Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/52

 40 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA IX. Chapter XLIII. Harald's pride. Chapter XLIV. or the quarrel of King Harald and Einar Tambar- skelver. ful appearance, and the most of them were gifted with great bodily perfection, and were all distinguished and important men. King Harald was very proud, and his pride in- creased after he was established in the country ; and it came so far that at last it was not good to speak against him, or to propose any thing different from what he desired. So says Thiodolf the scald : — "■ In arms 'tis right the common man Should follow orders^ one by one, — Should stoop or rise, or run or stand, As his war-leader may command; But now to the king who feeds the ravens The people bend like heartless cravens — Nothing is left them, but consent To what the king calls his intent." Einar Tambarskelver was the principal man among the bonders all about Drontheim, and answered for them at the Things even against the king's men. Einar knew well the law, and did not want boldness to bring forward his opinion at Things, even if the king was present; and all the bonders stood by him. The king was very angry at this, and it came so far that they disputed eagerly against each other. Einar said that the bonders would not put up with any un- lawful proceedings from him if he broke through the law of the land ; and this occurred several times be- tween them. Einar then began to keep people about him at home, and he had many more when he came into the town if the king was there. It once hap- pened that Einar came to the town with a great many men and ships ; he had with him eight or nine great war-ships, and nearly 500 men. When he came to the town he went up from the strand with his attendants. King Harald was then in his house, standing out in the gallery of the loft; and when he saw Einar's people going on shore, it is said Harald composed these verses ; —