On a lovely day in spring when the rays of the sun seemed more golden
than usual, Frithiof entered the hall of King Ring to take leave of his
host. The king and Ingeborg his queen sat upon their chairs of state,
both pale and sad. Frithiof listened to a song of parting recited by
the king's harper. Then he said: "O king! the billows now bathe my
ship, the flying steed, the sea-horse that is longing to leave the
shore. Gladly will they follow him who is fleeing from his
well-beloved land."
To the queen Frithiof said: "Again I give you this arm-ring, O
Ingeborg! Receive it in memory of our youth, and never let it leave
you. I go, and never will you see me again. No more shall I behold
the smoke rising upward from Northland. For the ocean is my fatherland
and shall be my grave."
"Well know I that death is nigh," now said King Ring. "All men must
die, and I shall not moan like a coward. No one can by complaining
change what the fates have decreed. But if you will stay, my sorrow
you will lighten. Take my queen, reign over the land and guard the
crown. Long have I reigned in the Northland, loved and respected.
Though I longed for peace, yet have I broken shields in war both by sea
and land without turning pale. Vainly have I sought for peace amid
slaughter. Now the mild daughter of heaven beckons me hence to Valhal.
"Bring for my drinking
The horn with wine flowing;
Skoal to thy honour, thou land of my birth!
Minds deeply thinking,
Harvest fields growing--
Peaceful exploits have I loved on the earth."
Speaking thus bravely, the king pressed the hand of his queen and of
his son. Frithiof's also he clasped with love. Then, closing his
eyelids gently, the royal spirit of King Ring sank with a sigh to
All-father's breast.