Egla, 47

Chapter 47

Of the further harrying of Thorolf and Egil

Harold Gormsson had then taken the kingdom in Denmark, his father Gorm being now dead. The land was then open to harrying; freebooters often lay off the Danish coast. Aki knew Denmark well both by sea and land. So Egil inquired of him diligently where the places were that promised good booty. But when they came to Eyrar-sound, then Aki said that up on land there was a large trading town named Lundr; there, he said, was hope of plunder, but 'twas likely that the townsmen would make resistance.

The question was put before the men whether they should go up or not. Opinions were much divided, some liking, some letting it; then the matter was referred to the leaders. Thorolf was rather for going up. Then Egil was asked what counsel he thought good. He recited a stave:

'Wolf-battening warrior,
Wield we high gleaming swords.
In snake-fostering summer
Such deeds well beseem.
Lead up to Lundr:
Let laggards be none!
Spear-music ungentle
By sunset shall sound.'

After that they made them ready to go up, and they came to the town. But when the townsmen were aware of the enemy's coming, they made against them. A wooden wall was round the town; they set men to guard this. A very fierce battle was there fought. Egil, with his following, charged fiercely on the gate nor spared himself. There was a great slaughter, the townsmen falling one upon another. It is said that Egil first entered the town, the others following. Then those of the town fled, and great was the slaughter. But Thorolf and his company plundered the town and took much wealth, and fired the buildings before they left. Then they went down to their ships.

Kafli 47

Af Þórólfi og Egli

Haraldur Gormsson hafði þá tekið við ríki í Danmörk en Gormur faðir hans var þá dauður. Landið var þá herskátt. Lágu víkingar mjög úti fyrir Danmörku. Áka var kunnigt í Danmörku bæði á sjá og landi. Spurði Egill hann mjög eftir hvar þeir staðir væru er stór féföng mundu fyrir liggja.

En er þeir komu í Eyrarsund þá sagði Áki að þar var á land upp kaupstaður mikill er hét í Lundi, sagði að þar var févon en líklegt að þar mundi vera viðtaka er bæjarmenn væru. Það mál var upp borið fyrir liðsmenn hvort þar skyldi ráða til uppgöngu eða eigi. Menn tóku þar allmisjafnt á, fýstu sumir en sumir löttu. Var því máli skotið til stýrimanna. Þórólfur fýsti heldur uppgöngu. Þá var rætt við Egil hvað honum þótti ráð. Hann kvað vísu:

Upp skulum vorum sverðum,
úlfs tannlituðr, glitra.
Eigum dáð að drýgja
í dalmiskunn fiska.
Leiti upp til Lundar
lýða hver sem bráðast.
Gerum þar fyr setr sólar
seið ófagran vigra.

Síðan bjuggust menn til uppgöngu og fóru til kaupstaðarins. En er bæjarmenn urðu varir við ófrið þá stefndu þeir í mót. Var þar tréborg um staðinn. Settu þeir þar menn til að verja. Tókst þar bardagi. Egill gengur fyrstur inn um borgina. Síðan flýðu bæjarmenn. Varð þar mannfall mikið. Rændu þeir kaupstaðinn en brenndu áður þeir skildust við. Fóru síðan ofan til skipa sinna.