Oft have I, with comrades hardy, Been in battle, in the Orkneys, When the feeder of the people Led his forces to the combat. Now our trusty Earl we follow, As we carry up our bucklers Gaily to the gates of Acre On this joyful Friday morning. They stayed in Akursborg for a while, and a disease broke out among their men, of which many died. Thorbiörn Svarti died there. Oddi Litli sang: Bravely bore the Baron’s vessels Thorbiörn Svarti, scald and comrade, As he trod the sea-king’s highway, Round by Thrasness, south to Acre. There I saw them heap the grave-mould Of the High Church o’er the King’s friend. Earth and stones now lies he under In that southern land of sunshine. Earl Rögnvald and his men left Akursborg, and visited all the holiest places of Jorsalaland. They went all to Jordan and bathed. Earl Rögnvald and Sigmund Ongul swam across the river, and went to some shrubs and tied large knots.[382] The Earl sang: Long the way is I have travelled To this heath, enclosed by deserts, And the wise maid will remember, Too, my crossing over Jordan. Seems to me, that those who tarry At their homesteads, will not find it A short journey here to travel. Warm the blood falls on the wide plain. Then Sigmund sang: This day I have tied a strong knot For the churlish clown that’s sitting By the home-hearth; ’tis no falsehood That we play him now a fine trick. The Earl sang: On this feast-day of St. Lawrence, Tie we knots for this fine fellow. Tired I came to this nice corner, Where the shrubs grow close together. And when they were going from Jorsalaland Earl Rögnvald sang: From the scald’s neck hangs the cross now, In his hand a palm he carries. Now should cease unkindly feelings: From the heights my men rush downwards.