1 8 Jivncs Christian Lindhcrg 



He 's honest, — I have done him wrong, — he seeks 

 The sea ; my mind 's at rest. 



Tliorer. A well-formed plan, 



Aly Jarl ! I '11 do thy wish as best I can. 



Hakon. 'T will not be unrewarded, noble friend. 



Tliorer. I know, I know, m}' lord ! The Jarl rewards 

 Full like a king ; thou knowest my faithfulness. 



Hakon. [Presses his hand.] My honest Thorer! 



Carlshoved. Tf Olaf came, perchance, 



To sack our coasts, he "11 meet opposing power, 

 Or if he came a spy, he clumsily 

 Entraps himself. 



Hakon. Perhaps, as Olafs kin. 



Ye too will go, and Thorcr's word confirm? 



Jostein. Our kinsman he, but thou om- lord, our Jarl, 

 Ovr friend ! Our presence there will only aid 

 In testing Olafs innocence. 



Thorer. Well said. 



My friend ! 



Hakon. [Draii's Jus sz^'ord.] Then here upon this shining 

 glaive 

 In Odin's presence, swear before the gods, 

 To succor me. 



All Three Men. By Odin. Freia, Thor, 

 We swear ! 



[In the background Odin's statue falls dozen.] 



Jostein Ha ! what was that ? 



Carlshoved. Gocl" Odin fell ! 



Thorer. Lies buried deep in dust. 



Hakon. [Calms himself, and apf^roaehcs the statue.] 



This brittle stone 

 For months has had a deep and open rift. 

 Come hither, look — 't is dark — but see, the breach 

 Is old ; a tiny portion held it fast 

 Which easily the slightest wind could burst. 

 You 're all dismissed ! Tonight beside the board 



56 



