e generals came to engage in
person, so that they conducted the affair like a duel; and, in addition
to the public issues of the war, the fight was like a personal conflict.
For both of them longed with equal earnestness for an issue of the
combat by which they might exhibit their valour, not by the help of
their respective sides, but by a trial of personal strength. The end was
that, though the blows rained thick on either side, Athisl prevailed and
overthrew Frowin, and won a public victory as well as a duel, breaking
up and shattering the Danish ranks in all directions. When he returned
to Sweden, he not only counted the slaying of Frowin among the trophies
of his valour, but even bragged of it past measure, so ruining the glory
of the deed by his wantonness of tongue. For it is sometimes handsomer
for deeds of valour to be shrouded in the modesty of silence than to be
blazoned in wanton talk.

Wermund raised the sons of Frowin to honours of the same rank as their
father's, a kindness which was only due to the children of his friend
who had died for the country. This prompted Athisl to carry the war
again into Denmark. Emboldened therefore by his previous battle, he
called back, bringing with him not only no slender and feeble force,
but all the flower of the valour of Sweden, thinking he would seize the
supremacy of all Denmark. Ket, the son of Frowin, sent Folk, his chief
officer, to take this news to Wermund, who then chanced to be in his
house Jellinge. (1) Folk found the king feasting with his friends, and
did his errand, admonishing him that here was the long-wished-for chance
of war at hand, and pressing itself upon the wishes of Wermund, to whom
was give an immediate chance of victory and the free choice of a speedy
and honourable triumph. Great and unexpected were the sweets of good
fortune, so long sighed for, and now granted to him by this lucky event.
For Athisl had come encompassed with countless forces of the Swedes,
just as though in his firm assurance he had made sure of victory; and
since the enemy who was going to fight would doubtless prefer death to
flight, this chance of war gave them a fortunate opportunity to take
vengeance for their late disaster.

Wermund, declaring that he had performed his mission nobly and bravely,
ordered that he should take some little refreshment of the banquet,
since "far-faring ever hurt fasters." When Folk said that he had no kind
of leisure to take food, he begged