94 James Christian Lindbcrg 



Hakdn. Which means, — on thee depends my life, the num- 

 ber of my days. Karker be true ; stand by me in this hour of 

 need and I will reward thee better far than Olaf. 



Karker. I had another dream. 



Hakon. What was it, Karker ? Speak ! 



Karker. This time I dreamed, a dark and stoutish man de- 

 scended from the cliffs and said that now all fiords were closed 

 against us. 



Hakon. Karker ! There thou didst not dream so well ; this 

 sigTiifies a brief life for us both. Be true Karker, be true ! As 

 thou hast often told, we two were born the selfsame nig-ht ; so 

 too the hours between my death and thine are few. 



Karker. And then it seemed to me I stood at Hlade, where 

 King Olaf had a golden ring placed about my neck. 



Hakon. Which means he will place a halter of twisted hemp 

 about thy neck, if thou art faithless to thy master. Seat thyself 

 in the corner yonder ! Here in this corner I will rest. Then we 

 both will sleep. 



Karker. As thou wilt my lord. 



Hakon. Where goest thou now? 



Karker. I first would trim the lamp. 



Hakon. Go, sit down, I tell thee ! Let the lamp burn ! Per- 

 adventure thou mightst put it out, then we should sit in gloom 

 and darkness. I never could comprehend how people, at the 

 evening hour can calmly put out the light before they go to bed ; 

 it is a gruesome picture of death, blacker and more awful than 

 death itself. What burns as strong as vividly as a light? What 

 becomes of a light when it goes out ? Leave the lamp untouched ; 

 the flame is feeble, true, but still it burns. As long as there is 

 life there still is hope. Go, seat thyself, my son ! [For some 

 lime they sit quietly.] 



Hakon. Well Karker, art thou asleep? 



Karker. Aye, my lord ! 



Hakon. Ha, dull, half-witted slave ! [Rises and zvalks hack 

 and forth.] Hakon! Hakon! Is this stupid beast the last rem- 

 nant of thy fleeting power? I trust him not; for what image 

 of duty and faithfulness can such a clouded brain conceive? 



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