Atlast，whatwithZoes，whatwithGreekperversitiesandperfidies，andtroublesthatcouldnotfail，hedeterminedonquittingGreece;
packeduphisimmensitiesofwealthinsuccinctshape，andactuallyreturnedtoRussia，wherenewhonorsandfavorsawaitedhimfromoldfriends，andespecially，ifImistakenot，thehandofthatadorablePrincess，crownofallhiswishesforthetimebeing。Beforelong，however，hedecidedfarthertolookafterhisNorwayRoyalheritages;
and，forthatpurpose，sailedinforcetotheJarlorquasi-KingofDenmark，theoften-beatenSvein，whowasnowinSwedenonhisusualwinterexileafterbeating。Sveinandhehadevidentlyinterestsincommon。Sveinwascharmedtoseehim，sowarlike，gloriousandrenownedaman，withmassesofmoneyabouthim，too。Sveindidbyandbybecometreacherous;andevenattempted，onenight，toassassinateHaraldinhisbedonboardship：butHarald，vigilantofSvein，andamanofquickandsureinsight，hadprovidentlygonetosleepelsewhere，leavingaloginsteadofhimselfamongtheblankets。Inwhichlog，nextmorning，treacherousSvein’sbattle-axewasfounddeeplysticking：andcouldnotberemovedwithoutdifficulty！ButthiswasafterHaraldandKingMagnushimselfbadbeguntreating;withthefairestprospects，——whichthisofthe$veinbattle-axenaturallytendedtoforward，asitaltogetherendedtheothercopartnery。
Magnus，onfirsthearingofVaeringerHaraldandhisintentions，madeinstantequipment，anddeterminationtofighthisuttermostagainstthesame。Butwisepersonsofinfluenceroundhim，asdidthelikesortroundVaeringerHarald，earnestlyadvisedcompromiseandpeaceableagreement。Which，soonafterthatofSvein’snocturnalbattle-axe，wasthecourseadopted;and，tothejoyofallparties，didproveasuccessfulsolution。MagnusagreedtoparthiskingdomwithUncleHarald;unclepartinghistreasures，orunitingthemwithMagnus’spoverty。Eachwastobeanindependentking，buttheyweretogovernincommon;Magnusratherpresiding。He，tosit，forexample，intheHighSeatalone;KingHaraldoppositehiminaseatnotquitesohigh，thoughifastrangerKingcameonavisit，boththeNorseKingsweretositintheHighSeat。Withvariousotherpunctiliousregulations;whichthefieryMagnuswasextremelystrictwith;renderingthemutualrelationaverydangerousone，hadnotboththeKingsbeenhonestmen，andHaraldamuchmoreprudentandtolerantonethanMagnus。They，onthewhole，neverhadanyweightyquarrel，thanksnowandthenrathertoHaraldthantoMagnus。Magnustoowasverynoble;andHarald，withhiswideexperienceandgreaterlengthofyears，carefullyheldhisheatoftemperwellcoveredin。
PriortoUncleHarald’scoming，MagnushaddistinguishedhimselfasaLawgiver。HisCodeofLawsfortheTrondhjemProvincewasconsideredaprettypieceoflegislation;andinsubsequenttimesgotthenameof_Gray-goose_（Gragas）;oneofthewonderfulestnamesevergiventoawiseBook。Somesayitcamefromthegraycoloroftheparchment，somegiveotherincredibleorigins;thelastguessIhaveheardis，thatthenamemerelydenotesantiquity;thewittynameinNorwayforamangrowingoldhavingbeen，inthosetimes，thathewasnow\"becomingagray-goose。\"Veryfantasticindeed;certain，however，thatGray-gooseisthenameofthatvenerableLawBook;nay，thereisanother，stillmorefamous，belongingtoIceland，andnotfarfromacenturyyounger，theIceland_Gray-goose。_TheNorwayoneisperhapsofdateabout1037，theotherofabout1118;peacebewiththemboth！
Or，ifanybodyisinclinedtosuchmatterslethimgotoDahlmann，fortheamplestinformationandsuchminutenessofdetailasmightalmostenablehimtobeanAdvocate，withSilkGown，inanyCourtdependingontheseGray-geese。
Magnusdidnotlivelong。HehadadreamonenightofhisFatherOlaf’scomingtohiminshiningpresence，andannouncing，Thatamagnificentfortuneandworld-greatrenownwasnowpossibleforhim;
butthatperhapsitwashisdutytorefuseit;inwhichcasehisearthlylifewouldbeshort。\"Whichwaywiltthoudo，then？\"saidtheshiningpresence。\"Thoushaltdecideforme，Father，thou，notI！\"
andtoldhisUncleHaraldonthemorrow，addingthathethoughtheshouldnowsoondie;whichprovedtobethefact。Themagnificentfortune，soquestionableotherwise，hasreference，nodoubt，totheConquestofEngland;towhichcountryMagnus，asrightfulandactualKingof_Denmark_，aswellasundisputedheirtodrunkenHarda-Knut，bytreatylongago，hadnowsomeevidentclaim。Theenterpriseitselfwasreservedtothepatient，gay，andprudentUncleHarald;andtohimitdidprovefatal，——andmerelypavedthewayforAnother，luckier，notlikelier！
SveinEstrithson，alwaysbeatenduringMagnus’slife，byandbygotanagreementfromtheprudentHaraldto_be_KingofDenmark，then;andendthesewearisomeandineffectualbrabbles;Haraldhavingotherworktodo。Butintheautumnof1066，Tosti，ayoungersonofourEnglishEarlGodwin，cametoSvein’scourtwithamostimportantannouncement;
