ABSTRACT
1 THE champions of the Götar thought that no kind of contest was I more effective for winning the palm of valour than single combat, for in this you relied on your own bravery and excluded the help of another’s hand. 1 2 It was then accepted by all classes of people that whoever declined to submit himself to the decision of a fight was held to be the loser; 2 3 kings and princes were thought to have disgraced themselves for ever if they refused such a challenge, even though it might have been issued by men of the lowest condition. Princes of old derived their fame more from prowess in arms than from riches, especially when a matter which could not be settled by hazarding all might be decided through the fate of a few. Their eagerness to meet in single combat was as great as the usual delight of our womanish aristocrats when they are invited to sumptuous banquets. Indeed, in those days they gave themselves up more 269cheerfully to the pleasures of feasting if the entertainment was to be completed by a duel. The victors had unparalleled renown bestowed on them for their valour; garlanded with the ivy crown of war, adorned with the prizes of victory, they earned well-deserved praise for their bravery. The coward won no palm and came back with no glory in arms; baseness of life was the ultimate dishonour, the greatest unhappiness attended the indolent. 3 To be sure, just as the Romans extolled with highest eulogies the feats of their Camilli, Curii, Fabricii, Collatini, Scipios, Marcelli, Maximi, Paulli, and Marii, 4 so the men of the North would have heaped everlasting commendations on the achievements of their heroes if they had learned to match their daring deeds with skill in writing. The reward for undergoing a perilous duel was the topmost place among brave champions and marriage to some nobly-born or beautiful maiden. They nourished the utmost hatred for riches and were worried in case they might seem to have put their courage in the pay of avarice; consequently they showed themselves much more eager for honour than devoted to gain and set valour before greed for money. It was made plain that glory rested not in a paid fee but in nobility of mind.
Single combat
Fame of the ancients
Eagerness for single combat
Prizes of victory
Cowardly win no palm
Romans
Northerners write less and act more bravely
Hatred of riches
Nobility of mind
