Saga of Olaf Kyrre

9. MEETING OF OLAF KYRRE AND CANUTE THE SAINT.

King Olaf Kyrre was a great friend of his brother-in-law, the
Danish king, Canute the holy. They appointed a meeting and met
at the Gaut river at Konungahella, where the kings used to have
their meetings. There King Canute made the proposal that they
should send an army westward to England on account of the revenge
they had to take there; first and foremost King Olaf himself, and
also the Danish king. "Do one of two things," said King Canute,
-- "either take sixty ships, which I will furnish thee with, and
be thou the leader; or give me sixty ships, and I shall be the
leader." Then said King Olaf, "This speech of thine, King
Canute, is altogether according to my mind; but there is this
great difference between us; your family has had more luck in
conquering England with great glory, and, among others, King
Canute the Great; and it is likely that this good fortune follows
your race. On the other hand, when King Harald, my father, went
westward to England, he got his death there; and at that time the
best men in Norway followed him. But Norway was so emptied then
of chosen men, that such men have not since been to find in the
country; for that expedition there was the most excellent outfit,
and you know what was the end of it. Now I know my own capacity,
and how little I am suited to be the leader; so I would rather
you should go, with my help and assistance."

So King Olaf gave Canute sixty large ships, with excellent
equipment and faithful men, and set his lendermen as chiefs over
them; and all must allow that this armament was admirably equipt.
It is also told in the saga about Canute, that the Northmen alone
did not break the levy when the army was assembled, but the Danes
would not obey their king's orders. This king Canute
acknowledged, and gave them leave to trade in merchandise where
they pleased through his country, and at the same time sent the
king of Norway costly presents for his assistance. On the other
hand he was enraged against the Danes, and laid heavy fines upon
them.

10. A BONDE WHO UNDERSTOOD THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS.

One summer, when King Olaf's men had gone round the country
collecting his income and land dues, it happened that the king,
on their return home asked them where on their expedition they
had been best entertained. They said it was in the house of a
bonde in one of the king's districts. "There is an old bonde
there who knows many things before they happen. We asked him
about many things, which he explained to us; nay, we even believe
that he understands perfectly the language of birds." The king
replies, "How can ye believe such nonsense?" and insisted that it
was wrong to put confidence in such things. It happened soon
after that the king was sailing along the coast; and as they
sailed through a Sound the king said, "What is that township up
in the country?"

They replied, "That is the district, sire, where we told you we
were best entertained."

Then said the king, "What house is that which stands up there,
not far from the Sound?"

They replied, "That house belongs to the wise old bonde we told
you of, sire."

They saw now a horse standing close to the house. Then said the
king, "Go there, and take that horse, and kill him."

They replied, "We would not like to do him such harm."

The king: "I will command. Cut off the horse's head; but take
care of yourselves that ye let no blood come to the ground, and
bear the horse out to my ship. Go then and bring to me the old
man; but tell him nothing of what has happened, as ye shall
answer for it with your lives."

They did as they were ordered, and then came to the old man, and
told him the king's message. When he came before the king, the
king asked him, "Who owns the house thou art dwelling in?"

He replies, "Sire, you own it, and take rent for it."

The king: "Show us the way round the ness, for here thou must be
a good pilot."

The old man went into his boat and rowed before the king's ship;
and when he had rowed a little way a crow came flying over the
ship, and croaking hideously. The peasant listens to the crow.
The king said, "Do you think, bonde, that betokens anything?"

"Sire, that is certain," said he.

Then another crow flies over the ship, and screeches dreadfully.
The bonde was so ill hearing this that he could not row, and the
oars hung loose in his hands.

Then said the king, "Thy mind is turned much to these crows,
bonde, and to what they say."

The bonde replies, "Now I suspect it is true what they say."

The third time the crow came flying screeching at its very worst,
and almost settling on the ship. Now the bonde threw down his
oars, regarded them no more, and stood up before the king.

Then the king said, "Thou art taking this much to heart, bonde;
what is it they say?"

The peasant -- "It is likely that either they or I have
misunderstood -- "

"Say on," replied the king.

The bonde replied in a song: --

"The `one-year old'
Mere nonsense told;
The `two-years' chatter
Seemed senseless matter;
The three-years' croak
Of wonders spoke.
The foul bird said
My old mare's head
I row along;
And, in her song,
She said the thief
Was the land's chief."

The king said, "What is this, bonde! Wilt thou call me a thief?"

Then the king gave him good presents, and remitted all the land-
rent of the place he lived on. So says Stein: --

"The pillar of our royal race
Stands forth adorned with every grace.
What king before e'er took such pride
To scatter bounty far and wide?
Hung round with shields that gleam afar;
The merchant ship on one bestows,
With painted streaks in glowing rows.

"The man-at-arms a golden ring
Boasts as the present of his king;
At the king's table sits the guest,
By the king's bounty richly drest.
King Olaf, Norway's royal son,
Who from the English glory won,
Pours out with ready-giving hand
His wealth on children of the land.

"Brave clothes to servants he awards,
Helms and ring-mail coats grace his guards;
Or axe and sword Har's warriors gain,
And heavy armour for the plain.
Gold, too, for service duly paid,
Red gold all pure, and duly weighed,
King Olaf gives -- be loves to pay
All service in a royal way."

11. OF KING OLAF KYRRE'S DEATH.

King Olaf lived principally in his domains on his large farms.
Once when he was east in Ranrike, on his estate of Haukby, he
took the disease which ended in his death. He had then been king
of Norway for twenty-six years (A.D. 1068-1093); for he was made
king of Norway the year after King Harald's death. King Olaf's
body was taken north to Nidaros, and buried in Christ church,
which he himself had built there. He was the most amiable king
of his time, and Norway was much improved in riches and
cultivation during his reign.