Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/345

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 337 " A little," said Kimbe. " And hast thou been in the SAGAVn - battle too ?" Thormod replied, " I was with them who had the best," " Art thou wounded ? " says Kimbe. " Not much to signify," replies Thormod. As Kimbe saw that Thormod had a gold ring on his arm, he said, " Thou art certainly a king's man. Give me thy gold ring, and I will hide thee. The bonders will kill thee if thou fallest in their way." Thormod says, " Take the ring if thou canst get it : I have lost that which is more worth." Kimbe stretched out his hand, and wanted to take the ring; but Thormod, swinging his sword, cut off his hand: and it is related that Kimbe behaved him- self no better under his wound than those he had been blaming just before. Kimbe went off, and Thormod sat down in the barn, and listened to what people were saying. The conversation was mostly about what each had seen in the battle, and about the valour of the combatants. Some praised most King Olaf's courage, and some named others who stood nowise behind him in bravery. Then Thormod sang these verses : — ' { Olaf was brave beyond all doubt, — At Stiklestad was none so stout; Spattered with blood, the king, unsparing, Cheered on his men with deed and daring. But I have heard that some were there Who in the fight themselves would spare; Though, in the arrow-storm, the most Had perils quite enough to boast." Thormod went out, and entered into a chamber Chapter apart, in which there were many wounded men, and Thormod's with them a woman binding their wounds. There deatL - was fire upon the floor, at which she warmed water to wash' and clean their wounds. Thormod sat himself down beside the door, and one came in, and another VOL. II. z