dly he spoke: "Ye kings, I choose here
from all women your sister, the lovely Ingeborg, to be my bride. The
good king, your father, wished us to marry, and therefore reared us
together in the garden of Hilding. My father was of peasant birth, yet
his memory will live in the songs of the poets, for he and his father
were the bravest of heroes.

"Full easily could I win a kingdom for myself, but I choose to stay in
my own country and serve ye, my kings.

"On King Bele's grave we are standing now,
He hears every word in the grave below,
With thee he pleadeth.--
A dead father's counsel a wise son heedeth."

[Illustration: Frithiof asking for Ingeborg]

But King Helge refused Frithiof's words with scorn, saying: "Our sister
was not for a peasant born! Kings should strive to win our Ingeborg.
Boast not of your strength--women are won by words and not by force.
As for my kingdom, I will defend that myself and do not need your help.
If you wish to be my man your place is among my servants."

"Thy servant! No, never!" cried Frithiof. "My father had no master,
nor shall I. Fly from your silver dwelling to avenge this insult, my
good Angurvadel! You, at least, are royal. Were we not at the grave
of thy father, O King, here would I teach thee not to come where my
sword can reach."

With these words he struck the gold shield of Helge, and it fell in
halves with a clang to the ground.

"Well done, my sword! Lie still and dream of great deeds to come! Now
will we go home over the foaming billows."

So in anger did the noble Frithiof leave the presence of King Helge,
and return to Framness, the house of his fathers.

In the Country of King Ring

Far in the north lived the good King Ring. His words were wise and
kind. In his land no war cast its dark shadow and everywhere in his
kingdom blossomed fair flowers. Justice and right clasped hands, and
peace lived with plenty in the golden fields.

For thirty years King Ring had ruled in the Northland. The people
loved him well and named him in their evening prayers. His good queen
had died, and long had he mourned for her. But the people begged him
to marry again.

At last the old king said: "King Bele often visited me and spake of his
fair daughter. Her would I choose for my bride. Take gold and jewels
rare from my coffers. Have minstrels go and with their songs win for
me the fair Ingeborg."

In gay company they went to Helge's court and a