use's son give way.
Kalf, thou art fond of warlike toil,
Gay in the strife and bloody broil;
But here 'twas hate made thee contend
Against Earl Ragnvald, the king's friend."

38. OF KING MAGNUS'S LETTER TO ENGLAND.

King Magnus ruled then both over Denmark and Norway; and when he had got
possession of the Danish dominions he sent ambassadors over to England
to King Edward, who brought to him King Magnus's letter and seal. And in
this letter there stood, along with a salutation from King Magnus,
these words:--"Ye must have heard of the agreement which I and Hardaknut
made,--that he of us two who survived the other should have all the land
and people which the deceased had possessed. Now it has so turned out,
as ye have no doubt heard, that I have taken the Danish dominions as
my heritage after Hardaknut. But before he departed this life he
had England as well as Denmark; therefore I consider myself now, in
consequence of my rights by this agreement, to own England also. Now
I will therefore that thou deliver to me the kingdom; otherwise I will
seek to take it by arms, both from Denmark and Norway; and let him rule
the land to whom fate gives the victory."

39. KING EDWARD'S ANSWER TO KING MAGNUS'S LETTER.

Now when King Edward had read this letter, he replied thus: "It is known
to all men in this country that King Ethelred, my father, was udal-born
to this kingdom, both after the old and new law of inheritance. We were
four sons after him; and when he by death left the throne my brother
Edmund took the government and kingdom; for he was the oldest of us
brothers, and I was well satisfied that it was so. And after him my
stepfather, Canute the Great, took the kingdom, and as long as he lived
there was no access to it. After him my brother Harald was king as long
as he lived; and after him my brother Hardaknut took the kingdoms both
of Denmark and England; for he thought that a just brotherly division
that he should have both England and Denmark, and that I should have no
kingdom at all. Now he died, and then it was the resolution of all the
people of the country to take me for king here in England. So long as I
had no kingly title I served only superiors in all respects, like those
who had no claims by birth to land or kingdom. Now, however, I have
received the kingly title, and am consecrated king. I have established
my royal dignity and authority, as my father before me; and while I l