Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/101

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 93 Then Thorgnyr stood up ; and when he arose all saga vn. the bonders stood up who had before been sitting, chapter and rushed together from all parts to listen to what ™, XXXI ; o J. 1 norgvnr s Lagman Thorgnyr would say. At first there was a speech, great din of people and weapons ; but when the noise was settled into silent listening, Thorgnyr made his speech. " The disposition of Swedish kings is different now from what it has been formerly. My grand- father Thorgnyr could well remember the Upsal king Eric Eymundsson, and used to say of him that when he was in his best years he went out every summer on expeditions to different countries, and conquered for himself Finland, Leifland, Courland, Esthonia, and the eastern countries all around ; and at the present day the earth-bulwarks, ramparts, and other great works which he made are to be seen. And, moreover, he was not so proud that he would not listen to people who had any thing to say to him. My father, again, was a long time with King Biorn, and was well acquainted with his ways and manners. In Biorn' s lifetime his kingdom stood in great power, and no kind of want was felt, and he was gay and sociable with his friends. I also remember King Eric the Victorious, and was with him on many a war- expedition. He enlarged the Swedish dominion, and defended it manfully ; and it was also easy and agree- able to communicate our opinions to him. But the king we have now got allows no man to presume to talk with him, unless it be what he desires to hear. On this alone he applies all his power, while he allows his scatt-lands in other countries to go from him through laziness and weakness. He wants to have the Norway kingdom laid under him, which no Swedish king before him ever desired, and therewith brings war and distress on many a man. Now it is our will, we bonders, that thou King Olaf make peace with the Norway king, Olaf the Thick, and marry