Ochlciischlaegcr's Hakoii Jarl 57 



Grib. His great persuasive powers were spent to have 

 Me plunge this dagger in thy breast. Thor knows 

 Wherefore; he must have loathed to do the deed 

 Himself. 



Olaf. What more? Say on. 



Grib. He handed me 



This dagger well supplied with poison, which 

 I should have buried deep in Olaf's heart — 

 I erred and plunged it into Thorer's breast. 

 Now stubbornly he lies upon the ground 

 Without one word. Before, his oily tongue 

 Ran wild, his fawning looks were everywhere, 

 Unsteady, bold. The sense of his eye hath flown ; 

 How stupid, drowsy, filled with emptiness ! 

 My lord, thou 'It scarce believe how quickly, how 

 Completely he has changed his wonted nature. 



Olaf. Thou noble thrall ! 



Grib. If Thorer lived, he 'd say 



I speak the truth. He promised he would make 

 Me free, that I might bear a sword and shield, 

 And follow Hakon in his wars, and drink 

 The wine at table, in the king's own hall. 

 Perchance I did my duty well; but sir. 

 It seemed too dear to purchase Hakon 's wine 

 With Olafs Mood. 



Olaf. High-minded swain ! Perhaps 



Thou 'st rather follow Olaf, fight for him, 

 "Make him thy king, and sit as mark of friendship, 

 .A.mong his greatest men ? 



Grib. [Deeply touched.] My king, now melts 

 JNIy pride through love. And dost thou grant me this ? 

 The hour has come at last when I may rend 

 My thralldom chains ? O, sir, forgive, forgive 

 l\Iy childish tears. 



Olaf . The Jarl had promised thee 



Thy freedom. 



Grib. Ah, but such a freedom, such 



A freedom, sir. Wherein 's the gain, to buy 



95 



