heimskringla-第87章

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ey　had　gone　through；　that　all　around　the　country　was　stripped　of　all　men　able　to　carry　arms；　as　all　the　people　had　joined　the　bondes'　army；　and　where　they　did　find　any　they　got　but　few　to　follow　them；　for　the　most　of　them　answered　that　they　stayed　at　home　because　they　would　not　follow　either　party：　they　would　not　go　out　against　the　king；　nor　yet　against　their　own　relations。　Thus　they　had　got　but　few　people。　　Now　the　king　asked　his　men　their　counsel；　and　what　they　now　should　do。　　Fin　Arnason　answered　thus　to　the　king's　question：　〃I　will　say　what　should　be　done；　if　I　may　advise。　　We　should　go　with　armed　hand　over　all　the　inhabited　places；　plunder　all　the　goods；　and　burn　all　the　habitations；　and　leave　not　a　hut　standing；　and　thus　punish　the　bondes　for　their　treason　against　their　sovereign。　　I　think　many　a　man　will　then　cast　himself　loose　from　the　bondes'　army；　when　he　sees　smoke　and　flame　at　home　on　his　farm；　and　does　not　know　how　it　is　going　with　children；　wives。　or　old　men；　fathers；　mothers；　and　other　connections。　　I　expect　also；〃　he　added；　〃that　if　we　succeed　in　breaking　the　assembled　host；　their　ranks　will　soon　be　thinned；　for　so　it　is　with　the　bondes；　that　the　counsel　which　is　the　newest　is　always　the　dearest　to　them　all；　and　most　followed。〃　When　Fin　had　ended　his　speech　it　met　with　general　applause；　for　many　thought　well　of　such　a　good　occasion　to　make　booty；　and　all　thought　the　bondes　well　deserved　to　suffer　damage；　and　they　also　thought　it　probable；　what　Fin　said；　that　many　would　in　this　way　be　brought　to　forsake　the　assembled　army　of　the　bondes。

Now　when　the　king　heard　the　warm　expressions　of　his　people　he　told　them　to　listen　to　him；　and　said；　〃The　bondes　have　well　deserved　that　it　should　be　done　to　them　as　ye　desire。　　They　also　know　that　I　have　formerly　done　so；　burning　their　habitations；　and　punishing　them　severely　in　many　ways；　but　then　I　proceeded　against　them　with　fire　and　sword　because　they　rejected　the　true　faith；　betook　themselves　to　sacrifices；　and　would　not　obey　my　commands。　　We　had　then　God's　honour　to　defend。　　But　this　treason　against　their　sovereign　is　a　much　less　grievous　crime；　although　it　does　not　become　men　who　have　any　manhood　in　them　to　break　the　faith　and　vows　they　have　sworn　to　me。　　Now；　however；　it　is　more　in　my　power　to　spare　those　who　have　dealt　ill　with　me；　than　those　whom　God　hated。　　I　will；　therefore；　that　my　people　proceed　gently；　and　commit　no　ravage。　　First；　I　will　proceed　to　meet　the　bondes；　if　we　can　then　come　to　a　reconciliation；　it　is　well；　but　if　they　will　fight　with　us；　then　there　are　two　things　before　us；　either　we　fail　in　the　battle；　and　then　it　will　be　well　advised　not　to　have　to　retire　encumbered　with　spoil　and　cattle；　or　we　gain　the　victory；　and　then　ye　will　be　the　heirs　of　all　who　fight　now　against　us；　for　some　will　fall；　and　others　will　fly；　but　both　will　have　forfeited　their　goods　and　properties；　and　then　it　will　be　good　to　enter　into　full　houses　and　well…stocked　farms；　but　what　is　burnt　is　of　use　to　no　man；　and　with　pillage　and　force　more　is　wasted　than　what　turns　to　use。　　Now　we　will　spread　out　far　through　the　inhabited　places；　and　take　with　us　all　the　men　we　can　find　able　to　carry　arms。　　Then　men　will　also　capture　cattle　for　slaughter；　or　whatever　else　of　provision　that　can　serve　for　food；　but　not　do　any　other　ravage。　　But　I　will　see　willingly　that　ye　kill　any　spies　of　the　bonde　army　ye　may　fall　in　with。　　Dag　and　his　people　shall　go　by　the　north　side　down　along　the　valley；　and　I　will　go　on　along　the　country　road；　and　so　we　shall　meet　in　the　evening；　and　all　have　one　night　quarter。〃



