uch better to be guided by my own slender ability than to
imitate my relation, King Canute's, lucky hits."

Then Earl Toste said, "The result of my errand here is less fortunate
than I expected of thee who art so gallant a man, seeing that thy
relative is in so great need. It may be that I will seek friendly help
where it could less be expected; and that I may find a chief who is less
afraid, king, than thou art of a great enterprise."

Then the king and the earl parted, not just the best friends.

82. EARL TOSTE'S EXPEDITION TO NORWAY.

Earl Toste turned away then and went to Norway, where he presented
himself to King Harald, who was at that time in Viken. When they met the
earl explained his errand to the king. He told him all his proceedings
since he left England, and asked his aid to recover his dominions in
England.

The king replied that the Northmen had no great desire for a campaign in
England, and to have English chiefs over them there. "People say," added
he, "that the English are not to be trusted."

The earl replied, "Is it true what I have heard people tell in England,
that thy relative, King Magnus, sent men to King Edward with the message
that King Magnus had right to England as well as to Denmark, and had got
that heritage after Hardacanute, in consequence of a regular agreement?"

The king replied, "How came it that he did not get it, if he had a right
to it?"

"Why," replied the earl, "hast thou not Denmark, as King Magnus, thy
predecessor, had it?"

The king replies, "The Danes have nothing to brag of over us Northmen;
for many a place have we laid in ashes to thy relations."

Then said the earl, "If thou wilt not tell me, I will tell thee. Magnus
subdued Denmark, because all the chiefs of the country helped him;
and thou hast not done it, because all the people of the country were
against thee. Therefore, also, King Magnus did not strive for England,
because all the nation would have Edward for king. Wilt thou take
England now? I will bring the matter so far that most of the principal
men in England shall be thy friends, and assist thee; for nothing is
wanting to place me at the side of my brother Harald but the king's
name. All men allow that there never was such a warrior in the northern
lands as thou art; and it appears to me extraordinary that thou hast
been fighting for fifteen years for Denmark, and wilt not take England
that lies open to thee."

King Harald weighed carefully