Seldom could a man carry to a successful end a battle he had begun against the innocent; so, to give them a better plea for assaulting the enemy, he must be provoked to attack them first.
Erik then turned to Gunwar, and asked her, in order to test her fidelity, whether she had any love for Gotar, telling her it was unworthy that a maid of royal lineage should be bound to the bed of a man of the people.

Then she began to conjure him earnestly by the power of heaven to tell her whether his purpose was true or reigned?
He said that he had spoken seriously, and she cried: "And so thou art prepared to bring on me the worst of shame by leaving me a widow, whom thou lovedst dearly as a maid! Common rumour often speaks false, but I have been wrong in my opinion of thee.

I thought I had married a steadfast man; I hoped his loyalty was past question; but now I find him to be more fickle than the winds." Saying this, she wept abundantly.
Dear to Erik was his wife's fears; presently he embraced her and said: "I wished to know how loyal thou wert to me.

Nought but death has the right to sever us, but Gotar means to steal thee away, seeking thy love by robbery.

When he has committed the theft, pretend it is done with thy goodwill; yet put off the wedding till he has given me his daughter in thy place.