12 James Christian Lindberg 



Who disavows our northern creed and faith, 



A ransomed thrall, whose mother gave him birth^^ 



While journeying through a wood, — the father dead. 



A desert child ! 'T is easy thus to claim 



A royal birth. He shall not hinder me. 



By Valhal's^^ everlasting gods, I swear ! 



Sublimest Aesir!^" Ne'er shall he assail 



Audaciously your power. Almighty Odin ! 



Thou mighty Aukathor-'^ and Freia ! 



[He turns to the background towards the statues and notices 



GUDRUN.] 



Ha! 

 What's this I pray ? 



Giidrun. Most noble Earl ! Forgive ! 



Forgive ! I perish quite from fear and shame. 

 I know the law forbids us to approach 

 The silent sanctuaries of the gods. 

 Forgive me, noble lord. 



Hakon. [Surprised.'] A fairy maid! 

 What brings thee to this grove ? To overhear 

 Our speech? I am appalled! Thou here, a spy? 



Gudrun. By Freia, by mine innocence, I have 

 Not heard a single word. I would have gone 

 Before, but that I feared to fall and so 

 Betray my — 



Hakon. Pray, what brought thee here ? 



Gudrun. Ah me ! 



Necessity compels me to confess : 

 I am thy smith's, the a'ged Bergthor's, daughter. 

 Affianced bride of Orm ; and therefore, sir, 

 I 've bound this wreath for Freia's head and risked 

 Intruding here, to decorate the -brow 

 Of my protecting goddess. Pray, forgive me ! 



Hakon. A happy meeting this ; most fortunate ! 

 Thou art the fairest among the woodland maids ; 

 And so enraptured youth have christened thee . 

 "The Sylvan Sun." 



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