Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/397

 might not launch them down again, and then drew up his men on a grass field, and challenged Ragnfrid to land. Ragnfrid and his men laid their vessels in along the land, and they shot at each other a long time; hut upon the land Ragnfrid would not venture: and so they separated. Ragnfrid sailed with his fleet southwards around Stad; for he was much afraid the whole forces of the country would swarm around Hakon. Hakon, on his part, was not inclined to try again a battle, for he thought the difference between their ships in size was too great; so in harvest he went north to Drontheim, and staid there all winter. King Ragnfrid consequently had all the country south of Stad at his mercy; namely, Fiord district, IXordaland, Sogn, Rogaland; and he had many people about him all winter. When spring approached he ordered out the people, and collected a large force. By going about the districts he got many men, ships, and warlike stores sent as he required.

Towards spring Earl Hakon ordered out all the men north in the country, and got many people from Halogaland and Naumadal; so that from Byrda to Stad he had men from all the sea coast. It was said for certain that he had men from four great districts, and that seven earls followed him, and a matchless number of men. So it is said in the Yellelda: —

Hakon, defender of the land,

Armed in the North his warrior-hand;

To Sogne's shore his force he led,

And from all quarters thither sped

War-ships and men; and haste was made

By the young god of the sword-blade,

The hero-viking of the wave,

His wide domain from foes to save.