King Eystein had in many ways improved the laws and priveleges of the
country people, and kept strictly to the laws; and he made himself
acquainted with all the laws of Norway, and showed in everything great
prudence and understanding. What a valuable man King Eystein was, how
full of friendship, and how much he turned his mind to examining and
avoiding everything that could be of disadvantage to his friends, may be
seen from his friendship to an Iceland man called Ivar Ingimundson. The
man was witty, of great family, and also a poet. The king saw that Ivar
was out of spirits, and asked him why he was so melancholy. "Before,
when thou wast with us, we had much amusement with thy conversation. I
know thou art a man of too good an understanding to believe that I would
do anything against thee. Tell me then what it is."