Round him busily hewed and hammered Mallet huge and heavy axe; Workmen laughed and sang and clamored; Spun the shining flax! All this tumult heard the master, — It was music to his ear; Fancy whispered all the faster, "Men shall hear of Thorberg Skafting Workmen sweating at the forges Fashioned iron bolt and bar, Like a warlock's midnight orgies Smoked and bubbled the black caldron With the boiling tar. 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, From his homestead words of woe; To his farm went Thorberg Skafting, Build ye thus and so. After long delays returning Came the master back by night; To his ship-yard longing, yearning, Hurried he, and did not leave it Till the morning's light. "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: 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, Till the King, delighted, swore, With much lauding and much thanking, "Handsomer is now my Dragon Than she was before!" Seventy ells and four extended On the grass the vessel's keel; 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! XIV. THE CREW OF THE LONG SERPENT. SAFE at anchor in Drontheim bay And, striped with white and blue, Downward fluttered sail and banner, As alights the screaming lanner; Lustily cheered, in their wild manner, The Long Serpent's crew. Her forecastle man was Ulf the Red; Like a wolf's was his shaggy head, His teeth as large and white; His beard, of gray and russet blended, Round as a swallow's nest descended; As standard-bearer he defended Olaf's flag in the fight. |