m it, as of old Aslauga herself had done. At another
time he would see goats clambering among the highest cliffs by the
sea-shore, and it was a golden form who tended them. Then, again, a
bright queen, resplendent in a dazzling bark, would seem to glide past
him, and salute him graciously,--and if he strove to approach any of
those he found nothing but cloud, and mist, and vapour. Of all this many
a lay might be sung. But so much he learnt from them all--that the fair
Lady Aslauga accepted his service, and that he was now indeed and in
truth become her knight.

Meanwhile the winter had come and gone. In northern lands this season
never fails to bring to those who understand and love it many an image
full of beauty and meaning, with which a child of man might well be
satisfied, so far as earthly happiness can satisfy, through all his time
on earth. But when the spring came glancing forth with its opening buds
and flowing waters there came also bright and sunny tidings from the
land of Germany to Fuhnen.

There stood on the rich banks of the Maine, where it pours its waters
through the fertile land of Franconia, a castle of almost royal
magnificence, whose orphan-mistress was a relation of the German
emperor. She was named Hildegardis; and was acknowledged far and wide
as the fairest of maidens. Therefore her imperial uncle wished that she
should wed none but the bravest knight who could anywhere be met with.
Accordingly he followed the example of many a noble lord in such a case,
and proclaimed a tournament, at which the chief prize should be the hand
of the peerless Hildegardis, unless the victor already bore in his heart
a lady wedded or betrothed to him; for the lists were not to be closed
to any brave warrior of equal birth, that the contest of strength and
courage might be so much the richer in competitors.

Now the renowned Froda had tidings of this from his German
brethren-in-arms; and he prepared himself to appear at the festival.
Before all things, he forged for himself a splendid suit of armour; as,
indeed, he was the most excellent armourer of the north, far-famed as
it is for skill in that art. He worked the helmet out of pure gold, and
formed it so that it seemed to be covered with bright flowing locks,
which called to mind Aslauga's tresses. He also fashioned, on the
breastplate of his armour, overlaid with silver, a golden image in half
relief, which represented Aslauga in her veil of flowing locks, that