Page:The Story of Egil Skallagrimsson.djvu/237

26. To stand] A poem to live in men's memory among other buildings of poesy. Exegi monumentum ære perennius regalique situ pyramidum altius. Hor. Bragi was the Apollo of the north.

Ch. LXXXIII.—Einar] This friendship of the two poets is interesting.

One with eight] These exploits were in Friesland and Eida-wood, chs. lxxii, and lxxviii.

King Harold fell] Some put this in 965, some in 969, some in 975. Einar's gift of the shield Jónsson puts in 970 The Saga does not profess to put all these facts about Skála-glam in exact chronological order. His poem Vell-ekla is said to have been later by chronologers. Skála-glam seems to mean 'tinkling bowl,' or tinkle of bowls'; but is it a name of praise or blame? Clanging bowls, beakers' clang are the accompaniment of feasts: is it that minstrels also are there found?

islet-studded] Fit term for sea in that region of fjords and isles.

slay him] Hard measure. It is said that the giver of a present reckoned himself above the receiver, and that Egil was offended at this idea. But Egil accepted gifts from many, and probably gave gifts too. As Egil did after all write about the shield, and remained Einar's friend, perhaps the threat was half in jest. At any rate he did not ride after him.

Ch. LXXXIV.—loved him little] He was too quiet for his taste. But Thorstein bore him bravely in the quarrel with Steinar, and Egil helped him by his decision, and after that they were more friendly.

Asgerdr] About 973.

Ch. LXXXV.—Aunund] Son of Ani, one of Skallagrim's followers, whence Ana-brekka 'Ani's brink' was named. The quarrel that follows is rather a petty one, but Egil as arbitrator makes about his last public appearance, being then nearly, if not quite, eighty years old.

Ch. LXXXVI.—roofed their booths] The walls of these Thing booths were fixtures, but new roofed each season.

fighting horses] To match horses in fight was a favourite sport then it is mentioned in the 'Njala.'

tongue of Odd] By this he means to jest upon Odd's nickname of Tongue. But query whether Odd were so called from his speaking power, or because he lived on a tongue of land?

shape and shear] i.e., do with it as you please.

Thing-banquet] provided by the priest.

went out] In a sort of procession to the law-hill. On such an occasion Thorstein spoiled his father's cloak, ch. lxxxiv.

Ch. LXXXVII.—flitting days] The fixed days for 'moving house'; four days at the end of May.

this judgment] As between Thorstein and Steinar, the judgment seems right Steinar began the wrong, and persisted in it despite of Thorstein's forbearance. But one wishes that Egil had treated an old comrade's son with leniency for auld lang syne, especially when Aunund had reposed such trust in him. It is, however, a mark of the truthfulness of the Saga-writer that Egil's overbearing use of power is not cloaked.

Ch. LXXXVIII.—we must lengthen] They were to take two sides of a triangle instead of one. Thorstein did not choose to meet the superior force.

Ch. XC.—haltered horse] It is not quite clear why a haltered or tethered horse (as the word is explained) should stumble. Does it mean a horse 'hobbled' by a cord round the legs?

let us forbear] Egil is more civil than the cook. 'Bask' is by origin reflexive from 'bake,' as appears in the Icelandic form. 'Fire-maid' literally 'fire-goddess.'