heimskringla-第88章

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king；　〃that　Harald　my　brother　should　not　be　in　the　battle；　for　he　is　still　in　the　years　of　childhood　only。〃　　Harald　replies；　〃Certainly　I　shall　be　in　the　battle；　for　I　am　not　so　weak　that　I　cannot　handle　the　sword；　and　as　to　that；　I　have　a　notion　of　tying　the　sword…handle　to　my　hand。　None　is　more　willing　than　I　am　to　give　the　bondes　a　blow；　so　I　shall　go　with　my　comrades。〃　　It　is　said　that　Harald　made　these　lines：　

　　　　　〃Our　army's　wing；　where　I　shall　stand；　　　　　　I　will　hold　good　with　heart　and　hand；　　　　　　My　mother's　eye　shall　joy　to　see　　　　　　A　battered；　blood…stained　shield　from　me。　　　　　　The　brisk　young　skald　should　gaily　go　　　　　　Into　the　fray；　give　blow　for　blow；　　　　　　Cheer　on　his　men；　gain　inch　by　inch；　　　　　　And　from　the　spear…point　never　flinch。〃

Harald　got　his　will；　and　was　allowed　to　be　in　the　battle。


ENDNOTES：　（1）　　Hrut　means　a　young　ram。　　L。



222。　OF　THORGILS　HALMASON。

A　bonde；　by　name　Thorgils　Halmason；　father　to　Grim　the　Good；　dwelt　in　Stiklestad　farm。　　Thorgils　offered　the　king　his　assistance；　and　was　ready　to　go　into　battle　with　him。　　The　king　thanked　him　for　the　offer。　　〃I　would　rather；〃　says　the　king；　〃thou　shouldst　not　be　in　the　fight。　　Do　us　rather　the　service　to　take　care　of　the　people　who　are　wounded；　and　to　bury　those　who　may　fall；　when　the　battle　is　over。　　Should　it　happen；　bonde；　that　I　fall　in　this　battle；　bestow　the　care　on　my　body　that　may　be　necessary；　if　that　be　not　forbidden　thee。〃　　Thorgils　promised　the　king　what　he　desired。



223。　OLAF'S　SPEECH。

Now　when　King　Olaf　had　drawn　up　his　army　in　battle　array　he　made　a　speech；　in　which　he　told　the　people　to　raise　their　spirit；　and　go　boldly　forward；　if　it　came　to　a　battle。　　〃We　have；〃　says　he；　〃many　men；　and　good；　and　although　the　bondes　may　have　a　somewhat　larger　force　than　we；　it　is　fate　that　rules　over　victory。　　This　I　will　make　known　to　you　solemnly；　that　I　shall　not　fly　from　this　battle；　but　shall　either　be　victorious　over　the　bondes；　or　fall　in　the　fight。　　I　will　pray　to　God　that　the　lot　of　the　two　may　befall　me　which　will　be　most　to　my　advantage。　　With　this　we　may　encourage　ourselves；　that　we　have　a　more　just　cause　than　the　bondes；　and　likewise　that　God　must　either　protect　us　and　our　cause　in　this　battle；　or　give　us　a　far　higher　recompense　for　what　we　may　lose　here　in　the　world　than　what　we　ourselves　could　ask。　Should　it　be　my　lot　to　have　anything　to　say　after　the　battle；　then　shall　I　reward　each　of　you　according　to　his　service；　and　to　the　bravery　he　displays　in　the　battle；　and　if　we　gain　the　victory；　there　must　be　land　and　movables　enough　to　divide　among　you；　and　which　are　now　in　the　hands　of　your　enemies。　　Let　us　at　the　first　make　the　hardest　onset；　for　then　the　consequences　are　soon　seen。　　There　being　a　great　difference　in　the　numbers；　we　have　to　expect　victory　from　a　sharp　assault　only；　and；　on　the　other　hand；　it　will　be　heavy　work　for　us　to　fight　until　we　are　tired；　and　unable　to　fight　longer；　for　we　have　fewer　people　to　relieve　with　than　they；　who　can　come　forward　at　one　time　and　retreat　and　rest　at　another。　　But　if　we　advance　so　hard　at　the　first　attack　that　those　who　are　foremost　in　their　ranks　must　turn　round；　then　the　one　will　fall　over　the　other；　and　their　destruction　will　be　the　greater　the　greater　numbers　there　are　together。〃　　When　the　king　had　ended　his　speech　it　was　received　with　loud　applause；　and　the　one　encouraged　the　other。



224。　OF　THORD　FOLASON。

Thord　Folason　carried　King　Olaf's　banner。　　So　says　Sigvat　the　skald；　in　the　death…song　which　he　composed　about　King　Olaf；　and　put　together　according　to　resurrection　saga：　

