When Canute's watchmen saw the ship, they talked with each other about what ship it might be, and made the guess that it must be one loaded with herrings or salt, as they only saw a few men at the oars; and the ship, besides, appeared to them grey, and wanting tar, as if burnt up by the sun, and they saw also that it was deeply loaded.Now when Harek came farther through the Sound, and past the fleet, he raised the mast, hoisted sail, and set up his gilded vane.The sail was white as snow, and in it were red and blue stripes of cloth interwoven.When the king's men saw the ship sailing in this state, they told the king that probably King Olaf had sailed through them.But King Canute replies, that King Olaf was too prudent a man to sail with a single ship through King Canute's fleet, and thought it more likely to be Harek of Thjotta, or the like of him.Many believed the truth to be that King Canute knew of this expedition of Harek, and that it would not have succeeded so if they had not concluded a friendship beforehand with each other; which seemed likely, after King Canute's and Harek's friendly understanding became generally known.
Harek made this song as he sailed northward round the isle of Vedrey: --"The widows of Lund may smile through their tears, The Danish girls may have their jeers;They may laugh or smile, But outside their isle Old Harek still on to his North land steers."Harek went on his way, and never stopped till he came north to Halogaland, to his own house in Thjotta.
169.KING OLAF'S COURSE FROM SVITHJOD.
When King Olaf began his journey, he came first into Smaland, and then into West Gautland.He marched quietly and peaceably, and the country people gave him all assistance on his journey.Thus he proceeded until he came into Viken, and north through Viken to Sarpsborg, where he remained, and ordered a winter abode to be prepared (A.D.1028).Then he gave most of the chiefs leave to return home, but kept the lendermen by him whom he thought the most serviceable.There were with him also all the sons of Arne Arnmodson, and they stood in great favour with the king.Geller Thorkelson, who the summer before had come from Iceland, also came there to the king, as before related.
170.OF SIGVAT THE SKALD.
Sigvat the skald had long been in King Olaf's household, as before related, and the king made him his marshal.Sigvat had no talent for speaking in prose; but in skaldcraft he was so practised, that the verses came as readily from his tongue as if he were speaking in usual language.He had made a mercantile journey to Normandy, and in the course of it had come to England, where he met King Canute, and obtained permission from him to sail to Norway, as before related.When he came to Norway he proceeded straight to King Olaf, and found him at Sarpsborg.He presented himself before the king just as he was sitting down to table.Sigvat saluted him.The king looked at Sigvat and was silent.Then Sigvat sang: --"Great king! thy marshal is come home, No more by land or sea to roam, But by thy side Still to abide.
Great king! what seat here shall be take For the king's honour -- not his sake?
For all seats here To me are dear."
Then was verified the old saying, that "many are the ears of a king;" for King Olaf had heard all about Sigvat's journey, and that he had spoken with Canute.He says to Sigvat, "I do not know if thou art my marshal, or hast become one of Canute's men."Sigvat said: --"Canute, whose golden gifts display A generous heart, would have me stay, Service in his great court to take, And my own Norway king forsake.
Two masters at a time, I said, Were one too many for men bred Where truth and virtue, shown to all, Make all men true in Olaf's hall."Then King Olaf told Sigvat to take his seat where he before used to sit; and in a short time Sigvat was in as high favour with the king as ever.
171.OF ERLING SKJALGSON AND HIS SONS.
Erling Skjalgson and all his sons had been all summer in King Canute's army, in the retinue of Earl Hakon.Thorer Hund was also there, and was in high esteem.Now when King Canute heard that King Olaf had gone overland to Norway, he discharged his army, and gave all men leave to go to their winter abodes.There was then in Denmark a great army of foreigners, both English, Norwegians, and men of other countries, who had joined the expedition in summer.In autumn (A.D.1027) Erling Skjalgson went to Norway with his men, and received great presents from King Canute at parting; but Thorer Hund remained behind in King Canute's court.With Erling went messengers from King Canute well provided with money; and in winter they travelled through all the country, paying the money which King Canute had promised to many in autumn for their assistance.They gave presents in money, besides, to many whose friendship could be purchased for King Canute.They received much assistance in their travels from Erling.In this way it came to pass that many turned their support to King Canute, promised him their services, and agreed to oppose King Olaf.Some did this openly, but many more concealed it from the public.King Olaf heard this news, for many had something to tell him about it; and the conversation in the court often turned upon it.Sigvat the skald made a song upon it: --"The base traitors ply With purses of gold, Wanting to buy What is not to be sold, --The king's life and throne Wanting to buy:
But our souls are our own, And to hell we'll not hie.
No pleasure in heaven, As we know full well, To the traitor is given, --His soul is his hell."Often also the conversation turned upon how ill it beseemed Earl Hakon to raise his hand in arms against King Olaf, who had given him his life when he fell into the king's power; but Sigvat was a particular friend of Earl Hakon, and when he heard the earl spoken against he sang: --"Our own court people we may blame, If they take gold to their own shame, Their king and country to betray.
With those who give it's not the same, From them we have no faith to claim:
'Tis we are wrong, if we give way."
172.OF KING OLAF'S PRESENTS AT YULE.