Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/36

 28 CHRONICLE OF THE sa ga v ii. warmth ; but can she lead her son out of the business with the same splendour she is leading him into it? If it is to proceed so, methinks they who mix them- selves up in it regard little property or life. For this man, King Olaf, goes against a great superiority of power; and the wrath of the Danish and Swedish kings lies at the foot of his determination, if he ven- tures to go against them." Chapter When the king had said this he sat down, and XXXII Of the made them take off his shoes, and put corduvan* feast. boots on, to which he bound his gold spurs. Then he put off his cloak and coat, and dressed himself in his finest clothes, with a scarlet cloak over all ; girded on his sword, set a gilded helmet upon his head, and mounted his horse. He sent his labouring people out to the neighbourhood, and gathered to him thirty well-clothed men, and rode home with them. As they rode up to the house, and were near the room, they saw on the other side of the house the banners of Olaf coming waving ; and there was he himself, with about 100 men all well equipt. People were gathered over all upon the house-tops. King Sigurd immediately saluted his stepson from horseback in a friendly way, and invited him and his men to come in and drink a cup with him. Aasta, on the con- trary, went up and kissed her son, and invited him to stay with her ; and land, and people, and all the good she could do for him, stood at his service. King Olaf thanked her kindly for her invitation. Then she took him by the hand, and led him into the room to the high seat. King Sigurd got men to take charge of their clothes, and give their horses corn ; and then he himself went to his high seat, and the feast was made with the greatest splendour. been the ordinary wear of the king.
 * Corduvan was tanned leather. The untanned skin probably had