s what they had done in jest; and, plucking out
the swords which he and his man kept shut in their staves, attacked the
king. So some aided Ole, taking it more as jest than earnest, and would
not be false to the loyalty which they mockingly yielded him; but most
of them, breaking their idle vow, took the side of Thore. Thus arose an
internecine and undecided fray. At last Thore was overwhelmed and slain
by the arms of his own folk, as much as by these of his guests; and
Leotar, wounded to the death, and judging that his conqueror, Ole, was
as keen in mind as he was valorous in deeds, gave him the name of the
Vigorous, and prophesied that he should perish by the same kind of trick
as he had used with Thore; for, without question he should fall by the
treachery of his own house. And, as he spoke, he suddenly passed away.
Thus we can see that the last speech of the dying man expressed by its
shrewd divination the end that should come upon his conqueror.

After these deeds Ole did not go back to his father till he had restored
peace to his house. His father gave him the command of the sea, and he
destroyed seventy sea-kings in a naval battle. The most distinguished
among these were Birwil and Hwirwil, Thorwil, Nef and Onef, Redward (?),
Rand and Erand (?). By the honour and glory of this exploit he excited
many champions, whose whole heart's desire was for bravery, to join
in alliance with him. He also enrolled into a bodyguard the wild young
warriors who were kindled with a passion for glory. Among these he
received Starkad with the greatest honour, and cherished him with more
friendship than profit. Thus fortified, he checked, by the greatness of
his name, the wantonness of the neighbouring kings, in that he took from
them all their forces and all liking and heart for mutual warfare.

After this he went to Harald, who made him commander of the sea; and at
last he was transferred to the service of Ring. At this time one Brun
was the sole partner and confidant of all Harald's councils. To this man
both Harald and Ring, whenever they needed a secret messenger, used to
entrust their commissions. This degree of intimacy he obtained because
he had been reared and fostered with them. But Brun, amid the toils of
his constant journeys to and fro, was drowned in a certain river; and
Odin, disguised under his name and looks, shook the close union of the
kings by his treacherous embassage; and he sowed strife so guilefully
that he en