Then Sigurd of Reyr made the following speech: "Now there is hope that
the time is come which has been promised us all the summer, that we
shall meet King Inge in battle. We have long prepared ourselves for
this; and many of our comrades have boasted that they would never fly
from or submit to King Inge and Gregorius, and now let them remember
their words. But we who have sometimes got the toothache in our
conflicts with them, speak less confidently; for it has happened, as
all have heard, that we very often have come off without glory. But,
nevertheless, it is now necessary to fight manfully, and stand to it
with steadiness; for the only escape for us is in victory. Although we
have somewhat fewer men than they, yet luck determines which side shall
have the advantage, and God knows that the right is on our side. Inge
has killed two of his brothers; and it is obvious to all men that the
mulct he intends to pay King Hakon for his father's murder is to murder
him also, as well as his other relations, which will be seen this day to
be his intent. King Hakon desired from the beginning no more of Norway
than the third part, which his father had possessed, and which was
denied him; and yet, in my opinion, King Hakon has a better right to
inherit after his father's brother, King Eystein, than Inge or Simon
Skalp, or the other men who killed King Eystein. Many of them who would
save their souls, and yet have defiled their hands with such bloody
deeds as Inge has done, must think it a presumption before God that
he takes the name of king; and I wonder God suffers such monstrous
wickedness as his; but it may be God's will that we shall now put him
down. Let us fight then manfully, and God will give us victory; and, if
we fall, will repay us with joys unspeakable for now allowing the might
of the wicked to prevail over us. Go forth then in confidence, and be
not afraid when the battle begins. Let each watch over his own and his
comrade's safety, and God protect us all." There went a good report
abroad of this speech of Sigurd, and all promised fairly, and to do
their duty. King Hakon went on board of the great East-country ship, and
a shield-bulwark was made around him; but his standard remained on the
long-ship in which it had been before.