THE DANISH HISTORY OF SAXO GRAMMATICUS

BOOK NINE.

Dan 9.1.0 (p. 250,2)

1 Olavus Gøtrici filius, patre mortuo, regnat. 2 Hic paternae vindictae studio civilibus patriam bellis implicare sustinuit, publicam pietatem privato affectui subiciendo. 3 Cuius exstincti corpus collis Olavi titulo celeber prope Lethram congestus excepit.

After Gotrik's death reigned his son OLAF; who, desirous to avenge his father, did not hesitate to involve his country in civil wars, putting patriotism after private inclination. When he perished, his body was put in a barrow, famous for the name of Olaf, which was built up close by Leire.

Dan 9.2.0 (p. 250,6)

1 Huic succedit Hemmingus, cuius dignum memoratu opus non reperi, nisi quod pacem cum Caesare Lodowico iurisiurandi firmitate composuit. 2 Et forte complura temporum eius insignia, quamquam praeclara exstiterint, vetustatis livore teguntur.

He was succeeded by HEMMING, of whom I have found no deed worthy of record, save that he made a sworn peace with Kaiser Ludwig; and yet, perhaps, envious antiquity hides many notable deeds of his time, albeit they were then famous.

Dan 9.3.1 (p. 250,10)

1 Post hos Siwardus cognomento Ring, quem eiusdem nominis pater, Norvagiae dux, olim ex Gøtrici filia susceperat, Scanis Sialandisque fautoribus regnat. 2 Nam consobrinus eius Ringo idemque Gøtrici nepos Iutiam occupabat. 3 Igitur unius regni dividua potestas, tamquam utraque parte ob parvitatem ignobili, non sperni modo, sed etiam lacessi ab exteris coepit. 4 Quos Siwardus maiore odio quam regni aemulum insecutus, peregrina bella civilibus praeferendo quinquennio periculis patriae defensionem suam opponere perseveravit. 5 Elegit enim vulnus tolerare domesticum, quo promptius sanaret externum.

After these men there came to the throne, backed by the Skanians and Zealanders, SIWARD, surnamed RING. He was the son, born long ago, of the chief of Norway who bore the same name, by Gotrik's daughter. Now Ring, cousin of Siward, and also a grandson of Gotrik, was master of Jutland. Thus the power of the single kingdom was divided; and, as though its two parts were contemptible for their smallness, foreigners began not only to despise but to attack it. These Siward assailed with greater hatred than he did his rival for the throne; and, preferring wars abroad to wars at home, he stubbornly defended his country against dangers for five years; for he chose to put up with a trouble at home that he might the more easily cure one which came from abroad.

Dan 9.3.2 (p. 250,19)

1 Quamobrem Ringo, dominationis eius occupandae occasione suscepta, universum imperii ius in se transferre conatus, foris excubias peragentem intus lacerare sustinuit. 2 Provincias siquidem, quae ab ipso possidebantur, invadens, communis patriae defensionem ingrata mente pensabat. 3 Igitur ex Sialandicis quidam Siwardi studiosiores, quo sinceriorem absenti fidem gererent, filium eius Regnerum vixdum cunis erutum regis nomine censuerunt, non quod ipsum regimini intempestivum nescirent, sed ut tanti pignoris ductu adversum Ringonem torpentium sociorum animos excitarent. 4 Audiens autem Ringo Siwardum interim ab expeditione regressum, Sialandenses magna manu petitos, ni se dederent, ferro perituros edixit.

Wherefore Ring (desiring his) command, seized the opportunity, tried to transfer the whole sovereignty to himself, and did not hesitate to injure in his own land the man who was watching over it without; for he attacked the provinces in the possession of Siward, which was an ungrateful requital for the defence of their common country. Therefore, some of the Zealanders who were more zealous for Siward, in order to show him firmer loyalty in his absence, proclaimed his son Ragnar as king, when he was scarcely dragged out of his cradle. Not but what they knew he was too young to govern; yet they hoped that such a gage would serve to rouse their sluggish allies against Ring. But, when Ring heard that Siward had meantime returned from his expedition, he attacked the Zealanders with a large force, and proclaimed that they should perish by the sword if they did not surrender;

Dan 9.3.3 (p. 250,29)

1 At Sialandici, quibus aut rubor aut periculum imperabatur, viribus ob paucitatem diffisi, deliberandae rei indutias poposcerunt. 2 Quibus impetratis, cum nec Siwardi gratiam colere liberum nec Ringonis amplecti videretur honestum, diu inter metum pudoremque solliciti iactabantur. 3 Qua in re ne senibus quidem consilio suppetente, Regnerus tunc forte contioni praesens: 'Brevis', inquit, 'arcus subito spiculum iacit. 4 Ego vero, tametsi puerili ausu maiorum ora praecurrere videar, ignoscendum erratis veniamque immature editis precor. 5 Verum prudentiae monitor, tametsi despicabilis videatur, respuendus non est. 6 Docili quippe animo sorbenda est utilium disciplina. 7 At quoniam, ut desertores ac transfugas notari turpe, ita supra vires audere temerarium est, et utrobique par culpa subesse convincitur, simulata transitione petendus est hostis, idemque, cum primum facultas obvenerit, opportuna desertione linquendus. 8 Satius ergo erit adversarii iram obsequii figmento praecurrere quam negatione eundem in nosmet ipsos acrius incessendos armare. 9 Quid enim fortioris imperium detrectantes agimus, nisi quod ipsi in iugulum nostrum arma sponte praestamus? 10 Saepe involutioribus studiis efficacissima fraus alitur. 11 Astu illaqueanda est vulpes.'

but the Zealanders, who were bidden to choose between shame and peril, were so few that they distrusted their strength, and requested a truce to consider the matter. It was granted; but, since it did not seem open to them to seek the favour of Siward, nor honourable to embrace that of Ring, they wavered long in perplexity between fear and shame. In this plight even the old were at a loss for counsel; but Ragnar, who chanced to be present at the assembly, said: "The short bow shoots its shaft suddenly. Though it may seem the hardihood of a boy that I venture to forestall the speech of the elders, yet I pray you to pardon my errors, and be indulgent to my unripe words. Yet the counsellor of wisdom is not to be spurned, though he seem contemptible; for the teaching of profitable things should be drunk in with an open mind. Now it is shameful that we should be branded as deserters and runaways, but it is just as foolhardy to venture above our strength; and thus there is proved to be equal blame either way. We must, then, pretend to go over to the enemy, but, when a chance comes in our way, we must desert him betimes. It will thus be better to forestall the wrath of our foe by reigned obedience than, by refusing it, to give him a weapon wherewith to attack us yet more harshly; for if we decline the sway of the stronger, are we not simply turning his arms against our own throat? Intricate devices are often the best nurse of craft. You need cunning to trap a fox."

Dan 9.3.4 (p. 251,12)

1 Cuius consilii salubritate et fluctuantium civium cunctationem discussit et hostilibus castris noxium robur adiecit. 2 Contio quoque, infantiae eius non facundiam minus quam ingenium mirans, egregiae indolis decretum, habitu annorum excellentius, cupide amplexata est. 3 Nec rubori fuit defectis consilio senibus puerilibus obsequi monitis, quae quamquam a tenero manassent, integerrimo disciplinae pondere redundabant. 4 Auctorem vero consilii instanti periculo obicere veriti, educationis gratia Norvagiam transtulerunt. 5 Brevi post conserta pugna Ringonem Sywardus aggreditur; quo occiso, ipse immedicabili plaga perstrictus paucis interiectis diebus ex vulnere decessit. 6 Cui Regnerus in regnum succedit.

By this sound counsel he dispelled the wavering of his countrymen, and strengthened the camp of the enemy to its own hurt. The assembly, marvelling at the eloquence as much as at the wit of one so young, gladly embraced a proposal of such genius, which they thought excellent beyond his years. Nor were the old men ashamed to obey the bidding of a boy when they lacked counsel themselves; for, though it came from one of tender years, it was full, notwithstanding, of weighty and sound instruction. But they feared to expose their adviser to immediate peril, and sent him over to Norway to be brought up. Soon afterwards, Siward joined battle with Ring and attacked him. He slew Ring, but himself received an incurable wound, of which he died a few days afterwards. He was succeeded on the throne by RAGNAR.

Dan 9.4.1 (p. 251,22)

1 Quo tempore rex Suetiae Frø, interfecto Norvagiensium rege Sywardo, coniuges necessariorum eius prostibulo relegatas publice constuprandas exhibuit. 2 Quo Regnerus audito, avitae ultionis studio Norvagiam petivit. 3 Eo veniente, matronae complures, quae corporum suorum ludibria aut nuper passae fuerant aut in proximo pudicitiae periculum verebantur, viriliter cultae cupide castris eius adproperare coeperunt, profitentes se fatum contumeliae praelaturas. 4 Nec erubuit futurus muliebris improperii vindex adversum auctorem turpitudinis, quarum ignominiam ulcisci venerat, auxilia mutuari.

At this time Fro (Frey?), the King of Sweden, after slaying Siward, the King of the Norwegians, put the wives of Siward's kinsfolk in bonds in a brothel, and delivered them to public outrage. When Ragnar heard of this, he went to Norway to avenge his grandfather. As he came, many of the matrons, who had either suffered insult to their persons or feared imminent peril to their chastity, hastened eagerly to his camp in male attire, declaring that they would prefer death to outrage. Nor did Ragnar, who was to punish this reproach upon the women, scorn to use against the author of the infamy the help of those whose shame he had come to avenge.

Dan 9.4.2 (p. 251,30)

1 Inter quas affuit et Lathgertha, perita bellandi femina, quae virilem in virgine animum gerens, immisso humeris capillitio, prima inter promptissimos dimicabat. 2 Cuius incomparabilem operam admirantibus cunctis - quippe caesaries tergo involare conspecta feminam esse prodebat - Regnerus, avi interfectore prostrato, de puella, quam in acie praeviam praenotaverat, commilitones plurimum percontatus est, unius feminae viribus victoriam sibi constitisse professus. 3 Quam cum illustri inter barbaros loco natam cognovisset, per internuntios procari perstitit.

Among them was Ladgerda, a skilled amazon, who, though a maiden, had the courage of a man, and fought in front among the bravest with her hair loose over her shoulders. All-marvelled at her matchless deeds, for her locks flying down her back betrayed that she was a woman. Ragnar, when he had justly cut down the murderer of his grandfather, asked many questions of his fellow soldiers concerning the maiden whom he had seen so forward in the fray, and declared that he had gained the victory by the might of one woman. Learning that she was of noble birth among the barbarians, he steadfastly wooed her by means of messengers.

Dan 9.4.3 (p. 252,1)

1 Illa, legatione tacite spreta, consensum simulat. 2 Cumque datis fallaciter responsis anhelanti proco potiendi voti fiduciam attulisset, adiectum urso canem in aedis suae vestibulo religari praecepit, contra omne amatoris studium per obiectas beluas proprium tutatura conclave. 3 Regnerus vero favorabili nuntio recreatus navigium scandit, emensusque fretum, comitibus apud Gølerdal - id valli nomen est - subsistere iussis, solitarius puellae penates accedit. 4 Ubi exceptus a beluis, alteram telo traicit, alteram faucibus apprehensam obtorto gutture strangulavit, virginemque victi periculi praemium habuit. 5 Ex cuius matrimonio geminis filiabus, quarum nomina memoriae prodita non sunt, filioque Fridlevo susceptis, triennium feriatus est.

She spurned his mission in her heart, but feigned compliance. Giving false answers, she made her panting wooer confident that he would gain his desires; but ordered that a bear and a dog should be set at the porch of her dwelling, thinking to guard her own room against all the ardour of a lover by means of the beasts that blocked the way. Ragnar, comforted by the good news, embarked, crossed the sea, and, telling his men to stop in Gaulardale, as the valley is called, went to the dwelling of the maiden alone. Here the beasts met him, and he thrust one through with a spear, and caught the other by the throat, wrung its neck, and choked it. Thus he had the maiden as the prize of the peril he had overcome. By this marriage he had two daughters, whose names have not come down to us, and a son Fridleif. Then he lived three years at peace.

Dan 9.4.4 (p. 252,11)

1 Cuius ob recentes nuptias reditu desperato, Iuti, gens insolens, Scanis in societatem contractis, Sialandos, qui Regneri fidem propensiori caritate colebant, bello lacessere tentant. 2 Quo comperto, Regnerus tricenas instruit puppes, ventisque navigationi parentibus, Scanos apud Whiteby vicum bellum ausos obtrivit, exactaque hieme cum Iutis prope Lymfiorthinum eius regionis fretum habitantibus secundis eventibus dimicavit. 3 Tertio item ac quarto Scanis Hallandisque felici auspicio domitis, in Thoram Herothi regis filiam nuptiarum amore converso, sibi ac Lathgerthae repudium interiecit. 4 Damnabat enim coniugis fidem, quam olim in perniciem suam summae ferocitatis beluas admovisse meminerat.

