X. RAUD THE STRONG "ALL the old gods are dead, All the wild warlocks fled; But the White Christ lives and reigns, And throughout my wide domains His Gospel shall be spread!" On the Evangelists Thus swore King Olaf. But still in dreams of the night And heard the voice that defied Him who was crucified, And challenged him to the fight. To Sigurd the Bishop And Sigurd the Bishop said, The old witchcraft still is spread." Said Sigurd the Bishop. "Far north in the Salten Fiord, By rapine, fire, and sword, Lives the Viking, Raud the Strong; To him and his heathen horde." "A warlock, a wizard is he, Here the sign of the cross "With rites that we both abhor, That all the old gods are dead, Said Sigurd the Bishop. Then King Olaf cried aloud : "I will talk with this mighty Raud, And along the Salten Fiord Preach the Gospel with my sword, Or be brought back in my shroud!" Sailed King Olaf ! XI. BISHOP SIGURD AT SALTEN FIORD LOUD the angry wind was wailing To the mouth of Salten Fiord. Though the flying sea-spray drenches Of the champions there on board. All without the Fiord was quiet, Such as on his Viking cruises Raud the Strong was wont to ride. And the sea through all its tide-ways ""T is the warlock! 't is the demon Raud!" cried Sigurd to the seamen ; "But the Lord is not affrighted By the witchcraft of his foes." To the ship's bow he ascended, On the bow stood Bishop Sigurd, High amid the rain and mist. Then with holy water sprinkled As into the Fiord they darted, On each side the water parted; Down a path like silver molten Steadily rowed King Olaf's ships; Steadily burned all night the tapers, As through John's Apocalypse, Till at last they reached Raud's dwelling Not a guard was at the doorway, Not a glimmer of light was seen. But at anchor, carved and gilded, Up the stairway, softly creeping, Bolt and bar that held the door. Drunken with sleep and ale they found him, Dragged him from his bed and bound him, While he stared with stupid wonder, At the look and garb they wore. Then King Olaf said: "O Sea-King! Be baptized, or thou shalt die!" But in scorn the heathen scoffer Thee and thy Gospel I defy!" |