"The wolf, the murderer, and the thief,
Fled from before the people's chief:
Few breakers of the peace grew old
Under the Northmen's king so hold.
When gallant Hakon lost his life
Black was the day, and dire the strife.
It was had work for Gunhild's sons,
Leading their pack of hungry Danes
From out the south, to have to fly,
And many a bonder leave to die,
Leaning his heavy wounded head
On the oar-bench for feather-bed,
Thoralf was nearest to the side
Of gallant Hakon in the tide
Of battle; his the sword that best
Carved out the raven's bloody feast:
Amidst the heaps of foemen slain,
He was named bravest on the plain."
Chapter XXXII.
Hakon's death.
When King Hakon came out to his ship he had his wound bound up; but the blood ran from it so much and so constantly, that it could not be stopped; and when the day was drawing to an end his strength began to leave him. Then he told his men that he wanted to go northwards to his house at Alrekstad[1]; but when he came north, as far as Hakon's Hill[2], they put in towards the land, for by this time the king was almost lifeless. Then he called his friends around him, and told them what he wished to be done with regard to his kingdom. He had only one child, a daughter, called Thora, and had no son. Now he told them to send a message to Eric's sons, that they should be kings over the country; but asked them to hold his friends in respect and honour. u And if fate," added he, " should prolong my life, I will, at any rate, leave the country, and go to a Christian land, and do penance for what I have done against God; but should I die in heathen land, give me any burial you think fit." Shortly after-
