he learnt; treasuring the witness of his August narrative as though it
were some teaching from the skies.

Wherefore, Waldemar, (1) healthful Prince and Father of us all, shining
light of thy land, whose lineage, most glorious from times of old, I am
to relate, I beseech thee let thy grace attend the faltering course of
this work; for I am fettered under the weight of my purpose, and dread
that I may rather expose my unskillfulness and the feebleness of my
parts, than portray thy descent as I duly should. For, not to speak of
thy rich inheritance from thy fathers, thou hast nobly increased thy
realm by conquering thy neighbours, and in the toil of spreading thy
sovereignty hast encompassed the ebbing and flowing waves of Elbe, thus
adding to thy crowded roll of honours no mean portion of fame. And after
outstripping the renown and repute of thy forerunners by the greatness
of thy deeds, thou didst not forbear to make armed, assault even upon
part of the Roman empire. And though thou art deemed to be well endowed
with courage and generosity, thou hast left it in doubt whether thou
dost more terrify to thy foes in warfare or melt thy people by thy
mildness. Also thy most illustrious grandsire, who was sanctioned with
the honours of public worship, and earned the glory of immortality by
an unmerited death, now dazzles by the refulgence of his holiness those
whom living he annexed in his conquests. And from his most holy wounds
more virtue than blood hath flowed.

Moreover I, bound by an old and inherited duty of obedience, have set
my heart on fighting for thee, if it be only with all the forces of
my mind; my father and grandfather being known to have served thy
illustrious sire in camp with loyal endurance of the toils of war.
Relying therefore on thy guidance and regard, I have resolved to begin
with the position and configuration of our own country; for I shall