THE PLAYS OF HENRIK IBSEN 
 
 Uniform Library Edition. In 12 vols. Edited and Translated 
 chiefly by WILLIAM ARCHER. 45 each. 
 
 VOL. 
 
 I. LADY INGER ; THE FEAST AT 
 SOLHOUG; LOVE'S COMEDY 
 
 II. THE VIKINGS AT HELGELAND ; 
 THE PRETENDERS 
 
 III. BRAND 
 
 IV. PEER GYNT 
 
 V. EMPEROR AND GALILEAN (2 parts) 
 
 VI. THE LEAGUE OF YOUTH; 
 PILLARS OF SOCIETY 
 
 VII. A DOLL'S HOUSE; GHOSTS 
 
 VIII. AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE; 
 THE WILD DUCK 
 
 IX. ROSMERSHOLM; THE LADY 
 FROM THE SEA 
 
 X. HEDDA GABLER; THE MASTER 
 BUILDER 
 
 XI. LITTLE EYOLF ; JOHN GABRIEL 
 BORKMAN ; WHEN WE DEAD 
 AWAKEN 
 
 XII. FROM IBSEN'S WORKSHOP 
 
 NOTE. Those contained in Vols. X and XI can also be had 
 separately in cloth as 6d ; or paper is 6d each. 
 
 London : WILLIAM HEINEMANN, 21 Bedford St., W.C.
 
 THE 
 
 JN HISTORIC PLAY 
 
 In Five tAiti 
 
 BY HENRIK IBSEN 
 
 LONDON: WILLIAM HKINEMANN 
 ucuxin
 
 First published in Collected Edition of Ibsen's books 1906 
 
 Second Impression 1910 
 Popular Paper Edition 1913
 
 rr 
 
 CHARACTERS. 
 
 HAKON HAKONSSON, the King elected by the BircUegs. 
 
 INGA OF VARTEIG, his mother. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD, his u-ife. 
 
 SlGRlD, his sister. 
 
 MARGRETE, his daughter. 
 
 GUTHORM IKGESSON. 
 
 SIGURD RIBBUNG. 
 
 NICHOLAS ARNESSON, Bishop of Oslo. 
 
 DAGFINN THE PEASANT, Hakon's marshal. 
 
 IVAR BODDB, his chaplain. 
 
 VEGARD V.SRADAL, one of his yuard. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON, a nobleman. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA, a nobleman. 
 
 INGEBORG, Andres Skialdarband's icife. 
 
 PETER, her son, a young priest. 
 
 SlRA VILIAM, Bishop Nicholas's chaplain. 
 
 MASTER SIGARD op BRABANT, a physician. 
 
 JATGEIR SKALD, an Icelander. 
 
 BAKD BRATTE, a chieftain from the Trondhiem diftrlct. 
 
 Populace and Citizens of Bergen, Oslo, and A'idaroi. 
 
 Priests, Monks, and Nuns. 
 
 Guests, Guards, and Ladies. 
 
 JUcn-at-Armx, etc. etc. 
 
 The action passes in the Jirtt half of the Thirteenth Century. 
 
 Pronunciation of Names: Hakon=Hoakoon ("oa" as in 
 "board"); Skule = Skoole ; Margrete=Margrayt<s; Guthorm = 
 Gootorm; Sigurd Ribbung=Sigoord Ribboong; Dagfinn ("a" 
 as in "hard"); Ivar Bodde = Eevar Bodde ; Vegard = Vaygard; 
 Jonsspn = Yoonson ; Flida = Fleeda ; Ingeborg = Ingheborg ; 
 jatgeir=Yatgheir ; Bard Bratte = Board Bratte. The name 
 " Ingeborg" appears as " Ingebjorg " in Ibsen's text. The form 
 I have substituted is equally current in Norway, and less trouble 
 some to pronounce. 
 
 2046827
 
 THE PRETENDERS. 
 
 HISTORIC PLAY IN FIVE ACTS. 
 
 ACT FIRST. 
 
 The churchyard of Christ Church, Bergen. At 
 the back rises the church, the main portal of 
 which faces the spectators. In front, on the left, 
 stands HAKON HAKONSSON, with DAGFINN THE 
 PEASANT, VEGARD OF V^ERADAL, IVAR BODDE, 
 and several other nobles and chieftains. Opposite 
 to him stand EARL SKULE, GREGORIUS JONSSON, 
 PAUL FLIDA, and others of the Earl's men. 
 Further back on the same side are seen SIGURD 
 RIBBUNG and his followers, and a little way from 
 him GUTHORM INGESSON, with several chiefs. 
 Men-at-arms line the approaches to the church ; 
 the common people Jill the churchyard ; many are 
 perched in the trees and seated on the walls ; all 
 seem to await, in suspense, the occurrence of 
 some event. All the church bells of the town 
 are ringing far and near. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 ^Softly and impatiently, to GREGORIUS JONSSON.] 
 Why tarry they so long in there ?
 
 2 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 Hush ! The psalm is beginning. 
 
 [From inside the closed church doors, to the 
 accompaniment of trumpets, is heard, a 
 CHOIR OF MONKS AND NUNS singing 
 Domine cceli, etc. etc. While the sing- 
 ing is going on, the church door is opened 
 from inside; in the porch BISHOP 
 NICHOLAS is seen, surrounded by Priests 
 and Monks. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Steps forward to the doorway and proclaims with 
 
 uplifted crozier.~\ Inga of Varteig is even now 
 
 bearing the iron on behalf of Hakon the Pretender. 
 
 [The church door is closed again ; the singing 
 
 inside continues. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 [In a low voice, to the EARL.] Call upon Holy King 
 Olaf to protect the right. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Hurriedly, with a deprecating gesture, .] Not now. 
 Best not remind him of me. 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 
 [Seizing HAKON by the arm.] Pray to the Lord thy 
 God, Hakon Hakonsson. 
 
 HAKON. 
 No need ; I am sure of him. 
 
 T The singing in the church grows louder ; all 
 uncover ; many fall upon their knees and 
 pray.
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDRKS. 3 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 [To the EARL.] A solemn hour for you and for 
 many ! 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Looking anxiously towards tne church.^ A solemn 
 hour for Norway. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [Near Me EARL.] Now is the glowing iron in her 
 hands. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [Beside HAKON.] They are coming down the 
 nave. 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 
 Christ protect thy tender hands, Inga, mother 
 of the King ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 Surely all my life shall reward her for this hour. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [ Who has been listening intently, breaks out suddenly.] 
 Did she cry out ? Has she let the iron fall ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 [Goes up.] 1 know not what it was. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 Hark to the women weeping in the outer hall . 
 
 THE CHOIR IN THE CHURCH. 
 [Breaks forth in jubilation] Gloria in excelsis Deo ! 
 [The doors are t/iroivn open. INGA comes 
 forth, followed by Nuns, Priests, and 
 Monks.
 
 4 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I. 
 
 INGA. 
 
 [On the church slepsJ] God has given judgment ! 
 Behold these hands ; with them I bore the iron ! 
 
 VOICES AMONGST THE MULTITUDE. 
 
 They are tender and white as before i 
 
 OTHER VOICES. 
 Fairer still ! 
 
 THE WHOLE MULTITUDE. 
 He is Hakon's son ! He is Sverre's 1 grandson ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 {Embraces her.] Thanks to thee, thanks to thee, 
 blessed among women ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [In passing, totheE\RL.~\ Twas ill done to press 
 for the ordeal. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Nay, my lord Bishop, needs must we pray for 
 God's voice in this matter. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Deeply moved, holding INGA by the handJ] It is 
 done, then, that which my every fibre cried out 
 against that which has made my heart shrivel 
 and writhe within me 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [Turning towards the multitude.'] Ay, look upon 
 this woman and bethink you, all that are gathered 
 here ! Who ever doubted her word, until certain 
 folk required that it should be doubted. 
 1 Pronounce Sverre.
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Doubt has whispered in every corner from the 
 hour when Hiikon the Pretender was borne, a little 
 child, into King Inge's l hall. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 And last winter it swelled to a roar, and sounded 
 forth over the land, both north and south ; I trow 
 every man can bear witness to that. 
 
 HiKON. 
 
 I myself can best bear witness to it. Therefore 
 have I yielded to the counsel of many faithful 
 friends, and humbled myself as no other chosen 
 king has done for many a day. I have proved my 
 birth by the ordeal, proved my right, as the son of 
 Hakon Sverresson, to succeed to the throne of 
 Norway. I will not now question who fostered the 
 doubt, and made it, as the Earl's kinsman says, 
 swell into a roar ; but this I know, that I have 
 suffered bitterly under it. I have been chosen 
 king from boyhood, but little kingly honour has 
 been shown me, even where it seemed I might look 
 for it most securely. I will but remind you of last 
 Palm Sunday in Nidaros, 2 when I went up to the 
 altar to make my offering, and the Archbishop 
 turned away and made as though he saw me not, 
 to escape greeting me as kings are wont to be 
 greeted. Yet such slights I could easily have 
 borne, had not open war been like to break loose 
 in the land ; that I must needs hinder. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 It may be well for kings to hearken to counsels 
 
 Pronounce Inghe. a The old name for Trondhiem.
 
 6 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I. 
 
 of prudence ; but had my counsel been heard in 
 this matter, it had not been with hot iron, but with 
 cold steel that Hakon Hakonsson had called for 
 judgment between himself and his foes. 
 
 HlKON. 
 
 Curb yourself, Dagfinn ; think what beseems the 
 man who is to be foremost in the State. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 \Wiih a slight smile.] 'Tis easy to call every 
 one the King's foe who chimes not with the King's 
 will. Methinks he is the King's worst foe who 
 would counsel him against making good his right 
 to the kingship. 
 
