Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/191

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 179 the Great the title of king ; I won seven battles, and saga xn. you were in none of them. I was at our Lord's grave ; but did not see thee there, my brother. On this expedition I went all the way to Jordan, where our Lord was baptized, and swam across the river ; but did not see thee there. On the edge of the river- bank there was a bush of willows, and there I twisted a knot of willows which is waiting thee there ; for I said this knot thou shouldst untie, and fulfil the voav, brother, that is bound up in it." Eystein ; "It is but little I have to set up against this. I have heard that you had several battles abroad, but it was more useful for the country what I was doing in the mean time here at home. In the north at Yaage I built fish-houses, so that all the poor people could earn a livelihood, and support themselves. I built there a priest's house, and en- dowed a church, wh^re before all the people almost were heathen ; and on this account I think all these people will remember that Eystein was once king of Norway. The road from Drontheim goes over the Dovrefielde, and many people had to sleep out of doors, and make a very severe journey; but I built inns, and supported them with money; and all tra- vellers know that Eystein has been king in Norway. Out at Agdaness was a barren waste, and no harbour, and many a ship was lost there ; and now there is a good harbour and ship-station, and a church also built there. Then I raised beacons on all the high fielde, of which all the people in the interior enjoy the benefit. In Bergen I built a royal hall, and the church of the Apostles, with a stair between the two; so that all the kings who come after me will remem- ber my name. I built Michael's church, and founded a monastery beside it. I settled the laws, brother, so that every man can obtain justice from his fellow- man ; and according as these are observed the country N 2