A bonde, by name Thorgils Halmason, father to Grim the Good, dwelt in Stiklestad farm.Thorgils offered the king his assistance, and was ready to go into battle with him.The king thanked him for the offer."I would rather," says the king, "thou shouldst not be in the fight.Do us rather the service to take care of the people who are wounded, and to bury those who may fall, when the battle is over.Should it happen, bonde, that I fall in this battle, bestow the care on my body that may be necessary, if that be not forbidden thee." Thorgils promised the king what he desired.
223.OLAF'S SPEECH.
Now when King Olaf had drawn up his army in battle array he made a speech, in which he told the people to raise their spirit, and go boldly forward, if it came to a battle."We have," says he, "many men, and good; and although the bondes may have a somewhat larger force than we, it is fate that rules over victory.This Iwill make known to you solemnly, that I shall not fly from this battle, but shall either be victorious over the bondes, or fall in the fight.I will pray to God that the lot of the two may befall me which will be most to my advantage.With this we may encourage ourselves, that we have a more just cause than the bondes; and likewise that God must either protect us and our cause in this battle, or give us a far higher recompense for what we may lose here in the world than what we ourselves could ask.
Should it be my lot to have anything to say after the battle, then shall I reward each of you according to his service, and to the bravery he displays in the battle; and if we gain the victory, there must be land and movables enough to divide among you, and which are now in the hands of your enemies.Let us at the first make the hardest onset, for then the consequences are soon seen.There being a great difference in the numbers, we have to expect victory from a sharp assault only; and, on the other hand, it will be heavy work for us to fight until we are tired, and unable to fight longer; for we have fewer people to relieve with than they, who can come forward at one time and retreat and rest at another.But if we advance so hard at the first attack that those who are foremost in their ranks must turn round, then the one will fall over the other, and their destruction will be the greater the greater numbers there are together." When the king had ended his speech it was received with loud applause, and the one encouraged the other.
224.OF THORD FOLASON.
Thord Folason carried King Olaf's banner.So says Sigvat the skald, in the death-song which he composed about King Olaf, and put together according to resurrection saga: --"Thord.I have heard, by Olaf's side, Where raged the battle's wildest tide, Moved on, and, as by one accord Moved with them every heart and sword.
The banner of the king on high, Floating all splendid in the sky From golden shaft, aloft he bore, --The Norsemen's rallying-point of yore."225.OF KING OLAF'S ARMOUR.
King Olaf was armed thus: -- He had a gold-mounted helmet on his head; and had in one hand a white shield, on which the holy cross was inlaid in gold.In his other hand he had a lance, which to the present day stands beside the altar in Christ Church.In his belt he had a sword, which was called Hneiter, which was remarkably sharp, and of which the handle was worked with gold.
He had also a strong coat of ring-mail.Sigvat the skald, speaks of this: --"A greater victory to gain, Olaf the Stout strode o'er the plain In strong chain armour, aid to bring To his brave men on either wing.
High rose the fight and battle-heat, --
the clear blood ran beneath the feet Of Swedes, who from the East came there, In Olaf's gain or loss to share."226.KING OLAF'S DREAM.
Now when King Olaf had drawn up his men the army of the bondes had not yet come near upon any quarter, so the king said the people should sit down and rest themselves.He sat down himself, and the people sat around him in a widespread crowd.He leaned down, and laid his head upon Fin Arnason's knee.There a slumber came upon him, and he slept a little while; but at the same time the bondes' army was seen advancing with raised banners, and the multitude of these was very great.
Then Fin awakened the king, and said that the bonde-army advanced against them.
The king awoke, and said, "Why did you waken me, Fin, and did not allow me to enjoy my dream?"Fin: "Thou must not be dreaming; but rather thou shouldst be awake, and preparing thyself against the host which is coming down upon us; or, dost thou not see that the whole bonde-crowd is coming?"The king replies, "They are not yet so near to us, and it would have been better to have let me sleep."Then said Fin, "What was the dream, sire, of which the loss appears to thee so great that thou wouldst rather have been left to waken of thyself?"Now the king told his dream, -- that he seemed to see a high ladder, upon which he went so high in the air that heaven was open: for so high reached the ladder."And when you awoke me, Iwas come to the highest step towards heaven."Fin replies, "This dream does not appear to me so good as it does to thee.I think it means that thou art fey (1); unless it be the mere want of sleep that has worked upon thee."ENDNOTES:
(1) Fey means doomed to die.
227.OF ARNLJOT GELLINE'S BAPTISM.
When King Olaf was arrived at Stiklestad, it happened, among other circumstances, that a man came to him; and although it was nowise wonderful that there came many men from the districts, yet this must be regarded as unusual, that this man did not appear like the other men who came to him.He was so tall that none stood higher than up to his shoulders: very handsome he was in countenance, and had beautiful fair hair.He was well armed; had a fine helmet, and ring armour; a red shield; a superb sword in his belt; and in his hand a gold-mounted spear, the shaft of it so thick that it was a handful to grasp.The man went before the king, saluted him, and asked if the king would accept his services.
The king asked his name and family, also what countryman he was.