An island lay out opposite this, and a deep sound was between them: there they made fast the ship. For his like the ages While heat-feeding bellows Lord Thorir went in the autumn to king Eric. They who guarded the boat were not aware of it till Egil was upon them. One summer Thorstein rode to the Thing, but Egil sat at home. Skallagrim then built a house on Ship-ness, and this he kept for a long time thereafter. He is a Berserk and a duellist; he is hated. When the roll of Harold's army was called, many were they that had fallen, and many were sore wounded. bnt 3 live. So Hing sailed west over the sea to seek Iceland. Hildirida was Hogni's heiress, and she and her sons inherited from him and dwelt in Leka, and had plenty of wealth. There was a joyful meeting. Thorolf had this ship made ready, and put aboard some of his house-carles as crew; he freighted it with dried fish and hides, and ermine and gray furs too in abundance, and other peltry such as he had gotten from the fell; it was a most valuable cargo. Skallagrim and Bera had a great many children, but at first they all died. Occurs, than shyly sinks ', Gunnhilda said: 'We will hear none of his praise. Egil set down the mead-cask, then ran off, and sped him to the house. The ship with all its freight Thorolf took, but Thorir he put out on an island. Many of king Olaf's men then fled, and the Norsemen shouted a shout of victory. [13], The saga then proceeds to describe the lives of Thorolf and Egill Skallagrimsson, born in Iceland, and eventually making their way to Norway in adulthood. Tall men they were and strong, of much energy and forward daring. Peace affrighted fled; He appears to be a shallow creature and in many instances the only time he appears to put much thought into anything is when he composes and recites poetry. Proceedings of the Seventh Annual MadRush Conference (2016) Abstract: This paper examines the function and cultural implications of poetry in Egil's Saga, an Icelandic saga written around the thirteenth century A.D. Earl Hroald he set over the Firthfolk. It chanced one day in the autumn at Borg that Skallagrim had several oxen driven home which he meant to slaughter. He understood, ere he had been long there, whither Steinar had had his cattle taken, and he sat by them on Stack-moor. He rose from his bed, and took his place in the high-seat. He was a Swede by birth, and had no kin there in the land. And it seemed to them desirable to seek Iceland, for good reports were given about choice of land there. In the evening the judges went out; but nothing happened that needs to be told. Skallagrim took much pleasure in trials of strength and games; he liked to talk about such. Hath ta'en my warrior son. Stern and keen. He had on his head a gilded helm, by his side a gold-decked shield, in his hand a barbed spear whose socket was overlaid with gold, and a sword at his girdle. He went out of the yard, and found a draught horse of Skallagrim's, got on its back and rode after Skallagrim's party. He went up to the farm, and made an attack on them; and there fell Hildirida's sons, and most of those who were there; and Hing and his company took all the wealth they could lay hands on. Bergonund son of Thorgeir Thornfoot had then married Gunnhilda daughter of Bjorn Yeoman. The Courlanders pursued after them into this pen, while some set on them from without, thrusting javelins and swords through the palings, while others cast clothes on their weapons. Where ever was it known that a king was thus dealt with? Round the farmhouse were high wooden palings: at these Thorgeir leapt, grasping with his hand the stakes, and so swung himself out of the yard. The god once honoured, Then the messengers returned home; and on coming to Thorstein's told him that the king was well pleased with this Vermaland journey, and that Thorstein was now to have reconciliation and friendship with the king. To Thorbjorn Krum he gave the land by Gufu-river upward, and to Thord of Beigaldi. But king Eric cannot now hide this from himself, that every king is now stronger than is he, whereas a little while ago it had been deemed incredible that king Eric would not have the will and energy to avenge his wrongs on such a one as Egil. King Hacon answered: 'This have I heard, that my brother Eric and with him Gunnhilda both assert that thou, Egil, hast cast a stone beyond thy strength in thy dealings with them. Here at spirits' holy feast. 'Fierce fire of sickness Prince bestoweth scorning For me should they purchase Take thou him home with thee, and bring him to me in the morning. Then Thorstein with his company rode out over the moor, taking with them the boy Grim. egils saga sparknotes - ruhrpiraten.de I will neither hear his words nor see him. Within the ring sate twelve judges of the Firth-folk, twelve of the Sogn-folk, twelve of the Horda-folk. Arinbjorn untiring I will get you a good crew.'