At last he slighted the ties of kinship, and sworn faith prevailed.

His heart turned to vengeance, and he put the sanctity of his oath before family bonds.
But since it was thought sin to wrong the holy ties of hospitality, he preferred to execrate his revenge by the hand of another, wishing to mask his secret crime with a show of innocence.

So he veiled his treachery with attentions, and hid his intent to harm under a show of zealous goodwill.

His queen having lately died of illness, he requested Amleth to undertake the mission of making him a fresh match, saying that he was highly delighted with his extraordinary shrewdness.

He declared that there was a certain queen reigning in Scotland, whom he vehemently desired to marry.