owship in
religion. No men could be partners in great works who were separated by
a different form of worship. This decision procured not only salvation
for Ludwig's guest, but the praise of piety for Ludwig himself, who, as
soon as Harald had gone to the holy font, accordingly strengthened him
with Saxon auxiliaries. Trusting in these, Harald built a temple in the
land of Sleswik with much care and cost, to be hallowed to God. Thus
he borrowed a pattern of the most holy way from the worship of Rome. He
unhallowed, pulled down the shrines that had been profaned by the error
of misbelievers, outlawed the sacrificers, abolished the (heathen)
priesthood, and was the first to introduce the religion of Christianity
to his uncouth country. Rejecting the worship of demons, he was zealous
for that of God. Lastly, he observed with the most scrupulous care
whatever concerned the protection of religion. But he began with more
piety than success. For Ragnar came up, outraged the holy rites he had
brought in, outlawed the true faith, restored the false one to its old
position, and bestowed on the ceremonies the same honour as before. As
for Harald, he deserted and cast in his lot with sacrilege. For though
he was a notable ensample by his introduction of religion, yet he was
the first who was seen to neglect it, and this illustrious promoter of
holiness proved a most infamous forsaker of the same.

Meanwhile, Ella betook himself to the Irish, and put to the sword or
punished all those who were closely and loyally attached to Ragnar. Then
Ragnar attacked him with his fleet, but, by the just visitation of the
Omnipotent, was openly punished for disparaging religion. For when he
had been taken and cast into prison, his guilty limbs were given to
serpents to devour, and adders found ghastly substance in the fibres
of his entrails. His liver was eaten away, and a snake, like a deadly
executioner, beset his very heart. Then in a courageous voice he
recounted all his deeds in order, and at the end of his recital added
the following sentence: "If the porkers knew the punishment of the
boar-pig, surely they would break into the sty and hasten to loose him
from his affliction." At this saying, Ella conjectured that some of his
sons were yet alive, and bade that the executioners should stop and the
vipers be removed. The servants ran up to accomplish his bidding; but
Ragnar was dead, and forestalled the order of the king. Surely we must
say th