Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/293

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 285 King Olaf gave leave to return home to many of his sa ga v ii. men who had farms and children to take care of; for it seemed to them uncertain what safety there might be for the families and property of those who left the country with him. Then the king explained to his friends his intention of leaving the country, and going first east into Sweden, and there taking his deter- mination as to where he should go : but he let his friends know his intention to return to the country, and regain his kingdom, if God should grant him longer life; and he did not conceal his expectation that the people of Norway would again return to their fealty to him. " I think," says he, "that Earl Hakon will have Norway but a short time under his power, which many will not think an extraordinary expec- tation, as Earl Hakon has had but little luck against me : but probably few people will trust to my pro- phecy, that Canute the Great will in the course of a few years die, and his kingdoms vanish ; and there will be no risings in favour of his race." When the king had ended his speech, his men prepared them- selves for their departure. The king, with the troop that followed him, turned east to Eida forest. And there were along with him the Queen Astrid ; their daughter Ulfhild; Magnus, King Olaf's son; Rogn- vald Brusesson ; the three sons of Arne, Thorberg, Finn, and Arne, with many lendermen ; and the king's attendants consisted of many chosen men. Biorn the marshal got leave to go home, and he went to his farm, and many others of the king's friends returned home with his permission to their farms. The king begged them to let him know the events which might happen in the country, and which it might be important for him to know: and now the king proceeded on his way. It is to be related of King Olaf's journey, that he c ^py R went first from Norway eastward through Eyda King oiaf