"When first I met the earl I told
How our king loved a friend so bold;
How in his heart he loved a man
With hand to do, and head to plan.
Thou generous king! with zeal and care
I sought to advance thy great affair;
For messengers from Russian land
Had come to ask Ingegerd's hand.
The earl, thy friend, bids thee, who art
So mild and generous of heart,
His servants all who here may come
To cherish in thy royal home;
And thine who may come to the east
In Ragnvald's hall shall find a feast--
In Ragnvald's house shall find a home--
At Ragnvald's court be still welcome.
When first I came the people's mind
Incensed by Eirik's son I find;
And he refused the wish to meet,
Alleging treachery and deceit.
But I explained how it was here,
For earl and king, advantage clear
With thee to hold the strictest peace,
And make all force and foray cease.
The earl is wise, and understands
The need of peace for both the lands;
And he entreats thee not to break
The present peace for vengeance's sake!"
He immediately tells King Olaf the news he had heard; and at first the
king was much cast down when he heard of King Jarisleif's suit, and he
said he expected nothing but evil from King Olaf; but wished he might
be able to return it in such a way as Olaf should remember. A while
afterwards the king asks Sigvat about various news from Gautland. Sigvat
spoke a great deal about Astrid, the kings daughter; how beautiful she
was, how agreeable in her conversation; and that all declared she was in
no respect behind her sister Ingegerd. The king listened with pleasure
to this. Then Sigvat told him the conversation he and Astrid had had
between themselves, and the king was delighted at the idea. "The
Swedish king," said he, "will scarcely think that I will dare to marry
a daughter of his without his consent." But this speech of his was not
known generally. King Olaf and Sigvat the skald often spoke about
it. The king inquired particularly of Sigvat what he knew about Earl
Ragnvald, and "if he be truly our friend," said the king. Sigvat said
that the earl was King Olaf's best friend, and sang these verses:--
"The mighty Olaf should not cease
With him to hold good terms and peace;
For this good earl unwearied shows
He is thy friend where all are foes.
Of all who dwell by the East Sea
So friendly no man is as he:
At all their Things he takes thy part,
And is thy firm friend, hand and heart."
ENDNOTES: (1) The Pantzer--a complete suit of plate-armour.