236. OF THE KING'S AND THE BONDES' ARMIES.

Thereafter the bondes' army advanced to Stiklestad, where King Olaf was

already with his people. Kalf and Harek went in front, at the head of

the army under their banners. But the battle did not begin immediately

on their meeting; for the bondes delayed the assault, because all their

men were not come upon the plain, and they waited for those who came

after them. Thorer Hund had come up with his troop the last, for he had

to take care that the men did not go off behind when the battlecry was

raised, or the armies were closing with each other; and therefore Kalf

and Harek waited for Thorer. For the encouragement of their men in the

battle the bondes had the field-cry--"Forward, forward, bondemen!"

King Olaf also made no attack, for he waited for Dag and the people who

followed him. At last the king saw Dag and his men approaching. It is

said that the army of the bondes was not less on this day than a hundred

times a hundred men. Sigvat the skald speaks thus of the numbers:--

"I grieve to think the king had brought

Too small a force for what he sought:

He held his gold too fast to bring

The numbers that could make him king.

The foemen, more than two to one,

The victory by numbers won;

And this alone, as I've heard say,

Against King Olaf turned the day."

Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway · 第 541 / 1013 题