George Borrow

“ After some time, Hakon, seeing that he is on the point of being vanquished, goes on shore, and invokes the assistance of two female demons, Thorgerdr and Yrpr, to whom he sacrifices his son Erling, a beautiful boy, seven years old. The fiends forthwith raise a storm of hail and lightning against the Jomsvikingar, so dreadful that Sigvald and the greater part of his people take to flight. ”

“ His two lieutenants, however, Bui hin Digri and Vagn Akason, disdain to fly, and remain with their ships and crews. The ship of Bui is speedily boarded by Eirik, son of Earl Hakon. Bui fights till his hands are chopped off, whereupon he seizes two chests of gold with his bloody stumps, and leaps into the sea, crying, “Overboard now, all Bui’s lads!” The greater part of those of his people who remain alive jump in after him, and are drowned; the rest are slain. ”

“ Stout hands the hosts have.
How fierce the swords wave!
In brains of the brave
How busy the glaive!
The fine fellows die,
From the string arrows fly,
From off the shield’s sky
The sparkles spring high. ”