218。　OF　KING　OLAF'S　SKALDS。

It　is　related　that　when　King　Olaf　drew　up　his　men　in　battle　order；　he　made　a　shield　rampart　with　his　troop　that　should　defend　him　in　battle；　for　which　he　selected　the　strongest　and　boldest。　Thereafter　he　called　his　skalds；　and　ordered　them　to　go　in　within　the　shield　defence。　　〃Ye　shall。〃　says　the　king；　〃remain　here；　and　see　the　circumstances　which　may　take　place；　and　then　ye　will　not　have　to　follow　the　reports　of　others　in　what　ye　afterwards　tell　or　sing　concerning　it。〃　　There　were　Thormod　Kolbrunarskald；　Gissur　Gulbraskald；　a　foster…son　of　Hofgardaref；　and　Thorfin　Mun。　Then　said　Thormod　to　Gissur；　〃Let　us　not　stand　so　close　together；　brother；　that　Sigvat　the　skald　should　not　find　room　when　he　comes。　　He　must　stand　before　the　king；　and　the　king　will　not　have　it　otherwise。〃　　The　king　heard　this；　and　said；　〃Ye　need　not　sneer　at　Sigvat；　because　he　is　not　here。　　Often　has　he　followed　me　well；　and　now　he　is　praying　for　us；　and　that　we　greatly　need。〃　Thormod　replies；　〃It　may　be；　sire；　that　ye　now　require　prayers　most；　but　it　would　be　thin　around　the　banner…staff　if　all　thy　court…men　were　now　on　the　way　to　Rome。　　True　it　was　what　we　spoke　about；　that　no　man　who　would　speak　with　you　could　find　room　for　Sigvat。〃

Thereafter　the　skalds　talked　among　themselves　that　it　would　be　well　to　compose　a　few　songs　of　remembrance　about　the　events　which　would　soon　be　taking　place。

Then　Gissur　sang：　

　　　　　〃From　me　shall　bende　girl　never　hear　　　　　　A　thought　of　sorrow；　care；　or　fear：　　　　　　I　wish　my　girl　knew　how　gay　　　　　　We　arm　us　for　our　viking　fray。　　　　　　Many　and　brave　they　are；　we　know；　　　　　　Who　come　against　us　there　below；　　　　　　But；　life　or　death；　we；　one　and　all；　　　　　　By　Norway's　king　will　stand　or　fall。〃

And　Thorfin　Mun　made　another　song；　viz。：　

　　　　　〃Dark　is　the　cloud　of　men　and　shields；　　　　　　Slow　moving　up　through　Verdal's　fields：　　　　　　These　Verdal　folks　presume　to　bring　　　　　　Their　armed　force　against　their　king。　　　　　　On！　　let　us　feed　the　carrion　crow；　　　　　　　Give　her　a　feast　in　every　blow；　　　　　　And；　above　all；　let　Throndhjem's　hordes　　　　　　Feel　the　sharp　edge　of　true　men's　swords。〃

And　Thorrood　sang：　

　　　　　〃The　whistling　arrows　pipe　to　battle；　　　　　　Sword　and　shield　their　war…call　rattle。　　　　　　Up！　　brave　men；　up！　　the　faint　heart　here　　　　　　Finds　courage　when　the　danger's　near。　　　　　　Up！　　brave　men；　up！　　with　Olaf　on！　　　　　　With　heart　and　hand　a　field　is　won。　　　　　　One　viking　cheer！　　then；　stead　of　words；　　　　　　We'll　speak　with　our　death…dealing　swords。〃

These　songs　were　immediately　got　by　heart　by　the　army。



219。　OF　KING　OLAF'S　GIFTS　FOR　THE　SOULS　OF　THOSE　WHO　SHOULD　BE　　　　　　SLAIN。

Thereafter　the　king　made　himself　ready；　and　marched　down　through　the　valley。　　His　whole　forces　took　up　their　night…quarter　in　one　place；　and　lay　down　all　night　under　their　shields；　but　as　soon　as　day　broke　the　king　again　put　his　army　in　order；　and　that　being　done　they　proceeded　down　through　the　valley。　　Many　bondes　then　came　to　the　king；　of　whom　the　most　joined　his　army；　and　all；　as　one　man；　told　the　same　tale；　　that　the　lendermen　had　collected　an　enormous　army；　with　which　they　intended　to　give　battle　to　the　king。

The　king　took　many　marks　of　silver；　and　delivered　them　into　the　hands　of　a　bonde；　and　said；　〃This　money　thou　shalt　conceal；　and　afterwards　lay　out；　some　to　churches；　some　to　priests；　some　to　alms…men；　　as　gifts　for　the　life　and　souls　of　those　who　fight　against　us；　and　may　fall　in　battle。〃

The　bonde　replies；　〃Should　you　not　rather　give　this　money　for　the　soul…mulct　of　your　own　men？〃

The　king　says；　〃This　money　shall　be　given　for　the　souls　of　those　who　stand　against　us　in　the　ranks　of　the　bondes'　army；　and　fall　by　the　weapons　of　our　own　men。　　The　men　who　follow　us　to　battle；　and　fall　therein；　will　all　be　saved　together　with　ourself。〃