 HlKON. 
 
 Who knows ? Were my right alone in question, 
 mayhap I had not paid so dear to prove it ; but 
 higher things are here at stake : my calling and 
 my duty. Deep and warm is the faith within me 
 and 1 blush not to own it that I alone am he 
 who in these times can sway the land to its weal. 
 Kingly birth begets kingly duty 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 There are others here who bear themselves the 
 like fair witness. 
 
 SIGURD RIBBUNG. 
 
 That do I, and with full as good ground. My 
 grandfather was King Magnus Erlingsson 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Ay, if your father, Erling Steinvaeg, was indeed 
 Xing Magnus's son ; but most folk deny it, and 
 in that matter none has yet faced the ordeal.
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 7 
 
 SIGURD RIBBUNG. 
 
 The Ribbungs chose me as king of their own 
 free will, whereas 'twas by threats that Dagfinn the 
 Peasant and other Birchlegs 1 gained for you the 
 name of King. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Ay, so ill had you dealt with Norway that 
 the stock of Sverre had to claim its right with 
 threats. 
 
 GUTHORM INGESSON. 
 
 I am of the stock of Sverre as much as you 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 But not in the true male line. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 You come on the spindle side, Guthorm, 
 
 GUTHORM INGESSON. 
 
 Yet this I know, that my father, Inge Bardsson, 
 was lawfully chosen king of Norway. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Because none knew that Sverre" s grandson waj 
 alive. From the day that became known, he held 
 the kingdom in trust for me not otherwise. 
 
 1 The " Birkebeiner" or Birchlegs were at this period a 
 political faction. They were so called because, at the time of 
 their first appearance, when they seem to have been little more 
 than bandits, they eked out their scanty attire by making them- 
 selves leggings of birch-bark. Norway at this time swarmed 
 with factions, such as the " Bagler" or Croziers (Latin, baculus), 
 so called because Bishop Nicholas was their chief, the Ribbungs, 
 the Slittungs, etc., devoted, for the most part, to one or other of 
 the many Pretenders to the crown.
 
 8 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT 1. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 That cannot truly be said ; Inge was king all his 
 days, with all lawful power and without reserve. 
 'Tis true enough that Guthorm has but little claim, 
 for he was born out of wedlock ; but I am King 
 Inge's lawfully begotten brother, and the law is 
 with me if I claim, and take, hts full inheritance. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 Ah, Sir Earl, of a truth you have taken full 
 inheritance, not of your father's wealth alone, 
 but of all the goods Hakon Sverresson left behind 
 him. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Not all, good Dagfinn. Respect the truth ; 
 King Hakon has kept a brooch and the golden 
 ring he wears on his arm. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Be that as it will ; with God's help I shall win 
 myself wealth again. And now, ye barons and 
 thanes, ye churchmen and chieftains and men-at- 
 arms, now it is time we held the folkmote, as has 
 been agreed. I have sat with bound hands until 
 this day; methinks no man will blame me for 
 longing to have them loosed. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 There are others in like case, Hakon 
 Hakonsson. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [His attention arrested.'] What mean you, Sir 
 Earl?
 
 ACT i.] THE PRETENDERS. 9 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 I mean that all we Pretenders have the same 
 cause for longing. We have all alike been straitly 
 bound, for none of us has known how far his right 
 might reach. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 The Church has been even as unstable as the 
 kingdom; but now must we abide by the sainted 
 King Olaf s law. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 \Halj aloud.~\ Fresh subtleties ! 
 
 [H IKON'S men gather more closely together. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [ With forced calmness, advances a couple of paces 
 towards the EARL.] I would fain think I have not 
 rightly taken your meaning. The ordeal has made 
 good my birthright to the kingdom, and therefore, 
 as I deem, the folkmote has nought to do but to 
 confirm my election, made at the Orething l six 
 years ago. 
 
 SEVERAL OF THE EARL'S AND SIGURD'S MEN. 
 No, no ! That we deny ! 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 'Twas with no such thought that we agreed to 
 hold the folkmote here. The ordeal has not given 
 you the kingdom ; it has but proved your title to 
 come forward to-day, along with the other Pre- 
 tenders here present, and contend for the right 
 you hold to be yours 
 
 1 A "thing," or assembly, held from time to time on the "ore" 
 or foreshore at the mouth of the river Nid, at Trondhiem.
 
 10 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I. 
 
 HiKON. 
 
 [Constraining himself to be culm.~\ That means, 
 in brief, that for six years I have unlawfully borne 
 the name of King, and you. Sir Earl, have for six 
 years unlawfully ruled the land as regent for me. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 In no wise. When my brother died, 'twas 
 needful that some one should bear the kingly title. 
 The Birchlegs,and most of all Dagfinn the Peasant, 
 were active in your cause, and hastened your 
 election through before we others could set forth 
 our claims. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [To HAKON.] The Earl would say that that 
 election gave you but the use of the kingly power, 
 not the right to it. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 You have held all the marks of kingship ; but 
 Sigurd Ribbung and Guthorm Ingesson and I hold 
 ourselves to the full as near inheritors as you ; 
 and now shall the law judge between us, and say 
 whose shall be the inheritance for all time. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 In truth, Earl Skule reads the case aright. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 There has been talk more than once in these 
 years of both ordeal and folkmote ; but something 
 has ever come between. And, Sir Hakon, if you 
 deemed your right for ever fixed by the first 
 election, how came you to accept the ordeal ?
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 11 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [Exasperated.] To your swords, King's men, 
 let them decide! 
 
 MANY OF THE KING'S MEN. 
 
 [Rushing forward.] Down with the King's 
 enemies ! 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Calls to his men.] Slay none ! Wound none ! 
 Only keep them off. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Restraining Ms men.] Up with your blades, all 
 \vho have drawn them ! Up with your blades, I 
 say ! [Calmly.] You make things tenfold worse 
 for me by such doings. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Even so are men flying at each other's throats 
 all the country over. You see now, Hakon 
 Hakonsson ; does not this show clearly what you 
 have to do, if you care aught for the country's 
 peace and the lives of men ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [After some reflection.] Yes I see it. [Takes 
 INGA by the hand and turns to one of those standing 
 by him.] Torkell, you were a trusty man in my 
 father's guard ; take this woman to your own 
 abode and see you tend her well ; she was very 
 dear to Hakon Sverresson. God bless you, my 
 mother, now I must gird me for the folkmote. 
 [!NGA presses his hand, and goes with TORKELL. 
 HAKON is silent awhile, then steps forward and says 
 with emphasis :] The law shall decide, and it alone. 
 Ye Birchlegs who, at the Orething, took me for
 
 12 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I. 
 
 your King, I free you from the oath ye sware to 
 me. You, Dagfiim, are no longer my marshal ; I 
 will not appear with marshal or with guard, 1 with 
 vassals or with henchmen. 1 am a poor man ; all 
 my inheritance is a brooch and this gold ring ; 
 these are scant goods wherewith to reward so 
 many good men's service. Now, ye other Pre- 
 tenders, now we stand equal ; I will have no 
 advantage of you, save the right which I have 
 from above that I neither can nor will share witli 
 any one. Let the assembly-call be, sounded, and 
 viien let God and the Holy King Olaf s law decide. 
 [Goes out with Ms men to the left ; blasts 
 of trumpets and horns are heard in the 
 distance. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 [To the EARL, as the crowd is departing.] Me- 
 thought you seemed afraid during the ordeal, and 
 now you look so glad and of good cheer. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Well at ease.] Marked you that he had Sverre's 
 eyes as he spoke ? Whether he or I be chosen 
 king, the choice will be good. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 [Uneasily] But do not you give way. Think 
 of all who stand or fall with your cause. 
 
 1 The word hird is very difficult to render. It meant some- 
 thing between "court,' "household," and "guard." I have 
 never translated it "court," as that word seemed to convey an 
 idea of peaceful civilisation foreign to the country and period ; 
 but I have used either " guard " or " household " as the context 
 seemed to demand. Hirdmand I have generally rendered 
 "man-at-arms.'' Lendermand I have represented by " baron "; 
 lagmand and sysselmand by "thane"; and stallare by 
 " marshal" all mere rough approximations.
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 13 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 I stand now upon justice; I no longer fear to 
 call upon Saint Olaf. 
 
 [Goes out to the left with his followers. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Hastening after DAGFINN THE PEASANT.] All 
 goes well, good Dagfinn, all goes well ; but keep 
 the Earl far from the King when he is chosen; 
 see you keep them far apart ! 
 
 [All go out to the left, behind the church. 
 
 A hall in the Palace. In front, on the left, is a low 
 window ; on the right, the entrance-door ; at the 
 back, a larger door which leads into the King's 
 Hall. By the window, a table ; chairs and 
 benches stand about. 
 
 LA^Y RAGNHILD and MARGRETE enter by the smaller 
 door; SIGRID follows immediately. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 In here ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Ay, here it is darkest. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 [Goes to the window.} And here we can look 
 down upon the mote-stead. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Looks out cautiously.'] Ay, there they are, all 
 gathered behind the church. [Turns, in tears.} 
 Yonder must now betide what will bring so much 
 in its train.
 
 14 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT L 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 Who will be master in this hall to-morrow? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Oh, hush ! So heavy a day I had never thought 
 to see. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 It had to be ; to rule in another's name was no 
 full work for him. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Ay, it had to be ; he could never rest content 
 with but the name of king. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 Of whom speak you ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Of Hakon. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 I spoke of the Earl. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 There breathe not nobler men than they two. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 See you Sigurd Ribbung ? With what a look 
 of evil cunning he sits there like a wolf in chains. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Ay, see ! He folds his hands before him on his 
 sword-hilt and rests his chin upon them. 
 
