OchlcuscliJacgcr's IJakoii Jarl 51 



A flower too early blown, thou wilted, chilled 



By treacherous frosts ; thy root was much too frail 



To penetrate this icy northern soil ; 



But thou didst leave a tender seedling here, 



For which may heaven become thy blessed home. 



There thou art safe against the heathen might 



Which thou couldst not subdue; which made thee eat 



The horse's flesh, and forced thy lips, — that loved 



Alone the church's holy cup, — to touch 



The heathen sacrificial liowl. The times 



Were yet unripe, but now thy smile from heaven 



Shall light the way to follow in thy steps. 



The Chorus. Amen ! 



Olaf. Thanks, brothers, thanks ! And now retrace }Our steps 

 To rest your weary bodies from the voyage. 

 The men have pitched the tents, w^hile ye with song 

 Have consecrated, blest the land. Now go. 

 My gentle brothers, go, in heaven's name. 



[Exit Chort's ; Or.AF remains xciHi his icarriors. 



Carlshoned and Jostein enter. 



Olaf. l\fy noblest kin. my honest friends, in this 

 Mv duty, newly found, can I depend 

 On you' ? 



Jostein. My king! 



Carl shoved. King Olaf! 



Olaf. \\'hat! How now! 



Jostein. [Kneels.] Strike off our heads ! 



Carlshoved. [Kneels.] Yea, take them; they are thine. 



Olaf. What means this strange behavior ? 



Jostein. Treachery! 



W'e have deceived thee. 



Carlshoved. Basely, yea, deceived thee. 



Olaf. Impossible. You say, deceived me ? How? 

 Is all this mere invention ? mere device 

 To lead me into Hakon's snare ? 



Carlshoved. Spare all 



Thv fears, mv lord. 



89 



