Читать книгу The Story Of Frithiof - John Henderson - Страница 8

Thus the youthful days of the happy pair passed away like a pleasant dream, undisturbed by care or trouble. By degrees, Ingeborg grew up into lovely maidenhood, while Frithiof became a strong and athletic youth. The pursuits of each became more serious: Ingeborg began to devote herself more and more to ladylike occupations, especially to the favorite art of embroidering tapestry; and her companion joined eagerly in the chase, often returning heavily laden with spoil. He had inherited from his father not only strength and courage, but also a great deal of self-possession and cheerfulness. This made him a favorite with all his companions, who were soon astonished at the dauntless boldness with which he attacked the wild bears and other animals of the forest, few of which escaped from his well-armed blows with club or spear. The trophies of the hunting expedition now took the place of the flowers and fruit with which he had formerly greeted his fair playmate, and it was his greatest reward to see the smile of wonder at his courage, and anxiety for his safety, with which she welcomed his return. "When they sat side by side in front of the fire of blazing pine logs, and listened to the tales of the ancient heroes which Hilding loved so much to tell, or when Ingeborg sang songs in honor of the gods or gray-haired heroes who had long ago been laid to rest beneath the grass-grown mounds, Frithiof asked himself if she could be any other than a goddess whom the Great Father had permitted to visit the earth for a short time, to awaken an idea of the joys of Valhalla in those who looked upon her. "The golden hair of Freya is praised in all lands," said he to himself, ''but can it be more splendid than Ingeborg's?" And when he looked into her eyes, bright with the luster, and beauty of heaven, he asked: "Can it be possible that Hilding is correct when he says that the goddess Friga, wife of Odin, has the most beautiful eyes in the universe?"