illness. Olaf felt his loss so great, that he had no pleasure in Vendiand after it. lie provided himself, therefore, with war-ships, and went out again a plun¬ dering, and plundered first in Friesland, next in Saxland, and then all the way to Flanders. So says Halfred Yandrsedaskald: —
"Olaf's broad axe of shining steel
For the shy wolf left many a meal.
The ill-shaped Saxon corpses lay
Heaped up, the witch-wife's horses'[1] prey.
She rides by night: at pools of blood,
Where Friesland men in daylight stood,
Her horses slake their thirst, and fly
On to the field where Flemings lie.
The raven-friend in Odin's dress[2]—
Olaf, who foes can well repress,
Left Flemish flesh for many a meal
With his broad axe of shining steel."
Chapter XXXI.
King Olaf Tryggvesson's forays.
Thereafter Olaf Tryggvesson sailed to England, and ravaged wide around in the land. He sailed all the way north to Northumberland, where he plun¬ dered; and thence to Scotland, where he marauded far and wide. Then he went to the Hebrides, where he fought some battles; and then southwards to Man, where he also fought. He ravaged far around in Ireland, and thence steered to Bretland[3], which he laid waste with fire and sword, and also the district called Cumberland.[4] He sailed westward from thence to Valland [5], and marauded there. When he left the west, intending to sail to England, he came to the islands called the Scilly Isles, lying westward from
- ↑ Ravens were the witches' horses.
- ↑ Odin's dress is full armour.
- ↑ Bretland, the land of the Britons, or Wales.
- ↑ Kumraland, or Cumberland; but one of the MSS. of Snorro's work appeals to have Kauraland. which would rather indicate Cornwall, and would correspond better with Olaf's voyage from Wales to Valland.
- ↑ Valland is the west coast of France, from the Seine to the Loire.
