He will not have Egil slain by night, for night-slaying is murder. My hero-deeds) . To raise his shield, Next morning he rose before day and made ready for his journey. It happened one day that, as Thorolf and Bjorn were going down to the ship, they saw that Eric, the king's son, was there; he went now out on to the ship, now up to the land, and stood there looking at the ship. "So temper thy stomach," When spring came, and the snow and ice were loosed, then Thorolf launched a large warship of his own, and he had it made ready, and equipped his house-carles, taking with him more than a hundred men; and a goodly company there were, and well weaponed. Test we moony targets, This, too, he heard, that Arinbjorn was now come to Norway. All these were of one party. And now a fair wind took them out to sea. egils saga sparknotes - cabottrailadventures.ca Though keen my spirit spurs, Freely and fully Skallagrim bade him do that first. A bay ran up west of the ness, and above this bay stood a good-sized rocky hill. He appears to be a shallow creature and in many instances the only time he appears to put much thought into anything is when he composes and recites poetry. Then they rushed to the door; but there was no easy way out, both by reason of the fagot-wood, and because Egil kept the door, and slew most who strove to pass out either in the doorway or outside. Then they went in. These tidings were soon heard, and reached Hallvard and his men where they lay. He bade his men hasten to their ships, and they did as he bade. Searching about they found a trapdoor in the floor, which they opened. Egil's Saga - Wikipedia That river is now called Thjors-river; its stream was then much narrower and deeper that it is now. Now, after flitting days, Thorstein bade gather the wethers that had been left behind in spring, meaning to have them driven to the fell. Thorir had a son named Arinbjorn, who was somewhat older than Egil. Arinbjorn said: 'I lead hither one who has come a long way to seek thee in thy place, and to be reconciled to thee. Dent . Egil had brought in his sledge a very long cord of bast, for it is the wont of those who take long sledging journeys to have with them some spare cord in case the harness need mending. Thorolf told his father what had happened in his summer voyage; he stayed there but a short time, and Kveldulf and his son Grim accompanied him to the ship. I to men were fain These went with message and tokens to Thorir Hroaldsson, and sought atonement between him and Bjorn. For vulture flapping near. Baldric's crystal blade Of praise unworthy, Then they took their clothes. And when Arinbjorn met Egil, he greeted him well, and asked why he was come there. But as soon as king Athelstan heard that so mighty a host was come into his land, he despatched men and summoned forces, sending word to his earls and other nobles. The king was silent, and his face became blood-red. Citation Again you shall have the feed from now through the summer, as you will. But when Thorolf and Bjorn spake of this with Eric, he promised his influence with his father. He told them of Bard's death; also how Bard had left him both lands and chattels, and her that had been his wife; then he showed the king's order and tokens. Thorstein let the matter rest, and Thrand took to sitting by the cattle night and day. Laurence de Looze, Jn Karl Helgason, Russell Poole and Torfi H. Tulinius (eds.). He had his cargo conveyed home, and set up his ship. But if thou thinkest that thou hast prophetic foresight of this, that we shall get misfortune from this king, and that he will be our enemy, then why didst thou not go to battle against him with that king in whose service thou wert before? They came there at the time when the king was gone to table. Skapti then wished to try the thickness of the skull. Easy now 'tis seen He also supplied to Thorolf a good long-ship, with tackling complete, and had everything made ready for his journey thence in the best possible way. Thorolf had caused a large granary to be fitted up where the drinking should be, for there was no hall large enough to contain all that multitude. He had his weapons, sword, halberd, and buckler. Of the wild sea-mew, ', The boy said that Bergonund and Frodi would be drinking still; 'they sit at it every night. On whale-bone were graven: The warrior's friend, Egill commits massacre, killing Onund, as well as Eirik's 10 year-old prince Rognvald. 'Oft to my mind Thorolf stood northwards with his force past Holland, and they put into a harbour there, as the wind drove them back. In stormy stress of battle He had a long-ship built, large, and with a dragon's head, fitted out in the best style; this he took with him from the north. ', Egil answered: 'You cannot think you need to ask any leave from me in this; for you will choose to have it your own way, whatever I may say.'. There was a man named Thorgeir. Men offered to go with him, but he would not; so he and his Easterling friend rode two together. He can then drive Thorstein out of the land if he pleases.' Then sang he: 'Mailed monarch, god of battle, But when all took their several seats, then the earl's daughter went to her place. With boat was whelmed. And when he saw where Bergonund was, he unsheathed his sword, and, taking the coil of cord attached to the hilt, would it round his arm, and so let the sword hang. 