the same. But wise persons of influence round him, as did the like
sort round Vaeringer Harald, earnestly advised compromise and
peaceable agreement. Which, soon after that of Svein's nocturnal
battle-axe, was the course adopted; and, to the joy of all parties,
did prove a successful solution. Magnus agreed to part his kingdom
with Uncle Harald; uncle parting his treasures, or uniting them with
Magnus's poverty. Each was to be an independent king, but they were
to govern in common; Magnus rather presiding. He, to sit, for
example, in the High Seat alone; King Harald opposite him in a seat
not quite so high, though if a stranger King came on a visit, both the
Norse Kings were to sit in the High Seat. With various other
punctilious regulations; which the fiery Magnus was extremely strict
with; rendering the mutual relation a very dangerous one, had not both
the Kings been honest men, and Harald a much more prudent and tolerant
one than Magnus. They, on the whole, never had any weighty quarrel,
thanks now and then rather to Harald than to Magnus. Magnus too was
very noble; and Harald, with his wide experience and greater length of
years, carefully held his heat of temper well covered in.

Prior to Uncle Harald's coming, Magnus had distinguished himself as a
Lawgiver. His Code of Laws for the Trondhjem Province was considered
a pretty piece of legislation; and in subsequent times got the name of
_Gray-goose_ (Gragas); one of the wonderfulest names ever given to a
wise Book. Some say it came from the gray color of the parchment,
some give other incredible origins; the last guess I have heard is,
that the name merely denotes antiquity; the witty name in Norway for a
man growing old having been, in those times, that he was now "becoming
a gray-goose." Very fantastic indeed; certain, however, that
Gray-goose is the name of that venerable Law Book; nay, there is
another, still more famous, belonging to Iceland, and not far from a