Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/125

 s marriage. KINGS OF NORWAY. 117 they produced the tokens which Olaf himself had saga vh. sent to the earl, that he might place confidence in Thord. Without delay the earl made himself ready for a journey, as did Astrid, the king's daughter ; and the earl took with him 100 men, who were chosen both from among his court-men and the sons of great bonders, and who were carefully equipt in all things, clothes, weapons, and horses. Then they rode north- wards to Sarpsburg, and came there at Candlemas. King Olaf had put all things in order in the best Chapter style. There were all sorts of liquors of the best that G f King* could be got, and all other preparations of the same OIaf > quality. Many people of consequence were sum- moned in from their residences. When the earl ar- rived with his retinue the king received him particu- larly well ; and the earl was shown to a large, good, and remarkably well-furnished house for his lodging ; and serving-men and others were appointed to wait on him ; and nothing was wanting, in any respect, that could grace a feast. Now when the entertain- ment had lasted some days, the king, the earl, and Astrid had a conference together ; and the result of it was, that Earl Rognvald contracted Astrid, daughter of the Swedish king Olaf, to Olaf king of Norway, with the same dowry which had before been settled that her sister Ingigerd should have from home. King Olaf, on his part, should give Astrid the same bride-gift that had been intended for her sister Ingi- gercl. Thereupon an eke was made to the feast, and King Olaf and Queen Astrid' s wedding was drunk in great festivity. Earl Rognvald then returned to Gotland, and the king gave the earl many great and good gifts at parting ; and they parted the dearest of friends, which they continued to be while they lived. The spring thereafter came embassadors from King Chapter Jarisleif in Novogorod to Sweden, to treat more par- Th( ie agree- ticularly about the promise given by King Olaf the ] the king of i 3