14 A LEGEND OF THE HUNS. 



" Guerdon I ask not, 

 I seek not thy red gold : 

 Yet will I ride forth 

 And bear the shield 

 To the host of the Huns, 

 And dare them to battle." 



It was an ancient custom for the invader, when he 

 appeared in an enemy's country, to leave to the king of 

 that country the right of naming the " valplats," or battle- 

 ground ; and until the combat was decided, to refrain from 

 ravaging the land. 



In accordance with this usage, Gissor, after having put on 

 his most sumptuous armour, and mounted his horse, inquired 

 therefore of Angantyr : 



" Where shall we mark out 

 The battle-field ?" 



To which appeal the King rejoined : 



" At Dunaheden, and around 

 The far-spread Josen Mountain 

 Battle shall wait them, 

 Where oft-times valiant 

 Champions were warring, 

 Reaping the glorious 

 Harvest of fame/' 



Gissor now rode forth to the Hunnish army, but ap- 

 proached not nearer than to be enabled to hold converse with 

 its commander. In a loud voice he then " qvad :" 



" Your squadrons stand confounded, 

 Your chieftains are trembling, 

 Crest-fallen is your monarch, 

 And Odin has forsaken you. 



