Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/361

 With armour crushed and gashed sits he,

A grim and ghastly sight to see;

And round about in sorrow stand

The warriors of his gallant hand:

Because the king of Doglin's race

In Odin's hall must fill a place.

Then up spake Gondul, standing near.

Resting upon his long ash spear,—

'Hakon! the gods' cause prospers well,

And thou in Odin's halls shalt dwell!'

The king beside the shore of Stord

The speech of the valkyriar heard,

Who sat there on his coal-black steed,

With shield on arm and helm on head.

Thoughtful, said Hakon, 'Tell me why,

Ruler of battles, victory

Is so dealt out on Stord's red plain?

Have we not well deserved to gain?'

'And is it not as well dealt out?'

Said Gondul. 'Hearest thou not the shou?

The field is cleared—the foemen run —

The day is ours—the battle wo!'

Then Skogul said, 'My coal-black steed,

Home to the gods I now must speed,

To their green home, to tell the tiding

That Hakon's self is thither riding.'

To Her mod and to Braga then

Said Odin, 'Here, the first of men,

Brave Hakon comes, the Norsemen's king,—

Go forth, my welcome to him bring.'

Fresh from the battle-field came in,

Dripping with blood, the Norsemen's king.

'Methinks,' said he, 'great Odin's will

Is harsh, and bodes me further ill:

Thy son from off the field to-day

From victory to snatch away!'

But Odin said, 'Be thine the joy

Valhalla gives, my own brave boy!'

And Braga said, 'Eight brothers here

Welcome thee to Valhalla's cheer,

To drain the cup, or fights repeat

Where Hakon Eric's earls beat.'

Quoth the stout king, 'And shall my gear,

Helm, sword, and mail-coat, axe and spear,

Be still at hand? 'Tis good to hold

Fast by our trusty friends of old.'