But there are many who say that your words are not to be trusted;that what you promise is little to be regarded; and that you talk just according to what those who are about you say, which is not kingly."Eystein: "This is because, when people bring their cases before me, I wish first to give every man that satisfaction in his affairs which he desires; but afterwards comes the opposite party, and then there is something to be given or taken away very often, in order to mediate between them, so that both may be satisfied.It often happens, too, that I promise whatever is desired of me, that all may be joyful about me.It would be an easy matter for me to do as you do, -- to promise evil to all;and I never hear any complain of your not keeping this promise to them."Sigurd: "It is the conversation of all that the expedition that Imade out of the country was a princely expedition, while you in the meantime sat at home like your father's daughter."Eystein: "Now you touched the tender spot.I would not have brought up this conversation if I had not known what to reply on this point.I can truly say that I equipt you from home like a sister, before you went upon this expedition."Sigurd: "You must have heard that on this expedition I was in many a battle in the Saracen's land, and gained the victory in all; and you must have heard of the many valuable articles Iacquired, the like of which were never seen before in this country, and I was the most respected wherever the most gallant men were; and, on the other hand, you cannot conceal that you have only a home-bred reputation."Eystein: "I have heard that you had several battles abroad, but it was more useful for the country what I was doing in the meantime here at home.I built five churches from the foundations, and a harbour out at Agdanes, where it before was impossible to land, and where vessels ply north and south along the coast.I set a warping post and iron ring in the sound of Sinholm, and in Bergen I built a royal hall, while you were killing bluemen for the devil in Serkland.This, I think, was of but little advantage to our kingdom."King Sigurd said: "On this expedition I went all the way to Jordan and swam across the river.On the edge of the river there is a bush of willows, and there I twisted a knot of willows, and said this knot thou shouldst untie, brother, or take the curse thereto attached."King Eystein said: "I shall not go and untie the knot which you tied for me; but if I had been inclined to tie a knot for thee, thou wouldst not have been king of Norway at thy return to this country, when with a single ship you came sailing into my fleet."Thereupon both were silent, and there was anger on both sides.
More things passed between the brothers, from which it appeared that each of them would be greater than the other; however, peace was preserved between them as long as they lived.
26.OF KING SIGURD'S SICKNESS.
King Sigurd was at a feast in the Upland, and a bath was made ready for him.When the king came to the bath and the tent was raised over the bathing-tub, the king thought there was a fish in the tub beside him; and a great laughter came upon him, so that he was beside himself, and was out of his mind, and often afterwards these fits returned.
Magnus Barefoot's daughter, Ragnhild, was married by her brothers to Harald Kesia, a son of the Danish king, Eirik the Good; and their sons were Magnus, Olaf, Knut and Harald.
27.OF KING EYSTEIN'S DEATH.
King Eystein built a large ship at Nidaros, which, in size and shape, was like the Long Serpent which King Olaf Trygvason had built.At the stem there was a dragon's head, and at the stern a crooked tail, and both were gilded over.The ship was high-sided; but the fore and aft parts appeared less than they should be.He also made in Nidaros many and large dry-docks of the best material, and well timbered.
Six years after King Olaf's death, it happened that King Eystein, at a feast at Hustadir in Stim, was seized with an illness which soon carried him off.He died the 29th of August, 1123, and his body was carried north to Nidaros, and buried in Christ church;and it is generally said that so many mourners never stood over any man's grave in Norway as over King Eystein's, at least since the time Magnus the Good, Saint Olaf's son, died.Eystein had been twenty years (A.D.1104-1123) king of Norway; and after his decease his brother, King Sigurd, was the sole king of Norway as long as he lived.
28.BAPTIZING THE PEOPLE OF SMALAND.
The Danish king, Nikolas, a son of Svein Ulfson, married afterwards the Queen Margaret, a daughter of King Inge, who had before been married to King Magnus Barefoot; and their sons were Nikolas and Magnus the Strong.King Nikolas sent a message to King Sigurd the Crusader, and asked him if he would go with him with all his might and help him to the east of the Swedish dominion, Smaland, to baptize the inhabitants; for the people who dwelt there had no regard for Christianity, although some of them had allowed themselves to be baptized.At that time there were many people all around in the Swedish dominions who were heathens, and many were bad Christians; for there were some of the kings who renounced Christianity, and continued heathen sacrifices, as Blotsvein, and afterwards Eirik Arsale, had done.
