of men,
panting with a boundless lust for bloodshed. Outlawed by his father
on account of his unbearable ruthlessness, and soon after presented by
Alver with a government, he spent his whole life in arms, visiting
his neighbours with wars and slaughters; nor did he, in his estate of
banishment, relax his accustomed savagery a whir, but would not change
his spirit with his habitation.

Meanwhile Borgar, finding that Gunnar had married Drota, the daughter of
Ragnald, by violence, took from him both life and wife, and wedded Drota
himself. She was not an unwilling bride; she thought it right for her to
embrace the avenger of her parent. For the daughter mourned her father,
and could never bring herself to submit with any pleasure to his
murderer. This woman and Borgar had a son Halfdan, who through all his
early youth was believed to be stupid, but whose later years proved
illustrious for the most glorious deeds, and famous for the highest
qualities that can grace life. Once, when a stripling, he mocked in
boyish fashion at a champion of noble repute, who smote him with a
buffet; whereupon Halfdan attacked him with the staff he was carrying
and killed him. This deed was an omen of his future honours; he had
hitherto been held in scorn, but henceforth throughout his life he had
the highest honour and glory. The affair, indeed, was a prophecy of the
greatness of his deeds in war.

At this period, Rothe, a Ruthenian rover, almost destroyed our country
with his rapine and cruelty. His harshness was so notable that, while
other men spared their prisoners utter nakedness, he did not think
it uncomely to strip of their coverings even the privy parts of their
bodies; wherefore we are wont to this day to call all severe and
monstrous acts of rapine Rothe-Ran (Rothe's Robbery). He used also
sometimes to inflict the following kind of torture: Fastening the men's
right feet firmly to the earth, he tied the left feet to boughs for
the purpose that when these should spring back the body would be rent
asunder. Hane, Prince of Funen, wishing to win honour and glory, tried
to attack this man with his sea-forces, but took to flight with one
attendant. It was in reproach of him that the proverb arose: "The cock
(Hane) fights better on its own dunghill." Then Borgar, who could not
bear to see his countrymen perishing any longer, encountered Rothe.
Together they fought and together they perished. It is said that in this
battle Halfdan was s