namely，thatKingEdwardtheConfessor，socalled，wasdead，andthatHarold，astheEnglishwriteit，hiseldestbrotherwouldgivehim，Tosti，nosufficientshareinthekingship。Whichstateofmatters，ifSveinwouldgoaheadwithhimtorectifyit，wouldbegreatlytotheadvantageofSvein。Svein，taughtbymanybeatings，wastoowiseforthisproposal;refusedTosti，whoindignantlysteppedoverintoNorway，andproposedittoKingHaraldthere。Sveinreallyhadacquiredconsiderableteaching，Ishouldguess，fromhismuchbeatingandhardexperienceintheworld;onefindshimafterwardstheesteemedfriendofthefamousHistorianAdamofBremen，whoreportsvariouswisehumanities，andpleasantdiscoursingswithSveinEstrithson。
AsforHaraldHardrade，\"HaraldtheHardorSevere，\"ashewasnowcalled，Tosti’sproposalawakenedinhimallhisoldVaeringerambitiousandcupiditiesintoblazingvehemence。Hezealouslyconsented;andatonce，withhiswholestrength，embarkedintheadventure。Fittedouttwohundredships，andthebiggestarmyhecouldcarryinthem;andsailedwithTostitowardsthedangerousPromisedLand。GotintotheTyneandtookbooty;gotintotheHumber，thenceintotheOuse;easilysubduedanyoppositiontheofficialpeopleortheirpopulationscouldmake;victoriouslyscatteredthese，victoriouslytooktheCityofYorkinaday;andevengothimselfhomagedthere，\"KingofNorthumberland，\"aspercovenant，——Tostiprovinghonorable，——Tostiandhegoingwithfaithfulstrictcopartnery，andallthingslookingprosperousandglorious。Exceptonly（animportantexception！）thattheylearntforcertain，EnglishHaroldwasadvancingwithallhisstrength;and，inameasurablespaceofhours，unlesscareweretaken，wouldbeinYorkhimself。HaraldandTostihastenedofftoseizethepostofStamfordBridgeonDerwentRiver，sixorsevenmileseastofYorkCity，andtherebarthisdangerousadvent。TheirownshipslaynotfaroffinOuseRiver，incaseoftheworst。Thebattlethatensuedthenextday，September20，1066，isforevermemorableinEnglishhistory。
SnorrogivesvividlyenoughhisviewofitfromtheIcelandicside：A
ringofstalwartNorsemen，closeranked，withtheirsteeltoolsinhand;EnglishHarold’sArmy，mostlycavalry，prancingandprickingallaround;tryingtofindormakesomeopeninginthatring。Foralongtimetryinginvain，tillatlength，gettingthementicedtoburstoutsomewhereinpursuit，theyquicklyturnedround，andquicklymadeanend，ofthatmatter。SnorrorepresentsEnglishHarold，withafirstpartyofthesehorsecomingup，and，withpreliminarysalutations，askingifTostiwerethere，andifHaraldwere;makinggenerousproposalstoTosti;but，inregardtoHaraldandwhatshareofEnglandwastobehis，answeringTostiwiththewords，\"SevenfeetofEnglishearth，ormoreifherequireit，foragrave。\"UponwhichTosti，likeanhonorablemanandcopartner，said，\"No，never;letusfightyourathertillwealldie。\"\"Whoisthisthatspoketoyou？\"inquiredHarald，whenthecavaliershadwithdrawn。\"MybrotherHarold，\"
answersTosti;whichlooksratherlikeaSaga，butmaybehistoricalafterall。Snorro’shistoryofthebattleisintelligibleonlyafteryouhavepremisedtoit，whatheneverhintsat，thatthescenewasontheeastsideofthebridgeandoftheDerwent;thegreatstruggleforthebridge，oneatlastfinds，wasafterthefallofHarald;andtotheEnglishChroniclers，saidstruggle，whichwasabundantlysevere，isalltheyknowofthebattle。
Enragedatthatbreakinglooseofhissteelringofinfantry，NorseHaraldblazedupintotrueNorsefury，alltheoldVaeringerandBerserkirrageawakeninginhim;sprangforthintothefrontofthefight，andmauledandcutandsmasheddown，onbothhandsofhim，everythinghemet，irresistiblebyanyhorseorman，tillanarrowcuthimthroughthewindpipe，andlaidhimlowforever。ThatwastheendofKingHaraldandofhisworkingsinthisworld。ThecircumstancethathewasaWaringorBaringandhadsmittentopiecessomanyOrientalcohortsorcrowds，andhadmadelove-verses（kindofironmadrigals）tohisRussianPrincess，andcaughtthefancyofquestionableGreekqueens，andhadamassedsuchheapsofmoney，whilepoornephewMagnushadonlyonegoldring（whichhadbeenhisfather’s，andevenhisfather’s_mother’s_，asUncleHaraldnoticed），andnothingmorewhateverofthatpreciousmetaltocombinewithHarald’streasures：——allthisisnewtome，naturallynohintofitinanyEnglishbook;andlendssomegleamofromanticsplendortothatdimbusinessofStamfordBridge，nowfallensodullandtorpidtomostEnglishminds，transcendentlyimportantasitoncewastoallEnglishmen。AdamofBremensays，theEnglishgotasmuchgoldplunderfromHarald’speopleaswasaheavyburdenfortwelvemen;[18]athingevidentlyimpossible，whichnobodyneedtrytobelieve。YoungOlaf，Harald’sson，ageaboutsixteen，steeringdowntheOuseatthetopofhisspeed，escapedhometoNorwaywithallhisships，andsubsequentlyreignedtherewithMagnus，hisbrother。Harald’sbodydidlieinEnglishearthforaboutayear;butwasthenbroughttoNorwayforburial。Heneededmorethansevenfeetofgrave，saysome;
