The king: "It is difficult now to guess. Is there any girl here, or in
any other country, to whom thy affections are engaged?"
He said it was so.
The king said, "Do not be melancholy on that account. Go to Iceland
when spring sets in, and I shall give thee money, and presents, and with
these my letters and seal to the men who have the principal sway there;
and I know no man there who will not obey my persuasions or threats."
Ivar replied, "My fate is heavier, sire; for my own brother has the
girl."
Then said the king, "Throw it out of thy mind; and I know a counsel
against this. After Yule I will travel in guest-quarters. Thou shalt
come along with me, and thou will have an opportunity of seeing many
beautiful girls; and, provided they are not of the royal stock, I will
get thee one of them in marriage."
Ivar replies, "Sire, my fate is still the heavier; for as oft as I see
beautiful and excellent girls I only remember the more that girl, and
they increase my misery."
The king: "Then I will give thee property to manage, and estates for thy
amusement."