Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/200

 18^ CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XII. nian here, however great his understanding, could have spoken better. Then I sprang up in a pretended rao'e and made as if I would have cut him down ; but he was as courageous as if he had nothing to fear : and seeing that, I let go my pin^pose ; for he was alto^-ether innocent. Now ye shall know, my friends, how I intend to reward him : he was before my torch- bearer, and shall now be my lenderman ; and there shall follow what is still more, that he shall be the most distinguished of my lendermen." Then the king, in presence of all, thanked the bonder's son for having appeased his passion by sen- sible words and steady courage, and having done what his chief lendermen had not ventured to do; and then made him one of his principal lender- men. Often these tits of insanity, and wonderful whims, came over the king ; and when any of his lower ser- vants recalled him to himself, he listened to them best, and bestowed on them property and farms. Ot- tar became one of the most celebrated men in Nor- way for various good and praiseworthy deeds. Chapter J|^ Km^r Si":urd's latter days he was once at an Of King entertainment at one of his farms ; and in the morn- sigurd's ^j-jp, ^yhen he was dressed he was silent and still, so dream. o ^ p • t i i i that his friends were afraid he was not able to govern himself. Now the farm-bailiff, who was a man of good sense and courage, brought him into conversa- tion, and asked if he had heard any news of such importance that it disturbed his mirth ; or if the en- tertainment had not satisfied him ; or if there was any thing else that people could remedy. King Sigurd said, that none of the things he had mentioned was the cause. '' But it is, that I think upon the dream I had in the night." " Sire," replied he, " may it prove a lucky dream ! I would gladly hear it."