victory, or was fired with the wish to
win another, came close to the enemy, and set to girding at them in the
words of his former challenge. For, supposing that he had laid low the
bravest of the Danes, he did not think that any of them would have any
heart left to fight further with him upon his challenge. Also, trusting
that, now one champion had fallen, he had shattered the strength of the
whole army, he thought that naught would be hard to achieve upon which
his later endeavours were bent. For nothing pampers arrogance more than
success, or prompts to pride more surely than prosperity.

So Rorik was vexed that the general courage should be sapped by the
impudence of one man; and that the Danes, with their roll of victories,
should be met presumptuously by those whom they had beaten of old; nay,
should be ignominiously spurned; further, that in all that host not one
man should be found so quick of spirit or so vigorous of arm, that he
longed to sacrifice his life for his country. It was the high-hearted
Ubbe who first wiped off this infamous reproach upon the hesitating
Danes. For he was of great bodily strength and powerful in incantations.
He also purposely asked the prize of the combat, and the king promised
him the bracelets. Then said he: "How can I trust the promise when thou
keepest the pledge in thine own hands, and dost not deposit the gift in
the charge of another? Let there be some one to whom thou canst entrust
the pledge, that thou mayst not be able to take thy promise back. For
the courage of the champion is kindled by the irrevocable certainty of
the prize." Of course it was plain that he had said this in jest; sheer
courage had armed him to repel the insult to his country. But Rorik
thought he was tempted by avarice, and was loth to seem as if, contrary
to royal fashion, he meant to take back the gift or revoke his promise;
so, being stationed on his vessel, he resolved to shake off the
bracelets, and with a mighty swing send them to the asker. But his
attempt was baulked by the width of the gap between them; for the
bracelets fell short of the intended spot, the impulse being too faint
and slack, and were reft away by the waters. For this nickname of
Slyngebond, (swing-bracelet) clung to Rorik. But this event testified
much to the valour of Ubbe. For the loss of his drowned prize never
turned his mind from his bold venture; he would not seem to let his
courage be tempted by the wages of covetousness