heimskringla-第149章
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plunder； both abroad and at home。 Thus he made great forays； killing and plundering all around。 When the people who suffered under these disturbances came to the king and complained to him of their losses； he replied； 〃Why do ye tell me of this？ Why don't you go to Hakon Ivarson； who is my officer for the land…defence； placed on purpose to keep the peace for you peasants； and to hold the vikings in check？ I was told that Hakon was a gallant and brave man； but I think he is rather shy when any danger of life is in the way。〃 These words of the king were brought to Hakon； with many additions。 Then Hakon went with his men in search of Asmund； and when their ships met Hakon gave battle immediately and the conflict was sharp； and many men were killed。 Hakon boarded Asmund's ship and cut down the men before his feet。 At last he and Asmund met and exchanged blows until Asmund fell。 Hakon cut off his head； went in all haste to King Svein and found him just sitting down to the dinner…table。 Hakon presented himself before the table； laid Asmund's head upon the table before the king； and asked if he knew it。 The king made no reply； but became as red as blood in the face。 Soon after the king sent him a message； ordering him to leave his service immediately。 〃Tell him I will do him no harm； but I cannot keep watch over all our relations （1）。
ENDNOTES： （1） This incident shows how strong； in those ages； was the tie of relationship； and the point of honour of avenging its injuries the clanship spirit。 L。
52。 HAKON IVARSON'S MARRIAGE。
Hakon then left Denmark； and came north to his estates in Norway。 His relation Earl Orm was dead。 Hakon's relations and friends were glad to see Hakon； and many gallant men gave themselves much trouble to bring about a reconciliation between King Harald and Hakon。 It was at last settled in this way； that Hakon got Ragnhild； the king's daughter； and that King Harald gave Hakon the earldom； with the same power Earl Orm had possessed。 Hakon swore to King Harald an oath of fidelity to all the services he was liable to fulfill。
53。 RECONCILIATION OF KING HARALD AND KALF。
Kalf Arnason had been on a viking cruise to the Western countries ever since he had left Norway； but in winter he was often in the Orkney Islands with his relative； Earl Thorfin。 Fin Arnason sent a message to his brother Kalf； and told him the agreement which he had made with King Harald； that Kalf should enjoy safety in Norway； and his estates； and all the fiefs he had held from King Magnus。 When this message came to Kalf he immediately got ready for his voyage； and went east to Norway to his brother Fin。 Then Fin obtained the king's peace for Kalf； and when Kalf and the king met they went into the agreement which Fin and the king had settled upon before。 Kalf bound himself to the king in the same way as he had bound himself to serve King Magnus； according to which Kalf should do all that the king desired and considered of advantage to his realm。 Thereupon Kalf received all the estates and fiefs he had before。
54。 FALL OF KALF ARNASON。
The summer following （A。D。 1050） King Harald ordered out a levy； and went to Denmark； where he plundered during the summer； but when he came south to Fyen he found a great force assembled against him。 Then the king prepared to land his men from the ships and to engage in a land…fight。 He drew up his men on board in order of battle； set Kalf Arnason at the head of one division； ordered him to make the first attack； and told him where they should direct their assault； promising that he would soon make a landing with the others； and come to their assistance。 When Kalf came to the land with his men a force came down immediately to oppose them； and Kalf without delay engaged in battle； which； however； did not last long； for Kalf was immediately overpowered by numbers； and betook himself to flight with his men。 The Danes pursued them vigorously； and many of the Northmen fell； and among them Kalf Arnason。 Now King Harald landed with his array； and they soon came on their way to the field of battle； where they found Kalf's body； and bore it down to the ships。 But the king penetrated into the country； killing many people and destroying much。 So says Arnor：
〃His shining sword with blood he stains； Upon Fyona's grassy plains； And in the midst of fire and smoke； The king Fyona's forces broke。〃
55。 FIN ARNASON'S EXPEDITION OUT OF THE COUNTRY。
After this Fin Arnason thought he had cause to be an enemy of the king upon account of his brother Kalf's death； and said the king had betrayed Kalf to his fall； and had also deceived him by making him entice his brother Kalf to come over from the West and trust to King Harald's faith。 When these speeches came out among people； many said that it was very foolish in Fin to have ever supposed that Kalf could obtain the king's sincere friendship and favour； for they thought the king was the man to seek revenge for smaller offences than Kalf had committed against the king。 The king let every one say what he chose； and he himself neither said yes or no about the affair； but people perceived that the king was very well pleased with what had happened。 King Harald once made these verses：
〃I have； in all； the death…stroke given To foes of mine at least eleven； Two more； perhaps； if I remember； May yet be added to this number； I prize myself upon these deeds； My people such examples needs。 Bright gold itself they would despise； Or healing leek…herb underprize； If not still brought before their eyes。〃
Fin Arnason took the business so much to heart that he left the country and went to Denmark to King Svein； where he met a friendly reception。 They spoke together in private for a long time； and the end of the business was that Fin went into King Svein's service； and became his man。 King Svein then gave Fin an earldom； and placed him in Halland； where he was long earl and defended the country against the Northmen。
56。 OF GUTHORM GUNHILDSON。
Ketil Kalf and Gunhild of Ringanes had a son called Guthorm； and he was a sister's son to King Olaf and Harald Sigurdson。 Guthorm was a gallant man； early advanced to manhood。 He was often with King Harald； who loved him much； and asked his advice； for he was of good understanding； and very popular。 Guthorm had also been engaged early in forays； and had marauded much in the Western countries with a large force。 Ireland was for him a land of peace； and he had his winter quarters often in Dublin； and was in great friendship with King Margad。
57。 GUTHORM'S JUNCTION WITH THE IRISH KING MARGAD。
The summer after King Margad； and Guthorm with him； went out on an expedition against Bretland； where they made immense booty。 But when the king saw the quantity of silver which was gathered he wanted to have the whole booty； and regarded little his friendship for Guthorm。 Guthorm was ill pleased that he and his men should be robbed of their share； but the king said； 〃Thou must choose one of two things； either to be content with what we determine； or to fight； and they shall have the booty who gain the victory； and likewise thou must give up thy ships； for them I will have。〃 Guthorm thought there were great difficulties on both sides； for it was disgraceful to give up ships and goods without a stroke； and yet it was highly dangerous to fight the king and his force； the king having sixteen ships and Guthorm only five。 Then Guthorm desired three days' time to consider the matter with his people； thinking in that time to pacify the king； and come to a better understanding with him through the mediation of others； but he could not obtain from the king what he desired。 This was the day before St。 Olaf's day。 Guthorm chose the condition that they would rather die or conquer like men； than suffer disgrace； contempt and scorn； by submitting to so great a loss。 He called upon God； and his uncle Saint Olaf； and entreated their help and aid； promising to give to the holy man's house the tenth of all the booty that fell to their share； if they gained the victory。 Then he arranged his men； placed them in battle or
