Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/271

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 259 Here they burnt Lano:atLin, a lars^e village ; and saga xiv. people say that the town has never since risen to its former condition. After this King Ey stein left Eng- land in autumn, and returned to Norway. People spoke in various ways about this expedition. There was good peace maintained in Norway in the Chapter first years of the government of Harald's sons ; and of Ha- * as long as their old counsellors were alive, there was ^'^'^ ^ °"^* some kind of unanimity among them. While Inge and Sigurd were in their childhood, they had a court together; but Eystein, who was come to age of discre- tion, had a court for himself. But when Inge's and Si- gurd's counsellors were dead, — namely, Sada Gyrder Baardsson, Ottar Byrting, Amund Gyrdersson, Thio- stolf Aleson, Ognmnd Swipter, and Ogmund Dreng a brother of Erling Skakke (Erling was not much looked up to while Ogmund lived), — the two kings Inge and Sigurd divided their courts. King Inge then got great assistance from Gregorius Dagsson, a son of Dag Eilifsson by Eagnhild a daughter of Skopte Ogmundsson. Gregorius had much property, and was himself a thriving, sagacious man. Ele presided in the governing the country under King Inge, and the king allowed him to manage his pro- perty for him according to his own judgment. When King Sigurd grew up he was a very ungo- ^^^Yr^" vernable, restless man in every way ; and so was King of tiie Eystein, but Eystein was the more reasonable of the manlieJ'rof two. King Sigurd was a stout and strong man, of a Haiaid's brisk appearance ; he had light brown hair, an ugly mouth ; but otherwise a well- shaped countenance. He was polite in his conversation beyond any man, and was expert in all exercises. Einar Skuleson speaks of this : — '' Sigurd, expert in every way To wield the sword in bloody fray, Showed well that to the bold and brave God always luck and vict'ry gave. s 2 sons.