +the snare, he went back to the room. Then his mother set up a +great wailing, and began to lament her son's folly to his face; +but he said: "Most infamous of women; dost thou seek with such +lying lamentations to hide thy most heavy guilt? Wantoning like +a harlot, thou hast entered a wicked and abominable state of +wedlock, embracing with incestuous bosom thy husband's slayer, +and wheedling with filthy lures of blandishment him who had slain +the father of thy son. This, forsooth, is the way that the mares +couple with the vanquishers of their mates; for brute beasts are +naturally incited to pair indiscriminately; and it would seem +that thou, like them, hast clean forgot thy first husband. As +for me, not idly do I wear the mask of folly; for I doubt not +that he who destroyed his brother will riot as ruthlessly in the +blood of his kindred. Therefore it is better to choose the garb +of dulness than that of sense, and to borrow some protection from +a show of utter frenzy. Yet the passion to avenge my father +still burns in my heart; but I am watching the chances, I await +the fitting hour. There is a place for all things; against so +merciless and dark spirit must be used the deeper devices of the +mind. And thou, who hadst been better employed in lamenting +thine own disgrace, know it is superfluity to bewail my +witlessness; thou shouldst weep for the blemish in thine own +mind, not for that in another's. On the rest see thou keep +silence." With such reproaches he rent the heart of his mother +and redeemed her to walk in the ways of virtue; teaching her to +set the fires of the past above the seductions of the present. + +When Feng returned, nowhere could he find the man who had +suggested the treacherous espial; he searched for him long and +carefully, but none said they had seen him anywhere. Amleth, +among others, was asked in jest if he had come on any trace of +him, and replied that the man had gone to the sewer, but had +fallen through its bottom and been stifled by the floods of +filth, and that he had then been devoured by the swine that came +up all about that place. This speech was flouted by those who +heard; for it seemed senseless, though really it expressly avowed +the truth. + +Feng now suspected that his stepson was certainly full of guile, +and desired to make away with him, but durst not do the deed for +fear of the displeasure, not only of Amleth's grandsire Rorik, +but also of his own wife. So he thought that the King of Britain +should be employed to slay him, so that another could do the +deed, and he be able to feign innocence. Thus, desirous to hide +his cruelty, he chose rather to besmirch his friend than to bring +disgrace on his own head. Amleth, on departing, gave secret +orders to his mother to hang the hall with woven knots, and to +perform pretended obsequies for him a year thence; promising that +he would then return. Two retainers of Feng then accompanied +him, bearing a letter graven on wood -- a kind of writing +material frequent in old times; this letter enjoined the king of +the Britons to put to death the youth who was sent over to him. +While they were reposing, Amleth searched their coffers, found +the letter, and read the instructions therein. Whereupon he +erased all the writing on the surface, substituted fresh +characters, and so, changing the purport of the instructions, +shifted his own doom upon his companions. Nor was he satisfied +with removing from himself the sentence of death and passing the +beril on to others, but added an entreaty that the King of +Britain would grant his daughter in marriage to a youth of great +judgment whom he was sending to him. Under this was falsely +marked the signature of Feng. + +Now when they had reached Britain, the envoys went to the king, +and proffered him the letter which they supposed was an implement +of destruction to another, but which really betokened death to +themselves. The king dissembled the truth, and entreated them +hospitably and kindly. Then Amleth scouted all the splendour of +the royal banquet like vulgar viands, and abstaining very +strangely, rejected that plenteous feast, refraining from the +drink even as from the banquet. All marvelled that a youth and a +foreigner should disdain the carefully cooked dainties of the +royal board and the luxurious banquet provided, as if it were +some peasant's relish. So, when the revel broke up, and the king +was dismissing his friends to rest, he had a man sent into the +sleeping-room to listen secretly, in order that he might hear the +midnight conversation of his guests. Now, when Amleth's +companions asked him why he had refrained from the feast of +yestereve, as if it were poison, he answered that the bread was +flecked with blood and tainted; that there was a tang of iron in +the liquor; while the meats of the feast reeked of the stench of +a human carcase, and were infected by a kind of smack of the +odour of the charnel. He further said that the king had the eyes +of a slave, and that the queen had in three ways shown the +behaviour of a bondmaid. Thus he reviled with insulting +invective not so much the feast as its givers. And presently his +companions, taunting him with his old defect of wits, began to +flout him with many saucy jeers, because he blamed and cavilled +at seemly and worthy things, and because he attacked thus ignobly +an illustrous king and a lady of so refined a behaviour, +bespattering with the shamefullest abuse those who merited all +praise. + +All this the king heard from his retainer; and declared that he +who could say such things had either more than mortal wisdom or +more than mortal folly; in these few words fathoming the full +depth of Amleth's penetration. Then he summoned his steward and +asked him whence he had procured the bread. The steward declared +that it had been made by the king's own baker. The king asked +where the corn had grown of which it was made, and whether any +sign was to be found there of human carnage? The other answered, +that not far off was a field, covered with the ancient bones of +slaughtered men, and still bearing plainly all the signs of +ancient carnage; and that he had himself planted this field with +grain in springtide, thinking it more fruitful than the rest, and +hoping for plenteous abundance; and so, for aught he knew, the +bread had caught some evil savour from this bloodshed. The king, +on hearing this, surmised that Amleth had spoken truly, and took +the pains to learn also what had been the source of the lard. +The other declared that his hogs had, through negligence, strayed +from keeping, and battened on the rotten carcase of a robber, and +that perchance their pork had thus come to have something of a +corrupt smack. The king, finding that Amlet11's judgment was +right in this thing also, asked of what liquor the steward had +mixed the drink? Hearing that it had been brewed of water and +meal, he had the spot of the spring pointed out to him, and set +to digging deep down; and there he found, rusted away, several +swords, the tang whereof it was thought had tainted the waters. +Others relate that Amleth blamed the drink because, while +quaffing it, he had detected some bees that had fed in the paunch +of a dead man; and that the taint, which had formerly been +imparted to the combs, had reappeared in the taste. The king, +seeing that Amleth had rightly given the causes of the taste he +had found so faulty, and learning that the ignoble eyes wherewith +Amleth had reproached him concerned some stain upon his birth, +had a secret interview with his mother, and asked her who his +father had really been. She said she had submitted to no man but +the king. But when he threatened that he would have the truth +out of her by a trial, he was told that he was the offspring of a +slave. By the evidence of the avowal thus extorted he understood +the whole mystery of the reproach upon his origin. Abashed as he +was with shame for his low estate, he was so ravished with the +young man's cleverness, that he asked him why he had aspersed the +queen with the reproach that she had demeaned herself like a +slave? But while resenting that the courtliness of his wife had +been accused in the midnight gossip of guest, he found that her +mother had been a bondmaid. For Amleth said he had noted in her +three blemishes showing the demeanor of a slave; first, she had +muffled her head in her mantle as handmaids do; next, that she +had gathered up her gown for walking; and thirdly, that she had +first picked out with a splinter, and then chewed up, the remnant +of food that stuck in the crevices between her teeth. Further, +he mentioned that the king's mother had been brought into slavery +from captivity, lest she should seem servile only in her habits, +yet not in her birth. + +Then the king adored the wisdom of Amleth as though it were +inspired, and gave him his daughter to wife; accepting his bare +word as though it were a witness from the skies. Moreover, in +order to fulfil the bidding of his friend, he hanged Amleth's +companions on the morrow. Amleth, feigning offence, treated this +piece of kindness as a grievance, and received from the king, as +compensation, some gold, which he afterwards melted in the fire, +and secretly caused to be poured into some hollowed sticks. + +When he had passed a whole year with the king he obtained leave +to make a journey, and returned to his own land, carrying away of +all his princely wealth and state only the sticks which held the +gold. On reaching Jutland, he exchanged his present attire for +his ancient demeanour, which he had adopted for righteous ends, +purposely assuming an aspect of absurdity. Covered with filth, +he entered the banquet-room where his own obsequies were being +held, and struck all men utterly aghast, rumour having falsely +noised abroad his death. At last terror melted into mirth, and +the guests jeered and taunted one another, that he whose last +rites they were celebrating as through he were dead, should +appear in the flesh. When he was asked concerning his comrades, +he pointed to the sticks he was carrying, and said, "Here is both +the one and the other." This he observed with equal truth and +pleasantry; for his speech, though most thought it idle, yet +departed not from the truth; for it pointed at the weregild of +the slain as though it were themselves. Thereon, wishing to +bring the company into a gayer mood, he jollied the cupbearers, +and diligently did the office of plying the drink. Then, to +prevent his loose dress hampering his walk, he girdled his sword +upon his side, and purposely drawing it several times, pricked +his fingers with its point. The bystantlers accordingly had both +sword and scabbard riveted across with all iron nail. Then, to +smooth the way more safely to his plot, he went to the lords and +plied them heavily with draught upon draught, and drenched them +all so deep in wine, that their feet were made feeble with +drunkenness, and they turned to rest within the palace, making +their bed where they had revelled. Then he saw they were in a +fit state for his plots, and thought that here was a chance +offered to do his purpose. So he took out of his bosom the +stakes he has long ago prepared, and went into the building, +where the ground lay covered with the bodies of the nobles +wheezing off their sleep and their debauch. Then, cutting away +its support, he brought dlown the hanging his mother had knitted, +which covered the inner as well as the outer walls of the hall. +This he flung upon the snorers, and then applying the crooked +stakes, he knotted and bound them up in such insoluble intricacy, +that not one of the men beneath, however hard he might struggle, +could contrive to rise. After this he set fire to the palace. +The flames spread, scattering the conflagration far and wide. It +enveloped the whole dwelling, destroyed the palace, and burnt +them all while they were either buried in deep sleep or vainly +striving to arise. Then he went to the chamber of Feng, who had +before this been conducted by his train into his pavilion; +plucked up a sword that chanced to be hanging to the bed, and +planted his own in its place. Then, awakening his uncle, he told +him that his nobles were perishing in the flames, and that Amleth +was here, armed with his crooks to help him, and thirsting to +exact the vengeance, now long overdue, for his father's murder. +Feng, on hearing this, leapt from his couch, but was cut down +while deprived of his own sword, and as he strove in vain to draw +the strange one. O valiant Amleth, and worthy of immortal fame, +who being shrewdly armed with a feint of folly, covered a wisdom +too high for human wit under a marvellous disguise of silliness! +And not only found in his subtlety means to protect his own +safety, but also by its guidance found opportunity to avenge his +father. By this skilful defence of himself, and strenuous +revenge for his parent, he has left it doubtful whether we are to +think more of his wit or his bravery. (3) + + +ENDNOTES: +(1) Saxo now goes back to the history of Denmark. All the + events hitherto related in Bk. III, after the first + paragraph, are a digression in retrospect. +(2) M. conjectures that this was a certain Harald, the bastard + son of Erik the Good, and a wild and dissolute man, who died + in 1135, not long before the probable date of Saxo's birth. +(3) Shakespere's tragedy, "Hamlet", is derived from this story. + + + +BOOK FOUR. + +Amleth, when he had accomplished the slaughter of his stepfather, +feared to expose his deed to the fickle judgment of his +countrymen, and thought it well to lie in hiding till he had +learnt what way the mob of the uncouth populace was tending. So +the whole neighbourhood, who had watched the blaze during the +night, and in the morning desired to know the cause of the fire +they had seen, perceived the royal palace fallen in ashes; and, +on searching through its ruins, which were yet warm, found only +some shapeless remains of burnt corpses. For the devouring flame +had consumed everything so utterly that not a single token was +left to inform them of the cause of such a disaster. Also they +saw the body of Feng lying pierced by the sword, amid his blood- +stained raiment. Some were seized with open anger, others with +grief, and some with secret delight. One party bewailed the +death of their leader, the other gave thanks that the tyranny of +the fratricide was now laid at rest. Thus the occurrence of the +king's slaughter was greeted by the beholders with diverse minds. + +Amleth, finding the people so quiet, made bold to leave his +hiding. Summoning those in whom he knew the memory of his father +to be fast-rooted, he went to the assembly and there made a +speech after this manner: + +"Nobles! Let not any who are troubled by the piteous end of +Horwendil be worried by the sight of this disaster before you; be +not ye, I say, distressed, who have remained loyal to your king +and duteous to your father. Behold the corpse, not of a prince, +but of a fratricide. Indeed, it was a sorrier sight when ye saw +our prince lying lamentably butchered by a most infamous +fratricide-brother, let me not call him. With your own +compassionating eyes ye have beheld the mangled limbs of +Horwendil; they have seen his body done to death with many +wounds. Surely that most abominable butcher only deprived his +king of life that he might despoil his country of freedom! The +hand that slew him made you slaves. Who then so mad as to choose +Feng the cruel before Horwendil the righteous? Remember how +benignantly Horwendil fostered you, how justly he dealt with you, +how kindly he loved you. Remember how you lost the mildest of +princes and the justest of fathers, while in his place was put a +tyrant and an assassin set up; how your rights were confiscated; +how everything was plague-stricken; how the country was stained +with infamies; how the yoke was planted on your necks, and how, +your free will was forfeited! And now all this is over; for ye +see the criminal stifled in his own crimes, the slayer of his kin +punished for his misdoings. What man of but ordinary wit, +beholding it, would account this kindness a wrong? What sane man +could be sorry that the crime has recoiled upon the culprit? Who +could lament the killing of a most savage executioner? Or bewail +the righteous death of a most cruel despot? Ye behold the doer +of the deed; he is before you. Yea, I own that I have taken +vengeance for my country and my father. Your hands were equally +bound to the task which mine fulfilled. What it would have +beseemed you to accomplish with me, I achieved alone. Nor had I +any partner in so glorious a deed, or the service of any man to +help me. Not that I forget that you would have helped this work, +had I asked you; for doubtless you have remained loyal to your +king and loving to your prince. But I chose that the wicked +should be punished without imperilling you; I thought that others +need not set their shoulders to the burden when I deemed mine +strong enough to bear it. Therefore I consumed all the others to +ashes, and left only the trunk of Feng for your hands to burn, so +that on this at least you may wreak all your longing for a +righteous vengeance. Now haste up speedily, heap the pyre, burn +up the body of the wicked, consume away his guilty limbs, scatter +his sinful ashes, strew broadcast his ruthless dust; let no urn +or barrow enclose the abominable remnants of his bones. Let no +trace of his fratricide remain; let there be no spot in his own +land for his tainted limbs; let no neighbourhood suck infection +from him; let not sea nor soil be defiled by harboring his +accursed carcase. I have done the rest; this one loyal duty is +left for you. These must be the tyrant's obsequies, this the +funeral procession of the fratricide. It is not seemly that he +who stripped his country of her freedom should have his ashes +covered by his country's earth. + +"Besides, why tell again my own sorrows? Why count over my +troubles? Why weave the thread of my miseries anew? Ye know +them more fully than I myself. I, pursued to the death by my +stepfather, scorned by my mother, spat upon by friends, have +passed my years in pitiable wise, and my days in adversity; and +my insecure life has teemed with fear and perils. In fine, I +passed every season of my age wretchedly and in extreme calamity. +Often in your secret murmurings together you have sighed over my +lack of wits; there was none (you said) to avenge the father, +none to punish the fratricide. And in this I found a secret +testimony of your love; for I saw that the memory of the King's +murder had not yet faded from your minds. + +"Whose breast is so hard that it can be softened by no fellow- +feeling for what I have felt? Who is so stiff and stony, that he +is swayed by no compassion for my griefs? Ye whose hands are +clean of the blood of Horwendil, pity your fosterling, be moved +by my calamities. Pity also my stricken mother, and rejoice with +me that the infamy of her who was once your queen is quenched. +For this weak woman had to bear a twofold weight of ignominy, +embracing one who was her husband's brother and murderer. +Therefore, to hide my purpose of revenge and to veil my wit, I +counterfeited a listless bearing; I feigned dulness; I planned a +stratagem; and now you can see with your own eyes whether it has +succeeded, whether it has achieved its purpose to the full; I am +content to leave you to judge so great a matter. It is your +turn; trample under foot the ashes of the murderer! Disdain the +dust of him who slew his brother, and defiled his brother's queen +with infamous. desecration, who outraged his sovereign and +treasonably assailed his majesty, who brought the sharpest +tyranny upon you, stole your freedom, and crowned fratricide with +incest. I have been the agent of this just vengeance; I have +burned for this righteous retribution; uphold me with a high-born +spirit; pay me the homage that you owe; warm me with your kindly +looks. It is I who have wiped off my country's shame; I who have +quenched my mother's dishonour; I who have beaten back +oppression; I who have put to death the murderer; I who have +baffled the artful hand of my uncle with retorted arts. Were he +living, each new day would have multiplied his crimes. I +resented the wrong done to father and to fatherland: I slew him +who was governing you outrageously and more hardly than it +beseemed men. Acknowledge my service, honour my wit, give me the +throne if I have earned it; for you have in me one who has done +you a mighty service, and who is no degenerate heir to his +father's power; no fratricide, but the lawful successor to the +throne; and a dutiful avenger of the crime of murder. It is I +who have stripped you of slavery, and clothed you with freedom; I +have restored your height of fortune, and given you your glory +back; I have deposed the despot and triumphed over the butcher. +In your hands is the reward; you know what I have done for you, +and from your righteousness I ask my wage." + +Every heart had been moved while the young man thus spoke; he +affected some to compassion, and some even to tears. When the +lamentation ceased, he was appointed king by prompt and general +acclaim. For one and all rested their greatest hopes on his +wisdom, since he had devised the whole of such an achievement +with the deepest cunning, and accomplished it with the most +astonishing contrivance. Many could have been seen marvelling +how he had concealed so subtle a plan over so long a space of +time. + +After these deeds in Denmark, Amleth equipped three vessels, and +went back to Britain to see his wife and her father. He had also +enrolled in his service the flower of the warriors, and arrayed +them very choicely, wishing to have everything now magnificently +appointed, even as of old he had always worn contemptible gear, +and to change all his old devotion to poverty for outlay on +luxury. He also had a shield made for him, whereon the whole +series of his exploits, beginning with his earliest youth, was +painted in exquisite designs. This he bore as a record of his +deeds of prowess, and gained great increase of fame thereby. +Here were to be seen depicted the slaying of Horwendil; the +fratricide and incest of Feng; the infamous uncle, the whimsical +nephew; the shapes of the hooked stakes; the stepfather +suspecting, the stepson dissembling; the various temptations +offered, and the woman brought to beguile him; the gaping wolf; +the finding of the rudder; the passing of the sand; the entering +of the wood; the putting of the straw through the gadfly; the +warning of the youth by the tokens; and the privy dealings with +the maiden after the escort was eluded. And likewise could be +seen the picture of the palace; the queen there with her son; the +slaying of the eavesdropper; and how, after being killed, he was +boiled down, and so dropped into the sewer, and so thrown out to +the swine; how his limbs were strewn in the mud, and so left for +the beasts to finish. Also it could be seen how Amleth surprised +the secret of his sleeping attendants, how he erased the letters, +and put new characters in their places; how he disdained the +banquet and scorned the drink; how he condemned time face of the +king and taxed the Queen with faulty behaviour. There was also +represented the hanging of the envoys, and the young man's +wedding; then the voyage back to Denmark; the festive celebration +of the funeral rites; Amleth, in answer to questions, pointing to +the sticks in place of his attendants, acting as cupbearer, and +purposely drawing his sword and pricking his fingers; the sword +riveted through, the swelling cheers of the banquet, the dance +growing fast and furious; the hangings flung upon the sleepers, +then fastened with the interlacing crooks, and wrapped tightly +round them as they slumbered; the brand set to the mansion, the +burning of the guests, the royal palace consumed with fire and +tottering down; the visit to the sleeping-room of Feng, the theft +of his sword, the useless one set in its place; and the king +slain with his own sword's point by his stepson's hand. All this +was there, painted upon Amleth's battle-shield by a careful +craftsman in the choicest of handiwork; he copied truth in his +figures, and embodied real deeds in his outlines. Moreover, +Amleth's followers, to increase the splendour of their presence, +wore shields which were gilt over. + +The King of Britain received them very graciously, and treated +them with costly and royal pomp. During the feast he asked +anxiously whether Feng was alive and prosperous. His son-in-law +told him that the man of whose welfare he was vainly inquiring +had perished by the sword. With a flood of questions he tried to +find out who had slain Feng, and learnt that the messenger of his +death was likewise its author. And when the king heard this, he +was secretly aghast, because he found that an old promise to +avenge Feng now devolved upon himself. For Feng and he had +determined of old, by a mutual compact, that one of them should +act as avenger of the other. Thus the king was drawn one way by +his love for his daughter and his affection for his son-in-law; +another way by his regard for his friend, and moreover by his +strict oath and the sanctity of their mutual declarations, which +it was impious to violate. At last he slighted the ties of +kinship, and sworn faith prevailed. His heart turned to +vengeance, and he put the sanctity of his oath before family +bonds. But since it was thought sin to wrong the holy ties of +hospitality, he preferred to execrate his revenge by the hand of +another, wishing to mask his secret crime with a show of +innocence. So he veiled his treachery with attentions, and hid +his intent to harm under a show of zealous goodwill. His queen +having lately died of illness, he requested Amleth to undertake +the mission of making him a fresh match, saying that he was +highly delighted with his extraordinary shrewdness. He declared +that there was a certain queen reigning in Scotland, whom he +vehemently desired to marry. Now he knew that she was not only +unwedded by reason of her chastity, but that in the cruelty of +her arrogance she had always loathed her wooers, and had +inflicted on her lovers the uttermost punishment, so that not one +but of all the multitude was to be found who had not paid for his +insolence with his life. + +Perilous as this commission was Amleth started, never shrinking +to obey the duty imposed upon him, but trusting partly in his own +servants, and partly in the attendants of the king. He entered +Scotland, and, when quite close to the abode of the queen, he +went into a meadow by the wayside to rest his horses. Pleased by +the look of the spot, he thought of resting -- the pleasant +prattle of the stream exciting a desire to sleep -- and posted +men to keep watch some way off. The queen on hearing of this, +sent out ten warriors to spy on the approach of the foreigners +and their equipment. One of these, being quick-witted, slipped +past the sentries, pertinaciously made his way up, and took away +the shield, which Amleth had chanced to set at his head before he +slept, so gently that he did not ruffle his slumbers, though he +was lying upon it, nor awaken one man of all that troop; for he +wished to assure his mistress not only by report but by some +token. With equal address he filched the letter entrusted to +Amleth from the coffer in which it was kept. When these things +were brought to the queen, she scanned the shield narrowly, and +from the notes appended made out the whole argument. Then she +knew that here was the man who, trusting in his own nicely +calculated scheme, had avenged on his uncle the murder of his +father. She also looked at the letter containing the suit for +her band, and rubbed out all the writing; for wedlock with the +old she utterly abhorred, and desired the embraces of young men. +But she wrote in its place a commission purporting to be sent +from the King of Britain to herself, signed like the other with +his name and title, wherein she pretended that she was asked to +marry the bearer. Moreover, she included an account of the deeds +of which she had learnt from Amleth's shield, so that one would +have thought the shield confirmed the letter, while the letter +explained the shield. Then she told the same spies whom she had +employed before to take the shield back, and put the letter in +its place again; playing the very trick on Amleth which, as she +had learnt, he had himself used in outwitting his companions. + +Amleth, meanwhile, who found that his shield had been filched +from under his head, deliberately shut his eyes and cunningly +feigned sleep, hoping to regain by pretended what he had lost by +real slumbers. For he thought that the success of his one +attempt would incline the spy to deceive him a second time. And +he was not mistaken. For as the spy came up stealthily, and +wanted to put back the shield and the writing in their old place, +Amleth leapt up, seized him, and detained him in bonds. Then he +roused his retinue, and went to the abode of the queen. As +representing his father-in-law, he greeted her, and handled her +the writing, sealed with the king's seal. The queen, who was +named Hermutrude, took and read it, and spoke most warmly of +Amleth's diligence and shrewdness, saying, that Feng had deserved +his punishment, and that the unfathomable wit of Amleth had +accomplished a deed past all human estimation; seeing that not +only had his impenetrable depth devised a mode of revenging his +father's death and his mother's adultery, but it had further, by +his notable deeds Of prowess, seized the kingdom of the man whom +he had found constantly plotting against him. She marvelled +therefore that a man of such instructed mind could have made the +one slip of a mistaken marriage; for though his renown almost +rose above mortality, he seemed to have stumbled into an obscure +and ignoble match. For the parents of his wife had been slaves, +though good luck had graced them with the honours of royalty. +Now (said she), when looking for a wife a wise man must reckon +the lustre of her birth and not of her beauty. Therefore, if he +were to seek a match in a proper spirit, he should weigh the +ancestry, and not be smitten by the looks; for though looks were +a lure to temptation, yet their empty bedizenment had tarnished +the white simplicity of many a man. Now there was a woman, as +nobly born as himself, whom he could take. She herself, whose +means were not poor nor her birth lowly, was worthy his embraces, +since he did not surpass her in royal wealth nor outshine her in +the honour of his ancestors. Indeed she was a queen, and but +that her sex gainsaid it, might be deemed a king; may (and this +is yet truer), whomsoever she thought worthy of her bed was at +once a king, and she yielded her kingdom with herself. Thus her +sceptre and her hand went together. It was no mean favour for +such a woman to offer her love, who in the case of other men had +always followed her refusal with the sword. Therefore she +pressed him to transfer his wooing, to make over to her his +marriage vows, and to learn to prefer birth to beauty. So +saying, she fell upon him with a close embrace. + +Amleth was overjoyed at the gracious speech of the maiden, fell +to kissing back, and returned her close embrace, protesting that +the maiden's wish was his own. Then a banquet was held, friends +bidden, the nobles gathered, and the marriage rites performed. +When they were accomplished, he went back to Britain with his +bride, a strong band of Scots being told to follow close behind, +that he might have its help against the diverse treacheries in +his path. As he was returning, the daughter of the King of +Britain, to whom he was still married, met him. Though she +complained that she was slighted by the wrong of having a +paramour put over her, yet, she said, it would be unworthy for +her to hate him as an adulterer more than she loved him as a +husband: nor would she so far shrink from her lord as to bring +herself to hide in silence the guile which she knew was intended +against him. For she had a son as a pledge of their marriage, +and regard for him, if nothing else, must have inclined his +mother to the affection of a wife. "He," she said, "may hate the +supplanter of his mother, I will love her; no disaster shall put +out my flame for thee; no ill-will shall quench it, or prevent me +from exposing the malignant designs against thee, or from +revealing the snares I have detected. Bethink thee, then, that +thou must beware of thy father-in-law, for thou hast thyself +reaped the harvest of thy mission, foiled the wishes of him who +sent thee, and with willful trespass seized over all the fruit +for thyself." By this speech she showed herself more inclined to +love her husband than her father. + +While she thus spoke, the King of Britain came up and embraced +his son-in-law closely, but with little love, and welcomed him +with a banquet, to hide his intended guile under a show of +generosity. But Amleth, having learnt the deceit, dissembled his +fear, took a retinue of two hundred horsemen, put on an under- +shirt (of mail), and complied with the invitation, preferring the +peril of falling in with the king's deceit to the shame of +hanging back. So much heed for honour did he think that he must +take in all things. As he rode up close, the king attacked him +just under the porch of the folding doors, and would have thrust +him through with his javelin, but that the hard shirt of mail +threw off the blade. Amleth received a slight wound, and went to +the spot where he had bidden the Scottish warriors wait on duty. +He then sent back to the king his new wife's spy, whom he had +captured. This man was to bear witness that he had secretly +taken from the coffer where it was kept the letter which was +meant for his mistress, and thus was to make the whole blame +recoil on Hermutrude, by this studied excuse absolving Amleth +from the charge of treachery. The king without tarrying pursued +Amleth hotly as he fled, and deprived him of most of his forces. +So Amleth, on the morrow, wishing to fight for dear life, and +utterly despairing of his powers of resistance, tried to increase +his apparent numbers. He put stakes under some of the dead +bodies of his comrades to prop them up, set others on horseback +like living men, and tied others to neighbouring stones, not +taking off any of their armour, and dressing them in due order of +line and wedge, just as if they were about to engage. The wing +composed of the dead was as thick as the troop of the living. It +was an amazing spectacle this, of dead men dragged out to battle, +and corpses mustered to fight. The plan served him well, for the +very figures of the dead men showed like a vast array as the +sunbeams struck them. For those dead and senseless shapes +restored the original number of the army so well, that the mass +might have been unthinned by the slaughter of yesterday. The +Britons, terrified at the spectacle, fled before fighting, +conquered by the dead men whom they had overcome in life. I +cannot tell whether to think more of the cunning or of the good +fortune of this victory. The Danes came down on the king as he +was tardily making off, and killed him. Amleth, triumphant, made +a great plundering, seized the spoils of Britain, and went back +with his wives to his own land. + +Meanwhile Rorik had died, and Wiglek, who had come to the throne, +had harassed Amleth's mother with all manner of insolence and +stripped her of her royal wealth, complaining that her son had +usurped the kingdom of Jutland and defrauded the King of Leire, +who had the sole privilege of giving and taking away the rights +of high offices. This treatment Amleth took with such +forbearance as apparently to return kindness for slander, for he +presented Wiglek with the richest of his spoils. But afterwards +he seized a chance of taking vengeance, attacked him, subdued +him, and from a covert became an open foe. Fialler, the governor +of Skaane, he drove into exile; and the tale is that Fialler +retired to a spot called Undensakre, which is unknown to our +peoples. After this, Wiglek, recruited with the forces of Skaane +and Zealand, sent envoys to challenge Amleth to a war. Amleth, +with his marvellous shrewdness, saw that he was tossed between +two difficulties, one of which involved disgrace and the other +danger. For he knew that if he took up the challenge he was +threatened with peril of his life, while to shrink from it would +disgrace his reputation as a soldier. Yet in that spirit ever +fixed on deeds of prowess the desire to save his honour won the +day. Dread of disaster was blunted by more vehement thirst for +glory; he would not tarnish the unblemished lustre of his fame by +timidly skulking from his fate. Also he saw that there is almost +as wide a gap between a mean life and a noble death as that which +is acknowledged between honour and disgrace themselves. + +Yet Amleth was enchained by such great love for Hermutrude, that +he was more deeply concerned in his mind about her future +widowhood than about his own death, and cast about very zealously +how he could decide on some second husband for her before the +opening of the war. Hermutrude, therefore, declared that she had +the courage of a man, and promised that she would not forsake him +even on the field, saying that the woman who dreaded to be united +with her lord in death was abominable. But she kept this rare +promise ill; for when Amleth had been slain by Wiglek in battle +in Jutland, she yielded herself up unasked to be the conqueror's +spoil and bride. Thus all vows of woman are loosed by change of +fortune and melted by the shifting of time; the faith of their +soul rests on a slippery foothold, and is weakened by casual +chances; glib in promises, and as sluggish in performance, all +manner of lustful promptings enslave it, and it bounds away with +panting and precipitate desire, forgetful of old things in the +ever hot pursuit after something fresh. So ended Amleth. Had +fortune been as kind to him as nature, he would have equalled the +gods in glory, and surpassed the labours of Hercules by his deeds +of prowess. A plain in Jutland is to be found, famous for his +name and burial-place. Wiglek's administration of the kingdom +was long and peaceful, and he died of disease. + +WERMUND, his son, succeeded him. The long and leisurely +tranquillity of a most prosperous and quiet time flowed by and +Wermund in undisturbed security maintained a prolonged and steady +peace at home. He had no children during the prime of his life, +but in his old age, by a belated gift of fortune, he begat a son, +Uffe, though all the years which had glided by had raised him up +no offspring. This Uffe surpassed all of his age in stature, but +in his early youth was supposed to have so dull and foolish a +spirit as to be useless for all affairs public or private. For +from his first years he never used to play or make merry, but was +so void of all human pleasure that he kept his lips sealed in a +perennial silence, and utterly restrained his austere visage from +the business of laughter. But though through the years of his +youth he was reputed for an utter fool, he afterwards left that +despised estate and became famous, turning out as great a pattern +of wisdom and hardihood as he had been a picture of stagnation. +His father, seeing him such a simpleton, got him for a wife the +daughter of Frowin, the governor of the men of Sleswik; thinking +that by his alliance with so famous a man Uffe would receive help +which would serve him well in administering the realm. Frowin +had two sons, Ket and Wig, who were youths of most brilliant +parts, and their excellence, not less than that of Frowin, +Wermund destined to the future advantage of his son. + +At this time the King of Sweden was Athisl, a man of notable fame +and energy. After defeating his neighbours far around, he was +loth to leave the renown won by his prowess to be tarnished in +slothful ease, and by constant and zealous practice brought many +novel exercises into vogue. For one thing he had a daily habit +of walking alone girt with splendid armour: in part because he +knew that nothing was more excellent in warfare than the +continual practice of arms; and in part that he might swell his +glory by ever following this pursuit. Self-confidence claimed as +large a place in this man as thirst for fame. Nothing, he +thought, could be so terrible as to make him afraid that it would +daunt his stout heart by its opposition. He carried his arms +into Denmark, and challenged Frowin to battle near Sleswik. The +armies routed one another with vast slaughter, and it happened +that the generals came to engage in person, so that they +conducted the affair like a duel; and, in addition to the public +issues of the war, the fight was like a personal conflict. For +both of them longed with equal earnestness for an issue of the +combat by which they might exhibit their valour, not by the help +of their respective sides, but by a trial of personal strength. +The end was that, though the blows rained thick on either side, +Athisl prevailed and overthrew Frowin, and won a public victory +as well as a duel, breaking up and shattering the Danish ranks in +all directions. When he returned to Sweden, he not only counted +the slaying of Frowin among the trophies of his valour, but even +bragged of it past measure, so ruining the glory of the deed by +his wantonness of tongue. For it is sometimes handsomer for +deeds of valour to be shrouded in the modesty of silence than to +be blazoned in wanton talk. + +Wermund raised the sons of Frowin to honours of the same rank as +their father's, a kindness which was only due to the children of +his friend who had died for the country. This prompted Athisl to +carry the war again into Denmark. Emboldened therefore by his +previous battle, he called back, bringing with him not only no +slender and feeble force, but all the flower of the valour of +Sweden, thinking he would seize the supremacy of all Denmark. +Ket, the son of Frowin, sent Folk, his chief officer, to take +this news to Wermund, who then chanced to be in his house +Jellinge. (1) Folk found the king feasting with his friends, and +did his errand, admonishing him that here was the long-wished-for +chance of war at hand, and pressing itself upon the wishes of +Wermund, to whom was give an immediate chance of victory and the +free choice of a speedy and honourable triumph. Great and +unexpected were the sweets of good fortune, so long sighed for, +and now granted to him by this lucky event. For Athisl had come +encompassed with countless forces of the Swedes, just as though +in his firm assurance he had made sure of victory; and since the +enemy who was going to fight would doubtless prefer death to +flight, this chance of war gave them a fortunate opportunity to +take vengeance for their late disaster. + +Wermund, declaring that he had performed his mission nobly and +bravely, ordered that he should take some little refreshment of +the banquet, since "far-faring ever hurt fasters." When Folk +said that he had no kind of leisure to take food, he begged him +to take a draught to quench his thirst. This was given him; and +Wermund also bade him keep the cup, which was of gold, saying +that men who were weary with the heat of wayfaring found it +handier to take up the water in a goblet than in the palms, and +that it was better to use a cup for drinking than the hand. When +the king accompanied his great gift with such gracious words, the +young man, overjoyed at both, promised that, before the king +should see him turn and flee, he would take a draught of his own +blood to the full measure of the liquor he had drunk. + +With this doughty vow Wermund accounted himself well repaid, and +got somewhat more joy from giving the boon than the soldier had +from gaining it. Nor did he find that Folk's talk was braver +than his fighting. + +For, when battle had begun, it came to pass that amidst divers +charges of the troops Folk and Athisl met and fought a long while +together; and that the host of the Swedes, following the fate of +their captain, took to flight, and Athisl also was wounded and +fled from the battle to his ships. And when Folk, dazed with +wounds and toils, and moreover steeped alike in heat and toil and +thirst, had ceased to follow the rout of the enemy, then, in +order to refresh himself, he caught his own blood in his helmet, +and put it to his lips to drain: by which deed he gloriously +requited the king's gift of the cup. Wermund, who chanced to see +this, praised him warmly for fulfilling his vow. Folk answered, +that a noble vow ought to be strictly performed to the end: a +speech wherein he showed no less approval of his own deed than +Wermund. + +Now, while the conquerors had laid down their arms, and, as is +usual after battle, were exchanging diverse talk with one +another, Ket, the governor of the men of Sleswik, declared that +it was a matter of great marvel to him how it was that Athisl, +though difficulties strewed his path, had contrived an +opportunity to escape, especially as he had been the first and +foremost in the battle, but last of all in the retreat; and +though there had not been one of the enemy whose fall was so +vehemently desired by the Danes. Wermund rejoined that he should +know that there were four kinds of warrior to be distinguished +in every army. The fighters of the first order were those who, +tempering valour with forbearance, were keen to slay those who +resisted, but were ashamed to bear hard on fugitives. For these +were the men who had won undoubted proofs of prowess by veteran +experience in arms, and who found their glory not in the flight +of the conquered, but in overcoming those whom they had to +conquer. Then there was a second kind of warriors, who were +endowed with stout frame and spirit, but with no jot of +compassion, and who raged with savage and indiscriminate carnage +against the backs as well as the breasts of their foes. Now of +this sort were the men carried away by hot and youthful blood, +and striving to grace their first campaign with good auguries of +warfare. They burned as hotly with the glow of youth as with the +glow for glory, and thus rushed headlong into right or wrong with +equal recklessness. There was also the third kind, who, wavering +betwixt shame and fear, could not go forward for terror, while +shame barred retreat. Of distinguished blood, but only notable +for their useless stature, they crowded the ranks with numbers +and not with strength, smote the foe more with their shadows than +with their arms, and were only counted among the throng of +warriors as so many bodies to be seen. These men were lords of +great riches, but excelled more in birth than bravery; hungry for +life because owning great possessions, they were forced to yield +to the sway of cowardice rather than nobleness. There were +others, again, who brought show to the war, and not substance, +and who, foisting themselves into the rear of their comrades, +were the first to fly and the last to fight. One sure token of +fear betrayed their feebleness; for they always deliberately +sought excuses to shirk, and followed with timid and sluggish +advance in the rear of the fighters. It must be supposed, +therefore, that these were the reasons why the king had escaped +safely; for when he fled he was not pursued pertinaciously by the +men of the front rank; since these made it their business to +preserve the victory, not to arrest the conquered, and massed +their wedges, in order that the fresh-won victory might be duly +and sufficiently guarded, and attain the fulness of triumph. + +Now the second class of fighters, whose desire was to cut down +everything in their way, had left Athisl unscathed, from lack not +of will but of opportunity; for they had lacked the chance to +hurt him rather than the daring. Moreover, though the men of the +third kind, who frittered away the very hour of battle by +wandering about in a flurried fashion, and also hampered the +success of their own side, had had their chance of harming the +king, they yet lacked courage to assail him. In this way Wermund +satisfied the dull amazement of Ket, and declared that he had set +forth and expounded the true reasons of the king's safe escape. + +After this Athisl fled back to Sweden, still wantonly bragging of +the slaughter of Frowin, and constantly boasting the memory of +his exploit with prolix recital of his deeds; not that he bore +calmly the shame of his defeat, but that he might salve the wound +of his recent flight by the honours of his ancient victory. This +naturally much angered Ket and Wig, and they swore a vow to unite +in avenging their father. Thinking that they could hardly +accomplish this in open war, they took an equipment of lighter +armament, and went to Sweden alone. Then, entering a wood in +which they had learnt by report that the king used to take his +walks unaccompanied, they hid their weapons. Then they talked +long with Athisl, giving themselves out as deserters; and when he +asked them what was their native country, they said they were men +of Sleswik, and had left their land "for manslaughter". The king +thought that this statement referred not to their vow to commit +the crime, but to the guilt of some crime already committed. For +they desired by this deceit to foil his inquisitiveness, so that +the truthfulness of the statement might baffle the wit of the +questioner, and their true answer, being covertly shadowed forth +in a fiction, might inspire in him a belief that it was false. +For famous men of old thought lying a most shameful thing. Then +Athisl said he would like to know whom the Danes believed to be +the slayer of Frowin. Ket replied that there was a doubt as to +who ought to claim so illustrious a deed, especially as the +general testimony was that he had perished on the field of +battle. Athisl answered that it was idle to credit others with +the death of Frowin, which he, and he alone, had accomplished in +mutual combat. Soon he asked whether Frowin had left any +children. Ket answering that two sons of his were alive, said +that he would be very glad to learn their age and stature. Ket +replied that they were almost of the same size as themselves in +body, alike in years, and much resembling them in tallness. Then +Athisl said: "If the mind and the valour of their sire were +theirs, a bitter tempest would break upon me." Then he asked +whether those men constantly spoke of the slaying of their +father. Ket rejoined that it was idle to go on talking and +talking about a thing that could not be softened by any remedy, +and declared that it was no good to harp with constant vexation +on an inexpiable ill. By saying this he showed that threats +ought not to anticipate vengeance. + +When Ket saw that the king regularly walked apart alone in order +to train his strength, he took up his arms, and with his brother +followed the king as he walked in front of them. Athisl, when he +saw them, stood his ground on the sand, thinking it shameful to +avoid threateners. Then they said that they would take vengeance +for his slaying of Frowin, especially as he avowed with so many +arrogant vaunts that he alone was his slayer. But he told them +to take heed lest while they sought to compass their revenge, +they should be so foolhardy as to engage him with their feeble +and powerless hand, and while desiring the destruction of +another, should find they had fallen themselves. Thus they would +cut off their goodly promise of overhasty thirst for glory. Let +them then save their youth and spare their promise; let them not +be seized so lightly with a desire to perish. Therefore, let +them suffer him to requite with money the trespass done them in +their father's death, and account it great honour that they would +be credited with forcing so mighty a chief to pay a fine, and in +a manner with shaking him with overmastering fear. Yet he said +he advised them thus, not because he was really terrified, but +because he was moved with compassion for their youth. Ket +replied that it was idle to waste time in beating so much about +the bush and trying to sap their righteous longing for revenge by +an offer of pelf. So he bade him come forward and make trial +with him in single combat of whatever strength he had. He +himself would do without the aid of his brother, and would fight +with his own strength, lest it should appear a shameful and +unequal combat, for the ancients held it to be unfair, and also +infamous, for two men to fight against one; and a victory gained +by this kind of fighting they did not account honourable, but +more like a disgrace than a glory. Indeed, it was considered not +only a poor, but a most shameful exploit for two men to overpower +one. + +But Athisl was filled with such assurance that he bade them both +assail him at once, declaring that if he could not cure them of +the desire to fight, he would at least give them the chance of +fighting more safely. But Ket shrank so much from this favour +that he swore he would accept death sooner: for he thought that +the terms of battle thus offered would be turned into a reproach +to himself. So he engaged hotly with Athisl, who desirous to +fight him in a forbearing fashion, merely thrust lightly with his +blade and struck upon his shield; thus guarding his own safety +with more hardihood than success. When he had done this some +while, he advised him to take his brother to share in his +enterprise, and not be ashamed to ask for the help of another +hand, since his unaided efforts were useless. If he refused, +said Athisl, he should not be spared; then making good his +threats, he assailed him with all his might. But Ket received +him with so sturdy a stroke of his sword, that it split the +helmet and forced its way down upon the head. Stung by the wound +(for a stream of blood flowed from his poll), he attacked Ket +with a shower of nimble blows, and drove him to his knees. Wig, +leaning more to personal love than to general usage, (2) could +not bear the sight, but made affection conquer shame, and +attacking Athisl, chose rather to defend the weakness of his +brother than to look on at it. But he won more infamy than glory +by the deed. In helping his brother he had violated the +appointed conditions of the duel; and the help that he gave him +was thought more useful than honourable. For on the one scale he +inclined to the side of disgrace, and on the other to that of +affection. Thereupon they perceived themselves that their +killing of Athisl had been more swift than glorious. Yet, not to +hide the deed from the common people, they cut off his head, +slung his body on a horse, took it out of the wood, and handed it +over to the dwellers in a village near, announcing that the sons +of Frowin had taken vengeance upon Athisl, King of the Swedes, +for the slaying of their father. Boasting of such a victory as +this, they were received by Wermund with the highest honours; for +he thought they had done a most useful deed, and he preferred to +regard the glory of being rid of a rival with more attention than +the infamy of committing an outrage. Nor did he judge that the +killing of a tyrant was in any wise akin to shame. It passed +into a proverb among foreigners, that the death of the king had +broken down the ancient principle of combat. + +When Wermund was losing his sight by infirmity of age, the King +of Saxony, thinking that Denmark lacked a leader, sent envoys +ordering him to surrender to his charge the kingdom which he held +beyond the due term of life; lest, if he thirsted to hold sway +too long, he should strip his country of laws and defence. For +how could he be reckoned a king, whose spirit was darkened with +age, and his eyes with blindness not less black and awful? If he +refused, but yet had a son who would dare to accept a challenge +and fight with his son, let him agree that the victor should +possess the realm. But if he approved neither offer, let him +learn that he must be dealt with by weapons and not by warnings; +and in the end he must unwillingly surrender what he was too +proud at first to yield uncompelled. Wermund, shaken by deep +sighs, answered that it was too insolent to sting him with these +taunts upon his years; for he had passed no timorous youth, nor +shrunk from battle, that age should bring him to this extreme +misery. It was equally unfitting to cast in his teeth the +infirmity of his blindness: for it was common for a loss of this +kind to accompany such a time of life as his, and it seemed a +calamity fitter for sympathy than for taunts. It were juster to +fix the blame on the impatience of the King of Saxony, whom it +would have beseemed to wait for the old man's death, and not +demand his throne; for it was somewhat better to succeed to the +dead than to rob the living. Yet, that he might not be thought +to make over the honours of his ancient freedom, like a madman, +to the possession of another, he would accept the challenge with +his own hand. The envoys answered that they knew that their king +would shrink from the mockery of fighting a blind man, for such +an absurd mode of combat was thought more shameful than +honourable. It would surely be better to settle the affair by +means of their offspring on either side. The Danes were in +consternation, and at a sudden loss for a reply: but Uffe, who +happened to be there with the rest, craved his father's leave to +answer; and suddenly the dumb as it were spake. When Wermund +asked who had thus begged leave to speak, and the attendants said +that it was Uffe, he declared that it was enough that the +insolent foreigner should jeer at the pangs of his misery, +without those of his own household vexing him with the same +wanton effrontery. But the courtiers persistently averred that +this man was Uffe; and the king said: "He is free, whosoever he +be, to say out what he thinks." Then said Uffe, "that it was +idle for their king to covet a realm which could rely not only on +the service of its own ruler, but also on the arms and wisdom of +most valiant nobles. Moreover, the king did not lack a son nor +the kingdom an heir; and they were to know that he had made up +his mind to fight not only the son of their king, but also, at +the same time, whatsoever man the prince should elect as his +comrade out of the bravest of their nation." + +The envoys laughed when they beard this, thinking it idle lip- +courage. Instantly the ground for the battle was agreed on, and +a fixed time appointed. But the bystanders were so amazed by the +strangeness of Uffe's speaking and challenging, that one can +scarce say if they were more astonished at his words or at his +assurance. + +But on the departure of the envoys Wermund praised him who had +made the answer, because he had proved his confidence in his own +valour by challenging not one only, but two; and said that he +would sooner quit his kingdom for him, whoever he was, than for +an insolent foe. But when one and all testified that he who with +lofty self-confidence had spurned the arrogance of the envoys was +his own son, he bade him come nearer to him, wishing to test with +his hands what he could not with his eyes. Then he carefully +felt his body, and found by the size of his limbs and by his +features that he was his son; and then began to believe their +assertions, and to ask him why he had taken pains to hide so +sweet an eloquence with such careful dissembling, and had borne +to live through so long a span of life without utterance or any +intercourse of talk, so as to let men think him utterly incapable +of speech, and a born mute. He replied that he had been hitherto +satisfied with the protection of his father, that he had not +needed the use of his own voice, until he saw the wisdom of his +own land hard pressed by the glibness of a foreigner. The king +also asked him why he had chosen to challenge two rather than +one. He said he had desired this mode of combat in order that +the death of King Athisl, which, having been caused by two men, +was a standing reproach to the Danes, might be balanced by the +exploit of one, and that a new ensample of valour might erase the +ancient record of their disgrace. Fresh honour, he said, would +thus obliterate the guilt of their old dishonour. + +Wermund said that his son had judged all things rightly, and bade +him first learn the use of arms, since he had been little +accustomed to them. When they were offered to Uffe, he split the +narrow links of the mail-coats by the mighty girth of his chest, +nor could any be found large enough to hold him properly. For he +was too hugely built to be able to use the arms of any other man. +At last, when he was bursting even his father's coat of mail by +the violent compression of his body, Wermund ordered it to be cut +away on the left side and patched with a buckle; thinking it +mattered little if the side guarded by the shield were exposed to +the sword. He also told him to be most careful in fixing on a +sword which he could use safely. Several were offered him; but +Uffe, grasping the hilt, shattered them one after the other into +flinders by shaking them, and not a single blade was of so hard a +temper but at the first blow he broke it into many pieces. But +the king had a sword of extraordinary sharpness, called "Skrep", +which at a single blow of the smiter struck straight through and +cleft asunder any obstacle whatsoever; nor would aught be hard +enough to check its edge when driven home. The king, loth to +leave this for the benefit of posterity, and greatly grudging +others the use of it, had buried it deep in the earth, meaning, +since he had no hopes of his son's improvement, to debar everyone +else from using it. But when he was now asked whether he had a +sword worthy of the strength of Uffe, he said that he had one +which, if he could recognize the lie of the ground and find what +he had consigned long ago to earth, he could offer him as worthy +of his bodily strength. Then he bade them lead him into a field, +and kept questioning his companions over all the ground. At last +he recognised the tokens, found the spot where he had buried the +sword, drew it out of its hole, and handed it to his son. Uffe +saw it was frail with great age and rusted away; and, not daring +to strike with it, asked if he must prove this one also like the +rest, declaring that he must try its temper before the battle +ought to be fought. Wermund replied that if this sword were +shattered by mere brandishing, there was nothing left which could +serve for such strength as his. He must, therefore, forbear from +the act, whose issue remained so doubtful. + +So they repaired to the field of battle as agreed. It is fast +encompassed by the waters of the river Eider, which roll between, +and forbid any approach save by ship. Hither Uffe went +unattended, while the Prince of Saxony was followed by a champion +famous for his strength. Dense crowds on either side, eager to +see, thronged each winding bank, and all bent their eyes upon +this scene. Wermund planted himself on the end of the bridge, +determined to perish in the waters if defeat were the lot of his +son: he would rather share the fall of his own flesh and blood +than behold, with heart full of anguish, the destruction of his +own country. Both the warriors assaulted Uffe; but, distrusting +his sword, he parried the blows of both with his shield, being +determined to wait patiently and see which of the two he must +beware of most heedfully, so that he might reach that one at all +events with a single stroke of his blade. Wermund, thinking that +his feebleness was at fault, that he took the blows so patiently, +dragged himself little by little, in his longing for death, +forward to the western edge of the bridge, meaning to fling +himself down and perish, should all be over with his son. + +Fortune shielded the old father, for Uffe told the prince to +engage with him more briskly, and to do some deed of prowess +worthy of his famous race; lest the lowborn squire should seem +braver than the prince. Then, in order to try the bravery of the +champion, he bade him not skulk timorously at his master's heels, +but requite by noble deeds of combat the trust placed in him by +his prince, who had chosen him to be his single partner in the +battle. The other complied, and when shame drove him to fight at +close quarters, Uffe clove him through with the first stroke of +his blade. The sound revived Wermund, who said that he heard the +sword of his son, and asked "on what particular part he had dealt +the blow?" Then the retainers answered that it had gone through +no one limb, but the man's whole frame; whereat Wermund drew back +from the precipice and came on the bridge, longing now as +passionately to live as he had just wished to die. Then Uffe, +wishing to destroy his remaining foe after the fashion of the +first, incited the prince with vehement words to offer some +sacrifice by way of requital to the shade of the servant slain in +his cause. Drawing him by those appeals, and warily noting the +right spot to plant his blow, he turned the other edge of his +sword to the front, fearing that the thin side of his blade was +too frail for his strength, and smote with a piercing stroke +through the prince's body. When Wermund heard it, he said that +the sound of his sword "Skrep" had reached his ear for the second +time. Then, when the judges announced that his son had killed +both enemies, he burst into tears from excess of joy. Thus +gladness bedewed the cheeks which sorrow could not moisten. So +while the Saxons, sad and shamefaced, bore their champions to +burial with bitter shame, the Danes welcomed Uffe and bounded for +joy. Then no more was heard of the disgrace of the murder of +Athisl, and there was an end of the taunts of the Saxons. + +Thus the realm of Saxony was transferred to the Danes, and Uffe, +after his father, undertook its government; and he, who had not +been thought equal to administering a single kingdom properly, +was now appointed to manage both. Most men have called him Olaf, +and he has won the name of "the Gentle" for his forbearing +spirit. His later deeds, lost in antiquity, have lacked formal +record. But it may well be supposed that when their beginnings +were so notable, their sequel was glorious. I am so brief in +considering his doings, because the lustre of the famous men of +our nation has been lost to memory and praise by the lack of +writings. But if by good luck our land had in old time been +endowed with the Latin tongue, there would have been countless +volumes to read of the exploits of the Danes. + +Uffe was succeeded by his son DAN, who carried his arms against +foreigners, and increased his sovereignty with many a trophy; but +he tarnished the brightness of the glory he had won by foul and +abominable presumption; falling so far away from the honour of +his famous father, who surpassed all others in modesty, that he +contrariwise was puffed up and proudly exalted in spirit, so that +he scorned all other men. He also squandered the goods of his +father on infamies, as well as his own winnings from the spoils +of foreign nations; and he devoured in expenditure on luxuries +the wealth which should have ministered to his royal estate. +Thus do sons sometimes, like monstrous births, degenerate from +their ancestors. + +After this HUGLEIK was king, who is said to have defeated in +battle at sea Homod and Hogrim, the despots of Sweden. + +To him succeeded FRODE, surnamed the Vigorous, who bore out his +name by the strength of his body and mind. He destroyed in war +ten captains of Norway, and finally approached the island which +afterwards had its name from him, meaning to attack the king +himself last of all. This king, Froger, was in two ways very +distinguished, being notable in arms no less than in wealth; and +graced his sovereignty with the deeds of a champion, being as +rich in prizes for bodily feats as in the honours of rank. +According to some, he was the son of Odin, and when he begged the +immortal gods to grant him a boon, received the privilege that no +man should conquer him, save he who at the time of the conflict +could catch up in his hand the dust lying beneath Froger's feet. +When Frode found that Heaven had endowed this king with such +might, he challenged him to a duel, meaning to try to outwit the +favour of the gods. So at first, feigning inexperience, he +besought the king for a lesson in fighting, knowing (he said) his +skill and experience in the same. The other, rejoicing that his +enemy not only yielded to his pretensions, but even made him a +request, said that he was wise to submit his youthful mind to an +old man's wisdom; for his unscarred face and his brow, ploughed +by no marks of battle, showed that his knowledge of such matters +was but slender. So he marked off on the ground two square +spaces with sides an ell long, opposite one another, meaning to +begin by instructing him about the use of these plots. When they +had been marked off, each took the side assigned to him. Then +Frode asked Froger to exchange arms and ground with him, and the +request was readily granted. For Froger was excited with the +dashing of his enemy's arms, because Frode wore a gold-hilted +sword, a breastplate equally bright, and a headpiece most +brilliantly adorned in the same manner. So Frode caught up some +dust from the ground whence Froger had gone, and thought that he +had been granted an omen of victory. Nor was he deceived in his +presage; for he straightway slew Froger, and by this petty trick +won the greatest name for bravery; for he gained by craft what +had been permitted to no man's strength before. + +After him DAN came to the throne. When he was in the twelfth +year of his age, he was wearied by the insolence of the +embassies, which commanded him either to fight the Saxons or to +pay them tribute. Ashamed, he preferred fighting to payment and +was moved to die stoutly rather than live a coward. So he +elected to fight; and the warriors of the Danes filled the Elbe +with such a throng of vessels, that the decks of the ships lashed +together made it quite easy to cross, as though along a +continuous bridge. The end was that the King of Saxony had to +accept the very terms he was demanding from the Danes. + +After Dan, FRIDLEIF, surnamed the Swift, assumed the sovereignty. +During his reign, Huyrwil, the lord of Oland, made a league with +the Danes and attacked Norway. No small fame was added to his +deeds by the defeat of the amazon Rusila, who aspired with +military ardour to prowess in battle: but he gained manly glory +over a female foe. Also he took into his alliance, on account of +their deeds of prowess, her five partners, the children of Finn, +named Brodd, Bild, Bug, Fanning, and Gunholm. Their