Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/132

 124 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vii. man is to be placed by the side of the Upsal kings. Let us all give thanks that it has so turned out ; for the o-ods have long protected their descendants, al- though many now neglect this faith." There were three brothers : — Arnvid the Blind, who had a great understanding, but was so weak-sighted that he was scarcely tit for war; the second was Thorvid the Stammerer, who could not utter two Avords together at one time, but was remarkably bold and courageous ; the third was Freyvid the Deaf, who was hard of hearing. All these brothers were rich and powerful men, of noble birth, great wisdom, and all very dear to the king. Then said King Olaf, " What means that which Emund said about Atle the Proud ?" None made any reply, but the one looked at the other. " Speak freely," said the king. Then said Thorvid the Stammerer, " Atle, covetous, greedy, insatiable, insufferable, proud." Then said the king, " To whom are these words of reproach and mockery applied ? " Freyvid the Deaf replied, " We w^ill speak more clearly if we have your permission." The king — " Speak freely, Freyvid, what you will." Freyvid took up the word, and spoke. " My brother Thorvid, who is considered to be the wisest of us brothers, holds the words 4 covetous, greedy, insatiable, proud,' to be one and the same thing ; for it applies to him who is weary of peace, longs for small things without attaining them, while he lets great and useful things pass away as they came. I am deaf; yet so loud have many spoken out, that I can perceive that all men, both great and small, take it ill that you have not kept your promise to the king of Norway ; and, worse than that, that you broke the decision of the community as it was delivered at Upsal Thing. You need not fear either the king of Norway, or the king