Laing，interpretingSnorro’smeasurements，makesHaraldeightfeetinstature，——Idohope，withsomeerrorinexcess！
CHAPTERXII。
OLAFTHETRANQUIL，MAGNUSBAREFOOT，ANDSIGURDTHECRUSADER。
ThenewKingOlaf，hisbrotherMagnushavingsoondied，boreruleinNorwayforsomefive-and-twentyyears。Rulesoftandgentle，notlikehisfather’s，andincliningrathertoimprovementintheartsandeleganciesthantoanythingsevereordangerouslylaborious。A
slim-built，witty-talking，popularandprettyman，withuncommonlybrighteyes，andhairlikeflosssilk：theycalledhimOlaf_Kyrre_
（theTranquilorEasygoing）。
Theceremonialsofthepalaceweremuchimprovedbyhim。Palacestillcontinuedtobebuiltofhugelogspyramidallyslopingupwards，withfireplaceinthemiddleofthefloor，andnoegressforsmokeoringressforlightexceptrightoverhead，which，inbadweather，youcouldshut，orallbutshut，withalid。Lidoriginallymadeofmereopaqueboard，butchangedlatterlyintoalightframe，covered（_glazed_，sotospeak）withentrailsofanimals，clarifiedintosomethingofpellucidity。AllthisOlaf，Ihope，furtherperfected，ashedidtheplacingofthecourtladies，courtofficials，andthelike;butIdoubtiftheluxuryofaglasswindowwereeverknowntohim，oracuptodrinkfromthatwasnotmadeofmetalorhorn。Infactitischieflyforhisson’ssakeImentionhimhere;andwiththeson，too，Ihavelittlerealconcern，butonlyakindoffantastic。
ThissonbearsthenameofMagnus_Barfod_（Barefoot，orBareleg）;andifyouaskwhyso，theansweris：HewasusedtoappearinthestreetsofNidaros（Trondhjem）nowandthenincompleteScotchHighlanddress。Authentictartanplaidandphilibeg，atthatepoch，——tothewonderofTrondhjemandus！Thetruthis，hehadamightyfancyforthoseHebridesandotherScotchpossessionsofhis;
andseeingEnglandnowquiteimpossible，eagerlyspeculatedonsomeconquestinIrelandasnextbest。Hedid，infact，godiligentlyvoyagingandinspectingamongthoseOrkneyandHebridianIsles;
puttingeverythingstraightthere，appointingstringentauthorities，jarls，——nay，aking，\"KingdomoftheSuderoer\"（SouthernIsles，nowcalled_Sodor_），——and，asfirstking，Sigurd，hisprettylittleboyofnineyears。Allwhichdone，andsomequarrelwithSwedenfoughtout，heseriouslyappliedhimselftovisitinginastillmoreemphaticmanner;namely，toinvading，withhisbestskillandstrength，theconsiderablevirtualoractualkingdomhehadinIreland，intendingfullytoenlargeittotheutmostlimitsoftheIslandifpossible。
HegotprosperouslyintoDublin（guessA。D。1102）。Considerableauthorityhealreadyhad，evenamongthosepoorIrishKings，orkinglets，intheirglibsandyellow-saffrongowns;stillmore，I
suppose，amongthenumerousNorsePrincipalitiesthere。\"KingMurdog，KingofIreland，\"saystheChronicleofMan，\"hadobligedhimself，everyYule-day，totakeapairofshoes，hangthemoverhisshoulder，asyourservantdoesonajourney，andwalkacrosshiscourt，atbiddingandinpresenceofMagnusBarefoot’smessenger，bywayofhomagetothesaid\"King。\"Murdogonthisgreateroccasiondidwhateverhomagecouldberequiredofhim;butthat，thoughcomfortable，wasfarfromsatisfyingthegreatKing’sambitiousmind。
ThegreatKingleftMurdog;lefthisownDublin;marchedoffwestwardonageneralconquestofIreland。Marchedeasilyvictoriousforatime;andgot，somesay，intothewildsofConnaught，buttheresawhimselfbesetbyambuscadesandwildIrishcountenancesintentonmischief;andhad，onthesudden，todrawupforbattle;——place，I
regrettosay，altogetherundiscoverabletome;knownonlythatitwasboggyintheextreme。Certainenough，toocertainandevident，MagnusBarefoot，searchingeagerly，couldfindnofirmfootingthere;nor，fightingfuriouslyuptothekneesordeeper，anyresultbuthonorabledeath！Dateisconfidentlymarked\"24August，1103，\"——asifpeopleknewtheverydayofthemonth。ThenativesdidhumanelygiveKingMagnusChristianburial。Theremnantsofhisforce，withoutfurthermolestation，foundtheirshipsontheCoastofUlster;andsailedhome，——withoutconquestofIreland;nayperhaps，leavingroyalMurdogdisposedtoberelievedofhisprocessionwiththepairofshoes。