 LADY R\GNHILD. 
 H bites his beard and laughs
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 15 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 'Tis an evil laugh. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 He knows that none will further his cause ; 
 'tis that which makes him wroth, Who is 
 yonder thane that speaks now ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 That is Gunnar Grionbak. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 Is he for the Earl ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 No, he is for the King 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 [Looking at her.] For whom say you ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 For Hakon Hakonsson. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 [Looks out; after a short pause.'] Where sits 
 Guthorm Ingesson ? 1 see him not. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Behind his men, lowest of all there in a long 
 mantle 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 Ay, there. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 He looks as though he were ashamed
 
 16 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 That is for his mother's sake. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 So looked not Hakon. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Who speaks now ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Looting out.] Tord Skolle, the thane of 
 Ranafylke. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 Is he for the Earl ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 No for Hakon. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 How motionless the Earl sits listening ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Hakon seems thoughtful but strong none the 
 less. \_Wilh animation.} If there came a traveller 
 from afar, he could pick out those two amongst all 
 the thousand others. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 See, Margrete ! Dagfinn the Peasant drags 
 forth a gilded chair for Hakon 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Paul Flida places one like it behind the 
 
 Earl 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 Hakon's men seek to hinder it !
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 17 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 The Earl holds fast to the chair ! 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Hakon speaks wrathfully to him. [Starts back, 
 with a cry, from the window.] Lord Jesus! Saw 
 
 you his eyes and his smile ! No, that was 
 
 not the Earl ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [JVho has followed her in terror.] 'Twas not 
 Hakon either ! Neither one nor the other ! 
 
 SIGRID. 
 [At the window.] Oh pitiful ! Oh pitiful ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Sigrid ! 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 You here ! 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 Goes the path so low that leads up to the 
 throne ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Oh, pray with us, that all be guided for the 
 best. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 [While and horror-stricken, to SIGRID.] Saw yon 
 
 him ? Saw you my husband ? His eyes 
 
 and his smile 1 should not have known him ! 
 
 SIGRID. 
 Looked he like Sigurd Ribbung? 
 
 LADY RAGMIILD. 
 [Softly.] Ay, he looked like Sigurd Ribbung,
 
 18 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I. 
 
 SlGRID. 
 
 Laughed he like Sigurd ? 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 Ay, ay ! 
 
 SlGRID. 
 
 Then must we all pray. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 [With the force of despair.] The Earl must be 
 chosen King ! 'Twill work ruin in his soul if he 
 be not the first man in the land ! 
 
 SlGRID. 
 
 [More loudly.] Then must we all pray ! 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Hist! What is that? [At the window.] What 
 shouts ! All the men have risen ; all the banners 
 and standards wave in the wind. 
 
 SlGRID. 
 
 [Seizes her by the ann.] Pray, woman ! Pray 
 for your husband ! 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Ay, Holy King Olaf, give him all the power in 
 this land ! 
 
 SlGRID. 
 
 [Wildly.] None none ! Else is he lost ! 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 He must have the power. All the good in him 
 will grow and blossom should he win it. Look
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 19 
 
 forth, Margrete ! Listen ! [Starts back a step.] 
 All hands are lifted for an oath ! 
 
 [MARGRETE listens at the window. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 God and St. Olaf, to whom do they swear ? 
 
 SIGRID. 
 Pray! 
 
 [MARGRETE listens, and with uplifted hand 
 motions for silence. 
 
 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 
 Hakon Hakonsson king. 
 
 [The music of the royal procession is heard, 
 first in the distance and then nearer and 
 nearer. LADY RAGNHILD clings weeping 
 to SIGRID, who leads her quietly out on the 
 right; MARGRETE remains immovable, 
 leaning against the window-frame. The 
 KING'S attendants open the great doors, 
 disclosing the interior of the Hall, which 
 is gradually filled by the procession from 
 the mote-stead. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [In the doorway, turning to IVAR BODDE.] Bring
 
 20 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I. 
 
 me 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 ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 I thank you. [Looks at her and lakes 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [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 1 when 
 they burnt the town with so great a slaughter, 
 while King Inge himself barely saved his life by 
 climbing on shipboard up the anchor-cable. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Your youth has been a hard one. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Looking steadily at her.] Methinks you might 
 have made it easier. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 I? 
 
 > See note, p. 125.
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 21 
 
 HlKON. 
 
 You might have been so good a foster-sister to 
 me, through all the years when we were growing 
 up togethev. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 But it fell out otherwise. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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 BODDE comes with the writing materials.] 
 Are you there ? Give me the things ! 
 
 [HAKON seats himself at the table and 
 writes. A little while after, EARL SKULE 
 comes in ; then DAGFINN THE PEASANT, 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS and VEGARD 
 
 V..ERADAL. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Looks up and lays down his pen.] Know you, Sir 
 Earl, what I am writing here ? [The EARL 
 approaches.] 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 ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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 alone
 
 22 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I. 
 
 he must neither be led run 1 lured. There is so 
 much to be mended in Norway. 
 
 [Goes on writing. 
 
 VEGARD V^RADAL. 
 
 [SoJUy to BISHOP NICHOLAS.] 'Tis by my counsel 
 he deals thus with Inga, his mother. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 I knew your hand in it at once. 
 
 VEGARD V.ERADAL. 
 But now one good turn deserves another. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Wait. I will keep my promise. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Gives the parchment to IVAR 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 " ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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.
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 23 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 That other ? Ivar Bodde, I cannot. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [Points to the letter for INGA.] Yet you could do 
 that. 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 All things sinful must be put away. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [ Who has drawn near in the meantime.] Bind the 
 Earl's hands, King Hakon. 
 
 HAKON. 
 [In a low voice.] Think you that is needful ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 At no cheaper rate can you buy peace in the 
 land. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Then I can do it ! Give me the pen ! 
 
 [Writes. 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [To the BISHOP, who crosses to the right.] You 
 have the King's ear, it would seem.
 
 24 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 For your behoof. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Say you so ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Before nightfall you will thank me. 
 
 [He moves away. 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Hands the EARL the parchment.] Read that, 
 Earl Skule. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Reads, looks in surprise at the KING, and says in a 
 low voice.] You break with Kanga the Young ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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, Hakon. Mine 
 own memory tells me what it must cost. 
 
 HAKON 
 
 Whoever is too dear to the King must away. 
 Tie up the letter. [Gives it to IVAR BODDE. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Bending over the chair.] You have made a 
 gi-eat stride towards the Earl's friendship, my lord 
 King. 
 
 HAKON. 
 [Holds out his hand to him.] I thank you, Bishop
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 25 
 
 Nicholas ; you counselled me for the best. Ask 
 a grace of me, and I will grant it. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Will you ? 
 
 HA RON. 
 
 I promise it on my kingly faith. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Then make Vegard Vaeradal thane of Haloga- 
 laml. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [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 ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Hands him the sheet.] Read. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Reads, and looks steadily at the KING.] Vegard 
 Vaeradal? In Halogaland ?
 
 26 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I 
 
 HlKON. 
 
 The northern part stands vacant. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Bethink you that Andres Skialdarband 1 has also 
 a charge in the north. They two are bitter foes ; 
 Andres Skialdarband is of my following 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Smiling and rising.] And Vegard Vaeradal 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, Hakon. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [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 ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 Margrete, will you be my Queen ? 
 
 [MARGRETE is silent, 
 HAKON. 
 [Takes her hand.] Answer me. 
 
 Pronounce Shaldarband.
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETEND"EHS. 27 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 [Softly.] I will gladly be your wife. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Pressing HAKON'S hand.] Peace and friendship 
 from my heart ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 I thank you. 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 
 [To DAGFINN.] 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 Dag- 
 finn ever on your guard. 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 
 [To VEGARD.] Now are you thane in Haloga- 
 land; here you have it under the King's hand. 
 
 [Gives him the letter. 
 
 VEGARD V^ERADAL. 
 
 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 V^ERADAL. 
 No one has yet cowed Vegard Vaeradal. [Goes. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Following.] Be as rock and flint to Andres
 
 28 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I, 
 
 Skialdarband,- and, while I think on't, take my 
 blessing with you. 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 
 [Who has been waiting behind the KING with the 
 parchments in his hand.] Here are the letters, my 
 lord. 
 
 HAKON. 
 Good; give them to the Earl. 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 To the Earl ? Will you not seal them ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 The Earl is wont to do that ; he holds the seal. 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 
 [Softly,] Ay, hitherto while he was regent 
 but now .' 
 
 HAKON. 
 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.] Hakon Hakonsson is King and 
 the Earl holds the royal seal ; I like that I like 
 that. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 What says my lord Bishop ?
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 29 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 I say that God and St. Olaf watch over their 
 holy church. [Goes into Ike King's Hall. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Approaching MARGRETE.] A wise queen can 
 do great things in the land : I chose you fearlessly, 
 for I know you are wise. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Only that? 
 
 HAKON. 
 What mean you ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Nothing, my lord, nothing. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 And you will stand ever near me, and give me 
 good counsel ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 I would fain stand near to you. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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
 
 30 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT I. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Ay, she was too dear to you 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Brightly.] Send you away ? That will I never 
 do. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [With tears in her eyes.] No, that Hakon does 
 only to those who are too dear to him. 
 
 [She goes towards the entrance door. H AKON 
 gazes 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 !
 
 ACT I.] THE PRETENDERS. 
 
 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. 
 
