memory of Saint Michael, which was drunk by all. Thereafter Earl Sigvald emptied a remembrance bowl to his father's honour, and made the solemn vow, that before three winters came to an end he would go to Norway, and either kill Earl Hakon, or chase him out of the country. Thereupon Thorkel the Tall, his brother, made a solemn vow to follow his brother Sigvald to Norway, and not flinch from the battle so long as Sigvald would fight there. Then Bue the Thick vowed to follow them to Norway, and not flinch so long as the other Jomsburg vikings fought. At last Yagn Aakeson vowed that he would go with them to Norway, and not return until he had slain Thorkeld Leire, and gone to bed to his daughter Ingebord without her friends' consent. Many other chiefs made solemn vows about different things. Thus was the heirship-ale drunk that day; but the next morning, when the Jomsburg vikings had slept off their drink, they thought they had spoken more than enough. They held a meeting to consult how they should proceed with their undertaking, and they determined to fit out as speedily as possible for the expedition; and without delay ships and men-at-arms were prepared, and the news spread quickly.
Chapter XL.
Earl Eric and Earl Hakon prepare a war levy.
When Earl Eric, the son of Hakon, who at that time was in Kaumarige, heard the tidings, he immediately gathered troops, and went to the Uplands, and thence over the Fielde to Drontheim, and joined his father Earl Hakon. Thord Kolbeinson speaks of this in the lay of Eric:—
"News from the south are flying round;
The bonder comes with look profound,
Bad news of bloody battles bringings
Of steel-clad mem, of weapons ringing.
I hear that in the Danish land
Long-sided ships slide down the strand,
Ancl, floating with the rising tide,
The ocean-coursers soon will ride."
