with biting verse. Then
Fridleif began thus:

"Since thou art a giant of three bodies, invincible, and almost reachest
heaven with thy crest, why does this silly sword bind thy thigh? Why
doth a broken spear gird thy huge side? Why, perchance, dost thou defend
thy stalwart breast with a feeble sword, and forget the likeness of thy
bodily stature, trusting in a short dagger, a petty weapon? Soon, soon
will I balk thy bold onset, when with blunted blade thou attemptest war.
Since thou art thyself a timid beast, a lump lacking proper pith, thou
art swept headlong like a flying shadow, having with a fair and famous
body got a heart that is unwarlike and unstable with fear, and a spirit
quite unmatched to thy limbs. Hence thy frame totters, for thy goodly
presence is faulty through the overthrow of thy soul, and thy nature in
all her parts is at strife. Hence shall all tribute of praise quit
thee, nor shalt thou be accounted famous among the brave, but shalt be
reckoned among ranks obscure."

When he had said this he lopped off a hand and foot of the giant, made
him fly, and set his prisoner free. Then he went straightway to the
giant's headland, took the treasure out of his cave, and carried it
away. Rejoicing in these trophies, and employing the kidnapped youth
to row him over the sea, he composed with cheery voice the following
strain:

"In the slaying of the swift monster we wielded our blood-stained swords
and our crimsoned blade, whilst thou, Amund, lord of the Norwegian ruin,
wert in deep slumber; and since blind night covers thee, without any
light of soul, thy valour has melted away and beguiled thee. But we
crushed a giant who lost use of his limbs and wealth, and we pierced
into the disorder of his dreary den. There we seized and plundered his
piles of gold. And now with oars we sweep the wave-wandering main, and
joyously return, rowing back to the shore our booty-laden ship; we fleet
over the waves in a skiff that travels the sea; gaily let us furrow
those open waters, lest the dawn come and betray us to the foe. Lightly
therefore, and pulling our hardest, let us scour the sea, making for our
camp and fleet ere Titan raise his rosy head out of the clear waters;
that when fame noises the deed about, and Frogertha knows that the spoil
has been won with a gallant struggle, her heart may be stirred to be
more gentle to our prayer."

On the morrow there was a great muster of the forces, and Fridleif had
a bloody