Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/22

 battles. 14 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vii. Up on the hill in Ringfiord fair A robber nest hung in the air: The people followed our brave chief, And razed the tower of the viking thief. Such rock and tower, such roosting place, Was ne'er since held by the roving race." cwter Then King Olaf proceeded westwards to Grislopol*, Eleventh, anc [ fought there with vikings at William sby; and thirteenth there also King Olaf gained the victory. So says Sig- vat : — " The eleventh battle now I tell, Where it was fought, and what befell. At Grislopol our young fir's name O'ertopped the forest trees in fame : Brave Olaf's name — nought else was heard But Olaf's name, and arm, and sword. Of three great earls, I have heard say, His sword crushed helm and head that day." Next he fought westward on Fetlafiord, as Sigvat tells : — " The twelfth fight was at Fetlafiord, Where Olaf's honour-seeking sword Gave the wild wolf's devouring teeth A feast of warriors doomed to death." From thence King Olaf sailed southwards to Salio- pol, where he had a battle. He took there a castle called Gunvaldsburg, which was very large and old. He also made prisoner the earl who ruled over the castle, and who was called Geirfidar. After a con- ference with the men of the castle, he laid a scatt upon the town and earl, as ransom, of twelve thou- sand gold shillings ; which was also paid by those on whom it was imposed. So says Sigvat : — " The thirteenth battle now I tell, Where it was fought, and what befell. In Saliopol was fought the fray, And many did not survive the day. The king went early to the shore, To Gunvaldsburg's old castle-tower; And a rich earl was taken there, Whose name, I hear, was Geirfidar."