Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/176

 164 CimOOTCLE OF THE SAGA XII. curlinsf : his stature not tall, but of the middle size. perfections Hc was wisc, intelUgent, and acquainted with the and mind ^^^^^ ^^^^ histoiy. He had much knowledge of man- kind, was quick in counsel, prudent in words, and very eloquent and very generous. He was very merry, 3^et modest ; and was liked and beloved, indeed, by all the people. He was married to Ingebord, a daughter of Guttorm son of Thorer of Steige; and their daughter was Maria, who afterwards married Gudbrand Skafhaugsson. King Ey stein had in many ways improved the laws and privileges of the country people, and kept strictly to the laws ; and he made himself acquainted Avith all the laws of Norway, and showed in every thing great prudence and under- standing. From this it could be easily seen what a valuable man King Eystein was, how full of friend- ship, and how much he turned his mind to examining and avoiding every thing that could be of disadvan- tage to his friends. There was an Iceland man in the king's house called Ivar Ingemundsson. The man was witty, of great family, and also a poet ; and the king was particularly kind to him, which will be seen from what we are now going to relate. Ivar Avas one day out of spirits; and when the king perceived it he called Ivar to him, en- tered into conversation with him, and asked him why he was so melancholy. " Before, when thou wast with us, we had much amusement with thy conversa- tion. Art thou no longer satisfied to be with us? " Ivar replied, it was not the case. The king : " I do not ask thee on this account ; for I know thou art a man of too good an understanding to believe that I would do any thing against thee. Tell me then what it is." Hc replied, '' I cannot tell thee what it is." Then said the king, " I will try to guess what it is. Is there any man who displeases thee ? "