Next to the Northmen's hero came.
Scattering wide round the battle flame
For in the storm of shields not one
Ventured like him with brave Hakon."
When both lines met there was a hard combat, and much bloodshed. The combatants threw their spears, and then drew their swords. Then King Hakon, and Thoralf with him, went in advance of the banner, cutting down on both sides of them. So says Eyvind Skaldaspiller: —
"The body-coats of linked steel,
The woven iron coats of mail,
Like water fly before the swing
Of Hakon's sword—the champion-king.
About each Gotland war-man's head
Helm splits, like ice beneath the tread,
Cloven by the axe or sharp sword-blade.
The brave king, foremost in the fight,
Dyes crimson-red the spotless white
Of his bright shield with foemen's gore,—
Amidst the battle wild uproar,
Wild pealing round from shore to shore."
Chapter XXXI.
The fall of Eyvind Skreya and of Alf Askmand.
King Hakon was very conspicuous among other men, and also when the sun shone his helmet glanced, and thereby many weapons were directed at him. Then Eyvind Finnson took a hat and put it over the king's helmet. Now Eyvind Skreya called out, "Does the king of the Horsemen hide himself, or has he fled? Where is now the golden helmet? " Then Eyvind, and his brother Alf with him, pushed on like fools or mad-men. The king said, " Come on as ye are coming, and ye will find the king of the Norsemen." So says Eyvind Skaldaspiller:—
"The raiser of the storm of shields,
The conqueror in battle fields,—
Hakon the brave, the warrior's friend,
Who scatters gold with liberal hand,
Heard Skreya's taunt, and saw him rush
Amidst the sharp spears' thickest push,
And loudly shouted in reply —
'If thou wilt for the victory try,
The Norseman's king thou soon shalt find!
Hold onwards, friend! Hast thou a mind?'"
