Had he had a shred of virtue he should at least have disdained to be intimate with the slave of another, but should have enjoyed some freeborn partner of his bed.

What a mighty man, then, must we deem Starkad, who, when enveloped in the most deadly perils, showed himself as great in refusing aid as in receiving wounds! When this man departed a woman chanced to approach and walk past the old man.

She came up to him in order to wipe his wounds, but was first bidden to declare what was her birth and calling.

She said that she was a handmaid used to grinding at the mill.

Starkad then asked her if she had children; and when he was told that she had a female child, he told her to go home and give the breast to her squalling daughter; for he thought it most uncomely that he should borrow help from a woman of the lowest degree.