must, indeed, be satisfied with the proof. Thus this purpose of the
scene is also accomplished. Nor has the saga-man devised an artificial
method of testing strength and courage. It is quite in harmony with
folk-lore. That a strength-giving drink enables one to wield a sword
that an ordinary mortal cannot handle, is a motive employed in a number
of fairy tales. It occurs, for instance, in _Soria Moria Castle_, one of
the best known Norse fairy tales. It is told that Halvor, a typical
good-for-nothing fellow and groveler-in-the-ashes, has arrived at a
castle inhabited by a princess and a three-headed troll. The princess
warns Halvor to beware of the monster, but he decides to await the
troll's arrival. Halvor is hungry and asks for meat to eat. "When Halvor
had eaten his fill, the princess told him to try if he could brandish
the sword that hung against the wall; no, he couldn't brandish it--he
couldn't even lift it up. 'Oh,' said the princess, 'now you must go and
take a pull of that flask that hangs by its side; that's what the troll
does every time he goes out to use the sword.' So Halvor took a pull,
and in a twinkling of an eye he could brandish the sword like
anything".[80] It is apparent, therefore, that the saga-man intend
Hott's ability to wield the king's sword to constitute the proof of his
bravery. Thus the author's third purpose is accomplished, and the king
rewards Hott, not in spite of the deception that been practiced and
revealed, but on account of his bravery, which been proved.[81]

In Saxon, Hjalti has no other name than "Hialto." In the _Hrólfssaga_ he
first has the name "Hott" and this is changed to "Hjalti." The
appropriate time for changing it is, as has been said, when his change
of nature becomes apparent; and his new name is most fittingly derived
from the deed by which he manifests that he has become a different man
from what he was. "Hjalti" means "hilt"; hence, he must get his name
from a hilt; but it should come from the hilt of a sword connected with