22 James Cliristiaii Liiidbcrg 



Defiance you resist in anything 

 Whatever I may ask as just and fair. 

 You '11 quake beneath my heavy hand. 



[Becomes ai^'ore of Hakox and is dumb tc/V/? fear.] 



Hakon. Well done. 



A'[y lad, well done. 



Grib. Sir, be not angry with me! 



Hakon. Thou tremblest on the throne, my boy? That ne'er 

 Becomes a king. Though round about him raves 

 The storm, though earth's foundations shake, and death 

 Seems nigh, above it all he calmly clasps 

 His spear. A kingly, bold, imposing look — 

 T!ic clouds disperse, the sky is clear, and once 

 Again the sun resplendent shines and gilds 

 His throne. 



Grib. I 'm sure thou 'rt right. I feel that I 

 Was never born to rule. 



[Bergf/ior enters zcif/i a large buncli of keys, Zi'Jiich he hides 

 -iChen he sees Hakon.] 



Hakon. Good evening, sir. 



Bergfhor. All hail the Jarl ! 



[Becomes aware of Gun; who is seiced with fright and dares 



not ntoz'c.] 



Bv \'auland's help !■'■" What means 

 All this ? 



Hakon. He plays the king. 



Bcrgthor. [Half aside.] It seems that this 

 Is quite the fashion lately. Down, I say ! 

 Are people all gone mad ! 



Hakon. I came- too late 



And heard not niore than half he pledged the King. 

 Is he thy swain ? 



Bergfhor. He 's my apprenticQ, Thorer Klake's thrall. 



Hakon. And thou dost trust a slave with Hakon's crown ? 



60 



