But Thorkill was not at a loss for a fitting excuse.

He reminded him that men who took unaccustomed food often suffered from it seriously, and that the king was not ungrateful for the service rendered by another, but was merely taking care of his health, when he refreshed himself as he was wont, and furnished his supper with his own viands.

An act, therefore, that was only done in the healthy desire to escape some bane, ought in no wise to be put down to scorn.

Now when Gudmund saw that the temperance of his guest had baffled his treacherous preparations, he determined to sap their chastity, if he could not weaken their abstinence, and eagerly strained every nerve of his wit to enfeeble their self-control.

For he offered the king his daughter in marriage, and promised the rest that they should have whatever women of his household they desired.