第108章

With many a grumble, many a groan.

A hundred miles we trudged right on;

And every king's man of us bore On each foot-sole a bleeding sore."They came then through Gautland, and in the evening reached a farm-house called Hof.The door was bolted so that they could not come in; and the servants told them it was a fast-day, and they could not get admittance.Sigvat sang: --"Now up to Hof in haste I hie, And round the house and yard I pry.

Doors are fast locked -- but yet within, Methinks, I hear some stir and din.

I peep, with nose close to the ground.

Below the door, but small cheer found.

My trouble with few words was paid --

"`Tis holy time,' the house-folkd said.

Heathens! to shove me thus away!

I' the foul fiend's claws may you all lay."Then they came to another farm, where the good-wife was standing at the door.and told them not to come in, for they were busy with a sacrifice to the elves.Sigvat sang of it thus: --"`My poor lad, enter not, I pray!'

Thus to me did the old wife say;

`For all of us are heathens here, And I for Odin's wrath do fear.'

The ugly witch drove me away, Like scared wolf sneaking from his prey.

When she told me that there within Was sacrifice to foul Odin."Another evening, they came to three bondes, all of them of the name of Olver, who drove them away.Sigvat sang: --"Three of one name, To their great shame, The traveller late Drove from their gate!

Travellers may come From our viking-home, Unbidden guests At these Olvers' feasts."They went on farther that evening, and came to a fourth bonde, who was considered the most hospitable man in the country; but he drove them away also.Then Sigvat sang: --"Then on I went to seek night's rest From one who was said to be the best, The kindest host in the land around, And there I hoped to have quarters found.

But, faith,'twas little use to try;

For not so much as raise an eye Would this huge wielder of the spade:

If he's the hest, it must he said Bad is the best, and the skald's praise Cannot be given to churls like these.

I almost wished that Asta's son In the Eid forest had been one When we, his men, were even put Lodging to crave in a heathen's hut.

I knew not where the earl to find;

Four times driven off by men unkind, I wandered now the whole night o'er, Driven like a dog from door to door."Now when they came to Earl Ragnvald's the earl said they must have had a severe journey.Then Sigvat sang: --"The message-bearers of the king From Norway came his words to bring;And truly for their master they Hard work have done before to-day.

We did not loiter on the road, But on we pushed for thy abode:

Thy folk, in sooth, were not so kind That we cared much to lag hehind.

But Eid to rest safe we found, From robbers free to the eastern bound:

This praise to thee, great earl, is due --The skald says only what is true."

Earl Ragnvald gave Sigvat a gold arm-ring, and a woman said "he had not made the journey with his black eyes for nothing."Sigvat sang: --"My coal-black eyes Dost thou despise?

They have lighted me Across the sea To gain this golden prize:

They have lighted me, Thy eyes to see, O'er Iceland's main, O'er hill and plain:

Where Nanna's lad would fear to be They have lighted me."Sigvat was long entertained kindly and well in the house of Earl Ragnvald.The earl heard by letters, sent by Ingegerd the king's daughter, that ambassadors from King Jarisleif were come from Russia to King Olaf of Svithjod to ask his daughter Ingegerd in marriage, and that King Olaf had given them hopes that he would agree to it.About the same time King Olaf's daughter Astrid came to Earl Ragnvald's court, and a great feast was made for her.Sigvat soon became acquainted by conversation with the king's daughter, and she knew him by name and family, for Ottar the skald, Sigvat's sister's son, had long intimate acquaintance with King Olaf, the Swedish king.Among other things talked of, Earl Ragnvald asked Sigvat if the king of Norway would not marry the king's daughter Astrid."If he would do that," said he, "Ithink we need not ask the Swedish king for his consent."Astrid, the kings daughter, said exactly the same.Soon after Sigvat returns home, and comes to King Olaf at Sarpsborg a little before Yule.

When Sigvat came home to King Olaf he went into the hall, and, looking around on the walls, he sang: --"When our men their arms are taking The raven's wings with greed are shaking;When they come back to drink in hall Brave spoil they bring to deck the wall --Shield, helms, and panzers (1), all in row, Stripped in the field from lifeless fow.

In truth no royal nail comes near Thy splendid hall in precious gear."Afterwards Sigvat told of his journey, and sang these verses: --"The king's court-guards desire to hear About our journey and our cheer, Our ships in autumn reach the sound, But long the way to Swedish ground.

With joyless weather, wind and raind, And pinching cold, and feet in pain --With sleep, fatigue, and want oppressed, No songs had we -- we scarce had rest."And when he came into conversation with the king he sang: --"When first I met the earl I told How our king loved a friend so bold;How in his heart he loved a man With hand to do, and head to plan.

Thou generous king! with zeal and care I sought to advance thy great affair;For messengers from Russian land Had come to ask Ingegerd's hand.

The earl, thy friend, bids thee, who art So mild and generous of heart, His servants all who here may come To cherish in thy royal home;And thine who may come to the east In Ragnvald's hall shall find a feast --In Ragnvald's house shall find a home --At Ragnvald's court be still welcome.

When first I came the people's mind Incensed by Eirik's son I find;And he refused the wish to meet, Alleging treachery and deceit.

But I explained how it was here, For earl and king, advantage clear With thee to hold the strictest peace, And make all force and foray cease.