Egil Skallagrimsson (10th century Viking poet)
“Their numbers are dwindling, the famous
warriors who met with weapons
and spread gifts like the gold of day.
Where will I find generous men,
who beyond the sea that, nailed with islands,
girds the earth, showered snows of silver
on to my hands where hawks perch,
in return for my words of praise?”
- This poetic quote was attributed to Egil Skallagrimsson and can be found in Egil’s Saga (chapter 81), recorded c. 13th century possibly by Snorri Sturluson. The translation used here is by Bernard Scudder. New York: Penguin Classics, 2004 edition.
