ing Thorvald gave his Danish guests
Amusements lasting seven days.
Each morn the men would wake to test,
Their fighting skills in martial play.

They ran their races, shot their bows,
They hunted bird and bear and boar.
Their shafts flocked thick in distance throws,
While men faced off in games of war.

But when the chariot of Sol
Fell down beneath the red-tinged sea,
Safe, once again, from hungry Skoll,
Six hundred met for revelry.

The boards were heaped with savored meat
That men might eat their hero's share
Of spitted pig and fowl and hare,
And salmon, venison and beef.

Great drinking horns brimmed o'er with mead,
While great tureens of spices flowed
With cumin, nutmeg, celery seed,
Rye, pepper, ginger, dill and cloves.

The wars 'neath Sol and feasts 'neath stars,
Brought joy to both the Norse and Dane.
Valhalla's walls did not seem far,
To those that Thorvald entertained.

The men would say, "The Lord of Sky,
All-Father, Odin, could not give
A fairer gathering, on high,
Where those who died in battle live.

The men all said, "Perhaps e'en we
Are graced by gods upon our board.
For, placed beside King Thorvald's seat,
Is one the very like of Thor.

"Prince Hawart seems the best of gods,
Resolver of all difference.
The handsome Balder, twin of Hod,
Who rules o'er joy and innocence.

"And, silent, strong Liudegast
Is like great Vidar, Odin's son
Begat by Grid and unsurpassed
By god or man, save only one."

As Ragnarok keeps Odin's mind
Engaged in battles not yet fought,
The king of Norway was, in kind,
Consumed with his unspoken thoughts.

Upon the seventh night's repast,
King Thorvald joined with Haakon's sons,
Both Hawart and Liudegast,
And Signar, Thorvald's champion.

"Are any here still not my friends?"
King Thorvald asked of each man there.
"Are wars between us at an end?
Or need we speak with cautious care?"

Prince Hawart said, "You know that we
Ally ourselves to Norway's throne."
King Thorvald asked, "What treachery
Has Thorvald, Norway's king, e'er shown?"

Said Hawart, "E'en his enemies,
Esteem the worth of Thorvald's word.
'Tis said your hospitality
Is where men's sleep is best assured."

"Then let us speak on other things
We must discuss within this night.
The band of men that Denmark brings
Gives scant account of Haakon's might.

"In ev'ry contest, hunt or race,
The men of Norway took the fore.
If men as these take betters' place,
I worry, how fares Denmark's war?"

Prince Hawart said to Thorvald, "Yes,
The Teutons press us from the south.
King Haakon cannot spare his best,
For Ortlieb holds at Elba's mouth,

"With Helpfrat and the Jutlanders,
Against the arms of Saxony,
While Dancrat and brave Giselher
Defend the Grosser Ploener Sea."

"Does Haakon plan," King Thorvald asked,
"To stand or march his armies forth?"
Prince Hawart said, "Liudegast
Will lead our armies from the north.

"With Norway's peace, our men are freed
To march against the Teuton lines.
But, now, there is a pressing need,
To act before the year's decline.

"Our ships must sail with scant delay,
That Denmark might repel her foe."
Then Thorvald said, "Stay one more day,
Before your rudders turn to go."

"I'll give one day," said Denmark's prince,
"Had I the chance, I'd spare yet more.
Too many years have passed us since
I safely stood on Norway's shore."

"Too many years," the king agreed,
"Enough that I would not have more.
Too many years have passed, indeed,
Since I divided us with war."

"She never blamed you," Hawart said,
"She always said she understood."
Responding, Thorvald shook his head,
"Your gentle sister always could."

"My father and my brother, though,"
Prince Hawart said to Norway's king,
"Along with me, still wish to know,
How Thorvald could do such a thing."

"Please, Hawart and Liudegast,
I dwell enough upon my sins,
Speak not upon the bitter past.
But, tell me, how fares Gotelind?"

Prince Hawart gave a knowing smile.
"Our sister keeps her youthful bloom,
And, e'en through Haakon's sorest trials,
Her light could pierce his deepest gloom."

King Thorvald said, "I wish to know,
Since we consider Haakon's plight,
Should Norway's warring men forgo
The summer raids to join your fight?"

"You know my father well enough,
He would not even let you land.
His final breath would still rebuff
And offer for a helping hand.

"Instead, King Thorvald, let us say
You shall not help us in the least,
But join us one year from today
For Denmark's great triumphal feast."

"We'll meet as Denmark's crown-prince asks.
Now you must go in one day's time
To swallow Odin's bitter draught.
But, now, let all drink sweetest wine!"