Then with holy water sprinkled All the ship; the mass-bells tinkled; As into the Fiord they darted, Down a path like silver molten Steadily rowed King Olaf's ships; Steadily burned all night the tapers, As through John's Apocalypse, Till at last they reached Raud's dwelling On the little isle of Gelling; Not a guard was at the doorway, Not a glimmer of light was seen. But at anchor, carved and gilded, Lay the dragon-ship he builded; 'T was the grandest ship in Norway, With its crest and scales of green. Up the stairway, softly creeping, Bolt and bar that held the door. Drunken with sleep and ale they found him, Dragged him from his bed and bound him, While he stared with stupid wonder, At the look and garb they wore. Then King Olaf said: "O Sea-King! Be baptized, or thou shalt die!" But in scorn the heathen scoffer Answered: "I disdain thine offer; Thee and thy Gospel I defy!" Then between his jaws distended, Through King Olaf's horn an adder, Touched by fire, they forced to glide. Sharp his tooth was as an arrow, As he gnawed through bone and marrow; But without a groan or shudder, Raud the Strong blaspheming died. Then baptized they all that region, Up the streams of Salten Fiord. In their temples Thor and Odin As King Olaf, onward sweeping, Preached the Gospel with his sword. Then he took the carved and gilded Grasping, steered into the main. Southward sailed the sea-gulls o'er him, Southward sailed the ship that bore him, Till at Drontheim haven landed Olaf and his crew again. XII. KING OLAF'S CHRISTMAS. AT Drontheim, Olaf the King Heard the bells of Yule-tide ring, As he sat in his banquet-hall, Drinking the nut-brown ale, With his bearded Berserks hale And tall. Three days his Yule-tide feasts And his horn filled up to the brim; But the ale was never too strong, For him. |