ACT SECOND.

Lady Ragnhild.

[After a little while.] Speak!

[From the mote-stead is heard a loud blast of trumpets and horns.

Lady Ragnhild.

God and St. Olaf! To whom have they sworn?

[A short pause.

Margrete.

[Turns her head and says:] They have chosen Håkon Håkonsson king.

[The music of the royal procession is heard, first in the distance and then nearer and nearer.Lady Ragnhildclings weeping toSigrid,who leads her quietly out on the right;Margreteremains immovable, leaning against the window-frame. TheKing’sattendants open the great doors, disclosing the interior of the Hall, which is gradually filled by the procession from the mote-stead.

Håkon.

[In the doorway, turning toIvar Bodde.] Bringme a pen and wax and silk—I have parchment here. [Advances exultantly to the table and spreads some rolls of parchment upon it.] Margrete, now am I King!

Margrete.

Hail to my lord and King!

Håkon.

I thank you. [Looks at her and takes her hand.] Forgive me; I forgot that it must wound you.

Margrete.

[Drawing her hand away.] It did not wound me;—of a surety you are born to be king.

Håkon.

[With animation.] Ay, must not all men own it, who remember how marvellously God and the saints have shielded me from all harm? I was but a year old when the Birchlegs bore me over the mountains, in frost and storm, and through the very midst of those who sought my life. At Nidaros I came scatheless from the Baglers[27]when they burnt the town with so great a slaughter, while King Ingë himself barely saved his life by climbing on shipboard up the anchor-cable.

Margrete.

Your youth has been a hard one.

Håkon.

[Looking steadily at her.] Methinks you might have made it easier.

Margrete.

Håkon.

You might have been so good a foster-sister to me, through all the years when we were growing up together.

Margrete.

But it fell out otherwise.

Håkon.

Ay, it fell out otherwise;—we looked at each other, I from my corner, you from yours, but we seldom spoke——[Impatiently.] What is keeping him? [Ivar Boddecomes with the writing materials.] Are you there? Give me the things!

[Håkonseats himself at the table and writes. A little while after,Earl Skulecomes in; thenDagfinn the Peasant,Bishop NicholasandVegard Væradal.

Håkon.

[Looks up and lays down his pen.] Know you, Sir Earl, what I am writing here? [TheEarlapproaches.] This is to my mother; I thank her for all her love, and kiss her a thousand times—here in the letter you understand. She is to be sent eastward to Borgasyssel, there to live with all queenly honours.

Earl Skule.

You will not keep her in the palace?

Håkon.

She is too dear to me, Earl;—a king must have none about him whom he loves too well. A king must act with free hands; he must stand alonehe must neither be led nor lured. There is so much to be mended in Norway.

[Goes on writing.

Vegard Væradal.

[Softly toBishop Nicholas.] ’Tis bymycounsel he deals thus with Inga, his mother.

Bishop Nicholas.

I knew your hand in it at once.

Vegard Væradal.

But now one good turn deserves another.

Bishop Nicholas.

Wait. I will keep my promise.

Håkon.

[Gives the parchment toIvar Bodde.] Fold it together and bear it to her yourself, with many loving greetings——

Ivar Bodde.

[Who has glanced at the parchment.] My lord—you write here—“to-day”——!

Håkon.

The wind is fair for a southward course.

Dagfinn.

[Slowly.] Bethink you, my lord King, that she has lain all night on the altar-steps in prayer and fasting.

Ivar Bodde.

And she may well be weary after the ordeal.

Håkon.

True, true;—my good, kind mother—— [Collects himself.] Well, if she be too weary, let her wait until to-morrow.

Ivar Bodde.

It shall be as you will. [Puts another parchment forward.] But this other, my lord.

Håkon.

That other?—Ivar Bodde, I cannot.

Dagfinn.

[Points to the letter forInga.] Yet you could dothat.

Ivar Bodde.

All things sinful must be put away.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Who has drawn near in the meantime.] Bind the Earl’s hands, King Håkon.

