Saint Olave's Voyage

Olave and Harald disagreed,
Which should to Norway's rocks succeed.
At Tronhiem so pleasant it is to rest.

"Which of us two the best can sail,
"Shall rule all Norway, hill and dale.

"Which of us first shall reach the strand,
"Shall king be crown'd of all the land."

'Twas Harald Hardrade answer made,
"Be it even so, as thou hast said.

"But, if I sail today with thee,
"Then thou shalt change thy ship with me;

"For with thy Dragon's rapid pace
"How is my drudging Ox to race?

"Like wind-borne cloud thy Dragon flies,
"My Ox his way as slowly plies."

"Harald, if so it pleases thee,
"I will to these thy terms agree.

"If mine is a better one than thine,
"I'll take thy ship, and give thee mine.

"The lively Dragon thou shalt take,
"And I with the Ox my voyage make.

"But first we both to church will go,
"Before we either sail or row.

As Olave through the churchyard strode,
Like golden thread his tresses glow'd.

A message came in haste to say,
"Thy brother Harald sails away."

"So let them sail, if sail they will,
"To God's word we will listen still.

"But while at Mass I hear His word,
"Go ye and water take on board."

"We go to table, eat our meal,
"And hasten then to launch our keel."

They took their meal, and sought the strand,
Where lay the tardy Ox at land;

And water, anchor, rope and oar
They quickly aboard their vessel bore.

Saint Olave sat on the ship's prow;
"Now, Ox, in name of Jesus go."

Saint Olave seized his long white horn;
"Now go, as if in fields of corn."

Such strides the Ox began to make,
That high with billows foam'd the wake.

"See, thou who sittest on the mast,
"If Harald's ship we are catching fast"

"For all the world naught else I see,
"Than just the top of a lofty tree.

"And now I see near Norway's land
"A silken sail with golden band.

"And now where Norway's shoals must lie,
"I see the Dragon's mainsail fly.

"I see just under Norway's side,
"With rapid leaps the Dragon stride."

A blow on the Ox's ribs he gave;
"Put out thy strength and dance the wave."

Olave struck him across the eye;
"Now faster still to harbour hie,"

The Ox began to plunge and leap,
Their legs the crew no more could keep.

He took him cords of flax and bast,
And bound his sailors to the mast.

"How shall we sail?" the steersman cried,
"And who shall now the vessel guide?"

Olave the saint unglov'd his hand,
Himself went at the helm to stand.

"We sail o'er hills and cliffs today,
"Just where we find the nearest way."

Forth forth they go, and hill and dale
Melt into waves as on they sail.

They scud through fell and mountain blue;
And scare the cavern'd Elfin crew.

"Who sails there through my treasur'd heap,
"To make my aged father weep?"

"Turn thee to stone, and stone remain,
"And wait till I come back again."

They sail'd across the hills of Scone,
And froze the swarthy Elves to stone.

There stood a hag with spinning wheel;
"And why should we thine anger feel?

"Saint Olave, thou, with ruddy beard,
"Thy ship has through my cellar steer'd."

The Saint look'd back, "Thou hag of Scone,
"Stand there and turn to granite stone."

Onward without mishap they sped,
Before them rock and forest fled.

So swift they left them all astern,
No eye could longer aught discern.

Saint Olave forward aim'd his how,
The shaft fell on the deck below.

Down from the prow he shot the shaft,
It reach'd the frothing sea abaft.

Saint Olave, who on God relied,
Three days the first his home descried.

Harald so fierce with anger burn'd,
He into a lothely dragon turn'd.

A pious zeal Saint Olave bore,
And so the crown of Norway wore.

And now to church Saint Olave went
Humbly his heartfelt thanks to vent:

And while he round the churchyard paced,
His streaming hair a glory graced.

Whom God assists will win their aim,
Their foes win naught but grief and shame.
At Tronkiem so pleasant it is to rest.