Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 11, 2025
I intend, said he, to give the bear to King Sveinn. Aki said that he would sell him some provisions if he liked, but Audunn answered that he had nothing to pay for them, but yet, said he, I would like to carry out my plan, and to take the beast to the King. Aki answered: I will supply such provisions as the two of you need until you go before the King, but in exchange I will have half the bear.
In several other Icelandic stories, and in some of other countries, we read of such gifts, and of how European potentates prized these rare creatures from Greenland. In Scandinavia, Germany, and elsewhere, there have been legends similar to the story of Audunn, where a man, after having been to the Norwegian king with a tame bear, decides to present it to the king of Denmark.
If you had not such a good end before you, said the King, I should be vexed at your desire to go away. Now the King gave Audunn a large sum of silver, and he travelled south with pilgrims bound for Rome. The King arranged for his journey, asking him to visit him when he came Audunn went on his way until he reached the city of Rome in the south.
One day towards the end of spring King Sveinn walked down to the quay, where men were getting ships ready to sail to various lands, to the Baltic lands and Germany, to Sweden and Norway. The King and Audunn came to a fine vessel, and there were some men busy fitting her out. The King asked: How do you like this ship, Audunn? Audunn answered: I like her well, my Lord.
After this Audunn put to sea and made Norway, and had his merchandise brought ashore, and that was a more laborious task than it had been last time he was in Norway. Then he went into the presence of King Haraldr, wishing to fulfil the promise he had given him before he went to Denmark. Audunn gave the King a friendly greeting, which he accepted warmly.
As soon as he knew who he was, he took Audunn by the hand and welcomed him: You have changed a lot since we met last, he said, and then he led Audunn into the hall after him. When the courtiers saw Audunn they laughed at him, but the King said: There is no need for you to laugh at this man, for he has provided better for his soul than you have.
Audunn said: He gave me a merchantman with a cargo of wares most profitable for the Norway trade. That was generous, said the King, but I would have rewarded you as well as that. Did he give you anything else? Audunn said: He gave me a leather purse full of silver, and said that I would still not be penniless if I kept it, even if my ship were wrecked off Iceland.
He dared not let the King see him, but stayed in a side-aisle of the church, intending to approach the King when he went to church for Nones. But when Audunn beheld the King and his courtiers splendidly arrayed, he did not dare to show himself.
The King said: This seems a strange choice to me, but Audunn answered: My Lord, I cannot bear to think that I should be enjoying high honour here with you, while my mother is living the life of a beggar out in Iceland. For by now, all that I contributed for her subsistence before I left Iceland, has been used up.
Audunn said: He gave me silver to make a pilgrimage to Rome, but King Haraldr said: King Sveinn gives many people silver for pilgrimages and for other things, even if they do not bring him valuable gifts. What more did he do for you? He offered to make me his cup-bearer and to give me great honours. That was a good offer, said the King, but he must have given you still more.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking