Read Online Six Sagas of Adventure by Ben Waggoner (trans) - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Ben Waggoner (trans)
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matter in which you seem to be lacking in good fortune. You’re not married, and you would be thought a much greater king if you took a wife befitting your station.”
The king said, “Where should I go to seek a wife?”
Ketil answered, “Your honor would grow if you were to ask for the hand of a princess who is both clever and foresighted. But I certainly wouldn’t expect you to be rejected, no matter where you wanted to look.”
The king replied, “I don’t think much about such possibilities. This is a small country, and no one will think there’s much profit in our kingdom. But where would you look first, kinsman?”
Ketil answered, “I have heard that King Eirek in Sweden has a beautiful and wise daughter named Thornbjorg. I have heard that such a match is not to be found in all the Northlands, for she is skilled in every art which may well adorn a woman. But she is also skilled at jousting and fencing with shield and sword, on an equal footing with bold knights. She is greater at that than any woman I have ever heard of. King Eirek, her father, is renowned for his might and for many other accomplishments which such a celebrated king may pride himself on.”
King Hrolf answered, “We’re not bold enough for anything like that. Such an attempt would draw more attention for rashness than for wisdom—as sometimes happens to you, kinsman. It’s bad for someone who has no hope to be so conceited about how he might rise. If I go and ask for the daughter of King Eirek in Sweden, as you want me to do, I believe the woman would be refused to me, and I would probably be insulted. I would have to put up with all that, since I wouldn’t be able to take vengeance because of how powerful the king is—and I wouldn’t take that well at all.”
Ketil said that it wouldn’t happen that way. “We have no lack of men from Denmark and Gautland for an attack on King Eirek, if he denies you the girl.”
King Hrolf said, “You don’t need to taunt me, because I know how this would turn out if we attempted it.”
As before, it happened again that King Hrolf’s mind worked like this: He paid no attention to the matter and let it pass, as he did with many other things that were brought to his attention, and it wasn’t clear what he was thinking. Later, he would take up this matter which had slipped everyone’s mind. For some time, the sworn brothers stayed by turns in Denmark or in Gautland. They always went raiding in the summer, winning a great deal of wealth, and were the bravest of warriors, so that no one could withstand them. They became most famous for their heroic deeds. Almost everyone knew their names.
It is said of King Hrolf that he was the largest and strongest of all men. He was so heavy that he couldn’t ride any horse for a whole day, without it suffocating or collapsing under him—he always had to change horses. [7] King Hrolf was the most handsome of men, courteous and well-shaped in every respect, with the finest hair of any man; a broad face and prominent features; the keenest eyesight, with blue and flashing eyes; a slender waist and broad shoulders. He was the most accomplished and well-mannered man in every respect, a better fighter than anyone, and more skilled in all sports and achievements than any other man in the Northlands in those days. He was the best-loved of men. King Hrolf was a wise man, foresighted in everything, intelligent and clear-sighted. He soon became famous far and wide for his rulership, near and far.
One spring, Ketil asked what King Hrolf intended to do in the summer. He answered, “Wouldn’t it be a good idea to go to Sweden and try to become King Eirek’s in-laws, as you once suggested?”
Ketil said, “You’re unbelievable. First you ignore what’s said to you and don’t pay it any attention at the time—yet it’s on your mind. Then you remember it later, once many years have passed, and act as if it had just been brought up. I feel the same way about it
The king said, “Where should I go to seek a wife?”
Ketil answered, “Your honor would grow if you were to ask for the hand of a princess who is both clever and foresighted. But I certainly wouldn’t expect you to be rejected, no matter where you wanted to look.”
The king replied, “I don’t think much about such possibilities. This is a small country, and no one will think there’s much profit in our kingdom. But where would you look first, kinsman?”
Ketil answered, “I have heard that King Eirek in Sweden has a beautiful and wise daughter named Thornbjorg. I have heard that such a match is not to be found in all the Northlands, for she is skilled in every art which may well adorn a woman. But she is also skilled at jousting and fencing with shield and sword, on an equal footing with bold knights. She is greater at that than any woman I have ever heard of. King Eirek, her father, is renowned for his might and for many other accomplishments which such a celebrated king may pride himself on.”
King Hrolf answered, “We’re not bold enough for anything like that. Such an attempt would draw more attention for rashness than for wisdom—as sometimes happens to you, kinsman. It’s bad for someone who has no hope to be so conceited about how he might rise. If I go and ask for the daughter of King Eirek in Sweden, as you want me to do, I believe the woman would be refused to me, and I would probably be insulted. I would have to put up with all that, since I wouldn’t be able to take vengeance because of how powerful the king is—and I wouldn’t take that well at all.”
Ketil said that it wouldn’t happen that way. “We have no lack of men from Denmark and Gautland for an attack on King Eirek, if he denies you the girl.”
King Hrolf said, “You don’t need to taunt me, because I know how this would turn out if we attempted it.”
As before, it happened again that King Hrolf’s mind worked like this: He paid no attention to the matter and let it pass, as he did with many other things that were brought to his attention, and it wasn’t clear what he was thinking. Later, he would take up this matter which had slipped everyone’s mind. For some time, the sworn brothers stayed by turns in Denmark or in Gautland. They always went raiding in the summer, winning a great deal of wealth, and were the bravest of warriors, so that no one could withstand them. They became most famous for their heroic deeds. Almost everyone knew their names.
It is said of King Hrolf that he was the largest and strongest of all men. He was so heavy that he couldn’t ride any horse for a whole day, without it suffocating or collapsing under him—he always had to change horses. [7] King Hrolf was the most handsome of men, courteous and well-shaped in every respect, with the finest hair of any man; a broad face and prominent features; the keenest eyesight, with blue and flashing eyes; a slender waist and broad shoulders. He was the most accomplished and well-mannered man in every respect, a better fighter than anyone, and more skilled in all sports and achievements than any other man in the Northlands in those days. He was the best-loved of men. King Hrolf was a wise man, foresighted in everything, intelligent and clear-sighted. He soon became famous far and wide for his rulership, near and far.
One spring, Ketil asked what King Hrolf intended to do in the summer. He answered, “Wouldn’t it be a good idea to go to Sweden and try to become King Eirek’s in-laws, as you once suggested?”
Ketil said, “You’re unbelievable. First you ignore what’s said to you and don’t pay it any attention at the time—yet it’s on your mind. Then you remember it later, once many years have passed, and act as if it had just been brought up. I feel the same way about it
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