Heimskringla [214]
To me are dear."
Then was verified the old saying, that "many are the ears of a king;" for King Olaf had heard all about Sigvat's journey, and that he had spoken with Canute. He says to Sigvat, "I do not know if thou art my marshal, or hast become one of Canute's men." Sigvat said: --
"Canute, whose golden gifts display A generous heart, would have me stay, Service in his great court to take, And my own Norway king forsake. Two masters at a time, I said, Were one too many for men bred Where truth and virtue, shown to all,
Make all men true in Olaf's hall."
Then King Olaf told Sigvat to take his seat where he before used to sit; and in a short time Sigvat was in as high favour with the king as ever.
171. OF ERLING SKJALGSON AND HIS SONS.
Erling Skjalgson and all his sons had been all summer in King Canute's army, in the retinue of Earl Hakon. Thorer Hund was also there, and was in high esteem. Now when King Canute heard that King Olaf had gone overland to Norway, he discharged his army, and gave all men leave to go to their winter abodes. There was then in Denmark a great army of foreigners, both English, Norwegians, and men of other countries, who had joined the expedition in summer. In autumn (A.D. 1027) Erling Skjalgson went to Norway with his men, and received great presents from King Canute at parting; but Thorer Hund remained behind in King Canute's court. With Erling went messengers from King Canute well provided with money; and in winter they travelled through all the country, paying the money which King Canute had promised to many in autumn for their assistance. They gave presents in money, besides, to many whose friendship could be purchased for King Canute. They received much assistance in their travels from Erling. In this way it came to pass that many turned their support to King Canute, promised him their services, and agreed to oppose King Olaf. Some did this openly, but many more concealed it from the public. King Olaf heard this news, for many had something to tell him about it; and the conversation in the court often turned upon it. Sigvat the skald made a song upon it: --
"The base traitors ply With purses of gold, Wanting to buy What is not to be sold, -- The king's life and throne Wanting to buy: But our souls are our own, And to hell we'll not hie. No pleasure in heaven, As we know full well, To the traitor is given, -- His soul is his hell."
Often also the conversation turned upon how ill it beseemed Earl Hakon to raise his hand in arms against King Olaf, who had given him his life when he fell into the king's power; but Sigvat was a particular friend of Earl Hakon, and when he heard the earl spoken against he sang: --
"Our own court people we may blame, If they take gold to their own shame, Their king and country to betray. With those who give it's not the same, From them we have no faith to claim: 'Tis we are wrong, if we give way."
172. OF KING OLAF'S PRESENTS AT YULE.
King Olaf gave a great feast at Yule, and many great people had come to him. It was the seventh day of Yule, that the king, with a few persons, among whom was Sigvat, who attended him day and night, went to a house in which the king's most precious valuables were kept. He had, according to his custom, collected there with great care the valuable presents he was to make on New Year's eve. There was in the house no small number of gold- mounted swords; and Sigvat sang: --
"The swords stand there, All bright and fair, -- Those oars that dip in blood: If I in favour stood, I too might have a share. A sword the skald would gladly take, And use it for his master's sake: In favour once he stood, And a sword has stained in blood."
The king took a sword of which the handle was twisted round with gold, and the guard was gold-mounted, and gave it to him. It was a valuable
Then was verified the old saying, that "many are the ears of a king;" for King Olaf had heard all about Sigvat's journey, and that he had spoken with Canute. He says to Sigvat, "I do not know if thou art my marshal, or hast become one of Canute's men." Sigvat said: --
"Canute, whose golden gifts display A generous heart, would have me stay, Service in his great court to take, And my own Norway king forsake. Two masters at a time, I said, Were one too many for men bred Where truth and virtue, shown to all,
Make all men true in Olaf's hall."
Then King Olaf told Sigvat to take his seat where he before used to sit; and in a short time Sigvat was in as high favour with the king as ever.
171. OF ERLING SKJALGSON AND HIS SONS.
Erling Skjalgson and all his sons had been all summer in King Canute's army, in the retinue of Earl Hakon. Thorer Hund was also there, and was in high esteem. Now when King Canute heard that King Olaf had gone overland to Norway, he discharged his army, and gave all men leave to go to their winter abodes. There was then in Denmark a great army of foreigners, both English, Norwegians, and men of other countries, who had joined the expedition in summer. In autumn (A.D. 1027) Erling Skjalgson went to Norway with his men, and received great presents from King Canute at parting; but Thorer Hund remained behind in King Canute's court. With Erling went messengers from King Canute well provided with money; and in winter they travelled through all the country, paying the money which King Canute had promised to many in autumn for their assistance. They gave presents in money, besides, to many whose friendship could be purchased for King Canute. They received much assistance in their travels from Erling. In this way it came to pass that many turned their support to King Canute, promised him their services, and agreed to oppose King Olaf. Some did this openly, but many more concealed it from the public. King Olaf heard this news, for many had something to tell him about it; and the conversation in the court often turned upon it. Sigvat the skald made a song upon it: --
"The base traitors ply With purses of gold, Wanting to buy What is not to be sold, -- The king's life and throne Wanting to buy: But our souls are our own, And to hell we'll not hie. No pleasure in heaven, As we know full well, To the traitor is given, -- His soul is his hell."
Often also the conversation turned upon how ill it beseemed Earl Hakon to raise his hand in arms against King Olaf, who had given him his life when he fell into the king's power; but Sigvat was a particular friend of Earl Hakon, and when he heard the earl spoken against he sang: --
"Our own court people we may blame, If they take gold to their own shame, Their king and country to betray. With those who give it's not the same, From them we have no faith to claim: 'Tis we are wrong, if we give way."
172. OF KING OLAF'S PRESENTS AT YULE.
King Olaf gave a great feast at Yule, and many great people had come to him. It was the seventh day of Yule, that the king, with a few persons, among whom was Sigvat, who attended him day and night, went to a house in which the king's most precious valuables were kept. He had, according to his custom, collected there with great care the valuable presents he was to make on New Year's eve. There was in the house no small number of gold- mounted swords; and Sigvat sang: --
"The swords stand there, All bright and fair, -- Those oars that dip in blood: If I in favour stood, I too might have a share. A sword the skald would gladly take, And use it for his master's sake: In favour once he stood, And a sword has stained in blood."
The king took a sword of which the handle was twisted round with gold, and the guard was gold-mounted, and gave it to him. It was a valuable