Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/135

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 127 we will not be so degenerate as to need Emund to s aga v n give us counsel ; but let us, friends and relations, unite ourselves for the purpose of coming to a deter- mination." All agreed to this, and thought it was well said. Thereafter the people joined this union which the Upland chiefs made among themselves, and Freyvid and Arnvid were chiefs of the whole assem- blage. When Emund heard this he suspected how the matter would end, and went to both the brothers to have a conversation with them. Then Freyvid asked Emund, " Who, in your opinion, should we take for king, in case Olaf Ericsson's days are at an end ?" Emund — "He whom we think best suited to it, whether he be of the race of chiefs or not." Freyvid answers, " We Uplanders will not, in our time, have the kingdom go out of the old race of our ancestors, which has given us kings for a long course of generations, so long as we have so good a choice as now. King Olaf has two sons ; one of whom we will choose for king, although there is a great difference between them. The one is noble-born, and of Swedish race on both sides ; the other is a slave- woman's son, and of Vendish race on the mother's side." This decision was received with loud applause, and all would have Jacob for king. Then said Emund, " Ye Upland Swedes have the power this time to determine the matter ; but I will tell you what will happen: — some of those who now will listen to nothing but that the kingdom remain in the old race, will live to see the day when they will wish the kingdom in another race, as being of more advantage." Thereupon the brothers Freyvid and Arnvid led the king's son Jacob into the Thing, and saluted him with the title of king ; and the Swedes gave him the name of Onund, which he afterwards retained as long as he lived. He was then ten or twelve years old.