Ochlciischlacgcr's Hakon Jarl ii 



Hakon. Where else 



But in the west ? Just where it must not 1)e. 



Thorcr. Dost speak of Olaf, Dublin's kxng:, ?^- 



Hakon. Aye, him! 



Unquestioned lies his right in straight descent 

 From Harald, him of golden hair." My friend. 

 Thou knowest well our Norway's peasant folk : 

 A race of heroes, noble, true and brave, 

 Yet superstitious, ruled by prejudice. 

 I "11 wager my achievements, even myself, 

 Would be forgot in Olaf's kingly birth. 

 If once the rumor spread that he yet lives. 



Thorcr. Dost thou believe — 



Hakon. Believe ? Indeed ! Believe ! 



Ah, Thorer mine ! I know my people well. 

 This wild fanatic, aye, this traitor bold, 

 Shall he ascend the throne ? 



Thorcr. A traitor, lord ? 



Hakon. I stood at Danevirke^'* with my men, — - , 



A Norseman every one. To Harald's^^ aid. 

 The son of Gorm, we went. This Olaf helped 

 The Christian Otto, aye, our Southern foe. 

 To burn the bulwark of the North. A traitor ? 

 This word displeases thee ? And still is not 

 He such, who proves disloyal to his gods ? 



Thorcr. Disloyal? Olaf never has embraced 

 Our northern faith. 



Hakon. A scofifer of our gods. 



Shall he acquire, ascend, old Norway's throne? 



Thorcr. Who harbors such a thought — 



Hakon. I, I, my friend ! 



And Olaf too, perhaps. Excepting him. 

 The lineage of HarakP" is extinct. 

 My noble race is all as strong as his ; 

 From olden time, the mightiest next the king. 

 And nearest to the crown, v^^as HIade's Jarl. 

 Now none were left. A mere enthusiast, 



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