Norse Legends. Snorri Sturluson

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       The skald says only what is true."

      Earl Ragnvald gave Sigvat a gold arm-ring, and a woman said "he had not made the journey with his black eyes for nothing." Sigvat sang:—

      "My coal-black eyes

       Dost thou despise?

       They have lighted me

       Across the sea

       To gain this golden prize:

       They have lighted me,

       Thy eyes to see,

       O'er Iceland's main,

       O'er hill and plain:

       Where Nanna's lad would fear to be

       They have lighted me."

      Sigvat was long entertained kindly and well in the house of Earl Ragnvald. The earl heard by letters, sent by Ingegerd the king's daughter, that ambassadors from King Jarisleif were come from Russia to King Olaf of Svithjod to ask his daughter Ingegerd in marriage, and that King Olaf had given them hopes that he would agree to it. About the same time King Olaf's daughter Astrid came to Earl Ragnvald's court, and a great feast was made for her. Sigvat soon became acquainted by conversation with the king's daughter, and she knew him by name and family, for Ottar the skald, Sigvat's sister's son, had long intimate acquaintance with King Olaf, the Swedish king. Among other things talked of, Earl Ragnvald asked Sigvat if the king of Norway would not marry the king's daughter Astrid. "If he would do that," said he, "I think we need not ask the Swedish king for his consent." Astrid, the kings daughter, said exactly the same. Soon after Sigvat returns home, and comes to King Olaf at Sarpsborg a little before Yule.

      When Sigvat came home to King Olaf he went into the hall, and, looking around on the walls, he sang:—

      "When our men their arms are taking

       The raven's wings with greed are shaking;

       When they come back to drink in hall

       Brave spoil they bring to deck the wall—

       Shield, helms, and panzers, all in row,

       Stripped in the field from lifeless fow.

       In truth no royal nail comes near

       Thy splendid hall in precious gear."

      Afterwards Sigvat told of his journey, and sang these verses:—

      "The king's court-guards desire to hear

       About our journey and our cheer,

       Our ships in autumn reach the sound,

       But long the way to Swedish ground.

       With joyless weather, wind and raind,

       And pinching cold, and feet in pain—

       With sleep, fatigue, and want oppressed,

       No songs had we—we scarce had rest."

      And when he came into conversation with the king he sang:—

      "When first I met the earl I told

       How our king loved a friend so bold;

       How in his heart he loved a man

       With hand to do, and head to plan.

       Thou generous king! with zeal and care

       I sought to advance thy great affair;

       For messengers from Russian land

       Had come to ask Ingegerd's hand.

       The earl, thy friend, bids thee, who art

       So mild and generous of heart,

       His servants all who here may come

       To cherish in thy royal home;

       And thine who may come to the east

       In Ragnvald's hall shall find a feast—

       In Ragnvald's house shall find a home—

       At Ragnvald's court be still welcome.

       When first I came the people's mind

       Incensed by Eirik's son I find;

       And he refused the wish to meet,

       Alleging treachery and deceit.

       But I explained how it was here,

       For earl and king, advantage clear

       With thee to hold the strictest peace,

       And make all force and foray cease.

       The earl is wise, and understands

       The need of peace for both the lands;

       And he entreats thee not to break

       The present peace for vengeance's sake!"

      He immediately tells King Olaf the news he had heard; and at first the king was much cast down when he heard of King Jarisleif's suit, and he said he expected nothing but evil from King Olaf; but wished he might be able to return it in such a way as Olaf should remember. A while afterwards the king asks Sigvat about various news from Gautland. Sigvat spoke a great deal about Astrid, the kings daughter; how beautiful she was, how agreeable in her conversation; and that all declared she was in no respect behind her sister Ingegerd. The king listened with pleasure to this. Then Sigvat told him the conversation he and Astrid had had between themselves, and the king was delighted at the idea. "The Swedish king," said he, "will scarcely think that I will dare to marry a daughter of his without his consent." But this speech of his was not known generally. King Olaf and Sigvat the skald often spoke about it. The king inquired particularly of Sigvat what he knew about Earl Ragnvald, and "if he be truly our friend," said the king. Sigvat said that the earl was King Olaf's best friend, and sang these verses:—

      "The mighty Olaf should not cease

       With him to hold good terms and peace;

       For this good earl unwearied shows

       He is thy friend where all are foes.

       Of all who dwell by the East Sea

       So friendly no man is as he:

       At all their Things he takes thy part,

       And is thy firm friend, hand and heart."