“I see,” said Eystein, “that I will have to begin this amusement, and I will take thee, brother, to compare myself with; we are both kings, have equal property, and there is no difference in our birth.”
Sigurd then said: “Dost thou remember that I could always throw thee when we wrestled, although thou art a year older?”
Eystein: “But I remember also that I was better at the games which require limberness.”
Sigurd: “But how was it when we were swimming? I could duck thee whenever I wanted to.”
Eystein: “But I could swim as far as thou, and could dive as well; and I could run on ice-legs[10] so well that nobody could beat me, while thou couldst no more do it than a cow.”
Sigurd: “I consider it a more useful and suitable accomplishment for a chief to be an expert at his bow; but I think thou couldst hardly draw my bow, even with the help of the foot.”
Eystein: “I am not as strong at the bow as thou art, but my aim is as good; and I can run on skis[11] much better than thou, and that is usually held a great accomplishment.”
Sigurd: “It is much better for a chief who is to be the superior of other men that he is conspicuous in a crowd, and strong and powerful in weapons above other men.”
Eystein: “It is just as well to be handsome, so as to be easily known from others on that account; and this behooves a chief, as a fair face and fine clothes go well together. I am also better versed in law than thou, and can speak better.”
Sigurd: “It may be that thou hast learned more law-quirks than I, for I have had something else to do; neither will any one deny thee a smooth tongue. But many say that thy words are not to be trusted; that thy promises are not kept, and that thou talkest according to what those who are about thee say, which is not kingly.”