their heads—­a gruesome spectacle for all the rest.  Yet he forfeited none of his favour with Frode, nor abated his old intimacy with him.  For he decided that any opportunity of an interview with the king must be paid for, and gave out that no one should have any conversation with him who brought no presents.  Access, he announced, to so great a general must be gained by no stale or usual method, but by making interest most zealously.  He wished to lighten the scandal of his cruelty by the pretence of affection to his king.  The people, thus tormented, vented their complaint of their trouble in silent groans.  None had the spirit to lift up his voice in public against this season of misery.  No one had become so bold as to complain openly of the affliction that was falling upon them.  Inward resentment vexed the hearts of men, secretly indeed, but all the more bitterly.

When Gotar, the King of Norway, heard this, he assembled his soldiers, and said that the Danes were disgusted with their own king, and longed for another if they could get the opportunity; that he had himself resolved to lead an army thither, and that Denmark would be easy to seize if attacked.  Frode’s government of his country was as covetous as it was cruel.  Then Erik rose up and gainsaid the project with contrary reasons.  “We remember,” he said, “how often coveters of other men’s goods lose their own.  He who snatches at both has oft lost both.  It must be a very strong bird that can wrest the prey from the claws of another.  It is idle for thee to be encouraged by the internal jealousies of the country, for these are oft blown away by the approach of an enemy.  For though the Danes now seem divided in counsel, yet they will soon be of one mind to meet the foe.  The wolves have often made peace between the quarrelling swine.  Every man prefers a leader of his own land to a foreigner, and every province is warmer in loyalty to a native than to a stranger king.  For Frode will not await thee at home, but will intercept thee abroad as thou comest.  Eagles claw each other with their talons, and fowls fight fronting.  Thou thyself knowest that the keen sight of the wise man must leave no cause for repentance.  Thou hast an ample guard of nobles.  Keep thou quiet as thou art; indeed thou wilt almost be able to find out by means of others what are thy resources for war.  Let the soldiers first try the fortunes of their king.  Provide in peace for thine own safety, and risk others if thou dost undertake the enterprise:  better that the slave should perish than the master.  Let thy servant do for thee what the tongs do for the smith, who by the aid of his iron tool guards his hand from scorching, and saves his fingers from burning.  Learn thou also, by using thy men, to spare and take thought for thyself.”