The Fridthjof's Saga: A Norse Romance on Fridthjof

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• attestation: Fridthjof's Saga by Tegnér consists of twenty-four cantos covering episodes from Fridthjof's childhood to his reconciliation with Ingeborg's brothers, plus a glossary.

  "Canto I. Fridthjof and Ingeborg -

Canto II. King Bele and Thorstein

Canto III. Fridthjof's Inheritance

Canto IV. Fridthjof's Courtship

Canto V. King Ring

Canto VI. Fridthjof Plays Chess

Canto VII. Fridthjof's Happiness

Canto VIII. The Parting

Canto IX. Ingeborg's Lament

Canto X. Fridthjof at Sea

Canto XI. Fridthjof with Angantyr

Canto XII. The Return

Canto XIII. Balder's Funeral Pile

Canto XIV. Fridthjof Goes Into Exile

Canto XV. The Viking Code

Canto XVI. Fridthjof and Bjorn

Canto XVII. Fridthjof Comes to King Ring

Canto XVIII. The Ride on the Ice

Canto XIX. Fridthjof's Temptation

Canto XX. King Ring's Death

Canto XXI. Ring's Drapa

Canto XXII. The King's Election

Canto XXIII. Fridthjof at his Father's Grave

Canto XXIV. The Reconciliation

Glossary"

• attestation: The narrative arc of Fridthjof's Saga moves from Fridthjof's courtship of Ingeborg through his exile, service to King Ring, and final reconciliation.

  "Canto IV. Fridthjof's Courtship

Canto V. King Ring

Canto XIV. Fridthjof Goes Into Exile

Canto XVII. Fridthjof Comes to King Ring

Canto XXIV. The Reconciliation"

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• attestation: Fridthjof and Ingeborg were raised together in Hilding's garden, where they grew up in close companionship from childhood.

  "In Hilding's garden, green and fair, Protected by his fostering care, Two rare and stately plants were growing, Unequaled grace and beauty showing."

• attestation: Fridthjof is compared to a sturdy oak tree and Ingeborg to a rose, symbolizing their complementary natures as childhood companions.

  "So they grew up in joy and glee, And Fridthjof was the young oak tree; Unfolding in the vale serenely, The rose was Ingeborg the queenly."

• attestation: Fridthjof taught Ingeborg the runic alphabet (futhorc) as one of their childhood activities.

  "How joyful 'twas, how lovely too, When firs[ he learned his futhorc through; No kings had e'er such honor brought them As when to Ingeborg he taught them."

• attestation: As a youth Fridthjof hunted bears barehanded and brought Ingeborg the bearskin as a gift, demonstrating his physical prowess.

  "Young Fridthjof followed oft the chase, Which led to many a fearful place; With neither spear nor lance defended, The wild bear's life he quickly ended.

When, struggling, met they breast to breast, The hunter won, though hardly pressed, And brought the bearskin home"

• comparison: Fridthjof compared Ingeborg's golden hair to Freyja's tresses, her bosom to Idun's, her eyes to Frigg's, her cheeks to Gerd's, and her heart to Nanna's.

  "He thought: "Of gold is Ing'borg's hair, A net for rose and lily fair: Like Freyja's bounteous golden tresses"

• attestation: Fridthjof expressed willingness to descend to Hel's realm to prove his love for Ingeborg.

  "For oh, what joy when death appears, To have a faithful maiden's tears! To prove a love so strong and tender, With Hel's grim shades I'd gladly wander."

• comparison: The poem depicts Fridthjof and Ingeborg seeing each other as worthy of Freyja's house, where bride-pairs with golden hair sported on rosy pinions.

  "Saw you those two by light of day You seem in Freyja's house to stay, Where bride-pairs, golden-haired, were swinging, Their way on rosy pinions winging."

• attestation: Fridthjof and Ingeborg carved their initials 'I' and 'F' on a birch tree, symbolizing their hearts united as one.

  "The birch tree's stem where Fridthjof went Showed I and F in beauty blent; As grew those runes in one, delighted, So too those hearts in one united."

• attestation: Fridthjof responded to Hilding's discouragement by asserting that true power and worth—not descent—determines honor, and that he would fight even Thor for Ingeborg.

  "But Fridthjof smiled: "My race," he said, "Goes down unto the valiant dead; The forest-king I slew, and merit Thereby, the honor kings inherit.

"The free-born man will never yield, He owns the world's unconquered field; For fate can bind what she has broken, And hope is crowned with kingly token.

"All power is noble; Thor presides In Thrudvang, where all strength abides; There worth, and not descent, is leader,-- The sword is e'er a valiant pleader."

• attestation: Fridthjof swore that no mortal would sever his bond with Ingeborg, whom he called his lily, even were he to defy Thor himself.

  ""I'd fight the world for my sweet bride, Yea, though the thunder-god defied. Be glad and brave, my lily, never Shah mortal dare our lives to sever.""

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• attestation: Fridthjof came last, wearing a blue mantle, taller and stronger than the brothers, compared to noon standing between night and morning.

  "And after them came Fridthjof, in mantle blue; He was stronger than the others, and taller, too; He stood between the brothers, by contrast seeming Like noon 'twixt night and morning, in splendor beaming."

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• attestation: Fridthjof's estate at Framness extended twelve miles in all directions, with forest-crowned hills, golden cornfields, numerous lakes, and large herds.

  "Stretching around him for twelve miles unbroken his acres extended; Three sides were dale, hill and mountain, the fourth side looked out on the ocean; Crowned were the hill-tops with forests of birch-wood, but, on their sides sloping, Golden corn plentiful grew, and like billows the tall rye was waving."

• attestation: Fridthjof's drinking-hall at Framness seated over 500 warriors for Yule-time celebrations, with a long stone table polished like steel, and elm-wood pillars carved with Frey and Odin supporting the dais of honor.

  "Counting ten twelves to the hundred, not five hundred warriors assembled Filled up the spacious apartment, when all met to drink mead at Yule-time. Down through the middle, from end to end, ran a strong table of stone-oak, Polished with wax and like steel shining; carved on two pillars of elm-wood, Far at one end, Frey and Odin supported the dais of honor, Odin with lordly look, Frey with the sun for a crest on his bonnet."

• attestation: Among Fridthjof's three chief treasures was the sword Angervadil (grief-wader), also called 'brother of lightning', forged in the East by dwarfs and tempered in fire.