Håkon.

[In a low voice.] Think youthatis needful?

Bishop Nicholas.

At no cheaper rate can you buy peace in the land.

Håkon.

Then I can do it! Give me the pen!

[Writes.

Earl Skule.

[To theBishop,who crosses to the right.] You have the King’s ear, it would seem.

Bishop Nicholas.

For your behoof.

Earl Skule.

Say you so?

Bishop Nicholas.

Before nightfall you will thank me.

[He moves away.

Håkon.

[Hands theEarlthe parchment.] Read that, Earl Skule.

Earl Skule.

[Reads, looks in surprise at theKing,and says in a low voice.] You break with Kanga the Young?

Håkon.

With Kanga whom I have loved more than all the world. From this day forth she must never more cross the King’s path.

Earl Skule.

This that you do is a great thing, Håkon. Mine own memory tells me what it must cost.

Håkon.

Whoever is too dear to the King must away.—Tie up the letter. [Gives it toIvar Bodde.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Bending over the chair.] You have made a great stride towards the Earl’s friendship, my lord King.

Håkon.

[Holds out his hand to him.] I thank you, BishopNicholas; you counselled me for the best. Ask a grace of me, and I will grant it.

Bishop Nicholas.

Will you?

Håkon.

I promise it on my kingly faith.

Bishop Nicholas.

Then make Vegard Væradal thane of Halogaland.

Håkon.

Vegard? He is well-nigh the trustiest friend I have; I am loath to send him so far from me.

Bishop Nicholas.

The King’s friend must be royally rewarded. Bind the Earl’s hands as I have counselled you, and you will be secure for ever and a day.

Håkon.

[Takes a sheet of parchment.] Vegard shall bear rule in Halogaland. [Writing.] I hereby grant it under my royal hand. [The Bishop retires.

Earl Skule.

[Approaches the table.] What write you now?

Håkon.

[Hands him the sheet.] Read.

Earl Skule.

[Reads, and looks steadily at theKing.] Vegard Væradal? In Halogaland?

Håkon.

The northern part stands vacant.

Earl Skule.

Bethink you that Andres Skialdarband[28]has also a charge in the north. They two are bitter foes;—Andres Skialdarband is of my following——

Håkon.

[Smiling and rising.] And Vegard Væradal of mine. Therefore they must e’en make friends again, the sooner the better. Henceforth there must be no enmity between the King’s men and the Earl’s.

Bishop Nicholas.

Ha!—this may go too far. [Approaches, uneasy.

Earl Skule.

Your thoughts are wise and deep, Håkon.

Håkon.

[Warmly.] Earl Skule, to-day have I taken the kingdom from you—let your daughter share it with me!

Earl Skule.

My daughter!

Margrete.

Oh, God!

Håkon.

Margrete, will you be my Queen?

[Margrete is silent.

Håkon.

[Takes her hand.] Answer me.

Margrete.

[Softly.] I will gladly be your wife.

Earl Skule.

[Pressing Håkon’s hand.] Peace and friendship from my heart!

Håkon.

I thank you.

Ivar Bodde.

[ToDagfinn.] Heaven be praised; here is the dawn.

Dagfinn.

I almost believe it. Never before have I liked the Earl so well.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Behind him.] Ever on your guard, good Dagfinn—ever on your guard.

Ivar Bodde.

[ToVegard.] Now are you thane in Halogaland; here you have it under the King’s hand.

[Gives him the letter.

Vegard Væradal.

I will thank the King for his favour another time.

[About to go.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Stops him.] Andres Skialdarband is an ugly neighbour; be not cowed by him.

Vegard Væradal.

No one has yet cowed Vegard Væradal. [Goes.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Following.] Be as rock and flint to AndresSkialdarband,—and, while I think on’t, take my blessing with you.

Ivar Bodde.

[Who has been waiting behind theKingwith the parchments in his hand.] Here are the letters, my lord.

Håkon.

