while the Saxons began to attempt a revolt, and to consider
particularly how they could destroy Frode, who was unconquered in war,
by some other way than an open conflict. Thinking that it would be best
done by a duel, they sent men to provoke the king with a challenge,
knowing that he was always ready to court any hazard, and that his high
spirit would not yield to any admonition whatever. They fancied that
this was the best time to attack him, because they knew that Starkad,
whose valour most men dreaded, was away on business. But while Frode
hesitated, and said that he would talk with his friends about the
answer to be given, Starkad, who had just returned from his sea-roving,
appeared, and blamed such a challenge, principally (he said) because it
was fitting for kings to fight only with their equals, and because
they should not take up arms against men of the people; but it was more
fitting for himself, who was born in a lowlier station, to manage the
battle.

The Saxons approached Hame, who was accounted their most famous
champion, with many offers, and promised him that, if he would lend his
services for the duel they would pay him his own weight in gold.
The fighter was tempted by the money, and, with all the ovation of a
military procession, they attended him to the ground appointed for the
combat. Thereupon the Danes, decked in warlike array, led Starkad, who
was to represent his king, out to the duelling-ground. Hame, in his
youthful assurance, despised him as withered with age, and chose to
grapple rather than fight with an outworn old man. Attacking Starkad, he
would have flung him tottering to the earth, but that fortune, who would
not suffer the old man to be conquered, prevented him from being hurt.
For he is said to have been so crushed by the fist of Hame, as he dashed
on him, that he touched the earth with his chin, supporting himself on
his knees. But he made up nobly for his tottering; for, as soon as he
could raise his knee and free his hand to draw his sword, he clove Hame
through the middle of the body. Many lands and sixty bondmen apiece were
the reward of the victory.

After Hame was killed in this manner the sway of the Danes over the
Saxons grew so insolent, that they were forced to pay every year a small
tax for each of their limbs that was a cubit (ell) long, in token of
their slavery. This Hanef could not bear, and he meditated war in his
desire to remove the tribute. Steadfast love of his