Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/158

 148 EARLY KINGS OF NORWAY. the intolerable man, great and small were now pouring along by every path. Olaf perceived it would still be some time before the Border army was in rank. His own Dag of Sweden, too, was not yet come up ; he was to have the right banner ; king Olaf 's own being the middle or grand one ; some other person the third or left banner. All which being perfectly ranked and settled, according to the best rules, and waiting only the arrival of Dag, Olaf bade his men sit down, and freshen themselves with a little rest. There were religious services gone through : a matins-worship such as there have been few ; sternly earnest to the heart of it, and deep as death and eternity, at least on Olaf's own part. For the rest Thormod sang a stave of the fiercest Skaldic poetry that was in him ; all the army straightway sang it in chorus with fiery mind. The Bonder of the nearest farm came up, to tell Olaf that he also wished to fight for him. '' Thanks to thee; but don't," said Olaf; " stay at home rather, that the wounded may have some shelter." To this
 * and by his offering tliem greater dignities than they
 * had possessed before.' On these grounds, against