One night the king lay awake in his bed, thinking with great anxiety
about his determination, and at last, being tired of thinking, sleep
came over him towards morning; but his sleep was so light that he
thought he was awake, and could see all that was doing in the house.
Then he saw a great and superb man, in splendid clothes, standing by his
bed; and it came into the king's mind that this was King Olaf Trygvason
who had come to him. This man said to him, "Thou are very sick of
thinking about thy future resolutions; and it appears to me wonderful
that these thoughts should be so tumultuous in thy soul that thou
shouldst even think of laying down the kingly dignity which God hath
given thee, and of remaining here and accepting of a kingdom from
foreign and unknown kings. Go back rather to that kingdom which thou
hast received in heritage, and rule over it with the strength which God
hath given thee, and let not thy inferiors take it from thee. It is the
glory of a king to be victorious over his enemies, and it is a glorious
death to die in battle. Or art thou doubtful if thou hast right on thy
side in the strife with thine enemies? Thou must have no doubts, and
must not conceal the truth from thyself. Thou must go back to thy
country, and God will give open testimony that the kingdom is thine by
property." When the king awoke he thought he saw the man's shoulders
going out. From this time the king's courage rose, and he fixed firmly
his resolution to return to Norway; to which his inclination also
tended most, and which he also found was the desire of all his men. He
bethought himself also that the country being without a chief could be
easily attacked, from what he had heard, and that after he came himself
many would turn back towards him. When the king told his determination
to his people they all gave it their approbation joyfully.