The Gesta Danorum (Books I-IX) on Hjalte

The Danish History, > Book Two

• attestation: Hjalte was away with a mistress when the attack began but rushed back, mutilating the woman when she asked whom to marry if he died

  "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"

• attestation: Hjalte cut off his mistress's nose when she asked whom she should marry if he died

  "he cut off her nose and made her unsightly, punishing the utterance of that wanton question with a shameful wound"

• attribution: Hjalte roused the warriors with a battle-speech urging them to fight for their king rather than indulge in pleasure

  "I call you out to the sterner fray of War. We need the battle, and not light love; nerveless languor has no business here"

• attribution: Hjalte exhorted the warriors to repay Rolf's gifts by fighting loyally, invoking vows sworn by Jove and the mighty gods

  "let us keep the vows which we swore by highest Jove and the mighty gods"

• attribution: Hjalte described the Goths (Swedes) advancing with crested helms and clanging spears, wreaking heavy slaughter

  "the Goths with savage eyes and grim aspect advance with crested helms and clanging spears: wreaking heavy slaughter in our blood"

• attribution: Hjalte denounced Hiartuar as a betrayer of a noble king, driven by lust for power and his wife Skulde's guilty purpose

  "Why name thee, Hiartuar, whom Skulde hath filled with guilty purpose, and hath suffered thus to harden in sin?"

• attribution: Hjalte proclaimed Rolf the greatest of the Danes and urged each warrior to stand by him

  "My master is the greatest of the Danes: let each man, as he is valorous, stand by him"

• attribution: Hjalte called for warriors to fight facing the foe like eagles that fight brow foremost

  "Eagles fight brow foremost', and with swift gaping beaks speed onward in the front: be ye like that bird in mien"

• attribution: Hjalte called Ruta to come forth from hiding and witness the carnage overwhelming Rolf's palace

  "Thou, Ruta, rise and put forth thy snow-white head, come forth from thy hiding into the battle"

• attestation: Hjalte taunted Bjarke for the third time, accusing him of cowardice for remaining in his sleeping quarters

  "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"

• attribution: Hjalte urged Bjarke to come out before fire consumed him, and to form the wedge formation Rolf had taught them

  "Bjarke, why art thou absent? Doth deep sleep hold thee? I prithee, what makes thee tarry? Come out, or the fire will overcome thee"

• attribution: Hjalte described the battlefield as drenched in Danish blood with teeth and bones carried along by gore

  "among the pools dripping with human blood, the teeth struck out of the slain are carried on by the full torrent of gore"