The Jutlanders, a presumptuous race, thinking that because of his recent marriage he would never return, took the Skanians into alliance, and tried to attack the Zealanders, who preserved the most zealous and affectionate loyalty towards Ragnar. He, when he heard of it, equipped thirty ships, and, the winds favouring his voyage, crushed the Skanians, who ventured to fight, near the stead of Whiteby, and when the winter was over he fought successfully with the Jutlanders who dwelt near the Liim-fjord in that region. A third and a fourth time he conquered the Skanians and the Hallanders triumphantly. Afterwards, changing his love, and desiring Thora, the daughter of the King Herodd, to wife, Ragnar divorced himself from Ladgerda; for he thought ill of her trustworthiness, remembering that she had long ago set the most savage beasts to destroy him.

Dan 9.4.5 (p. 252,21)

1 Interea rex Sueonum Herothus, silvas forte venatione complexus, repertas a comitibus angues filiae detulit nutriendas. 2 Illa paterno ocius obsecuta praecepto, vipereum genus virgineis manibus educare sustinuit; quin etiam curae habuit, ut integrum bovis cadaver earum quotidie satietati suppeteret, ignorans se privato pabulo publicam sustentare perniciem. 3 Quae cum adultae pestilentissimo halitu viciniam urerent, rex, inertis operae paenitens, potiturum filia, qui pestem amovisset, edixit. 4 Quo non minori fortitudinis quam libidinis incitamento frequens iuventus adducta periculosam inaniter operam erogabat.

Meantime Herodd, the King of the Swedes, happening to go and hunt in the woods, brought home some snakes, found by his escort, for his daughter to rear. She speedily obeyed the instructions of her father, and endured to rear a race of adders with her maiden hands. Moreover, she took care that they should daily have a whole ox-carcase to gorge upon, not knowing that she was privately feeding and keeping up a public nuisance. The vipers grew up, and scorched the country-side with their pestilential breath. Whereupon the king, repenting of his sluggishness, proclaimed that whosoever removed the pest should have his daughter. Many warriors were thereto attracted by courage as much as by desire; but all idly and perilously wasted their pains.

Dan 9.4.6 (p. 252,30)

1 Cuius rei summam Regnerus ab intermeantibus expertus, laneum a nutrice sagulum villosaque admodum femoralia, quibus inflictos anguium morsus elideret, expetivit. 2 Nam ut munimenti gratia referto pilis cultu utendum credidit, ita agilitatis causa tractabilem sumpsit. 3 Cumque navigio Suetiam appulisset, incidente gelu, aquis de industria corpus iniecit humefactamque vestem, quo minus penetrabilis redderetur, brumae durandam praebuit. 4 Qua amictus salutatos comites ad fidem Fridlevo servandam hortatus, solus procedit ad regiam. 5 Qua visa, ensem lateri nectens, dextrae telum inserit amentatum.

Ragnar, learning from men who travelled to and fro how the matter stood, asked his nurse for a woolen mantle, and for some thigh-pieces that were very hairy, with which he could repel the snake-bites. He thought that he ought to use a dress stuffed with hair to protect himself, and also took one that was not unwieldy, that he might move nimbly. And when he had landed in Sweden, he deliberately plunged his body in water, while there was a frost falling, and, wetting his dress, to make it the less penetrable, he let the cold freeze it. Thus attired, he took leave of his companions, exhorted them to remain loyal to Fridleif, and went on to the palace alone. When he saw it, he tied his sword to his side, and lashed a spear to his right hand with a thong.

Dan 9.4.7 (p. 252,38)

1 Procedenti inusitatae magnitudinis obvius allabitur serpens; huic alter, granditate par priorisque prolapsum insecutus, arrepsit. 2 Qui iuvenem modo caudae voluminibus quatere, modo pertinaci vomitu ac veneno conspuere certabant. 3 Interea aulici, tutiora complexi latibula, perinde ac paventes puellulae rem eminus inspectabant. 4 Ipse rex pari metu perterritus in angustum cum paucis conclave refugerat. 5 At Regnerus, gelati cultus duritie fretus, non armis modo, sed etiam amictu virulentos frustrabatur assultus, solusque duarum rictum pertinaci spiritu virus in se profundentium infatigabili congressione sustinuit. 6 Quippe morsus clipeo, venenum veste respuit. 7 Ad ultimum excussum manu telum strenue incessentium se beluarum corporibus adigit, eoque utriusque praecordia lacerans, felicem pugnae eventum habuit.

As he went on, an enormous snake glided up and met him. Another, equally huge, crawled up, following in the trail of the first. They strove now to buffet the young man with the coils of their tails, and now to spit and belch their venom stubbornly upon him. Meantime the courtiers, betaking themselves to safer hiding, watched the struggle from afar like affrighted little girls. The king was stricken with equal fear, and fled, with a few followers, to a narrow shelter. But Ragnar, trusting in the hardness of his frozen dress, foiled the poisonous assaults not only with his arms, but with his attire, and, singlehanded, in unweariable combat, stood up against the two gaping creatures, who stubbornly poured forth their venom upon him. For their teeth he repelled with his shield, their poison with his dress. At last he cast his spear, and drove it against the bodies of the brutes, who were attacking him hard. He pierced both their hearts, and his battle ended in victory.

Dan 9.4.8 (p. 253,10)

1 Cuius cultum rex curiosius contemplatus, cum hirtum atque hispidum animadvertisset, praecipue tamen occiduae vestis horrorem maximeque incomptam braccarum speciem eludens, Lothbrog eum per ludibrium agnominavit. 2 Quem etiam ut ex laboribus recrearet, cum amicis epulaturum accersit. 3 Ille prius revisendos sibi, quos reliquerat, arbitros aiebat profectusque eosdem futurae epulationis gratia nitidius cultus adducit. 4 Ac demum, peracto convivio, praefixum victoriae pignus accepit. 5 Ex qua Rathbarthum Dunwatumque, egregiae indolis pignora, procreavit; iisdem Sywardus, Biornus, Agnerus Ivarusque natura fratres adiecti sunt.

After Ragnar had thus triumphed the king scanned his dress closely, and saw that he was rough and hairy; but, above all, he laughed at the shaggy lower portion of his garb, and chiefly the uncouth aspect of his breeches; so that he gave him in jest the nickname of Lodbrog. Also he invited him to feast with his friends, to refresh him after his labours. Ragnar said that he would first go back to the witnesses whom he had left behind. He set out and brought them back, splendidly attired for the coming feast. At last, when the banquet was over, he received the prize that was appointed for the victory. By her he begot two nobly- gifted sons, Radbard and Dunwat. These also had brothers — Siward, Biorn, Agnar, and Iwar.

Dan 9.4.9 (p. 253,19)

1 Interea Iuti ac Scani, insopibili seditionis face succensi, abrogato Regneri titulo, Haraldo cuidam rerum contribuunt summam. 2 Adversum quos Regnerus, legatis Norvagiam missis, cum amica precaretur auxilia, Lathgertha, pristini amoris pertinaciore haustu exuberans, cum viro ac filio navigationem arripuit. 3 Centum ac viginti navium classem ei, a quo olim repudio fuerat, exhibere sustinuit. 4 Qui etiam, universae opis egenum se iudicans, ab omni aetate praesidium mutuari curavit, robustisque imbecilles agglomerans, fortium cuneis senum puerorumque partes inserere non erubuit.

Meanwhile, the Jutes and Skanians were kindled with an unquenchable fire of sedition; they disallowed the title of Ragnar, and gave a certain Harald the sovereign power. Ragnar sent envoys to Norway, and besought friendly assistance against these men; and Ladgerda, whose early love still flowed deep and steadfast, hastily sailed off with her husband and her son. She brought herself to offer a hundred and twenty ships to the man who had once put her away. And he, thinking himself destitute of all resources, took to borrowing help from folk of every age, crowded the strong and the feeble all together, and was not ashamed to insert some old men and boys among the wedges of the strong.

Dan 9.4.10 (p. 253,27)

1 Igitur apud campum, qui Latialiter Laneus dicitur, imprimis Scanorum res obterere orsus, grave cum factiosis bellum habuit. 2 Ubi Ivarus septimum agens annum, insigni pugna edita, puerili corpore grandaevum robur exercuit. 3 Sywardus vero, dum hosti vim adverso corpore ingerit, humi collapsus prono vulnus excepit. 4 Quae res inspectantibus sociis gravissimam circumspiciendae fugae sollicitudinem attulit nec Sywardum modo, sed et omnia fere Regnericae partis arma deiecit. 5 Verum hunc attonitarum mentium lapsum Regnerus virili opera hortatuque firmavit paratosque vinci victoriam conari perpulit.

So he first tried to crush the power of the Skanians in the field which in Latin is called Laneus (Woolly); here he had a hard fight with the rebels. Here, too, Iwar, who was in his seventh year, fought splendidly, and showed the strength of a man in the body of a boy. But Siward, while attacking the enemy face to face, fell forward upon the ground wounded. When his men saw this, it made them look round most anxiously for means of flight; and this brought low not only Siward, but almost the whole army on the side of Ragnar. But Ragnar by his manly deeds and exhortations comforted their amazed and sunken spirits, and, just when they were ready to be conquered, spurred them on to try and conquer.

Dan 9.4.11 (p. 253,35)

1 Lathgertha quoque, teneris membris incomparabilem sortita spiritum, trepidantis militiae studium specioso fortitudinis exemplo erexit. 2 Militari namque discursu inopinatorum terga circumvolans, socialem metum in hostilia castra convertit. 3 Ad ultimum, laxata Haraldi acie atque ipso per summam suorum stragem fugato, cum domum ex acie revertisset, spiculo, quod toga occultaverat, noctu mariti iugulum attentavit totiusque potentiae eius ac nominis summam invasit. 4 Insolentissimus namque feminae spiritus absque viro regnum gerere quam fortunae eius communicare iucundius duxit.

Ladgerda, who had a matchless spirit though a delicate frame, covered by her splendid bravery the inclination of the soldiers to waver. For she made a sally about, and flew round to the rear of the enemy, taking them unawares, and thus turned the panic of her friends into the camp of the enemy. At last the lines of HARALD became slack, and HARALD himself was routed with a great slaughter of his men. LADGERDA, when she had gone home after the battle, murdered her husband.... in the night with a spear-head, which she had hid in her gown. Then she usurped the whole of his name and sovereignty; for this most presumptuous dame thought it pleasanter to rule without her husband than to share the throne with him.

Dan 9.4.12 (p. 254,7)

1 Interea Sywardus oppido, quod in vicinia erat, allatus, curandum medicis corpus praebebat. 2 Quibus ad summam usque desperationem provectis, dum vulneris immanitas adhibita fomentorum genera frustraretur, quidam stupenda magnitudine aegri lectulum adire conspectus, si sibi illorum, quos armis oppressurus foret, animas dedicasset, protinus incolumitate gavisurum promittit. 3 Nec nomine quidem suppresso, Roftarum se dici subiunxit. 4 Animadvertens autem Sywardus parvulae promissionis impendio ingens comparari beneficium posse, petitis cupide paruit. 5 Tunc senex attrectatae tabis livorem repentino manus auxilio dispulit subitamque vulneri cicatricem intendit. 6 Postremo pupillas eius pulvere perfundens abiit. 7 Qui, maculis repente coortis, eximiam vermiculorum similitudinem obstupescentibus oculis ingeneravit. 8 Crediderim huius miraculi auctorem futuram iuvenis saevitiam evidentiori luminum testimonio prodere voluisse, ne perspicacior corporis pars sequentis vitae praesagio vacua maneret. 9 Quem anus, quae potionibus eius praeerat, vermiculatas ore notas praeferre conspiciens, inusitato iuvenis horrore permota, subito lapsu decidens, linqui animo coepit. 10 Quo evenit, ut Sywardo serpentini oculi vulgatum late cognomen accederet.

Meantime, Siward was taken to a town in the neighbourhood, and gave himself to be tended by the doctors, who were reduced to the depths of despair. But while the huge wound baffled all the remedies they applied, a certain man of amazing size was seen to approach the litter of the sick man, and promised that Siward should straightway rejoice and be whole, if he would consecrate unto him the souls of all whom he should overcome in battle. Nor did he conceal his name, but said that he was called Rostar. Now Siward, when he saw that a great benefit could be got at the cost of a little promise, eagerly acceded to this request. Then the old man suddenly, by the help of his hand, touched and banished the livid spot, and suddenly scarred the wound over. At last he poured dust on his eyes and departed. Spots suddenly arose, and the dust, to the amaze of the beholders, seemed to become wonderfully like little snakes. I should think that he who did this miracle wished to declare, by the manifest token of his eyes, that the young man was to be cruel in future, in order that the more visible part of his body might not lack some omen of his life that was to follow. When the old woman, who had the care of his draughts, saw him showing in his face signs of little snakes; she was seized with an extraordinary horror of the young man, and suddenly fell and swooned away. Hence it happened that Siward got the widespread name of Snake-Eye.

Dan 9.4.13 (p. 254,24)

1 Interea nuptam Regneri Thoram violentus morbi casus absumpsit, eaque res amantissimo coniugis viro infinitam aegritudinis molestiam peperit. 2 Quam optime negotio discutiendam ratus, solatium ab exercitio mutuari doloremque labore temperare constituit. 3 Militiam itaque detrahendae aegritudinis pariendique solaminis gratia meditatus, statuit, ut unusquisque paterfamilias, quem inter liberos contemptissimum duceret, aut si quem pigrioris operae ac minus spectatae fidei servum haberet, stipendia sibi meriturum offerret. 4 Quod edictum, tametsi parum proposito competens videretur, invalidissimos Danicae gentis aliarum nationum fortissimis praestare docuit magnumque iuventuti profectum attulit, delectis certatim socordiae notam abstergere cupientibus.

