Chapter 13

Bishop Nicholas.

Whilst the whole people believes that he is the king’s son——

Earl Skule.

Whilsthe himselfbelieves it, Bishop—thatis the heart of his fortune,thatis the girdle ofstrength! [Goes to the window.] See how bravely he sits his horse! None rides as he does. His eyes are filled with laughing, dancing sunshine; he looks forth into the day as though he knew himself created to go forward, ever forward. [Turns towards theBishop.] I am a king’s arm, mayhap a king’s brain as well; but he is the whole King.

Bishop Nicholas.

Yet no king after all, mayhap.

Earl Skule.

Mayhap no king after all.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Lays his hand on the Earl’s shoulder.] Hearken to me, Earl Skule——

Earl Skule.

[Still looking out.] There sits the Queen. Håkon speaks gently to her; she turns red and white with joy. He took her to wife because it was wise to choose the daughter of the mightiest man in the land. There was then no thought of love for her in his heart;—but it will come; Håkon has fortune with him. She will shed light over his life——[Stops, and cries out in wonder.] What isthis?

Bishop Nicholas.

What?

Earl Skule.

Dagfinn the Peasant bursts violently through the crowd. Now he is giving the King some tidings.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Looking out from behind theEarl.] Håkon seems angered—does he not? He clenches his fist——

Earl Skule.

He looks hitherward—what can it be?

[About to go.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Holding him back.] Hearken to me, Earl Skule—there may yet be one means of winning assurance as to Håkon’s right.

Earl Skule.

One means, you say?

Bishop Nicholas.

Trond the Priest, ere he died, wrote a letter telling his whole tale, and took the sacrament in witness of its truth.

Earl Skule.

And that letter—for God’s pity’s sake—where is it?

Bishop Nicholas.

You must know that——[Looks towards the door.] Hush!—here comes the King.

Earl Skule.

The letter, Bishop—the letter!

Bishop Nicholas.

The King is here.

[Håkonenters, followed by his Guard and many guests. Immediately afterwards,Margreteappears; she seems anxious and alarmed, and is about to rush up to the King, when she is restrained byLady Ragnhild,who, with other ladies, has followed her.Sigridstands somewhat apart, towards the back. TheEarl’smen appear uneasy, and gather in a group on the right, whereSkuleis standing, but some way behind him.

Håkon.

[In strong but repressed excitement.] Earl Skule, who is king in this land?

Earl Skule.

Who is king?

Håkon.

That was my question. I bear the kingly title, but who holds the kingly might?

Earl Skule.

The kingly might should dwell with him who has the kingly right.

Håkon.

So should it be; but is it so?

Earl Skule.

Do you summon me to judgment?

Håkon.

That do I; for that right I have toward every man in the land.

Earl Skule.

I fear not to answer for my dealings.

Håkon.

Well for us all if you can. [Mounts a step of throne-daïs, and leans upon one arm of the throne.] Here stand I as your king, and ask. Know you that Jon, Earl of Orkney, has risen against me?

Earl Skule.

Yes.

Håkon.

That he denies to pay me tribute?

Earl Skule.

Yes.

Håkon.

And is it true that you, Sir Earl, have this day sent him a letter?

Earl Skule.

Who says so?

Ivar Bodde.

That do I.

Dagfinn.

Jostein Tamb dared not deny to carry it, since it bore the King’s seal.

Håkon.

You write to the King’s foes under the King’s seal, although the King knows nought of what is written?

Earl Skule.

So have I done for many a year, with your good will.

Håkon.

Ay, in the days of your regency.

Earl Skule.

Never have you had aught but good thereby. Earl Jon wrote to me praying that I would mediate on his behalf; he offered peace, but on terms dishonourable to the King. The war in Vermeland has weighed much upon your mind; had this matter been left to you, Earl Jon had come too lightly off. I can deal better with him.

Håkon.

’Twas our will to deal with him ourself.—And what answer made you?

