Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/103

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 95 time, Biorn and his company returned to Norway, sagayil When he came to King Olaf he told him the result of his errand, and the king returned him many thanks for his conduct, and said Biorn had had great success in bringing his errand to so favourable a conclusion against such animosity. On the approach of spring King Olaf went down Chapter to the coast, had his ships rigged out, summoned of ^ ino. troops to him, and proceeded in spring out from Yiken Reek's to the Naze, and so north to Hordaland. He then sent messages to all the lendermen, selected the most considerable men in each district, and made the most splendid preparations to meet his bride. The wed- ding feast was to be in autumn, at the Gotha river, on the frontiers of the two countries. King Olaf had with him the blind king Rgerek. When his wound was healed, the king gave him two men to serve him, let him sit in the high seat by his side, and kept him in meat and clothes in no respect worse than he had kept himself before. Rgerek was taciturn, and answered short and cross when any one spoke to him. It was his custom to make his foot-boy, when he went out in the daytime, lead him away from people, and then to beat the lad until he ran away. He would then com- plain to King Olaf that the lad would not serve him. The King changed his servants, but it was as before ; no servant would hold it out with King Raerek. Then the king appointed a man called Swend to wait upon and serve King Raerek. He was Raerek' s relation, and had formerly been in his service. Raerek con- tinued with his habits of moroseness, and of soli- tary walks; but when he and Swend were alone together, he was merry and talkative. He used to bring up many things which had happened in former days when he was king. He alluded, too, to the man who had, in his former days, torn him from his kingdom and happiness, and made him live on alms.