Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/118

 by turns the better lot. I am little beyond childhood in years; and at any rate we could not have defended ourselves, as we did not expect any attack on the way. It may turn out better with us another time."

King.—"Dost thou not apprehend that thou art in such a condition that, hereafter, there can be neither victory nor defeat for thee?"

Hakon.—"That is what only thou canst determine, King, according to thy pleasure."

King.—"What wilt thou give me, Jarl, if, for this time I let thee go, whole and unhurt ?"

Hakon.—"What wilt thou take. King? "

King.—"Nothing, except that thou shalt leave the country; give up thy kingdom; and take an oath that thou wilt never go into battle against me."

Jarl Hakon accepted the generous terms; went to England and King Knut, and kept his bargain for a good few years; though he was at last driven, by pressure of King Knut, to violate it,—little to his profit, as we shall see. One victorious naval battle