Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/136

 124: CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XI. })f^(]Q Q^ch of them to consider with himself how they had conducted themselves in these matters ; and that they should now promote their own honour, and do the king justice, if they had come short hitherto in doins: so. And then he sat down. Then the same man got up in the troop of river- borderers who had spoken before, lifted his hat a little up, and said, " The lads run well, say the Laplanders, who have scates for nothing." Then he sat himself down again. Soon after Sigurd arose, after speaking with the lendermen, and said that so weighty a message as the king's ought not to be treated lightly as a jest. He was now somewhat angry; and added, that they ought not to receive the king's message and errand so scorn- fully, for it was not decent. He was dressed in a red or scarlet coat, and had a blue coat over it. He cast off his upper coat, and said, ^' Now it is come so far that every one must look to himself, and not loiter and jest with others ; for by so doing every man will show what he is. We do not require now to be taught by others ; for now we can see ourselves how much we are regarded. But this may be borne with ; but not that ye treat so scornfully the king's message. Thereby every one shows how highly he considers himself. There is one man called Sweinke Steinarsson, who lives east at the river; and from him the king will have his just land-dues, together with his own land, or will banish him from the country. It is of no use here to seek excuses, or to answer with sharp words ; for people are to be found Avho are his equals in power, although he now receives our speech so unworthily ; and it is better now than afterwards to return to the right way, and do himself honour, rather than await disgrace for his obstinacy." He then sat down. Sweinke then got up, threw back his steel-hat, and gave Sigurd many scornful words, and said, " Tut !