Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/251

 KINGS OF NORWxVY. 239 past the land, and set over to Denmark, and went saga xiv. into the Sound. He fell in with some Vendland cut- ters south of the islands, gave them battle, and gained the victory. He cleared eight ships, killing many of the men, and he hanged the others. Sigurd fluttered about for some time in the South countries, as he knew there was no help for him in Norway, on account of the people of Drontheim and of More. So says Ivar : — '' The king from the West Was by slander oppress'd: In Drontheim and Msere His party was bare; And the bonders combined, From prejudiced mind, Against Magnus's son. Who all good people won." He tells also that when Sigurd withdrew from Nor- way he came to the Swedish king's dominions: — " On the thundering wave The king's men brave Stay-ropes make fast, 'Gainst the wild sea-blast; Close-reef the sail, The water bale; And brisk the yards swing, AVhile sea and sky ring. " By the cold white crest Of the waves oppressed, The ship scuds fast In the wild sea-blast. The king's men save Their ship from the wave. And on Calmar strand Their brave king land." Then he came to the kingdom of the Danish king, where he made many of the principal people at the court his friends, and the king himself among the first ; as is here related : — '' He who stains red The claw and head Of the eagle race. Won Eric's grace,"