confederacy +emboldened him to break the treaty which he made with the Danes; +and the treachery of the violation made it all the more +injurious, for the Danes could not believe that he could turn so +suddenly from a friend into an enemy; so easily can some veer +from goodwill into hate. I suppose that this man inaugurated the +morals of our own day, for we do not account lying and treachery +as sinful and sordid. When Huyrwil attacked the southern side of +Zealand, Fridleif assailed him in the harbour which was +afterwards called by Huyrwil's name. In this battle the +soldiers, in their rivalry for glory, engaged with such bravery +that very few fled to escape peril, and both armies were utterly +destroyed; nor did the victory fall to either side, where both +were enveloped in an equal ruin. So much more desirous were they +all of glory than of life. So the survivors of Huyrwil's army, +in order to keep united, had the remnants of their fleet lashed +together at night. But, in the same night, Bild and Brodd cut +the cables with which the ships were joined, and stealthily +severed their own vessels from the rest, thus yielding to their +own terrors by deserting their brethren, and obeying the impulses +of fear rather than fraternal love. When daylight returned, +Fridleif, finding that after the great massacre of their friends +only Huyrwil, Gunholm, Bug, and Fanning were left, determined to +fight them all single-handed, so that the mangled relics of his +fleet might not again have to be imperilled. Besides his innate +courage, a shirt of steel-defying mail gave him confidence; a +garb which he used to wear in all public battles and in duels, as +a preservative of his life. He accomplished his end with as much +fortune as courage, and ended the battle successfully. For, +after slaying Huyrwil, Bug, and Fanning, he killed Gunholm, who +was accustomed to blunt the blade of an enemy with spells, by a +shower of blows from his hilt. But while he gripped the blade +too eagerly, the sinews, being cut and disabled, contracted the +fingers upon the palm, and cramped them with life-long curvature. + +While Fridleif was besieging Dublin, a town in Ireland, and saw +from the strength of the walls that there was no chance of +storming them, he imitated the shrewd wit of Hadding, and ordered +fire to be shut up in wicks and fastened to the wings of +swallows. When the birds got back in their own nesting-place, +the dwellings suddenly flared up; and while the citizens all ran +up to quench them, and paid more heed to abating the fire than to +looking after the enemy, Fridleif took Dublin. After this he +lost his soldiers in Britain, and, thinking that he would find it +hard to get back to the coast, he set up the corpses of the slain +(Amleth's device) and stationed them in line, thus producing so +nearly the look of his original host that its great reverse +seemed not to have lessened the show of it a whit. By this deed +he not only took out of the enemy all heart for fighting, but +inspired them with the desire to make their escape. + + +ENDNOTES: +(1) Jellinge. Lat. "Ialunga", Icel. "Jalangr". +(2) General usage. "publicus consuetudini": namely, the rule of + combat that two should not fight against one. + + + +BOOK FIVE. + +After the death of Fridleif, his son FRODE, aged seven, was +elected in his stead by the unanimous decision of the Danes. But +they held an assembly first, and judged that the minority of the +king should be taken in charge by guardians, lest the sovereignty +should pass away owing to the boyishness of the ruler. For one +and all paid such respect to the name and memory of Fridleif, +that the royalty was bestowed on his son despite his tender +years. So a selection was made, and the brothers Westmar and +Koll were summoned to the charge of bringing up the king. Isulf, +also, and Agg and eight other men of mark were not only entrusted +with the guardianship of the king, but also granted authority to +administer the realm under him. These men were rich in strength +and courage, and endowed with ample gifts of mind as well as of +body. Thus the state of the Danes was governed with the aid of +regents until the time when the king should be a man. + +The wife of Koll was Gotwar, who used to paralyse the most +eloquent and fluent men by her glib and extraordinary insolence; +for she was potent in wrangling, and full of resource in all +kinds of disputation. Words were her weapons; and she not only +trusted in questions, but was armed with stubborn answers. No +man could subdue this woman, who could not fight, but who found +darts in her tongue instead. Some she would argue down with a +flood of impudent words, while others she seemed to entangle in +the meshes of her quibbles, and strangle in the noose of her +sophistries; so nimble a wit had the woman. Moreover, she was +very strong, either in making or cancelling a bargain, and the +sting of her tongue was the secret of her power in both. She was +clever both at making and at breaking leagues; thus she had two +sides to her tongue, and used it for either purpose. + +Westmar had twelve sons, three of whom had the same name -- Grep + in common. These three men were conceived at once and +delivered at one birth, and their common name declared their +simultaneous origin. They were exceedingly skillful swordsmen +and boxers. Frode had also given the supremacy of the sea to +Odd; who was very closely related to the king. Koll rejoiced in +an offspring of three sons. At this time a certain son of +Frode's brother held the chief command of naval affairs for the +protection of the country, Now the king had a sister, Gunwar, +surnamed the Fair because of her surpassing beauty. The sons of +Westmar and Koll, being ungrown in years and bold in spirit, let +their courage become recklessness and devoted their guilt-stained +minds to foul and degraded orgies. + +Their behaviour was so outrageous and uncontrollable that they +ravished other men's brides and daughters, and seemed to have +outlawed chastity and banished it to the stews. Nay, they +defiled the couches of matrons, and did not even refrain from the +bed of virgins. A man's own chamber was no safety to him: there +was scarce a spot in the land but bore traces of their lust. +Husbands were vexed with fear, and wives with insult to their +persons: and to these wrongs folk bowed. No ties were respected, +and forced embraces became a common thing. Love was prostituted, +all reverence for marriage ties died out, and lust was greedily +run after. And the reason of all this was the peace; for men's +bodies lacked exercise and were enervated in the ease so +propitious to vices. At last the eldest of those who shared the +name of Grep, wishing to regulate and steady his promiscuous +wantonness, ventured to seek a haven for his vagrant amours in +the love of the king's sister. Yet he did amiss. For though it +was right that his vagabond and straying delights should be +bridled by modesty, yet it was audacious for a man of the people +to covet the child of a king. She, much fearing the impudence of +her wooer, and wishing to be safer from outrage, went into a +fortified building. Thirty attendants were given to her, to keep +guard and constant watch over her person. + +Now the comrades of Frode, sadly lacking the help of women in the +matter of the wear of their garments, inasmuch as they had no +means of patching or of repairing rents, advised and urged the +king to marry. At first he alleged his tender years as an +excuse, but in the end yielded to the persistent requests of his +people. And when he carefully inquired of his advisers who would +be a fit wife for him, they all praised the daughter of the King +of the Huns beyond the rest. When the question was pushed, what +reason Frode had for objecting to her, he replied that he had +heard from his father that it was not expedient for kings to seek +alliance far afield, or to demand love save from neighbours. +When Gotwar heard this she knew that the king's resistance to his +friends was wily. Wishing to establish his wavering spirit, and +strengthen the courage of his weakling soul, she said: "Bridals +are for young men, but the tomb awaits the old. The steps of +youth go forward in desires and in fortune; but old age declines +helpless to the sepulchre. Hope attends youth; age is bowed with +hopeless decay. The fortune of young men increases; it will +never leave unfinished what it begins." Respecting her words, he +begged her to undertake the management of the suit. But she +refused, pleading her age as her pretext, and declaring herself +too stricken in years to bear so difficult a commission. The +king saw that a bribe was wanted, and, proffering a golden +necklace, promised it as the reward of her embassy. For the +necklace had links consisting of studs, and figures of kings +interspersed in bas-relief, which could be now separated and now +drawn together by pulling a thread inside; a gewgaw devised more +for luxury than use. Frode also ordered that Westmar and Koll, +with their sons, should be summoned to go on the same embassy, +thinking that their cunning would avoid the shame of a rebuff. + +They went with Gotwar, and were entertained by the King of the +Huns at a three days' banquet, ere they uttered the purpose of +their embassy. For it was customary of old thus to welcome +guests. When the feast had been prolonged three days, the +princess came forth to make herself pleasant to the envoys with a +most courteous address, and her blithe presence added not a +little to the festal delights of the banqueters. And as the +drink went faster Westmar revealed his purpose in due course, in +a very merry declaration, wishing to sound the mind of the maiden +in talk of a friendly sort. And, in order not to inflict on +himself a rebuff, he spoke in a mirthful vein, and broke the +ground of his mission, by venturing to make up a sportive speech +amid the applause of the revellers. The princess said that she +disdained Frode because he lacked honour and glory. For in days +of old no men were thought fit for the hand of high-born women +but those who had won some great prize of glory by the lustre of +their admirable deeds. Sloth was the worst of vices in a suitor, +and nothing was more of a reproach in one who sought marriage +than the lack of fame. A harvest of glory, and that alone, could +bring wealth in everything else. Maidens admired in their wooers +not so much good looks as deeds nobly done. So the envoys, +flagging and despairing of their wish, left the further conduct +of the affair to the wisdom of Gotwar, who tried to subdue the +maiden not only with words but with love-philtres, and began to +declare that Frode used his left hand as well as his right, and +was a quick and skillful swimmer and fighter. Also by the drink +which she gave she changed the strictness of the maiden to +desire, and replaced her vanished anger with love and delight. +Then she bade Westmar, Koll, and their sons go to the king and +urge their mission afresh; and finally, should they find him +froward, to anticipate a rebuff by a challenge to fight. + +So Westmar entered the palace with his men-at-arms, and said: +"Now thou must needs either consent to our entreaties, or meet in +battle us who entreat thee. We would rather die nobly than go +back with our mission unperformed; lest, foully repulsed and +foiled of our purpose, we should take home disgrace where we +hoped to will honour. If thou refuse thy daughter, consent to +fight: thou must needs grant one thing or the other. We wish +either to die or to have our prayers beard. Something -- sorrow +if not joy -- we will get from thee. Frode will be better +pleased to hear of our slaughter than of our repulse." Without +another word, he threatened to aim a blow at the king's throat +with his sword. The king replied that it was unseemly for the +royal majesty to meet an inferior in rank in level combat, and +unfit that those of unequal station should fight as equals. But +when Westmar persisted in urging him to fight, he at last bade +him find out what the real mind of the maiden was; for in old +time men gave women who were to marry, free choice of a husband. +For the king was embarrassed, and hung vacillating betwixt shame +and fear of battle. Thus Westmar, having been referred to the +thoughts of the girl's heart, and knowing that every woman is as +changeable in purpose as she is fickle in soul, proceeded to +fulfil his task all the more confidently because he knew how +mutable the wishes of maidens were. His confidence in his charge +was increased and his zeal encouraged, because she had both a +maiden's simplicity, which was left to its own counsels, and a +woman's freedom of choice, which must be wheedled with the most +delicate and mollifying flatteries; and thus she would be not +only easy to lead away, but even hasty in compliance. But her +father went after the envoys, that he might see more surely into +his daughter's mind. She had already been drawn by the stealthy +working of the draught to love her suitor, and answered that the +promise of Frode, rather than his present renown, had made her +expect much of his nature: since he was sprung from so famous a +father, and every nature commonly answered to its origin. The +youth therefore had pleased her by her regard of his future, +rather than his present, glory. These words amazed the father; +but neither could he bear to revoke the freedom he had granted +her, and he promised her in marriage to Frode. Then, having laid +in ample stores, he took her away with the most splendid pomp, +and, followed by the envoys, hastened to Denmark, knowing that a +father was the best person to give away a daughter in marriage. +Frode welcomed his bride most joyfully, and also bestowed the +highest honours upon his future royal father-in-law; and when the +marriage rites were over, dismissed him with a large gift of gold +and silver. + +And so with Hanund, the daughter of the King of the Huns, for his +wife, he passed three years in the most prosperous peace. But +idleness brought wantonness among his courtiers, and peace begot +lewdness, which they displayed in the most abominable crimes. +For they would draw some men up in the air on ropes, and torment +them, pushing their bodies as they hung, like a ball that is +tossed; or they would put a kid's hide under the feet of others +as they walked, and, by stealthily pulling a rope, trip their +unwary steps on the slippery skill in their path; others they +would strip of their clothes, and lash with sundry tortures of +stripes; others they fastened to pegs, as with a noose, and +punished with mock-hanging. They scorched off the beard and hair +with tapers; of others they burned the hair of the groin with a +brand. Only those maidens might marry whose chastity they had +first deflowered. Strangers they battered with bones; others +they compelled to drunkenness with immoderate draughts, and made +them burst. No man might give his daughter to wife unless he had +first bought their favour and goodwill. None might contract any +marriage without first purchasing their consent with a bribe. +Moreover, they extended their abominable and abandoned lust not +only to virgins, but to the multitude of matrons +indiscriminately. Thus a twofold madness incited this mixture of +wantonness and frenzy. Guests and strangers were proffered not +shelter but revilings. All these maddening mockeries did this +insolent and wanton crew devise, and thus under a boy-king +freedom fostered licence. For nothing prolongs reckless sin like +the procrastination of punishment and vengeance. This unbridled +impudence of the soldiers ended by making the king detested, not +only by foreigners, but even by his own people, for the Danes +resented such an arrogant and cruel rule. But Grep was contented +with no humble loves; he broke out so outrageously that he was +guilty of intercourse with the queen, and proved as false to the +king as he was violent to all other men. Then by degrees the +scandal grew, and the suspicion of his guilt crept on with silent +step. The common people found it out before the king. For Grep, +by always punishing all who alluded in the least to this +circumstance, had made it dangerous to accuse him. But the +rumour of his crime, which at first was kept alive in whispers, +was next passed on in public reports; for it is hard for men to +hide another's guilt if they are aware of it. Gunwar had many +suitors; and accordingly Grep, trying to take revenge for his +rebuff by stealthy wiles, demanded the right of judging the +suitors, declaring that the princess ought to make the choicest +match. But he disguised his anger, lest he should seem to have +sought the office from hatred of the maiden. At his request the +king granted him leave to examine the merits of the young men. +So he first gathered all the wooers of Gunwar together on the +pretence of a banquet, and then lined the customary room of the +princess with their heads -- a gruesome spectacle for all the +rest. Yet he forfeited none of his favour with Frode, nor abated +his old intimacy with him. For he decided that any opportunity +of an interview with the king must be paid for, and gave out that +no one should have any conversation with him who brought no +presents. Access, he announced, to so great a general must be +gained by no stale or usual method, but by making interest most +zealously. He wished to lighten the scandal of his cruelty by +the pretence of affection to his king. The people, thus +tormented, vented their complaint of their trouble in silent +groans. None had the spirit to lift up his voice in public +against this season of misery. No one had become so bold as to +complain openly of the affliction that was falling upon them. +Inward resentment vexed the hearts of men, secretly indeed, but +all the more bitterly. + +When Gotar, the King of Norway, heard this, he assembled his +soldiers, and said that the Danes were disgusted with their own +king, and longed for another if they could get the opportunity; +that he had himself resolved to lead an army thither, and that +Denmark would be easy to seize if attacked. Frode's government +of his country was as covetous as it was cruel. Then Erik rose +up and gainsaid the project with contrary reasons. "We +remember," he said, "how often coveters of other men's goods lose +their own. He who snatches at both has oft lost both. It must +be a very strong bird that can wrest the prey from the claws of +another. It is idle for thee to be encouraged by the internal +jealousies of the country, for these are oft blown away by the +approach of an enemy. For though the Danes now seem divided in +counsel, yet they will soon be of one mind to meet the foe. The +wolves have often made peace between the quarrelling swine. +Every man prefers a leader of his own land to a foreigner, and +every province is warmer in loyalty to a native than to a +stranger king. For Frode will not await thee at home, but will +intercept thee abroad as thou comest. Eagles claw each other +with their talons, and fowls fight fronting. Thou thyself +knowest that the keen sight of the wise man must leave no cause +for repentance. Thou hast an ample guard of nobles. Keep thou +quiet as thou art; indeed thou wilt almost be able to find out by +means of others what are thy resources for war. Let the soldiers +first try the fortunes of their king. Provide in peace for thine +own safety, and risk others if thou dost undertake the +enterprise: better that the slave should perish than the master. +Let thy servant do for thee what the tongs do for the smith, who +by the aid of his iron tool guards his hand from scorching, and +saves his fingers from burning. Learn thou also, by using thy +men, to spare and take thought for thyself." + +So spake Erik, and Gotar, who had hitherto held him a man of no +parts, now marvelled that he had graced his answer with sentences +so choice and weighty, and gave him the name of Shrewd-spoken, +thinking that his admirable wisdom deserved some title. For the +young man's reputation had been kept in the shade by the +exceeding brilliancy of his brother Roller. Erik begged that +some substantial gift should be added to the name, declaring that +the bestowal of the title ought to be graced by a present +besides. The king gave him a ship, and the oarsmen called it +"Skroter." Now Erik and Roller were the sons of Ragnar, the +champion, and children of one father by different mothers; +Roller's mother and Erik's stepmother was named Kraka. + +And so, by leave of Gotar, the task of making a raid on the Danes +fell to one Hrafn. He was encountered by Odd, who had at that +time the greatest prestige among the Danes as a rover, for he was +such a skilled magician that he could range over the sea without +a ship, and could often raise tempests by his spells, and wreck +the vessels of the enemy. Accordingly, that he might not have to +condescend to pit his sea-forces against the rovers, he used to +ruffle the waters by enchantment, and cause them to shipwreck his +foes. To traders this man was ruthless, but to tillers of the +soil he was merciful, for he thought less of merchandise than of +the plough-handle, but rated the clean business of the country +higher than the toil for filthy lucre. When he began to fight +with the Northmen he so dulled the sight of the enemy by the +power of his spells that they thought the drawn swords of the +Danes cast their beams from afar off, and sparkled as if aflame. +Moreover, their vision was so blunted that they could not so much +as look upon the sword when it was drawn from the sheath: the +dazzle was too much for their eyesight, which could not endure +the glittering mirage. So Hrafn and many of his men were slain, +and only six vessels slipped back to Norway to teach the king +that it was not so easy to crush the Danes. The survivors also +spread the news that Frode trusted only in the help of his +champions, and reigned against the will of his people, for his +rule had become a tyranny. + +In order to examine this rumour, Roller, who was a great +traveller abroad, and eager to visit unknown parts, made a vow +that he would get into the company of Frode. But Erik declared +that, splendid as were his bodily parts, he had been rash in +pronouncing the vow. At last, seeing him persisting stubbornly +in his purpose, Erik bound himself under a similar vow; and the +king promised them that he would give them for companions +whomsoever they approved by their choice. The brethren, +therefore, first resolved to visit their father and beg for the +stores and the necessaries that were wanted for so long a +journey. He welcomed them paternally, and on the morrow took +them to the forest to inspect the herd, for the old man was +wealthy in cattle. Also he revealed to them treasures which had +long lain hid in caverns of the earth; and they were suffered to +gather up whatsoever of these they would. The boon was accepted +as heartily as it was offered: so they took the riches out of the +ground, and bore away what pleased them. + +Their rowers meanwhile were either refreshing themselves or +exercising their skill with casting weights. Some sped leaping, +some running; others tried their strength by sturdily hurling +stones; others tested their archery by drawing the bow. Thus +they essayed to strengthen themselves with divers exercises. +Some again tried to drink themselves into a drowse. Roller was +sent by his father to find out what had passed at home in the +meanwhile. And when he saw smoke coming from his mother's hut he +went up outside, and, stealthily applying his eye, saw through +the little chink and into the house, where he perceived his +mother stirring a cooked mess in an ugly-looking pot. Also he +looked up at three snakes hanging from above by a thin cord, from +whose mouths flowed a slaver which dribbled drops of moisture on +the meal. Now two of these were pitchy of hue, while the third +seemed to have whitish scales, and was hung somewhat higher than +the others. This last had a fastening on its tail, while the +others were held by a cord round their bellies. Roller thought +the affair looked like magic, but was silent on what he had seen, +that he might not be thought to charge his mother with sorcery. +For he did not know that the snakes were naturally harmless, or +how much strength was being brewed for that meal. Then Ragnar +and Erik came up, and, when they saw the smoke issuing from the +cottage, entered and went to sit at meat. When they were at +table, and Kraka's son and stepson were about to eat together, +she put before them a small dish containing a piebald mess, part +looking pitchy, but spotted with specks of yellow, while part +was whitish: the pottage having taken a different hue answering +to the different appearance of the snakes. And when each had +tasted a single morsel, Erik, judging the feast not by the +colours but by the inward strengthening effected, turned the dish +around very quickly, and transferred to himself the part which +was black but compounded of stronger juices; and, putting over to +Roller the whitish part which had first been set before himself, +throve more on his supper. And, to avoid showing that the +exchange was made on purpose, he said, "Thus does prow become +stern when the sea boils up." The man had no little shrewdness, +thus to use the ways of a ship to dissemble his cunning act. + +So Erik, now refreshed by this lucky meal, attained by its inward +working to the highest pitch of human wisdom. For the potency of +the meal bred in him the fulness of all kinds of knowledge to an +incredible degree, so that he had cunning to interpret even the +utterances of wild beasts and cattle. For he was not only well +versed in all the affairs of men, but he could interpret the +particular feelings which brutes experienced from the sounds +which expressed them. He was also gifted with an eloquence so +courteous and graceful, that he adorned whatsoever he desired to +expound with a flow of witty adages. But when Kraka came up, and +found that the dish had been turned round, and that Erik had +eaten the stronger share of the meal, she lamented that the good +luck she had bred for her son should have passed to her stepson. +Soon she began to sigh, and entreat Eric that he should never +fail to help his brother, whose mother had heaped on him fortune +so rich and strange: for by tasting a single savoury meal he had +clearly attained sovereign wit and eloquence, besides the promise +of success in combat. She added also, that Roller was almost as +capable of good counsel, and that he should not utterly miss the +dainty that had been intended for him. She also told him that in +case of extreme and violent need, he could find speedy help by +calling on her name; declaring that she trusted partially in her +divine attributes, and that, consorting as she did in a manner +with the gods, she wielded an innate and heavenly power. Erik +said that he was naturally drawn to stand by his brother, and +that the bird was infamous which fouled its own nest. But Kraka +was more vexed by her own carelessness than weighed down by her +son's ill-fortune: for in old time it made a craftsman bitterly +ashamed to be outwitted by his own cleverness. + +Then Kraka, accompanied by her husband, took away the brothers on +their journey to the sea. They embarked in a single ship, but +soon attached two others. They had already reached the coast of +Denmark, when, reconnoitering, they learned that seven ships had +come up at no great distance. Then Erik bade two men who could +speak the Danish tongue well, to go to them unclothed, and, in +order to spy better, to complain to Odd of their nakedness, as if +Erik had caused it, and to report when they had made careful +scrutiny. These men were received as friends by Odd, and hunted +for every plan of the general with their sharp ears. He had +determined to attack the enemy unawares at daybreak, that he +might massacre them the more speedily while they were swathed in +their night garments: for he said that men's bodies were wont to +be most dull and heavy at that hour of dawn. He also told them, +thereby hastening what was to prove his own destruction, that his +ships were laden with stones fit for throwing. The spies slipped +off in the first sleep of the night, reported that Odd had filled +all his vessels with pebbles, and also told everything else they +had heard. Erik now quite understood the case, and, when he +considered the smallness of his own fleet, thought that he must +call the waters to destroy the enemy, and win their aid for +himself. + +So he got into a boat and rowed, pulling silently, close up to +the keels of the enemy; and gradually, by screwing in an auger, +he bored the planks (a device practiced by Hadding and also by +Frode), nearest to the water, and soon made good his return, the +oar-beat being scarce audible. Now he bore himself so warily, +that not one of the watchers noted his approach or departure. As +he rowed off, the water got in through the chinks of Odd's +vessels, and sank them, so that they were seen disappearing in +the deep, as the water flooded them more and more within. The +weight of the stones inside helped them mightily to sink. The +billows were washing away the thwarts, and the sea was flush with +the decks, when Odd, seeing the vessels almost on a level with +the waves, ordered the heavy seas that had been shipped to be +baled out with pitchers. And so, while the crews were toiling on +to protect the sinking parts of the vessels from the flood of +waters, the enemy hove close up. Thus, as they fell to their +arms, the flood came upon them harder, and as they prepared to +fight, they found they must swim for it. Waves, not weapons, +fought for Erik, and the sea, which he had himself Enabled to +approach and do harm, battled for him. Thus Erik made better use +of the billow than of the steel, and by the effectual aid of the +waters seemed to fight in his own absence, the ocean lending him +defence. The victory was given to his craft; for a flooded ship +could not endure a battle. Thus was Odd slain with all his crew; +the look-outs were captured, and it was found that no man escaped +to tell the tale of the disaster. + +Erik, when the massacre was accomplished, made a rapid retreat, +and put in at the isle Lesso. Finding nothing there to appease +his hunger, he sent the spoil homeward on two ships, which were +to bring back supplies for another year. He tried to go by +himself to the king in a single ship. So he put in to Zealand, +and the sailors ran about over the shore, and began to cut down +the cattle: for they must either ease their hunger or perish of +famine. So they killed the herd, skinned the carcases, and cast +them on board. When the owners of the cattle found this out, +they hastily pursued the free-booters with a fleet. And when +Erik found that he was being attacked by the owners of the +cattle, he took care that the carcases of the slaughtered cows +should be tied with marked ropes and hidden under water. Then, +when the Zealanders came up, he gave them leave to look about and +see if any of the carcases they were seeking were in his hands; +saying that a ship's corners were too narrow to hide things. +Unable to find a carcase anywhere, they turned their suspicions +on others, and thought the real criminals were guiltless of the +plunder. Since no traces of free-booting were to be seen, they +fancied that others had injured them, and pardoned the culprits. +As they sailed off, Erik lifted the carcase out of the water and +took it in. + +Meantime Frode learnt that Odd and his men had gone down. For a +widespread rumour of the massacre had got wind, though the author +of the deed was unknown. There were men, however, who told how +they had seen three sails putting in to shore, and departing +again northwards. Then Erik went to the harbour, not far from +which Frode was tarrying, and, the moment that he stepped out of +the ship, tripped inadvertently, and came tumbling to the ground. +He found in the slip a presage of a lucky issue, and forecast +better results from this mean beginning. When Grep heard of his +coming, he hastened down to the sea, intending to assail with +chosen and pointed phrases the man whom he had heard was better- +spoken than all other folk. Grep's eloquence was not so much +excellent as impudent, for he surpassed all in stubbornness of +speech. So he began the dispute with reviling, and assailed Erik +as follows: + +Grep: "Fool, who art thou? What idle quest is thine? Tell me, +whence or whither dost thou journey? What is thy road? What thy +desire? Who thy father? What thy lineage? Those have strength +beyond others who have never left their own homes, and the Luck +of kings is their houseluck. For the things of a vile man are +acceptable unto few, and seldom are the deeds of the hated +pleasing." + +Erik: "Ragnar is my father; eloquence clothes my tongue; I have +ever loved virtue only. Wisdom hath been my one desire; I have +travelled many ways over the world, and seen the different +manners of men. The mind of the fool can keep no bounds in +aught: it is base and cannot control its feelings. The use of +sails is better than being drawn by the oar; the gale troubles +the waters, a drearier gust the land. For rowing goes through +the seas and lying the lands; and it is certain that the lands +are ruled with the lips, but the seas with the hand." + +Grep: "Thou art thought to be as full of quibbling as a cock of +dirt. Thou stinkest heavy with filth, and reekest of nought but +sin. There is no need to lengthen the plea against a buffoon, +whose strength is in an empty and voluble tongue." + +Erik: "By Hercules, if I mistake not, the coward word is wont to +come back to the utterer. The gods with righteous endeavour +bring home to the speaker words cast forth without knowledge. As +soon as we espy the sinister ears of the wolf, we believe that +the wolf himself is near. Men think no credit due to him that +hath no credit, whom report accuses of treachery." + +Grep: "Shameless boy, owl astray from the path, night-owl in the +darkness, thou shalt pay for thy reckless words. Thou shalt be +sorry for the words thou now belchest forth madly, and shalt pay +with thy death for thy unhallowed speech. Lifeless thou shalt +pasture crows on thy bloodless corpse, to be a morsel for beasts, +a prey to the ravenous bird." + +Erik: "The boding of the coward, and the will that is trained to +evil, have never kept themselves within due measure. He who +betrays his lord, he who conceives foul devices, will be as great +a snare to himself as to his friends. Whoso fosters a wolf in +his house is thought to feed a thief and a pest for his own +hearth." + +Grep: "I did not, as thou thinkest, beguile the queen, but I was +the guardian of her tender estate. She increased my fortunes, +and her favour first brought me gifts and strength, and wealth +and counsel." + +Erik: "Lo, thy guilty disquiet lies heavy on thee; that man's +freedom is safest whose mind remains untainted. Whoso asks a +slave to be a friend, is deceived; often the henchman hurts his +master." + +At this Grep, shorn of his glibness of rejoinder, set spurs to +his horse and rode away. Now when he reached home, he filled the +palace with uproarious and vehement clamour; and shouting that he +had been worsted in words, roused all his soldiers to fight, as +though he would avenge by main force his luckless warfare of +tongues. For he swore that he would lay the host of the +foreigners under the claws of eagles. But the king warned him +that he should give his frenzy pause for counsel, that blind +plans were commonly hurtful; that nothing could be done both +cautiously and quickly at once; that headstrong efforts were the +worst obstacle; and lastly, that it was unseemly to attack a +handful with a host. Also, said he, the sagacious man was he who +could bridle a raging spirit, and stop his frantic empetuosity in +time. Thus the king forced the headlong rage of the young man to +yield to reflection. But he could not wholly recall to self- +control the frenzy of his heated mind, or prevent the champion of +wrangles, abashed by his hapless debate, and finding armed +vengeance refused him, from asking leave at least to try his +sorceries by way of revenge. He gained his request, and prepared +to go back to the shore with a chosen troop of wizards. So he +first put on a pole the severed head of a horse that had been +sacrificed to the gods, and setting sticks beneath displayed the +jaws grinning agape; hoping that he would foil the first efforts +of Erik by the horror of this wild spectacle. For he supposed +that the silly souls of the barbarians would give away at the +bogey of a protruding neck. + +Erik was already on his road to meet them, and saw the head from +afar off, and, understanding the whole foul contrivance, he bade +his men keep silent and behave warily; no man was to be rash or +hasty of speech, lest by some careless outburst they might give +some opening to the sorceries; adding that if talking happened to +he needed, he would speak for all. And they were now parted by a +river; when the wizards, in order to dislodge Erik from the +approach to the bridge, set up close to the river, on their own +side, the pole on which they had fixed the horse's head. +Nevertheless Erik made dauntlessly for the bridge, and said: "On +the bearer fall the ill-luck of what he bears! May a better +issue attend our steps! Evil befall the evil-workers! Let the +weight of the ominous burden crush the carrier! Let the better +auguries bring us safety!" And it happened according to his +prayer. For straightway the head was shaken off, the stick fell +and crushed the bearer. And so all that array of sorceries was +baffled at the bidding of a single curse, and extinguished. + +Then, as Erik advanced a little, it came into his mind that +strangers ought to fix on gifts for the king. So he carefully +wrapped up in his robe a piece of ice which he happened to find, +and managed to take it to the king by way of a present. But when +they reached the palace he sought entrance first, and bade his +brother follow close behind. Already the slaves of the king, in +order to receive him with mockery as he entered, had laid a +slippery hide on the threshold; and when Erik stepped upon it, +they suddenly jerked it away by dragging a rope, and would have +tripped him as he stood upon it, had not Roller, following +behind, caught his brother on his breast as he tottered. So +Erik, having half fallen, said that "bare was the back of the +brotherless." And when Gunwar said that such a trick ought not +to be permitted by a king, the king condemned the folly of the +messenger who took no heed against treachery. And thus he +excused his flout by the heedlessness of the man he flouted. + +Within the palace was blazing a fire, which the aspect of the +season required: for it was now gone midwinter. By it, in +different groups, sat the king on one side and the champions on +the other. These latter, when Erik joined them, uttered gruesome +sounds like things howling. The king stopped the clamour, +telling them that the noises of wild beasts ought not to be in +the breasts of men. Erik added, that it was the way of dogs, for +all the others to set up barking when one started it; for all +folk by their bearing betrayed their birth and revealed their +race. But when Koll, who was the keeper of the gifts offered to +the king, asked him whether he had brought any presents with him, +he produced the ice which he had hidden in his breast. And when +he had handed it to Koll across the hearth, he purposely let it +go into the fire, as though it had slipped from the hand of the +receiver. All present saw the shining fragment, and it seemed as +though molten metal had fallen into the fire. Erik, maintaining +that it had been jerked away by the carelessness of him who took +it, asked what punishment was due to the loser of the gift. + +The king consulted the opinion of the queen, who advised him not +to relax the statute of the law which he had passed, whereby he +gave warning that all who lost presents that were transmitted to +him should be punished with death. Everyone else also said that +the penalty by law appointed ought not to be remitted. And so +the king, being counselled to allow the punishment as inevitable, +gave leave for Koll to be hanged. + +Then Frode began to accost Erik thus: "O thou, wantoning in +insolent phrase, in boastful and bedizened speech, whence dost +thou say that thou hast come hither, and why?" + +Erik answered: "I came from Rennes Isle, and I took my seat by a +stone." + +Frode rejoined: "I ask, whither thou wentest next?" + +Erik answered. "I went off from the stone riding on a beam, and +often again took station by a stone." + +Frode replied: "I ask thee whither thou next didst bend thy +course, or where the evening found thee?" + +Then said Erik: "Leaving a crag, I came to a rock, and likewise +lay by a stone." + +Frode said: "The boulders lay thick in those parts." + +Erik answered: "Yet thicker lies the sand, plain to see." + +Frode said: "Tell what thy business was, and whither thou +struckest off thence." + +Then said Erik: "Leaving the rock, as my ship ran on, I found a +dolphin." + +Frode said: "Now thou hast said something fresh, though both +these things are common in the sea: but I would know what path +took thee after that?" + +Erik answered: "After a dolphin I went to a dolphin." + +Frode said: "The herd of dolphins is somewhat common." + +Then said Erik: "It does swim somewhat commonly on the waters." + +Frode said: "I would fain blow whither thou wert borne on thy +toilsome journey after leaving the dolphins?" + +Erik answered: "I soon came upon the trunk of a tree." + +Frode rejoined: "Whither didst thou next pass on thy journey?" + +Then said Erik: "From a trunk I passed on to a log." + +Frode said: "That spot must he thick with trees, since thou art +always calling the abodes of thy hosts by the name of trunks." + +Erik replied: "There is a thicker place in the woods." + +Frode went on: "Relate whither thou next didst bear thy steps." + +Erik answered: "Oft again I made my way to the lopped timbers of +the woods; but, as I rested there, wolves that were sated on +human carcases licked the points of the spears. There a lance- +head was shaken from the shaft of the king, and it was the +grandson of Fridleif." + +Frode said: "I am bewildered, and know not what to think about +the dispute: for thou hast beguiled my mind with very dark +riddling." + +Erik answered: "Thou owest me the prize for this contest that is +finished: for under a veil I have declared to thee certain things +thou hast ill understood. For under the name I gave before of +`spear-point' I signified Odd, whom my hand had slain." + +And when the queen also had awarded him the palm of eloquence and +the prize for flow of speech, the king straightway took a +bracelet from his arm, and gave it to him as the appointed +reward, adding: "I would fain learn from thyself thy debate with +Grep, wherein he was not ashamed openly to avow himself +vanquished." + +Then said Erik: "He was smitten with shame for the adultery +wherewith he was taxed; for since he could bring no defence, he +confessed that he had committed it with thy wife." + +The king turned to Hanund and asked her in what spirit she +received the charge; and she not only confessed her guilt by a +cry, but also put forth in her face a blushing signal of her sin, +and gave manifest token of her fault. The king, observing not +only her words, but also the signs of her countenance, but +doubting with what sentence he should punish the criminal, let +the queen settle by her own choice the punishment which her crime +deserved. When she learnt that the sentence committed to her +concerned her own guilt, she wavered awhile as she pondered how +to appraise her transgression; but Grep sprang up and ran forward +to transfix Erik with a spear, wishing to buy off his own death +by slaying the accuser. But Roller fell on him with drawn sword, +and dealt him first the doom he had himself purposed. + +Erik said: "The service of kin is best for the helpless." + +And Roller said: "In sore needs good men should be dutifully +summoned." + +Then Frode said: "I think it will happen to you according to the +common saying, `that the striker sometimes has short joy of his +stroke', and `that the hand is seldom long glad of the smiting'." + +Erik answered: "The man must not be impeached whose deed justice +excuses. For my work is as far as from that of Grep, as an act +of self-defence is from an attack upon another." + +Then the brethren of Grep began to spring up and clamour and +swear that they would either bring avengers upon the whole fleet +of Erik, or would fight him and ten champions with him. + +Erik said to them: "Sick men have to devise by craft some +provision for their journey. He whose sword-point is dull should +only probe things that are soft and tender. He who has a blunt +knife must search out the ways to cut joint by joint. Since, +therefore, it is best for a man in distress to delay the evil, +and nothing is more fortunate in trouble than to stave off hard +necessity, I ask three days' space to get ready, provided that I +may obtain from the king the skill of a freshly slain ox." + +Frode answered: "He who fell on a hide deserves a hide"; thus +openly taunting the asker with his previous fall. But Erik, when +the hide was given him, made some sandals, which he smeared with +a mixture of tar and sand, in order to plant his steps the more +firmly, and fitted them on to the feet of himself and his people. +At last, having meditated what spot he should choose for the +fight -- for he said that he was unskilled in combat by land and +in all warfare -- he demanded it should be on the frozen sea. To +this both sides agreed. The king granted a truce for +preparations, and bade the sons of Westmar withdraw, saying that +it was amiss that a guest, even if he had deserved ill should be +driven from his lodging. Then he went back to examine into the +manner of the punishment, which he had left to the queen's own +choice to exact. For she forebore to give judgment, and begged +pardon for her slip. Erik added, that woman's errors must often +be forgiven, and that punishment ought not to be inflicted, +unless amendment were unable to get rid of her fault. So the +king pardoned Hanund. As twilight drew near, Erik said: "With +Gotar, not only are rooms provided when the soldiers are coming +to feast at the banquet, but each is appointed a separate place +and seat where he is to lie." Then the king gave up for their +occupation the places where his own champions had sat; and next +the servants brought the banquet. But Erik, knowing well the +courtesy of the king, which made him forbid them to use up any of +the meal that was left, cast away the piece of which he had +tasted very little, calling whole portions broken bits of food. +And so, as the dishes dwindled, the servants brought up fresh +ones to the lacking and shamefaced guests, thus spending on a +little supper what might have served for a great banquet. + +So the king said: "Are the soldiers of Gotar wont to squander the +meat after once touching it, as if it were so many pared-off +crusts? And to spurn the first dishes as if they were the last +morsels?" + +Erik said: "Uncouthness claims no place in the manners of Gotar, +neither does any disorderly habit feign there." + +But Frode said: "Then thy manners are not those of thy lord, and +thou hast proved that thou hast not taken all wisdom to heart. +For he who goes against the example of his elders shows himself a +deserter and a renegade." + +Then said Erik: "The wise man must be taught by the wiser. For +knowledge grows by learning, and instruction is advanced by +doctrine." + +Frode rejoined: "This affectation of thine of superfluous words, +what exemplary lesson will it teach me?" + +Erik said: "A loyal few are a safer defence for a king than many +traitors." + +Frode said to him: "Wilt thou then show us closer allegiance than +the rest?" + +Erik answered: "No man ties the unborn (horse) to the crib, or +the unbegotten to the stall. For thou hast not yet experienced +all things. Besides, with Gotar there is always a mixture of +drinking with feasting; liquor, over and above, and as well as +meat, is the joy of the reveller." + +Frode said: "Never have I found a more shameless beggar of meat +and drink." + +Erik replied: "Few reckon the need of the silent, or measure the +wants of him who holds his peace." + +Then the king bade his sister bring forth the drink in a great +goblet. Erik caught hold of her right hand and of the goblet she +offered at the same time, and said: "Noblest of kings, hath thy +benignity granted me this present? Dost thou assure me that what +I hold shall be mine as an irrevocable gift?" + +The king, thinking that he was only asking for the cup, declared +it was a gift. But Erik drew the maiden to him, as if she was +given with the cup. When the king saw it, he said: "A fool is +shown by his deed; with us freedom of maidens is ever held +inviolate." + +Then Erik, feigning that he would cut off the girl's hand with +his sword, as though it had been granted under the name of the +cup, said: "If I have taken more than thou gavest, or if I am +rash to keep the whole, let me at least get some." The king saw +his mistake in his promise, and gave him the maiden, being loth +to undo his heedlessness by fickleness, and that the weight of +his pledge might seem the greater; though it is held an act more +of ripe judgment than of unsteadfastness to take back a foolish +promise. + +Then, taking from Erik security that he would return, he sent him +to the ships; for the time appointed for the battle was at hand. +Erik and his men went on to the sea, then covered near with ice; +and, thanks to the stability of their sandals, felled the enemy, +whose footing was slippery and unsteady. For Frode had decreed +that no man should help either side if it wavered or were +distressed. Then he went back in triumph to the king. So +Gotwar, sorrowing at the destruction of her children who had +miserably perished, and eager to avenge them, announced that it +would please her to have a flyting with Erik, on condition that +she should gage a heavy necklace and he his life; so that if he +conquered he should win gold, but if he gave in, death. Erik +agreed to the contest, and the gage was deposited with Gunwar. +So Gotwar began thus: + + "Quando tuam limas admissa cote bipennem, + Nonne terit tremulas mentula quassa nates?" + +Erik rejoined: + + "Ut cuivis natura pilos in corpore sevit, + Omnis nempe suo barba ferenda loco est. + Re Veneris homines artus agitare necesse est; + Motus quippe suos nam labor omnis habet. + Cum natis excipitur nate, vel cum subdita penem + Vulva capit, quid ad haec addere mas renuit?" + +Powerless to answer this, Gotwar had to give the gold to the man +whom she had meant to kill, and thus wasted a lordly gift instead +of punishing the slayer of her son. For her ill fate was +crowned, instead of her ill-will being avenged. First bereaved, +and then silenced by furious words, she lost at once her wealth +and all reward of her eloquence. She made the man blest who had +taken away her children, and enriched her bereaver with a +present: and took away nothing to make up the slaughter of her +sons save the reproach of ignorance and the loss of goods. +Westmar, when he saw this, determined to attack the man by force, +since he was the stronger of tongue, and laid down the condition +that the reward of the conqueror should be the death of the +conquered, so that the life of both parties was plainly at stake. +Erik, unwilling to be thought quicker of tongue than of hand, did +not refuse the terms. + +Now the manner of combat was as follows. A ring, plaited of +withy or rope, used to be offered to the combatants for them to +drag away by wrenching it with a great effort of foot and hand; +and the prize went to the stronger, for if either of the +combatants could wrench it from the other, he was awarded the +victory. Erik struggled in this manner, and, grasping the rope +sharply, wrested it out of the hands of his opponent. When Erode +saw this, he said: "I think it is hard to tug at a rope with a +strong man." + +And Erik said: "Hard, at any rate, when a tumour is in the body +or a hunch sits on the back." + +And straightway, thrusting his foot forth, he broke the infirm +neck and back of the old man, and crushed him. And so Westmar +failed to compass his revenge: zealous to retaliate, he fell into +the portion of those who need revenging; being smitten down even +as those whose slaughter he had desired to punish. + +Now Frode intended to pierce Erik by throwing a dagger at him. +But Gunwar knew her brother's purpose, and said, in order to warn +her betrothed of his peril, that no man could be wise who took no +forethought for himself. This speech warned Erik to ward off the +treachery, and he shrewdly understood the counsel of caution. +For at once he sprang up and said that the glory of the wise man +would be victorious, but that guile was its own punishment; thus +censuring his treacherous intent in very gentle terms. But the +king suddenly flung his knife at him, yet was too late to hit +him; for he sprang aside, and the steel missed its mark and ran +into the wall opposite. Then said Erik: "Gifts should be handed +to friends, and not thrown; thou hadst made the present +acceptable if thou hadst given the sheath to keep the blade +company." + +On this request the king at once took the sheath from his girdle +and gave it to him, being forced to abate his hatred by the self- +control of his foe. Thus he was mollified by the prudent +feigning of the other, and with goodwill gave him for his own the +weapon which he had cast with ill will. And thus Erik, by taking +the wrong done him in a dissembling manner, turned it into a +favour, accepting as a splendid gift the steel which had been +meant to slay him. For he put a generous complexion on what +Frode had done with intent to harm. Then they gave themselves up +to rest. In the night Gunwar awoke Erik silently, and pointed +out to him that they ought to fly, saying that it was very +expedient to return with safe chariot ere harm was done. He went +with her to the shore, where he happened to find the king's fleet +beached: so, cutting away part of the sides, he made it +unseaworthy, and by again replacing some laths he patched it so +that the damage might be unnoticed by those who looked at it. +Then he caused the vessel whither he and his company had retired +to put off a little from the shore. + +The king prepared to give them chase with his mutilated ships, +but soon the waves broke through; and though he was very heavily +laden with his armour, he began to swim off among the rest, +having become more anxious to save his own life than to attack +that of others. The bows plunged over into the sea, the tide +flooded in and swept the rowers from their seats. When Erik and +Roller saw this they instantly flung themselves into the deep +water, spurning danger, and by swimming picked up the king, who +was tossing about. Thrice the waves had poured over him and +borne him down when Erik caught him by the hair, and lifted him +out of the sea. The remaining crowd of the wrecked either sank +in the waters, or got with trouble to the land. The king was +stripped of his dripping attire and swathed round with dry +garments, and the water poured in floods from his chest as he +kept belching it; his voice also seemed to fail under the +exhaustion of continual pantings. At last heat was restored to +his limbs, which were numbed with cold, and his breathing became +quicker. He had not fully got back his strength, and could sit +but not rise. Gradually his native force returned. But when he +was asked at last whether he sued for life and grace, he put his +hand to his eyes, and strove to lift up their downcast gaze. But +as, little by little, power came back to his body, and as his +voice became more assured, he said: + +"By this light, which I am loth to look on, by this heaven which +I behold and drink in with little joy, I beseech and conjure you +not to persuade me to use either any more. I wished to die; ye +have saved me in vain. I was not allowed to perish in the +waters; at least I will die by the sword. I was unconquered +before; thine, Erik, was the first wit to which I yielded: I was +all the more unhappy, because I had never been beaten by men of +note, and now I let a low-born man defeat me. This is great +cause for a king to be ashamed. This is a good and sufficient +reason for a general to die; it is right that he should care for +nothing so much as glory. If he want that, then take it that he +lacks all else. For nothing about a king is more on men's lips +than his repute. I was credited with the height of understanding +and eloquence. But I have been stripped of both the things +wherein I was thought to excel, and am all the more miserable +because I, the conqueror of kings, am seen conquered by a +peasant. Why grant life to him whom thou hast robbed of honour? +I have lost sister, realm, treasure, household gear, and, what is +greater than them all, renown: I am luckless in all chances, and +in all thy good fortune is confessed. Why am I to be kept to +live on for all this ignominy? What freedom can be so happy for +me that it can wipe out all the shame of captivity? What will +all the following time bring for me? It can beget nothing but +long remorse in my mind, and will savour only of past woes. What +will prolonging of life avail, if it only brings back the memory +of sorrow? To the stricken nought is pleasanter than death, and +that decease is happy which comes at a man's wish, for it cuts +not short any sweetness of his days, but annihilates his disgust +at all things. Life in prosperity, but death in adversity, is +best to seek. No hope of better things tempts me to long for +life. What hap can quite repair my shattered fortunes? And by +now, had ye not rescued me in my peril, I should have forgotten +even these. What though thou shouldst give me back my realm, +restore my sister, and renew my treasure? Thou canst never +repair my renown. Nothing that is patched up can have the lustre +of the unimpaired, and rumour will recount for ages that Frode +was taken captive. Moreover, if ye reckon the calamities I have +inflicted on you, I have deserved to die at your hands; if ye +recall the harms I have done, ye will repent your kindness. Ye +will be ashamed of having aided a foe, if ye consider how +savagely he treated you. Why do ye spare the guilty? Why do ye +stay your hand from the throat of your persecutor? It is fitting +that the lot which I had prepared for you should come home to +myself. I own that if I had happened to have you in my power as +ye now have me, I should have paid no heed to compassion. But if +I am innocent before you in act, I am guilty at least in will. I +pray you, let my wrongful intention, which sometimes is counted +to stand for the deed, recoil upon me. If ye refuse me death by +the sword I will take care to kill myself with my own hand." + +Erik rejoined thus: "I pray that the gods may turn thee from the +folly of thy purpose; turn thee, I say, that thou mayst not try +to end a most glorious life abominably. Why, surely the gods +themselves have forbidden that a man who is kind to others should +commit unnatural self-murder. Fortune has tried thee to find out +with what spirit thou wouldst meet adversity. Destiny has proved +thee, not brought thee low. No sorrow has been inflicted on thee +which a happier lot cannot efface. Thy prosperity has not been +changed; only a warning has been given thee. No man behaves with +self-control in prosperity who has not learnt to endure +adversity. Besides, the whole use of blessings is reaped after +misfortunes have been graciously acknowledged. Sweeter is the +joy which follows on the bitterness of fate. Wilt thou shun thy +life because thou hast once had a drenching, and the waters +closed over thee? But if the waters can crush thy spirit, when +wilt thou with calm courage bear the sword? Who would not reckon +swimming away in his armour more to his glory than to his shame? +How many men would think themselves happy were they unhappy with +thy fortune? The sovereignty is still thine; thy courage is in +its prime; thy years are ripening; thou canst hope to compass +more than thou hast yet achieved. I would not find thee fickle +enough to wish, not only to shun hardships, but also to fling +away thy life, because thou couldst not bear them. None is so +unmanly as he who from fear of adversity loses heart to live. No +wise man makes up for his calamities by dying. Wrath against +another is foolish, but against a man's self it is foolhardy; and +it is a coward frenzy which dooms its owner. But if thou go +without need to thy death for some wrong suffered, or for some +petty perturbation of spirit, whom dost thou leave behind to +avenge thee? Who is so mad that he would wish to punish the +fickleness of fortune by destroying himself? What man has lived +so prosperously but that ill fate has sometimes stricken him? +Hast thou enjoyed felicity unbroken and passed thy days without a +shock, and now, upon a slight cloud of sadness, dost thou prepare +to quit thy life, only to save thy anguish? If thou bear trifles +so ill, how shalt thou endure the heavier frowns of fortune? +Callow is the man who has never tasted of the cup of sorrow; and +no man who has not suffered hardships is temperate in enjoying +ease. Wilt thou, who shouldst have been a pillar of courage, +show a sign of a palsied spirit? Born of a brave sire, wilt thou +display utter impotence? Wilt thou fall so far from thy +ancestors as to turn softer than women? Hast thou not yet begun +thy prime, and art thou already taken with weariness of life? +Whoever set such an example before? Shall the grandson of a +famous man, and the child of the unvanquished, be too weak to +endure a slight gust of adversity? Thy nature portrays the +courage of thy sires; none has conquered thee, only thine own +heedlessness has hurt thee. We snatched thee from peril, we did +not subdue thee; wilt thou give us hatred for love, and set our +friendship down as wrongdoing? Our service should have appeased +thee, and not troubled thee. May the gods never desire thee to +go so far in frenzy, as to persist in branding thy preserver as a +traitor! Shall we be guilty before thee in a matter wherein we +do thee good? Shall we draw anger on us for our service? Wilt +thou account him thy foe whom thou hast to thank for thy life? +For thou wert not free when we took thee, but in distress, and we +came in time to help thee. And, behold, I restore thy treasure, +thy wealth, thy goods. If thou thinkest thy sister was betrothed +to me over-hastily, let her marry the man whom thou commandest; +for her chastity remains inviolate. Moreover, if thou wilt +accept me, I wish to fight for thee. Beware lest thou wrongfully +steel thy mind in anger. No loss of power has shattered thee, +none of thy freedom has been forfeited. Thou shalt see that I am +obeying, not commanding thee. I agree to any sentence thou mayst +pronounce against my life. Be assured that thou art as strong +here as-in thy palace; thou hast the same power to rule here as +in thy court. Enact concerning us here whatsoever would have +been thy will in the palace: we are ready to obey." Thus much +said Erik. + +Now this speech softened the king towards himself as much as +towards his foe. Then, everything being arranged and made +friendly, they returned to the shore. The king ordered that Erik +and his sailors should be taken in carriages. But when they +reached the palace he had an assembly summoned, to which he +called Erik, and under the pledge of betrothal gave him his +sister and command over a hundred men. Then he added that the +queen would be a weariness to him, and that the daughter of Gotar +had taken his liking. He must, therefore, have a fresh embassy, +and the business could best be done by Erik, for whose efforts +nothing seemed too hard. He also said that he would stone Gotwar +to death for her complicity in concealing the crime; but Hanund +he would restore to her father, that he might not have a +traitress against his life dwelling amongst the Danes. Erik +approved his plans, and promised his help to carry out his +bidding; except that he declared that it would be better to marry +the queen, when she had been put away, to Roller, of whom his +sovereignty need have no fears. This opinion Frode received +reverentially, as though it were some lesson vouchsafed from +above. The queen also, that she might not seem to be driven by +compulsion, complied, as women will, and declared that there was +no natural necessity to grieve, and that all distress of spirit +was a creature of fancy: and, moreover, that one ought not to +bewail the punishment that befell one's deserts. And so the +brethren celebrated their marriages together, one wedding the +sister of the king, and the other his divorced queen. + +Then they sailed back to Norway, taking their wives with them. +For the women could not be torn from the side of their husbands, +either by distance of journey or by dread of peril, but declared +that they would stick to their lords like a feather to something +shaggy. They found that Ragnar was dead, and that Kraka had +already married one Brak. Then they remembered the father's +treasure, dug up the money, and bore it off. But Erik's fame had +gone before him, and Gotar had learnt all his good fortune. Now +when Gotar learnt that he had come himself, he feared that his +immense self-confidence would lead him to plan the worst against +the Norwegians, and was anxious to take his wife from him and +marry him to his own daughter in her place: for his queen had +just died, and he was anxious to marry the sister of Frode more +than anyone. Erik, when he learnt of his purpose, called his men +together, and told them that his fortune had not yet got off from +the reefs. Also he said that he saw, that as a bundle that was +not tied by a band fell to pieces, so likewise the heaviest +punishment that was not constrained on a man by his own fault +suddenly collapsed. They had experienced this of late with +Frode; for they saw how at the hardest pass their innocence had +been protected by the help of the gods; and if they continued to +preserve it they should hope for like aid in their adversity. +Next, they must pretend flight for a little while, if they were +attacked by Gotar, for so they would have a juster plea for +fighting. For they had every right to thrust out the hand in +order to shield the head from peril. Seldom could a man carry to +a successful end a battle he had begun against the innocent; so, +to give them a better plea for assaulting the enemy, he must be +provoked to attack them first. + +Erik then turned to Gunwar, and asked her, in order to test her +fidelity, whether she had any love for Gotar, telling her it was +unworthy that a maid of royal lineage should be bound to the bed +of a man of the people. Then she began to conjure him earnestly +by the power of heaven to tell her whether his purpose was true +or reigned? He said that he had spoken seriously, and she cried: +"And so thou art prepared to bring on me the worst of shame by +leaving me a widow, whom thou lovedst dearly as a maid! Common +rumour often speaks false, but I have been wrong in my opinion of +thee. I thought I had married a steadfast man; I hoped his +loyalty was past question; but now I find him to be more fickle +than the winds." Saying this, she wept abundantly. + +Dear to Erik was his wife's fears; presently he embraced her and +said: "I wished to know how loyal thou wert to me. Nought but +death has the right to sever us, but Gotar means to steal thee +away, seeking thy love by robbery. When he has committed the +theft, pretend it is done with thy goodwill; yet put off the +wedding till he has given me his daughter in thy place. When she +has been granted, Gotar and I will hold our marriage on the same +day. And take care that thou prepare rooms for our banqueting +which have a common party-wall, yet are separate: lest perchance, +if I were before thine eyes, thou shouldst ruffle the king with +thy lukewarm looks at him. For this will be a most effective +trick to baffle the wish of the ravisher." Then he bade Brak +(one of his men), to lie in ambush not far from the palace with a +chosen band of his quickest men, that he might help him at need. + +Then he summoned Roller, and fled in his ship with his wife and +all his goods, in order to tempt the king out, pretending panic: +So, when he saw that the fleet of Gotar was pressing him hard, he +said: "Behold how the bow of guile shooteth the shaft of +treachery;" and instantly rousing his sailors with the war-shout, +he steered the ship about. Gotar came close up to him and asked +who was the pilot of the ship, and he was told that it was Erik. +He also shouted a question whether he was the same man who by his +marvellous speaking could silence the eloquence of all other men. +Erik, when he heard this, replied that he had long since received +the surname of the "Shrewd-spoken", and that he had not won the +auspicious title for nothing. Then both went back to the nearest +shore, where Gotar, when he learnt the mission of Erik, said that +he wished for the sister of Frode, but would rather offer his own +daughter to Frode's envoy, that Erik might not repent the passing +of his own wife to another man. Thus it would not be unfitting +for the fruit of the mission to fall to the ambassador. + +Erik, he said, was delightful to him as a son-in-law, if only he +could win alliance with Frode through Gunwar. + +Erik lauded the kindness of the king and approved his judgment, +declaring he could not have expected a greater thing from the +immortal gods than what was now offered him unasked. Still, he +said, the king must first discover Gunwar's own mind and choice. +She accepted the flatteries of the king with feigned goodwill, +and seemed to consent readily to his suit, but besought him to +suffer Erik's nuptials to precede hers; because, if Erik's were +accomplished first, there would be a better opportunity for the +king's; but chiefly on this account, that, if she were to marry +again, she might not be disgusted at her new marriage troth by +the memory of the old recurring. She also declared it +inexpedient for two sets of preparations to be confounded in one +ceremony. The king was prevailed upon by her answers, and highly +approved her requests. + +Gotar's constant talks with Erik furnished him with a store of +most fairshapen maxims, wherewith to rejoice and refresh his +mind. So, not satisfied with giving him his daughter in marriage +he also made over to him the district of Lither, thinking that +their connection deserved some kindness. Now Kraka, whom Erik, +because of her cunning in witchcraft, had brought with him on his +travels, feigned weakness of the eyes, and muffled up her face in +her cloak, so that not a single particle of her head was visible +for recognition. When people asked her who she was, she said +that she was Gunwar's sister, child of the same mother but a +different father. + +Now when they came to the dwelling of Gotar, the wedding-feast of +Alfhild (this was his daughter's name) was being held. Erik and +the king sat at meat in different rooms, with a party-wall in +common, and also entirely covered on the inside with hanging +tapestries. Gunwar sat by Gotar, but Erik sat close between +Kraka on the one side and Alfhild on the other. Amid the +merrymaking, he gradually drew a lath out of the wall, and made +an opening large enough to allow the passage of a human body; and +thus, without the knowledge of the guests, he made a space wide +enough to go through. Then, in the course of the feast, he began +to question his betrothed closely whether she would rather marry +himself or Frode: especially since, if due heed were paid to +matches, the daughter of a king ought to go to the arms of one as +noble as herself, so that the lowliness of one of the pair might +not impair the lordliness of the other. She said that she would +never marry against the permission of her father; but he turned +her aversion into compliance by promises that she should be +queen, and that she should be richer than all other women, for +she was captivated by the promise of wealth quite as much as of +glory. There is also a tradition that Kraka turned the maiden's +inclinations to Frode by a drink which she mixed and gave to her. + +Now Gotar, after the feast, in order to make the marriage-mirth +go fast and furious, went to the revel of Erik. As he passed +out, Gunwar, as she had been previously bidden, went through the +hole in the party-wall where the lath had been removed, and took +the seat next to Erik. Gotar marvelled that she was sitting +there by his side, and began to ask eagerly how and why she had +come there. She said that she was Gunwar's sister, and that the +king was deceived by the likeness of their looks. And when the +king, in order to look into the matter, hurried back to the royal +room, Gunwar returned through the back door by which she had come +and sat in her old place in the sight of all. Gotar, when he saw +her, could scarcely believe his eyes, and in the utmost doubt +whether he had recognized her aright, he retraced his steps to +Erik; and there he saw before him Gunwar, who had got back in her +own fashion. And so, as often as he changed to go from one hall +to the other, he found her whom he sought in either place. By +this time the king was tormented by great wonder at what was no +mere likeness, but the very same face in both places. For it +seemed flatly impossible that different people should look +exactly and undistinguishably alike. At last, when the revel +broke up, he courteously escorted his daughter and Erik as far as +their room, as the manner is at weddings, and went back himself +to bed elsewhere. + +But Erik suffered Alfhild, who was destined for Frode, to lie +apart, and embraced Gunwar as usual, thus outwitting the king. +So Gotar passed a sleepless night, revolving how he had been +apparently deluded with a dazed and wandering mind: for it seemed +to him no mere likeness of looks, but sameness. Thus he was +filled with such wavering and doubtful judgment, that though he +really discerned the truth he thought he must have been mistaken. +At last it flashed across his mind that the wall might have been +tampered with. He gave orders that it should be carefully +surveyed and examined, but found no traces of a breakage: in +fact, the entire room seemed to be whole and unimpaired. For +Erik, early in the night, had patched up the damage of the broken +wall, that his trick might not be detected. Then the king sent +two men privily into the bedroom of Erik to learn the truth, and +bade them stand behind the hangings and note all things +carefully. They further received orders to kill Erik if they +found him with Gunwar. They went secretly into the room, and, +concealing themselves in the curtained corners, beheld Erik and +Gunwar in bed together with arms entwined. Thinking them only +drowsy, they waited for their deeper sleep, wishing to stay until +a heavier slumber gave them a chance to commit their crime. Erik +snored lustily, and they knew it was a sure sign that he slept +soundly; so they straightway came forth with drawn blades in +order to butcher him. Erik was awakened by their treacherous +onset, and seeing their swords hanging over his head, called out +the name of his stepmother, (Kraka), to which long ago he had +been bidden to appeal when in peril, and he found a speedy help +in his need. For his shield, which hung aloft from the rafter, +instantly fell and covered his unarmed body, and, as if on +purpose, covered it from impalement by the cutthroats. He did +not fail to make use of his luck, but, snatching his sword, +lopped off both feet of the nearest of them. Gunwar, with equal +energy, ran a spear through the other: she had the body of a +woman, but the spirit of a man. + +Thus Erik escaped the trap; whereupon he went back to the sea and +made ready to sail off by night. But Roller sounded on his horn +the signal for those who had been bidden to watch close by, to +break into the palace. When the king heard this, he thought it +meant that the enemy was upon them, and made off hastily in a +ship. Meanwhile Brak, and those who had broken in with him, +snatched up the goods of the king, and got them on board Erik's +ships. Almost half the night was spent in pillaging. In the +morning, when the king found that they had fled, he prepared to +pursue them, but was advised by one of his friends not to plan +anything on a sudden or do it in haste. His friend, indeed, +tried to convince him that he needed a larger equipment, and that +it was ill-advised to pursue the fugitives to Denmark with a +handful. But neither could this curb the king's impetuous +spirit; it could not bear the loss; for nothing had stung him +more than this, that his preparations to slay another should have +recoiled on his own men. So he sailed to the harbour which is +now called Omi. Here the weather began to be bad, provision +failed, and they thought it better, since die they must, to die +by the sword than by famine. And so the sailors turned their +hand against one another, and hastened their end by mutual blows. +The king with a few men took to the cliffs and escaped. Lofty +barrows still mark the scene of the slaughter. Meanwhile Erik +ended his voyage fairly, and the wedding of Alfhild and Frode was +kept. + +Then came tidings of an inroad of the Sclavs, and Erik was +commissioned to suppress it with eight ships, since Frode as yet +seemed inexperienced in war. Erik, loth ever to flinch from any +manly undertaking, gladly undertook the business and did it +bravely. Learning that the pirates had seven ships, he sailed up +to them with only one of his own, ordering the rest to be girt +with timber parapets, and covered over with pruned boughs of +trees. Then he advanced to observe the number of the enemy more +fully, but when the Sclavs pursued closely, he beat a quick +retreat to his men. But the enemy, blind to the trap, and as +eager to take the fugitives, rowed smiting the waters fast and +incessantly. For the ships of Erik could not be clearly +distinguished, looking like a leafy wood. The enemy, after +venturing into a winding strait, suddenly saw themselves +surrounded by the fleet of Erik. First, confounded by the +strange sight, they thought that a wood was sailing; and then +they saw that guile lurked under the leaves. Therefore, tardily +repenting their rashness, they tried to retrace their incautious +voyage: but while they were trying to steer about, they saw the +enemy boarding them; Erik, however, put his ship ashore, and +slung stones against the enemy from afar. Thus most of the +Sclavs were killed, and forty taken, who afterwards under stress +of bonds and famine, and in strait of divers torments, gave up +the ghost. + +Meantime Frode, in order to cross on an expedition into Sclavia, +had mustered a mighty fleet from the Danes, as well as from +neighbouring peoples. The smallest boat of this fleet could +carry twelve sailors, and be rowed by as many oars. Then Erik, +bidding his men await him patiently went to tell Frode the +tidings of the defeat he had inflicted. As he sailed along he +happened to see a pirate ship aground on some shallows; and being +wont to utter weighty words upon chance occurrences, he said, +"Obscure is the lot of the base-born, and mean is the fortune of +the lowly." Then he brought his ship up close and destroyed the +pirates, who were trying to get off their own vessel with poles, +and busily engrossed in saving her. This accomplished, he made +his way back to the king's fleet; and wishing to cheer Frode with +a greeting that heralded his victory, he said, "Hail to the maker +of a most prosperous peace!" The king prayed that his word might +come true, and declared that the spirit of the wise man was +prophetic. Erik answered that he spoke truly, and that the petty +victory brought an omen of a greater one; declaring that a +presage of great matters could often be got from trifles. Then +the king counselled him to scatter his force, and ordered the +horsemen of Jutland to go by the land way, while the rest of the +army went by the short sea-passage. But the sea was covered with +such a throng of vessels, that there were not enough harbours to +take them in, nor shores for them to encamp on, nor money for +their provisions; while the land army is said to have been so +great that, in order to shorten the way, it levelled mountains, +made marshes passable, filled up pits with material, and the +hugest chasms by casting in great boulders. + +Meanwhile Strunik the King of the Sclavs sent envoys to ask for a +truce; but Frode refused him time to equip himself, saying that +an enemy ought not to be furnished with a truce. Moreover, he +said, he had hitherto passed his life without experience of war, +and now he ought not to delay its beginning by waiting in doubt; +for the man that conducted his first campaign successfully might +hope for as good fortune in the rest. For each side would take +the augury afforded by the first engagements as a presage of the +combat; since the preliminary successes of war were often a +prophecy of the sequel. Erik commended the wisdom of the reply, +declaring that the game ought to be played abroad just as it had +been begun at home: meaning that the Danes had been challenged by +the Sclavs. After these words he fought a furious battle, slew +Strunik with the bravest of his race, and received the surrender +of the rest. Then Frode called the Sclavs together, and +proclaimed by a herald that any man among them who had been +trained to theft or plunder should be speedily given up; +promising that he would reward the character of such men with the +highest honours. He also ordered that all of them, who were +versed in evil arts should come forth to have their reward. This +offer pleased the Sclavs: and some of them, tempted by their +hopes of the gift, betrayed themselves with more avarice than +judgment, before the others could make them known. These were +misled by such great covetousness, that they thought less of +shame than lucre, and accounted as their glory what was really +their guilt. When these had given themselves up of their own +will, he said: "Sclavs! This is the pest from which you must +clear your land yourselves." And straightway he ordered the +executioners to seize them, and had them fixed upon the highest +gallows by the hand of their own countrymen. The punishers +looked fewer than the punished. And thus the shrewd king, by +refusing to those who owned their guilt the pardon which he +granted to the conquered foe, destroyed almost the entire stock +of the Sclavic race. Thus the longing for an undeserved reward +was visited with a deserved penalty, and the thirst for an undue +wage justly punished. I should think that these men were rightly +delivered to their doom, who brought the peril on their own heads +by speaking, when they could have saved their lives by the +protection of silence. + +The king, exalted by the honours of his fresh victory, and loth +to seem less strong in justice than in battle, resolved to +remodel his army by some new laws, some of which are retained by +present usage, while others men have chosen to abolish for new +ones. (a) For he decreed, when the spoil was divided, that each +of the vanguard should receive a greater share than the rest of +the soldiery: while he granted all gold that was taken to the +generals (before whom the standards were always borne in battle) +on account of their rank; wishing the common soldiers to be +content with silver. He ordered that the arms should go to the +champions, but the captured ships should pass to the common +people, as the due of those who had the right of building and +equipping vessels. (b) Also he forbade that anyone should +venture to lock up his household goods, as he would receive +double the value of any losses from the treasury of the king; but +if anyone thought fit to keep it in locked coffers, he must pay +the king a gold mark. He also laid down that anyone who +spared a thief should be punished as a thief. (d) Further, that +the first man to flee in battle should forfeit all common rights. +(e) But when he had returned into Denmark he wished to amend by +good measures any corruption caused by the evil practices of +Grep; and therefore granted women free choice in marriage, so +that there might be no compulsory wedlock. And so he provided by +law that women should be held duly married to those whom they had +wedded without consulting their fathers. (f) But if a free woman +agreed to marry a slave, she must fall to his rank, lose the +blessing of freedom, and adopt the standing of a slave. (g) He +also imposed on men the statute that they must marry any woman +whom they had seduced. (h) He ordained that adulterers should be +deprived of a member by the lawful husbands, so that continence +might not be destroyed by shameful sins. (I) Also he ordained +that if a Dane plundered another Dane, he should repay double, +and be held guilty of a breach of the peace. (k) And if any man +were to take to the house of another anything which he had got by +thieving, his host, if he shut the door of his house behind the +man, should incur forfeiture of all his goods, and should be +beaten in full assembly, being regarded as having made himself +guilty of the same crime. (l) Also, whatsoever exile should turn +enemy to his country, or bear a shield against his countrymen, +should be punished with the loss of life and goods. (m) But if +any man, from a contumacious spirit, were slack in fulfilling the +orders of the king, he should be punished with exile. For, on +all occasion of any sudden and urgent war, an arrow of wood, +looking like iron, used to be passed on everywhere from man to +man as a messenger. (n) But if any one of the commons went in +front of the vanguard in battle, he was to rise from a slave into +a freeman, and from a peasant into a nobleman; but if he were +nobly-born already, he should be created a governor. So great a +guerdon did valiant men earn of old; and thus did the ancients +think noble rank the due of bravery. For it was thought that the +luck a man had should be set down to his valour, and not his +valour to his luck. (o) He also enacted that no dispute should +be entered on with a promise made under oath and a gage +deposited; but whosoever requested another man to deposit a gage +against him should pay that man half a gold mark, on pain of +severe bodily chastisement. For the king had foreseen that the +greatest occasions of strife might arise from the depositing of +gages. (p) But he decided that any quarrel whatsoever should be +decided by the sword, thinking a combat of weapons more +honourable than one of words. But if either of the combatants +drew back his foot, and stepped out of the ring of the circle +previously marked, he was to consider himself conquered, and +suffer the loss of his case. But a man of the people, if he +attacked a champion on any score, should be armed to meet him; +but the champion should only fight with a truncheon an ell long. +(q) Further, he appointed that if an alien killed a Dane, his +death should be redressed by the slaying of two foreigners. + +Meanwhile, Gotar, in order to punish Erik, equipped his army for +war: and Frode, on the other side, equipped a great fleet to go +against Norway. When both alike had put into Rennes-Isle, Gotar, +terrified by the greatness of Frode's name, sent ambassadors to +pray for peace. Erik said to them, "Shameless is the robber who +is the first to seek peace, or ventures to offer it to the good. +He who longs to win must struggle: blow must counter blow, malice +repel malice." + +Gotar listened attentively to this from a distance, and then +said, as loudly as he could: "Each man fights for valour +according as he remembers kindness." Erik said to him: "I have +requited thy kindness by giving thee back counsel." By this +speech he meant that his excellent advice was worth more than all +manner of gifts. And, in order to show that Gotar was ungrateful +for the counsel he had received, he said: "When thou desiredst to +take my life and my wife, thou didst mar the look of thy fair +example. Only the sword has the right to decide between us." +Then Gotar attacked the fleet of the Danes; he was unsuccessful +in the engagement, and slain. + +Afterwards Roller received his realm from Frode as a gift; it +stretched over seven provinces. Erik likewise presented Roller +with the province which Gotar had once bestowed upon him. After +these exploits Frode passed three years in complete and tranquil +peace. + +Meanwhile the King of the Huns, when he heard that his daughter +had been put away, allied himself with Olmar, King of the +Easterlings, and in two years equipped an armament against the +Danes. So Frode levied an army not only of native Danes, but +also of Norwegians and Sclavs. Erik, whom he had sent to spy out +the array of the enemy, found Olmar, who had received the command +of the fleet, not far from Russia; while the King of the Huns led +the land forces. He addressed Olmar thus: + +"What means, prithee, this strong equipment of war? Or whither +dost thou speed, King Olmar, mighty in thy fleet?" + +Olmar. "We are minded to attack the son of Fridleif. And who +art thou, whose bold lips ask such questions?" + +Erik. "Vain hope of conquering the unconquered hath filled thy +heart; over Frode no man can prevail." + +Olmar. "Whatsoever befalls, must once happen for the first time; +and often enough the unexpected comes to pass." + +By this saying he let him know that no man must put too much +trust in fortune. Then Erik rode up to inspect the army of the +Huns. As it passed by him, and he in turn by it, it showed its +vanguard to the rising and its rear to the setting sun. So he +asked those whom he met, who had the command of all those +thousands. Hun, the King of the Huns, happened to see him, and +heard that he had undertaken to reconnoitre, and asked what was +the name of the questioner. Erik said he was the man who came +everywhere and was found nowhere. Then the king, when an +interpreter was brought, asked what work Frode was about. Erik +replied, "Frode never waits at home for a hostile army, nor +tarries in his house for his foe. For he who covets the pinnacle +of another's power must watch and wake all night. No man has +ever won a victory by snoring, and no wolf has ever found a +carcase by lying asleep." + +The king, perceiving that he was a cunning speaker of choice +maxims, said: "Here, perchance, is that Erik who, as I have +heard, accused my daughter falsely." + +But Erik, when they were bidden to seize him instantly, said that +it was unseemly for one man to be dragged off by really; and by +this saying he not only appeased the mind of the king, but even +inclined him to be willing to pardon him. But it was clear that +this impunity came more from cunning than kindness; for the chief +reason why he was let go was that he might terrify Frode by the +report of their vast numbers. When he returned, Frode bad him +relate what he had discovered, and he said that he had seen six +kings each with his fleet; and that each of these fleets +contained five thousand ships, each ship being known to hold +three hundred rowers. Each millenary of the whole total he said +consisted of four wings; now, since the full number of a wing is +three hundred, he meant that a millenary should be understood to +contain twelve hundred men. When Frode wavered in doubt what he +could do against so many, and looked eagerly round for +reinforcements, Erik said: "Boldness helps the righteous; a +valiant dog must attack the bear; we want wolf-hounds, and not +little unwarlike birds." This said, he advised Frode to muster +his fleet. When it was drawn up they sailed off against the +enemy; and so they fought and subdued the islands lying between +Denmark and the East; and as they advanced thence, met some ships +of the Ruthenian fleet. Frode thought it shameful to attack such +a handful, but Erik said: "We must seek food from the gaunt and +lean. He who falls shall seldom fatten, nor has that man the +power to bite whom the huge sack has devoured." By this warning +he cured the king of all shame about making an assault, and +presently induced him to attack a small number with a throng; for +he showed him that advantage must be counted before honour. + +After this they went on to meet Olmar, who because of the +slowness of his multitude preferred awaiting the enemy to +attacking it; for the vessels of the Ruthenians seemed +disorganized, and, owing to their size, not so well able to row. +But not even did the force of his multitudes avail him. For the +extraordinary masses of the Ruthenians were stronger in numbers +than in bravery, and yielded the victory to the stout handful of +the Danes. + +When Frode tried to return home, his voyage encountered an +unheard-of difficulty. For the crowds of dead bodies, and +likewise the fragments of shields and spears, bestrewed the +entire gulf of the sea, and tossed on the tide, so that the +harbours were not only straitened, but stank. The vessels stuck, +hampered amid the corpses. They could neither thrust off with +oars, nor drive away with poles, the rotting carcases that +floated around, or prevent, when they had put one away, another +rolling up and driving against the fleet. You would have thought +that a war had arisen with the dead, and there was a strange +combat with the lifeless. + +So Frode summoned the nations which he had conquered, and enacted +(a) that any father of a family who had fallen in that war should +be buried with his horse and all his arms and decorations. And +if any body-snatcher, in his abominable covetousness, made an +attempt on him, he was to suffer for it, not only with his life, +but also with the loss of burial for his own body; he should have +no barrow and no funeral. For he thought it just that he who +despoiled another's ashes should be granted no burial, but should +repeat in his own person the fate he had inflicted on another. +He appointed that the body of a centurion or governor should +receive funeral on a pyre built of his own ship. He ordered that +the bodies of every ten pilots should be burnt together with a +single ship, but that every earl or king that was killed should +be put on his own ship and burnt with it. He wished this nice +attention to be paid in conducting the funerals of the slain, +because he wished to prevent indiscriminate obsequies. By this +time all the kings of the Russians except Olmar and Dag had +fallen in battle. (b) He also ordered the Russians to conduct +their warfare in imitation of the Danes, and never to marry a +wife without buying her. He thought that bought marriages would +have more security, believing that the troth which was sealed +with a price was the safest. (d) Moreover, anyone who durst +attempt the violation of a virgin was to be punished with the +severance of his bodily parts, or else to requite the wrong of +his intercourse with a thousand talents. (e) He also enacted +that any man that applied himself to war, who aspired to the +title of tried soldier, should attack a single man, should stand +the attack of two, should only withdraw his foot a little to +avoid three, but should not blush to flee from four. (f) He also +proclaimed that a new custom concerning the pay of the soldiers +should be observed by the princes under his sway. He ordered +that each native soldier and housecarl should be presented in the +winter season with three marks of silver, a common or hired +soldier with two, a private soldier who had finished his service +with only one. By this law he did injustice to valour, reckoning +the rank of the soldiers and not their courage; and he was open +to the charge of error in the matter, because he set familiar +acquaintance above desert. + +After this the king asked Erik whether the army of the Huns was +as large as the forces of Olmar, and Erik answered in the +following song: + +"By Hercules, I came on a countless throng, a throng that neither +earth nor wave could hold. Thick flared all their camp-fires, +and the whole wood blazed up; the flame betokened a numberless +array. The earth sank under the fraying of the horse-hoofs; +creaking waggons rattled swiftly. The wheels rumbled, the driver +rode upon the winds, so that the chariots sounded like thunder. +The earth hardly bore the throngs of men-at-arms, speeding on +confusedly; they trod it, but it could not bear their weight. I +thought that the air crashed and the earth was shaken, so mighty +was the motion of the stranger army. For I saw fifteen standards +flickering at once; each of them had a hundred lesser standards, +and after each of these could have been seen twenty; and the +captains in their order were equal in number to the standards." + +Now when Frode asked wherewithal he was to resist so many, Erik +instructed him that he must return home and suffer the enemy +first to perish of their own hugeness. His counsel was obeyed, +the advice being approved as heartily as it was uttered. But the +Huns went on through pathless deserts, and, finding provisions +nowhere, began to run the risk of general starvation; for it was +a huge and swampy district, and nothing could be found to relieve +their want. At last, when the beasts of burden had been cut down +and eaten, they began to scatter, lacking carriages as much as +food. Now their straying from the road was as perilous to them +as their hunger. Neither horses nor asses were spared, nor did +they refrain from filthy garbage. At last they did not even +spare dogs: to dying men every abomination was lawful; for there +is nothing too hard for the bidding of extreme need. At last +when they were worn out with hunger, there came a general +mortality. Bodies were carried out for burial without end, for +all feared to perish, and none pitied the perishing. Fear indeed +had cast out humanity. So first the divisions deserted from the +king little by little; and then the army melted away by +companies. He was also deserted by the prophet Ygg, a man of +unknown age, which was prolonged beyond the human span; this man +went as a deserter to Frode, and told him of all the preparations +of the Huns. + +Meanwhile Hedin, prince of a considerable tribe of the +Norwegians, approached the fleet of Frode with a hundred and +fifty vessels. Choosing twelve out of these, he proceeded to +cruise nearer, signalling the approach of friends by a shield +raised on the mast. He thus greatly augmented the forces of the +king, and was received into his closest friendship. A mutual +love afterwards arose between this man and Hilda, the daughter of +Hogni, a chieftain of the Jutes, and a maiden of most eminent +renown. For, though they had not yet seen one another, each had +been kindled by the other's glory. But when they had a chance of +beholding one another, neither could look away; so steadfast was +the love that made their eyes linger. + +Meanwhile, Frode distributed his soldiers through the towns, and +carefully gathered in the materials needed for the winter +supplies; but even so he could not maintain his army, with its +burden of expense: and plague fell on him almost as great as the +destruction that met the Huns. Therefore, to prevent the influx +of foreigners, he sent a fleet to the Elbe to take care that +nothing should cross; the admirals were Revil and Mevil. When +the winter broke up, Hedin and Hogni resolved to make a roving- +raid together; for Hogni did not know that his partner was in +love with his daughter. Now Hogni was of unusual stature, and +stiff in temper; while Hedin was very comely, but short. Also, +when Frode saw that the cost of keeping up his army grew daily +harder to bear, he sent Roller to Norway, Olmar to Sweden, King +Onef and Glomer, a rover captain, to the Orkneys for supplies, +each with his own forces. Thirty kings followed Frode, and were +his friends or vassals. But when Hun heard that Frode had sent +away his forces he mustered another and a fresh army. But Hogni +betrothed his daughter to Hedin, after they had sworn to one +another that whichever of them should perish by the sword should +be avenged by the other. + +In the autumn, the men in search of supplies came back, but they +were richer in trophies than in food. For Roller had made +tributary the provinces Sundmor and Nordmor, after slaying Arthor +their king. But Olmar conquered Thor the Long, the King of the +Jemts and the Helsings, with two other captains of no less power, +and also took Esthonia and Kurland, with Oland, and the isles +that fringe Sweden; thus he was a most renowned conqueror of +savage lands. So he brought back 700 ships, thus doubling the +numbers of those previously taken out. Onef and Glomer, Hedin +and Hogni, won victories over the Orkneys, and returned with 900 +ships. And by this time revenues had been got in from far and +wide, and there were ample materials gathered by plunder to +recruit their resources. They had also added twenty kingdoms to +the sway of Frode, whose kings, added to the thirty named before, +fought on the side of the Danes. + +Trusting in their strength, they engaged with the Huns. Such a +carnage broke out on the first day of this combat that the three +chief rivers of Russia were bestrewn with a kind of bridge of +corpses, and could be crossed and passed over. Also the traces +of the massacre spread so wide that for the space of three days' +ride the ground was to be seen covered with human carcases. So, +when the battle had been seven days prolonged, King Hun fell; and +his brother of the same name, when he saw the line of the Huns +giving way, without delay surrendered himself and his company. +In that war 170 kings, who were either Huns or fighting amongst +the Huns, surrendered to the king. This great number Erik had +comprised in his previous description of the standards, when he +was giving an account of the multitude of the Huns in answer to +the questions of Frode. So Frode summoned the kings to assembly, +and imposed a rule upon them that they should all live under one +and the same law. Now he set Olmar over Holmgard; Onef over +Conogard; and he bestowed Saxony on Hun, his prisoner, and gave +Revil the Orkneys. To one Dimar he allotted the management of +the provinces of the Helsings, of the Jarnbers, and the Jemts, as +well as both Laplands; while on Dag he bestowed the government of +Esthonia. Each of these men he burdened with fixed conditions of +tribute, thus making allegiance a condition of his kindness. So +the realms of Frode embraced Russia on the east, and on the west +were bounded by the Rhine. + +Meantime, certain slanderous tongues accused Hedin to Hogni of +having tempted and defiled his daughter before the rites of +betrothal; which was then accounted an enormous crime by all +nations. So the credulous ears of Hogni drank in this lying +report, and with his fleet he attacked Hedin, who was collecting +the king's dues among the Slavs; there was an engagement, and +Hogni was beaten, and went to Jutland. And thus the peace +instituted by Frode was disturbed by intestine war, and natives +were the first to disobey the king's law. Frode, therefore, sent +men to summon them both at once, and inquired closely what was +the reason of their feud. When he had heard it, he gave judgment +according to the terms of the law he had enacted; but when he saw +that even this could not reconcile them (for the father +obstinately demanded his daughter back), he decreed that the +quarrel should be settled by the sword -- it seemed the only +remedy for ending the dispute. The fight began, and Hedin was +grievously wounded; but when he began to lose blood and bodily +strength, he received unexpected mercy from his enemy. For +though Hogni had an easy chance of killing him, yet, pitying +youth and beauty, he constrained his cruelty to give way to +clemency. And so, loth to cut off a stripling who was panting at +his last gasp, he refrained his sword. For of old it was +accounted shameful to deprive of his life one who was ungrown or +a weakling; so closely did the antique bravery of champions take +heed of all that could incline them to modesty. So Hedin, with +the help of his men, was taken back to his ship, saved by the +kindness of his foe. + +In the seventh year after, these same men began to fight on +Hedin's isle, and wounded each other so that they died. Hogni +would have been lucky if he had shown severity rather than +compassion to Hedin when he had once conquered him. They say +that Hilda longed so ardently for her husband, that she is +believed to have conjured up the spirits of the combatants by her +spells in the night in order to renew the war. + +At the same time came to pass a savage war between Alrik, king of +the Swedes, and Gestiblind, king of the Goths. The latter, being +the weaker, approached Frode as a suppliant, willing, if he might +get his aid, to surrender his kingdom and himself. He soon +received the aid of Skalk, the Skanian, and Erik, and came back +with reinforcements. He had determined to let loose his attack +on Alrik, but Erik thought that he should first assail his son +Gunthion, governor of the men of Wermland and Solongs, declaring +that the storm-weary mariner ought to make for the nearest shore, +and moreover that the rootless trunk seldom burgeoned. So he +made an attack, wherein perished Gunthion, whose tomb records his +name. Alrik, when he heard of the destruction of his son, +hastened to avenge him, and when he had observed his enemies, he +summoned Erik, and, in a secret interview, recounted the leagues +of their fathers, imploring him to refuse to fight for +Gestiblind. This Erik steadfastly declined, and Alrik then asked +leave to fight Gestiblind, thinking that a duel was better than a +general engagement. But Erik said that Gestiblind was unfit for +arms by reason of old age, pleading his bad health, and above all +his years; but offered himself to fight in his place, explaining +that it would be shameful to decline a duel on behalf of the man +for whom he had come to make a war. Then they fought without +delay: Alrik was killed, and Erik was most severely wounded; it +was hard to find remedies, and he did not for long time recover +health. Now a false report had come to Frode that Erik had +fallen, and was tormenting the king's mind with sore grief; but +Erik dispelled this sadness with his welcome return; indeed, he +reported to Frode that by his efforts Sweden, Wermland, +Helsingland, and the islands of the Sun (Soleyar) had been added +to his realm. Frode straightway made him king of the nations he +had subdued, and also granted to him Helsingland with the two +Laplands, Finland and Esthonia, under a yearly tribute. None of +the Swedish kings before him was called by the name of Erik, but +the title passed from him to the rest. + +At the same time Alf was king in Hethmark, and he had a son +Asmund. Biorn ruled in the province of Wik, and had a son Aswid. +Asmund was engaged on an unsuccessful hunt, and while he was +proceeding either to stalk the game with dogs or to catch it in +nets, a mist happened to come on. By this he was separated from +his sharers on a lonely track, wandered over the dreary ridges, +and at last, destitute of horse and clothing, ate fungi and +mushrooms, and wandered on aimlessly till he came to the dwelling +of King Biorn. Moreover, the son of the king and he, when they +had lived together a short while, swore by every vow, in order to +ratify the friendship which they observed to one another, that +whichever of them lived longest should be buried with him who +died. For their fellowship and love were so strong, that each +determined he would not prolong his days when the other was cut +off by death. + +After this Frode gathered together a host of all his subject +nations, and attacked Norway with his fleet, Erik being bidden to +lead the land force. For, after the fashion of human greed, the +more he gained the more he wanted, and would not suffer even the +dreariest and most rugged region of the world to escape this kind +of attack; so much is increase of wealth wont to encourage +covetousness. So the Norwegians, casting away all hope of self- +defence, and losing all confidence in their power to revolt, +began to flee for the most part to Halogaland. The maiden Stikla +also withdrew from her country to save her chastity, proferring +the occupations of war to those of wedlock. + +Meanwhile Aswid died of an illness, and was consigned with his +horse and dog to a cavern in the earth. And Asmund, because of +his oath of friendship, had the courage to be buried with him, +food being put in for him to eat. + +Now just at this time Erik, who had crossed the uplands with his +army, happened to draw near the barrow of Aswid; and the Swedes, +thinking that treasures were in it, broke the hill open with +mattocks, and saw disclosed a cave deeper than they had thought. +To examine it, a man was wanted, who would lower himself on a +hanging rope tied around him. One of the quickest of the youths +was chosen by lot; and Asmund, when he saw him let down in a +basket following a rope, straightway cast him out and climbed +into the basket. Then he gave the signal to draw him up to those +above who were standing by and controlling the rope. They drew +in the basket in the hopes of great treasure; but when they saw +the unknown figure of the man they had taken out, they were +scared by his extraordinary look, and, thinking that the dead had +come to life, flung down the rope and fled all ways. For Asmund +looked ghastly and seemed to be covered as with the corruption of +the charnel. He tried to recall the fugitives, and began to +clamour that they were wrongfully afraid of a living man. And +when Erik saw him, he marvelled most at the aspect of his bloody +face: the blood flowing forth and spurting over it. For Aswid +had come to life in the nights, and in his continual struggles +had wrenched off his left ear; and there was to be seen the +horrid sight of a raw and unhealed scar. And when the bystanders +bade him tell how he had got such a wound, he began to speak +thus: -- + +"Why stand ye aghast, who see me colourless? Surely every live +man fades among the dead. Evil to the lonely man, and burdensome +to the single, remains every dwelling in the world. Hapless are +they whom chance hath bereft of human help. The listless night +of the cavern, the darkness of the ancient den, have taken all +joy from my eyes and soul. The ghastly ground, the crumbling +barrow, and the heavy tide of filthy things have marred the grace +of my youthful countenance, and sapped my wonted pith and force. +Besides all this, I have fought with the dead, enduring the heavy +burden and grievous peril of the wrestle; Aswid rose again and +fell on me with rending nails, by hellish might renewing ghastly +warfare after he was ashes. + +"Why stand ye aghast, who see me colourless? Surely every live +man fades among the dead. + +"By some strange enterprise of the power of hell the spirit of +Aswid was sent up from the nether world, and with cruel tooth +eats the fleet-footed (horse), and has given his dog to his +abominable jaws. Not sated with devouring the horse or hound, he +soon turned his swift nails upon me, tearing my cheek and taking +off my ear. Hence the hideous sight of my slashed countenance, +the blood-spurts in the ugly wound. Yet the bringer of horrors +did it not unscathed; for soon I cut off his head with my steel, +and impaled his guilty carcase with a stake. + +"Why stand ye aghast who see me colourless? Surely every live +man fades among the dead." + +Frode had by this taken his fleet over to Halogaland; and here, +in order to learn the numbers of his host, which seemed to +surpass all bounds and measure that could be counted, he ordered +his soldiers to pile up a hill, one stone being cast upon the +heap for each man. The enemy also pursued the same method of +numbering their host, and the hills are still to be seen to +convince the visitor. Here Frode joined battle with the +Norwegians, and the day was bloody. At nightfall both sides +determined to retreat. As daybreak drew near, Erik, who had come +across the land, came up and advised the king to renew the +battle. In this war the Danes suffered such slaughter that out +of 3,000 ships only 170 are supposed to have survived. The +Northmen, however, were exterminated in such a mighty massacre, +that (so the story goes) there were not men left to till even a +fifth of their villages. + +Frode, now triumphant, wished to renew peace among all nations, +that he might ensure each man's property from the inroads of +thieves and now ensure peace to his realms after war. So he hung +one bracelet on a crag which is called Frode's Rock, and another +in the district of Wik, after he had addressed the assembled +Norwegians; threatening that these necklaces should serve to test +the honesty which he had decreed, and threatening that if they +were filched punishment should fall on all the governors of the +district. And thus, sorely imperilling the officers, there was +the gold unguarded, hanging up full in the parting of the roads, +and the booty, so easy to plunder, a temptation to all covetous +spirits. (a) Frode also enacted that seafarers should freely use +oars wherever they found them; while to those who wished to cross +a river he granted free use of the horse which they found nearest +to the ford. He decreed that they must dismount from this horse +when its fore feet only touched land and its hind feet were still +washed by the waters. For he thought that services such as these +should rather be accounted kindness than wrongdoing. Moreover, +he ordained that whosoever durst try and make further use of the +horse after he had crossed the river should be condemned to +death. (b) He also ordered that no man should hold his house or +his coffer under lock and key, or should keep anything guarded by +bolts, promising that all losses should be made good threefold. +Also, he appointed that it was lawful to claim as much of another +man's food for provision as would suffice for a single supper. +If anyone exceeded this measure in his takings, he was to be held +guilty of theft. Now, a thief (so he enacted) was to be hung up +with a sword passed through his sinews, with a wolf fastened by +his side, so that the wicked man might look like the savage +beast, both being punished alike. He also had the same +penalty extended to accomplices in thefts. Here he passed seven +most happy years of peace, begetting a son Alf and a daughter +Eyfura. + +It chanced that in these days Arngrim, a champion of Sweden, who +had challenged, attacked, and slain Skalk the Skanian because he +had once robbed him of a vessel, came to Frode. Elated beyond +measure with his deed, he ventured to sue for Frode's daughter; +but, finding the king deaf to him, he asked Erik, who was ruling +Sweden, to help him. Erik advised him to win Frode's goodwill by +some illustrious service, and to fight against Egther, the King +of Permland, and Thengil, the King of Finmark, since they alone +seemed to repudiate the Danish rule, while all men else +submitted. Without delay he led his army to that country. Now, +the Finns are the uttermost peoples of the North, who have taken +a portion of the world that is barely habitable to till and dwell +in. They are very keen spearmen, and no nation has a readier +skill in throwing the javelin. They fight with large, broad +arrows; they are addicted to the study of spells; they are +skilled hunters. Their habitation is not fixed, and their +dwellings are migratory; they pitch and settle wherever they have +caught game. Riding on curved boards (skees or snow-skates), +they run over ridges thick with snow. These men Arngrim +attacked, in order to win renown, and he crushed them. They +fought with ill success; but, as they were scattering in flight, +they cast three pebbles behind them, which they caused to appear +to the eyes of the enemy like three mountains. Arngrim's eyes +were dazzled and deluded, and he called back his men from the +pursuit of the enemy, fancying that he was checked by a barrier +of mighty rocks. Again, when they engaged and were beaten on the +morrow, the Finns cast snow upon the ground and made it look like +a mighty river. So the Swedes, whose eyes were utterly deluded, +were deceived by their misjudgment, for it seemed the roaring of +an extraordinary mass of waters. Thus, the conqueror dreading +the unsubstantial phantom of the waters, the Finns managed to +escape. They renewed the war again on the third day; but there +was no effective means of escape left any longer, for when they +saw that their lines were falling back, they surrendered to the +conqueror. Arngrim imposed on them the following terms of +tribute: that the number of the Finns should be counted, and +that, after the lapse of (every) three years, every ten of them +should pay a carriage-full of deer-skins by way of assessment. +Then he challenged and slew in single combat Egther, the captain +of the men of Permland, imposing on the men of Permland the +condition that each of them should pay one skin. Enriched with +these spoils and trophies, he returned to Erik, who went with him +into Denmark, and poured loud praises of the young warrior into +the ear of Frode, declaring that he who had added the ends of the +world to his realms deserved his daughter. Then Frode, +considering his splendid deserts, thought it was not amiss to +take for a son-in-law a man who had won wide-resounding fame by +such a roll of noble deeds. + +Arngrim had twelve sons by Eyfura, whose names I here subjoin: +Brand, Biarbe, Brodd, Hiarrande; Tand, Tyrfing, two Haddings; +Hiortuar, Hiartuar, Hrane, Anganty. These followed the business +of sea-roving from their youth up; and they chanced to sail all +in one ship to the island Samso, where they found lying off the +coast two ships belonging to Hialmar and Arvarodd (Arrow-Odd) the +rovers. These ships they attacked and cleared of rowers; but, +not knowing whether they had cut down the captains, they fitted +the bodies of the slain to their several thwarts, and found that +those whom they sought were missing. At this they were sad, +knowing that the victory they had won was not worth a straw, and +that their safety would run much greater risk in the battle that +was to come. In fact, Hialmar and Arvarodd, whose ships had been +damaged by a storm, which had torn off their rudders, went into a +wood to hew another; and, going round the trunk with their axes, +pared down the shapeless timber until the huge stock assumed the +form of a marine implement. This they shouldered, and were +bearing it down to the beach, ignorant of the disaster of their +friends, when the sons of Eyfura, reeking with the fresh blood of +the slain, attacked them, so that they two had to fight many; the +contest was not even equal, for it was a band of twelve against +two. But the victory did not go according to the numbers. For +all the sons of Eyfura were killed; Hialmar was slain by them, +but Arvarodd gained the honours of victory, being the only +survivor left by fate out of all that band of comrades. He, with +an incredible effort, poised the still shapeless hulk of the +rudder, and drove it so strongly against the bodies of his foes +that, with a single thrust of it, he battered and crushed all +twelve. And, so, though they were rid of the general storm of +war, the band of rovers did not yet quit the ocean. + +This it was that chiefly led Frode to attack the West, for his +one desire was the spread of peace. So he summoned Erik, and +mustered a fleet of all the kingdoms that bid him allegiance, and +sailed to Britain with numberless ships. But the king of that +island, perceiving that he was unequal in force (for the ships +seemed to cover the sea), went to Frode, affecting to surrender, +and not only began to flatter his greatness, but also promised to +the Danes, the conquerors of nations, the submission of himself +and of his country; proffering taxes, assessment, tribute, what +they would. Finally, he gave them a hospitable invitation. +Frode was pleased with the courtesy of the Briton, though his +suspicions of treachery were kept by so ready and unconstrained a +promise of everything, so speedy a surrender of the enemy before +fighting; such offers being seldom made in good faith. They were +also troubled with alarm about the banquet, fearing that as +drunkenness came on their sober wits might be entangled in it, +and attacked by hidden treachery. So few guests were bidden, +moreover, that it seemed unsafe for them to accept the +invitation; and it was further thought foolish to trust their +lives to the good faith of an enemy whom they did not know. + +When the king found their minds thus wavering he again approached +Frode, and invited him to the banquet with 2,400 men; having +before bidden him to come to the feast with 1,200 nobles. Frode +was encouraged by the increase in the number of guests, and was +able to go to the banquet with greater inward confidence; but he +could not yet lay aside his suspicions, and privily caused men to +scour the interior and let him know quickly of any treachery +which they might espy. On this errand they went into the forest, +and, coming upon the array of an armed encampment belonging to +the forces of the Britons, they halted in doubt, but hastily +retraced their steps when the truth was apparent. For the tents +were dusky in colour, and muffled in a sort of pitchy coverings, +that they might not catch the eye of anyone who came near. When +Frode learned this, he arranged a counter-ambuscade with a strong +force of nobles, that he might not go heedlessly to the banquet, +and be cheated of timely aid. They went into hiding, and he +warned them that the note of the trumpet was the signal for them +to bring assistance. Then with a select band, lightly armed, he +went to the banquet. The hall was decked with regal splendour; +it was covered all round with crimson hangings of marvellous rich +handiwork. A curtain of purple dye adorned the propelled walls. +The flooring was bestrewn with bright mantles, which a man would +fear to trample on. Up above was to be seen the twinkle of many +lanterns, the gleam of lamps lit with oil, and the censers poured +forth fragrance whose sweet vapour was laden with the choicest +perfumes. The whole way was blocked by the tables loaded with +good things; and the places for reclining were decked with +gold-embroidered couches; the seats were full of pillows. The +majestic hall seemed to smile upon the guests, and nothing could +be noticed in all that pomp either inharmonious to the eye or +offensive to the smell. In the midst of the hall stood a great +butt ready for refilling the goblets, and holding an enormous +amount of liquor; enough could be drawn from it for the huge +revel to drink its fill. Servants, dressed in purple, bore +golden cups, and courteously did the office of serving the drink, +pacing in ordered ranks. Nor did they fail to offer the draught +in the horns of the wild ox. + +The feast glittered with golden bowls, and was laden with shining +goblets, many of them studded with flashing jewels. The place +was filled with an immense luxury; the tables groaned with the +dishes, and the bowls brimmed over with divers liquors. Nor did +they use wine pure and simple, but, with juices sought far and +wide, composed a nectar of many flavours. The dishes glistened +with delicious foods, being filled mostly with the spoils of the +chase; though the flesh of tame animals was not lacking either. +The natives took care to drink more sparingly than the guests; +for the latter felt safe, and were tempted to make an orgy; while +the others, meditating treachery, had lost all temptations to be +drunken. So the Danes, who, if I may say so with my country's +leave, were seasoned to drain the bowl against each other, took +quantities of wine. The Britons, when they saw that the Danes +were very drunk, began gradually to slip away from the banquet, +and, leaving their guests within the hall, made immense efforts, +first to block the doors of the palace by applying bars and all +kinds of obstacles, and then to set fire to the house. The Danes +were penned inside the hall, and when the fire began to spread, +battered vainly at the doors; but they could not get out, and +soon attempted to make a sally by assaulting the wall. And the +Angles, when they saw that it was tottering under the stout +attack of the Danes, began to shove against it on their side, and +to prop the staggering pile by the application of large blocks on +the outside, to prevent the wall being shattered and releasing +the prisoners. But at last it yielded to the stronger hand of +the Danes, whose efforts increased with their peril; and those +pent within could sally out with ease. Then Frode bade the +trumpet strike in, to summon the band that had been posted in +ambush; and these, roused by the note of the clanging bugle, +caught the enemy in their own trap; for the King of the Britons, +with countless hosts of his men, was utterly destroyed. Thus the +band helped Frode doubly, being both the salvation of his men and +the destruction of his enemies. + +Meantime the renown of the Danish bravery spread far, and moved +the Irish to strew iron calthrops on the ground, in order to make +their land harder to invade, and forbid access to their shores. +Now the Irish use armour which is light and easy to procure. +They crop the hair close with razors, and shave all the hair off +the back of the head, that they may not be seized by it when they +run away. They also turn the points of their spears towards the +assailant, and deliberately point their sword against the +pursuer; and they generally fling their lances behind their back, +being more skilled at conquering by flight than by fighting. +Hence, when you fancy that the victory is yours, then is the +moment of danger. But Frode was wary and not rash in his pursuit +of the foe who fled so treacherously, and he routed Kerwil +(Cearbal), the leader of the nation, in battle. Kerwil's brother +survived, but lost heart for resistance, and surrendered his +country to the king (Frode), who distributed among his soldiers +the booty he had won, to show himself free from all covetousness +and excessive love of wealth, and only ambitious to gain honour. + +After the triumphs in Britain and the spoiling of the Irish they +went back to Denmark; and for thirty years there was a pause from +all warfare. At this time the Danish name became famous over the +whole world almost for its extraordinary valour. Frode, +therefore, desired to prolong and establish for ever the lustre +of his empire, and made it his first object to inflict severe +treatment upon thefts and brigandage, feeling these were domestic +evils and intestine plagues, and that if the nations were rid of +them they would come to enjoy a more tranquil life; so that no +ill-will should mar and hinder the continual extention of peace. +He also took care that the land should not be devoured by any +plague at home when the enemy was at rest, and that intestine +wickedness should not encroach when there was peace abroad. At +last he ordered that in Jutland, the chief district of his realm, +a golden bracelet, very heavy, should be set up on the highways +(as he had done before in the district of Wik), wishing by this +magnificent price to test the honesty which he had enacted. Now, +though the minds of the dishonest were vexed with the provocation +it furnished, and the souls of the evil tempted, yet the +unquestioned dread of danger prevailed. For so potent was the +majesty of Frode, that it guarded even gold that was thus exposed +to pillage, as though it were fast with bolts and bars. The +strange device brought great glory upon its inventor. After +dealing destruction everywhere, and gaining famous victories far +and wide, he resolved to bestow quiet on all men, that the cheer +of peace should follow the horrors of war, and the end of +slaughter might be the beginning of safety. He further thought +that for the same reason all men's property should be secured to +them by a protective decree, so that what had been saved from a +foreign enemy might not find a plunderer at home. + +About the same time, the Author of our general salvation, coming +to the earth in order to save mortals, bore to put on the garb of +mortality; at which time the fires of war were quenched, and all +the lands were enjoying the calmest and most tranquil peace. It +has been thought that the peace then shed abroad so widely, so +even and uninterrupted over the whole world, attended not so much +an earthly rule as that divine birth; and that it was a heavenly +provision that this extraordinary gift of time should be a +witness to the presence of Him who created all times. + +Meantime a certain matron, skilled in sorcery, who trusted in her +art more than she feared the severity of the king, tempted the +covetousness of her son to make a secret effort for the prize; +promising him impunity, since Frode was almost at death's door, +his body failing, and the remnant of his doting spirit feeble. +To his mother's counsels he objected the greatness of the peril; +but she bade him take hope, declaring, that either a sea-cow +should have a calf, or that the king's vengeance should be +baulked by some other chance. By this speech she banished her +son's fears, and made him obey her advice. When the deed was +done, Frode, stung by the affront, rushed with the utmost heat +and fury to raze the house of the matron, sending men on to +arrest her and bring her with her children. This the woman +foreknew, and deluded her enemies by a trick, changing from the +shape of a woman into that of a mare. When Frode came up she +took the shape of a sea-cow, and seemed to be straying and +grazing about the shore; and she also made her sons look like +calves of smaller size. This portent amazed the king, and he +ordered that they should be surrounded and cut off from returning +to the waters. Then he left the carriage, which he used because +of the feebleness of his aged body, and sat on the ground +marvelling. But the mother, who had taken the shape of the +larger beast, charged at the king with outstretched tusk, and +pierced one of his sides. The wound killed him; and his end was +unworthy of such majesty as his. His soldiers, thirsting to +avenge his death, threw their spears and transfixed the monsters, +and saw, when they were killed, that they were the corpses of +human beings with the heads of wild beasts: a circumstance which +exposed the trick more than anything. + +So ended Frode, the most famous king in the whole world. The +nobles, when he had been disembowelled, had his body kept +embalmed for three years, for they feared the provinces would +rise if the king's end were published. They wished his death to +be concealed above all from foreigners, so that by the pretence +that he was alive they might preserve the boundaries of the +empire, which had been extended for so long; and that, on the +strength of the ancient authority of their general, they might +exact the usual tribute from their subjects. So, the lifeless +corpse was carried away by them in such a way that it seemed to +be taken, not in a funeral bier, but in a royal carriage, as if +it were a due and proper tribute from the soldiers to an infirm +old man not in full possession of his forces. Such splendour did +his friends bestow on him even in death. But when his limbs +rotted, and were seized with extreme decay, and when the +corruption could not be arrested, they buried his body with a +royal funeral in a barrow near Waere, a bridge of Zealand; +declaring that Frode had desired to die and be buried in what was +thought the chief province of his kingdom. + + + +BOOK SIX. + +After the death of Frode, the Danes wrongly supposed that +Fridleif, who was being reared in Russia, had perished; and, +thinking that the sovereignty halted for lack of an heir, and +that it could no longer be kept on in the hands of the royal +line, they considered that the sceptre would be best deserved by +the man who should affix to the yet fresh grave of Frode a song +of praise in his glorification, and commit the renown of the dead +king to after ages by a splendid memorial. Then one HIARN, very +skilled in writing Danish poetry, wishing to give the fame of the +hero some notable record of words, and tempted by the enormous +prize, composed, after his own fashion, a barbarous stave. Its +purport, expressed in four lines, I have transcribed as follows: + +"Frode, whom the Danes would have wished to live long, they bore +long through their lands when he was dead. The great chief's +body, with this turf heaped above it, bare earth covers under the +lucid sky." + +When the composer of this song had uttered it, the Danes rewarded +him with the crown. Thus they gave a kingdom for an epitaph, and +the weight of a whole empire was presented to a little string of +letters. Slender expense for so vast a guerdon! This huge +payment for a little poem exceeded the glory of Caesar's +recompense; for it was enough for the divine Julius to pension +with a township the writer and glorifier of those conquests which +he had achieved over the whole world. But now the spendthrift +kindness of the populace squandered a kingdom on a churl. Nay, +not even Africanus, when he rewarded the records of his deed, +rose to the munificence of the Danes. For there the wage of that +laborious volume was in mere gold, while here a few callow verses +won a sceptre for a peasant. + +At the same time Erik, who held the governorship of Sweden, died +of disease; and his son Halfdan, who governed in his father's +stead, alarmed by the many attacks of twelve brothers of +Norwegian birth, and powerless to punish their violence, fled, +hoping for reinforcements, to ask aid of Fridleif, then +sojourning in Russia. Approaching him with a suppliant face, he +lamented that he was himself shattered and bruised by a foreign +foe, and brought a dismal plaint of his wrongs. From him +Fridleif heard the tidings of his father's death, and granting +the aid he sought, went to Norway in armed array. At this time +the aforesaid brothers, their allies forsaking them, built a very +high rampart within an island surrounded by a swift stream, also +extending their earthworks along the level. Trusting to this +refuge, they harried the neighborhood with continual raids. For +they built a bridge on which they used to get to the mainland +when they left the island. This bridge was fastened to the gate +of the stronghold; and they worked it by the guidance of ropes, +in such a way that it turned as if on some revolving hinge, and +at one time let them pass across the river; while at another, +drawn back from above by unseen cords, it helped to defend the +entrance. + +These warriors were of valiant temper, young and stalwart, of +splendid bodily presence, renowned for victories over giants, +full of trophies of conquered nations, and wealthy with spoil. I +record the names of some of them -- for the rest have perished in +antiquity -- Gerbiorn, Gunbiorn, Arinbiorn, Stenbiorn, Esbiorn, +Thorbiorn, and Biorn. Biorn is said to have had a horse which +was splendid and of exceeding speed, so that when all the rest +were powerless to cross the river it alone stemmed the roaring +eddy without weariness. This rapid comes down in so swift and +sheer a volume that animals often lose all power of swimming in +it, and perish. For, trickling from the topmost crests of the +hills, it comes down the steep sides, catches on the rocks, and +is shattered, falling into the deep valleys with a manifold +clamour of waters; but, being straightway rebuffed by the rocks +that bar the way, it keeps the speed of its current ever at the +same even pace. And so, along the whole length of the channel, +the waves are one turbid mass, and the white foam brims over +everywhere. But, after rolling out of the narrows between the +rocks, it spreads abroad in a slacker and stiller flood, and +turns into an island a rock that lies in its course. On either +side of the rock juts out a sheer ridge, thick with divers trees, +which screen the river from distant view. Biorn had also a dog +of extraordinary fierceness, a terribly vicious brute, dangerous +for people to live with, which had often singly destroyed twelve +men. But, since the tale is hearsay rather than certainty, let +good judges weigh its credit. This dog, as I have heard, was the +favourite of the giant Offot (Un-foot), and used to watch his +herd amid the pastures. + +Now the warriors, who were always pillaging the neighbourhood, +used often to commit great slaughters. Plundering houses, +cutting down cattle, sacking everything, making great hauls of +booty, rifling houses, then burning them, massacring male and +female promiscuously -- these, and not honest dealings, were +their occupations. Fridleif surprised them while on a reckless +raid, and drove them all back for refuge to the stronghold; he +also seized the immensely powerful horse, whose rider, in the +haste of his panic, had left it on the hither side of the river +in order to fly betimes; for he durst not take it with him over +the bridge. Then Fridleif proclaimed that he would pay the +weight of the dead body in gold to any man who slew one of those +brothers. The hope of the prize stimulated some of the champions +of the king; and yet they were fired not so much with +covetousness as with valour; so, going secretly to Fridleif, they +promised to attempt the task, vowing to sacrifice their lives if +they did not bring home the severed heads of the robbers. +Fridleif praised their valour and their vows, but bidding the +onlookers wait, went in the night to the river, satisfied with a +single companion. For, not to seem better provided with other +men's valour than with his own, he determined to forestall their +aid by his own courage. Thereupon he crushed and killed his +companion with a shower of flints, and flung his bloodless corpse +into the waves, having dressed it in his own clothes; which he +stripped off, borrowing the cast-off garb of the other, so that +when the corpse was seen it might look as if the king had +perished. He further deliberately drew blood from the beast on +which he had ridden, and bespattered it, so that when it came +back into camp he might make them think he himself was dead. +Then he set spur to his horse and drove it into the midst of the +eddies, crossed the river and alighted, and tried to climb over +the rampart that screened the stronghold by steps set up against +the mound. When he got over the top and could grasp the +battlements with his hand, he quietly put his foot inside, and, +without the knowledge of the watch, went lightly on tiptoe to the +house into which the bandits had gone to carouse. And when he +had reached its hall, he sat down under the porch overhanging the +door. Now the strength of their fastness made the warriors feel +so safe that they were tempted to a debauch; for they thought +that the swiftly rushing river made their garrison inaccessible, +since it seemed impossible either to swim over or to cross in +boats. For no part of the river allowed of fording. + +Biorn, moved by the revel, said that in his sleep he had seen a +beast come out of the waters, which spouted ghastly fire from its +mouth, enveloping everything in a sheet of flame. Therefore the +holes and corners of the island should, he said, be searched; nor +ought they to trust so much to their position, as rashly to let +overweening confidence bring them to utter ruin. No situation +was so strong that the mere protection of nature was enough for +it without human effort. Moreover they must take great care that +the warning of his slumbers was not followed by a yet more gloomy +and disastrous fulfilment. So they all sallied forth from the +stronghold, and narrowly scanned the whole circuit of the island; +and finding the horse they surmised that Fridleif had been +drowned in the waters of the river. They received the horse +within the gates with rejoicing, supposing that it had flung off +its rider and swum over. But Biorn, still scared with the memory +of the visions of the night, advised them to keep watch, since it +was not safe for them yet to put aside suspicion of danger. Then +he went to his room to rest, with the memory of his vision deeply +stored in his heart. + +Meanwhile the horse, which Fridleif, in order to spread a belief +in his death, had been loosed and besprinkled with blood (though +only with that which lies between flesh and skin), burst all +bedabbled into the camp of his soldiers. They went straight to +the river, and finding the carcase of the slave, took it for the +body of the king; the hissing eddies having cast it on the bank, +dressed in brave attire. Nothing helped their mistake so much as +the swelling of the battered body; inasmuch as the skin was torn +and bruised with the flints, so that all the features were +blotted out, bloodless and wan. This exasperated the champions +who had just promised Fridleif to see that the robbers were +extirpated: and they approached the perilous torrent, that they +might not seem to tarnish the honour of their promise by a craven +neglect of their vow. The rest imitated their boldness, and with +equal ardour went to the river, ready to avenge their king or to +endure the worst. When Fridleif saw them he hastened to lower +the bridge to the mainland; and when he had