In regard to some particulars, these conclusions differ from the
conclusions at which others have arrived; in regard to others, they
agree with them. This, however, is a mere matter of chance; for, where
some have affirmed and others have denied, it is impossible to avoid
agreeing with one party or the other, whatever conclusion an
investigation may lead to. Nor should there be any desire to strive for
what is new, merely for its own sake. The merit of the foregoing
discussion, if it has any, lies in the explanation of the story about
Bjarki and the dragon in the _Hrólfssaga_ and the explanation of the
relation between this story and the corresponding stories in the
_Bjarkarímur_. This explanation is new, and the writer believes that he
has given sufficient reasons to prove that it is correct. If it is
correct, it shows that the stories in the _rímur_ are less admirable
compositions than they are usually held to be; it shows that the dragon
story in the saga is a better composition than it is usually taken to
be; and, finally, it establishes the fact that the dragon story in the
_Hrólfssaga_ has no connection whatever with the Grendel story or the
dragon story in _Beowulf_.[126]



II

FRÓÐAÞÁTTR


The first appearance of Hroar (Hrothgar) in literature is in _Widsith_
and _Beowulf_, where we become acquainted with him as the famous King of
the Danes. Helgi (Halga) appears first in _Beowulf_, where he is
scarcely more than mentioned. Hroar and Helgi belong to the most famous