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worst of their kind； remain to this day。
This character of Waring much distinguishes Harald to me； the only
Vaeringer of whom I could ever get the least biography； true or half…true。 It
seems the Greek History…books but indifferently correspond with these
Saga records； and scholars say there could have been no considerable
romance between Zoe and him； Zoe at that date being 60 years of age！
Harald's own lays say nothing of any Zoe； but are still full of longing for
his Russian Princess far away。
At last； what with Zoes； what with Greek perversities and perfidies；
and troubles that could not fail； he determined on quitting Greece； packed
up his immensities of wealth in succinct shape； and actually returned to
Russia； where new honors and favors awaited him from old friends； and
especially； if I mistake not； the hand of that adorable Princess； crown of all
his wishes for the time being。 Before long； however； he decided farther to
look after his Norway Royal heritages； and； for that purpose； sailed in
force to the Jarl or quasi…King of Denmark； the often…beaten Svein； who
was now in Sweden on his usual winter exile after beating。 Svein and he
had evidently interests in common。 Svein was charmed to see him； so
warlike； glorious and renowned a man； with masses of money about him；
too。 Svein did by and by become treacherous； and even attempted； one
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night； to assassinate Harald in his bed on board ship： but Harald； vigilant
of Svein； and a man of quick and sure insight； had providently gone to
sleep elsewhere； leaving a log instead of himself among the blankets。 In
which log； next morning； treacherous Svein's battle…axe was found deeply
sticking： and could not be removed without difficulty！ But this was after
Harald and King Magnus himself bad begun treating； with the fairest
prospects；which this of the vein battle…axe naturally tended to forward；
as it altogether ended the other copartnery。
Magnus； on first hearing of Vaeringer Harald and his intentions； made
instant equipment； and determination to fight his uttermost against the
same。 But wise persons of influence round him； as did the like sort round
Vaeringer Harald； earnestly advised compromise and peaceable agreement。
Which； soon after that of Svein's nocturnal battle…axe； was the course
adopted； and； to the joy of all parties； did prove a successful solution。
Magnus agreed to part his kingdom with Uncle Harald； uncle parting his
treasures； or uniting them with Magnus's poverty。 Each was to be an
independent king； but they were to govern in common； Magnus rather
presiding。 He； to sit； for example； in the High Seat alone； King Harald
opposite him in a seat not quite so high； though if a stranger King came on
a visit； both the Norse Kings were to sit in the High Seat。 With various
other punctilious regulations； which the fiery Magnus was extremely strict
with； rendering the mutual relation a very dangerous one； had not both the
Kings been honest men； and Harald a much more prudent and tolerant one
than Magnus。 They； on the whole； never had any weighty quarrel； thanks
now and then rather to Harald than to Magnus。 Magnus too was very noble；
and Harald； with his wide experience and greater length of years； carefully
held his heat of temper well covered in。
Prior to Uncle Harald's coming； Magnus had distinguished himself as
a Lawgiver。 His Code of Laws for the Trondhjem Province was considered
a pretty piece of legislation； and in subsequent times got the name of
_Gray…goose_ （Gragas）； one of the wonderfulest names ever given to a
wise Book。 Some say it came from the gray color of the parchment； some
give other incredible origins； the last guess I have heard is； that the name
merely denotes antiquity； the witty name in Norway for a man growing
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old having been； in those times； that he was now 〃becoming a gray…
goose。〃 Very fantastic indeed； certain； however； that Gray…goose is the
name of that venerable Law Book； nay； there is another； still more famous；
belonging to Iceland； and not far from a century younger； the Iceland
_Gray…goose。_ The Norway one is perhaps of date about 1037； the other of
about 1118； peace be with them both！ Or； if anybody is inclined to such
matters let him go to Dahlmann； for the amplest information and such
minuteness of detail as might almost enable him to be an Advocate； with
Silk Gown； in any Court depending on these Gray…geese。
Magnus did not live long。 He had a dream one night of his Father
Olaf's coming to him in shining presence； and announcing； That a
magnificent fortune and world…great renown was now possible for him；
but that perhaps it was his duty to refuse it； in which case his earthly life
would be short。 〃Which way wilt thou do； then？〃 said the shining presence。
〃Thou shalt decide for me； Father； thou； not I！〃 and told his Uncle Harald
on the morrow； adding that he thought he should now soon die； which
proved to be the fact。 The magnificent fortune； so questionable otherwise；
has reference； no doubt； to the Conquest of England； to which country
Magnus； as rightful and actual King of _Denmark_； as well as undisputed
heir to drunken Harda…Knut； by treaty long ago； had now some evident
claim。 The enterprise itself was reserved to the patient； gay； and prudent
Uncle Harald； and to him it did prove fatal；and merely paved the way for
Another； luckier； not likelier！
Svein Estrithson； always beaten during Magnus's life； by and by got an
agreement from the prudent Harald to _be_ King of Denmark； then； and
end these wearisome and ineffectual brabbles； Harald having other work
to do。 But in the autumn of 1066； Tosti； a younger son of our English Earl
Godwin； came to Svein's court with a most important announcement；
namely； that King Edward the Confessor； so called； was dead； and that
Harold； as the English write it； his eldest brother would give him； Tosti； no
sufficient share in the kingship。 Which state of matters； if