Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway. Snorri Sturluson

southern viking—

       Let us take shield in hand, brave king!"

      The king replied, "Thy counsel, Eyvind, is manly, and after my own heart; but I will hear the opinion of others upon this matter." Now as the king's men thought they discerned what way the king was inclined to take, they answered that they would rather fall bravely and like men, than fly before the Danes; adding, that they had often gained the victory against greater odds of numbers. The king thanked them for their resolution, and bade them arm themselves; and all the men did so. The king put on his armour, and girded on his sword Kvernbit, and put a gilt helmet upon his head, and took a spear (Kesja) in his hand, and a shield by his side. He then drew up his courtmen and the bondes in one body, and set up his banner.

29. THE ARMAMENT OF EIRIK'S SONS.

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      After Gamle's death King Harald, Eirik's son, was the chief of the brothers, and he had a great army with him from Denmark. In their army were also their mother's brothers—Eyvind Skreyja, and Alf Askman, both strong and able men, and great man slayers. The sons of Eirik brought up with their ships off the island, and it is said that their force was not less than six to one—so much stronger in men were Eirik's sons.

30. KING HAKON'S BATTLE ARRAY.

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      When King Hakon had drawn up his men, it is told of him that he threw off his armour before the battle began. So sings Eyvind Skaldaspiller, in Hakmarmal:—

      "They found Blorn's brother bold

       Under his banner as of old,

       Ready for battle. Foes advance—

       The front rank raise the shining lance:

       And now begins the bloody fray!

       Now! now begins Hild's wild play!

       Our noble king, whose name strikes fear

       Into each Danish heart—whose spear

       Has single-handed spilt the blood

       Of many a Danish noble—stood

       Beneath his helmet's eagle wing

       Amidst his guards; but the brave king

       Scorned to wear armour, while his men

       Bared naked breasts against the rain

       Of spear and arrow, his breast-plate rung

       Against the stones; and, blithe and gay,

       He rushed into the thickest fray.

       With golden helm, and naked breast,

       Brave Hakon played at slaughter's feast."

      King Hakon selected willingly such men for his guard or court-men as were distinguished for their strength and bravery, as his father King Harald also used to do; and among these was Thoralf Skolmson the Strong, who went on one side of the king. He had helmet and shield, spear and sword; and his sword was called by the name of Footbreadth. It was said that Thoralf and King Hakon were equal in strength. Thord Sjarekson speaks of it in the poem he composed concerning Thoralf:—

      "The king's men went with merry words

       To the sharp clash of shields and flame swords,

       When these wild rovers of the sea

       At Fitlar fought. Stout Thoralf he

       Next to the Northmen's hero came,

       Scattering wide round the battle flame

       For in the storm of shields not one

       Ventured like him with brave Hakon."

      When both lines met there was a hard combat, and much bloodshed. The combatants threw their spears and then drew their swords. Then King Hakon, and Thoralf with him, went in advance of the banner, cutting down on both sides of them. So says Eyvind Skaldaspiller:—

      "The body-coats of naked steel,

       The woven iron coats of mail,

       Like water fly before the swing

       Of Hakon's sword—the champion-king.

       About each Gotland war-man's head

       Helm splits, like ice beneath the tread,

       Cloven by the axe or sharp swordblade,

       The brave king, foremost in the fight,

       Dyes crimson-red the spotless white

       Of his bright shield with foemen's gore.—

       Amidst the battle's wild uproar,

       Wild pealing round from shore to shore."

31. FALL OF SKREYJA AND ASKMAN.

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      King Hakon was very conspicuous among other men, and also when the sun shone his helmet glanced, and thereby many weapons were directed at him. Then Eyvind Finson took a hat and put it over the king's helmet. Now Eyvind Skreyja called out, "Does the king of the Norsemen hide himself, or has he fled? Where is now the golden helmet?" Then Eyvind, and his brother Alf with him, pushed on like fools or madmen. King Hakon shouted to Eyvind, "Come on as thou art coming, and thou shalt find the king of the Norsemen." So says Eyvind Skaldaspiller:—

      "The raiser of the storm of shields,

       The conqueror in battle fields—

       Hakon the brave, the warrior's friend,

       Who scatters gold with liberal hand,

       Heard Skreyja's taunt, and saw him rush,

       Amidst the sharp spears' thickest push,

       And loudly shouted in reply—

       'If thou wilt for the victory try,

       The Norseman's king thou soon shall find!

       Hold onwards, friend! Hast thou a mind!"

      It was also but a short space of time before Eyvind did come up swinging his sword, and made a cut at the king; but Thoralf thrust his shield so hard against Eyvind that he tottered with the shock. Now the king takes his sword Kvernbit with both hands, and hewed Eyvind through helm and head, and clove him down to the shoulders. Thoralf also slew Alf Askman. So says Eyvind Skaldaspiller:—

      "With both his hands the gallant king

       Swung round his sword, and to the chin

       Clove Eyvind down: his faithless mail

       Against it could no more avail,

       Than the thin plank against the shock

       When the ship's side beats on the rock.

       By his bright sword with golden haft

       Thro' helm, and head, and hair, was cleft

       The Danish champion; and amain,

       With terror smitten, fled his men."

      After this fall of the two brothers, King Hakon pressed on so hard that all men gave way before his assault. Now fear came over the army of Eirik's sons, and the men began to fly; and King Hakon, who was at the head of his men, pressed on the flying, and hewed down oft and hard. Then flew an arrow, one of the kind called "flein", into Hakon's arm, into the muscles below the shoulder; and it is said by many people that Gunhild's shoe-boy, whose name was Kisping, ran out and forwards amidst the confusion of arms, called out "Make room for the king-killer," and shot King Hakon with the