第41章

No time hast thou to rest!

Thy ocean wings spread wide --

Speed o'er the foaming tide!

Speed on -- speed on thy way!

For here thou canst not stay."

Eirik sailed along the land and came to Denmark, and went to King Harald Gormson, and staid with him all winter (A.D.974).In spring the Danish king sent him north to Norway, and gave him an earldom, and the government of Vingulmark and Raumarike, on the same terms as the small scat-paying kings had formerly held these domains.So says Eyjolf Dadaskald: --"South through ocean's spray His dragon flew away To Gormson's hall renowned.

Where the bowl goes bravely round.

And the Danish king did place This youth of noble race Where, shield and sword in hand, He would aye defend his land."Eirik became afterwards a great chief.

21.OLAF TRYGVASON'S JOURNEY FROM RUSSIA.

All this time Olaf Trygvason was in Gardarike (Russia), and highly esteemed by King Valdemar, and beloved by the queen.King Valdemar made him chief over the men-at-arms whom he sent out to defend the land.So says Hallarsteid-"The hater of the niggard band, The chief who loves the Northman's land, Was only twelve years old when he His Russian war-ships put to sea.

The wain that ploughs the sea was then Loaded with war-gear by his men --With swords, and spears, and helms: and deep Out to the sea his good ships sweep."Olaf had several battles, and was lucky as a leader of troops.

He himself kept a great many men-at-arms at his own expense out of the pay the king gave him.Olaf was very generous to his men, and therefore very popular.But then it came to pass, what so often happens when a foreigner is raised to higher power and dignity than men of the country, that many envied him because he was so favoured by the king, and also not less so by the queen.

They hinted to the king that he should take care not to make Olaf too powerful, -- "for such a man may be dangerous to you, if he were to allow himself to be used for the purpose of doing you or your kingdom harm; for he is extremely expert in all exercises and feats, and very popular.We do not, indeed, know what it is he can have to talk of so often with the queen." It was then the custom among great monarchs that the queen should have half of the court attendants, and she supported them at her own expense out of the scat and revenue provided for her for that purpose.

It was so also at the court of King Valdemar that the queen had an attendance as large as the king, and they vied with each other about the finest men, each wanting to have such in their own service.It so fell out that the king listened to such speeches, and became somewhat silent and blunt towards Olaf.When Olaf observed this, he told it to the queen; and also that he had a great desire to travel to the Northern land, where his family formerly had power and kingdoms, and where it was most likely he would advance himself.The queen wished him a prosperous journey, and said he would be found a brave man wherever he might be.Olaf then made ready, went on board, and set out to sea in the Baltic.

As he was coming from the east he made the island of Borgundarholm (Bornholm), where he landed and plundered.The country people hastened down to the strand, and gave him battle;but Olaf gained the victory, and a large booty.

22.OLAF TRYGVASON'S MARRIAGE.

While Olaf lay at Borgundarholm there came on bad weather, storm, and a heavy sea, so that his ships could not lie there; and he sailed southwards under Vindland, where they found a good harbour.They conducted themselves very peacefully, and remained some time.In Vindland there was then a king called Burizleif, who had three daughters, -- Geira, Gunhild, and Astrid.The king's daughter Geira had the power and government in that part where Olaf and his people landed, and Dixen was the name of the man who most usually advised Queen Geira.Now when they heard that unknown people were came to the country, who were of distinguished appearance, and conducted themselves peaceably, Dixen repaired to them with a message from Queen Geira, inviting the strangers to take up their winter abode with her; for the summer was almost spent, and the weather was severe and stormy.

Now when Dixen came to the place he soon saw that the leader was a distinguished man, both from family and personal appearance, and he told Olaf the queen's invitation with the most kindly message.Olaf willingly accepted the invitation, and went in harvest (A.D.982) to Queen Geira.They liked each other exceedingly, and Olaf courted Queen Geira; and it was so settled that Olaf married her the same winter, and was ruler, along with Queen Geira, over her dominions.Halfred Vandredaskald tells of these matters in the lay he composed about King Olaf: --"Why should the deeds the hero did In Bornholm and the East he hid?

His deadly weapon Olaf bold Dyed red: why should not this be told?"23.EARL HAKON PAYS NO SCAT.

Earl Hakon ruled over Norway, and paid no scat; because the Danish king gave him all the scat revenue that belonged to the king in Norway, for the expense and trouble he had in defending the country against Gunhild's sons.

24.HARALD OPPOSES CHRISTIANITY.

The Emperor Otta (Otto) was at that time in the Saxon country, and sent a message to King Harald, the Danish king, that he must take on the true faith and be baptized, he and all his people whom he ruled; "otherwise," says the emperor, "we will march against him with an army." The Danish king ordered the land defence to be fitted out, Danavirke (1) (the Danish wall) to be well fortified, and his ships of war rigged out.He sent a message also to Earl Hakon in Norway to come to him early in spring, and with as many men as he could possibly raise.In spring (A.D.975) Earl Hakon levied an army over the whole country which was very numerous, and with it he sailed to meet the Danish king.The king received him in the most honourable manner.Many other chiefs also joined the Danish king with their men, so that he had gathered a very large army.

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