ted this offer thankfully, and remained there. It is related
that King Olaf was distinguished all his life for pious habits, and
zeal in his prayers to God. But afterwards, when he saw his own power
diminished, and that of his adversaries augmented, he turned all his
mind to God's service; for he was not distracted by other thoughts, or
by the labour he formerly had upon his hands, for during all the time he
sat upon the throne he was endeavouring to promote what was most
useful: and first to free and protect the country from foreign chiefs'
oppressions, then to convert the people to the right faith; and also
to establish law and the rights of the country, which he did by letting
justice have its way, and punishing evil-doers.

192. CAUSES OF THE REVOLT AGAINST KING OLAF.

It had been an old custom in Norway that the sons of lendermen, or other
great men, went out in war-ships to gather property, and they marauded
both in the country and out of the country. But after King Olaf came
to the sovereignty he protected the country, so that he abolished all
plundering there; and even if they were the sons of powerful men who
committed any depredation, or did what the king considered against law,
he did not spare them at all, but they must suffer in life or limbs; and
no man's entreaties, and no offer of money-penalties, could help them.
So says Sigvat:--

"They who on viking cruises drove
With gifts of red gold often strove
To buy their safety--but our chief
Had no compassion for the thief.
He made the bravest lose his head
Who robbed at sea, and pirates led;
And his just sword gave peace to all,
Sparing no robber, great or small."

And he also says:--

"Great king! whose sword on many a field
Food to the wandering wolf did yield,
And then the thief and pirate band
Swept wholly off by sea and land--
Good king! who for the people's sake
Set hands and feet upon a stake,
When plunderers of great name and bold
Harried the country as of old.
The country's guardian showed his might
When oft he made his just sword bite
Through many a viking's neck and hair,
And never would the guilty spare.
King Magnus' father, I must say,
Did many a good deed in his day.
Olaf the Thick was stern and stout,
Much good his victories brought out."

He punished great and small with equal severity, which appeared t