errors must often be forgiven, and that punishment ought not to be inflicted, unless amendment were unable to get rid of her fault.  So the king pardoned Hanund.  As twilight drew near, Erik said:  “With Gotar, not only are rooms provided when the soldiers are coming to feast at the banquet, but each is appointed a separate place and seat where he is to lie.”  Then the king gave up for their occupation the places where his own champions had sat; and next the servants brought the banquet.  But Erik, knowing well the courtesy of the king, which made him forbid them to use up any of the meal that was left, cast away the piece of which he had tasted very little, calling whole portions broken bits of food.  And so, as the dishes dwindled, the servants brought up fresh ones to the lacking and shamefaced guests, thus spending on a little supper what might have served for a great banquet.

So the king said:  “Are the soldiers of Gotar wont to squander the meat after once touching it, as if it were so many pared-off crusts?  And to spurn the first dishes as if they were the last morsels?”

Erik said:  “Uncouthness claims no place in the manners of Gotar, neither does any disorderly habit feign there.”

But Frode said:  “Then thy manners are not those of thy lord, and thou hast proved that thou hast not taken all wisdom to heart.  For he who goes against the example of his elders shows himself a deserter and a renegade.”

Then said Erik:  “The wise man must be taught by the wiser.  For knowledge grows by learning, and instruction is advanced by doctrine.”

Frode rejoined:  “This affectation of thine of superfluous words, what exemplary lesson will it teach me?”

Erik said:  “A loyal few are a safer defence for a king than many traitors.”

Frode said to him:  “Wilt thou then show us closer allegiance than the rest?”

Erik answered:  “No man ties the unborn (horse) to the crib, or the unbegotten to the stall.  For thou hast not yet experienced all things.  Besides, with Gotar there is always a mixture of drinking with feasting; liquor, over and above, and as well as meat, is the joy of the reveller.”

Frode said:  “Never have I found a more shameless beggar of meat and drink.”

Erik replied:  “Few reckon the need of the silent, or measure the wants of him who holds his peace.”

Then the king bade his sister bring forth the drink in a great goblet.  Erik caught hold of her right hand and of the goblet she offered at the same time, and said:  “Noblest of kings, hath thy benignity granted me this present?  Dost thou assure me that what I hold shall be mine as an irrevocable gift?”

The king, thinking that he was only asking for the cup, declared it was a gift.  But Erik drew the maiden to him, as if she was given with the cup.  When the king saw it, he said:  “A fool is shown by his deed; with us freedom of maidens is ever held inviolate.”