a great mass of gold from the king, and was ordered to
hammer out the ornaments of the matrons. So, after having wrought many
adornments for women's wearing, he at last offered to the maiden a
bracelet which he had polished more laboriously than the rest and
several rings which were adorned with equal care. But no services could
assuage the wrath of Rinda; when he was fain to kiss her she cuffed him;
for gifts offered by one we hate are unacceptable, while those tendered
by a friend are far more grateful: so much doth the value of the
offering oft turn on the offerer. For this stubborn-hearted maiden never
doubted that the crafty old man was feigning generosity in order to
seize an opening to work his lust. His temper, moreover, was keen and
indomitable; for she knew that his homage covered guile, and that under
the devotion of his gifts there lay a desire for crime. Her father fell
to upbraiding her heavily for refusing the match; but she loathed to wed
an old man, and the plea of her tender years lent her some support in
her scorning of his hand; for she said that a young girl ought not to
marry prematurely.

But Odin, who had found that nothing served the wishes of lovers more
than tough persistency, though he was stung with the shame of his double
rebuff, nevertheless, effacing the form he had worn before, went to the
king for the third time, professing the completest skill in soldiership.
He was led to take this pains not only by pleasure but by the wish to
wipe out his disgrace. For of old those who were skilled in magic gained
this power of instantly changing their aspect and exhibiting the most
different shapes. Indeed, they were clever at imitating any age, not
only in its natural bodily appearance, but also in its stature; and so
the old man, in order to exhibit his calling agreeably, used to ride
proudly up and down among the briskest of them. But not even such a
tribute could move the rigour of the maiden; for it is hard for the mind
to come back to a genuine liking for one against whom it has once borne
heavy dislike. When he tried to kiss her at his departure, she repulsed
him so that he tottered and smote his chin upon the ground. Straightway
he touched her with a piece of bark whereon spells were written, and
made her like unto one in frenzy: which was a gentle revenge to take for
all the insults he had received.

But still he did not falter in the fulfilment of his purpose; for trust
in his divine maje