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==Chapter 12==
==Chapter 12==
'''Hildirida's sons talk with Harold'''
Hildirida's sons went to the king and bade him to a three nights' banquet. The king accepted their bidding, and fixed when he would come. So at the appointed time he and his train came thither. The company was not numerous, but the feast went off very well, and the king was quite cheerful. Harek entered into talk with the king, and their talk turned on this, that he asked about the king's journeys in those parts during the summer.
The king answered his questions, and said that all had received him well, each after his means.
'Great will have been the difference,' said Harek, 'and at Torgar the company at the banquet will have been the most numerous.'
The king said that it was so.
Harek said: 'That was to be looked for, because on that banquet most was spent; and thou, O king, hadst great luck in matters so turning out that thy life was not endangered. The end was as was likely; thou wert very wise and very fortunate; for thou at once suspectedst all was not for good on seeing the numerous company there gathered; but (as I am told) thou madest all thy men remain armed constantly and keep watch and ward night and day.'
The king looked at him and said: 'Why speakest thou thus, Harek? What canst thou tell of this?'
Harek answered: 'May I speak with permission what I please?'
'Speak,' said the king.
'This I judge,' said Harek, 'that thou wouldst not deem it to be well, if thou, O king, heardest every one's words, what men say when speaking their minds freely at home, how they think that it is a tyranny thou exercisest over all people. But the plain truth is, O king, that to rise against thee the people lack nothing but boldness and a leader. Nor is it wonderful in a man like Thorolf that he thinks himself above everyone; he wants not for strength and comeliness; he keeps a guard round him like a king; he has wealth in plenty, even though he had but what is truly his, but besides that he holds others' property equally at his disposal with his own. Thou, too, hast bestowed on him large grants, and he had now made all ready to repay them with ill. For this is the truth that I tell thee: when it was learnt that thou wert coming north to Halogaland with no more force than three hundred men, the counsel of people here was that an army should assemble and take thy life, O king, and the lives of all thy force. And Thorolf was head of these counsels, and it was offered him that he should be king over the Halogalanders and Naumdalesmen. Then he went in and out of each firth and round all the islands, and got together every man he could find and every weapon, and it was no secret that this army was to muster for battle against king Harold. But the truth is, O king, that though thou hadst somewhat less force than those who met thee, yet the farmer folk took flight when they saw thy fleet. Then this counsel was adopted, to meet thee with friendly show and bid thee to a banquet: but it was intended, when thou wert well drunk and lying asleep, to attack thee with fire and weapon. And here is a proof whether I am rightly informed; ye were led into a granary because Thorolf was loth to burn up his new and beautiful hall; and a further proof is that every room was full of weapons and armour. But when all their devices against thee miscarried, then they chose the best course they could; they hushed up their former purpose. And I doubt not that all may deny this counsel, because few, methinks, know themselves guiltless, were the truth to come out. Now this is my counsel, O king, that thou keep Thorolf near thee, and let him be in thy guard, and bear thy standard, and be in the forecastle of thy ship; for this duty no man is fitter. Or if thou wilt have him to be a baron, then give him a grant southwards in the Firths, where are all his family: thou mayest then keep an eye on him, that he make not himself too great for thee. But the business here in Halogaland put thou into the hands of men who are moderate and will serve thee faithfully, and have kinsfolk here, men whose relatives have had the same work here before. We two brothers are ready and willing for such service as thou wilt use us in; our father long had the king's business here, and it prospered in his hands. It is difficult, O king, to place men as managers here, because thou wilt seldom come hither thyself. The strength of the land is too little to need thy coming with an army, yet thou must not come hither again with few followers, for there are here many disloyal people.'
The king was very angry at these words, but he spoke quietly, as was always his wont when he heard tidings of great import. He asked whether Thorolf were at home at Torgar. Harek said this was not likely.
'Thorolf,' said he, 'is too wise to be in the way of thy followers, O king, for he must guess that all will not be so close but thou wilt get to know these things. He went north to Alost as soon as he heard that thou wert on thy way south.'
The king spoke little about this matter before other men; but it was easy to see that he inclined to believe the words that had been spoken.
After this the king went his way, Hildirida's sons giving him honourable escort with gifts at parting, while he promised them his friendship. The brothers made themselves an errand into Naumdale, and so went round about as to cross the king's path now and again; he always received their words well.
==References==
<references />


