Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/57

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 45 tempt raising a strife against the king to whom he s aga i x. was owing service and duty. He said if he came out of the conflict without victory, he forfeited life and property : " And even if thou hast the victory, thou wilt still be called a traitor to thy sovereign." Earl Orm also supported Finn's speech. After Hakon had reflected upon this he disclosed what lay on his mind, and said, " I will be reconciled with King Harald if he will give me in marriage his relation Ragnhild, King Magnus Olafsson's daughter, with such dower as is suitable to her and she will be content with." Finn said he would agree to this on the king's part; and thus it was settled among them. Finn then returned to Drontheim, and the disturbance and enmity was quashed, so that the king could retain his kingdom in peace at home; and the league was broken which Endrid's relations had made among themselves for op23osing King Harald. When the day arrived for the meeting; at which Chapter this agreement with Harald should be finally con- of the eluded, Hakon went to King Harald; and in their con- covirtship ference the king said that he, for his part, would adhere ivarsson. to all that was settled in their agreement. '' Thou, Hakon," says he, " must thyself settle that which concerns Ragnhild, as to her accepting thee in mar- riage; for it would not be advisable for thee, or for any one, to marry Ragnhild without her consent." Then Hakon went to Ragnhild, and paid his addresses to her. She answered him thus : '^ I have often to feel that my father King Magnus is dead and gone from me, since I must marry a bonder; although I acknowledge thou art a handsome man, expert in all exercises. But if Kino; Mao:nus had lived he would not have married me to any man less than a king; so it is not to be expected that I will take a man who has no dignity or title." Then Hakon went to King Harald, and told him his conversation with