And sorely were they frightened; whene’er he seemed unkind they ills forecasted.

[138]

When he now drew nearer unto his father’s shore,

He saw the roomy castles he well had known before;

Soon a lofty palace he spied at the edge of the river;

Three hundred towers fully he there beheld, as strong and good as ever.

[139]

In it dwelt King Sigeband, with his proud and queenly wife.

Again each pilgrim sailor thought to lose his life;

For should the lord of Ireland aught of them be learning,