Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/204

 192 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XII. self out for a son of King Magnus Barefoot. His mother came with him, and said his other name was Harald. Halkel received the man, brought him to Xorway with him, and went immediately to King Sigurd with Harald and his mother. When they had told their story to the king, he talked over the matter with his principal men, and bade them give their opinions upon it. They were of different opinions, and all left it to the king himself, although there were several who opposed this ; and the king followed his own counsel. King Sigurd ordered Harald to be called before him, and told him that he would not deny him the proof, by ordeal, of Avho his father was ; but on condition that if he should prove his descent according to his claim, he should not desire the kingdom in the lifetime of King Sigurd, or of King Magnus: and to this he bound himself by oath. King Sigurd said he must tread over hot iron to prove his birth ; but this ordeal was thought by many too severe, as he was to undergo it merely to prove his father, and without getting the kingdom ; but Harald agreed to it, and fixed on the trial by iron : and this ordeal was the greatest ever made in Norway ; for nine glowing ploughshares were laid down, and Harald went over them with bare feet, attended by two bishops, and invoking the holy Saint Columb. His bed was ready on the spot. Then said Magnus, King Sigurd's son, " He does not tread on the irons in a manly way." The king replies, " Evil and wicked is thy speech ; for he has done it admirably." Thereupon Harald was laid in bed, and three days after the iron trial the ordeal was taken to proof, and the feet were found unburnt. Thereafter King Sigurd acknowledged Harald's relationship ; but his