heimskringla-第200章
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d the guard； and watched over the emperor； lay on the open plain without the camp。 They changed the watch with each other in the night； and those who had been before on watch lay down and slept； but all completely armed。 It was their custom； when they went to sleep； that each should have his helmet on his head； his shield over him； sword under the head； and the right hand on the sword…handle。 One of these comrades； whose lot it was to watch the latter part of the night； found； on awakening towards morning； that his sword was gone。 He looked after it； and saw it lying on the flat plain at a distance from him。 He got up and took the sword； thinking that his comrades who had been on watch had taken the sword from him in a joke； but they all denied it。 The same thing happened three nights。 Then he wondered at it； as well as they who saw or heard of it； and people began to ask him how it could have happened。 He said that his sword was called Hneiter； and had belonged to King Olaf the Saint； who had himself carried it in the battle of Stiklestad； and he also related how the sword since that time had gone from one to another。 This was told to the emperor； who called the man before him to whom the sword belonged； and gave him three times as much gold as the sword was worth； and the sword itself he had laid in Saint Olaf's church； which the Varings supported； where it has been ever since over the altar。 There was a lenderman of Norway while Harald Gille's sons； Eystein； Inge； and Sigurd lived； who was called Eindride Unge； and he was in Constantinople when these events took place。 He told these circumstances in Norway； according to what Einar Skulason says in his song about King Olaf the Saint； in which these events are sung。
21。 OLAF'S MIRACLE IN FAVOUR OF THE VARINGS。
It happened once in the Greek country； when Kirjalax was emperor there； that he made an expedition against Blokumannaland。 When he came to the Pezina plains； a heathen king came against him with an innumerable host。 He brought with him many horsemen； and many large waggons； in which were large loop…holes for shooting through。 When they prepared for their night quarters they drew up their waggons； one by the side of the other； without their tents； and dug a great ditch without； and all which made a defence as strong as a castle。 The heathen king was blind。 Now when the Greek king came； the heathens drew up their array on the plains before their waggon…fortification。 The Greeks drew up their array opposite； and they rode on both sides to fight with each other； but it went on so ill and so unfortunately； that the Greeks were compelled to fly after suffering a great defeat； and the heathens gained a victory。 Then the king drew up an array of Franks and Flemings； who rode against the heathens； and fought with them； but it went with them as with the others； that many were killed； and all who escaped took to flight。 Then the Greek king was greatly incensed at his men…at…arms； and they replied； that he should now take his wine…bags； the Varings。 The king says that he would not throw away his jewels； and allow so few men； however bold they might be； to attack so vast an army。 Then Thorer Helsifig； who at that time was leader of the Varings replied to the king's words； 〃If there was burning fire in the way； I and my people would run into it； if I knew the king's advantage required it。〃 Then the king replied； 〃Call upon your holy King Olaf for help and strength。〃 The Varings； who were 450 men； made a vow with hand and word to build a church in Constantinople； at their own expense and with the aid of other good men； and have the church consecrated to the honour and glory of the holy King Olaf； and thereupon the Varings rushed into the plain。 When the heathens saw them； they told their king that there was another troop of the Greek king's army come out upon the plain； but they were only a handful of people。 The king says； 〃Who is that venerable man riding on a white horse at the head of the troop？〃 They replied； 〃We do not see him。〃 There was so great a difference of numbers； that there were sixty heathens for every Christian man； but notwithstanding the Varings went boldly to the attack。 As soon as they met terror and alarm seized the army of the heathens； and they instantly began to fly； but the Varings pursued； and soon killed a great number of them。 When the Greeks and Franks who before had fled from the heathens saw this； they hastened to take part； and pursue the enemy with the others。 Then the Varings had reached the waggon… fortification； where the greatest defeat was given to the enemy。 The heathen king was taken in the flight of his people； and the Varings brought him along with them； after which the Christians took the camp of the heathens； and their waggon…fortification。
MAGNUS ERLINGSON'S SAGA。
PRELIMINARY REMARKS。
With this saga； which describes a series of conflicts； Snorre's 〃Heimskringla〃 ends。 King Eystein died in 1177； but Magnus Erlingson continued to reign until his death in 1184。 The conflicts continued until the opposition party was led to victory by King Sverre。
The only skald quoted is Thorbjorn Skakkaskald。
1。 OF MAGNUS ERLINGSON'S BEGINNING。
When Erling got certain intelligence of the determinations of Hakon and his counsellors； he sent a message to all the chiefs who he knew had been steady friends of King Inge； and also to his court…men and his retinue； who had saved themselves by flight； and also to all Gregorius's house…men； and called them together to a meeting。 When they met； and conversed with each other； they resolved to keep their men together； and which resolution they confirmed by oath and hand…shake to each other。 Then they considered whom they should take to be king。 Erling Skakke first spoke； and inquired if it was the opinion of the chiefs and other men of power that Simon Skalp's son； the son of the daughter of King Harald Gille； should be chosen king； and Jon Halkelson be taken to lead the army； but Jon refused it。 Then it was inquired if Nikolas Skialdvarson； a sister's son of King Magnus Barefoot； would place himself at the head of the army； but he answered thus： It was his opinion that some one should be chosen king who was of the royal race； and； for leader of the troops； some one from whom help and understanding were to be looked for； and then it would be easier to gather an army。 It was now tried whether Arne would let any of his sons； King Inge's brothers； be proclaimed king。 Arne replies； that Kristin's son； she was the daughter of King Sigurd the Crusader； was nearest by propinquity of descent to the crown of Norway。 〃And here is also a man to be his adviser； and whose duty it is to take care of him and of the kingdom； and that man is his father Erling； who is both prudent； brave； experienced in war； and an able man in governing the kingdom； he wants no capability of bringing this counsel into effect； if luck be with him。〃 Many thought well of this advice。
Erling replied to it； 〃As far as I can see or hear in this meeting； the most will rather be excused from taking upon themselves such a difficult business。 Now it appears to me altogether uncertain； provided we begin this work； whether he who puts himself at the head of it will gain any honour； or whether matters will go as they have done before when any one undertakes such great things； that he loses all his property and possibly his life。 But if this counsel be adopted； there may be men who will undertake to carry it through； but he who comes under such an obligation must seek； in every way； to prevent any opposition or enmity from those who are now in this council。〃
All gave assurance that they would enter into this confederacy with perfect fidelity。 Then said Erling； 〃I can say for myself that it would almost be my death to serve King Hakon； and however dangerous it may be； I will rather venture to adopt your advice； and take upon me to lead this force； if that be the will； counsel； and desire of you all； and if you will all bind yourselves to this agreement by oath。〃
To this they all agreed； and in this meeting it was determined to take Erling's son Magnus to be king。 They afterwards held a Th
