XIII. THE BUILDING OF THE LONG SERPENT. THORBERG SKAFTING, master-builder, In his ship-yard by the sea, Whistling, said," It would bewilder Any man but Thorberg Skafting, Any man but me!" Near him lay the Dragon stranded, Built of old by Raud the Strong, And King Olaf had commanded He should build another Dragon, Therefore whistled Thorberg Skafting, As he sat with half-closed eyes, And his head turned sideways, drafting That new vessel for King Olaf Twice the Dragon's size. Round him busily hewed and hammered Mallet huge and heavy axe; Workmen laughed and sang and clamored; All this tumult heard the master, It was music to his ear; Fancy whispered all the faster, "Men shall hear of Thorberg Skafting For a hundred year!" Workmen sweating at the forges Fashioned iron bolt and bar, Like a warlock's midnight orgies Smoked and bubbled the black caldron Did the warlocks mingle in it, Thorberg Skafting, any curse? Could you not be gone a minute But some mischief must be doing, "T was an ill wind that came wafting, Build ye thus and so. After long delays returning Came the master back by night; To his ship-yard longing, yearning, "Come and see my ship, my darling!" On the morrow said the King;· "Finished now from keel to carling; Never yet was seen in Norway Such a wondrous thing!" In the ship-yard, idly talking, At the ship the workmen stared: Some one, all their labor balking, Down her sides had cut deep gashes, "Death be to the evil-doer!" With an oath King Olaf spoke; "But rewards to his pursuer!" And with wrath his face grew redder Straight the master-builder, smiling, Who has done this thing!" Then he chipped and smoothed the planking, With much lauding and much thanking, 1 "Handsomer is now my Dragon Than she was before!" Seventy ells and four extended High above it, gilt and splendid, With its crest of steel. Then they launched her from the tressels, Half so fine as she! The Long Serpent was she christened, 'Mid the roar of cheer on cheer! They who to the Saga listened Heard the name of Thorberg Skafting For a hundred year! |