hose who were not
rowing were all to run aft, and each one to have in his hand his own
baggage-bag.

In this fashion they ran the galleys on to the chain, and as soon as
they were fast and the speed was stayed commanded he all his men to run
forward. Then that galley whereon was Harald plunged forward, and after
it had swayed on the chain slid from off it; but the other brake as it
rode the chain, and many were drowned, albeit some were taken up out of
the water. After this fashion did Harald escape from Miklagard, & thence
fared he forth into the Black Sea. But ere he sailed from land he set
the maid ashore, & gave her trusty followers to take her back to
Miklagard; and he bade her ask her kinswoman Zoe how much power she had
over him, or if her power had been able to hinder him from getting the
maiden. Thereafter sailed Harald northward to EllipaltaSec. and thence
fared all over the East-realm.Sec. On this journey made Harald certain
merry verses which together number sixteen, & all have the same refrain:
this is one of them:

'Past Sicily, far out, forged the ship;
Proudly she strode and ably 'neath our feet
Never before had Norseman come so far amain,
Yet saith the Maid of the gold-rings in Garda that she scorns me.'

|| By this, allusion made he to Ellisif, the daughter of King Jarizleif
of Holmgard.

|| When Harald was come to Holmgard did King Jarizleif receive him with
exceeding great kindness, and there abode he the winter through; at that
time, moreover, took he into his own keeping all the gold and various
other precious goods which he had sent thither out of Miklagard. So much
wealth was indeed collected together, that no one there in the north had
seen so great an amount before in the ownership of one man. On three
occasions[Sec.] the while he was in Miklagard had Harald ta'en his share in
the spoiling of palaces, for it was a law that every time a Greek King
died the Vaerings should have palace-spoil; at that hour might they go
through all the palaces of the King, wherein his hoards of wealth were
garnered, and take at will as much as ever they could lay hands on.

|| That winter gave King Jarizleif to Harald his daughter in wedlock, her
name was Elizabeth but Norwegians called her Ellisif. To this Stuf the
Blind is witness in the following:

'The alliance that he wished
Gat the prince of the Agdirs;
Gold amain won the friend of the men,
And to boot the King's daughter.'