Norse Legends. Snorri Sturluson

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">       Who saw me there, and who can tell

       That there in danger I was then:

       The truth I need not hide from men."

      Sigvat was ill at ease in his home. One day he went out and sang:—

      "While Olaf lived, how smiled the land!

       Mountain and cliff, and pebbly strand.

       All Norway then, so fresh, so gay,

       On land or sea, where oft I lay.

       But now to me all seems so dready,

       All black and dull—of life I'm weary;

       Cheerless to-day, cheerless to-morrow—

       Here in the North we have great sorrow."

      Early in winter Sigvat went westward over the ridge of the country to Jamtaland, and onwards to Helsingjaland, and came to Svithjod. He went immediately to Queen Astrid, and was with her a long time, and was a welcome guest. He was also with her brother King Emund, and received from him ten marks of proved silver, as is related in the song of Canute. Sigvat always inquired of the merchants who traded to Novgorod if they could tell him any news of Magnus Olafson. Sigvat composed these lines at that time:—

      "I ask the merchant oft who drives

       His trade to Russia, 'How he thrives,

       Our noble prince? How lives he there?

       And still good news—his praise—I hear.

       To little birds, which wing their way

       Between the lands, I fain would say,

       How much we long our prince to see,

       They seem to hear a wish from me."

10. OF KING MAGNUS'S FIRST ARRIVAL IN SVITHJOD.

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      Immediately after Magnus Olafson came to Svithjod from Russia, Sigvat met him at Queen Astrid's house, and glad they all were at meeting. Sigvat then sang:—

      "Thou art come here, prince, young and bold!

       Thou art come home! With joy behold

       Thy land and people. From this hour

       I join myself to thy young power.

       I could not o'er to Russie hie,—

       Thy mother's guardian here was I.

       It was my punishment for giving

       Magnus his name, while scarcely living."

      Afterwards Sigvat travelled with Queen Astrid, and followed Magnus to Norway. Sigvat sang thus:—

      "To the crowds streaming to the Thing,

       To see and hear Magnus their king,

       Loudly, young king, I'll speak my mind—

       'God to His people has been kind.'

       If He, to whom be all the praise,

       Give us a son in all his ways

       Like to his sire, no folk on earth

       Will bless so much a royal birth."

      Now when Magnus became king of Norway Sigvat attended him, and was his dearest friend. Once it happened that Queen Astrid and Alfhild the king's mother had exchanged some sharp words with each other, and Sigvat said:—

      "Alfhild! though it was God's will

       To raise thee—yet remember still

       The queen-born Astrid should not be

       Kept out of due respect by thee."

11. KING OLAF'S SHRINE.

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      King Magnus had a shrine made and mounted with gold and silver, and studded with jewels. This shrine was made so that in shape and size it was like a coffin. Under it was an arched way, and above was a raised roof, with a head and a roof-ridge. Behind were plaited hangings; and before were gratings with padlocks, which could be locked with a key. In this shrine King Magnus had the holy remains of King Olaf deposited, and many were the miracles there wrought. Of this Sigvat speaks:—

      "For him a golden shrine is made,

       For him whose heart was ne'er afraid

       Of mortal man—the holy king,

       Whom the Lord God to heaven did bring.

       Here many a man shall feel his way,

       Stone-blind, unconscious of the day,

       And at the shrine where Olaf lies

       Give songs of praise for opened eyes."

      It was also appointed by law that King Olaf's holy day should be held sacred over all Norway, and that day has been kept ever afterwards as the greatest of Church days. Sigvat speaks of it:—

      "To Olaf, Magnus' father, raise,

       Within my house, the song of praise!

       With joy, yet grief, we'll keep the day

       Olaf to heaven was called away.

       Well may I keep within my breast

       A day for him in holy rest,—

       My upraised hands a golden ring

       On every branch bear from that king."

12. OF THORER HUND.

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      Thorer Hund left the country immediately after King Olaf's fall. He went all the way to Jerusalem, and many people say he never came back. Thorer Hund had a son called Sigurd, father of Ranveig who was married to Joan, a son of Arne Arnason. Their children were Vidkun of Bjarkey, Sigurd Hund, Erling, and Jardthrud.

13. OF THE MURDER OF HAREK OF THJOTTA.

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      Harek of Thjotta sat at home on his farm, till King Magnus Olafson came to the country and was made king. Then Harek went south to Throndhjem to King Magnus. At that time Asmund Grankelson was in the king's house. When Harek came to Nidaros, and landed out of the ship, Asmund was standing with the king СКАЧАТЬ