48 James Christian Lindbcrg 



To yonder wood must Olaf be enticed, 



And there entrapped and — stabbed ! In a hut, near by, 



The Jarl awaits my lord with Olaf s head. 



In Rog-aland** the people still are true, 



And thither they proceed to raise a force 



With which to stem the Irish, should they dare 



To land and try to avenge King Olaf's death. 



Jostein. All this thou 'st heard ? 



Grih. I swear by pious Baldur,^' 



As true as I am blameless, innocent. 



Jostein. And we are pledged to lend a helping- hand ? 



Carlshoved. And we are pledged to further such a deed ? 



Jostein. Ha, Grib! I blush for shame before thee, I — 



Grib. O never mind, my lord ; when one has reached 

 That point where he 's ashamed, he feels the sting 

 And need not be ashamed. And how surmise 

 That Hakon Jarl was base enough to stoop 

 To such a deed ? His eyes hurl forth a light 

 As if he were a god. A simple glance 

 Commands ; he spoke and you obeyed. 'T is great 

 To fight for Hakon, feel within your breast: 

 I helped to place this man upon the throne. 

 Were 't not such thoughts that spurred you on ? 



Jostein. \\c '11 wrench 



Him from his throne ! 



Carlshoi'ed. As sure as Olaf lives, 



That noble hero, Astrid's son, so sure. 

 The Jarl must die ! 



Grih. I see your hearts are true. 



But hush ! The ship has all but touched the shore. 

 Look, yonder lands the king. Dost see his boat ? 

 Whate'er is done must now be done with haste; 

 As soon as Olaf comes — and you 're alone — 

 Reveal to him the plot. My lord delays 

 With Hakon in the woods; if Olaf hastes 

 To land his men, he '11 cage them both with ease. 

 Whate'er may chance the power belongs to Olaf. 



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