[ 73 ]
INTRODUCTION.
“HAROLD, surnamed The Valiant, lived about the middle of the eleventh century, and was one of the most illustrious adventurers of his time. Piracy was considered among the northern nations, as the only road to riches and glory: in pursuit of these Harold had not only run thro’ all the northern seas, but had even penetrated into the Mediterranean, and made many successful attempts on the coasts of Africa and Sicily. He was at length taken. prisoner and detained for some time at Constantinople. In this ode he complains that all the glory he had
