Ochlcnschlaegcfs Hakon Jarl 21 



Gudnm. And must I now be locked underground again? 



Bcrgthoi'. Perhaps thou hadst rather be locked in Hakon's 

 arms ? 



Gudrnn. May Ealdur help me. no ! 



Bcrgthor. I know him well ; there is not a man who lives in 

 peace because of wife or daughter, or sister, or mother, or even 

 grandmother ! Down I say, into the cellar, quick ! No rest for 

 me before I have placed thee safeh' under lock and key. Away, 

 I say ! Where is thy sister ? 



Gudrnn. She prepares the evening meal. 



Bn'gthor. That I can do myself ; to keep you safe from 

 Hakon's lustful eye is much the harder task. Away, away ! 

 Tomorrow I will send you both away, — thee to thy Orm, and 

 her to Thorvald. Then they must take the blame perchance 

 aught should happen to you after that. \E.vcitiif. 



Grib. [Looks ivith quiet ivoiidcr at i/ic crozvii, wJiich lies 

 upon the anzni] . 



And this is the way the crown looks ! And this is the 

 wa}^ it is made. And when it is done, Hakon puts it on his 

 head ; then the people swear, and then he is king. That 's very 

 queer. [Takes it in Iiis Jiand.] How bright it is; made of solid 

 gold. And heavy ! I wonder how many pounds it weighs ? 

 I wonder if it fits me? [Places it on his head.] It 's toO' large; 

 still I can carry it, although it sinks upon my shoulders. There ! 

 This way it fits. A. crown isn't as light, I see, as I thought; 

 1 can hardly keep my head straight. [IValks up and down the 

 room.] Now I am a king! [Takes the hie.] Here, — this 

 is my scepter ! And yonder is my kingly throne. [Seats him- 

 self upon the anz'il.] Now I am sitting among my men at the 

 council. 



[At this point Hakon enters unnoticed; he remains in the back- 

 ground and ivatehes Grit, attentively.] 



Grib. I herewith promise you, proud Norway's sons, 

 That I will be to you a gracious lord, 

 Provided you will choose me for your king; 

 But if, with insubordination, or 



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