Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/190

 178 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XII. Sio'urd: " It may be that you know more law- quirks, for I have had something else to do ; neither will any deny you a smooth tongue. But there are many who say that your words are not to be trusted; that what you promise is little to be re- garded ; and that you talk just according to what those who are about you say, which is not kingly." Ey stein : " This is because, when people bring their cases before me, I wish first to give every man that satisfaction in his affair which he desires ; but after- wards comes the opposite party, and then there is something to be given or taken away very often, in order to mediate between them, so that both may be satisfied. It often happens too that I promise what- ever is desired of me, that all may be joyful about me. It Avould be an easy matter for me to do as you do, — to promise evil to all ; and I never hear any com- plain of your not keeping this promise to them." Sigurd : *' It is the conversation of all that the expedition I made out of the country was a princely expedition, while you in the mean time sat at home like your father's daughter." Eystcin : " Noav you betake yourself to your cud- gel. I would not have brought up this conversation if I had not known what to reply on this point. I can truly say that I equipped you from home like a sister, before you went upon this expedition." Sigurd : " You must have have heard that on this expedition I was in many a battle in the Saracen's land, and gained the victory in all ; and you must have heard of the many valuable articles I acquired, the like of which were never seen before in this country, and I was the most respected wherever the most galLmt men were ; and, on the other hand, you cannot conceal that you have only a home-bred repu- tation. I went to Palestine, and I came to Apulia ; but I did not see you there, brother. I gave Roger