Oclilciischlacgcr's Hahon fori 23 



Bergthor. An interruption came ; I had to leave 

 My work to place my daughters under lock 

 And key ; meanwhile the rogue has dared — 



Hakon. How, sir, — 



Thy daughters ? 



Bergthor. Aye, niy lord! Of late thou sawst 

 The one, and now she fears, as well as I, 

 That thou 'It renew thy gaze. The cellar holds 

 Her now ! Tomorrow morn I '11 send for Orm, 

 To whom she's pledged, and when he comes we '11 hold 

 Their nuptial feast; then he must guard his own. 



Hakon. But father Bergthor! Pray what whims are theses- 

 Art thou aware that this offends me ? 



Bergthor. Hush ! 



A tender spot, indeed, my Jarl ; we '11 touch 

 This boil no more. Come now, assay the crown. 

 T 've found a ring of iron, rescued first 

 From Melhuus' temple ruins."^ handed down 

 From son to son. My father's father forged 

 The swarthy Halfdan's^^ crown from this ; although 

 The ring is old and quite consumed with rust, 

 It measures still our ancient crowns. Let 's see ! 



[Hakon puts on the croivn, which slips doiiii over his eyes.] 



How now, too large! It dims thy vision like 

 A settling cloud. 



Hakon. [Incensed.] A monster thou! Have I 

 Not given thee my measure ? Where is it ? 



Bergthor. Thor knows, somehow 't is lost ; and so I thought 

 That Hakon's crown should not be smaller made 

 Than Halfdan's. 



Hakon. Bergthor! Bergthor, thou art old, 

 Sagacious, honest, bold, and skilled in art. 

 I spare thee now, but misuse not my mercy. 

 I grant thee two days more and woe to thee 

 If Hakon's crown then fits not Hakon's head. [Exit. 



Bergthor. [Looks after him proud, yet touched.] 



Thou threatenest what ? My hair is white ; three hours, 



61 



