Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/91

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 79 great need. It may be that I will seek friendly help saga ix. where it could less be expected ; and that I may find a chief who is less afraid, king, than thou art of a great enterprise." Then the king and the earl parted, not just the best friends. Earl Toste turned away then, and went to Norway, Chapter where he presented himself to King Harald, who was E^ri at that time in Viken. When they met the earl ex- Teste's plained his errand to the king. He told him all his to Norway, proceedings since he left England, and asked his aid to recover his dominions in England. -The king replied, that the Northmen had no great desire for a campaign in England, and to have English chiefs over them there. " People say," added he, "that the English are not to be trusted." The earl replied, ''Is it true what I have heard people tell in England, that thy relative King Mag- nus sent men to King Edward with the message that King Magnus had right to England as well as to Denmark, and had got that heritage after Harda- canute, in consequence of a regular agreement?" The king replied, " How came it that he did not get it, if he had right to it ? " " AYhy," replied the earl, " hast thou not Denmark, as King Magnus thy predecessor had it ? " The king replies, " the Danes have nothing to brag of over us Northmen ; for many a place have we laid in ashes to thy relations." Then said the earl, '' If thou wilt not tell me, I will tell thee. Magnus subdued Denmark, because all the chiefs of the country helped him ; and thou hast not done it, because all the people of the country were against thee. Therefore, also. King Magnus did not strive for England, because all the nation would have Edward for king. Wilt thou take England now ? I mil bring the matter so far