MagnusBarefootleftthreesons，allkingsatonce，reigningpeaceablytogether。Buttous，atpresent，theonlynoteworthyoneofthemwasSigurd;who，findingnothingspecialtodoathome，lefthisbrotherstomanageforhim，andwentoffonafarVoyage，whichhasrenderedhimdistinguishableinthecrowd。VoyagethroughtheStraitsofGibraltar，ontoJerusalem，thencetoConstantinople;andsohomethroughRussia，shiningwithsuchrenownasfilledallNorwayforthetimebeing。AKingcalledSigurdJorsalafarer（Jerusalemer）orSigurdtheCrusaderhenceforth。HisvoyagehadbeenonlypartiallyoftheVikingtype;ingeneralitwasoftheRoyal-Progresskindrather;
Vikingismonlyinterveningincasesofincivilityorthelike。HisreceptionintheCourtsofPortugal，Spain，Sicily，Italy，hadbeenhonorableandsumptuous。TheKingofJerusalembrokeoutintoutmostsplendorandeffusionatsightofsuchapilgrim;andConstantinoplediditshighesthonorstosuchaPrinceofVaeringers。Andthetruthis，Sigurdintrinsicallywasawise，able，andprudentman;who，survivingbothhisbrothers，reignedagoodwhilealoneinasolidandsuccessfulway。Heshowsfeaturesofanoriginal，independent-thinkingman;somethingofruggedlystrong，sincere，andhonest，withpeculiaritiesthatareamiableandevenpatheticinthecharacterandtemperamentofhim;ascertainly，thecourseoflifehetookwasofhisownchoosing，andpeculiarenough。Hehappensfurthermoretobe，whatheleastofallcouldhavechosenorexpected，thelastoftheHaarfagrGenealogythathadanysuccess，ormuchdeservedany，inthisworld。ThelastoftheHaarfagrs，orasgoodasthelast！Sothat，singulartosay，itisinreality，foronethingonlythatSigurd，afterallhiscrusadingsandwonderfuladventures，ismemorabletoushere：theadventofanIrishgentlemancalled\"GylleKrist\"（Gil-christ，ServantofChrist），who，——notoverwelcome，Ishouldthink，but（unconsciously）bigwiththeaboveresult，——appearedinNorway，whileKingSigurdwassupreme。Letusexplainalittle。
ThisGylleKrist，theunconsciouslyfatalindividual，who\"spokeNorseimperfectly，\"declaredhimselftobethenaturalsonofwhilomMagnusBarefoot;borntohimtherewhileengagedinthatunfortunate\"ConquestofIreland。\"\"Hereismymothercomewithme，\"saidGilchrist，\"whodeclaresmyrealbaptismalnametohavebeenHarald，givenmebythatgreatKing;andwhowillcarrythered-hotploughsharesordoanyreasonableordealintestimonyofthesefacts。
IamKingSigurd’sveritablehalf-brother：whatwillKingSigurdthinkitfairtodowithme？\"Sigurdclearlyseemstohavebelievedthemantobespeakingtruth;andindeednobodytohavedoubtedbuthewas。Sigurdsaid，\"Honorablesustenanceshaltthouhavefrommehere。
But，underpainofextirpation，swearthat，neitherinmytime，norinthatofmyyoungsonMagnus，wiltthoueverclaimanyshareinthisGovernment。\"Gylleswore;andpunctuallykepthispromiseduringSigurd’sreign。ButduringMagnus’s，heconspicuouslybrokeit;and，inresult，throughmanyreigns，andduringthreeorfourgenerationsafterwards，producedunspeakablecontentions，massacrings，confusionsinthecountryhehadadopted。Therearereckoned，fromthetimeofSigurd’sdeath（A。D。1130），aboutahundredyearsofcivilwar：nokingallowedtodistinguishhimselfbyasolidreignofwell-doing，orbyanycontinuingreignatall，——sometimesasmanyasfourkingssimultaneouslyfighting;——andinNorway，fromsiretoson，nothingbutsanguinaryanarchy，disasterandbewilderment;aCountrysinkingsteadilyasiftowardsabsoluteruin。OfallwhichfrightfulmiseryanddiscordIrishGylle，styledafterwardsKingHaraldGylle，was，byilldestinyandotherwise，thevisibleorigin：anillegitimateIrishHaarfagrwhoprovedtobehisowndestruction，andthatoftheHaarfagrkindredaltogether！
SigurdhimselfseemsalwaystohaveratherfavoredGylle，whowasacheerful，shrewd，patient，witty，andeffectivefellow;andhadatfirstmuchquizzingtoendure，fromtheyoungerkind，onaccountofhisIrishwayofspeakingNorse，andforotherreasons。Oneevening，forexample，whilethedrinkwasgoinground，GyllementionedthattheIrishhadawonderfultalentofswiftrunningandthattherewereamongthempeoplewhocouldkeepupwiththeswiftesthorse。Atwhich，especiallyfromyoungMagnus，therewerepealsoflaughter;andadeclarationfromthelatterthatGylleandhewouldhaveittriedto-morrowmorning！GylleinvainurgedthathehadnothimselfprofessedtobesoswiftarunnerastokeepupwiththePrince’shorses;butonlythatthereweremeninIrelandwhocould。Magnuswaspositive;and，earlynextmorning，Gyllehadtobeontheground;andtherace，naturallyunderheavybet，actuallywentoff。GyllestartedparalleltoMagnus’sstirrup;ranlikeaveryroe，andwasclearlyaheadatthegoal。\"Unfair，\"saidMagnus;\"thoumusthavehadholdofmystirrup-leather，andhelpedthyselfalong;wemusttryitagain。\"
