United States or Belarus ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The King answered: 'Let him pay in full what was adjudged, and to his King thrice that amount. And if it be not paid within the year, then let him go an outlaw from all his possessions, let half his wealth come into the King's treasury, and half to the man to whom he owed redress. Emund appealed to all the greatest men there, and to the laws valid at Upsala Thing in witness of this decision.
The King looked at him, returned his greeting, and asked him what tidings he brought. Emund answered: 'Little tidings are there with us Gauts. But this we deem a novelty: Atti the Silly in Vermaland went in the winter up to the forest with his snowshoes and bow; we call him a mighty hunter.
Just then came in the viands, and afterwards players with harps and fiddles and other music, and then drink was served. The King was very merry, and had many great men as his guests, and thought no more of Emund. He drank for the rest of the day, and slept that night. But in the morning, when the King waked, then he bethought him of what Emund had talked of the day before.
Our fathers needed not to receive advice from the West Gauts about their ruling of the land. Now are we not so degenerate that Emund need teach us counsel; I would have us bind our counsel together, kinsmen and friends. To this all agreed, and thought it well said.
Then he saluted the King and went out. Other men brought their complaints before the King, and he sat long time over men's suits. But when the King came to table he asked where was lawman Emund. He was told that he was at home in his lodging. Then said the King: 'Go after him, he shall be my guest to-day.
'A statue tall, on a pillar of stone, Telling its story to great and small Of the dust reclaimed from the sand-waste lone. THERE was a man named Emund of Skara; lawman in Western Gautland, and very wise and eloquent. Of high birth he was, had a numerous kin, and was very wealthy. Men deemed him cunning, and not very trusty.
After that the whole multitude of the people turned to join this union of the Up-Swedish chiefs; so then Freyvid and Arnvid became chiefs over the people. But when Emund found this, he guessed how the matter would end. So he went to meet these brothers, and they had a talk together; and Freyvid asked Emund: 'What mean ye to do if Olaf Ericsson is killed; what king will ye have?
These brothers were all powerful men, wealthy, of noble kin, prudent, and all were dear to the King. Then said King Olaf: 'What means that which Emund told of Atti the Silly? None answered, but they looked at one another. Said the King, 'Speak now. Then said Thorvid the Stammerer: 'Atti quarrelsome, covetous, ill-willed, silly, foolish. Then asked the King, 'Against whom is aimed this cut?
Then Emund went on to Sweden, and there talked with many great men; and there too all were of the same mind. He then held on his way till he came on the evening of a day to Upsala. There they found them good lodging and passed the night. The next day Emund went before the King as he sat in council with many around him. Emund went up to the King, and bowed down before him, and greeted him.
Emund answered; 'Whosoever suits us best, whether of royal family or not. Freyvid answered: 'We Up-Swedes will not that the kingdom in our days go out of the family who from father to son have long held it, while such good means may be taken to shun that as now can be. King Olaf has two sons, and we will have one of them for king.
Word Of The Day