. This ship he bade sail westwards for England to buy him clothes and other supplies that he needed; and they, first steering southwards along the coast, then stretching across the main, came to England. Egil then went first into Sogn and arranged about those lands that he now got into his own power. Also, if ye want to have some men from hence for this journey, this will be granted you, and all such furtherance of your journey as ye may name to Thorstein.'. There dwells a worthy landowner named Thorfinn.'. Aulvir was spokesman: 'Here now is come Grim Kveldulf's son; we shall feel thankful to thee, O king, if thou make his journey hither a good one, as we hope it will be. Still he the land held fast, I know that there will be here with thee men who can in no wise be thought of more martial appearance than I am. Egil went on his way and came to the Firths, whence he went into Sogn to seek Thord in Aurland. Egil was to stay at home; Arinbjorn would not have him go. Egil now made a poem about king Athelstan, and in it is this stave: 'Land-shielder, battle-quickener, For they saw men coming down from the king's house, a large body well armed and advancing furiously. Thorstein was a man with no trickery, just, and never aggressive on others, but he held his own if others attacked him. Soon feed we our guests. And better deemed I Now and again in the snow the horses so plunged and lay that they had to be pulled up out of it, and over rocks and crags was a hard struggle. Erewhile, beyond the sea, Harek asked: 'Didst thou like well, O king, the Finns' tribute which Thorolf sent thee? He had a most beautiful daughter, Hildirida by name; and it fell to her lot to sit by Bjorgolf. My face a king hath lifted ', 'Yet,' said Egil, 'my mind is that, if we have law to show, we should try. Then Thorstein said in a loud voice, so that his companions could hear: 'Why can he be in such a hurry to see me that I may not ride on my way home? Yngvar accepted this offer. Then Egil sang a stave: 'Dauntless the doughty champion They told how both the Ulfs had fallen, twenty-five men were dead, and but five escaped with life, and they all wounded and bruised. Thorstein kept house in grand style, for provisions were in plenty. Then Bard went to the queen and told her there was a man there who put shame on them, for, howsoever much he drank, he still said he was thirsty. Then Bard had the king called to him, and spoke thus: 'If it so be that I die of these wounds, then I would ask this of thee, that I may myself name my heir.'. There was a son of Thorstein named Grim, who was then ten years old; he too went with Thorstein, thus they were five in all. A gallant minstrel ', Thorir said that Thorolf had every right, if he would, to bring more men with him thither. Thorir had a son named Arinbjorn, who was somewhat older than Egil. Well did the warrior fight, There their wounds were healed. The king took Thorolf's words well, and then became merry and cheerful. Long may look in vain. The king asked whether Egil was in the ship. A man was appointed to bear every cup to Egil's party, and he urged them to drink it off quick. Up leapt the liers-in-wait and made at them, and they met their charge: and the encounter ended in Egil's slaying two and the rest running back into the wood. I bear on arm brand-wielding Strand of mine own twisting Of Yngling's son Then the earl got a ship to take him southwards over the sea; and he came to France, where half of his kin were. Hacon had by far the larger numbers; the reason of this was that he made it law in the land that every man should own his patrimony, where king Harold had enslaved all, rich and poor alike. Egils saga offers a brilliant study of a complex personalitya ruthless Viking who is also a sensitive poet, a rebel against authority from early childhood who ends his life as a defenseless, blind old man. The bones of Egil were laid in the outer part of the churchyard at Moss-fell. Foul worker of mischief: For example in Egil 's Saga a piece of literature which follows the lives of . ', Egil said: 'Sickness of body I have none; but I have much anxiety about this, how I shall get that property which I won when I slew Ljot the Pale northwards in Mra. Feet twain have I, Then went Egil and those about him to seek king Athelstan, and at once went before the king, where he sat at the drinking. But Thorolf was most comely as well as doughty, favoring his mother's kin; very cheery was he, liberal, impetuous in everything, a good trader, winning the hearts of all men. ', 'Unfriendly, who was friend, King Athelstan had passed the night before in the town whereof mention was made above, and there he heard rumour that there had been fighting on the heath. Egil would not put in there, for he thought king Eric's power would be supreme all over the islands. My stout hammer rings, He holds, this foe of England, Maketh the tinkling circlet Olaf king of Scots, drew together a mighty host, and marched upon England. They plundered the place, destroying what they could not take with them. Egil stood up and drew his sword, and went across the floor. Egil went forward till he met earl Adils. Arinbjorn went back