Gylleranbehindthehorsethissecondtime;thenattheend，sprangforward;andagainwasfairlyinahead。\"Thoumusthaveheldbythetail，\"saidMagnus;\"notbyfairrunningwasthispossible;wemusttryathirdtime！\"GyllestartedaheadofMagnusandhishorse，thisthirdtime;keptaheadwithincreasingdistance，Magnusgallopinghisverybest;andreachedthegoalmorepalpablyforemostthanever。SothatMagnushadtopayhisbet，andotherdamageandhumiliation。Andgotfromhisfather，whoheardofitsoonafterwards，scoffingrebukeasasillyfellow，whodidnotknowtheworthofmen，butonlytheclothesandrankofthem，andwelldeservedwhathehadgotfromGylle。AllthetimeKingSigurdlived，Gylleseemstohavehadgoodrecognitionandprotectionfromthatfamousman;and，indeed，tohavegainedfavorallround，byhisquietsocialdemeanorandthequalitiesheshowed。
CHAPTERXIII。
MAGNUSTHEBLIND，HARALDGYLLE，ANDMUTUALEXTINCTIONOFTHE
HAARFAGRS。
OnSigurdtheCrusader’sdeath，Magnusnaturallycametothethrone;
Gyllekeepingsilenceandacheerfulfaceforthetime。ButitwasnotlongtillclaimaroseonGylle’spart，tillwarandfightarosebetweenMagnusandhim，tilltheskilful，popular，ever-activeandshiftyGyllehadentirelybeatenMagnus;putouthiseyes，mutilatedthepoorbodyofhiminahorridandunnamablemanner，andshuthimupinaconventasoutofthegamehenceforth。ThereinhisdarkmiseryMagnuslivednowasamonk;called\"MagnustheBlind\"bythoseNorsepopulations;KingHaraldGyllereigningvictoriouslyinhisstead。
Butthisalsowasonlyforatime。TherearoseavengingkinsfolkofMagnus，whohadnoIrishaccentintheirNorse，andwerethemselveseagerenoughtobearruleintheirnativecountry。Byoneofthese，——aterriblystronghanded，fighting，violent，andregardlessfellow，whoalsowasaBastardofMagnusBarefoot’s，andhadbeenmadeaPriest，butlikeditunbearablyill，andhadbrokenloosefromitintothewildestcoursesathomeandabroad;sothathiscurrentnamegottobe\"Slembi-diakn，\"SlimorIllDeacon，underwhichheismuchnoisedofinSnorroandtheSagas：bythisSlim-Deacon，Gyllewasputanendto（murderedbynight，drunkinhissleep）;andpoorblindMagnuswasbroughtout，andagainsettoactasKing，orKing’sCloak，inhopesGylle’sposteritywouldneverrisetovictorymore。ButGylle’sposteritydid，tovictoryandalsotodefeat，andwerethedeathofMagnusandofSlim-Deacontoo，inafrightfulway;andallgottheirowndeathbyandbyinaditto。Inbrief，thesetwokindreds（reckonedtobeauthenticenoughHaarfagrpeople，bothkindsofthem）provednowtohavebecomeaveritablecropofdragon’steeth;
whomutuallyfought，plotted，struggled，asifithadbeentheirlife’sbusiness;neverendedfightingandseldomlongintermittedit，tilltheyhadexterminatedoneanother，anddidatlastallrestindeath。OneoftheselaterGylletemporaryKingsIrememberbythenameofHaraldHerdebred，HaraldoftheBroadShoulders。TheverylastofthemIthinkwasHaraldMund（Haraldofthe_Wry-Mouth_），whogaverisetotwoImpostors，pretendingtobeSonsofhis，agoodwhileafterthepoorWry-Mouthitselfandallitstroublesomebelongingswerequietlyunderground。WhatNorwaysufferedduringthatsadcenturymaybeimagined。
CHAPTERXIV。
SVERRIRANDDESCENDANTS，TOHAKONTHEOLD。
Theendofitwas，orratherthefirstabatement，and_beginnings_oftheend，That，whenallthishadgoneoneverworseningforsomefortyyearsorso，oneSverrir（A。D。1177），attheheadofanarmedmobofpoorpeoplecalled_Birkebeins_，cameuponthescene。AstrangeenoughfigureinHistory，thisSverrirandhisBirkebeins！Atfirstameremockeryanddismallaughing-stocktotheenlightenedNorwaypublic。Neverthelessbyunheard-offighting，hungering，exertion，andendurance，Sverrir，aftertenyearsofsuchadeath-wrestleagainstmenandthings，gothimselfacceptedasKing;andbywonderfulexpenditureofingenuity，commoncunning，unctuousParliamentaryEloquenceoralmostPopularPreaching，and（itmustbeowned）generalhumanfacultyandvalor（orvalue）intheover-cloudedanddistortedstate，didvictoriouslycontinuesuch。AndfoundedanewDynastyinNorway，whichendedonlywithNorway’sseparateexistence，afternearthreehundredyears。
ThisSverrircalledhimselfaSonofHaraldWry-Mouth;butwasinrealitythesonofapoorComb-makerinsomelittletownofNorway;
nothingheardofSonshiptoWry-Mouthtillaftergoodsuccessotherwise。HisBirkebeins（thatistosay，_Birchlegs;_thepoorrebelliouswretcheshavingtakentothewoods;andbeenobliged，besidestheirintolerablescarcityoffood，tothatchtheirbodiesfromthecoldwithwhatevercoveringcouldbegot，andtheirlegsespeciallywithbirchbark;sadspeciesoffleecyhosiery;whencetheirnickname），——hisBirkebeinsIguessalwaystohavebeenakindofNorse_Jacquerie_：desperaterisingofthrallsandindigentpeople，drivenmadbytheirunendurablesufferingsandfamishings，——theirsthe_deepest_stratumofmisery，andthedensestandheaviest，inthisthegeneralmiseryofNorway，whichhadlastedtowardsthethirdgenerationandlookedasifitwouldlastforever：——whereupontheyhadrisenproclaiming，inthisfuriousdumbmanner，unintelligibleexcepttoHeaven，thatthesamecouldnot，norwouldnot，beenduredanylonger！And，bytheirSverrir，strangetosay，theydidattainakindofpermanentsuccess;and，frombeingadismallaughing-stockinNorway，cametobeimportant，andforatimeall-importantthere。
