OchUvisci'.lacgcr's Ilakon Jaii 15 



She nothing heard; I '11 not niistrnst iicr ; no ! 



She 's innocence itself, by which she swore. 



Here Jostein and Carlshoved come ; 't is them 



I waited for. [Enter Jostkix and CarlsiiovI'-d. 



Hakon. [Goes to- meet thein.\ 



You 're very welcome all ! 

 Here have I now my rarest friends ; I would 

 I had a liand for each. 



Carlshoved. Our noble lord. 



Our greatest pride is this, that we are friends. 



Hakon. You two already know what long I 've had 

 In mind, and wliy we seek this private place. 

 But Thorer here, whose shrewdness much I need, 

 To execute my scheme, is only half 

 Informed. So hear me now : Amid the storm 

 And strife of war, my life is spent ; and many 

 A stone, and nuich entangling copse were cleared 

 Before this tir stood free to rear its head 

 And thrive through strength bestowed bv mightv Thor. 

 Ye are my friends ; in you I may contide 

 ]My heart's intent. My nanu' is honored far 

 And wide, throughout the Xorth. T 've fought my way 

 Till now, I stand as Norway's greatest man ; 

 Alone my foe denies me what I am. 

 The weakling, Harald Craafeld and his lirothers 

 Corrupted all the land ; with each deprived 

 Of strength, no one possessed the power to assert 

 Himself, and thus maintain his inborn right. 

 Like gnomes at play they tumbled right and left, 

 Until they died a mutual death. Alone 

 \\'as Harald Graafeld an opposing force. 

 And I confess, my stratagem was served. 

 Through chance, by that which birth had given him. 

 I 've treated ill. they say. this merchant Prince. -- 

 And how, I pray .^ A recreant traitor he. 

 \\'ho. tired of wealth, betook himself to me,'-' 

 Desirino- that his brother share the realm 



53 



