To Thor, the thunder-god, may tell
How for the gods all turns out well.
The hardy warrior now once more
Offers the sacrifice of gore;
The shield-bearer in Loke's game
Invokes once more great Odin's name.
The green earth gladly yields her store,
As she was wont in days of yore,
Since the brave breaker of the spears
The holy shrines again uprears.
The earl has conquered with strong hand
All that lies north of Viken land:
In battle storm, and iron rain
Hakon spreads wide his sword's domain."

The first winter that Hakon ruled over Norway the herrings set in
everywhere through the fjords to the land, and the seasons ripened to
a good crop all that had been sown. The people, therefore, laid in
seed for the next year, and got their lands sowed, and had hope of good
times.

17. HAKON'S BATTLE WITH RAGNFRED.

King Ragnfred and King Gudrod, both sons of Gunhild and Eirik, were now
the only sons of Gunhild remaining in life. So says Glum Geirason in
Grafeld's lay:--

"When in the battle's bloody strife
The sword took noble Harald's life,
Half of my fortunes with him fell:
But his two brothers, I know well,
My loss would soon repair, should they
Again in Norway bear the sway,
And to their promises should stand,
If they return to rule the land."

Ragnfred began his course in the spring after he had been a year in the
Orkney Islands. He sailed from thence to Norway, and had with him fine
troops, and large ships. When he came to Norway he learnt that Earl
Hakon was in Throndhjem; therefore he steered northwards around Stad,
and plundered in South More. Some people submitted to him; for it often
happens, when parties of armed men scour over a country, that those who
are nearest the danger seek help where they think it may be expected. As
soon as Earl Hakon heard the news of disturbance in More, he fitted out
ships, sent the war-token through the land, made ready in all haste,
and proceeded out of the fjord. He had no difficulty in assembling men.
Ragnfred and Earl Hakon met at the north corner of More; and Hakon, who
had most men, but fewer ships, began the battle. The combat was severe,
but heaviest on Hakon's side; and as the custom then was, they fought
bow to bow, and there was a current in the sound which drove all the
ships in upon the land. The earl ordered to row with the oars to the
land where landing