In the spring Frithiof sailed in his dragon ship proudly over the
billows to the palace of King Helge. The kings had met at the mound of
their father to give justice to their people.
To them came Frithiof and proudly he spoke: "Ye kings, I choose here
from all women your sister, the lovely Ingeborg, to be my bride. The
good king, your father, wished us to marry, and therefore reared us
together in the garden of Hilding. My father was of peasant birth, yet
his memory will live in the songs of the poets, for he and his father
were the bravest of heroes.
"Full easily could I win a kingdom for myself, but I choose to stay in
my own country and serve ye, my kings.
"On King Bele's grave we are standing now,
He hears every word in the grave below,
With thee he pleadeth.--
A dead father's counsel a wise son heedeth."
[Illustration: Frithiof asking for Ingeborg]
But King Helge refused Frithiof's words with scorn, saying: "Our sister
was not for a peasant born! Kings should strive to win our Ingeborg.
Boast not of your strength--women are won by words and not by force.
As for my kingdom, I will defend that myself and do not need your help.
If you wish to be my man your place is among my servants."
"Thy servant! No, never!" cried Frithiof. "My father had no master,
nor shall I. Fly from your silver dwelling to avenge this insult, my
good Angurvadel! You, at least, are royal. Were we not at the grave
of thy father, O King, here would I teach thee not to come where my
sword can reach."
With these words he struck the gold shield of Helge, and it fell in
halves with a clang to the ground.
"Well done, my sword! Lie still and dream of great deeds to come! Now
will we go home over the foaming billows."
So in anger did the noble Frithiof leave the presence of King Helge,
and return to Framness, the house of his fathers.