Meantime Thora, the bride of Ragnar, perished of a violent malady, which caused infinite trouble and distress to the husband, who dearly loved his wife. This distress, he thought, would be best dispelled by business, and he resolved to find solace in exercise and qualify his grief by toil. To banish his affliction and gain some comfort, he bent his thoughts to warfare, and decreed that every father of a family should devote to his service whichever of his children he thought most contemptible, or any slave of his who was lazy at his work or of doubtful fidelity. And albeit that this decree seemed little fitted for his purpose, he showed that the feeblest of the Danish race were better than the strongest men of other nations; and it did the young men great good, each of those chosen being eager to wipe off the reproach of indolence.

Dan 9.4.14 (p. 254,34)

1 Praeterea, ut omnis controversiarum lis, semotis actionum instrumentis, nec accusantis impetitione nec rei defensione admissa, duodecim patrum approbatorum iudicio mandaretur, instituit. 2 Cuius legis beneficio, temeraria litium contractione submota, improborum calumniae sufficienter obviatum existimans, arma in Britanniam erexit regemque eius Hamam, Hellae nobilissimi iuvenis patrem, pugna perstrictum occidit. 3 Inde Scotiae ac Petiae insularumque, quas Australes vel Meridianas vocant, ducibus interfectis, Sywardo ac Rathbartho filiis vacuas gubernatore provincias in potestatem addixit. 4 Norvagiam quoque, principe suo violenter exutam, Fridlevo parere praecepit eundemque Orchadibus proprio duce defectis praeferre curavit.

Also he enacted that every piece of litigation should be referred to the judgment of twelve chosen elders, all ordinary methods of action being removed, the accuser being forbidden to charge, and the accused to defend. This law removed all chance of incurring litigation lightly. Thinking that there was thus sufficient provision made against false accusations by unscrupulous men, he lifted up his arms against Britain, and attacked and slew in battle its king, Hame, the father of Ella, who was a most noble youth. Then he killed the earls of Scotland and of Pictland, and of the isles that they call the Southern or Meridional (Sudr-eyar), and made his sons Siward and Radbard masters of the provinces, which were now without governors. He also deprived Norway of its chief by force, and commanded it to obey Fridleif, whom he also set over the Orkneys, from which he took their own earl.

Dan 9.4.15 (p. 255,5)

1 Interea Danorum quidam, pertinacioris erga Regnerum odii, obstinatis ad rebellandum animis, Haraldi quondam profugi partibus advoluti, prostratam tyranni fortunam attollere conati sunt. 2 Qua temeritate insolentissimos belli civilis adversum regem spiritus excitaverunt externisque liberum domesticis implicuere periculis. 3 Ad quos constringendos Regnerus cum insularium Danorum classe profectus, rebellium agmen elisit Haraldumque, superati exercitus ducem, fuga in Germaniam actum, honorem improbe partum impudenter abicere compulit. 4 Captivos quoque simplici morte afficere non contentus, tortos necare maluit, ut, qui ad deserendam impietatem adduci non poterant, ne spiritum quidem nisi per summam poenarum violentiam deponere sinerentur. 5 Ceterum latifundia eorum, qui cum Haraldo profugerant, secum stipendia peragentibus partitus est, eo patres punitiores iudicans, quod ad liberos, quos suo iudicio repulissent, carioribus patrimonio spoliatis, honorem hereditatis suae translatum viderent.

Meantime, some of the Danes who were most stubborn in their hatred against Ragnar were obstinately bent on rebellion. They rallied to the side of Harald, once an exile, and tried to raise the fallen fortunes of the tyrant. By this hardihood they raised up against the king the most virulent blasts of civil war, and entangled him in domestic perils when he was free from foreign troubles. Ragnar, setting out to check them with a fleet of the Danes who lived in the isles, crushed the army of the rebels, drove Harald, the leader of the conquered army, a fugitive to Germany, and forced him to resign unbashfully an honour which he had gained without scruple. Nor was he content simply to kill his prisoners: he preferred to torture them to death, so that those who could not be induced to forsake their disloyalty might not be so much as suffered to give up the ghost save under the most grievous punishment. Moreover, the estates of those who had deserted with Harald he distributed among those who were serving as his soldiers, thinking that the fathers would be worse punished by seeing the honour of their inheritance made over to the children whom they had rejected, while those whom they had loved better lost their patrimony.

Dan 9.4.16 (p. 255,19)

1 Sed ne sic quidem ultionis satietate perfusus, insuper Saxoniam, quod eam asylum hostium Haraldique profugium crederet, oppugnare constituens, implorato filiorum auxilio, Karolum tunc forte illis imperii sui finibus immorantem offendit. 2 Cuius cum, interceptis vigilibus, praeiectas fefellisset excubias atque ob hoc cetera factu levia duceret conatuque promptiora speraret, subito divina futuri muliercula, tamquam caeleste quoddam oraculum aut divinae voluntatis interpres, salutari regem praedictione permonuit adventantisque periculi malum felici vaticinio praecucurrit, Sywardi classem ad Sighnini fluminis fauces appulisse denuntians. 3 Imperator attente accepto monitu hostilem interpretatus adventum, significatos sibi barbaros pugnae oppositu constringendos curavit. 4 Qua in Regnerum habita, non similiter, ut discriminis cautelam hausit, belli actum implevit. 5 Itaque infatigabilis ille totius paene Europae domitor, serenissimis amplissimisque victoriis tantam terrarum partem emensus, tot civitatum, tot gentium victorem exercitum, aversis bello pectoribus, unius provinciae parvula manu profligatum aspexit.

But even this did not sate his vengeance, and he further determined to attack Saxony, thinking it the refuge of his foes and the retreat of Harald. So, begging his sons to help him, he came on Karl, who happened then to be tarrying on those borders of his empire. Intercepting his sentries, he eluded the watch that was posted on guard. But while he thought that all the rest would therefore be easy and more open to his attacks, suddenly a woman who was a soothsayer, a kind of divine oracle or interpreter of the will of heaven, warned the king with a saving prophecy, and by her fortunate presage forestalled the mischief that impended, saying that the fleet of Siward had moored at the mouth of the river Seine. The emperor, heeding the warning, and understanding that the enemy was at hand, managed to engage with and stop the barbarians, who were thus pointed out to him. A battle was fought with Ragnar; but Karl did not succeed as happily in the field as he had got warning of the danger. And so that tireless conqueror of almost all Europe, who in his calm and complete career of victory had travelled over so great a portion of the world, now beheld his army, which had vanquished all these states and nations, turning its face from the field, and shattered by a handful from a single province.

Dan 9.4.17 (p. 255,34)

1 Cumque Regnerus, oneratis tributo Saxonibus, de morte Herothi certum e Suetia nuntium accepisset, liberosque suos Sorli, suffecti regis, calumnia avitis bonis exutos cognosceret, Biorni, Fridlevi atque Rathbarthi collegium apprecatus - nam Regnaldus, Withsercus et Ericus, quos ex Suanlogha progenuerat, nondum habilem armis aetatem impleverant - Suetiam petiit. 2 Cui occurrens cum exercitu Sorlus, publice an privatim dimicandi optione facta, singularem deligenti conflictum Scarthum, spectatae audaciae pugilem, cum septena filiorum manu ex provocatione pugnaturum admovit. 3 Cum quibus Regnerus, tribus filiis in certaminis societatem assumptis, utroque exercitu inspectante, congressus, agone victor excessit. 4 Biornus vero, quod integer hosti cladem ingesserat, tamquam a ferrei lateris firmitate sempiternum usurpavit agnomen. 5 Qua victoria Regnerus omnis periculi superandi fiduciam nactus, Sorlum cum universis, quas ductaverat, copiis impetitum occidit.

Ragnar, after loading the Saxons with tribute, had sure tidings from Sweden of the death of Herodd, and also heard that his own sons, owing to the slander of Sorle, the king chosen in his stead, had been robbed of their inheritance. He besought the aid of the brothers Biorn, Fridleif, and Ragbard (for Ragnald, Hwitserk, and Erik, his sons by Swanloga, had not yet reached the age of bearing arms), and went to Sweden. Sorle met him with his army, and offered him the choice between a public conflict and a duel; and when Ragnar chose personal combat, he sent against him Starkad, a champion of approved daring, with his band of seven sons, to challenge and fight with him. Ragnar took his three sons to share the battle with him, engaged in the sight of both armies, and came out of the combat triumphant. Biorn, having inflicted great slaughter on the foe without hurt to himself, gained from the strength of his sides, which were like iron, a perpetual name (Ironsides). This victory emboldened Ragnar to hope that he could overcome any peril, and he attacked and slew Sorle with the entire forces he was leading.

Dan 9.4.18 (p. 256,8)

1 Cumque, Biorno ob conspicuae fortitudinis meritum Suetica praelatione donato, aliquanto bellorum interstitio quievisset, cuiusdam forte mulierculae amantior factus, quo promptiorem sibi potiendae eius aditum strueret, patrem ipsius amplissimo beneficentiae cultu officiosissime captandum curavit. 2 Saepe enim numero accersitum ad epulas plurimis comitatis officiis prosequebatur. 3 Nam et venientem assurgendi reverentia discumbentemque proximo sibi consessu veneratus est. 4 Saepe etiam donis, interdum benignissimo recreavit alloquio. 5 Qui cum tantae honorationis causam a nullo suo merito profectam animadverteret, cogitatione varie deflexa, ex amore filiae suae tantam principis liberalitatem descendisse cognovit, libidinosum propositum humanitatis nomine colorantis. 6 Quam, ut exactissimum amantis ingenium frustraretur, tanto impensius observandam curavit, quanto eam latentioribus studiis ac pervicacioribus modis ambiri comperit. 7 Verum Regnerus, certissimo consensus eius nuntio recreatus, villam, in qua asservabatur, accessit nihilque amori invium putans in vicino quendam rusticae vitae solitarius hospitio petiit. 8 Mane commutata cum feminis veste, amicae laneum opus explicanti muliebriter cultus astitit virgineoque operi rudes artificii manus callide, ne proderetur, admovit; nocte vero votis, virginem amplexatus, indulsit.

He presented Biorn with the lordship of Sweden for his conspicuous bravery and service. Then for a little interval he rested from wars, and chanced to fall deeply in love with a certain woman. In order to find some means of approaching and winning her the more readily, he courted her father (Esbern) by showing him the most obliging and attentive kindness. He often invited him to banquets, and received him with lavish courtesy. When he came, he paid him the respect of rising, and when he sat, he honoured him with a set next to himself. He also often comforted him with gifts, and at times with the most kindly speech. The man saw that no merits of his own could be the cause of all this distinction, and casting over the matter every way in his mind, he perceived that the generosity of his monarch was caused by his love for his daughter, and that he coloured this lustful purpose with the name of kindness. But, that he might balk the cleverness of the lover, however well calculated, he had the girl watched all the more carefully that he saw her beset by secret aims and obstinate methods. But Ragnar, who was comforted by the surest tidings of her consent, went to the farmhouse in which she was kept, and fancying that love must find out a way, repaired alone to a certain peasant in a neighbouring lodging. In the morning he exchanged dress with the women, and went in female attire, and stood by his mistress as she was unwinding wool. Cunningly, to avoid betrayal, he set his hands to the work of a maiden, though they were little skilled in the art. In the night he embraced the maiden and gained his desire.

Dan 9.4.19 (p. 256,26)

1 Cumque, maturescente partu, temeratae pudicitiae facinus tumidiore puellae gremio proderetur, incertus pater, cui se filia polluendam dedisset, ignoratum stupri auctorem ex ipsa maxime cognoscere perseveravit. 2 Qua se neminem praeter pedissequam lecti participem habuisse pertinacius affirmante, rem regi cognoscendam mandavit. 3 Ille, insontem famulam inusitata criminatione notari non sustinens, proprii sceleris professione alienae innocentiae fidem facere non erubuit. 4 Qua humanitate et muliebris calumniae partes repulit et, ne ridiculus rumor apud improbas aures sereretur, effecit. 5 Praeterea gignendum ex ea filium sui sanguinis esse, quodque eum Ubbonem nuncupari vellet, adiecit. 6 Qui cum aliquatenus excrevisset, tenerae aetatis ingenio maturae discretionis habitum apprehendit. 7 Matris enim dilectionem, quod excellenti se toro miscuisset, amplexus, venerationem patris, quod ad obscuriorem iusto copulam descendisset, abiecit.

When her time drew near, and the girl growing big, betrayed her outraged chastity, the father, not knowing to whom his daughter had given herself to be defiled, persisted in asking the girl herself who was the unknown seducer. She steadfastly affirmed that she had had no one to share her bed except her handmaid, and he made the affair over to the king to search into. He would not allow an innocent servant to be branded with an extraordinary charge, and was not ashamed to prove another's innocence by avowing his own guilt. By this generosity he partially removed the woman's reproach, and prevented an absurd report from being sown in the ears of the wicked. Also he added, that the son to be born of her was of his own line, and that he wished him to be named Ubbe. When this son had grown up somewhat, his wit, despite his tender years, equalled the discernment of manhood. For he took to loving his mother, since she had had converse with a noble bed, but cast off all respect for his father, because he had stooped to a union too lowly.

