Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/61

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

KINGS OF NORWAY. 49 Finn obtained the king's peace for Kalf, and when saga ix. Kalf and the king met they went into the agreement which Finn and the king had settled upon before. Kalf bound himself to the king in the same way as he had bound himself to serve King Magnus, according to which Kalf should do all that the king desired and considered of advantage to his realm. Thereupon Kalf received all the estates and fiefs he had before. The summer following King Harald ordered out a Chapter levy, and went to Denmark, where he plundered during YaulJiiaif the summer; but when he came south to Fyen he Ameson. found a great force assembled against him. Then the king prepared to land his men from the ships, and to engage in a land -fight. He drew up his men on board in order of battle ; set Kalf Arneson at the head of one division; ordered him to make the first attack, and told him where they should direct their assault, pro- mising that he would soon make a landing with the others, and come to their assistance. When Kalf came to the land with his men a force came down immediately to oppose them, and Kalf without delay engaged in battle, which, however, did not last long ; for Kalf was immediately overpowered by numbers, and betook himself to flight with his men. The Danes pursued them vigorously, and many of the Northmen fell, and among them Kalf Arneson. Now King Ha- rald landed with his array; and they soon came on their way to the field of battle, where they found Kalf 's body, and bore it down to the ships. But the king penetrated into the country, killing many people, and destroying much. So says Arnor : — " His shining sword with blood he stains^ Upon Fyona's grassy plains; And in the midst of fire and smoke_, The King Fyona's forces broke." After this Finn Arneson thought he had cause to Ch APTER LV. be an enemy of the king upon account of his brother Ymn Arne. VOL. III. E