and said that things looked rather unpromising. I will produce true evidence before the king and the judges that Thora Lace-hand, Asgerdr's mother, was taken captive from the house of Thorir her brother, and a second time from Brynjolf's house at Aurland. They had a fairly good breeze, and came from the main into Borgar-firth; and Egil steered his ship up the firth to the haven close to his own house. Not generally liked were they; at this time they were young, but fully grown to manhood. Bjorn of the hearth-fire I will do no dastardly deed on thee; yet know thou this for sure, that this is no reconciliation with me or my sons or any of our kin who wish to wreak their vengeance. And when they came to the holt that is there, the boy died; and they buried him there in the holt, called since Grimsholt. Viar . After this they arrayed them for combat. He went to yet other banquets there that were prepared for him. Said Thrand, 'You are a far more foolish man, Thorstein, than I judged you to be, if you will take night-quarters under my axe, and for this risk your honours. Around his brow ', Said Atli: 'Long have we heard, Egil, that you are a most unjust man, but now I shall come to prove it, if you mean to claim at my hands this property, which king Eric adjudged to Bergonund my brother. They are called Myra-men, all those that sprang from Skallagrim. Of Yngvar, right fain so to find him, He thanked them much for their brave advance, and the victory they had won; he promised them his hearty friendship. King Eric was there numerously attended. thelstan also gave an armring, passing it to him at sword-point. Thorgils Yeller was standing near; he made a sweep with his sword at Thorgeir, and cut off his hand along with the fence-stake. Then did the brothers make them ready for their journey, and they took thirty men. Thorolf and Egil returned to their camp; and just then king Athelstan came up with the main army, and they pitched their tents and made their arrangements. Shot starry radiance Then he went back to his own people, and told Kveldulf what he had seen, and withal how he had recognised the ship, being that which once was Thorolf's, and was taken by Hallvard from Thorgils, and doubtless there were some men on board who would be worth catching. ', 'Thorolf in northern isle That same autumn the sons of Atli set on Aulvir Hnuf at his home, and would fain have slain him. 'Most woful the breach, So then Egil began the poem, and this is the beginning. And hidden earth in veil But Thorstein slew two thralls of yours. Versions: 1893 translation into English by W. C. Green from the original Icelandic 'Egils saga Skallagrmssonar'. Sigurd received the proposal well; he said there were many reasons for this; first, the king would have it so; next, Bard had asked it; and further he himself knew Thorolf well, and thought it a good match for his daughter. ', King Eric said: 'I need not to count the crimes on thy hands, for they are so many and great that each one might well warrant that thou go not hence alive. But when king Athelstan perceived king Olaf's division beginning to break, he then spurred on his force, and bade his standard advance. Let laggards be none! Egil told Asgerdr of Thorolf's death, and offered her his guardianship. During that winter Sigurd died at Sandness, and Thorolf was heir to all his property; this was great wealth. Egil went first, then the rest, one behind the other, so near that none could come between. And as he came forward on the field to the ground of combat, a fit of Berserk fury seized him; he began to bellow hideously, and bit his shield. Back goeth yon champion, It chanced in the autumn, shortly before winter, that Thord rode in to Borg to find Egil his kinsman; and he bade him to a banquet. On the fenced hold They went through the wood, and it was not long before they came to peopled parts. ', The king took his words rather sullenly, and said that Arinbjorn had long advocated Egil's cause: 'He has had this grace through thee, that I have let him be here in the land; but now shall I think it too much to bear if thou back him in his assaults on my friends. Sigurd received him well, and asked him to lodge there, for there had been great intimacy between them since the marriage connection between Sigurd and Bard. There was a man named Olaf, son of Hauskuld Dale-koll's son and Melkorka daughter of Myrkjartan king of the Irish. On royal ships in line Corrections? But if Thorolf returns this summer, he will be easily won to this journey, as also to be made the king's man. But in the morning, when it was light and people were dressed, there sat Skallagrim forward on the seat's edge, already dead, and so stiff that they could not straighten him nor move him, though they tried all they could. 'They sate there a-drinking,' said he. To stand unbroken But when he came to the island, he wrung his clothes dry. ', Arinbjorn said that he did not desire this. It was called Sheppey; it was an island of no great size covered with brushwood. There in the town king Olaf quartered him, and there he had the greatest part of his force, because there was a wide district around which seemed to him convenient for the bringing in of such provisions as the army needed. 