When King Magnus Olafson heard of Hardaknut's death, he immediately
sent people south to Denmark, with a message to the men who had bound
themselves by oath to the peace and agreement which was made between
King Magnus and Hardaknut, and reminded them of their pledge. He added,
as a conclusion, that in summer (A.D. 1042.) he would come with his army
to Denmark to take possession of his Danish dominions, in terms of the
agreement, or to fall in the field with his army. So says Arnor, the
earls' skald:--
"Wise were the words, exceeding wise,
Of him who stills the hungriest cries
Of beasts of prey--the earl's lord;
And soon fulfilled will be his word:
'With his good sword he'll Denmark gain,
Or fall upon a bloody plain;
And rather than give up his cause,
Will leave his corpse to raven's claws.'"