Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/188

 176 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XII. Chapter XXIV. Compa- rison be- tween the When Borghild, Olaf's daughter, heard it whis- pered that people talked ill of her conversations and intimacy with King Ey stein, she went to Sarpsburg ; and after suitable fasts she carried the iron as a proof of her innocence, and cleared herself thereby fully from all offence. When King Sigurd heard this, he rode one day as far as usually was two days' travelling, and came to Dal to Olaf, where he remained all night, made Borghild his concubine, and took her away with him. They had a son, who was called Magnus, and he was sent immediately to Halogaland, to be fostered at Biarko by Yidkun Jonsson ; and he was brought up there. Magnus grew up to be the handsomest man that could be seen, and was very soon stout and strong. King Eystein and King Sigurd went both in spring to guest-quarters in the Uplands; and each was en- tertained in a separate house, and the houses were twrkingl. not very distant from each other. The bonders, how- ever, thought it more convenient that both should be entertained together by turns in each house ; and thus they were both at first in the house of King Eystein. But in the evening, when the people began to drink, the ale was not good ; so that the guests were very quiet and still. Then said King Eystein, " Why are the people so silent ? It is more usual in drinking parties that people are merry, so let us fall upon some jest over our ale that will amuse people ; for surely, brother Sigurd, all people are well pleased when we talk cheerfully." Sigurd replies, bluntly, ^' Do you talk as much as you please, but give me leave to be silent." Eystein says, "It is a common custom over the ale-table to compare one person with another, and now let us do so." " I see," says King Eystein, this amusement. Now I will take thee, brother, to compare myself with, and will make it appear so as Then Sigurd was silent. " that I must begin