 [To IVAR BODDE.] Here are our letters ; bear 
 them to the King's mother and to Kanga. 
 
 [IvAR BODDE bows and goes'. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [In the doonvay of the hall.~\ The Archbishop 
 of Nidaros craves leave to offer King Hakon 
 Hakonsson his homage. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Draws a deep breath.] At last, then, I am King 
 of Norway. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Places the Great Seal in his girdle.] But / rule 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 dais with seats for the ladies. Against 
 the left wall stands the throne, raised some steps 
 above the jloor ; in the centre of the opposite mall 
 is the great entrance door. Banners, standards, 
 shields and weapons, with many-coloured draperies, 
 hang from the wall timbers and from the carvcn 
 rafters. Around the hall stand drinking-tablcs, 
 withjlagons, horns, and beakers. 
 
 KING HAKON sits upon the dais, with MARGRETE, 
 SIGRID, LADY RAGNHILD, and many noble ladies. 
 IVAR BODDE stands 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, and PAUL 
 FLIDA. EARL SKULE and BISHOP NICHOLAS are 
 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.
 
 ACT II ] THE PRETENDERS. S3 
 
 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 to PAUL.] 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.
 
 34 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [To the EARL, under cover of the game.] Hear 
 you what Dagfinn the Peasant says ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 [ Without looking up.~\ I hear. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 [Looking steadily at DAGFINN.] 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 for that : he gave us plenty to 
 do in Viken.
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETKNDERS. 35 
 
 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 llibbung 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 the EARL, 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 the EARL.] 
 I take the pawn, Sir Earl. 1 
 
 1 Bishop Nicholas's speech, " Nu slar jeg bonden, herre jarl," 
 means literally, "Now I strike (or slay) the peasant"; the pawn 
 being called in Norwegian ' ' bonde," peasant, as in German
 
 36 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 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 continue in a 
 low tone ; presently a man comes in and 
 whispers to GREGORIUS 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 x Tamb sends word that the ship now 
 lies ready for sea. 
 
 "Bauer." Thus in this speech and the next the Bishop and the 
 Earl are girding at Dagfinn the Peasant. [Our own word 
 " pawn" comes from the Spanish peon = a foot-soldier or day- 
 labourer.] 
 1 Pronounce Yostein.
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 37 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Softly.] Good. [Takes out a sealed parchment.] 
 Here is the letter. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 [Shaking his head.] Earl, Earl, is this well 
 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. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Leave that to me. Take the letter, and bic 
 Jostein sail forthwith. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 It shall be as you command. 
 
 [Goes out to the right, and presently comes 
 in again.
 
 38 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT n. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [To the EARL.] You have much to see to, it 
 would seem. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 But small thanks for it. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 The King has risen. 
 
 [HAKON comes down; all the men nse from 
 the tables. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [To the BISHOP.] We are rejoiced to see you 
 bear up so bravely and well through all these days 
 of merriment. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 There comes a flicker now and again, my lord 
 King ; but 'twill scarce last long. I have lain 
 sick all the winter through. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Ay, ay, you have lived a strong life, rich in 
 deeds of fame. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Shakes his head.~\ Ah, 'tis little enough I have 
 done, and I have much still left to do. If I but 
 knew whether I should have time for it all ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 The living must take up the tasks of those who 
 go before, honoured lord ; we all have the welfare 
 of the land at heart. [Turns to the EARL.] I 
 marvel much at one thing : that neither of our 
 thanes from Halogaland has come to the bridal.
 
 1CT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 39 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 True ; I doubted not that Andres Skialdarband 
 would be here. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Smiling.] And Vegard Vaeradal too. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Ay, Vegard too. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [I?i jest.] And I trust you would now have 
 received my old friend better than you did seven 
 years ago on Oslo wharf, when you stabbed him 
 in the cheek so that the blade cut its way out. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [With a forced laugh.] Ay, the time that 
 Gunnulf, your mother's brother, cut off the right 
 hand of Sira Eiliv, my best friend and counsellor. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Merrily.] And when Dagfinn the Peasant and 
 the men-at-arms set a strong night-watch on the 
 King's ship, saying that the King was unsafe in 
 the Earl's ward ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 [Seriously.'] Those days are old and forgotten. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [Approaching.] Now may we sound the call to 
 the weapon-sports on the green, if so please you, 
 my lord. 
 
 HAKON. 
 Good. To-day v/ill we give up to nought but
 
 40 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 merriment ; to-morrow we must turn our thoughts 
 again to the Ribbungs and the Earl of Orkney. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Ay, he denies to pay tribute, is it not so ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Were I once well rid of the Ribbungs, I would 
 myself fare westward. 
 
 [HAKON goes towards the dais, gives Ms 
 hand to MARGRETE, and leads her out to 
 the right ; the others gradually follow. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [To IVAR BODDE.] Who is the man called 
 Jostein Tamb ? 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 
 There is a trader from Orkney who bears that 
 name. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 From Orkney ? So, so ! And now he sails 
 home again ? 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 So I think. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Softly.] With a precious freight, Ivar Boclde. 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 Corn and raiment, most like. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 And a letter from Earl Skule. 
 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 [Starting.] To whom ?
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 41 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 I know not; it bore the King's seal 
 
 IvAR BODDE. 
 
 [Seizes kirn by Ike arm.] Lord Bishop, is it as 
 you say ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Hush ! Do not mix me up in the matter. 
 
 [Retires. 
 IVAR BODDE. 
 
 Then must I straightway Dagfinn the 
 
 Peasant ! Dagfinn ! Dagfinn ! 
 
 [Pushes through the crowd towards the door. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [In a tone of commiseration, to GREGORIUS 
 JONSSON.] Never a day but one or another must 
 suffer in goods or freedom. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 Who is it now ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 A poor trader, Jostein Tamb methinks they 
 called him. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 Jostein ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Dagfinn the Peasant would forbid him to set 
 sail. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 Dagfinn, would forbid him, say you ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 He went even now.
 
 42 THE PRETENDERS. ^ACT II. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSONT. 
 Pardon, my lord ; I must make speed- 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Ay, do even so, my dear lord ; Dagfinn the 
 Peasant is so hasty. 
 
 [GREGORIUS JONSSON hastens out to the 
 right along with the remainder of the 
 company ; only EARL SKULE and BISHOP 
 NICHOLAS are left, behind in the hall, 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Walks up and down in deep thought; he seems 
 suddenly to awaken ; looks round him, and says :] 
 How still it has become here of a sudden ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 The King has gone. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 And every one has followed him. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 All, save us. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 It is a great thing to be King. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Tentatively .] Are you fain to try it, Earl ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [With a serious smile .] I have tried it; every 
 night that brings me sleep makes me King of 
 Norway.
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 43 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Dreams forbocle. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Ay, and tempt. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Not you, surely. In bygone clays, that I could 
 understand but now, when you hold a third part 
 of the kingdom, rule as the first man in the land, 
 and are the Queen's father 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Now most of all now most of all. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Hide nothing! Confess ; for verily I can see a 
 great pain is gnawing you. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Now most of all, I say. This is the great 
 curse that lies upon my whole life : to stand so 
 near to the highest, with an abyss between. One 
 leap, and on the other side are the kingship, and 
 the purple robe, the throne, the might, and all ! 
 I have it daily before my eyes but can never 
 reach it. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 True, Earl, true. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 When they made Guthorm Sigurdsson king, I 
 was in the full strength of my youth ; It was 
 as though a voice cried aloud within me : Away 
 with the child, I am the man, the strong man !
 
 '44 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II 
 
 But Guthorm was the king's son; there yawned 
 an abyss between me and the throne. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 And you dared not venture 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Then Erling Steinvaeg was chosen by the 
 Slittungs. The voice cried within me again : 
 Skule is a greater chieftain than Erling Steinvaeg ! 
 But I must needs have broken with the Birch- 
 legs, that was the abyss that time. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 And Erling became king of the Slittungs, and 
 ifter of the Ribbungs, and still you waited ! 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 I waited for Guthorm to die. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 And Guthorm died, and Inge Bardsson, your 
 brother, became king. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Then I waited for my brother's death. He was 
 sickly from the first ; every morning, when we met 
 at holy mass, I would cast stolen glances to see 
 whether his sickness increased. Every twitch of 
 pain that crossed his face was as a puff of wind in 
 my sails, and bore me nearer to the throne. 
 Every sigh he breathed in his agony sounded to 
 me like an echoing trumpet-blast, like a herald 
 from afar, proclaiming that the throne should soon 
 be mine. Thus I tore up by the roots every
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 45 
 
 thought of brotherly kindness; and Inge died, 
 and Hakon came and the Birchlegs made him 
 king. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 And you waited. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Methought help must come from above. I felt 
 the kingly strength within me, and I was grow- 
 ing old ; every day that passed was a day taken 
 from my life-work. Each evening I thought : 
 To-morrow will come the miracle that shall strike 
 him down and set me in the empty seat. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Small was then Hakon's power ; he was no 
 more than a child ; it wanted but a single step 
 from you yet you took it not. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 That step was hard to take ; it would have 
 parted me from my kindred and from all my 
 friends. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Ay, there is the rub, Earl Skule, that is the 
 curse which has lain upon your life. You would 
 fain know every way open at need, you dare not 
 break all your bridges and keep only one, defend 
 it alone, and on it conquer or fall. You lay snares 
 for your foe, you set traps for his feet, and hang 
 sharp swords over his head ; you strew poison in 
 every dish, and you spread a hundred nets for 
 him ; but when he walks into your toils you dare 
 not draw the string ; if he stretch out his hand 
 for the poison, you think it safer he should fall by
 
