Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/368

 360 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vm. Queen Astrid spoke these words : — " Here is come to us a son of Olaf the Saint, called Magnus, who intends to make an expedition to Norway to seek his father's heritage. It is my great duty to give him aid towards this expedition ; for he is my stepson, as is known to all, both Swedes and Norwegians. Nei- ther shall he want men or money, in so far as I can procure them or have influence, in order that his strength may be as great as possible ; and all the men who will support this cause of his shall have my fullest friendship ; and I would have it known that I intend myself to go with him on this attempt, that all may see I will spare nothing that is in my power to help him." She spoke long and cleverly in this strain; but when she had ended many replied thus : — " The Swedes made no honourable progress in Norway when they followed King Olaf his father, and now no better success is to be expected, as this man is but in years of boyhood ; and therefore we have little inclination for this expedition." Astrid replies, " All men who wish to be thought of true courage must not be de- terred by such considerations. If any have lost con- nections at the side of King Olaf, or been themselves wounded, now is the time to show a man's heart and courage, and go to Norway to take vengeance." Astrid succeeded so far with words and encouragement that many men determined to go with her, and follow King Magnus to Norway. Sigvat the scald speaks of this : — " Now Astrid, Olaf s widowed queen, — She who so many a change had seen, — Took all the gifts of happier days, Jewels and rings, all she could raise, And at a Thing at Hungrar, where The Swedes were numerous, did declare What Olaf 's son proposed to do, And brought her gifts — their pay — in view. " And with the Swedes no wiser plan, To bring out every brave bold man,