96 James Christian Liiidbcrg 



Karker. [Buries the dagger in Hakon's breast.^ Then it 

 must be thou !^- 



Hakon. Then heaven struck me with its avenging flame. 

 Olaf, Olaf! Thy curse is reaHzed. [Dies.] 



Karker. It is done ; now there is no time for regrets. If I 

 should scream and howl his life would never return. I 'II take 

 the key from his pocket, carry him up the passage to the door 

 and there reveal to Olaf all that is done; then he will honor me 

 with silver and gold. What is done is done ! He begged me 

 to kill him; I have only done my master's bidding. [He lifts 

 the body to his shoulders and bears it azvay.] 



Scene IV 



A Roomy Square Outside Thora's Castle 



Olaf Trygveson stands armed witli shield and spear on a large 

 stone, surrounded by the people of his council. 



Griffin. Here come the peasant folk from Throndhiem, sir. 

 The council is complete, not one of all 

 The summoned spokesmen fails. There Eergthor comes, 

 The smith, the sage of Throndhiem's folk. He fought 

 With thee 'gainst Hakon, yesterday, but saw 

 Thee not, as darkness fell before the fight 

 Was done. He 's every inch a man ! 



[Enter Bergthor, foUoived by a crozvd of peasants.] 



Bergthor. See there 



He stands ; look brothers, there he stands, a King 

 Upon the council's royal stone, as if 



He were a Goldenhair, an Athelstein ! [Takes off his cap.] 

 Art thou King Trygve's son? 



Olaf. Aye, that I am, 



King Trygve's lawful son. 



Bergthor. A fair complexion ! 



One sees in him at once the ancient stock. 

 Sir, thou hast summoned here the council ; I 



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