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INTEODtJCTION. 69
4. Gunlaugs Ormstungu-saga, is the life of the
Skald Gunlaug, the Serpent-Tongued, who traveled
about much in Norway, England, and Sweden, was
loved and caressed for his talents, and hated for his
cutting sarcasm. He was killed in a duel in the
year 1013.-
6. Viga-Glums-saga. History of the chieftan
Glum, who became notorious by his cunning and
impudence in some unimportant quarrels, and who
died in 1003 as a Christian. Although there are
few important or interesting occurrences in this
Saga, it contains valuable contributions to the his-
tory of the worship and religious tenets of the Ice-
landers.
6. Egils-saga is, perhaps, the most attractive of
the Icelandic Biographies. Egil, a renowned poet
and chieftain, lived in the tenth century. His life
was most active, wild and adventurous. Under every
variety of circumstances he roved about in the
North-lands, and plundered on the coasts of Fries-
land, Saxony and Prussia ; his violent passion, his
quarrelsome and vindictive disposition precipitated
him into the most desperate situations, but cun-
ning, physical strength, and his poetic gift, always
rescued him. "Wearied at length with this barren,
unstable life, and rich in experience, in renown,
and in treasures, he returned to his distant home,
where he lived to an advanced age, celebrated as a
Skald and feared as a chieftain, and died adven-
turously at last.
7. Kormaks-saga. Kormak was scarcely less renowned
as a poet than Egil, of whom he was a co-
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