King Olaf led his army farther down through the valley, and Dag and
his men went another way, and the king did not halt until he came to
Stiklestad. There he saw the bonde army spread out all around; and there
were so great numbers that people were going on every footpath, and
great crowds were collected far and near. They also saw there a troop
which came down from Veradal, and had been out to spy. They came so
close to the king's people that they knew each other. It was Hrut of
Viggia, with thirty men. The king ordered his pursuivants to go out
against Hrut, and make an end of him, to which his men were instantly
ready. The king said to the Icelanders, "It is told me that in Iceland
it is the custom that the bondes give their house-servants a sheep to
slaughter; now I give you a ram to slaughter." (1) The Icelanders were
easily invited to this, and went out immediately with a few men against
Hrut, and killed him and the troop that followed him. When the king
came to Stiklestad he made a halt, and made the army stop, and told his
people to alight from their horses and get ready for battle; and the
people did as the king ordered. Then he placed his army in battle array,
and raised his banner. Dag was not yet arrived with his men, so that his
wing of the battle array was wanting. Then the king said the Upland
men should go forward in their place, and raise their banner there. "It
appears to me advisable," says the king, "that Harald my brother should
not be in the battle, for he is still in the years of childhood only."
Harald replies, "Certainly I shall be in the battle, for I am not so
weak that I cannot handle the sword; and as to that, I have a notion
of tying the sword-handle to my hand. None is more willing than I am to
give the bondes a blow; so I shall go with my comrades." It is said that
Harald made these lines:--
"Our army's wing, where I shall stand,
I will hold good with heart and hand;
My mother's eye shall joy to see
A battered, blood-stained shield from me.
The brisk young skald should gaily go
Into the fray, give blow for blow,
Cheer on his men, gain inch by inch,
And from the spear-point never flinch."
Harald got his will, and was allowed to be in the battle.
ENDNOTES: (1) Hrut means a young ram.--L.