Biorn, having inflicted great slaughter on the foe without hurt to himself, gained from the strength of his sides, which were like iron, a perpetual name (Ironsides).  This victory emboldened Ragnar to hope that he could overcome any peril, and he attacked and slew Sorle with the entire forces he was leading.  He presented Biorn with the lordship of Sweden for his conspicuous bravery and service.  Then for a little interval he rested from wars, and chanced to fall deeply in love with a certain woman.  In order to find some means of approaching and winning her the more readily, he courted her father (Esbern) by showing him the most obliging and attentive kindness.  He often invited him to banquets, and received him with lavish courtesy.  When he came, he paid him the respect of rising, and when he sat, he honoured him with a set next to himself.  He also often comforted him with gifts, and at times with the most kindly speech.  The man saw that no merits of his own could be the cause of all this distinction, and casting over the matter every way in his mind, he perceived that the generosity of his monarch was caused by his love for his daughter, and that he coloured this lustful purpose with the name of kindness.  But, that he might balk the cleverness of the lover, however well calculated, he had the girl watched all the more carefully that he saw her beset by secret aims and obstinate methods.  But Ragnar, who was comforted by the surest tidings of her consent, went to the farmhouse in which she was kept, and fancying that love must find out a way, repaired alone to a certain peasant in a neighbouring lodging.  In the morning he exchanged dress with the women, and went in female attire, and stood by his mistress as she was unwinding wool.  Cunningly, to avoid betrayal, he set his hands to the work of a maiden, though they were little skilled in the art.  In the night he embraced the maiden and gained his desire.  When her time drew near, and the girl growing big, betrayed her outraged chastity, the father, not knowing to whom his daughter had given herself to be defiled, persisted in asking the girl herself who was the unknown seducer.  She steadfastly affirmed that she had had no one to share her bed except her handmaid, and he made the affair over to the king to search into.  He would not allow an innocent servant to be branded with an extraordinary charge, and was not ashamed to prove another’s innocence by avowing his own guilt.  By this generosity he partially removed the woman’s reproach, and prevented an absurd report from being sown in the ears of the wicked.  Also he added, that the son to be born of her was of his own line, and that he wished him to be named Ubbe.  When this son had grown up somewhat, his wit, despite his tender years, equalled the discernment of manhood.  For he took to loving his mother, since she had had converse with a noble bed, but cast off all respect for his father, because he had stooped to a union too lowly.