iance the small kings, who are as
truly udal-born to their rights and titles as himself?"

At this point Ulf's indignation became so great that he found he could
not talk connectedly, so he concluded by counselling that they should go
to the Springs fully armed, and ready to brave the worst. There was a
loud shout of approval, and then Erling started up. His manner and tone
were subdued, but his face was flushed; and men could see, as he went
on, that he was keeping down his wrath and his energy.

"I like it ill," he said, "to disagree on this point with my father; but
Ulf is right. We all know that Harald is King of Norway by _law_, and
we do not meet here to dispute his title; but we also know that kings
are not gods. Men create a law and place it over their own heads, so
that the lawmakers as well as those for whom it is made must bow before
it; but when it is found that the law works unfairly, the lawmaker may
repeal it, and cast it aside as useless or unworthy. So kings were
created for the sole purpose of guiding nations and administering laws,
in order that national welfare might be advanced. The moment they cease
to act their part, that moment they cease to be worthy kings, and become
useless. But if, in addition to this, they dare to ignore and break the
laws of the land, then do they become criminal; they deserve not only to
be cast aside, but punished. If, in defence of our rights, we find it
necessary to dethrone the King, we cannot be charged with disloyalty,
because the King has already dethroned himself!"

Erling paused a moment at this point, and a murmur of approval ran
through the circle of his auditors.

"When Harald Haarfager's father," he resumed, "Halfdan the Black, ruled
over Norway, he made laws which were approved by the people. He obeyed
them himself, and obliged others to observe them; and, that violence
should not come in the place of the laws, he himself fixed the number of
criminal acts in law, and the compensations, mulcts, or penalties, for
each case, according to everyone's birth and dignity, from the King
downwards; so that when disputes were settled at the Things the utmost
fair play prevailed--death for death, wound for wound; or, if the
parties chose, matters could be adjusted by payments in money--each
injury being valued at a fixed scale; or matters might be settled and
put right by single combat. All this, ye know full well, Halfdan the
Black compassed and settled in