Eirik the Reds Saga | Page 5

made throughout the homestead if any woman were so
learned. Then answered Gudrid, "I am not skilled in deep learning, nor
am I a wise-woman, although Halldis, my foster-mother, taught me, in
Iceland, the lore which she called Weird-songs." "Then art thou wise in
good season," answered Thorbjorg; but Gudrid replied, "That lore and
the ceremony are of such a kind, that I purpose to be of no assistance
therein, because I am a Christian woman." Then answered Thorbjorg,
"Thou mightest perchance afford thy help to the men in this company,
and yet be none the worse woman than thou wast before; but to
Thorkell give I charge to provide here the things that are needful."
Thorkell thereupon urged Gudrid to consent, and she yielded to his
wishes. The women formed a ring round about, and Thorbjorg
ascended the scaffold and the seat prepared for her enchantments. Then
sang Gudrid the weird-song in so beautiful and excellent a manner, that
to no one there did it seem that he had ever before heard the song in
voice so beautiful as now. The spae-queen thanked her for the song.
"Many spirits," said she, "have been present under its charm, and were
pleased to listen to the song, who before would turn away from us, and
grant us no such homage. And now are many things clear to me which
before were hidden both from me and others. And I am able this to say,
that the dearth will last no longer--the season improving as spring
advances. The epidemic of fever which has long oppressed us will
disappear quicker than we could have hoped. And thee, Gudrid, will I
recompense straightway, for that aid of thine which has stood us in
good stead; because thy destiny is now clear to me, and foreseen. Thou
shalt make a match here in Greenland, a most honourable one, though it
will not be a long-lived one for thee, because thy way lies out to
Iceland; and there, shall arise from thee a line of descendants both
numerous and goodly, and over the branches of thy family shall shine a

bright ray. And so fare thee now well and happily, my daughter."
Afterwards the men went to the wise-woman, and each enquired after
what he was most curious to know. She was also liberal of her replies,
and what she said proved true. After this came one from another
homestead after her, and she then went there. Thorbjorn was invited,
because he did not wish to remain at home while such heathen worship
was performing. The weather soon improved when once spring began,
as Thorbjorg had said, Thorbjorn made ready his ship, and went on
until he came to Brattahlid (the steep slope). Eirik received him with
the utmost cordiality, saying he had done well to come there. Thorbjorn
and his family were with him during the winter. And in the following
spring Eirik gave to Thorbjorn land at Stokknes, and handsome farm
buildings were there built for him, and he dwelt there afterwards.
4. Eirik had a wife who was named Thjodhild, and two sons; the one
was named Thorstein, and the other Leif. These sons of Eirik were both
promising men. Thorstein was then at home with his father; and there
was at that time no man in Greenland who was thought so highly of as
he. Leif had sailed to Norway, and was there with King Olaf
Tryggvason. Now, when Leif sailed from Greenland during the summer,
he and his men were driven out of their course to the Sudreyjar. They
were slow in getting a favourable wind from this place, and they stayed
there a long time during the summer ... reaching Norway about
harvest-tide. He joined the body-guard of King Olaf Tryggvason, and
the king formed an excellent opinion of him, and it appeared to him
that Leif was a well-bred man. Once upon a time the king entered into
conversation with Leif, and asked him, "Dost thou purpose sailing to
Greenland in summer?" Leif answered, "I should wish so to do, if it is
your will." The king replied, "I think it may well be so; thou shalt go
my errand, and preach Christianity in Greenland." Leif said that he was
willing to undertake it, but that, for himself, he considered that message
a difficult one to proclaim in Greenland. But the king said that he knew
no man who was better fitted for the work than he. "And thou shalt
carry," said he, "good luck with thee in it." "That can only be," said
Leif, "if I carry yours with me." Leif set sail as soon as he was ready.
He was tossed about a long time out at sea, and lighted upon lands of
which before he had no