id: "Was it not so,
Frithiof, that a many things came into thy mind e'en now? But well hast
thou dealt with them, and great honour shalt thou have of me. Lo, now, I
knew thee straightway that first evening thou earnest into our hall: now
nowise speedily shalt thou depart from us; and somewhat great abideth
thee."

Said Frithiof: "Lord king, thou hast done to me well, and in friendly
wise; but yet must I get me gone soon, because my company cometh
speedily to meet me, as I have given them charge to do."

So then they rode home from the wood, and the king's folk came flocking
to him, and home they fared to the hall and drank joyously; and it was
made known to all folk that Frithiof the Bold had been abiding there
through the winter-tide.

CHAPTER XIV. King Ring's Gift to Frithiof.

Early of a morning-tide one smote on the door of that hall, wherein
slept the king and queen, and many others: then the king asked who it
was that called at the hall door; and so he who was without said: "Here
am I, Frithiof; and I am arrayed for my departure."

Then was the door opened, and Frithiof came in, and sang a stave:

"Have great thanks for the guesting
Thou gavest with all bounty;
Dight fully for wayfaring
Is the feeder of the eagle;
But, Ingidiorg, I mind thee
While yet on earth we tarry;
Live gloriously! I give thee
This gift for many kisses."

And therewith he cast the goodly ring towards Ingibiorg, and bade her
take it.

The king smiled at this stave of his, and said: "Yea, forsooth, she hath
more thanks for thy winter quarters than I; yet hath she not been more
friendly to thee than I."

Then sent the king his serving-folk to fetch victuals and drink, and
saith that they must eat and drink before Frithiof departed. "So arise,
queen, and be joyful!" But she said she was loth to fall a-feasting so
early.

"Nay, we will eat all together," said King Ring; and they did so.

But when they had drank a while King Ring spake: "I would that thou
abide here, Frithiof; for my sons are but children and I am old, and
unmeet for the warding of my realm, if any should bring war against it."
Frithiof said: "Speedily must I be gone, lord." And he sang:

"Oh, live, King Ring,
Both long and hale!
The highest king
Neath heaven's skirt!
Ward well, O king,
Thy wife and land,