heimskringla-第168章
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height is put down in Mary church； in the merchant town of Nidaros； which King Harald built。 In the northern door there were cut into the wall three crosses； one for Harald's stature； one for Olaf's； and one for Magnus's； and which crosses each of them could with the greatest ease kiss。 The upper was Harald's cross； the lowest was Magnus's； and Olaf's was in the middle； about equally distant from both。
It is said that Magnus composed the following verses about the emperor's daughter：
〃The ring of arms where blue swords gleam； The battle…shout； the eagle's scream； The Joy of war； no more can please： Matilda is far o'er the seas。 My sword may break； my shield be cleft； Of land or life I may be reft； Yet I could sleep； but for one care； One； o'er the seas； with light…brown hair。〃
He also composed the following：
〃The time that breeds delay feels long； The skald feels weary of his song； What sweetens； brightens； eases life？ 'Tis a sweet…smiling lovely wife。 My time feels long in Thing affairs； In Things my loved one ne'er appears。 The folk full…dressed； while I am sad； Talk and oppose can I be glad？〃
When King Magnus heard the friendly words the emperor's daughter had spoken about him that she had said such a man as King Magnus was appeared to her an excellent man； he composed the following：
〃The lover hears； across the sea； A favouring word was breathed to me。 The lovely one with light…brown hair May trust her thoughts to senseless air； Her thoughts will find like thoughts in me； And though my love I cannot see； Affection's thoughts fly in the wind； And meet each other； true and kind。〃
19。 OF THE QUARREL OF KING MAGNUS AND SKOPTE。
Skopte Ogmundson came into variance with King Magnus； and they quarrelled about the inheritance of a deceased person which Skopte retained； but the king demanded it with so much earnestness； that it had a dangerous appearance。 Many meetings were held about the affair； and Skopte took the resolution that he and his son should never put themselves into the king's power at the same time； and besides there was no necessity to do so。 When Skopte was with the king he represented to him that there was relationship between the king and him； and also that he； Skopte； had always been the king's friend； and his father's likewise； and that their friendship had never been shaken。 He added； 〃People might know that I have sense enough not to hold a strife； sire； with you； if I was wrong in what I asked； but it is inherited from my ancestors to defend my rights against any man； without distinction of persons。〃 The king was just the same on this point； and his resolution was by no means softened by such a speech。 Then Skopte went home。
20。 FIN SKOPTASON'S PROCEEDINGS。
Then Fin Skoptason went to the king； spoke with him； and entreated him to render justice to the father and son in this business。 The king answers angrily and sharply。 Then said Fin； 〃I expected something else； sire； from you； than that you would use the law's vexations against me when I took my seat in Kvaldinsey Island； which few of your other friends would do； as they said； what was true； that those who were left there were deserted and doomed to death； if King Inge had not shown greater generosity to us than you did； although many consider that we brought shame and disgrace only from thence。〃 The king was not to be moved by this speech； and Fin returned home。
21。 OGMUND SKOPTASON'S PROCEEDINGS。
Then came Ogmund Skoptason to the king； and when he came before him he produced his errand； and begged the king to do what was right and proper towards him and his father。 The king insisted that the right was on his side； and said they were 〃particularly impudent。〃
Then said Ogmund； 〃It is a very easy thing for thee； having the power； to do me and my father injustice； and I must say the old proverb is true； that one whose life you save gives none； or a very bad return。 This I shall add； that never again shall I come into thy service； nor my father； if I can help it。〃 Then Ogmund went home； and they never saw each other again。
22。 SKOPTE OGMUNDSON'S VOYAGE ABROAD。
The spring after； Skopte Ogmundson made ready to travel out of the country。 They had five long…ships all well equipped。 His sons； Ogmund； Fin； and Thord； accompanied him on this journey。 It was very late before they were ready； and in autumn they went over to Flanders； and wintered there。 Early in spring they sailed westward to Valland； and stayed there all summer。 Then they sailed further； and through Norvasund； and came in autumn to Rome； where Skopte died。 All； both father and sons； died on this journey。 Thord； who died in Sicily； lived the longest。 It is a common saying among the people that Skopte was the first Northman who sailed through Norvasund； and this voyage was much celebrated。
23。 MIRACLE OF KING OLAF THE SAINT AT A FIRE。
It happened once in the merchant town （Nidaros） where King Olaf reposes； that there broke out a fire in the town which spread around。 Then Olaf's shrine was taken out of the church； and set up opposite the fire。 Thereupon came a crazy foolish man； struck the shrine； threatened the holy saint； and said all must be consumed by the flames； both churches and other houses； if he did not save them by his prayers。 Now the burning of the church did cease； by the help of Almighty God； but the insane man got sore eyes on the following night； and he lay there until King Olaf entreated God A1mighty to be merciful to him； after which he recovered in the same church。
24。 MIRACLE OF KING OLAF ON A LAME WOMAN。
It happened once in the merchant town that a woman was brought to the place where the holy King Olaf reposes。 She was so miserably shaped； that she was altogether crumpled up； so that both her feet lay in a circle against her loins。 But as she was diligent in her prayers； often weeping and making vows to King Olaf； he cured her great infirmities； so that feet； legs； and other limbs straightened； and every limb and part came to the right use for which they were made。 Before she could not creep there； and now she went away active and brisk to her family and home。
25。 WAR IN IRELAND。
When King Magnus had been nine years king of Norway （A。D。 1094… 1102）； he equipped himself to go out of the country with a great force。 He sailed out into the West sea with the finest men who could be got in Norway。 All the powerful men of the country followed him； such as Sigurd Hranason； Vidkun Jonson； Dag Eilifson； Serk of Sogn； Eyvind Olboge； the king's marshal Ulf Hranason； brother of Sigurd； and many other great men。 With all this armament the king sailed west to the Orkney Islands； from whence he took with him Earl Erlend's sons； Magnus and Erling； and then sailed to the southern Hebudes。 But as he lay under the Scotch land； Magnus Erlendson ran away in the night from the king's ship； swam to the shore； escaped into the woods； and came at last to the Scotch king's court。 King Magnus sailed to Ireland with his fleet； and plundered there。 King Myrkjartan came to his assistance； and they conquered a great part of the country； both Dublin and Dyflinnarskire （Dublin shire）。 King Magnus was in winter （A。D。 1102） up in Connaught with King Myrkjartan； but set men to defend the country he had taken。 Towards spring both kings went westward with their army all the way to Ulster； where they had many battles； subdued the country； and had conquered the greatest part of Ulster when Myrkjartan returned home to Connaught。
26。 KING MAGNUS'S FORAY ON THE LAND。
King Magnus rigged his ships； and intended returning to Norway； but set his men to defend the country of Dublin。 He lay at Ulster ready for sea with his whole fleet。 As they thought they needed cattle for ship…provision； King Magnus sent a message to King Myrkjartan； telling him to send some cattle for slaughter； and appointed the day before Bartholomew's day as the day they should arrive； if the messengers reached him in safety； but the cattle had not made their appearance the evening before Bartholomew's mass。
