Myths of the Norsemen Part 44

But although surrounded by faithful retainers, and blessed with much wealth and the possession of the famous treasures of his hero sire, the sword Angurvadel, the Volund ring, and the matchless dragon ship Ellida, Frithiof was unhappy, because he could no longer see the fair Ingeborg daily. All his former spirits revived, however, when in the spring, at his invitation, both kings came to visit him, together with their fair sister, and once again they spent long hours in cheerful companionship. As they were thus constantly thrown together, Frithiof found opportunity to make known to Ingeborg his deep affection, and he received in return an avowal of her love.

"He sat by her side, and he pressed her soft hand, And he felt a soft pressure responsive and bland; Whilst his love-beaming gaze Was returned as the sun's in the moon's placid rays."

Tegner, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr.).

Frithiof's Suit

When the visit was ended and the guests had departed, Frithiof informed his confidant and chief companion, Bjorn, of his determination to follow them and openly ask for Ingeborg's hand. His ship was set free from its moorings and it swooped like an eagle over to the sh.o.r.e near Balder's shrine, where the royal brothers were seated in state on Bele's tomb to listen to the pet.i.tions of their subjects. Straightway Frithiof presented himself before them, and manfully made his request, adding that the old king had always loved him and would surely have granted his prayer.

"No king was my sire, not a jarl, ev'n--'tis true; Yet Scald-songs his mem'ry and exploits renew; The Rune-stones will tell On high-vaulted cairn what my race hath done well.

"With ease could I win me both empire and land;-- But rather I stay on my forefathers' strand; While arms I can wield-- Both poverty's hut and king's palace I'll shield.

"On Bele's round barrow we stand; each word In the dark deeps beneath us he hears and has heard; With Frithiof pleadeth The old Chief in his cairn: think! your answer thought needeth."

Tegner, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr.).

Then he went on to promise lifelong fealty and the service of his strong right arm in exchange for the boon he craved.

As Frithiof ceased King Helge rose, and regarding the young man scornfully, he said: "Our sister is not for a peasant's son; proud chiefs of the Northland may dispute for her hand, but not thou. As for thy arrogant proffer, know that I can protect my kingdom. Yet if thou wouldst be my man, place in my household mayst thou have."

Enraged at the insult thus publicly offered, Frithiof drew his invincible sword; but, remembering that he stood on a consecrated spot, he struck only at the royal shield, which fell in two pieces clashing to the ground. Then striding back to his ship in sullen silence, he embarked and sailed away.

"And lo! cloven in twain at a stroke Fell King Helge's gold shield from its pillar of oak: At the clang of the blow, The live started above, the dead started below."

Tegner, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr.).

Sigurd Ring a Suitor

After his departure came messengers from Sigurd Ring, the aged King of Ringric, in Norway, who, having lost his wife, sent to Helge and Halfdan to ask Ingeborg's hand in marriage. Before returning answer to this royal suitor, Helge consulted the Vala, or prophetess, and the priests, who all declared that the omens were not in favour of the marriage. Upon this Helge a.s.sembled his people to hear the word which the messengers were to carry to their master, but unfortunately King Halfdan gave way to his waggish humour, and made scoffing reference to the advanced age of the royal suitor. These impolitic words were reported to King Ring, and so offended him that he immediately collected an army and prepared to march against the Kings of Sogn to avenge the insult with his sword. When the rumour of his approach reached the cowardly brothers they were terrified, and fearing to encounter the foe unaided, they sent Hilding to Frithiof to implore his help.

Hilding found Frithiof playing chess with Bjorn, and immediately made known his errand.

"'From Bele's high heirs I come with courteous words and prayers Disastrous tidings rouse the brave; On thee a nation's hope relies.

In Balder's fane, griefs loveliest prey, Sweet Ing'borg weeps the livelong day: Say, can her tears unheeded fall, Nor call her champion to her side?'"

Tegner, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr.).

While the old man was speaking Frithiof continued to play, ever and anon interjecting an enigmatical reference to the game, until at this point he said:

"Bjorn; thou in vain my queen pursuest, She from childhood dearest, truest!

She's my game's most darling piece, and Come what will--I'll save my queen!"

Tegner, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr.).

Hilding did not understand such mode of answering, and at length rebuked Frithiof for his indifference. Then Frithiof rose, and pressing kindly the old man's hand, he bade him tell the kings that he was too deeply offended to listen to their appeal.

Helge and Halfdan, thus forced to fight without their bravest leader, preferred to make a treaty with Sigurd Ring, and they agreed to give him not only their sister Ingeborg, but also a yearly tribute.

At Balder's Shrine

While they were thus engaged at Sogn Sound, Frithiof hastened to Balder's temple, to which Ingeborg had been sent for security, and where, as Hilding had declared, he found her a prey to grief. Now although it was considered a sacrilege for man and woman to exchange a word in the sacred building, Frithiof could not forbear to console her; and, forgetting all else, he spoke to her and comforted her, quieting all her apprehensions of the G.o.ds' anger by a.s.suring her that Balder, the good, must view their innocent pa.s.sion with approving eyes, for love so pure as theirs could defile no sanctuary; and they ended by plighting their troth before the shrine of Balder.

"'Thou whisp'rest "Balder,"--His wrath fearest;-- That gentle G.o.d all anger flies.

We worship here a Lover, dearest!

Our hearts' love is his sacrifice; That G.o.d whose brow beams sunshine-splendour, Whose faith lasts through eternity,-- Was not his love to beauteous Nanna As pure, as warm, as mine to thee?

"'His image see!--himself broods o'er it-- How mild, how kind, his bright eyes move!

An off'ring bear I here before it, A warm heart full of purest love.

Come, kneel with me! no altar incense To Balder's soul more grateful is Than two hearts, vowing in his presence A mutual faith as true as his!'"

Tegner, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr.).

Rea.s.sured by this reasoning, which received added strength from the voice which spoke loudly from her own heart, Ingeborg could not refuse to see and converse with Frithiof. During the kings' absence the young lovers met every day, and they exchanged love-tokens, Frithiof giving to Ingeborg Volund's arm-ring, which she solemnly promised to send back to her lover should she be compelled to break her promise to live for him alone. Frithiof lingered at Framnas until the kings'

return, when, yielding to the fond entreaties of Ingeborg the Fair, he again appeared before them, and pledged himself to free them from their thraldom to Sigurd Ring if they would only reconsider their decision and promise him their sister's hand.

"'War stands and strikes His glitt'ring shield within thy boundaries; Thy realm, King Helge, is in jeopardy: But give thy sister, and I'll lend mine arm Thy guard in battle. It may stead thee well.

Come! let this grudge between us be forgotten, Unwilling bear I such 'gainst Ing'borg's brother.

Be counsell'd, King! be just! and save at once Thy golden crown and thy fair sister's heart!

Here is my hand: by Asa-Thor I swear Never again 'tis stretch'd in reconcilement!'"

Tegner, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr.).

Frithiof Banished

But although this offer was received with acclamation by the a.s.sembled warriors, Helge scornfully demanded of Frithiof whether he had spoken with Ingeborg and so defiled the temple of Balder.