RAGNAR LODBROK. 451 



" Now it is told that Ragnar sat at home in his realm, and 

 knew not where his sons were ; nor did his wife Randalin 

 know, and he heard every one of his men say that no one 

 could equal his sons, and he thought that no men could equal 

 them in renown. He pondered on what fame he might seek 

 which would be as lasting. At length he resolved to engage 

 craftsmen, and had wood felled in the forest for two large 

 ships, and men saw that they were two knorrs 1 so large that 

 none equal to them had been built in Northern lands ; he 

 also made great war preparations all over his realm. By this 

 men saw that he was going on an expedition out of the country, 

 and the rumour of it spread widely in the neighbouring lands, 

 so that their rulers, fearing that they would not be left at 

 peace in their realms, proceeded to guard their lands against 

 the invader, in case he might come. Randalin asked Ragnar 

 whither he was going. He told her he intended to go to 

 England with only two knorrs, and as many men as they could 

 hold. Randalin answered : * This expedition seems to me 

 rash. I think it better for thee to have more and smaller 

 ships.' He said : ' It would be but a poor exploit to win 

 lands with many ships, but there is no example of a land like 

 England having been conquered by two ships ; if I am 

 defeated, the fewer ships I take out of the country the better.' 

 Randalin said: 'It seems to me as costly to make ready 

 these ships as to have many longships for this expedition ; 

 thou knowest that it is difficult to land with ships in England, 

 and if thy ships are lost thy men cannot defend themselves, 

 though they get ashore, if an army attacks them, and long- 

 ships are more convenient for effecting a landing than knerrir.' 

 Then he had his ships prepared and got men so that they were 

 fully manned ; people talked much about his intention. When 

 his ships and men were ready and a fair wind came, he said he 

 would go down to his ships. When he was ready she led him 

 down to the ships, and before they parted she said she would 

 reward him for the shirt he had given to her. He asked her 

 how, and she sang : 



' I give thee the long shirt, Wounds will not bleed 



Nowhere sewn, Nor will edges bite thee 



Woven with a loving mind In the holy garment ; 



Of hair 2 1 1 was consecrated to the gods.' 



" In making his voyage to England he met with adverse 



1 In Ragnar 's Sons' Saga, ch. ii., the 

 two are said to be built in Xorway. 

 Ragnar says to Aslaug: "I have had two 

 knorrs built in Vestt'old. because his 



realm extended to the Dofrafjalls and 

 Lidandisness." 



'-' Following word obscure. 



'J G 