 46 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 the sword ; if he is like to be caught in the 
 morning, you hold it wiser to wait till eventide. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Looking earnestly at him.] And what would 
 you do, my lord Bishop ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Speak not of me ; my work is to build up 
 thrones in this land, not to sit on them and rule. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [After a short pause.] Answer me one thing, 
 my honoured lord, and answer me truly. How 
 comes it that Hakon can follow the straight 
 path so unflinchingly ? He is no wiser, no bolder 
 than I. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Who does the greatest work in this world ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 The greatest man. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 But who is the greatest man ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 The bravest. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 So says the warrior. A priest would say : the 
 man of greatest faith, a philosopher : the most 
 learned. But it is none of these, Earl Sl<ule. The 
 most fortunate man 1 is the greatest man. It is 
 
 Den lykkeligste mand. The word lykke means not only luck 
 or fortune, but happiness. To render lykkeligste completely, we 
 should require a word in which the ideas "fortunate" and 
 " happy " should be blent.
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 47 
 
 the most fortunate man that does the greatest 
 deeds he whom the cravings of his time seize 
 like a passion, begetting thoughts he himself 
 cannot fathom, and pointing to paths which lead 
 he knows not whither, but which he follows and 
 must follow till he hears the people shout for joy, 
 and, looking around him with wondering eye* 
 finds that he has done a mighty deed. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Ay, there is that unswerving confidence in 
 Hakon. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 It is that which the Romans called mgenium. 
 Truly I am not strong in Latin ; but 'twas called 
 ingenium. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Thoughtfully at Jirst, afterwards in increasing 
 excitement.] Is Hakon made of othe"r clay than 
 mine ? The fortunate man ? Ay, does not every- 
 thing thrive with him ? Does not everything 
 shape itself for the best, when he is concerned ? 
 Even the peasants note it ; they say the trees bear 
 fruit twice, and the fowls hatch out two broods 
 every summer, whilst Hakon is king. Vermeland, 
 where he burned and harried, stands smiling with 
 its houses built afresh, and its cornlands bending 
 heavy-eared before the breeze. 'Tis as though 
 blood and ashes fertilised the land where Hakon's 
 armies pass ; 'tis as though the Lord clothed with 
 double verdure what Hakon has trampled down ; 
 'tis as though the holy powers made haste to blot 
 out all evil in his track. And how easy has been 
 his path to the throne ! He needed that Inge 
 should die early, and Inge died : his youth needed
 
 48 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 to be watched and warded, and his men kept 
 watcli and ward around him ; he needed the 
 ordeal, and his mother arose and bore the iron for 
 him. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [With an involuntary outburst.] But we we 
 
 two ! 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 We? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 You, I would say what of you ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 The right is Hakon's, Bishop. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 The right is his, for he is the fortunate one ; 
 'tis even the summit of fortune, to have the 
 right. But by what right has Hakon the right, 
 and not you ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [After a short pause.] There are things I pray 
 God to save me from thinking upon. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Saw you never an old picture in Christ's Church 
 at Nidai'os ? Itshows the Deluge rising and rising 
 over all the hills, so that there is but one single 
 peak left above the waters. Up it clambers a 
 whole household, father and mother and son and 
 son's wife and children ; and the son is hurling the 
 father back into the flood to gain better footing ; 
 and he will cast his mother down and his wife and 
 all his children, to win to the top himself; for up 
 there he sees a handsbreadth of ground, where he
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 49 
 
 may keep life in him for an hour. That, Earl, 
 that is the saga of wisdom, and the saga of every 
 A'ise man. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 But the right ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 The son had the right. He had strength, and 
 the craving for life ; fulfil your cravings and use 
 your strength : so much right has every man. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Ay, for that which is good. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Words, empty words ! There is neither good 
 nor evil, up nor down, high nor low. You must 
 forget such words, else will you never take the 
 last stride, never leap the abyss. [/ a subdued 
 voice and insistently.] You must not hate a 
 party or a cause for that the party or the cause 
 would have this and not that; but you must 
 hate every man of a party for that he is against 
 you, and you must hate all who gather round a 
 cause, for that the cause clashes with your will. 
 Whatever is helpful to you, is good whatever 
 lays stumbling-blocks in your path is evil. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Gazing thoughtfully before him.] What has 
 that throne not cost me, which yet I have not 
 reached ! And what has it cost s Hakon, who 
 now sits in it so securely ! I was young, and I 
 forswore my sweet secret love to ally myself 
 with a powerful house. I prayed to the saints
 
 50 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 that I might be blessed with a son I got only 
 daughters. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Hakon will have sons, Earl mark that ! 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Crossing to the window on the right.] Ay all 
 things fall out to Hakon's wish. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 And you will you suffer yourself to be outlawed 
 from happiness all your life through ? Are you 
 blind ? See you not that it is a stronger might 
 than the Birchlegs that stands at Hakon's back, 
 and furthers all his life-work ? He has help from 
 above, from from those that are against you 
 from those that have been your enemies, even from 
 your birth ! And will you bow before these your 
 enemies ? Rouse you, man; straighten your 
 back ! To what end got you your masterful soul ? 
 Bethink you that the first great deed in all the 
 world was done by one who rose against a mighty 
 realm ! 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Who? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 The angel who rose against the light ! 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 And was hurled into the bottomless pit 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Wildly.'] And founded there a kingdom, 
 and made himself a king, a mighty king
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 51 
 
 mightier than any of the ten thousand earls up 
 yonder ! [Sinks down upon a bench beside the table. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Looks long at him.'] Bishop Nicholas, are you 
 something more or something less than a man ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Smiling.] I am in the state of innocence : I 
 know not good from evil. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Half to himself.] Why did they send me into 
 the world, if they meant not to order it better for 
 me ? Hakon has so firm and unswerving a faith 
 in himself all his men have so firm and unswerving 
 a faith in him 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Let it not be seen that you have no such faith 
 in yourself ! Speak as though you had it, swear 
 great oaths that you have it and all will believe 
 you. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Had I a son ! Had I but a son, to take all the 
 great heritage after me ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Eagerly.] Earl if you had a son ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 I have none. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Hakon will have sons.
 
 52 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 EARL SKULE 
 [Wringing his hands.] And is king-born ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Rising.] Earl if he were not so ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Has he not proved it ? The ordeal 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 And if he were not in spite of the ordeal ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Do you say that God lied in the issue of the 
 ordeal ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 What was it Inga of Varteig called upon God to 
 witness ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 That the child she bore in the eastland, in 
 Borgasyssel, was the son of Hakon Sverresson. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Nods, looks round, and says softly.] And if King 
 Hakon were not that child ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Starts a step backwards.] Great God ! 
 
 [Controls himself.] It is beyond belief. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Hearken to me, Earl Skule. I have lived 
 seventy years and six ; it begins to go sharply 
 downhill with me now, and I dare not take this 
 secret with me over yonder
 
 ACT II.J THE PRETENDERS. 53 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Speak, speak ! Is he not the son of Hakon 
 Sverresson ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Hear me. It was known to none that Inga wat 
 with child. Hakon Sverresson was lately dead, 
 and doubtless she feared Inge Bardsson, who was 
 then king, and you, and well, and the Baglers l 
 too mayhap. She was brought to bed secretly in 
 the house of Trond the Priest, in Heggen parish, 
 and after nine days she departed homewards ; but 
 the child remained a whole year with the priest, 
 she not daring to look to it, and none knowing 
 that it breathed saved Trond and his two sons. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Ay, ay and then ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 When the child was a year old, it could scarce 
 be kept hidden longer. So Inga made the matter 
 known to Erlend of Huseby an old Birchleg of 
 Sverre's days, as you know. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Well? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 He and other chiefs from the Uplands took the 
 child, bore it over the mountains in midwinter, 
 and brought it to the King, who was then at 
 Nidaros. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 And yet you can say that ? 
 
 1 See note, p. 125.
 
 54 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Needless to say, 'twas a dangerous task for a 
 humble priest to rear a king's child. So soon as 
 the child was born, he laid the matter before 
 one of his superiors in the church, and prayed for 
 his counsel. This his superior bade Trond send 
 the true king's son with secrecy to a place of 
 safety, and give Inga another, if she or the 
 Birchlegs should afterwards ask for her child. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Indignantly.] And who was the hound that 
 gave that counsel ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 It was I. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 You ? Ay, you have ever hated the race of 
 Sverre. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 I deemed it not safe for the king's son to fall 
 into your hands. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 But the priest ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Promised to do as I bade. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Seizing him by the arm.] And Hakon is the 
 other child ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 If Ike priast kept his promise.
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 55 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 If he kept it? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS 
 
 Trond the Priest departed the land the same 
 winter that the child was brought to King Inge. 
 He journeyed to Thomas Beckett's grave, and 
 afterwards abode in England till his death. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 He departed the land, say you ? Then must 
 he have changed the children and dreaded the 
 vengeance of the Birchlegs. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Or he did not change the children, and dreaded 
 my vengeance. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Which surmise hold you for the truth ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Either may well be true. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 But the priest's sons of whom you spoke ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 They went with the crusaders to the Holy 
 Land. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 And there have since been no tidings of them ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Ay, tidings there have been
 
 56 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Where are they ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 They were drowned in the Greek Sea on the 
 journey forth. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 And Inga ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Knows nought, either of the priest's confession 
 or of my counsel. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Her child was but nine days old when she left 
 it, you said ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Ay, and the child she next saw was over a 
 
 year 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Then no living creature can here bring light ! 
 [Paces rapidly to and /ro.] Almighty God, can 
 this be true ? Hakon the King he who holds 
 sway over all this land, not born of royal blood ! 
 And why should it not be like enough ? Has not 
 all fortune miraculously followed him ? Why not 
 this also, to be taken as a child from a poor 
 cottar's hut and laid in a king's cradle ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Whilst the whole people believes that he is the 
 
 king's son 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Whilst he himself believes it, Bishop that 
 is the heart of his fortune, that is the girdle of
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 57 
 
 strength ! [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 Ike BISHOP.] 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. 
 Hakon speaks gently to her; she turns red and 
 white Avith 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; Hakon 
 has fortune with him. She will shed light over 
 
 his life [Stops, and cries out in wonder.] What 
 
 is this? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 What ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 Dagfinn the Peasant bursts violently through 
 the crowd. Now he is giving the King some 
 tidings.
 
