r fared forth the son of that peasant eastward with him across
the Kjol (Kiolen), & as far as they were able to do so followed they
forest tracks in lieu of the common way.
Now in no wise wist the son of the peasant with what manner of man he
was faring, & as they were riding through the wastes of the forest sang
Harald thus wise:
'From forest now to forest
Wend I my way with honour scant;
Who wists but in the future
Wide fame may not be mine?'
|| And thus fared he eastward through Jamtaland & Helsingland, and in due
course was he come even to Sweden; there did he link his fortune with
that of Rognvald Brusason and many others of the men of King Olaf that
were yet alive after the mighty battle.
|| Now in the spring thereafter gat they ships for themselves and in the
summer fared eastward to Garda, where abode they the winter through with
King Jarizleif.
Thus saith Bolverk:
'The sword's blade, King, thou dried'st
When thou fared'st from the strife.
To the raven gav'st thou to eat;
The wolf howled on the wooded heights.
But the year thereafter and thou wert
East in Gard, O doughty fighter,
Ne'er have I heard of a leader of hosts
More famed than thou wert.'
King Jarizleif made Harald & his men welcome right kindly, and even so
became Harald captain of the land defence of the King & with him was
joined Eilif, the son of Earl Rognvald. Thus saith Thiodolf:
'Where Eilif was,
Alike they acted,
Those chieftains twain
In wedge-like phalanx.
Chased were the East Wends
Into a corner narrow,
Not easy for the LaesirsSec.
Was the law of the host.'
|| Some winters abode Harald in the realm of Garda, & fared forth for the
most part eastward; then went he a journey to Greece, and in his company
was a mighty following, and at that time likewise went he to Miklagard
(Constantinople). Saith Bolverk:
'The chilly shower drave forward
The ship's swart prows;
And barks all bravely armoured
Their sails bore by the coast-side.
The metal towers of Miklagard
The prince saw from the prows;
Fair-bosomed ships were borne
To the walls of the city.'
At that time there ruled over Greece Queen Zoe the Wealthy and with her
Michael Katalaktus.
When Harald was come even unto Miklagard in the hardiness that was of
his blood enterprised he service of the Queen, and even so did the men
that were with him.
Forthwith that same autumn took he ship on certain g
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