, eagerly taking one from her shepherd's
bag; "it is the last of six."

The King took the gold, laid it upon Liuta's open palm, and then struck
her hand from below, so that the gold-piece flew up into the air, and
fell ringing upon the mosaic pavement.

Then the King said:

"Liuta, thou art free! No bonds hold thee. Go in peace and rejoice with
thy bridegroom."

Earl Teja now came forward and said:

"Wachis, once before thou hast borne the shield of a luckless master.
Wilt thou now become my shield-bearer?"

With tears in his eyes, Wachis clasped the hand of the Earl in both his
own.

And now Teja lifted his golden goblet and solemnly said:

"Fortune befall you!
Already shines on you
The shimmering sunshine:
Yet thankfully think
Of the Dear and the Dead
With reverent remembrance!
He who strove unsuccessful,
The world-renowned warrior:
Witichis, Waltharis' worthiest son!
Though you celebrate cheerily
The feast of the fairest,
The Deity's darlings,
Yet honour for ever
The memory mournful
Of the Great and the Good!
I remind you, O revellers,
To drink to the dear ones;
To the manliest man,
And the worthiest woman;
To Rauthgundis and Witichis,
Deploring, I drink!"

And all solemnly and silently returned his pledge.

Then King Totila once more raised his cup and said before all the
people:

"_He_ deserved! _I_ received! To him be eternal honour!"

As he resumed his place--the other two betrothed couples had been
seated at the King's table--Earl Thorismuth, of Thurii (he had been
rewarded for his valour by the title of Earl, but, at his own request,
had retained his office of herald and shield-hearer), ascended the
steps, and lowered his herald's staff before the King, saying:

"I come to announce strangers, O King of the Goths! Guests who have
sailed here from afar. The large fleet, of about a hundred ships, which
was reported by thy coast-guards and from the harbour-towns, has now
run into the harbour of Portus. It has brought northern people, an old,
brave, and seafaring folk, from the land of farthest Thule. Their
dragon-ships have lofty decks, and their monstrous figure-heads terrify
the beholder. But they come to thee in peace. Yesterday the flag-sh