heimskringla-第174节
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4。 FALL OF GYRD AND HAVARD。
King Hakon left Throndhjem in spring with thirty ships nearly; and some of his men sailed before the rest with seven ships; and plundered in North and South More。 No man could remember that there ever before had been plundering between the two towns (Bergen and Nidaros)。 Jon the son of Halkel Huk collected the bondes in arms; and proceeded against them; took Kolbein Ode prisoner; killed every woman's son of them in his ship。 Then they searched for the others; found them all assembled in seven ships; and fought with them; but his father Halkel not coming to his assistance as he had promised; many good bondes were killed; and Jon himself was wounded。 Hakon proceeded south to Bergen with his forces; but when he came to Stiornvelta; he heard that King Inge and Gregorius had arrived a few nights before from the east at Bergen; and therefore he did not venture to steer thither。 They sailed the outer course southwards past Bergen; and met three ships of King Inge's fleet; which had been outsailed on the voyage from the east。 On board of them were Gyrd Amundason; King Inge's foster…brother; who was married to Gyrid a sister of Gregorius; and also lagman Gyrd Gunhildson; and Havard Klining。 King Hakon had Gyrd Amundason and Havard Klining put to death; but took lagman Gyrd southwards; and then proceeded east to Viken。
5。 OF THE CONSULTATIONS OF KING INGE。
When King Inge heard of this he sailed east after them; and they met east in the Gaut river。 King Inge went up the north arm of the river; and sent out spies to get news of Hakon and his fleet; but he himself landed at Hising; and waited for his spies。 Now when the spies came back they went to the king; and said that they had seen King Hakon's forces; and all his ships which lay at the stakes in the river; and Hakon's men had bound the stems of their vessels to them。 They had two great East…country trading vessels; which they had laid outside of the fleet; and on both these were built high wooded stages (castles)。 When King Inge heard the preparations they had made; he ordered a trumpet to call a House…thing of all the men; and when the Thing was seated he asked his men for counsel; and applied particularly to Gregorius Dagson; his brother…in…law Erling Skakke; and other lendermen and ship…commanders; to whom he related the preparations of Hakon and his men。
Then Gregorius Dagson replied first; and made known his mind in the following words: 〃Sometimes we and Hakon have met; and generally they had the most people; but; notwithstanding; they fell short in battle against us。 Now; on the other hand; we have by far the greatest force; and it will appear probable to the men who a short time ago lost gallant relations by them; that this will be a good occasion to get vengeance; for they have fled before us the greater part of the summer; and we have often said that if they waited for us; as appears now to be the case; we would have a brush with them。 Now I will tell my opinion; which is; that I will engage them; if it be agreeable to the king's pleasure; for I think it will go now as formerly; that they must give way before us if we attack them bravely; and I shall always attack where others may think it most difficult。〃
The speech was received with much applause; and all declared they were ready to engage in battle against Hakon。 Then they rowed with all the ships up the river; until they came in sight of each other; and then King Inge turned off from the river current under the island。 Now the king addressed the lendermen again; and told them to get ready for battle。 He turned himself especially to Erling Skakke; and said; what was true; that no man in the army had more understanding and knowledge in fighting battles; although some were more hot。 The king then addressed himself to several of the lendermen; speaking to them by name; and ended by desiring that each man should make his attack where he thought it would be of advantage; and thereafter all would act together。
6。 ERLING'S SPEECH。
Erling Skakke replied thus to the king's speech: 〃It is my duty; sire; not to be silent; and I shall give my advice; since it is desired。 The resolution now adopted is contrary to my judgment; for I call it foolhardy to fight under these circumstances; although we have so many and such fine men。 Supposing we make an attack on them; and row up against this river…current; then one of the three men who are in each half room must be employed in rowing only; and another must be covering with the shield the man who rows; and what have we then to fight with but one third of our men? It appears to me that they can be of little use in the battle who are sitting at their oars with their backs turned to the enemy。 Give me now some time for consideration; and I promise you that before three days are over I shall fall upon some plan by which we can come into battle with advantage。〃
It was evident from Erling's speech that he dissuaded from an attack; but; notwithstanding; it was urged by many who thought that Hakon would now; as before; take to the land。 〃And then;〃 said they; 〃we cannot get hold of him; but now they have but few men; and we have their fate in our own hands。〃
Gregorius said but little; but thought that Erling rather dissuaded from an attack that Gregorius's advice should have no effect; than that he had any better advice to give。
7。 OF HAKON'S FLEET。
Then said King Inge to Erling; 〃Now we will follow thy advice; brother; with regard to the manner of attacking; but seeing how eager our counsellors are for it; we shall make the attack this day。〃
Erling replied; 〃All the boats and light vessels we have should row outside the island; and up the east arm of the river; and then down with the stream upon them; and try if they cannot cut them loose from the piles。 Then we; with the large ships; shall row from below here against them; and I cannot tell until it be tried; if those who are now so furiously warm will be much brisker at the attack than I am。〃
This counsel was approved by all。 There was a ness stretched out between their fleet and Hakon's; so that they could not see each other。 Now when Hakon and his men; who had taken counsel with each other in a meeting; saw the boat…squadron rowing down the river; some thought King Inge intended to give them battle; but many believed they did not dare; for it looked as if the attack was given up; and they; besides; were very confident; both in their preparations and men。 There were many great people with Hakon: there were Sigurd of Reyr; and Simon's sons; Nikolas Skialdvarson; Eindride; a son of Jon Mornef; who was the most gallant and popular man in the Throndhjem country; and many other lendermen and warriors。 Now when they saw that King Inge's men with many ships were rowing out of the river; Hakon and his men believed they were going to fly; and therefore they cut their land…ropes with which they lay fast at the piles; seized their oars; and rowed after them in pursuit。 The ships ran fast down with the stream; but when they came further down the river; abreast of the ness; they saw King Inge's main strength lying quiet at the island Hising。 King Inge's people saw Hakon's ships under way; and believed they were coming to attack them; and now there was great bustle and clash of arms; and they encouraged each other by a great war…shout。 Hakon with his fleet turned northwards a little to the land; where there was a turn in the bight of the river; and where there was no current。 They made ready for battle; carried land…ropes to the shore; turned the stems of their ships outwards; and bound them all together。 They laid the large East…country traders without the other vessels; the one above; the other below; and bound them to the long…ships。 In the middle of the fleet lay the king's ship; and next to it Sigurd's; and on the other side of the king's ship lay Nikolas; and next to him Endride Jonson。 All the smaller ships lay farther off; and they were all nearly loaded with weapons and stones。
8。 SIGURD OF REYR'S SPEECH。
Then Sigurd of Reyr made the following speech: 〃Now there is hope that the time is come which has been promised us all the summer; that we shall meet King Inge in battle。 We have long prepared ourselves for this; and many of our comrades have boasted that they would never fly from or submit to King Inge and Gregorius; and now let them remember their words。 But we who have sometimes got the toothache in our conflicts with them; speak less confidently; for it has happened; as all have heard; that we very often have come off without glory。 But; nevertheless; it is now necessary to fight manfully; and stand to it with steadiness; for the only escape for us is in victory。 Although we have somewhat fewer men than they; yet luck determines which side shall have the advantage; and God knows that the right is on our side。 Inge has killed two of his brothers; and it is obvious to all men that the mulct he intends to pay King Hakon for his father's murder is to murder him also; as well as his other relations; which will be seen this day to be his intent。 King Hakon desired from the beginning no more of Norway than the third part; which hi