Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/332

 324 SAGA VII. Chapter ccxxxii. Kalf Arneson's speech. CHRONICLE OF THE fide in myself so much as to raise the banner against King Olaf, or, as chief, to lead on this army ; for the people of Drontheim have the greatest part m this armament, and I know well their haughty spirit, and that they would not obey me, or any other Halogaland man, although I need not be reminded of my injuries to be roused to vengeance on King Olaf. I remem- ber well my heavy loss when King Olaf slew four men, all distinguished both by birth and personal qualities ; namely, my brother's son Asbiorn, my sis- ter's sons Thorer and Griotgard, and their father 01- ver; and it is my duty to take vengeance for each man of them. I will not conceal that I have selected eleven of my house-servants for that purpose, and of those who are the most daring ; and I do not think we shall be behind others in exchanging blows with King Olaf, should opportunity be given." Then Kalf Arneson desired to speak. " It is highly necessary," says he, " that this business we have on hand do not turn out a mockery and child work, now that an army is collected. Something else is needful, if we are to stand battle with King Olaf, than that each should shove the danger from himself; for we must recollect that although King Olaf has not many people compared to this army of ours, the leader of them is intrepid, and the whole body of them will be true to him, and obedient in the battle. But if we who should be the leaders of this army show any fear, and will not encourage the army and go at the head of it, it must happen that with the great body of our people the spirit will leave their hearts, and the next thing will be that each will seek his own safety. Although we have now a great force assem- bled, we shall find our destruction certain, when we meet King Olaf and his troops, if we the chiefs of the people are not confident in our cause, and have not the whole army confidently and bravely going along