ince Nature suffereth
not liquid springs to gush forth in a dry place), but produced by some
magic agency. All men afterwards, to whom the story of that breaking in
had come down, left this hill undisturbed. Wherefore it has never been
made sure whether it really contains any wealth; for the dread of peril
has daunted anyone since Harald from probing its dark foundations.

But Odin, though he was accounted the chief of the gods, began to
inquire of the prophets and diviners concerning the way to accomplish
vengeance for his son, as well as all others whom he had beard were
skilled in the most recondite arts of soothsaying. For godhead that is
incomplete is oft in want of the help of man. Rostioph (Hrossthiof),
the Finn, foretold to him that another son must be born to him by Rinda
(Wrinda), daughter of the King of the Ruthenians; this son was destined
to exact punishment for the slaying of his brother. For the gods had
appointed to the brother that was yet to be born the task of avenging
his kinsman. Odin, when he heard this, muffled his face with a cap, that
his garb might not betray him, and entered the service of the said king
as a soldier; and being made by him captain of the soldiers, and given
an army, won a splendid victory over the enemy. And for his stout
achievement in this battle the king admitted him into the chief place
in his friendship, distinguishing him as generously with gifts as
with honours. A very little while afterwards Odin routed the enemy
single-handed, and returned, at once the messenger and the doer of
the deed. All marvelled that the strength of one man could deal such
slaughter upon a countless host. Trusting in these services, he privily
let the king into the secret of his love, and was refreshed by his most
gracious favour; but when he sought a kiss from the maiden, he received
a cuff. But he was not driven from his purpose either by anger at the
slight or by the odiousness of the insult.

Next year, loth to quit ignobly the quest he had taken up so eagerly, he
put on the dress of a foreigner and went back to dwell with the king. It
was hard for those who met him to recognise him; for his assumed filth
obliterated his true features, and new grime hid his ancient aspect. He
said that his name was Roster (Hrosstheow), and that he was skilled
in smithcraft. And his handiwork did honour to his professions: for he
portrayed in bronze many and many a shape most beautifully, so that he
received