Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/69

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 57 the harbour ; some in the isles outside, and some in s aga i x. the fiords. So says Thiodolf: — " The cutters' sea-bleached bows scarce find A shelter from the furious wind Under the inland forests' side. Where the fiord runs its farthest tide. In aU the isles and creeks around The bonders' ships lie on the ground. And ships with gunwales hung with shields Seek the lee-side of the green fields." In the heavy storm that raged for some time the great ship had need of good ground tackle. So says Thiodolf: — ^^ With lofty bow above the seas, Which curl and fly before the breeze. The gallant vessel rides and reels. And every plunge her cable feels. The storm that tries the spar and mast Tries the main-anchor at the last: The storm above, below the rock. Chafe the thick cable with each shock." When the weather became favourable King Harald sailed eastwards to the Gotha river with his fleet, and arrived there in the evening. So says Thiodolf: — ^^ The gallant Harald now has come To Gotha, half way from his home, And on the river frontier stands. To tight with Swend for life and lands. The night passed o'er, the gallant king Next day at Thumle calls a Thing, Where Swend is challenged to appear — A day which ravens wish were near." When the Danes heard that the Northmen's army Chapter Avas come to the Gotha river*, they all fled who had of Kiny* opportunity to get away. The Northmen heard that Haraid's the Danish king had also called out his forces, and lay in the south, partly at Fyen and partly about Sealand. W^hen King Harald found that King Swend would not hold a meeting with him, or a fight, ac- side of the Sound, was part of the kingdom of Denmark.
 * The country round the river Gotha, as well as Scania on the north