Dan 9.4.20 (p. 257,3)

1 Post haec Regnerus expeditionem in Hellesponticos parans, vocataque Danorum contione, saluberrimas se populo leges laturum promittens, ut unusquisque paterfamilias, sicut ante, quem minimi inter liberos duxerat, militaturum exhibuerat, ita tunc valentioris operae filium aut probatioris fidei servum armaret, edixit. 2 Quo facto, omnibus, quos ex Thora procreaverat, filiis praeter Ubbonem assumptis, Hellespontum eiusque regem Dian variis contusum bellis lacessendo perdomuit. 3 Ad ultimum eundem creberrimis discriminibus implicatum exstinxit.

After this Ragnar prepared an expedition against the Hellespontines, and summoned an assembly of the Danes, promising that he would give the people most wholesome laws. He had enacted before that each father of a household should offer for service that one among his sons whom he esteemed least; but now he enacted that each should arm the son who was stoutest of hand or of most approved loyalty. Thereon, taking all the sons he had by Thora, in addition to Ubbe, he attacked, crushed in sundry campaigns, and subdued the Hellespont with its king Dia. At last he involved the same king in disaster after disaster, and slew him.

Dan 9.4.21 (p. 257,11)

1 Cuius filii Dian et Daxon, olim Ruteni regis filias maritali sorte complexi, impetratis a socero copiis, ardentissimo spiritu paternae vindictae negotium rapuerunt. 2 Quorum Regnerus immensum animadvertens exercitum, diffidentia copiarum habita, equos aeneos ductilibus rotulis superpositos ac versatilibus curriculis circumductos in confertisimos hostes maxima vi exagitari praecepit. 3 Quae res tantum ad laxandum adversariorum aciem valuit, ut vincendi spes magis in machinamento quam milite reposita videretur, cuius intolerabilis moles, quicquid impulit, obruit. 4 Altero ergo ducum interfecto, altero fuga sublapso, universus Hellesponticorum cessit exercitus. 5 Scithae quoque, Daxon artissimo materni sanguinis vinculo contingentes, eodem obtriti discrimine referuntur. 6 Quorum provincia Withserco attributa, Rutenorum rex parum viribus fidens formidolosa Regneri arma fuga praecurrere maturavit.

Dia's sons, Dia and Daxo, who had before married the daughters of the Russian king, begged forces from their father- in-law, and rushed with most ardent courage to the work of avenging their father. But Ragnar, when he saw their boundless army, distrusted his own forces; and he put brazen horses on wheels that could be drawn easily, took them round on carriages that would turn, and ordered that they should be driven with the utmost force against the thickest ranks of the enemy. This device served so well to break the line of the foe, that the Danes' hope of conquest seemed to lie more in the engine than in the soldiers: for its insupportable weight overwhelmedlem.spray.sed whatever it struck. Thus one of the leaders was killed, while one made off in flight, and the whole army of the area of the Hellespont retreated. The Scythians, also, who were closely related by blood to Daxo on the mother's side, are said to have been crushed in the same disaster. Their province was made over to Hwitserk, and the king of the Russians, trusting little in his own strength, hastened to fly out of the reach of the terrible arms of Ragnar.

Dan 9.4.22 (p. 257,23)

1 At Regnerus, ceteris prompta sibi deditione substratis, cum quinquennem propemodum piraticam explevisset, Biarmos nuper devictos invalida subiectionis fide palam imperium detrectantes invenit. 2 Qui cum adventum eius compertum haberent, carminibus aggressi caelum, sollicitatas nubes ad summam usque nimborum violentiam impulerunt. 3 Quae res Danos aliquamdiu navigatione prohibitos alimentorum facultate defecit. 4 Eosdem quoque, subito remissa tempestate, aestuosissimi fervoris flagrantia torruit. 5 Nec ea quidem pestis concitati frigoris magnitudine tolerabilior exstitit. 6 Itaque anceps geminae intemperantiae malum vicissim affecta corpora immoderata utriusque status accessione corrupit. 7 Ceterum laxi ventris profluvium complurimos exanimavit. 8 Ita Danorum plerique, dubia caeli qualitate conclusi, passim, oborta corporum pestilentia, decesserunt.

Now Ragnar had spent almost five years in sea-roving, and had quickly compelled all other nations to submit; but he found the Perms in open defiance of his sovereignty. He had just conquered them, but their loyalty was weak. When they heard that he had come they cast spells upon the sky, stirred up the clouds, and drove them into most furious storms. This for some time prevented the Danes from voyaging, and caused their supply of food to fail. Then, again, the storm suddenly abated, and now they were scorched by the most fervent and burning heat; nor was this plague any easier to bear than the great and violent cold had been. Thus the mischievous excess in both directions affected their bodies alternately, and injured them by an immoderate increase first of cold and then of heat. Moreover, dysentery killed most of them. So the mass of the Danes, being pent in by the dangerous state of the weather, perished of the bodily plague that arose on every side.

Dan 9.4.23 (p. 257,35)

1 Cumque se Regnerus adulterina magis quam vera aeris vi praepeditum animadverteret, utcumque navigatione producta, in Curorum Semborumque regionem accessit; qui maiestatem eius perinde atque honoratissimi victoris amplitudinem impensius venerati sunt. 2 Quo beneficio rex magis adversus Biarmorum insolentiam efferatus, spretae maiestatis suae vindictam inopinato petivit assultu. 3 Quorum ignoti nominis rex, subitanea hostium irruptione perculsus simulque conserendae cum ipsis manus fiducia vacuus, Matullum Finmarchiae ducem perfugio petiit. 4 Cuius peritissima sagittariorum opera fretus Regneri apud Biarmiam hiberna peragentem impune laceravit exercitum.

And when Ragnar saw that he was hindered, not so much by a natural as by a factitious tempest, he held on his voyage as best he could, and got to the country of the Kurlanders and Sembs, who paid zealous honour to his might and majesty, as if he were the most revered of conquerors. This service enraged the king all the more against the arrogance of the men of Permland, and he attempted to avenge his slighted dignity by a sudden attack. Their king, whose name is not known, was struck with panic at such a sudden invasion of the enemy, and at the same time had no heart to join battle with them; and fled to Matul, the prince of Finmark. He, trusting in the great skill of his archers, harassed with impunity the army of Ragnar, which was wintering in Permland.

Dan 9.4.24 (p. 258,4)

1 Quippe Finni, lubricorum stipitum celeri allapsu cursum intendere soliti, arbitraria velocitatis potentia rapiuntur promptissimamque propinquitatis vel absentiae facultatem obtinere creduntur. 2 Mox enim ut hostem laeserunt, eadem celeritate, qua subeunt, avolant nec procursu languidius reditum tentant. 3 Itaque et vehiculorum et corporum agilitate instandi fugiendique expertissimam obtinent potestatem. 4 Credendum est tunc Regnerum fortunae suae imbecillitatem admiranter tulisse, cum se, olim Romani culminis triumphatorem, ab inermi inconditoque agmine ad ultimum usque discrimen abripi pervideret. 5 Itaque, qui splendidissimum Romanae militiae decus maximique ac serenissimi ducis insignes copias excellenter obtriverat, agrestis et ignobilis vulgi sordidissimo atque tenuissimo apparatui cessit, isque, cuius bellicam antea claritatem fortissimae gentis vis hebetare nequiverat, despicabilis populi parvulam manum sustinere non valuit.

For the Finns, who are wont to glide on slippery timbers (snowskates), scud along at whatever pace they will, and are considered to be able to approach or depart very quickly; for as soon as they have damaged the enemy they fly away as speedily as they approach, nor is the retreat they make quicker than their charge. Thus their vehicles and their bodies are so nimble that they acquire the utmost expertness both in advance and flight. Ragnar was filled with amazement at the poorness of his fortunes when he saw that he, who had conquered Rome at its pinnacle of power, was dragged by an unarmed and uncouth race into the utmost peril. He, therefore, who had signally crushed the most glorious flower of the Roman soldiery, and the forces of a most great and serene captain, now yielded to a base mob with the poorest and slenderest equipment; and he whose lustre in war the might of the strongest race on earth had failed to tarnish, was now too weak to withstand the tiny band of a miserable tribe.

Dan 9.4.25 (p. 258,17)

1 Quo evenit, ut ea manu, qua clarissimam orbis pompam ac gravissimum militaris roboris instrumentum fortissime contudit, qua tot peditum, tot castrorum, tanti equitatus fragorem apertissime subruit, vilem obscuramque plebeculam furtim et quasi per latrocinium incessere sustineret illustremque gloriam suam, palam atque interdiu partam, nocturna fallacia maculare non erubesceret, manifestae fortitudinis loco clandestinas amplexatus insidias. 2 Quae res, ut opere deformis, ita exitu utilis fuit. 3 Nec Finnorum quam Caroli fuga parcius gratulatus est, plus se virium in nudissima plebe quam in instructissimo milite reperisse confessus; siquidem gravissimam Romanorum armaturam quam levia pannosae gentis spicula tolerabilius ferre potuit. 4 Ubi Biarmorum rege interfecto, Finnorum vero fugato, Regnerus saxis rerum gestarum apices prae se ferentibus iisdemque superne locatis aeternum victoriae suae monumentum affixit.

Hence, with that force which had helped him bravely to defeat the most famous pomp in all the world and the weightiest weapon of military power, and to subdue in the field all that thunderous foot, horse, and encampment; with this he had now, stealthily and like a thief, to endure the attacks of a wretched and obscure populace; nor must he blush to stain by a treachery in the night that noble glory of his which had been won in the light of day, for he took to a secret ambuscade instead of open bravery. This affair was as profitable in its issue as it was unhandsome in the doing. Ragnar was equally as well pleased at the flight of the Finns as he had been at that of Karl, and owned that he had found more strength in that defenceless people than in the best equipped soldiery; for he found the heaviest weapons of the Romans easier to bear than the light darts of this ragged tribe. Here, after killing the king of the Perms and routing the king of the Finns, Ragnar set an eternal memorial of his victory on the rocks, which bore the characters of his deeds on their face, and looked down upon them.

Dan 9.4.26 (p. 258,30)

1 Interea Ubbo per avum suum Hesbernum ad sacrilegam regni cupiditatem adductus, abiecta paterni respectus verecundia, capiti suo regium arrogavit insigne. 2 Cuius cum Regnerus insolentiam ex Suetiae ducibus Kelthero Thorkilloque cognosceret, Gothiam versus praepropere navigationem exercuit. 3 Quos Hesbernus Regneri partibus singulari fide devinctos expertus, praemio sollicitatos regis desertores efficere laborabat. 4 Illi, non flexo e sententia proposito, ex Biorni arbitrio suum consistere retulerunt, confessi Sueonum neminem, quod ab eius placito destitisset, ausurum. 5 Nec segniter ipsum Hesbernus benignissimis legatorum alloquiis captavit. 6 Qui se perfidiae quam bonae fidei propiorem fore denegans, piissimi patris amori improbissimi fratris gratiam anteferri perquam nefarium iudicabat; in ipsos vero legatos perinde ac gravissimi criminis hortatores laqueo animadvertit. 7 Sueti quoque de reliqua legatorum turba pari clade noxiae exhortationis poenas sumpserunt.

Meanwhile Ubbe was led by his grandfather, Esbern, to conceive an unholy desire for the throne; and, casting away all thought of the reverence due to his father, he claimed the emblem of royalty for his own head. When Ragnar heard of his arrogance from Kelther and Thorkill, the earls of Sweden, he made a hasty voyage towards Gothland. Esbern, finding that these men were attached with a singular loyalty to the side of Ragnar, tried to bribe them to desert the king. But they did not swerve from their purpose, and replied that their will depended on that of Biorn, declaring that not a single Swede would dare to do what went against his pleasure. Esbern speedily made an attempt on Biorn himself, addressing him most courteously through his envoys. Biorn said that he would never lean more to treachery than to good faith, and judged that it would be a most abominable thing to prefer the favour of an infamous brother to the love of a most righteous father. The envoys themselves he punished with hanging, because they counselled him to so grievous a crime. The Swedes, moreover, slew the rest of the train of the envoys in the same way, as a punishment for their mischievous advice.

Dan 9.4.27 (p. 259,3)

1 Igitur Hesbernus occulto clandestinoque paratui parum prosperum ratus constare progressum, accitis palam copiis, manifeste procurrit ad bellum. 2 At praefectus Iutiae Ivarus neutram sacrilegae pugnae partem pietati propinquam autumans, impium bellum voluntario praecucurrit exsilio. 3 Regnerus vero Hesbernum apud sinum, qui Latialiter Viridis appellatur, aggressus occidit, exanimisque abscisum caput prora excipi mandans, terribile factiosis spectaculum edidit.

So Esbern, thinking that his secret and stealthy manoeuvres did not succeed fast enough, mustered his forces openly, and went publicly forth to war. But Iwar, the governor of Jutland, seeing no righteousness on either side of the impious conflict, avoided all unholy war by voluntary exile. Ragnar attacked and slew Esbern in the bay that is called in Latin Viridis; he cut off the dead man's head and bade it be set upon the ship's prow, a dreadful sight for the seditious.

