"T was an ill wind that came wafting, From his homestead words of woe; To his farm went Thorberg Skafting, Oft repeating to his workmen, Build ye thus and so. After long delays returning Came the master back by night; To his ship-yard longing, yearning, Hurried he, and did not leave it Till the morning's light. "Come and see my ship, my darling! On the morrow said the King; Finished now from keel to carling; Never yet was seen in Norway Such a wondrous thing!" In the ship-yard, idly talking, At the ship the workmen stared: Some one all their labor balking, Down her sides had cut deep gashes, Not a plank was spared! "Death be to the evil-doer!" With an oath King Olaf spoke; Straight the master-builder, smiling, Who has done this thing!" ,, Then he chipped and smoothed the planking, Than she was before!" Seventy ells and four extended On the grass the vessel's keel; High above it, gilt and splendid, Rose the figure-head ferocious With its crest of steel. Then they launched her from the tressels, She was the grandest of all vessels, Half so fine as she! The Long Serpent was she christened, 'Mid the roar of cheer on cheer! They who to the Saga listened XIV. THE CREW OF THE LONG SERPENT. SAFE at anchor in Drontheim bay And, striped with white and blue, Downward fluttered sail and banner, As alights the screaming launer; Lustily cheered, in their wild manner, The Long Serpent's crew. Her forecastle man was Ulf the Red; Like a wolf's was his shaggy head, His teeth as large and white; His beard, of gray and russet blended, Round as a swallow's nest descended As standard-bearer he defended Olaf's flag in the fight. Near him Kolbiorn had his place, By the bulkhead, tall and dark, Einar Tamberskelver, bare In the fore-hold Biorn and Bork Shoulders broad, and chests expanded, Tugging at the oar. These, and many more like these, Till the waters vast Filled them with a vague devotion, And the sounding blast. When they landed from the fleet, How they roared through Drontheim's street, How they laughed and stamped and pounded, As they drank the ale! Never saw the wild North Sea Sail its billows blue! Never, while they cruised and quarrelled, XV. A LITTLE BIRD IN THE AIR. A LITTLE bird in the air The sister of Svend the Dane; To King Burislaf, it is said, And a sorrowful bride went she; They say, that through heat and through cold, TALES OF A WAYSIDE INN. She has fled; and the gossips report Hoist up your sails of silk, It is whispered King Olaf has seen, O, greatest wonder of all! It roars like a flame that is fanned! And Thyri is Queen in the land! XVI. QUEEN THYRI AND THE ANGELICA STALKS. NORTHWARD over Drontheim Flew the clamorous sea-gulls, Sang the lark and linnet From the meadows green; Weeping in her chamber, In at all the windows Softly cooed the dove; But the sound she heard not, Then King Olaf entered, Beautiful as morning, Like the sun at Easter Shone his happy face; In his hand he carried Angelicas uprooted, With delicious fragrance Filling all the place. Like a rainy midnight Could not cheer her gloom; Nor the stalks he gave her With a gracious gesture, And with words as pleasant As their own perfume. In her hands he placed them, Through the green leaves glistened Like the dews of morn; But she cast them from her, "Richer presents," said she, Than such worthless weeds; "But thou darest not venture Through the Sound to Vendland, My domains to rescue From King Burislaf; "Lest King Svend of Denmark, Forked Beard, my brother, Scatter all thy vessels As the wind the chaff." Then up sprang King Olaf, Thus the luckless Queen : Then he left the chamber, Smarting with the insult, All his ships he gathered, In the region round; Down the coast of Norway, Through the Danish Sound. With his own hand fearless, Steered he the Long Serpent, Strained the creaking cordage, Bent each boom and gaff; Till in Vendland landing, Then said Olaf, laughing, "Not ten yoke of oxen Have the power to draw us Like a woman's hair! "Now will I confess it, Better things are jewels Than angelica stalks are For a Queen to wear." XVII. KING SVEND OF THE FORKED BEARD. LOUDLY the sailors cheered Svend of the Forked Beard, As with his fleet he steered Southward to Vendland; TALES OF A WAYSIDE INN. Sooner than the word was spoken "What was that?" said Olaf, standing On the quarter-deck. "Something heard I like the stranding Of a shattered wreck." Einar then, the arrow taking Answered, "That was Norway breaking "Thou art but a poor diviner," Straightway Olaf said; "Take my bow, and swifter, Einar, Of his bows the fairest choosing, But the bow was thin and narrow; O'er its head he drew the arrow, Said, with hot and angry temper "Olaf! for so great a Kämper |