500 SOME EXPEDITIONS AND DEEDS OF GREAT VIKINGS. 



force. All men who followed him in battle and warfare said 

 that when he was in a great danger which came quickly upon 

 him he would take the expedient which afterwards was seen 

 by all to be the best" (Harald Hardradi's Saga, Heimskringla, 

 c. 104). 



We cannot follow him through the numerous expeditions 

 which he undertook and which are described in his Saga. 



We find that Harald swept all over the shores of the Medi- 

 terranean, went to Serkland (land of the Saracens), Africa, 

 Sicily, Italy, Greece, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Bulgaria. 

 He was present, often as leader, in about eighty battles. 

 There are many examples of his strategy and consummate 

 generalship. 



His life ended at the famous battle of Stamford Bridge, the 

 account of which is a masterpiece of description. 



From his youth up he was valiant. He joined in the battle 

 of Stiklastadir, to help his half-brother, King Olaf the Stout, 

 when he was fifteen vears old. His mother's name was Asta 



ti 



(descended from Eagnar Lodbrok). 



" When the array stood with its standards ready to fight, the 

 king said : ' I do not think it right for my brother Harald to 

 be in the battle, for he is a child.' Harald answered : ' I shall 

 certainly be in the battle, but if I am so weak that I cannot 

 wield the sword, I know what to do ; my hand shall be tied 

 to the hilt ; no man shall have a better will than I to do harm 

 to the boendr. I want to follow my companions.' It is told 

 that Harald sang this stanza : 



' I shall be daring enough The young battle-triad poet 



To defend the wing in which I stand. Will not draw back from the spears 



* * * * Where the blows rain down ; 



* * * When hardest the fight.' 



" Harald had his way and was in the battle, and won great 

 renown. He was then fifteen winters old, as has been told. 

 The skald Thjodolf mentions it in the poern he made about 

 King Harald, called sexstefja (six-stave) ; among them is the 

 following : 



I heard that the strong war-storm Supported his brother (St. Olaf) well. 



Burst upon the king (Harald) close to The king did part against his will 



Haug, Fifteen winters old 



But the burner of the Bulgarians From the dead Olaf 



(Bolgara brennir = Harald) And hid his helmet-seat (head). 



