King Eystein and King Sigurd went both in spring to guest-quarters
in the Uplands; and each was entertained in a separate house, and the
houses were not very distant from each other. The bondes, however,
thought it more convenient that both should be entertained together by
turns in each house; and thus they were both at first in the house of
King Eystein. But in the evening, when the people began to drink, the
ale was not good; so that the guests were very quiet and still. Then
said King Eystein, "Why are the people so silent? It is more usual in
drinking parties that people are merry, so let us fall upon some jest
over our ale that will amuse people; for surely, brother Sigurd, all
people are well pleased when we talk cheerfully."
Sigurd replies, bluntly, "Do you talk as much as you please, but give me
leave to be silent."
Eystein says, "It is a common custom over the ale-table to compare one
person with another, and now let us do so." Then Sigurd was silent.
"I see," says King Eystein, "that I must begin this amusement. Now I
will take thee, brother, to compare myself with, and will make it appear
so as if we had both equal reputation and property, and that there is no
difference in our birth and education."
Then King Sigurd replies, "Do you remember that I was always able to
throw you when we wrestled, although you are a year older?"
Then King Eystein replied, "But I remember that you was not so good at
the games which require agility."
Sigurd: "Do you remember that I could drag you under water, when we swam
together, as often as I pleased?"
Eystein: "But I could swim as far as you, and could dive as well as you;
and I could run upon snow-skates so well that nobody could beat me, and
you could no more do it than an ox."
Sigurd: "Methinks it is a more useful and suitable accomplishment for
a chief to be expert at his bow; and I think you could scarcely draw my
bow, even if you took your foot to help."
Eystein: "I am not strong at the bow as you are, but there is less
difference between our shooting near; and I can use the skees
much better than you, and in former times that was held a great
accomplishment."
Sigurd: "It appears to me much better for a chief who is to be the
superior of other men, that he is conspicuous in a crowd, and strong
and powerful in weapons above other men; easily seen, and easily known,
where there are many together."
Eystein: "It is not less a distinction and an ornament that a man is
of a handsome appearance, so as to be easily known from others on that
account; and this appears to me to suit a chief best, because the best
ornament is allied to beauty. I am moreover more knowing in the law than
you, and on every subject my words flow more easily than yours."
Sigurd: "It may be that you know more law-quirks, for I have had
something else to do; neither will any deny you a smooth tongue. But
there are many who say that your words are not to be trusted; that what
you promise is little to be regarded; and that you talk just according
to what those who are about you say, which is not kingly."
Eystein: "This is because, when people bring their cases before me, I
wish first to give every man that satisfaction in his affairs which
he desires; but afterwards comes the opposite party, and then there
is something to be given or taken away very often, in order to mediate
between them, so that both may be satisfied. It often happens, too, that
I promise whatever is desired of me, that all may be joyful about me. It
would be an easy matter for me to do as you do,--to promise evil to all;
and I never hear any complain of your not keeping this promise to them."
Sigurd: "It is the conversation of all that the expedition that I made
out of the country was a princely expedition, while you in the meantime
sat at home like your father's daughter."
Eystein: "Now you touched the tender spot. I would not have brought up
this conversation if I had not known what to reply on this point. I can
truly say that I equipt you from home like a sister, before you went
upon this expedition."
Sigurd: "You must have heard that on this expedition I was in many a
battle in the Saracen's land, and gained the victory in all; and you
must have heard of the many valuable articles I acquired, the like
of which were never seen before in this country, and I was the most
respected wherever the most gallant men were; and, on the other hand,
you cannot conceal that you have only a home-bred reputation."
Eystein: "I have heard that you had several battles abroad, but it was
more useful for the country what I was doing in the meantime here at
home. I built five churches from the foundations, and a harbour out at
Agdanes, where it before was impossible to land, and where vessels ply
north and south along the coast. I set a warping post and iron ring in
the sound of Sinholm, and in Bergen I built a royal hall, while you were
killing bluemen for the devil in Serkland. This, I think, was of but
little advantage to our kingdom."
King Sigurd said: "On this expedition I went all the way to Jordan
and swam across the river. On the edge of the river there is a bush of
willows, and there I twisted a knot of willows, and said this knot thou
shouldst untie, brother, or take the curse thereto attached."
King Eystein said: "I shall not go and untie the knot which you tied for
me; but if I had been inclined to tie a knot for thee, thou wouldst
not have been king of Norway at thy return to this country, when with a
single ship you came sailing into my fleet."
Thereupon both were silent, and there was anger on both sides. More
things passed between the brothers, from which it appeared that each
of them would be greater than the other; however, peace was preserved
between them as long as they lived.