Alfaleith.org

"Thou, Ingo, Ingbert's son, hast given a deathblow to my sword-bearer, Theodulf, one of the nobles of the people, the relative of my wife, the son to whom I had promised my daughter as a wife; thou hast injured him in body and life in secret fight, which the sun hates. Thou hast wounded mine honor, violated thy duty as guest, and broken thine oath; therefore I refuse thee, henceforth, the peace of my house and manor; I dissolve the covenant which once bound our fathers; I extinguish the flame on the hearth which now still warms thee, and I pour water over that by which we had sworn to one another hospitable peace." He raised up the hearth-kettle and poured the water into the flames, so that the steam spread itself hissing throughout the house.

But Ingo cried out, in reply:

"Wounded to death in my honor, I have done a necessary deed, such as every one must do who would not live dishonored among the people. I thought of thy hospitable hearth when the bad man lay under my sword, and I drew back its point. For the kindness that I have enjoyed under thy roof I thank thee now, on parting; from the evil that thou and thy kindred may henceforth intend toward me I will guard myself. As thou hast extinguished the flames that lighted me hospitably, so do I throw the guest-token that thy father gave to my father, into the cold ashes of thy hearth. I renounce also the duties of guest which have bound me here; as a stranger I came, and as a stranger I go. To the gods, the eye-witnesses of my oath, I complain of the injustice that thou doest to me and my race; and I beg their blessing for every one who wishes me well in this house and country."

He turned round to depart.

Then rose Isanbart, and said:

"Though thou art in hostility to our Chieftain, by a necessary deed which we honor, yet thou art not in hostility with the people who through our mouth have promised thee peace. If thou wilt tarry till the community decide upon thy quarrel with Prince Answald, thou art welcome, with thy followers, to the house and hearth of an old man who once stood in battle by the side of thy father."

Ingo stepped up to the old man, and bent low before him. "Lay thy blessing on my head, oh father, before I depart. It would be inglorious for me any longer to linger in the district, and excite discord in the villages. But I shall think of thy faithfulness so long as I breathe."

The old man laid his hand silently on his head, and then Ingo passed on to the threshold. The Prince saw with anger and anxiety that a portion of his country associates rose to accompany him on his departure. Isanbart offered him his hand, and led him, with the others, through the host of armed retainers who thronged about the door with threatening demeanor; opposite to these were the Vandals, on their horses, ready for departure, and if necessary, for a fight; but the dignity of the chiefs of the people restrained the wrath of the younger men. Ingo leaped upon his horse, which Berthar brought to him, cast one lingering look back at the house, then put his horse into a gallop through the gate of the court, and was followed by his men. When the retainers called after him threatening words, the angry voice of Isanbart commanded silence. But the Prince sat mute, with heavy thoughts, by his cold hearth.

Behind the travelers a horse's hoofs clattered on the frozen ground. Bero drew his horse up to Ingo's side and, after he had ridden by him for a while, began: "It was I who brought thy comrades to thee; today I would like to show thee good-will: the village in which I dwell lies on thy road; may it please thee, Hero, to turn in with me, and try peasant fare?"

<< Previous Page | Back | Next Page >>