Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/324

 316 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vii. and made the army stop, and told his people to alight from their horses, and get ready for battle ; and the people did as the king ordered. Then he placed his army in battle array, and raised his banner. Dag was not yet arrived with his men, so that his wing of the battle array was wanting. Then the king said the Upland men should go forward in their place, and raise their banner there. " It appears to me ad- visable," says the king, " that Harald my brother should not be in the battle, for he is still in the years of childhood only." Harald replies, " Certainly I shall be in the battle, for I am not so weak that I cannot handle the sword ; and as to that, I have a notion of tying the sword-handle to my hand. None is more willing than I am to give the bonders a blow ; so I shall go with my comrades." It is said that Harald made these lines : — " Our army's wing, where I shall stand, I will hold good with heart and hand ; My mother's eye shall joy to see A battered, blood-stained shield from me. The brisk young scald should gaily go Into the fray, give blow for blow, Cheer on his men, gain inch by inch, And from the spear-point never flinch." Harald got his will, and was allowed to be in the battle, ccxxn ^ bonder, by name Thorgils Hialmeson, father to of Thor- ' Grim the Good, dwelt in Stiklestad farm. Thorgils offered the king his assistance, and was ready to go into battle with him. The king thanked him for the offer. '' I would rather," says the king, " thou shouldst not be in the fight. Do us rather the service to take care of the people who are wounded, and to bury those who may fall, when the battle is over. Should it happen, bonder, that I fall in this battle, bestow the care on my body that may be necessary, if that be not forbidden thee." Thorgils promised the king what he desired. gils Hial- meson.