to be taken like a lamb in a fold or a fox in a trap. I think that is
a better thing to choose, if a man must die in any case, to do first
some such deed as shall be held aloft for a long time afterwards."
Bolli said, "What will you do?" "I will not hide it from you,"
[Sidenote: Kjartan's resolve] Kjartan replied; "I will burn the king
in his hall." "There is nothing cowardly in that," said Bolli; "but
this is not likely to come to pass, as far as I can see. The king, I
take it, is one of great good luck and his guardian spirit mighty,
and, besides, he has a faithful guard watching both day and night."
Kjartan said that what most men failed in was daring, however valiant
they might otherwise be. Bolli said it was not so certain who would
have to be taunted for want of courage in the end. But here many men
joined in, saying this was but an idle talk. [Sidenote: King Olaf and
the Icelanders] Now when the king's spies had overheard this, they
went away and told the king all that had been said. The next morning
the king wished to hold a meeting, and summoned all the Icelanders to
it; and when the meeting was opened the king stood up and thanked men
for coming, all those who were his friends and had taken the new
faith. Then he called to him for a parley the Icelanders. The king
asked them if they would be baptized, but they gave little reply to
that. The king said they were making for themselves the choice that
would answer the worst. "But, by the way, who of you thought it the
best thing to do to burn me in my hall?" Then Kjartan answered, "You
no doubt think that he who did say it would not have the pluck to
confess it; but here you can see him." [Sidenote: The king's
preaching] "I can indeed see you," said the king, "man of no small
counsels, but it is not fated for you to stand over my head, done to
death by you; and you have done quite enough that you should be
prevented making a vow to burn more kings in their houses yet, for the
reason of being taught better things than you know and because I do