heimskringla-第143章
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w they have but few men； and we have their fate in our own hands。〃
Gregorius said but little； but thought that Erling rather dissuaded from an attack that Gregorius's advice should have no effect； than that he had any better advice to give。
7。 OF HAKON'S FLEET。
Then said King Inge to Erling； 〃Now we will follow thy advice； brother； with regard to the manner of attacking； but seeing how eager our counsellors are for it； we shall make the attack this day。〃
Erling replied； 〃All the boats and light vessels we have should row outside the island； and up the east arm of the river； and then down with the stream upon them； and try if they cannot cut them loose from the piles。 Then we； with the large ships； shall row from below here against them； and I cannot tell until it be tried； if those who are now so furiously warm will be much brisker at the attack than I am。〃
This counsel was approved by all。 There was a ness stretched out between their fleet and Hakon's； so that they could not see each other。 Now when Hakon and his men； who had taken counsel with each other in a meeting； saw the boat…squadron rowing down the river； some thought King Inge intended to give them battle； but many believed they did not dare； for it looked as if the attack was given up； and they； besides； were very confident； both in their preparations and men。 There were many great people with Hakon： there were Sigurd of Reyr； and Simon's sons； Nikolas Skialdvarson； Eindride； a son of Jon Mornef； who was the most gallant and popular man in the Throndhjem country； and many other lendermen and warriors。 Now when they saw that King Inge's men with many ships were rowing out of the river； Hakon and his men believed they were going to fly； and therefore they cut their land…ropes with which they lay fast at the piles； seized their oars； and rowed after them in pursuit。 The ships ran fast down with the stream； but when they came further down the river； abreast of the ness； they saw King Inge's main strength lying quiet at the island Hising。 King Inge's people saw Hakon's ships under way； and believed they were coming to attack them； and now there was great bustle and clash of arms； and they encouraged each other by a great war…shout。 Hakon with his fleet turned northwards a little to the land； where there was a turn in the bight of the river； and where there was no current。 They made ready for battle； carried land…ropes to the shore； turned the stems of their ships outwards； and bound them all together。 They laid the large East…country traders without the other vessels； the one above； the other below； and bound them to the long…ships。 In the middle of the fleet lay the king's ship； and next to it Sigurd's； and on the other side of the king's ship lay Nikolas； and next to him Endride Jonson。 All the smaller ships lay farther off； and they were all nearly loaded with weapons and stones。
8。 SIGURD OF REYR'S SPEECH。
Then Sigurd of Reyr made the following speech： 〃Now there is hope that the time is come which has been promised us all the summer； that we shall meet King Inge in battle。 We have long prepared ourselves for this； and many of our comrades have boasted that they would never fly from or submit to King Inge and Gregorius； and now let them remember their words。 But we who have sometimes got the toothache in our conflicts with them； speak less confidently； for it has happened； as all have heard； that we very often have come off without glory。 But； nevertheless； it is now necessary to fight manfully； and stand to it with steadiness； for the only escape for us is in victory。 Although we have somewhat fewer men than they； yet luck determines which side shall have the advantage； and God knows that the right is on our side。 Inge has killed two of his brothers； and it is obvious to all men that the mulct he intends to pay King Hakon for his father's murder is to murder him also； as well as his other relations； which will be seen this day to be his intent。 King Hakon desired from the beginning no more of Norway than the third part； which his father had possessed； and which was denied him； and yet； in my opinion； King Hakon has a better right to inherit after his father's brother； King Eystein； than Inge or Simon Skalp； or the other men who killed King Eystein。 Many of them who would save their souls； and yet have defiled their hands with such bloody deeds as Inge has done； must think it a presumption before God that he takes the name of king； and I wonder God suffers such monstrous wickedness as his； but it may be God's will that we shall now put him down。 Let us fight then manfully； and God will give us victory； and； if we fall； will repay us with joys unspeakable for now allowing the might of the wicked to prevail over us。 Go forth then in confidence； and be not afraid when the battle begins。 Let each watch over his own and his comrade's safety； and God protect us all。〃 There went a good report abroad of this speech of Sigurd； and all promised fairly； and to do their duty。 King Hakon went on board of the great East…country ship； and a shield…bulwark was made around him； but his standard remained on the long…ship in which it had been before。
9。 OF KING INGE'S MEN。
Now must we tell about King Inge and his men。 When they saw that King Hakon and his people were ready for battle； and the river only was between them； they sent a light vessel to recall the rest of the fleet which had rowed away； and in the meantime the king waited for them； and arranged the troops for the attack。 Then the chiefs consulted in presence of the army； and told their opinions； first； which ships should lie nearest to the enemy； and then where each should attack。