Theiroppositionnicknames，\"_Baglers_（fromBagall，_baculus_，bishop’sstaff;BishopNicholasbeingchiefLeader），\"\"_Gold-legs_，\"
andthelikeobscureterms（fortherewasstillaconsiderablecourseofcounter-fightingahead，andespeciallyofcounter-nicknaming），I
taketohavemeantinNorseprefigurementsevencenturiesago，\"bloatedAristocracy，\"\"tyrannous-_Bourgeoisie_，\"——till，inthenextcentury，theserentswereclosedagain！
KingSverrir，nothimselfbredtocomb-making，had，inhisfifthyear，gonetoanuncle，BishopintheFaroeIslands;andgotsomeconsiderableeducationfromhim，withaviewtoPriesthoodonthepartofSverrir。But，notlikingthatcareer，SverrirhadfledandsmuggledhimselfovertotheBirkebeins;who，noticingthelearnedtongue，andothermiraculousqualitiesoftheman，proposedtomakehimCaptainofthem;andeventhreatenedtokillhimifhewouldnotaccept，——whichthusatthesword’spoint，asSverrirsays，hewasobligedtodo。ItwasafterthisthathethoughtofbecomingsonofWry-Mouthandotherhigherthings。
HisBirkebeinsandhehadcertainlyatalentofcampaigningwhichhashardlyeverbeenequalled。Theyfoughtlikedevilsagainstanyoddsofnumber;andbeforebattletheyhavebeenknowntomarchsixdaystogetherwithoutfood，except，perhaps，theinnerbarksoftrees，andinsuchclothingandshoeingasmerebirchbark：——atonetime，somewhereintheDovrefjeld，therewasseriouscounselheldamongthemwhethertheyshouldnotall，asoneman，leapdownintothefrozengulfsandprecipices，oratoncemassacreoneanotherwholly，andsofinish。Oftheirconductinbattle，fiercerthanthatof_Baresarks_，wherewasthereeverseentheparallel？Intruththeyareadimstrangeobjecttoone，inthatblacktime;wondrouslybringinglightintoitwithal;andprovedtobe，undersuchunexpectedcircumstances，thebeginningofbetterdays！
OfSverrir’spublicspeechestherestillexistauthenticspecimens;
wonderfulindeed，andmuchcharacteristicofsuchaSverrir。A
comb-makerKing，evidentlymeaningseveralgoodandsolidthings;andeffectingthemtoo，athwartsuchanelementofNorwegianchaos-come-again。Hisdescendantsandsuccessorswereacomparativelyrespectablekin。ThelastandgreatestofthemIshallmentionisHakonVII。，orHakontheOld;whosefameisstilllivelyamongus，fromtheBattleofLargsatleast。
CHAPTERXV。
HAKONTHEOLDATLARGS。
IntheNorseannalsourfamousBattleofLargsmakessmallfigure，oralmostnoneatallamongHakon’sbattlesandfeats。Theydosayindeed，theseNorseannalists，thattheKingofScotland，AlexanderIII。（whohadsuchafateamongthecragsaboutKinghornintimecoming），wasveryanxioustopurchasefromKingHakonhissovereigntyoftheWesternIsles，butthatHakonpointedlyrefused;andatlength，beingagainimportunedandbotheredonthebusiness，decidedongivingarefusalthatcouldnotbemistaken。Decided，namely，togowithabigexpedition，andlookthoroughlyintothatwingofhisDominions;
wherenodoubtmuchhasfallenawrysinceMagnusBarefoot’sgrandvisitthither，andseemstobeinvitingthecupidityofbadneighbors！
\"Allthiswewillputrightagain，\"thinksHakon，\"andgirditupintoasafeanddefensiveposture。\"Hakonsailedaccordingly，withastrongfleet;adjustingandrectifyingamonghisHebridesashewentlong，andlandingwithalontheScotchcoasttoplunderandpunishashethoughtfit。TheScotssayhehadclaimedofthemArran，Bute，andtheTwoCumbraes（\"givenmyancestorsbyDonaldBain，\"saidHakon，totheamazementoftheScots）\"aspartoftheSudoer\"（SouthernIsles）：
——sofarfromsellingthatfinekingdom！——andthatitwasaftertakingbothArranandButethathemadehisdescentatLargs。
OfLargsthereisnomentionwhateverinNorsebooks。Butbeyondanydoubt，suchistheotherevidence，Hakondidlandthere;landandfight，notconquering，probablyratherbeaten;andverycertainly\"retiringtohisships，\"asineithercasehebehoovedtodo！Itisfurthercertainhewasdreadfullymaltreatedbytheweatheronthosewildcoasts;andaltogethercredible，astheScotchrecordsbear，thathewassoatLargsveryspecially。TheNorseRecordsorSagassaymerely，helostmanyofhisshipsbythetempests，andmanyofhismenbylandfightinginvariousparts，——tacitlyincludingLargs，nodoubt，whichwasthelastofthesemisfortunestohim。\"Inthebattleherehelost15，000men，saytheScots，we5，000\"！Dividethesenumbersbyten，andtheexcellentlybriefandlucidScottishsummarybyBuchananmaybetakenastheapproximatelytrueandexact。[19]DateofthebattleisA。D。1263。
