nowing well the courtesy of the king,
which made him forbid them to use up any of the meal that was left,
cast away the piece of which he had tasted very little, calling whole
portions broken bits of food. And so, as the dishes dwindled, the
servants brought up fresh ones to the lacking and shamefaced guests,
thus spending on a little supper what might have served for a great
banquet.

So the king said: "Are the soldiers of Gotar wont to squander the meat
after once touching it, as if it were so many pared-off crusts? And to
spurn the first dishes as if they were the last morsels?"

Erik said: "Uncouthness claims no place in the manners of Gotar, neither
does any disorderly habit feign there."

But Frode said: "Then thy manners are not those of thy lord, and thou
hast proved that thou hast not taken all wisdom to heart. For he who
goes against the example of his elders shows himself a deserter and a
renegade."

Then said Erik: "The wise man must be taught by the wiser. For knowledge
grows by learning, and instruction is advanced by doctrine."

Frode rejoined: "This affectation of thine of superfluous words, what
exemplary lesson will it teach me?"

Erik said: "A loyal few are a safer defence for a king than many
traitors."

Frode said to him: "Wilt thou then show us closer allegiance than the
rest?"

Erik answered: "No man ties the unborn (horse) to the crib, or the
unbegotten to the stall. For thou hast not yet experienced all things.
Besides, with Gotar there is always a mixture of drinking with
feasting; liquor, over and above, and as well as meat, is the joy of the
reveller."

Frode said: "Never have I found a more shameless beggar of meat and
drink."

Erik replied: "Few reckon the need of the silent, or measure the wants
of him who holds his peace."

Then the king bade his sister bring forth the drink in a great goblet.
Erik caught hold of her right hand and of the goblet she offered at the
same time, and said: "Noblest of kings, hath thy benignity granted me
this present? Dost thou assure me that what I hold shall be mine as an
irrevocable gift?"

The king, thinking that he was only asking for the cup, declared it was
a gift. But Erik drew the maiden to him, as if she was given with the
cup. When the king saw it, he said: "A fool is shown by his deed; with
us freedom of maidens is ever held inviolate."

Then Erik, feigning that he would cut off the girl's hand with his
sword, as though it had be