he at last bade him find out what the real mind of
the maiden was; for in old time men gave women who were to marry, free
choice of a husband. For the king was embarrassed, and hung vacillating
betwixt shame and fear of battle. Thus Westmar, having been referred
to the thoughts of the girl's heart, and knowing that every woman is as
changeable in purpose as she is fickle in soul, proceeded to fulfil his
task all the more confidently because he knew how mutable the wishes of
maidens were. His confidence in his charge was increased and his zeal
encouraged, because she had both a maiden's simplicity, which was left
to its own counsels, and a woman's freedom of choice, which must be
wheedled with the most delicate and mollifying flatteries; and thus she
would be not only easy to lead away, but even hasty in compliance. But
her father went after the envoys, that he might see more surely into his
daughter's mind. She had already been drawn by the stealthy working of
the draught to love her suitor, and answered that the promise of Frode,
rather than his present renown, had made her expect much of his nature:
since he was sprung from so famous a father, and every nature commonly
answered to its origin. The youth therefore had pleased her by her
regard of his future, rather than his present, glory. These words amazed
the father; but neither could he bear to revoke the freedom he had
granted her, and he promised her in marriage to Frode. Then, having
laid in ample stores, he took her away with the most splendid pomp, and,
followed by the envoys, hastened to Denmark, knowing that a father was
the best person to give away a daughter in marriage. Frode welcomed
his bride most joyfully, and also bestowed the highest honours upon
his future royal father-in-law; and when the marriage rites were over,
dismissed him with a large gift of gold and silver.

And so with Hanund, the daughter of the King of the Huns, for his wife,
he passed three years in the most prosperous peace. But idleness brought
wantonness among his courtiers, and peace begot lewdness, which they
displayed in the most abominable crimes. For they would draw some men
up in the air on ropes, and torment them, pushing their bodies as they
hung, like a ball that is tossed; or they would put a kid's hide under
the feet of others as they walked, and, by stealthily pulling a rope,
trip their unwary steps on the slippery skill in their path; others they
would strip of their cloth