82 James C/iristian Lindbcrg 



Inger. 'T is they ! Ah yes, 



'T is they ! T '11 bring the lig-hts ; 't is surely they ! 

 Rejoice my Thora ! [Exit. 



Thora. Ah my heart doth beat 



As if 't would burst its lx>unds ! My Alf, my Skialm 

 Opposed to Hakon Jarl! Whichever side 

 May win, the wretched Thora still hath lost. - 



Einar Tamhcskielvcr. [Entering.] 



Good morrow, Thora, for. unless I err 

 'Tis past the midnight watch. The early cock 

 Proclaimed the hour before I reached the cliffs. 

 I come to tell thee how the battle stood. 

 My name is Einar Tambeskielver. Fear 

 Not thou to meet a friend of Hakon Jarl. 

 For since, in utter frenzy he hath slain 

 His son, an offering to the gods, to gain 

 Their favor on today's dark battle field, 

 I 've been to him a relentless foe. 



Thora. . Ye gods ! 



Einar. Thou 'rt right ! The grim assassin quite deserves 

 Aversion. All his deeds excite a loathing. 

 Thou hast reasons for thy hate, as T, • 

 For deepl}- hath he harmed, insulted, thee. 

 Today I first espoused King Olafs cause 

 So my acquaintance with thy brothers was 

 But brief, but still \\& learned to love each other. 

 In battle one may see within an hour 

 What oft in peace would take a life-time. Ah, 

 They fought like men, and so in truth did all. 

 As lightning, Olaf scattered Hakon's force. 

 T was warm beneath the lilood-bcspattered shields, 

 And swords grew hot when bathed in reeking wounds. 

 The Valkyrs fought at every warrior's side ; 

 They cried for blood and lastly had iheir fill. 

 For Odin never poured more bounteous wine 

 In Valhal's halls. The greater part were slain. 

 But Hakon and his slave escaped, and them 

 We hotly seek. 



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