The poor bear defended himself gallantly, slaying many dogs, and some huntsmen. At length, wearied out, he sought protection at the feet of his father. But his supplicating gestures were in vain, and the eyes of paternal affection proved more dull than those of love. Biorno died by the lance of his father, and his flesh was prepared for the royal banquet. Bera was recognised, and hurried into the queen's presence. The sorceress, as Biorno had predicted, endeavoured to prevail upon Bera to eat of what was then esteemed a regal dainty. Entreaties and threats being in vain, force was, by the queen's command, employed for this purpose, and Bera was compelled to swallow one morsel of the bear's flesh. A second was put into her mouth, but she had an opportunity of putting it aside. She was then dismissed to her father's house. Here, in process of time, she was delivered of three sons, two of whom were affected variously, in person and disposition, by the share their mother had been compelled to take in the feast of the king. The eldest, from his middle downwards, resembled an elk, whence he derived the name of Elgfrod. He proved a man of uncommon strength, but of savage manners, and adopted the profession of a robber. Thorer, the second son of Bera, was handsome and well shaped, saving that he had the foot of a dog; from which he obtained the appellation of Houndsfoot. But Bodvar, the third son, was a model of perfection in mind and body. He revenged upon the necromantic queen the death of his father, and became the most celebrated champion of his age. _Historia Hrolfi Krakæ, Haffniæ, 1715._ FOOTNOTES: [4] Poich' ebbe il verso Brandimarte letto, La lapida pesante in aria alzava: Ecco fuor una serpe insin' al petto, La qual, forte stridendo, zufolava, Di spaventoso, e terribil' aspetto, A prendo il muso gran denti mostrava, De' quali il cavalier non si fidando, Si trasse a dietro, et mise mano al brando. Ma quella Donna gridava "non fate" Col viso smorto, e grido tremebondo, "Non far, che ci farai pericolare, E cadrem' tutti quanti nel profondo: A te convien quella serpe baciare, O far pensier di non esser' al Mondo, Accostar la tua bocca con la sua, O perduta tener la vita tua." "Come? non vedi, che i denti degrigna, Che pajon fatti a posta a spiccar' nasi, E fammi un certo viso de matrigna," Disse il Guerrier, "ch'io me spavento quassi." "Anzi t' invita con faccia benigna;" Disse la Donna, "e molti altri rimasi Per vilta sono a questa sepolture: Or la t' accosta, e non aver paura." Il cavalier s' accosta, ma di passo, Che troppo grato quel baciar non gli era, Verso la serpe chinandosi basso, Gli parvo tanto orrenda, e tanto fera, Che venne in viso freddo, com' un sasso; E disse "si fortuna vuol' ch'io pera, Fia tanto un altra volta, quanto addeso Ma cagion dar non me ne voglio io stesso."