OcJilcnscliIaegcr's Hakon Jarl 5 



Grib. He was a king who helped the trades and strove for 

 the development of our land ; a king who for Norway's welfare 

 put aside the purple robe with all its gold and humbly dressed 

 himself in sheepskin. 



Karkcr. And tlicrcforc people called him Harald Graafeld ? 



Grib. Indeed, to his everlasting honor. He was a merchant- 

 , king. The trading vessel was his fleet, the yardstick his scepter. 

 He was a noble hero. 



Karker. Have a care and praise him not too highly. The 

 Jarl rules us now and he dislikes that too much be said in praise 

 of other men. 



Grib. Thanks for this advice, my gentle friend. 



Karkcr. No mention of thanks. But Grib, tell me something 

 now. We know nothing about what goes on abroad, but must 

 sit here and luope in irksome loneliness. 



Grib. Ha ! Would that we might enter the guest-room yon- 

 der, seat ourselves beside the board, and with hands unchained, 

 seize the golden horn, as freemen do. 



Karkcr. The gods defend vis ! What depraved words ! Have 

 a care, and be content with thy common lot. For all time, ivc 

 are born to serve. 



Grib. And thus thy languid soul is put to sleep? 



Karkcr. And why not so? That which cannot be changed, 

 must continue as it is. 



Grib. Aye, that 's true, alas. 



Karkcr. And after all what lack we here? Have we not 

 prospered well? Thorer Klake fancies thee, Jarl Hakon me. 

 Indeed thou dost not fare as well as I ; thy master is only a mer- 

 chant, mine an earl, and more than that the greatest earl in all 

 the land. There are sixteen others who bow the knee to him f 

 in sooth, he is almost a king. Now then, should I not be content? 

 Formerly I drove the plow, raked hay, and many a night I have 

 slept in the sheep-fold. Now my clothes are soft, my food the 

 very best ; I have little to do, a cozy winter house, and I am 

 seldom beaten. 



Grib. In truth thou 'st found thy place. 



43 



