Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/306

 294 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XV, so in his life ! " There were some who advised King Inge to get on horseback, and ride from the battle up toEaumarige; "where," said they, " you would get help enough, even this very day." The king repUed, he had no inclination to do so. "I have heard you often say, and I think truly, that it was of little use to my brother KingEystein that he took to flight; and yet he was a man distinguished for many qualities which adorn a king. Now I, who labour under so great decrepitude, can see how bad my fate would be, if I betook myself to what proved so unfortunate for him ; with so great a difference as there is between our activity, health, and strength. I was in the second year of my age when I was chosen king of Norway, and I am now twenty-five ; and I think I have had misfortune and sorrow under my kingly dignity, rather than pleasure and peaceful days. I have had many battles, sometimes with more, sometimes with fewer people ; and it is my greatest luck that I have never fled. God will dispose of my life, and of how long it shall be ; but I shall never betake myself to flight." Chapter Now as Johu and his troop had broken the one XVIII . King Inge's wiug of King lugc^s array, many of those who were ^^"* nearest to him fled, by which the whole array was dispersed, and fell into disorder. But Hakon and his men went briskly forwards ; and now it was near day- break. An assault was made against King Inge's banner, and in this conflict King Inge fell ; but his brother Orm continued the battle, while many of the army fled up into the town. Twice Orm went to the toAvn after the king's fall to encourage the people, and both times returned, and went out again upon the ice to continue the battle. Hakon's men attacked the wing of the array which Simun Skalp led; and in that assault fell of King Inge's men his brother-in-law,