given Harald, a son of Thorkel the High, an earldom in Denmark. Kalf
Arnason went to King Canute as soon as he arrived in England. Bjarne
Gullbrarskald tells of this:--

"King Olaf eastward o'er the sea
To Russia's monarch had to flee;
Our Harald's brother ploughed the main,
And furrowed white its dark-blue plain.
Whilst thou--the truth I still will say,
Nor fear nor favour can me sway--
Thou to King Canute hastened fast,
As soon as Olaf's luck was past."

Now when Kalf came to King Canute the king received him particularly
well, and had many conversations with him. Among other things, King
Canute, in a conference, asked Kalf to bind himself to raise a warfare
against King Olaf, if ever he should return to the country. "And for
which," says the king, "I will give thee the earldom, and place thee
to rule over Norway; and my relation Hakon shall come to me, which will
suit him better, for he is so honourable and trustworthy that I believe
he would not even throw a spear against the person of King Olaf if he
came back to the country." Kalf lent his ear to what the king proposed,
for he had a great desire to attain this high dignity; and this
conclusion was settled upon between King Canute and Kalf. Kalf then
prepared to return home, and on his departure he received splendid
presents from King Canute. Bjarne the skald tells of these
circumstances:--

"Sprung from old earls!--to England's lord
Thou owest many a thankful word
For many a gift: if all be true,
Thy interest has been kept in view;
For when thy course was bent for home,
(Although that luck is not yet come,)
'That Norway should be thine,' 'tis said,
The London king a promise made."

Kalf thereafter returned to Norway, and came to his farm.

195. OF THE DEATH OF EARL HAKON.

Earl Hakon left the country this summer (A.D. 1029), and went to
England, and when he came there was well received by the king. The earl
had a bride in England, and he travelled to conclude this marriage, and
as he intended holding his wedding in Norway, he came to procure those
things for it in England which it was difficult to get in Norway. In
autumn he made ready for his return, but it was somewhat late before he
was clear for sea; but at last he set out. Of his voyage all that can
be told is, that the vessel was lost, and not a man escaped. Some relate
that the vessel was seen north of Caithnes