[ 45 ]
INTRODUCTION.
“THE following piece is an illustrious proof of the high reverence in which poets and their art were held among the northern nations. It was composed by Egill a celebrated Scald or poet, who having received some injury from Eric Blodox king of Norway, had in revenge killed his son and several of his friends. Being afterwards seized in Iceland by Eric’s queen, she sent him after her husband into England; which he had just before invaded, and where he then had gained some footing. Though Egill had so highly exasperated the king, he purchased his pardon by the poem, here translated;
