Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/303

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 291 best towards us Icelanders of any chief since King saga xv. Eystein the Elder's death. Gregorius's body was car- ried to Hofund, and interred at Gimsey Isle, in a nun- nery which is there, of which Gregorius's sister Bogeid was then the abbess. Two bailiffs went to Opslo to bring the tidings to ^^^^^^ King Inge. When they arrived they desired to King inge speak to the king ; and he asked, what ncAvs they Orego- brOUght. rius'sfall. " How came that misfortune ?" asked the king. When they had told him how it happened, he said, " They gave advice who understood the least." It is said he took it so much to heart that he cried like a child. When he recovered himself he said, '' I wanted to go to Gregorius as soon as I heard of Haldor's murder ; for I thought that Gregorius would not sit long before thinking of revenge. But the people here would think nothing so important as their Yule feasts, and nothing could move them away ; and I am confident that if I had been there, he would either have proceeded more cautiously, or I and Gregorius would now have shared one lodging. Now he is gone, — the man who has been my best friend, and more than any other has kept the kingdom in my hands ; and I think it will be but a short space between us. Now I make an oath to go forth against Hakon, and one of two things shall happen : I shall either come to my death, or shall walk over Hakon and his people ; and such a man as Gregorius is not avenged, even if all were to pay the penalty of their lives for him." There was a man present who replied, " Ye need not seek after them, for they intend to seek you." Christina, King Sigurd's daughter and King Inge's cousin, was then in Opslo. The king heard that she intended going away. He sent a message to her to inquire why she wished to leave the town. u 2
 * ' Gregorius Dagsson's death," said they.