I knew not where the earl to find; Now when they came to Earl Ragnvald's the earl said they must have had a severe journey. Then Sigvat sang : "The message-bearers of the king From Norway came his words to bring; And truly for their master they But on we pushed for thy abode : From robbers free to the eastern bound: This praise to thee, great earl, is due— Earl Ragnvald gave Sigvat a gold arm-ring, and a woman said "he had not made the journey with his black eyes for nothing." Sigvat sang: Sigvat was long entertained kindly and well in the house of Earl Ragnvald. The earl heard by letters, sent by Ingigerd the king's daughter, that ambassadors from King Jarisleif were come from Russia to King Olaf of Svithiod to ask his daughter Ingigerd in marriage, and that King Olaf had given them hopes that he would agree to it. About the same time King Olaf's daughter Astrid came to Earl Ragnvald's court, and a great feast was made for her. Sigvat soon became acquainted by conversation with the king's daughter, and she knew him by name and family, for Ottar the skald, Sigvat's sister's son, had long intimate acquaintance with King Olaf, the Swedish king. Among other things talked of, Earl Ragnvald asked Sigvat if the king of Norway would not marry the king's daughter Astrid. "If he would do that," said he, "I think we need not ask the Swedish king for his consent." Astrid, the king's daughter, said exactly the same. Soon after Sigvat returns home, and comes to King Olaf at Sarpsborg a little before Yule. When Sigvat came home to King Olaf he went into the hall, and, looking around on the walls, he sang: "When our men their arms are taking The raven's wings with greed are shaking; Afterwards Sigvat told of his journey, and sang these verses : "The king's court-guards desire to hear About our journey and our cheer, The Pantzer-a complete suit of plate-armour-is a word we want in the English, but is used in the cognate German and Northern languages.-L. Our ships in autumn reach the sound, And when he came into conversation with the king he sang: "When first I met the earl I told How our king loved a friend so bold; And thine who may come to the east And he entreats thee not to break The present peace for vengeance' sake!" He immediately tells King Olaf the news he had heard; and at first the king was much cast down when he heard of King Jarisleif's suit, and he said he expected nothing but evil from King Olaf; but wished he might be able to return it in such a way as Olaf should remember. A while afterwards the king asks Sigvat about various news from Gautland. Sigvat spoke a great deal about Astrid, the king's daughter; how beautiful she was, how agreeable in her conversation; and that all declared she was in no respect behind her sister Ingigerd. The king listened with pleasure to this. Then Sigvat told him the conversation he and Astrid had had between themselves, and the king was delighted at the idea. "The Swedish king," said he, "will scarcely think that I will dare to marry a daughter of his without his consent." But this speech of his was not known. generally. King Olaf and Sigvat the skald often spoke about it. The king inquired particularly of Sigvat what he knew about Earl Ragnvald, and “if he be truly our friend," said the king. Sigvat said that the earl was King Olaf's best friend, and sang these verses : "The mighty Olaf should not cease With him to hold good terms and peace ; For this good earl unwearied shows He is thy friend where all are foes. Of all who dwell by the East Sea So friendly no man is as he : At all their Things he takes thy part, And is thy firm friend, hand and heart." CHAPTER XCIII.-Earl Ragnvald and Astrid's Journey to Norway. After Yule [1019], Thord Skotakol, a sister's son of Sigvat, attended by one of Sigvat's footboys, who had been with Sigvat the autumn before in Gautland, went quite secretly from the court, and proceeded to Gautland. When they came to Earl Ragnvald's court, they produced the tokens which Olaf himself had sent to the earl, that he might place confidence in Thord. Without delay the earl made himself ready for a journey, as did Astrid, the king's daughter; and the earl took with him 120 men, who were chosen both from among his court-men and the sons of great bondes, and who were carefully equipped in all things, clothes, weapons, and horses. Then they rode northwards to Sarpsborg, and came there at Candlemas. CHAPTER XCIV.-Of King Olaf's Marriage. King Olaf had put all things in order in the best style. There were all sorts of liquors of the best that could be got, and all other preparations of the same quality. Many people of consequence were summoned in from their residences. When the earl arrived with his retinue the king received him particularly well; and the earl was shown to a large, good, and remarkably well-furnished house for his lodging; and serving-men and others were appointed to wait on him; and nothing was wanting, in any respect, that could grace a feast. Now when the entertainment had lasted some days, the king, the earl, and Astrid had a conference together; and the result of it was, that Earl Ragnvald contracted Astrid, daughter of the Swedish king Olaf, to Olaf king of Norway, with the same dowry which had before been |