==Kafli 12==
==Kafli 12==
Line 34: Line 68:
<ref>REFERENCE TEXT(Fræðigrein:[[PAGE NAME|DISPLAY AS]] OTHER INFO)</ref>
<ref>REFERENCE TEXT(Fræðigrein:[[PAGE NAME|DISPLAY AS]] OTHER INFO)</ref>


==References==
==Tilvísanir==





Revision as of 15:44, 10 November 2011


Chapter 12

Hildirida's sons talk with Harold

Hildirida's sons went to the king and bade him to a three nights' banquet. The king accepted their bidding, and fixed when he would come. So at the appointed time he and his train came thither. The company was not numerous, but the feast went off very well, and the king was quite cheerful. Harek entered into talk with the king, and their talk turned on this, that he asked about the king's journeys in those parts during the summer.

The king answered his questions, and said that all had received him well, each after his means.

'Great will have been the difference,' said Harek, 'and at Torgar the company at the banquet will have been the most numerous.'

The king said that it was so.

Harek said: 'That was to be looked for, because on that banquet most was spent; and thou, O king, hadst great luck in matters so turning out that thy life was not endangered. The end was as was likely; thou wert very wise and very fortunate; for thou at once suspectedst all was not for good on seeing the numerous company there gathered; but (as I am told) thou madest all thy men remain armed constantly and keep watch and ward night and day.'

The king looked at him and said: 'Why speakest thou thus, Harek? What canst thou tell of this?'

Harek answered: 'May I speak with permission what I please?'

'Speak,' said the king.

'This I judge,' said Harek, 'that thou wouldst not deem it to be well, if thou, O king, heardest every one's words, what men say when speaking their minds freely at home, how they think that it is a tyranny thou exercisest over all people. But the plain truth is, O king, that to rise against thee the people lack nothing but boldness and a leader. Nor is it wonderful in a man like Thorolf that he thinks himself above everyone; he wants not for strength and comeliness; he keeps a guard round him like a king; he has wealth in plenty, even though he had but what is truly his, but besides that he holds others' property equally at his disposal with his own. Thou, too, hast bestowed on him large grants, and he had now made all ready to repay them with ill. For this is the truth that I tell thee: when it was learnt that thou wert coming north to Halogaland with no more force than three hundred men, the counsel of people here was that an army should assemble and take thy life, O king, and the lives of all thy force. And Thorolf was head of these counsels, and it was offered him that he should be king over the Halogalanders and Naumdalesmen. Then he went in and out of each firth and round all the islands, and got together every man he could find and every weapon, and it was no secret that this army was to muster for battle against king Harold. But the truth is, O king, that though thou hadst somewhat less force than those who met thee, yet the farmer folk took flight when they saw thy fleet. Then this counsel was adopted, to meet thee with friendly show and bid thee to a banquet: but it was intended, when thou wert well drunk and lying asleep, to attack thee with fire and weapon. And here is a proof whether I am rightly informed; ye were led into a granary because Thorolf was loth to burn up his new and beautiful hall; and a further proof is that every room was full of weapons and armour. But when all their devices against thee miscarried, then they chose the best course they could; they hushed up their former purpose. And I doubt not that all may deny this counsel, because few, methinks, know themselves guiltless, were the truth to come out. Now this is my counsel, O king, that thou keep Thorolf near thee, and let him be in thy guard, and bear thy standard, and be in the forecastle of thy ship; for this duty no man is fitter. Or if thou wilt have him to be a baron, then give him a grant southwards in the Firths, where are all his family: thou mayest then keep an eye on him, that he make not himself too great for thee. But the business here in Halogaland put thou into the hands of men who are moderate and will serve thee faithfully, and have kinsfolk here, men whose relatives have had the same work here before. We two brothers are ready and willing for such service as thou wilt use us in; our father long had the king's business here, and it prospered in his hands. It is difficult, O king, to place men as managers here, because thou wilt seldom come hither thyself. The strength of the land is too little to need thy coming with an army, yet thou must not come hither again with few followers, for there are here many disloyal people.'

