Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/266

 258 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vii. Canute's and Harek's friendly understanding became generally known. Harek made this song as he sailed northward round the isle of Vederey : — " The widows of Lund may smile through their tears, The Danish girls may have their jeers; They may laugh or smile, But outside their isle Old Harek still on to his North land steers." Harek went on his way, and never stopped till he came north to Halogaland, to his own house in Thiotto Isle. Chapter When King Olaf began his journey, he came first CLXix. • ^ Smaaland, and then into West Gotland. He King oiafs marched quietly and peaceably, and the country course from -, -,. -,-, •, •• • m Sweden. people gave him all assistance on his journey. Ihus he proceeded until he came into Yiken, and north through Viken to Sarpsburg, where he remained, and ordered a winter abode to be prepared. Then he gave most of the chiefs leave to return home, but kept the lendermen by him whom he thought the most ser- viceable. There were with him also all the sons of Arne Armodsson, and they stood in great favour with the king. Geller Thorkelsson, who the summer be- fore had come from Iceland, also came there to the king, as before related. Chapter Sigvat the scald had long been in King Olaf's CI XX -i o of sigvat household, as before related, and the king made him the Bcaid. hi s marshal. Sigvat had no talent for speaking in prose ; but in scaldcraft he was so practised, that the verses came as readily from his tongue as if he were speaking in usual language. He had made a mer- cantile journey to Normandy, and in the course of it had come to England, where he met King Canute, and obtained permission from him to sail to Xorway, as before related. When he came to Norway he proceeded straight to King Olaf, and found him at