Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/119

 KINGS OF NORWAY. . Ill to Earl Rognvald's, and spy after the Swedish king's saga vn. doings, and to attempt, if possible, to get the settle- ment of the agreement. The king thought well of this plan ; for he oft, and with pleasure, spoke to his confidential friends about Ingigerd, the king's daugh- ter. Early in winter Sigvat the scald, with two companions, left Sarpsburg, and proceeded eastwards over the moors to Gotland. Before Sigvat and King Olaf parted he composed these verses : — ".Sit happy in thy hall, O king! Till I come back, and good news bring: The scald will bid thee now farewell, Till he brings news well worth to tell. He wishes to the helmed hero Health, and long life, and a full flow Of honour, riches, and success — And, parting, ends his song with this. The farewell word is spoken now — The word that to the heart lies nearest • And yet, O king! before I go, One word on what I hold the dearest. I fain would say ' O ! may God save To thee, the bravest of the brave, The land which is thy right by birth! ' — This is my dearest wish on earth." Then they proceeded eastwards towards Eida, and had difficulty in crossing the river in a little cobble ; but they escaped, though with danger: and Sigvat sang- " Oh shore the crazy boat I drew, Wet to the skin, and frightened too; For truly there was danger then: The mocking hill-elves laughed again, To see us in this cobble sailing, And all our sea-skill unavailing. But better did it end, you see, Than any of us could foresee." Then they went through the Eida forest, and Sigvat sang- " A hundred miles through Eida wood, And devil an alehouse, bad or good, — A hundred miles, and tree and sky Were all that met the weary eye.