ad the townsfolk full knowledge.

To such a pass came it that the sickness pressed Harald hard and his
death was told throughout the whole host. Then went the Vaerings to
speak with the townsmen, telling them of the death of their chief,
& praying the priests to grant him a tomb in the town.

Now when the townsfolk heard these tidings many were there, rulers of
monasteries or of other big churches in the town, who wished much, each
one of them, to have the body for his church, for well wotted each that
it would bring them great offerings; so the whole multitude of the
priests clad themselves in their vestments and walked forth out of the
town in procession well favoured and solemn, bearing shrines and holy
relics.

But made the Vaerings also a mighty funeral train; covered with a costly
pall was the coffin borne aloft, and above this again were held many
banners, & after the coffin in this wise had been borne in through the
town-gates was it set down right athwart them in front of the opening
thereof. Then did the Vaerings blow a war-blast from all their trumpets,
& drew their swords, and the whole host of the Vaerings rushed out of
their tents fully armed, and ran towards the town shouting and crying.
The monks & other priests who had been walking in this funeral train
vying with one another to be the foremost to go out and receive the
offering, now vied twofold as speedily to be the farthest off, for the
Vaerings slew every one who was nearest to them be he clerk or layman.
After this fashion did they go about the whole of the town, putting the
men to the sword and pillaging the churches, whence snatched they
exceeding great wealth.

|| Many summers fared Harald in warfare after this fashion alike in
Serkland and Sikiley.

Thereafter led he his host back to Miklagard, and abode there a short
space ere set he again forth on a journey to Jorsalaheim (Palestine).Sec.
There he left behind him all the gold he had gotten as payment from the
Greek King, & the same did all the Vaerings who went on the journey with
him.

It is told that altogether Harald fought eighteen battles on these
journeys. Thus saith Thiodolf:

'All men know that Harald
Eighteen battles grim hath fought,
Oft hath the peace of the chieftain been broken;
The gray eagle's sharp claws
In blood didst thou dye, King,
Ever was the wolf filled ere thou fared'st homeward.'

|| Harald with his men had now betaken themselves to Jorsalal