Equally aghast and amazed, he turned and drove closer, asking what reward he should have if he were to tend and heal his wounds.

But Starkad would rather be tortured by grievous wounds than use the service of a man of base estate, and first asked his birth and calling.

The man said that his profession was that of a sergeant.

Starkad, not content with despising him, also spurned him with revilings, because, neglecting all honourable business, he followed the calling of a hanger-on; and because he had tarnished his whole career with ill repute, thinking the losses of the poor his own gains; suffering none to be innocent, ready to inflict wrongful accusation upon all men, most delighted at any lamentable turn in the fortunes of another; and toiling most at his own design, namely of treacherously spying out all men's doings, and seeking some traitorous occasion to censure the character of the innocent.
As this first man departed, another came up, promising aid and remedies.
Like the last comer, he was bidden to declare his condition; and he said that he had a certain man's handmaid to wife, and was doing peasant service to her master in order to set her free.

Starkad refused to accept his help, because he had married in a shameful way by taking a slave to his embrace.