Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/326

 318 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA VII. Chapter CCXXIV. Of Thord Folason. Chapter ccxxv. Of King Olaf's armour. Chapter CCXXVI. King Olaf's dream. Thord Folason carried King Olaf's banner. So says Sigvat the scald, in the death song which he composed about King Olaf, and put together according to the saga of this insurrection : — " Thord, I have heard, by Olaf's side, Where raged the battle's wildest tide, Moved on, and, as by one accord, Moved with them every heart and sword. The banner of the king on high, Floating all splendid in the sky From golden shaft, aloft he bore, — The Norsemen's rallying point of yore." King Olaf was armed thus : — He had a gold-mounted helmet on his head, and had in one hand a white shield, on which the holy cross was inlaid in gold. In his other hand he had a lance, which to the pre- sent day stands beside the altar in Christ Church. In his belt he had a sword, which was called Hneyter, which was remarkably sharp, and of which the handle was worked with gold. He had also a strong coat of ring-mail. Sigvat the scald speaks of this : — " A greater victory to gain, Olaf the Stout strode o'er the plain In strong chain armour, aid to bring To his brave men on either wing. High rose the fight and battle-heat, — The clear blood ran beneath the feet Of Swedes, who from the East came there, In Olaf's gain or loss to share." Now when King Olaf had drawn up his men the army of the bonders had not yet come near upon any quarter, so the king said the people should sit down and rest themselves. He sat down himself, and the people sat around him in a wide-spread crowd. He leaned down, and laid his head upon Finn Arneson's knee. There a slumber came upon him, and he slept a little while ; but at the same time the bonders' army was seen advancing with raised banners, and the mul- titude of these was very great.