heimskringla-第137章
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Their hasty footmarks in the clay Showed that to Ringsted led their way。
〃Spattered with mud from heel to head； Our gallant lord his true men led。 Will Lund's earl halt his hasty flight； And try on land another fight？ His banner yesterday was seen； The sand…bills and green trees between； Through moss and mire to the strand； In arrow flight； leaving the land。〃
Then Svein fled over to Fyen Island； and King Magnus carried fire and sword through Seeland； and burnt all round； because their men had joined Svein's troop in harvest。 So says Thiodolf：
〃As Svein in winter had destroyed The royal house； the king employed No little force to guard the land； And the earl's forays to withstand。 An armed band one morn he found； And so beset them round and round； That Canute's nephew quickly fled； Or he would have been captive led。
〃Our Throndhjem king in his just ire Laid waste the land with sword and fire； Burst every house； and over all Struck terror into great and small。 To the earl's friends he well repaid Their deadly hate such wild work made On them and theirs； that from his fury； Flying for life； away they hurry。〃
33。 BURNING IN FYEN。
As soon as King Magnus heard that Svein with his troops had gone across to Fyen； he sailed after them； and when Svein heard this news he went on board ship and sailed to Scania； and from thence to Gautland； and at last to the Swedish King。 King Magnus landed in Fyen； and plundered and burned over all； and all of Svein's men who came there fled far enough。 Thiodolf speaks of it thus：
〃Fiona isle； once green and fair； Lies black and reeking through the air： The red fog rises； thick and hot； From burning farm and smouldering cot。 The gaping thralls in terror gaze On the broad upward…spiring blaze； From thatched roofs and oak…built walls； Their murdered masters' stately halls。
〃Svein's men； my girl； will not forget That thrice they have the Norsemen met； By sea； by land； with steel； with fire； Thrice have they felt the Norse king's ire。 Fiona's maids are slim and fair； The lovely prizes； lads； we'll share： Some stand to arms in rank and row； Some seize； bring off； and fend with blow。〃
After this the people of Denmark submitted to King Magnus； and during the rest of the winter； there was peace。 King Magnus then appointed some of his men to govern Denmark； and when spring was advanced he sailed northwards with his fleet to Norway； where he remained a great part of the summer。
34。 BATTLE AT HELGANES
Now； when Svein heard that King Magnus had gone to Norway he rode straight down； and had many people out of Svithjod with him。 The people of Scania received him well； and he again collected an army； with which he first crossed over into Seeland and seized upon it and Fyen； and all the other isles。 When King Magnus heard of this he gathered together men and ships； and sailed to Denmark； and as soon as he knew where Svein was lying with his ships King Magnus sailed to meet him。 They met at a place called Helganes； and the battle began about the fall of day。 King Magnus had fewer men； but larger and better equipt vessels。 So says Arnor； the earls' skald：
〃At Helganes so goes the tale The brave wolf…feeder； under sail； Made many an ocean…elk （1） his prey； Seized many a ship ere break of day。 When twilight fell he urged the fight； Close combat man to man all night； Through a long harvest night's dark hours； Down poured the battle's iron showers。〃
The battle was very hot； and as night advanced the fall of men was great。 King Magnus； during the whole night； threw hand… spears。 Thiodolf speaks of this：
〃And there at Helganes sunk down； Sore wounded； men of great renown； And Svein's retainers lost all heart； Ducking before the flying dart。 The Norsemen's king let fly his spears； His death…wounds adding to their fears； For each spear…blade was wet all o'er； Up to the shaft in their life…gore。〃
To make a short tale； King Magnus won the victory in this battle； and Svein fled。 His ship was cleared of men from stem to stern； and it went so on board many others of his ships。 So says Thiodolf：
〃Earl Svein fled from the empty deck； His lonely ship an unmann'd wreck； Magnus the Good； the people's friend； Pressed to the death on the false Svein。 Hneiter （2）； the sword his father bore； Was edge and point； stained red with gore； Swords sprinkle blood o'er armour bright；
When kings for land and power fight。〃
And Arnor says ：…
〃The cutters of Bjorn's own brother Soon changed their owner for another； The king took them and all their gear； The crews； however； got off clear。〃
A great number of Svein's men fell； and King Magnus and his men had a vast booty to divide。 So says Thiodolf：
〃Where the Norsemen the Danish slew； A Gautland shield and breast…plate true Fell to my share of spoil by lot； And something more i' the south I got： （There all the summer swords were ringing） A helm； gay arms； and gear worth bringing； Home to my quiet lovely one I sent with news how we had won。〃
Svein fled up to Scania with all the men who escaped with him； and King Magnus and his people drove the fugitives up through the country without meeting any opposition either from Svein's men or the bondes。 So says Thiodolf：
〃Olaf's brave son then gave command； All his ships' crews should quickly land： King Magnus； marching at their head； A noble band of warriors led。 A foray through the land he makes； Denmark in every quarter shakes。 Up hill and down the horses scour； Carrying the Danes from Norsemen's power。〃
King Magnus drove with fire and sword through the land。 So says Thiodolf：
〃And now the Norsemen storm along； Following their banner in a throng： King Magnus' banner flames on high； A star to guide our roaming by。 To Lund； o'er Scania's peaceful field； My shoulder bore my useless shield； A fairer land； a better road； As friend or foe； I never trod。〃
They began to burn the habitations all around； and the people fled on every side。 So says Thiodolf：
〃Our ice…cold iron in great store； Our arms； beside the king we bore： The Scanian rogues fly at the view Of men and steel all sharp and true。 Their timbered houses flame on high； Red flashing over half the sky； The blazing town flings forth its light； Lighting the cowards on their flight。〃
And he also sang：
〃The king o'er all the Danish land Roams； with his fire…bringing band： The house； the hut； the farm； the town； All where men dwelt is burned down。 O'er Denmark's plains and corn…fields； Meadows and moors； are seen our shields： Victorious over all； we chase Svein's wounded men from place to place。
〃Across Fiona's moor again； The paths late trodden by our men We tread once more； until quite near； Through morning mist； the foes appear。 Then up our numerous banners flare In the cold early morning air； And they from Magnus' power who fly Cannot this quick war…work deny。〃
Then Svein fled eastwards along Scania； and King Magnus returned to his ships； and steered eastwards also along the Scanian coast； having got ready with the greatest haste to sail。 Thiodolf sings thus about it：
〃No drink but the salt sea On board our ships had we； When； following our king； On board our ships we spring。 Hard work on the salt sea； Off Scania's coast； had we； But we laboured for the king； To his foemen death to bring。〃
Svein fled to Gautland； and then sought refuge with the Swedish king； with whom he remained all winter （A。D。 1046）； and was treated with great respect。
ENDNOTES： （1） Ship。 L。 （2） This was the name of Saint Olaf's sword； which Magnus had recovered。 L。
35。 OF