Dan 9.4.28 (p. 259,10)

1 Ubbo vero profugio usus iterumque patrem, revocato apud Sialandiam bello, adortus, dum, laxata suorum acie, undique solus impetitur, tantum adversi agminis fudit, ut hostilium cadaverum excremento perinde ac munitione firmissima circumactus facile provocantium inhiberet accessum. 2 Ad ultimum frequentioribus hostium globis offusus comprehensusque publicis vinculis onerandus abstrahitur. 3 At ille, immensa vi extricatis rescissisque catenis, inditos sibi nexus disicere ac lacerare adorsus, nullis obicem modis effringere potuit. 4 At ubi Ivarus tumultum patriae factiosi supplicio discussum comperit, Daniam petiit. 5 Quem Regnerus, quod inter saevissimas parricidiorum procellas integerrimum se pietatis cultorem gesserat, amplissima veneratione suscepit.

But Ubbe took to flight, and again attacked his father, having revived the war in Zealand. Ubbe's ranks broke, and he was assailed single-handed from all sides; but he felled so many of the enemy's line that he was surrounded with a pile of the corpses of the foe as with a strong bulwark, and easily checked his assailants from approaching. At last he was overwhelmed by the thickening masses of the enemy, captured, and taken off to be laden with public fetters. By immense violence he disentangled his chains and cut them away. But when he tried to sunder and rend the bonds that were (then) put upon him, he could not in any wise escape his bars. But when Iwar heard that the rising in his country had been quelled by the punishment of the rebel, he went to Denmark. Ragnar received him with the greatest honour, because, while the unnatural war had raged its fiercest, he had behaved with the most entire filial respect.

Dan 9.4.29 (p. 259,20)

1 Interea Daxon Withsercum Scithiae principantem diu nequicquam superare conatus, tandem fictae pacis commento circumventum aggreditur. 2 Convivialiter ab eo exceptus armatum subornavit exercitum, qui simulata mercatione in urbem redis advectus hospitis domum nocturno laceraret assultu. 3 Cuius latrocinii manum tanta Withsercus strage perculit, ut hostilium corporum cumulo circumfusus nisi scalis superne admotis comprehendi nequiret. 4 Duodecim quoque comites eius pariter ab hoste capti, facta sibi repetendae patriae potestate, devotis pro rege capitibus, alienum participare periculum quam suum abicere maluerunt.

Meanwhile Daxo long and vainly tried to overcome Hwitserk, who ruled over Sweden; but at last he enrapped him under pretence of making a peace, and attacked him. Hwitserk received him hospitably, but Daxo had prepared an army with weapons, who were to feign to be trading, ride into the city in carriages, and break with a night-attack into the house of their host. Hwitserk smote this band of robbers with such a slaughter that he was surrounded with a heap of his enemies' bodies, and could only be taken by letting down ladders from above. Twelve of his companions, who were captured at the same time by the enemy, were given leave to go back to their country; but they gave up their lives for their king, and chose to share the dangers of another rather than be quit of their own.

Dan 9.4.30 (p. 259,29)

1 At Daxon, egregiae Withserci formae miseratione permotus, orientem speciosissimae indolis florem convellere passus non est. 2 Cui non tantum salutem, sed et filiam dimidio regni sui dotatam in matrimonium obtulit ac decori incolumitatem quam fortitudini poenam afferre maluit. 3 Ille vero precariae vitae usum animi magnitudine floccipendens, impunitatem perinde atque parvulum aliquod beneficium respuit, mortis sententiam sua sponte complexus, praefatus Regnerum vindictam filii remissius exacturum, si eum in eligendo mortis genere proprio usum arbitrio comperisset. 4 Cuius temeritatem admiratus hostis ea fati specie, qua ipse in se animadvertisset, consumendum esse promittit. 5 Quam libertatem iuvenis ingentis beneficii loco suscipiens, vinctum se cum sociis cremari petivit. 6 Nec segniter Daxon avidis fati precibus obsecutus, pro beneficio optatae mortis supplicium erogavit.

Daxo, moved with compassion at the beauty of Hwitserk, had not the heart to pluck the budding blossom of that noble nature, and offered him not only his life, but his daughter in marriage, with a dowry of half his kingdom; choosing rather to spare his comeliness than to punish his bravery. But the other, in the greatness of his soul, valued as nothing the life which he was given on sufferance, and spurned his safety as though it were some trivial benefit. Of his own will he embraced the sentence of doom, saying, that Ragnar would exact a milder vengeance for his son if he found that he had made his own choice in selecting the manner of his death. The enemy wondered at his rashness, and promised that he should die by the manner of death which he should choose for this punishment. This leave the young man accepted as a great kindness, and begged that he might be bound and burned with his friends. Daxo speedily complied with his prayers that craved for death, and by way of kindness granted him the end that he had chosen.

Dan 9.4.31 (p. 260,6)

1 Quo audito, Regnerus, obstinato ad moriendum luctu, non modo maerorem induit, verum et per summam animi aegritudinem lectulo corpus affixit doloremque conceptum gemitu patefecit. 2 Quem coniunx, virilem supergressa fiduciam, imbecillitatis increpitum virili adhortatione firmavit revocatumque a maerore animum arma impensius celebrare perdocuit, affirmans fortissimum patrem cruentos filii cineres iustius armis quam lacrimis expiaturum. 3 Monuit quoque, ne muliebriter lugens tantum sibi ignominiae fletu pareret, quantum antea claritatis virtute contraxerat. 4 Ad hanc vocem veritus Regnerus, ne pristinos fortitudinis titulos effeminato maerore contereret, discusso maestitiae habitu depositisque doloris insignibus, promptissima vindictae spe iacentem revocavit audaciam. 5 Adeo interdum ab invalidis fortia roborantur ingenia.

When Ragnar heard of this, he began to grieve stubbornly even unto death, and not only put on the garb of mourning, but, in the exceeding sorrow of his soul, took to his bed and showed his grief by groaning. But his wife, who had more than a man's courage, chid his weakness, and put heart into him with her manful admonitions. Drawing his mind off from his woe, she bade him be zealous in the pursuit of war; declaring that it was better for so brave a father to avenge the bloodstained ashes of his son with weapons than with tears. She also told him not to whimper like a woman, and get as much disgrace by his tears as he had once earned glory by his valour. Upon these words Ragnar began to fear lest he should destroy his ancient name for courage by his womanish sorrow; so, shaking off his melancholy garb and putting away his signs of mourning, he revived his sleeping valour with hopes of speedy vengeance. Thus do the weak sometimes nerve the spirits of the strong.

Dan 9.4.32 (p. 260,17)

1 Ivaro ergo regni tutelam deferens Ubbonemque pristinae gratiae redditum paterna caritate complectens, traiecta in Rusciam classe, comprehensum Daxon catenarumque poena coercitum apud Ugarthiam custodiae causa relegavit. 2 Siquidem tunc Regnerum adversus carissimi filii interfectorem clementissima animi moderatione usum esse constabat, cum ad concupitae ultionis satietatem exsilium sontis quam necem sufficere maluit. 3 Qua quidem humanitate magnus Rutenis iniectus est rubor ulterius adversus eum saeviendi regem, quem ne iniuriarum quidem acerbitate ad infligendam captivis mortem impellere potuerant. 4 Eundem quoque Regnerus brevi in gratiam reductum patriae reddidit, pollicentem se ei annua nudatum pedes cum duodecim patribus discalceatis suppliciter tributa pensurum. 5 Enimvero in captivum ac supplicem leniter animadvertere quam cruentam securim destringere superbamque cervicem sedulo multate servitio quam semel elidere satius duxit.

So he put his kingdom in charge of Iwar, and embraced with a father's love Ubbe, who was now restored to his ancient favour. Then he transported his fleet over to Russia, took Daxo, bound him in chains, and sent him away to be kept in Utgard[1](1). Ragnar showed on this occasion the most merciful moderation towards the slayer of his dearest son, since he sufficiently satisfied the vengeance which he desired, by the exile of the culprit rather than his death. This compassion shamed the Russians out of any further rage against such a king, who could not be driven even by the most grievous wrongs to inflict death upon his prisoners. Ragnar soon took Daxo back into favour, and restored him to his country, upon his promising that he would every year pay him his tribute barefoot, like a suppliant, with twelve elders, also unshod. For he thought it better to punish a prisoner and a suppliant gently, than to draw the axe of bloodshed; better to punish that proud neck with constant slavery than to sever it once and for all.

Dan 9.4.33 (p. 260,30)

1 Inde profectus filium suum Ericum, Ventosi Pillei cognomen habentem, Suetiae praefert. 2 Ubi Fridlevo atque Siwardo apud se stipendia merentibus, Normannos Scotosque duobus aliis falso regis nomen arrogasse comperiens, imprimis Norvagicae rei usurpatorem sustulit eamque Biorno fruendam tradidit. 3 Deinde, eo atque Erico accitis, Orcades populatus, ad ultimum Scotorum finibus appulit eorumque regem Murial triduano exhaustum proelio interfecit. 4 Verum filii eius Dunwat atque Rathbarthus, pugna spectabiliter edita, ab hoste necati, sanguine suo cruentam patri victoriam pepererunt.

Then he went on and appointed his son Erik, surnamed Wind-hat, over Sweden. Here, while Fridleif and Siward were serving under him, he found that the Norwegians and the Scots had wrongfully conferred the title of king on two other men. So he first overthrew the usurper to the power of Norway, and let Biorn have the country for his own benefit. Then he summoned Biorn and Erik, ravaged the Orkneys, landed at last on the territory of the Scots, and in a three-days' battle wearied out their king Murial, and slew him. But Ragnar's sons, Dunwat and Radbard, after fighting nobly, were slain by the enemy. So that the victory their father won was stained with their blood.

Dan 9.4.34 (p. 261,3)

1 Cumque in Daniam reversus coniugem Suanlogam interim morbo cognovisset absumptam, protinus sollicitudini remedium solitudine quaesivit aegraeque mentis luctum intra penatium suorum claustra cohibere passus non est. 2 Verum hanc maeroris acerbitatem Ivari regno pulsi repentinus detraxit adventus. 3 Quippe Galli, fugato eo, in Hellam quendam Hamonis filium falsam regis contulerant potestatem. 4 Quo duce Regnerus perinde atque locorum perito usus, educta classe portum, qui Yorwicus appellatur, accessit, ubi, expositis copiis, Hellam Gallicana virtute subnixum post extractam in triduum pugnam fugae amantem effecit, eaque res creberrimo Anglorum, rarissimo Danorum sanguine constitit.

He returned to Denmark, and found that his wife Swanloga had in the meantime died of disease. Straightway he sought medicine for his grief in loneliness, and patiently confined the grief of his sick soul within the walls of his house. But this bitter sorrow was driven out of him by the sudden arrival of Iwar, who had been expelled from the kingdom. For the Gauls had made him fly, and had wrongfully bestowed royal power on a certain Ella, the son of Hame. Ragnar took Iwar to guide him, since he was acquainted with the country, gave orders for a fleet, and approached the harbour called York. Here he disembarked his forces, and after a battle which lasted three days, he made Ella, who had trusted in the valour of the Gauls, desirous to fly. The affair cost much blood to the English and very little to the Danes.

Dan 9.4.35 (p. 261,13)

1 Cumque ibidem Regnerus annum victor explesset, consequenter, excitis in opem filiis, Hiberniam petit occisoque eius rege Melbricto Duflinam barbaris opibus refertissimam obsedit, oppugnavit ac cepit; ibique annuo stativis habitis, Mediterraneum fretum pernavigans ad Hellesponticum penetravit, interiecta regionum spatia clarissimis emensus victoriis, continuae felicitatis progressum nusquam interpellante fortuna.

Here Ragnar completed a year of conquest, and then, summoning his sons to help him, he went to Ireland, slew its king Melbrik, besieged Dublin, which was filled with wealth of the barbarians, attacked it, and received its surrender. There he lay in camp for a year; and then, sailing through the midland sea, he made his way to the Hellespont. He won signal victories as he crossed all the intervening countries, and no ill-fortune anywhere checked his steady and prosperous advance.

Dan 9.4.36 (p. 261,19)

1 Inter haec Haraldus, quorundam astipulatione Danorum Regneri militiam languidiore studio comitantium recidivos patriae tumultus incutiens, regii nominis usurpator emersit. 2 Qui Regneri ab Hellesponto redeuntis armis exceptus, cum rebus infeliciter gestis exhausta domesticae opis praesidia animadverteret, Lodowicum Maguntiae constitutum auxilia petiturus accessit. 3 At Lodowicus, summo amplificandae religionis ardore confertus, condicionem barbaro intulit, opem spondendo, si Christi cultum exsequi consensisset. 4 Nullam enim posse aiebat animorum intervenire concordiam dissona sacra complexis. 5 Quamobrem petitorem opis primum religionis contubernio opus habere, neque magnorum operum consortes exsistere posse, quos supernae venerationis formula disparasset. 6 Qua sententia et salutem hospiti et sibi pietatis praeconium peperit. 7 Haraldum enim sollemni lavacro usum consequenter Saxonicis roboravit auxiliis.