got the champions he +cut down the watch at the first attack. Thus he went on to +attack the rest and put them to the sword, all save Biorn; whom +he tended very carefully and cured of his wounds; whereupon, +under pledge of solemn oath, he made him his colleague, thinking +it better to use his services than to boast of his death. He +also declared it would be shameful if such a flower of bravery +were plucked in his first youth and perished by an untimely +death. + +Now the Danes had long ago had false tidings of Fridleif's death, +and when they found that he was approaching, they sent men to +fetch him, and ordered Hiarn to quit the sovereignty, because he +was thought to be holding it only on sufferance and carelessly. +But he could not bring himself to resign such an honour, and +chose sooner to spend his life for glory than pass into the dim +lot of common men. Therefore he resolved to fight for his +present estate, that he might not have to resume his former one +stripped of his royal honours. Thus the land was estranged and +vexed with the hasty commotion of civil strife; some were of +Hiarn's party, while others agreed to the claims of Fridleif, +because of the vast services of Frode; and the voice of the +commons was perplexed and divided, some of them respecting things +as they were, others the memory of the past. But regard for the +memory of Frode weighed most, and its sweetness gave Fridleif the +balance of popularity. + +Many wise men thought that a person of peasant rank should be +removed from the sovereignty; since, contrary to the rights of +birth, and only by the favour of fortune, he had reached an +unhoped-for eminence; and in order that the unlawful occupant +might not debar the rightful heir to the office, Fridleif told +the envoys of the Danes to return, and request Hiarn either to +resign the kingdom or to meet him in battle. Hiarn thought it +more grievous than death to set lust of life before honour, and +to seek safety at the cost of glory. So he met Fridleif in the +field, was crushed, and fled into Jutland, where, rallying a +band, he again attacked his conqueror. But his men were all +consumed with the sword, and he fled unattended, as the island +testifies which has taken its name from his (Hiarno). And so, +feeling his lowly fortune, and seeing himself almost stripped of +his forces by the double defeat, he turned his mind to craft, and +went to Fridleif with his face disguised, meaning to become +intimate, and find an occasion to slay him treacherously. + +Hiarn was received by the king, hiding his purpose under the +pretence of servitude. For, giving himself out as a salt- +distiller, he performed base offices among the servants who did +the filthiest work. He used also to take the last place at meal- +time, and he refrained from the baths, lest his multitude of +scars should betray him if he stripped. The king, in order to +ease his own suspicions, made him wash; and when he knew his +enemy by the scars, he said: "Tell me now, thou shameless bandit, +how wouldst thou have dealt with me, if thou hadst found out +plainly that I wished to murder thee?" Hiarn, stupefied, said: +"Had I caught thee I would have first challenged thee, and then +fought thee, to give thee a better chance of wiping out thy +reproach." Fridleif presently took him at his word, challenged +him and slew him, and buried his body in a barrow that bears the +dead man's name. + +Soon after FRIDLEIF was admonished by his people to think about +marrying, that he might prolong his line; but he maintained that +the unmarried life was best, quoting his father Frode, on whom +his wife's wantonness had brought great dishonour. At last, +yielding to the persistent entreaties of all, he proceeded to +send ambassadors to ask for the daughter of Amund, King of +Norway. One of these, named Frok, was swallowed by the waves in +mid-voyage, and showed a strange portent at his death. For when +the closing flood of billows encompassed him, blood arose in the +midst of the eddy, and the whole face of the sea was steeped with +an alien redness, so that the ocean, which a moment before was +foaming and white with tempest, was presently swollen with +crimson waves, and was seen to wear a colour foreign to its +nature. + +Around implacably declined to consent to the wishes of the king, +and treated the legates shamefully, declaring that he spurned the +embassy because the tyranny of Frode had of old borne so heavily +upon Norway. But Amund's daughter, Frogertha, not only looking +to the birth of Fridleif, but also honouring the glory of his +deeds, began to upbraid her father, because he scorned a son-in- +law whose nobility was perfect, being both sufficient in valour +and flawless in birth. She added that the portentous aspect of +the sea, when the waves were suddenly turned into blood, simply +and solely signified the defeat of Norway, and was a plain +presage of the victory of Denmark. And when Fridleif sent a +further embassy to ask for her, wishing to vanquish the refusal +by persistency, Amund was indignant that a petition he had once +denied should be obstinately pressed, and hurried the envoys to +death, wishing to offer a brutal check to the zeal of this brazen +wooer. Fridleif heard news of this outrage, and summoning +Halfdan and Biorn, sailed round Norway. Amund, equipped with his +native defences, put out his fleet against him. The firth into +which both fleets had mustered is called Frokasund. Here +Fridleif left the camp at night to reconnoitre; and, hearing an +unusual kind of sound close to him as of brass being beaten, he +stood still and looked up, and heard the following song of three +swans, who were crying above him: + +"While Hythin sweeps the sea and cleaves the ravening tide, his +serf drinks out of gold and licks the cups of milk. Best is the +estate of the slave on whom waits the heir, the king's son, for +their lots are rashly interchanged." Next, after the birds had +sung, a belt fell from on high, which showed writing to interpret +the song. For while the son of Hythin, the King of Tellemark, +was at his boyish play, a giant, assuming the usual appearance of +men, had carried him off, and using him as an oarsman (having +taken his skiff over to the neighbouring shore), was then sailing +past Fridleif while he was occupied reconnoitering. But the king +would not suffer him to use the service of the captive youth, and +longed to rob the spoiler of his prey. The youth warned him that +he must first use sharp reviling against the giant, promising +that he would prove easy to attack, if only he were assailed with +biting verse. Then Fridleif began thus: + +"Since thou art a giant of three bodies, invincible, and almost +reachest heaven with thy crest, why does this silly sword bind +thy thigh? Why doth a broken spear gird thy huge side? Why, +perchance, dost thou defend thy stalwart breast with a feeble +sword, and forget the likeness of thy bodily stature, trusting in +a short dagger, a petty weapon? Soon, soon will I balk thy bold +onset, when with blunted blade thou attemptest war. Since thou +art thyself a timid beast, a lump lacking proper pith, thou art +swept headlong like a flying shadow, having with a fair and +famous body got a heart that is unwarlike and unstable with fear, +and a spirit quite unmatched to thy limbs. Hence thy frame +totters, for thy goodly presence is faulty through the overthrow +of thy soul, and thy nature in all her parts is at strife. Hence +shall all tribute of praise quit thee, nor shalt thou be +accounted famous among the brave, but shalt be reckoned among +ranks obscure." + +When he had said this he lopped off a hand and foot of the giant, +made him fly, and set his prisoner free. Then he went +straightway to the giant's headland, took the treasure out of his +cave, and carried it away. Rejoicing in these trophies, and +employing the kidnapped youth to row him over the sea, he +composed with cheery voice the following strain: + +"In the slaying of the swift monster we wielded our blood-stained +swords and our crimsoned blade, whilst thou, Amund, lord of the +Norwegian ruin, wert in deep slumber; and since blind night +covers thee, without any light of soul, thy valour has melted +away and beguiled thee. But we crushed a giant who lost use of +his limbs and wealth, and we pierced into the disorder of his +dreary den. There we seized and plundered his piles of gold. +And now with oars we sweep the wave-wandering main, and joyously +return, rowing back to the shore our booty-laden ship; we fleet +over the waves in a skiff that travels the sea; gaily let us +furrow those open waters, lest the dawn come and betray us to the +foe. Lightly therefore, and pulling our hardest, let us scour +the sea, making for our camp and fleet ere Titan raise his rosy +head out of the clear waters; that when fame noises the deed +about, and Frogertha knows that the spoil has been won with a +gallant struggle, her heart may be stirred to be more gentle to +our prayer." + +On the morrow there was a great muster of the forces, and +Fridleif had a bloody battle with Amund, fought partly by sea and +partly by land. For not only were the lines drawn up in the open +country, but the warriors also made an attack with their fleet. +The battle which followed cost much blood. So Biorn, when his +ranks gave back, unloosed his hound and sent it against the +enemy; wishing to win with the biting of a dog the victory which +he could not achieve with the sword. The enemy were by this +means shamefully routed, for a square of the warriors ran away +when attacked with its teeth. + +There is no saying whether their flight was more dismal or more +disgraceful. Indeed, the army of the Northmen was a thing to +blush for; for an enemy crushed it by borrowing the aid of a +brute. Nor was it treacherous of Fridleif to recruit the failing +valour of his men with the aid of a dog. In this war Amund fell; +and his servant Ane, surnamed the Archer, challenged Fridleif to +fight him; but Biorn, being a man of meaner estate, not suffering +the king to engage with a common fellow, attacked him himself. +And when Biorn had bent his bow and was fitting the arrow to the +string, suddenly a dart sent by Ane pierced the top of the cord. +Soon another arrow came after it and struck amid the joints of +his fingers. A third followed, and fell on the arrow as it was +laid to the string. For Ane, who was most dexterous at shooting +arrows from a distance, had purposely only struck the weapon of +his opponent, in order that, by showing it was in his power to do +likewise to his person, he might recall the champion from his +purpose. But Biorn abated none of his valour for this, and, +scorning bodily danger, entered the fray with heart and face so +steadfast, that he seemed neither to yield anything to the skill +of Ane, nor lay aside aught of his wonted courage. Thus he would +in nowise be made to swerve from his purpose, and dauntlessly +ventured on the battle. Both of them left it wounded; and fought +another also on Agdar Ness with an emulous thirst for glory. + +By the death of Amund, Fridleif was freed from a most bitter foe, +and obtained a deep and tranquil peace; whereupon he forced his +savage temper to the service of delight; and, transferring his +ardour to love, equipped a fleet in order to seek the marriage +which had once been denied him. At last he set forth on his +voyage; and his fleet being becalmed, he invaded some villages to +look for food; where, being received hospitably by a certain +Grubb, and at last winning his daughter in marriage, he begat a +son named Olaf. After some time had passed he also won +Frogertha; but, while going back to his own country, he had a bad +voyage, and was driven on the shores of an unknown island. A +certain man appeared to him in a vision, and instructed him to +dig up a treasure that was buried in the ground, and also to +attack the dragon that guarded it, covering himself in an ox-hide +to escape the poison; teaching him also to meet the envenomed +fangs with a hide stretched over his shield. Therefore, to test +the vision, he attacked the snake as it rose out of the waves, +and for a long time cast spears against its scaly side; in vain, +for its hard and shelly body foiled the darts flung at it. But +the snake, shaking its mass of coils, uprooted the trees which it +brushed past by winding its tail about them. Moreover, by +constantly dragging its body, it hollowed the ground down to the +solid rock, and had made a sheer bank on either hand, just as in +some places we see hills parted by an intervening valley. So +Fridleif, seeing that the upper part of the creature was proof +against attack, assailed the lower side with his sword, and +piercing the groin, drew blood from the quivering beast. When it +was dead, he unearthed the money from the underground chamber and +had it taken off in his ships. + +When the year had come to an end, he took great pains to +reconcile Biorn and Ane, who had often challenged and fought one +another, and made them exchange their hatred for friendship; and +even entrusted to them his three-year-old son, Olaf, to rear. +But his mistress, Juritha, the mother of Olaf, he gave in +marriage to Ane, whom he made one of his warriors; thinking that +she would endure more calmly to be put away, if she wedded such a +champion, and received his robust embrace instead of a king's. + +The ancients were wont to consult the oracles of the Fates +concerning the destinies of their children. In this way Fridleif +desired to search into the fate of his son Olaf; and, after +solemnly offering up his vows, he went to the house of the gods +in entreaty; where, looking into the chapel, he saw three +maidens, sitting on three seats. The first of them was of a +benignant temper, and bestowed upon the boy abundant beauty and +ample store of favour in the eyes of men. The second granted him +the gift of surpassing generosity. But the third, a woman of +more mischievous temper and malignant disposition, scorning the +unanimous kindness of her sisters, and likewise wishing to mar +their gifts, marked the future character of the boy with the slur +of niggardliness. Thus the benefits of the others were spoilt by +the poison of a lamentable doom; and hence, by virtue of the +twofold nature of these gifts Olaf got his surname from the +meanness which was mingled with his bounty. So it came about +that this blemish which found its way into the gift marred the +whole sweetness of its first benignity. + +When Fridleif had returned from Norway, and was traveling through +Sweden, he took on himself to act as ambassador, and sued +successfully for Hythin's daughter, whom he had once rescued from +a monster, to be the wife of Halfdan, he being still unwedded. +Meantime his wife Frogertha bore a son FRODE, who afterwards got +his surname from his noble munificence. And thus Frode, because +of the memory of his grandsire's prosperity, which he recalled by +his name, became from his very cradle and earliest childhood such +a darling of all men, that he was not suffered even to step or +stand on the ground, but was continually cherished in people's +laps and kissed. Thus he was not assigned to one upbringer only, +but was in a manner everybody's fosterling. And, after his +father's death, while he was in his twelfth year, Swerting and +Hanef, the kings of Saxony, disowned his sway, and tried to rebel +openly. He overcame them in battle, and imposed on the conquered +peoples a poll-tax of a coin, which they were to pay as his +slaves. For he showed himself so generous that he doubled the +ancient pay of the soldiers: a fashion of bounty which then was +novel. For he did not, as despots do, expose himself to the +vulgar allurements of vice, but strove to covet ardently +whatsoever he saw was nearest honour; to make his wealth public +property; to surpass all other men in bounty, to forestall them +all in offices of kindness; and, hardest of all, to conquer envy +by virtue. By this means the youth soon won such favour with all +men, that he not only equalled in renown the honours of his +forefathers, but surpassed the most ancient records of kings. + +At the same time one Starkad, the son of Storwerk, escaped alone, +either by force or fortune, from a wreck in which his friends +perished, and was received by Frode as his guest for his +incredible excellence both of mind and body. And, after being +for some little time his comrade, he was dressed in a better and +more comely fashion every day, and was at last given a noble +vessel, and bidden to ply the calling of a rover, with the charge +of guarding the sea. For nature had gifted him with a body of +superhuman excellence; and his greatness of spirit equalled it, +so that folk thought him behind no man in valour. So far did his +glory spread, that the renown of his name and deeds continues +famous even yet. He shone out among our own countrymen by his +glorious roll of exploits, and he had also won a most splendid +record among all the provinces of the Swedes and Saxons. +Tradition says that he was born originally in the country which +borders Sweden on the east, where barbarous hordes of Esthonians +and other nations now dwell far and wide. But a fabulous yet +common rumour has invented tales about his birth which are +contrary to reason and flatly incredible. For some relate that +he was sprung from giants, and betrayed his monstrous birth by an +extraordinary number of hands, four of which, engendered by the +superfluity of his nature, they declare that the god Thor tore +off, shattering the framework of the sinews and wrenching from +his whole body the monstrous bunches of fingers; so that he had +but two left, and that his body, which had before swollen to the +size of a giant's, and, by reason of its shapeless crowd of limbs +looked gigantic, was thenceforth chastened to a better +appearance, and kept within the bounds of human shortness. + +For there were of old certain men versed in sorcery, Thor, +namely, and Odin, and many others, who were cunning in contriving +marvellous sleights; and they, winning the minds of the simple, +began to claim the rank of gods. For, in particular, they +ensnared Norway, Sweden and Denmark in the vainest credulity, and +by prompting these lands to worship them, infected them with +their imposture. The effects of their deceit spread so far, that +all other men adored a sort of divine power in them, and, +thinking them either gods or in league with gods, offered up +solemn prayers to these inventors of sorceries, and gave to +blasphemous error the honour due to religion. Hence it has come +about that the holy days, in their regular course, are called +among us by the names of these men; for the ancient Latins are +known to have named these days severally, either after the titles +of their own gods, or after the planets, seven in number. But it +can be plainly inferred from the mere names of the holy days that +the objects worshipped by our countrymen were not the same as +those whom the most ancient of the Romans called Jove and +Mercury, nor those to whom Greece and Latium paid idolatrous +homage. For the days, called among our countrymen Thors-day or +Odins-day, the ancients termed severally the holy day of Jove or +of Mercury. If, therefore, according to the distinction implied +in the interpretation I have quoted, we take it that Thor is Jove +and Odin Mercury, it follows that Jove was the son of Mercury; +that is, if the assertion of our countrymen holds, among whom it +is told as a matter of common belief, that Thor was Odin's son. +Therefore, when the Latins, believing to the contrary effect, +declare that Mercury was sprung from Jove, then, if their +declaration is to stand, we are driven to consider that Thor was +not the same as Jove, and that Odin was also different from +Mercury. Some say that the gods, whom our countrymen worshipped, +shared only the title with those honoured by Greece or Latium, +but that, being in a manner nearly equal to them in dignity, they +borrowed from them the worship as well as the name. This must be +sufficient discourse upon the deities of Danish antiquity. I +have expounded this briefly for the general profit, that my +readers may know clearly to what worship in its heathen +superstition our country has bowed the knee. Now I will go back +to my subject where I left it. + +Ancient tradition says that Starkad, whom I mentioned above, +offered the first-fruits of his deeds to the favour of the gods +by slaying Wikar, the king of the Norwegians. The affair, +according to the version of some people, happened as follows: -- + +Odin once wished to slay Wikar by a grievous death; but, loth to +do the deed openly, he graced Starkad, who was already remarkable +for his extraordinary size, not only with bravery, but also with +skill in the composing of spells, that he might the more readily +use his services to accomplish the destruction of the king. For +that was how he hoped that Starkad would show himself grateful +for the honour he paid him. For the same reason he also endowed +him with three spans of mortal life, that he might be able to +commit in them as many abominable deeds. So Odin resolved that +Starkad's days should be prolonged by the following crime: +Starkad presently went to Wikar and dwelt awhile in his company, +hiding treachery under homage. At last he went with him sea- +roving. And in a certain place they were troubled with prolonged +and bitter storms; and when the winds checked their voyage so +much that they had to lie still most of the year, they thought +that the gods must be appeased with human blood. When the lots +were cast into the urn it so fell that the king was required for +death as a victim. Then Starkad made a noose of withies and +bound the king in it; saying that for a brief instant he should +pay the mere semblance of a penalty. But the tightness of the +knot acted according to its nature, and cut off his last breath +as he hung. And while he was still quivering Starkad rent away +with his steel the remnant of his life; thus disclosing his +treachery when he ought to have brought aid. I do not think that +I need examine the version which relates that the pliant withies, +hardened with the sudden grip, acted like a noose of iron. + +When Starkad had thus treacherously acted he took Wikar's ship +and went to one Bemon, the most courageous of all the rovers of +Denmark, in order to take up the life of a pirate. For Bemon's +partner, named Frakk, weary of the toil of sea-roving, had lately +withdrawn from partnership with him, after first making a money- +bargain. Now Starkad and Bemon were so careful to keep +temperate, that they are said never to have indulged in +intoxicating drink, for fear that continence, the greatest bond +of bravery, might be expelled by the power of wantonness. So +when, after overthrowing provinces far and wide, they invaded +Russia also in their lust for empire, the natives, trusting +little in their walls or arms, began to bar the advance of the +enemy with nails of uncommon sharpness, that they might check +their inroad, though they could not curb their onset in battle; +and that the ground might secretly wound the soles of the men +whom their army shrank from confronting in the field. But not +even such a barrier could serve to keep off the foe. The Danes +were cunning enough to foil the pains of the Russians. For they +straightway shod themselves with wooden clogs, and trod with +unhurt steps upon the points that lay beneath their soles. Now +this iron thing is divided into four spikes, which are so +arranged that on whatsoever side chance may cast it, it stands +steadily on three equal feet. Then they struck into the pathless +glades, where the woods were thickets, and expelled Flokk, the +chief of the Russians, from the mountain hiding-places into which +he had crept. And here they got so much booty, that there was +not one of them but went back to the fleet laden with gold and +silver. + +Now when Bemon was dead, Starkad was summoned because of his +valour by the champions of Permland. And when he had done many +noteworthy deeds among them, he went into the land of the Swedes, +where he lived at leisure for seven years' space with the sons of +Frey. At last he left them and betook himself to Hakon, the +tyrant of Denmark, because when stationed at Upsala, at the time +of the sacrifices, he was disgusted by the effeminate gestures +and the clapping of the mimes on the stage, and by the unmanly +clatter of the bells. Hence it is clear how far he kept his soul +from lasciviousness, not even enduring to look upon it. Thus +does virtue withstand wantonness. + +Starkad took his fleet to the shore of Ireland with Hakon, in +order that even the furthest kingdoms of the world might not be +untouched by the Danish arms. The king of the island at this +time was Hugleik, who, though he had a well-filled treasury, was +yet so prone to avarice, that once, when he gave a pair of shoes +which had been adorned by the hand of a careful craftsman, he +took off the ties, and by thus removing the latches turned his +present into a slight. This unhandsome act blemished his gift so +much that he seemed to reap hatred for it instead of thanks. +Thus he used never to be generous to any respectable man, but to +spend all his bounty upon mimes and jugglers. For so base a +fellow was bound to keep friendly company with the base, and such +a slough of vices to wheedle his partners in sin with pandering +endearments. + +Still Hugleik had the friendship of Geigad and Swipdag, nobles of +tried valour, who, by the lustre of their warlike deeds, shone +out among their unmanly companions like jewels embedded in +ordure; these alone were found to defend the riches of the king. +When a battle began between Hugleik and Hakon, the hordes of +mimes, whose light-mindedness unsteadied their bodies, broke +their ranks and scurried off in panic; and this shameful flight +was their sole requital for all their king's benefits. Then +Geigad and Swipdag faced all those thousands of the enemy single- +handed, and fought with such incredible courage, that they seemed +to do the part not merely of two warriors, but of a whole army. +Geigad, moreover, dealt Hakon, who pressed him hard, such a wound +in the breast that he exposed the upper part of his liver. It +was here that Starkad, while he was attacking Geigad with his +sword, received a very sore wound on the head; wherefore he +afterwards related in a certain song that a ghastlier wound had +never befallen him at any time; for, though the divisions of his +gashed head were bound up by the surrounding outer skin, yet the +livid unseen wound concealed a foul gangrene below. + +Starkad conquered, killed Hugleik and routed the Irish; and had +the actors beaten whom chance made prisoner; thinking it better +to order a pack of buffoons to be ludicrously punished by the +loss of their skins than to command a more deadly punishment and +take their lives. Thus he visited with a disgraceful +chastisement the baseborn throng of professional jugglers, and +was content to punish them with the disgusting flouts of the +lash. Then the Danes ordered that the wealth of the king should +be brought out of the treasury in the city of Dublin and publicly +pillaged. For so vast a treasure had been found that none took +much pains to divide it strictly. + +After this, Starkad was commissioned, together with Win, the +chief of the Sclavs, to check the revolt of the East. They, +having fought against the armies of the Kurlanders, the Sembs, +the Sangals, and, finally, all the Easterlings, won splendid +victories everywhere. + +A champion of great repute, named Wisin, settled upon a rock in +Russia named Ana-fial, and harried both neighbouring and distant +provinces with all kinds of outrage. This man used to blunt the +edge of every weapon by merely looking at it. He was made so +bold in consequence, by having lost all fear of wounds, that he +used to carry off the wives of distinguished men and drag them to +outrage before the eyes of their husbands. Starkad was roused by +the tale of this villainy, and went to Russia to destroy the +criminal; thinking nothing too hard to overcome, he challenged +Wisin, attacked him, made even his tricks useless to him, and +slew him. For Starkad covered his blade with a very fine skin, +that it might not met the eye of the sorcerer; and neither the +power of his sleights nor his great strength were any help to +Wisin, for he had to yield to Starkad. Then Starkad, trusting in +his bodily strength, fought with and overcame a giant at +Byzantium, reputed invincible, named Tanne, and drove him to fly +an outlaw to unknown quarters of the earth. Therefore, finding +that he was too mighty for any hard fate to overcome him, he went +to the country of Poland, and conquered in a duel a champion whom +our countrymen name Wasce; but the Teutons, arranging the letters +differently, call him Wilzce. + +Meanwhile the Saxons began to attempt a revolt, and to consider +particularly how they could destroy Frode, who was unconquered in +war, by some other way than an open conflict. Thinking that it +would be best done by a duel, they sent men to provoke the king +with a challenge, knowing that he was always ready to court any +hazard, and that his high spirit would not yield to any +admonition whatever. They fancied that this was the best time to +attack him, because they knew that Starkad, whose valour most men +dreaded, was away on business. But while Frode hesitated, and +said that he would talk with his friends about the answer to be +given, Starkad, who had just returned from his sea-roving, +appeared, and blamed such a challenge, principally (he said) +because it was fitting for kings to fight only with their equals, +and because they should not take up arms against men of the +people; but it was more fitting for himself, who was born in a +lowlier station, to manage the battle. + +The Saxons approached Hame, who was accounted their most famous +champion, with many offers, and promised him that, if he would +lend his services for the duel they would pay him his own weight +in gold. The fighter was tempted by the money, and, with all the +ovation of a military procession, they attended him to the ground +appointed for the combat. Thereupon the Danes, decked in warlike +array, led Starkad, who was to represent his king, out to the +duelling-ground. Hame, in his youthful assurance, despised him +as withered with age, and chose to grapple rather than fight with +an outworn old man. Attacking Starkad, he would have flung him +tottering to the earth, but that fortune, who would not suffer +the old man to be conquered, prevented him from being hurt. For +he is said to have been so crushed by the fist of Hame, as he +dashed on him, that he touched the earth with his chin, +supporting himself on his knees. But he made up nobly for his +tottering; for, as soon as he could raise his knee and free his +hand to draw his sword, he clove Hame through the middle of the +body. Many lands and sixty bondmen apiece were the reward of the +victory. + +After Hame was killed in this manner the sway of the Danes over +the Saxons grew so insolent, that they were forced to pay every +year a small tax for each of their limbs that was a cubit (ell) +long, in token of their slavery. This Hanef could not bear, and +he meditated war in his desire to remove the tribute. Steadfast +love of his country filled his heart every day with greater +compassion for the oppressed; and, longing to spend his life for +the freedom of his countrymen, he openly showed a disposition to +rebel. Frode took his forces over the Elbe, and killed him near +the village of Hanofra (Hanover), so named after Hanef. But +Swerting, though he was equally moved by the distress of his +countrymen, said nothing about the ills of his land, and revolved +a plan for freedom with a spirit yet more dogged than Hanef's. +Men often doubt whether this zeal was liker to vice or to virtue; +but I certainly censure it as criminal, because it was produced +by a treacherous desire to revolt. It may have seemed most +expedient to seek the freedom of the country, but it was not +lawful to strive after this freedom by craft and treachery. +Therefore, since the deed of Swerting was far from honourable, +neither will it be called expedient; for it is nobler to attack +openly him whom you mean to attack, and to exhibit hatred in the +light of day, than to disguise a real wish to do harm under a +spurious show of friendship. But the gains of crime are +inglorious, its fruits are brief and fading. For even as that +soul is slippery, which hides its insolent treachery by stealthy +arts, so is it right that whatsoever is akin to guilt should be +frail and fleeting. For guilt has been usually found to come +home to its author; and rumour relates that such was the fate of +Swerting. For he had resolved to surprise the king under the +pretence of a banquet, and burn him to death; but the king +forestalled and slew him, though slain by him in return. Hence +the crime of one proved the destruction of both; and thus, though +the trick succeeded against the foe, it did not bestow immunity +on its author. + +Frode was succeeded by his son Ingild, whose soul was perverted +from honour. He forsook the examples of his forefathers, and +utterly enthralled himself to the lures of the most wanton +profligacy. Thus he had not a shadow of goodness and +righteousness, but embraced vices instead of virtue; he cut the +sinews of self-control, neglected the duties of his kingly +station, and sank into a filthy slave of riot. Indeed, he +fostered everything that was adverse or ill-fitted to an orderly +life. He tainted the glories of his father and grandfather by +practising the foulest lusts, and bedimmed the brightest honours +of his ancestors by most shameful deeds. For he was so prone to +gluttony, that he had no desire to avenge his father, or repel +the aggressions of his foes; and so, could he but gratify his +gullet, he thought that decency and self-control need be observed +in nothing. By idleness and sloth he stained his glorious +lineage, living a loose and sensual life; and his soul, so +degenerate, so far perverted and astray from the steps of his +fathers, he loved to plunge into most abominable gulfs of +foulness. Fowl-fatteners, scullions, frying-pans, countless +cook-houses, different cooks to roast or spice the banquet -- the +choosing of these stood to him for glory. As to arms, +soldiering, and wars, he could endure neither to train himself to +them, nor to let others practise them. Thus he cast away all the +ambitions of a man and aspired to those of women; for his +incontinent itching of palate stirred in him love of every +kitchen-stench. Ever breathing of his debauch, and stripped of +every rag of soberness, with his foul breath he belched the +undigested filth in his belly. He was as infamous in wantonness +as Frode was illustrious in war. So utterly had his spirit been +enfeebled by the untimely seductions of gluttony. Starkad was so +disgusted at the excess of Ingild, that he forsook his +friendship, and sought the fellowship of Halfdan, the King of +Swedes, preferring work to idleness. Thus he could not bear so +much as to countenance excessive indulgence. Now the sons of +Swerting, fearing that they would have to pay to Ingild the +penalty of their father's crime, were fain to forestall his +vengeance by a gift, and gave him their sister in marriage. +Antiquity relates that she bore him sons, Frode, Fridleif, +Ingild, and Olaf (whom some say was the son of Ingild's sister). + +Ingild's sister Helga had been led by amorous wooing to return +the flame of a certain low-born goldsmith, who was apt for soft +words, and furnished with divers of the little gifts which best +charm a woman's wishes. For since the death of the king there +had been none to honour the virtues of the father by attention to +the child; she had lacked protection, and had no guardians. When +Starkad had learnt this from the repeated tales of travellers, he +could not bear to let the wantonness of the smith pass +unpunished. For he was always heedful to bear kindness in mind, +and as ready to punish arrogance. So he hastened to chastise +such bold and enormous insolence, wishing to repay the orphan +ward the benefits he had of old received from Frode. Then he +travelled through Sweden, went into the house of the smith, and +posted himself near the threshold muffling his face in a cap to +avoid discovery. The smith, who had not learnt the lesson that +"strong hands are sometimes found under a mean garment", reviled +him, and bade him quickly leave the house, saying that he should +have the last broken victuals among the crowd of paupers. But +the old man, whose ingrained self-control lent him patience, was +nevertheless fain to rest there, and gradually study the +wantonness of his host. For his reason was stronger than his +impetuosity, and curbed his increasing rage. Then the smith +approached the girl with open shamelessness, and cast himself in +her lap, offering the hair of his head to be combed out by her +maidenly hands. + +Also he thrust forward his loin cloth, and required her help in +picking out the fleas; and exacted from this woman of lordly +lineage that she should not blush to put her sweet fingers in a +foul apron. Then, believing that he was free to have his +pleasure, he ventured to put his longing palms within her gown +and to set his unsteady hands close to her breast. But she, +looking narrowly, was aware of the presence of the old man whom +she once had known, and felt ashamed. She spurned the wanton and +libidinous fingering, and repulsed the unchaste hands, telling +the man also that he had need of arms, and urging him to cease +his lewd sport. + +Starkad, who had sat down by the door, with the hat muffling his +head, had already become so deeply enraged at this sight, that he +could not find patience to hold his hand any longer, but put away +his covering and clapped his right hand to his sword to draw it. +Then the smith, whose only skill was in lewdness, faltered with +sudden alarm, and finding that it had come to fighting, gave up +all hope of defending himself, and saw in flight the only remedy +for his need. Thus it was as hard to break out of the door, of +which the enemy held the approach, as it was grievous to await +the smiter within the house. At last necessity forced him to put +an end to his delay, and he judged that a hazard wherein there +lay but the smallest chance of safety was more desirable than +sure and manifest danger. Also, hard as it was to fly, the +danger being so close, yet he desired flight because it seemed to +bring him aid, and to be the nearer way to safety; and he cast +aside delay, which seemed to be an evil bringing not the smallest +help, but perhaps irretrievable ruin. But just as he gained the +threshold, the old man watching at the door smote him through the +hams, and there, half dead, he tottered and fell. For the smiter +thought he ought carefully to avoid lending his illustrious hands +to the death of a vile cinder-blower, and considered that +ignominy would punish his shameless passion worse than death. +Thus some men think that he who suffers misfortune is worse +punished than he who is slain outright. Thus it was brought +about, that the maiden, who had never had parents to tend her, +came to behave like a woman of well-trained nature, and did the +part, as it were, of a zealous guardian to herself. And when +Starkad, looking round, saw that the household sorrowed over the +late loss of their master, he heaped shame on the wounded man +with more invective, and thus began to mock: + +"Why is the house silent and aghast? What makes this new grief? +Or where now rest that doting husband whom the steel has just +punished for his shameful love? Keeps he still aught of his +pride and lazy wantonness? Holds he to his quest, glows his lust +as hot as before? Let him while away an hour with me in +converse, and allay with friendly words my hatred of yesterday. +Let your visage come forth with better cheer; let not lamentation +resound in the house, or suffer the faces to become dulled with +sorrow. + +"Wishing to know who burned with love for the maiden, and was +deeply enamoured of my beloved ward, I put on a cap, lest my +familiar face might betray me. Then comes in that wanton smith, +with lewd steps, bending his thighs this way and that with +studied gesture, and likewise making eyes as he ducked all ways. +His covering was a mantle fringed with beaver, his sandals were +inlaid with gems, his cloak was decked with gold. Gorgeous +ribbons bound his plaited hair, and a many-coloured band drew +tight his straying locks. Hence grew a sluggish and puffed-up +temper; he fancied that wealth was birth, and money forefathers, +and reckoned his fortune more by riches than by blood. Hence +came pride unto him, and arrogance led to fine attire. For the +wretch began to think that his dress made him equal to the +high-born; he, the cinder-blower, who hunts the winds with hides, +and puffs with constant draught, who rakes the ashes with his +fingers, and often by drawing back the bellows takes in the air, +and with a little fan makes a breath and kindles the smouldering +fires! Then he goes to the lap of the girl, and leaning close, +says, `Maiden, comb my hair and catch the skipping fleas, and +remove what stings my skin.' Then he sat and spread his arms +that sweated under the gold, lolling on the smooth cushion and +leaning back on his elbow, wishing to flaunt his adornment, just +as a barking brute unfolds the gathered coils of its twisted +tail. But she knew me, and began to check her lover and rebuff +his wanton hands; and, declaring that it was I, she said, +`Refrain thy fingers, check thy promptings, take heed to appease +the old man sitting close by the doors. The sport will turn to +sorrow. I think Starkad is here, and his slow gaze scans thy +doings.' The smith answered: `Turn not pale at the peaceful +raven and the ragged old man; never has that mighty one whom thou +fearest stooped to such common and base attire. The strong man +loves shining raiment, and looks for clothes to match his +courage.' Then I uncovered and drew my sword, and as the smith +fled I clove his privy parts; his hams were laid open, cut away +from the bone; they showed his entrails. Presently I rise and +crush the girl's mouth with my fist, and draw blood from her +bruised nostril. Then her lips, used to evil laughter, were wet +with tears mingled with blood, and foolish love paid for all the +sins it committed with soft eyes. Over is the sport of the +hapless woman who rushed on, blind with desire, like a maddened +mare, and makes her lust the grave of her beauty. Thou deservest +to be sold for a price to foreign peoples and to grind at the +mill, unless blood pressed from thy breasts prove thee falsely +accused, and thy nipple's lack of milk clear thee of the crime. +Howbeit, I think thee free from this fault; yet bear not tokens +of suspicion, nor lay thyself open to lying tongues, nor give +thyself to the chattering populace to gird at. Rumour hurts +many, and a lying slander often harms. A little word deceives +the thoughts of common men. Respect thy grandsires, honour thy +fathers, forget not thy parents, value thy forefathers; let thy +flesh and blood keep its fame. What madness came on thee? And +thou, shameless smith, what fate drove thee in thy lust to +attempt a high-born race? Or who sped thee, maiden, worthy of +the lordliest pillows, to loves obscure? Tell me, how durst thou +taste with thy rosy lips a mouth reeking of ashes, or endure on +thy breast hands filthy with charcoal, or bring close to thy side +the arms that turn the live coals over, and put the palms +hardened with the use of the tongs to thy pure cheeks, and +embrace the head sprinkled with embers, taking it to thy bright +arms? + +"I remember how smiths differ from one another, for once they +smote me. All share alike the name of their calling, but the +hearts beneath are different in temper. I judge those best who +weld warriors' swords and spears for the battle, whose temper +shows their courage, who betoken their hearts by the sternness of +their calling, whose work declares their prowess. There are also +some to whom the hollow mould yields bronze, as they make the +likeness of divers things in molten gold, who smelt the veins and +recast the metal. But Nature has fashioned these of a softer +temper, and has crushed with cowardice the hands which she has +gifted with rare skill. Often such men, while the heat of the +blast melts the bronze that is poured in the mould, craftily +filch flakes of gold from the lumps, when the vessel thirsts +after the metal they have stolen." + +So speaking, Starkad got as much pleasure from his words as from +his works, and went back to Halfdan, embracing his service with +the closest friendship, and never ceasing from the exercise of +war; so that he weaned his mind from delights, and vexed it with +incessant application to arms. + +Now Ingild had two sisters, Helga and Asa; Helga was of full age +to marry, while Asa was younger and unripe for wedlock. Then +Helge the Norwegian was moved with desire to ask for Helga for +his wife, and embarked. Now he had equipped his vessel so +luxuriously that he had lordly sails decked with gold, held up +also on gilded masts, and tied with crimson ropes. When he +arrived Ingild promised to grant him his wish if, to test his +reputation publicly, he would first venture to meet in battle the +champions pitted against him. Helge did not flinch at the terms; +he answered that he would most gladly abide by the compact. And +so the troth-plight of the future marriage was most ceremoniously +solemnized. + +A story is remembered that there had grown up at the same time, +on the Isle of Zealand, the nine sons of a certain prince, all +highly gifted with strength and valour, the eldest of whom was +Anganty. This last was a rival suitor for the same maiden; and +when he saw that the match which he had been denied was promised +to Helge, he challenged him to a struggle, wishing to fight away +his vexation. Helge agreed to the proposed combat. The hour of +the fight was appointed for the wedding-day by the common wish of +both. For any man who, being challenged, refused to fight, used +to be covered with disgrace in the sight of all men. Thus Helge +was tortured on the one side by the shame of refusing the battle, +on the other by the dread of waging it. For he thought himself +attacked unfairly and counter to the universal laws of combat, as +he had apparently undertaken to fight nine men single-handed. +While he was thus reflecting his betrothed told him that he would +need help, and counselled him to refrain from the battle, wherein +it seemed he would encounter only death and disgrace, especially +as he had not stipulated for any definite limit to the number of +those who were to be his opponents. He should therefore avoid +the peril, and consult his safety by appealing to Starkad, who +was sojourning among the Swedes; since it was his way to help the +distressed, and often to interpose successfully to retrieve some +dismal mischance. + +Then Helge, who liked the counsel thus given very well, took a +small escort and went into Sweden; and when he reached its most +famous city, Upsala, he forbore to enter, but sent in a messenger +who was to invite Starkad to the wedding of Frode's daughter, +after first greeting him respectfully to try him. This courtesy +stung Starkad like an insult. He looked sternly on the youth, +and said, "That had he not had his beloved Frode named in his +instructions, he should have paid dearly for his senseless +mission. He must think that Starkad, like some buffoon or +trencherman, was accustomed to rush off to the reek of a distant +kitchen for the sake of a richer diet." Helge, when his servant +had told him this, greeted the old man in the name of Frode's +daughter, and asked him to share a battle which he had accepted +upon being challenged, saying that he was not equal to it by +himself, the terms of the agreement being such as to leave the +number of his adversaries uncertain. Starkad, when he had heard +the time and place of the combat, not only received the suppliant +well, but also encouraged him with the offer of aid, and told him +to go back to Denmark with his companions, telling him that he +would find his way to him by a short and secret path. Helge +departed, and if we may trust report, Starkad, by sheer speed of +foot, travelled in one day's journeying over as great a space as +those who went before him are said to have accomplished in +twelve; so that both parties, by a chance meeting, reached their +journey's end, the palace of Ingild, at the very same time. Here +Starkad passed, just as the servants did, along the tables filled +with guests; and the aforementioned nine, howling horribly with +repulsive gestures, and running about as if they were on the +stage, encouraged one another to the battle. Some say that they +barked like furious dogs at the champion as he approached. +Starkad rebuked them for making themselves look ridiculous with +such an unnatural visage, and for clowning with wide grinning +cheeks; for from this, he declared, soft and effeminate +profligates derived their wanton incontinence. When Starkad was +asked banteringly by the nine whether he had valour enough to +fight, he answered that doubtless he was strong enough to meet, +not merely one, but any number that might come against him. And +when the nine heard this they understood that this was the man +whom they had heard would come to the succour of Helge from afar. +Starkad also, to protect the bride-chamber with a more diligent +guard, voluntarily took charge of the watch; and, drawing back +the doors of the bedroom, barred them with a sword instead of a +bolt, meaning to post himself so as to give undisturbed quiet to +their bridal. + +When Helge woke, and, shaking off the torpor of sleep, remembered +his pledge, he thought of buckling on his armour. But, seeing +that a little of the darkness of night yet remained, and wishing +to wait for the hour of dawn, he began to ponder the perilous +business at hand, when sleep stole on him and sweetly seized him, +so that he took himself back to bed laden with slumber. Starkad, +coming in on him at daybreak, saw him locked asleep in the arms +of his wife, and would not suffer him to be vexed with a sudden +shock, or summoned from his quiet slumbers; lest he should seem +to usurp the duty of wakening him and breaking upon the sweetness +of so new a union, all because of cowardice. He thought it, +therefore, more handsome to meet the peril alone than to gain a +comrade by disturbing the pleasure of another. So he quietly +retraced his steps, and scorning his enemies, entered the field +which in our tongue is called Roliung, and finding a seat under +the slope of a certain hill, he exposed himself to wind and snow. +Then, as though the gentle airs of spring weather were breathing +upon him, he put off his cloak, and set to picking out the fleas. +He also cast on the briars a purple mantle which Helga had lately +given him, that no clothing might seem to lend him shelter +against the raging shafts of hail. Then the champions came and +climbed the hill on the opposite side; and, seeking a spot +sheltered from the winds wherein to sit, they lit a fire and +drove off the cold. At last, not seeing Starkad, they sent a man +to the crest of the hill, to watch his coming more clearly, as +from a watch-tower. This man climbed to the top of the lofty +mountain, and saw, on its sloping side, an old man covered +shoulder-high with the snow that showered down. He asked him if +he was the man who was to fight according to the promise. +Starkad declared that he was. Then the rest came up and asked +him whether he had resolved to meet them all at once or one by +one. But he said, "Whenever a surly pack of curs yelps at me, I +commonly send them flying all at once, and not in turn." Thus he +let them know that he would rather fight with-them all together +than one by one, thinking that his enemies should be spurned with +words first and deeds afterwards. + +The fight began furiously almost immediately, and he felled six +of them without receiving any wound in return; and though the +remaining three wounded him so hard in seventeen places that most +of his bowels gushed out of his belly, he slew them +notwithstanding, like their brethren. Disembowelled, with +failing strength, he suffered from dreadful straits of thirst, +and, crawling on his knees in his desire to find a draught, he +longed for water from the streamlet that ran close by. But when +he saw it was tainted with gore he was disgusted at the look of +the water, and refrained from its infected draught. For Anganty +had been struck down in the waves of the river, and had dyed its +course so deep with his red blood that it seemed now to flow not +with water, but with some ruddy liquid. So Starkad thought it +nobler that his bodily strength should fail than that he should +borrow strength from so foul a beverage. Therefore, his force +being all but spent, he wriggled on his knees, up to a rock that +happened to be lying near, and for some little while lay leaning +against it. A hollow in its surface is still to be seen, just as +if his weight as he lay had marked it with a distinct impression +of his body. But I think this appearance is due to human +handiwork, for it seems to pass all belief that the hard and +uncleavable rock should so imitate the softness of wax, as, +merely by the contact of a man leaning on it, to present the +appearance of a man having sat there, and assume concavity for +ever. + +A certain man, who chanced to be passing by in a cart, saw +Starkad wounded almost all over his body. Equally aghast and +amazed, he turned and drove closer, asking what reward he should +have if he were to tend and heal his wounds. But Starkad would +rather be tortured by grievous wounds than use the service of a +man of base estate, and first asked his birth and calling. The +man said that his profession was that of a sergeant. Starkad, +not content with despising him, also spurned him with revilings, +because, neglecting all honourable business, he followed the +calling of a hanger-on; and because he had tarnished his whole +career with ill repute, thinking the losses of the poor his own +gains; suffering none to be innocent, ready to inflict wrongful +accusation upon all men, most delighted at any lamentable turn in +the fortunes of another; and toiling most at his own design, +namely of treacherously spying out all men's doings, and seeking +some traitorous occasion to censure the character of the +innocent. + +As this first man departed, another came up, promising aid and +remedies. Like the last comer, he was bidden to declare his +condition; and he said that he had a certain man's handmaid to +wife, and was doing peasant service to her master in order to set +her free. Starkad refused to accept his help, because he had +married in a shameful way by taking a slave to his embrace. Had +he had a shred of virtue he should at least have disdained to be +intimate with the slave of another, but should have enjoyed some +freeborn partner of his bed. What a mighty man, then, must we +deem Starkad, who, when enveloped in the most deadly perils, +showed himself as great in refusing aid as in receiving wounds! + +When this man departed a woman chanced to approach and walk past +the old man. She came up to him in order to wipe his wounds, but +was first bidden to declare what was her birth and calling. She +said that she was a handmaid used to grinding at the mill. +Starkad then asked her if she had children; and when he was told +that she had a female child, he told her to go home and give the +breast to her squalling daughter; for he thought it most uncomely +that he should borrow help from a woman of the lowest degree. +Moreover, he knew that she could nourish her own flesh and blood +with milk better than she could minister to the wounds of a +stranger. + +As the woman was departing, a young man came riding up in a cart. +He saw the old man, and drew near to minister to his wounds. On +being asked who he was, he said his father was a labourer, and +added that he was used to the labours of a peasant. Starkad +praised his origin, and pronounced that his calling was also most +worthy of honour; for, he said, such men sought a livelihood by +honourable traffic in their labour, inasmuch as they knew not of +any gain, save what they had earned by the sweat of their brow. +He also thought that a country life was justly to be preferred +even to the most splendid riches; for the most wholesome fruits +of it seemed to be born and reared in the shelter of a middle +estate, halfway between magnificence and squalor. But he did not +wish to pass the kindness of the youth unrequited, and rewarded +the esteem he had shown him with the mantle he had cast among the +thorns. So the peasant's son approached, replaced the parts of +his belly that had been torn away, and bound up with a plait of +withies the mass of intestines that had fallen out. Then he took +the old man to his car, and with the most zealous respect carried +him away to the palace. + +Meantime Helga, in language betokening the greatest wariness, +began to instruct her husband, saying that she knew that Starkad, +as soon as he came back from conquering the champions, would +punish him for his absence, thinking that he had inclined more to +sloth and lust than to his promise to fight as appointed. +Therefore he must withstand Starkad boldly, because he always +spared the brave but loathed the coward. Helge respected equally +her prophecy and her counsel, and braced his soul and body with a +glow of valorous enterprise. Starkad, when he had been driven to +the palace, heedless of the pain of his wounds, leaped swiftly +out of the cart, and just like a man who was well from top to +toe, burst into the bridal-chamber, shattering the doors with his +fist. Then Helge leapt from his bed, and, as he had been taught +by the counsel of his wife, plunged his blade full at Starkad's +forehead. And since he seemed to be meditating a second blow, +and to be about to make another thrust with his sword, Helga flew +quickly from the couch, caught up a shield, and, by interposing +it, saved the old man from impending destruction; for, +notwithstanding, Helge with a stronger stroke of his blade smote +the shield right through to the boss. Thus the praiseworthy wit +of the woman aided her friend, and her hand saved him whom her +counsel had injured; for she protected the old man by her deed, +as well as her husband by her warning. Starkad was induced by +this to let Helge go scot-free; saying that a man whose ready and +assured courage so surely betokened manliness, ought to be +spared; for he vowed that a man ill deserved death whose brave +spirit was graced with such a dogged will to resist. + +Starkad went back to Sweden before his wounds had been treated +with medicine, or covered with a single scar. Halfdan had been +killed by his rivals; and Starkad, after quelling certain rebels, +set up Siward as the heir to his father's sovereignty. With him +he sojourned a long time; but when he heard -- for the rumour +spread -- that Ingild, the son of Frode (who had been +treacherously slain), was perversely minded, and instead of +punishing his father's murderers, bestowed upon them kindness and +friendship, he was vexed with stinging wrath at so dreadful a +crime. And, resenting that a youth of such great parts should +have renounced his descent from his glorious father, he hung on +his shoulders a mighty mass of charcoal, as though it were some +costly burden, and made his way to Denmark. When asked by those +he met why he was taking along so unusual a load, he said that he +would sharpen the dull wits of King Ingild to a point by bits of +charcoal. So he accomplished a swift and headlong journey, as +though at a single breath, by a short and speedy track; and at +last, becoming the guest of Ingild, he went up, as his custom +was, in to the seat appointed for the great men; for he had been +used to occupy the highest post of distinction with the kings of +the last generation. + +When the queen came in, and saw him covered over with filth and +clad in the mean, patched clothes of a peasant, the ugliness of +her guest's dress made her judge him with little heed; and, +measuring the man by the clothes, she reproached him with +crassness of wit, because he had gone before greater men in +taking his place at table, and had assumed a seat that was too +good for his boorish attire. She bade him quit the place, that +he might not touch the cushions with his dress, which was fouler +than it should have been. For she put down to crassness and +brazenness what Starkad only did from proper pride; she knew not +that on a high seat of honour the mind sometimes shines brighter +than the raiment. The spirited old man obeyed, though vexed at +the rebuff, and with marvellous self-control choked down the +insult which his bravery so ill deserved; uttering at this +disgrace he had received neither word nor groan. But he could +not long bear to hide the bitterness of his anger in silence. +Rising, and retreating to the furthest end of the palace, he +flung his body against the walls; and strong as they were, he so +battered them with the shock, that the beams quaked mightily; and +he nearly brought the house down in a crash. Thus, stung not +only with his rebuff, but with the shame of having poverty cast +in his teeth, he unsheathed his wrath against the insulting +speech of the queen with inexorable sternness. + +Ingild, on his return from hunting, scanned him closely, and, +when he noticed that he neither looked cheerfully about, nor paid +him the respect of rising, saw by the sternness written on his +brow that it was Starkad. For when he noted his hands horny with +fighting, his scars in front, the force and fire of his eye, he +perceived that a man whose body was seamed with so many traces of +wounds had no weakling soul. He therefore rebuked his wife, and +charged her roundly to put away her haughty tempers, and to +soothe and soften with kind words and gentle offices the man she +had reviled; to comfort him with food and drink, and refresh him +with kindly converse; saying, that this man had been appointed +his tutor by his father long ago, and had been a most tender +guardian of his childhood. Then, learning too late the temper of +the old man, she turned her harshness into gentleness, and +respectfully waited on him whom she had rebuffed and railed at +with bitter revilings. The angry hostess changed her part, and +became the most fawning of flatterers. She wished to check his +anger with her attentiveness; and her fault was the less, +inasmuch as she was so quick in ministering to him after she had +been chidden. But she paid dearly for it, for she presently +beheld stained with the blood of her brethren the place where she +had flouted and rebuffed the brave old man from his seat. + +Now, in the evening, Ingild took his meal with the sons of +Swerting, and fell to a magnificent feast, loading the tables +with the profusest dishes. With friendly invitation he kept the +old man back from leaving the revel too early; as though the +delights of elaborate dainties could have undermined that staunch +and sturdy virtue! But when Starkad had set eyes on these +things, he scorned so wanton a use of them; and, not to give way +a whit to foreign fashions, he steeled his appetite against these +tempting delicacies with the self-restraint which was his +greatest strength. He would not suffer his repute as a soldier +to be impaired by the allurements of an orgy. For his valour +loved thrift, and was a stranger to all superfluity of food, and +averse to feasting in excess. For his was a courage which never +at any moment had time to make luxury of aught account, and +always forewent pleasure to pay due heed to virtue. So, when he +saw that the antique character of self-restraint, and all good +old customs, were being corrupted by new-fangled luxury and +sumptuosity, he wished to be provided with a morsel fitter for a +peasant, and scorned the costly and lavish feast. + +Spurning profuse indulgence in food, Starkad took some smoky and +rather rancid fare, appeasing his hunger with a bitter relish +because more simply; and being unwilling to enfeeble his true +valour with the tainted sweetness of sophisticated foreign +dainties, or break the rule of antique plainness by such strange +idolatries of the belly. He was also very wroth that they should +go, to the extravagance of having the same meat both roasted and +boiled at the same meal; for he considered an eatable which was +steeped in the vapours of the kitchen, and which the skill of the +cook rubbed over with many kinds of flavours, in the light of a +monstrosity. + +Unlike Starkad Ingild flung the example of his ancestors to the +winds, and gave himself freer licence of innovation in the +fashions of the table than the custom of his fathers allowed. +For when he had once abandoned himself to the manners of +Teutonland, he did not blush to yield to its unmanly wantonness. +No slight incentives to debauchery have flowed down our country's +throat from that sink of a land. Hence came magnificent dishes, +sumptuous kitchens, the base service of cooks, and all sorts of +abominable sausages. Hence came our adoption, wandering from the +ways of our fathers, of a more dissolute dress. Thus our +country, which cherished self-restraint as its native quality, +has gone begging to our neighbours for luxury; whose allurements +so charmed Ingild, that he did not think it shameful to requite +wrongs with kindness; nor did the grievous murder of his father +make him heave one sigh of bitterness when it crossed his mind. + +But the queen would not depart without effecting her purpose. +Thinking that presents would be the best way to banish the old +man's anger, she took off her own head a band of marvellous +handiwork, and put it in his lap as he supped: desiring to buy +his favour since she could not blunt his courage. But Starkad, +whose bitter resentment was not yet abated, flung it back in the +face of the giver, thinking that in such a gift there was more +scorn than respect. And he was wise not to put this strange +ornament of female dress upon the head that was all bescarred and +used to the helmet; for he knew that the locks of a man ought not +to wear a woman's head-band. Thus he avenged slight with slight, +and repaid with retorted scorn the disdain he had received; +thereby bearing himself well-nigh as nobly in avenging his +disgrace as he had borne himself in enduring it. + +To the soul of Starkad reverence for Frode was grappled with +hooks of love. Drawn to him by deeds of bounty, countless +kindnesses, he could not be wheedled into giving up his purpose +of revenge by any sort of alluring complaisance. Even now, when +Frode was no more, he was eager to pay the gratitude due to his +benefits, and to requite the kindness of the dead, whose loving +disposition and generous friendship he had experienced while he +lived. For he bore graven so deeply in his heart the grievous +picture of Frode's murder, that his honour for that most famous +captain could never be plucked from the inmost chamber of his +soul; and therefore he did not hesitate to rank his ancient +friendship before the present kindness. Besides, when he +recalled the previous affront, he could not thank the +complaisance that followed; he could not put aside the +disgraceful wound to his self-respect. For the memory of +benefits or injuries ever sticks more firmly in the minds of +brave men than in those of weaklings. For he had not the habits +of those who follow their friends in prosperity and quit them in +adversity, who pay more regard to fortune than to looks, and sit +closer to their own gain than to charity toward others. + +But the woman held to her purpose, seeing that even so she could +not win the old man to convivial mirth. Continuing with yet more +lavish courtesy her efforts to soothe him, and to heap more +honours on the guest, she bade a piper strike up, and started +music to melt his unbending rage. For she wanted to unnerve his +stubborn nature by means of cunning sounds. But the cajolery of +pipe or string was just as powerless to enfeeble that dogged +warrior. When he heard it, he felt that the respect paid him +savoured more of pretence than of love. Hence the crestfallen +performer seemed to be playing to a statue rather than a man, and +learnt that it is vain for buffoons to assail with, their tricks +a settled and weighty sternness, and that a mighty mass cannot be +shaken with the idle puffing of the lips. For Starkad had set +his face so firmly in his stubborn wrath, that he seemed not a +whit easier to move than ever. For the inflexibility which he +owed his vows was not softened either by the strain of the lute +or the enticements of the palate; and he thought that more +respect should be paid to his strenuous and manly purpose than to +the tickling of the ears or the lures of the feast. Accordingly +he flung the bone, which he had stripped in eating the meat, in +the face of the harlequin, and drove the wind violently out of +his puffed cheeks, so that they collapsed. By this he showed how +his austerity loathed the clatter of the stage; for his ears were +stopped with anger and open to no influence of delight. This +reward, befitting an actor, punished an unseemly performance with +a shameful wage. For Starkad excellently judged the man's +deserts, and bestowed a shankbone for the piper to pipe on, +requiting his soft service with a hard fee. None could say +whether the actor piped or wept the louder; he showed by his +bitter flood of tears how little place bravery has in the breasts +of the dissolute. For the fellow was a mere minion of pleasure, +and had never learnt to bear the assaults of calamity. This +man's hurt was ominous of the carnage that was to follow at the +feast. Right well did Starkad's spirit, heedful of sternness, +hold with stubborn gravity to steadfast revenge; for he was as +much disgusted at the lute as others were delighted, and repaid +the unwelcome service by insultingly flinging a bone; thus +avowing that he owed a greater debt to the glorious dust of his +mighty friend than to his shameless and infamous ward. + +But when Starkad saw that the slayers of Frode were in high +favour with the king, his stern glances expressed the mighty +wrath which he harboured, and his face betrayed what he felt. +The visible fury of his gaze betokened the secret tempest in his +heart. At last, when Ingild tried to appease him with royal +fare, he spurned the dainty. Satisfied with cheap and common +food, he utterly spurned outlandish delicacies; he was used to +plain diet, and would not pamper his palate with any delightful +flavour. When he was asked why he had refused the generous +attention of the king with such a clouded brow, he said that he +had come to Denmark to find the son of Frode, not a man who +crammed his proud and gluttonous stomach with rich elaborate +feasts. For the Teuton extravagance which the king favoured had +led him, in his longing for the pleasures of abundance, to set to +the fire again, for roasting, dishes which had been already +boiled. Thereupon he could not forbear from attacking Ingild's +character, but poured out the whole bitterness of his reproaches +on his head. He condemned his unfilial spirit, because he gaped +with repletion and vented his squeamishness in filthy hawkings; +because, following the lures of the Saxons, he strayed and +departed far from soberness; because he was so lacking in manhood +as not to pursue even the faintest shadow of it. But, declared +Starkad, he bore the heaviest load of infamy, because, even when +he first began to see service, he forgot to avenge his father, to +whose butchers, forsaking the law of nature, he was kind and +attentive. Men whose deserts were most vile he welcomed with +loving affection; and not only did he let those go scot-free, +whom he should have punished most sharply, but he even judged +them fit persons to live with and entertain at his table, whereas +he should rather have put them to death. Hereupon Starkad is +also said to have sung as follows: + +"Let the unwarlike youth yield to the aged, let him honour all +the years of him that is old. When a man is brave, let none +reproach the number of his days. + +"Though the hair of the ancient whiten with age, their valour +stays still the same; nor shall the lapse of time have power to +weaken their manly heart. + +"I am elbowed away by the offensive guest, who taints with vice +his outward show of goodness, whilst he is the slave of his belly +and prefers his daily dainties to anything. + +"When I was counted as a comrade of Frode, I ever sat in the +midst of warriors on a high seat in the hall, and I was the first +of the princes to take my meal. + +"Now, the lot of a nobler age is reversed; I am shut in a corner, +I am like the fish that seeks shelter as it wanders to and fro +hidden in the waters. + +"I, who used surely in the former age to lie back on a couch +handsomely spread, am now thrust among the hindmost and driven +from the crowded hall. + +"Perchance I had been driven on my back at the doors, had not the +wall struck my side and turned me back, and had not the beam, in +the way made it hard for me to fly when I was thrust forth. + +"I am baited with the jeers of the court-folk; I am not received +as a guest should be; I am girded at with harsh gibing, and stung +with babbling taunts. + +"I am a stranger, and would gladly know what news are spread +abroad by busy rumour; what is the course of events; what the +order of the land; what is doing in your country. + +"Thou, Ingild, buried in sin, why dost thou tarry in the task of +avenging thy father? Wilt thou think tranquilly of the slaughter +of thy righteous sire? + +"Why dost thou, sluggard, think only of feasting, and lean thy +belly back in ease, more effeminate than harlots? Is the +avenging of thy slaughtered father a little thing to thee? + +"When last I left thee, Frode, I learned by my prophetic soul +that thou, mightiest of kings, wouldst surely perish by the sword +of enemies. + +"And while I travelled long in the land, a warning groan rose in +my soul, which augured that thereafter I was never to see thee +more. + +"Wo is me, that then I was far away, harrying the farthest +peoples of the earth, when the traitorous guest aimed craftily at +the throat of his king. + +"Else I would either have shown myself the avenger of my lord, or +have shared his fate and fallen where he fell, and would joyfully +have followed the blessed king in one and the same death. + +"I have not come to indulge in gluttonous feasting, the sin +whereof I will strive to chastise; nor will I take mine ease, nor +the delights of the fat belly. + +"No famous king has ever set me before in the middle by the +strangers. I have been wont to sit in the highest seats among +friends. + +"I have come from Sweden, travelling over wide lands, thinking +that I should be rewarded, if only I had the joy to find the son +of my beloved Frode. + +"But I sought a brave man, and I have come to a glutton, a king +who is the slave of his belly and of vice, whose liking has been +turned back towards wantonness by filthy pleasure. + +"Famous is the speech men think that Halfdan spoke: he warned us +it would soon come to pass that an understanding father should +beget a witless son. + +"Though the heir be deemed degenerate, I will not suffer the +wealth of mighty Frode to profit strangers or to be made public +like plunder." + +At these words the queen trembled, and she took from her head the +ribbon with which she happened, in woman's fashion, to be +adorning her hair, and proffered it to the enraged old man, as +though she could avert his anger with a gift. Starkad in anger +flung it back most ignominiously in the face of the giver, and +began again in a loud voice: + +"Take hence, I pray thee, thy woman's gift, and set back thy +headgear on thy head; no brave man assumes the chaplets that +befit Love only. + +"For it is amiss that the hair of men that are ready for battle +should be bound back with wreathed gold; such attire is right for +the throngs of the soft and effeminate. + +"But take this gift to thy husband, who loves luxury, whose +finger itches, while he turns over the rump and handles the flesh +of the bird roasted brown. + +"The flighty and skittish wife of Ingild longs to observe the +fashions of the Teutons; she prepares the orgy and makes ready +the artificial dainties. + +"For she tickles the palate with a new-fangled feast; she pursues +the zest of an unknown flavour, raging to load all the tables +with dishes yet more richly than before. + +"She gives her lord wine to drink in bowls, pondering all things +with zealous preparation; she bids the cooked meats be roasted, +and intends them for a second fire. + +"Wantonly she feeds her husband like a hog; a shameless whore, +trusting.... + +"She roasts the boiled, and recooks the roasted meats, planning +the meal with spendthrift extravagance, careless of right and +wrong, practising sin, a foul woman. + +"Wanton in arrogance, a soldier of Love, longing for dainties, +she abjures the fair ways of self-control, and also provides +devices for gluttony. + +"With craving stomach she desires turnip strained in a smooth +pan, cakes with thin juice, and shellfish in rows. + +"I do not remember the Great Frode putting his hand to the sinews +of birds, or tearing the rump of a cooked fowl with crooked +thumb. + +"What former king could have been so gluttonous as to stir the +stinking filthy flesh, or rummage in the foul back of a bird with +plucking fingers? + +"The food of valiant men is raw; no need, methinks, of sumptuous +tables for those whose stubborn souls are bent on warfare. + +"It had been fitter for thee to have torn the stiff beard, biting +hard with thy teeth, than greedily to have drained the bowl of +milk with thy wide mouth. + +"We fled from the offence of the sumptuous kitchen; we stayed our +stomach with rancid fare; few in the old days loved cooked +juices. + +"A dish with no sauce of herbs gave us the flesh of rams and +swine. We partook temperately, tainting nothing with bold +excess. + +"Thou who now lickest the milk-white fat, put on, prithee, the +spirit of a man; remember Frode, and avenge thy father's death. + +"The worthless and cowardly heart shall perish, and shall not +parry the thrust of death by flight, though it bury itself in a +valley, or crouch in darkling dens. + +"Once we were eleven princes, devoted followers of King Hakon, +and here Geigad sat above Helge in the order of the meal. + +"Geigad used to appease the first pangs of hunger with a dry rump +of ham; and plenty of hard crust quelled the craving of his +stomach. + +"No one asked for a sickly morsel; all took their food in common; +the meal of mighty men cost but slight display. + +"The commons shunned foreign victual, and the greatest lusted not +for a feast; even the king remembered to live temperately at +little cost. + +"Scorning to look at the mead, he drank the fermented juice of +Ceres; he shrank not from the use of undercooked meats, and hated +the roast. + +"The board used to stand with slight display, a modest salt- +cellar showed the measure of its cost; lest the wise ways of +antiquity should in any wise be changed by foreign usage. + +"Of old, no man put flagons or mixing-bowls on the tables; the +steward filled the cup from the butt, and there was no abundance +of adorned vessels. + +"No one who honoured past ages put the smooth wine-jars beside +the tankards, and of old no bedizened lackey heaped the platter +with dainties. + +"Nor did the vainglorious host deck the meal with little salt- +shell or smooth cup; but all has been now abolished in shameful +wise by the new-fangled manners. + +"Who would ever have borne to take money in ransom for the death +of a lost parent, or to have asked a foe for a gift to atone for +the murder of a father? + +"What strong heir or well-starred son would have sat side by side +with such as these, letting a shameful bargain utterly unnerve +the warrior? + +"Wherefore, when the honours of kings are sung, and bards relate +the victories of captains, I hide my face for shame in my mantle, +sick at heart. + +"For nothing shines in thy trophies, worthy to be recorded by the +pen; no heir of Frode is named in the roll of the honourable. + +"Why dost thou vex me with insolent gaze, thou who honourest the +foe guilty of thy father's blood, and art thought only to take +thy vengeance with loaves and warm soup? + +"When men speak well of the avengers of crimes, then long thou to +lose thy quick power of hearing, that thy impious spirit may not +be ashamed. + +"For oft has the virtue of another vexed a heart that knows its +guilt, and the malice in the breast is abashed by the fair report +of the good. + +"Though thou go to the East, or live sequestered in the countries +of the West, or whether, driven thence, thou seek the midmost +place of the earth; + +"Whether thou revisit the cold quarter of the heaven where the +pole is to be seen, and carries on the sphere with its swift +spin, and looks down upon the neighbouring Bear; + +"Shame shall accompany thee far, and shall smite thy countenance +with heavy disgrace, when the united assembly of the great kings +is taking pastime. + +"Since everlasting dishonour awaits thee, thou canst not come +amidst the ranks of the famous; and in every clime thou shalt +pass thy days in infamy. + +"The fates have given Frode an offspring born into the world when +gods were adverse, whose desires have been enthralled by crime +and ignoble lust. + +"Even as in a ship all things foul gather to the filthy hollow of +the bilge, even so hath a flood of vices poured into Ingild. + +"Therefore, in terror of thy shame being published, thou shalt +lie crushed in the corners of the land, sluggish on thy foul +hearth, and never to be seen in the array of the famous. + +"Then shalt thou shake thy beard at thine evil fate, kept down by +the taunts of thy mistresses, when thy paramour galls thy ear +with her querulous cries. + +"Since chill fear retards thy soul, and thou dreadest to become +the avenger of thy sire, thou art utterly degenerate, and thy +ways are like a slave's. + +"It would have needed scant preparation to destroy thee; even as +if a man should catch and cut the throat of a kid, or slit the +weazand of a soft sheep and butcher it. + +"Behold, a son of the tyrant Swerting shall take the inheritance +of Denmark after thee; he whose slothful sister thou keepest in +infamous union. + +"Whilst thou delightest to honour thy bride, laden with gems and +shining in gold apparel, we burn with all indignation that is +linked with shame, lamenting thy infamies. + +"When thou art stirred by furious lust, our mind is troubled, and +recalls the fashion of ancient times, and bids us grieve sorely. + +"For we rate otherwise than thou the crime of the foes whom now +thou holdest in honour; wherefore the face of this age is a +burden to me, remembering the ancient ways. + +"I would crave no greater blessing, O Frode, if I might see those +guilty of thy murder duly punished for such a crime." + +Now he prevailed so well by this stirring counsel, that his +reproach served like a flint wherewith to strike a blazing flame +of valour in the soul that had been chill and slack. For the +king had at first heard the song inattentively; but, stirred by +the earnest admonition of his guardian, he conceived in his heart +a tardy fire of revenge; and, forgetting the reveller, he changed +into the foeman. At last he leapt up from where he lay, and +poured the whole flood of his anger on those at table with him; +insomuch that he unsheathed his sword upon the sons of Swerting +with bloody ruthlessness, and aimed with drawn blade at the +throats of those whose gullets he had pampered with the pleasures +of the table. These men he forthwith slew; and by so doing he +drowned the holy rites of the table in blood. He sundered the +feeble bond of their league, and exchanged a shameful revel for +enormous cruelty; the host became the foe, and that vilest slave +of excess the bloodthirsty agent of revenge. For the vigorous +pleading of his counsellor bred a breath of courage in his soft +and unmanly youth; it drew out his valour from its lurking-place, +and renewed it, and so fashioned it that the authors of a most +grievous murder were punished even as they deserved. For the +young man's valour had been not quenched, but only in exile, and +the aid of an old man had drawn it out into the light; and it +accomplished a deed which was all the greater for its tardiness; +for it was somewhat nobler to steep the cups in blood than in +wine. What a spirit, then, must we think that old man had, who +by his eloquent adjuration expelled from that king's mind its +infinite sin, and who, bursting the bonds of iniquity, implanted +a most effectual seed of virtue. Starkad aided the king with +equal achievements; and not only showed the most complete courage +in his own person, but summoned back that which had been rooted +out of the heart of another. When the deed was done, he thus +begun: + +"King Ingild, farewell; thy heart, full of valour, hath now shown +a deed of daring. The spirit that reigns in thy body is revealed +by its fair beginning; nor did there lack deep counsel in thy +heart, though thou wert silent till this hour; for thou dost +redress by thy bravery what delay had lost, and redeemest the +sloth of thy spirit by mighty valour. Come now, let us rout the +rest, and let none escape the peril which all alike deserve. Let +the crime come home to the culprit; let the sin return and crush +its contriver. + +"Let the servants take up in a car the bodies of the slain, and +let the attendant quickly bear out the carcases. Justly shall +they lack the last rites; they are unworthy to be covered with a +mound; let no funeral procession or pyre suffer them the holy +honour of a barrow; let them be scattered to rot in the fields, +to be consumed by the beaks of birds; let them taint the country +all about with their deadly corruption. + +"Do thou too, king, if thou hast any wit, flee thy savage bride, +lest the she-wolf bring forth a litter like herself, and a beast +spring from thee that shall hurt its own father. + +"Tell me, Rote, continual derider of cowards, thinkest thou that +we have avenged Frode enough, when we have spent seven deaths on +the vengeance of one? Lo, those are borne out dead who paid +homage not to thy sway in deed, but only in show, and though +obsequious they planned treachery. But I always cherished this +hope, that noble fathers have noble offspring, who will follow in +their character the lot which they received by their birth. +Therefore, Ingild, better now than in time past dost thou deserve +to be called lord of Leire and of Denmark. + +"When, O King Hakon, I was a beardless youth, and followed thy +leading and command in warfare, I hated luxury and wanton souls, +and practiced only wars. Training body and mind together, I +banished every unholy thing from my soul, and shunned the +pleasures of the belly, loving deeds of prowess. For those that +followed the calling of arms had rough clothing and common gear +and short slumbers and scanty rest. Toil drove ease far away, +and the time ran by at scanty cost. Not as with some men now, +the light of whose reason is obscured by insatiate greed with its +blind maw. Some one of these clad in a covering of curiously +wrought raiment effeminately guides the fleet-footed (steed), and +unknots his dishevelled locks, and lets his hair fly abroad +loosely. + +"He loves to plead often in the court, and to covet a base +pittance, and with this pursuit he comforts his sluggish life, +doing with venal tongue the business entrusted to him. + +"He outrages the laws by force, he makes armed assault upon men's +rights, he tramples on the innocent, he feeds on the wealth of +others, he practices debauchery and gluttony, he vexes good +fellowship with biting jeers, and goes after harlots as a hoe +after the grass. + +"The coward falls when battles are lulled in peace. Though he +who fears death lie in the heart of the valley, no mantlet shall +shelter him. His final fate carries off every living man; doom +is not to be averted by skulking. But I, who have shaken the +whole world with my slaughters, shall I enjoy a peaceful death? +Shall I be taken up to the stars in a quiet end? Shall I die in +my bed without a wound?" + + + +BOOK SEVEN. + +We are told by historians of old, that Ingild had four sons, of +whom three perished in war, while OLAF alone reigned after his +father; but some say that Olaf was the son of Ingild's sister, +though this opinion is doubtful. Posterity has but an uncertain +knowledge of his deeds, which are dim with the dust of antiquity; +nothing but the last counsel of his wisdom has been rescued by +tradition. For when he was in the last grip of death he took +thought for his sons FRODE and HARALD, and bade them have royal +sway, one over the land and the other over the sea, and receive +these several powers, not in prolonged possession, but in yearly +rotation. Thus their share in the rule was made equal; but +Frode, who was the first to have control of the affairs of the +sea, earned disgrace from his continual defeats in roving. His +calamity was due to his sailors being newly married, and +preferring nuptial joys at home to the toils of foreign warfare. +After a time Harald, the younger son, received the rule of the +sea, and chose soldiers who were unmarried, fearing to be baffled +like his brother. Fortune favoured his choice; for he was as +glorious a rover as his brother was inglorious; and this earned +him his brother's hatred. Moreover, their queens, Signe and +Ulfhild, one of whom was the daughter of Siward, King of Sweden, +the other of Karl, the governor of Gothland, were continually +wrangling as to which was the nobler, and broke up the mutual +fellowship of their husbands. Hence Harald and Frode, when their +common household was thus shattered, divided up the goods they +held in common, and gave more heed to the wrangling altercations +of the women than to the duties of brotherly affection. + +Moreover, Frode, judging that his brother's glory was a disgrace +to himself and brought him into contempt, ordered one of his +household to put him to death secretly; for he saw that the man +of whom he had the advantage in years was surpassing him in +courage. When the deed was done, he had the agent of his +treachery privily slain, lest the accomplice should betray the +crime. Then, in order to gain the credit of innocence and escape +the brand of crime, he ordered a full inquiry to be made into the +mischance that had cut off his brother so suddenly. But he could +not manage, by all his arts, to escape silent condemnation in the +thoughts of the common people. He afterwards asked Karl, "Who +had killed Harald?" and Karl replied that it was deceitful in him +to ask a question about something which he knew quite well. +These words earned him his death; for Frode thought that he had +reproached him covertly with fratricide. + +After this, the lives of Harald and Halfdan, the sons of Harald +by Signe the daughter of Karl, were attempted by their uncle. +But the guardians devised a cunning method of saving their wards. +For they cut off the claws of wolves and tied them to the soles +of their feet; and then made them run along many times so as to +harrow up the mud near their dwelling, as well as the ground +(then covered with, snow), and give the appearance of an attack +by wild beasts. Then they killed the children of some bond- +women, tore their bodies into little pieces, and scattered their +mangled limbs all about. So when the youths were looked for in +vain, the scattered limbs were found, the tracks of the beasts +were pointed out, and the ground was seen besmeared with blood. +It was believed that the boys had been devoured by ravening +wolves; and hardly anyone was suffered to doubt so plain a proof +that they were mangled. The belief in this spectacle served to +protect the wards. They were presently shut up by their +guardians in a hollow oak, so that no trace of their being alive +should get abroad, and were fed for a long time under pretence +that they were dogs; and were even called by hounds' names, to +prevent any belief getting abroad that they were hiding. (1) + +Frode alone refused to believe in their death; and he went and +inquired of a woman skilled in divination where they were hid. +So potent were her spells, that she seemed able, at any distance, +to perceive anything, however intricately locked away, and to +summon it out to light. She declared that one Ragnar had +secretly undertaken to rear them, and had called them by the +names of dogs to cover the matter. When the young men found +themselves dragged from their hiding by the awful force of her +spells, and brought before the eyes of the enchantress, loth to +be betrayed by this terrible and imperious compulsion, they flung +into her lap a shower of gold which they had received from their +guardians. When she had taken the gift, she suddenly feigned +death, and fell like one lifeless. Her servants asked the reason +why she fell so suddenly; and she declared that the refuge of the +sons of Harald was inscrutable; for their wondrous might +qualified even the most awful effects of her spells. Thus she +was content with a slight benefit, and could not bear to await a +greater reward at the king's hands. After this Ragnar, finding +that the belief concerning himself and his wards was becoming +rife in common talk, took them, both away into Funen. Here he +was taken by Frode, and confessed that he had put the young men +in safe keeping; and he prayed the king to spare the wards whom +he had made fatherless, and not to think it a piece of good +fortune to be guilty of two unnatural murders. By this speech he +changed the king's cruelty into shame; and he promised that if +they attempted any plots in their own land, he would give +information to the king. Thus he gained safety for his wards, +and lived many years in freedom from terror. + +When the boys grew up, they went to Zealand, and were bidden by +their friends to avenge their father. They vowed that they and +their uncle should not both live out the year. When Ragnar found +this out, he went by night to the palace, prompted by the +recollection of his covenant, and announced that he was come +privily to tell the king something he had promised. But the king +was asleep, and he would not suffer them to wake him up, because +Frode had been used to punish any disturbance of his rest with +the sword. So mighty a matter was it thought of old to break the +slumbers of a king by untimely intrusion. Frode heard this from +the sentries in the morning; and when he perceived that Ragnar +had come to tell him of the treachery, he gathered together his +soldiers, and resolved to forestall deceit by ruthless measures. +Harald's sons had no help for it but to feign madness. For when +they found themselves suddenly attacked, they began to behave +like maniacs, as if they were distraught. And when Frode thought +that they were possessed, he gave up his purpose, thinking it +shameful to attack with the sword those who seemed to be turning +the sword against themselves. But he was burned to death by them +on the following night, and was punished as befitted a +fratricide. For they attacked the palace, and first crushing the +queen with a mass of stones and then, having set fire to the +house, they forced Frode to crawl into a narrow cave that had +been cut out long before, and into the dark recesses of tunnels. +Here he lurked in hiding and perished, stifled by the reek and +smoke. + +After Frode was killed, HALFDAN reigned over his country about +three years, and then, handing over his sovereignty to his +brother Harald as deputy, went roving, and attacked and ravaged +Oland and the neighbouring isles, which are severed from contact +with Sweden by a winding sound. Here in the winter he beached +and entrenched his ships, and spent three years on the +expedition. After this he attacked Sweden, and destroyed its +king in the field. Afterwards he prepared to meet the king's +grandson Erik, the son of his own uncle Frode, in battle; and +when he heard that Erik's champion, Hakon, was skillful in +blunting swords with his spells, he fashioned, to use for +clubbing, a huge mace studded with iron knobs, as if he would +prevail by the strength of wood over the power of sorcery. Then +-- for he was conspicuous beyond all others for his bravery -- +amid the hottest charges of the enemy, he covered his head with +his helmet, and, without a shield, poised his club, and with the +help of both hands whirled it against the bulwark of shields +before him. No obstacle was so stout but it was crushed to +pieces by the blow of the mass that smote it. Thus he overthrew +the champion, who ran against him in the battle, with a violent +stroke of his weapon. But he was conquered notwithstanding, and +fled away into Helsingland, where he went to one Witolf (who had +served of old with Harald), to seek tendance for his wounds. +This man had spent most of his life in camp; but at last, after +the grievous end of his general, he had retreated into this +lonely district, where he lived the life of a peasant, and rested +from the pursuits of war. Often struck himself by the missiles +of the enemy, he had gained no slight skill in leechcraft by +constantly tending his own wounds. But if anyone came with +flatteries to seek his aid, instead of curing him he was +accustomed to give him something that would secretly injure him, +thinking it somewhat nobler to threaten than to wheedle for +benefits. When the soldiers of Erik menaced his house, in their +desire to take Halfdan, he so robbed them of the power of sight +that they could neither perceive the house nor trace it with +certainty, though it was close to them. So utterly had their +eyesight been dulled by a decisive mist. + +When Halfdan had by this man's help regained his full strength, +he summoned Thore, a champion of notable capacity, and proclaimed +war against Erik. But when the forces were led out on the other +side, and he saw that Erik was superior in numbers, he hid a part +of his army, and instructed it to lie in ambush among the bushes +by the wayside, in order to destroy the enemy by an ambuscade as +he marched through the narrow part of the path. Erik foresaw +this, having reconnoitred his means of advancing, and thought he +must withdraw for fear, if he advanced along the track he had +intended, of being hard-pressed by the tricks of the enemy among +the steep windings of the hills. They therefore joined battle, +force against force, in a deep valley, inclosed all round by +lofty mountain ridges. Here Halfdan, when he saw the line of his +men wavering, climbed with Thore up a crag covered with stones +and, uprooting boulders, rolled them down upon the enemy below; +and the weight of these as they fell crushed the line that was +drawn up in the lower position. Thus he regained with stones the +victory which he had lost with arms. For this deed of prowess he +received the name of Biargramm ("rock strong"), a word which +seems to have been compounded from the name of his fierceness and +of the mountains. He soon gained so much esteem for this among +the Swedes that he was thought to be the son of the great Thor, +and the people bestowed divine honours upon him, and judged him +worthy of public libation. + +But the souls of the conquered find it hard to rest, and the +insolence of the beaten ever struggles towards the forbidden +thing. So it came to pass that Erik, in his desire to repair the +losses incurred in flight, attacked the districts subject to +Halfdan. Even Denmark he did not exempt from this harsh +treatment; for he thought it a most worthy deed to assail the +country of the man who had caused him to be driven from his own. +And so, being more anxious to inflict injury than to repel it, he +set Sweden free from the arms of the enemy. When Halfdan heard +that his brother Harald had been beaten by Erik in three battles, +and slain in the fourth, he was afraid of losing his empire; he +had to quit the land of the Swedes and go back to his own +country. Thus Erik regained the kingdom of Sweden all the more +quickly, that he quitted it so lightly. Had fortune wished to +favour him in keeping his kingdom as much as she had in regaining +it, she would in nowise have given him into the hand of Halfdan. +This capture was made in the following way: When Halfdan had gone +back into Sweden, he hid his fleet craftily, and went to meet +Erik with two vessels. Erik attacked him with ten; and Halfdan, +sailing through sundry winding channels, stole back to his +concealed forces. Erik pursued him too far, and the Danish fleet +came out on the sea. Thus Erik was surrounded; but he rejected +the life, which was offered him under condition of thraldom. He +could not bear to think more of the light of day than liberty, +and chose to die rather than serve; lest he should seem to love +life so well as to turn from a slave into a freeman; and that he +might not court with new-born obeisance the man whom fortune had +just before made only his equal. So little knows virtue how to +buy life with dishonour. Wherefore he was put in chains, and +banished to a place haunted by wild beasts; an end unworthy of +that lofty spirit. + +Halfdan had thus become sovereign of both kingdoms, and graced +his fame with a triple degree of honour. For he was skillful and +eloquent in composing poems in the fashion of his country; and he +was no less notable as a valorous champion than as a powerful +king. But when he heard that two active rovers, Toke and Anund, +were threatening the surrounding districts, he attacked and +routed them in a sea-fight. For the ancients thought that +nothing was more desirable than glory which was gained, not by +brilliancy of wealth, but by address in arms. Accordingly, the +most famous men of old were so minded as to love seditions, to +renew quarrels, to loathe ease, to prefer fighting to peace, to +be rated by their valour and not by their wealth, to find their +greatest delight in battles, and their least in banquetings. + +But Halfdan was not long to seek for a rival. A certain Siwald, +of most illustrious birth, related with lamentation in the +assembly of the Swedes the death of Frode and his queen; and +inspired in almost all of them such a hatred of Halfdan, that the +vote of the majority granted him permission to revolt. Nor was +he content with the mere goodwill of their voices, but so won the +heart of the commons by his crafty canvassing that he induced +almost all of them to set with their hands the royal emblem on +his head. Siwald had seven sons, who were such clever sorcerers +that often, inspired with the force of sudden frenzy, they would +roar savagely, bite their shields, swallow hot coals, and go +through any fire that could be piled up; and their frantic +passion could only be checked by the rigour of chains, or +propitiated by slaughter of men. With such a frenzy did their +own sanguinary temper, or else the fury of demons, inspire them. + +When Halfdan had heard of these things while busy roving, he said +it was right that his soldiers, who had hitherto spent their rage +upon foreigners, should now smite with the steel the flesh of +their own countrymen, and that they who had been used to labour +to extend their realm should now avenge its wrongful seizure. On +Halfdan approaching, Siwald sent him ambassadors and requested +him, if he was as great in act as in renown, to meet himself and +his sons in single combat, and save the general peril by his own. +When the other answered, that a combat could not lawfully be +fought by more than two men, Siwald said, that it was no wonder +that a childless bachelor should refuse the proffered conflict, +since his nature was void of heat, and had struck a disgraceful +frost into his soul and body. Children, he added, were not +different from the man who begot them, since they drew from him +their common principle of birth. Thus he and his sons were to be +accounted as one person, for nature seemed in a manner to have +bestowed on them a single body. Halfdan, stung with this +shameful affront, accepted the challenge; meaning to wipe out +with noble deeds of valour such an insulting taunt upon his +celibacy. And while he chanced to be walking through a shady +woodland, he plucked up by the roots all oak that stuck in his +path, and, by simply stripping it of its branches, made it look +like a stout club. Having this trusty weapon, he composed a +short song as follows: + +"Behold! The rough burden which I bear with straining crest, +shall unto crests bring wounds and destruction. Never shall any +weapon of leafy wood crush the Goths with direr augury. It shall +shatter the towering strength of the knotty neck, and shall +bruise the hollow temples with the mass of timber. The club +which shall quell the wild madness of the land shall be no less +fatal to the Swedes. Breaking bones, and brandished about the +mangled limbs of warriors, the stock I have wrenched off shall +crush the backs of the wicked, crush the hearths of our kindred, +shed the blood of our countrymen, and be a destructive pest upon +our land." + +When he had said this, he attacked Siwald and his seven sons, and +destroyed them, their force and bravery being useless against the +enormous mass of his club. + +At this time one Hardbeen, who came from Helsingland, gloried in +kidnapping and ravishing princesses, and used to kill any man who +hindered him in his lusts. He preferred high matches to those +that were lowly; and the more illustrious the victims he could +violate, the more noble he thought himself. No man escaped +unpunished who durst measure himself with Hardbeen in valour. He +was so huge, that his stature reached the measure of nine ells. +He had twelve champions dwelling with him, whose business it was +to rise up and to restrain his fury with the aid of bonds, +whenever the rage came on him that foreboded of battle. These +men asked Halfdan to attack Hardbeen and his champions man by +man; and he not only promised to fight, but assured himself the +victory with most confident words. When Hardbeen heard this, a +demoniacal frenzy suddenly took him; he furiously bit and +devoured the edges of his shield; he kept gulping down fiery +coals; he snatched live embers in his mouth and let them pass +down into his entrails; he rushed through the perils of crackling +fires; and at last, when he had raved through every sort of +madness, he turned his sword with raging hand against the hearts +of six of his champions. It is doubtful whether this madness +came from thirst for battle or natural ferocity. Then with the +remaining band of his champions he attacked Halfdan, who crushed +him with a hammer of wondrous size, so that he lost both victory +and life; paying the penalty both to Halfdan, whom he had +challenged, and to the kings whose offspring he had violently +ravished. + +Fortune never seemed satisfied with the trying of Halfdan's +strength, and used to offer him unexpected occasions for +fighting. It so happened that Egther, a Finlander, was harrying +the Swedes on a roving raid. Halfdan, having found that he had +three ships, attacked him with the same number. Night closed the +battle, so that he could not conquer him; but he challenged +Egther next day, fought with and overthrew him. He next heard +that Grim, a champion of immense strength, was suing, under +threats of a duel, for Thorhild, the daughter of the chief +Hather, and that her father had proclaimed that he who put the +champion out of the way should have her. Halfdan, though he had +reached old age a bachelor, was stirred by the promise of the +chief as much as by the insolence of the champion, and went to +Norway. When he entered it, he blotted out every mark by which +he could be recognized, disguising his face with splashes of +dirt; and when he came to the spot of the battle, drew his sword +first. And when he knew that it had been blunted by the glance +of the enemy, he cast it on the ground, drew another from the +sheath, with which he attacked Grim, cutting through the meshes +on the edge of his cuirass, as well as the lower part of his +shield. Grim wondered at the deed, and said, "I cannot remember +an old man who fought more keenly;" and, instantly drawing his +sword, he pierced through and shattered the target that was +opposed to his blade. But as his right arm tarried on the +stroke, Halfdan, without wavering, met and smote it swiftly with +his sword. The other, notwithstanding, clasped his sword with +his left hand, and cut through the thigh of the striker, +revenging the mangling of his own body with a slight wound. +Halfdan, now conqueror, allowed the conquered man to ransom the +remnant of his life with a sum of money; he would not be thought +shamefully to rob a maimed man, who could not fight, of the +pitiful remainder of his days. By this deed he showed himself +almost as great in saving as in conquering his enemy. As a prize +for this victory he won Thorhild in marriage, and had by her a +son Asmund, from whom the kings of Norway treasure the honour of +being descended; retracing the regular succession of their line +down from Halfdan. + +After this, Ebbe, a rover of common birth, was so confident of +his valour, that he was moved to aspire to a splendid marriage. +He was a suitor for Sigrid, the daughter of Yngwin, King of the +Goths, and moreover demanded half the Gothic kingdom for her +dowry. Halfdan was consulted whether the match should be +entertained, and advised that a feigned consent should be given, +promising that he would baulk the marriage. He also gave +instructions that a seat should be allotted to himself among the +places of the guests at table. Yngwin approved the advice; and +Halfdan, utterly defacing the dignity of his royal presence with +an unsightly and alien disguise, and coming by night on the +wedding feast, alarmed those who met him; for they marvelled at +the coming of a man of such superhuman stature. + +When Halfdan entered the palace, he looked round on all and +asked, who was he that had taken the place next to the king? +Upon Ebbe replying that the future son-in-law of the king was +next to his side, Halfdan asked him, in the most passionate +language, what madness, or what demons, had brought him to such +wantonness, as to make bold to unite his contemptible and filthy +race with a splendid and illustrious line, or to dare to lay his +peasant finger upon the royal family: and, not content even with +such a claim, to aspire, as it seemed, to a share even in the +kingdom of another. Then he bade Ebbe fight him, saying that he +must get the victory before he got his wish. The other answered +that the night was the time to fight with monsters, but the day +the time with men; but Halfdan, to prevent him shirking the +battle by pleading the hour, declared that the moon was shining +with the brightness of daylight. Thus he forced Ebbe to fight, +and felled him, turning the banquet into a spectacle, and the +wedding into a funeral. + +Some years passed, and Halfdan went back to his own country, and +being childless he bequeathed the royal wealth by will to Yngwin, +and appointed him king. YNGWIN was afterwards overthrown in war +by a rival named Ragnald, and he left a son SIWALD. + +Siwald's daughter, Sigrid, was of such excellent modesty, that +though a great concourse of suitors wooed her for her beauty, it +seemed as if she could not be brought to look at one of them. +Confident in this power of self-restraint, she asked her father +for a husband who by the sweetness of his blandishments should be +able to get a look back from her. For in old time among us the +self-restraint of the maidens was a great subduer of wanton +looks, lest the soundness of the soul should be infected by the +licence of the eyes; and women desired to avouch the purity of +their hearts by the modesty of their faces. Then one Ottar, the +son of Ebb, kindled with confidence in the greatness either of +his own achievements, or of his courtesy and eloquent address, +stubbornly and ardently desired to woo the maiden. And though he +strove with all the force of his wit to soften her gaze, no +device whatever could move her downcast eyes; and, marvelling at +her persistence in her indomitable rigour, he departed. + +A giant desired the same thing, but, finding himself equally +foiled, he suborned a woman; and she, pretending friendship for +the girl, served her for a while as her handmaid, and at last +enticed her far from her father's house, by cunningly going out +of the way; then the giant rushed upon her and bore her off into +the closest fastnesses of a ledge on the mountain. Others think +that he disguised himself as a woman, treacherously continued his +devices so as to draw the girl away from her own house, and in +the end carried her off. When Ottar heard of this, he ransacked +the recesses of the mountain in search of the maiden, found her, +slew the giant, and bore her off. But the assiduous giant had +bound back the locks of the maiden, tightly twisting her hair in +such a way that the matted mass of tresses was held in a kind of +curled bundle; nor was it easy for anyone to unravel their +plaited tangle, without using the steel. Again, he tried with +divers allurements to provoke the maiden to look at him; and when +he had long laid vain siege to her listless eyes, he abandoned +his quest, since his purpose turned out so little to his liking. +But he could not bring himself to violate the girl, loth to +defile with ignoble intercourse one of illustrious birth. She +then wandered long, and sped through divers desert and circuitous +paths, and happened to come to the hut of a certain huge woman of +the woods, who set her to the task of pasturing her goats. Again +Ottar granted her his aid to set her free, and again he tried to +move her, addressing her in this fashion: "Wouldst thou rather +hearken to my counsels, and embrace me even as I desire, than be +here and tend the flock of rank goats? + +"Spurn the hand of thy wicked mistress, and flee hastily from +thy cruel taskmistress, that thou mayst go back with me to the +ships of thy friends and live in freedom. + +"Quit the care of the sheep entrusted to thee; scorn to drive the +steps of the goats; share my bed, and fitly reward my prayers. + +"O thou whom I have sought with such pains, turn again thy +listless beams; for a little while -- it is an easy gesture -- +lift thy modest face. + +"I will take thee hence, and set thee by the house of thy father, +and unite thee joyfully with thy loving mother, if but once thou +wilt show me thine eyes stirred with soft desires. + +"Thou, whom I have borne so oft from the prisons of the giants, +pay thou some due favour to my toil of old; pity my hard +endeavours, and be stern no more. + +"For why art thou become so distraught and brainsick, that thou +wilt choose to tend the flock of another, and be counted among +the servants of monsters, sooner than encourage our marriage- +troth with fitting and equal consent?" + +But she, that she might not suffer the constancy of her chaste +mind to falter by looking at the world without, restrained her +gaze, keeping her lids immovably rigid. How modest, then, must +we think, were the women of that age, when, under the strongest +provocations of their lovers, they could not be brought to make +the slightest motion of their eyes! So when Ottar found that +even by the merits of his double service he could not stir the +maiden's gaze towards him, he went back to the fleet, wearied out +with shame and chagrin. Sigrid, in her old fashion, ran far away +over the rocks, and chanced to stray in her wanderings to the +abode of Ebb; where, ashamed of her nakedness and distress, she +pretended to be a daughter of paupers. The mother of Ottar saw +that this woman, though bestained and faded, and covered with a +meagre cloak, was the scion of some noble stock; and took her, +and with honourable courtesy kept her by her side in a +distinguished seat. For the beauty of the maiden was a sign that +betrayed her birth, and her telltale features echoed her lineage. +Ottar saw her, and asked why she hid her face in her robe. Also, +in order to test her mind more surely, he feigned that a woman +was about to become his wife, and, as he went up into the bride- +bed, gave Sigrid the torch to hold. The lights had almost burnt +down, and she was hard put to it by the flame coming closer; but +she showed such an example of endurance that she was seen to hold +her hand motionless, and might have been thought to feel no +annoyance from the heat. For the fire within mastered the fire +without, and the glow of her longing soul deadened the burn of +her scorched skin. At last Ottar bade her look to her hand. +Then, modestly lifting her eyes, she turned her calm gaze upon +him; and straightway, the pretended marriage being put away, went +up unto the bride-bed to be his wife. Siwald afterwards seized +Ottar, and thought that he ought to be hanged for defiling his +daughter. + +But Sigrid at once explained how she had happened to be carried +away, and not only brought Ottar back into the king's favour, but +also induced her father himself to marry Ottar's sister. After +this a battle was fought between Siwald and Ragnald in Zealand, +warriors of picked valour being chosen on both sides. For three +days they slaughtered one another; but so great was the bravery +of both sides, that it was doubtful how the victory would go. +Then Ottar, whether seized with weariness at the prolonged +battle, or with desire of glory, broke, despising death, through +the thickest of the foe, cut down Ragnald among the bravest of +his soldiers, and won the Danes a sudden victory. This battle +was notable for the cowardice of the greatest nobles. For the +whole mass fell into such a panic, that forty of the bravest of +the Swedes are said to have turned and fled. The chief of these, +Starkad, had been used to tremble at no fortune, however cruel, +and no danger, however great. But some strange terror stole upon +him, and he chose to follow the flight of his friends rather than +to despise it. I should think that he was filled with this alarm +by the power of heaven, that he might not think himself +courageous beyond the measure of human valour. Thus the +prosperity of mankind is wont ever to be incomplete. Then all +these warriors embraced the service of King Hakon, the mightiest +of the rovers, like remnants of the war drifting to him. + +After this Siwald was succeeded by his son SIGAR, who had sons +Siwald, Alf, and Alger, and a daughter Signe. All excelled the +rest in spirit and beauty, and devoted himself to the business of +a rover. Such a grace was shed on his hair, which had a +wonderful dazzling glow, that his locks seemed to shine silvery. +At the same time Siward, the king of the Goths, is said to have +had two sons, Wemund and Osten, and a daughter Alfhild, who +showed almost from her cradle such faithfulness to modesty that +she continually kept her face muffled in her robe, lest she +should cause her beauty to provoke the passion of another. Her +father banished her into very close keeping, and gave her a viper +and a snake to rear, wishing to defend her chastity by the +protection of these reptiles when they came to grow up. For it +would have been hard to pry into her chamber when it was barred +by so dangerous a bolt. He also enacted that if any man tried to +enter it, and failed, he must straightway yield his head to be +taken off and impaled on a stake. The terror which was thus +attached to wantonness chastened the heated spirits of the young +men. + +Alf, the son of Sigar, thinking that peril of the attempt only +made it nobler, declared himself a wooer, and went to subdue the +beasts that kept watch beside the room of the maiden; inasmuch +as, according to the decree, the embraces of the maiden were the +prize of their subduer. Alf covered his body with a blood- +stained hide in order to make them more frantic against him. +Girt with this, as soon as he had entered the doors of the +enclosure, he took a piece of red-hot steel in the tongs, and +plunged it into the yawning throat of the viper, which he laid +dead. Then he flung his spear full into the gaping mouth of the +snake as it wound and writhed forward, and destroyed it. And +when he demanded the gage which was attached to victory by the +terms of the covenant, Siward answered that he would accept that +man only for his daughter's husband of whom she made a free and +decided choice. None but the girl's mother was stiff against the +wooer's suit; and she privately spoke to her daughter in order to +search her mind. The daughter warmly praised her suitor for his +valour; whereon the mother upbraided her sharply, that her +chastity should be unstrung, and she be captivated by charming +looks; and because, forgetting to judge his virtue, she cast the +gaze of a wanton mind upon the flattering lures of beauty. Thus +Alfhild was led to despise the young Dane; whereupon she +exchanged woman's for man's attire, and, no longer the most +modest of maidens, began the life of a warlike rover. + +Enrolling in her service many maidens who were of the same mind, +she happened to come to a spot where a band of rovers were +lamenting the death of their captain, who had been lost in war; +they made her their rover captain for her beauty, and she did +deeds beyond the valour of woman. Alf made many toilsome voyages +in pursuit of her, and in winter happened to come on a fleet of +the Blacmen. The waters were at this time frozen hard, and the +ships were caught in such a mass of ice that they could not get +on by the most violent rowing. But the continued frost promised +the prisoners a safer way of advance; and Alf ordered his men to +try the frozen surface of the sea in their brogues, after they +had taken off their slippery shoes, so that they could run over +the level ice more steadily. The Blacmen supposed that they were +taking to flight with all the nimbleness of their heels, and +began to fight them, but their steps tottered exceedingly and +they gave back, the slippery surface under their soles making +their footing uncertain. But the Danes crossed the frozen sea +with safer steps, and foiled the feeble advance of the enemy, +whom they conquered, and then turned and sailed to Finland. Here +they chanced to enter a rather narrow gulf, and, on sending a few +men to reconnoitre, they learnt that the harbour was being held +by a few ships. For Alfhild had gone before them with her fleet +into the same narrows. And when she saw the strange ships afar +off, she rowed in swift haste forward to encounter them, thinking +it better to attack the foe than to await them. Alf's men were +against attacking so many ships with so few; but he replied that +it would be shameful if anyone should report to Alfhild that his +desire to advance could be checked by a few ships in the path; +for he said that their record of honours ought not to be +tarnished by such a trifle. + +The Danes wondered whence their enemies got such grace of bodily +beauty and such supple limbs. So, when they began the sea-fight, +the young man Alf leapt on Alfhild's prow, and advanced towards +the stern, slaughtering all that withstood him. His comrade +Borgar struck off Alfhild's helmet, and, seeing the smoothness of +her chin, saw that he must fight with kisses and not with arms; +that the cruel spears must be put away, and the enemy handled +with gentler dealings. So Alf rejoiced that the woman whom he +had sought over land and sea in the face of so many dangers was +now beyond all expectation in his power; whereupon he took hold +of her eagerly, and made her change her man's apparel for a +woman's; and afterwards begot on her a daughter, Gurid. Also +Borgar wedded the attendant of Alfhild, Groa, and had by her a +son, Harald, to whom the following age gave the surname +Hyldeland. + +And that no one may wonder that this sex laboured at warfare, I +will make a brief digression, in order to give a short account of +the estate and character of such women. There were once women +among the Danes who dressed themselves to look like men, and +devoted almost every instant of their lives to the pursuit of +war, that they might not suffer their valour to be unstrung or +dulled by the infection of luxury. For they abhorred all dainty +living, and used to harden their minds and bodies with toil and +endurance. They put away all the softness and lightmindedness of +women, and inured their womanish spirit to masculine +ruthlessness. They sought, moreover, so zealously to be skilled +in warfare, that they might have been thought to have unsexed +themselves. Those especially, who had either force of character +or tall and comely persons, used to enter on this kind of life. +These women, therefore (just as if they had forgotten their +natural estate, and preferred sternness to soft words), offered +war rather than kisses, and would rather taste blood than busses, +and went about the business of arms more than that of amours. +They devoted those hands to the lance which they should rather +have applied to the loom. They assailed men with their spears +whom they could have melted with their looks, they thought of +death and not of dalliance. Now I will cease to wander, and will +go back to my theme. + +In the early spring, Alf and Alger, who had gone back to sea- +roving, were exploring the sea in various directions, when they +lighted with a hundred ships upon Helwin, Hagbard, and Hamund, +sons of the kinglet Hamund. These they attacked and only the +twilight stayed their blood-wearied hands; and in the night the +soldiers were ordered to keep truce. On the morrow this was +ratified for good by a mutual oath; for such loss had been +suffered on both sides in the battle of the day before that they +had no force left to fight again. Thus, exhausted bye quality of +valour, they were driven perforce to make peace. About the same +time Hildigisl, a Teuton Of noble birth, relying on his looks and +his rank, sued for Signe, the daughter of Sigar. But she scorned +him, chiefly for his insignificance, inasmuch as he was not +brave, but wished to adorn his fortunes with the courage of other +people. But this woman was inclined to love Hakon, chiefly for +the high renown of his great deeds. For she thought more of the +brave than the feeble; she admired notable deeds more than looks, +knowing that every allurement of beauty is mere dross when +reckoned against simple valour, and cannot weigh equal with it in +the balance. For there are maids that are more charmed by the +fame than by the face of their lovers; who go not by the looks, +but by the mind, and whom naught but regard for a man's spirit +can kindle to pledge their own troth. Now Hagbard, going to +Denmark with the sons of Sigar, gained speech of their sister +without their knowledge, and in the end induced her to pledge her +word to him that she would secretly become his mistress. +Afterwards, when the waiting-women happened to be comparing the +honourable deeds of the nobles, she preferred Hakon to Hildigisl, +declaring that the latter had nothing to praise but his looks, +while in the case of the other a wrinkled visage was outweighed +by a choice spirit. Not content with this plain kind of praise, +she is said to have sung as follows: + +"This man lacks fairness, but shines with foremost courage, +measuring his features by his force. + +"For the lofty soul redeems the shortcoming of harsh looks, and +conquers the body's blemish. + +"His look flashes with spirit, his face, notable in its very +harshness, delights in fierceness. + +"He who strictly judges character praises not the mind for the +fair hue, but rather the complexion for the mind. + +"This man is not prized for beauty, but for brave daring and war- +won honour. + +"While the other is commended by his comely head and radiant +countenance and crest of lustrous locks. + +"Vile is the empty grace of beauty, self-confounded the deceptive +pride of comeliness. + +"Valour and looks are swayed by different inclinations: one lasts +on, the other perishes. + +"Empty red and white brings in vice, and is frittered away little +by little by the lightly gliding years; + +"But courage plants firmer the hearts devoted to it, and does not +slip and straightway fall. + +"The voice of the multitude is beguiled by outward good, and +forsakes the rule of right; + +"But I praise virtue at a higher rate, and scorn the grace of +comeliness." + +This utterance fell on the ears of the bystanders in such a way, +that they thought she praised Hagbard under the name of Hakon. +And Hildigisl, vexed that she preferred Hagbard to himself, +bribed a certain blind man, Bolwis, to bring the sons of Sigar +and the sons of Hamund to turn their friendship into hatred. For +King Sigar had been used to transact almost all affairs by the +advice of two old men, one of whom was Bolwis. The temper of +these two men was so different, that one used to reconcile folk +who were at feud, while the other loved to sunder in hatred those +who were bound by friendship, and by estranging folk to fan +pestilent quarrels. + +So Bolwis began by reviling the sons of Hamund to the sons of +Sigar, in lying slanders, declaring that they never used to +preserve the bonds of fellowship loyally, and that they must be +restrained by war rather than by league. Thus the alliance of +the young men was broken through; and while Hagbard was far away, +the sons of Sigar, Alf and Alger, made an attack, and Helwin and +Hamund were destroyed by the harbour which is called Hamund's +Bay. Hagbard then came up with fresh forces to avenge his +brothers, and destroyed them in battle. Hildigisl slunk off with +a spear through both buttocks, which was the occasion for a jeer +at the Teutons, since the ugliness of the blow did not fail to +brand it with disgrace. + +Afterwards Hagbard dressed himself in woman's attire, and, as +though he had not wronged Sigar's daughter by slaying her +brothers, went back to her alone, trusting in the promise he had +from her, and feeling more safe in her loyalty than alarmed by +reason of his own misdeed. Thus does lust despise peril. And, +not to lack a pretext for his journey, he gave himself out as a +fighting-maid of Hakon, saying that he took an embassy from him +to Sigar. And when he was taken to bed at night among the +handmaids, and the woman who washed his feet were wiping them, +they asked him why he had such hairy legs, and why his hands were +not at all soft to touch, he answered: + +"What wonder that the soft hollow of my foot should harden, and +that long hairs should stay on my shaggy leg, when the sand has +so often smitten my soles beneath, and the briars have caught me +in mid-step? + +"Now I scour the forest with leaping, now the waters with +running. Now the sea, now the earth, now the wave is my path. + +"Nor could my breast, shut in bonds of steel, and wont to be +beaten with lance and missile, ever have been soft to the touch, +as with you who are covered by the mantle or the smooth gown. + +"Not the distaff or the wool-frails, but spears dripping from the +slaughter, have served for our handling." + +Signe did not hesitate to back up his words with like +dissembling, and replied that it was natural that hands which +dealt more in wounds than wools, and in battle than in tasks of +the house should show the hardness that befitted their service; +and that, unenfeebled with the pliable softness of women, they +should not feel smooth to the touch of others. For they were +hardened partly by the toils of war, partly by the habit of +seafaring. For, said she, the warlike handmaid of Hakon did not +deal in woman's business, but had been wont to bring her right +hand blood-stained with hurling spears and flinging missiles. It +was no wonder, therefore, if her soles were hardened by the +immense journeys she had gone; and that, when the shores she had +scoured so often had bruised them with their rough and broken +shingle, they should toughen in a horny stiffness, and should not +feel soft to the touch like theirs, whose steps never strayed, +but who were forever cooped within the confines of the palace. +Hagbard received her as his bedfellow, under plea that he was to +have the couch of honour; and, amid their converse of mutual +delight, he addressed her slowly in such words as these: + +"If thy father takes me and gives me to bitter death, wilt thou +ever, when I am dead, forget so strong a troth, and again seek +the marriage-plight? + +"For if the chance should fall that way, I can hope for no room +for pardon; nor will the father who is to avenge his sons spare +or have pity. + +"For I stripped thy brothers of their power on the sea and slew +them; and now, unknown to thy father, as though I had done naught +before counter to his will, I hold thee in the couch we share. + +"Say, then, my one love, what manner of wish wilt thou show when +thou lackest the accustomed embrace?" + +Signe answered: + +"Trust me, dear; I wish to die with thee, if fate brings thy turn +to perish first, and not to prolong my span of life at all, when +once dismal death has cast thee to the tomb. + +"For if thou chance to close thy eyes for ever, a victim to the +maddened attack of the men-at-arms; -- by whatsoever doom thy +breath be cut off, by sword or disease, by sea or soil, I +forswear every wanton and corrupt flame, and vow myself to a +death like thine; that they who were bound by one marriage-union +may be embraced in one and the same punishment. Nor will I quit +this man, though I am to feel the pains of death; I have resolved +he is worthy of my love who gathered the first kisses of my +mouth, and had the first fruits of my delicate youth. I think +that no vow will be surer than this, if speech of woman have any +loyalty at all." + +This speech so quickened the spirit of Hagbard, that he found +more pleasure in her promise than peril in his own going away (to +his death). The serving-women betrayed him; and when Sigar's +men-at-arms attacked him, he defended himself long and +stubbornly, and slew many of them in the doorway. But at last he +was taken, and brought before the assembly, and found the voices +of the people divided over him. For very many said that he +should be punished for so great an offence; but Bilwis, the +brother of Bolwis, and others, conceived a better judgment, and +advised that it would be better to use his stout service than to +deal with him too ruthlessly. Then Bolwis came forward and +declared that it was evil advice which urged the king to pardon +when he ought to take vengeance, and to soften with unworthy +compassion his righteous impulse to anger. For how could Sigar, +in the case of this man, feel any desire to spare or pity him, +when he had not only robbed him of the double comfort of his +sons, but had also bestained him with the insult of deflowering +his daughter? The greater part of the assembly voted for this +opinion; Hagbard was condemned, and a gallows-tree planted to +receive him. Hence it came about that he who at first had hardly +one sinister voice against him was punished with general +harshness. Soon after the queen handed him a cup, and, bidding +him assuage his thirst, vexed him with threats after this manner: + +"Now, insolent Hagbard, whom the whole assembly has pronounced +worthy of death, now to quench thy thirst thou shalt give thy +lips liquor to drink in a cup of horn. + +"Wherefore cast away fear, and, at this last hour of thy life, +taste with bold lips the deadly goblet; + +"That, having drunk it, thou mayst presently land by the +dwellings of those below, passing into the sequestered palace of +stern Dis, giving thy body to the gibbet and thy spirit to +Orcus." + +Then the young man took the cup offered him, and is said to have +made answer as follows: + +"With this hand, wherewith I cut off thy twin sons, I will take +my last taste, yea the draught of the last drink. + +"Now not unavenged shall I go to the Elysian regions, not +unchastising to the stern ghosts. For these men have first been +shut in the dens of Tartarus by a slaughter wrought by my +endeavours. This right hand was wet with blood that was yours, +this hand robbed thy children of the years of their youth, +children whom thy womb brought to light; but the deadly sword +spared it not then. Infamous woman, raving in spirit, hapless, +childless mother, no years shall restore to thee the lost, no +time and no day whatsoever shall save thy child from the +starkness of death, or redeem him!" + +Thus he avenged the queen's threats of death by taunting her with +the youths whom he had slain; and, flinging back the cup at her, +drenched her face with the sprinkled wine. + +Meantime Signe asked her weeping women whether they could endure +to bear her company in the things which she purposed. They +promised that they would carry out and perform themselves +whatsoever their mistress should come to wish, and their promise +was loyally kept. Then, drowned in tears, she said that she +wished to follow in death the only partner of her bed that she +had ever had; and ordered that, as soon as the signal had been +given from a place of watch, torches should be put to the room, +then that halters should be made out of their robes; and to these +they should proffer their throats to be strangled, thrusting away +the support to the feet. They agreed, and that they might blench +the less at death, she gave them a draught of wine. After this +Hagbard was led to the hill, which afterwards took its name from +him, to be hanged. Then, to test the loyalty of his true love, +he told the executioners to hang up his mantle, saying that it +would be a pleasure to him if he could see the likeness of his +approaching death rehearsed in some way. The request was +granted; and the watcher on the outlook, thinking that the thing +was being done to Hagbard, reported what she saw to the maidens +who were shut within the palace. They quickly fired the house, +and thrusting away the wooden support under their feet, gave +their necks to the noose to be writhen. So Hagbard, when he saw +the palace wrapped in fire, and the familiar chamber blazing, +said that he felt more joy from the loyalty of his mistress than +sorrow at his approaching death. He also charged the bystanders +to do him to death, witnessing how little he made of his doom by +a song like this: + +"Swiftly, O warriors! Let me be caught and lifted into the air. +Sweet, O my bride! Is it for me to die when thou hast gone. + +"I perceive the crackling and the house ruddy with flames; and +the love, long-promised, declares our troth. + +"Behold, thy covenant is fulfilled with no doubtful vows, since +thou sharest my life and my destruction. + +"We shall have one end, one bond after our troth, and somewhere +our first love will live on. + +"Happy am I, that have deserved to have joy of such a consort, +and not to go basely alone to the gods of Tartarus! + +"Then let the knot gripe the midst of the throat; nought but +pleasure the last doom shall bring, + +"Since there remains a sure hope of the renewal of love, and a +death which will soon have joys of its own. + +"Either country is sweet; in both worlds shall be held in honour +the repose of our souls together, our equal truth in love, + +"For, see now, I welcome the doom before me; since not even among +the shades does very love suffer the embrace of its partner to +perish." And as he spoke the executioners strangled him. And, +that none may think that all traces of antiquity have utterly +disappeared, a proof of the aforesaid event is afforded by local +marks yet existing; for the killing of Hagbard gave his name to +the stead; and not far from the town of Sigar there is a place to +be seen, where a mound a little above the level, with the +appearance of a swelling in the ground, looks like an ancient +homestead. Moreover, a man told Absalon that he had seen a beam +found in the spot, which a countryman struck with his ploughshare +as he burrowed into the clods. + +Hakon, the son of Hamund, heard of this; but when he was seen to +be on the point of turning his arms from the Irish against the +Danes in order to avenge his brother, Hakon the Zealander, the +son of Wigar, and Starkad deserted him. They had been his allies +from the death of Ragnald up to that hour: one, because he was +moved by regard for friendship, the other by regard for his +birth; so that different reasons made both desire the same thing. + +Now patriotism diverted Hakon (of Zealand) from attacking his +country; for it was apparent that he was going to fight his own +people, while all the rest warred with foreigners. But Starkad +forbore to become the foe of the aged Sigar, whose hospitality he +had enjoyed, lest he should be thought to wrong one who deserved +well of him. For some men pay such respect to hospitality that, +if they can remember ever to have experienced kindly offices from +folk, they cannot be thought to inflict any annoyance on them. +But Hakon thought the death of his brother a worse loss than the +defection of his champions; and, gathering his fleet into the +haven called Herwig in Danish, and in Latin Hosts' Bight, he drew +up his men, and posted his line of foot-soldiers in the spot +where the town built by Esbern now defends with its +fortifications those who dwell hard by, and repels the approach +of barbarous savages. Then he divided his forces in three, and +sent on two-thirds of his ships, appointing a few men to row to +the river Susa. This force was to advance on a dangerous voyage +along its winding reaches, and to help those on foot if +necessary. He marched in person by land with the remainder, +advancing chiefly over wooded country to escape notice. Part of +this path, which was once closed up with thick woods, is now land +ready for the plough, and fringed with a scanty scrub. And, in +order that when they got out into the plain they might not lack +the shelter of trees, he told them to cut and carry branches. +Also, that nothing might burden their rapid march, he bade them +cast away some of their clothes, as well as their scabbards; and +carry their swords naked. In memory of this event he left the +mountain and the ford a perpetual name. Thus by his night march +he eluded two pickets of sentries; but when he came upon the +third, a scout, observing the marvellous event, went to the +sleeping-room of Sigar, saying that he brought news of a +portentous thing; for he saw leaves and shrubs like men walking. +Then the king asked him how far off was the advancing forest; and +when he heard that it was near, he added that this prodigy boded +his own death. Hence the marsh where the shrubs were cut down +was styled in common parlance Deadly Marsh. Therefore, fearing +the narrow passages, he left the town, and went to a level spot +which was more open, there to meet the enemy in battle. Sigar +fought unsuccessfully, and was crushed and slain at the spot that +is called in common speech Walbrunna, but in Latin the Spring of +Corpses or Carnage. Then Hakon used his conquest to cruel +purpose, and followed up his good fortune so wickedly, that he +lusted for an indiscriminate massacre, and thought no forbearance +should be shown to rank or sex. Nor did he yield to any regard +for compassion or shame, but stained his sword in the blood of +women, and attacked mothers and children in one general and +ruthless slaughter. + +SIWALD, the son of Sigar, had thus far stayed under his father's +roof. But when he heard of this, he mustered an army in order to +have his vengeance. So Hakon, alarmed at the gathering of such +numbers, went back with a third of his army to his fleet at +Herwig, and planned to depart by sea. But his colleague, Hakon, +surnamed the Proud, thought that he ought himself to feel more +confidence at the late victory than fear at the absence of Hakon; +and, preferring death to flight, tried to defend the remainder of +the army. So he drew back his camp for a little, and for a long +time waited near the town of Axelsted, for the arrival of the +fleet, blaming his friends for their tardy coming. For the fleet +that had been sent into the river had not yet come to anchor in +the appointed harbour. Now the killing of Sigar and the love of +Siwald were stirring the temper of the people one and all, so +that both sexes devoted themselves to war, and you would have +thought that the battle did not lack the aid of women. + +On the morrow Hakon and Siwald met in an encounter and fought two +whole days. The combat was most frightful; both generals fell; +and victory graced the remnants of the Danes. But, in the night +after the battle, the fleet, having penetrated the Susa, reached +the appointed haven. It was once possible to row along this +river; but its bed is now choked with solid substances, and is so +narrowed by its straits that few vessels can get in, being +prevented by its sluggishness and contractedness. At daybreak, +when the sailors saw the corpses of their friends, they heaped +up, in order to bury the general, a barrow of notable size, which +is famous to this day, and is commonly named Hakon's Howe. + +But Borgar, with Skanian chivalry suddenly came up and +slaughtered a multitude of them. When the enemy were destroyed, +he manned their ships, which now lacked their rowers, and +hastily, with breathless speed, pursued the son of Hamund. He +encountered him, and ill-fortune befell Hakon, who fled in hasty +panic with three ships to the country of the Scots, where, after +two years had gone by, he died. + +All these perilous wars and fortunes had so exhausted the royal +line among the Danes, that it was found to be reduced to GURID +alone, the daughter of Alf, and granddaughter of Sigar. And when +the Danes saw themselves deprived of their usual high-born +sovereigns, they committed the kingdom to men of the people, and +appointed rulers out of the commons, assigning to Ostmar the +regency of Skaane, and that of Zealand to Hunding; on Hane they +conferred the lordship of Funen; while in the hands of Rorik and +Hather they put the supreme power of Jutland, the authority being +divided. Therefore, that it may not be unknown from what father +sprang the succeeding line of kings, some matters come to my mind +which must be glanced at for a while in a needful digression. + +They say that Gunnar, the bravest of the Swedes, was once at feud +with Norway for the most weighty reasons, and that he was granted +liberty to attack it, but that he turned this liberty into +licence by the greatest perils, and fell, in the first of the +raids he planned, upon the district of Jather, which he put +partly to the sword and partly to the flames. Forbearing to +plunder, he rejoiced only in passing through the paths that were +covered with corpses, and the blood-stained ways. Other men used +to abstain from bloodshed, and love pillage more than slaughter; +but he preferred bloodthirstiness to booty, and liked best to +wreak his deadly pleasure by slaughtering men. His cruelty drove +the islanders to forestall the impending danger by a public +submission. Moreover, Ragnald, the King of the Northmen, now in +extreme age, when he heard how the tyrant busied himself, had a +cave made and shut up in it his daughter Drota, giving her due +attendance, and providing her maintenance for a long time. Also +he committed to the cave some swords which had been adorned with +the choicest smith-craft, besides the royal household gear; so +that he might not leave the enemy to capture and use the sword, +which he saw that he could not wield himself. And, to prevent +the cave being noticed by its height, he levelled the hump down +to the firmer ground. Then he set out to war; but being unable +with his aged limbs to go down into battle, he leaned on the +shoulders of his escort and walked forth propped by the steps of +others. So he perished in the battle, where he fought with more +ardour than success, and left his country a sore matter for +shame. + +For Gunnar, in order to punish the cowardice of the conquered +race by terms of extraordinary baseness, had a dog set over them +as a governor. What can we suppose to have been his object in +this action, unless it were to make a haughty nation feel that +their arrogance was being more signally punished when they bowed +their stubborn heads before a yapping hound? To let no insult be +lacking, he appointed governors to look after public and private +affairs in its name; and he appointed separate ranks of nobles to +keep continual and steadfast watch over it. He also enacted that +if any one of the courtiers thought it contemptible to do +allegiance to their chief, and omitted offering most respectful +homage to its various goings and comings as it ran hither and +thither, he should be punished with loss of his limbs. Also +Gunnar imposed on the nation a double tribute, one to be paid out +of the autumn harvest, the other in the spring. Thus he burst +the bubble conceit of the Norwegians, to make them feel clearly +how their pride was gone, when they saw it forced to do homage to +a dog. + +When he heard that the king's daughter was shut up in some +distant hiding-place, Gunnar strained his wits in every nerve to +track her out. Hence, while he was himself conducting the search +with others, his doubtful ear caught the distant sound of a +subterranean hum. Then he went on slowly, and recognized a human +voice with greater certainty. He ordered the ground underfoot to +be dug down to the solid rock; and when the cave was suddenly +laid open, he saw the winding tunnels. The servants were slain +as they tried to guard the now uncovered entrance to the cave, +and the girl was dragged out of the hole, together with the booty +therein concealed. With great foresight, she had consigned at +any rate her father's swords to the protection of a more secret +place. Gunnar forced her to submit to his will, and she bore a +son Hildiger. This man was such a rival to his father in +cruelty, that he was ever thirsting to kill, and was bent on +nothing but the destruction of men, panting with a boundless lust +for bloodshed. Outlawed by his father on account of his +unbearable ruthlessness, and soon after presented by Alver with a +government, he spent his whole life in arms, visiting his +neighbours with wars and slaughters; nor did he, in his estate of +banishment, relax his accustomed savagery a whir, but would not +change his spirit with his habitation. + +Meanwhile Borgar, finding that Gunnar had married Drota, the +daughter of Ragnald, by violence, took from him both life and +wife, and wedded Drota himself. She was not an unwilling bride; +she thought it right for her to embrace the avenger of her +parent. For the daughter mourned her father, and could never +bring herself to submit with any pleasure to his murderer. This +woman and Borgar had a son Halfdan, who through all his early +youth was believed to be stupid, but whose later years proved +illustrious for the most glorious deeds, and famous for the +highest qualities that can grace life. Once, when a stripling, +he mocked in boyish fashion at a champion of noble repute, who +smote him with a buffet; whereupon Halfdan attacked him with the +staff he was carrying and killed him. This deed was an omen of +his future honours; he had hitherto been held in scorn, but +henceforth throughout his life he had the highest honour and +glory. The affair, indeed, was a prophecy of the greatness of +his deeds in war. + +At this period, Rothe, a Ruthenian rover, almost destroyed our +country with his rapine and cruelty. His harshness was so +notable that, while other men spared their prisoners utter +nakedness, he did not think it uncomely to strip of their +coverings even the privy parts of their bodies; wherefore we are +wont to this day to call all severe and monstrous acts of rapine +Rothe-Ran (Rothe's Robbery). He used also sometimes to inflict +the following kind of torture: Fastening the men's right feet +firmly to the earth, he tied the left feet to boughs for the +purpose that when these should spring back the body would be rent +asunder. Hane, Prince of Funen, wishing to win honour and glory, +tried to attack this man with his sea-forces, but took to flight +with one attendant. It was in reproach of him that the proverb +arose: "The cock (Hane) fights better on its own dunghill." Then +Borgar, who could not bear to see his countrymen perishing any +longer, encountered Rothe. Together they fought and together +they perished. It is said that in this battle Halfdan was sorely +stricken, and was for some time feeble with the wounds he had +received. One of these was inflicted conspicuously on his mouth, +and its scar was so manifest that it remained as an open blotch +when all the other wounds were healed; for the crushed portion of +the lip was so ulcerated by the swelling, that the flesh would +not grow out again and mend the noisome gash. This circumstance +fixed on him a most insulting nickname,.... although wounds in +the front of the body commonly bring praise and not ignominy. So +spiteful a colour does the belief of the vulgar sometimes put +upon men's virtues. + +Meanwhile Gurid, the daughter of Alf, seeing that the royal line +was reduced to herself alone, and having no equal in birth whom +she could marry, proclaimed a vow imposing chastity on herself, +thinking it better to have no husband than to take one from the +commons. Moreover, to escape outrage, she guarded her room with +a chosen band of champions. Once Halfdan happened to come to see +her. The champions, whose brother he had himself slain in his +boyhood, were away. He told her that she ought to loose her +virgin zone, and exchange her austere chastity for deeds of love; +that she ought not to give in so much to her inclination for +modesty as to be too proud to make a match, and so by her service +repair the fallen monarchy. So he bade her look on himself, who +was of eminently illustrious birth, in the light of a husband, +since it appeared that she would only admit pleasure for the +reason he had named. Gurid answered that she could not bring her +mind to ally the remnants of the royal line to a man of meaner +rank. Not content with reproaching his obscure birth, she also +taunted his unsightly countenance. Halfdan rejoined that she +brought against him two faults: one that his blood was not +illustrious enough; another, that he was blemished with a cracked +lip whose scar had never healed. Therefore he would not come +back to ask for her before he had wiped away both marks of shame +by winning glory in war. + +Halfdan entreated her to suffer no man to be privy to her bed +until she heard certain tidings either of his return or his +death. The champions, whom he had bereaved of their brother long +ago, were angry that he had spoken to Gurid, and tried to ride +after him as he went away. When he saw it, he told his comrades +to go into ambush, and said he would encounter the champions +alone. His followers lingered, and thought it shameful to obey +his orders, but he drove them off with threats, saying that Gurid +should not find that fear had made him refuse to fight. +Presently he cut down an oak-tree and fashioned it into a club, +fought the twelve single-handed, and killed them. After their +destruction, not content with the honours of so splendid an +action, and meaning to do one yet greater, he got from his mother +the swords of his grandfather, one of which was called +Lyusing.... and the other Hwyting, after the sheen of its well- +whetted point. But when he heard that war was raging between +Alver, the King of Sweden, and the Ruthenians (Russians), he +instantly went to Russia, offered help to the natives, and was +received by all with the utmost honour. Alver was not far off, +there being only a little ground to cross to cover the distance +between the two. Alver's soldier Hildiger, the son of Gunnar, +challenged the champions of the Ruthenians to fight him; but when +he saw that Halfdan was put up against him, though knowing well +that he was Halfdan's brother, he let natural feeling prevail +over courage, and said that he, who was famous for the +destruction of seventy champions, would not fight with an untried +man. Therefore he told him to measure himself in enterprises of +lesser moment, and thenceforth to follow pursuits fitted to his +strength. He made this announcement not from distrust in his own +courage, but in order to preserve his uprightness; for he was not +only very valiant, but also skilled at blunting the sword with +spells. For when he remembered that Halfdan's father had slain +his own, he was moved by two feelings -- the desire to avenge his +father, and his love for his brother. He therefore thought it +better to retire from the challenge than to be guilty of a very +great crime. Halfdan demanded another champion in his place, +slew him when he appeared, and was soon awarded the palm of +valour even by the voice of the enemy, being accounted by public +acclamation the bravest of all. On the next day he asked for two +men to fight with, and slew them both. On the third day he +subdued three; on the fourth he overcame four who met him; and on +the fifth he asked for five. + +When Halfdan conquered these, and when the eighth day had been +reached with an equal increase in the combatants and in the +victory, he laid low eleven who attacked him at once. Hildiger, +seeing that his own record of honours was equalled by the +greatness of Halfdan's deeds could not bear to decline to meet +him any longer. And when he felt that Halfdan had dealt him a +deadly wound with a sword wrapped in rags, he threw away his +arms, and, lying on the earth, addressed his brother as follows: + +"It is pleasing to pass an hour away in mutual talk; and, while +the sword rests, to sit a little on the ground and while away the +time by speaking in turn, and keep ourselves in good heart. Time +is left for our purpose; our two destinies have a different lot; +one is surely doomed to die by a fatal weird, while triumph and +glory and all the good of living await the other in better years. +Thus our omens differ, and our portions are distinguished. Thou +art a son of the Danish land, I of the country of Sweden. Once, +Drota thy mother had her breast swell for thee; she bore me, and +by her I am thy foster-brother. Lo now, there perishes a +righteous offspring, who had the heart to fight with savage +spears; brothers born of a shining race charge and bring death on +one another; while they long for the height of power, they lose +their days, and, having now received a fatal mischief in their +desire for a sceptre, they will go to Styx in a common death. +Fast by my head stands my Swedish shield, which is adorned with +(as) a fresh mirror of diverse chasing, and ringed with layers of +marvellous fretwork. There a picture of really hues shows slain +nobles and conquered champions, and the wars also and the notable +deed of my right hand. In the midst is to be seen, painted in +bright relief, the figure of my son, whom this hand bereft of his +span of life. He was our only heir, the only thought of his +father's mind, and given to his mother with comfort from above. +An evil lot, which heaps years of ill-fortune on the joyous, +chokes mirth in mourning, and troubles our destiny. For it is +lamentable and wretched to drag out a downcast life, to draw +breath through dismal days and to chafe at foreboding. But +whatsoever things are bound by the prophetic order of the fates, +whatsoever are shadowed in the secrets of the divine plan, +whatsoever are foreseen and fixed in the course of the destinies, +no change of what is transient shall cancel these things." + +When he had thus spoken, Halfdan condemned Hildiger for sloth in +avowing so late their bond of brotherhood; he declared he had +kept silence that he might not be thought a coward for refusing +to fight, or a villain if he fought; and while intent on these +words of excuse, he died. But report had given out among the +Danes that Hildiger had overthrown Halfdan. After this, Siwar, a +Saxon of very high birth, began to be a suitor for Gurid, the +only survivor of the royal blood among the Danes. Secretly she +preferred Halfdan to him, and imposed on her wooer the condition +that he should not ask her in marriage till he had united into +one body the kingdom of the Danes, which was now torn limb from +limb, and restored by arms what had been wrongfully taken from +her. Siwar made a vain attempt to do this; but as he bribed all +the guardians, she was at last granted to him in betrothal. +Halfdan heard of this in Russia through traders, and voyaged so +hard that he arrived before the time of the wedding-rites. On +their first day, before he went to the palace, he gave orders +that his men should not stir from the watches appointed them till +their ears caught the clash of the steel in the distance. +Unknown to the guests, he came and stood before the maiden, and, +that he might not reveal his meaning to too many by bare and +common speech, he composed a dark and ambiguous song as follows: + +"As I left my father's sceptre, I had no fear of the wiles of +woman's device nor of female subtlety. + +"When I overthrew, one and two, three and four, and soon five, +and next six, then seven, and also eight, yea eleven single- +handed, triumphant in battle. + +"But neither did I then think that I was to be shamed with the +taint of disgrace, with thy frailness to thy word and thy +beguiling pledges." + +Gurid answered: "My soul wavered in suspense, with slender power +over events, and shifted about with restless fickleness. The +report of thee was so fleeting, so doubtful, borne on uncertain +stories, and parched by doubting heart. I feared that the years +of thy youth had perished by the sword. Could I withstand singly +my elders and governors, when they forbade me to refuse that +thing, and pressed me to become a wife? My love and my flame are +both yet unchanged, they shall be mate and match to thine; nor +has my troth been disturbed, but shall have faithful approach to +thee. + +"For my promise has not yet beguiled thee at all, though I, being +alone, could not reject the counsel of such manifold persuasion, +nor oppose their stern bidding in the matter of my consent to the +marriage bond." + +Before the maiden had finished her answer, Halfdan had already +run his sword through the bridegroom. Not content with having +killed one man, he massacred most of the guests. Staggering +tipsily backwards, the Saxons ran at him, but his servants came +up and slaughtered them. After this HALFDAN took Gurid to wife. +But finding in her the fault of barrenness, and desiring much to +have offspring, he went to Upsala in order to procure +fruitfulness for her; and being told in answer, that he must make +atonement to the shades of his brother if he would raise up +children, he obeyed the oracle, and was comforted by gaining his +desire. For he had a son by Gurid, to whom he gave the name of +Harald. Under his title Halfdan tried to restore the kingdom of +the Danes to its ancient estate, as it was torn asunder by the +injuries of the chiefs; but, while fighting in Zealand, he +attacked Wesete, a very famous champion, in battle, and was +slain. Gurid was at the battle in man's attire, from love for +her son. She saw the event; the young man fought hotly, but his +companions fled; and she took him on her shoulders to a +neighbouring wood. Weariness, more than anything else, kept the +enemy from pursuing him; but one of them shot him as he hung, +with an arrow, through the hinder parts, and Harald thought that +his mother's care brought him more shame than help. + +HARALD, being of great beauty and unusual size, and surpassing +those of his age in strength and stature, received such favour +from Odin (whose oracle was thought to have been the cause of his +birth), that steel could not injure his perfect soundness. The +result was, that shafts which wounded others were disabled from +doing him any harm. Nor was the boon unrequited; for he is +reported to have promised to Odin all the souls which his sword +cast out of their bodies. He also had his father's deeds +recorded for a memorial by craftsmen on a rock in Bleking, +whereof I have made mention. + +After this, hearing that Wesete was to hold his wedding in +Skaane, he went to the feast disguised as a beggar; and when all +were sunken in wine and sleep, he battered the bride-chamber with +a beam. But Wesete, without inflicting a wound, so beat his +mouth with a cudgel, that he took out two teeth; but two grinders +unexpectedly broke out afterwards and repaired their loss: an +event which earned him the name of Hyldetand, which some declare +he obtained on account of a prominent row of teeth. Here he slew +Wesete, and got the sovereignty of Skaane. Next he attacked and +killed Hather in Jutland; and his fall is marked by the lasting +name of the town. After this he overthrew Hunding and Rorik, +seized Leire, and reunited the dismembered realm of Denmark into +its original shape. Then he found that Asmund, the King of the +Wikars, had been deprived of his throne by his elder sister; and, +angered by such presumption on the part of a woman, went to +Norway with a single ship, while the war was still undecided, to +help him. The battle began; and, clothed in a purple cloak, with +a coif broidered with gold, and with his hair bound up, he went +against the enemy trusting not in arms, but in his silent +certainty of his luck, insomuch that he seemed dressed more for a +feast than a fray. But his spirit did not match his attire. +For, though unarmed and only adorned with his emblems of royalty, +he outstripped the rest who bore arms, and exposed himself, +lightly-armed as he was, to the hottest perils of the battle. +For the shafts aimed against him lost all power to hurt, as if +their points had been blunted. When the other side saw him +fighting unarmed, they made an attack, and were forced for very +shame into assailing him more hotly. But Harald, whole in body, +either put them to the sword, or made them take to flight; and +thus he overthrew the sister of Asmund, and restored him his +kingdom. When Asmund offered him the prizes of victory, he said +that the reward of glory was enough by itself; and demeaned +himself as greatly in refusing the gifts as he had in earning +them. By this he made all men admire his self-restraint as much +as his valour; and declared that the victory should give him a +harvest not of gold but glory. + +Meantime Alver, the King of the Swedes, died leaving sons Olaf, +Ing, and Ingild. One of these, Ing, dissatisfied with the +honours his father bequeathed him, declared war with the Danes in +order to extend his empire. And when Harald wished to inquire of +oracles how this war would end, an old man of great height, but +lacking one eye, and clad also in a hairy mantle, appeared before +him, and declared that he was called Odin, and was versed in the +practice of warfare; and he gave him the most useful instruction +how to divide up his army in the field. Now he told him, +whenever he was going to make war with his land-forces, to divide +his whole army into three squadrons, each of which he was to pack +into twenty ranks; the centre squadron, however, he was to extend +further than the rest by the number of twenty men. This squadron +he was also to arrange in the form of the point of a cone or +pyramid, and to make the wings on either side slant off obliquely +from it. He was to compose the successive ranks of each squadron +in the following way: the front should begin with two men, and +the number in each succeeding rank should only increase by one; +he was, in fact, to post a rank of three in the second line, four +in the third, and so on behind. And thus, when the men mustered, +all the succeeding ranks were to be manned at the same rate of +proportion, until the end of (the edge that made) the junction of +men came down to the wings; each wing was to be drawn up in ten +lines from that point. Likewise after these squadrons he was to +put the young men, equipped with lances, and behind these to set +the company of aged men, who would support their comrades with +what one might call a veteran valour if they faltered; next, a +skilful reckoner should attach wings of slingers to stand behind +the ranks of their fellows and attack the enemy from a distance +with missiles. After these he was to enroll men of any age or +rank indiscriminately, without heed of their estate. Moreover, +he was to draw up the rear like the vanguard, in three separated +divisions, and arranged in ranks similarly proportioned. The +back of this, joining on to the body in front would protect it by +facing in the opposite direction. But if a sea-battle happened +to occur, he should withdraw a portion of his fleet, which when +he began the intended engagement, was to cruise round that of the +enemy, wheeling to and fro continually. Equipped with this +system of warfare, he forestalled matters in Sweden, and killed +Ing and Olaf as they were making ready to fight. Their brother +Ingild sent messengers to beg a truce, on pretence of his ill- +health. Harald granted his request, that his own valour, which +had learnt to spare distress, might not triumph over a man in the +hour of lowliness and dejection. When Ingild afterwards provoked +Harald by wrongfully ravishing his sister, Harald vexed him with +long and indecisive war, but then took him into his friendship, +thinking it better to have him for ally than for enemy. + +After this he heard that Olaf, King of the Thronds, had to fight +with the maidens Stikla and Rusila for the kingdom. Much angered +at this arrogance on the part of women, he went to Olaf +unobserved, put on dress which concealed the length of his teeth, +and attacked the maidens. He overthrew them both, leaving to two +harbours a name akin to theirs. It was then that he gave a +notable exhibition of valour; for defended only by a shirt under +his shoulders, he fronted the spears with unarmed breast. + +When Olaf offered Harald the prize of victory, he rejected the +gift, thus leaving it a question whether he had shown a greater +example of bravery or self-control. Then he attacked a champion +of the Frisian nation, named Ubbe, who was ravaging the borders +of Jutland and destroying numbers of the common people; and when +Harald could not subdue him to his arms, he charged his soldiers +to grip him with their hands, throw him on the ground, and to +bind him while thus overpowered. Thus he only overcame the man +and mastered him by a shameful kind of attack, though a little +before he thought he would inflict a heavy defeat on him. But +Harald gave him his sister in marriage, and thus gained him for +his soldier. + +Harald made tributaries of the nations that lay along the Rhine, +levying troops from the bravest of that race. With these forces +he conquered Sclavonia in war, and caused its generals, Duk and +Dal, because of their bravery, to be captured, and not killed. +These men he took to serve with him, and, after overcoming +Aquitania, soon went to Britain, where he overthrew the King of +the Humbrians, and enrolled the smartest of the warriors he had +conquered, the chief of whom was esteemed to be Orm, surnamed the +Briton. The fame of these deeds brought champions from divers +parts of the world, whom he formed into a band of mercenaries. +Strengthened by their numbers, he kept down insurrections in all +kingdoms by the terror of his name, so that he took out of their +rulers all courage to fight with one another. Moreover, no man +durst assume any sovereignty on the sea without his consent; for +of old the state of the Danes had the joint lordship of land and +sea. + +Meantime Ingild died in Sweden, leaving only a very little son, +Ring, whom he had by the sister of Harald. Harald gave the boy +guardians, and put him over his father's kingdom. Thus, when he +had overcome princes and provinces, he passed fifty years in +peace. To save the minds of his soldiers from being melted into +sloth by this inaction, he decreed that they should assiduously +learn from the champions the way of parrying and dealing blows. +Some of these were skilled in a remarkable manner of fighting, +and used to smite the eyebrow on the enemy's forehead with an +infallible stroke; but if any man, on receiving the blow, blinked +for fear, twitching his eyebrow, he was at once expelled the +court and dismissed the service. + +At this time Ole, the son of Siward and of Harald's sister, came +to Denmark from the land of Norway in the desire to see his +uncle. Since it is known that he had the first place among the +followers of Harald, and that after the Swedish war he came to +the throne of Denmark, it bears somewhat on the subject to relate +the traditions of his deeds. Ole, then, when he had passed his +tenth to his fifteenth year with his father, showed incredible +proofs of his brilliant gifts both of mind and body. Moreover, +he was so savage of countenance that his eyes were like the arms +of other men against the enemy, and he terrified the bravest with +his stern and flashing glance. He heard the tidings that Gunn, +ruler of Tellemark, with his son Grim, was haunting as a robber +the forest of Etha-scog, which was thick with underbrush and full +of gloomy glens. The offence moved his anger; then he asked his +father for a horse, a dog, and such armour as could be got, and +cursed his youth, which was suffering the right season for valour +to slip sluggishly away. He got what he asked, and explored the +aforesaid wood very narrowly. He saw the footsteps of a man +printed deep on the snow; for the rime was blemished by the +steps, and betrayed the robber's progress. Thus guided, he went +over a hill, and came on a very great river. This effaced the +human tracks he had seen before, and he determined that he must +cross. But the mere mass of water, whose waves ran down in a +headlong torrent, seemed to forbid all crossing; for it was full +of hidden reefs, and the whole length of its channel was turbid +with a kind of whirl of foam. Yet all fear of danger was +banished from Ole's mind by his impatience to make haste. So +valour conquered fear, and rashness scorned peril; thinking +nothing hard to do if it were only to his mind, he crossed the +hissing eddies on horseback. When he had passed these, he came +upon defiles surrounded on all sides with swamps, the interior of +which was barred from easy approach by the pinnacle of a bank in +front. He took his horse over this, and saw an enclosure with a +number of stalls. Out of this he turned many horses, and was +minded to put in his own, when a certain Tok, a servant of Gunn, +angry that a stranger should wax so insolent, attacked him +fiercely; but Ole foiled his assailant by simply opposing his +shield. Thinking it a shame to slay the fellow with the sword, +he seized him, shattered him limb by limb, and flung him across +into the house whence he had issued in his haste. This insult +quickly aroused Gunn and Grim: they ran out by different side- +doors, and charged Ole both at once, despising his age and +strength. He wounded them fatally; and, when their bodily powers +were quite spent, Grim, who could scarce muster a final gasp, and +whose force was almost utterly gone, with his last pants composed +this song: + +"Though we be weak in frame, and the loss of blood has drained +our strength; since the life-breath, now drawn out by my wound, +scarce quivers softly in my pierced breast: + +"I counsel that we should make the battle of our last hour +glorious with dauntless deeds, that none may say that a combat +has anywhere been bravelier waged or harder fought; + +"And that our wild strife while we bore arms may, when our weary +flesh has found rest in the tomb, win us the wage of immortal +fame. + +"Let our first stroke crush the shoulder-blades of the foe, let +our steel cut off both his hands; so that, when Stygian Pluto has +taken us, a like doom may fall on Ole also, and a common death +tremble over three, and one urn cover the ashes of three." + +Here Grim ended. But his father, rivalling his indomitable +spirit, and wishing to give some exhortation in answer to his +son's valiant speech, thus began: + +"What though our veins be wholly bloodless, and in our frail body +the life be brief, yet our last fight be so strong and strenuous +that it suffer not the praise of us to be brief also. + +"Therefore aim the javelin first at the shoulders and arms of the +foe, so that the work of his hands may be weakened; and thus when +we are gone three shall receive a common sepulchre, and one urn +alike for three shall cover our united dust." + +When he had said this, both of them, resting on their knees (for +the approach of death had drained their strength), made a +desperate effort to fight Ole hand to hand, in order that, before +they perished, they might slay their enemy also; counting death +as nothing if only they might envelope their slayer in a common +fall. Ole slew one of them with his sword, the other with his +hound. But even he gained no bloodless victory; for though he +had been hitherto unscathed, now at last he received a wound in +front. His dog diligently licked him over, and he regained his +bodily strength: and soon, to publish sure news of his victory, +he hung the bodies of the robbers upon gibbets in wide view. +Moreover, he took the stronghold, and put in secret keeping all +the booty he found there, in reserve for future use. + +At this time the arrogant wantonness of the brothers Skate and +Hiale waxed so high that they would take virgins of notable +beauty from their parents and ravish them. Hence it came about +that they formed the purpose of seizing Esa, the daughter of +Olaf, prince of the Werms; and bade her father, if he would not +have her serve the passion of a stranger, fight either in person, +or by some deputy, in defence of his child. When Ole had news of +this, he rejoiced in the chance of a battle, and borrowing the +attire of a peasant, went to the dwelling of Olaf. He received +one of the lowest places at table; and when he saw the household +of the king in sorrow, he called the king's son closer to him, +and asked why they all wore so lamentable a face. The other +answered, that unless someone quickly interposed to protect them, +his sister's chastity would soon be outraged by some ferocious +champions. Ole next asked him what reward would be received by +the man who devoted his life for the maiden. Olaf, on his son +asking him about this matter, said that his daughter should go to +the man who fought for her: and these words, more than anything, +made Ole long to encounter the danger. + +Now the maiden was wont to go from one guest to another in order +to scan their faces narrowly, holding out a light that she might +have a surer view of the dress and character of those who were +entertained. It is also believed that she divined their lineage +from the lines and features of the face, and could discern any +man's birth by sheer shrewdness of vision. When she stood and +fixed the scrutiny of her gaze upon Olaf, she was stricken with +the strange awfulness of his eyes, and fell almost lifeless. But +when her strength came slowly back, and her breath went and came +more freely, she again tried to look at the young man, but +suddenly slipped and fell forward, as though distraught. A third +time also she strove to lift her closed and downcast gaze, but +suddenly tottered and fell, unable not only to move her eyes, but +even to control her feet; so much can strength be palsied by +amazement. When Olaf saw it, he asked her why she had fallen so +often. She averred that she was stricken by the savage gaze of +the guest; that he was born of kings; and she declared that if he +could baulk the will of the ravishers, he was well worthy of her +arms. Then all of them asked Ole, who was keeping his face +muffled in a hat, to fling off his covering, and let them see +something by which to learn his features. Then, bidding them all +lay aside their grief, and keep their heart far from sorrow, he +uncovered his brow; and he drew the eyes of all upon him in +marvel at his great beauty. For his locks were golden and the +hair of his head was radiant; but he kept the lids close over his +pupils, that they might not terrify the beholders. + +All were heartened with the hope of better things; the guests +seemed to dance and the courtiers to leap for joy; the deepest +melancholy seemed to be scattered by an outburst of cheerfulness. +Thus hope relieved their fears; the banquet wore a new face, and +nothing was the same, or like what it had been before. So the +kindly promise of a single guest dispelled the universal terror. +Meanwhile Hiale and Skate came up with ten servants, meaning to +carry off the maiden then and there, and disturbed all the place +with their noisy shouts. They called on the king to give battle, +unless he produced his daughter instantly. Ole at once met their +frenzy with the promise to fight, adding the condition that no +one should stealthily attack an opponent in the rear, but should +only combat in the battle face to face. Then, with his sword +called Logthi, he felled them all, single-handed -- an +achievement beyond his years. The ground for the battle was +found on an isle in the middle of a swamp, not far from which is +a stead that serves to memorise this slaughter, bearing the names +of the brothers Hiale and Skate together. + +So the girl was given him as prize of the combat, and bore him a +son Omund. Then he gained his father-in-law's leave to revisit +his father. But when he heard that his country was being +attacked by Thore, with the help of Toste Sacrificer, and Leotar, +surnamed.... he went to fight them, content with a single +servant, who was dressed as a woman. When he was near the house +of Thore, he concealed his own and his attendant's swords in +hollowed staves. And when he entered the palace, he disguised +his true countenance, and feigned to be a man broken with age. +He said that with Siward he had been king of the beggars, but +that he was now in exile, having been stubbornly driven forth by +the hatred of the king's son Ole. Presently many of the +courtiers greeted him with the name of king, and began to kneel +and offer him their hands in mockery. He told them to bear out +in deeds what they had done in jest; and, plucking out the swords +which he and his man kept shut in their staves, attacked the +king. So some aided Ole, taking it more as jest than earnest, +and would not be false to the loyalty which they mockingly +yielded him; but most of them, breaking their idle vow, took the +side of Thore. Thus arose an internecine and undecided fray. At +last Thore was overwhelmed and slain by the arms of his own folk, +as much as by these of his guests; and Leotar, wounded to the +death, and judging that his conqueror, Ole, was as keen in mind +as he was valorous in deeds, gave him the name of the Vigorous, +and prophesied that he should perish by the same kind of trick as +he had used with Thore; for, without question he should fall by +the treachery of his own house. And, as he spoke, he suddenly +passed away. Thus we can see that the last speech of the dying +man expressed by its shrewd divination the end that should come +upon his conqueror. + +After these deeds Ole did not go back to his father till he had +restored peace to his house. His father gave him the command of +the sea, and he destroyed seventy sea-kings in a naval battle. +The most distinguished among these were Birwil and Hwirwil, +Thorwil, Nef and Onef, Redward (?), Rand and Erand (?). By the +honour and glory of this exploit he excited many champions, whose +whole heart's desire was for bravery, to join in alliance with +him. He also enrolled into a bodyguard the wild young warriors +who were kindled with a passion for glory. Among these he +received Starkad with the greatest honour, and cherished him with +more friendship than profit. Thus fortified, he checked, by the +greatness of his name, the wantonness of the neighbouring kings, +in that he took from them all their forces and all liking and +heart for mutual warfare. + +After this he went to Harald, who made him commander of the sea; +and at last he was transferred to the service of Ring. At this +time one Brun was the sole partner and confidant of all Harald's +councils. To this man both Harald and Ring, whenever they needed +a secret messenger, used to entrust their commissions. This +degree of intimacy he obtained because he had been reared and +fostered with them. But Brun, amid the toils of his constant +journeys to and fro, was drowned in a certain river; and Odin, +disguised under his name and looks, shook the close union of the +kings by his treacherous embassage; and he sowed strife so +guilefully that he engendered in men, who were bound by +friendship and blood, a bitter mutual hate, which seemed +unappeasable except by war. Their dissensions first grew up +silently; at last both sides betrayed their leanings, and their +secret malice burst into the light of day. So they declared +their feuds, and seven years passed in collecting the materials +of war. Some say that Harald secretly sought occasions to +destroy himself, not being moved by malice or jealousy for the +crown, but by a deliberate and voluntary effort. His old age and +his cruelty made him a burden to his subjects; he preferred the +sword to the pangs of disease, and liked better to lay down his +life in the battle-field than in his bed, that he might have an +end in harmony with the deeds of his past life. Thus, to make +his death more illustrious, and go to the nether world in a +larger company, he longed to summon many men to share his end; +and he therefore of his own will prepared for war, in order to +make food for future slaughter. For these reasons, being seized +with as great a thirst to die himself as to kill others, and +wishing the massacre on both sides to be equal, he furnished both +sides with equal resources; but let Ring have a somewhat stronger +force, preferring he should conquer and survive him. + + +ENDNOTES: +(1) A parallel is the Lionel-Lancelot story of children saved by + being turned into dogs. + + + +BOOK EIGHT. + +STARKAD was the first to set in order in Danish speech the +history of the Swedish war, a conflict whereof he was himself a +mighty pillar; the said history being rather an oral than a +written tradition. He set forth and arranged the course of this +war in the mother tongue according to the fashion of our country; +but I purpose to put it into Latin, and will first recount the +most illustrious princes on either side. For I have felt no +desire to include the multitude, which are even past exact +numbering. And my pen shall relate first those on the side of +Harald, and presently those who served under Ring. + +Now the most famous of the captains that mustered to Harald are +acknowledged to have been Sweyn and Sambar (Sam?), Ambar and +Elli; Rati of Funen, Salgard and Roe (Hrothgar), whom his long +beard distinguished by a nickname. Besides these, Skalk the +Scanian, and Alf the son of Agg; to whom are joined Olwir the +Broad, and Gnepie the Old. Besides these there was Gardh, +founder of the town Stang. To these are added the kinsfolk or +bound followers of Harald: Blend (Blaeng?), the dweller in +furthest Thule, (1) and Brand, whose surname was Crumb +(Bitling?). Allied with these were Thorguy, with Thorwig, Tatar +(Teit), and Hialte. These men voyaged to Leire with bodies armed +for war; but they were also mighty in excellence of wit, and +their trained courage matched their great stature; for they had +skill in discharging arrows both from bow and catapult, and at +fighting their foe as they commonly did, man to man; and also at +readily stringing together verse in the speech of their country: +so zealously had they trained mind and body alike. Now out of +Leire came Hortar (Hjort) and Borrhy (Borgar or Borgny), and also +Belgi and Beigad, to whom were added Bari and Toli. Now out of +the town of Sle, under the captains Hetha (Heid) and Wisna, with +Hakon Cut-cheek came Tummi the Sailmaker. On these captains, who +had the bodies of women, nature bestowed the souls of men. +Webiorg was also inspired with the same spirit, and was attended +by Bo (Bui) Bramason and Brat the Jute, thirsting for war. In +the same throng came Orm of England, Ubbe the Frisian, Ari the +One-eyed, and Alf Gotar. Next in the count came Dal the Fat and +Duk the Sclav; Wisna, a woman, filled with sternness, and a +skilled warrior, was guarded by a band of Sclavs: her chief +followers were Barri and Gnizli. But the rest of the same +company had their bodies covered by little shields, and used very +long swords and targets of skiey hue, which, in time of war, they +either cast behind their backs or gave over to the baggage- +bearers; while they cast away all protection to their breasts, +and exposed their bodies to every peril, offering battle with +drawn swords. The most illustrious of these were Tolkar and Ymi. +After these, Toki of the province of Wohin was conspicuous +together with Otrit surnamed the Young. Hetha, guarded by a +retinue of very active men, brought an armed company to the war, +the chiefs of whom were Grim and Grenzli; next to whom are named +Geir the Livonian, Hame also and Hunger, Humbli and Biari, +bravest of the princes. These men often fought duels +successfully, and won famous victories far and wide. + +The maidens I have named, in fighting as well as courteous array, +led their land-forces to the battle-field. Thus the Danish army +mustered company by company. There were seven kings, equal in +spirit but differing in allegiance, some defending Harald, and +some Ring. Moreover, the following went to the side of Harald: +Homi and Hosathul (Eysothul?), Him...., Hastin and Hythin (Hedin) +the Slight, also Dahar (Dag), named Grenski, and Harald Olafsson +also. From the province of Aland came Har and Herlewar +(Herleif), with Hothbrodd, surnamed the Furious; these fought in +the Danish camp. But from Imisland arrived Humnehy (?) and +Harald. They were joined by Haki and by Sigmund and Serker the +sons of Bemon, all coming from the North. All these were +retainers of the king, who befriended them most generously; for +they were held in the highest distinction by him, receiving +swords adorned with gold, and the choicest spoils of war. There +came also.... the sons of Gandal the old, who were in the +intimate favour of Harald by reason of ancient allegiance. Thus +the sea was studded with the Danish fleet, and seemed to +interpose a bridge, uniting Zealand to Skaane. To those that +wished to pass between those provinces, the sea offered a short +road on foot over the dense mass of ships. But Harald would not +have the Swedes unprepared in their arrangements for war, and +sent men to Ring to carry his public declaration of hostilities, +and notify the rupture of the mediating peace. The same men were +directed to prescribe the place of combat. These then whom I +have named were the fighters for Harald. + +Now, on the side of Ring were numbered Ulf, Aggi (Aki?), Windar +(Eywind?), Egil the One-eyed; Gotar, Hildi, Guti Alfsson; Styr +the Stout, and (Tolo-) Stein, who lived by the Wienic Mere. To +these were joined Gerd the Glad and Gromer (Glum?) from Wermland. +After these are reckoned the dwellers north on the Elbe, Saxo the +Splitter, Sali the Goth; Thord the Stumbler, Throndar Big-nose; +Grundi, Oddi, Grindir, Tovi; Koll, Biarki, Hogni the Clever, +Rokar the Swart. Now these scorned fellowship with the common +soldiers, and had formed themselves into a separate rank apart +from the rest of the company. Besides these are numbered Hrani +Hildisson and Lyuth Guthi (Hljot Godi), Svein the Topshorn, +(Soknarsoti?), Rethyr (Hreidar?) Hawk, and Rolf the Uxorious +(Woman-lover). Massed with these were Ring Adilsson and Harald +who came from Thotn district. Joined to these were Walstein of +Wick, Thorolf the Thick, Thengel the Tall, Hun, Solwe, Birwil the +Pale, Borgar and Skumbar (Skum). But from, Tellemark came the +bravest of all, who had most courage but least arrogance -- +Thorleif the Stubborn, Thorkill the Gute (Gothlander), Grettir +the Wicked and the Lover of Invasions. Next to these came Hadd +the Hard and Rolder (Hroald) Toe-joint. + +From Norway we have the names of Thrand of Throndhjem, Thoke +(Thore) of More, Hrafn the White, Haf (war), Biarni, Blihar +(Blig?) surnamed Snub-nosed; Biorn from the district of Sogni; +Findar (Finn) born in the Firth; Bersi born in the town F(I)alu; +Siward Boarhead, Erik the Story-teller, Holmstein the White, Hrut +Rawi (or Vafi, the Doubter), Erling surnamed Snake. Now from the +province of Jather came Odd the Englishman, Alf the Far-wanderer, +Enar the Paunched, and Ywar surnamed Thriug. Now from Thule +(Iceland) came Mar the Red, born and bred in the district called +Midfirth; Grombar the Aged, Gram Brundeluk (Bryndalk?) Grim from +the town of Skier (um) born in Skagafiord. Next came Berg the +Seer, accompanied by Bragi and Rafnkel. + +Now the bravest of the Swedes were these: Arwakki, Keklu-Karl +(Kelke-Karl), Krok the Peasant, (from Akr), Gudfast and Gummi +from Gislamark. These were kindred of the god Frey, and most +faithful witnesses to the gods. Ingi (Yngwe) also, and Oly, +Alver, Folki, all sons of Elrik (Alrek), embraced the service of +Ring; they were men ready of hand, quick in counsel, and very +close friends of Ring. They likewise held the god Frey to be the +founder of their race. Amongst these from the town of Sigtun +also came Sigmund, a champion advocate, versed in making +contracts of sale and purchase; besides him Frosti surnamed Bowl: +allied with him was Alf the Lofty (Proud?) from the district of +Upsala; this man was a swift spear-thrower, and used to go in the +front of the battle. + +Ole had a body-guard in which were seven kings, very ready of +hand and of counsel; namely, Holti, Hendil, Holmar, Lewy (Leif), +and Hame; with these was enrolled Regnald the Russian, the +grandson of Radbard; and Siwald also furrowed the sea with eleven +light ships. Lesy (Laesi), the conqueror of the Pannonians +(Huns), fitted with a sail his swift galley ringed with gold. +Thririkar (Erik Helsing) sailed in a ship whose prows were +twisted like a dragon. Also Thrygir (Tryggve) and Torwil sailed +and brought twelve ships jointly. In the entire fleet of Ring +there were 2,500 ships. + +The fleet of Gotland was waiting for the Swedish fleet in the +harbour named Garnum. So Ring led the land-force, while Ole was +instructed to command the fleet. Now the Goths were appointed a +time and a place between Wik and Werund for the conflict with the +Swedes. Then was the sea to be seen furrowed up with prows, and +the canvas unfurled upon the masts cut off the view over the +ocean. The Danes had so far been distressed with bad weather; +but the Swedish fleet had a fair voyage, and had reached the +scene of battle earlier. Here Ring disembarked his forces from +his fleet, and then massed and prepared to draw up in line both +these and the army he had himself conducted overland. When these +forces were at first loosely drawn up over the open country, it +was found that one wing reached all the way to Werund. The +multitude was confused in its places and ranks; but the king rode +round it, and posted in the van all the smartest and most +excellently-armed men, led by Ole, Regnald, and Wivil; then he +massed the rest of the army on the two wings in a kind of curve. +Ung, with the sons of Alrek, and Trig, he ordered to protect the +right wing, while the left was put under the command of Laesi. +Moreover, the wings and the masses were composed mainly of a +close squadron of Kurlanders and of Esthonians. Last stood the +line of slingers. + +Meantime the Danish fleet, favoured by kindly winds, sailed, +without stopping, for twelve days, and came to the town (stead) +of Kalmar. The wind-blown sails covering the waters were a +marvel; and the canvas stretched upon the yards blotted out the +sight of the heavens. For the fleet was augmented by the Sclavs +and the Livonians and 7,000 Saxons. But the Skanians, knowing +the country, were appointed as guides and scouts to those who +were going over the dry land. So when the Danish army came upon +the Swedes, who stood awaiting them, Ring told his men to stand +quietly until Harald had drawn up his line of battle; bidding +them not to sound the signal before they saw the king settled in +his chariot beside the standards; for he said he should hope that +an army would soon come to grief which trusted in the leading of +a blind man. Harald, moreover, he said, had been seized in +extreme age with the desire of foreign empire, and was as witless +as he was sightless; wealth could not satisfy a man who, if he +looked to his years, ought to be well-nigh contented with a +grave. The Swedes therefore were bound to fight for their +freedom, their country, and their children, while the enemy had +undertaken the war in rashness and arrogance. Moreover, on the +other side, there were very few Danes, but a mass of Saxons and +other unmanly peoples stood arrayed. Swedes and Norwegians +should therefore consider, how far the multitudes of the North +had always surpassed the Germans and the Sclavs. They should +therefore despise an army which seemed to be composed more of a +mass of fickle offscourings than of a firm and stout soldiery. + +By this harangue of King Ring he kindled high the hearts of the +soldiers. Now Brun, being instructed to form the line on +Harald's behalf, made the front in a wedge, posting Hetha on the +right flank, putting Hakon in command of the left, and making +Wisna standard-bearer. Harald stood up in his chariot and +complained, in as loud a voice as he could, that Ring was +requiting his benefits with wrongs; that the man who had got his +kingdom. by Harald's own gift was now attacking him; so that Ring +neither pitied an old man nor spared an uncle, but set his own +ambitions before any regard for Harald's kinship or kindness. So +he bade the Danes remember how they had always won glory by +foreign conquest, and how they were more wont to command their +neighbours than to obey them. He adjured them not to let such +glory as theirs to be shaken by the insolence of a conquered +nation, nor to suffer the empire, which he had won in the flower +of his youth, to be taken from him in his outworn age. + +Then the trumpets sounded, and both sides engaged in battle with +all their strength. The sky seemed to fall suddenly on the +earth, fields and woods to sink into the ground; all things were +confounded, and old Chaos come again; heaven and earth mingling +in one tempestuous turmoil, and the world rushing to universal +ruin. For, when the spear-throwing began, the intolerable clash +of arms filled the air with an incredible thunder. The steam of +the wounds suddenly hung a mist over the sky, the daylight was +hidden under the hail of spears. The help of the slingers was of +great use in the battle. But when the missiles had all been +flung from hand or engines, they fought with swords or iron-shod +maces; and it was now at close quarters that most blood was +spilt. Then the sweat streamed down their weary bodies, and the +clash of the swords could be heard afar. + +Starkad, who was the first to set forth the history of this war +in the telling, fought foremost in the fray, and relates that he +overthrew the nobles of Harald, Hun and Elli, Hort and Burgha, +and cut off the right hand of Wisna. He also relates that one +Roa, with two others, Gnepie and Gardar, fell wounded by him in +the field. To these he adds the father of Skalk, whose name is +not given. He also declares that he cast Hakon, the bravest of +the Danes, to the earth, but received from him such a wound in +return that he had to leave the war with his lung protruding from +his chest, his neck cleft to the centre, and his hand deprived of +one finger; so that he long had a gaping wound, which seemed as +if it would never either scar over or be curable. The same man +witnesses that the maiden Weghbiorg (Webiorg) fought against the +enemy and felled Soth the champion. While she was threatening to +slay more champions, she was pierced through by an arrow from the +bowstring of Thorkill, a native of Tellemark. For the skilled +archers of the Gotlanders strung their bows so hard that the +shafts pierced through even the shields; nothing proved more +murderous; for the arrow-points made their way through hauberk +and helmet as if they were men's defenceless bodies. + +Meanwhile Ubbe the Frisian, who was the readiest of Harald's +soldiers, and of notable bodily stature, slew twenty-five picked +champions, besides eleven whom he had wounded in the field. All +these were of Swedish or Gothic blood. Then he attacked the +vanguard and burst into the thickest of the enemy, driving the +Swedes struggling in a panic every way with spear and sword. It +had all but come to a flight, when Hagder (Hadd), Rolder +(Hroald), and Grettir attacked the champion, emulating his +valour, and resolving at their own risk to retrieve the general +ruin. But, fearing to assault him at close quarters, they +accomplished their end with arrows from afar; and thus Ubbe was +riddled by a shower of arrows, no one daring to fight him hand to +hand. A hundred and forty-four arrows had pierced the breast of +the warrior before his bodily strength failed and he bent his +knee to the earth. Then at last the Danes suffered a great +defeat, owing to the Thronds and the dwellers in the province of +Dala. For the battle began afresh by reason of the vast mass of +the archers, and nothing damaged our men more. + +But when Harald, being now blind with age, heard the lamentable +murmur of his men, he perceived that fortune had smiled on his +enemies. So, as he was riding in a chariot armed with scythes, +he told Brun, who was treacherously acting as charioteer, to find +out in what manner Ring had his line drawn up. Brun's face +relaxed into something of a smile, and he answered that he was +fighting with a line in the form of a wedge. When the king heard +this he began to be alarmed, and to ask in great astonishment +from whom Ring could have learnt this method of disposing his +line, especially as Odin was the discoverer and imparter of this +teaching, and none but himself had ever learnt from him this new +pattern of warfare. At this Brun was silent, and it came into +the king's mind that here was Odin, and that the god whom he had +once known so well was now disguised in a changeful shape, in +order either to give help or withhold it. Presently he began to +beseech him earnestly to grant the final victory to the Danes, +since he had helped them so graciously before, and to fill up his +last kindness to the measure of the first; promising to dedicate +to him as a gift the spirits of all who fell. But Brun, utterly +unmoved by his entreaties, suddenly jerked the king out of the +chariot, battered him to the earth, plucked the club from him as +he fell, whirled it upon his head, and slew him with his own +weapon. Countless corpses lay round the king's chariot, and the +horrid heap overtopped the wheels; the pile of carcases rose as +high as the pole. For about 12,000 of the nobles of Ring fell +upon the field. But on the side of Harald about 30,000 nobles +fell, not to name the slaughter of the commons. + +When Ring heard that Harald was dead, he gave the signal to his +men to break up their line and cease fighting. Then under cover +of truce he made treaty with the enemy, telling them that it was +vain to prolong the fray without their captain. Next he told the +Swedes to look everywhere among the confused piles of carcases +for the body of Harald, that the corpse of the king might not +wrongfully lack its due rights. So the populace set eagerly to +the task of turning over the bodies of the slain, and over this +work half the day was spent. At last the body was found with the +club, and he thought that propitiation should be made to the +shade of Harald. So he harnessed the horse on which he rode to +the chariot of the king, decked it honourably with a golden +saddle, and hallowed it in his honour. Then he proclaimed his +vows, and added his prayer that Harald would ride on this and +outstrip those who shared his death in their journey to Tartarus; +and that he would pray Pluto, the lord of Orcus, to grant a calm +abode there for friend and foe. Then he raised a pyre, and bade +the Danes fling on the gilded chariot of their king as fuel to +the fire. And while the flames were burning the body cast upon +them, he went round the mourning nobles and earnestly charged +them that they should freely give arms, gold, and every precious +thing to feed the pyre in honour of so great a king, who had +deserved so nobly of them all. He also ordered that the ashes of +his body, when it was quite burnt, should be transferred to an +urn, taken to Leire, and there, together with the horse and +armour, receive a royal funeral. By paying these due rites of +honour to his uncle's shade, he won the favour of the Danes, and +turned the hate of his enemies into goodwill. Then the Danes +besought him to appoint Hetha over the remainder of the realm; +but, that the fallen strength of the enemy might not suddenly +rally, he severed Skaane from the mass of Denmark, and put it +separately under the governorship of Ole, ordering that only +Zealand and the other lands of the realm should be subject to +Hetha. Thus the changes of fortune brought the empire of Denmark +under the Swedish rule. So ended the Bravic war. + +But the Zealanders, who had had Harald for their captain, and +still had the picture of their former fortune hovering before +their minds, thought it shameful to obey the rule of a woman, and +appealed to OLE not to suffer men that had been used to serve +under a famous king to be kept under a woman's yoke. They also +promised to revolt to him if he would take up arms to remove +their ignominious lot. Ole, tempted as much by the memory of his +ancestral glory as by the homage of the soldiers, was not slow to +answer their entreaties. So he summoned Hetha, and forced her by +threats rather than by arms to quit every region under her +control except Jutland; and even Jutland he made a tributary +state, so as not to allow a woman the free control of a kingdom. +He also begot a son whom he named Omund. But he was given to +cruelty, and showed himself such an unrighteous king, that all +who had found it a shameful thing to be ruled by a queen now +repented of their former scorn. + +Twelve generals, whether moved by the disasters of their country, +or hating Ole for some other reason, began to plot against his +life. Among these were Hlenni, Atyl, Thott, and Withne, the last +of whom was a Dane by birth, though he held a government among +the Sclavs. Moreover, not trusting in their strength and their +cunning to accomplish their deed, they bribed Starkad to join +them. He was prevailed to do the deed with the sword; he +undertook the bloody work, and resolved to attack the king while +at the bath. In he went while the king was washing, but was +straightway stricken by the keenness of his gaze and by the +restless and quivering glare of his eyes. His limbs were palsied +with sudden dread; he paused, stepped back, and stayed his hand +and his purpose. Thus he who had shattered the arms of so many +captains and champions could not bear the gaze of a single +unarmed man. But Ole, who well knew about his own countenance, +covered his face, and asked him to come closer and tell him what +his message was; for old fellowship and long-tried friendship +made him the last to suspect treachery. But Starkad drew his +sword, leapt forward, thrust the king through, and struck him in +the throat as he tried to rise. One hundred and twenty marks of +gold were kept for his reward. Soon afterwards he was smitten +with remorse and shame, and lamented his crime so bitterly, that +he could not refrain from tears if it happened to be named. Thus +his soul, when he came to his senses, blushed for his abominable +sin. Moreover, to atone for the crime he had committed, he slew +some of those who had inspired him to it, thus avenging the act +to which he had lent his hand. + +Now the Danes made OMUND, the son of Ole, king, thinking that +more heed should be paid to his father's birth than to his +deserts. Omund, when he had grown up, fell in nowise behind the +exploits of his father; for he made it his aim to equal or +surpass the deeds of Ole. + +At this time a considerable tribe of the Northmen (Norwegians) +was governed by Ring, and his daughter Esa's great fame commended +her to Omund, who was looking out for a wife. + +But his hopes of wooing her were lessened by the peculiar +inclination of Ring, who desired no son-in-law but one of tried +valour; for he found as much honour in arms as others think lies +in wealth. Omund therefore, wishing to become famous in that +fashion, and to win the praise of valour, endeavoured to gain his +desire by force, and sailed to Norway with a fleet, to make an +attempt on the throne of Ring under plea of hereditary right. +Odd, the chief of Jather, who declared that Ring had assuredly +seized his inheritance, and lamented that he harried him with +continual wrongs, received Omund kindly. Ring, in the meantime, +was on a roving raid in Ireland, so that Omund attacked a +province without a defender. Sparing the goods of the common +people, he gave the private property of Ring over to be +plundered, and slew his kinsfolk; Odd also having joined his +forces to Omund. Now, among all his divers and manifold deeds, +he could never bring himself to attack an inferior force, +remembering that he was the son of a most valiant father, and +that he was bound to fight armed with courage, and not with +numbers. + +Meanwhile Ring had returned from roving; and when Omund heard he +was back, he set to and built a vast ship, whence, as from a +fortress, he could rain his missiles on the enemy. To manage +this ship he enlisted Homod and Thole the rowers, the soils of +Atyl the Skanian, one of whom was instructed to act as steersman, +while the other was to command at the prow. Ring lacked neither +skill nor. dexterity to encounter them. For he showed only a +small part of his forces, and caused the enemy to be attacked on +the rear. Omund, when told of his strategy by Odd, sent men to +overpower those posted in ambush, telling Atyl the Skanian to +encounter Ring. The order was executed with more rashness than +success; and Atyl, with his power defeated and shattered, fled +beaten to Skaane. Then Omund recruited his forces with the help +of Odd, and drew up his fleet to fight on the open sea. + +Atyl at this time had true visions of the Norwegian war in his +dreams, and started on his voyage in order to make up for his +flight as quickly as possible, and delighted Omund by joining him +on the eve of battle. Trusting in his help, Omund began to fight +with equal confidence and success. For, by fighting himself, he +retrieved the victory which he had lost when his servants were +engaged. Ring, wounded to the death, gazed at him with faint +eyes, and, beckoning to him with his hand, as well as he could -- +for his voice failed him -- he besought him to be his son-in-law, +saying that he would gladly meet his end if he left his daughter +to such a husband. Before he could receive an answer he died. +Omund wept for his death, and gave Homod, whose trusty help he +had received in the war, in marriage to one of the daughters of +Ring, taking the other himself. + +At the same time the amazon Rusla, whose prowess in warfare +exceeded the spirit of a woman, had many fights in Norway with +her brother, Thrond, for the sovereignty. She could not endure +that Omund rule over the Norwegians, and she had declared war +against all the subjects of the Danes. Omund, when he heard of +this, commissioned his most active men to suppress the rising. +Rusla conquered them, and, waxing haughty on her triumph, was +seized with overweening hopes, and bent her mind upon actually +acquiring the sovereignty of Denmark. She began her attack on +the region of Halland, but was met by Homod and Thode, whom the +king had sent over. Beaten, she retreated to her fleet, of which +only thirty ships managed to escape, the rest being taken by the +enemy. Thrond encountered his sister as she was