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 I will 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.