The Heimskringla: Or, The Sagas of the Norse Kings from the Icelandic of Snorre Sturlason, Volume 2

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J. C. Nimmo, 1889

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Page 232 - They were so desirous to get to the land that they would not wait till their vessel floated, but ran to the land, to a place where a river comes out of a lake. As soon as their ship was afloat, they took the boats, rowed to the ship, towed her up the river...
Page 231 - There were huge snowy mountains up the country; but all the way from the sea up to these snowy ridges the land was one field of snow, and it appeared to them a country of no advantages. Leif said, " It shall not be said of us, as it was of Biarne, that we did not come upon the land; for I will give the country a name, and call it Helloland.* Then they went on board again, put to sea, and found another land.
Page 24 - What does the king mean by doing so? Will he not sacrifice? ' Earl Sigurd replies, ' The king is doing what all of you do, who trust to your power and strength. He is blessing the full goblet in the name of Thor, by making the sign of his hammer over it before he drinks it'.
Page 186 - Olaf was a very merry frolicsome man ; gay and social ; was very violent in all respects ; was very generous ; was very finical in his dress, but in battle he exceeded all in bravery. He was distinguished for cruelty when he was enraged, and tortured many of his enemies. Some he burnt in fire ; some he had torn in pieces by mad dogs ; some he had mutilated, or cast down from high precipices.
Page 345 - And he inquired particularly how it stood with their Christianity; where improvement was needful, he taught them the right customs. If any there were who would not renounce heathen ways, he took the matter so zealously that he drove some out of the country, mutilated others of hands or feet, or stung their eyes out ; hung up some, cut down some with the sword ; but let none go unpunished who would not serve God.
Page 257 - Southwark. Thereafter Southwark was stormed and taken. Now when the people in the castle saw that the river Thames was mastered, and that they could not hinder the passage of ships up into the country, they became afraid, surrendered the tower, and took Ethelred to be their king. So says Ottar Svarte : — " London Bridge is broken down, — Gold is won, and bright renown. Shields resounding, War-horns sounding, Hildur shouting in the din! Arrows singing. Mail-coats ringing — Odin makes our Olaf...
Page 77 - Klerkon thought that Thoralf was too old for a slave, and that there was not much work to be got out of him, so he killed him; but took the boys with him. and sold them to a man called Klerk for a stout and good ram. A third man, called Reas, bought Olaf for a good cloak.
Page 234 - I will put the vessel before the wind," says Leif, " so that we may get close to them, in case they are people who want to meet us and need our help ; and if they are not men of peace, it is in our power to do as we please, and not in theirs." Now they came up to the rock, let down the sail, cast anchor, and put out another little boat which they had with them. Then Tyrker hailed them, and asked who was the commander of these people. He called himself Thore, and said he was a Norwegian. " And what,
Page 186 - King Olaf could run across the oars outside of the vessel while his men were rowing the Serpent. He could play with three daggers, so that one was always in the air, and he took the one falling by the handle. He could walk all round upon the ship's rails, could strike and cut equally well with both hands, and could cast two spears at once.
Page 221 - The gallant few Of Olaf's crew Must refuge take On the quarter-deck. Around the king They stand in ring; Their shields enclose The king from foes, And the few who still remain Fight madly, but in vain. Eric cheers on his men —

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