So Hakon Jarl and his base thrall At Nidarholm the priests are all sing At daybreak slept Hakon, with sorrows encumbered, But screamed and drew up his feet as he slumbered; The thrall in the darkness plunged Of Brynhilda's love and the wrath of with his knife, And the Earl awakened no more in this life. But wakeful and weeping Sat Thora, the fairest of women. Gudrun. 190 And through it, and round it, and over it all Sounded incessant the waterfall. Now from all King Olaf's farms ; He kissed the Queen's hand, and he Drinking with the royal feaster. whispered of love, And swore to be true as the stars are above. 210 Loudly through the wide-flung door Of the sea upon the Skerry; Reached the ear, 230 Mingling with their voices merry. 24c "Hark!" said Olaf to his Scald, Halfred the Bald, "Listen to that song, and learn it! Half my kingdom would I give, As I live, If by such songs you would earn it! "For of all the runes and rhymes Of all times, Best I like the ocean's dirges, |