lo James CJirisiian Lindhcrg 



An earl, should rule the realm. I '11 soon convene 

 The court, and dauntless there present my wish. 

 Tiie sturdy Berg^thor, brave, old \\'arrior-smith, 

 Is moiling- hard to forge my royal crown. 

 When that is done, th' assembly will convene. 



Thorcr. Vv'hate'er may chance, even now thou art a king. 



Hakon. A merchant thou, and moved alone by gain; 

 But outward splendor need not be despised. 

 And that I 've sought with all my craft and power. 

 A maiden's fond embrace is not so blest, 

 As is the kingly crown's about the brow. 

 Almost the goal is reached ; my daylight fades 

 And evening bends beneath its weight of dew% 

 As Eiyind Skaldaspilder's ballad savs.-^ 

 My raven locks are cbanging fast to white 

 Give me thy hand. 



[Thorer extends his hand ; Hakox takes it, and donnicast 



speaks.] 



Recall bow once I pressed 

 Thy hand so hard that from its nail-roots blood 

 Burst forth, as juices forced from ri]:)ened fruit. 

 Come, tell me truly, didst th.ou feel my grip ? 



T/wrer. No clasp of hand should make a friend complain, 

 Xo matter how severe. 



Hakon. \ly grasp was not 



.Severe. Thou mockest me now ! Behold my brow, 

 \Y\th. furrows deeply plowed. 



Thorer. Such furrows much 



Adorn a man. 



Hakon. They please not Norway's maids. 



In short, my friend, I age too fast, too fast ! 

 I feel it now ; but mark ! I am resolved 

 To fill my eventide with joy; my sun 

 Shall calmly set aglow with purple splendor, — 

 .^nd woe the cloud that dares obscure my sky. 



Thorer. Aye, aye, my lord ! But where 's the cloud ? 



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