t first hallow thine eyes with the victorious sign, if thou wilt
safely know the War-god face to face."

Then said Bjarke: "If I may look on the awful husband of Frigg,
howsoever he be covered with his white shield, and guide his tall steed,
he shall in no wise go safe out of Leire; it is lawful to lay low in war
the war-waging god. Let a noble death come to those that fall before the
eyes of their king. While life lasts, let us strive for the power to die
honourably and to reap a noble end by our deeds. I will die overpowered
near the head of my slain captain, and at his feet thou also shalt slip
on thy face in death, so that whoso scans the piled corpses may see in
what wise we rate the gold our lord gave us. We shall be the prey of
ravens and a morsel for hungry eagles, and the ravening bird shall feast
on the banquet of our body. Thus should fall princes dauntless in war,
clasping their famous king in a common death."

I have composed this particular series of harangues in metrical shape,
because the gist of the same thoughts is found arranged in a short form
in a certain ancient Danish song, which is repeated by heart by many
conversant with antiquity.

Now, it came to pass that the Goths gained the victory and all the array
of Rolf fell, no man save Wigg remaining out of all those warriors. For
the soldiers of the king paid this homage to his noble virtues in that
battle, that his slaying inspired in all the longing to meet their end,
and union with him in death was accounted sweeter than life.

HIARTUAR rejoiced, and had the tables spread for feasting, bidding the
banquet come after the battle, and fain to honour his triumph with a
carouse. And when he was well filled therewith, he said that it was
matter of great marvel to him, that out of all the army of Rolf no man
had been found to take thought for his life by flight or fraud. Hence,
he said, it had been manifest with what zealous loyalty they had kept
their love for their king, because they had not endured to survive him.
He also blamed his ill fortune, because it had not suffered the homage
of a single one of them to be left for himself: protesting that he would
very willingly accept the service of such men. Then Wigg came forth, and
Hiartuar, as though he were congratulating him on the gift, asked him if
he were willing to fight for him. Wigg assenting, he drew and proferred
him a sword. But Wigg refused the point, and asked for the hilt, saying
first t