G. Stephens's tr.).

After giving his last instructions and counsel to his sons, and
speaking kindly to Frithiof, for whom he entertained a warm regard,
the old king turned to his lifelong companion, Thorsten, to take
leave of him, but the old warrior declared that they would not long
be parted. Bele then spoke again to his sons, and bade them erect his
howe, or funeral mound, within sight of that of Thorsten, that their
spirits might commune over the waters of the narrow firth which would
flow between them, that so they might not be sundered even in death.

Helge and Halfdan

These instructions were piously carried out when, shortly after, the
aged companions breathed their last; and the great barrows having been
erected, the brothers, Helge and Halfdan, began to rule their kingdom,
while Frithiof, their former playmate, withdrew to his own place at
Framnaes, a fertile homestead, lying in a snug valley enclosed by the
towering mountains and the waters of the ever-changing firth.

"Three miles extended around the fields of the homestead; on
three sides
Valleys and mountains and hills, but on the fourth side was
the ocean.
Birch-woods crowned the summits, but over the down-sloping
hill-sides
Flourished the golden corn, and man-high was waving the rye-field."

Tegner, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr.).

But although surrounded by faithful retainers, and blessed with much
wealth and the possession of the famous treasures of his hero sire,
the sword Angurvadel, the Voelund ring, and the matchless dragon
ship Ellida, Frithiof was unhappy, because he could no longer see
the fair Ingeborg daily. All his former spirits revived, however,
when in the spring, at his invitation, both kings came to visit him,
together with their fair sister, and once again they spent long
hours in cheerful companionship. As they were thus constantly thrown
together, Frithiof found opportunity to make known to Ingeborg his
deep affection, and he received in return an avowal of her love.

"He sat by her side, and he pressed her soft hand,
And he felt a soft pressure responsive and bland;
Whilst his love-beaming gaze
Was returned as the sun's in the moon's placid rays."

Tegner, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr.).

Frithiof's Suit

When the visit was ended and the guests had departed, Frithiof informed
his confidant and chief companion, Bjoern, of his determi