different message from the strife and scorn of the
winter: had it been offered then many a man would still be alive who is
now dead, & more firmly too would the kingdom stand in England. Now if I
should accept these terms, what would he offer King Harald Sigurdson for
his pains?' 'He hath said something of what he would grant him in
England, Seven feet of room or as much longer as he is taller than other
men,' made answer that rider. 'Fare thee now to King Harald and bid him
make ready for battle,' said the Earl, 'other shall be said among
Norwegians than that Earl Tosti quitteth King Harald Sigurdson for the
fellowship of his foemen when he hath to fight in England. Nay, let us
all rather be of one mind: to die with honour or to win England by
conquest.' Then did the horseman ride away, and King Harald Sigurdson
asked of the Earl, 'who was that long-tongued man, yonder?' 'That was
King Harald Godwinson,' said the Earl. 'Too long was this kept from us,'
said King Harald Sigurdson, 'they were come so nigh unto our host, that
nought would this Harald have known how to tell of the death of our
men.' 'True it is,' said the Earl, 'that such a chief went right
unwarily, and that it might have been as thou sayest; I saw that he
wished to offer me grace and much dominion, but that I should be his
slayer an I said who he was. Rather would I that he should be my slayer
than I his.' Then said King Harald Sigurdson: 'A little man was he, but
firm in his stirrups.'

It is said that King Harald chanted this verse:

'Forward go we in folk array
Without our mail
Under blue blades;
The helmets shine,
No mail have I;
On the ships yonder
Our garb doth lie.'

|| Now the mail-shirt to Harald was hight 'Emma,' and it was so long that
it reached down even unto the midst of his foot, and so strong that no
weapon had ever lodged fast in it. Then said King Harald Sigurdson:
'That was ill wrought; I must make another, a better verse in its
place,' and then he chanted this:

'Ne'er do we in battle
Creep behind our shields,
The clash of weapons fearing
(E'en so the word-fast woman bade me).
Of yore the necklet-wearer bade me
Carry high my head in battle,
Where sword and shield do meet.'

And Thiodolf likewise sang thus:

'Never, if e'en the prince himself to earth should fall,
(As God wills so goeth it)
Will I flee from the heirs of the chief.
The sun shines not better on these than these twain s