ng with the lendermen, and said
that so weighty a message as the king's ought not to be treated lightly
as a jest. He was now somewhat angry; and added, that they ought not
to receive the king's message and errand so scornfully, for it was not
decent. He was dressed in a red or scarlet coat, and had a blue coat
over it. He cast off his upper coat and said, "Now it is come so far
that every one must look to himself, and not loiter and jest with
others; for by so doing every man will show what he is. We do not
require now to be taught by others; for now we can see ourselves how
much we are regarded. But this may be borne with; but not that ye treat
so scornfully the king's message. Thereby every one shows how highly he
considers himself. There is one man called Sveinke Steinarson, who
lives east at the Gaut river; and from him the king will have his just
land-dues, together with his own land, or will banish him from the
country. It is of no use here to seek excuses, or to answer with sharp
words; for people are to be found who are his equals in power, although
he now receives our speech so unworthily; and it is better now than
afterwards to return to the right way, and do himself honour, rather
than await disgrace for his obstinancy." He then sat down.

Sveinke then got up, threw back his steel-hat, and gave Sigurd many
scornful words, and said, "Tut! tut! 'tis a shame for the dogs, says
the proverb, when the fox is allowed to cast their excrements in the
peasant's well. Here will be a miracle! Thou useless fellow! with a coat
without arms, and a kirtle with skirts, wilt thou drive me out of the
country? Thy relation, Sigurd Woolsack, was sent before on this errand,
and one called Gille the Backthief, and one who had still a worse name.
They were a night in every house, and stole wherever they came. Wilt
thou drive me out of the country? Formerly thou wast not so mighty, and
thy pride was less when King Hakon, my foster-son, was in life. Then
thou wert as frightened for him when he met thee on the road as a mouse
in a mouse-trap, and hid thyself under a heap of clothes, like a dog on
board a ship. Thou wast thrust into a leather-bag like corn in a sack,
and driven from house and farm like a year-old colt from the mares; and
dost thou dare to drive me from the land? Thou shouldst rather think
thyself lucky to escape from hence with life. Let us stand up and attack
him."

Then all his men stood up, and made a great clash w