Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/205

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 193 son Magnus conceived a great hatred of him, and in saga xh. this many chiefs followed Magnus. King Sigurd trusted so much to his favour with the whole peo- ple of the country, that he desired all men, under oath, to promise to accept King Magnus after him as their king; and all the people took this oath. Harald Gille was a tall, slender-grown man, of a Chapter long neck and face, black eyes, and dark hair, brisk of^^acJ* and quick ; and wore generally the Irish dress of short between light clothes. The Norse language was difficult for and^Haraid Harald, and he brought out words which many laughed ^^^^^* at ; but King Sigurd did not permit this, when he was present. Harald used to attend the king to bed in the evening ; but it once happened that Magnus and his people detained him, and they sat late drink- ing together. Harald spoke with another man about dilFerent things in the west in Ireland ; and among other things, said that there were men in Ireland so swift of foot that no horse could overtake them in run- ning. Magnus the king's son heard this, and said, " Now he is lying, as he usually does." Harald replies, " It is true that there are men in Ire- land whom no horse in Norway could overtake." They exchanged some words about this, and both were drunk. Magnus had got a horse he had sent for from Gotland, — a beautiful animal, and very swift. Those who were present thought that no horse was so swift, and asked Harald's opinion. Then said Magnus, "" Thou shalt make a wager Avith me, and stake thy head if thou canst not run so fast as I ride upon my horse, and I shall stake my gold ring." Harald replies, " I did not say that I could run so swiftly ; but I said that men are to be found in Ireland who mil run as fast; and on that I would wager." The king's son Magnus replies, " I will not go to VOL. III. o