Harald, meanwhile, with the adherence of certain Danes who were cold-hearted servants in the army of Ragnar, disturbed his country with renewed sedition, and came forward claiming the title of king. He was met by the arms of Ragnar returning from the Hellespont; but being unsuccessful, and seeing that his resources of defence at home were exhausted, he went to ask help of Ludwig, who was then stationed at Mainz. But Ludwig, filled with the greatest zeal for promoting his religion, imposed a condition on the Barbarian, promising him help if he would agree to follow the worship of Christ. For he said there could be no agreement of hearts between those who embraced discordant creeds. Anyone, therefore, who asked for help, must first have a fellowship in religion. No men could be partners in great works who were separated by a different form of worship. This decision procured not only salvation for Ludwig's guest, but the praise of piety for Ludwig himself, who, as soon as Harald had gone to the holy font, accordingly strengthened him with Saxon auxiliaries.

Dan 9.4.37 (p. 261,32)

1 Quibus is fretus in territorio Sleswicensi dicandam Deo aedem sollicita moliebatur impensa. 2 Hic itaque sanctissimi tenoris specimen a Romanis ritibus mutuatus, profanato perfidorum errore, delubra diruit, victimarios proscripsit, flaminium abrogavit atque inconditae patriae Christianismi sacra primus intulit, reiectoque daemonum cultu divinum aemulatus est. 3 Supremo, quicquid ad custodiam religionis attinuit, scrupulosissima cura servavit. 4 Sed non tam efficaciter quam pie rem auspicatus est. 5 Superveniens enim Regnerus inductaque per eum sacra temerans, vera religione proscripta, pristino adulterinam loco restituit ac suo caerimonias honore donavit. 6 Haraldus vero profugus fortunam ad sacrilegium transtulit. 7 Nam ut praecipuum inchoatae religionis specimen, ita primum neglectae spectaculum fuit atque ex splendido sanctitatis auctore infamis eiusdem desertor evasit.

Trusting in these, Harald built a temple in the land of Sleswik with much care and cost, to be hallowed to God. Thus he borrowed a pattern of the most holy way from the worship of Rome. He unhallowed, pulled down the shrines that had been profaned by the error of misbelievers, outlawed the sacrificers, abolished the (heathen) priesthood, and was the first to introduce the religion of Christianity to his uncouth country. Rejecting the worship of demons, he was zealous for that of God. Lastly, he observed with the most scrupulous care whatever concerned the protection of religion. But he began with more piety than success. For Ragnar came up, outraged the holy rites he had brought in, outlawed the true faith, restored the false one to its old position, and bestowed on the ceremonies the same honour as before. As for Harald, he deserted and cast in his lot with sacrilege. For though he was a notable ensample by his introduction of religion, yet he was the first who was seen to neglect it, and this illustrious promoter of holiness proved a most infamous forsaker of the same.

Dan 9.4.38 (p. 262,7)

1 Interea Hella ad Hibernos collatus omnes, qui se Regnero propiore fide devinxerant, ferro suppliciisque multavit. 2 Quem Regnerus classe adortus, iusta omnipotentis animadversione manifestas detractae religionis poenas pependit. 3 Comprehensus enim atque in carcerem coniectus, noxios artus colubris consumendos advertit atque ex viscerum suorum fibris tristem viperis alimoniam praebuit. 4 Cuius adeso iocinore, cum cor ipsum funesti carnificis loco coluber obsideret, omnem operum suorum cursum animosa voce recensuit, superiori rerum contextui hanc adiciens clausulam: 'Si suculae verris supplicium scirent, haud dubio, diruptis haris, afflictum absolvere properarent.' 5 Quo dicto Hella adhuc nonnullos filiorum eius vivere interpretatus, quiescere carnifices amoverique viperas iubet. 6 Cumque satellites peragendae iussionis gratia accurrissent, Regnerus imperium regis funere suo praecesserat.

Meanwhile, Ella betook himself to the Irish, and put to the sword or punished all those who were closely and loyally attached to Ragnar. Then Ragnar attacked him with his fleet, but, by the just visitation of the Omnipotent, was openly punished for disparaging religion. For when he had been taken and cast into prison, his guilty limbs were given to serpents to devour, and adders found ghastly substance in the fibres of his entrails. His liver was eaten away, and a snake, like a deadly executioner, beset his very heart. Then in a courageous voice he recounted all his deeds in order, and at the end of his recital added the following sentence: "If the porkers knew the punishment of the boar-pig, surely they would break into the sty and hasten to loose him from his affliction." At this saying, Ella conjectured that some of his sons were yet alive, and bade that the executioners should stop and the vipers be removed. The servants ran up to accomplish his bidding; but Ragnar was dead, and forestalled the order of the king.

Dan 9.4.39 (p. 262,19)

1 Quem quid aliud quam duas inter se fortunas partitas esse dicemus? 2 alteram, quae ei incolumem classem, propensum imperium, praecipuas piraticae vires adiceret, alteram, quae claritatis ruinam, commilitonum necem, acerbissimum vitae exitum irrogaret, cum ipsum carnifex venenatis beluis circumfusum eo corde, quod adversus omne discrimen immobile gesserat, aspides exsatiantem videret. 3 Itaque ex speciosissimo victore ad miserabilem captivi sortem deductus, ne quis nimium fortunae credat, edocuit.

Surely we must say that this man had a double lot for his share? By one, he had a fleet unscathed, an empire well-inclined, and immense power as a rover; while the other inflicted on him the ruin of his fame, the slaughter of his soldiers, and a most bitter end. The executioner beheld him beset with poisonous beasts, and asps gorging on that heart which he had borne steadfast in the face of every peril. Thus a most glorious conqueror declined to the piteous lot of a prisoner; a lesson that no man should put too much trust in fortune.

Dan 9.5.1 (p. 262,26)

1 Quem casum Ivarus, dum forte ludos inspectaret, accepit. 2 Sed nihilo minus vultum in eodem habitu continens solitoque nulla ex parte infractior non solum nuntiatam parentis cladem doloris dissimulatione suppressit, sed ne strepitum quidem exoriri passus, attonitum rumore populum theatro discedere vetuit. 3 Itaque neque oris hilaritatem deposuit, ne cessato ludo scaenam interrumperet, neque oculos a publico plausu ad privatam maestitiam deflexit, ne ex summo tripudio repente in ultimum prolapsus maerorem potius calamitosi filii quam iocabundi ducis partes egisse videretur.

Iwar heard of this disaster as he happened to be looking on at the games. Nevertheless, he kept an unmoved countenance, and in nowise broke down. Not only did he dissemble his grief and conceal the news of his father's death, but he did not even allow a clamour to arise, and forbade the panic-stricken people to leave the scene of the sports. Thus, loth to interrupt the spectacle by the ceasing of the games, he neither clouded his countenance nor turned his eyes from public merriment to dwell upon his private sorrow; for he would not fall suddenly into the deepest melancholy from the height of festal joy, or seem to behave more like an afflicted son than a blithe captain.

Dan 9.5.2 (p. 263,1)

1 Siwardus vero, eodem nuntio accepto, propior paternae caritati quam privatae passioni, hastile, quod forte in manu habebat, altius pedi stupefactus immersit, tristitiae salebra corpoream neglegente molestiam. 2 Ut enim animi vulnus patientius ferre posset, corporis partem gravius afficere studuit. 3 Quo facto simul fortitudinem maeroremque detexit, fortunam suam inter calamitosum filium constantemque ducem partitus.

But when Siward heard the same tidings, he loved his father more than he cared for his own pain, and in his distraction plunged deeply into his foot the spear he chanced to be holding, dead to all bodily troubles in his stony sadness. For he wished to hurt some part of his body severely, that he might the more patiently bear the wound in his soul. By this act he showed at once his bravery and his grief, and bore his lot like a son who was more afflicted and steadfast.

Dan 9.5.3 (p. 263,7)

1 At Biornus, inter tesserarum iactus delato ad se paternae mortis nuntio, tanta vi correptum manu calculum pressit, ut tabulae quoque cruorem digitis extortum infunderet; ubi nimirum fortunae iactum ipsa, quam versabat, alea leviorem esse didicit. 2 Quod audiens Hella hunc trium parentis obitum fortiori animi robore sustinuisse iudicavit, qui nihil pietatis funeri praestitisset, ideoque sibi Ivari suspectissimam haberi virtutem.

But Biorn received the tidings of his father's death while he was playing at dice, and squeezed so violently the piece that he was grasping that he wrung the blood from his fingers and shed it on the table; whereon he said that assuredly the cast of fate was more fickle than that of the very die which he was throwing. When Ella heard this, he judged that his father's death had been borne with the toughest and most stubborn spirit by that son of the three who had paid no filial respect to his decease; and therefore he dreaded the bravery of Iwar most.

Dan 9.5.4 (p. 263,13)

1 Ivarus vero, petitis Angliae partibus, cum classem suam conserendi cum hoste belli impotentem animadverteret, astum audaciae praeferens Hellam acumine tentat, spatium arvi, quantum equino tergore complecti potuisset, in sequestrae pacis pignus expostulans. 2 Et facile quidem, quod petiit, impetravit. 3 Rex enim parvo preces stare autumans, a tanto hoste exiguum soli magnae rei loco expeti gratulatus est, ratus perquam breve tergus paululum ruris occupaturum. 4 At Ivarus, corio in exiles admodum corrigias scissim extracto, habilem exaedificandae urbi agrum implicuit. 5 Igitur Hella, prodigalitatis paenitentia succedente, magnitudinem corii sera aestimatione collegit, divisam cuticulam rectius quam incolumem mensus. 6 Quam enim exiguum soli cincturam credidit, amplissima iugera latius occupantem aspexit. 7 Ivarus vero conditae urbi abunde suffecturos obsidioni commeatus invexit, ab inedia perinde atque hoste defensam haberi cupiens.

Iwar went towards England, and when he saw that his fleet was not strong enough to join battle with the enemy, he chose to be cunning rather than bold, and tried a shrewd trick on Ella, begging as a pledge of peace between them a strip of land as great as he could cover with a horse's hide. He gained his request, for the king supposed that it would cost little, and thought himself happy that so strong a foe begged for a little boon instead of a great one; supposing that a tiny skin would cover but a very little land. But Iwar cut the hide out and lengthened it into very slender thongs, thus enclosing a piece of ground large enough to build a city on. Then Ella came to repent of his lavishness, and tardily set to reckoning the size of the hide, measuring the little skin more narrowly now that it was cut up than when it was whole. For that which he had thought would encompass a little strip of ground, he saw lying wide over a great estate. Iwar brought into the city, when he founded it, supplies that would serve amply for a siege, wishing the defences to be as good against scarcity as against an enemy.

Dan 9.5.5 (p. 263,26)

1 Interea Siwardus ac Biornus cum quadringentarum navium classe supervenientes bellum regi manifesta provocatione significant. 2 Idque statuto tempore exsecuti, comprehensi ipsius dorsum plaga aquilam figurante affici iubent, saevissimum hostem atrocissimi alitis signo profligare gaudentes. 3 Nec vulnus impressisse contenti, laceratam salivere carnem. 4 Taliter perempto Hella, Biornus ac Siwardus regna sua reduces expetivere; Ivarus Angliam biennio tenuit.

Meantime, Siward and Biorn came up with a fleet of 400 ships, and with open challenge declared war against the king. This they did at the appointed time; and when they had captured him, they ordered the figure of an eagle to be cut in his back, rejoicing to crush their most ruthless foe by marking him with the cruellest of birds. Not satisfied with imprinting a wound on him, they salted the mangled flesh. Thus Ella was done to death, and Biorn and Siward went back to their own kingdoms. Iwar governed England for two years.

Dan 9.5.6 (p. 263,32)

1 Interea Dani, perseverantissima bellum factione complexi, Siwardo cuidam atque Erico, regia gente creatis, publicam detulere tyrannidem. 2 Quos Regneri filii communiter mille septingentarum navium classe apud Sleswicum adorti, semestri delevere pugna. 3 Colles indicio manent, nec minus is, apud quem belligeratum est, sinus Siwardi funere inclaruit. 4 Iamque praeter Regneri filios regius propemodum interierat sanguis. 5 Exinde Biorno atque Erico domum reversis, Ivarus atque Siwardus, quo tenaciores rebellibus frenos imponerent, in Dania resederunt, Agnerum Angliae praeferentes. 6 Qui repulsa provocatus Anglorum, opitulante Siwardo, contemptricem sui provinciam incolis vacuefaciendo, tenacia situ iugera cultore carere quam insolentem alere maluit, pinguissimaque insulae rura taeterrima vastitate perfundens desertae quam superbae regioni imperitare satius autumavit. 7 Post haec Ericum apud Suetiam Osteni cuiusdam malignitate sublatum ulcisci cupiens, dum alienae vindictae artius incumbit, suum hosti sanguinem erogavit, dumque caesi fratris poenas avidius expetit, proprium fraternae caritati funus impendit.

