90 James Christian Lindhcrg 



Olaf. His force is scattered but not beaten yet; 

 Young- Einar braver now than wise, speaks much 

 Of victory. Not so! Give Hakon time 

 And he. will rally all his men and fight 

 With sharpened wrath. I 've no desire to waste 

 The land through ceaseless war ; nay, rather, heal 

 Its wounds with Heaven's sweet peace. His sin, the Jarl 

 Must expiate with his own blood ! The while 

 He lives, no hope for peace ; no Christian rose 

 Can thrive so long as T-Iakon draws his breath. 



[Einar Tambeskielver enters icitli Hakox's bloody clothes.] 



Einar. No longer need we search the Jarl, my king. 

 By yonder brook we found Jarl Hakon's steed 

 Cut down and at its side this cloak, besmeared 

 With blood. Thy men have doubtless found him there 

 And there he met his death. 



Olaf. Ha, tell me friends, 



Is 't true? Is this his cloak? 



Griffin. .\ye, aye. his cloak! 



But where 's the Jarl himself? \\'as also he 

 Beside the l)rook? 



Einar. No, not the Jarl ! Alone 



His steed, his mantle, both besmeared with blood. 



Griffin. Bring forth the Jarl himself! Aye, then we'll rest. 

 But not before. Not thus we know the Jarl. 

 Unless I err, he found another cloak. 

 My King, be not misled ; this trick is like 

 The Jarl, and done to lead astray the 1)lind. 

 I know him ! 



Olaf. Then, to horse! We're close to Rimol, 



I there convened the council, and shall hear 

 If aught is known about the Jarl. 



Griffin. There lives 



His mistress, Thora. 



Einar. Former mistress, Griflf! 



The fickle Jarl deserted her ; and both 



12.8 



