Heimskringla [206]
on the land, and began to plunder. The country people were severely treated; some were killed, some bound and dragged to the ships. All who could do so took to flight, and made no opposition. King Olaf committed there the greatest ravages. While Olaf was in Seeland, the news came that King Onund Olafson of Sweden had raised a levy, and fallen upon Scania, and was ravaging there; and then it became known what the resolution had been that the two kings had taken at the Gaut river, where they had concluded a union and friendship, and had bound themselves to oppose King Canute. King Onund continued his march until he met his brother-in-law King Olaf. When they met they made proclamation both to their own people and to the people of the country, that they intended to conquer Denmark; and asked the support of the people of the country for this purpose. And it happened, as we find examples of everywhere, that if hostilities are brought upon the people of a country not strong enough to withstand, the greatest number will submit to the conditions by which peace can be purchased at any rate. So it happened here that many men went into the service of the kings, and agreed to submit to them. Wheresoever they went they laid the country all round subjection to them, and otherwise laid waste all with fire and sword.
Of this foray Sigvat the skald speaks, in a ballad he composed concerning King Canute the Great: --
"`Canute is on the sea!' The news is told, And the Norsemen bold Repeat it with great glee. And it runs from mouth to mouth -- `On a lucky day We came away From Throndhjem to the south.' Across the cold East sea, The Swedish king His host did bring, To gain great victory. King Onund came to fight, In Seeland's plains, Against the Danes, With his steel-clad men so bright. Canute is on the land; Side to side His long-ships ride Along the yellow strand. Where waves wash the green banks, Mast to mast, All bound fast, His great fleet lies in ranks."
154. OF KING CANUTE THE GREAT.
King Canute had heard in England that King Olaf of Norway had called out a levy, and had gone with his forces to Denmark, and was making great ravages in his dominions there. Canute began to gather people, and he had speedily collected a great army and a numerous fleet. Earl Hakon was second in command over the whole.
Sigvat the skald came this summer (A.D. 1027) from the West, from Ruda (Rouen) in Valland, and with him was a man called Berg. They had made a merchant voyage there the summer before. Sigvat had made a little poem about this journey, called "The Western Traveller's Song," which begins thus: --
"Berg! many a merry morn was pass'd, When our vessel was made fast, And we lay on the glittering tide or Rouen river's western side."
When Sigvat came to England he went directly to King Canute, and asked his leave to proceed to Norway; for King Canute had forbidden all merchant vessels to sail until he himself was ready with his fleet. When Sigvat arrived he went to the house in which the king was lodged; but the doors were locked, and he had to stand a long time outside, but when he got admittance he obtained the permission he desired. He then sang: --
"The way to Jutland's king I sought; A little patience I was taught. The doors were shut -- all full within; The udaller could not get in. But Gorm's great son did condescend To his own chamber me to send, And grant my prayer -- although I'm one Whose arms the fetters' weight have known."
When Sigvat became aware that King Canute was equipping an armament against King Olaf, and knew what a mighty force King Canute had, he made these lines: --
"The mighty Canute, and Earl Hakon, Have leagued themselves, and counsel taken Against King Olaf's life, And are ready for the strife. In spite of king
Of this foray Sigvat the skald speaks, in a ballad he composed concerning King Canute the Great: --
"`Canute is on the sea!' The news is told, And the Norsemen bold Repeat it with great glee. And it runs from mouth to mouth -- `On a lucky day We came away From Throndhjem to the south.' Across the cold East sea, The Swedish king His host did bring, To gain great victory. King Onund came to fight, In Seeland's plains, Against the Danes, With his steel-clad men so bright. Canute is on the land; Side to side His long-ships ride Along the yellow strand. Where waves wash the green banks, Mast to mast, All bound fast, His great fleet lies in ranks."
154. OF KING CANUTE THE GREAT.
King Canute had heard in England that King Olaf of Norway had called out a levy, and had gone with his forces to Denmark, and was making great ravages in his dominions there. Canute began to gather people, and he had speedily collected a great army and a numerous fleet. Earl Hakon was second in command over the whole.
Sigvat the skald came this summer (A.D. 1027) from the West, from Ruda (Rouen) in Valland, and with him was a man called Berg. They had made a merchant voyage there the summer before. Sigvat had made a little poem about this journey, called "The Western Traveller's Song," which begins thus: --
"Berg! many a merry morn was pass'd, When our vessel was made fast, And we lay on the glittering tide or Rouen river's western side."
When Sigvat came to England he went directly to King Canute, and asked his leave to proceed to Norway; for King Canute had forbidden all merchant vessels to sail until he himself was ready with his fleet. When Sigvat arrived he went to the house in which the king was lodged; but the doors were locked, and he had to stand a long time outside, but when he got admittance he obtained the permission he desired. He then sang: --
"The way to Jutland's king I sought; A little patience I was taught. The doors were shut -- all full within; The udaller could not get in. But Gorm's great son did condescend To his own chamber me to send, And grant my prayer -- although I'm one Whose arms the fetters' weight have known."
When Sigvat became aware that King Canute was equipping an armament against King Olaf, and knew what a mighty force King Canute had, he made these lines: --
"The mighty Canute, and Earl Hakon, Have leagued themselves, and counsel taken Against King Olaf's life, And are ready for the strife. In spite of king