known to any mortal.

One perverse thing did at last turn up in the course of Magnus: a new
Claimant for the Crown of Norway, and he a formidable person withal.
This was Harald, half-brother of the late Saint Olaf; uncle or
half-uncle, therefore, of Magnus himself. Indisputable son of the
Saint's mother by St. Olaf's stepfather, who was, himself descended
straight from Harald Haarfagr. This new Harald was already much heard
of in the world. As an ardent Boy of fifteen he had fought at King
Olaf's side at Stickelstad; would not be admonished by the Saint to go
away. Got smitten down there, not killed; was smuggled away that
night from the field by friendly help; got cured of his wounds,
forwarded to Russia, where he grew to man's estate, under bright
auspices and successes. Fell in love with the Russian Princess, but
could not get her to wife; went off thereupon to Constantinople as
_Vaeringer_ (Life-Guardsman of the Greek Kaiser); became Chief Captain
of the Vaeringers, invincible champion of the poor Kaisers that then
were, and filled all the East with the shine and noise of his
exploits. An authentic _Waring_ or _Baring_, such the surname we now
have derived from these people; who were an important institution in
those Greek countries for several ages: Vaeringer Life-Guard,
consisting of Norsemen, with sometimes a few English among them.
Harald had innumerable adventures, nearly always successful, sing the
Skalds; gained a great deal of wealth, gold ornaments, and gold coin;
had even Queen Zoe (so they sing, though falsely) enamored of him at
one time; and was himself a Skald of eminence; some of whose verses,
by no means the worst of their kind, remain to this day.

This character of Waring much distinguishes Harald to me; the only
Vaeringer of whom I could ever get the least biography, true or