Good; give them to the Earl.

Ivar Bodde.

To the Earl? Will you not seal them?

Håkon.

The Earl is wont to do that;—he holds the seal.

Ivar Bodde.

[Softly.] Ay, hitherto—while he was regent—butnow!

Håkon.

Now as before;—the Earl holds the seal.

[Moves away.

Earl Skule.

Give me the letters, Ivar Bodde.

[Goes to the table with them, takes out the Great Seal which he wears under his girdle, and seals the letters during the following.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Muttering.] Håkon Håkonsson is King—and the Earl holds the royal seal;—I like that—I like that.

Håkon.

What says my lord Bishop?

Bishop Nicholas.

I say that God and St. Olaf watch over their holy church. [Goes into the King’s Hall.

Håkon.

[Approaching Margrete.] A wise queen can do great things in the land: I chose you fearlessly, for I know you are wise.

Margrete.

Onlythat?

Håkon.

What mean you?

Margrete.

Nothing, my lord, nothing.

Håkon.

And you will bear me no grudge if for my sake you have had to forgo fair hopes?

Margrete.

I have forgone no fair hopes for your sake.

Håkon.

And you will stand ever near me, and give me good counsel?

Margrete.

I would fain stand near to you.

Håkon.

And give me good counsel. I thank you for that; a woman’s counsel profits every man, and henceforth I have none but you—my mother I had to send away——

Margrete.

Ay, she was too dear to you——

Håkon.

And I am King. Farewell then, Margrete! You are so young yet; but next summer shall our bridal be,—and from that hour I swear to keep you by my side in all seemly faith and honour.

Margrete.

[Smiles sadly.] Ay, ’twill be long, I know, ere you send me away.

Håkon.

[Brightly.] Send you away? That will I never do.

Margrete.

[With tears in her eyes.] No, that Håkon does only to those who are too dear to him.

[She goes towards the entrance door.Håkongazes thoughtfully after her.

Lady Ragnhild.

[From the right.] The King and the Earl tarry here so long! My fears are killing me;—Margrete, what has the King said and done?

Margrete.

Oh, much, much! Last of all, he chose a thane and a Queen.

Lady Ragnhild.

You, Margrete!

Margrete.

[Throws her arms round her mother’s neck.] Yes!

Lady Ragnhild.

You are to be Queen!

Margrete.

Queen only;—but I think I am glad even of that.

[She and her mother go out to the right.

Earl Skule.

[ToIvar Bodde.] Here are our letters; bear them to the King’s mother and to Kanga.

[Ivar Boddebows and goes.

Dagfinn.

[In the doorway of the hall.] The Archbishop of Nidaros craves leave to offer King Håkon Håkonsson his homage.

Håkon.

[Draws a deep breath.] At last, then, I am King of Norway.

Earl Skule.

[Places the Great Seal in his girdle.] ButIrule the realm.

ACT SECOND.

Banquet Hall in the Palace at Bergen. A large bay-window in the middle of the back wall, along which there is a daïs with seats for the ladies. Against the left wall stands the throne, raised some steps above the floor; in the centre of the opposite wall is the great entrance door. Banners, standards, shields and weapons, with many-coloured draperies, hang from the wall-timbers and from the carven rafters. Around the hall stand drinking-tables, with flagons, horns, and beakers.

King Håkonsits upon the daïs, withMargrete,Sigrid,Lady Ragnhild,and many noble ladies.Ivar Boddestands behind the King’s chair. Round the drinking-tables are seated the King’s and the Earl’s men, with guests. At the foremost table on the right sit, among others,Dagfinn The Peasant,Gregorius Jonsson,andPaul Flida.Earl SkuleandBishop Nicholasare playing chess at a table on the left. The Earl’s house-folk go to and fro, bearing cans of liquor. From an adjoining room, music is heard during the following scene.

Dagfinn.

The fifth day now wears on, yet the henchmen are none the less nimble at setting forth the brimming flagons.

Paul Flida.

