"Then I would like to know if you have dreamt anything that has
occasioned this depression of mind?"
The king answered that it was so.
"Tell me, then, brother, thy dream."
King Sigurd said, "I will not tell it, unless thou interpret it as it
may turn out; and I shall be quick at perceiving if thy interpretation
be right or not."
King Eystein replies, "This is a very difficult matter, sire, on both
sides; as I am exposed to thy anger if I cannot interpret it, and to the
blame of the public if I can do nothing in the matter; but I will rather
fall under your displeasure, even if my interpretation should not be
agreeable."
King Sigurd replies, "It appeared to me, in a dream, as if we brothers
were all sitting on a bench in front of Christ church in Throndhjem; and
it appeared to me as if our relative, King Olaf the Saint, came out of
the church adorned with the royal raiment glancing and splendid, and
with the most delightful and joyful countenance. He went to our brother
King Olaf, took him by the hand, and said cheerfully, to him, 'Come with
me, friend.' On which he appeared to stand up and go into the church.
Soon after King Olaf the Saint came out of the church, but not so gay
and brilliant as before. Now he went to thee, brother, and said to thee
that thou shouldst go with him; on which he led thee with him, and ye
went into the church. Then I thought, and waited for it, that he would
come to me, and meet me; but it was not so. Then I was seized with
great sorrow, and great dread and anxiety fell upon me, so that I was
altogether without strength; and then I awoke."
King Eystein replies, "Thus I interpret your dream, sire,--That the
bench betokens the kingdom we brothers have; and as you thought King
Olaf came with so glad a countenance to our brother, King Olaf, he
will likely live the shortest time of us brothers, and have all good to
expect hereafter; for he is amiable, young in years, and has gone but
little into excess, and King Olaf the Saint must help him. But as you
thought he came towards me, but not with so much joy, I may possibly
live a few years longer, but not become old, and I trust his providence
will stand over me; but that he did not come to me with the same
splendour and glory as to our brother Olaf, that will be because, in
many ways, I have sinned and transgressed his command. If he delayed
coming to thee, I think that in no way betokens thy death, but rather a
long life; but it may be that some heavy accident may occur to thee, as
there was an unaccountable dread overpowering thee; but I foretell that
thou will be the oldest of us, and wilt rule the kingdom longest."
Then said Sigurd, "This is well and intelligently interpreted, and it is
likely it will be so." And now the king began to be cheerful again.