Heimskringla [130]
him news about Iceland.
70. OF SIGVAT THE SKALD.
It happened that before Bjorn set out from home he asked Sigvat the skald, who at that time was with King Olaf, to accompany him on his journey. It was a journey for which people had no great inclination. There was, however, great friendship between Bjorn and Sigvat. Then Sigvat sang: --
"With the king's marshals all have I, In days gone by, Lived joyously, -- With all who on the king attend, And knee before him humbly bend, Bjorn, thou oft hast ta'en my part -- Pleaded with art, And touched the heart. Bjorn! brave stainer of the sword, Thou art my friend -- I trust thy word."
While they were riding up to Gautland, Sigvat made these verses: --
"Down the Fjord sweep wind and rain, Our stout ship's sails and tackle strain; Wet to the skin. We're sound within, And gaily o'er the waves are dancing, Our sea-steed o'er the waves high prancing! Through Lister sea Flying all free; Off from the wind with swelling sail, We merrily scud before the gale, And reach the sound Where we were bound. And now our ship, so gay and grand, Glides past the green and lovely land, And at the isle Moors for a while. Our horse-hoofs now leave hasty print; We ride -- of ease there's scanty stint -- In heat and haste O'er Gautland's waste: Though in a hurry to be married, The king can't say that we have tarried."
One evening late they were riding through Gautland, and Sigvat made these verses: --
"The weary horse will at nightfall Gallop right well to reach his stall; When night meets day, with hasty hoof He plies the road to reach a roof. Far from the Danes, we now may ride Safely by stream or mountain-side; But, in this twilight, in some ditch The horse and rider both may pitch."
They rode through the merchant town of Skara, and down the street to the earl's house. He sang: --
"The shy sweet girls, from window high In wonder peep at the sparks that fly From our horses heels, as down the street Of the earl's town we ride so fleet. Spur on! -- that every pretty lass May hear our horse-hoofs as we pass Clatter upon the stones so hard, And echo round the paved court-yard."
71. HJALTE SKEGGJASON WHILE HE WAS IN SVITHIOD.
One day Hjalte, and the skalds with him, went before the king, and he began thus: -- "It has so happened, king, as is known to you, that I have come here after a long and difficult journey; but when I had once crossed the ocean and heard of your greatness, it appeared to me unwise to go back without having seen you in your splendour and glory. Now it is a law between Iceland and Norway, that Iceland men pay landing due when they come into Norway, but while I was coming across the sea I took myself all the landing dues from my ship's people; but knowing that thou have the greatest right to all the power in Norway, I hastened hither to deliver to you the landing dues." With this he showed the silver to the king, and laid ten marks of silver in Gissur Black's lap.
The king replies, "Few have brought us any such dues from Norway for some time; and now, Hjalte, I will return you my warmest thanks for having given yourself so much trouble to bring us the landing dues, rather than pay them to our enemies. But I will that thou shouldst take this money from me as a gift, and with it my friendship."
Hjalte thanked the king with many words, and from that day set himself in great favour with the king, and often spoke with him; for the king thought, what was true, that he was a man of much understanding and eloquence. Now Hjalte told Gissur and Ottar that he was sent with tokens to the king's daughter Ingegerd, to obtain her protection and friendship; and he begged of them to procure him some opportunity to speak with her. They answered, that
70. OF SIGVAT THE SKALD.
It happened that before Bjorn set out from home he asked Sigvat the skald, who at that time was with King Olaf, to accompany him on his journey. It was a journey for which people had no great inclination. There was, however, great friendship between Bjorn and Sigvat. Then Sigvat sang: --
"With the king's marshals all have I, In days gone by, Lived joyously, -- With all who on the king attend, And knee before him humbly bend, Bjorn, thou oft hast ta'en my part -- Pleaded with art, And touched the heart. Bjorn! brave stainer of the sword, Thou art my friend -- I trust thy word."
While they were riding up to Gautland, Sigvat made these verses: --
"Down the Fjord sweep wind and rain, Our stout ship's sails and tackle strain; Wet to the skin. We're sound within, And gaily o'er the waves are dancing, Our sea-steed o'er the waves high prancing! Through Lister sea Flying all free; Off from the wind with swelling sail, We merrily scud before the gale, And reach the sound Where we were bound. And now our ship, so gay and grand, Glides past the green and lovely land, And at the isle Moors for a while. Our horse-hoofs now leave hasty print; We ride -- of ease there's scanty stint -- In heat and haste O'er Gautland's waste: Though in a hurry to be married, The king can't say that we have tarried."
One evening late they were riding through Gautland, and Sigvat made these verses: --
"The weary horse will at nightfall Gallop right well to reach his stall; When night meets day, with hasty hoof He plies the road to reach a roof. Far from the Danes, we now may ride Safely by stream or mountain-side; But, in this twilight, in some ditch The horse and rider both may pitch."
They rode through the merchant town of Skara, and down the street to the earl's house. He sang: --
"The shy sweet girls, from window high In wonder peep at the sparks that fly From our horses heels, as down the street Of the earl's town we ride so fleet. Spur on! -- that every pretty lass May hear our horse-hoofs as we pass Clatter upon the stones so hard, And echo round the paved court-yard."
71. HJALTE SKEGGJASON WHILE HE WAS IN SVITHIOD.
One day Hjalte, and the skalds with him, went before the king, and he began thus: -- "It has so happened, king, as is known to you, that I have come here after a long and difficult journey; but when I had once crossed the ocean and heard of your greatness, it appeared to me unwise to go back without having seen you in your splendour and glory. Now it is a law between Iceland and Norway, that Iceland men pay landing due when they come into Norway, but while I was coming across the sea I took myself all the landing dues from my ship's people; but knowing that thou have the greatest right to all the power in Norway, I hastened hither to deliver to you the landing dues." With this he showed the silver to the king, and laid ten marks of silver in Gissur Black's lap.
The king replies, "Few have brought us any such dues from Norway for some time; and now, Hjalte, I will return you my warmest thanks for having given yourself so much trouble to bring us the landing dues, rather than pay them to our enemies. But I will that thou shouldst take this money from me as a gift, and with it my friendship."
Hjalte thanked the king with many words, and from that day set himself in great favour with the king, and often spoke with him; for the king thought, what was true, that he was a man of much understanding and eloquence. Now Hjalte told Gissur and Ottar that he was sent with tokens to the king's daughter Ingegerd, to obtain her protection and friendship; and he begged of them to procure him some opportunity to speak with her. They answered, that