rithiof spake: "To the council at Bele's mound I went. There,
gathered ring after ring, sat the great chiefs of Helge's kingdom.
Upon the judgment seat sat your brother, dark fate upon his brow. Near
by was Halfdan, careless and like a child. To the king I spake: 'Thy
kingdom is in peril and every strong arm is needed in the war. Give me
thy sister and I will lend to thee mine arm. Let us forget ill-will.
Here is my hand.'

"Loud cheered the throng. A thousand swords struck upon a thousand
shields and the freemen cried: 'To him give Ingeborg! Strong his sword
and well he deserves our fair lily.'

"Hilding spoke words of peace and wisdom, and Halfdan rose with
pleading looks and words. But all in vain. King Helge replied:--

"'A peasant's son might gain my sister, but he who profanes a holy
temple seems unfit for Bele's daughter. Say, Frithiof, have you not
stolen into Balder's temple, against our laws, to see my sister? Speak
yes or no.'

"'Say no!' shouted the brave men; 'we believe thee, son of Thorsten.
Say no, and Ingeborg is thine!'

"Fear not, O Helge,' I replied; 'I would not lie to gain the joy of
heaven, and I shall not now to gain thy sister. I have seen Ingeborg
in Balder's temple, but the laws I have not broken.'

"More they would not let me say. They looked at me with dread as one
accursed. 'Though I could order thy death by the laws of our fathers,'
said Helge, 'yet will I be mild as Balder whose sacred dwelling thou
hast profaned. Across the sea lives Angantyr, who tribute owes to us.
Go thither and when summer comes bring back this tribute, or to every
man thou wilt be as one without honour, and outlawed shalt thou be.'"

"What did you decide, my Frithiof?"

"Could I choose? Must I not get the gold and thus redeem my honour?
To-day I will depart and will get for your brother the gold he craves.
But we, my Ingeborg, will sail in _Ellide_ to a friendly land. A
little earth from our fathers' graves we'll place upon our ships, and
that will be our fatherland. Often has my father told of the beautiful
islands of Greece--fresh groves of green in shining waves. There
golden apples glow and blushing grapes hang down from every bough.
There will we build a little North, more beautiful than this.
Happiness stands near to human hearts if they are brave enough to seize
it. Come, let us go! All is ready, and _Ellide_ stretches her shadowy
wings for flight."

"I cannot go. Dear friend,