Swedish field.
The country people crowded in,
To help Saint Olaf's son to win;
And chosen men by thee were led,
Men who have stained the wolf's tongue red.
Each milk-white shield and polished spear
Came to a splendid gathering there."

Magnus Olafson went from the East through Jamtaland over the keel-ridge
of the country and came down upon the Throndhjem district, where all men
welcomed the king with joy. But no sooner did the men of King Svein, the
son of Alfifa, hear that King Magnus Olafson was come to the country,
than they fled on all sides and concealed themselves, so that no
opposition was made to King Magnus; for King Svein was in the south part
of the country. So says Arnor, the earls' skald:--

"He who the eagle's talons stains
Rushed from the East on Throndhjem's plains;
The terror of his plumed helm
Drove his pale foemen from the realm.
The lightning of thy eye so near,
Great king! thy foemen could not bear,
Scattered they fled--their only care
If thou their wretched lives wilt spare."

3. MAGNUS MADE KING.

Magnus Olafson advanced to the town (Nidaros), where he was joyfully
received. He then summoned the people to the Eyra-thing (1); and when
the bondes met at the Thing, Magnus was taken to be king over the whole
land, as far as his father Olaf had possessed it. Then the king selected
a court, and named lendermen, and placed bailiffs and officers in all
domains and offices. Immediately after harvest King Magnus ordered a
levy through all Throndhjem land, and he collected men readily; and
thereafter he proceeded southwards along the coast.

ENDNOTES: (1) Eyra Thing, held on the ayr of the river Nid, that is, on
the spit of sand, still called an ayr in the north of
Scotland, dividing a lake, pond, or river-mouth from the
sea. At the Thing held here the kings of Norway were chosen
and proclaimed. It was held to be the proper Thing for
settling disputes between kings in Norway.--L.

4. KING SVEIN'S FLIGHT.

King Svein Alfifason was staying in South Hordaland when he heard
this news of war. He immediately sent out war-tokens to four different
quarters, summoned the bondes to him, and made it known to all that they
should join him with men and ships to defend the country. All the men
who were in the neighbourhood of the king presented themselves; and the
king formed a Thing, at which i