  "First of the three was a sword, which from sire and from grandsire descended. Called Angervadil, or grief-wader, sometimes, too, brother of lightning. Far, far away in the East it was forged--so at least says the story-- Tempered in fire by the dwarfs."

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• attestation: When Helge and Halfdan came as guests to Fridthjof's hall, Ingeborg accompanied them, and Fridthjof sat beside her, feeling her hand-pressure thrice returned.

  "How fortunate was he but lately, and glad, For Helge and Halfdan as guests he had; And with the brothers, Came Ingeborg; Fridthjof scarce saw the others.

He sat by her side and her soft hand he pressed; He felt in the pressure returned him thrice blest,"

• attestation: After Ingeborg's departure, Fridthjof was overcome with grief and longing, sending his sorrow by the dove and spending days wandering or gazing at the moon.

  "But now she has gone, and his joy forsooth Has gone with the maiden. The blood of youth His cheek is mounting, He silently sighs while the past recounting.

His grief at her absence he sent by the dove,"

• attestation: Fridthjof stood at King Bele's grave and asked Helge to give him Ingeborg in exchange for his sword-arm in the war against Ring, offering to set aside ill will.

  ""On king Bele's grave we are standing now, He hears every word in the grave below, With me he pleadeth,-- A dead father's counsel a wise son heedeth.""

• attestation: Fridthjof asserted his own ancestral glory despite commoner birth, claiming his sword-skill gave him the honor that kings inherit, and that worth not descent is the leader at Thor's Thrudvang.

  ""My sire was a peasant, no earl nor king,-- Yet his memory will live while the poets sing; In runic story The grave-mounds are telling my ancestors' glory."

• attestation: When Helge taunted Fridthjof to become a domestic servant, Fridthjof drew Angervadil, its runes flashing red, and declared his lineage at least was royal.

  ""Thy servant! no, never!" was Fridthjof's reply, "My father had never a master--shall I? From thy silver dwelling Now fly, Angervadil, the insult repelling."

In sunshine now glitters the blue steel blade,-- Displaying its letters in flaming red. "My good sword loyal, Thy lineage at least," said Fridthjof, "is royal."

• attestation: Fridthjof restrained himself from killing Helge out of respect for the grave's renown, but severed Helge's gold shield hanging on a bough with one blow.

  ""And were it not now for the high grave's renown, Right here would I hew thee, swarthy king, down: Yet will I teach thee To come not again where my sword can reach thee."

So saying, be severed at one fell blow The gold shield of Helge which hung on a bough."

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• attestation: Fridthjof and Bjorn were playing chess when Hilding came bringing news that Bele's sons needed Fridthjof's help and that Ingeborg was in Balder's grove weeping.

  "Bjorn and Fridthjof chess were playing On a board, whose squares displaying Gold and silver deftly fitted, Skill and beauty both combined. Then stepped Hilding in."

• attestation: Fridthjof refused Hilding's plea to help Bele's sons, declaring his defiance of their power and refusal to obey their behests; Hilding departed invoking Odin as their reliance.

  ""Go to Bele's sons and warn them, Peasants love not those who scorn them; To their power I bid defiance, Their behests will not obey." "In thy chosen way abide thee, For thy wrath I can not chide thee; Odin must be our reliance," Hilding said, and went his way."

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• attestation: While Bele's sons sought aid from peasants in the war against Ring, Fridthjof refused to join them, instead declaring he would drink only with Ingeborg from the high gods' cup of gladness.

  "King Bele's sons may go requesting From dale to dale the peasants' aid, In Balder's grove my world is resting, For them I will not draw my blade."

• attestation: Fridthjof wrote Ingeborg's name on the sand with his sword while wandering the shore, overwhelmed with longing for her.

  "Upon the sand I gaze and ponder And with my sword write Ing'borg's name."

• attestation: Fridthjof sailed Ellide across the dark gulf to reach Balder's sacred grove where Ingeborg resided safely under the god's protection.

  "Ellide! fly the deep gulf over, Roll on, roll on, ye billows blue. Yon sacred grove a temple hideth, Good Balder's temple, doubly dear, For there love's goddess safe abideth, Unto the gods our course we steer."

• comparison: Fridthjof greeted the moon as he arrived at Balder's grove, comparing it to Saga sitting at a wedding feast, bathed in pale light.

  "I hail thee, moon, with pale light streaming On temple-grove and flowers at rest, How beautiful thou sittest dreaming Like Saga at a wedding feast."

• attestation: Fridthjof in Balder's grove laid his heart as a sacrifice at the shrine and asked Ingeborg to kneel beside him before the mild god's image, offering their united love as the best offering.

  "There stands his image, not indignant, But mild and soft as sunset ray, Upon this shrine of god benignant, My heart a sacrifice I lay. Together let us kneel before him, No better offering can be found Than two fond hearts which both adore him, With love like his together bound."

• attestation: Fridthjof expressed willingness to forsake Valhalla's maidens and the mead-horn of gold if he could only embrace Ingeborg, and imagined building a leafy cottage by the sea where they could rest.

  "When Valhal's maidens pass me, smiling, The mead-horn with its rim of gold; Thee, only thee, my love beguiling, My tender, loving arms enfold.

A leafy cottage near the meadow I'd build us by the dark-blue sea, And there we'd rest us 'neath the shadow Of many a golden-fruited tree;"

• attestation: Fridthjof envisioned Ingeborg with a starry crown dancing with him in Vingolf-hall, with Brage singing their wedding song in silver-bearded glory every evening fair.

  "Thy golden locks, with sunshine flushing, Wreathed with a starry crown should be; So my pale lily, rosy blushing, In Vingolf-hall should dance with me. Then, by my love from danger guarded, I'd with thee to our home repair,-- Where singeth Brage, silver-bearded, Our wedding song each evening fair."

• attestation: Fridthjof's love for Ingeborg is described as heaven-nurtured, more belonging to heaven than earth, longing for the divine home.

  "Scorn not my love, my blossom cherished, Which more to heaven than earth belongs, In heaven itself that love was nourished, And for that glorious home it longs."

• attestation: The poem describes the bugle-call rallying champions from the silver gates, but Fridthjof alone lingered by Ingeborg's side rather than joining the battle-rally.

  "When bugle-notes the champions rally, From out the silver gates they ride; But I alone join not the sally, I linger gladly by thy side."

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• attestation: Canto VIII of Fridthjof's Saga is titled 'The Parting' and is structured as a dialogue between Ingeborg and Fridthjof.

  "The Parting.

  Ingeborg."

