Lord Arinbjorn was with Harold Eric’s son, and was made his counsellor, and had of him great
honours. He was commander of his forces and defender of the land. A great warrior was Arinbjorn,
and a victorious. He was governor of the Firth folk. Egil Skallagrimsson heard these tidings of the
change of kings in Norway, and therewith how Arinbjorn had returned to his estates in Norway, and
was there in great honour. Then Egil composed a poem about Arinbjorn, whereof this is the beginning:

ARINBJORN’S EPIC, OR A PART THEREOF.

1.

’For generous prince

Swift praise I find,

But stint my words

To stingy churl.

Openly sing I

Of king’s true deeds,

But silence keep

On slander’s lies.

2.

’For fabling braggarts

Full am I of scorn,

But willing speak I

Of worthy friends:

Courts I of monarchs

A many have sought,

A gallant minstrel

Of guileless mood.