The Fridthjof's Saga: A Norse Romance on Bjorn

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• relationship: Bjorn is a sworn foster-brother of Fridthjof.

  "Bjorn. (B'yorn.) A sworn foster-brother of Fridthjof."

Pmb 113 > StartThe Small Print!For Public Domain EtextsStart** > Bjorn.

• attestation: Bjorn countered Fridthjof's longing for land by praising the sea's freedom and joy, declaring the sea best for those who delight in wandering and that he will only cling to the green land when old.

  "Good is the sea, your complaining you squander, Freedom and joy on the sea flourish best; He never knoweth effeminate rest, Who on the billows delighteth to wander. When I am old, to the green growing land I too will cling, with the grass for my pillow; Now I will drink and will fight with free hand, Now I'll enjoy my own sorrow-free billow."

• attestation: Bjorn suggested either firing King Ring's palace at midnight and bearing off Ingeborg, or challenging Ring to a duel on the ice, saying any action was better than waiting.

  "Good! to king Ring it shall be my glad duty, Something to teach of a wronged viking's power; Fire we the palace at midnight's still hour, Scorch the old graybeard and bear off the beauty. Or, being viking you may think it right Honor to grant the old man by a duel: Challenge him out on the ice for a fight,-- Whatever you will, only waiting is cruel."

• attestation: Bjorn teased Fridthjof for pining over what he called a false woman's loss, and offered to quickly bring a cargo of red-as-rose, mild-as-lamb Southland women for them to share by lots.

  "Fridthjof, 'tis time for your folly's abating; Sigh and lament for a false woman's loss! Earth is, alas, but too full of such dross; One may be lost, still a thousand are waiting. Say but the word, of such goods I will bring Quickly a cargo,-- the Southland can spare them, Red as the rose, mild as lambs in the Spring; Then we'll cast lots, or as brothers we'll share them."

• attestation: Bjorn warned Fridthjof not to go alone to King Ring's hall, fearing he might not be able to return.

  "Go not alone, lest return be prevented."

• attestation: Bjorn warned that Hagbert was hanged to a tree, evoking the danger of going alone into enemy territory.

  "Hagbert, remember, was hanged to a tree."

• attestation: Bjorn swore that if Fridthjof were killed, he would carve the blood-eagle on his murderer in revenge.

  "Fallest thou then, on thy murderer fell Carve I the blood-eagle, vengeance bestowing."