V.
SAGA OF KING HARALD GREYSKIN, AND OF EARL HAKON SON OF SIGURD.[1]
Chapter. I.
Beginning of the government of the sons of Eric: and about Eyvind Skalda-spiller.
When King Hakon was killed, the sons of Eric took the sovereignty of Norway. Harald, who was the oldest of the living brothers, was over them in dignity. Their mother Gunhild, who was called the King-mother, mixed herself much in the affairs of the country. There were many chiefs in the land at that time. There was Tryggve Olafsson in the Eastland, Gudrod Biornson in the Westfold, Sigurd earl of Lade in the Drontheim land; but Gunhild's sons held the middle of the country the first winter. There went messages and ambassadors between Gunhild's sons and Tryggve and Gudrod, and all was settled upon the footing that they should hold from Gunhild's sons the same part of the country which they formerly had held under King Hakon. A man called Glum Geirason, who was King Harald's scald, and was a very brave man, made this song upon King Hakon's death:—
"Gamle is avenged by Harald!
Great is thy deed, thou champion bold!
The rumour of it came to me
In distant lands beyond the sea,
How Harald gave King Hakon's blood
To Odin's ravens for their food."
This song was much favoured. When Eyvind Finn son heard of it he composed the song which was given before[2], viz.;—
"Our dauntless king with Gamle's gore
Sprinkled his bright sword o'er and o'er," &c.
This song also was much favoured, and was spread
