etween
her teeth. Further, he mentioned that the king's mother had been brought
into slavery from captivity, lest she should seem servile only in her
habits, yet not in her birth.

Then the king adored the wisdom of Amleth as though it were inspired,
and gave him his daughter to wife; accepting his bare word as though it
were a witness from the skies. Moreover, in order to fulfil the bidding
of his friend, he hanged Amleth's companions on the morrow. Amleth,
feigning offence, treated this piece of kindness as a grievance, and
received from the king, as compensation, some gold, which he afterwards
melted in the fire, and secretly caused to be poured into some hollowed
sticks.

When he had passed a whole year with the king he obtained leave to
make a journey, and returned to his own land, carrying away of all
his princely wealth and state only the sticks which held the gold.
On reaching Jutland, he exchanged his present attire for his ancient
demeanour, which he had adopted for righteous ends, purposely assuming
an aspect of absurdity. Covered with filth, he entered the banquet-room
where his own obsequies were being held, and struck all men utterly
aghast, rumour having falsely noised abroad his death. At last terror
melted into mirth, and the guests jeered and taunted one another, that
he whose last rites they were celebrating as through he were dead,
should appear in the flesh. When he was asked concerning his comrades,
he pointed to the sticks he was carrying, and said, "Here is both the
one and the other." This he observed with equal truth and pleasantry;
for his speech, though most thought it idle, yet departed not from the
truth; for it pointed at the weregild of the slain as though it were
themselves. Thereon, wishing to bring the company into a gayer mood,
he jollied the cupbearers, and diligently did the office of plying the
drink. Then, to prevent his loose dress hampering his walk, he girdled
his sword upon his side, and purposely drawing it several times, pricked
his fingers with its point. The bystanders accordingly had both sword
and scabbard riveted across with all iron nail. Then, to smooth the way
more safely to his plot, he went to the lords and plied them heavily
with draught upon draught, and drenched them all so deep in wine, that
their feet were made feeble with drunkenness, and they turned to rest
within the palace, making their bed where they had revelled. Then he
saw they were in a fit state fo