g Olaf Kvaran and Queen
Kormlada, ruled over Ireland; and he had then borne sway but a little
while. Gunnlaug went before the king, and greeted him well and worthily.
The king received him as was meet. Then Gunnlaug said, "I have made a
song on thee, and I would fain have silence therefor."

The king answered, "No men have before now come forward with songs for
me, and surely will I hearken to thine." Then Gunnlaug brought the song,
whereof this is the burden,--

"Swaru's steed
Doth Sigtrygg feed."

And this is therein also:--

"Praise-worth I can
Well measure in man,
And kings, one by one--
Lo here, Kvararis son!
Gruageth the king
Gift of gold ring?
I, singer, know
His wont to bestow.
Let the high king say,
Heard he or this day,
Song drapu-measure
Dearer a treasure?"

The king thanked him for the song, and called his treasurer to him, and
said, "How shall the song be rewarded?"

"What hast thou will to give, lord?" says he.

"How will it be rewarded if I give him two ships for it?" said the king.

Then said the treasurer, "This is too much, lord; other kings give in
regard of songs good keepsakes, fair swords, or golden rings."

So the king gave him his own raiment of new scarlet, a gold-embroidered
kirtle, and a cloak lined with choice furs, and a gold ring which
weighed a mark. Gunnlaug thanked him well.

He dwelt a short time here, and then went thence to the Orkneys.

Then was lord in Orkney, Earl Sigurd, the son of Hlodver; he was
friendly to Icelanders. Now Gunnlaug greeted the earl well, and said he
had a song to bring him. The earl said he would listen thereto, since he
was of such great kin in Iceland.

Then Gunnlaug brought the song; it was a shorter lay, and well done. The
earl gave him for lay-reward a broad axe, all inlaid with silver, and
bade him abide with him.

Gunnlaug thanked him both for his gift and his offer, but said he was
bound east for Sweden; and thereafter he went on board ship with chapmen
who sailed to Norway.

In the autumn they came east to King's Cliff, Thorkel, his kinsman,
being with him all the time. From King's Cliff they got a guide up to
West Gothland, and came upon a cheaping-stead, called Skarir: there
ruled an earl called Sigurd, a man stricken in years. Gunnlaug went
before him, and told him he had made a song on hi