'I never looked for this,' said he, 'in a son of Brynjolf, that I should not know the truth from him. Thus Sigurd was easily won to grant this suit; whereupon the betrothal was made, and the wedding was fixed for the autumn at Torgar. But when king Athelstan perceived king Olaf's division beginning to break, he then spurred on his force, and bade his standard advance. Now, there was at the banquet a man named Hogni, owner of a farm in Leka, a man of great wealth, very handsome, shrewd, but of low family, who had made his own way. This curse I turn also on the guardian-spirits who dwell in this land, that they may all wander astray, nor reach or find their home till they have driven out of the land king Eric and Gunnhilda.'. Skallagrim was very sharp-sighted. But the plan resolved on was this, that king Athelstan should go back to the south of England, and then for himself hold a levy of troops, coming northwards through the whole land; for they saw that the only way for the needful numbers to be levied in time was for the king himself to gather the force. Men might take land there free of cost, and choose their homestead at will. Were I strong to slay, King Harold also had come from the north with his forces, and the armies met inside Solskel. That same autumn Hildirida's sons carried tribute to the king. On ships' shielded side He was experienced in single combats, was a strong man, and of a good courage. Thanks to the poem, Egill is allowed to leave Eirkr's court alive, since killing him would make Eirkr look like a fool. Ingunn his wife bare a son in this spring after their first winter, and the boy was named Hrafn. Whom fair-haired king And therewithal He and Solvi made a league, and sent messengers to Audbjorn, king of the Firthfolk, that he should come and help them. This wealth-craving wight. They went on their way and came a day-meal-time to the house of Thorfinn. Fair goddess seems. A few winters before Ingjolf and Hjorleif had gone to settle in Iceland; their voyage was much talked about, and 'twas said there was good choice of land there. Near the spot where the coffin washed ashore in Iceland, Skallagrim established his settlement, which he named Borg. Then Thorolf told Sigurd what had been the covenant between him and Bard before he died, and he declared also the orders of the king, how he would have all this hold good, and this he showed by the tokens. No compulsion drove him to this journey, nought but goodwill to thee. Alfgeir went to king Athelstan, and told him of his defeat. ', Thorolf said: 'Herein ye have so wrought, methinks, that it will not serve us as our autumn plan to go to Norway.'. And when he came there he found men to speak to, and asked where Thorstein was. There was in Sogn a lord named Bjorn, a rich man; he dwelt at Aurland. To the great spear-lord, But it was far from being so; Thorolf kept for himself the larger share. Autumn then came on, and rough weather set in. So he and his men made ready to go, while Alf tried to stop them, and bade them come back, if they saw that the way was trodden: 'None,' he said, 'have passed the wood from the east since you, Egil, went eastward, except these, who, as I suspect, have gone wishing to encounter you.' And when they came there where the roads forked, then the trail also forked, and was equally strong either way. 'Lances, a woven fence, Here on board on none but those whom thou knowest; and Egil will not be found down under the benches, though thou shouldst seek him there.'. If I for such good He went north to Sogn, then into Aurland to Thord, his wife's kinsman, and there he stayed till the Gula-thing. Blund now (whereat I wonder) After this Einar often went to talk with Egil, and a great friendship was struck up between them. This ship Egil got ready for sea, and again he had a crew of about thirty men. I want you to tell me what plan you have in this?' 'Tooth-fence took I, Then Thorstein said in a loud voice, so that his companions could hear: 'Why can he be in such a hurry to see me that I may not ride on my way home? And if he with eight go, Of my true wife born King Harold was in Vik while Thorolf was harrying, and in the autumn he went to Upland, and thence northward to Throndheim, where he stayed through the winter with a large force. He would not drink now, though the horn was borne to him, but alternately twitched his brows up and down. 