' The
messengers deemed this a dreadfully proud-spoken answer, and
asked her what she thought would come of such an one, for Harold
was so mighty a man that his asking was good enough for her. But
although she had replied to their saying otherwise than they
would, they saw no likelihood, for this while, of bearing her
along with them against her will, so they made ready to fare back
again. When they were ready and the folk followed them out, Gyda
said to the messengers -- `Now tell to King Harold these my
words: -- I will only agree to be his lawful wife upon the
condition that he shall first, for sake of me, put under him the
whole of Norway, so that he may bear sway over that kingdom as
freely and fully as King Eric over the realm of Sweden, or King
Gorm over Denmark; for only then, methinks, can he be called king
of a people.' Now his men came back to King Harold, bringing him
the words of the girl, and saying she was so bold and heedless
that she well deserved the king should send a greater troop of
people for her, and put her to some disgrace.
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