Norse Legends. Snorri Sturluson

Чтение книги онлайн.

       When kings for land and power fight."

      And Arnor says:—

      "The cutters of Bjorn's own brother

       Soon changed their owner for another;

       The king took them and all their gear;

       The crews, however, got off clear."

      A great number of Svein's men fell, and King Magnus and his men had a vast booty to divide. So says Thiodolf:—

      "Where the Norsemen the Danish slew,

       A Gautland shield and breast-plate true

       Fell to my share of spoil by lot;

       And something more i' the south I got:

       (There all the summer swords were ringing)

       A helm, gay arms, and gear worth bringing,

       Home to my quiet lovely one

       I sent—with news how we had won."

      Svein fled up to Scania with all the men who escaped with him; and King Magnus and his people drove the fugitives up through the country without meeting any opposition either from Svein's men or the bondes. So says Thiodolf:—

      "Olaf's brave son then gave command,

       All his ships' crews should quickly land:

       King Magnus, marching at their head,

       A noble band of warriors led.

       A foray through the land he makes;

       Denmark in every quarter shakes.

       Up hill and down the horses scour,

       Carrying the Danes from Norsemen's power."

      King Magnus drove with fire and sword through the land. So says Thiodolf:—

      "And now the Norsemen storm along,

       Following their banner in a throng:

       King Magnus' banner flames on high,

       A star to guide our roaming by.

       To Lund, o'er Scania's peaceful field,

       My shoulder bore my useless shield;

       A fairer land, a better road,

       As friend or foe, I never trod."

      They began to burn the habitations all around, and the people fled on every side. So says Thiodolf:—

      "Our ice-cold iron in great store,

       Our arms, beside the king we bore:

       The Scanian rogues fly at the view

       Of men and steel all sharp and true.

       Their timbered houses flame on high,

       Red flashing over half the sky;

       The blazing town flings forth its light,

       Lighting the cowards on their flight."

      And he also sang:—

      "The king o'er all the Danish land

       Roams, with his fire-bringing band:

       The house, the hut, the farm, the town,

       All where men dwelt is burned down.

       O'er Denmark's plains and corn-fields,

       Meadows and moors, are seen our shields:

       Victorious over all, we chase

       Svein's wounded men from place to place.