Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/196

 188 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vii. according to his judgment. Gudmund supported the matter, and many others formed their opinions by his. Then some asked why his brother Einar did not speak on the subject. " We think he has the clearest insight into most things." Einar answers, " I have said so little about the matter because nobody has asked me about it ; but if I may give my opinion, our countrymen might just as well make themselves at once liable to land-scatt to King Olaf, and submit to all his exactions as he has them among his people in Norway ; and this heavy burden we will lay not only upon ourselves, but on our sons, and their sons, and all our race, and on all the community dwelling and living in this land, which never after will be free from this slavery. Now although this king is a good man, as I well believe him to be, yet it must be hereafter, when kings succeed each other, that some will be good, and some bad. There- fore if the people of this country will preserve the freedom they have enjoyed since the land was first inhabited, it is not advisable to give the king the smallest spot to fasten himself upon the country by, and not to give him any kind of scatt or service that can have the appearance of a duty. On the other hand, I think it very proper that the people send the king such friendly presents of hawks or horses, tents or sails, or such things which are suitable gifts ; and these are well applied if they are repaid with friendship. But as to Grimso Isle, I have to say, that although nothing is drawn from it that can serve for food, yet it could support a great war-force cruising from thence in long-ships ; and then, I doubt, there would be distress enough at every poor peasant's door." When Einar had thus explained the proper con- nection of the matter, the whole community were of one mind that such a thing should not be permitted ;