s thus wavering he again approached Frode,
and invited him to the banquet with 2,400 men; having before bidden
him to come to the feast with 1,200 nobles. Frode was encouraged by the
increase in the number of guests, and was able to go to the banquet
with greater inward confidence; but he could not yet lay aside his
suspicions, and privily caused men to scour the interior and let him
know quickly of any treachery which they might espy. On this errand they
went into the forest, and, coming upon the array of an armed encampment
belonging to the forces of the Britons, they halted in doubt, but
hastily retraced their steps when the truth was apparent. For the tents
were dusky in colour, and muffled in a sort of pitchy coverings, that
they might not catch the eye of anyone who came near. When Frode learned
this, he arranged a counter-ambuscade with a strong force of nobles,
that he might not go heedlessly to the banquet, and be cheated of timely
aid. They went into hiding, and he warned them that the note of the
trumpet was the signal for them to bring assistance. Then with a select
band, lightly armed, he went to the banquet. The hall was decked with
regal splendour; it was covered all round with crimson hangings of
marvellous rich handiwork. A curtain of purple dye adorned the propelled
walls. The flooring was bestrewn with bright mantles, which a man
would fear to trample on. Up above was to be seen the twinkle of many
lanterns, the gleam of lamps lit with oil, and the censers poured forth
fragrance whose sweet vapour was laden with the choicest perfumes. The
whole way was blocked by the tables loaded with good things; and the
places for reclining were decked with gold-embroidered couches; the
seats were full of pillows. The majestic hall seemed to smile upon
the guests, and nothing could be noticed in all that pomp either
inharmonious to the eye or offensive to the smell. In the midst of the
hall stood a great butt ready for refilling the goblets, and holding an
enormous amount of liquor; enough could be drawn from it for the huge
revel to drink its fill. Servants, dressed in purple, bore golden cups,
and courteously did the office of serving the drink, pacing in ordered
ranks. Nor did they fail to offer the draught in the horns of the wild
ox.

The feast glittered with golden bowls, and was laden with shining
goblets, many of them studded with flashing jewels. The place was filled
with an immense luxury; the tables groa