Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway

36. OF KING MAGNUS'S BATTLES.

King Magnus remained in Denmark all that winter (A.D. 1046), and sat in peace. He had held many battles, and had gained the victory in all. So says Od Kikinaskald:—

     "'Fore Michaelmas was struck the blow,
     That laid the Vindland vikings low;
     And people learned with joy to hear
     The clang of arms, and leaders' cheer.
     Short before Yule fell out the day,
     Southward of Aros, where the fray,
     Though not enough the foe to quell,
     Was of the bloodiest men can tell."

And Arnor says:—

     "Olaf's avenger who can sing?
     The skald cannot o'ertake the king,
     Who makes the war-bird daily drain
     The corpse-blood of his foemen slain.
     Four battles won within a year,—
     Breaker of shields!  with swords and spear,
     And hand to hand, exalt thy fame
     Above the kings of greatest name."

King Magnus had three battles with Svein Ulfson. So says Thiodolf:—

     "To our brave Throndhjem sovereign's praise
     The skald may all his skaldcraft raise;
     For fortune, and for daring deed,
     His song will not the truth exceed.
     After three battles to regain
     What was his own, unjustly ta'en,
     Unjustly kept, and dues denied,
     He levied dues in red-blood dyed."