Sloth was the worst of vices in a suitor, and nothing was more of a reproach in one who sought marriage than the lack of fame.

A harvest of glory, and that alone, could bring wealth in everything else.

Maidens admired in their wooers not so much good looks as deeds nobly done.

So the envoys, flagging and despairing of their wish, left the further conduct of the affair to the wisdom of Gotwar, who tried to subdue the maiden not only with words but with love-philtres, and began to declare that Frode used his left hand as well as his right, and was a quick and skillful swimmer and fighter.
Also by the drink which she gave she changed the strictness of the maiden to desire, and replaced her vanished anger with love and delight.
Then she bade Westmar, Koll, and their sons go to the king and urge their mission afresh; and finally, should they find him froward, to anticipate a rebuff by a challenge to fight.
So Westmar entered the palace with his men-at-arms, and said: "Now thou must needs either consent to our entreaties, or meet in battle us who entreat thee.

We would rather die nobly than go back with our mission unperformed; lest, foully repulsed and foiled of our purpose, we should take home disgrace where we hoped to will honour.