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184
GUDUMKLOSTER.
Chap. XLII.
“ Danish camp,” constructed for defence against an
enemy attacking from the eastern side. This mound is
called Ramme, and also goes by the name of Amleth’s
Castle. Our hero has now his choice before him—either
to acknowledge the usurper, or fight his way against an
unequal enemy. Honour tells him to follow the latter
course. At first he is successful, and drives Viglet back
with great slaughter into Zealand, as the ridge of tumuli
by Møborg still attests. Viglet returns the following
year. Amleth, prepared for the worst, is anxious before
his death to procure a fitting husband and protector for
Hermentrude (of his English wife we hear nothing).
She however insists on accompanying him to the battle,
declaring it is only a faithless wife who fears to
accompany her husband when in danger. The battle now runs
northward. Amleth is defeated by his enemies, and
slain on the heathery moor which extends wide and brown
before our eyes. You may observe a ridge of “ høis,”
not far from a small white church. There, under the
loftiest, he lies buried, with due honour (so tradition
says); and the høi still bears the name of Amleths or
Angels Høi, as the moor itself is well known to every
peasant-child under the denomination of Anglands
Mose.
Alas! for Hermentrude—“ La donna ë mobile,” as the
song goes; and she was not in this respect superior to
her sisters. Amleth once slain, she accepts Viglet;
as old Saxo, the monk, has it—not I—“ So soon fate
turns round the promises of a woman; for what a
woman promises in her mind can never be depended
upon. Many change for as little as this ; they promise
easily, but seldom keep their faith ” — following up
this sentiment with something so uncomplimentary
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