Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/371

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 363 neighbourhood of the king presented themselves; and SA GA V I1L the king formed a Thing, at which in a speech he set forth his business, and said he would advance against Magnus Olafsson and have a battle with him, if the bonders would aid his cause. The king's speech was not very long, and was not received with much ap- probation by the bonders. Afterwards the Danish chiefs who were about the king made long and clever speeches ; but the bonders then took up the word, and answered them; and although many said they would follow Swend, and fight on his side, some refused to do so bluntly, some were altogether silent, and some declared they would join King Magnus as soon as they had an opportunity. Then King Swend says, " Methinks very few of the bonders to whom we sent a message have appeared here ; and of those who have come, and tell us to our face that they will join King Magnus as soon as they can, we shall have as little benefit as of those who say they will sit at home quietly. It is the same with those who say nothing at all. But as to those who promise to help us, there are not more than every other man ; and that force will avail us little against King Magnus. It is my counsel, therefore, that we do not trust to these bon- ders ; but let us rather go to the land where all the people are sure and true to us, and where we will obtain forces to conquer this country again." As soon as the king had made known this resolution all his men followed it, turned their ships' bows, and hoisted sail. King Swend sailed eastward along the land, and then set right over to Denmark without delay, and Hardacanute received his brother Swend very kindly. At their first meeting Hardacanute offered King Swend to divide the kingdom of Den- mark with him, which offer King Swend accepted. In autumn King Magnus proceeded eastward to Chawkb the end of the country, and was received as king King Magnus's