Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/198

 18G CHRONICLE OF THE sAfJA XII. rolled his eyes, and looked at those who were seated on the benches ; but none of his men ventured to speak to him. Then he seized the holy book which he had brought with him from abroad, and which was written all over with gilded letters ; so that never had such a costly book come to Norway. His queen sat by his side. Then said King Sigurd, " Many are the changes which may take place during a man's lifetime. I had two things which were dear to me above all when I came from abroad, and these were this book and the queen ; and now I think the one is only worse and more loathsome than the other, and nothing I have belonging to me that I more detest. The queen does not know herself how hideous she is ; for a goat's horn is standing out on her head, and the better I liked her before the worse I like her now ; and as to this book, it is good for nothing." There- upon he cast the book on the fire which was burning on the hall-floor, and gave the queen a blow with his fist between the eyes. The queen wept ; but more at the king's illness than at the blow, or the affront she had suffered. Then a man stood up before the king : his name was Ottar Birting; and he was one of the torch- bearers, although a bonder's son, and was on service that day. He was of small stature, but of agree- able appearance ; lively, bold, and full of fun ; black haired, and of a dark skin; so that it was a nick- name to call him Birting, — or fair. He ran and snatched the book which the king had cast into the fire, held it out, and said, " Different were the days, sire, when you came with great state and splendour to Norway, and with great fame and honour; for then all your friends came to meet you with joy, and were glad at your coming. All as one man would have you for king, and have you in the highest regard and honour. But now days of sorrow are come over