After the burning of Balder's temple and grove Frithiof was very sad at
heart. He felt that the sun-god would never forgive him, although he
had not intended any wrong. His home, the lovely Framness, had been
destroyed by the king. Ingeborg was kept from him, and the people of
his own country shunned him because of his crime against Balder. He
felt that he had no home, no country, no friends.
One refuge he had--the swift-flying ship _Ellide_. From her deck he
saw the fires still burning in Balder's grove. Grief filled his heart.
"Gone is the temple of the white god. In ashes are the groves once
never neglected! And I am to blame; anger and haste made me forget
time and place, the reverence due in that holy temple!"
Over the blue sea where wild waves sing, _Ellide_ flew. Frithiof felt
at home in the tempest on the rocking ship--this was his Northland,
these on board were his only friends. The sea knows no king, and
Helge's wrath could not reach him on its waves.
But lo! from a hiding-place in the high rocks King Helge sends out ten
dragon ships. The warriors with Frithiof rejoice and laugh at the
king, for Bjorn had, unknown to all, leaped into the sea and bored
holes in the boat-keels. Down sank the ships and many men were
drowned, but Helge escaped.
In wrath the king drew his bow, but it broke. Then Frithiof aimed his
lance. "A death bird have I here, false king! but my lance refuses to
drink thy coward blood. It is too good for food so craven!"
So speaking Frithiof seized his oars--huge blades of fir, and swiftly
moved away.
Where foam-crest swimmeth
_Ellide_ skimmeth
On joyous wings;
But Frithiof sings:
"Thou front of creation,
Exalted North!
I have no station
On thy green earth.
Thy lineage sharing
My pride doth swell,
Thou home of daring!
Farewell, farewell!"
And that you also may sing Frithiof's song, the last verse is given
with the music.
[Illustration: Frithiof's Song]