第228章

On Monday, when King Harald Sigurdson had taken breakfast, he ordered the trumpets to sound for going on shore.The army accordingly got ready, and he divided the men into the parties who should go, and who should stay behind.In every division he allowed two men to land, and one to remain behind.Earl Toste and his retinue prepared to land with King Harald; and, for watching the ships, remained behind the king's son Olaf; the earls of Orkney, Paul and Erlend; and also Eystein Orre, a son of Thorberg Arnason, who was the most able and best beloved by the king of all the lendermen, and to whom the king had promised his daughter Maria.The weather was uncommonly fine, and it was hot sunshine.The men therefore laid aside their armour, and went on the land only with their shields, helmets and spears, and girt with swords; and many had also arrows and bows, and all were very merry.Now as they came near the castle a great army seemed coming against them, and they saw a cloud of dust as from horses'

feet, and under it shining shields and bright armour.The king halted his people, and called to him Earl Toste, and asked him what army this could be.The earl replied that he thought it most likely to be a hostle army, but possibly it might be some of his relations who were seeking for mercy and friendship, in order to obtain certain peace and safety from the king.Then the king said, "We must all halt, to discover what kind of a force this is." They did so; and the nearer this force came the greater it appeared, and their shining arms were to the sight like glancing ice.

91.OF EARL TOSTE'S COUNSEL.

Then said King Harald, "Let us now fall upon some good sensible counsel; for it is not to be concealed that this is an hostile army and the king himself without doubt is here."Then said the earl, "The first counsel is to turn about as fast as we can to our ships to get our men and our weapons, and then we will make a defence according to our ability; or otherwise let our ships defend us, for there these horsemen have no power over us."Then King Harald said, "I have another counsel.Put three of our best horses under three of our briskest lads and let them ride with all speed to tell our people to come quickly to our relief.

The Englishmen shall have a hard fray of it before we give ourselves up for lost."The earl said the king must order in this, as in all things, as he thought best; adding, at the same time, it was by no means his wish to fly.Then King Harald ordered his banner Land-ravager to be set up; and Frirek was the name of him who bore the banner.

92.OF KING HARALD'S ARMY.

Then King Harald arranged his army, and made the line of battle long, but not deep.He bent both wings of it back, so that they met together; and formed a wide ring equally thick all round, shield to shield, both in the front and rear ranks.The king himself and his retinue were within the circle; and there was the banner, and a body of chosen men.Earl Toste, with his retinue, was at another place, and had a different banner.The army was arranged in this way, because the king knew that horsemen were accustomed to ride forwards with great vigour, but to turn back immediately.Now the king ordered that his own and the earl's attendants should ride forwards where it was most required."And our bowmen," said he, "shall be near to us; and they who stand in the first rank shall set the spear-shaft on the ground, and the spear-point against the horseman's breast, if he rides at them;and those who stand in the second rank shall set the spear-point against the horse's breast."93.OF KING HARALD GODWINSON.

King Harald Godwinson had come with an immense army, both of cavalry and infantry.Now King Harald Sigurdson rode around his array, to see how every part was drawn up.He was upon a black horse, and the horse stumbled under him, so that the king fell off.He got up in haste and said, "A fall is lucky for a traveller."The English king Harald said to the Northmen who were with him, "Do ye know the stout man who fell from his horse, with the blue kirtle and the beautiful helmet?""That is the king himself." said they.

The English king said, "A great man, and of stately appearance is he; but I think his luck has left him."94.OF THE TROOP OF THE NOBILITY.

Twenty horsemen rode forward from the Thing-men's troops against the Northmen's array; and all of them, and likewise their horses, were clothed in armour.

One of the horsemen said, "Is Earl Toste in this army?"The earl answered, "It is not to be denied that ye will find him here."The horseman says, "Thy brother, King Harald, sends thee salutation, with the message that thou shalt have the whole of Northumberland; and rather than thou shouldst not submit to him, he will give thee the third part of his kingdom to rule over along with himself."The earl replies, "This is something different from the enmity and scorn he offered last winter; and if this had been offered then it would have saved many a man's life who now is dead, and it would have been better for the kingdom of England.But if Iaccept of this offer, what will he give King Harald Sigurdson for his trouble?"The horseman replied, "He has also spoken of this; and will give him seven feet of English ground, or as much more as he may be taller than other men.""Then," said the earl, "go now and tell King Harald to get ready for battle; for never shall the Northmen say with truth that Earl Toste left King Harald Sigurdson to join his enemy's troops, when he came to fight west here in England.We shall rather all take the resolution to die with honour, or to gain England by a victory."Then the horseman rode back.