Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/203

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 195 peace to all countries, he will also offer peace to all saga vn. here, if it can be so settled, and will not invade Nor- way with his army if it can be avoided. Now if King Olaf Haraldsson wishes to remain king of Norway, he will come to King Canute, and receive his kingdom as a fief from him, become his vassal, and pay the scatt which the earls before him formerly paid." There- upon they presented their letters, which contained precisely the same conditions. Then King Olaf replies, " I have heard say, by old stories, that the Danish king Gorm was considered but a small king of a few people, for he ruled over Denmark alone; but the kings who succeeded him thought that was too little. It has since come so far that King Canute rules over Denmark and England, and has conquered for himself a great part of Scotland. Now he claims also my paternal heritage, and will then show some moderation in his covetousness. Does he wish to rule over all the countries of the North ? Will he eat up all the kail in England? He shall do so, and reduce that country to a desert, before I lay my head in his hands, or show him any other kind of vassalage. Now ye shall tell him these my words, — I will defend Norway with battle-axe and sword as long as life is given me, and will pay scatt to no man for my kingdom." After this answer King Canute's embassadors made themselves ready for their journey home, and were by no means rejoiced at the success of their errand. Sigvat the scald had been with King Canute, who had given him a gold ring that weighed half a mark. The scald Birse Thorfeson was also there, and to him King Canute gave two gold rings, each weighing two marks, and besides a sword inlaid with gold. Sigvat made this song about it : — o 2