Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/295

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 283 there has been a much o-reater want of men with us saga xv. than now." All thought well of the advice that the king himself should not take part in the battle. Then Erling Skakke said, " I agree also to the counsel that you, sire, should not go into the battle. It appears to me that their preparations are such, that we require all our precaution not to suffer a great defeat from them ; and whole limbs are the easiest cured. In the council we held before to-day many opposed what I said, and ye said then that I did not want to fight ; but now I think the business has altered its appearance, and greatly to our advan- tage, since they have hauled off from the piles, and now it stands so that I do not dissuade from giving battle ; for I see, what all are sensible of, how neces- sary it is to put an end to this robber band who have gone over the whole country with pillage and de- struction, in order that people may cultivate the land in peace, and serve a king so good and just as King Inge who has long had trouble and anxiety from the haughty unquiet spirit of his relations, although he has been a shield of defence for the whole people, and has been exposed to manifold perils for the peace of the country." Erling spoke well and long, and many other chiefs also ; and all to the same purpose — all urging to battle. In the meantime they waited until all the fleet should be assembled. King Inge had the ship Beikesuden*; and, at the entreaty of his friends, he did not join the battle, but lay still at the island. When the army was ready they rowed briskly chapter against the enemy, and both sides raised a war-shout. Be^bnin" Ins^e's men did not bind their ships too;ether, but let o^'^e o ^ r o 7 battle. them be loose ; for they rowed right across the current, by which the large ships were much swayed. Erling '^ Beech-sides," or may perhaps be a local name given to the ship. It is not explained by any commentator, and its derivation is not very clear.
 * The name of this vessel occurs frequently. It seems to be the