st with us, we had much amusement with thy conversation. I
know thou art a man of too good an understanding to believe that I would
do anything against thee. Tell me then what it is."

He replied, "I cannot tell thee what it is."

Then said the king, "I will try to guess what it is. Are there any men
who displease thee?"

To this he replied, "No."

"Dost thou think thou art held in less esteem by me than thou wouldst
like to be?"

To this he also replied, "No."

"Hast thou observed anything whatever that has made an impression on
thee at which thou art ill pleased?"

He replied, it was not this either.

The king: "Would you like to go to other chiefs or to other men?"

To this he answered, "No."

The king: "It is difficult now to guess. Is there any girl here, or in
any other country, to whom thy affections are engaged?"

He said it was so.

The king said, "Do not be melancholy on that account. Go to Iceland
when spring sets in, and I shall give thee money, and presents, and with
these my letters and seal to the men who have the principal sway there;
and I know no man there who will not obey my persuasions or threats."

Ivar replied, "My fate is heavier, sire; for my own brother has the
girl."

Then said the king, "Throw it out of thy mind; and I know a counsel
against this. After Yule I will travel in guest-quarters. Thou shalt
come along with me, and thou will have an opportunity of seeing many
beautiful girls; and, provided they are not of the royal stock, I will
get thee one of them in marriage."

Ivar replies, "Sire, my fate is still the heavier; for as oft as I see
beautiful and excellent girls I only remember the more that girl, and
they increase my misery."

The king: "Then I will give thee property to manage, and estates for thy
amusement."

He replied, "For that I have no desire."

The king: "Then I will give thee money, that thou mayest travel in other
countries."

He said he did not wish this.

Then said the king, "It is difficult for me to seek farther, for I have
proposed everything that occurs to me. There is but one thing else;
and that is but little compared to what I have offered thee. Come to me
every day after the tables are removed, and, if I am not sitting upon
important business, I shall talk with thee about the girl in every way
that I can think of; and I shall do so at leisure. It sometimes happens
that sorrow is lightened by being brought out openly; and thou shalt
n