“What sea-worn barks are those which throw The light spray from each rushing prow? Have they not in the North Sea’s blast Bowed to the waves the straining mast? Their frozen sails the low, pale sun Of Thule’s night has shone upon; Flapped by the sea-wind’s gusty sweep, Round icy drift and headland steep. Wild Jutland’s wives and Lochlin’s daughters Have watched them fading o’er the waters, Lessening through driving mist and spray, Like white-winged sea-birds on their way. Onward they glide; and now I view Their iron-armed and stalwart crew: Joy glistens in each wild blue eye Turned to green earth and summer sky: Each broad, seamed breast has cast aside Its cumbering vest of shaggy hide: Bared to the sun, and soft warm air, Streams back the Norseman’s yellow hair. I see the gleam of axe and spear; The sound of smitten shields I hear, Keeping a harsh and fitting time To Saga’s chant and Runic rhyme.” THE LEGENDS OF THE NORTHMEN. I.――HOW THE NORTHMEN DISCOVERED NORTH AMERICA. [About the year 860, a Danish sailor named Gardar was driven upon the shores of Iceland, after which that island was settled by a colony from Norway. About a hundred years later, Greenland was settled from Iceland; Eirek the Red being the first to make the voyage. With him went one Heriulf, whose son Biarni had been in the habit of passing every other winter with his father, and then sailing on distant voyages. Then happened what follows.] THAT same summer (985 or 986) came Biarni with his ship to Eyrar (Iceland), in the spring of which his father had sailed from the island. These tidings seemed to Biarni weighty, and he would not unload his ship. Then asked his sailors[1] what he meant to do. He answered, that he meant to hold to his wont,[2] and winter with his father; “and I will bear for Greenland, if you will follow me thither.” All said they would do as he wished. Then said Biarni, “Imprudent they will think our voyage, since none of us has been in the Greenland Sea.” Illustration: A NORSE SHIP.