Oehlenschlac gold's Hakon Jarl 13 



Gudrun. Ah, sir, let me descend ! 



T give thee solemn promise never more 

 To enter here. 



Hakon. [To Thorer.] By Freia, wondrous fair, 

 Come, pretty babe, let Hakon help thee down ! 



[Takes her upon his arm and carries her to the front of the stage.] 



A feather's weight, luxuriant as a flower. 

 A bud, half blown, that 's opening to the sun. 

 Now tell me, pet ! Art thou not pleased to sit 

 On Hakon's mighty arm ? . 



Gndnin. By everything 



That's holy, sir, I pray thee let me down. • 



Dishonor not thy Aesir's hallowed grove ! 



Hakon. [Sets Jier dozvn, ziitJi an anxious look toivards the 



statues.] 



Dishonor? Ha, I marvel how so fair 

 A mouth can speak a word so indiscreet. 



How like a child ! What hands ! So soft and white ! [Kisses 

 them.] 



Gudrun. Ijy everything that's holy, let me go 1 



Hakon. [Places his arm about her.] 



And secretly hath Bergthor kept thee hid. 

 And when I wished to see thee, thou hadst gone, 

 Perhaps to visit — Thor knows where — thy aunt 

 In some far distant vale ? 



Gudrun. And what, I pray, 



Couldst thou desire to see in me, in me, 

 Betrothed, a peasant's bride? He's jealous, sir! 

 If he should come, — Oh let me go ! 



Hakon. If he 



Should come? What horror? He! I would announce 

 Myself a bidden guest, nor by my troth 

 Would I forget the wedding gift. 



Gudrun. Release — 



Hakon. Thou never shalt escape from Freia's grove 

 Ere first thou givest me a kiss. 



51 



