The Gesta Danorum (Books I-IX) on Ottar

The Danish History, > Book Seven.

• attestation: Ottar son of Ebb tried to woo Sigrid through eloquence and courtesy but could not move her downcast eyes

  "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."

• attestation: Ottar rescued Sigrid from the mountain giant by finding her in the recesses and slaying the giant

  "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."

• attestation: Ottar rescued Sigrid a second time and courted her in verse, promising to return her to her parents if she would look at him

  "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."

• attestation: Sigrid maintained her rigid gaze despite Ottar's double rescue, causing him to give up and return to his fleet in shame

  "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."

• attestation: Ottar tested Sigrid by pretending to marry another woman and giving Sigrid the torch to hold; she endured the flame burning her hand without flinching

  "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."