Oc/ilciischlaegcr's Hakon Jarl 6i 



Hakon. Then wake him, quick ! [Aside] Asleep ? And 

 after such 

 A deed ? Ah, Thorer, I admire thee ! Ha ! 

 The strangest courage, thine ! {Aloud] Go, wake him, slave ! 



Olaf. But first will thou not gaze on Olaf's head ? 



Hakon. No, no, I 've told thee ! No ! 



Olaf. My lord, dost think 



Perhaps it hath an ugly, hideous look ? 

 Not so, Jarl Hakon. Olaf's head is sound 

 As any head in Norway. 



Hakon. Slave, begone! 



Olaf. I never heard the like ! I thought the Jarl 

 -V peerless man, surpassing other men ; 

 A dead, a pale, a cold dissevered head ? 

 How thou hadst trembled, hadst thou found it live 

 Upon its body. 



Hakon. Slave, thou darest to speak — 



Where is it then ? 



Olaf. [Takes off his hat and thron's the cloak aside.] 

 Upon my shoulders, sir ! 

 Forgive me that I bring it thus ; it seemed 

 The most convenient way. 



Hakon. [Drazcing his snwd.] Ha, traitor! Olaf? 

 Ha, treason, treason ! 



Olaf. Spare thy courage, sir. 



Risk not a tilt with Olaf, while he keeps 

 His head in place unharmed. Remember this : 

 Thy old and feeble brain alone is matched 

 Against a headless spectre. 



Hakon. Death and hell ! [Rushes upon Olaf. 



Olaf. [Strikes the szvord from Hakon's hand, and speaks 

 with thunderous tones.] 



Peace, peace, I say ! Put up thy sword. My men 

 Surround the hut ; my ships outbalance thine. 

 I come to claim this land by honest strife. 

 Thyself hast lured me here by false intrigues. 

 Thou standest there, a thrall, contemptuous, 



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