Earl Skule.

Read my letter.

Håkon.

Give it me!

Earl Skule.

I deemed you had it.

Dagfinn.

Nay, you know better than that. Gregorius Jonsson was too swift of foot; when we came on board, the letter was gone.

Earl Skule.

[Turns toGregorius Jonsson.] Sir Baron, give the King the letter.

Gregorius Jonsson.

[Coming close to him, uneasily.] Hearken Earl——!

Earl Skule.

What now?

Gregorius Jonsson.

[Softly.] Bethink you, there were sharp words in it concerning the King.

Earl Skule.

My words I shall answer for. The letter!

Gregorius Jonsson.

I have it not.

Earl Skule.

You have it not!

Gregorius Jonsson.

Dagfinn the Peasant was at our heels. I snatched the letter from Jostein Tamb, tied a stone to it——

Earl Skule.

Well?

Gregorius Jonsson.

It lies at the bottom of the fiord.

Earl Skule.

You have done ill—ill.

Håkon.

I await the letter, Sir Earl.

Earl Skule.

I cannot give it you.

Håkon.

Youcannot!

Earl Skule.

[Advancing a step towards theKing.] My pridebrooks not to be put to shifts, as you and your men would call it——

Håkon.

[Controlling his rising wrath.] And so——?

Earl Skule.

In one word—Iwillnot give it you!

Håkon.

Then you defy me!

Earl Skule.

Since so it must be—yes, I defy you.

Ivar Bodde.

[Forcibly.] Now, my lord King, I scarce think you or any man can now need further proof!

Dagfinn.

Nay, now I think we know the Earl’s mind.

Håkon.

[Coldly, to theEarl.] You will hand the Great Seal to Ivar Bodde.

Margrete.

[Rushes with clasped hands towards the daïs, where theKingis standing.] Håkon, be a kind and gracious husband to me!

[Håkonmakes an imperative gesture towards her; she hides her face in her veil, and goes up towards her mother again.

Earl Skule.

[ToIvar Bodde.] Here is the Great Seal.

Ivar Bodde.

This was to be the last evening of the feast. It has ended in a heavy sorrow for the King; but sooner or later it needs must come, and methinks every true man must rejoice that it has come.

Earl Skule.

And I think every true man must feel bitter wrath to see a priest thus make mischief between us Birchlegs;—ay, Birchlegs, I say; for I am every whit as good a Birchleg as the King or any of his men. I am of the same stock, the stock of Sverre, the kingly stock—but you, Priest, you have built up a wall of distrust around the King, and shut me out from him; that has been your task this many a year.

Paul Flida.

[Enraged, to the bystanders.] Earl’s men. Shall we abide this longer?

Gregorius Jonsson.

[Steps forward.] No, we can and will no more abide it. ’Tis time to say it plainly—none of the Earl’s men can serve the King in full trust and love, so long as Ivar Bodde comes and goes in the palace, and makes bad blood between us.

Paul Flida.

Priest! I bid you look to life and limb, wheresoever I meet you—in the field, on shipboard, or in any unconsecrated house.

Many Earl’s Men.

I too! I too! You are an outlaw to us!

Ivar Bodde.

God forbid that I should stand between the King and so many mighty chieftains.—Håkon, my gracious lord, my soul bears me witness that I have served you in all faithfulness. True, I have warned you against the Earl; but if I have ever done him wrong, I pray God forgive me. Now have I no more to do in the palace; here is your Seal; take it into your own hands; there it should have rested long ago.

Håkon.

[Who has come down from the daïs.] You shall remain!

Ivar Bodde.

I cannot. If I did, my conscience would gnaw and rend me night and day. Greater evil can no man do in these times than to hold the King and the Earl asunder.

Håkon.

Ivar Bodde, I command you to remain!

Ivar Bodde.

If the Holy King Olaf should rise from his silver shrine to bid me stay, still I needs must go. [Places the Seal in theKing’shand.] Farewell, my noble master! God bless and prosper you in all your work!