• attestation: After the council, Fridthjof told Ingeborg that blood-red runes of shame and banishment stood beside what they had shared, and asked her to hear what had happened.

  "And stand not there as well the blood-red runes, which speak of shame, And scorn and banishment?"

• attestation: Fridthjof reported finding the council assembled at the grave-mounds, with shield meeting shield and many Northland sons in a ring formation around the grassy mounds up to the top.

  "I found the council at our fathers' graves. Around the grassy mounds, shield meeting shield, Stood many Northland sons with swords in hand, One circle standing close within another Unto the top."

• attestation: At the council Fridthjof offered Helge his right arm and asked that old ill will be forgotten, but Helge accused him of profaning Balder's temple by meeting Ingeborg at night.

  "Then I arose, and, said: "War waiting stands Within thy borders, beating on the shield,-- Thy kingdom now, king Helge, is in peril; Give me my sister, and I'll give to thee Mine arm, it may be usefu] in this strife. Between us let ill will forgotten be"

• attestation: Fridthjof proposed to Ingeborg that they flee together on Ellide to a friendlier strand where exiled love could find safe asylum, taking earth from both their fathers' graves as their only fatherland.

  "But we, my beauteous Ingeborg, will spread O'er seas unknown Ellide's willing sail, She'll kindly bear us to a friendlier strand Where exiled love may safe asylum find. What is the North to me? And what a race, Which pales at every word of priest or king"

• attestation: Fridthjof described to Ingeborg a distant southern land with warm seas, brighter stars, laurel groves, and mild summer nights — a vision drawn from his father Thorstein's tales of the Grecian sea with its green islands.

  "My father, Thorstein, Viking's son, in wars Had journeyed far, and oft I've heard him tell, By fireside light in winter evenings long, About the Grecian sea with islands filled,-- Fresh groves of green in brightly shining waves."

• attestation: Fridthjof offered to send the gold tribute from Angantyr to Helge if successful, and thus redeem Ingeborg from the sacrificial plans of the 'crowned hypocrite'.

  "The gold he covets I'll to Helge send, And thus will I from sacrificial knife Of this crowned hypocrite redeem us both."

• attestation: Fridthjof declared himself free as the mountain winds, not bound like a slave to the turf of his birth, and asserted that a little earth from both fathers' graves was all the fatherland he needed.

  "The wretched slave is bound unto the turf Where he was born, hut I will still be free, Free as the mountain winds. A little earth From Bele's grave and from my father's taken, Can find a place ,upon our ship, and that Is all of fatherland that we can need."

• attestation: Fridthjof described a powerful ancient race that once dwelled in the Grecian lands, which he knew of from Thorstein's fireside tales.

  "A powerful race once had its dwelling there,-- And holy gods the"

• attestation: Fridthjof told Ingeborg she was free if she willed it, noting her father sits in the grave and cannot compel her.

  "Art thou not free, if so thou willest? In the grave Thy father sits."

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• attestation: Ingeborg bids Fridthjof farewell as 'king Helge's sister' when he declares he will depart since her refusal is final.

  ""Farewell then, fare thee well, king Helge's sister.""

• attestation: Fridthjof relented, called Ingeborg his kindest norn, and promised to part from her without parting from his hope; he swore to return by the nearest spring, then demand her hand in open council with naked swords from Northland's sons, not from Helge.

  "I part with thee but part not with my hope; I'll take it with me over western waves, I'll take it with me to the gates of death. The nearest spring-day sees me here again: King Helge, so I hope, shall see me too. Then from my promise freed, his bidding done, The calumny against me, too, atoned, Then I'll request thee,--nay but I'll demand In open council and with naked swords, And not of Helge but of Northland's sons."

• attestation: Fridthjof gave Ingeborg his arm-ring — the Volund-work with heaven's wonders graven in gold — as a token of their childhood's love, saying the best of wonders is a faithful heart.

  "take in memory of our childhood's love, My arm-ring here, a beauteous Volund-work, With heaven's wonders graven in the gold; The best of wonders is a faithful heart. How well it suits thine arm so snowy-white-- A glow-worm coiled around the lily's stem!"

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• attestation: During the storm conjured by Helge, Fridthjof consoled himself by thinking of Ingeborg's white bosom swelling like sea-foam, her lily whiteness, and imagining she knelt on sacred gold praying to the asas for his safety.

  ""Brighter was the journey By the pale moon's glimmer, Over mirrored waters Unto Balder's grove; Warmer was it, nearer Ing'borg's heart reposing; Whiter than the sea-foam Swelled her bosom fair.""

• attestation: Despite the terrible storm, Fridthjof declared he would not strike the sail or flee as that would shame him before Ingeborg, whose sea-eagle should not fly with slackened wings.

  ""Ingeborg would redden Should her sea-eagle fly with Slackened wings, affrighted By a passing breeze.""

• attestation: Solund island is named in the poem as a place with stiller seas and safe harbors nearby, which Fridthjof nevertheless bypassed in the storm.

  "Solund island fair Above the waves so white! Stiller seas are there, Harbors safe invite."

• attestation: Fridthjof climbed the icy spar like a bird and from his high perch saw the two goblins Ham and Heyd riding a sea-whale, Ham in the form of a polar bear with a snowy pelt, Heyd with eagle wings hovering in the air.

  "Like a bird he flew Up the icy spar, Sat on high to view Fiendish goblins war.

See, before Ellide gliding,

Like an island floating free, Sea-whale on whose back are riding, Loathsome goblins of the sea. Heyd a snowy pelt, doth cover, Figure like a polar bear; Ham hath wings which, waving hover Eagle-like in stormy air."

• attestation: Fridthjof commanded Ellide to ram the conjured whale with her copper keel, and the ship sprang against the monster's breast, wounding it until it dove roaring to its miry bed.

  ""Now. Ellide, ready! Show if hero temper Dwells within your banded Convex breast of oak.

Listen to my order; Are you Valhal's daughter? Strike with keel of copper, Gore the conjured whale!"

Brave Ellide hears Fridthjof's proud behest. With a spring she rears 'Gainst the monster's breast.

From the wound a stream is driving, To the skies 'tis quickly sped, Now the wounded monster diving, Roaring seeks his miry bed."

• attestation: Fridthjof cast two lances — one into the Ice-bear's bosom and one into the Storm-eagle's breast — after Ellide rammed the whale, defeating the goblins Ham and Heyd.

