Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/204

 196 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA VII. « When we came o'er the wave, you cub*, when we came o'er the wave, To me one ring, to thee two rings, the mighty Canute gave : One mark to me, Four marks to thee, — A sword too, fine and brave. Now God knows well, And scalds can tell, What justice here would crave." Sigvat the scald was very intimate with King Canute's messengers, and asked them many questions. They answered all his inquiries about their conver- sation with King Olaf, and the result of their message. They said the king listened unwillingly to their pro- posals. " And we do not know/' say they, " to what he is trusting when he refuses becoming King Canute's vassal, and going to him, which would be the best thing he could do ; for King Canute is so mild that however much a chief may have done against him, he is pardoned if he only show himself obedient. It is but lately that two kings came to him from the North, from Fife in Scotland, and he gave up his wrath against them, and allowed them to retain all the lands they had possessed before, and gave them besides very valuable gifts." Then Sigvat sang: — " From the North land, the midst of Fife, Two kings came begging peace and life; Craving from Canute life and peace, — May Olaf's good luck never cease! May he, our gallant Norse king, never Be brought, like these, his headf to offer As ransom to a living man For the broad lands his sword has won." King Canute's embassadors proceeded on their way back, and had a favourable breeze across the sea. They came to King Canute, and told him the result bear ; and Sigvat puns upon it. The feudal ceremony of the vassal laying his head on the knee, or between the hands of the feudal lord, appears to have been held dis- graceful by the Northmen.
 * Berse, the name of the more fortunate scald, signifies also a young