Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/122

 110 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA X. should send an army westward to England on account of the revenge they had to take there ; first and fore- most King Olaf himself, and also the Danish king. " Do one of two things," said King Canute, — " either take sixty ships, which I will furnish thee with, and be thou the leader ; or give me sixty ships, and I shall be the leader." Then said King Olaf, " This speech of thine, King Canute, is altogether according to my mind ; but there is this great diiference between us : your family has had more luck in conquering Eng- land with great glory, and, among others. King Canute the Great ; and it is likely that this good fortune fol- lows your race. On the other hand, when King Harald my father went westward to England, he got his death there ; and at that time the best men in Norway followed him. But Norway was so emptied then of chosen men, that such men have not since been to find in the country ; nor, especially, such a leader as King Harald was for Avisdom and bravery. For that expedition there was the most excellent outfit, and you know what was the end of it. Now I know my own capacity, and how little I am suited to be the leader ; so I would rather you should go, with my help and assistance." So King Olaf gave Canute sixty large ships, with excellent equipment and faithful men, and set his lendermen as chiefs over them ; and all must allow that this armament was admirably equipped. It is also told in the saga about Canute, that the Northmen alone did not break the levy when the army was assembled, for they were obedient to the king ; but as the Danes would not obey their king's orders, the Northmen also returned to Norway, with the king's leave and consent. This King Canute acknowledged, and gave them, on their way home, leave to trade in merchandise where they pleased through his country, and in his rivers, and at the same time sent the kin^