Such a gift of fortune it were a shame to take in an unworthy
spirit. For what were madder than to spurn wealth that is set openly
before us, and to desire it when it is shut up and kept from us? Shall
we squeamishly yield what is set under our eyes, and clutch at it when
it vanishes? Shall we seek distant and foreign treasure, refraining from
what is made public property? If we disown what is ours, when shall we
despoil the goods of others? No anger of heaven can I experience which
can force me to unload of its lawful burden the lap which is filled with
my father's and my grandsire's gold. I know the wantonness of the Danes:
never would they have left jars full of wine had not fear forced them
to flee. They would rather have sacrificed their life than their liquor.
This passion we share with them, and herein we are like them. Grant that
their flight is feigned; yet they will light upon the Scots ere they
can come back. This gold shall never rust in the country, to be trodden
underfoot of swine or brutes: it will better serve the use of men.
Besides, if we plunder the spoil of the army that prevailed over us, we
transfer the luck of the conqueror to ourselves. For what surer omen of
triumph could be got, than to bear off the booty before the battle, and
to capture ere the fray the camp which the enemy have forsaken? Better
conquer by fear than by steel."

The knight had scarce ended, when behold; the hands of all were loosed
upon the booty and everywhere plucked up the shining treasure. There you
might have marvelled at their disposition of filthy greed, and watched
a portentous spectacle of avarice. You could have seen gold and grass
clutched up together; the birth of domestic discord; fellow-countrymen
in deadly combat, heedless of the foe; neglect of the bonds of
comradeship and of reverence for ties; greed the object of all minds,
and friendship of none.

Meantime Frode traversed in a great march the forest which separates
Scotland and Britain, and bade his soldiers arm. When the Scots beheld
his line, and saw that they had only a supply of light javelins, while
the Danes were furnished with a more excellent style of armour, they
forestalled the battle by flight. Frode pursued them but a little way,
fearing a sally of the British, and on returning met Scot, the husband
of Ulfhild, with a great army; he had been brought from the utmost ends
of Scotland by the desire of aiding the Danes. Scot entreated him to
abando