These words then Thorstein uttered in clearest tone: 
“King Bele unto Odin goes not alone;
We’ve always stood together, whatever tried us,
And death, now drawing near, shall not divide us.

“Fridthjof, old age hath whispered in my rapt ear
Full many words of wisdom, which thou must hear. 
Birds fly from graves to Odin, with wisdom freighted,
The words by old men spoken, should not be slighted.

“First, give the high gods honor; for good or ill,
Storms come as well as sunshine, by Heaven’s will. 
The gods perceive the secrets in thy possession. 
And years must make atonement for each transgression.

“Obey the king:  most wisely rules one alone,
The eyes of night are many, day has but one. 
The better are contented by best directed,—­
The blade must have a handle to be perfected.

Great strength is heaven’s dower; but, Fridthjof, learn
That power devoid of wisdom, can little earn. 
Strong bears by one are taken,—­one man of reason;
Set shields to turn the sword stroke, let law stop treason.

“A few may fear the haughty, whom all despise,
And with the proud in spirit, destruction lies: 
Those once flew high, who’re now on crutches creeping;
The winds rule fortune, weather, time of reaping.

“The day thou’lt rightly prize, whose sun has sunk,
Advice when it is followed, and ale when drunk. 
The hopes of youth on shadows are often rested,
But strength of sword and friendship, by use are ’tested.

“Trust not the snow of spring-time, nor night-old ice;
The serpent when he sleepeth, nor girl’s advice;
The mind of changeful woman not long abideth,
And fickleness of spirit, ’neath flower-tints hideth.

“All men will surely perish with all they prize,
But one thing know I, Fridthjof, which never dies,—­
And that is reputation’, therefore, ever
The noble action strive for, the good endeavor.”

So warned the aged chieftains in the palace hall. 
As since the skald has chanted in Ha’vama’l,
So passed these sayings pithy through generations;
And still from graves they whisper ’mid northern nations.

Then many words and heartfelt, these warriors found
To tell their lasting friendship, so wide renowned. 
How friends till death, if fortune or frowned or slighted. 
Like two hands clasped together they stood united.

“And back to back in battle we held the field,
And which way norns did threaten, they smote a shield;
Before you now to Valhal we old men hasten,
And may their fathers’ spirit our children’s chasten.”

The king said much concerning brave Fridthjof’s worth,
Heroic power surpassing all royal birth;
And much was said by Thorstein, how graces cluster
Round Northland’s honored monarchs, with Asa-lustre.

“But hold ye fast together, ye children three,
The Northland then your conqueror shall never see;
For royalty and power, when duly ordered,
Are like a bright shield golden, by blue steel bordered.