OchlcnscJilaci:;cr's Ilakoii Jaii 41 



Hakoii. [Taking Iiis buw from his sluuildcr, hands it to 



ElXAK. I 



Take this, my friend, and keep it ; "t is 

 A pledge of Hakon's friendship ! 



Einar. [Tries the tightness of the string.] 



Ah ! Too slack, 

 Too slack is Hakon's weapon. Take it, sir, 

 Again. Too heavy; much too weak ! My own 

 Is far the better. 



Hakon. Ha, thou haughty youth ! 



Disdainest thou my gift ? 



Einar. Thou hast a gift 



Which I would not disdain, if offered me. 



Hakon. What is it, pray ? 



Einar. Thou hast a daughter, sir; 



A rosebud on a slender maid, is not, — 

 But later Ave will speak of that. 



Hakon. And thou 



Dost think — 



Einar. That I deserve sweet Berglioth. 



Hakon. Thy aim is fixed on high and distant goals. 



Einar. A skilful archer seeks a lofty aim. 

 Thou knowest my arrow reaches distant goals ; 

 The eye of love hath also sent abroad 

 Its darts. 



Hakon. . And is the arch.er wounded ? 



Einar. That, 



He '11 tell thee when he 's killed a goodly share 

 Of all thine enemies. Aboard, my lord ! 



Hakon. Art ready, boy, so soon ? 



Einar. [Strikes his quiver.] My chattels, sir, 



I bear upon my back. To sea, my lord ! 



Hakon. A brave and fiery youth ! My heart goes out 

 To thee as if thou wert a woman, lad. 



Einar. My lord, of all ambitions, that is last ! [Exeunt. 



79 



