Oelilotschlacgcr's Hakon Jarl 75 



Olaf. Now speaks the truth. 



Tomorrow morn, the day of Pentecost, 

 I hope to take both Hakon and his host. 



Tafii^brand. His slaves did steal the sacrificial horn 

 Which we unearthed, of which we thought to make 

 An altar-cup. An ancient rune which pleased 

 Me much was graved upon the horn. It ran : 



"If fortune forsakes tliee because of th}' guilt 

 Then go to the gods and give them thy best." 



This verse I wished to leave upon the cup; 

 What better gifts than hearts of innocence 

 And thankfulness ? They tore it from my hand ; 

 But let them have it; God will punish man 

 For theft as well as other sins. 



Olaf. Behold 



The sun ascends from out the watery depths ! 

 He soon will add his blessing and his peace 

 On this the first of Norway's Whitsuntide. 

 We have no church ; but out of solid rock 

 Hath nature worked for us a chapel. There 

 We '11 sing Ambrosian chants of praise. All doubts 

 Will disappear as now the gloom of night. 



Tangbrand. Such words are worthy thee, my noble King. 



\Rxeiint Olai;" and Tangbrand. 



Criffiii. \Ulto has stood deep in thought.] 



A priest of Odin ? Aye ; perchance the Jarl 

 Himself ? But Hakon favors much the statue 

 r the grove. For me, I know what I believe. [Exit. 



'"3 