'Thankful I took it, 'We will go on,' said Egil: 'methinks 'tis no wonder that men have gone through Eida-wood, for it is a public road.' "He is inflated far beyond the type of Viking hero, yet he also falls short of it, and while he is often on the edge of the tragic he eludes definition. Come and find me afterwards, when all this is ended, whatever may have chanced between you and the king.'. His halberd he held before him grasped in both hands, and slung his shield behind his back. Such stress of stern battle Welled from giant's wound Thorolf had a large ship, which was waiting to put to sea. Then the messengers went home, and Thorstein appeared well pleased with their journey. It was found that more had leapt overboard, and so perished, than had fallen on the ship. Yet shall I gladly The rowers bade Egil rule their course. In several sagas the hero becomes an outlaw fighting a, 1220; translated in The Sagas of Icelanders), attributed to Snorri Sturluson. Just then Egil began to recover, and rose from his bed. After inspecting his house-carles' work here, Thorstein rode homewards. ', She could not answer, but wept the more. Egil had one large war-ship, and on board thereof a hundred men or thereabouts. 'I will tell you,' said he, 'what I have thought of. Always a generous giver, But before they parted Thorolf and his father talked together, and Kveldulf said: 'I was not far wrong, Thorolf, in telling thee, when thou wentest to join king Harold's guard, that neither thou nor we thy kindred would in the long run get good-fortune therefrom. On the morrow Aulvir Hnuf went to his kinsman Thorolf; they talked together, Aulvir saying that Thorolf was much slandered, and the king gave ear to such tales. He took the horn and drank it off; then recited a stave: 'Ale is borne to me, for ale It so happened that Aulvir had to leave home to get in some rents of Thorir's that had stood over from the spring. He mounted the horse. Carle worn with eld But be thou every man's dastard if thou darest not. With the word king comes imagery of unbridled authority. There fell Ulf. Thus Brynjolf got atonement accepted for Bjorn, and Skallagrim's messengers abode with Thorir for the winter. Heaving sobbing stifles Thorir bade him be with him. His son, named Geir, who was then of full age, was with him in the ship. Here was the most renowned chief temple. But one of two things will happen, either they will be softer to thee than to me, or thou wilt rue this thy intercession, and that thou lettest them be long in thy company.'. But by the time they were parted both Thorstein's house-carles had lost their lives, one house-carle of Steinar's had fallen, and several were wounded. So he bounded thither over the space between the two divisions. Whereupon Arinbjorn went away and out by the door leading up to the house-roof, and he sate by the window of the upper room where the bird had before sate. To such high monarch yields.' Did you not know what friendship was between me and Thorir? This is was decided that they should go eastwards with the messengers. Aulvir told the tidings, the slaying of Bard and the rest that had there befallen, but of Egil's goings since he knew nothing. Thereafter Thorolf went to his ship, and put it in order. He took a large flat stone, and pushed it under their necks. Soon Egil and his men stood up, and took their weapons from the wall where they had hung them up; they then went to the granary in which their horse were, and laid themselves down in the straw, and slept through the night. For his deathful brand; Within me Odin gave Somewhat ill to manage was he when at play with other lads. ', Egil after Yule-tide was taken with much sadness that he spake not a word. The descendants of Kveldlfr find themselves involved in two complicated inheritance feuds, at one time rejecting the claims of illegitimate children of a second marriage, and at another time claiming land on behalf of another illegitimate child born to similar circumstances.[22]. He had gone westwards to England with Arinbjorn. Scotland, as compared with England, was reckoned a third of the realm; Northumberland was reckoned a fifth part of England; it was the northernmost county, marching with Scotland on the eastern side of the island. But next summer, if you feed on my land, and set men to drive your cattle thither, then will I go on slaying for you every man that tends them, though it be yourself. This ship belonged to a man named Kettle, and by-named Blund; he was a Norwegian of noble kin and wealthy. Text | And when people got to know of the trick that Egil had played, the more part blamed it. Aulvir and his men drew up their ship beyond flood-tide mark. And when Egil saw the boat, he knew it at once. Then said Armod: 'Think ye not this were the best hospitality, that a table should be set for you and supper given you now, and then you should sleep? There they heard that king Harold was in Vik, meaning in the summer to go into Upland. As the day wore on, they came upon many rowing-vessels in all the sounds between the islands; the forces on board them had meant to join Thorolf, for spies of his had been southwards as far as Naumdale, and far and wide about the islands. It will be for your advantage not to have all of us on your hands. Here Thorolf befriended Prince Eirik Bloodaxe, Harald's favorite son and Thorir's fosterling. 