Then said the king, "It is difficult for me to seek farther, for I have proposed everything that occurs to me.There is but one thing else; and that is but little compared to what I have offered thee.Come to me every day after the tables are removed, and, if I am not sitting upon important business, I shall talk with thee about the girl in every way that I can think of; and Ishall do so at leisure.It sometimes happens that sorrow is lightened by being brought out openly; and thou shalt never go away without some gift."He replied, "This I will do, sire, and return thanks for this inquiry."And now they did so constantly; and when the king was not occupied with weightier affairs he talked with him, and his sorrow by degrees wore away, and he was again in good spirits.
19.OF KING SIGURD.
King Sigurd was a stout and strong man, with brown hair; of a manly appearance, but not handsome; well grown; of little speech, and often not friendly, but good to his friends, and faithful;not very eloquent, but moral and polite.King Sigurd was self-willed, and severe in his revenge; strict in observing the law;was generous; and withal an able, powerful king.His brother Olaf was a tall, thin man; handsome in countenance; lively, modest, and popular.When all these brothers, Eystein, Sigurd and Olaf were kings of Norway, they did away with many burthens which the Danes had laid upon the people in the time that Svein Alfifason ruled Norway; and on this account they were much beloved, both by the people and the great men of the country.
20.OF KING SIGURD'S DREAM.
Once King Sigurd fell into low spirits, so that few could get him to converse, and he sat but a short time at the drinking table.
This was heavy on his counsellors, friends, and court; and they begged King Eystein to consider how they could discover the cause why the people who came to the king could get no reply to what they laid before him.King Eystein answered them, that it was difficult to speak with the king about this; but at last, on the entreaty of many, he promised to do it.Once, when they were both together, King Eystein brought the matter before his brother, and asked the cause of his melancholy."It is a great grief, sire, to many to see thee so melancholy; and we would like to know what has occasioned it, or if perchance thou hast heard any news of great weight?"King Sigurd replies, that it was not so.
"Is it then, brother," says King Eystein, "that you would like to travel out of the country, and augment your dominions as our father did?"He answered, that it was not that either.
"Is it, then, that any man here in the country has offended?"To this also the king said "No.""Then I would like to know if you have dreamt anything that has occasioned this depression of mind?"The king answered that it was so.
"Tell me, then, brother, thy dream."
King Sigurd said, "I will not tell it, unless thou interpret it as it may turn out; and I shall be quick at perceiving if thy interpretation be right or not."King Eystein replies, "This is a very difficult matter, sire, on both sides; as I am exposed to thy anger if I cannot interpret it, and to the blame of the public if I can do nothing in the matter; but I will rather fall under your displeasure, even if my interpretation should not be agreeable."King Sigurd replies, "It appeared to me, in a dream, as if we brothers were all sitting on a bench in front of Christ church in Throndhjem; and it appeared to me as if our relative, King Olaf the Saint, came out of the church adorned with the royal raiment glancing and splendid, and with the most delightful and joyful countenance.He went to our brother King Olaf, took him by the hand, and said cheerfully, to him, `Come with me, friend.' On which he appeared to stand up and go into the church.Soon after King Olaf the Saint came out of the church, but not so gay and brilliant as before.Now he went to thee, brother, and said to thee that thou shouldst go with him; on which he led thee with him, and ye went into the church.Then I thought, and waited for it, that he would come to me, and meet me; but it was not so.
Then I was seized with great sorrow, and great dread and anxiety fell upon me, so that I was altogether without strength; and then I awoke."King Eystein replies, "Thus I interpret your dream, sire, -- That the bench betokens the kingdom we brothers have; and as you thought King Olaf came with so glad a countenance to our brother, King Olaf, he will likely live the shortest time of us brothers, and have all good to expect hereafter; for he is amiable, young in years, and has gone but little into excess, and King Olaf the Saint must help him.But as you thought he came towards me, but not with so much joy, I may possibly live a few years longer, but not become old, and I trust his providence will stand over me;but that he did not come to me with the same splendour and glory as to our brother Olaf, that will be because, in many ways, Ihave sinned and transgressed his command.If he delayed coming to thee, I think that in no way betokens thy death, but rather a long life; but it may be that some heavy accident may occur to thee, as there was an unaccountable dread overpowering thee; but I foretell that thou will be the oldest of us, and wilt rule the kingdom longest."Then said Sigurd, "This is well and intelligently interpreted, and it is likely it will be so." And now the king began to be cheerful again.
21.OF KING SIGURD'S MARRIAGE.