Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/280

 272 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA VII. " And all the sound is covered o'er With ships and sails, from shore to shore, A mighty king, a mighty host, Hiding the sea on Eyka coast. And peaceful men in haste now hie Up Hiorngla-hill the fleet to spy, As round the ness where Stade lies Each high-stemmed ship in splendour flies. " Nor seemed the voyage long, I trow, To warrior on the high-built bow, As o'er the ocean-mountains riding The land and hills seem past him gliding. With whistling breeze and flashing spray Past Stein the gay ships dashed away ; In open sea, the southern gale Filled every wide out-bellying sail. " Still on they fly, still northwards go, Till he who conquers every foe, The mighty Canute, came to land, Far in the north on Drontheim's strand. There this great king of Jutland race, Whose deeds and gifts surpass in grace All other kings, bestowed the throne Of Norway on his sister's son. (t To his own son he gave the crown (This I must add to his renown) Of Denmark — land of shadowy vales, In which the white swan trims her sails." Here it is told that King Canute's expedition was grander than saga can tell ; but Thorarin sang thus, because he would pride himself upon being one of King Canute's retinue when he came to Norway. Chapter The men whom King Olaf had sent eastwards to of the ' Gotland after his ships took with them the vessels they messengers thought the best, and burnt the rest. The ship-apparel King olaf and other goods belonging to the king and his men they ships! 8 also took with them ; and when they heard that King Canute had gone to Norway they sailed west through the Sound, and then north to Yiken to King Olaf, to whom they delivered his ships. He was then at Tunsberg. When King Olaf learnt that King Canute was sailing north along the coast, King Olaf steered