[Goes out through the crowd, to the right.

Håkon.

[Gloomily, to theEarland his men.] There have I lost a trusty friend for your sakes; what requital can you offer to make good that loss?

Earl Skule.

I offer myself and all my friends.

Håkon.

I almost fear ’twill not suffice. Now must I gather round me all the men I can fully trust. Dagfinn the Peasant, let a messenger set out forthwith for Halogaland; Vegard Væradal must be recalled.

Dagfinn.

[Who has been standing somewhat towards the back, in conversation with a man in travelling dress who has entered the hall, approaches and says with emotion:] Vegard cannot come, my lord.

Håkon.

How know you that?

Dagfinn.

I have even now had tidings of him.

Håkon.

What tidings?

Dagfinn.

That Vegard Væradal is slain.

Many Voices.

Slain!

Håkon.

Who slew him?

Dagfinn.

Andres Skialdarband, the Earl’s friend.

[A short pause; uneasy whispers pass among the men.

Håkon.

Where is the messenger?

Dagfinn.

[Leading the man forward.] Here, my lord King.

Håkon.

What caused the slaying?

The Messenger.

That no man knows. The talk fell upon the Finnish tribute, and on a sudden Andres sprang up and gave him his death-wound.

Håkon.

Had there been quarrels between them before?

The Messenger.

Ever and anon. Andres would often say that a wise councillor here in the south had written to him that he should be as rock and flint toward Vegard Væradal.

Dagfinn.

Strange! Ere Vegard set forth he told me that a wise councillor had said he should be as rock and flint toward Andres Skialdarband.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Spitting.] Shame upon such councillors.

Håkon.

We will not question more closely from what root this wrong has grown. Two faithful souls have I lost this day. I could weep for Vegard, but ’tis no time for weeping; it must be life for life. SirEarl, Andres Skialdarband is your sworn retainer; you offered me all service in requital for Ivar Bodde. I take you at your word, and look to you to see that this misdeed be avenged.

Earl Skule.

Of a truth, bad angels are at work between us to-day. On any other of my men, I would have suffered you to avenge the murder——

Håkon.

[Expectantly.] Well?

Earl Skule.

But not on Andres Skialdarband.

Håkon.

[Flashing out.] Will you shield the murderer?

Earl Skule.

Thismurderer Imustshield.

Håkon.

And the reason?

Earl Skule.

That none but God in heaven may know.

Bishop Nicholas.

[Softly, toDagfinn.] I know it.

Dagfinn.

And I suspect it.

Bishop Nicholas.

Say nought, good Dagfinn!

Håkon.

Earl, I will believe as long as I may, that you mean not in good sooth what you have said to me——

Earl Skule.

Were it my own father Andres Skialdarband had slain, he should still go free. Ask me no more.

Håkon.

Good. Then we ourselves must do justice in the matter!

Earl Skule.

[With an expression of alarm.] There will be bloodshed on both sides, my lord King!

Håkon.

So be it; none the less shall the deed be avenged.

Earl Skule.

It shallnotbe!—Itcannotbe!

Bishop Nicholas.

Nay, there the Earl is right.

Håkon.

Say you so, my honoured lord?

Bishop Nicholas.

Andres Skialdarband has taken the Cross.

Håkon and Earl Skule.

Taken the Cross!

Bishop Nicholas.

And has already sailed from the land.

Earl Skule.

’Tis well for all of us!

Håkon.

The day wanes; the bridal-feast must now be at an end. I thank you, Sir Earl, for all the honour that has been shown me in these days.—You are bound for Nidaros, as I think?

Earl Skule.

That is my intent.

Håkon.

And I for Viken.—If you, Margrete, choose rather to abide in Bergen, then do so.

Margrete.

Whither you go, I go, until you forbid.

Håkon.

Good; then come with me.

Sigrid.

