Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/58

 46 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA IX. Chapter L. Hakon's journey to Denmark. Chapter LI. Murder of ismund. Ragnhild, and also repeated the agreement which was made between him and Finn, who was with him, together with many others of the persons who had been present at the conversation between him and Finn. Hakon takes them all to witness that such was the agreement that the king should give Ragnhild the dower she might desire. " And now since she will have no man who has not a high dignity, thou must give me such a title of honour ; and, according to the opinion of the people, I am of birth, family, and other qualifications, to be called earl." The king replies, " When my brother King Olaf and his son King Magnus ruled the kingdom, they allowed only one earl at a time to be in the country, and I have done the same since I came to the kingly title ; and I will not take away from Orm the title of honour I had before given him." Hakon saw now that his business had not advanced, and was very ill pleased ; and Finn was outrageously angry. They said the king had broken his word ; and thus they all separated. Hakon then went out of the country with a well- manned ship. When he came to Denmark he went immediately to his relative King Swend, who received him honourably, and gave him great fiefs. Hakon became King Swend' s commander of the coast defence against the vikings, — the Yendland people, Courland people, and others from the East countries, — who in- fested the Danish dominions ; and he lay out with his ships of war both winter and summer. There was a man called Asmund, who is said to have been King Swend's sister's son, and his foster- son. This Asmund was distinguished among all by his boldness, and was much disliked by the king. When Asmund came to years, and to age of discretion, he became an ungovernable person given to murder and manslaughter. The king was ill pleased at this,