In Oglo's hall, amidst the feast,
When howls went round and ale flow'd fast,
He perished: Harald lit the fire
Which burnt to death the son of Tyr."
Earl Hakon, with the help of his friends, maintained himself in the Drontheim country for three years; and during that time Gunhild's sons got no revenues from it. Hakon had many a battle with Gunhild's sons, and many a man lost his life on both sides. Of this Einar Skalaglam speaks in his lay, called "Velleklo," which he composed about Earl Hakon:—
"The sharp bow-shooter on the sea
Spread wide his fleet, for well loved he
The battle storm; well loved the earl
His battle-banner to unfurl.
O'er the well-trampled battle-field
He raised the red moon of his shield;
And often dared King Eric's son
To try the fray with the Earl Hakon."
And he also says:—
"Who is the man who'll dare to say
That Sigurd's son avoids the fray?
He gluts the raven—he ne'er fears
The arrow's song or flight of spears.
With thundering sword he storms in war,
As Odin dreadful; or from far
He makes the arrow-shower fly
To swell the sail of victory.
The victory was dearly bought,
And many a viking-fight was fought
Before the swinger of the sword
Was of the eastern country lord."
And Einar tells also how Earl Hakon avenged his father's murder:—
"I praise the man, my hero he,
Who in his good ship roves the sea,
Like bird of prey, intent to win
Red vengeance for his slaughtered kin.
From his blue sword the iron rain
That freezes life poured down amain
On him who took his father's life,