eluding the +Danes, but was conquered by her and stripped of his entire army; +he fled over the Dovrefjeld without a single companion. Thus +she, who had first yielded before the Danes, soon overcame her +brother, and turned her flight into a victory. When Omund heard +of this, he went back to Norway with a great fleet, first sending +Homod and Thole by a short and secret way to rouse the people of +Tellemark against the rule of Rusla. The end was that she was +driven out of her kingdom by the commons, fled to the isles for +safety, and turned her back, without a blow, upon the Danes as +they came up. The king pursued her hotly, caught up her fleet on +the sea, and utterly destroyed it, the enemy suffered mightily, +and he won a bloodless victory and splendid spoils. But Rusla +escaped with a very few ships, and rowed ploughing the waves +furiously; but, while she was avoiding the Danes, she met her +brother and was killed. So much more effectual for harm are +dangers unsurmised; and chance sometimes makes the less alarming +evil worse than that which threatens. The king gave Thrond a +governorship for slaying his sister, put the rest under tribute, +and returned home. + +At this time Thorias (?) and Ber (Biorn), the most active of the +soldiers of Rusla, were roving in Ireland; but when they heard of +the death of their mistress, whom they had long ago sworn to +avenge, they hotly attacked Omund, and challenged him to a duel, +which it used to be accounted shameful for a king to refuse; for +the fame of princes of old was reckoned more by arms than by +riches. So Homod and Thole came forward, offering to meet in +battle the men who had challenged the king. Omund praised them +warmly, but at first declined for very shame to allow their help. +At last, hard besought by his people, he brought himself to try +his fortune by the hand of another. We are told that Ber fell in +this combat, while Thorias left the battle severely wounded. The +king, having first cured him of his wounds, took him into his +service, and made him prince (earl) over Norway. Then he sent +ambassadors to exact the usual tribute from the Sclavs; these +were killed, and he was even attacked in Jutland by a Sclavish +force; but he overcame seven kings in a single combat, and +ratified by conquest his accustomed right to tribute. + +Meantime, Starkad, who was now worn out with extreme age, and who +seemed to be past military service and the calling of a champion, +was loth to lose his ancient glory through the fault of eld, and +thought it would be a noble thing if he could make a voluntary +end, and hasten his death by his own free will. Having so often +fought nobly, he thought it would be mean to die a bloodless +death; and, wishing to enhance the glory of his past life by the +lustre of his end, he preferred to be slain by some man of +gallant birth rather than await the tardy shaft of nature. So +shameful was it thought that men devoted to war should die by +disease. His body was weak, and his eyes could not see clearly, +so that he hated to linger any more in life. In order to buy +himself an executioner, he wore hanging on his neck the gold +which he had earned for the murder of Ole; thinking there was no +fitter way of atoning for the treason he had done than to make +the price of Ole's death that of his own also, and to spend on +the loss of his own life what he had earned by the slaying of +another. This, he thought, would be the noblest use he could +make of that shameful price. So he girded him with two swords, +and guided his powerless steps leaning on two staves. + +One of the common people, seeing him, thinking two swords +superfluous for the use of an old man, mockingly asked him to +make him a present of one of them. Starkad, holding out hopes of +consent, bade him come nearer, drew the sword from his side, and +ran him through. This was seen by a certain Hather, whose father +Hlenne Starkad had once killed in repentance for his own impious +crime. Hatfier was hunting game with his dogs, but now gave over +the chase, and bade two of his companions spur their horses hard +and charge at the old man to frighten him. They galloped +forward, and tried to make off, but were stopped by the staves of +Starkad, and paid for it with their lives. Hather, terrified by +the sight, galloped up closer, and saw who the old man was, but +without being recognized by him in turn; and asked him if he +would like to exchange his sword for a carriage. Starkad replied +that he used in old days to chastise jeerers, and that the +insolent had never insulted him unpunished. But his sightless +eyes could not recognize the features of the youth; so he +composed a song, wherein he should declare the greatness of his +anger, as follows: + +"As the unreturning waters sweep down the channel; so, as the +years run by, the life of man flows on never to come back; fast +gallops the cycle of doom, child of old age who shall make an end +of all. Old age smites alike the eyes and the steps of men, robs +the warrior of his speech and soul, tarnishes his fame by slow +degrees, and wipes out his deeds of honour. It seizes his +failing limbs, chokes his panting utterance, and numbs his nimble +wit. When a cough is taken, when the skin itches with the scab, +and the teeth are numb and hollow, and the stomach turns +squeamish, -- then old age banishes the grace of youth, covers +the complexion with decay, and sows many a wrinkle in the dusky +skin. Old age crushes noble arts, brings down the memorials of +men of old, and scorches ancient glories up; shatters wealth, +hungrily gnaws away the worth and good of virtue, turns athwart +and disorders all things. + +"I myself have felt the hurtful power of injurious age, I, +dim-sighted, and hoarse in my tones and in my chest; and all +helpful things have turned to my hurt. Now my body is less +nimble, and I prop it up, leaning my faint limbs on the support +of staves. Sightless I guide my steps with two sticks, and +follow the short path which the rod shows me, trusting more in +the leading of a stock than in my eyes. None takes any charge of +me, and no man in the ranks brings comfort to the veteran, +unless, perchance, Hather is here, and succours his shattered +friend. Whomsoever Hather once thinks worthy of his duteous +love, that man he attends continually with even zeal, constant to +his purpose, and fearing to break his early ties. He also often +pays fit rewards to those that have deserved well in war, and +fosters their courage; he bestows dignities on the brave, and +honours his famous friends with gifts. Free with his wealth, he +is fain to increase with bounty the brightness of his name, and +to surpass many of the mighty. Nor is he less in war: his +strength is equal to his goodness; he is swift in the fray, slow +to waver, ready to give battle; and he cannot turn his back when +the foe bears him hard. But for me, if I remember right, fate +appointed at my birth that wars I should follow and in war I +should die, that I should mix in broils, watch in arms, and pass +a life of bloodshed. I was a man of camps, and rested not; +hating peace, I grew old under thy standard, O War-god, in utmost +peril; conquering fear, I thought it comely to fight, shameful to +loiter, and noble to kill and kill again, to be for ever +slaughtering! Oft have I seen the stern kings meet in war, seen +shield and helmet bruised, and the fields redden with blood, and +the cuirass broken by the spear-point, and the corselets all +around giving at the thrust of the steel, and the wild beasts +battening on the unburied soldier. Here, as it chanced, one that +attempted a mighty thing, a strong-handed warrior, fighting +against the press of the foe, smote through the mail that covered +my head, pierced my helmet, and plunged his blade into my crest. +This sword also hath often been driven by my right hand in war, +and, once unsheathed, hath cleft the skin and bitten into the +skull." + +Hather, in answer, sang as follows: + +"Whence comest thou, who art used to write the poems of thy land, +leaning thy wavering steps on a frail staff? Or whither dost +thou speed, who art the readiest bard of the Danish muse? All +the glory of thy great strength is faded and lost; the hue is +banished from thy face, the joy is gone out of thy soul; the +voice has left thy throat, and is hoarse and dull; thy body has +lost its former stature; the decay of death begins, and has +wasted thy features and thy force. As a ship wearies, buffeted +by continual billows, even so old age, gendered by a long course +of years, brings forth bitter death; and the life falls when its +strength is done, and suffers the loss of its ancient lot. +Famous old man, who has told thee that thou mayst not duly follow +the sports of youth, or fling balls, or bite and eat the nut? I +think it were better for thee now to sell thy sword, and buy a +carriage wherein to ride often, or a horse easy on the bit, or at +the same cost to purchase a light cart. It will be more fitting +for beasts of burden to carry weak old men, when their steps fail +them; the wheel, driving round and round, serves for him whose +foot totters feebly. But if perchance thou art loth to sell the +useless steel, thy sword, if it be not for sale, shall be taken +from thee and shall slay thee." + +Starkad answered: "Wretch, thy glib lips scatter idle words, +unfit for the ears of the good. Why seek the gifts to reward +that guidance, which thou shouldst have offered for naught? +Surely I will walk afoot, and will not basely give up my sword +and buy the help of a stranger; nature has given me the right of +passage, and hath bidden me trust in my own feet. Why mock and +jeer with insolent speech at him whom thou shouldst have offered +to guide upon his way? Why give to dishonour my deeds of old, +which deserve the memorial of fame? Why requite my service with +reproach? Why pursue with jeers the old man mighty in battle, +and put to shame my unsurpassed honours and illustrious deeds, +belittling my glories and girding at my prowess? For what valour +of thine dost thou demand my sword, which thy strength does not +deserve? It befits not the right hand or the unwarlike side of a +herdsman, who is wont to make his peasant-music on the pipe, to +see to the flock, to keep the herds in the fields. Surely among +the henchmen, close to the greasy pot, thou dippest thy crust in +the bubbles of the foaming pan, drenching a meagre slice in the +rich, oily fat, and stealthily, with thirsty finger, licking the +warm juice; more skilled to spread thy accustomed cloak on the +ashes, to sleep on the hearth, and slumber all day long, and go +busily about the work of the reeking kitchen, than to make the +brave blood flow with thy shafts in war. Men think thee a hater +of the light and a lover of a filthy hole, a wretched slave of +thy belly, like a whelp who licks the coarse grain, husk and all. + +"By heaven, thou didst not try to rob me of my sword when thrice +at great peril I fought (for?) the son of Ole. For truly, in +that array, my hand either broke the sword or shattered the +obstacle, so heavy was the blow of the smiter. What of the day +when I first taught them, to run with wood-shod feet over the +shore of the Kurlanders, and the path bestrewn with countless +points? For when I was going to the fields studded with +calthrops, I guarded their wounded feet with clogs below them. +After this I slew Hame, who fought me mightily; and soon, with +the captain Rin the son of Flebak, I crushed the Kurlanders, yea, +or all the tribes Esthonia breeds, and thy peoples, O Semgala! +Then I attacked the men of Tellemark, and took thence my head +bloody with bruises, shattered with mallets, and smitten with the +welded weapons. Here first I learnt how strong was the iron +wrought on the anvil, or what valour the common people had. Also +it was my doing that the Teutons were punished, when, in avenging +my lord, I laid low over their cups thy sons, O Swerting, who +were guilty of the wicked slaughter of Frode. + +"Not less was the deed when, for the sake of a beloved maiden, I +slew nine brethren in one fray; -- witness the spot, which was +consumed by the bowels that left me, and brings not forth the +grain anew on its scorched sod. And soon, when Ker the captain +made ready a war by sea, with a noble army we beat his serried +ships. Then I put Waske to death, and punished the insolent +smith by slashing his hinder parts; and with the sword I slew +Wisin, who from the snowy rocks blunted the spears. Then I slew +the four sons of Ler, and the champions of Permland; and then +having taken the chief of the Irish race, I rifled the wealth of +Dublin; and our courage shall ever remain manifest by the +trophies of Bravalla. Why do I linger? Countless are the deeds +of my bravery, and when I review the works of my hands I fail to +number them to the full. The whole is greater than I can tell. +My work is too great for fame, and speech serves not for my +doings." + +So sang Starkad. At last, when he found by their talk that +Hather was the son of Hlenne, and saw that the youth was of +illustrious birth, he offered him his throat to smite, bidding +him not to shrink from punishing the slayer of his father. He +promised him that if he did so he should possess the gold which +he had himself received from Hlenne. And to enrage his heart +more vehemently against him, he is said to have harangued him as +follows: + +"Moreover, Hather, I robbed thee of thy father Hlenne; requite me +this, I pray, and strike down the old man who longs to die; aim +at my throat with the avenging steel. For my soul chooses the +service of a noble smiter, and shrinks to ask its doom at a +coward's hand. Righteously may a man choose to forstall the +ordinance of doom. What cannot be escaped it will be lawful also +to anticipate. The fresh tree must be fostered, the old one hewn +down. He is nature's instrument who destroys what is near its +doom and strikes down what cannot stand. Death is best when it +is sought: and when the end is loved, life is wearisome. Let not +the troubles of age prolong a miserable lot." + +So saying, he took money from his pouch and gave it him. But +Hather, desiring as much to enjoy the gold as to accomplish +vengeance for his father, promised that he would comply with his +prayer, and would not refuse the reward. Starkad eagerly handed +him the sword, and at once stooped his neck beneath it, +counselling him not to do the smiter's work timidly, or use the +sword like a woman; and telling him that if, when he had killed +him, he could spring between the head and the trunk before the +corpse fell, he would be rendered proof against arms. It is not +known whether he said this in order to instruct his executioner +or to punish him, for perhaps, as he leapt, the bulk of the huge +body would have crushed him. So Hather smote sharply with the +sword and hacked off the head of the old man. When the severed +head struck the ground, it is said to have bitten the earth; thus +the fury of the dying lips declared the fierceness of the soul. +But the smiter, thinking that the promise hid some treachery, +warily refrained from leaping. Had he done so rashly, perhaps he +would have been crushed by the corpse as it fell, and have paid +with his own life for the old man's murder. But he would not +allow so great a champion to lie unsepulchred, and had his body +buried in the field that is commonly called Rolung. + +Now Omund, as I have heard, died most tranquilly, while peace was +unbroken, leaving two sons and two daughters. The eldest of +these, SIWARD, came to the throne by right of birth, while his +brother Budle was still of tender years. At this time Gotar, +King of the Swedes, conceived boundless love for one of the +daughters of Omund, because of the report of her extraordinary +beauty, and entrusted one Ebb, the son of Sibb, with the +commission of asking for the maiden. Ebb did his work skilfully, +and brought back the good news that the girl had consented. +Nothing was now lacking to Gotar's wishes but the wedding; but, +as he feared to hold this among strangers, he demanded that his +betrothed should be sent to him in charge of Ebb, whom he had +before used as envoy. + +Ebb was crossing Halland with a very small escort, and went for a +night's lodging to a country farm, where the dwellings of two +brothers faced one another on the two sides of a river. Now +these men used to receive folk hospitably and then murder them, +but were skilful to hide their brigandage under a show of +generosity. For they had hung on certain hidden chains, in a +lofty part of the house, an oblong beam like a press, and +furnished it with a steel point; they used to lower this in the +night by letting down the fastenings, and cut off the heads of +those that lay below. Many had they beheaded in this way with +the hanging mass. So when Ebb and his men had been feasted +abundantly, the servants laid them out a bed near the hearth, so +that by the swing of the treacherous beam they might mow off +their heads, which faced the fire. When they departed, Ebb, +suspecting the contrivance slung overhead, told his men to feign +slumber and shift their bodies, saying that it would be very +wholesome for them to change their place. + +Now among these were some who despised the orders which the +others obeyed, and lay unmoved, each in the spot where he had +chanced to lie down. Then towards the mirk of night the heavy +hanging machine was set in motion by the doers of the treachery. +Loosened from the knots of its fastening, it fell violently on +the ground, and slew those beneath it. Thereupon those who had +the charge of committing the crime brought in a light, that they +might learn clearly what had happened, and saw that Ebb, on whose +especial account they had undertaken the affair, had wisely been +equal to the danger. He straightway set on them and punished +them with death; and also, after losing his men in the mutual +slaughter, he happened to find a vessel, crossed a river full of +blocks of ice, and announced to Gotar the result, not so much of +his mission as of his mishap. + +Gotar judged that this affair had been inspired by Siward, and +prepared to avenge his wrongs by arms. Siward, defeated by him +in Halland, retreated into Jutland, the enemy having taken his +sister. Here he conquered the common people of the Sclavs, who +ventured to fight without a leader; and he won as much honour +from this victory as he had got disgrace by his flight. But a +little afterwards, the men whom he had subdued when they were +ungeneraled, found a general and defeated Siward in Funen. +Several times he fought them in Jutland, but with ill-success. +The result was that he lost both Skaane and Jutland, and only +retained the middle of his realm without the head, like the +fragments of some body that had been consumed away. His son +Jarmerik (Eormunrec), with his child-sisters, fell into the hands +of the enemy; one of these was sold to the Germans, the other to +the Norwegians; for in old time marriages were matters of +purchase. Thus the kingdom of the Danes, which had been enlarged +with such valour, made famous by such ancestral honours, and +enriched by so many conquests, fell, all by the sloth of one man, +from the most illustrious fortune and prosperity into such +disgrace that it paid the tribute which it used to exact. But +Siward, too often defeated and guilty of shameful flights, could +not endure, after that glorious past, to hold the troubled helm +of state any longer in this shameful condition of his land; and, +fearing that living longer might strip him of his last shred of +glory, he hastened to win an honourable death in battle. For his +soul could not forget his calamity, it was fain to cast off its +sickness, and was racked with weariness of life. So much did he +abhor the light of life in his longing to wipe out his shame. So +he mustered his army for battle, and openly declared war with one +Simon, who was governor of Skaane under Gotar. This war he +pursued with stubborn rashness; he slew Simon, and ended his own +life amid a great slaughter of his foes. Yet his country could +not be freed from the burden of the tribute. + +Jarmerik, meantime, with his foster-brother of the same age as +himself, Gunn, was living in prison, in charge of Ismar, the King +of the Sclavs. At last he was taken out and put to agriculture, +doing the work of a peasant. So actively did he manage this +matter that he was transferred and made master of the royal +slaves. As he likewise did this business most uprightly, he was +enrolled in the band of the king's retainers. Here he bore +himself most pleasantly as courtiers use, and was soon taken into +the number of the king's friends and obtained the first place in +his intimacy; thus, on the strength of a series of great +services, he passed from the lowest estate to the most +distinguished height of honour. Also, loth to live a slack and +enfeebled youth, he trained himself to the pursuits of war, +enriching his natural gifts by diligence. All men loved +Jarmerik, and only the queen mistrusted the young man's temper. +A sudden report told them that the king's brother had died. +Ismar, wishing to give his body a splendid funeral, prepared a +banquet of royal bounty to increase the splendour of the +obsequies. + +But Jarmerik, who used at other times to look after the household +affairs together with the queen, began to cast about for means of +escape; for a chance seemed to be offered by the absence of the +king. For he saw that even in the lap of riches he would be the +wretched thrall of a king, and that he would draw, as it were, +his very breath on sufferance and at the gift of another. +Moreover, though he held the highest offices with the king, he +thought that freedom was better than delights, and burned with a +mighty desire to visit his country and learn his lineage. But, +knowing that the queen had provided sufficient guards to see that +no prisoner escaped, he saw that he must approach by craft where +he could not arrive by force. So he plaited one of those baskets +of rushes and withies, shaped like a man, with which countrymen +used to scare the birds from the corn, and put a live dog in it; +then he took off his own clothes, and dressed it in them, to give +a more plausible likeness to a human being. Then he broke into +the private treasury of the king, took out the money, and hid +himself in places of which he alone knew. + +Meantime Gunn, whom he had told to conceal the absence of his +friend, took the basket into the palace and stirred up the dog to +bark; and when the queen asked what this was, he answered that +Jarmerik was out of his mind and howling. She, beholding the +effigy, was deceived by the likeness, and ordered that the madman +should be cast out of the house. Then Gunn took the effigy out +and put it to bed, as though it were his distraught friend. But +towards night he plied the watch bountifully with wine and festal +mirth, cut off their heads as they slept, and set them at their +groins, in order to make their slaying more shameful. The queen, +roused by the din, and wishing to learn the reason of it, hastily +rushed to the doors. But while she unwarily put forth her head, +the sword of Gunn suddenly pierced her through. Feeling a mortal +wound, she sank, turned her eyes on her murderer, and said, "Had +it been granted me to live unscathed, no screen or treachery +should have let thee leave this land unpunished." A flood of +such threats against her slayer poured from her dying lips. + +Then Jarmerik, with Gunn, the partner of his noble deed, secretly +set fire to the tent wherein the king was celebrating with a +banquet the obsequies of his brother; all the company were +overcome with liquor. The fire filled the tent and spread all +about; and some of them, shaking off the torpor of drink, took +horse and pursued those who had endangered them. But the young +men fled at first on the beasts they had taken; and at last, when +these were exhausted with their long gallop, took to flight on +foot. They were all but caught, when a river saved them. For +they crossed a bridge, of which, in order to delay the pursuer, +they first cut the timbers down to the middle, thus making it not +only unequal to a burden, but ready to come down; then they +retreated into a dense morass. + +The Sclavs pressed on them hard and, not forseeing the danger, +unwarily put the weight of their horses on the bridge; the +flooring sank, and they were shaken off and flung into the river. +But, as they swam up to the bank, they were met by Gunn and +Jarmerik, and either drowned or slain. Thus the young men showed +great cunning, and did a deed beyond their years, being more like +sagacious old men than runaway slaves, and successfully achieving +their shrewd design. When they reached the strand they seized a +vessel chance threw in their way, and made for the deep. The +barbarians who pursued them, tried, when they saw them sailing +off, to bring them back by shouting promises after them that they +should be kings if they returned; "for, by the public statute of +the ancients, the succession was appointed to the slayers of the +kings." As they retreated, their ears were long deafened by the +Sclavs obstinately shouting their treacherous promises. + +At this time BUDLE, the brother of Siward, was Regent over the +Danes, who forced him to make over the kingdom to JARMERIK when +he came; so that Budle fell from a king into a common man. At +the same time Gotar charged Sibb with debauching his sister, and +slew him. Sibb's kindred, much angered by his death, came +wailing to Jarmerik, and promised to attack Gotar with him, in +order to avenge their kinsman. They kept their promise well, for +Jarmerik, having overthrown Gotar by their help, gained Sweden. +Thus, holding the sovereignty of both nations, he was encouraged +by his increased power to attack the Sclavs, forty of whom he +took and hung with a wolf tied to each of them. This kind of +punishment was assigned of old to those who slew their own +kindred; but he chose to inflict it upon enemies, that all might +see plainly, just from their fellowship with ruthless beasts, how +grasping they had shown themselves towards the Danes. + +When Jarmerik had conquered the country, he posted garrisons in +all the fitting places, and departing thence, he made a slaughter +of the Sembs and the Kurlanders, and many nations of the East. +The Sclavs, thinking that this employment of the king gave them a +chance of revolting, killed the governors whom he had appointed, +and ravaged Denmark. Jarmerik, on his way back from roving, +chanced to intercept their fleet, and destroyed it, a deed which +added honour to his roll of conquests. He also put their nobles +to death in a way that one would weep to see; namely, by first +passing thongs through their legs, and then tying them to the +hoofs of savage bulls; then hounds set on them and dragged them +into miry swamps. This deed took the edge off the valour of the +Sclavs, and they obeyed the authority of the king in fear and +trembling. + +Jarmerik, enriched with great spoils, wished to provide a safe +storehouse for his booty, and built on a lofty hill a treasure- +house of marvellous handiwork. Gathering sods, he raised a +mound, laying a mass of rocks for the foundation, and girt the +lower part with a rampart, the centre with rooms, and the top +with battlements. All round he posted a line of sentries without +a break. Four huge gates gave free access on the four sides; and +into this lordly mansion he heaped all his splendid riches. +Having thus settled his affairs at home, he again turned his +ambition abroad. He began to voyage, and speedily fought a naval +battle with four brothers whom he met on the high seas, +Hellespontines by race, and veteran rovers. After this battle +had lasted three days, he ceased fighting, having bargained for +their sister and half the tribute which they had imposed on those +they had conquered. + +After this, Bikk, the son of the King of the Livonians, escaped +from the captivity in which he lay under these said brothers, and +went to Jarmerik. But he did not forget his wrongs, Jarmerik +having long before deprived him of his own brothers. He was +received kindly by the king, in all whose secret counsels he soon +came to have a notable voice; and, as soon as he found the king +pliable to his advice in all things, he led him, when his counsel +was asked, into the most abominable acts, and drove him to commit +crimes and infamies. Thus he sought some device to injure the +king by a feint of loyalty, and tried above all to steel him +against his nearest of blood; attempting to accomplish the +revenge of his brother by guile, since he could not by force. So +it came to pass that the king embraced filthy vices instead of +virtues, and made himself generally hated by the cruel deeds +which he committed at the instance of his treacherous adviser. +Even the Sclavs began to rise against him; and, as a means of +quelling them, he captured their leaders, passed a rope through +their shanks, and delivered them to be torn asunder by horses +pulling different ways. So perished their chief men, punished +for their stubbornness of spirit by having their bodies rent +apart. This kept the Sclavs duly obedient in unbroken and steady +subjugation. + +Meantime, the sons of Jarmerik's sister, who had all been born +and bred in Germany, took up arms, on the strength of their +grandsire's title, against their uncle, contending that they had +as good a right to the throne as he. The king demolished their +strongholds in Germany with engines, blockaded or took several +towns, and returned home with a bloodless victory. The +Hellespontines came to meet him, proffering their sister for the +promised marriage. After this had been celebrated, at Bikk's +prompting he again went to Germany, took his nephews in war, and +incontinently hanged them. He also got together the chief men +under the pretence of a banquet and had them put to death in the +same fashion. + +Meantime, the king appointed Broder, his son by another marriage, +to have charge over his stepmother, a duty which he fulfilled +with full vigilance and integrity. But Bikk accused this man to +his father of incest; and, to conceal the falsehood of the +charge, suborned witnesses against him. When the plea of the +accusation had been fully declared, Broder could not bring any +support for his defence, and his father bade his friends pass +sentence upon the convicted man, thinking it less impious to +commit the punishment proper for his son to the judgment of +others. All thought that he deserved outlawry except Bikk, who +did not shrink from giving a more terrible vote against his life, +and declaring that the perpetrator of an infamous seduction ought +to be punished with hanging. But lest any should think that this +punishment was due to the cruelty of his father, Bikk judged +that, when he had been put in the noose, the servants should hold +him up on a beam put beneath him, so that, when weariness made +them take their hands from the burden, they might be as good as +guilty of the young man's death, and by their own fault exonerate +the king from an unnatural murder. He also pretended that, +unless the accused were punished, he would plot against his +father's life. The adulteress Swanhild, he said, ought to suffer +a shameful end, trampled under the hoofs of beasts. + +The king yielded to Bikk; and, when his son was to be hanged, he +made the bystanders hold him up by means of a plank, that he +might not be choked. Thus his throat was only a little squeezed, +the knot was harmless, and it was but a punishment in show. But +the king had the queen tied very tight on the ground, and +delivered her to be crushed under the hoofs of horses. The story +goes that she was so beautiful, that even the beasts shrank from +mangling limbs so lovely with their filthy feet. The king, +divining that this proclaimed the innocence of his wife, began to +repent of his error, and hastened to release the slandered lady. +But meantime Bikk rushed up, declaring that when she was on her +back she held off the beasts by awful charms, and could only be +crushed if she lay on her face; for he knew that her beauty saved +her. When the body of the queen was placed in this manner, the +herd of beasts was driven upon it, and trod it down deep with +their multitude of feet. Such was the end of Swanhild. + +Meantime, the favourite dog of Broder came creeping to the king +making a sort of moan, and seemed to bewail its master's +punishment; and his hawk, when it was brought in, began to pluck +out its breast-feathers with its beak. The king took its +nakedness as an omen of his bereavement, to frustrate which he +quickly sent men to take his son down from the noose: for he +divined by the featherless bird that he would be childless unless +he took good heed. Thus Broder was freed from death, and Bikk, +fearing he would pay the penalty of an informer, went and told +the men of the Hellespont that Swanhild had been abominably slain +by her husband. When they set sail to avenge their sister, he +came back to Jarmerik, and told him that the Hellespontines were +preparing war. + +The king thought that it would be safer to fight with walls than +in the field, and retreated into the stronghold which he had +built. To stand the siege, he filled its inner parts with +stores, and its battlements with men-at-arms. Targets and +shields flashing with gold were hung round and adorned the +topmost circle of the building. + +It happened that the Hellespontines, before sharing their booty, +accused a great band of their men of embezzling, and put them to +death. Having now destroyed so large a part of their forces by +internecine slaughter, they thought that their strength was not +equal to storming the palace, and consulted a sorceress named +Gudrun. She brought it to pass that the defenders of the king's +side were suddenly blinded and turned their arms against one +another. When the Hellespontines saw this, they brought up a +shield-mantlet, and seized the approaches of the gates. Then +they tore up the posts, burst into the building, and hewed down +the blinded ranks of the enemy. In this uproar Odin appeared, +and, making for the thick of the ranks of the fighters, restored +by his divine power to the Danes that vision which they had lost +by sleights; for he ever cherished them with fatherly love. He +instructed them to shower stones to batter the Hellespontines, +who used spells to harden their bodies against weapons. Thus +both companies slew one another and perished. Jarmerik lost both +feet and both hands, and his trunk was rolled among the dead. +BRODER, little fit for it, followed him as king. + +The next king was SIWALD. His son SNIO took vigorously to roving +in his father's old age, and not only preserved the fortunes of +his country, but even restored them, lessened as they were, to +their former estate. Likewise, when he came to the sovereignty, +he crushed the insolence of the champions Eskil and Alkil, and by +this conquest reunited to his country Skaane, which had been +severed from the general jurisdiction of Denmark. At last he +conceived a passion for the daughter of the King of the Goths; it +was returned, and he sent secret messengers to seek a chance of +meeting her. These men were intercepted by the father of the +damsel and hanged: thus paying dearly for their rash mission. +Snio, wishing to avenge their death, invaded Gothland. Its king +met him with his forces, and the aforesaid champions challenged +him to send strong men to fight. Snio laid down as condition of +the duel, that each of the two kings should either lose his own +empire or gain that of the other, according to the fortune of the +champions, and that the kingdom of the conquered should be staked +as the prize of the victory. The result was that the King of the +Goths was beaten by reason of the ill-success of his defenders, +and had to quit his kingdom for the Danes. Snio, learning that +this king's daughter had been taken away at the instance of her +father to wed the King of the Swedes, sent a man clad in ragged +attire, who used to ask alms on the public roads, to try her +mind. And while he lay, as beggars do, by the threshold, he +chanced to see the queen, and whined in a weak voice, "Snio loves +thee." She feigned not to have heard the sound that stole on her +ears, and neither looked nor stepped back, but went on to the +palace, then returned straightway, and said in a low whisper, +which scarcely reached his ears, "I love him who loves me"; and +having said this she walked away. + +The beggar rejoiced that she had returned a word of love, and, as +he sat on the next day at the gate, when the queen came up, he +said, briefly as ever, "Wishes should have a tryst." Again she +shrewdly caught his cunning speech, and passed on, dissembling +wholly. A little later she passed by her questioner, and said +that she would shortly go to Bocheror; for this was the spot to +which she meant to flee. And when the beggar heard this, he +insisted, with his wonted shrewd questions, upon being told a +fitting time for the tryst. The woman was as cunning as he, and +as little clear of speech, and named as quickly as she could the +beginning of the winter. + +Her train, who had caught a flying word of this love-message, +took her great cleverness for the raving of utter folly. And +when Snio had been told all this by the beggar, he contrived to +carry the queen off in a vessel; for she got away under pretence +of bathing, and took her husband's treasures. After this there +were constant wars between Snio and the King of Sweden, whereof +the issue was doubtful and the victory changeful; the one king +seeking to regain his lawful, the other to keep his unlawful +love. + +At this time the yield of crops was ruined by most inclement +weather, and a mighty dearth of corn befell. Victuals began to +be scarce, and the commons were distressed with famine, so that +the king, anxiously pondering how to relieve the hardness of the +times, and seeing that the thirsty spent somewhat more than the +hungry, introduced thrift among the people. He abolished +drinking-bouts, and decreed that no drink should be prepared from +gram, thinking that the bitter famine should be got rid of by +prohibiting needless drinking, and that plentiful food could be +levied as a loan on thirst. + +Then a certain wanton slave of his belly, lamenting the +prohibition against drink, adopted a deep kind of knavery, and +found a new way to indulge his desires. He broke the public law +of temperance by his own excess, contriving to get at what he +loved by a device both cunning and absurd. For he sipped the +forbidden liquor drop by drop, and so satisfied his longing to be +tipsy. When he was summoned for this by the king, he declared +that there was no stricter observer of sobriety than he, inasmuch +as he mortified his longing to quaff deep by this device for +moderate drinking. He persisted in the fault with which he was +taxed, saying that he only sucked. At last he was also menaced +with threats, and forbidden not only to drink, but even to sip; +yet he could not check his habits. For in order to enjoy the +unlawful thing in a lawful way, and not to have his throat +subject to the command of another, he sopped morsels of bread in +liquor, and fed on the pieces thus soaked with drink; tasting +slowly, so as to prolong the desired debauch, and attaining, +though in no unlawful manner, the forbidden measure of satiety. + +Thus his stubborn and frantic intemperance risked his life, all +for luxury; and, undeterred even by the threats of the king, he +fortified his rash appetite to despise every peril. A second +time he was summoned by the king on the charge of disobeying his +regulation. Yet he did not even theft cease to defend his act, +but maintained that he had in no wise contravened the royal +decree, and that the temperance prescribed by the ordinance had +been in no way violated by that which allured him; especially as +the thrift ordered in the law of plain living was so described, +that it was apparently forbidden to drink liquor, but not to eat +it. Then the king called heaven to witness, and swore by the +general good, that if he ventured on any such thing hereafter he +would punish him with death. But the man thought that death was +not so bad as temperance, and that it was easier to quit life +than luxury; and he again boiled the grain in water, and then +fermented the liquor; whereupon, despairing of any further plea +to excuse his appetite, he openly indulged in drink, and turned +to his cups again unabashed. Giving up cunning for effrontery, +he chose rather to await the punishment of the king than to turn +sober. Therefore, when the king asked him why he had so often +made free to use the forbidden thing, he said: + +"O king, this craving is begotten, not so much of my thirst, as +of my goodwill towards thee! For I remembered that the funeral +rites of a king must be paid with a drinking-bout. Therefore, +led by good judgment more than the desire to swill, I have, by +mixing the forbidden liquid, taken care that the feast whereat +thy obsequies are performed should not, by reason of the scarcity +of corn, lack the due and customary drinking. Now I do not doubt +that thou wilt perish of famine before the rest, and be the first +to need a tomb; for thou hast passed this strange law of thrift +in fear that thou wilt be thyself the first to lack food. Thou +art thinking for thyself, and not for others, when thou bringest +thyself to start such strange miserly ways." + +This witty quibbling turned the anger of the king into shame; and +when he saw that his ordinance for the general good came home in +mockery to himself, he thought no more of the public profit, but +revoked the edict, relaxing his purpose sooner than anger his +subjects. + +Whether it was that the soil had too little rain, or that it was +too hard baked, the crops, as I have said, were slack, and the +fields gave but little produce; so that the land lacked victual, +and was worn with a weary famine. The stock of food began to +fail, and no help was left to stave off hunger. Then, at the +proposal of Agg and of Ebb, it was provided by a decree of the +people that the old men and the tiny children should be slain; +that all who were too young to bear arms should be taken out of +the land, and only the strong should be vouchsafed their own +country; that none but able-bodied soldiers and husbandmen should +continue to abide under their own roofs and in the houses of +their fathers. When Agg and Ebb brought news of this to their +mother Gambaruk, she saw that the authors of this infamous decree +had found safety in crime. Condemning the decision of the +assembly, she said that it was wrong to relieve distress by +murder of kindred, and declared that a plan both more honourable +and more desirable for the good of their souls and bodies would +be, to preserve respect towards their parents and children, and +choose by lot men who should quit the country. And if the lot +fell on old men and weak, then the stronger should offer to go +into exile in their place, and should of their own free will +undertake to bear the burden of it for the feeble. But those men +who had the heart to save their lives by crime and impiety, and +to prosecute their parents and their children by so abominable a +decree, did not deserve life; for they would be doing a work of +cruelty and not of love. Finally, all those whose own lives were +dearer to them than the love of their parents or their children, +deserved but ill of their country. These words were reported to +the assembly, and assented to by the vote of the majority. So +the fortunes of all were staked upon the lot and those upon whom +it fell were doomed to be banished. Thus those who had been loth +to obey necessity of their own accord had now to accept the award +of chance. So they sailed first to Bleking, and then, sailing +past Moring, they came to anchor at Gothland; where, according to +Paulus, they are said to have been prompted by the goddess Frigg +to take the name of the Longobardi (Lombards), whose nation they +afterwards founded. In the end they landed at Rugen, and, +abandoning their ships, began to march overland. They crossed +and wasted a great portion of the world; and at last, finding an +abode in Italy, changed the ancient name of the nation for their +own. + +Meanwhile, the land of the Danes, where the tillers laboured less +and less, and all traces of the furrows were covered with +overgrowth, began to look like a forest. Almost stripped of its +pleasant native turf, it bristled with the dense unshapely woods +that grew up. Traces of this are yet seen in the aspect of its +fields. What were once acres fertile in grain are now seen to be +dotted with trunks of trees; and where of old the tillers turned +the earth up deep and scattered the huge clods there has now +sprung up a forest covering the fields, which still bear the +tracks of ancient tillage. Had not these lands remained untilled +and desolate with long overgrowth, the tenacious roots of trees +could never have shared the soil of one and the same land with +the furrows made by the plough. Moreover, the mounds which men +laboriously built up of old on the level ground for the burial of +the dead are now covered by a mass of woodland. Many piles of +stones are also to be seen interspersed among the forest glades. +These were once scattered over the whole country, but the +peasants carefully gathered the boulders and piled them into a +heap that they might not prevent furrows being cut in all +directions; for they would sooner sacrifice a little of the land +than find the whole of it stubborn. From this work, done by the +toil of the peasants for the easier working of the fields, it is +judged that the population in ancient times was greater than the +present one, which is satisfied with small fields, and keeps its +agriculture within narrower limits than those of the ancient +tillage. Thus the present generation is amazed to behold that it +has exchanged a soil which could once produce grain for one only +fit to grow acorns, and the plough-handle and the cornstalks for +a landscape studded with trees. Let this account of Snio, which +I have put together as truly as I could, suffice. + +Snio was succeeded by BIORN; and after him HARALD became +sovereign. Harald's son GORM won no mean place of honour among +the ancient generals of the Danes by his record of doughty deeds. +For he ventured into fresh fields, preferring to practise his +inherited valour, not in war, but in searching the secrets of +nature; and, just as other kings are stirred by warlike ardour, +so his heart thirsted to look into marvels; either what he could +experience himself, or what were merely matters of report. And +being desirous to go and see all things foreign and +extraordinary, he thought that he must above all test a report +which he had heard from the men of Thule concerning the abode of +a certain Geirrod. For they boasted past belief of the mighty +piles of treasure in that country, but said that the way was +beset with peril, and hardly passable by mortal man. For those +who had tried it declared that it was needful to sail over the +ocean that goes round the lands, to leave the sun and stars +behind, to journey down into chaos, and at last to pass into a +land where no light was and where darkness reigned eternally. + +But the warrior trampled down in his soul all fear of the dangers +that beset him. Not that he desired booty, but glory; for he +hoped for a great increase of renown if he ventured on a wholly +unattempted quest. Three hundred men announced that they had the +same desire as the king; and he resolved that Thorkill, who had +brought the news, should be chosen to guide them on the journey, +as he knew the ground and was versed in the approaches to that +country. Thorkill did not refuse the task, and advised that, to +meet the extraordinary fury of the sea they had to cross, +strongly-made vessels should be built, fitted with many knotted +cords and close-set nails, filled with great store of provision, +and covered above with ox-hides to protect the inner spaces of +the ships from the spray of the waves breaking in. Then they +sailed off in only three galleys, each containing a hundred +chosen men. + +Now when they had come to Halogaland (Helgeland), they lost their +favouring breezes, and were driven and tossed divers ways over +the seas in perilous voyage. At last, in extreme want of food, +and lacking even bread, they staved off hunger with a little +pottage. Some days passed, and they heard the thunder of a storm +brawling in the distance, as if it were deluging the rocks. By +this perceiving that land was near, they bade a youth of great +nimbleness climb to the masthead and look out; and he reported +that a precipitous island was in sight. All were overjoyed, and +gazed with thirsty eyes at the country at which he pointed, +eagerly awaiting the refuge of the promised shore. At last they +managed to reach it, and made their way out over the heights that +blocked their way, along very steep paths, into the higher +ground. Then Thorkill told them to take no more of the herds +that were running about in numbers on the coast, than would serve +once to appease their hunger. If they disobeyed, the guardian +gods of the spot would not let them depart. But the seamen, more +anxious to go on filling their bellies than to obey orders, +postponed counsels of safety to the temptations of gluttony, and +loaded the now emptied holds of their ships with the carcases of +slaughtered cattle. These beasts were very easy to capture, +because they gathered in amazement at the unwonted sight of men, +their fears being made bold. On the following night monsters +dashed down upon the shore, filled the forest with clamour, and +beleaguered and beset the ships. One of them, huger than the +rest, strode over the waters, armed with a mighty club. Coming +close up to them, he bellowed out that they should never sail +away till they had atoned for the crime they had committed in +slaughtering the flock, and had made good the losses of the herd +of the gods by giving up one man for each of their ships. +Thorkill yielded to these threats; and, in order to preserve the +safety of all by imperilling a few, singled out three men by lot +and gave them up. + +This done, a favouring wind took them, and they sailed to further +Permland. It is a region of eternal cold, covered with very deep +snows, and not sensible to the force even of the summer heats; +full of pathless forests, not fertile in grain and haunted by +beasts uncommon elsewhere. Its many rivers pour onwards in a +hissing, foaming flood, because of the reefs imbedded in their +channels. + +Here Thorkill drew up his ships ashore, and bade them pitch their +tents on the beach, declaring that they had come to a spot whence +the passage to Geirrod would be short. Moreover, he forbade them +to exchange any speech with those that came up to them, declaring +that nothing enabled the monsters to injure strangers so much as +uncivil words on their part: it would be therefore safer for his +companions to keep silence; none but he, who had seen all the +manners and customs of this nation before, could speak safely. +As twilight approached, a man of extraordinary bigness greeted +the sailors by their names, and came among them. All were +aghast, but Thorkill told them to greet his arrival cheerfully, +telling them that this was Gudmund, the brother of Geirrod, and +the most faithful guardian in perils of all men who landed in +that spot. When the man asked why all the rest thus kept +silence, he answered that they were very unskilled in his +language, and were ashamed to use a speech they did not know. +Then Gudmund invited them to be his guests, and took them up in +carriages. As they went forward, they saw a river which could be +crossed by a bridge of gold. They wished to go over it, but +Gudmund restrained them, telling them that by this channel nature +had divided the world of men from the world of monsters, and that +no mortal track might go further. Then they reached the dwelling +of their guide; and here Thorkill took his companions apart and +warned them to behave like men of good counsel amidst the divers +temptations chance might throw in their way; to abstain from the +food of the stranger, and nourish their bodies only on their own; +and to seek a seat apart from the natives, and have no contact +with any of them as they lay at meat. For if they partook of +that food they would lose recollection of all things, and must +live for ever in filthy intercourse amongst ghastly hordes of +monsters. Likewise he told them that they must keep their hands +off the servants and the cups of the people. + +Round the table stood twelve noble sons of Gudmund, and as many +daughters of notable beauty. When Gudmund saw that the king +barely tasted what his servants brought, he reproached him with +repulsing his kindness, and complained that it was a slight on +the host. But Thorkill was not at a loss for a fitting excuse. +He reminded him that men who took unaccustomed food often +suffered from it seriously, and that the king was not ungrateful +for the service rendered by another, but was merely taking care +of his health, when he refreshed himself as he was wont, and +furnished his supper with his own viands. An act, therefore, +that was only done in the healthy desire to escape some bane, +ought in no wise to be put down to scorn. Now when Gudmund saw +that the temperance of his guest had baffled his treacherous +preparations, he determined to sap their chastity, if he could +not weaken their abstinence, and eagerly strained every nerve of +his wit to enfeeble their self-control. For he offered the king +his daughter in marriage, and promised the rest that they should +have whatever women of his household they desired. Most of them +inclined to his offer: but Thorkill by his healthy admonitions +prevented them, as he had done before, from falling into +temptation. + +With wonderful management Thorkill divided his heed between the +suspicious host and the delighted guests. Four of the Danes, to +whom lust was more than their salvation, accepted the offer; the +infection maddened them, distraught their wits, and blotted out +their recollection: for they are said never to have been in their +right mind after this. If these men had kept themselves within +the rightful bounds of temperance, they would have equalled the +glories of Hercules, surpassed with their spirit the bravery of +giants, and been ennobled for ever by their wondrous services to +their country. + +Gudmund, stubborn to his purpose, and still spreading his nets, +extolled the delights of his garden, and tried to lure the king +thither to gather fruits, desiring to break down his constant +wariness by the lust of the eye and the baits of the palate. The +king, as before, was strengthened against these treacheries by +Thorkill, and rejected this feint of kindly service; he excused +himself from accepting it on the plea that he must hasten on his +journey. Gudmund perceived that Thorkill was shrewder than he at +every point; so, despairing to accomplish his treachery, he +carried them all across the further side of the river, and let +them finish their journey. + +They went on; and saw, not far off, a gloomy, neglected town, +looking more like a cloud exhaling vapour. Stakes interspersed +among the battlements showed the severed heads of warriors and +dogs of great ferocity were seen watching before the doors to +guard the entrance. Thorkill threw them a horn smeared with fat +to lick, and so, at slight cost, appeased their most furious +rage. High up the gates lay open to enter, and they climbed to +their level with ladders, entering with difficulty. Inside the +town was crowded with murky and misshapen phantoms, and it was +hard to say whether their shrieking figures were more ghastly to +the eye or to the ear; everything was foul, and the reeking mire +afflicted the nostrils of the visitors with its unbearable +stench. Then they found the rocky dwelling which Geirrod was +rumoured to inhabit for his palace. They resolved to visit its +narrow and horrible ledge, but stayed their steps and halted in +panic at the very entrance. Then Thorkill, seeing that they were +of two minds, dispelled their hesitation to enter by manful +encouragement, counselling them, to restrain themselves, and not +to touch any piece of gear in the house they were about to enter, +albeit it seemed delightful to have or pleasant to behold; to +keep their hearts as far from all covetousness as from fear; +neither to desire what was pleasant to take, nor dread what was +awful to look upon, though they should find themselves amidst +abundance of both these things. If they did, their greedy hands +would suddenly be bound fast, unable to tear themselves away from +the thing they touched, and knotted up with it as by inextricable +bonds. Moreover, they should enter in order, four by four. + +Broder and Buchi (Buk?) were the first to show courage to attempt +to enter the vile palace; Thorkill with the king followed them, +and the rest advanced behind these in ordered ranks. + +Inside, the house was seen to be ruinous throughout, and filled +with a violent and abominable reek. And it also teemed with +everything that could disgust the eye or the mind: the door-posts +were begrimed with the soot of ages, the wall was plastered with +filth, the roof was made up of spear-heads, the flooring was +covered with snakes and bespattered with all manner of +uncleanliness. Such an unwonted sight struck terror into the +strangers, and, over all, the acrid and incessant stench assailed +their afflicted nostrils. Also bloodless phantasmal monsters +huddled on the iron seats, and the places for sitting were railed +off by leaden trellises; and hideous doorkeepers stood at watch +on the thresholds. Some of these, armed with clubs lashed +together, yelled, while others played a gruesome game, tossing a +goat's hide from one to the other with mutual motion of goatish +backs. + +Here Thorkill again warned the men, and forbade them to stretch +forth their covetous hands rashly to the forbidden things. Going +on through the breach in the crag, they beheld an old man with +his body pierced through, sitting not far off, on a lofty seat +facing the side of the rock that had been rent away. Moreover, +three women, whose bodies were covered with tumours, and who +seemed to have lost the strength of their back-bones, filled +adjoining seats. Thorkill's companions were very curious; and +he, who well knew the reason of the matter, told them that long +ago the god Thor had been provoked by the insolence of the giants +to drive red-hot irons through the vitals of Geirrod, who strove +with him, and that the iron had slid further, torn up the +mountain, and battered through its side; while the women had been +stricken by the might of his thunderbolts, and had been punished +(so he declared) for their attempt on the same deity, by having +their bodies broken. + +As the men were about to depart thence, there were disclosed to +them seven butts hooped round with belts of gold; and from these +hung circlets of silver entwined with them in manifold links. +Near these was found the tusk of a strange beast, tipped at both +ends with gold. Close by was a vast stag-horn, laboriously +decked with choice and flashing gems, and this also did not lack +chasing. Hard by was to be seen a very heavy bracelet. One man +was kindled with an inordinate desire for this bracelet, and laid +covetous hands upon the gold, not knowing that the glorious metal +covered deadly mischief, and that a fatal bane lay hid under the +shining spoil. A second also, unable to restrain his +covetousness, reached out his quivering hands to the horn. A +third, matching the confidence of the others, and having no +control over his fingers, ventured to shoulder the tusk. The +spoil seemed alike lovely to look upon and desirable to enjoy, +for all that met the eye was fair and tempting to behold. But +the bracelet suddenly took the form of a snake, and attacked him +who was carrying it with its poisoned tooth; the horn lengthened +out into a serpent, and took the life of the man who bore it; the +tusk wrought itself into a sword, and plunged into the vitals of +its bearer. + +The rest dreaded the fate of perishing with their friends, and +thought that the guiltless would be destroyed like the guilty; +they durst not hope that even innocence would be safe. Then the +side-door of another room showed them a narrow alcove: and a +privy chamber with a yet richer treasure was revealed, wherein +arms were laid out too great for those of human stature. Among +these were seen a royal mantle, a handsome hat, and a belt +marvellously wrought. Thorkill, struck with amazement at these +things, gave rein to his covetousness, and cast off all his +purposed self-restraint. He who so oft had trained others could +not so much as conquer his own cravings. For he laid his hand +upon the mantle, and his rash example tempted the rest to join in +his enterprise of plunder. Thereupon the recess shook from its +lowest foundations, and began suddenly to reel and totter. +Straightway the women raised a shriek that the wicked robbers +were being endured too long. Then they, who were before supposed +to be half-dead or lifeless phantoms, seemed to obey the cries of +the women, and, leaping suddenly up from their seats, attacked +the strangers with furious onset. The other creatures bellowed +hoarsely. + +But Broder and Buchi fell to their old and familiar arts, and +attacked the witches, who ran at them, with a shower of spears +from every side; and with the missiles from their bows and slings +they crushed the array of monsters. There could be no stronger +or more successful way to repulse them; but only twenty men out +of all the king's company were rescued by the intervention of +this archery; the rest were torn in pieces by the monsters. The +survivors returned to the river, and were ferried over by +Gudmund, who entertained them at his house. Long and often as he +besought them, he could not keep them back; so at last he gave +them presents and let them go. + +Buchi relaxed his watch upon himself; his self-control became +unstrung, and he forsook the virtue in which he hitherto +rejoiced. For he conceived an incurable love for one of the +daughters of Gudmund, and embraced her; but he obtained a bride +to his undoing, for soon his brain suddenly began to whirl, and +he lost his recollection. Thus the hero who had subdued all the +monsters and overcome all the perils was mastered by passion for +one girl; his soul strayed far from temperance, and he lay under +a wretched sensual yoke. For the sake of respect, he started to +accompany the departing king; but as he was about to ford the +river in his carriage, his wheels sank deep, he was caught up in +the violent eddies and destroyed. + +The king bewailed his friend's disaster and departed hastening on +his voyage. This was at first prosperous, but afterwards he was +tossed by bad weather; his men perished of hunger, and but few +survived, so that he began to feel awe in his heart, and fell to +making vows to heaven, thinking the gods alone could help him in +his extreme need. At last the others besought sundry powers +among the gods, and thought they ought to sacrifice to the +majesty of divers deities; but the king, offering both vows and +peace-offerings to Utgarda-Loki, obtained that fair season of +weather for which he prayed. + +Coming home, and feeling that he had passed through all these +seas and toils, he thought it was time for his spirit, wearied +with calamities, to withdraw from his labours. So he took a +queen from Sweden, and exchanged his old pursuits for meditative +leisure. His life was prolonged in the utmost peace and +quietness; but when he had almost come to the end of his days, +certain men persuaded him by likely arguments that souls were +immortal; so that he was constantly turning over in his mind the +questions, to what abode he was to fare when the breath left his +limbs, or what reward was earned by zealous adoration of the +gods. + +While he was thus inclined, certain men who wished ill to +Thorkill came and told Gorm that it was needful to consult the +gods, and that assurance about so great a matter must be sought +of the oracles of heaven, since it was too deep for human wit and +hard for mortals to discover. + +Therefore, they said, Utgarda-Loki must be appeased, and no man +would accomplish this more fitly than Thorkill. Others, again, +laid information against him as guilty of treachery and an enemy +of the king's life. Thorkill, seeing himself doomed to extreme +peril, demanded that his accusers should share his journey. Then +they who had aspersed an innocent man saw that the peril they had +designed against the life of another had recoiled upon +themselves, and tried to take back their plan. But vainly did +they pester the ears of the king; he forced them to sail under +the command of Thorkill, and even upbraided them with cowardice. +Thus, when a mischief is designed against another, it is commonly +sure to strike home to its author. And when these men saw that +they were constrained, and could not possibly avoid the peril, +they covered their ship with ox-hides, and filled it with +abundant store of provision. + +In this ship they sailed away, and came to a sunless land, which +knew not the stars, was void of daylight, and seemed to +overshadow them with eternal night. Long they sailed under this +strange sky; at last their timber fell short, and they lacked +fuel; and, having no place to boil their meat in, they staved off +their hunger with raw viands. But most of those who ate +contracted extreme disease, being glutted with undigested food. +For the unusual diet first made a faintness steal gradually upon +their stomachs; then the infection spread further, and the malady +reached the vital parts. Thus there was danger in either +extreme, which made it hurtful not to eat, and perilous to +indulge; for it was found both unsafe to feed and bad for them to +abstain. Then, when they were beginning to be in utter despair, +a gleam of unexpected help relieved them, even as the string +breaks most easily when it is stretched tightest. For suddenly +the weary men saw the twinkle of a fire at no great distance, and +conceived a hope of prolonging their lives. Thorkill thought +this fire a heaven-sent relief, and resolved to go and take some +of it. + +To be surer of getting back to his friends, Thorkill fastened a +jewel upon the mast-head, to mark it by the gleam. When he got +to the shore, his eyes fell on a cavern in a close defile, to +which a narrow way led. Telling his companions to await him +outside, he went in, and saw two men, swart and very huge, with +horny noses, feeding their fire with any chance-given fuel. +Moreover, the entrance was hideous, the door-posts were decayed, +the walls grimy with mould, the roof filthy, and the floor +swarming with snakes; all of which disgusted the eye as much as +the mind. Then one of the giants greeted him, and said that he +had begun a most difficult venture in his burning desire to visit +a strange god, and his attempt to explore with curious search an +untrodden region beyond the world. Yet he promised to tell +Thorkill the paths of the journey he proposed to make, if he +would deliver three true judgments in the form of as many +sayings. Then said Thorkill: "In good truth, I do not remember +ever to have seen a household with more uncomely noses; nor have +I ever come to a spot where I had less mind to live." Also he +said: "That, I think, is my best foot which can get out of this +foremost." + +The giant was pleased with the shrewdness of Thorkill, and +praised his sayings, telling him that he must first travel to a +grassless land which was veiled in deep darkness; but he must +first voyage for four days, rowing incessantly, before he could +reach his goal. There he could visit Utgarda-Loki, who had +chosen hideous and grisly caves for his filthy dwelling. +Thorkill was much aghast at being bidden to go on a voyage so +long and hazardous; but his doubtful hopes prevailed over his +present fears, and he asked for some live fuel. Then said the +giant: "If thou needest fire, thou must deliver three more +judgments in like sayings." Then said Thorkill: "Good counsel is +to be obeyed, though a mean fellow gave it." Likewise: "I have +gone so far in rashness, that if I can get back I shall owe my +safety to none but my own legs." And again: "Were I free to +retreat this moment, I would take good care never to come back." + +Thereupon Thorkill took the fire along to his companions; and +finding a kindly wind, landed on the fourth day at the appointed +harbour. With his crew he entered a land where an aspect of +unbroken night checked the vicissitude of light and darkness. He +could hardly see before him, but beheld a rock of enormous size. +Wishing to explore it, he told his companions, who were standing +posted at the door, to strike a fire from flints as a timely +safeguard against demons, and kindle it in the entrance. Then he +made others bear a light before him, and stooped his body through +the narrow jaws of the cavern, where he beheld a number of iron +seats among a swarm of gliding serpents. Next there met his eye +a sluggish mass of water gently flowing over a sandy bottom. He +crossed this, and approached a cavern which sloped somewhat more +steeply. Again, after this, a foul and gloomy room was disclosed +to the visitors, wherein they saw Utgarda-Loki, laden hand and +foot with enormous chains. Each of his reeking hairs was as +large and stiff as a spear of cornel. Thorkill (his companions +lending a hand), in order that his deeds might gain more credit, +plucked one of these from the chin of Utgarda-Loki, who suffered +it. Straightway such a noisome smell reached the bystanders, +that they could not breathe without stopping their noses with +their mantles. They could scarcely make their way out, and were +bespattered by the snakes which darted at them on every side. + +Only five of Thorkill's company embarked with their captain: the +poison killed the rest. The demons hung furiously over them, and +cast their poisonous slaver from every side upon the men below +them. But the sailors sheltered themselves with their hides, and +cast back the venom that fell upon them. One man by chance at +this point wished to peep out; the poison touched his head, which +was taken off his neck as if it had been severed with a sword. +Another put his eyes out of their shelter, and when he brought +them back under it they were blinded. Another thrust forth his +hand while unfolding his covering, and, when he withdrew his arm, +it was withered by the virulence of