Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/172

 162 EARLY KINGS OF NORWAY. administrator there, in his own stead. To which, the sanguine Magnus, in spite of advice to the contrary, insisted on acceding. "Too powerful a Jarl," said Einar Tamberskelver — the same Einar whose how was heard to break in Olaf Tryggveson's last battle {" Norway breaking from thy hand. King ! "), who had now become Magnus's chief man, and had long been among the highest chiefs in Norway ; '^ too powerful a Jarl," said Einar earnestly. But Magnus disregarded it ; and a troublesome experience had to teach him that it was true. In about a year, crafty Svein, bringing ends to meet, got himself declared King of Denmark for his own behoof, instead of Jarl for another's : and had to be beaten and driven out by Magnus. Beaten every year ; but almost always returned next year, for a new beating, — almost, though not altogether; having at length got one dreadful smashing-down and half-killing, which held him quiet a while, — so long as Magnus lived. Nay in the end, he made good his point, as if by mere patience in being beaten; and did become King himself, and progenitor of all the Kings that followed. King Svein Estrithson; so-called from Astrid or Estrith, his