　　　　　〃Thord。　I　have　heard；　by　Olaf's　side；　　　　　　Where　raged　the　battle's　wildest　tide；　　　　　　Moved　on；　and；　as　by　one　accord　　　　　　Moved　with　them　every　heart　and　sword。　　　　　　The　banner　of　the　king　on　high；　　　　　　Floating　all　splendid　in　the　sky　　　　　　From　golden　shaft；　aloft　he　bore；　　　　　　　The　Norsemen's　rallying…point　of　yore。〃



225。　OF　KING　OLAF'S　ARMOUR。

King　Olaf　was　armed　thus：　　He　had　a　gold…mounted　helmet　on　his　head；　and　had　in　one　hand　a　white　shield；　on　which　the　holy　cross　was　inlaid　in　gold。　　In　his　other　hand　he　had　a　lance；　which　to　the　present　day　stands　beside　the　altar　in　Christ　Church。　　In　his　belt　he　had　a　sword；　which　was　called　Hneiter；　which　was　remarkably　sharp；　and　of　which　the　handle　was　worked　with　gold。　He　had　also　a　strong　coat　of　ring…mail。　　Sigvat　the　skald；　speaks　of　this：　

　　　　　〃A　greater　victory　to　gain；　　　　　　Olaf　the　Stout　strode　o'er　the　plain　　　　　　In　strong　chain　armour；　aid　to　bring　　　　　　To　his　brave　men　on　either　wing。　　　　　　High　rose　the　fight　and　battle…heat；　　　　　　　the　clear　blood　ran　beneath　the　feet　　　　　　Of　Swedes；　who　from　the　East　came　there；　　　　　　In　Olaf's　gain　or　loss　to　share。〃



226。　KING　OLAF'S　DREAM。

Now　when　King　Olaf　had　drawn　up　his　men　the　army　of　the　bondes　had　not　yet　come　near　upon　any　quarter；　so　the　king　said　the　people　should　sit　down　and　rest　themselves。　　He　sat　down　himself；　and　the　people　sat　around　him　in　a　widespread　crowd。　　He　leaned　down；　and　laid　his　head　upon　Fin　Arnason's　knee。　　There　a　slumber　came　upon　him；　and　he　slept　a　little　while；　but　at　the　same　time　the　bondes'　army　was　seen　advancing　with　raised　banners；　and　the　multitude　of　these　was　very　great。

Then　Fin　awakened　the　king；　and　said　that　the　bonde…army　advanced　against　them。

The　king　awoke；　and　said；　〃Why　did　you　waken　me；　Fin；　and　did　not　allow　me　to　enjoy　my　dream？〃

Fin：　〃Thou　must　not　be　dreaming；　but　rather　thou　shouldst　be　awake；　and　preparing　thyself　against　the　host　which　is　coming　down　upon　us；　or；　dost　thou　not　see　that　the　whole　bonde…crowd　is　coming？〃

The　king　replies；　〃They　are　not　yet　so　near　to　us；　and　it　would　have　been　better　to　have　let　me　sleep。〃

Then　said　Fin；　〃What　was　the　dream；　sire；　of　which　the　loss　appears　to　thee　so　great　that　thou　wouldst　rather　have　been　left　to　waken　of　thyself？〃

Now　the　king　told　his　dream；　　that　he　seemed　to　see　a　high　ladder；　upon　which　he　went　so　high　in　the　air　that　heaven　was　open：　for　so　high　reached　the　ladder。　　〃And　when　you　awoke　me；　I　was　come　to　the　highest　step　towards　heaven。〃

Fin　replies；　〃This　dream　does　not　appear　to　me　so　good　as　it　does　to　thee。　　I　think　it　means　that　thou　art　fey　（1）；　unless　it　be　the　mere　want　of　sleep　that　has　worked　upon　thee。〃


ENDNOTES：　（1）　　Fey　means　doomed　to　die。



227。　OF　ARNLJOT　GELLINE'S　BAPTISM。

When　King　Olaf　was　arrived　at　Stiklestad；　it　happened；　among　other　circumstances；　that　a　man　came　to　him；　and　although　it　was　nowise　wonderful　that　there　came　many　men　from　the　districts；　yet　this　must　be　regarded　as　unusual；　that　this　man　did　not　appear　like　the　other　men　who　came　to　him。　　He　was　so　tall　that　none　stood　higher　than　up　to　his　shoulders：　very　handsome　he　was　in　countenance；　and　had　beautiful　fair　hair。　　He　was　well　armed；　had　a　fine　helmet；　and　ring　armour；　a　red　shield；　a　superb　sword　in　his　belt；　and　in　his　hand　a　gold…mounted　spear；　the　shaft　of　it　so　thick　that　it　was　a　handful　to　grasp。　　The　man　went　before　the　king；　saluted　him；　and　asked　if　the　king　would　accept　his　services。

The　king　asked　his　name　and　family；　also　what　countryman　he　was。

He　replies；　〃My　family　is　in　Jamtaland　and　Helsingjaland；　and　my　name　is　Arnljot　Gelline；　but　this　I　must　not　forget　to　tell　you；　that　I　came　to　the　assistance　of　those　men　you　sent　to　Jamtaland　to　collect　scat；　and　I　gave　into　their　hands　a　silver　dish；　which　I　sent　you　as　a　token　that　I　would　be　your　friend。〃

