OehlciiscJilacger's Hakoti Jaii 93 



hour, as a wink from the Nome? Shall Hakon's death resemble 

 Sigurd's? Sigurd was, as T, a bloody man, a zealous worshiper 

 of the olden gods; under guise of friendship he slew King 

 Athelstein,^^ the pious, and checked his work, [Uneasily. \ God 

 Odin, hath indeed the spotless Christ overturned thy power? 

 Must he fall, who checks the southern faith? — Ha! This cave 

 is chilly! It is cold and damp. — [For a time he ivalks hack and 

 forth, then, remains standing looking at Karker.] He dreams! 

 Dangerous frowns contort his face and wrinkle his forehead. 

 Fie ! There he lies and grins, beneath the lamp as if he were a 

 ghost. [Shakes him.] Slave, wake up! Karker, awake, I say! 

 What means this disgusting smile? 

 Karker. Ah, sir; I dreamed. 

 Hakon. And what didst thou dream? 

 Karker. I dreamed — 



Hakon. Hush! Be quiet! What noise is that above us? 

 Karker. An army of men, sir. Dost thou not hear the rat- 

 tling of weapons and the coats of mail ? Ha ; these are King 

 Olaf's men, my lord; they search for thee. 



Hakon. This ancient vault is all tuiknown, and Thora gave 

 to me its key. With iron and powerful locks the doors are 

 closed ; we are safe ; none enter here. 



Karker. [Listening.'] Listen, sir! Dost hear what the her- 

 ald cries, loud-voiced, above my head? 

 Hakon. What is it, slave? 



Karker. That King Olaf rewards with honor and with gold 

 whoever brings Jarl Hakon's head. 



Hakon. [Looking straight at him.] That thou wilt never 

 do? Wherefore tremblest thou? Why art thou so pale? What 

 makes thy lips so blue? 



Karker. Ah, sir; I have not yet recovered from my dream. 

 Tell me, Hakon, what it means. Thou knowest how it is done; 

 thou dost interpret dreams. 



Hakon. What was thy dream? 



Karker. At first I dreamed that we two were out on the sea 

 in a small boat; I sat at the helm — 



131 