'Soared battle-cranes It chanced one time that Bodvar begged to go with them, and they allowed him so to do. Thorstein bade his companions ride on while they spoke together. The cord of my kin, Thord said: 'I will go with you, and we will be avenged on them.'. First I may tell; Steinar said that Odd had helped him well and manfully, and their friendship should be closer than before. They made sail, and sailed out to sea. And when the cargo was unloaded, the king saw that it was great wealth, and what Harek had said was no lie. By chance, calm winds force Egill back to shore to the same location. And now the household took their seats, and tables were set all round the hall, and food served; dishes of meat were brought in and set before Egil and the rest. 'We must now,' said he, 'untent our ships and row after Arinbjorn and Egil, and this I will have you know, that we will take Egil's life if we get the chance, and spare no man who shall stand up for him.'. Then they led Skallagrim to the place, and it seemed to him that thereabouts would be a good spot to build a homestead. They said that he had run in, taken his weapons, and so out again. Now shall I for thy sake do what thou hast asked, letting Egil go from my land safe and unhurt. Burning helm-fire flashed, Thorolf let all these vessels sail past, and did not show himself. They need a boat to take them from the island. A son deceives me living, To princely knees. In Horda's shore be heard.'. In the meanwhile, Bjorn had to flee, and was indebted to the hospitality of Thorolf's family in Iceland. When thickens the fight ', The king said that he could expect nought but good from Thorolf, 'because,' said he, 'I deserve nought else; yet men tell two tales of thee as to thy being careful to win my approval. Kettle Hing had owned the sword and used it in his single combats, and no sword was there more biting. Whereupon Thorstein with his company rode south by the moor above Stangar-holt, and so on south to Gufa-river, and down along the river by the riding-path. The king asked Egil to remain with him, and inquired how it had gone between him and king Eric. 2,756 ratings182 reviews. So he had a good merchant-ship made ready, and got men for it. But just when he was least on his guard, out leapt from the wood earl Adils and his followers. And when the feast was ended, Bard went home with his wife, and remained at home through the summer, and Thorolf with him. Nor would we fain know, my lord, what his lot is to be. ', Arinbjorn: 'I do not think your claim to the ownership of that property is against the law of the land; yet methinks the property is now come into strong keeping. Parallel texts in Icelandic and English with annotated bibliography, An analysis of the Paget's Disease theory, Islandica 57: The Enigma of Egill: The Saga, the Viking Poet, and Snorri Sturluson, Nordal, Sigurur (ed. Gold that the heather-worm guardeth. To this when the king assented, then said he: 'I will that Thorolf my friend and kinsman take all my heritage, both lands and chattels. There stands a wood-clad rock by Hafs-brook: upon this Thrand was lying asleep, having put off his shoes. You will get from him terms of great honour, for the king is very keen on this, to have with him such as he hears are men of mark for strength and bravery. Travel by night so much as you may, and not by day, and be on your guard, for the king will seek to meet with you. Out he went on to the moor: it was late in the day. 'Your brother, too,' said he, 'we think, betters our company if he be at all like you.'. He said: 'You are making a start betimes, Egil; but my counsel would be that you hurry not your journey, but rather look before you, for I think there be liers-in-wait for you in the wood. Then this counsel was adopted, to meet thee with friendly show and bid thee to a banquet: but it was intended, when thou wert well drunk and lying asleep, to attack thee with fire and weapon. Then was Onund full of big words. She bade him then slay some one of Thorolf's men rather than let everything fail. Who wrought me good, 'Is it by your counsel,' said Egil, 'that your son Steinar brings a charge against my son Thorstein, and has gathered much people to this end, to make Thorstein an outcast?' . Hailed down the silver shower.'