Come away from that door,

Wishing that spring would chase winter

From the valley any faster

Is a poor way to waste time !

Come into the hall

Next to the fire with me

Where the warmth melts pain

From my old bones,

And I will sing an old Island Haf tale.

“The edge-bold prince of the Tronds

Thought to lay all

Lands in peace by wisdom;

The bonders liked it well.

The folk were glad that the fire

Of England eagerly wished

To accustom his folk to peace

Olav the Mighty

Is the best prince born under the sun!”

Olav Kyrre the Peaceful (Olav Haraldson)

Heated his halls and his rooms

And strewed them with fresh juniper.

Bergen was his market town

And soon he started building

 the Great Christ Church in the same year

that William took Hastingaport.

Later, in that church the faithful blind saw light!

The pious deaf heard music.

Now then, Olav and St. Canute were mighty friends.

Olav gave Canute sixty ships with strong men

To settle England and collect scot.

It came to pass that

King Olav died in Haukho

And the people in great mourning

Buried him in Nidaros’ Christ Church.

As Stuf the Scald sang:

“The pillar of Kingly grace

in bountiness is shown;

what other King took pride

in giving his wealth to all?”

(from “Heimskrighla” by Storre Surtason, 1178-1241, translation, 1932)