§4 Jajiics Christian Lindberg 



Which must defy eternity ; and round 



About the grave King Olaf soon will place 



Memorial stones. — "Greet Thora ! Greet our sister !" 



They cried, — the final words thy brothers spoke. 



I promised this, and I have kept my word. 



I have a crowd of Olaf's men, with whom 



I seek the Jarl, as Olaf with the rest. 



We meet again at Gaulaa. Meanwhile he 



Hath summoned all the council, where I know not. 



I came this way, so roundabout, to bring 



These tidings for thy brothers' sake. I think - 



It rains, my plume is dripping. Soon I hope 



We '11 catch the Jarl and bring thee thy revenge. 



May Frigga gladden thee ! Farewell ! I haste. [Exit. 



Thora. Most holy gods! What awful fate have ye 

 Decreed for Thora? Oh, what awful crime 

 Hath this poor bosom wrought, since it must needs 

 Be crushed? 



[A man enters, icrappcd in a cloak, his face covered.^ 



Thora. What unknown guest? A stranger! Speak! 

 Thine errand, sir? 



The Stranger. Are we alone? In safety? 



Thora. Dost speak of safety, thou, a man unknown, 

 Who enters, unannounced, a woman's room 

 And frightens me? Speak sir; thine errand here? 



The Stranger. [Throws aside his cloak.] 

 Thou knowest me, Thora. 



Thora. Gods ! 'T is Hakon Jarl ! 



Hakun. Aye. he ! The same ; the same ! 



Thora. Thou comest to me? 



Hakon. By Valhal's gods, thou hast the right to feel 

 Surprise; but .1 have yet to see-the stag 

 That doth not seek for shelter, even the most 

 Incongruous place, w^hen followed close by hounds. 



Thora. Thou 'rt pale my Hakon, ah, thine eye is dim. 



Hakon. But Odin knows I fought ; aye ; like a wolf 



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