Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/338

 330 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA VII. Chapter CCXXXIX. Thorgeir of Quist- stad's fall. " I think I saw them shrink with fear Who would not shrink from foeman's spear, When Olaf 's lion-eye was cast On them, and called up all the past. Clear as the serpent's eye — his look No Drontheim man could stand, but shook Beneath its glance, and skulked away, Knowing his king — and cursed the day." The combat became fierce, and the king went for- ward in the fray. So says Sigvat : — " When on they came in fierce array, And round the king arose the fray, With shield on arm brave Olaf stood, Dyeing his sword in their best blood. For vengeance on his Drontheim foes, On their best men he dealt his blows : He who knew well death's iron play, To his deep vengeance gave full sway." King Olaf fought most desperately. He struck the lenderman before mentioned (Thorgeir of Quiststad) across the face, cut off the nose-piece of his helmet, and clove his head down below the eyes so that they almost fell out. When he fell the king said, " Was it not true, Thorgeir, what I told thee, that thou should st not be victor in our meeting?" At the same instant Thord stuck the banner-pole so fast in the earth that it remained standing. Thord had got his death- wound, and fell beneath the banner. There also fell Thorfinn Mudr, and also Gissur Gulbraascald, who was attacked by two men, of whom he killed one, but only wounded the other before he fell. So says Hofgarda Refr : — " Bold in the iron-storm was he, Firm and stout as forest tree, The hero who, 'gainst two at cnce, Made Odin's fire from sword-edge glance ; Dealing a death-blow to the one, Known as a brave and generous man, Wounding the other, ere he fell, — His bloody sword his deeds showed well." It happened then, as before related, that the sun, although the air was clear, withdrew from the