Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/167

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I MAGNUS THE GOOD AND OTHERS. 157 Magnus, son of Olaf, home : excellent Magnus, to be king over all Norway and them, instead of this in- tolerable Svein. Which was at once done, — Magnus brought home in a kind of triumph, all Norway wait- ing for him. Intolerable Svein had already been rebelled against : some years before this, a certain young Tryggve out of Ireland, authentic son of Olaf Tryggveson and of that fine Irish Princess who chose him in his low habiliments and low estate, and took him over to her own Green Island,— this royal young Tryggve Olafson had invaded the usurper Svein, in a fierce, valiant and determined manner ; and though with too small a party, showed excellent fight for some time; till Svein, zealously bestirring himself, " managed to get him beaten and killed. But that was a couple of years ago ; the party still too small, not including one and all as now I Svein, without stroke of sword this time, moved off" towards Denmark ; never showing face in Norway again. His drunken brother, Harda-Knut, received him brother-like ; even gave him some territory to rule over and subsist upon. But he lived only a short while ; was gone before Harda- Knut himself; and we will mention him no more.