father, was the king's right hand, and now that
Bele was grown old and feeble he managed most of the affairs of the
kingdom. And Frithiof too was useful to the king, more so, indeed,
than were his own two sons.

Thorsten had a famous swift ship, called _Ellida_, which was rowed by
fifteen men on each side, and each oar required the strength of two
men to pull it; but Frithiof was so strong that he would row two oars
at once.

The king's two sons, Helge and Halfden, differed much from each other
in their appearance and characters, but they were alike in their
jealous dispositions. In particular they grudged Frithiof his growing
renown, and hated him in their hearts for his great strength, which
far exceeded theirs.

At length King Bele fell very sick, and, knowing that he was about to
die, he sent for Thorsten and their three sons and said:

"I know that this sickness will be to my death, and I have called you,
my children, to hear the last counsel of your father.

"My sons, govern the realm in peace, and let force stand sentinel at
the borders. The king is helpless who hath not the confidence and
affection of his people, and the throne is insecure if it rest not on
a foundation of just and equal laws.

"Choose not the forward for your counsellors, but confide, rather, in
the wisdom and valour of one tried friend. Thorsten and I have
faithfully kept friendship's troth in steadfast union, so do ye, in
weal or woe, wend together with Frithiof. If ye three will hold
together as one man, your match shall not be seen through all our
Northland.

"Let my last words be for my beloved Ingeborg. She hath grown lovely
in peace as the rose. Helge, be thou her guardian, and let no
storm-wind scatter those fair petals."

Then Thorsten, in his turn, addressed Frithiof:

"My son, I too must shortly wend to Valhalla, and I rejoice to think
that Odin has bestowed upon thee much strength and courage of heart.
It is good, but remember that strength without wit is soon brought to
naught, even as the bear, who wields in his paw the strength of twelve
men, is laid low by a thrust from the sword of one. Beware of
arrogance, which goes before a fall, and bend before the will of the
king's sons. Above all, will noble deeds and do thou every right."

After this the old men gave directions for their burial, and they
charged their sons to lay them beneath two barrows or mounds, one on
each side of the narrow firth, whose murmurs would e