第107章

"Dost thou know of any king," said he, "who made so great a capture in so short a time?""It is indeed," replied she, "a good morning's hunting, to have got five black-cocks; but it was a still better when, in one morning, the king of Norway, Olaf, took five kings, and subdued all their kingdoms."When the king heard this he sprang from his horse, turned to Ingegerd, and said, "Thou shalt know, Ingegerd, that however great thy love may be for this man, thou shalt never get him, nor he get thee.I will marry thee to some chief with whom I can be in friendship; but never can I be a friend of the man who has robbed me of my kingdom, and done me great mischief by marauding and killing through the land." With that their conversation broke off, and each went away.

91.OLAF THE NORWAY KING'S COUNSELS.

Ingegerd, the king's daughter, had now full certainty of King Olaf's intention, and immediately sent men to West Gautland to Earl Ragnvald, and let him know how it stood with the Swedish king, and that the agreement made with the king of Norway was broken; and advising the earl and people of West Gautland to be upon their guard, as no peace from the people of Norway was to be expected.When the earl got this news he sent a message through all his kingdom, and told the people to be cautious, and prepared in case of war or pillage from the side of Norway.He also sent men to King Olaf the Thick, and let him know the message he had received, and likewise that he wished for himself to hold peace and friendship with King Olaf; and therefore he begged him not to pillage in his kingdom.When this message came to King Olaf it made him both angry and sorry; and for some days nobody got a word from him.He then held a House-Thing with his men, and in it Bjorn arose, and first took the word.He began his speech by telling that he had proceeded eastward last winter to establish a peace, and he told how kindly Earl Ragnvald had received him;and, on the other hand, how crossly and heavily the Swedish king had accepted the proposal."And the agreement," said he, "which was made, was made more by means of the strength of the people, the power of Thorgny, and the aid of the earl, than by the king's good-will.Now, on these grounds, we know for certain that it is the king who has caused the breach of the agreement; therefore we ought by no means to make the earl suffer, for it is proved that he is King Olaf's firm friend." The king wished now to hear from the chiefs and other leaders of troops what course he should adopt."Whether shall we go against Gautland, and maraud there with such men as we have got; or is there any other course that appears to you more advisable?" He spoke both long and well.

Thereafter many powerful men spoke, and all were at last agreed in dissuading from hostilities.They argued thus: -- "Although we are a numerous body of men who are assembled here, yet they are all only people of weight and power; but, for a war expedition, young men who are in quest of property and consideration are more suitable.It is also the custom of people of weight and power, when they go into battle or strife, to have many people with them whom they can send out before them for their defence; for the men do not fight worse who have little property, but even better than those who are brought up in the midst of wealth." After these considerations the king resolved to dismiss this army from any expedition, and to give every man leave to return home; but proclaimed, at the same time, that next summer the people over the whole country would be called out in a general levy, to march immediately against the Swedish king, and punish him for his want of faith.All thought well of this plan.

Then the king returned northwards to Viken, and took his abode at Sarpsborg in autumn, and ordered all things necessary for winter provision to be collected there; and he remained there all winter (A.D.1019) with a great retinue.

92.SIGVAT THE SKALD'S JOURNEY EASTWARDS.

People talked variously about Earl Ragnvald; some said he was King Olaf's sincere friend; others did not think this likely, and thought it stood in his power to warn the Swedish king to keep his word, and the agreement concluded on between him and King Olaf.Sigvat the poet often expressed himself in conversation as Earl Ragnvald's great friend, and often spoke of him to King Olaf; and he offered to the king to travel to Earl Ragnvald's and spy after the Swedish kings doings, and to attempt, if possible, to get the settlement of the agreement.The king thought well of this plan; for he oft, and with pleasure, spoke to his confidential friends about Ingegerd, the king's daughter.Early in winter (A.D.1019) Sigvat the skald, with two companions, left Sarpsborg, and proceeded eastwards over the moors to Gautland.

Before Sigvat and King Olaf parted he composed these verses: --"Sit happy in thy hall, O king!

Till I come back, and good news bring:

The skald will bid thee now farewell, Till he brings news well worth to tell.

He wishes to the helmed hero Health, and long life, and a tull flow Of honour, riches.and success --And, parting, ends his song with this.

The farewell word is spoken now __

The word that to the heart lies nearest;

And yet, O king! before I go, One word on what I hold the dearest, I fain would say, "O! may God save To thee the bravest of the brave, The land, which is thy right by birth!"This is my dearest with on earth."Then they proceeded eastwards towards Eid, and had difficulty in crossing the river in a little cobble; but they escaped, though with danger: and Sigvat sang: --"On shore the crazy boat I drew, Wet to the skin, and frightened too;For truly there was danger then;The mocking hill elves laughed again.

To see us in this cobble sailing, And all our sea-skill unavailing.

But better did it end, you see, Than any of us could foresee."Then they went through the Eid forest, and Sigvat sang: --"A hundred miles through Eid's old wood, And devil an alehouse, bad or good, --A hundred miles, and tree and sky Were all that met the weary eye.