Ocliloischlacgi'rs JJakoii Jarl 19 



We '11 meet and consummate our plans. Each one 

 To his, and leave me here alone ! Before 

 You sail we '11 gather round the evening" meal. 



[Excinif TiioRER, Carlshoved and Jostkin. 

 Hakoii. [Stands long and silcnfly looking at the broken 



stone] 

 This old ? Ah no ; it is not old ; 't is new. 

 Almighty Odin ! Wherefore fell thy statue ? 

 Art thou displeased? A warning- this for me? 

 Thou 'rt covered deep with dust, while Freia stands 

 All smiling-, decked with flowers. Does all this mean 

 That Southern love shall conquer Northern streng-th ? 

 Ah, Odin, leave us not ; wipe out a foe 



That hates thee, mocks, and ridicules thy might. [He kneels. 



I covenant here a worthy offering ! 

 No less than nine and ninety blackest kine; 

 And all my foes for thee I '11 slaughter, if — 

 If only thou wilt grant me Norway's crown. 

 That golden, beauteous, dearly purchased crown. 

 In praise to thee the sacrificial bowls 

 Shall send their fumes to heaven ; with reeking blood 

 The door post shall be painted red. And I 

 A[yself will plunge the sword in Olaf's breast. 

 From Dovre's solid stone-*^ a second statue 



I '11 raise, and that defies eternity. [Rises. 



Now darkness with its dusky veil entombs 



The earth. [Stands for a moment quietly gazing, then says] 



1 '11 visit Bergthor and my crown. [Exit. 



Scene III 



Bergthor' s Workshop 



Enter Bergthor zvith a erown and a hammer in his hand: Crib 



ivith a light. 

 ■ Bergthor. Put down the light and bring me the anvil. 

 Though the day grows longer, it is dark this evening and still 

 there is much to do, 



57 