'Hater of money Then Egil was asked what counsel he thought good. The king answered thus: 'Ye may think ye have good cause for taking Thorolf's life, but I doubt your fortune falls far short of this work. So he went abroad in the summer with Bjorn. I make a great point of their being well kept at pasture. So father and son offered Thorolf winter-home there, which he accepted. A third was Hrisa-blund, who first dwelt at Hrisa. Welcomed. It was told him that Onund was become a close friend of king Eric, but was on even more intimate terms with Gunnhilda. And think it long, Eric England's warder It chanced one day in the autumn at Borg that Skallagrim had several oxen driven home which he meant to slaughter. Arinbjorn received him well, and asked Egil to stay with him; this offer he took. There they learnt all the tidings clearly, how that battle had gone. At times in Egill's saga Egill comes across as a brute who often acts quickly and irrationally for no reason. King Olaf fell there, and the greater part of the force which he had had, for of those who turned to fly all who were overtaken were slain. Brief moment was it ere the hall so burned that it fell in. Croak hoarse the joying raven, I have now learnt that the brothers are in Denmark here, and maintain a large following, and spend the summers in harrying, but for the winters abide here in Denmark. But as for you, Steinar, seeing that you devised to rob my son Thorstein of his property which he took with my authority, and I took by inheritance after my father, you shall therefore lose your land at Anabrekka, and have no payment for the same. Now, this is the boon craved by Kveldulf and by us all, that thou receive Thorolf with honour and make him a great man with thee. But when Thorgerdr went home, Egil enriched her with good gifts. Rognvald took the ships that had belonged to Vemund and all the chattels he could get. He had with him ten or twelve who constantly followed him; and when Frodi had left home, then Rognvald took the pinnace and they rowed out to Herdla twelve in number. Fulness of riches Thorstein Egil's son dwelt at Borg. Thorolf answered that he would not take of the king compulsory terms or reconciliation. Now show thyself princely to this man. The men told them that this was named Borgar-firth; that the buildings they saw were called Borg; that the goodman was Skallagrim. Arinbjorn untiring His reactions are usually on a grand scale to the point where they are often outrageous and entertaining. King Eric and queen Gunnhilda came that same evening to Atla-isle, and Bard had prepared there a banquet for the king; and there was to be there a sacrifice to the guardian spirits. Skallagrim said Thorolf would have his way. But when Egil was ready, and a fair wind blew, he sailed out to sea, and his voyage sped well. But men were all weaponless in there, because it was sanctuary. So the king gave them leave. But when spring came, one day Thorolf had a talk with his father, and asked him what counsel he would give about Bjorn his winter guest, or what help he would lend him. The overlooker thereof was a man named Bard. Swooping vulture's beak doth tear.'. We are experiencing technical difficulties. Hadd, his brother, was now there with him. Egil's Saga - Icelandic Saga Database At this the goodman thought to steal out in the dark, but Egil was near, and dealt him his death-blow, as he did to many others. A very fierce battle was there fought. He says that Bjorn's daughters were by law both alike his heirs, 'Though methinks,' says Egil, 'Asgerdr will be deemed more nobly born than your wife Gunnhilda. 'Now shall my voice-plane A little before winter came a ship from the south out of the Orkneys, with the tidings that a long-ship had come in autumn to those islands. My hurtling spear hath sounded After this the king bade his men go down to the ships. egils saga sparknotesgordon county schools virtual learning. In fellowship with him was one Kari of Berdla, a man of renown for strength and daring; he was a Berserk. But king Eric cannot now hide this from himself, that every king is now stronger than is he, whereas a little while ago it had been deemed incredible that king Eric would not have the will and energy to avenge his wrongs on such a one as Egil. But when they began to talk together, Thorir begged the king not to take it amiss that he had Egil with him that winter. Asbjorn countered with witnesses swearing that Asgerd was acknowledged as heiress, but the processing was blocked by Queen Gunnhild who ordered a henchmen to disrupt the assembly. They then returned to the king, and their voyage was much mocked at. And I doubt not that all may deny this counsel, because few, methinks, know themselves guiltless, were the truth to come out. I will, if you wish it, change places with you. He went into the room, but when Yngvar saw Egil he received him joyfully, and asked why he had come so late. There was a son of Thorstein named Grim, who was then ten years old; he too went with Thorstein, thus they were five in all. And seeing that Aulvir pressed this matter strongly, Grim promised to go when he thought he could be ready. Thou hast nothing else to expect but that here thou must die. 'Most to my mind is it,' said he, 'that you should give me a long-ship and crew therewith, and I go a free-booting. That sapling stout Egil now made a poem about king Athelstan, and in it is this stave: 'Land-shielder, battle-quickener, There he declared his business, and asked Sigridr to wife. Egil shall live this night. It is said of shape-strong men, or men with a fit of Berserk fury on them, that while the fit lasted they were so strong that nought could withstand them; but when it passed off, then they were weaker than their wont. I ban them to thee, Bergonund, and to all others, natives and foreigners, high and low; and anyone who shall herein offend I denounce as a law-breaker, a peace breaker, and accursed.'