ng her that Balder,
the good, must view their innocent passion with approving eyes, for
love so pure as theirs could defile no sanctuary; and they ended by
plighting their troth before the shrine of Balder.

"'Thou whisp'rest "Balder,"--His wrath fearest;--
That gentle god all anger flies.
We worship here a Lover, dearest!
Our hearts' love is his sacrifice;
That god whose brow beams sunshine-splendour,
Whose faith lasts through eternity,--
Was not his love to beauteous Nanna
As pure, as warm, as mine to thee?

"'His image see!--himself broods o'er it--
How mild, how kind, his bright eyes move!
An off'ring bear I here before it,
A warm heart full of purest love.
Come, kneel with me! no altar incense
To Balder's soul more grateful is
Than two hearts, vowing in his presence
A mutual faith as true as his!'"

Tegner, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr.).

Reassured by this reasoning, which received added strength from the
voice which spoke loudly from her own heart, Ingeborg could not refuse
to see and converse with Frithiof. During the kings' absence the
young lovers met every day, and they exchanged love-tokens, Frithiof
giving to Ingeborg Voelund's arm-ring, which she solemnly promised to
send back to her lover should she be compelled to break her promise
to live for him alone. Frithiof lingered at Framnaes until the kings'
return, when, yielding to the fond entreaties of Ingeborg the Fair,
he again appeared before them, and pledged himself to free them from
their thraldom to Sigurd Ring if they would only reconsider their
decision and promise him their sister's hand.

"'War stands and strikes
His glitt'ring shield within thy boundaries;
Thy realm, King Helge, is in jeopardy:
But give thy sister, and I'll lend mine arm
Thy guard in battle. It may stead thee well.
Come! let this grudge between us be forgotten,
Unwilling bear I such 'gainst Ing'borg's brother.
Be counsell'd, King! be just! and save at once
Thy golden crown and thy fair sister's heart!
Here is my hand: by Asa-Thor I swear
Never again 'tis stretch'd in reconcilement!'"

Tegner, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr.).

Frithiof Banished

But although this offer was received with acclamation by the assembled
warriors, Helge scornfully demanded of Frithiof whether he had spoken