Ochloischlacger's Hakon Jaii i 



That pale-faced, silent man, here in the room, 

 Without a shield, without a ])urple robe, 

 Who weary leans upon his sword, can this 

 In truth be Hakon Jarl? 



llako)!. That shadow, aye. 



Was once stout Norway's mighty lord ; the North's 

 Great men obeved his slightest glance. He fell 

 In battle, in a battle which was fought 

 At Hlade. Ha, "t was long, long years ago, 

 'T is quite forgot ! His ghost is restless, stalks 

 Alx)ut at night ; Earl Hakon was his name. 



Tliora. I am revenged, yea, terribly revenged ! 

 Avaunt, thou fiendish spite ! Return, oh love ! 

 A wolf o' the forest, ha ! No woman I, 

 If hate and rancour fied not from my breast 

 At such a sight. O rest thee at my heart! 

 Come Hakon, let me cool thy feverish brow, 

 Restore the hero's look within thine eye. 



[Embraces him.] 



Hakon. [Wildly.] 



Fond Norway's gentle maid, pray what's thy name? 



Thora. Sweet violet, is what the maidens call me. 

 A tiny flower I was of daintiest blue 

 That throve among thy garden oaks ; 't was there 

 I drew my life; a flower that faded, drooped. 

 When thus uprooted from its sheltering nook 

 And nursing shade. 



Hakon. .Sweet violet ! — By Thor, 



A charming name ! 



Thora. O Freia ! How is this ? — - 



A fever-chill hath made thee tremble. What ! 

 Dost weep ? By Valhal's everlasting gods ! 

 Ha, strange indeed ! Amazing spectacle ! 

 Saw ever Thora tears on Hakon's cheeks? 



Hakon. [IVith ztnid friendliness.] 



Sweet violet! Pale, wilted, dying flower 

 Upon a hero's grave, do Hakon's tears 



12!; 



