alm; and he said he was minded to seek his kingdom by
force of arms. Then Hakon bade him not breathe word of this to anyone
lest it should become known: 'It might cost thee thy life,' he said.

'Bethink thee diligently what thy strength is, for he who would risk so
great a venture must be high-hearted and dauntless, shirking neither the
good nor the evil, so that to which he hath set his hand may come to
pass. All unworthy is it to take up great issues and afterwards to lay
them down again with dishonour.' Then did Gold Harald answer: 'To such
purpose will I take up this claim, that I will not even spare these my
own hands from slaying the King himself if occasion serve, should he
refuse me this kingdom which is mine by right.' And therewith ended they
their commune. After this came King Harald to Hakon, and they fell to
talking together & the King told the Earl of Gold Harald's claim to the
kingdom, and with what answer he had rebuked him, declaring that he
would by no means diminish his own kingdom, 'but if Gold Harald hold
fast to this his claim; then see I nothing for it save that I should put
him to the death for in him have I but little faith if he will not
surrender this desire.' The Earl made answer: 'Methinks Harald hath set
out on this matter with such earnestness that he is not like to set it
aside; and that if it should come to a rising in the land, there would
be many that would flock unto his standard and the main of them because
of the love they had borne to his father. It would bring thee the
greatest ill-chance shouldst thou slay thy kinsman, for in such case all
men would deem him blameless. Nor will I counsel thee to become a lesser
king than was Gorm thy father; he also very much increased his realm,
but in no wise diminished it.' Then said the King: 'What then is thy
counsel, Hakon? Wouldst thou that I should divide my kingdom, and have
this unrest off my mind?' 'Our meeting will be again ere many suns set,'
answered Earl Hakon.

'I will first ponder over this difficult matter, and thereafter give
thee an answer.' Then did the King depart and with him all the men that
were of his company.

|| Thereafter came it to pass that Earl Hakon betook himself once more to
pondering and plotting, and permitted but few of his men to be in the
house with him. Some days later came Harald again to the Earl, and they
communed together, and the King asked of the Earl if he had thought
deeply upon that matter whe