Frithiof at the Court of Augantyr
In his great hall near the sea sat Augantyr at wassail with his
champions, while outside the window Halvar kept watch. A good swordsman
and stout drinker was he, and often as his horn was empty he silently
thrust it through the lattice to be refilled. Suddenly he flung it far
into the hall and shouted: "I see a ship making to land! On it pale
warriors totter helplessly about; but so strong and fresh are two of
them that they carry the others to the shore."
Augantyr strode to the window and gazed out toward the sea. Then he
said: "That, methinks, hath the look of 'Ellida,' Thorsten's dragon
ship, and in one of yonder two stout warriors I seem to see old
Thorsten's form and bearing. Hath he not the air of a prince of all the
land?"
When the black-bearded Atle heard this, the Berserk fury seized him. He
sprang from the board with eyes rolling and shouted--"If this be
Frithiof, now will I prove the truth of what is said, that he hath power
to render harmless every blade, and never is the first to sue for
peace." He rushed from the hall, followed by twelve of the warriors.
Hewing and thrusting furiously at the air with their swords, they
stormed down to the shore, where Frithiof had built a fire to cheer his
men. From afar, Atle shouted:
"Easy were it now for me to slay thee; but rather shalt thou have thy
choice--to do battle with me here, or fly. But if thou wilt yield and
sue for peace, then in friendly guise I'll lead thee to our lord."
"Is it your custom thus to welcome toil-worn heroes cast upon your
shores?" was Frithiof's answer. "Then listen! Spent as I am with days of
hardship and distress, yet never will I sue for peace from thee"; and
therewith he drew his sword, the runes on the blade growing red as fire.
Fast and furious fell the sword-strokes. Both shields at the same moment
dropped, riven in twain, upon the ground; yet fearlessly the champions
fought on. At last down swept Angurvadel with resistless force, and
loudly clanging Atle's blade was shattered.
Frithiof stepped back, saying, "Swordless I will not slay thee; but if
thou wouldst not yet have peace then let us try a wrestling contest."
Foaming with rage, Atle sprang at him and a fearful struggle began. Like
two eagles seizing on their prey, they grappled with each other. The
earth shook with the trampling of their feet. It seemed as if the
heaving of their breasts would burst the encasing mail, while in awe
their comrades stood about them waiting for the issue of the contest. At
length Thorsten's mighty son succeeded in throwing his adversary, and,
kneeling on his breast, he cried:
"Were but my sword within my grasp, its blade e'er now had pierced thee
through, thou swarthy Berserk!"
"Go, then, and fetch it--I will lie here the while," said Atle proudly.
"All brave men to Valhalla's halls must wend at last--I to-day and thou
to-morrow."
Still filled with the rage of battle, Frithiof with one bound reached
his sword and was about to despatch his prostrate foe, who moved not,
but lay calmly gazing upward, when he suddenly relented and, dropping
his sword, held out his hand to the vanquished Atle. Just then Halvar
came hurrying thither waving a white wand and crying:
[Illustration: _FRITHIOF'S wrestle_]
"Cease, cease your furious strife! The savory viands that await ye grow
cold in their silver dishes, and my thirst doth press me sore."
Therewith the two heroes who but now had striven in deadly combat
together sought the court of Augantyr in peace.
The appearance of the great hall filled Frithiof with astonishment. In
place of the usual oaken planks the walls were covered with gilded
leather adorned with flowering vines. The chimney was of marble; tapers
in silver candlesticks illuminated the halls; the doors were held fast
with locks. A bountiful meal stood ready spread in heavy silver dishes,
and near the high-seat a roasted stag adorned the board, the horns
entwined with leaves, the hoofs gilded. On the high-seat of silver sat
Augantyr, clad in helm and mail of glittering steel, inlaid with gold, a
purple mantel sown with silver stars depending from his shoulders. He
arose as Frithiof entered, and advanced to meet his guest, saying:
"Full many a horn have I drained in Thorsten's company, and glad am I to
do fitting honor to his valiant son."
Then leading him to a place beside him on the high-seat, he called on
all his warriors to fill their horns and beakers and drink to Thorsten's
memory, while the hall rang to the sound of harps, as minstrels praised
that hero's glorious deeds.
Meanwhile Augantyr questioned his guest concerning matters in the
Northland; and in well-chosen words, avoiding either praise or blame,
Frithiof related all that had passed, concluding with his voyage and the
terrible sea witches against whose power they had been forced to
contend. So eloquently did he describe their adventures that Augantyr
listened with approving smiles, and the bold champions about the board
often interrupted the speaker with their shouts. Then Augantyr inquired
the purpose of his voyage, and Frithiof told him frankly of his love for
Ingeborg, of Helge's arrogance, and the penance that had been laid upon
him.
"For this have I come," he concluded, "to demand of thee in behalf of
Kings Helge and Halfdan, the tribute thou wast wont to pay in Bele's
lifetime."
Calmly Augantyr replied: "Never have I owned another as my lord. Free do
I live; free also are my people about these seas. What I sent Bele was
not enforced, but given in friendship. His sons I know not. If they
would have tribute from me, let them demand it with the sword--then
shall they have the best of answers! Yet thy father was my friend."
He beckoned to his daughter, who sat near him on a golden stool, and she
hastened to the women's chamber, soon returning with a purse whereon was
worked with rare skill a green forest scene--animals of gold wandered
beneath the trees, and above shone a silver moon. The tassels were
strung with costly pearls, the clasp enriched with rubies. Augantyr took
this purse, filled it to the brim with pieces of gold, and handed it to
his guest, saying, "Take this as a gift of welcome, son of Thorsten, and
do with it as thou wilt; but as for claim, I refuse to acknowledge any
such. Hear now my wish: tarry thou here till Spring comes, as my honored
guest. Courage and boldness stand thee well in time of danger, it is
true, yet think not thine 'Ellida' may withstand all the perils of the
stormy season. And remember there are demons in the sea more mighty yet
than those which thou didst vanquish."
To this Frithiof gladly agreed, and he held out his hand to his
hospitable host, saying: "Be it, then, as thou wilt!"