Tothisday，onalittleplaintothesouthofthevillage，nowtown，ofLargs，inAyrshire，thereareseenstonecairnsandmonumentalheaps，and，untilwithinacenturyago，onehuge，solitary，uprightstone;stillmutelytestifyingtoabattlethere，——altogetherclearly，tothisbattleofKingHakon’s;whobytheNorserecords，too，wasintheseneighborhoodsatthatsamedate，andevidentlyinanaggressive，highkindofhumor。For\"whilehisshipsandarmyweredoublingtheMullofCantire，hehadhisownboatsetonwheels，andtherein，splendidlyenough，hadhimselfdrawnacrossthePromontoryataflatterpart，\"nodoubtwithhornssounding，bannerswaving。\"AlltotheleftofmeismineandNorway’s，\"exclaimedHakoninhistriumphantboatprogress，whichsuchdisasterssoonfollowed。
Hakongatheredhiswreckstogether，andsorrowfullymadeforOrkney。
Itispossibleenough，asourGuideBooksnowsay，hemayhavegonebyIona，Mull，andthenarrowseasinsideofSkye;andthatthe_Kyle-Akin_，favorablyknowntosea-bathersinthatregion，mayactuallymeantheKyle（narrowstrait）ofHakon，whereHakonmayhavedroppedanchor，andrestedforalittlewhileinsmoothwaterandbeautifulenvironment，safefromequinoctialstorms。ButpoorHakon’sheartwasnowbroken。HewenttoOrkney;diedthereinthewinter;
neverbeholdingNorwaymore。
HeitwaswhogotIceland，whichhadbeenaRepublicforfourcenturies，unitedtohiskingdomofNorway：alongandintricateoperation，——muchpresidedoverbyourSnorroSturleson，sooftenquotedhere，whoindeedlosthislife（byassassinationfromhissons-in-law）andoutofgreatwealthsankatonceintopovertyofzero，——onemidnightinhisowncellar，inthecourseofthatbadbusiness。HakonwasagreatPoliticianinhistime;andsucceededinmanythingsbeforehelostLargs。Snorro’sdeathbymurderhadhappenedabouttwentyyearsbeforeHakon’sbybrokenheart。HeiscalledHakontheOld，thoughonefindshisagewasbutfifty-nine，probablyalongishlifeforaNorwayKing。Snorro’snarrativeceaseswhenSnorrohimselfwasborn;thatistosay，atthethresholdofKingSverrir;ofwhoseexploitsanddoubtfulbirthitisguessedbysomethatSnorrowillinglyforboretospeakinthehearingofsuchaHakon。
CHAPTERXVI。
EPILOGUE。
Haarfagr’skindredlastedsomethreecenturiesinNorway;Sverrir’slastedintoitsthirdcenturythere;howlongafterthis，amongtheneighboringkinships，Ididnotinquire。For，byregalaffinities，consanguinities，andunexpectedchancesandchanges，thethreeScandinaviankingdomsfellallpeaceablytogetherunderQueenMargaret，oftheCalmarUnion（A。D。1397）;andNorway，incorporatednowwithDenmark，needednomorekings。
TheHistoryoftheseHaarfagrshasawakenedinmemanythoughts：OfDespotismandDemocracy，arbitrarygovernmentbyoneandself-government（whichmeansnogovernment，oranarchy）byall;ofDictatorshipwithmanyfaults，andUniversalSuffragewithlittlepossibilityofanyvirtue。ForthecontrastbetweenOlafTryggveson，andaUniversal-SuffrageParliamentoran\"Imperial\"CopperCaptainhas，intheseninecenturies，growntobeverygreat。AndtheeternalProvidencethatguidesallthis，andproducesaliketheseentitieswiththeirepochs，isnotitscoursestillthroughthegreatdeep？
Doesnotitstillspeaktous，ifwehaveears？Here，clothedinstormyenoughpassionsandinstincts，unconsciousofanyaimbuttheirownsatisfaction，istheblessedbeginningofHumanOrder，Regulation，andrealGovernment;there，clothedinahighlydifferent，butagainsuitablegarnitureofpassions，instincts，andequallyunconsciousastorealaim，istheaccursed-lookingending（temporaryending）ofOrder，Regulation，andGovernment;——verydismaltothesaneonlookerforthetimebeing;notdismaltohimotherwise，hishope，too，beingsteadfast！Buthere，atanyrate，inthispoorNorsetheatre，onelookswithinterestonthefirsttransformation，somysteriousandabstruse，ofhumanChaosintosomethingofarticulateCosmos;
witnessesthewildandstrangebirth-pangsofHumanSociety，andreflectsthatwithoutsomethingsimilar（littleasmenexpectsuchnow），noCosmosofhumansocietyeverwasgotintoexistence，norcaneveragainbe。
Theviolences，fightings，crimes——ahyes，theseseldomfail，andtheyareverylamentable。Butalways，too，amongthoseoldpopulations，therewasonesavingelement;thenowwantofwhich，especiallytheunlamentedwant，transcendsalllamentation。Hereisoneofthosestrange，piercing，winged-wordsofRuskin，whichhasinitaterribletruthforusintheseepochsnowcome：——
