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unfathomable dialogues with the ever…moaning Ocean； they had struck
root downwards in the soul of him； and borne fruit upwards to the degree
so conspicuous afterwards。 It is certain he became a deeply pious man
during these long Viking cruises； and directed all his strength； when
strength and authority were lent him； to establishing the Christian religion
in his country； and suppressing and abolishing Vikingism there； both of
which objects； and their respective worth and unworth； he； must himself
have long known so well。
It was well on in A。D。 1016 that Knut gained his last victory； at
Ashdon； in Essex； where the earth pyramids and antique church near by
still testify the thankful piety of Knut；or； at lowest his joy at having
_won_ instead of lost and perished； as he was near doing there。 And it was
still this same year when the noble Edmund Ironside； after forced
partition…treaty 〃in the Isle of Alney；〃 got scandalously murdered； and
Knut became indisputable sole King of England； and decisively settled
himself to his work of governing there。 In the year before either of which
events； while all still hung uncertain for Knut； and even Eric Jarl of
Norway had to be summoned in aid of him； in that year 1015； as one
might naturally guess and as all Icelandic hints and indications lead us to
date the thing； Olaf had decided to give up Vikingism in all its forms； to
return to Norway； and try whether he could not assert the place and career
that belonged to him there。 Jarl Eric had vanished with all his war forces
towards England； leaving only a boy； Hakon； as successor； and Svein； his
own brother；a quiet man； who had always avoided war。 Olaf landed in
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EARLY KINGS OF NORWAY。
Norway without obstacle； but decided to be quiet till he had himself
examined and consulted friends。
His reception by his mother Aasta was of the kindest and proudest； and
is lovingly described by Snorro。 A pretty idyllic； or epic piece； of _Norse_
Homeric type： How Aasta； hearing of her son's advent； set all her maids
and menials to work at the top of their speed； despatched a runner to the
harvest…field； where her husband Sigurd was； to warn him to come home
and dress。 How Sigurd was standing among his harvest folk； reapers and
binders； and what he had on；broad slouch hat； with veil （against the
midges）； blue kirtle； hose of I forget what color； with laced boots； and in
his hand a stick with silver head and ditto ring upon it；a personable old
gentleman； of the eleventh century； in those parts。 Sigurd was cautious；
prudentially cunctatory； though heartily friendly in his counsel to Olaf as
to the King question。 Aasta had a Spartan tone in her wild maternal heart；
and assures Olaf that she； with a half…reproachful glance at Sigurd； will
stand by him to the death in this his just and noble enterprise。 Sigurd
promises to consult farther in his neighborhood； and to correspond by
messages； the result is； Olaf resolutely pushing forward himself； resolves
to call a Thing； and openly claim his kingship there。 The Thing itself was
willing enough： opposition parties do here and there bestir themselves； but
Olaf is always swifter than they。 Five kinglets somewhere in the
Uplands；＇11＇all descendants of Haarfagr； but averse to break the peace；
which Jarl Eric and Hakon Jarl both have always willingly allowed to
peaceable people；seem to be the main opposition party。 These five take
the field against Olaf with what force they have； Olaf； one night； by
beautiful celerity and strategic practice which a Friedrich or a Turenne
might have approved； surrounds these Five； and when morning breaks；
there is nothing for them but either death； or else instant surrender； and
swearing of fealty to King Olaf。 Which latter branch of the alternative they
gladly accept； the whole five of them； and go home again。
This was a beautiful bit of war…practice by King Olaf on land。 By
another stroke still more compendious at sea； he had already settled poor
young Hakon； and made him peaceable for a long while。 Olaf by diligent
quest and spy…messaging； had ascertained that Hakon； just returning from
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Denmark and farewell to Papa and Knut； both now under way for England；
was coasting north towards Trondhjem； and intended on or about such a
day to land in such and such a fjord towards the end of this Trondhjem
voyage。 Olaf at once mans two big ships； steers through the narrow mouth
of the said fjord； moors one ship on the north shore； another on the south；
fixes a strong cable； well sunk under water； to the capstans of these two；
and in all quietness waits for Hakon。 Before many hours； Hakon's royal or
quasi…royal barge steers gaily into this fjord； is a little surprised； perhaps；
to see within the jaws of it two big ships at anchor； but steers gallantly
along； nothing doubting。 Olaf with a signal of 〃All hands；〃 works his two
capstans； has the cable up high enough at the right moment； catches with it
the keel of poor Hakon's barge； upsets it； empties it wholly into the sea。
Wholly into the sea； saves Hakon； however； and his people from drowning；
and brings them on board。 His dialogue with poor young Hakon；
especially poor young Hakon's responses； is very pretty。 Shall I give it； out
of Snorro； and let the reader take it for as authentic as he can？ It is at least
the true image of it in authentic Snorro's head； little more than two
centuries later。
〃Jarl Hakon was led up to the king's ship。 He was the handsomest man
that could be seen。 He had long hair as fine as silk； bound about his head
with a gold ornament。 When he sat down in the forehold the king said to
him：
_King。_ 〃'It is not false； what is said of your family； that ye are
handsome people to look at； but now your luck has deserted you。'
_Hakon。_ 〃'It has always been the case that success is changeable； and
there is no luck in the matter。 It has gone with your family as with mine to
have by turns the better lot。 I am little beyond childhood in years； and at
any rate we c