Then　the　king　asked　Arnljot　if　he　was　a　Christian　or　not。　　He　replied；　〃My　faith　has　been　this；　to　rely　upon　my　power　and　strength；　and　which　faith　hath　hitherto　given　me　satisfaction；　but　now　I　intend　rather　to　put　my　faith；　sire；　in　thee。〃

The　king　replies；　〃If　thou　wilt　put　faith　in　me　thou　must　also　put　faith　in　what　I　will　teach　thee。　　Thou　must　believe　that　Jesus　Christ　has　made　heaven　and　earth；　and　all　mankind；　and　to　him　shall　all　those　who　are　good　and　rightly　believing　go　after　death。〃

Arnljot　answers；　〃I　have　indeed　heard　of　the　white　Christ；　but　neither　know　what　he　proposes；　nor　what　he　rules　over；　but　now　I　will　believe　all　that　thou　sayest　to　me；　and　lay　down　my　lot　in　your　hands。〃

Thereupon　Arnljot　was　baptized。　　The　king　taught　him　so　much　of　the　holy　faith　as　appeared　to　him　needful；　and　placed　him　in　the　front　rank　of　the　order　of　battle；　in　advance　of　his　banner；　where　also　Gauka…Thorer　and　Afrafaste；　with　their　men；　were。



228。　CONCERNING　THE　ARMY　COLLECTED　IN　NORWAY。

Now　shall　we　relate　what　we　have　left　behind　in　our　tale；　　that　the　lendermen　and　bondes　had　collected　a　vast　host　as　soon　as　it　was　reported　that　King　Olaf　was　come　from　Russia；　and　had　arrived　in　Svithjod；　but　when　they　heard　that　he　had　come　to　Jamtaland；　and　intended　to　proceed　westwards　over　the　keel…ridge　to　Veradal；　they　brought　their　forces　into　the　Throndhjem　country；　where　they　gathered　together　the　whole　people；　free　and　unfree；　and　proceeded　towards　Veradal　with　so　great　a　body　of　men　that　there　was　nobody　in　Norway　at　that　time　who　had　seen　so　large　a　force　assembled。　　But　the　force；　as　it　usually　happens　in　so　great　a　multitude；　consisted　of　many　different　sorts　of　people。　　There　were　many　lendermen；　and　a　great　many　powerful　bondes；　but　the　great　mass　consisted　of　labourers　and　cottars。　　The　chief　strength　of　this　army　lay　in　the　Throndhjem　land；　and　it　was　the　most　warm　in　enmity　and　opposition　to　the　king。



229。　OF　BISHOP　SIGURD。

When　King　Canute　had；　as　before　related；　laid　all　Norway　under　his　power；　he　set　Earl　Hakon　to　manage　it；　and　gave　the　earl　a　court…bishop；　by　name　Sigurd；　who　was　of　Danish　descent；　and　had　been　long　with　King　Canute。　　This　bishop　was　of　a　very　hot　temper；　and　particularly　obstinate；　and　haughty　in　his　speech；　but　supported　King　Canute　all　he　could　in　conversation；　and　was　a　great　enemy　of　King　Olaf。　　He　was　now　also　in　the　bondes'　army；　spoke　often　before　the　people；　and　urged　them　much　to　insurrection　against　King　Olaf。



230。　BISHOP　SIGURD'S　SPEECH。

At　a　House…thing；　at　which　a　great　many　people　were　assembled；　the　bishop　desired　to　be　heard；　and　made　the　following　speech：　〃Here　are　now　assembled　a　great　many　men；　so　that　probably　there　will　never　be　opportunity　in　this　poor　country　of　seeing　so　great　a　native　army；　but　it　would　be　desirable　if　this　strength　and　multitude　could　be　a　protection；　for　it　will　all　be　needed；　if　this　Olaf　does　not　give　over　bringing　war　and　strife　upon　you。　From　his　very　earliest　youth　he　has　been　accustomed　to　plunder　and　kill：　for　which　purposes　he　drove　widely　around　through　all　countries；　until　he　turned　at　last　against　this；　where　he　began　to　show　hostilities　against　the　men　who　were　the　best　and　most　powerful；　and　even　against　King　Canute；　whom　all　are　bound　to　serve　according　to　their　ability；　and　in　whose　scat…lands　he　set　himself　down。　　He　did　the　same　to　Olaf　the　Swedish　king。　　He　drove　the　earls　Svein　and　Hakon　away　from　their　heritages；　and　was　even　most　tyrannical　towards　his　own　connections；　as　he　drove　all　the　kings　out　of　the　Uplands：　although；　indeed；　it　was　but　just　reward　for　having　been　false　to　their　oaths　of　fealty　to　King　Canute；　and　having　followed　this　King　Olaf　in　all　the　folly　he　could　invent；　so　their　friendship　ended　according　to　their　desert