On the Sea
After the burning of Balder's temple and grove Frithiof was very sad at heart. He felt that the sun-god would never forgive him, although he had not intended any wrong. His home, the lovely Framness, had been destroyed by the king. Ingeborg was kept from him, and the people of his own country shunned him because of his crime against Balder. He felt that he had no home, no country, no friends.
One refuge he had—the swift-flying ship Ellide. From her deck he saw the fires still burning in Balder's grove. Grief filled his heart. "Gone is the temple of the white god. In ashes are the groves once never neglected! And I am to blame; anger and haste made me forget time and place, the reverence due in that holy temple!"
Over the blue sea where wild waves sing, Ellide flew. Frithiof felt at home in the tempest on the rocking ship—this was his Northland, these on board were his only friends. The sea knows no king, and Helge's wrath could not reach him on its waves.
But lo! from a hiding-place in the high rocks King Helge sends out ten dragon ships. The warriors with Frithiof rejoice and laugh at the king, for Bjorn had, unknown to all, leaped into the sea and bored holes in the boat-keels. Down sank the ships and many men were drowned, but Helge escaped.
In wrath the king drew his bow, but it broke. Then Frithiof aimed his lance. "A death bird have I here, false king! but my lance refuses to drink thy coward blood. It is too good for food so craven!"
So speaking Frithiof seized his oars—huge blades of fir, and swiftly moved away.
Where foam-crest swimmeth
Ellide skimmeth
On joyous wings;
But Frithiof sings:
"Thou front of creation,
Exalted North!
I have no station
On thy green earth.
Thy lineage sharing
My pride doth swell,
Thou home of daring!
Farewell, farewell!"
And that you also may sing Frithiof's song, the last verse is given with the music.