Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - I. Introductory Lecture.—The Country and its Inhabitants in the Heathen Period up to 1000 A.D. - From Geijer’s Olof Tryggvason
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44 FROM GEIJER S "
OLOF TRYGGVASON."
This little poem describes how a noble young Norwegian,
Gaute, on a pilgrimage to the holy land, wanders in the woods
and finds himself exhausted by a river he cannot cross. After
a dream a boat appears and carries him over, and near a her
mitage he sees an old man praying in monkish dress, who rises,
looking like an ancient warrior. The old man asks him about
Norway, and whether people remember Olof, and what they
think of him. Gaute replies that most people think he was
drowned. The old man angrily retorts that to so athletic a
swimmer this was impossible. Others, says Gaute, think God
took him alive to heaven. This, says the old man, is improb
able : Olof had many sins.
"
Last (said Gaute) some believe thus,
That he cleft the foaming billows,
And found safety on a vessel
That appeared outside the battle.
For his valiant fellow-warriors
Who were bound in Danish fetters
But few lived indeed were loosened,
Loosened by an unknown hand.
Many thought that must be Olof s."
11
Lives then Einar Tambar skalver?"
"
Lives he? Yea (thus answered Gaute)
Wealthiest man in Tronde county.
"
Now the cloister bell resoundeth,
Goes the old man to the temple,
Says his mass, and then returning
Calls to him his guest, and bids him
"
Greet him. No man fought more bravely
Of the Long Serpent s crew than Einar."
From the astounded guest he turneth,
Slowly goes, is found no longer.
Years go by ;
Gaute wanders, homeward,
Greets the well-known shores of Norway,
Tells the folk what fortune met him.
Then with tears thus answered Einar :
"
In good troth, my brother Gaute,
Olof Tryggvason thou sawest.
"
So the story runs in Norway.
Dear at heart to all its people :
By Christ s holy grave far distant
Sits the hero : there King Olof,
Intercedes for Norway s realm."
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