The host thereof saw off land laden were the war-ships of the Danes.’
¶ It was at that time that they burned the homestead of Thorkel Geyser. He was a great chief, natheless were his daughters led bounden to the ships: the winter before had they shown themselves very scornful of Harald & had made mock of his war cruise to Denmark, & from cheese had they cut out anchors and said that most like these would well suffice to hold the ships of the King of Norway. Then was this chanted:
‘Now from their whey cheeses cut
The maids of Denmark rings for anchors,
And this gibe annoyance gave the King.
Now see I maidens many in the morn
Reach the King’s ships in fetters heavy:
Fewer laugh now.’
¶ It is related that the look-out man who had observed the fleet of King Harald’s cried out to the daughters of Thorkel Geyser, ‘Ye Geyser daughters said that Harald would never come to Denmark.’ Quoth one of them, ‘That was yesterday.’
¶ At a very high price did Thorkel ransom his daughters. Thus saith Grani: