Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/102

 90 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA IX. Then said the earl, " It was certainly imprudent for such chiefs, and it may be as you say ; but I saw he was going to offer me peace and a great dominion, and that, on the other hand, I would be his mur- derer if I betrayed him ; and I would rather he should be my murderer than I his, if one of two be to die." King Harald Sigurdsson observed to his men, " That was but a little man, yet he sat firmly in his stir- rups." It is said that Harald made these verses at this time : — ^^ Advance ! advance ! No helmets glance. But blue swords play- In our array. Advance ! advance ! No mail-coats glance. But hearts are here That ne'er knew fear." His coat of mail was called Emma ; and it was so long that it reached almost to the middle of his leg, and so strong that no weapon ever pierced it. Then said King Harald Sigurdsson, " These verses are but ill composed; I must try to make better;" and he composed the following : — '*^ In battle- storm we seek no lee. With skulking head, and bending knee. Behind the hollow shield. With eye and hand we fend the head; Courage and skill stand in the stead Of panzer, helm, and shield. In Hilda's bloody field." Thereupon Thiodolf sang : — "And should our king in battle fall, — A fate that God may give to all, — His sons will vengeance take; And never shone the sun upon Two nobler eaglets in his run. And them we'll ne'er forsake."