 58 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IL 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Looking out from behind the EARL.] Hakon 
 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 Hakon's right. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 One means, you say ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Trond the Priest, ere he died, wrote a letter 
 telling his whole ttile, 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 
 doorJ\ Hush ! here comes the King. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 The letter, Bishop the letter ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 The K ng is here.
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 59 
 
 [HAKON enters, followed by his Guard and many 
 guests. Immediately afterwards, MARGRETE 
 appears ; she seems anxious and alarmed, and is 
 about to rush up to the King, when she is restrained 
 by LADY RAGNHILD, who, with other ladies, has 
 followed her. SIGRID stands somewhat apart, 
 towards the back. The EARL'S men appear uneasy, 
 and gather in a group on the right, where SKULE 
 is standing, but some way behind him. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [In strong but repressed excitement.] Earl Skule, 
 who is king in this land ? 
 
 EARL SKULK. 
 Who is king ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 So should it be ; but is it so ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Do you summon me to judgment? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 That do I ; for that right I have toward every 
 man in the land. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 I fear not to answer for my dealings.
 
 60 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Well for us all if you can. [Mounts a step oj 
 throne-dais, 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 That he denies to pay me tribute ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Yes. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Ay, in the days of your regency.
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 6l 
 
 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. 
 
 HA RON. 
 
 Twas our will to deal with him ourself. And 
 what answer made you ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Read my letter. 
 
 HiKON. 
 
 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 to GREGORIUS JONSSON.] Sir Baron, give 
 the King the letter. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 [Coming close to him, uneasily.] Hearken 
 
 Earl ! 
 
 EARL SKULE, 
 What now ?
 
 62 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 I await the letter, Sir Earl. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 I cannot give it you. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 You cannot ! 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 [Advancing a step towards the KING.] My pride
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 63 
 
 brooks not to be put to shifts, as you and your 
 men would call it 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Controlling his rising wrath.] And so ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 In one word I will not give it you ! 
 
 HiKON. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Coldly, to the EARL.] You will hand the Great 
 Seal to Ivar Bodde. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Rushes with clasped hands towards the dais, where 
 the KING is standing.] Hakon, be a kind and 
 gracious husband to me ! 
 
 [HAKON makes an imperative gesture towards 
 her; she hides her face in her veil, and 
 goes up towards her mother again. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 [To IVAR BODDE.] Here is the Great Seal.
 
 64 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 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, where- 
 soever 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 J
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 65 
 
 IVAR BoDDE. 
 
 God forbid that I should stand between the 
 King and so many mighty chieftains. Hakon, 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Who has come down from the da'is.] 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 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 the KING'S hand.] Farewell, my 
 noble master ! God bless and prosper you in all 
 your work ! 
 
 [Goes out through the crowd, to the right. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Gloomily, to the EARL and his men.] There have 
 I lost a trusty friend for your sakes; what requital 
 can you offer to make good that loss ?
 
 66 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 I offer myself and all my friends. 
 
 HA RON. 
 
 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 ; Vegarcl Vaeradal must 
 be recalled. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [Who has been standing somewhat toward* the back, 
 in conversation with a man in travelling dress who has 
 entered the half, approaches and says with emotion ;] 
 Vegard cannot come, my lord. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 How know you that ? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 I have even now had tidings of him. 
 
 HAKON. 
 What tidings? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 That Vegard Vaeradal is slain. 
 
 MANY VOICES. 
 Slain ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 Who slew him ? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Andres Skialdarband, the Earl's friend. 
 
 \_A short pause ; uneasy whispers pass among 
 the men.
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 67 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Where is the messenger ? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [Leading the man forward.] Here, my lord King. 
 
 HAKON. 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 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 Vaeradal. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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. Sir
 
 68 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 Earl, 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 - 
 
 [Expectantly.] Well ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 But not on Andres Skialdarband. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Flashing out.] Will you shield the murderer ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 This murderer I must shield. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 And the reason ? 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 That none but God in heaven may know 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Softly, to DAOFINN.] I know it. 
 
 DAGFINN, 
 And I suspect it. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Say nought, good Dagfinn !
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 69 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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 ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 So be it; none the less shall the deed be avenged. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 It shall not be ! It cannot be ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Nay, there the Earl is right. 
 
 HAKON. 
 Say you so, my honoured lord ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Andres Skialdarband has taken the Cross. 
 
 HAKON AND EARL SKULE. 
 Taken the Cross ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 And has already sailed from the land.
 
 70 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IL 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 Tis well for all of us ! 
 
 HlKON. 
 
 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 r 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 That is my intent. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 Good ; then come with me. 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 Now is our kindred spread far abroad. [Kneels 
 to HAKON.] Grant me a grace, my lord King. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 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.
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 71 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 You, my sister ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 You will enter a nunnery ! 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 [Rising.] Since my wedding-night of blood, 
 when the Baglers came and hewed down my bride- 
 groom, and many hundreds with him, and fired 
 Nidarcs 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. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Shaken.'] Is it prophecy or soul-sickness that 
 speaks thus ? 
 
 SIGRID. 
 Farewell, my brother we shall meet once more. 
 
 EARL SRULE. 
 [Involuntarily.] When ?
 
 72 THE PRETENDERS. [.ACT II. 
 
 SlGRID. 
 
 [Softly.] When you take the crown ; in the hour 
 of danger, when you are fain of me Jr your direst 
 need. 
 
 [Goes out to the right, with MARGRETE, LADY 
 RAGNHILD, and the women. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [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. 
 
 settled purpose ? 
 not so ! 
 
 [Vehemently.] Is this your settlei 
 [Almost imploringly.] King Hakon, do 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 No Earl's man shall leave Bergen ere he has 
 sworn fealty to the King. 
 
 [Goes out with his Guard. All except the 
 EARL and the BISHOP follow him. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 He has dealt hardly with you to-day ! 
 
 [EARL SKULE is silent, and looks out after the 
 KING, as though struck dumb. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [More loudly.] And mayhap not king-born after 
 all. 
 
 EARL SKULE. 
 
 [Turns suddenly, in strong excitement, and seises the 
 BISHOP by the arm.] Trond the Priest's confession 
 where is it ?
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 73 
 
 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 Hakon, 
 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 humble-
 
 74 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT II. 
 
 ness, 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
 
 ACT II.] THE PRETENDERS. 75 
 
 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 ! [Goes out to the right. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Loeks out after him, nods slowly, and says :] Ay 
 ay 'tis in this mood 1 like the Earl !
 
 ACT THIRD. 
 
 A room in the Bishop's Palace at Oslo. 1 On the right 
 is the entrance door. In the back, a small door, 
 standing open, leads into the Chapel, which ts 
 lighted up. A curtained door in the left wall leads 
 into the Bishop's sleeping room. In front, on the 
 same side, stands a cushioned couch. Opposite, 
 on the nght, is a writing-table, with letters, docu- 
 ments, and a lighted lamp. 
 
 At first the room is empty ; behind the curtain on the 
 left, the singing of monks is heard. Present! if 
 PAUL FLIDA, in travelling dress, enters from the 
 right, stops by the door, waits, looks around, and 
 then knocks three limes with his staff upon the 
 Jioor. 
 
 SlRA VlLIAM. 
 
 [Comes out from the left, and exclaims in a hushed 
 voice.] Paul Flida ! God be praised ; then the 
 Earl is not far off. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 The ships are already at Hoved-isle ; I came on 
 ahead. And how goes it with the Bishop ? 
 
 SlRA VlLIAM, 
 
 He is even now receiving the Extreme 
 Unction. 
 
 1 An ancient city close to the present Christiania.
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 77 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 Then there is great danger. 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 
 Master Sigard of Brabant has said that he can 
 not outlive the night. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. * 
 Then meseems he has summoned us too late. 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 
 Nay, nay, he has his full senses and some 
 strength to boot ; every moment he asks if the 
 Earl comes not soon. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 You still call him Earl ; know you not that the 
 King has granted him the title of Duke ? 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 
 Ay, ay, we know it; 'tis but old custom. Hist ! 
 [He and PAUL FLIDA cross themselves and 
 bow their heads. From the BISHOP'S door 
 issue two acolytes with candles, then two 
 more with censers ; then priests bearing 
 chalice, paten, and crucifix, and a church 
 banner ; behind them a file of priests and 
 monks ; acolytes with candles and censers 
 close the procession, which passes slowly 
 into the chapel. The door is shut behind 
 them. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 So now the old lord has made up his account 
 v/ith the world.
 
 78 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 SlRA VlLIAM. 
 
 I can tell him that Duke Skule comes so soon 
 as may be ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 He comes straight from the wharf up here to 
 
 the Palace. Farewell ! [Goes. 
 
 [Several priests, among them PETER, with 
 
 some of the BISHOP'S servants, come out 
 
 from the left rvith rugs, cushions, and a 
 
 large brazier, 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 Why do you this ? 
 
 A PRIEST. 
 
