Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/302

 294 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vii. ^ip when he found occasion ; and never halted until he came east to Russia to King Olaf, who was very glad to see Biorn. Then the king inquired much about the news from Norway. Biorn tells him that Earl Hakon was missing, and the kingdom left with- out a head. At this news the men who had followed King Olaf were very glad, — all who had left property, connections, and friends in Norway ; and the longing for home was awakened in them. Biorn told King Olaf much news from Norway, and very anxious the king was to know, and asked much how his friends had kept their fidelity towards him. Biorn answered, it had gone differently with different people. Then Biorn stood up, fell at the king's feet, held his foot, and said, " All is in your power, sire, and in God's ! I have taken money from King Canute's men, and sworn them the oaths of fealty ; but now will I follow thee, and not part from thee so long as we both live." The king replies, " Stand up, Biorn : thou shalt be reconciled with me ; but reconcile thy perjury with God. I can see that but few men in Norway have held fast by their fealty, when such men as thou art could be false to me. But true it is also that people sit in great danger when I am distant, and they are exposed to the wrath of my enemies." Biorn then reckoned up those who had principally bound themselves to rise in hostility against the king and his men; and named, among others, Erling's son in Jederen and their connections, Einar Tambar- skelver, Kalf Arneson, Thorer Hund, and Harek of Thiotto. cxcvin. , After Kin g 01af ca ^e to Russia he was very OfKing thoughtful, and weighed what counsel he now should follow. King Jarisleif and Queen Ingigerd offered him to remain with them, and receive a kingdom