Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/71

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 59 SAGA IX. Chapter LXIV. Of King king's, and ordered his men to bring her well for- ward. Stein Herdisarson, who was himself in Ulf's ship, sings of it thus : — '^ Our oars were stowed, our lances high. As the ship moved swung in the sky. The marshal Ulf went through our ranks, Drawn up beside the rowers' banks : The brave friend of our gallant king Told us our ship well on to bring, And fight like Is^orsemen in the cause — Our Norsemen answered with huzzas." Hakon Ivarsson lay outside on the other wing, and had many ships with him, all well equipped. At the extremity of the other side lay the Drontheim chiefs, who had also a o^reat and stronor force. Swend the Danish king also drew up his fleet, and laid his ship forward in the centre against King Harald's ship, and Finn Arneson laid his ship next ; Swend' and then the Danes laid their ships, according as they were bold or well equipped. Then, on both sides, they bound the ships together all through the middle of the fleets ; but as the fleets were so large, very many ships remained loose, and each laid his ship forward according to his courage, and that was very unequal. Although the difl'erence among the men was great, altogether there was a very great force on both sides. King Swend had six earls among the people following him. So says Stein Herdisarson : — '' Danger our chief would never shun, With eight score ships he would not run : The Danish fleet he would abide. And give close battle side by side. From Leire's coast the Danish king Three hundred ocean steeds could bring. And o'er the sea- weed plain in haste Thought Harald's vessels would be chased." As soon as King Harald was ready with his fleet, Chapmr he orders the war-blast to sound, and the men to row Beginning forward to the attack. So says Stein Herdisarson: — of Nisaa!^*''