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Like the Irish singer his chief theme was praise; but we need not suppose that the scald confined himself wholly to contemporary themes: the gleeman in Beowulf sang of the great hero that sat beside the King; but he also told the tales of the Volsungs and the still older story of creation; before the onslaught at Stiklestead one of Saint Olaf's scalds recited the ancient Bjarkam�l, the Old Norse version of Beowulf's last fight.

The accomplishments and social position of the gleeman seem to have been as varied as those of the Proven�al “joglar.”

To rise would now become us," the gleeman straight replied, "She is a king's companion, and nobly born beside.

Sir gleeman," said fierce Wolfhart, "you've done us grievous ill.

That stroke the forceful gleeman repaid with such a blow, As sent the sturdy Wolfhart tottering to and fro.