220。　OF　THORMOD　KOLBRUNARSKALD。

This　night　the　king　lay　with　his　army　around　him　on　the　field；　as　before　related；　and　lay　long　awake　in　prayer　to　God；　and　slept　but　little。　　Towards　morning　a　slumber　fell　on　him；　and　when　he　awoke　daylight　was　shooting　up。　　The　king　thought　it　too　early　to　awaken　the　army；　and　asked　where　Thormod　the　skald　was。　　Thormod　was　at　hand；　and　asked　what　was　the　king's　pleasure。　〃Sing　us　a　song；〃　said　the　king。　　Thormod　raised　himself　up；　and　sang　so　loud　that　the　whole　army　could　hear　him。　　He　began　to　sing　the　old　〃Bjarkamal〃；　of　which　these　are　the　first　verses：　

　　　　　〃The　day　is　breaking；　　　　　　　The　house　cock；　shaking　　　　　　His　rustling　wings；　　　　　　While　priest…bell　rings；　　　　　　Crows　up　the　morn；　　　　　　And　touting　horn　　　　　　Wakes　thralls　to　work　and　weep；　　　　　　Ye　sons　of　Adil；　cast　off　sleep；　　　　　　Wake　up！　　wake　up！　　　　　　Nor　wassail　cup；　　　　　　Nor　maiden's　jeer；　　　　　　Awaits　you　here。　　　　　　Hrolf　of　the　bow！　　　　　　Har　of　the　blow！　　　　　　Up　in　your　might！　　the　day　is　breaking；　　　　　　'Tis　Hild's　game　（1）　that　bides　your　waking。〃

Then　the　troops　awoke；　and　when　the　song　was　ended　the　people　thanked　him　for　it；　and　it　pleased　many；　as　it　was　suitable　to　the　time　and　occasion；　and　they　called　it　the　house…carle's　whet。　The　king　thanked　him　for　the　pleasure；　and　took　a　gold　ring　that　weighed　half　a　mark　and　gave　it　him。　　Thormod　thanked　the　king　for　the　gift；　and　said；　〃We　have　a　good　king；　but　it　is　not　easy　to　say　how　long　the　king's　life　may　be。　　It　is　my　prayer；　sire；　that　thou　shouldst　never　part　from　me　either　in　life　or　death。〃　The　king　replies；　〃We　shall　all　go　together　so　long　as　I　rule；　and　as　ye　will　follow　me。〃

Thormod　says；　〃I　hope；　sire；　that　whether　in　safety　or　danger　I　may　stand　near　you　as　long　as　I　can　stand；　whatever　we　may　hear　of　Sigvat　travelling　with　his　gold…hilted　sword。〃　　Then　Thormod　made　these　lines：　

　　　　　〃To　thee；　my　king；　I'll　still　be　true；　　　　　　Until　another　skald　I　view；　　　　　　Here　in　the　field　with　golden　sword；　　　　　　As　in　thy　hall；　with　flattering　word。　　　　　　Thy　skald　shall　never　be　a　craven；　　　　　　Though　he　may　feast　the　croaking　raven；　　　　　　The　warrior's　fate　unmoved　I　view；　　　　　　　To　thee；　my　king；　I'll　still　be　true。〃


ENDNOTES：　（1）　　Hild's　game　is　the　battle；　from　the　name　of　the　war…goddess　　　　　　Hild。　　L。



221。　KING　OLAF　COMES　TO　STIKLESTAD。

King　O1af　led　his　army　farther　down　through　the　valley；　and　Dag　and　his　men　went　another　way；　and　the　king　did　not　halt　until　he　came　to　Stiklestad。　　There　he　saw　the　bonde　army　spread　out　all　around；　and　there　were　so　great　numbers　that　people　were　going　on　every　footpath；　and　great　crowds　were　collected　far　and　near。　　They　also　saw　there　a　troop　which　came　down　from　Veradal；　and　had　been　out　to　spy。　　They　came　so　close　to　the　king's　people　that　they　knew　each　other。　　It　was　Hrut　of　Viggia；　with　thirty　men。　The　king　ordered　his　pursuivants　to　go　out　against　Hrut；　and　make　an　end　of　him；　to　which　his　men　were　instantly　ready。　　The　king　said　to　the　Icelanders；　〃It　is　told　me　that　in　Iceland　it　is　the　custom　that　the　bondes　give　their　house…servants　a　sheep　to　slaughter；　now　I　give　you　a　ram　to　slaughter　（1）。　　The　Icelanders　were　easily　invited　to　this；　and　went　out　immediately　with　a　few　men　against　Hrut；　and　killed　him　and　the　troop　that　followed　him。　When　the　king　came　to　Stiklestad　he　made　a　halt；　and　made　the　army　stop；　and　told　his　people　to　alight　from　their　horses　and　get　ready　for　battle；　and　the　people　did　as　the　king　ordered。　　Then　he　placed　his　army　in　battle　array；　and　raised　his　banner。　Dag　was　not　yet　arrived　with　his　men；　so　that　his　wing　of　the　battle　array　was　wanting。　　Then　the　king　said　the　Upland　men　should　go　forward　in　their　place；　and　raise　their　banner　there。　〃It　appears　to　me　advisable；〃　says　the　king；　〃that　Harald　my　brother　should　not　be　in　the　battle；　for　he　is　still　in　the　years　of　childhood