As the mighty ruler over the earth arrives at the hermitage of the great sage Sehermund, the king everywhere feels the personal freedom in which such a divine saint is living; due to this experience his responsibility now lies all the harder on his shoulders, and a deep longing for such freedom of a sage settles in his heart.

“The great Sehermund recognizes this deep yearning at once and devises a plan.

He offers the king and his whole retinue his hospitality.

“Now the king Helgi is a very prudent man, and he immediately realizes the mistake he has made: here, in the vicinity of the holy man, to wish away his royal duty, by longing for such quiet simplicity as he finds it here; and therefore he kindly refuses the invitation - somewhat frightened about himself.