Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/72

 60 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA IX. " Harald and Swend first met as foes, Where Nisaa in the ocean flows; For Swend would not for peace entreat. But, strong in ships, would Harald meet. The Norsemen prove, with sword in hand, That numbers cannot skill withstand. Off Halland's coast the blood of Danes The blue sea's calm smooth surface stains." Soon the battle began, and became very sharp; both kings urging on their men. So says Stein Herdisarson : — '' Our king, his broad shield disregarding. More keen for striking than for warding, Now tells his lads their spears to throw, — Now shows them where to strike a blow. From fleet to fleet so short the way, That stones and arrows have full play; And from the keen sword dropped the blood Of short-lived seamen in the flood." It was late in the day when the battle began, and it continued the whole night. King Harald shot for a long time with his bow. So says Thiodolf : — " The Upland king was all the night Speeding the arrows' deadly flight. All in the dark his bow-string's twang Was answered ; for some white shield rang, Or yelling shriek gave certain note The shaft had pierced some ring-mail coat. The foeraen's shields and bulwarks bore A Lapland arrow-scatt* or more." Earl Hakon, and the people who followed him, did not make fast their ships in the fleet, but rowed against the Danish ships that were loose, and slew the men of all the ships they came up with. When the Danes observed this, each drew his ship out of the way of the earl ; but he set upon those who were trying to escape, and they were nearly driven to flight. Then a boat came rowing to the earl's ship, and hailed him, and said that the other wing of King and the meaning of the scald appears to be, that as many as were paid in a year were shot at the foe.
 * The Laplanders paid their scatt, or yearly tax, in bows and arrows ;