Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/124

 116 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vii. king's daughter, said exactly the same. Soon after Sigvat returns home, and comes to King Olaf at Sarpsburg a little before Yule. He immediately tells King Olaf the news he had heard; and at first the king was much cast down when he heard of King Jarisleif 's suit, and he said he expected nothing but evil from King Olaf; but wished he might be able to return it in such a way as Olaf should remember. A while afterwards the king asks Sigvat about various news from Gotland. Sigvat spoke a great deal about Astrid, the king's daughter; how beautiful she was, how agreeable in her conversation; and that all de- dared she was in no respect behind her sister Ingi- gerd. The king listened with pleasure to this. Then Sigvat told him the conversation he and Astrid had had between themselves, and the king was delighted at the idea. "The Swedish king," said he, "will scarcely think that I will dare to marry a daughter of his without his consent." But this speech of his was not known generally. King Olaf and Sigvat the scald often spoke about it. The king inquired particularly of Sigvat what he knew about Earl Rognvald, and " if he be truly our friend," said the king. Sigvat said that the earl was King Olaf 's best friend, and sang these verses : — " The mighty Olaf should not cease With him to hold good terms and peace; For this good earl unwearied shows He is thy friend where all are foes. Of all who dwell by the East Sea So friendly no man is as he : At all their Things he takes thy part, And is thy firm friend, hand and heart." xcin R After Yule ' Thord Skotakoll, a sister's son of EariRogn- Sigvat, attended by one of Sigvat's footboys, who had Ast d rid" s d keen witn Sigvat the autumn before at Gotland, went NonvY to C * uite secre % fr° m the court, and proceeded to Got- land. When they came to Earl Kognvald's court,