  "Fridthjof's giant strength then casteth Lances at the goblins bold, One in Ice-bear's bosom fasteneth, One Storm-eagle's breast doth hold."

• attestation: After the goblins were defeated, the storm disappeared at once from sea and land, the sun advanced like a king unveiling himself, and the sailors remembered the shores of Efje Sound.

  "Quickly disappears Storm from sea and land, Gentle wavelet steers Toward the nearing strand.

All at once the sun advances, Like a king doth he unveil, All enlivens, all entrances, Ship and billow, mount and dale. Last rays, gleaming now like amber, Tops of cliff and forest bound, Now each sailor well remembers The emerald shores of Efje Sound."

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• attestation: Fridthjof agreed to test swords with Atle before suing for peace, and the two men fought with flashing blades, runes glowing brighter on Angervadil, shields cleft in twain in quick succession.

  ""Although I'm scarcely rested," Is Fridthjof's sharp reply, "Our good swords must be tested, Before for peace I cry." Then swift the sun-brown fighter His flashing sword-blade swung, Bright glowed the runes and brighter On Angervadil's tongue.

Blows fell without cessation, Now deadly blows like rain, And now in quick rotation Each shield is cleft in twain."

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• attestation: After spending time with Angantyr, Fridthjof sailed Ellide home in spring, the western breezes singing like nightingales in the sails and Aeger's daughters playing about the rudder.

  "Now spring is breathing in skies of blue, And earth her carpet has woven anew, And Fridthjof grateful his kind host leaving Again the billowy plain is cleaving, And gayly speeding through silver-spray, His black swan ploweth her sunny way.

The western breezes that spring is bringing, Like nightingales in the sails are singing, And AEger's daughters in veils of blue About the rudder their sports pursue."

• attestation: Fridthjof returned to find his home at Framness had been burned — the dwelling fired by Helge during Ring's war as Helge fled past it.

  "Salutes the headland and sound, then glideth Along by the groves where his Ing'borg bideth."

• attestation: On Fridthjof's return, his falcon flew from the temple turret to his shoulder and scratched and pecked urgently, seeming to bring a message from Ingeborg.

  "Then sudden rises his falcon, flying From temple turret, then downward flits To Fridthjof's shoulder, and there he sits, As was his wont, of his love to assure him. From Fridthjof's shoulder can none allure him, He scratches fast with his gold-tipped claws, He gives no quiet, he makes no pause. To Fridthjof's ear now his beak he bendeth, Perchance some loved one a message sendeth; Is it Ingeborg? Wildly his pulses bound, But none interprets the broken sound."

• attestation: Fridthjof sailed along the groves beside Ingeborg's bay during his return, thinking of last summer when he had wandered there with her beside him evening after evening.

  "Salutes the headland and sound, then glideth Along by the groves where his Ing'borg bideth. Thinks how last summer each evening fair, With her beside him he wandered there."

• attestation: Fridthjof sailed six days before sighting land on the seventh — a strip of blue on the horizon — then neared to see rock, islet, green forests dancing in sunlight, roaring streams, and granite cliffs.

  "Six days he sailed on his way returning, The seventh a strip of blue discerning Low down the horizon, he neared it fast, Saw rock and islet and land at last. That land is his; from the waves advancing, He sees green forests in sunlight dancing."

• attestation: On his return Fridthjof found Framness burned by Helge as he fled past it during Ring's war; his foster-father Hilding appeared with silver hair with the news.

  "Unsheltered, sorrowful stands the rover; He looks at the meadow and grove burnt over,- Of Hilding's coming quite unaware, His foster-father with silver hair. "At what I see I can scarcely wonder, When eagles flit then their nests are plunder. 'Tis Helge's deed lest the land be wroth, So well he keeps his crowning oath!"

• attestation: Upon hearing that Ingeborg had been given to Ring, Fridthjof launched into a bitter misogynist lament about women — comparing them to Loke's thought, a blue-eyed lie, spring-ice virtue, and wind-like faith — before catching himself.

  ""O woman, woman!" said Fridthjof, scorning, "Old Loke's thought should have been a warning; His thought a lie, was in woman's form, To man he sent it his heart to warm, A blue-eyed lie that with tears alarms us, Forever cheats and forever charms us; A rose-checked lie with bust defined, Of spring-ice virtue and faith like wind;"

• attestation: Despite his anger, Fridthjof admitted he still loved Ingeborg and had called her his wife since their childhood in the wildwood, and that high achievement to him had always had her love as its prize.

  "And yet how dear to my heart was she! And dear as ever she still must be. My wife I've called her since in the wildwood. We played together in happy childhood. Of high achievement if e'er I thought, Her love alone was the prize I sought;"

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• attestation: At midnight's signal with clash of weapons in the sacred grove, Fridthjof appeared, commanded Bjorn to block the door and cleave any man who tried to pass, then threw the tribute gold in Helge's face.

  ""Bjorn, stand fast by yonder door, No one must pass under, Whosoe'er would cross the floor, Cleave his skull asunder."

Helge paled: he knew too well Whose that voice so ringing. Forth stood Fridthjof; his fierce words fell Like autumn storm winds singing.

"Here's the ordered tribute; it came Safe through the tempest's rattle; Take it; then here by Balder's flame, For life or death we'll battle."

• attestation: When Fridthjof threw the tribute purse at Helge's face, blood gushed and Helge fainted near his altar; Fridthjof taunted the priests to silence, threatening his sword would drink their lives.

  "Thus he spake, and the purse he'd brought, Forth he quickly drew it, Careless of the mischief wrought, In Helge's face he threw it.

Darkness swam before the eyes Of asas' kinsman sainted; Blood gushed forth, he could not rise, But near his altar fainted."

• attestation: Fridthjof addressed Balder directly, asking the god to withhold his wrath since the arm-ring was stolen by a coward and was not intended for a god but for the weeping maiden who lost it.

  ""Holy Balder, thy wrath forbear, Nor 'gainst me enrol it: But the arm-ring which you wear, Yonder craven stole it.

"Not for thee did Volund old Work its fair dimensions; The maiden wept, but the thief was bold; Away, such false pretensions.""

Pmb 113 > StartThe Small Print!For Public Domain EtextsStart** > Fridthjof Goes Into Exile

• attestation: Fridthjof sat on Ellide's deck at night watching the burning temple on shore, torn between wrath and grief, and composed a speech to the temple smoke asking it to report Balder's destruction to Valhalla.

  "On deck at night In summer bright, Sat Fridthjof grieving; Like billows heaving, Now wrath, now grief, In his heart was chief; And shoreward turning Saw fires still burning."

