Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/403

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 395 The house, the hut, the farm, the town, saga viii. All where men dwelt is burned down. O'er Denmark's plains and corn-fields, Meadows and moors, are seen our shields: Victorious over all, we chase Swend's wounded men from place to place. " Across Fiona's moor again, The paths late trodden by our men We tread once more, until quite near, Through morning mist, the foes appear. Then up our numerous banners flare In the cold early morning air; And they from Magnus' power who fly Cannot his quick war- work deny." Then Swend fled eastwards along Scania, and King Magnus returned to his ships, and steered eastwards also along the Scanian coast, having got ready with the greatest haste to sail. Thiodolf sings thus about it: — " No drink but the salt sea On board our ships had we, When, following our king, On board our ships we spring. Hard work on the salt sea, Off Scania's coast, had we ; But we laboured for the king, To his foemen death to bring." Swend fled to Gotland, and then sought refuge with the Swedish king, with whom he remained all winter, and was treated with great respect. When Kino; Magnus had subdued Scania he turned SZ A l?Z K ° ° XXXV. about, and first went to Falster, where he landed, Of King plundered, and killed many people who had before ca mpXn. submitted to Swend. Arnor speaks of this : — fi A bloody vengeance for their guile King Magnus takes on Falster Isle; The treacherous Danes his fury feel, And fall before his purpled steel. The battle-field is covered o'er With eagles' prey from shore to shore; And the king's courtmen were the first To quench with blood the ravens' thirst."