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XVII. The poet here calls a sword the thorn from its scabbard; and a breastplate Hamder's shirt of mail, from a hero who was supposed to have armour proof against every weapon.
XVIII. Sea-kings valued themselves much upon their honour, and after a famous adventurer were denominated sons of Endil. A battle was fought at Sky with so much ardour, that the royal Skald says his ships were red with blood. To comprehend this passage it is necessary to remark, that antiently, prior to an engagement, the ships weré linked closely together, by the mutual consent of the combatants, that they might engage hand to hand, from the decks — Scogul was one of the Scandinavian Bellonas, and armour is called her vesture — Skiold, the son of Odin, is reputed to have been the progenitor of the Danish kings, & from him they were named Skioldungi.
The rovers from Lochlin often landed on the isle of Sky, tho' its inhabitants were much celebrated for their bravery. A Hero of the vii. age, while chearing his dying moments with the rehearsal of his exploits in the Sudoreys, thus sings.
