Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/258

 250 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA VIT. Chapter. CLXI. King Olaf and King Onund's plans. Thord Siareksson also sang these lines in his death - song of King Olaf: — " King Olaf, Agder's lord, Ne'er shunned the Jutland king, But with his blue-edged sword Broke many a panzer-ring. King Canute was not slow: King Onund filled the plain With dead, killed by his bow : The wolf howled o'er the slain." King Olaf and King Onund sailed eastward to the Swedish king's dominions ; and one day, towards evening, landed at a place called Barvik, where they lay all night. But then it was observed of the Swedes that they were home-sick ; for the greater part of their forces sailed eastward along the land in the night, and did not stop their course until they came home to their houses. Now when King Onund ob- served this he ordered, as soon as the day dawned, to sound the signal for a House-thing ; and the whole people went on shore, and the Thing sat down. Then King Onund took up the word, and spake thus : " So it is, King Olaf, that, as you know, we have been assembled in summer, and have forayed wide around in Denmark, and have gained much booty, but no land. I had 350 vessels, and now have not above 100 remaining with me. Now it appears to me we can make no greater progress than we have made, although you have still the 60 vessels which have followed you the whole summer. It therefore appears to me best that we come back to my kingdom ; for it is always good to drive home with the waggon safe. In this ex- pedition we have won something, and lost nothing. Now I will offer you, King Olaf, to come with me, and we shall remain assembled during the winter. Take as much of my kingdom as you will, so that you and the men who follow you may support your- selves well ; and when spring comes let us take such