Gregorius spoke thus： 〃We have many and fine men； and it is my advice； King Inge； that you do not go to the assault with us； for everything is preserved if you are safe。 And no man knows where an arrow may hit； even from the hands of a bad bowman； and they have prepared themselves so； that missiles and stones can be thrown from the high stages upon the merchant ships； so that there is less danger for those who are farthest from them。 They have not more men than we lendermen can very well engage with。 I shall lay my ship alongside their largest ship； and I expect the conflict between us will be but short； for it has often been so in our former meetings； although there has been a much greater want of men with us than now。〃 All thought well of the advice that the king himself should not take part in the battle。
Then Erling Skakke said； 〃I agree also to the counsel that you； sire； should not go into the battle。 It appears to me that their preparations are such； that we require all our precaution not to suffer a great defeat from them； and whole limbs are the easiest cured。 In the council we held before to…day many opposed what I said； and ye said then that I did not want to fight； but now I think the business has altered its appearance； and greatly to our advantage； since they have hauled off from the piles； and now it stands so that I do not dissuade from giving battle； for I see； what all are sensible of； how necessary it is to put an end to this robber band who have gone over the whole country with pillage and destruction； in order that people may cultivate the land in peace； and serve a king so good and just as King Inge who has long had trouble and anxiety from the haughty unquiet spirit of his relations； although he has been a shield of defence for the whole people； and has been exposed to manifold perils for the peace of the country。〃 Erling spoke well and long； and many other chiefs also； and all to the same purpose all urging to battle。 In the meantime they waited until all the fleet should be assembled。 King Inge had the ship Baekisudin； and； at the entreaty of his friends； he did not join the battle； but lay still at the island。
10。 BEGINNING OF THE BATTLE。
When the army was ready they rowed briskly against the enemy； and both sides raised a war…shout。 Inge's men did not bind their ships together； but let them be loose； for they rowed right across the current； by which the large ships were much swayed。 Erling Skakke laid his ship beside King Hakon's ship； and ran the stem between his and Sigurd's ship； by which the battle began。 But Gregorius's ship swung upon the ground； and heeled very much over； so that at first she could not come into the battle； and when Hakon's men saw this they laid themselves against her； and attacked Gregorius's ship on all sides。 Ivar； Hakon Mage's son； laid his ship so that the stems struck together； and he got a boat…hook fastened on Gregorius； on that part of his body where the waist is smallest； and dragged him to him； by which Gregorius stumbled against the ship's rails； but the hook slipped to one side； or Gregorius would have been dragged over…board。 Gregorius； however； was but little wounded； for he had on a plate coat of armour。 Ivar called out to him； that he had a 〃thick bark。〃 Gregorius replied； that if Ivar went on so he would 〃require it all； and not have too much。〃 It was very near then that Gregorius and his men had sprung overboard； but Aslak Unge threw an anchor into their ship； and dragged them off the ground。 Then Gregorius laid himself against Ivar's ship； and they fought a long while； but Gregorius's ship being both higher sided and more strongly manned； many people fell in Ivar's ship； and some jumped overboard。 Ivar was so severely wounded that he could not take part in the fight。 When his ship was cleared of the men； Gregorius let Ivar be carried to the shore； so that he might escape； and from that time they were constant friends。
11。 KING HAKON'S FLIGHT。
When King Inge and his men saw that Gregorius was aground； he encouraged his crew to row to his assistance。 〃It was；〃 he said； 〃the most imprudent advice that we should remain lying here； while our friends are in battle； for we have the largest and best ship in all the fleet。 But now I see that Gregorius； the man to whom I owe the most； is in need of help； so we must hasten to the fight where it is sharpest。 It is also most proper that I should be in the battle； for the victory； if we win it； will belong to me。 And if I even knew beforehand that our men were not to gain the battle； yet our place is where our friends are； for I can do nothing if I lose the men who are justly called the defence of the country； who are the bravest； and have long ruled for me and my kingdom。〃 Thereupon he ordered his banner to be set up； which was done； and they rowed across the river。 Then the battle raged； and the king could not get room to attack； so close lay the ships before him。 First he lay under the East…country trading ship； and from it they threw down upon his vessel spears； iron…shod stakes； and such large stones that it was impossible to hold out longer there； and he had to haul off。 Now when the king's people saw that he was come they made place for him； and then he laid alongside of Eindride Jonson's ship。 Now King Hakon's men abandoned the small ships； and went on board the large merchant vessels； but some of them sprang on shore。 Erling Skakke and his men had a severe conflict。 Erling himself was on the forecastle； and called his forecastlemen； and
