that the faith to be brought to our wedlock may stand fast."

Thus speaking, he cast off his disguises, and revealed his natural
comeliness; and by a single sight of him he filled the damsel with
well-nigh as much joy as he had struck her with fear before at his
counterfeit. She was even incited to his embraces by the splendour of
his beauty; nor did he fail to offer her the gifts of love.

Having won Groa, Bess proceeded and learnt that the road was beset
by two robbers. These he slew simply by charging them as they rushed
covetously forth to despoil him. This done, loth to seem to have done
any service to the soil of an enemy, he put timbers under the carcases
of the slain, fastened them thereto, and stretched them so as to
counterfeit an upright standing position; so that in their death they
might menace in seeming those whom their life had harmed in truth; and
that, terrible even after their decease, they might block the road
in effigy as much as they had once in deed. Whence it appears that in
slaying the robbers he took thought for himself and not for Sweden: for
he betokened by so singular an act how great a hatred of Sweden filled
him. Having heard from the diviners that Sigtryg could only be conquered
by gold, he straightway fixed a knob of gold to a wooden mace, equipped
himself therewith in the war wherein he attacked the king, and obtained
his desire. This exploit was besung by Bess in a most zealous strain of
eulogy:

"Gram, the fierce wielder of the prosperous mace, knowing not the steel,
rained blows on the outstretched sword, and with a stock beat off the
lances of the mighty.

"Following the decrees and will of the gods, he brought low the glory