time said the King that he would come to Denmark once again,
& would bring with him more men & larger ships. After these things fared
they northward to Throndhjem.

|| That winter abode King Harald in Nidaros, & at this time caused he a
ship to be builded out on the islands, and it was a bussa-shipSec. made
after the model of the Long Serpent and wrought every way as carefully
as might be.

At her bows was a dragon-head and at her stern a crook, and the ......Sec.
were all overlaid with gold. On her were thirty-five benches, and broad
was she of beam in comparison therewith.

Very fair to behold was she. The King caused all the appurtenances of
the ship to be chosen with exceeding great care, both the sail, the
running tackle, the anchor and the cables.

That winter King Harald sent word southward to Denmark to King Svein,
bidding him come in spring from the south to the River, to a meeting
with him, & saying that they would then fight to the end that one or
other of their countries should change hands, & the victor become master
of both kingdoms.

|| That winter called out King Harald a host, a general host, from all
Norway, and by spring-tide had been assembled together a mighty array of
men.

Then launched the King his great ship on the river Nid, and after that
was accomplished caused he the dragon-head be placed thereon.

Then sang Thiodolf the Skald:

'Fair maid, forward is the ship guided, from river to main.
Mark where off the land there lieth the long hull of the dragon.
The mane of the serpent yellow-green glints on the deck,
The prows were burnt-gold as from off the slip she glided.'

|| Thereafter fitted King Harald out the ship and his men for a cruise,
and all being made ready, stood he down the river, and right well
answered she to the oars. Thus saith Thiodolf:

'Saturday the prince casts off the long land tilts,
There where the widows proud the serpent watch,
As she glideth from the town.
West from the Nid thereafter the King doth steer,
Into the sea drop the oars of his men.
Move can they, the King's lads, the straight oars in the water.
The widows stand and wonder at the oar-strokes so swift,
The thole knows hurt when seventy oars do move her
I' the water ere the war-folk on the sea their oars do strain.
Northmen the serpent row (nailed is she)
out on the billow-stream icy;
'Tis eagles' wings that we behold.'

|| Southward sailed King Haral