Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/301

 went into Hafursfiord, where King Harald was waiting with his forces. A great battle began, which was both hard and long; but at last King Harald gained the day. There King Eric fell, and King Sulke, with his brother Earl Sote. Thor Haldang, who was a great berserk, had laid his ship against King Harald’s, and there was above all measure a desperate attack, until Thor Haklang fell, and his whole ship was cleared of men. Then King Kiotve fled to a little isle outside, on which there a was a good place of strength. Thereafter all his men fled, some to their ships, some up to the land; and the latter ran southwards over the country of Jeddern. So says Hornklofe, viz.:—

Has the news reached you?—have you heard Of the great fight at Hafurdsfiord, Between our noble king brave Harald And King Kiotve rich in gold? The foemen came from out the East, Keen for the fray as for a feast. A gallant sight it was to see Their fleet sweep o’er the dark-blue sea; Each war-ship, with its threatening throat Of dragon fierce or ravenous brute

Grim gaping from the prow; its wales Glittering with burnished shields like scales; Its crew of udal men of war, Whose snow-white targets shone from far; And many a mailed spearman stout From the West countries round about, English and Scotch, a foreign host, And swordsmen from the far French coast. And as the foemen’s ships drew near, The dreadful din you well might hear;