At this each man's sword flashed in the light, and a louder cry arose: "All hail, King Witichis!"
Old Hildebrand now descended from his place and said:
"I leave this high seat, for the place now belongs to our king. Only once again let me perform the office of the Ting-Earl. If I cannot hang the purple on thy shoulders, O King, which the Amelungs have worn; nor reach to thee their golden sceptre--take, at least, my judge's mantle and the staff of justice for a sceptre; as a sign that thou wert chosen for thy justice' sake. I cannot press Theodoric's golden circlet, the old Gothic crown, upon thy brow, then take the first leaves of the oak which thou resemblest in trustiness and strength."
With these words he broke a tender shoot of the oak and bound it round Witichis' brow.
"Up, Gothic warriors! fulfil your office with the shield!"
Haduswinth, Teja, and Hildebad took the ancient Ting-shield, lifted the King, who was now crowned with wreath, staff, and mantle, and raised him on their shoulders in sight of all the people.
"Behold, O Goths, your King, whom you yourselves have chosen, and swear allegiance to him!"
And they swore--standing upright, not kneeling=-to true to him till death.
Witichis sprang from the shield, ascended the Ting-seat and cried:
"As you swear fidelity to me, so do I to you. I will be a mild and just king; I will do right and prevent wrong. I will remember that you are free, like me, and not my slaves. And I dedicate my life, my happiness, all that is mine, to you, to the people of the good Goths! I swear it by the God of Heaven, and by my throne."