But we know not why you are so obstinate; still that is your business, not ours." "What says Ingvar ?" I asked.
"Naught; but he is godar." "Aye," said I."So I must die, that is all.

What said Ragnar Lodbrok about that ?" And I spoke to him the brave words that his forefather sang as he died, and which he loved: "Whether in weapon play Under the war cloud, Full in the face of Death Fearless he fronts him, Death is the bane of The man who is bravest, He loveth life best who Furthest from danger lives.
Sooth is the saying that Strongest the Norns are.
Lo! at my life's end I laugh--and I die." "Nay, my brother," said Halfden earnestly; "think of me, and of Osritha, and seem to bow at least." That word spoken by my friend was the hardest I ever had to bear, for now I was drawn by the love that had been so newly given me.
And I put my hands before my face and thought, while he went on: "If I were asked to give up these gods of ours, who, as it seems to me, pay mighty little heed to us--and I knew that good exchange was offered me--well then--I should--" I ended that word for him.
"You would do even as your father, and say that unless for better reason than gain--aye, however longed for--you would not." "Aye--maybe I would, after all," he answered, and was silent.
Then he said, "Guthrum and I spoke just now, and he said that your faith must be worth more than he knew, to set you so fixedly on it." Now I would have told him that it was so, but there came a little sound at the door, and Halfden went and opened it.

Across its half darkness came a woman's form, and Osritha spoke in her soft voice.
"Brother, are you here yet ?" "Aye, sister, both of us--come and persuade this foolish Wulfric." Then I spoke quickly, for it seemed to me that if Osritha spoke and urged me, I should surely give way.
"Nay, but you must not persuade me--would you have had us Christians bid your father choose between death and gain for the sake of winning him to our faith ?" Then said Halfden, "That would I not." But in the dark Osritha came to my side and clung to me, so that I was between those two whom I loved and must lose, for Halfden held my right hand, and Osritha my left, and she was weeping silently for me.
"Listen," I said, for the speaking must be mine lest they should prevail.

"Should I die willingly for one who has given His life for me ?" "Aye, surely--if that might be," said Halfden.
"Now it comes into my mind that hereafter you will know that I do not die for naught.

For He whom I worship died for me.