Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/375

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 367 u I see here many a croaking raven saga viii. Flying about the well-known haven : When Olaf's ship was floating here, They knew that food for them was near ; When Olaf 's ship lay here wind-bound, Oft screamed the erne o'er Hilla sound, Impatient for the expected prey, And wont to follow to the fray." When Sigvat came north to the town of Drontheim King Swend was there before him. He invited Sigvat to stay with him, as Sigvat had formerly been with his father King Canute the Great ; but Sigvat said he would first go home to his farm. One day, as Sigvat was walking in the street, he saw the king's men at play, and he sang, — (f One day before I passed this way, When the king's guards were at their play, Something there was — I need not tell — That made me pale, and feel unwell. Perhaps it was I thought, just then, How noble Olaf with his men, In former days, I oft have seen In manly games upon this green." Sigvat then went to his farm ; and as he heard that many men upbraided him with having deserted King Olaf, he made these verses : — " May Christ condemn me still to burn In quenchless fire, if I did turn, And leave King Olaf in his need, — My soul is free from such base deed. I was at Rome, as men know well Who saw me there, and who can tell That there in danger I was then : The truth I need not hide from men." Sigvat was ill at ease in his home. One day he went out and sang, — " While Olaf lived, how smiled the land! — Mountain and cliff, and pebbly strand. All Norway then, so fresh, so gay,. On land or sea, where oft I lay. But now to me all seems so dreary, All black and dull — of life I'm weary : Cheerless to-day, cheerless to-morrow — Here in the North we have great sorrow."