The king was very angry at these words, but he spoke quietly, as was always his wont when he heard tidings of great import. He asked whether Thorolf were at home at Torgar. Harek said this was not likely.

'Thorolf,' said he, 'is too wise to be in the way of thy followers, O king, for he must guess that all will not be so close but thou wilt get to know these things. He went north to Alost as soon as he heard that thou wert on thy way south.'

The king spoke little about this matter before other men; but it was easy to see that he inclined to believe the words that had been spoken.

After this the king went his way, Hildirida's sons giving him honourable escort with gifts at parting, while he promised them his friendship. The brothers made themselves an errand into Naumdale, and so went round about as to cross the king's path now and again; he always received their words well.

References


Kafli 12

Af Hildiríðarsonum

Hildiríðarsynir fóru á fund konungs og buðu honum heim til þriggja nátta veislu. Konungur þekktist boð þeirra og kvað á nær hann mundi þar koma. En er að þeirri stefnu kom þá kom konungur þar með lið sitt og var þar ekki fjölmenni fyrir en veisla fór fram hið besta. Var konungur allkátur. Hárekur kom sér í ræðu við konung og kom þar ræðu hans að hann spyr um ferðir konungs, þær er þá höfðu verið um sumarið. Konungur sagði slíkt er hann spurði, kvað alla menn hafa sér vel fagnað og mjög hvern eftir föngum sínum.

„Mikill munur,“ sagði Hárekur, „mun þess hafa verið að í Torgum mundi veisla fjölmennust.“

Konungur sagði að svo var.

Hárekur segir: „Það var vís von því að til þeirrar veislu var mest aflað og báruð þér konungur þar stórlegar gæfur til er svo snerist að þér komuð í engan lífsháska. Fór það sem líklegt var að þú varst vitrastur og hamingjumestur, því að þú grunaðir þegar að eigi mundi allt af heilu vera er þú sást fjölmenni það hið mikla er þar var saman dregið. En mér var sagt að þú létir allt lið þitt jafnan með alvæpni vera eða hafðir varðhöld örugg bæði nótt og dag.“

Konungur sá til hans og mælti: „Hví mælir þú slíkt Hárekur, eða hvað kanntu þar af að segja?“

Hann segir: „Hvort skal eg mæla í orlofi konungur það er mér líkar?“

„Mæltu,“ segir konungur.

