Amleth, when he had accomplished the slaughter of his stepfather, feared to expose his deed to the fickle judgment of his countrymen, and thought it well to lie in hiding till he had learnt what way the mob of the uncouth populace was tending.

So the whole neighbourhood, who had watched the blaze during the night, and in the morning desired to know the cause of the fire they had seen, perceived the royal palace fallen in ashes; and, on searching through its ruins, which were yet warm, found only some shapeless remains of burnt corpses.

For the devouring flame had consumed everything so utterly that not a single token was left to inform them of the cause of such a disaster.

Also they saw the body of Feng lying pierced by the sword, amid his blood-stained raiment.
Some were seized with open anger, others with grief, and some with secret delight.

One party bewailed the death of their leader, the other gave thanks that the tyranny of the fratricide was now laid at rest.
Thus the occurrence of the king's slaughter was greeted by the beholders with diverse minds.
Amleth, finding the people so quiet, made bold to leave his hiding.
Summoning those in whom he knew the memory of his father to be fast-rooted, he went to the assembly and there made a speech after this manner: "Nobles! Let not any who are troubled by the piteous end of Horwendil be worried by the sight of this disaster before you; be not ye, I say, distressed, who have remained loyal to your king and duteous to your father.