Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/316

 304 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XVI. the army, said, ^' I will not fight for Earl Sigurd's earldom, since he is not here himself." Then Onund fled, and was followed by all the people, and by the king himself; and they hastened up the coun- try. King Hakon lost many men here ; and these verses were made about it : — '' Onund declares he will not go In battle 'gainst Earl Sigurd's foe. If Earl Sigurd does not come. But with his house-men sits at home. King Magnus' men rush up the street. Eager with Hakon's troop to meet ; But Hakon's war-hawks, somewhat shy. Turn quick about, and off they fly." Thorbiorn Skakke- scald also said : — " The Tunsberg men would not be slow In thy good cause to risk a blow; And well they knew the chief could stain The wolves' mouths on a battle-plain. But the town champion rather fears The sharp bright glance of levelled spears ; Their steel-clad warrior loves no fight Where bowstring twangs, or fire flies bright." King Hakon then took the land-road northwards to Drontheim. When Earl Sigurd heard of this, he proceeded with all the ships he could get the sea- way northwards, to meet King Hakon there. Chapter Erliug Skakkc took all the ships in Tunsberg be- er Eriing longing to King Hakon, and there he also took the and Hakon. g^ikesuden which had belonged to King Inge. Then Erling proceeded, and reduced the whole of Viken in obedience to King Magnus, and also the whole country north wheresoever he appeared up to Bergen, where he remained all winter. There Erling killed Ingebiorn Sepil, King Hakon's lenderman of the north part of the Fiord district. In winter King Hakon was in Drontheim ; but in the following spring he ordered a levy, and prepared to go against Erling. He had with him Earl Sigurd, John Swensson, Eindrid Unge, Onund Simunsson, Philippus Petersson, Philippus