 [Arranging Ike couch.] The Bishop wills to lie 
 out here. 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 But is it prudent ? 
 
 THE PRIEST. 
 
 Master Sigard thinks we may humour him. 
 Here he is. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS enters, supported by MASTER SIGARD 
 and a priest. He is in his canonicals, but without 
 crozier and mitre. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Light more candles. [He is led to a svat upon 
 the couch, near the brazier, and is covered rvith rugs. ] 
 Viliam ! Now have I been granted forgiveness 
 for all my sins ! They took them all away with 
 them ; meseems I am so light now.
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 79 
 
 SlRA VlLIAM. 
 
 The Duke sends you greeting, my lord ; he has 
 already passed Hoved-isle! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Tis well, very well. Belike the King, too, 
 will soon be here. I have been a sinful hound in 
 my day, Viliam; I have grievously trespassed 
 against the King. The priests in there averred 
 that all my sins should be forgiven me ; well 
 well, it may be so; but 'tis easy for them to 
 promise ; 'tis not against them that I have tres- 
 passed. No no; it is safest to have it from the 
 King's own mouth. [Exclaims impatiently.] Light, 
 I say ! 'tis so dark in here. 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 The candles are lighted 
 
 MASTER SIGARD. 
 
 [Slops him by a sign, and approaches the BISHOP.] 
 How goes it with you, my lord ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 So-so so-so ; my hands and feet are cold. 
 
 MASTER SIGARD. 
 
 [Half aloud, as he moves the brazier nearer.] Ha 
 'tis the beginning of the end^ 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Apprehensively, to VILIAM. J . I have commanded 
 that eight monks shall chant and pray for me in
 
 80 THE PRETENDERS. [,\CT III. 
 
 the chapel to-night. Have an eye to them ; there 
 
 are idle fellows among them. 
 
 [SiRA VILIAM points silently towards the 
 chapel, whence singing is heard, which 
 continues during what follows. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 So much still undone, and to go and leave it 
 all ! So much undone, Viliam ! 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 My lord, think of heavenly things ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 I have time before me ; till well on in the 
 morning, Master Sigard thinks 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 My lord, my lord ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Give me mitre and crozier ! 'Tis very well for 
 
 you to say that I should think \A priest 
 
 brings them.] So, set the cap there, 'tis too 
 heavy for me ; give me the crozier in my hand ; 
 
 there, now am I in my armour. A bishop ! 
 
 The Evil One dare not grapple with me now ! 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 Desire you aught beside ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 No. Stay tell me: Peter, Andres Skialdar- 
 band's son, all speak well of him
 
 ACT III.J THE PRETENDERS. 81 
 
 SlRA VlLIAM. 
 
 Iii truth, his is a blameless soul. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Peter, you shall watch beside me until the 
 King or the Duke shall come. Leave us, mean- 
 while, ye others, but be at hand. 
 
 [ALL except PETER go out on the right. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [After a short pause.] Peter ! 
 
 PETER. 
 
 [Approaches.] My lord ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Hast ever seen old men die ? 
 
 PETER. 
 No. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 They are all afeard ; that I dare swear. There 
 on the table lies a large letter with seals to it ; 
 give it to me. [PETER brings the lelter.] Tis to 
 your mother. 
 
 PETER. 
 To my mother? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 You must get you northward with it to Halo- 
 galand. I have written to her touching a great 
 and weighty matter ; tidings have come from your 
 father. 
 
 PETER. k 
 He is fighting as a soldier of God in the Holy
 
 82 THE PRETENDERS. TACT III. 
 
 Land. Should he fall there, he falls on hallowed 
 ground; for there every foot's-breadth of earth 
 is sacred. I commend him to God in all my 
 prayers. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Is Andres Skialdarband dear to you ? 
 
 PETER. 
 
 He is an honourable man ; but there lives 
 another man whose greatness my mother, as it 
 were, fostered and nourished me withal. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Hurriedly and eagerly.] Is that Duke Skule ? 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Ay, the Duke Skule Bardsson. My mother 
 knew him in younger days. The Duke must sure 
 be the greatest man in the land ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 There is the letter ; get you northward with it 
 forthwith ! Are they not singing in there ? 
 
 PETER. 
 They are, my lord ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Eight lusty fellows with throats like trumpets, 
 they must surely help somewhat, methinks. 
 
 PETER. 
 My lord, my lord ! Why not pray yourself ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 I have too much still undone, Peter. Life is
 
 ACT III.] TKR PRETENDERS. 83 
 
 all too short; besides, the King will surely for- 
 give me when he comes [Gives a start in pain 
 
 PETER. 
 You are suffering ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 I suffer not ; but there is a ringing in mine ears, 
 a twinkling and flickering before mine eyes 
 
 PETER. 
 
 'Tis the heavenly bells ringing you home, and 
 the twinkling of the altar-lights God's angels 
 have lit for you. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Ay, sure 'tis so ; there is no danger if only 
 they lag not with their prayers in there Fare- 
 well ; set forth at once with the letter. 
 
 PETER. 
 Shall I not first ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Nay, go ; I fear not to be alone. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Well met again, then, what time the heavenly 
 bells shall sound for me too. 
 
 [Goes out on the right. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 The heavenly bells, ay, 'tis easy talking when 
 you still have two stout legs to stand upon. So 
 much undone ! But much will live after me, 
 notwithstanding. I promised the Duke by my 
 soul's salvation to give him Trond the Priest's
 
 84 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 confession if it came into my hand ; 'tis well I 
 have not got it. Had he certainty, he would 
 conquer or fall ; and then one of the twain would 
 be the mightiest man that ever lived in Norway. 
 No no, what / could not reach none other shall 
 reach. Uncertainty serves best; so long as the 
 Duke is burdened with that, they two will waste 
 each other's strength, wheresoever they may ; 
 towns will be burnt, dales will be harried, 
 neither will gain by the other's loss [Terrified.'] 
 Mercy, pity ! It is I who bear the guilt I, who 
 set it all agoing ! [Calming himself.'] Well, well, 
 well ! but now the King is coming 'tis he that 
 suffers most he will forgive me prayers and 
 masses shall be said ; there is no danger ; I am 
 a bishop, and I have never slain any man with 
 mine own hand. 'Tis well that Trond the Priest's 
 confession came not ; the saints are with me, they 
 will not tempt me to break my promise. Who 
 knocks at the door ? It must be the Duke ! 
 [Rubs his hands with gleeJ\ He will implore me for 
 proofs as to the kingship, and I have no proofs 
 to give him .' 
 
 INGA OF VARTEIG enters ; she is dressed in 
 black, with a cloak ami hood. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Starts.] Who is that? 
 
 INGA. 
 
 A woman from Varteig in Borgasyssel, my 
 honoured lord. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 The King's mother !
 
 \CT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 85 
 
 INGA. 
 So was I called once. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Go, go ! Twas not I counselled Hakon to send 
 you away. 
 
 INGA 
 
 What the King does is well done ; 'tis not there- 
 fore I come. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Wherefore then ? 
 
 INGA. 
 
 Gunnulf, my brother, is come home from 
 
 England 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS 
 From England ! 
 
 INGA. 
 
 He has been away these many years, as you 
 know, and has roamed far and wide ; now has he 
 brought home a letter 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Breathlessly.] A letter ? 
 
 INGA. 
 
 From Trond the Priest. Tis for you, my lord. 
 
 [Hands it to him. 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Ah, truly ; and you bring it ? 
 
 INGA. 
 
 It was Trend's wish. I owe him great thanks 
 since the time he fostered Hakon. It was told
 
 86 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 me that you were sick ; therefore I set forth at 
 once ; I have come hither on foot ~ 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 There was no such haste, Inga ! 
 
 DAGFINN THE PEASANT enters from the right. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 God's peace, my honoured lord ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Comes the King ? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 He is now riding down the Ryen hills, with 
 the Queen and the King-child and a great 
 following. 
 
 INGA. 
 
 [Rushes up to DAGFINN.] The King, the King ! 
 Comes he hither? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Inga ! You here, much suffering woman ! 
 
 INGA. 
 
 She is not much-suffering who has so great a 
 son. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Now will his hard heart be melted. 
 
 INGA. 
 
 Not a word to the King of me. Yet, oh, I 
 must see him ! Tell me, comes he hither ? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Ay, presently.
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 8? 
 
 IXGA. 
 
 And it is dark evening. The King will be 
 lighted on his way with torches ? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Yes. 
 
 INGA. 
 
 Then will I hide me in a gateway as he goes 
 by ; and then home to Varteig. But first will 
 I into Hallvard's church ; the lights are burning 
 there to-night ; there will I call down blessings 
 on the King, on my fair son. 
 
 [Goes out to the right. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 I have fulfilled mine errand ; I go to meet the 
 King. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Bear him most loving greeting, good Dagfinn ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [As he goes out to the right.] I would not be 
 Bishop Nicholas to-morrow. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Trond the Priest's confession ! So it has 
 
 come after all here I hold it in my hand [Miises 
 with a Jixed gaze.] A man should never promise 
 aught by his soul's salvation, when he is as old 
 as I. Had I years before me, I could always 
 wriggle free from such a promise ; but this 
 evening, this last evening no, that were im- 
 prudent. But can I keep it ? Is it not to endanger 
 y.ll that I have worked for, my whole life through ? 
 [Whispering.] Oh, could I but cheat the Evil
 
 88 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT HI. 
 
 One, only this one more time ! [Listens.] What 
 was that? [Calls.] Viliam, Viliam ! 
 
