g answered: 'Little have the
Danes to plume themselves on above us Norwegians, for many a hole have
we burnt in those kinsmen of thine.'

Then said the Earl: 'Though thou wilt not tell me yet can I,
nevertheless, tell thee how it was King Magnus took possession of
Denmark, to wit, was it because the lords of the land there helped him,
but thou gat it not because all the people of the land were against
thee. King Magnus fought not to gain England because all the people
desired to have Edward for their King. If thou wishest to conquer
England then can I bring it about that many of the lords there will be
thy friends and supporters, for nothing lack I against my brother Harald
save the name of King. All men know that there has never been born in
the northlands a warrior such as thou art.

Astonished am I that thou who foughtest fifteen winters for Denmark will
not take England which is lying at thy hand.' King Harald pondered with
care over what the Earl had said to him, and well wot he that in great
measure had he said sooth; and added thereto conceived he the wish to
conquer that kingdom.

Thereafter the King and the Earl talked long & oft together, & in the
end covenanted they an agreement that come the summer they would fare to
England and conquer the country. King Harald sent round the whole of
Norway calling out a levy, one half of the general war-muster.

Now all this was much spoken of by men, and many were the guesses as to
how things would go on the faring. Some reckoned & counted up all deeds
of valour, swearing how naught would be impossible of King Harald, but
said others that England would be difficult to conquer inasmuch as the
people were exceeding numerous, & those warriors who were called the
Thingmanna-hostSec. so doughty that one of them was better than two of
Harald's best men.

Thus answered Ulf the Marshal:

'Never would the marshals
Of the King (uncompelling
Ever gat I riches)
Turn them to the King's stern-hold
Noble woman, an twain should be pressed back by
One Thingman (other than
That when young I learned me).'

|| That spring Ulf the Marshal died, & Harald when he stood by his grave
said ere he quitted it: 'Here lies he that was ever the most faithful &
the most dutiful to his lord.' To Flanders also sailed Earl Tosti in
springtide so that he should meet the men the which had followed him
from England, with those others also who were to join him from England
and likew