Oehlenschlaeger's Hakoii Jarl 95 



Like a chained dog he fawns upon the one who holds the choicest 

 piece of meat. [Aloud.] Give me thy dagger, Karker! A 

 slave should never bear a weapon. 



Karker. Master ! Thou hast given it me thyself. Here it 

 is. [Reoches it to him.] 



Hakon. Now sleep! 



Karker. Immediately! {Lies dozvii again.] 



Hakon. A fever shakes me, fires my blood and brain ! I am 

 weary and worn from fighting all the day and retreating all the 

 night. But still I dare not sleep ! This sordid slave — yet I will 

 rest awhile, but guardedly refrain from sleep. [Sits down and 

 straigh tzvay s<!lceps. ] 



Karker. [Rise.'i qnictly.] Nov/ he sleeps! He bears me no 

 confidence! He fears that I will betray him. King Olaf ofifers 

 money for his life; what more can T expect from hiniF He stirs. 

 Help, Thor! He walks in his sleep. 



Hakon. [Rises, still asleep. Jl'alks with stiff heavy steps to 

 the center of the eazr.] Guldharald ! Graafeld ! Ha. what do 

 ye here ? Leave me, I say ; ye both deserved your death. A 

 traitor? I deceived you not through friendly guise. — What, all 

 ye women here? Go home; begone! I have no more time to 

 waste. And then your bridegrooms — and Odin's statue — it lay 

 in the dust — thou didst bite upon the hook, Olaf ! And now 

 thou dost wish Hakon to bite on death's sharp hook. — Who cries 

 behind yonder bush? Ah. that is the worst of all. Erling, 

 Erling, weepest thou? Did I plunge the knife too deep? Oh, 

 blood, blood is flowing from thy breast, out amongst the roses. 

 [Cries aloud.] Ha, Karker! Karker! 



Karker. My lord. — Still he sleeps. 



Hakon. 'T is done, 't is done ! Here is thy dagger ! Plunge 

 it into my breast ! 



Karker. This thou wilt repent, my lord, when thou art awake. 



Hakon. I deserve it. Karker, yes by Odin ! Bury it quick ! 



Karker. [Takes the dagger.] He is my master; I must obey 

 him. 



Hakon. Ha. haste thee! Haste thee, Karker! before I awake. 

 Thou or I must die. 



133 



