Studia Islandica - 01.06.1994, Síða 226
APPENDIX IV
Excerpts from:
THE STORY OF THE LAXDALERS
DONE INTO ENGLISH
by Robert Proctor
Chapter II
In the latter days of Ketil came to pass the rule of Harald Hairfair, insomuch
that no folk-king could abide in the land, not any other men of might, save
Harald had the ordering of their estate. But when Ketil learned this, that
Harald the king had given to him, as to other men who bare sway, such a
choice as to have his kinsmen unatoned, and even so be made an underling
himself; thereafter he summoned a thing of his kinsmen and thus hove up his
tale: Known to all of you are our dealings with Harald the king, and no need
is there to tell of them, since greater need lieth on us to take counsel con-
cerning the trouble which is on our hands. I know of a surety that Harald the
king is our foeman. So seems it to me, that we may not look for trust thence.
Methinks the choice of two things is given to us, either to flee the land, or to
be slain each in his place: but of that am I the more fain, to have the same
death-day as my kin, and I will not lead you into so great trouble by my coun-
sel; because known to me is the high courage of my kinsmen and friends, that
ye will not be parted from us, though there may be somewhat of hardship in
the following me. Bjorn Ketilson answereth: Shortly may I utter my will. I
will do according to the ensample of men of worth, and flee from this land;
meseemeth that I wax no whit thereby, though I abide at home the thralls of
Harald the king, and they drive us from our own lands; or that I take death
from them withal. At this was made good rumour, and it was thought to be
valiantly spoken. That rede was agreed on, that they should fare from the
land, forasmuch as the sons of Ketil were most eager therein, and none gain-
said them. Bjorn and Helgi would fare to Iceland, because they thought that
they had heard much fair tidings thence: they said that good choice of land
was there, and no need of fee to buy it: they gave out that whale-rights and
salmon-hunting were plenty, and sea fishing at all seasons. Ketil answereth:
To that hunting-stead may I never come in mine old age. Said Ketil then his
thought, that he was minded rather for west over the sea: for that he thought