• attestation: Fridthjof addressed the burning temple's smoke, telling it to rise to Valhalla and report that the temple was burned to dust and that the grove which had stood since men bore swords was no more — destroyed by fire, not by time's decaying.

  ""Thou temple reek Fly up and seek High Valhal's towers; The White God's powers Call down on me With wrath's decree. And tell, swift bounding, The vault resounding, The temple burned To dust is turned; The imaged glory But lives in story. Quick burned the god Like common wood. The grove protected Nor once neglected Since men swords bore Is now no more; By fire the slaying Not time's decaying."

• attestation: In exile Fridthjof called Ellide his North, his foster-earth, a home in the fiercest storm, now that the other home had perished; he declared the ocean free of oppressive kings, and resolved to become a sea-king roaming the world.

  "In fiercest storm Art thou my home;-- The one I cherished By Helge perished. Thou art my North My foster-earth,-- The other leaving I wander grieving: My bride caressed In black robes dressed"

• attestation: Fridthjof declared the ocean free from oppressive kingship, where the true king is the one who never trembles however high the waves heave, and that sea heroes plow blue fields with keel and bow.

  "Thou ocean free, Unknown to thee Is king oppressive, Untrue, aggressive. Thy king is he Among the free Who trembles never How high soever, With wrath oppressed, Heaves thy white breast. Blue fields are charming And not alarming; There heroes plow With keel and bow,"

• attestation: Fridthjof resolved that his father's calm grave by the water would be his home while his own grave would be the blue sea, flecked like the waves, floating on tempest.

  "My father's grave Calm waters lave (How still he sleepeth Where green grass creepeth). Mine blue shall be, Flecked like the sea; Forever floating, On tempest gloating"

• attestation: Fridthjof taunted a cowardly companion's blood as too good for his craven deed; he referenced a battle exploit that sank beneath the waves and another that failed, setting his own standard much higher.

  "A coward's blood; It is too good For food so craven; Its worth be graven On funeral stone, But not upon A name which beareth The stain thine weareth. One exploit brave Sank 'neath the wave; The next one failed thee, Nor aught availed thee"

• attestation: Fridthjof rowed with two oars — taking a mast-fir from Gudbrand's dale after his carved oar broke — rowing like arrowy cane or steel blade, gleaming and resilient in the sun.

  "His carved oar limber Was fir-tree timber,-- A mast-fir tall, From Gudbrand's dale. Taking another, With both together He rowed amain; Like arrowy cane Or steel blade brilliant Were the oars resilient."

• attestation: In a farewell song on going into exile, Fridthjof bade farewell to the exalted North, the Valhalla-throne, the midsummer sun, the star-crowded vault, mountain ranges, lakes and highlands, grave-mounds, and the wildwood bowers of his childhood.

  ""Thou front of creation, Exalted North! I have no station On thy green earth.

Farewell thou royal Valhalla-throne! Thou night's-eye loyal, Midsummer sun! Thou sky unclouded As hero's soul! Thou vault star-crowded! Farewell, farewell!

Ye mountain ranges Where honor dwells, Creation's changes Your rune-face tells. Ye lakes and highlands I knew so well, Ye rocks and islands, Farewell, farewell!

Farewell ye grave-mounds Where the linden showers Near azure wave bounds The dust of flowers!"

• attestation: In his exile farewell, Fridthjof declared his love cheated, his home burned, his shame completed, and himself exiled and spurned — turning from land to ocean's swell.

  "My love is cheated, My home is burned, My shame completed, I'm exiled, spurned. From land appealing To ocean's swell, Life's joyous feeling, Farewell, farewell!"

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

• attestation: As a sea-king, Fridthjof roamed on the desolate sea like a prey-seeking falcon, dispensing justice and law to his champions; this is described as the viking's code.

  "Now he floated around on the desolate sea, like a prey-seeking falcon he rode, To the champions on board he gave justice and law; wilt thou hear now the sea-viking's code?"

• attestation: The viking code dictated never making a tent on ship or sleeping in a house, but sleeping on a shield with sword in hand under the heavenly blue.

  ""Make no tent on thy ship, never sleep in a house, for a foe within doors you may view; On his shield sleeps the viking; his sword in his hand, and his tent is the heavenly blue."

• attestation: The viking code stated to hoist the sail fully in storm and let her drive, declaring it better to founder than to strike sail, as striking is the act of a slave to fear.

  ""When the storm rageth fierce, hoist the sail to the top,-- O how merry the storm-king appears; Let her drive! let her drive! better founder than strike, for who strikes is a slave to his fears."

• attestation: The viking code prohibited taking women aboard ship — even Freyja — as their dimples are pitfalls for men and their free-flowing hair is a net.

  ""Never take on thy vessel the land-sheltered maid; were she Freyja herself she'd ensnare; For the dimples she wears are but pitfalls for men, and a net is her free flowing hair."

• attestation: The viking code allowed wine as Allfather's drink with sense, but warned that he who falls overboard goes to Ran, the sleep-giving sea-goddess.

  ""Wine is Allfather's drink, and the cup is allowed if you only can use it with sense; He who falls on the land may arise,--who falls here he to Ran, the sleep-giving, goes hence."

• attestation: The viking code instructed that sea-kings take no share in the lots when dividing goods — they consider honor their gain; and that a yielding viking who sues for peace must be heard, as refusing a supplicant is cowardice.

  ""Let your goods he divided by lot or by dice, how it falls you may never complain; But the sea-king himself takes no part in the lots,--he considers the honor his gain.

"If you yield but a pace you are parted from us; 'tis the law, you may act by your choice.

"If you win, be content; he who praying for peace yields his sword, is no longer a foe; "Prayer's a Valhalla-child, hear the suppliant voice; he's a coward who answereth no."

• attestation: The viking code described wounds as the viking's reward and pride, worn openly unbound until close of day.

  ""Wounds are viking's reward, and the pride of the man on whose breast or whose forehead they stand; Let them bleed on unbound till the close of the da"

• attestation: After three years of viking life, Fridthjof longed to return to Northland, recalling a grove and island temple he had planned for himself and Ingeborg, and the honor-towers of the mountains he had loved.

  ""Here we ought to have dwelt, here's the island and grove, here the fane as my father set forth. It was here, it was here I invited my love, but the cruel one staid in the North."

• attestation: After three years away Fridthjof wondered whether the honored mounts still towered to heaven, whether his father's grave-tree still lived, and whether Ingeborg had forgotten him for the gray-haired king.

