Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/214

 202 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XII. Sigurd, who afterwards was bisliop, has declared that the sky appeared to him no bigger than a calf's skin, so frightful did the appearance of the king pre- sent itself to him. The king returned to the hall, however, mthout saying a word ; and the bishop went to his house and home so cheerful and gay that he laughed, and saluted every child on his way, and was playing with his fingers. Then the priest Sigurd asked him the reason ; saying, " Why are you so cheerful, sir ? Do you not consider that the king may be exasperated against you ? and Avould it not be better to get out of the way ? " Then said the bishop, " It appears to me more likely that he will not act so; and besides, what death could be better, or more desirable, than to leave life for the honour of God? or to die for the holy cause of Christianity and our own of&ce, by pre- venting that which is not right ? I am so cheerful because I have done what I ought to do.'' There was much noise in the town about this. The king got ready for a journey, and took with him corn, malt, and honey. He went south to Stavanger, and prepared a feast there for his marriage with Cecilia. When the bishop who ruled there heard of this he went to the king, and asked if it were true that he intended to marry in the lifetime of the queen. The king said it was so. The bishop answers, " If it be so, sire, you must know how much such a thing is forbidden to inferior persons. Now it appears as if you thought it was allowable for you, because you have great power, and that it is proper for you, although it is against right and propriety ; but I do not know how you will do it in our bishopric, dishonouring thereby God's com- mand, the holy church, and our episcopal authority. But you must bestow a great amount of gifts and