Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/189

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 177 if we had both equal reputation and property, and saga xn. that there is no difference in our birth and educa- tion." Then King Sigurd rephes, " Do you remember that I was always able to break your back, if I had pleased, although you are a year older ?'' Then King Eystein replied, " But I remember that you was not so good at the games which require agihty." Sigurd : " Do you remember that I could drag you under water, when we swam together, as often as I pleased?" Eystein : " But I could swim as far as you, and could dive as well as you ; and I could run upon snow- scates so well that nobody could beat me, and you could no more do it than an ox." Sigurd ; " Methinks it is a more useful and suit- able accomplishment for a chief to be expert at his bow ; and I think you could scarcely draw my bow, even if you took your foot to help." Eystein : " I am not strong at the bow as you are, but there is less difference between our shooting near ; and I can use the snow-scates much better than you, and in former times that was held a great accom- plishment." Sigurd : "It appears to me much better for a chief who is to be the superior of other men, that he is conspicuous in a crowd, and strong and powerful in weapons above other men ; easily seen, and easily known, where there are many together." Eystein : " It is not less a distinction and an orna- ment that a man is of a handsome appearance, so as to be easily known from others on that account ; and this appears to me to suit a chief best, because the best ornament is allied to beauty. I am more- over more knowing in the law than you, and on every subject my words flow more easily than yours." VOL. III. N