XII.] THE SWINE-STYE. 229 



off the yoke of the licentious despot, — Olaf Tryggvesson is 

 proclaimed king, — and the "great Jarl of Lade" is now a 

 fugitive in the land he so lately ruled, accompanied by a 

 single thrall, named Karker. 



In this extremity, Jarl Hacon applies for aid to Thora of 

 Rimmol, a lady whom he had once dearly loved ; she is faith- 

 ful in adversity to the friend of happier days, and conceals the 

 Jarl and his companion in a hole dug for this purpose, in the 

 swine-stye, and covered over with wood and litter; as the 

 only spot likely to elude the hot search of his enemies. Olaf 

 and the Bonders seek for him in Thora's house, but in vain ; 

 and finally, Olaf, standing on the very stone against which the 

 swine-stye is built, promises wealth and honours to him who 

 shall bring him the Jarl of Lade's head. The scene which 

 follows is related by the Icelandic historian with Dante's 

 tragic power. 



There was a little daylight in their hiding-place, and the 

 Jarl and Karker both hear the words of Olaf. 



"Why art thou so pale?" says the Jarl, "and now 

 again as black as earth ? Thou dost not mean to betray 

 me ? " 



" By no means," said Karker. 



" We were born on the same night," said the Jarl, " and 

 the time will not be long between our deaths." 



When night came, the Jarl kept himself awake,— but 

 Karker slept ; — a troubled sleep. The Jarl awoke him, and 

 asked of what he was dreaming. He answered, " I was at 

 Lade, and Olaf was laying a gold ring about my neck." 



The Jarl said, "It will be a ra/ring about thy neck, if he 

 catches thee : from me thou shalt enjoy all that is good, — 

 therefore, betray me not ! " 



Then they both kept themselves awake ; " the one, as it 

 were, watching upon the other." But towards day, the Jarl 

 dropped asleep, and in his unquiet slumber he drew his heels 

 under him, and raised his neck as if going to rise, "and 

 shrieked fearfully." On this, Karker, " dreadfully alarmed," 

 drew a knife from his belt, stuck it into the Jarl's throat, 