Meanwhile the Danes were stubborn in revolt, and made war, and delivered the sovereignty publicly to a certain SIWARD and to ERIK, both of the royal line. The sons of Ragnar, together with a fleet of 1,700 ships, attacked them at Sleswik, and destroyed them in a conflict which lasted six months. Barrows remain to tell the tale. The sound on which the war was conducted has gained equal glory by the death of Siward. And now the royal stock was almost extinguished, saving only the sons of Ragnar. Then, when Biorn and Erik had gone home, Iwar and Siward settled in Denmark, that they might curb the rebels with a stronger rein, setting Agnar to govern England. Agnar was stung because the English rejected him, and, with the help of Siward, chose, rather than foster the insolence of the province that despised him, to dispeople it and leave its fields, which were matted in decay, with none to till them. He covered the richest land of the island with the most hideous desolation, thinking it better to be lord of a wilderness than of a headstrong country. After this he wished to avenge Erik, who had been slain in Sweden by the malice of a certain Osten. But while he was narrowly bent on avenging another, he squandered his own blood on the foe; and while he was eagerly trying to punish the slaughter of his brother, sacrificed his own life to brotherly love.

Dan 9.5.7 (p. 264,11)

1 Itaque Siwardus summis totius Danicae contionis suffragiis paternum apprehendit imperium. 2 Hic autem post editas late strages domestica claritate contentus, toga quam armis illustris haberi maluit, omissoque castrorum cultu ex acerrimo tyranno exactissimum pacis custodem agere coepit, tantum decoris in otio atque vacatione constituens, quantum ante in victoriarum frequentia repositum autumabat. 3 Adeo autem studiorum eius mutationem fortuna favorabiliter prosecuta est, ut, sicut ipse neminem, ita nec ipsum quisquam hostiliter laceraret.

Thus SIWARD, by the sovereign vote of the whole Danish assembly, received the empire of his father. But after the defeats he had inflicted everywhere he was satisfied with the honour he received at home, and liked better to be famous with the gown than with the sword. He ceased to be a man of camps, and changed from the fiercest of despots into the most punctual guardian of peace. He found as much honour in ease and leisure as he had used to think lay in many victories. Fortune so favoured his change of pursuits, that no foe ever attacked him, nor he any foe.

Dan 9.5.8 (p. 264,19)

1 Idem fato functus Ericum admodum infantulum naturae magis quam regni aut pacis heredem habuit. 2 Quippe ericus, Haraldi frater, tenerrimam eius aetatulam spernens, irrupta cum seditiosis patria, regium occupavit insigne nec erubuit, lacessita legitimi ducis infantia, adulterinam arripere potestatem, hoc se regno indigniorem comprobans, quod imbellem eo spoliare sustinuit. 3 Igitur illum sceptro, se ipsum virtutibus exuit, et dum armis incunabula appetit, omni pectus virilitate nudavit. 4 Neque enim, ubi cupiditas ambitioque flagravit, consanguinea caritas sedem habuit. 5 Sed hanc inhumanitatem supernae ultionis ira pensavit. 6 Inter ipsum namque ac Guthormum, Haraldi filium, subito tanta clade confectum est bellum, ut, eorum utroque cum innumeris aliis interempto, regia Danorum stirps atrocissimis exhausta caedibus ad unicum superioris Siwardi filium redigeretur.

He died, and ERIK, who was a very young child, inherited his nature, rather than his realm or his tranquillity. For Erik, the brother of Harald, despising his exceedingly tender years, invaded the country with rebels, and seized the crown; nor was he ashamed to assail the lawful infant sovereign, and to assume an unrightful power. In thus bringing himself to despoil a feeble child of the kingdom he showed himself the more unworthy of it. Thus he stripped the other of his throne, but himself of all his virtues, and cast all manliness out of his heart, when he made war upon a cradle: for where covetousness and ambition flamed, love of kindred could find no place. But this brutality was requited by the wrath of a divine vengeance. For the war between this man and Gudorm, the son of Harald, ended suddenly with such slaughter that they were both slain, with numberless others; and the royal stock of the Danes, now worn out by the most terrible massacres, was reduced to the only son of the above Siward.

Dan 9.6.0 (p. 264,31)

1 Hic consanguineorum iactura regnandi fortunam adeptus, utpote propinquorum nece quam incolumitate felicior, relictis aliorum exemplis, per aviti negotii vestigia decurrit; repente namque studiosissimus piratici muneris exsecutor apparuit. 2 Et utinam in abolendo Christianismi cultu temerarium Regneriani spiritus non egisset heredem! 3 Siquidem religiosissimum quemque aut suppliciis insequi aut rebus exuere exsilioque multare perseveravit. 4 Sed frustra principium causer, cuius exitum probem; laudabilior enim est vita, cuius initium turpe speciosus finis abripit, quam cuius probabile exordium in culpas flagitiaque decurrit. 5 Siquidem Ericus, ad salutares Ansgarii monitus sacrilegae mentis errore deposito, quicquid per eiusdem insolentiam commiserat, expiavit tantumque in excolenda religione se gessit, quantum egerat in aspernanda. 6 Itaque non solum sanioris disciplinae haustum docili animo traxit, verum etiam primaevas maculas finali puritate pertersit. 7 Hic filium Kanutum ex Guthormi filia eademque Haraldi nepte progenitum superstitem moriens dereliquit.

This man (Erik) won the fortune of a throne by losing his kindred; it was luckier for him to have his relations dead than alive. He forsook the example of all the rest, and hastened to tread in the steps of his grandfather; for he suddenly came out as a most zealous practitioner of roving. And would that he had not shown himself rashly to inherit the spirit of Ragnar, by his abolition of Christian worship! For he continually tortured all the most religious men, or stripped them of their property and banished them. But it were idle for me to blame the man's beginnings when I am to praise his end. For that life is more laudable of which the foul beginning is checked by a glorious close, than that which begins commendably but declines into faults and infamies. For Erik, upon the healthy admonitions of Ansgarius, laid aside the errors of his impious heart, and atoned for whatsoever he had done amiss in the insolence thereof; showing himself as strong in the observance of religion as he had been in slighting it. Thus he not only took a draught of more wholesome teaching with obedient mind, but wiped off early stains by his purity at the end. He had a son KANUTE by the daughter of Gudorm, who was also the granddaughter of Harald; and him he left to survive his death.

Dan 9.7.0 (p. 265,6)

1 Huius infantia manente, regni pupillique tutor exposcitur; verum quoniam huiusce muneris advocationem praestare plerisque vel invidiosum vel arduum videbatur, sortitione virum legi placuit. 2 Prudentissimi namque Danorum, in tam excellenti negotio arbitrario delectu uti pertimescentes, plus alienae fortunae quam suis sententiis permiserunt, electionis eventum fortuito magis quam solido consilio delegantes. 3 Quo evenit, ut Enni-Gnupus quidam, amplissimae atque integerrimae virtutis, tam onerosae functioni humeros suos submittere cogeretur decretamque sorte administrationem ingressus non minus universorum res quam singularia regis incunabula tueretur. 4 Unde et ei quidam parum annalium periti medium in fastis locum tribuunt. 5 Cumque Kanutus, decursis adolescentiae spatiis, ab annis virilitatem traxisset, amotis, qui sibi beneficium educationis impenderant, ex paene desperato adolescente auctor insperatae probitatis evasit, hoc uno deflendus, quod absque Christianae religionis insignibus e vita ad mortem transitum habuit.

While this child remained in infancy a guardian was required for the pupil and for the realm. But inasmuch it seemed to most people either invidious or difficult to give the aid that this office needed, it was resolved that a man should be chosen by lot. For the wisest of the Danes, fearing much to make a choice by their own will in so lofty a matter, allowed more voice to external chance than to their own opinions, and entrusted the issue of the selection rather to luck than to sound counsel. The issue was that a certain Enni-gnup (Steep-brow), a man of the highest and most entire virtue, was forced to put his shoulder to this heavy burden; and when he entered on the administration which chalice had decreed, he oversaw, not only the early rearing of the king, but the affairs of the whole people. For which reason some who are little versed in our history give this man a central place in its annals. But when Kanute had passed through the period of boyhood, and had in time grown to be a man, he left those who had done him the service of bringing him up, and turned from an almost hopeless youth to the practice of unhoped-for virtue; being deplorable for this reason only, that he passed from life to death without the tokens of the Christian faith.

Dan 9.8.0 (p. 265,20)

1 Sed mox ad filium eius Frothonem rerum summa concessit. 2 Cuius fortuna armis belloque alita eo felicitatis excessit, ut provincias, quae a Danis quondam defecerant, pristino adactas iugo vetustis alligaret obsequiis. 3 Qui etiam se ipsum apud Angliam, iam pridem Christianismi peritam, solemnibus aquis humectandum exhibuit. 4 Ceterum privatam salutem suam in publicam exuberare cupiens, ab Agapito, qui tunc civitatis Romanae sacris praeerat, Daniam divinitus erudiri petivit. 5 Quod antequam votis exsequeretur, absumptus est; nam fatis suis Romanae legationis praecucurrit adventum, animo certe quam effectu superior tantumque supernae compensationis ob pietatis propositum assecutus, quantum ceteris praestatur ex opere.

But soon the sovereignty passed to his son FRODE. This man's fortune, increased by arms and warfare, rose to such a height of prosperity that he brought back to the ancient yoke the provinces which had once revolted from the Danes, and bound them in their old obedience. He also came forward to be baptised with holy water in England, which had for some while past been versed in Christianity. But he desired that his personal salvation should overflow and become general, and begged that Denmark should be instructed in divinity by Agapete, who was then Pope of Rome. But he was cut off before his prayers attained this wish. His death befell before the arrival of the messengers from Rome: and indeed his intention was better than his fortune, and he won as great a reward in heaven for his intended piety as others are vouchsafed for their achievement.

Dan 9.9.0 (p. 265,30)

1 Huius filius Gormo, cui, quod ex Anglia oriundus exstitit, Anglici cognomen incessit, patre exstincto, promptiore fortuna quam diuturniore apud insulam regiam adeptus est arcem. 2 Dum enim Daniam disponendae eius gratia petisset ex Anglia, longam parvuli secessus iacturam expertus est. 3 Quippe Angli, libertatis suae fortunam in eius absentia reponentes, publicam a Danis defectionem moliendo praecipitem rebellandi fiduciam induerunt. 4 Sed quo eum Anglia invidentius sprevit, hoc Dania fidentius coluit. 5 Itaque, dum ad duarum provinciarum utramque avidas imperii manus porrexit, altera potitus, alterius irrevocabiliter dominationem amisit, nihil umquam fortiter pro ipsius recuperatione conatus. 6 Adeo difficile praegrandia continentur imperia.

His son GORM, who had the surname of "The Englishman," because he was born in England, gained the sovereignty in the island on his father's death; but his fortune, though it came soon, did not last long. He left England for Denmark to put it in order; but a long misfortune was the fruit of this short absence. For the English, who thought that their whole chance of freedom lay in his being away, planned an open revolt from the Danes, and in hot haste took heart to rebel. But the greater the hatred and contempt of England, the greater the loyal attachment of Denmark to the king. Thus while he stretched out his two hands to both provinces in his desire for sway, he gained one, but lost the lordship of the other irretrievably; for he never made any bold effort to regain it. So hard is it to keep a hold on very large empires.

Dan 9.10.0 (p. 266,3)

1 Post quem filius eius Haraldus Daniae regnator incessit, ob hoc quidem obscurioris apud posteros memoriae egregiorumque operum monumentis vacuus, quod regiarum opum servator magis quam propagator exstiterit.

After this man his son HARALD came to be king of Denmark; he is half-forgotten by posterity, and lacks all record for famous deeds, because he rather preserved than extended the possessions of the realm.

Dan 9.11.1 (p. 266,6)

1 Post hunc Gormo arcem obtinuit, semper infensi erga religionem animi, Christicolarum perinde ac taeterrimorum hominum respectum exstinguere cupiens. 2 Omnes huiusce normae participes vario iniuriarum genere fatigatos, quibus potuit, calumniis insequi non quievit. 3 Quin etiam, ut priscum delubris cultum restitueret, templum in fundo Sleswicensi a religiosis conditum tamquam sacrilegum aliquod impietatis domicilium ab imis fundamentorum partibus demolitus est, quos suppliciis non attigerat, sacrae cellae strage puniens. 4 Hic tametsi proceritatis habitu eximius putaretur, parum respondentem corpori animum gessit. 5 Ita enim mores suos intra regnandi satietatem continuit, ut servata potius quam aucta maiestate gauderet satiusque tueri proprium quam alienum incessere duceret, magis de acquisitorum custodia quam acquirendorum incremento sollicitus.

After this the throne was obtained by GORM, a man whose soul was ever hostile to religion, and who tried to efface all regard for Christ's worshippers, as though they were the most abominable of men. All those who shared this rule of life he harassed with divers kinds of injuries and incessantly pursued with whatever slanders he could. Also, in order to restore the old worship to the shrines, he razed to its lowest foundations, as though it were some unholy abode of impiety, a temple which religious men had founded in a stead in Sleswik; and those whom he did not visit with tortures he punished by the demolition of the holy chapel. Though this man was thought notable for his stature, his mind did not answer to his body; for he kept himself so well sated with power that he rejoiced more in saving than increasing his dignity, and thought it better to guard his own than to attack what belonged to others: caring more to look to what he had than to swell his havings.

