8 James Christian Lindberg 



Astrid. Thy heart is touched by Freia's love and tliou 

 Dost yearn for soUtude. 'T is natural. 

 Behold, now glides the sun, a purple red, 

 Behind the earth, and casts a furtive glance 

 Among the niirky copse. The heavenly orb 

 Thus greets "The Sylvan Sun." I leave thee so. [Exit Astrid. 



Giidrun. I am alone. Ye everlasting gods ! 

 Do not be angry with a timid maid 

 Who, guiltless, unoffending, full of dread, 

 Hath dared to plant her foot on holy ground. 

 Oh beauteous Freia ! Freia, goddess mine ! 

 Forgive my boldness. Here I twined a wreath 

 Of rarest flowers, freshly plucked, while gay 

 As sprightly elves they danced in twilight glow. 

 Forgive thy maid, that she with faltering steps 

 Approaches shy thy consecrated image, 

 To bind this airy circlet round about 

 Thy heavy locks. 



[She ascends the base of ilic statue, and places the wreath on 

 Freia's head. At this moment Hakon Jarl and Thorer Klake 

 enter. Gudrun terrified remains standing upon the statue.] 



Hakon. Alone at last. None step within this grove 

 But Odin's priests and Hakon. 



Thorer. Noble Earl, 



Thy faith in Thorer honors him. 



Hakon. So thou 



Didst think that all was new to Hakon's ears, 

 What thou didst tell of Olaf Trygveson ? 



Thorer. Thy firm attention, eager face, displayed 

 A keen surprise. 



Hakon. But never trust my face ! 



My face belongs to me, and must obey 

 Its owner. Therefore, what I seefn, I seem. 

 To be surprised among the multitude 

 Was needful then. But here we are alone; 

 Then learn : That I have known of Trygve's son 

 Full well, before to-day for many a year. 



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