e devised as follows: If I conquer, let
freedom be granted us from taxes; if I am conquered, let the tribute be
paid you as of old: For to-day I will either free my country from the
yoke of slavery by my victory or bind her under it by my defeat. Accept
me as the surety and the pledge for either issue." One of the Danes,
whose spirit was stouter than his strength, heard this, and proceeded to
ask Rorik, what would be the reward for the man who met the challenger
in combat? Rorik chanced to have six bracelets, which were so
intertwined that they could not be parted from one another, the chain of
knots being inextricaly laced; and he promised them as a reward for
the man who would venture on the combat. But the youth, who doubted his
fortune, said: "Rorik, if I prove successful, let thy generosity award
the prize of the conqueror, do thou decide and allot the palm; but if
my enterprise go little to my liking, what prize canst thou owe to the
beaten, who will be wrapped either in cruel death or in bitter shame?
These things commonly go with feebleness, these are the wages of the
defeated, for whom naught remains but utter infamy. What guerdon must
be paid, what thanks offered, to him who lacks the prize of courage? Who
has ever garlanded with ivy the weakling in War, or decked him with a
conqueror's wage? Valour wins the prize, not sloth, and failure lacks
renown. For one is followed by triumph and honour, the other by an
unsightly life or by a stagnant end. I, who know not which way the issue
of this duel inclines, dare not boldly anticipate that as a reward, of
which I know not whether it be rightly mine. For one whose victory is
doubtful may not seize the assured reward of the victor. I forbear,
while I am not sure of the day, to claim firmly the title to the wreath.
I refuse the gain, which may be the wages of my death as much as of my
life. It is folly to lay hands on the fruit before it is ripe, and to be
fain to pluck that which one is not yet sure is one's title. This hand
shall win me the prize, or death." Having thus spoken, he smote the
barbarian with his sword; but his fortune was tardier than his spirit;
for the other smote him back, and he fell dead under the force of the
first blow. Thus he was a sorry sight unto the Danes, but the Slavs
granted their triumphant comrade a great procession, and received him
with splendid dances. On the morrow the same man, whether he was elated
with the good fortune of his late