Then the eldest spae-wife took the candle and extinguished it and bade my mother take charge of it and not light it until the last day of my life. After that the spae-wives went away, and my father gave them good gifts at parting. When I was full-grown, my mother gave me the candle to take charge of: I have it with me now."
The King said: "Why have you come here to me now?"
Guest replied: "The idea that came into my mind was this: I expected that I should get good luck from you, because I have heard you highly praised by good and wise men."
The King said: "Will you receive holy baptism now?"
Guest replied: "Yes, I will, since you advise it."
So it came to pass; and the King took him into his favour and made him one of his retinue. Guest became a very good Christian and loyally followed the King's rules of life. He was also popular with everybody.
XII.[°] It happened one day that the King asked Guest: "How much longer would you live if you could choose?"
Guest replied: "Only a short time, please God!"
The King said: "What will happen if you take your candle now?"