d Gregorius
have done so in his life!" There were some who advised King Inge to get
on horseback, and ride from the battle up to Raumarike; "where," said
they, "you would get help enough, even this very day." The king replied,
he had no inclination to do so. "I have heard you often say, and I think
truly, that it was of little use to my brother, King Eystein, that he
took to flight; and yet he was a man distinguished for many qualities
which adorn a king. Now I, who labour under so great decrepitude, can
see how bad my fate would be, if I betook myself to what proved so
unfortunate for him; with so great a difference as there is between our
activity, health, and strength. I was in the second year of my age when
I was chosen king of Norway, and I am now twenty-five; and I think I
have had misfortune and sorrow under my kingly dignity, rather than
pleasure and peaceful days. I have had many battles, sometimes with
more, sometimes with fewer people; and it is my greatest luck that I
have never fled. God will dispose of my life, and of how long it shall
be; but I shall never betake myself to flight."

18. KING INGE'S FALL.

Now as Jon and his troop had broken the one wing of King Inge's array,
many of those who were nearest to him fled, by which the whole array was
dispersed, and fell into disorder. But Hakon and his men went briskly
forwards; and now it was near daybreak. An assault was made against King
Inge's banner, and in this conflict King Inge fell; but his brother
Orm continued the battle, while many of the army fled up into the
town. Twice Orm went to the town after the king's fall to encourage
the people, and both times returned, and went out again upon the ice to
continue the battle. Hakon's men attacked the wing of the array which
Simon Skalp led; and in that assault fell of King Inge's men his
brother-in-law, Gudbrand Skafhogson. Simon Skalp and Halvard Hikre went
against each other with their troops, and fought while they drew aside
past Thraelaberg; and in this conflict both Simon and Halvard fell. Orm,
the king's brother, gained great reputation in this battle; but he
at last fled. Orm the winter before had been contracted with Ragna, a
daughter of Nikolas Mase, who had been married before to King Eystein
Haraldson; and the wedding was fixed for the Sunday after Saint
Blasius's mass, which was on a Friday. Orm fled east to Svithjod, where
his brother Magnus was then king; and their brother Ragnvald wa