SAGA IX.
It is the custom, namely, there, that every time one of the Greek emperors dies, the Yaeringers are allowed polota-svarf; that is, they may go through all the emperor's palaces where his treasures are, and each may take and keep what he can lay hold of while he is going through them.
Chapter XVII.
King Harald's marriage.
This winter King Jarisleif gave Harald his daughter Elizabeth in marriage. She is called by the Northmen Ellissof. This is related by Stuff the Blind,thus:—
Who long his secret love had been.
Of goldj no doubt, a mighty store
The princess to her husband bore."
In spring he began his journey from Novogorod, and came to Aideigoburg, where he took shipping, and sailed from the East in summer. He turned first to Sweden, and came to Sigtuna. So says Yalgard of Yalli:—
From Russia's distant eastern shore
The gallant Harald homeward brings—
Gold, and a fame that scald still sings.
The ship through dashing foam he steers.
Through the sea-rain to Sweden veers,
And at Sigtuna's grassy shores
His gallant vessel safely moors."
Chapter XVIII.
The league between King Harald and Swend Ulfsson.
Harald found there before him Swend Ulfsson, who
the autumn before had fled from King Magnus at
Helgeness; and when they met they were very between
friendly on both sides. The Swedish king, Olaf the
Swede, was brother of the mother of Ellisof, Harald'
Wife; and Astrid, the mother of Swend, was King
Olaf's sister. Harald and Swend entered into friendship with each other, and confirmed it by oath. All
the Swedes were friendly to Swend, because he belonged to the greatest family in the country; and
