Part 43 - Harald's Pride

King Harald was very proud, and his pride increased after he was established in the country; and it came so far that at last it was not good to speak against him, or to propose anything different from what he desired.

So says Thiodolf, the skald: —

"In arms 'tis right the common man
Should follow orders, one by one, —
Should stoop or rise, or run or stand,
As his war-leader may command;
But now to the king who feeds the ravens
The people bend like heartless cravens —
Nothing is left them, but consent
To what the king calls his intent."