Dan 9.11.2 (p. 266,18)

1 Hic a maioribus coniugalia sacra celebrare permonitus Anglorum regis Hedelradi filiam Thiram nuptiali studio insecutus est. 2 Illa, ut erat gravitate atque industria ante alias praestans, condicionem proco attulit, non ante se ei nupturam praefata, quam Daniam sub dotis nomine recepisset. 3 Eoque pacto intercedente Gormoni desponsa, nocte, qua prima genialem torum conscendit, sponsum perseverantissimis precibus aggressa, in triduum se virilis concubitus expertem dimitti petivit, non ante rebus Venereis indulgere constituens, quam matrimonium creandis liberis efficax futurum aliquo per quietem praesagio didicisset. 4 Itaque simulatione continentiae matrimonii experientiam interpellabat, cognoscendae posteritatis propositum pudicitiae specie colorando, commerciumque libidinis distulit, verecundiae figmento fortunam propagandae successionis explorans. 5 Alii eam, ut temperantia sua tori socium Christianismi sacris ascisceret, maritalis lecti blanditias detrectasse coniectant.

This man was counselled by the elders to celebrate the rites of marriage, and he wooed Thyra, the daughter of Ethelred, the king of the English, for his wife. She surpassed other women in seriousness and shrewdness, and laid the condition on her suitor that she would not marry him till she had received Denmark as a dowry. This compact was made between them, and she was betrothed to Gorm. But on the first night that she went up on to the marriage-bed, she prayed her husband most earnestly that she should be allowed to go for three days free from intercourse with man. For she resolved to have no pleasure of love till she had learned by some omen in a vision that her marriage would be fruitful. Thus, under pretence of self-control, she deferred her experience of marriage, and veiled under a show of modesty her wish to learn about her issue. She put off lustful intercourse, inquiring, under the feint of chastity, into the fortune she would have in continuing her line. Some conjecture that she refused the pleasures of the nuptial couch in order to win her mate over to Christianity by her abstinence.

Dan 9.11.3 (p. 266,31)

1 Verum quamquam iuvenis amori eius flagrantissimo animo inhaereret, alienae tamen continentiae quam propriae voluptati obsequi praetulit speciosiusque nocturnis motibus imperare quam lacrimosa amicae vota repellere arbitratus est, profectas ab industria preces pudicitiae propinquas autumans. 2 Evenitque, ut, qui mariti partes agere debuerat, pudicitiae custodem praestaret, ne in capite nuptiarum stuprosae mentis nota afficeretur, quasi plus libidinis viribus quam propriae indulsisset verecundiae. 3 Ceterum ne inconcessum virginis amorem libidinoso complexu praeripere videretur, vicina latera non solum alterius complexibus exuit, sed etiam destricto mucrone secrevit atque ex cubiculari lecto suum ac sponsae dividuum contubernium reddidit.

But the youth, though he was most ardently bent on her love, yet chose to regard the continence of another more than his own desires, and thought it nobler to control the impulses of the night than to rebuff the prayers of his weeping mistress; for he thought that her beseechings, really coming from calculation, had to do with modesty. Thus it befell that he who should have done a husband's part made himself the guardian of her chastity so that the reproach of an infamous mind should not be his at the very beginning of his marriage; as though he had yielded more to the might of passion than to his own self-respect. Moreover that he might not seem to forestall by his lustful embraces the love which the maiden would not grant, he not only forbore to let their sides that were next one another touch, but even severed them by his drawn sword, and turned the bed into a divided shelter for his bride and himself.

Dan 9.11.4 (p. 267,4)

1 Sed voluptatem, quam gratuita humanitate distulit, mox laeta somnii specie delibavit. 2 Quippe, profuso in somnum animo, existimavit duos alites coniugis suae genitali parte prolapsos, sed alterum altero grandiorem, corpora superne librantes praepeti caelum volatu petere exiguoque tempore interiecto reversos suis altrinsecus manibus insedisse. 3 Secundo quoque ac tertio, parvula quiete recreatos, propassis alis aeri se credidisse, tandemque minorem ex his ad se pennis cruore oblitis comite vacuum remeasse. 4 Ea opinione attonitus, ut erat somno pressus, indicem stuporis questum edidit ac totos penates tumultuoso clamore complevit. 5 Quam speculationem eo percontantibus famulis explicante, Thira felicem se prole futuram autumans, omisso differendarum nuptiarum proposito, castimoniam, quam cupide precata fuerat, avidius remisit, caelibatumque ad Venerem transferens sponso gratam suimet potiendae copiam tribuit, continentis virtutem admissi concubitus satietate pensando, praefata minime se ei nupturam fuisse, nisi ex his adumbratae quietis imaginibus certiorem fecunditatis suae fortunam hausisset. 6 Itaque ut vafro, ita inusitato consilio pudicitiae simulatio in futurae prolis agnitionem transivit. 7 Nec sors opinionem frustrata est: brevi enim Haraldi atque Kanuti felix prole mater apparuit.

But he soon tasted in the joyous form of a dream the pleasure which he postponed from free loving kindness. For, when his spirit was steeped in slumber, he thought that two birds glided down from the privy parts of his wife, one larger than the other; that they poised their bodies aloft and soared swiftly to heaven, and, when a little time had elapsed, came back and sat on either of his hands. A second, and again a third time, when they had been refreshed by a short rest, they ventured forth to the air with outspread wings. At last the lesser of them came back without his fellow, and with wings smeared with blood. He was amazed with this imagination, and, being in a deep sleep, uttered a cry to betoken his astonishment, filling the whole house with an uproarious shout. When his servants questioned him, he related his vision; and Thyra, thinking that she would be blest with offspring, forbore her purpose to put off her marriage, eagerly relaxing the chastity for which she had so hotly prayed. Exchanging celibacy for love, she granted her husband full joy of herself, requiting his virtuous self-restraint with the fulness of permitted intercourse, and telling him that she would not have married him at all, had she not inferred from these images in the dream which he had related, the certainty of her being fruitful.

Dan 9.11.5 (p. 267,22)

1 Qui cum virilem attigissent aetatem exserta classe effrenatam Sclavorum insolentiam domuerunt; nec Angliam quidem immunem ab hoc vexationis genere reliquerunt. 2 Quorum Edelradus ingeniis delectatus illatam a nepotibus vim voluptatis loco habuit, amplissimi beneficii nomine taeterrimam amplexatus iniuriam. 3 Multo enim amplius virtutis in eorum fortitudine quam pietate reposuit ideoque ab infestis lacessi quam ab ignavis coli speciosius duxit, tamquam ex ipso fortissimo indolis habitu futurum virilitatis eorum specimen pervideret. 4 Non enim ambigere potuit, quin extera quandoque impetituri essent, qui materna tam audacter exigerent. 5 Adeo autem iniurias officiis anteposuit, ut, praeterita filia, Angliam iisdem testamento legaret, avitum nomen paterno praeferre non dubitans, nec imprudenter, quoniam aliquanto speciosius mares quam feminas regni usum decere noverat, imbellis filiae ac fortissimorum nepotum condicionem separandam existimans. 6 Quo evenit, ut Thira filios suos paternorum bonorum heredes non invidenter exheres ipsa conspiceret. 7 Praelationem enim eorum honorabilem sibi magis quam contumeliosam fore arbitrata est.

By a device as cunning as it was strange, Thyra's pretended modesty passed into an acknowledgment of her future offspring. Nor did fate disappoint her hopes. Soon she was the fortunate mother of Kanute and Harald. When these princes had attained man's estate, they put forth a fleet and quelled the reckless insolence of the Sclavs. Neither did they leave England free from an attack of the same kind. Ethelred was delighted with their spirit, and rejoiced at the violence his nephews offered him; accepting an abominable wrong as though it were the richest of benefits. For he saw far more merit in their bravery than in piety. Thus he thought it nobler to be attacked by foes than courted by cowards, and felt that he saw in their valiant promise a sample of their future manhood. For he could not doubt that they would some day attack foreign realms, since they so boldly claimed those of their mother. He so much preferred their wrongdoing to their service, that he passed over his daughter, and bequeathed England in his will to these two, not scrupling to set the name of grandfather before that of father. Nor was he unwise; for he knew that it beseemed men to enjoy the sovereignty rather than women, and considered that he ought to separate the lot of his unwarlike daughter from that of her valiant sons. Hence Thyra saw her sons inheriting the goods of her father, not grudging to be disinherited herself. For she thought that the preference above herself was honourable to her, rather than insulting.

Dan 9.11.6 (p. 268,1)

1 Iidem, crebris piraticae quaestibus locupletati, summa cum fiducia spes suas ad iniciendum manus Hiberniae promoverunt. 2 Cuius rex, Duflina, quae provinciae caput habebatur, obsessa, cum paucis admodum sagittariae artis peritis coniunctum urbi nemus ingressus, Kanutum, magna cum militum frequentia nocturnis ludorum spectaculis interpositum, insidioso fraudis circuitu vulnifica procul sagitta petivit, quae in adversum regis corpus incidens mortificum ei vulnus intorsit. 3 Veritus autem Kanutus, ne periculum suum hostes effuso gaudio insequerentur, atque ob hoc cladis suae fortunam dissimulanter haberi cupiens, voce supremos anhelitus reddente ludos absque tumultuatione peragi iubet. 4 Qua arte prius Danos Hiberniae potitores quam suum Hibernis exitum notum reddidit. 5 Quis autem exstinctum non plangeret, cuius disciplina militum suorum victoriae consilio quam spiritu diuturniore suffecit? 6 Salus namque Danorum in ultimas angustias deducta ac paene desperationis periculis implicata, quia morientis ducis iussui paruit, brevi, quos timuit, triumphavit.

Kanute and Harald enriched themselves with great gains from sea-roving, and most confidently aspired to lay hands on Ireland. Dublin, which was considered the capital of the country, was beseiged. Its king went into a wood adjoining the city with a few very skilled archers, and with treacherous art surrounded Kanute (who was present with a great throng of soldiers witnessing the show of the games by night), and aimed a deadly arrow at him from afar. It struck the body of the king in front, and pierced him with a mortal wound. But Kanute feared that the enemy would greet his peril with an outburst of delight. He therefore wished his disaster to be kept dark; and summoning voice with his last breath, he ordered the games to be gone through without disturbance. By this device he made the Danes masters of Ireland ere he made his own death known to the Irish. Who would not bewail the end of such a man, whose self-mastery served to give the victory to his soldiers, by reason of the wisdom that outlasted his life? For the safety of the Danes was most seriously endangered, and was nearly involved in the most deadly peril; yet because they obeyed the dying orders of their general they presently triumphed over those they feared.

Dan 9.11.7 (p. 268,15)

1 Quo tempore Gormo ad ultimum aetatis suae finem provectus ingentem annorum seriem luminibus captus exegerat, senectam ad ultimos humanae condicionis terminos prorogando, magis de filiorum vita et incrementis quam reliquo spiritu suo sollicitus. 2 Tanta autem maioris filii caritate tenebatur, ut a se occidendum iuraret, qui prior ipsius exitum nuntiasset. 3 Cumque forte Thira haud dubium de eiusdem exitio nuntium accepisset, nemine id Gormoni palam insinuare audente, praesidium calliditatis amplexa, casum, quem ore prodere timuit, opere explicavit. 4 Maritum namque regio cultu exutum taetriore circumdedit aliaque doloris insignia, per quae causam luctus aperiret, admovit, quod antiqui talibus inter exsequiarum actiones uti consueverant, acerbitatem maeroris habitus asperitate testantes. 5 Tunc Gormo: 'En mihi', inquit, 'Kanuti fatum publicas?' 6 Et Thira: 'Id ipsum', ait, 'tuo potius quam nostro declaratur augurio.' 7 Quo dicto marito mortem, sibi viduitatis causam praebuit nec ante filium quam coniugem planxit. 8 Itaque, dum viro nati fortunam exprimit, alterum alterius funeri sociavit, amborumque exsequias paribus prosecuta lacrimis, huic coniugales, maternos illi planctus impendit, quamquam tunc temporis magis solatiis erigenda quam cladibus obterenda fuisset.

Germ had now reached the extremity of his days, having been blind for many years, and had prolonged his old age to the utmost bounds of the human lot, being more anxious for the life and prosperity of his sons than for the few days he had to breathe. But so great was his love for his elder son that he swore that he would slay with his own hand whosoever first brought him news of his death. As it chanced, Thyra heard sure tidings that this son had perished. But when no man durst openly hint this to Germ, she fell back on her cunning to defend her, and revealed by her deeds the mischance which she durst not speak plainly out. For she took the royal robes off her husband and dressed him in filthy garments, bringing him other signs of grief also, to explain the cause of her mourning; for the ancients were wont to use such things in the performance of obsequies, bearing witness by their garb to the bitterness of their sorrow. Then said Germ: "Dost thou declare to me the death of Kanute?"[2](2) And Thyra said: "That is proclaimed by thy presage, not by mine." By this answer she made out her lord a dead man and herself a widow, and had to lament her husband as soon as her son. Thus, while she announced the fate of her son to her husband, she united them in death, and followed the obsequies of both with equal mourning; shedding the tears of a wife upon the one and of a mother upon the other; though at that moment she ought to have been cheered with comfort rather than crushed with disasters.