century younger, the Iceland _Gray-goose._ The Norway one is perhaps
of date about 1037, the other of about 1118; peace be with them both!
Or, if anybody is inclined to such matters let him go to Dahlmann, for
the amplest information and such minuteness of detail as might almost
enable him to be an Advocate, with Silk Gown, in any Court depending
on these Gray-geese.

Magnus did not live long. He had a dream one night of his Father
Olaf's coming to him in shining presence, and announcing, That a
magnificent fortune and world-great renown was now possible for him;
but that perhaps it was his duty to refuse it; in which case his
earthly life would be short. "Which way wilt thou do, then?" said the
shining presence. "Thou shalt decide for me, Father, thou, not I!"
and told his Uncle Harald on the morrow, adding that he thought he
should now soon die; which proved to be the fact. The magnificent
fortune, so questionable otherwise, has reference, no doubt, to the
Conquest of England; to which country Magnus, as rightful and actual
King of _Denmark_, as well as undisputed heir to drunken Harda-Knut,
by treaty long ago, had now some evident claim. The enterprise itself
was reserved to the patient, gay, and prudent Uncle Harald; and to him
it did prove fatal,--and merely paved the way for Another, luckier,
not likelier!

Svein Estrithson, always beaten during Magnus's life, by and by got an
agreement from the prudent Harald to _be_ King of Denmark, then; and
end these wearisome and ineffectual brabbles; Harald having other work
to do. But in the autumn of 1066, Tosti, a younger son of our English
Earl Godwin, came to Svein's court with a most important announcement;
namely, that King Edward the Confessor, so called, was dead, and that
Harold, as the English write it, his eldest brother would give him,