78 Ja})ics C/u'istiau Liiidbcrg 



Erling. My father, let me bring the wreath of flowers 

 I hung' on yonder bush, there where we paused, 

 And thou didst show me where the sun arose. 

 Then let 's go home again, my father, far 

 Away from all these pale and ugly statues. 

 For thou canst well believe that grim old god 

 Has nothing good in store for thee. 



Hakon. Go fetch 



The wreath, my child, and quickly come again. {Exit Erling. 

 The sacrificial lamb should festively 

 Be decorated. Holy gods, look down 

 From heaven and see Jarl Hakon's faith and trust. 



Erling. [Coming back idth a -i^'rraiJi of zvhitc floivers in 



his hair.] 

 I 'm here, my dearest father ! Here 's the wreath. 



Hakon. Now kneel, my son, to Odin, ere we go. 

 Stretch forth thine hands aloft toward heaven and pray : 

 All-father Odin, hear thy little Erling, 

 And take him, keep him in thy 'loved embrace. 



Erling. [Falls on !iis knees fo-a'arils the sun. stretches his 

 arms towards heare}i_, arid says chi!dish!\:] 

 "All-father, hear thy little Erling's pra\er. 

 And take him, keep him in thy "loved embrace." 



[Hakon, who stands behind him lifts his dagger and is about 

 to thrust it into the boy, but it falls from his hand. Erling 

 turns around witJiont noticing the danger, picks up the dagger, 

 and as he arises, says innocently to his father:] 



Didst drop thy dagger, father ? Oh ! How bright 

 And sharp ! When I grow up, I too will have 

 A weapon just like this and [In lower tone.] father mine, 

 I '11 help thee kill thine enemies. 



Hakon. , How now ! 



My child ! What monster fills thy mouth with words 

 Like these to move my heart ? 



Erling. My father, art 



Thou angry ? What 's the matter ? Pray, what have 

 I done ? 



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