KINGS OF NORWAY. 55 With regard to Olaf the Swede, who calls himself en- saga vh. titled to the kingdom of Norway, I, who in fact am so entitled, can see no ground for his claim ; but well remember the skaith and damage we have suffered from him and his relations." Then says Asgaut, " It is not wonderful that thou art called Olaf the Thick, seeing thou answerest so haughtily to such a prince's message, and canst not see clearly how heavy the king's wrath will be for thee to support, as many have experienced who had greater strength than thou appearest to have. But if thou wishest to keep hold of thy kingdom, it will be best for thee to come to the king, and be his man ; and we shall beg him to give thee this kingdom in fief under him." The king replies with all gentleness, " I will give thee an advice, Asgaut, in return. Go back to the east again to thy king, and tell him that early in spring I will make myself ready, and will proceed eastward to the ancient frontier that divided for- merly the kingdom of the kings of Norway from Sweden. There he may come if he likes, that we may conclude a peace with each other ; and each of us will retain the kingdom to which he is born." Now the messengers turned back to their lodging, and prepared for their departure, and the king went to table. The messengers came back soon after to the king's house; but the door-keepers saw it, and re- ported it to the king, who told them not to let the messengers in. " I will not speak with them," said he. Then the messengers went off, and Thorgaut said he would now return home with his men ; but Asgaut insisted still that he would go forward with the king's errand : so they separated. Thorgaut pro- ceeded accordingly through Strind ; but Asgaut went into Gaulardal and Orkedal, and intended proceeding southwards to More, to deliver his king's message. e 4
