the
most joined his army; and all, as one man, told the same tale,--that the
lendermen had collected an enormous army, with which they intended to
give battle to the king.

The king took many marks of silver, and delivered them into the hands
of a bonde, and said, "This money thou shalt conceal, and afterwards lay
out, some to churches, some to priests, some to alms-men,--as gifts
for the life and souls of those who fight against us, and may fall in
battle."

The bonde replies, "Should you not rather give this money for the
soul-mulct of your own men?"

The king says, "This money shall be given for the souls of those who
stand against us in the ranks of the bondes' army, and fall by the
weapons of our own men. The men who follow us to battle, and fall
therein, will all be saved together with ourself."

220. OF THORMOD KOLBRUNARSKALD.

This night the king lay with his army around him on the field, as before
related, and lay long awake in prayer to God, and slept but little.
Towards morning a slumber fell on him, and when he awoke daylight was
shooting up. The king thought it too early to awaken the army, and asked
where Thormod the skald was. Thormod was at hand, and asked what was the
king's pleasure. "Sing us a song," said the king. Thormod raised himself
up, and sang so loud that the whole army could hear him. He began to
sing the old "Bjarkamal", of which these are the first verses:--

"The day is breaking,--
The house cock, shaking
His rustling wings,
While priest-bell rings,
Crows up the morn,
And touting horn
Wakes thralls to work and weep;
Ye sons of Adil, cast off sleep,
Wake up! wake up!
Nor wassail cup,
Nor maiden's jeer,
Awaits you here.
Hrolf of the bow!
Har of the blow!
Up in your might! the day is breaking;
'Tis Hild's game (1) that bides your waking."

Then the troops awoke, and when the song was ended the people thanked
him for it; and it pleased many, as it was suitable to the time and
occasion, and they called it the house-carle's whet. The king thanked
him for the pleasure, and took a gold ring that weighed half a mark and
gave it him. Thormod thanked the king for the gift, and said, "We have a
good king; but it is not easy to say how long the king's life may be. It
is my prayer, sire, that thou shouldst never part from me either in
life or death." The king replies, "We shall all go together so lon