. His brother Edmund now ruled England. Thorolf was badly wounded, Bard even worse; nor was there a man unwounded in the king's ship before the mast, except those whom iron bit not to wit the Berserks. Upon this they separated, Egil and his men going up the ridge. He too laid his sword across his knees. Aunund Sjoni and some of Egil's company had gone out to sea, to look after their ship and another cargo which they had given into safe keeping in the autumn, and they had not yet returned. Then Odd and Steinar talked together. Poesy, prize of Odin, Thorolf and Egil pursued the flying foe. Thorolf took his loss cheerfully, and said that he should not be short of money; ''tis good,' said he, 'to be in partnership with a king.' The warrior king's liege-men, He had helm and shield, a sword at his girdle, a halberd in his hand. Oleif accepted this, and was with Skallagrim for his first winter in Iceland. But must swiftly sing. Yet shall I gladly Now I would fain, father, that we should lengthen our lives, so that you may compose a funeral poem on Bodvar, and I will grave it on a wooden roller; after that we can die, if we like. 'Once bare I goodwill And now the household took their seats, and tables were set all round the hall, and food served; dishes of meat were brought in and set before Egil and the rest. He then sang: 'With cross-winds far cruising But Solvi Bandy-legs, Hunthiof's son, escaped thence, and going to king Arnvid, in South Mra, he asked help, with these words: 'Though this danger now touches us, before long the same will come to you; for Harold, as I ween, will hasten hither when he has enthralled and oppressed after his will all in North Mra and Raumsdale. Who bit not the buckler, First went out Thorolf, then Thorgils Yeller, then the rest one after another. 1893. Volume 1 . Atli had the same arming as Egil. King Eric heard the concluding words of Egil that he spake last at the Thing, and his wrath waxed hot. rnlfur Thorsson . Now this was then the custom, that so soon as a king had enhazelled a field, it was a shameful act to harry before the battle was ended. But when Thorolf was twenty years old, then he made him ready to go a harrying. Earl Arnvid fled away; but the king took large fines from those landowners whom he thought guilty against him according to the report of those who went after the tribute. Egil's men did so; they broke up the planking, came into the granary, and thence out. Then they went down to their ships. Audbjorn, after counsel taken with friends, consented, and bade cut the war-arrow and send the war-summons throughout his realm, with word to his nobles that they should join him. They then continued their journey. His daughter was Thordis Staung, who afterwards dwelt at Stangerholt. His reactions are usually on a grand scale to the point where they are often outrageous and entertaining. Ev'n as forest-saplings After which Egil went away with Arinbjorn. Hacon had by far the larger numbers; the reason of this was that he made it law in the land that every man should own his patrimony, where king Harold had enslaved all, rich and poor alike. And when they came to the holt that is there, the boy died; and they buried him there in the holt, called since Grimsholt. I now declare myself free of debt to you, Steinar, in regard of that help which I promised you; for it was agreed between us that I should help you in carrying through your suit, or to such issue as should content you; free am I, I say, whatever may be the terms adjudged you by Egil.' They went back that day to their own company, and met Thorolf. And when Egil got to know these tidings, he resolved what to do. They went to him, and brought him home. Evil times would wait The Frisians came to a dyke, over which they went, and then drew away the bridge. ', Then Arinbjorn and Egil went back to the house, and when they came in they two went into a small upper room and talked over this matter. (Here he turned the horse's head landwards.) The monarch's wars in word Tall he was and strong, yet not so much so as his father. Next spring Skallagrim showed Kettle to land above Oleif's land, by White-river, from Flokadale-river mouth to Reykjadale-river mouth, and all the tongue that lay between the rivers up to Redgill, and all Flokadale above the slopes. Of all his guard the king most prized his skalds; they occupied the second high seat. Grani dwelt at Granastead on Digraness. Egil went to Arinbjorn and got there a good welcome. For erne of downtrod dead The other daughter was Thora, who was married to Thormod Kleppjarn's son. Such cruel wrong, However Egil would not have it, and bade them go home; so they did so and turned back. But he sent men of his own up to the heath where the battlefield was appointed; these were to take camping-ground, and make all ready before the army came. Wielder of wound-snake, he They fought at Laxfit, by Grims-river; there seven men fell, but Hegg was wounded to death, and his brother Kvig fell. [7][8][9] Extreme personal traits like these are manifested by his son Skallagrim[a] and his grandson Egill as well.