EN151.31 Sons

Ott 2025

U. Koneread

2. About Friso

Rise of the Dad’s Sons

151.31 The burgmaids and the old maidens, who still remembered their former greatness, [152] were not well inclined toward Friso’s exploits. Therefore, they did not speak well of him.

Meanwhile Friso, much slyer than they, let them gossip; but the young maidens he wove with golden fingers into his project. Everywhere they said: “We no longer have a mother, but that is because we have grown up. Today a king is more suitable for us, so we can reconquer our lands that the mothers lost through their inattentiveness!”

They furthermore proclaimed: “Every child of Frya possesses the freedom to let his voice be heard before a decision is made at the election of a leader. If it should come to the point of choosing a king again, I too will have my say.

“From all that I can see, Friso was chosen for the kingship by Wralda, as he so miraculously sped him here to us. Friso knows the tricks of the Gola, whose language he speaks, so he can be wary of their schemes. And then there is this to consider: What alderman could be chosen as king without the others being envious?”

Such slogans were pronounced by the young maidens. But the old maids, though few in number, drew their sentiments from a different cask. They proclaimed everywhere and to anyone: “Friso,” they said, “does like the spiders. [153] At night he spins his nets in all directions, and by day he entangles his unsuspecting friends in them. Friso says he cannot suffer priests or puppet princes, but I say that he can suffer none but himself. This is why he will not sanction the restoration of the burg Stavia. It is why he does not want us to have a mother again. Today, Friso is your counselor. But, tomorrow, he desires to be your king, so that he may rule over you all!”

In the heart of the folk, two divisions emerged: The old and poor wanted to have a mother again, but the young folk, being full of fighting spirit, wanted a ‘father’ — in other words, a king. The first named themselves ‘Mother’s Sons’, and the others named themselves ‘Dad’s Sons’. But the Mother’s Sons were ignored because, since many ships were built, there was abundant prosperity for shipbuilders, smiths, sailmakers, rope makers, and for all other craftsmen. Moreover, the sea warriors brought with them all sorts of jewels and adornments that pleased the women, the maidens, and the girls — which pleased all their relatives, all their friends, and allies.

When Friso had run the house of [154] Staveren for about forty years, he died. Through his policies, he had reunited many states — though I dare not judge whether we shall be better off for it! Of all the aldermen who had preceded him, none had been as far-famed and controversial as Friso, for, as I said before, the young maidens praised him, while the old maids did everything possible to publicly criticize and denounce him. Although the disapproving elders were hardly able to hinder his policies, their protestations did at least accomplish that he died without becoming king.

Sandbach 1876

[p.205 cont.] The burgtmaidens and old maidens who still remembered their greatness did not hold with Friso's object, and therefore they said no good of him; but Friso, more cunning than they, let them chatter, but the younger maidens he led to his side with golden fingers. They said everywhere, For a long time we have had no mother, but that comes from our being fit to take care of ourselves. At present it suits us best to have a king to win back our lands that we have lost through the imprudence of our mothers. [p.207] Further they said, Every child of Frya has permission to let his voice be heard before the choice of a prince is decided; but if it comes to that, that you choose a king, then also we will have our say. From all that we can see, Wr-alda has appointed Friso for it, for he has brought him here in a wonderful way. Friso knows the tricks of the Gauls, whose language he speaks; he can therefore watch against their craftiness. Then there is something else to keep the eye upon. What count could be chosen as king without the others being jealous of him? All such nonsense the young maidens talked; but the old maidens, though few in number, tapped their advice out of another cask. They said always and to every one: Friso does like the spiders. At night he spreads his webs in all directions, and in the day he catches in them all his unsuspecting friends. Friso says he cannot suffer any priests or foreign princes, but we say that he cannot suffer anybody but himself; therefore he will not allow the citadel of Stevie to be rebuilt; therefore he will not have the mother again. To-day Friso is your counsellor, to-morrow he will be your king, in order to have full power over you. Among the people there now existed two parties. The old and the poor wished to have the mother again, but the young and the warlike wished for a father and a king. The first called themselves mother's sons, the others father's sons, but the mother's sons did not count for much; because there were many ships to build, there was a good time for all kinds of workmen. Moreover, the sea-rovers brought all sorts of treasures, with which the maidens were pleased, the girls were pleased, and their relations and friends.

[p.209] When Friso had been nearly forty years at Staveren he died. Owing to him many of the states had been joined together again, but that we were the better for it I am not prepared to certify. Of all the counts that preceded him there was none so renowned as Friso; for, as I said before, the young maidens spoke in his praise, while the old maidens did all in their power to make him hateful to everybody. Although the old women could not prevent his meddling, they made so much fuss that he died without becoming king.

Notes Sandbach

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In other languages

DE151.31 Vatersöhne

ES151.31 Hijos del Padre

NL151.31 Vaderszonen

NO151.31 Fars sønner