Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/189

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 181 he had ordered winter provision to be collected, and saga vn. remained all winter. This was the tenth year of his reign. The summer before Einar Tambarskelver left the Chatter cxxx. country, and went westward to England. There he of Einar' met his relative Earl Hakon, and staid some time with Tambar- skelvcr. him. He then visited King Canute, from whom he received great presents. Einar then went south all the way to Rome, and came back the folloAving sum- mer, and returned to his house and land. King Olaf and Einar did not meet this time. There was a sdrl whose name was Alf hild, and who Chapter CXXXI. was usually called the king's slave-woman, although The birth she was of s;ood descent. She was a remarkably hand- °{ Kins o ^ J Magnus. some girl, and lived in King Olaf 's court. It was reported this spring that Alf hild was with child, and the king's confidential friends knew that he was father of the child. It happened one night that Alf hild was taken ill, and only few people were at hand; namely, some women, priests, Sigvat the scald, and a few others. Alf hild was so ill that she was nearly dead ; and when she was delivered of a man-child, it was some time before they could discover whether the child was in life. But when the infant drew breath, although very weak, the priest told Sigvat to hasten to the king, and tell him of the event. He replies, " I dare not on any account waken the king ; for he has forbid that any man should break his sleep until he awakens of himself." The priest replies, " It is of necessity that this child be immediately baptized, for it appears to me there is but little life in it." Sigvat said, " I would rather venture to take upon me to let thee baptize the child, than to awaken the king ; and I will take it upon myself if any thing be amiss, and will give the child a name." They did so ; and the child was baptized, and got n 3