trongest provocations of their lovers, they
could not be brought to make the slightest motion of their eyes! So when
Ottar found that even by the merits of his double service he could not
stir the maiden's gaze towards him, he went back to the fleet, wearied
out with shame and chagrin. Sigrid, in her old fashion, ran far away
over the rocks, and chanced to stray in her wanderings to the abode of
Ebb; where, ashamed of her nakedness and distress, she pretended to be
a daughter of paupers. The mother of Ottar saw that this woman, though
bestained and faded, and covered with a meagre cloak, was the scion of
some noble stock; and took her, and with honourable courtesy kept her
by her side in a distinguished seat. For the beauty of the maiden was
a sign that betrayed her birth, and her telltale features echoed her
lineage. Ottar saw her, and asked why she hid her face in her robe.
Also, in order to test her mind more surely, he feigned that a woman was
about to become his wife, and, as he went up into the bride-bed, gave
Sigrid the torch to hold. The lights had almost burnt down, and she
was hard put to it by the flame coming closer; but she showed such an
example of endurance that she was seen to hold her hand motionless, and
might have been thought to feel no annoyance from the heat. For the
fire within mastered the fire without, and the glow of her longing soul
deadened the burn of her scorched skin. At last Ottar bade her look to
her hand. Then, modestly lifting her eyes, she turned her calm gaze upon
him; and straightway, the pretended marriage being put away, went up
unto the bride-bed to be his wife. Siwald afterwards seized Ottar, and
thought that he ought to be hanged for defiling his daughter.

But Sigrid at once explained how she had happened to be carried away,
and not only brought Ottar back into the king's favour, but also induced
her father himself to marry Ottar's sister. After this a battle was
fought between Siwald and Ragnald in Zealand, warriors of picked valour
being chosen on both sides. For three days they slaughtered one another;
but so great was the bravery of both sides, that it was doubtful how
the victory would go. Then Ottar, whether seized with weariness at
the prolonged battle, or with desire of glory, broke, despising death,
through the thickest of the foe, cut down Ragnald among the bravest
of his soldiers, and won the Danes a sudden victory. This battle was
notable for the cowardice of the gr