„Það ætla eg,“ segir Hárekur, „ef þú konungur heyrðir hvers manns orð er menn mæla heima eftir hugþokka sínum, hver ákúrun það þykir er þér veitið öllu mannfólki, að þér þætti ekki vel vera. En yður er það sannast að segja konungur að alþýðuna skortir ekki annað til mótgangs við yður en dirfð og forstjóra. En það er ekki undarlegt,“ sagði hann, „um slíka menn sem Þórólfur er að hann þykist umfram hvern mann. Hann skortir eigi afl, eigi fríðleik. Hann hefir og hirð um sig sem konungar. Hann hefir morð fjár þótt hann hefði það eina er hann ætti sjálfur en hitt er meira að hann lætur sér jafnheimilt annarra fé sem sitt. Þér hafið og veitt honum stórar veislur og var nú búið við að hann mundi það eigi vel launa, því að það er yður sannast frá að segja, þá er spurðist að þér fóruð norður á Hálogaland með eigi meira liði en þér höfðuð, þremur hundruðum manna, þá var það hér ráð manna að hér skyldi her saman koma og taka þig af lífi konungur og allt lið þitt og var Þórólfur höfðingi þeirrar ráðagerðar því að honum var það til boðið að hann skyldi konungur vera yfir Háleygjafylki og Naumdælafylki. Fór hann síðan út og inn með hverjum firði og um allar eyjar og dró saman hvern mann er hann fékk og hvert vopn, og fór það þá ekki leynt að þeim her skyldi stefna í móti Haraldi konungi til orustu. En hitt er satt konungur, þótt þér hefðuð lið nokkuru minna þá er þér fundust, að búandkörlum skaut skelk í bringu þegar þeir sáu sigling yðra. Var þá hitt ráð tekið að ganga á móti yður með blíðu og bjóða til veislu. En þá var ætlað, ef þér yrðuð drukknir og lægjuð sofandi, að veita yður atgöngu með eldi og vopnum og það til jartegna, ef eg hefi rétt spurt, að yður var fylgt í kornhlöðu eina því að Þórólfur vildi eigi brenna upp stofu sína, nýja og vandaða mjög. Það var enn til jartegna að hvert hús var fullt af vopnum og herklæðum. En þá er þeir fengu engum vélræðum við yður komið tóku þeir það ráð sem helst var til, drápu öllu á dreif um þessa fyrirætlan. Ætla eg það alla kunna að dylja þessa ráða því að fáir hygg eg að sig viti saklausa ef hið sanna kemur upp. Nú er það mitt ráð konungur að þú takir Þórólf til þín og látir hann vera í hirð þinni, bera merki þitt og vera í stafni á skipi þínu. Til þess er hann fallinn allra manna best. En ef þú vilt að hann sé lendur maður þá fá honum veislur suður í Fjörðum, þar er ætterni hans allt. Megið þér þá sjá yfir að hann gerist eigi of stór. En fá hér sýslu á Hálogalandi í hönd þeim mönnum er hófsmenn séu og yður munu með trúleik þjóna og hér eiga kyn og þeirra frændur hafa hér áður haft þvílíkt starf. Skulum við bræður vera búnir og boðnir til slíks sem þér viljið okkur til nýta. Hafði faðir okkar hér lengi konungssýslu. Varð honum það vel í höndum. Er yður konungur vandsettir hér menn yfir til forráða því að þér munuð hér sjaldan koma sjálfir. Hér er lítið landsmegin til þess að þér farið með her yðvarn og munuð það eigi oftar gera að fara hingað með fá liði því að hér er ótryggt lið margt.“

Konungur reiddist mjög við ræður þessar og mælti þó stillilega sem hann var vanur jafnan þá er hann frétti þau tíðindi er mikils voru verð. Hann spurði þá hvort Þórólfur væri heima í Torgum.

Hárekur sagði að þess var engi von „er Þórólfur svo viti borinn að hann mundi kunna sér að vera eigi fyrir liði yðru konungur, því að honum mundi þess von að eigi skyldu allir svo haldinorðir að þú konungur mundir eigi var verða við þessi tíðindi. Fór hann norður í Álöst þegar er hann spurði að þér voruð norðan á leið.“

Konungur ræddi fátt um þessi tíðindi fyrir mönnum en fannst það á að hann mundi trúnað á festa þess orðræðu er honum var sagt. Fór konungur síðan ferðar sinnar. Leiddu Hildiríðarsynir hann virðulega á brott með gjöfum en hann hét þeim vináttu sinni. Þeir bræður gáfu sér erindi inn í Naumudal og fóru svo í svig við konung að þeir hittu hann að öðru hverju. Tók hann jafnan vel máli þeirra.


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Tilvísanir

  1. REFERENCE TEXT(Fræðigrein:DISPLAY AS OTHER INFO)

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