It was never the Earl’s wont to stint his guests.

Dagfinn.

No, so it would seem. So royal a bridal-feast was never seen in Norway before.

Paul Flida.

Earl Skule has never before given a daughter in marriage.

Dagfinn.

True, true; the Earl is a mighty man.

A Man-at-Arms.

He holds a third part of the kingdom. That is more than any earl has held heretofore.

Paul Flida.

But the King’s part is larger.

Dagfinn.

We talk not of that here; we are friends now, and fully at one. [Drinks toPaul.] So let King be King and Earl be Earl.

Paul Flida.

[Laughs.] ’Tis easy to hear that you are a King’s man.

Dagfinn.

That should the Earl’s men also be.

Paul Flida.

Never. We have sworn fealty to the Earl, not to the King.

Dagfinn.

That may yet have to be done.

Bishop Nicholas.

[To theEarl,under cover of the game.] Hear you what Dagfinn the Peasant says?

Earl Skule.

[Without looking up.] I hear.

Gregorius Jonsson.

[Looking steadily atDagfinn.] Has the King thoughts of that?

Dagfinn.

Nay, nay,—let be;—no wrangling to-day.

Bishop Nicholas.

The King would force your men to swear him fealty, Earl.

Gregorius Jonsson.

[Louder.] Has the King thoughts of that, I ask?

Dagfinn.

I will not answer. Let us drink to peace and friendship between the King and the Earl. The ale is good.

Paul Flida.

It has had time enough to mellow.

Gregorius Jonsson.

Three times has the Earl prepared the bridal—three times the King promised to come—three times he came not.

Dagfinn.

Blame the Earl forthat: he gave us plenty to do in Viken.

Paul Flida.

’Tis said Sigurd Ribbung gave you still more to do in Vermeland.

Dagfinn.

[Flaring up.] Ay, and who was it that let Sigurd Ribbung slip through their fingers?

Gregorius Jonsson.

Sigurd Ribbung fled from us at Nidaros, that all men know.

Dagfinn.

But no man knows that you did aught to hinder him.

Bishop Nicholas.

[To theEarl,who is pondering on a move.] Hear you, Earl? It was you who let Sigurd Ribbung escape.

Earl Skule.

[Makes a move.] That is an old story.

Gregorius Jonsson.

Have you not heard, then, of the Icelander Andres Torsteinsson, Sigurd Ribbung’s friend——

Dagfinn.

Ay; when Sigurd had escaped, you hanged the Icelander—that I know.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Makes a move and says laughingly to theEarl.] I take the pawn, Sir Earl.[29]

Earl Skule.

[Aloud.] Take him; a pawn is of small account.

[Makes a move.

Dagfinn.

Ay; that the Icelander found to his cost, when Sigurd Ribbung escaped to Vermeland.

[Suppressed laughter amongst the King’s men; the conversation is continued in a low tone; presently a man comes in and whispers toGregorius Jonsson.

Bishop Nicholas.

Then I move here, and you have lost.

Earl Skule.

So it would seem.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Leaning back in his chair.] You did not guard the king well at the last.

Earl Skule.

[Strews the pieces topsy-turvy and rises.] I have long been weary of guarding kings.

Gregorius Jonsson.

[Approaches and says in a low tone.] Sir Earl, Jostein[30]Tamb sends word that the ship now lies ready for sea.

Earl Skule.

[Softly.] Good. [Takes out a sealed parchment.] Here is the letter.

Gregorius Jonsson.

[Shaking his head.] Earl, Earl,—isthiswell bethought?

Earl Skule.

What?

Gregorius Jonsson.

It bears the King’s seal.

Earl Skule.

I am acting for the King’s good.

Gregorius Jonsson.

Then let the King himself reject the offer.

Earl Skule.

That he will not, if he has his own way. His whole heart is bent on cowing the Ribbungs, therefore he is fain to secure himself on other sides.

Gregorius Jonsson.

Your way may be wise,—but it is dangerous.

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