Now is our kindred spread far abroad. [Kneels toHåkon.] Grant me a grace, my lord King.

Håkon.

Rise, Lady Sigrid; whatever you crave shall be granted.

Sigrid.

I cannot go with the Earl to Nidaros. The nunnery at Rein will soon be consecrated; write to the Archbishop—take order that I be made Abbess.

Earl Skule.

You, my sister?

Håkon.

You will enter a nunnery!

Sigrid.

[Rising.] Since my wedding-night of blood, when the Baglers came and hewed down my bridegroom, and many hundreds with him, and fired Nidaros town at all its corners—since then, it has been as though the blood and flames had dulled and deadened my sight for the world around me. But power was given me to catch glimpses of that which other eyes see not—and one thing I see now: a time of great dread hanging over this land!

Earl Skule.

[Vehemently.] She is sick! Heed her not!

Sigrid.

A plenteous harvest is ripening for him that reaps in the darkness. Every woman in Norway will have but one task now—to kneel in church and cloister, and pray both day and night.

Håkon.

[Shaken.] Is it prophecy or soul-sickness that speaks thus?

Sigrid.

Farewell, my brother—we shall meet once more.

Earl Skule.

[Involuntarily.] When?

Sigrid.

[Softly.] When you take the crown; in the hour of danger,—when you are fain of me in your direst need.

[Goes out to the right, withMargrete, Lady Ragnhild,and the women.

Håkon.

[After a short pause, draws his sword, and says with quiet determination.] All the Earl’s men shall take the oath of fealty.

Earl Skule.

[Vehemently.] Is this your settled purpose? [Almost imploringly.] King Håkon, do not so!

Håkon.

No Earl’s man shall leave Bergen ere he has sworn fealty to the King.

[Goes out with his Guard. All except theEarland theBishopfollow him.

Bishop Nicholas.

He has dealt hardly with you to-day!

[Earl Skuleis silent, and looks out after theKing,as though struck dumb.

Bishop Nicholas.

[More loudly.] And mayhap not king-born after all.

Earl Skule.

[Turns suddenly, in strong excitement, and seizes theBishopby the arm.] Trond the Priest’s confession—where is it?

Bishop Nicholas.

He sent it to me from England ere he died; I know not by whom—and it never reached me.

Earl Skule.

But it must be found!

Bishop Nicholas.

I doubt not but it may.

Earl Skule.

And if you find it, you will give it into my hands?

Bishop Nicholas.

That I promise.

Earl Skule.

You swear it by your soul’s salvation?

Bishop Nicholas.

I swear it by my soul’s salvation!

Earl Skule.

Good; till that time I will work against Håkon, wherever it can be done secretly and unnoted. He must be hindered from growing mightier than I, ere the struggle begins.

Bishop Nicholas.

But should it prove that he is in truth king-born—what then?

Earl Skule.

Then I must try to pray—to pray for humbleness,that I may serve him with all my might, as a faithful chieftain.

Bishop Nicholas.

And if he be not the rightful king?

Earl Skule.

Then shall he give place to me! The kingly title and the kingly throne, host and guard, fleet and tribute, towns and strongholds, all shall be mine!

Bishop Nicholas.

He will betake him to Viken——

Earl Skule.

I will drive him out of Viken!

Bishop Nicholas.

He will establish himself in Nidaros.

Earl Skule.

I will storm Nidaros!

Bishop Nicholas.

He will shut himself up in Olaf’s holy church——

Earl Skule.

I will force the sanctuary——

Bishop Nicholas.

He will fly to the high altar, and cling to Olaf’s shrine——

Earl Skule.

I will drag him down from the altar, though I drag the shrine along with him——

Bishop Nicholas.

But the crown will still be on his head, Earl Skule!

Earl Skule.

I will strike off the crown with my sword!

Bishop Nicholas.

But if it sits too tight——?

Earl Skule.

Then, in God’s name or Satan’s—I will strike off the head along with it!

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