Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/15

 KINGS OF NORWAY. i "Where Eilif was^ one heart and hand saga ix. The two chiefs had in their command; In wedge or hne their battle order Was ranged by both without disorder. The eastern Vendland * men they drove Into a corner; and they move The Lesians j", although ill at ease. To take the laws their conquerors please." Arnor, the earl's scald, relates that Rognvald Brusesson was for a long time land- defence man in Russia, and fought many battles there : — ^' In Russia, though now grown old. The battle-loving earl, the bold, Of Gondul:}: favoured, in the field Raised in ten fights his battered shield." Harald remained several years in Russia, and tra- velled far and wide in the Eastern land. Then he began his expedition out to Greece, and had a great suite of men with him ; and on he went to Constanti- nople. So says Bolverk : — " Before the cold sea-curling blast The cutter from the land flew past. Her black yards swinging to and fro, Her shield-hung gunwale dipping low. The king saw glancing o'er the bow Constantinople's metal glow From tower and roof, and painted sails Gliding past towns and wooded vales." At that time the Greek empire was ruled by the em- Chapter press Zoe the Great, and with her Michael Catalactus. of Haraid. Now when Harald came to Constantinople he pre- sented himself to the empress, and went into her pay ; comprehending all the Slavonic race, which then extended to the borders of Holstein on the Trave at Lubeck. East Vendland was the country beyond the Oder, or Poland; and West Vendland was Pomerania, Mecklenburg, &c. ■j" Lesians refers to a people not known. Lazii, Lezilii, are similar names in the early history of Poland.
 * Vendland people, in its widest sense, appears to have been a name
 * Gondul, one of the Valkyria, who selected the slain for Odin's

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