Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/171

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 159 shoes came oiF in the street, but that none of his men saga xir. should regard it. When King Sigurd came to the magnificent hall, every thing was in the grandest style ; and when King Sigurd's men had come to their seats, and were ready to drink, the emperor's messen- gers came into the hall, bearing between them purses of gold and silver, which they said the emperor had sent to King Sigurd : but the king did not look upon it, but told his men to divide it among themselves. When the messengers returned to the emperor, and told him this, he said, " This king must be very powerful and rich not to care for such things, or even give a word of thanks for them;" and ordered them to return with great chests filled with gold. They come again to King Sigurd, and say, " These gifts and presents are sent thee from the emperor." King Sigurd said, " This is a great and handsome treasure, my men ; divide it among you." The messengers return, and tell this to the emperor. He replies, " This king must either exceed other kings in power and wealth, or he has not so much understanding as a king ought to have. Go thou now the third time, and carry him the costliest purple, and these chests with ornaments of gold : " to which he added two gold rings. Now the messengers went again to King Sigurd, and told him the emperor had sent him this great treasure. Then he stood up, and took the rings, and put them on his hand ; and the king made a beautiful oration in Greek, in which he thanked the emperor in many fine expressions for all this honour and magnificence, but divided the treasure again very equitably among his men. King Sigurd remained here some time. The Emperor Alexius sent his men to him to ask if he would rather accept from the emperor six lispund of gold, or would have the emperor give the games in his honour which the emperor was used to have