Then he spoke to Thiodolf, the skald, and asked him to add to it what it wanted, and he sang: --

"In the next summer, I foresee, Our anchorage in the South will be; To hold our sea-homes on the ground, More cold-tongued anchors will be found."

To this Bolverk alludes in his song also, that Harald went to Denmark the summer after King Magnus's death. Bolverk sings thus: --

"Next summer thou the levy raised, And seawards all the people gazed, Where thy sea-steeds in sunshine glancing Over the waves were gaily prancing; While the deep ships that plunder bore Seemed black specks from the distant shore. The Danes, from banks or hillocks green, Looked with dismay upon the scene."

32. OF THORKEL GEYSA'S DAUGHTERS.

Then they burned the house of Thorkel Geysa, who was a great lord, and his daughters they carried off bound to their ships. They had made a great mockery the winter before of King Harald's coming with war-ships against Denmark; and they cut their cheese into the shape of anchors, and said such anchors might hold all the ships of the Norway king. Then this was composed: --

"The Island-girls, we were told, Made anchors all our fleet to hold: Their Danish jest cut out in cheese Did not our stern king's fancy please. Now many a maiden fair, may be, Sees iron anchors splash the sea, Who will not wake a maid next morn To laugh at Norway's ships in scorn."

It is said that a spy who had seen the fleet of King Harald said to Thorkel Geysa's daughters, "Ye said, Geysa's daughters, that King Harald dared not come to Denmark." Dotta, Thorkel's daughter, replied, "That was yesterday." Thorkel had to ransom his daughters with a great sum. So says Grane: --