Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/299

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 291 the king proposed, for he had a great desire to attain saga vn. this high dignity; and this conclusion was settled upon between King Canute and Kalf. Kalf then pre- pared to return home, and on his departure he received splendid presents from King Canute. Biorn the scald tells of these circumstances : — ft Sprung from old earls ! — to England's lord Thou owest many a thankful word For many a gift : if all be true. Thy interest has been kept in view ; For when thy course was bent for home, (Although that luck is not yet come,) c That Norway should be thine.' 'tis said, The London king a promise made." Kalf thereafter returned to Norway, and came to his farm. Earl Hakon left the country this summer, and went cha*tkr to England, and when he came there was well received ^* cv * ° . . Or the by the king. The earl had a bride in England, and death of he travelled to conclude this marriage ; and as he ntkon. intended holding his wedding in Norway, he came to procure those things for it in England which it w r as difficult to get in Norway. In autumn he made ready for his return, but it was somewhat late before he was clear for sea ; but at last he set out. Of his voyage all that can be told is, that the vessel was lost, and not a man escaped. Some relate that the vessel was seen north of Caithness in the evening in a heavy storm, and the wind blowing out of Pentland Firth. They who believe this report say the vessel drove out among the breakers of the ocean ; but with certainty people knew only that Earl Hakon was missing in the ocean, and nothing belonging to the ship ever came to land. The same autumn some merchants came to Norway, who told the tidings that were going through the country of Earl Hakon being missing ; and all men knew that he neither came to Norway nor to u 2