Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/398

 390 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vm. Magnus took seven ships from Swend's people. So says Thioclolf : — " Thick Olaf's son seven vessels cleared, And with his fleet the prizes steered. The Norway girls will not be sad To hear such news — each from her lad." He also sings : — " The captured men will grieve the most Swend and their comrades to have lost ; For it went ill with those who fled, Their wounded had no easy bed. A heavy storm that very night O'ertook them flying from the fight ; And sculls and bones are tumbling round, Under the sea, on sandy ground." Swend fled immediately by night to Sealand, with the men who had escaped and were inclined to follow him; but King Magnus brought his ships to the shore, and sent his men up the country in the night- time, and early in the morning they came down to the strand with a great booty in cattle. Thiodolf tells about it : — " But yesterday with heavy stones We crushed their sculls, and broke their bones, And thinned their ranks; and now to-day Up through their land we've ta'en our way, And driven their cattle to the shore, And filled our ships with food in store. To save his land from our quick swords, Swend will need something more than words." Chapter King Magnus sailed with his fleet from the south Swend's flisht. after Swend to Sealand ; but as soon as the king came there Swend fled up the country with his men, and Magnus followed them, and pursued the fugitives, killing all that were laid hold of. So says Thiodolf: — " The Sealand girl asks with fear, ' Whose blood -bespattered shield and spear — The earl's or king's — up from the shore Moved on with many a warrior more ? ' We scoured through all their muddy lanes, Woodlands, and fields, and miry plains.