She with tearful eyes of blue."
"Vain you strive my queen to capture,
Dear from childhood's days of rapture;
Best of all, there's nought shall harm her
Come what may, to her I'm true."

"Fridthjof, art thou still unheeding
All thy foster-father's pleading?
For thy foolish game art ready
I should go without a word?"
Fridthjof then arises, laying
Hilding's hand in his, and saying:
"My resolve is firm and steady,
And my answer you have heard.

"Go to Bele's sons and warn them,
Peasants love not those who scorn them;
To their power I bid defiance,
Their behests will not obey."
"In thy chosen way abide thee,
For thy wrath I can not chide thee;
Odin must be our reliance,"
Hilding said, and went his way.




VII.