  ""Where is Ingeborg now? Hath forgotten me quite for the gray-haired and withered old king? I can never forget, but my life I would give, if one sight of my love it would bring.

"Now three years have passed by since the land I beheld where heroic achievement prevails;"

• attestation: Fridthjof planted a tree on his father's grave before leaving, and on his third year away wondered if it still lived, imploring the earth to give it moisture and heaven to give it dew.

  ""On the grave where my father is laid I once planted a tree; can it be it lives now? And who cares for the weakling? Thou earth give it moisture, and dew, kindly heaven, give thou."

• attestation: Fridthjof resolved to return north from the sea, feeling that his soul despised glittering gold and that he had gained enough renown; he followed the course of the heavenly winds home.

  ""But why linger I longer on far distant waves, taking tribute and striking men down? For my soul but despises the glittering gold, and I've gained quite enough of renown.

"There's a flag on the mast and it points to the North, in the North is the land I hold dear; I will follow the course of the heavenly winds, and back to the Northland I'll steer.""

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

• attestation: Fridthjof told Bjorn he was weary of riding the sea, saying that Northland's firm earth and long-cherished mountains called to him; he had wandered too long as an outlawed exile on the wilderness wave.

  "Bjorn, I am weary of riding the sea, Turbulent traps are the billowy fountains; Northland's firm earth and her long cherished mountains, Wondrous attractions, are calling to me. Happy is he by his land unrejected, No one denies him his father's green grave; Too long, alas, have I wandered dejected, Outlawed, afloat on this wilderness wave."

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

• attestation: Fridthjof proposed going as a Yule guest to King Ring and Ingeborg, citing the frozen sea locking their keel and his desire to see Ingeborg's golden locks and hear her well-beloved voice once more.

  "Now hath the ice indeed chased us to land, Close round our keel are the stiffened waves dozing; Let me not waste the long winter reposing Here among rocks on this desolate strand. Let me once more keep the Yule banquet olden, Guest of king Ring and the bride of my choice; Let me once more see those waving locks golden, Hear the sweet tones of that well-beloved voice."

• attestation: Fridthjof rejected Bjorn's violent proposals, saying he would bring peace not terror to Ring's hall, as Ring and Ingeborg had not committed the error — heavenly vengeance had sought him as punishment.

  "Speak not of firebrands, to war give no thought,-- Peace would I bear to the king, and not terror; Ring nor his partner committed the error-- Heavenly vengeance my punishment sought,"

• attestation: Fridthjof hoped only to take a final farewell of Ingeborg and expected to be back when the green buds swelled in spring.

  "Only farewell would I take of my dear,-- Final farewell. When the green buds are swelling, Sooner it may be, you'll see Fridthjof here."

• attestation: Fridthjof praised Bjorn as frank, joyous, bold in war, wise, and devoted to Odin and Thor, but rebuked him for presuming to gainsay Freyja, warning her eternal spark would enkindle both mortals and gods.

  "Bjorn, you're as frank and as joyous as Frey, Bold to wage war and with wisdom advising; Odin and Thor you ne'er think of despising,-- Freyja, the heavenly, you dare to gainsay. Let us not question her power supernal, Rather beware lest we waken her ire; Once, though now slumbering, the sparkle eternal Mortals and gods shall enkindle to fire."

• attestation: Fridthjof dismissed Bjorn's warning by saying he would not go alone — his sword would go with him.

  "Singly I go not, my sword goes with me."

• attestation: Fridthjof replied to Bjorn's warning about Hagbert's hanging by saying that whoever can be taken has already consented to hang.

  "Who can be taken, to hang has consented."

• attestation: Fridthjof told Bjorn the blood-eagle was needless, as his foe would not live to hear the cock crow any longer than he himself would; he bade farewell to his fond foster-brother.

  "Needless, fond Bjorn, he'll not hear the cock crowing Longer than I do. Farewell, fare thee well."

Pmb 113 > StartThe Small Print!For Public Domain EtextsStart** > Fridthjof Comes To King Ring.

• attestation: Fridthjof arrived at King Ring's Yule feast disguised as an old man in a bearskin, bent with age and staff-supported, yet standing a head taller than any champion there; he was mocked by the courtiers.

  "A man, unknown, there entered within the spacious hall, From head to foot enveloped, a bear-skin covering all; And though by staff supported, and bent with age and care, He stood a head the taller than any champion there.

He chose for seat to rest him a bench beside the door,-- 'Tis now the poor man's station, as 'twas in days of yore; The courtiers all laughed loudly, with many a gibe and jest, And with the finger pointed to him in bear-skin dressed."

• attestation: When a young man mocked him, Fridthjof seized him by the belt, turned him upside down, silencing the entire hall.

  "The stranger's eyes flashed lightning which made his anger felt, And quick a young man seizing with one hand, by the belt, Both up and down he turned him; then ceased the gleeful din, For all the rest were silent,--so you and I had been."

• attestation: When questioned by Ring, Fridthjof gave his birthplace as misfortune and his heritage as want; claimed he had come from a fierce wolf, and had once sailed a dragon ship but was now old and burned salt on shore.

  ""My name (I will not give it) belongs to me alone; My birthplace was misfortune, my heritage is want,-- I hither came but lately from wolf so fierce and gaunt.

"In youth I rode a dragon upon the waters blue, Its wings were stout, and gayly and safely too it flew; But crippled now and frozen, it leaves the land no more, And I, grown old and weary, burn salt upon the shore."

• attestation: After rising and smiting the table with his sword, Fridthjof declared that Fridthjof was his kinsman and he would shield him against the whole world; Ring laughed and invited him to stay as a winter guest.

  "Then with a smile defiant uprose the stranger tall, A look of wrath heroic spread o'er his features all,-- He smote with sword the table till through the hall it rang; And up from oaken benches the steel-clad warriors sprang."

• attestation: Fridthjof drained a brimming golden goblet at a single draught in honor of the queen, though two men could not normally have drained it.

  "The guest the horn accepted with reverential bow,-- Not two men could have drained it, as men are reckoned now,-- Without an instant's waiting the strong man, at a draught, The lovely queen to honor, the brimming ruby quaffed."

Pmb 113 > StartThe Small Print!For Public Domain EtextsStart** > The Ride On The Ice.

• attestation: Fridthjof on skates inscribed runes on the ice and rode over the name Ingeborg, passing Ring's sledge at will.

