heimskringla-第107章
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baptized。
166。 TREACHERY TOWARDS KING OLAF。
King Olaf had now frequent conferences with his people； and asked advice from them； and from his chiefs； as to what he should determine upon。 But there was no unanimity among them some considering that unadvisable which others considered highly serviceable； and there was much indecision in their councils。 King Canute had always spies in King Olaf's army； who entered into conversation with many of his men； offering them presents and favour on account of King Canute。 Many allowed themselves to be seduced； and gave promises of fidelity； and to be King Canute's men； and bring the country into his hands if he came to Norway。 This was apparent； afterwards； of many who at first kept it concealed。 Some took at once money bribes； and others were promised money afterwards； and a great many there were who had got great presents of money from him before： for it may be said with truth of King Canute； that every man who came to him； and who he thought had the spirit of a man and would like his favour； got his hands full of gifts and money。 On this account he was very popular； although his generosity was principally shown to foreigners； and was greatest the greater distance they came from。
167。 KING OLAF'S CONSULTATIONS。
King Olaf had often conferences and meetings with his people； and asked their counsel； but as he observed they gave different opinions； he had a suspicion that there must be some who spoke differently from what they really thought advisable for him； and he was thus uncertain if all gave him due fidelity in council。 Some pressed that with the first fair wind they should sail to the Sound； and so to Norway。 They said the Danes would not dare to attack them； although they lay with so great a force right in the way。 But the king was a man of too much understanding not to see that this was impracticable。 He knew also that Olaf Trygvason had found it quite otherwise； as to the Danes not daring to fight； when he with a few people went into battle against a great body of them。 The king also knew that in King Canute's army there were a great many Norwegians； therefore he entertained the suspicion that those who gave this advice were more favourable to King Canute than to him。 King Olaf came at last to the determination； from all these considerations； that the people who would follow him should make themselves ready to proceed by land across Gautland； and so to Norway。 〃But our ships；〃 said he； 〃and all things that we cannot take with us； I will send eastward to the Swedish king's dominions； and let them be taken care of for us there。〃
168。 HAREK OF THJOTTA'S VOYAGE。
Harek of Thjotta replied thus to the king's speech： 〃It is evident that I cannot travel on foot to Norway。 I am old and heavy； and little accustomed to walking。 Besides； I am unwilling to part with my ship； for on that ship and its apparel I have bestowed so much labour； that it would go much against my inclination to put her into the hands of my enemies。〃 The king said； 〃Come along with us； Harek； and we shall carry thee when thou art tired of walking。〃 Then Harek sang these lines ：
〃I'11 mount my ocean steed； And o'er the sea I'll speed； Forests and hills are not for me； I love the moving sea； Though Canute block the Sound； Rather than walk the ground； And leave my ship； I'll see What my ship will do for me。〃
Then King Olaf let everything be put in order for the journey。 The people had their walking clothing and weapons； but their other clothes and effects they packed upon such horses as they could get。 Then he sent off people to take his ships east to Calmar。 There he had the vessels laid up； and the ships' apparel and other goods taken care of。 Harek did as he had said； and waited for a wind； and then sailed west to Scania； until； about the decline of the day； he came with a fresh and fair wind to the eastward of Holar。 There he let the sail and the vane； and flag and mast be taken down； and let the upper works of the ship be covered over with some grey tilt…canvas； and let a few men sit at the oars in the fore part and aft； but the most were sitting low down in the vessel。
When Canute's watchmen saw the ship； they talked with each other about what ship it might be； and made the guess that it must be one loaded with herrings or salt； as they only saw a few men at the oars； and the ship； besides； appeared to them grey； and wanting tar； as if burnt up by the sun； and they saw also that it was deeply loaded。 Now when Harek came farther through the Sound； and past the fleet； he raised the mast； hoisted sail； and set up his gilded vane。 The sail was white as snow； and in it were red and blue stripes of cloth interwoven。 When the king's men saw the ship sailing in this state； they told the king that probably King Olaf had sailed through them。 But King Canute replies； that King Olaf was too prudent a man to sail with a single ship through King Canute's fleet； and thought it more likely to be Harek of Thjotta； or the like of him。 Many believed the truth to be that King Canute knew of this expedition of Harek； and that it would not have succeeded so if they had not concluded a friendship beforehand with each other； which seemed likely； after King Canute's and Harek's friendly understanding became generally known。
Harek made this song as he sailed northward round the isle of Vedrey：
〃The widows of Lund may smile through their tears； The Danish girls may have their jeers； They may laugh or smile； But outside their isle Old Harek still on to his North land steers。〃
Harek went on his way； and never stopped till he came north to Halogaland； to his own house in Thjotta。
169。 KING OLAF'S COURSE FROM SVITHJOD。
When King Olaf began his journey； he came first into Smaland； and then into West Gautland。 He marched quietly and peaceably； and the country people gave him all assistance on his journey。 Thus he proceeded until he came into Viken； and north through Viken to Sarpsborg； where he remained； and ordered a winter abode to be prepared （A。D。 1028）。 Then he gave most of the chiefs leave to return home； but kept the lendermen by him whom he thought the most serviceable。 There were with him also all the sons of Arne Arnmodson； and they stood in great favour with the king。 Geller Thorkelson； who the summer before had come from Iceland； also came there to the king； as before related。
170。 OF SIGVAT THE SKALD。
Sigvat the skald had long been in King Olaf's household； as before related； and the king made him his marshal。 Sigvat had no talent for speaking in prose； but in skaldcraft he was so practised； that the verses came as readily from his tongue as if he were speaking in usual language。 He had made a mercantile journey to Normandy； and in the course of it had come to England； where he met King Canute； and obtained permission from him to sail to Norway； as before related。 When he came to Norway he proceeded straight to King Olaf； and found him at Sarpsborg。 He presented himself before the king just as he was sitting down to table。 Sigvat saluted him。 The king looked at Sigvat and was silent。 Then Sigvat sang：
〃Great king！ thy marshal is come home； No more by land or sea to roam； But by thy side Still to abide。 Great king！ what seat here shall be take For the king's honour not his sake？ For all seats here To me are dear。〃
Then was verified the old saying； that 〃many are the ears of a king；〃 for King Olaf had heard all about Sigvat's journey； and that he had spoken with Canute。 He says to Sigvat； 〃I do not know if thou art my marshal； or hast become one of Canute's men。〃 Sigvat said：
〃Canute； whose golden gifts display A generous heart； would have me stay； Service in his great court to take； And my own Norway king forsake。 Two masters at a time； I said； Were one too many for men bred Where truth and virtue； shown to all；
Make all men true in Olaf's hall。〃
Then King Olaf told Sigvat to take his seat where he before used to sit； and in a short time Sigvat was in
