Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/41

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 33 against the Danish king. But when he had set him- SAGA vn - self fast in the kingdom with the help of the people, he became so hard and overbearing towards the country-folks, that they would no longer suffer him. The Drontheim people killed him, and raised to the kingly power Olaf Tryggvesson, who was of the udal succession to the kingdom, and in all respects well fitted to be a chief. The "whole country's desire was to make him supreme king, and raise again the king- dom which Harald Haarfager had made for himself. But when King Olaf thought himself quite firmly seated in his kingdom, no man could rule his own concerns for him. With us small kings he was so unreasonable, as to take to himself not only all the scatt and duties which Harald Haarfager had levied from us, but a great deal more. The people at last had so little freedom under him, that it was not allowed to every man to believe in what God he pleased. Now since he has been taken away we have kept friendly with the Danish king ; have received great help from him when we have had any occasion for it ; and have been allowed to rule ourselves, and live in peace and quiet in the inland country, and without any overburden. I am therefore content that things be as they are, for I do not see what better rights I am to enjoy by one of my relations ruling over the country ; and if I am to be no better off, I will take no part in the affair." Then said King Ring, his brother, " I will also de- clare my opinion that it is better for me, if I hold the same power and property as now, that my relative is king over Norway, rather than a foreign chief, so that our family may again raise its head in the land. It is, besides, my opinion about this man Olaf, that his fate and luck must determine whether he is to obtain the kingdom or not ; and if he succeed in making himself supreme king, then he will be the best off vol. ir. D