s Sol approached her midday height,
The sea's eye shone a gleaming blue.
It stared above, but did not sight
A cloud amidst its mirrored hue.

A fair wind blew from out the west,
As water 'neath it played and rolled.
Impatient for a harbor's rest,
It whitened waves with cresting folds.

On wind and wave, toward the shore,
With churning decks and brimming sheets,
And thoughts of coming, gloried war,
There sailed the ships of Denmark's fleet!

The ships raced on beneath their sails,
Ere entering a mighty fjord.
Inside its walls, the wind soon failed,
And Denmark plied its straining oars.

Toward the strand the Swedes had named,
Brave Danish men propelled their ships.
With plunder in their hearts, they came
In sight of that broad, sea-kissed strip.

Their king espied a warlike band
With two men standing in the lead.
Two banners flew above the strand,
On one side Finn, the other Swede.

But, then, those banners; both thrown down,
And Norway's quickly flew on high!
But, lo! It dipped to touch the ground,
Ere rising up to meet the sky.

The fleet fell slack and oars held back
From lusty battle's forward surge.
What word is this? Their friends, alack!
And who stands on the tidal verge?

The Danes turned 'round to face the men,
Arrayed upon the forward shore,
And as they search, within their ken,
One man stood at the army's fore.

They knew they'd never seen the man,
Who'd bear such armaments to war.
His sword's blade measured seven spans!
His spearhead's length was, fully, four!

His armor was the greatest prize,
And cunning in most every part.
Though mammoth in its scope and size,
It seemed 'twas wrought with subtle art.

The blades rose up, then fell within
The kingdom held by mighty Njord.
They pierced the water's wrinkled skin,
That Denmark might leave Norway's fjord.

Upon the verge that Signar held,
King Thorvald strode to take his side.
They stood together and beheld
The ships fight 'gainst the coming tide.

Then Signar asked, "What now, my king?
Will Denmark press the war, at length?"
"King Haakon will do no such thing,"
The king observed, "They've not the strength."

Then Signar said, "I think I know
One other want that failed the Danes."
But Thorvald answered, "Think not so,
Theirs naught but courage in their veins.

"King Haakon knew the frightful cost
Of vying 'gainst this gathered horde.
He could not spare what would be lost,
For Denmark looks to other wars.

"They'd face us now, had they the might.
Their prows, however, turn away.
They.ll find a shore for camp tonight,
Then raid our coasts upon the day."

"This yet concerns me," Signar said.
But Thorvald gave misgivings rest,
"The coastal denizens have fled,
Removing to the inland west."

"But what of Haakon," Signar asked,
"If he cannot bring war to us?
Will peace with us be Denmark's task?
He cannot idly 'wait our thrust."

"Well spoken, Signar!" Thorvald said.
"Indeed, we sit upon his rear.
The Teuton hordes now stand ahead
And he must mind his southern meres.

"Come spring, we'll meet the embassy
Of Denmark in our mighty hall.
Things cannot go but easily,
With conflicts settled by the fall.

"Assuring neither shall go forth,
We may yet ally with the Danes.
In one the south, the other north,
From such arrangement, both would gain.

"Now come, 'tis time that we repair
To speak of all these men have done.
Up to the hall! We'll feast well there
Recounting tales of battles won!