  "He writes many runes on the ice besides,-- And over her name lovely Ingeborg rides."

Pmb 113 > StartThe Small Print!For Public Domain EtextsStart** > Fridthjof'S Temptation.

• comparison: Fridthjof saw Ingeborg on her milk-white palfrey at the hunt, comparing her to half-Freyja and half-Rota, lovelier than either, with plumes waving from her purple hat.

  "See! the queen appears! Poor Fridthjof, do not thither cast your eye; Sits she on her milk-white palfrey like a star in spring's clear sky,-- Half a Freyja, half a Rota,--lovelier far than either one,-- From her dainty hat of purple, plumes are waving in the sun."

• attestation: Fridthjof recalled that sorrow does not thrive on the sea where danger and the lance scatter sad reflections; on land a longing tormented him like someone asleep and dreaming, unable to find rest.

  ""Oh, the sea! why did I leave it? thus to my own peril blind! Sorrow thrives not on the billow, scattered 'tis by every wind. Broods the viking? danger cometh bidding him the lance prepare; Vanish then all sad reflections, blinded by the weapon's glare."

• attestation: Two birds warned Fridthjof against murdering the sleeping Ring: a snow-white bird sang that Odin sees all and a coward cannot win the crown of heroes by slaying a sleeping defenceless man.

  "Fridthjof listens; hark! there singeth from a branch a snow-white bird: "Though no human eye behold thee, Odin sees and hears each word; Coward, wilt thou murder slumber? Slay an old defenceless man? Win what else, the crown of heroes is not won by such a plan.""

• attestation: After being warned by the birds, Fridthjof threw his battle-blade far into the gloomy glade; the blackbird flew to Nastrand and the white bird mounted singing toward the sun.

  "So sang both the birds, but Fridthjof, snatching up his battle-blade, Flung it from him with a shudder, far into the gloomy glade. Black-bird flew away to Nastrand, airily the other one, Singing, sweetly as a harp-tone, straightway mounted toward the sun."

• attestation: Fridthjof rejected Ring's offer to take Ingeborg, confessing he came not as a thief, and that he had rekindled old flames that were half quenched — a fool's errand; he felt the gods unreconciled and Balder rejecting him alone.

  ""As a thief," said Fridthjof sadly, "came I not, O king, to thee; Had I wished thy queen to capture, tell me, who had hindered me? But my bride, though lost forever, wished I to behold once more; Fool was I! anew I kindled flames which were half quenched before.""

• attestation: Fridthjof declared that Balder loved all mankind but one — himself — because he had set fire to Balder's temple, and that children shrieked when he was mentioned because of his infamy as a fane-profaner.

  ""Gods unreconciled their anger rest upon me day by day; Balder, with the light locks flowing, loveth all mankind but one; Only I am now rejected; see, he hateth me alone}!

"Yes, l set on fire his temple. Fane-profaner call they me. Children shriek when I am mentioned, joy and gladness from me"

Pmb 113 > StartThe Small Print!For Public Domain EtextsStart** > King Ring'S Death.

• attestation: Fridthjof sang a farewell song before Ring and Ingeborg, announcing his departure: he returned the arm-ring to Ingeborg with his true forgiveness, declared the North his grave on the far ocean, and asked them not to walk to the strand lest they find him cast up on the sand.

  ""The arm-ring I give thee, Ing'borg, receive it. Holiest memories with it remain. Ne'er let it leave thee: Fridthjof, believe me Truly forgives. Thou'lt not see him again."

Pmb 113 > StartThe Small Print!For Public Domain EtextsStart** > The King'S Election.

• attestation: At the thing Fridthjof stood on the thing-stone with Ring's small son — a little boy with shining golden hair — and lifted him on his shield to present him as the rightful king to the assembled Norsemen.

  "Upon the thing-stone Fridthjof stands, And with him there A little one with shining bands Of golden hair.

Then rose the cry on every hand: "Too small indeed The king's son is to rule our land, Our wars to lead."

But Fridthjof on his shield raised up The little boy: "Ye Norsemen, here behold your hope, Your king, your joy."

• attestation: Fridthjof declared Ring's son to be of Odin's race, at home mid shield and spear as a fish in sea, and swore his lance and sword would protect land and throne while he crowned the son with his father's coronet.

  ""High Odin's race embodied here In image see, As much at home 'mid shield and spear, As fish in sea.

"I swear my lance and sword to set Round land and throne, And with the father's coronet To crown the son."

• attestation: Fridthjof swore his oath to Forseti (Balder's son) of high renown, saying if he failed, Forseti should not spare him.

  ""The oath I make to Balder's son* Of high renown, And if I fail, may he not shun To strike me down."

*Forsete"

• attestation: The assembly called out for Fridthjof to be guardian of Ring's son and to take Ingeborg as his bride, but Fridthjof deferred the bridal question, saying he would first consult the norns at Balder's temple.

  ""And Fridthjof shall a guardian be, Thy youth to guide; His mother, earl, we give to thee, To be thy bride."

But Fridthjof frowned: "To-day," said he, "Election make, But not a bridal; leave to me A bride to take."

Pmb 113 > StartThe Small Print!For Public Domain EtextsStart** > Fridtimof At His Father'S Grave.

• attestation: Standing at his father Thorstein's grave, Fridthjof reflected on the sun setting over the mountains like a golden shield sinking beneath the ocean, symbolizing the world's commotion.

  ""How brightly smiles the sun, so friendly seeming. As swift from branch to branch its soft rays glide! See! all the mountain tops with red are streaming,-- From Balder's altar flows the bloody tide; In night will shortly sink the world's commotion, As sinks the golden shield beneath the ocean."

• attestation: Fridthjof reflected on the birch trees with carved runes still standing, their white stems crown-capped with sunshine, all unchanged from childhood days except himself.

  "Ye birchen trees, whose bark I carved delighted With many runes, still wedded to the spot Your white stems stand, crown-capped with sunshine golden, All save myself unchanged since days now olden."

• attestation: Fridthjof attributed the burned valley and destroyed temple to Nidhug's curse — the cruel tempter from the land of shade who hates the asa-light and wins when temples burn and gods are slighted.

  ""With Nidhug's curse each human life is teeming,-- The cruel tempter from the land of shade, He hates the asa-light with glory beaming On hero's brow and on his shining blade; Each coward deed, each act of wrathful scenting, Is his, a tribute unto darkness paid; He wins when temples burn and gods are slighted, He claps his coal-black hands and laughs delighted."

