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s of great weight?〃
King Sigurd replies; that it was not so。
〃Is it then; brother;〃 says King Eystein; 〃that you would like to travel out of the country; and augment your dominions as our father did?〃
He answered; that it was not that either。
〃Is it; then; that any man here in the country has offended?〃
To this also the king said 〃No。〃
〃Then I would like to know if you have dreamt anything that has occasioned this depression of mind?〃
The king answered that it was so。
〃Tell me; then; brother; thy dream。〃
King Sigurd said; 〃I will not tell it; unless thou interpret it as it may turn out; and I shall be quick at perceiving if thy interpretation be right or not。〃
King Eystein replies; 〃This is a very difficult matter; sire; on both sides; as I am exposed to thy anger if I cannot interpret it; and to the blame of the public if I can do nothing in the matter; but I will rather fall under your displeasure; even if my interpretation should not be agreeable。〃
King Sigurd replies; 〃It appeared to me; in a dream; as if we brothers were all sitting on a bench in front of Christ church in Throndhjem; and it appeared to me as if our relative; King Olaf the Saint; came out of the church adorned with the royal raiment glancing and splendid; and with the most delightful and joyful countenance。 He went to our brother King Olaf; took him by the hand; and said cheerfully; to him; ‘Come with me; friend。' On which he appeared to stand up and go into the church。 Soon after King Olaf the Saint came out of the church; but not so gay and brilliant as before。 Now he went to thee; brother; and said to thee that thou shouldst go with him; on which he led thee with him; and ye went into the church。 Then I thought; and waited for it; that he would come to me; and meet me; but it was not so。 Then I was seized with great sorrow; and great dread and anxiety fell upon me; so that I was altogether without strength; and then I awoke。〃
King Eystein replies; 〃Thus I interpret your dream; sire; That the bench betokens the kingdom we brothers have; and as you thought King Olaf came with so glad a countenance to our brother; King Olaf; he will likely live the shortest time of us brothers; and have all good to expect hereafter; for he is amiable; young in years; and has gone but little into excess; and King Olaf the Saint must help him。 But as you thought he came towards me; but not with so much joy; I may possibly live a few years longer; but not become old; and I trust his providence will stand over me; but that he did not come to me with the same splendour and glory as to our brother Olaf; that will be because; in many ways; I have sinned and transgressed his command。 If he delayed coming to thee; I think that in no way betokens thy death; but rather a long life; but it may be that some heavy accident may occur to thee; as there was an unaccountable dread overpowering thee; but I foretell that thou will be the oldest of us; and wilt rule the kingdom longest。〃
Then said Sigurd; 〃This is well and intelligently interpreted; and it is likely it will be so。〃 And now the king began to be cheerful again。
21。 OF KING SIGURD'S MARRIAGE。
King Sigurd married Malmfrid; a daughter of King Harald Valdemarson; eastward in Novgorod。 King Harald Valdemarson's mother was Queen Gyda the Old; a daughter of the Swedish king; Inge Steinkelson。 Harald Valdemarson's other daughter; sister to Malmfrid; was Ingebjorg; who was married to Canute Lavard; a son of the Danish king; Eirik the Good; and grandson of King Svein Ulfson。 Canute's and Ingebjorg's children were; the Danish king; Valdemar; who came to the Danish kingdom after Svein Eirikson; and daughters Margaret; Christina; and Catherine。 Margaret was married to Stig Hvitaled; and their daughter was Christina; married to the Swedish king; Karl Sorkvison; and their son was King Sorkver。
22。 OF THE CASES BEFORE THE THING。
The king's relative; Sigurd Hranason; came into strife with King Sigurd。 He had had the Lapland collectorship on the king's account; because of their relationship and long friendship; and also of the many services Sigurd Hranason had done to the kings; for he was a very distinguished; popular man。 But it happened to him; as it often does to others; that persons more wicked and jealous than upright slandered him to King Sigurd; and whispered in the king's ear that he took more of the Laplander's tribute to himself than was proper。 They spoke so long about this; that King Sigurd conceived a dislike and anger to him; and sent a message to him。 When he appeared before the king; the king carried these feelings with him; and said; 〃I did not expect that thou shouldst have repaid me for thy great fiefs and other dignities by taking the king's property; and abstracting a greater portion of it than is allowable。〃
Sigurd Hranason replies; 〃It is not true that has been told you; for I have only taken such portion as I had your permission to take。〃
King Sigurd replies; 〃Thou shalt not slip away with this; but the matter shall be seriously treated before it comes to an end。〃 With that they parted。
Soon after; by the advice of his friends; the king laid an action against Sigurd Hranason at the Thing…meeting in Bergen; and would have him made an outlaw。 Now when the business took this turn; and appeared so dangerous; Sigurd Hranason went to King Eystein; and told him what mischief King Sigurd intended to do him; and entreated his assistance。 King Eystein replied; 〃This is a difficult matter that you propose to me; to speak against my brother; and there is a great difference between defending a cause and pursuing it in law;〃 and added; that this was a matter which concerned him and Sigurd equally。 〃But for thy distress; and our relationship; I shall bring in a word for thee。〃
Soon after Eystein visited King Sigurd; and entreated him to spare the man; reminding him of the relationship between them and Sigurd Hranason; who was married to their aunt; Skialdvor; and said he would pay the penalty for the crime committed against the king; although he could not with truth impute any blame to him in the matter。 Besides; he reminded the king of the long friendship with Sigurd Hranason。 King Sigurd replied; that it was better government to punish such acts。 Then King Eystein replied; 〃If thou; brother; wilt follow the law; and punish such acts according to the country's privileges; then it would be most correct that Sigurd Hranason produce his witnesses; and that the case be judged at the Thing; but not at a meeting; for the case comes under the law of the land; not under Bjarkey law。〃 Then said Sigurd; 〃It may possibly be so that the case belongs to it; as thou sayest; King Eystein; and if it be against law what has hitherto been done in this case; then we shall bring it before the Thing。〃 Then the kings parted; and each seemed determined to take his own way。 King Sigurd summoned the parties in the case before the Arnarnes Thing; and intended to pursue it there。 King Eystein came also to the Thing…place; and when the case was brought forward for judgment; King Eystein went to the Thing before judgment was given upon Sigurd Hranason。 Now King Sigurd t