Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/235

 the Blind. KINGS OF NORWAY. 223 wards in slavery in Yendland ; and those who were sagaxih; ransomed, and came back to Norway to their udal lands and properties, throve worse than before their capture. The merchant town of Konghelle has never since risen to the importance it was of before this event. King Magnus, after he was deprived of sight, went Chapter north to Nidaros, where he went into the cloister on of Magnus the holm, and assumed the monk's dress. The cloister received the farm of Great Herness in Frosta for his support. King Harald alone ruled the country the following winter, gave all men peace and pardon who desired it, and took many of the men into his court- service who had been with King Magnus. The priest Einar Skuleson says that King Harald had two battles in Denmark ; the one at Huaen Isle, and the other at Lesso Isle : — " Unwearied champion ! who wast bred To stain thy blue-edged weapons red! Beneath high Husen's rocky shore. The faithless felt thy steel once more." And again, thus: — '' On Lesso's plain the foe must quail 'Fore him who dyes their shirts of mail. His storm-stretched banner o'er his head Flies straight, and fills the foe with dread." King Harald Avas a very generous man. It is told that in his time Magnus Einarsson came from Iceland to be consecrated a bishop, and the king received him well, and showed him much respect. When the bishop was ready to sail for Iceland again, and the ship was rigged out for sea, he went to the hall where the king was drinking, saluted him politely and warmly, and the king received him joyfully. The queen was sitting beside the king. Then said the king, " Are you ready, bishop, for your voyage ? " He replied that he was.