Kolbein.—That was the very best thing for him!
Botolf.—Such conduct on your part violated God's laws.
Kolbein.—But not the laws of this land, sir bishop. They say, 'But if a man have a savage dog, then shall this dog be kept bound.' And I took the dog and bound him, sir bishop!
Botolf.—The property of the church it was that tempted you, and not the laws of the land; and how have you atoned for your robbery?
Kolbein.—With my and Thorolf Bjarnason's pilgrimage to Rome.
Botolf.—And with the help of this property of the church you have set yourself in the place of that man who alone had divine right to the land.
Kolbein.—His is the land who holds it.
Botolf.—The king of Norway lays claim to all the land settled by Norwegians.
Kolbein.—The fewest of the settlers on Iceland's soil were subjects of the king of Norway. For that matter, why comes not King Hakon and take the land from us?
Botolf.—Because many hands would be raised in its defence, and the king wishes the land to remain in peace.