\"Myfriends，thefolliesofmodernLiberalism，manyandgreatthoughtheybe，arepracticallysummedinthisdenialorneglectofthequalityandintrinsicvalueofthings。Itsrectangularbeatitudes，andsphericalbenevolences，——theologyofuniversalindulgence，andjurisprudencewhichwillhangnorogues，mean，oneandallofthem，intheroot，incapacityofdiscerning，orrefusaltodiscern，worthandunworthinanything，andleastofallinman;whereasNatureandHeavencommandyou，atyourperil，todiscernworthfromunworthineverything，andmostofallinman。Yourmainproblemisthatancientandtriteone，’Whoisbestman？’andtheFatesforgivemuch，——forgivethewildest，fiercest，cruelestexperiments，——iffairlymadeforthedeterminationofthat。
Theftandblood-guiltinessarenotpleasingintheirsight;yetthefavoringpowersofthespiritualandmaterialworldwillconfirmtoyouyourstolengoods，andtheirnoblestvoicesapplaudtheliftingofYourspear，andrehearsethesculptureofyourshield，ifonlyyourrobbingandslayinghavebeeninfairarbitramentofthatquestion，’Whoisbestman？’Butifyourefusesuchinquiry，andmaintaineverymanforhisneighbor’smatch，——ifyougivevotetothesimpleandlibertytothevile，thepowersofthosespiritualandmaterialworldsinduetimepresentyouinevitablywiththesameproblem，solublenowonlywrongsideupwards;andyourrobbingandslayingmustbedonethentofindout，’Whoisworstman？’Which，insowideanorderofmerit，is，indeed，noteasy;butacompleteTammanyRing，andlowestcircleintheInfernoofWorst，youaresuretofind，andtobegovernedby。\"[20]
AllreaderswilladmitthattherewassomethingnaturallyroyalintheseHaarfagrKings。Awildlygreatkindofkindred;countsinittwoHeroesofahigh，oralmosthighest，type：thefirsttwoOlafs，TryggvesonandtheSaint。Andtheviewofthem，withal，aswechancetohaveit，Ihaveoftenthought，howessentiallyHomericitwas：——indeedwhatis\"Homer\"himselfbutthe_Rhapsody_offivecenturiesofGreekSkaldsandwanderingBallad-singers，done（i。e。
\"stitchedtogether\"）bysomebodymoremusicalthanSnorrowas？OlafTryggvesonandOlafSaintpleasemequiteaswellintheirprosaicform;offeringmethetruthofthemasifseenintheirreallineamentsbysomemarvellousopening（throughtheartofSnorro）
acrosstheblackstrataoftheages。Twohigh，almostamongthehighestsonsofNature，seenastheyveritablywere;fairlycomparableorsuperiortogod-likeAchilleus，goddess-woundingDiomedes，muchmoretothetwoAtreidai，RegulatorsofthePeoples。
IhavealsothoughtoftenwhataBookmightbemadeofSnorro，didtherebutariseamanfurnishedwithdueliteraryinsight，andindefatigablediligence;who，faithfullyacquaintinghimselfwiththetopography，themonumentalreliesandillustrativeactualitiesofNorway，carefullyscanningthebesttestimoniesastoplaceandtimewhichthatcountrycanstillgivehim，carefullythebestcollateralrecordsandchronologiesofothercountries，andwho，himselfpossessingthehighestfacultyofaPoet，could，abridging，arranging，elucidating，reduceSnorrotoapolishedCosmicstate，unweariedlypurgingawayhismuchchaoticmatter！Amodern\"highestkindofPoet，\"capableofunlimitedslavishlaborwithal;——who，Ifear，isnotsoontobeexpectedinthisworld，orlikelytofindhistaskinthe_Heimskringla_ifhedidappearhere。
Footnotes：
_______________________________
[1]J。G。Dahlmann，_GeschichtevonDannemark_，3vols。8vo。
Hamburg，1840-1843。
[2]\"Settlement，\"dated912，byMunch，Henault，&c。TheSaxonChroniclesays（anno876）：\"InthisyearRolfoverranNormandywithhisarmy，andhereignedfiftywinters。\"
[3]Dahlmann，ii。87。
[4]Dahlmann，ii。93。
[5]_Laing’sSnorro_，i。344。
[6]G。Buchanani_OperaOmnia_，i。103，104（CuranteRuddimano，Edinburgi，1715）。
[7]HisLongSerpent，judgedbysometobeofthesizeofafrigateofforty-fiveguns（Laing）。
[8]ThissermonwasprintedbyHearne;andisgivenalsobyLangebekinhisexcellentCollection，_RerumDanicarumScriptoresMediiAEri。_Hafniae。1772-1834。
[9]Kennet，i。67;Rapin，i。119，121（fromthe_SaxonChronicle_
both）。
[10]KnutbornA。D。988accordingtoMunch’scalculation（ii。
126）。
[11]Snorro，Laing’sTranslation，ii。p。31etseq。，willminutelyspecify。
[12]Snorro，ii。pp。24，25。
[13]Snorro，ii。pp。156-161。
[14]Snorro，ii。pp。252，253。
[15]_SaxonChronicle_saysexpressly，underA。D。1030：\"InthisyearKingOlafwasslaininNorwaybyhisownpeople，andwasafterwardssainted。\"
[16]_SaxonChronicle_says：\"1035。InthisyeardiedKingCnut……
HedepartedatShaftesbury，November12，andtheyconveyedhimthencetoWinchester，andthereburiedhim。\"
[17]Munchgivesthedate1038（ii。840），AdamofBremen1040。
[18]Camden，Rapin，&c。quote。
[19]_BuchananiHist。_i。130。
[20]_ForsClavigera_，LetterXIV。Pp。8-10。