Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/279

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 267 men, Halvard Gunnarsson, and Sigurd a son of saga xiv. Eystein Tropola, had killed him ; and people sus- pected it was done by order of King Sigurd. She went immediately to King Inge, and told him he would be a little king if he took no concern, but allowed his court-men to be killed, the one after the other, like swine. The king was angry at her speech ; and while they were scolding about it, came Gre- gorius in helmet and armour, and told the king not to be angry, for she was only saying the truth. "And I am now," says he, " come to thy assistance, if thou wilt attack King Sigurd ; and here we are, above 100 men in helmets and armour, and with them we will at- tack where others think the attack may be worst." But the most dissuaded from this course, thinking that Si- gurd would pay the mulct for the slaughter done. Now when Gregorius saw that there would be no assault, he accosted King Inge thus : " Thou wilt frighten thy men from thee in this way; for first they lately killed my hou^e-man, and now thy court-man, and after- wards they will chase me, or some other of thy len- dermen whom thou wouldst feel the loss of, when they see that thou art indifferent about such things ; and at last, after thy friends are killed, they will take the royal dignity from thee. Whatever thy other lendermen may do, I will not stay here longer to be slaughtered like an ox ; but Sigurd the king and I have a business to settle with each other to-night, in whatever way it may turn out. It is true that there is but little help in thee on account of thy ill health, but I should think thy will should not be less to hold thy hand over thy friends, and I am now quite ready to go from hence to meet Sigurd, and my banner is flying in the yard." Then King Inge stood up, and called for his arms, and ordered every man who wished to follow him to get ready, declaring it was of no use to try to dissuade