Ancient royal duty has it that the ruler employs all means available to him for the progress of his people and for the happiness of every single citizen.

“To achieve this the king makes use of everything that is available in his sphere of influence.

If some means for the accomplishment of these high goals is not available, it is the duty of the king, to procure them - without, however, incurring guilt on himself or the people.

“By ancient law the king therefore has, as a matter of course, in his realm available to him all the means to do his royal duties - without exception.

“If the sovereign is refused any means which could promote the progress of his people, he is obliged to seize upon these means, and if necessary even without the agreement of the apparent owner; for the concern is the benefit of the people, not some specific ownership.

The benefit of the people has the highest priority of all consideration of a true king.

“Now Helgi concluded quite appropriately, ”Of what use is such a cow to a sage like Sehermund? Certainly of none to himself; and if she is to be used for the benefit of the people, the king is the right place.”

Besides, all the sons of the king and the soldiers too had seen the wishing-cow, and they all realized that this holy animal can serve the benefit of all and therefore has to be used for it - in a more comprehensive manner than just for the serving of food and drinks.

“Such a cow can save the king much thought which in turn gives him more time for other important tasks and for his people.

“If now the king does not want to lose his face of royal rule, then he is obliged to ask Sehermund for the wishing-cow - not to gain some personal advantage: indeed a king is committed to use all of his time as useful as possible for the benefit of those that are entrusted to him.

“Personally the king would only too much refrain from asking for the cow but as a statesman he is obliged to do so by virtue of his office - every one of his subordinates is sufficiently informed about her marvellous possibilities, and the king must not give in one step with regard to his demand.

Besides, from Helgi's point of view, the great sage Sehermund can have no personal loss by losing the wishing-cow since a sage has everything he might require in abundance by virtue of his wisdom.

“Sehermund had manoeuvred the king into this embarrassment because he had brought it all about.

The king might have influenced the course of events if he had not come to the hermitage at all, because then he would have avoided the question for the wishing-cow in the first place.

“As of now, however, he has no choice; right from the beginning the sage had surely trapped him first for his violation of duty and secondly, all the more thorough, for his fulfilment of duty as a king; and now the king cannot move to either side; the ruler over the earth is firmly in the hands of the divine sage and his plans.

“Of what use to the king are then the polite words and the generous offers to buy the cow: according to the will of Sehermund the mighty ruler of the world has to abduct the cow because the saint does not bargain - a quality that distinguishes all great sages, namely that they are incorruptible in their own thought and action.

“As soon as the cow is carried off, she tears herself loose and runs to the holy man. ”Did you give me away?” she asks frightened.

“No, Savala, I have not given you away. You have done me no harm,” answered Sehermund worriedly. ”The king is taking you away from me by force. My might is not up to his. Look, he has elephants, horses, chariots and a huge army. He is a warrior and a ruler of the earth. Furthermore he is my guest, and it is not right to violate the law of hospitality.”