. Egil's Saga tells the story of the long and brutal life of tenth-century warrior-poet and farmer Egill Skallagrmsson: a morally ambiguous character who was at once the composer of intricately beautiful poetry, and a physical grotesque capable of staggering brutality. But when all took their several seats, then the earl's daughter went to her place. A king unbending Bold with uplifted brow He and many with him escorted them to the water-side. With Egil there was Thordis, daughter of Thorolf and Asgerdr. For robbery of my wealth! Egill's movements are under surveillance, and when he appears to leave the country, Berg-Onund dismissed the men he had gathered for protection and traveled not far from his home (Ask) to the king's farm at Aarstad. That stone lies there yet, and much slag beside it; and the marks of the hammering may be seen on its upper face, and it is a surf-worn boulder, unlike the other stones that are there. So far in advance went Thorolf that few of his men were before him. Hard by them stood a house. Riches he squanders, ', After this Steinar made over the cause to Aunund to prosecute or compromise according to law. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. Egil drained every cup that came to him, drinking for Aulvir likewise. Ljot's death was little mourned, for he had been a turbulent bully. But before Egil went away the earl paid them the tribute. ', 'Herein you do well,' said Gyda. Hing gave Baug land in Fleet-lithe, down from Mark-river to the river outside Breidabolstead; and he dwelt at Lithe-end. Then king Eric called out and bade men row after Egil and his party, but as their vessels ran past Egil's merchant-ship, the king's men leapt aboard of that. So he spoke with Aulvir, and said he would like to go with him. He did not become a liege-man of the king, wherefore he was called Bjorn Yeoman. The two handsome Thorolfs (rlfrs) die heroic deaths, while their brothers Skallagrim and Egill both die in old age after spitefully burying their wealth in the wilderness. 'There a staunch stay But, at autumn wore on, Egil began to be very gloomy and drank little, and often say with his head drooping in his cloak. Paul . Thou, too, hast bestowed on him large grants, and he had now made all ready to repay them with ill. For this is the truth that I tell thee: when it was learnt that thou wert coming north to Halogaland with no more force than three hundred men, the counsel of people here was that an army should assemble and take thy life, O king, and the lives of all thy force. Men said that he had gone out. Arinbjorn was with the king when he left the land; they first went westwards over the main to the Orkneys. He was somewhat older than Egil; there had long been friendship between the two. Over against it lay islands, among which whales were found; these they called Whale-islands. ', Then spake Arinbjorn: 'Go we away, Egil; we shall not here effect to-day anything that will be to our gain.'. During this time, both Kings thelstan and Eirik Bloodaxe died, leaving Eirik's brother Hakon ruler of Norway. "', Armod struck the girl, and bade her hold her tongue: 'You are always,' said he, 'saying what least suits.'. Such heed beseems thee well; Dashed on, the earl's bold slayer: 'First tell I forth But when they came to Thorir they were made welcome, and abode there some time; while the ship, tented over, floated opposite the house. But when Egil was ready, and a fair wind blew, he sailed out to sea, and his voyage sped well. There are also poems which show a much softer side to the Icelandic male characters. It was at this time of our story that Athelstan took the kingdom after his father. After this they sent messengers to king Olaf, giving out this as their errand, that king Athelstan would fain enhazel him a field and offer battle on Vin-heath by Vin-wood; meanwhile he would have them forbear to harry his land; but of the twain he should rule England who should conquer in the battle. But when this was ended, then they took to harrying, and put in at divers places. Egil abode there with Skallagrim several winters. Friendly gifts of many kinds gave Arinbjorn at Yule to those who were his guests, for Arinbjorn was beyond all men open-handed and noble. Arinbjorn greatly desired it; and the end of the matter was that Egil and Asgerdr were betrothed, and the wedding was to be at Arinbjorn's. Then the king asked where was that big man who had drunk most that evening. Skallagrim journeyed to Harald's court seeking compensation for the death of his brother Thorolf, but offended the king and had to make a hasty exit empty-handed. They waited for the flood-tide, and then took their ship up into a river-mouth; it is called Gufu-river. Then they went up aboard the ship, but the cutter rode beside the rudder of the ship between the land and the ship, and the oars lay there in the loops. Far and wide about Finmark did he travel; but when he reached the fells eastward, he heard that the Kylfings were come from the east, and were there for trading with the Finns, but in some places for plunder also. For I think that he has a whole load of good-fortune where our king has not a handful.'. They two were there for the winter, and Bjorn would fain hold a wedding with her.