• attestation: Fridthjof appealed to Balder — calling him the mildest of gods — for expiation, swearing he had no will in the temple's burning and asking the god to make his shield stainless by turning his anger.

  ""Is there no expiation, radiant heaven? Thou blue-eyed god, dost thou no penance take? Man pardons man who has for pardon striven. When men atone the gods their wrath forsake; By thee, the mildest one, I'm unforgiven ;-- Command, and any sacrifice I'll make; No will had Fridthjof in the temple's burning; Oh! stainless make his shield, thine anger turning."

• attestation: Fridthjof expressed fear of Balder specifically, declaring he would face Thor's bolt without shrinking or Hel's pale eye, but feared the gentle pious god and the vengeance he could send.

  ""If Thor's fierce bolt should strike, I still would dare it: Nor shrink to meet the look of Hel's pale eye. Thou pious god, who moonlight glances bendest, 'Tis thee I fear, and vengeance which thou sendest."

• attestation: Fridthjof knelt at his father Thorstein's grave, bringing no runes or charms but lowly bending to pray that the hero-asa-guest from heaven would look down on his son keeping weary watch.

  ""My father's grave is here. The hero sleepeth;-- Alas! whence he has gone none ever roam; A starry tent his home, no more he weepeth, Where shields rejoice and brimming mead-horns foam; Thou asa-guest, from heaven look down where keepeth His weary watch thy child. O father, come! I bring not runes nor charms, but bending lowly"

• attestation: Fridthjof received no answer from his father's grave, and was overtaken by a sunset vision — a Hagring (Norse mirage) hovering over Balder's grove, golden and flame-like from the western ocean.

  "The sun is quenched. The evening breeze is stealing Upon earth's children with its lullaby, And sunset tints in myriad circles wheeling Around the brim of heaven's rosy sky, O'er hill and dale their azure hues revealing, A vision now of Valhal passeth by; Then unexpected comes with rustling motion, An image, gold and flames from western ocean."

• attestation: The Hagring (mirage) showed a new temple rising where Balder's old one had stood: its fence was hammered steel with golden knobs, its walls single great stones in noble giant work, the altar hewn from granite coiled by a serpent covered in runes from the Vala and Hávamál.

  "A wondrous Hagring now the heavens covers. (The name that Valhal gives hath lovelier sound), And over Balder's grove it gently hovers. A golden chaplet set in emerald ground; Resplendence everywhere the eye discovers, Such lustre mortals ne'er before had found. It stops and sinks to earth, not disappearing, But where the temple stood, a temple rearing."

• attestation: After the vision, Fridthjof resolved to rebuild Balder's temple on sure foundation, making the shrine as beautiful as before as expiation for his wrong; he recognized the outcast may still hope who sues in meekness.

  ""From you, Time's maidens, comes illumination,-- Thine, hero-father, is the token good: The wasted shrine I'll build on sure foundation, In beauty shall it stand where erst it stood; How excellent to thus make expiation, By peaceful deeds to atone for actions rude! The outcast still may hope who sues in meekness,-- The White God softens, and forgives his weakness."

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

• attestation: Fridthjof rebuilt Balder's temple in a greatly enhanced form: with a hammered steel fence with golden knobs, massive granite walls in noble giant work, colonnades supported by strong pillars, and a gold-canopied vault over Balder's altar of single granite coiled by a serpent covered in runes from the Vala and Hávamál.

  "Completed now was Balder's temple. Not enclosed As heretofore with fence of wood; of hammered steel, With golden knobs upon each bar, was built the fence Round Balder's ground. Like steel-clad champions ranged for war, With halberds and with golden helms, there stood it now On guard around the sanctuary of the god. Of giant stones alone the massive wall was built, And joined with active skill, a noble giant work For all eternity (as is Upsala's shrine,)"

• attestation: As Fridthjof gazed enraptured at the temple virgins' dance, childhood memories came like innocent folk with smiling eyes and bright locks, waving salutation; his viking life's bloody conflicts sank into night.

  "Enraptured Fridthjof stood; he leaned upon his sword, And gazed upon the dance. Sweet childhood's memories thronged His vision by,--an innocent and pleasant folk, With smiling eyes reflecting heaven's blue, with heads Surrounded hy a halo of bright locks, they waved A kindly salutation to their childhood's friend. Then sank the bloody shadow of his viking life, With all its conflicts, all its perilous exploits, Down into night"

• attestation: As the song increased, Fridthjof's spirit soared from earthly dales to Valaskjalf, and human hate and vengeance melted from him as ice melts from a cliff in spring sunshine.

  "And ever, as the song increased, his spirit soared From earthly dales below to Valaskjalf above; Then melted human hate and human vengeance, too, As melts the icy coat of mail from off the cliff, When shines the sun in spring."

• attestation: An aged priest at the new Balder's temple addressed Fridthjof, rebuking his pride in hating Bele's sons, and explaining that no man's merit is truly his own — all comes from God as gift, including heroic strength from Asa-Thor.

  ""Thou hatest Bele's sons. And wherefore hatest thou? Because to thee, a yeoman's son, they did not choose To give their sister, who belongs to Seming's race.-- The noble son of all-wise Odin. Their descent extends To Valhal's throne,--and pride of birth is theirs. Thou sayest that birth on fortune, not on worth, depends. Of merit all his own, O youth, is no one proud,-- But only of his fortune; for the best of things Are only God's good gifts to man."

• attestation: Fridthjof approached Halfdan weaponless and offered the first hand for peace, saying the noblest in such a strife is he who offers first; Halfdan blushed and extended his gloved hand, and their long-separated hands met in friendly clasp.

  "Then Fridthjof loosed the breastplate-hater from his side, Against the altar placed his shield's bright golden orb, And weaponless approached his silent waiting foe. "In such a strife," said Fridthjof, in a kindly voice, "The noblest he who offers first his hand for peace." King Halfdan blushed, then off he drew his glove of steel, And hands long separated met in friendly clasp,-- A hearty hand-shake, steadfast as the mountain's base."

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

• attestation: Foster-brotherhood in the Norse North required each party to wound themselves and mingle blood, symbolizing life-and-death friendship; Fridthjof and Bjorn are cited as an example.

  "FOSTER-BROTHER. It was customary in the North, when two persons entered into friendship for life and death, or, as it was called, foster-brothership, that each wounded himself and allowed his blood to mingle with the other's. See, concerning Fridthjof and Bjorn, Canto III, p. 34."