Oclileiisclilacger's Hakon Jar! 33 



The semblance of the cross, — with this niy sword, 



I '11 fight and conf(iier each effrontery 



That dares oppose itself a^^ainst thy will. 



As chosen shepherd of this beloved North 



Shall Olaf keep the charge entrusted him. 



Where Odin's shrines have stood all gloomy, dark, 



Where blameless blood has cried alond to Heaven, 



Henceforth, to Thee, shall incense, myrrh, arise. 



No more shall heathen drench their gods with blood ; 



No expiatory sobs ; no heartless cries 



From Odin's priests about the livid corpse. 



But strains of gentlest harmony, from harp 



And voice, shall hover round the throne of all 



l£ternity. With true devotion all 



Shall meet beyond, transfigured, — all with thee. 



The pangs of poverty shall be forgot ; 



Xo vulgar feasts shall then pollute thy church ; 



Alone the silent, awe-inspiring feast^" 



Shall there announce : Whatever is, is God ! 



Away with hatred, murder, brutal force. 



For innocence and love shall be supreme. {Exit. 



Sn-xK n 



hiade 



A PatJi tin-oiigh the JFoods 



.Hakon Jarl comes armed icith sivord, shield and bow. Tiiora 



meets him. 



Hakon. [Pauses, somewhat uneasy.] 



Ha, who goes here ? My Thora ! Also thee 

 This summer day hath beckoned to the woods ? 



Thora. What beckons thee ? Not Thora ! Come perhaps 

 To visit me ? I see that thou art armed. 



Hakon. For warfare, Thora, — ready, thou must know, 

 With all my men to board the ships. We sail 

 Against a pirate who with impudence 

 Is ravaging our coast. 



71 



