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"There is among every people of the earth, as far as I understand it, a law that the followers belong to their lord, and he who receives the master can not deny the peace to his followers, if the strangers themselves do not break the peace by their misdeeds. Well do I understand that the number of comrades under the oath will become a burden to thee, oh Prince, for the number of men and horses is too great for one property. But thou didst desire, when they came, to have alone the honor of entertaining them. Had they been distributed among the houses of the nobles and peasants, every one according to his birth, then the guests would have burdened no one, and many by the evening fire of the hearth would have delighted in their accounts of foreign lands."

The Prince, much annoyed, answered:

"I did not ask for cousel concerning the residence on my property, but concerning the command of the King, which presses upon us heavily."

Then spoke Bero, the peasant:

"Other things press upon us, my lord, more than two-and-twenty strangers. The King seeks only a pretext in order to obtain the tenth of our herds and sheaves of our fields; but we are well aware that our herds and fields are too small, even without this, for our necessities. All our villages are filled with vigorous young men; they demand building ground for new houses, arable land, meadows, and forest pastures. Who can give it them? Everything is divided and fenced in; the herdsmen complain that the herds of the lords of the manor are too large, and the mast and acorns too few; and the clearing of the woods is withstood by the community, and still more by the Chiefs. Therefore many think that the time is come when our people must again settle on the other side of the boundary, as in the time of our fathers and ancestors; and we ask in the villages, Where is there fresh land on man's earth to settle on? Thus discontent prevails among the people, and our young men would be pleased with any one who would offer them free acres, even though it were the King. I say this as a warning; for dangerous is the greed of Princes when they desire for themselves the weapons of the people. Yet I do not advise that we should deliver up the guests to the King; if the King would take them away by force, let him try. The thought, even, excites anger in me, that the boys of the King should drive away the cattle, and set fire to the barns; but I would not be forced from our rights. Every one would consider it unjust if we were to drive out our guests into the snow-storm. And I would rather be destroyed with my house than break my oath to them from fear."

Again Rothari sprang up, shook the peasant by the hand, delighted, and cried out:

"Thus speaks a gallant neighbor; listen to his words!"

At last Albwin began, with winning mien:

"What the freeman says I also agree to. I advise that we should keep our oath, which may perhaps become burdensome to us, if the guests ask it, and desire our protection. But if they willingly depart, let us give them assistance and presents, that they may go safely wherever their wishes lead them. But we will not deliver them into the hands of the King, except with their own free-will."

Then the greater number expressed their assent --- the Prince also, and Sintram. But Rothari exclaimed, angrily:

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