DRLVKIXG CUSTOMS. 



275 



w ith old ones. When the kings came to the feast, Eirik with 

 his hircl was seated in the old hall, and Harald with his men 

 in the new hall. All the table service was arranged so that Eirik 

 and his men had old vessels and horns, though they were 

 gilded and well ornamented. Harald and his men had only 

 new vessels and horns ; they were all ornamented with gold, 

 painted with images and bright like glass. The drink on 

 both sides was very good " (Harald Fairhair's Saga, c. 15). 



A young Icelander, Brand, went to Norway with two of his 

 friends. They visited Harek, who was high-born, but very ill- 

 tempered. 



"' One day he (Harek) went up to Brand with a large drinking- 

 horn, and asked him to drink it with him ; but Brand refused, 



Fig. 1130. From Bayeux tapestry, showing drinking-horns, bowls, &c., similar to those 



of the finds. 



saying : ' I have not got too much sense, but I do not drink 

 away that which I have, and it seems to me thou wilt need 

 all thine also ' " (Ljosvetninga Saga, c. 8). 



" When King Olaf approached the farin-servants ran ahead, 

 to the farm and into the house, where Asta, his mother, sat 

 with her women. They told her of the king's journey, and 

 that he would soon be there. Asta rose at once, and bade 

 men and women prepare for him in the best manner. She set 

 four women to take the fittings of the stofa, and quickly 

 arrange the hangings and the benches. Two men spread 



T 2 