the same slaver. They +besought their deities to be kinder to them; vainly, until +Thorkill prayed to the god of the universe, and poured forth unto +him libations as well as prayers; and thus, presently finding the +sky even as before and the elements clear, he made a fair voyage. + +And now they seemed to behold another world, and the way towards +the life of man. At last Thorkill landed in Germany, which had +then been admitted to Christianity; and among its people he began +to learn how to worship God. His band of men were almost +destroyed, because of the dreadful air they had breathed, and he +returned to his country accompanied by two men only, who had +escaped the worst. But the corrupt matter which smeared his face +so disguised his person and original features that not even his +friends knew him. But when he wiped off the filth, he made +himself recognizable by those who saw him, and inspired the king +with the greatest eagerness to hear about his quest. But the +detraction of his rivals was not yet silenced; and some pretended +that the king would die suddenly if he learnt Thorkill's tidings. +The king was the more disposed to credit this saying, because he +was already credulous by reason of a dream which falsely +prophesied the same thing. Men were therefore hired by the +king's command to slay Thorkill in the night. But somehow he got +wind of it, left his bed unknown to all, and put a heavy log in +his place. By this he baffled the treacherous device of the +king, for the hirelings smote only the stock. + +On the morrow Thorkill went up to the king as he sat at meat, and +said: "I forgive thy cruelty and pardon thy error, in that thou +hast decreed punishment, and not thanks, to him who brings good +tidings of his errand. For thy sake I have devoted my life to +all these afflictions, and battered it in all these perils; I +hoped that thou wouldst requite my services with much gratitude; +and behold! I have found thee, and thee alone, punish my valour +sharpliest. But I forbear all vengeance, and am satisfied with +the shame within thy heart -- if, after all, any shame visits the +thankless -- as expiation for this wrongdoing towards me. I have +a right to surmise that thou art worse than all demons in fury, +and all beasts in cruelty, if, after escaping the snares of all +these monsters, I have failed to be safe from thine." + +The king desired to learn everything from Thorkill's own lips; +and, thinking it hard to escape destiny, bade him relate what had +happened in due order. He listened eagerly to his recital of +everything, till at last, when his own god was named, he could +not endure him to be unfavourably judged. For he could not bear +to hear Utgarda-Loki reproached with filthiness, and so resented +his shameful misfortunes, that his very life could not brook such +words, and he yielded it up in the midst of Thorkill's narrative. +Thus, whilst he was so zealous in the worship of a false god, he +came to find where the true prison of sorrows really was. +Moreover, the reek of the hair, which Thorkill plucked from the +locks of the giant to testify to the greatness of his own deeds, +was exhaled upon the bystanders, so that many perished of it. + +After the death of Gorm, GOTRIK his son came to the throne. He +was notable not only for prowess but for generosity, and none can +say whether his courage or his compassion was the greater. He so +chastened his harshness with mercy, that he seemed to +counterweigh the one with the other. At this time Gaut, the King +of Norway, was visited by Ber (Biorn?) and Ref, men of Thule. +Gaut treated Ref with attention and friendship, and presented him +with a heavy bracelet. + +One of the courtiers, when he saw this, praised the greatness of +the gift over-zealously, and declared that no one was equal to +King Gaut in kindliness. But Ref, though he owed thanks for the +benefit, could not approve the inflated words of this extravagant +praiser, and said that Gotrik was more generous than Gaut. +Wishing to crush the empty boast of the flatterer, he chose +rather to bear witness to the generosity of the absent than +tickle with lies the vanity of his benefactor who was present. +For another thing, he thought it somewhat more desirable to be +charged with ingratitude than to support with his assent such +idle and boastful praise, and also to move the king by the solemn +truth than to beguile him with lying flatteries. But Ulf +persisted not only in stubbornly repeating his praises of the +king, but in bringing them to the proof; and proposed their +gainsayer a wager. + +With his consent Ref went to Denmark, and found Gotrik seated in +state, and dealing out the pay to his soldiers. When the king +asked him who he was, he said that his name was "Fox-cub" The +answer filled some with mirth and some with marvel, and Gotrik +said, "Yea, and it is fitting that a fox should catch his prey in +his mouth." And thereupon he drew a bracelet from his arm, +called the man to him, and put it between his lips. Straightway +Ref put it upon his arm, which he displayed to them all adorned +with gold, but the other arm he kept hidden as lacking ornament; +for which shrewdness he received a gift equal to the first from +that hand of matchless generosity. At this he was overjoyed, not +so much because the reward was great, as because he had won his +contention. And when the king learnt from him about the wager he +had laid, he rejoiced that he had been lavish to him more by +accident than of set purpose, and declared that he got more +pleasure from the giving than the receiver from the gift. So Ref +returned to Norway and slew his opponent, who refused to pay the +wager. Then he took the daughter of Gaut captive, and brought +her to Gotrik for his own. + +Gotrik, who is also called Godefride, carried his arms against +foreigners, and increased his strength and glory by his +successful generalship. Among his memorable deeds were the terms +of tribute he imposed upon the Saxons; namely, that whenever a +change of kings occurred among the Danes, their princes should +devote a hundred snow-white horses to the new king on his +accession. But if the Saxons should receive a new chief upon a +change in the succession, this chief was likewise to pay the +aforesaid tribute obediently, and bow at the outset of his power +to the sovereign majesty of Denmark; thereby acknowledging the +supremacy of our nation, and solemnly confessing his own +subjection. Nor was it enough for Gotrik to subjugate Germany: +he appointed Ref on a mission to try the strength of Sweden. The +Swedes feared to slay him with open violence, but ventured to act +like bandits, and killed him, as he slept, with the blow of a +stone. For, hanging a millstone above him, they cut its +fastenings, and let it drop upon his neck as he lay beneath. To +expiate this crime it was decreed that each of the ringleaders +should pay twelve golden talents, while each of the common people +should pay Gotrik one ounce. Men called this "the Fox-cub's +tribute". (Refsgild). + +Meanwhile it befell that Karl, King of the Franks, crushed +Germany in war, and forced it not only to embrace the worship of +Christianity, but also to obey his authority. When Gotrik heard +of this, he attacked the nations bordering on the Elbe, and +attempted to regain under his sway as of old the realm of Saxony, +which eagerly accepted the yoke of Karl, and preferred the Roman +to the Danish arms. Karl had at this time withdrawn his +victorious camp beyond the Rhine, and therefore forbore to engage +the stranger enemy, being prevented by the intervening river. +But when he was intending to cross once more to subdue the power +of Gotrik, he was summoned by Leo the Pope of the Romans to +defend the city. + +Obeying this command, Karl intrusted his son Pepin with the +conduct of the war aganst Gotrik; so that while he himself was +working against a distant foe, Pepin might manage the conflict he +had undertaken with his neighbour. For Karl was distracted by +two anxieties, and had to furnish sufficient out of a scanty band +to meet both of them. Meanwhile Gotrik won a glorious victory +over the Saxons. Then gathering new strength, and mustering a +larger body of forces, he resolved to avenge the wrong he had +suffered in losing his sovereignty, not only upon the Saxons, but +upon the whole people of Germany. He began by subduing Friesland +with his fleet. + +This province lies very low, and whenever the fury of the ocean +bursts tho dykes that bar its waves, it is wont to receive the +whole mass of the deluge over its open plains. On this country +Gotrik imposed a kind of tribute, which was not so much harsh as +strange. I will briefly relate its terms and the manner of it. +First, a building was arranged, two hundred and forty feet in +length, and divided into twelve spaces; each of these stretching +over an interval of twenty feet, and thus making together, when +the whole room was exhausted, the aforesaid total. Now at the +upper end of this building sat the king's treasurer, and in a +line with him at its further end was displayed a round shield. +When the Frisians came to pay tribute, they used to cast their +coins one by one into the hollow of this shield; but only those +coins which struck the ear of the distant toll-gatherer with a +distinct clang were chosen by him, as he counted, to be reckoned +among the royal tribute. The result was that the collector only +reckoned that money towards the treasury of which his distant ear +caught the sound as it fell. But that of which the sound was +duller, and which fell out of his earshot, was received indeed +into the treasury, but did not count as any increase to the sum +paid. Now many coins that were cast in struck with no audible +loudness whatever on the collector's ear, so that men who came to +pay their appointed toll sometimes squandered much of their money +in useless tribute. Karl is said to have freed them afterwards +from the burden of this tax. After Gotrik had crossed Friesland, +and Karl had now come back from Rome, Gotrik determined to swoop +down upon the further districts of Germany, but was treacherously +attacked by one of his own servants, and perished at home by the +sword of a traitor. When Karl heard this, he leapt up overjoyed, +declaring that nothing more delightful had ever fallen to his lot +than this happy chance. + + +ENDNOTES: +(1) Furthest Thule -- The names of Icelanders have thus crept + into the account of a battle fought before the discovery of + Iceland. + + + +BOOK NINE. + +After Gotrik's death reigned his son OLAF; who, desirous to +avenge his father, did not hesitate to involve his country in +civil wars, putting patriotism after private inclination. When +he perished, his body was put in a barrow, famous for the name of +Olaf, which was built up close by Leire. + +He was succeeded by HEMMING, of whom I have found no deed worthy +of record, save that he made a sworn peace with Kaiser Ludwig; +and yet, perhaps, envious antiquity hides many notable deeds of +his time, albeit they were then famous. + +After these men there came to the throne, backed by the Skanians +and Zealanders, SIWARD, surnamed RING. He was the son, born long +ago, of the chief of Norway who bore the same name, by Gotrik's +daughter. Now Ring, cousin of Siward, and also a grandson of +Gotrik, was master of Jutland. Thus the power of the single +kingdom was divided; and, as though its two parts were +contemptible for their smallness, foreigners began not only to +despise but to attack it. These Siward assailed with greater +hatred than he did his rival for the throne; and, preferring wars +abroad to wars at home, he stubbornly defended his country +against dangers for five years; for he chose to put up with a +trouble at home that he might the more easily cure one which came +from abroad. Wherefore Ring (desiring his) command, seized the +opportunity, tried to transfer the whole sovereignty to himself, +and did not hesitate to injure in his own land the man who was +watching over it without; for he attacked the provinces in the +possession of Siward, which was an ungrateful requital for the +defence of their common country. Therefore, some of the +Zealanders who were more zealous for Siward, in order to show him +firmer loyalty in his absence, proclaimed his son Ragnar as king, +when he was scarcely dragged out of his cradle. Not but what +they knew he was too young to govern; yet they hoped that such a +gage would serve to rouse their sluggish allies against Ring. +But, when Ring heard that Siward had meantime returned from his +expedition, he attacked the Zealanders with a large force, and +proclaimed that they should perish by the sword if they did not +surrender; but the Zealanders, who were bidden to choose between +shame and peril, were so few that they distrusted their strength, +and requested a truce to consider the matter. It was granted; +but, since it did not seem open to them to seek the favour of +Siward, nor honourable to embrace that of Ring, they wavered long +in perplexity between fear and shame. In this plight even the +old were at a loss for counsel; but Ragnar, who chanced to be +present at the assembly, said: "The short bow shoots its shaft +suddenly. Though it may seem the hardihood of a boy that I +venture to forestall the speech of the elders, yet I pray you to +pardon my errors, and be indulgent to my unripe words. Yet the +counsellor of wisdom is not to be spurned, though he seem +contemptible; for the teaching of profitable things should be +drunk in with an open mind. Now it is shameful that we should be +branded as deserters and runaways, but it is just as foolhardy to +venture above our strength; and thus there is proved to be equal +blame either way. We must, then, pretend to go over to the +enemy, but, when a chance comes in our way, we must desert him +betimes. It will thus be better to forestall the wrath of our +foe by reigned obedience than, by refusing it, to give him a +weapon wherewith to attack us yet more harshly; for if we decline +the sway of the stronger, are we not simply turning his arms +against our own throat? Intricate devices are often the best +nurse of craft. You need cunning to trap a fox." By this sound +counsel he dispelled the wavering of his countrymen, and +strengthened the camp of the enemy to its own hurt. + +The assembly, marvelling at the eloquence as much as at the wit +of one so young, gladly embraced a proposal of such genius, which +they thought excellent beyond his years. Nor were the old men +ashamed to obey the bidding of a boy when they lacked counsel +themselves; for, though it came from one of tender years, it was +full, notwithstanding, of weighty and sound instruction. But +they feared to expose their adviser to immediate peril, and sent +him over to Norway to be brought up. Soon afterwards, Siward +joined battle with Ring and attacked him. He slew Ring, but +himself received an incurable wound, of which he died a few days +afterwards. + +He was succeeded on the throne by RAGNAR. At this time Fro +(Frey?), the King of Sweden, after slaying Siward, the King of +the Norwegians, put the wives of Siward's kinsfolk in bonds in a +brothel, and delivered them to public outrage. When Ragnar heard +of this, he went to Norway to avenge his grandfather. As he +came, many of the matrons, who had either suffered insult to +their persons or feared imminent peril to their chastity, +hastened eagerly to his camp in male attire, declaring that they +would prefer death to outrage. Nor did Ragnar, who was to punish +this reproach upon the women, scorn to use against the author of +the infamy the help of those whose shame he had come to avenge. +Among them was Ladgerda, a skilled amazon, who, though a maiden, +had the courage of a man, and fought in front among the bravest +with her hair loose over her shoulders. All-marvelled at her +matchless deeds, for her locks flying down her back betrayed that +she was a woman. + +Ragnar, when he had justly cut down the murderer of his +grandfather, asked many questions of his fellow soldiers +concerning the maiden whom he had seen so forward in the fray, +and declared that he had gained the victory by the might of one +woman. Learning that she was of noble birth among the +barbarians, he steadfastly wooed her by means of messengers. She +spurned his mission in her heart, but feigned compliance. Giving +false answers, she made her panting wooer confident that he would +gain his desires; but ordered that a bear and a dog should be set +at the porch of her dwelling, thinking to guard her own room +against all the ardour of a lover by means of the beasts that +blocked the way. Ragnar, comforted by the good news, embarked, +crossed the sea, and, telling his men to stop in Gaulardale, as +the valley is called, went to the dwelling of the maiden alone. +Here the beasts met him, and he thrust one through with a spear, +and caught the other by the throat, wrung its neck, and choked +it. Thus he had the maiden as the prize of the peril he had +overcome. By this marriage he had two daughters, whose names +have not come down to us, and a son Fridleif. Then he lived +three years at peace. + +The Jutlanders, a presumptuous race, thinking that because of his +recent marriage he would never return, took the Skanians into +alliance, and tried to attack the Zealanders, who preserved the +most zealous and affectionate loyalty towards Ragnar. He, when +he heard of it, equipped thirty ships, and, the winds favouring +his voyage, crushed the Skanians, who ventured to fight, near the +stead of Whiteby, and when the winter was over he fought +successfully with the Jutlanders who dwelt near the Liim-fjord in +that region. A third and a fourth time he conquered the Skanians +and the Hallanders triumphantly. + +Afterwards, changing his love, and desiring Thora, the daughter +of the King Herodd, to wife, Ragnar divorced himself from +Ladgerda; for he thought ill of her trustworthiness, remembering +that she had long ago set the most savage beasts to destroy him. +Meantime Herodd, the King of the Swedes, happening to go and hunt +in the woods, brought home some snakes, found by his escort, for +his daughter to rear. She speedily obeyed the instructions of +her father, and endured to rear a race of adders with her maiden +hands. Moreover, she took care that they should daily have a +whole ox-carcase to gorge upon, not knowing that she was +privately feeding and keeping up a public nuisance. The vipers +grew up, and scorched the country-side with their pestilential +breath. Whereupon the king, repenting of his sluggishness, +proclaimed that whosoever removed the pest should have his +daughter. + +Many warriors were thereto attracted by courage as much as by +desire; but all idly and perilously wasted their pains. Ragnar, +learning from men who travelled to and fro how the matter stood, +asked his nurse for a woolen mantle, and for some thigh-pieces +that were very hairy, with which he could repel the snake-bites. +He thought that he ought to use a dress stuffed with hair to +protect himself, and also took one that was not unwieldy, that he +might move nimbly. And when he had landed in Sweden, he +deliberately plunged his body in water, while there was a frost +falling, and, wetting his dress, to make it the less penetrable, +he let the cold freeze it. Thus attired, he took leave of his +companions, exhorted them to remain loyal to Fridleif, and went +on to the palace alone. When he saw it, he tied his sword to his +side, and lashed a spear to his right hand with a thong. As he +went on, an enormous snake glided up and met him. Another, +equally huge, crawled up, following in the trail of the first. +They strove now to buffet the young man with the coils of their +tails, and now to spit and belch their venom stubbornly upon him. +Meantime the courtiers, betaking themselves to safer hiding, +watched the struggle from afar like affrighted little girls. The +king was stricken with equal fear, and fled, with a few +followers, to a narrow shelter. But Ragnar, trusting in the +hardness of his frozen dress, foiled the poisonous assaults not +only with his arms, but with his attire, and, singlehanded, in +unweariable combat, stood up against the two gaping creatures, +who stubbornly poured forth their venom upon him. For their +teeth he repelled with his shield, their poison with his dress. +At last he cast his spear, and drove it against the bodies of the +brutes, who were attacking him hard. He pierced both their +hearts, and his battle ended in victory. + +After Ragnar had thus triumphed the king scanned his dress +closely, and saw that he was rough and hairy; but, above all, he +laughed at the shaggy lower portion of his garb, and chiefly the +uncouth aspect of his breeches; so that he gave him in jest the +nickname of Lodbrog. Also he invited him to feast with his +friends, to refresh him after his labours. Ragnar said that he +would first go back to the witnesses whom he had left behind. He +set out and brought them back, splendidly attired for the coming +feast. At last, when the banquet was over, he received the prize +that was appointed for the victory. By her he begot two nobly- +gifted sons, Radbard and Dunwat. These also had brothers -- +Siward, Biorn, Agnar, and Iwar. + +Meanwhile, the Jutes and Skanians were kindled with an +unquenchable fire of sedition; they disallowed the title of +Ragnar, and gave a certain Harald the sovereign power. Ragnar +sent envoys to Norway, and besought friendly assistance against +these men; and Ladgerda, whose early love still flowed deep and +steadfast, hastily sailed off with her husband and her son. She +brought herself to offer a hundred and twenty ships to the man +who had once put her away. And he, thinking himself destitute of +all resources, took to borrowing help from folk of every age, +crowded the strong and the feeble all together, and was not +ashamed to insert some old men and boys among the wedges of the +strong. So he first tried to crush the power of the Skanians in +the field which in Latin is called Laneus (Woolly); here he had a +hard fight with the rebels. Here, too, Iwar, who was in his +seventh year, fought splendidly, and showed the strength of a man +in the body of a boy. But Siward, while attacking the enemy face +to face, fell forward upon the ground wounded. When his men saw +this, it made them look round most anxiously for means of flight; +and this brought low not only Siward, but almost the whole army +on the side of Ragnar. But Ragnar by his manly deeds and +exhortations comforted their amazed and sunken spirits, and, just +when they were ready to be conquered, spurred them on to try and +conquer. + +Ladgerda, who had a matchless spirit though a delicate frame, +covered by her splendid bravery the inclination of the soldiers +to waver. For she made a sally about, and flew round to the rear +of the enemy, taking them unawares, and thus turned the panic of +her friends into the camp of the enemy. At last the lines of +HARALD became slack, and HARALD himself was routed with a great +slaughter of his men. LADGERDA, when she had gone home after the +battle, murdered her husband.... in the night with a spear-head, +which she had hid in her gown. Then she usurped the whole of his +name and sovereignty; for this most presumptuous dame thought it +pleasanter to rule without her husband than to share the throne +with him. + +Meantime, Siward was taken to a town in the neighbourhood, and +gave himself to be tended by the doctors, who were reduced to the +depths of despair. But while the huge wound baffled all the +remedies they applied, a certain man of amazing size was seen to +approach the litter of the sick man, and promised that Siward +should straightway rejoice and be whole, if he would consecrate +unto him the souls of all whom he should overcome in battle. Nor +did he conceal his name, but said that he was called Rostar. Now +Siward, when he saw that a great benefit could be got at the cost +of a little promise, eagerly acceded to this request. Then the +old man suddenly, by the help of his hand, touched and banished +the livid spot, and suddenly scarred the wound over. At last he +poured dust on his eyes and departed. Spots suddenly arose, and +the dust, to the amaze of the beholders, seemed to become +wonderfully like little snakes. + +I should think that he who did this miracle wished to declare, by +the manifest token of his eyes, that the young man was to be +cruel in future, in order that the more visible part of his body +might not lack some omen of his life that was to follow. When +the old woman, who had the care of his draughts, saw him showing +in his face signs of little snakes; she was seized with an +extraordinary horror of the young man, and suddenly fell and +swooned away. Hence it happened that Siward got the widespread +name of Snake-Eye. + +Meantime Thora, the bride of Ragnar, perished of a violent +malady, which caused infinite trouble and distress to the +husband, who dearly loved his wife. This distress, he thought, +would be best dispelled by business, and he resolved to find +solace in exercise and qualify his grief by toil. To banish his +affliction and gain some comfort, he bent his thoughts to +warfare, and decreed that every father of a family should devote +to his service whichever of his children he thought most +contemptible, or any slave of his who was lazy at his work or of +doubtful fidelity. And albeit that this decree seemed little +fitted for his purpose, he showed that the feeblest of the Danish +race were better than the strongest men of other nations; and it +did the young men great good, each of those chosen being eager to +wipe off the reproach of indolence. Also he enacted that every +piece of litigation should be referred to the judgment of twelve +chosen elders, all ordinary methods of action being removed, the +accuser being forbidden to charge, and the accused to defend. +This law removed all chance of incurring litigation lightly. +Thinking that there was thus sufficient provision made against +false accusations by unscrupulous men, he lifted up his arms +against Britain, and attacked and slew in battle its king, Hame, +the father of Ella, who was a most noble youth. Then he killed +the earls of Scotland and of Pictland, and of the isles that they +call the Southern or Meridional (Sudr-eyar), and made his sons +Siward and Radbard masters of the provinces, which were now +without governors. He also deprived Norway of its chief by +force, and commanded it to obey Fridleif, whom he also set over +the Orkneys, from which he took their own earl. + +Meantime, some of the Danes who were most stubborn in their +hatred against Ragnar were obstinately bent on rebellion. They +rallied to the side of Harald, once an exile, and tried to raise +the fallen fortunes of the tyrant. By this hardihood they raised +up against the king the most virulent blasts of civil war, and +entangled him in domestic perils when he was free from foreign +troubles. Ragnar, setting out to check them with a fleet of the +Danes who lived in the isles, crushed the army of the rebels, +drove Harald, the leader of the conquered army, a fugitive to +Germany, and forced him to resign unbashfully an honour which he +had gained without scruple. Nor was he content simply to kill +his prisoners: he preferred to torture them to death, so that +those who could not be induced to forsake their disloyalty might +not be so much as suffered to give up the ghost save under the +most grievous punishment. Moreover, the estates of those who had +deserted with Harald he distributed among those who were serving +as his soldiers, thinking that the fathers would be worse +punished by seeing the honour of their inheritance made over to +the children whom they had rejected, while those whom they had +loved better lost their patrimony. But even this did not sate +his vengeance, and he further determined to attack Saxony, +thinking it the refuge of his foes and the retreat of Harald. +So, begging his sons to help him, he came on Karl, who happened +then to be tarrying on those borders of his empire. Intercepting +his sentries, he eluded the watch that was posted on guard. But +while he thought that all the rest would therefore be easy and +more open to his attacks, suddenly a woman who was a soothsayer, +a kind of divine oracle or interpreter of the will of heaven, +warned the king with a saving prophecy, and by her fortunate +presage forestalled the mischief that impended, saying that the +fleet of Siward had moored at the mouth of the river Seine. The +emperor, heeding the warning, and understanding that the enemy +was at hand, managed to engage with and stop the barbarians, who +were thus pointed out to him. A battle was fought with Ragnar; +but Karl did not succeed as happily in the field as he had got +warning of the danger. And so that tireless conqueror of almost +all Europe, who in his calm and complete career of victory had +travelled over so great a portion of the world, now beheld his +army, which had vanquished all these states and nations, turning +its face from the field, and shattered by a handful from a single +province. + +Ragnar, after loading the Saxons with tribute, had sure tidings +from Sweden of the death of Herodd, and also heard that his own +sons, owing to the slander of Sorle, the king chosen in his +stead, had been robbed of their inheritance. He besought the aid +of the brothers Biorn, Fridleif, and Ragbard (for Ragnald, +Hwitserk, and Erik, his sons by Swanloga, had not yet reached the +age of bearing arms), and went to Sweden. Sorle met him with his +army, and offered him the choice between a public conflict and a +duel; and when Ragnar chose personal combat, he sent against him +Starkad, a champion of approved daring, with his band of seven +sons, to challenge and fight with him. Ragnar took his three +sons to share the battle with him, engaged in the sight of both +armies, and came out of the combat triumphant. + +Biorn, having inflicted great slaughter on the foe without hurt +to himself, gained from the strength of his sides, which were +like iron, a perpetual name (Ironsides). This victory emboldened +Ragnar to hope that he could overcome any peril, and he attacked +and slew Sorle with the entire forces he was leading. He +presented Biorn with the lordship of Sweden for his conspicuous +bravery and service. Then for a little interval he rested from +wars, and chanced to fall deeply in love with a certain woman. +In order to find some means of approaching and winning her the +more readily, he courted her father (Esbern) by showing him the +most obliging and attentive kindness. He often invited him to +banquets, and received him with lavish courtesy. When he came, +he paid him the respect of rising, and when he sat, he honoured +him with a set next to himself. He also often comforted him with +gifts, and at times with the most kindly speech. The man saw +that no merits of his own could be the cause of all this +distinction, and casting over the matter every way in his mind, +he perceived that the generosity of his monarch was caused by his +love for his daughter, and that he coloured this lustful purpose +with the name of kindness. But, that he might balk the +cleverness of the lover, however well calculated, he had the girl +watched all the more carefully that he saw her beset by secret +aims and obstinate methods. But Ragnar, who was comforted by the +surest tidings of her consent, went to the farmhouse in which she +was kept, and fancying that love must find out a way, repaired +alone to a certain peasant in a neighbouring lodging. In the +morning he exchanged dress with the women, and went in female +attire, and stood by his mistress as she was unwinding wool. +Cunningly, to avoid betrayal, he set his hands to the work of a +maiden, though they were little skilled in the art. In the night +he embraced the maiden and gained his desire. When her time drew +near, and the girl growing big, betrayed her outraged chastity, +the father, not knowing to whom his daughter had given herself to +be defiled, persisted in asking the girl herself who was the +unknown seducer. She steadfastly affirmed that she had had no +one to share her bed except her handmaid, and he made the affair +over to the king to search into. He would not allow an innocent +servant to be branded with an extraordinary charge, and was not +ashamed to prove another's innocence by avowing his own guilt. +By this generosity he partially removed the woman's reproach, and +prevented an absurd report from being sown in the ears of the +wicked. Also he added, that the son to be born of her was of his +own line, and that he wished him to be named Ubbe. When this son +had grown up somewhat, his wit, despite his tender years, +equalled the discernment of manhood. For he took to loving his +mother, since she had had converse with a noble bed, but cast off +all respect for his father, because he had stooped to a union too +lowly. + +After this Ragnar prepared an expedition against the +Hellespontines, and summoned an assembly of the Danes, promising +that he would give the people most wholesome laws. He had +enacted before that each father of a household should offer for +service that one among his sons whom he esteemed least; but now +he enacted that each should arm the son who was stoutest of hand +or of most approved loyalty. Thereon, taking all the sons he had +by Thora, in addition to Ubbe, he attacked, crushed in sundry +campaigns, and subdued the Hellespont with its king Dia. At last +he involved the same king in disaster after disaster, and slew +him. Dia's sons, Dia and Daxo, who had before married the +daughters of the Russian king, begged forces from their father- +in-law, and rushed with most ardent courage to the work of +avenging their father. But Ragnar, when he saw their boundless +army, distrusted his own forces; and he put brazen horses on +wheels that could be drawn easily, took them round on carriages +that would turn, and ordered that they should be driven with the +utmost force against the thickest ranks of the enemy. This +device served so well to break the line of the foe, that the +Danes' hope of conquest seemed to lie more in the engine than in +the soldiers: for its insupportable weight overwhelmed whatever +it struck. Thus one of the leaders was killed, while one made +off in flight, and the whole army of the area of the Hellespont +retreated. The Scythians, also, who were closely related by +blood to Daxo on the mother's side, are said to have been crushed +in the same disaster. Their province was made over to Hwitserk, +and the king of the Russians, trusting little in his own +strength, hastened to fly out of the reach of the terrible arms +of Ragnar. + +Now Ragnar had spent almost five years in sea-roving, and had +quickly compelled all other nations to submit; but he found the +Perms in open defiance of his sovereignty. He had just conquered +them, but their loyalty was weak. When they heard that he had +come they cast spells upon the sky, stirred up the clouds, and +drove them into most furious storms. This for some time +prevented the Danes from voyaging, and caused their supply of +food to fail. Then, again, the storm suddenly abated, and now +they were scorched by the most fervent and burning heat; nor was +this plague any easier to bear than the great and violent cold +had been. Thus the mischievous excess in both directions +affected their bodies alternately, and injured them by an +immoderate increase first of cold and then of heat. Moreover, +dysentery killed most of them. So the mass of the Danes, being +pent in by the dangerous state of the weather, perished of the +bodily plague that arose on every side. And when Ragnar saw that +he was hindered, not so much by a natural as by a factitious +tempest, he held on his voyage as best he could, and got to the +country of the Kurlanders and Sembs, who paid zealous honour to +his might and majesty, as if he were the most revered of +conquerors. This service enraged the king all the more against +the arrogance of the men of Permland, and he attempted to avenge +his slighted dignity by a sudden attack. Their king, whose name +is not known, was struck with panic at such a sudden invasion of +the enemy, and at the same time had no heart to join battle with +them; and fled to Matul, the prince of Finmark. He, trusting in +the great skill of his archers, harassed with impunity the army +of Ragnar, which was wintering in Permland. For the Finns, who +are wont to glide on slippery timbers (snowskates), scud along at +whatever pace they will, and are considered to be able to +approach or depart very quickly; for as soon as they have damaged +the enemy they fly away as speedily as they approach, nor is the +retreat they make quicker than their charge. Thus their vehicles +and their bodies are so nimble that they acquire the utmost +expertness both in advance and flight. + +Ragnar was filled with amazement at the poorness of his fortunes +when he saw that he, who had conquered Rome at its pinnacle of +power, was dragged by an unarmed and uncouth race into the utmost +peril. He, therefore, who had signally crushed the most glorious +flower of the Roman soldiery, and the forces of a most great and +serene captain, now yielded to a base mob with the poorest and +slenderest equipment; and he whose lustre in war the might of the +strongest race on earth had failed to tarnish, was now too weak +to withstand the tiny band of a miserable tribe. Hence, with +that force which had helped him bravely to defeat the most famous +pomp in all the world and the weightiest weapon of military +power, and to subdue in the field all that thunderous foot, +horse, and encampment; with this he had now, stealthily and like +a thief, to endure the attacks of a wretched and obscure +populace; nor must he blush to stain by a treachery in the night +that noble glory of his which had been won in the light of day, +for he took to a secret ambuscade instead of open bravery. This +affair was as profitable in its issue as it was unhandsome in the +doing. + +Ragnar was equally as well pleased at the flight of the Finns as +he had been at that of Karl, and owned that he had found more +strength in that defenceless people than in the best equipped +soldiery; for he found the heaviest weapons of the Romans easier +to bear than the light darts of this ragged tribe. Here, after +killing the king of the Perms and routing the king of the Finns, +Ragnar set an eternal memorial of his victory on the rocks, which +bore the characters of his deeds on their face, and looked down +upon them. + +Meanwhile Ubbe was led by his grandfather, Esbern, to conceive an +unholy desire for the throne; and, casting away all thought of +the reverence due to his father, he claimed the emblem of royalty +for his own head. + +When Ragnar heard of his arrogance from Kelther and Thorkill, the +earls of Sweden, he made a hasty voyage towards Gothland. +Esbern, finding that these men were attached with a singular +loyalty to the side of Ragnar, tried to bribe them to desert the +king. But they did not swerve from their purpose, and replied +that their will depended on that of Biorn, declaring that not a +single Swede would dare to do what went against his pleasure. +Esbern speedily made an attempt on Biorn himself, addressing him +most courteously through his envoys. Biorn said that he would +never lean more to treachery than to good faith, and judged that +it would be a most abominable thing to prefer the favour of an +infamous brother to the love of a most righteous father. The +envoys themselves he punished with hanging, because they +counselled him to so grievous a crime. The Swedes, moreover, +slew the rest of the train of the envoys in the same way, as a +punishment for their mischievous advice. So Esbern, thinking +that his secret and stealthy manoeuvres did not succeed fast +enough, mustered his forces openly, and went publicly forth to +war. But Iwar, the governor of Jutland, seeing no righteousness +on either side of the impious conflict, avoided all unholy war by +voluntary exile. + +Ragnar attacked and slew Esbern in the bay that is called in +Latin Viridis; he cut off the dead man's head and bade it be set +upon the ship's prow, a dreadful sight for the seditious. But +Ubbe took to flight, and again attacked his father, having +revived the war in Zealand. Ubbe's ranks broke, and he was +assailed single-handed from all sides; but he felled so many of +the enemy's line that he was surrounded with a pile of the +corpses of the foe as with a strong bulwark, and easily checked +his assailants from approaching. At last he was overwhelmed by +the thickening masses of the enemy, captured, and taken off to be +laden with public fetters. By immense violence he disentangled +his chains and cut them away. But when he tried to sunder and +rend the bonds that were (then) put upon him, he could not in any +wise escape his bars. But when Iwar heard that the rising in his +country had been quelled by the punishment of the rebel, he went +to Denmark. Ragnar received him with the greatest honour, +because, while the unnatural war had raged its fiercest, he had +behaved with the most entire filial respect. + +Meanwhile Daxo long and vainly tried to overcome Hwitserk, who +ruled over Sweden; but at last he enrapped him under pretence of +making a peace, and attacked him. Hwitserk received him +hospitably, but Daxo had prepared an army with weapons, who were +to feign to be trading, ride into the city in carriages, and +break with a night-attack into the house of their host. Hwitserk +smote this band of robbers with such a slaughter that he was +surrounded with a heap of his enemies' bodies, and could only be +taken by letting down ladders from above. Twelve of his +companions, who were captured at the same time by the enemy, were +given leave to go back to their country; but they gave up their +lives for their king, and chose to share the dangers of another +rather than be quit of their own. + +Daxo, moved with compassion at the beauty of Hwitserk, had not +the heart to pluck the budding blossom of that noble nature, and +offered him not only his life, but his daughter in marriage, with +a dowry of half his kingdom; choosing rather to spare his +comeliness than to punish his bravery. But the other, in the +greatness of his soul, valued as nothing the life which he was +given on sufferance, and spurned his safety as though it were +some trivial benefit. Of his own will he embraced the sentence +of doom, saying, that Ragnar would exact a milder vengeance for +his son if he found that he had made his own choice in selecting +the manner of his death. The enemy wondered at his rashness, and +promised that he should die by the manner of death which he +should choose for this punishment. This leave the young man +accepted as a great kindness, and begged that he might be bound +and burned with his friends. Daxo speedily complied with his +prayers that craved for death, and by way of kindness granted him +the end that he had chosen. When Ragnar heard of this, he began +to grieve stubbornly even unto death, and not only put on the +garb of mourning, but, in the exceeding sorrow of his soul, took +to his bed and showed his grief by groaning. But his wife, who +had more than a man's courage, chid his weakness, and put heart +into him with her manful admonitions. Drawing his mind off from +his woe, she bade him be zealous in the pursuit of war; declaring +that it was better for so brave a father to avenge the +bloodstained ashes of his son with weapons than with tears. She +also told him not to whimper like a woman, and get as much +disgrace by his tears as he had once earned glory by his valour. +Upon these words Ragnar began to fear lest he should destroy his +ancient name for courage by his womanish sorrow; so, shaking off +his melancholy garb and putting away his signs of mourning, he +revived his sleeping valour with hopes of speedy vengeance. Thus +do the weak sometimes nerve the spirits of the strong. So he put +his kingdom in charge of Iwar, and embraced with a father's love +Ubbe, who was now restored to his ancient favour. Then he +transported his fleet over to Russia, took Daxo, bound him in +chains, and sent him away to be kept in Utgard. (1) + +Ragnar showed on this occasion the most merciful moderation +towards the slayer of his dearest son, since he sufficiently +satisfied the vengeance which he desired, by the exile of the +culprit rather than his death. This compassion shamed the +Russians out of any further rage against such a king, who could +not be driven even by the most grievous wrongs to inflict death +upon his prisoners. Ragnar soon took Daxo back into favour, and +restored him to his country, upon his promising that he would +every year pay him his tribute barefoot, like a suppliant, with +twelve elders, also unshod. For he thought it better to punish a +prisoner and a suppliant gently, than to draw the axe of +bloodshed; better to punish that proud neck with constant slavery +than to sever it once and for all. Then he went on and appointed +his son Erik, surnamed Wind-hat, over Sweden. Here, while +Fridleif and Siward were serving under him, he found that the +Norwegians and the Scots had wrongfully conferred the title of +king on two other men. So he first overthrew the usurper to the +power of Norway, and let Biorn have the country for his own +benefit. + +Then he summoned Biorn and Erik, ravaged the Orkneys, landed at +last on the territory of the Scots, and in a three-days' battle +wearied out their king Murial, and slew him. But Ragnar's sons, +Dunwat and Radbard, after fighting nobly, were slain by the +enemy. So that the victory their father won was stained with +their blood. He returned to Denmark, and found that his wife +Swanloga had in the meantime died of disease. Straightway he +sought medicine for his grief in loneliness, and patiently +confined the grief of his sick soul within the walls of his +house. But this bitter sorrow was driven out of him by the +sudden arrival of Iwar, who had been expelled from the kingdom. +For the Gauls had made him fly, and had wrongfully bestowed royal +power on a certain Ella, the son of Hame. Ragnar took Iwar to +guide him, since he was acquainted with the country, gave orders +for a fleet, and approached the harbour called York. Here he +disembarked his forces, and after a battle which lasted three +days, he made Ella, who had trusted in the valour of the Gauls, +desirous to fly. The affair cost much blood to the English and +very little to the Danes. Here Ragnar completed a year of +conquest, and then, summoning his sons to help him, he went to +Ireland, slew its king Melbrik, besieged Dublin, which was filled +with wealth of the barbarians, attacked it, and received its +surrender. There he lay in camp for a year; and then, sailing +through the midland sea, he made his way to the Hellespont. He +won signal victories as he crossed all the intervening countries, +and no ill-fortune anywhere checked his steady and prosperous +advance. + +Harald, meanwhile, with the adherence of certain Danes who were +cold-hearted servants in the army of Ragnar, disturbed his +country with renewed sedition, and came forward claiming the +title of king. He was met by the arms of Ragnar returning from +the Hellespont; but being unsuccessful, and seeing that his +resources of defence at home were exhausted, he went to ask help +of Ludwig, who was then stationed at Mainz. But Ludwig, filled +with the greatest zeal for promoting his religion, imposed a +condition on the Barbarian, promising him help if he would agree +to follow the worship of Christ. For he said there could be no +agreement of hearts between those who embraced discordant creeds. +Anyone, therefore, who asked for help, must first have a +fellowship in religion. No men could be partners in great works +who were separated by a different form of worship. This decision +procured not only salvation for Ludwig's guest, but the praise of +piety for Ludwig himself, who, as soon as Harald had gone to the +holy font, accordingly strengthened him with Saxon auxiliaries. +Trusting in these, Harald built a temple in the land of Sleswik +with much care and cost, to be hallowed to God. Thus he borrowed +a pattern of the most holy way from the worship of Rome. He +unhallowed, pulled down the shrines that had been profaned by the +error of misbelievers, outlawed the sacrificers, abolished the +(heathen) priesthood, and was the first to introduce the religion +of Christianity to his uncouth country. Rejecting the worship of +demons, he was zealous for that of God. Lastly, he observed with +the most scrupulous care whatever concerned the protection of +religion. But he began with more piety than success. For Ragnar +came up, outraged the holy rites he had brought in, outlawed the +true faith, restored the false one to its old position, and +bestowed on the ceremonies the same honour as before. As for +Harald, he deserted and cast in his lot with sacrilege. For +though he was a notable ensample by his introduction of religion, +yet he was the first who was seen to neglect it, and this +illustrious promoter of holiness proved a most infamous forsaker +of the same. + +Meanwhile, Ella betook himself to the Irish, and put to the sword +or punished all those who were closely and loyally attached to +Ragnar. Then Ragnar attacked him with his fleet, but, by the +just visitation of the Omnipotent, was openly punished for +disparaging religion. For when he had been taken and cast into +prison, his guilty limbs were given to serpents to devour, and +adders found ghastly substance in the fibres of his entrails. +His liver was eaten away, and a snake, like a deadly executioner, +beset his very heart. Then in a courageous voice he recounted +all his deeds in order, and at the end of his recital added the +following sentence: "If the porkers knew the punishment of the +boar-pig, surely they would break into the sty and hasten to +loose him from his affliction." At this saying, Ella conjectured +that some of his sons were yet alive, and bade that the +executioners should stop and the vipers be removed. The servants +ran up to accomplish his bidding; but Ragnar was dead, and +forestalled the order of the king. Surely we must say that this +man had a double lot for his share? By one, he had a fleet +unscathed, an empire well-inclined, and immense power as a rover; +while the other inflicted on him the ruin of his fame, the +slaughter of his soldiers, and a most bitter end. The +executioner beheld him beset with poisonous beasts, and asps +gorging on that heart which he had borne steadfast in the face of +every peril. Thus a most glorious conqueror declined to the +piteous lot of a prisoner; a lesson that no man should put too +much trust in fortune. + +Iwar heard of this disaster as he happened to be looking on at +the games. Nevertheless, he kept an unmoved countenance, and in +nowise broke down. Not only did he dissemble his grief and +conceal the news of his father's death, but he did not even allow +a clamour to arise, and forbade the panic-stricken people to +leave the scene of the sports. Thus, loth to interrupt the +spectacle by the ceasing of the games, he neither clouded his +countenance nor turned his eyes from public merriment to dwell +upon his private sorrow; for he would not fall suddenly into the +deepest melancholy from the height of festal joy, or seem to +behave more like an afflicted son than a blithe captain. + +But when Siward heard the same tidings, he loved his father more +than he cared for his own pain, and in his distraction plunged +deeply into his foot the spear he chanced to be holding, dead to +all bodily troubles in his stony sadness. For he wished to hurt +some part of his body severely, that he might the more patiently +bear the wound in his soul. By this act he showed at once his +bravery and his grief, and bore his lot like a son who was more +afflicted and steadfast. But Biorn received the tidings of his +father's death while he was playing at dice, and squeezed so +violently the piece that he was grasping that he wrung the blood +from his fingers and shed it on the table; whereon he said that +assuredly the cast of fate was more fickle than that of the very +die which he was throwing. When Ella heard this, he judged that +his father's death had been borne with the toughest and most +stubborn spirit by that son of the three who had paid no filial +respect to his decease; and therefore he dreaded the bravery of +Iwar most. + +Iwar went towards England, and when he saw that his fleet was not +strong enough to join battle with the enemy, he chose to be +cunning rather than bold, and tried a shrewd trick on Ella, +begging as a pledge of peace between them a strip of land as +great as he could cover with a horse's hide. He gained his +request, for the king supposed that it would cost little, and +thought himself happy that so strong a foe begged for a little +boon instead of a great one; supposing that a tiny skin would +cover but a very little land. But Iwar cut the hide out and +lengthened it into very slender thongs, thus enclosing a piece of +ground large enough to build a city on. Then Ella came to repent +of his lavishness, and tardily set to reckoning the size of the +hide, measuring the little skin more narrowly now that it was cut +up than when it was whole. For that which he had thought would +encompass a little strip of ground, he saw lying wide over a +great estate. Iwar brought into the city, when he founded it, +supplies that would serve amply for a siege, wishing the defences +to be as good against scarcity as against an enemy. + +Meantime, Siward and Biorn came up with a fleet of 400 ships, and +with open challenge declared war against the king. This they did +at the appointed time; and when they had captured him, they +ordered the figure of an eagle to be cut in his back, rejoicing +to crush their most ruthless foe by marking him with the +cruellest of birds. Not satisfied with imprinting a wound on +him, they salted the mangled flesh. Thus Ella was done to death, +and Biorn and Siward went back to their own kingdoms. + +Iwar governed England for two years. Meanwhile the Danes were +stubborn in revolt, and made war, and delivered the sovereignty +publicly to a certain SIWARD and to ERIK, both of the royal line. +The sons of Ragnar, together with a fleet of 1,700 ships, +attacked them at Sleswik, and destroyed them in a conflict which +lasted six months. Barrows remain to tell the tale. The sound +on which the war was conducted has gained equal glory by the +death of Siward. And now the royal stock was almost +extinguished, saving only the sons of Ragnar. Then, when Biorn +and Erik had gone home, Iwar and Siward settled in Denmark, that +they might curb the rebels with a stronger rein, setting Agnar to +govern England. Agnar was stung because the English rejected +him, and, with the help of Siward, chose, rather than foster the +insolence of the province that despised him, to dispeople it and +leave its fields, which were matted in decay, with none to till +them. He covered the richest land of the island with the most +hideous desolation, thinking it better to be lord of a wilderness +than of a headstrong country. After this he wished to avenge +Erik, who had been slain in Sweden by the malice of a certain +Osten. But while he was narrowly bent on avenging another, he +squandered his own blood on the foe; and while he was eagerly +trying to punish the slaughter of his brother, sacrificed his own +life to brotherly love. + +Thus SIWARD, by the sovereign vote of the whole Danish assembly, +received the empire of his father. But after the defeats he had +inflicted everywhere he was satisfied with the honour he received +at home, and liked better to be famous with the gown than with +the sword. He ceased to be a man of camps, and changed from the +fiercest of despots into the most punctual guardian of peace. He +found as much honour in ease and leisure as he had used to think +lay in many victories. Fortune so favoured his change of +pursuits, that no foe ever attacked him, nor he any foe. He +died, and ERIK, who was a very young child, inherited his nature, +rather than his realm or his tranquillity. For Erik, the brother +of Harald, despising his exceedingly tender years, invaded the +country with rebels, and seized the crown; nor was he ashamed to +assail the lawful infant sovereign, and to assume an unrightful +power. In thus bringing himself to despoil a feeble child of the +kingdom he showed himself the more unworthy of it. Thus he +stripped the other of his throne, but himself of all his virtues, +and cast all manliness out of his heart, when he made war upon a +cradle: for where covetousness and ambition flamed, love of +kindred could find no place. But this brutality was requited by +the wrath of a divine vengeance. For the war between this man +and Gudorm, the son of Harald, ended suddenly with such slaughter +that they were both slain, with numberless others; and the royal +stock of the Danes, now worn out by the most terrible massacres, +was reduced to the only son of the above Siward. + +This man (Erik) won the fortune of a throne by losing his +kindred; it was luckier for him to have his relations dead than +alive. He forsook the example of all the rest, and hastened to +tread in the steps of his grandfather; for he suddenly came out +as a most zealous practitioner of roving. And would that he had +not shown himself rashly to inherit the spirit of Ragnar, by his +abolition of Christian worship! For he continually tortured all +the most religious men, or stripped them of their property and +banished them. But it were idle for me to blame the man's +beginnings when I am to praise his end. For that life is more +laudable of which the foul beginning is checked by a glorious +close, than that which begins commendably but declines into +faults and infamies. For Erik, upon the healthy admonitions of +Ansgarius, laid aside the errors of his impious heart, and atoned +for whatsoever he had done amiss in the insolence thereof; +showing himself as strong in the observance of religion as he had +been in slighting it. Thus he not only took a draught of more +wholesome teaching with obedient mind, but wiped off early stains +by his purity at the end. He had a son KANUTE by the daughter of +Gudorm, who was also the granddaughter of Harald; and him he left +to survive his death. + +While this child remained in infancy a guardian was required for +the pupil and for the realm. But inasmuch it seemed to most +people either invidious or difficult to give the aid that this +office needed, it was resolved that a man should be chosen by +lot. For the wisest of the Danes, fearing much to make a choice +by their own will in so lofty a matter, allowed more voice to +external chance than to their own opinions, and entrusted the +issue of the selection rather to luck than to sound counsel. The +issue was that a certain Enni-gnup (Steep-brow), a man of the +highest and most entire virtue, was forced to put his shoulder to +this heavy burden; and when he entered on the administration +which chalice had decreed, he oversaw, not only the early rearing +of the king, but the affairs of the whole people. For which +reason some who are little versed in our history give this man a +central place in its annals. But when Kanute had passed through +the period of boyhood, and had in time grown to be a man, he left +those who had done him the service of bringing him up, and turned +from an almost hopeless youth to the practice of unhoped-for +virtue; being deplorable for this reason only, that he passed +from life to death without the tokens of the Christian faith. + +But soon the sovereignty passed to his son FRODE. This man's +fortune, increased by arms and warfare, rose to such a height of +prosperity that he brought back to the ancient yoke the provinces +which had once revolted from the Danes, and bound them in their +old obedience. He also came forward to be baptised with holy +water in England, which had for some while past been versed in +Christianity. But he desired that his personal salvation should +overflow and become general, and begged that Denmark should be +instructed in divinity by Agapete, who was then Pope of Rome. +But he was cut off before his prayers attained this wish. His +death befell before the arrival of the messengers from Rome: and +indeed his intention was better than his fortune, and he won as +great a reward in heaven for his intended piety as others are +vouchsafed for their achievement. + +His son GORM, who had the surname of "The Englishman," because he +was born in England, gained the sovereignty in the island on his +father's death; but his fortune, though it came soon, did not +last long. He left England for Denmark to put it in order; but a +long misfortune was the fruit of this short absence. For the +English, who thought that their whole chance of freedom lay in +his being away, planned an open revolt from the Danes, and in hot +haste took heart to rebel. But the greater the hatred and +contempt of England, the greater the loyal attachment of Denmark +to the king. Thus while he stretched out his two hands to both +provinces in his desire for sway, he gained one, but lost the +lordship of the other irretrievably; for he never made any bold +effort to regain it. So hard is it to keep a hold on very large +empires. + +After this man his son HARALD came to be king of Denmark; he is +half-forgotten by posterity, and lacks all record for famous +deeds, because he rather preserved than extended the possessions +of the realm. + +After this the throne was obtained by GORM, a man whose soul was +ever hostile to religion, and who tried to efface all regard for +Christ's worshippers, as though they were the most abominable of +men. All those who shared this rule of life he harassed with +divers kinds of injuries and incessantly pursued with whatever +slanders he could. Also, in order to restore the old worship to +the shrines, he razed to its lowest foundations, as though it +were some unholy abode of impiety, a temple which religious men +had founded in a stead in Sleswik; and those whom he did not +visit with tortures he punished by the demolition of the holy +chapel. Though this man was thought notable for his stature, his +mind did not answer to his body; for he kept himself so well +sated with power that he rejoiced more in saving than increasing +his dignity, and thought it better to guard his own than to +attack what belonged to others: caring more to look to what he +had than to swell his havings. + +This man was counselled by the elders to celebrate the rites of +marriage, and he wooed Thyra, the daughter of Ethelred, the king +of the English, for his wife. She surpassed other women in +seriousness and shrewdness, and laid the condition on her suitor +that she would not marry him till she had received Denmark as a +dowry. This compact was made between them, and she was betrothed +to Gorm. But on the first night that she went up on to the +marriage-bed, she prayed her husband most earnestly that she +should be allowed to go for three days free from intercourse with +man. For she resolved to have no pleasure of love till she had +learned by some omen in a vision that her marriage would be +fruitful. Thus, under pretence of self-control, she deferred her +experience of marriage, and veiled under a show of modesty her +wish to learn about her issue. She put off lustful intercourse, +inquiring, under the feint of chastity, into the fortune she +would have in continuing her line. Some conjecture that she +refused the pleasures of the nuptial couch in order to win her +mate over to Christianity by her abstinence. But the youth, +though he was most ardently bent on her love, yet chose to regard +the continence of another more than his own desires, and thought +it nobler to control the impulses of the night than to rebuff the +prayers of his weeping mistress; for he thought that her +beseechings, really coming from calculation, had to do with +modesty. Thus it befell that he who should have done a husband's +part made himself the guardian of her chastity so that the +reproach of an infamous mind should not be his at the very +beginning of his marriage; as though he had yielded more to the +might of passion than to his own self-respect. Moreover that he +might not seem to forestall by his lustful embraces the love +which the maiden would not grant, he not only forbore to let +their sides that were next one another touch, but even severed +them by his drawn sword, and turned the bed into a divided +shelter for his bride and himself. But he soon tasted in the +joyous form of a dream the pleasure which he postponed from free +loving kindness. For, when his spirit was steeped in slumber, he +thought that two birds glided down from the privy parts of his +wife, one larger than the other; that they poised their bodies +aloft and soared swiftly to heaven, and, when a little time had +elapsed, came back and sat on either of his hands. A second, and +again a third time, when they had been refreshed by a short rest, +they ventured forth to the air with outspread wings. At last the +lesser of them came back without his fellow, and with wings +smeared with blood. He was amazed with this imagination, and, +being in a deep sleep, uttered a cry to betoken his astonishment, +filling the whole house with an uproarious shout. When his +servants questioned him, he related his vision; and Thyra, +thinking that she would be blest with offspring, forbore her +purpose to put off her marriage, eagerly relaxing the chastity +for which she had so hotly prayed. Exchanging celibacy for love, +she granted her husband full joy of herself, requiting his +virtuous self-restraint with the fulness of permitted +intercourse, and telling him that she would not have married him +at all, had she not inferred from these images in the dream which +he had related, the certainty of her being fruitful. + +By a device as cunning as it was strange, Thyra's pretended +modesty passed into an acknowledgment of her future offspring. +Nor did fate disappoint her hopes. Soon she was the fortunate +mother of Kanute and Harald. When these princes had attained +man's estate, they put forth a fleet and quelled the reckless +insolence of the Sclavs. Neither did they leave England free +from an attack of the same kind. Ethelred was delighted with +their spirit, and rejoiced at the violence his nephews offered +him; accepting an abominable wrong as though it were the richest +of benefits. For he saw far more merit in their bravery than in +piety. Thus he thought it nobler to be attacked by foes than +courted by cowards, and felt that he saw in their valiant promise +a sample of their future manhood. + +For he could not doubt that they would some day attack foreign +realms, since they so boldly claimed those of their mother. He +so much preferred their wrongdoing to their service, that he +passed over his daughter, and bequeathed England in his will to +these two, not scrupling to set the name of grandfather before +that of father. Nor was he unwise; for he knew that it beseemed +men to enjoy the sovereignty rather than women, and considered +that he ought to separate the lot of his unwarlike daughter from +that of her valiant sons. Hence Thyra saw her sons inheriting +the goods of her father, not grudging to be disinherited herself. +For she thought that the preference above herself was honourable +to her, rather than insulting. + +Kanute and Harald enriched themselves with great gains from +sea-roving, and most confidently aspired to lay hands on Ireland. +Dublin, which was considered the capital of the country, was +beseiged. Its king went into a wood adjoining the city with a +few very skilled archers, and with treacherous art surrounded +Kanute (who was present with a great throng of soldiers +witnessing the show of the games by night), and aimed a deadly +arrow at him from afar. It struck the body of the king in front, +and pierced him with a mortal wound. But Kanute feared that the +enemy would greet his peril with an outburst of delight. He +therefore wished his disaster to be kept dark; and summoning +voice with his last breath, he ordered the games to be gone +through without disturbance. By this device he made the Danes +masters of Ireland ere he made his own death known to the Irish. + +Who would not bewail the end of such a man, whose self-mastery +served to give the victory to his soldiers, by reason of the +wisdom that outlasted his life? For the safety of the Danes was +most seriously endangered, and was nearly involved in the most +deadly peril; yet because they obeyed the dying orders of their +general they presently triumphed over those they feared. + +Germ had now reached the extremity of his days, having been blind +for many years, and had prolonged his old age to the utmost +bounds of the human lot, being more anxious for the life and +prosperity of his sons than for the few days he had to breathe. +But so great was his love for his elder son that he swore that he +would slay with his own hand whosoever first brought him news of +his death. As it chanced, Thyra heard sure tidings that this son +had perished. But when no man durst openly hint this to Germ, +she fell back on her cunning to defend her, and revealed by her +deeds the mischance which she durst not speak plainly out. For +she took the royal robes off her husband and dressed him in +filthy garments, bringing him other signs of grief also, to +explain the cause of her mourning; for the ancients were wont to +use such things in the performance of obsequies, bearing witness +by their garb to the bitterness of their sorrow. Then said Germ: +"Dost thou declare to me the death of Kanute?" (2) And Thyra +said: "That is proclaimed by thy presage, not by mine." By this +answer she made out her lord a dead man and herself a widow, and +had to lament her husband as soon as her son. Thus, while she +announced the fate of her son to her husband, she united them in +death, and followed the obsequies of both with equal mourning; +shedding the tears of a wife upon the one and of a mother upon +the other; though at that moment she ought to have been cheered +with comfort rather than crushed with disasters. + + +ENDNOTES: +(1) Utgard. Saxo, rationalising as usual, turns the mythical + home of the giants into some terrestrial place in his + vaguely-defined Eastern Europe. +(2) Kanute. Here the vernacular is far finer. The old king + notices "Denmark is drooping, dead must my son be!", puts on + the signs of mourning, and dies. + + + + + +The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Danish History, Books I-IX + diff --git a/old/old/dnhst10.zip b/old/old/dnhst10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c0ee1d7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/dnhst10.zip |