 SIIIA VILIAM enters from the rigid. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 What is it that whistles and howls so grimly? 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 "I'is the storm ; it grows fiercer. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 The storm grows fiercer ! Ay truly, I will keep 
 
 my promise ! The storm, say you ? Are they 
 
 singing in there ? 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 Yes, my lord. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Bid them bestir themselves, and chiefly brother 
 Aslak ; he always makes such scant prayers ; he 
 shirks whenever he can ; he skips, the hound ! 
 [Strikes the Jioor with his crazier.] Go in and 
 say to him 'tis the last night I have left ; he shall 
 bestir himself, else will I haunt him from the 
 dead ! 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 
 My lord, shall I not fetch Master Sigard ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Go in, I say ! [VILIAM goes into the chapel.] 
 It must doubtless be heaven's will that I should 
 reconcile the King and the Duke, since it sends 
 me Trend's letter now. This is a hard thing, 
 Nicholas ; to tear down at a single wrench what
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 89 
 
 you have spent your life in building up. But 
 there is no other way ; I must e'en do the will of 
 heaven this time. If I could only read what is 
 written in the letter ! But I cannot see a word ! 
 Mists drive before my eyes ; they sparkle and 
 flicker; and I dare let none other read it for me ! 
 
 To make such a promise ! Is human cunning, 
 
 then, so poor a thing that it cannot govern the 
 outcome of its contrivances in the second and 
 third degree ? I spoke so long and so earnestly 
 to Vegard Vaeradal about making the King send 
 Inga from him, that at length it came to pass. 
 That was wise in the first degree ; but had 1 not 
 counselled thus, then Inga had not now been at 
 Varteig, the letter had not coine into my hands in 
 time, and I had not had any promise to keep 
 therefore 'twas unwise in the second degree. Had 
 
 I yet time before me ! but only the space of 
 
 one night, and scarce even that. I must, I will 
 live longer ! [Knocks with his crosier ; a priest 
 enters from the right.] Bid Master Sigard come ! 
 [ The priest goes ; the BISHOP crushes the letter in 
 his hands.] Here, under this thin seal, lies 
 Norway's saga for a hundred years ! It lies and 
 dreams, like the birdling in the egg ! Oh, that I 
 had more souls than one or else none ! [Presses 
 the letter wildly to his breast.] Oh, were not the 
 end so close upon me, and judgment and doom 
 I would hatch you out into a hawk that should 
 cast the dreadful shadow of his wings overall the 
 land, and strike his sharp talons into every heart ! 
 [With a sudden shudder.] But the last hour is at 
 hand ! [Shrieking.] No, no ! You shall become 
 a swan, a white swan ! [Throivs the letter far from 
 him, on to the floor, and calls:] Master Sigard, 
 Master Sigard !
 
 90 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 MASTER SIGARD. 
 [From Ike right.] How goes it, honoured lord ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Master Sigard sell me three days' life ! 
 
 MASTER SIGARD. 
 1 have told you 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Yes, yes ; but that was in jest ; 'twas a little 
 revenge on me. I have been a tedious master 
 to you ; therefore you thought to scare me. Fie, 
 that was evil, nay, nay 'twas no more than 1 
 deserved ! But, now be good and kind ! I will 
 pay you well ; three days' life, Master Sigard, 
 only three days' life ' 
 
 MASTER SIGARD. 
 
 Though I myself were to die in the same hour as 
 you, yet could I not add three days to your span. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 One day, then, only one day ! Let it be light, 
 let the sun shine when my soul sets forth ! Listen, 
 Sigard ! [Beckons him over, and drags him down 
 upon the couch.] I have given well-nigh all my 
 gold and silver to the Church, to have high 
 masses sung for me. I will take it back again; 
 you shall have it all ! How now, Sigard, shall \\e 
 two fool them in there ? He-he-he ! You will be 
 rich, Sigard, and can depart the country ; I shall 
 have time to cast about me a little, and make 
 shift with fewer prayers. Come, Sigard, shall 
 \ve ! [SiGARD feels his pulse ; the BISHOP
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS 91 
 
 exclaims anxiously :] How now, why answer you 
 not ? 
 
 MASTER SIGAUD. 
 
 [Rising.] I have no time, my lord. I must 
 prepare you a draught that may ease you some- 
 what at the last. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Nay, wait with that! Wait, and answer me ! 
 
 MASTER SIGARO. 
 
 I have no time ; the draught must be ready 
 within an hour. [Goes out to the rio'it. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Within an hour ! [Knocks wildly.'] Viliani ! 
 Viliam ' 
 
 [SiRA VILIAM comes out from the chapfi 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Call more to help in there ! The eight are not 
 enough ! 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 My lord ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 More to help, I say ! Brother Kolbein has lain 
 sick these five weeks, he cannot have sinned 
 much in that time 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 He was at shrift yesterday. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Eagerly.] Ay, he must be good ; call him
 
 92 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 VILIAM goes into the chapel again. J Within an hour ! 
 Dries the sweat off his brow.] Pah how hot it is 
 lere! The miserable hound what boots all his 
 learning, when he cannot add an hour to my life? 
 There sits he in his closet day by day, piecing 
 together his cunning wheels and weights and 
 levers; he thinks to fashion a machine that shall 
 go and go and never stop perpetmtm mobile 
 he calls it. Why not rather turn his art and 
 his skill to making man such a perpeluum mobile? 
 [Stops and thinks; his eyes iight vp.~[ Perpetuum 
 mobile, I am not strong in Latin but it means 
 somewhat that has power to work eternally, 
 through all the ages. If I myself, now, could 
 
 but ? That were a deed to end my life 
 
 withal ! That were to do my greatest deed in my 
 latest hour ! To set wheel and weight and lever 
 at work in the King's soul and the Duke's ; to set 
 them a-going so that no power on earth can stop 
 them ; if I can but do that, then shall I live 
 indeed, live in my work and, when I think of it, 
 mayhap 'tis that which is called immortality. 
 Comfortable, soothing thoughts, how ye do the old 
 man good ! [Draws a deep breath, and stretches 
 himself comfortably upon the couch .] Diabolus lias 
 pressed me hard to-night. That comes of lying idle ; 
 olium est pulvis pulveris pooh, no matter for the 
 
 Latin Diabolus shall no longer have power 
 
 over me ; I will be busy to the last ; I will ; 
 
 how they bellow in yonder [Knocks ; VILIAM 
 
 comes out.] Tell them to hold their peace; they 
 disturb me. The King and the Duke will soon 
 be here ; I have weighty matters to ponder. 
 
 SIIIA VILIAM. 
 My lord, shall 1 then ?
 
 ACT KI.] THE PRETENDERS. 93 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Bid them hold awhile, that I may think in peact 
 Look you, take up yonder letter that lies upon the 
 floor. Good. Reach me the papers here 
 
 SlRA VlLIAM. 
 
 [Goes lo the writing-table.] Which, my lord ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 It matters not ; the sealed ones ; those 
 
 that lie uppermost So ; go now in and bid 
 them be silent. [VlUAll goes.\ To die, and yet 
 rule in Norway ! To die, and yet so contrive 
 things that no man may come to raise his head 
 above the rest. A thousand ways may lead 
 towards that goal ; yet can there be but one that 
 will reach it : and now to find that one to find 
 
 it and follow it Ha ! The way lies so close, so 
 
 close at hand ! Ay, so it must be. 1 will keep 
 my promise ; the Duke shall have the letter in 
 his hands ; but the King he shall have the 
 thorn of doubt in his heart. Hakon is upright, as 
 they call it ; many things will go to wreck in his 
 soul along with the faith in himself and in his 
 right. Both of them shall doubt and believe by 
 turns, still swaying to and fro, and finding no firm 
 ground beneath their feet perpelmnn mobile ! 
 But will Hakon believe what I say? Ay, that will 
 he ; am I not a dying man ? And to prepare the 
 way I will feed him up with truths. My strength 
 fails, but fresh life fills my soul; I no longer lie 
 on a sick-bed, I sit in my workroom ; I will work 
 the last night through, work till the light goes 
 
 out 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Enters from the rigid and advances towards tht
 
 94 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 BISHOP.] Peace and greeting, my honoured lord ! 
 I hear it goes ill with you. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 I am a corpse in the bud, good Duke ; this 
 night shall I break into bloom ; to-morrow you 
 may scent my perfume. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 Already to-night, say you ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Master Sigard says : within an hour. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 And Trond the Priest's letter ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Think you still upon that ? 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 'Tis never out of my thoughts. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 The King has made you Duke ; before you, no 
 man in Norway has borne that title. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 'Ti.> not enough. If Hakon be not the rightful 
 king, then must I have all ' 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Ha, 'tis cold in here ; the blood runs icy 
 through my limbs.
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 95 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Troncl the Priest's letter, my lord ! For 
 Almighty God's sake, have you it ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 At least, I know where it may be found. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 Tell me then, tell me ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Wait 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Nay, nay lose not your time ; I see it draws to 
 an end ; and 'tis said the King comes hither. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Ay, the King comes ; thereby you may best see 
 that I am mindful of your cause, even now. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 What is your purpose ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Mind you, at the King's bridal you said that 
 Hakon's strength lay in his steadfast faith in 
 himself? 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 Well ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 If I confess, and raise a doubt in his mind, then 
 his faith will fall, and his strength with it. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 My lord,this is sinful, sinful, if he be the rightful 
 king.
 
 96 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 'Twill be in your power to restore his faith. 
 Ere I depart hence, I will tell you where Trend 
 the Priest's letter may be found. 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 
 [From the right.] The King is now coming tip 
 the street, with torch-bearers and attendants. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 He shall be welcome. [VILIAM goes.] Duke, I 
 beg of you one last service : do you carry on my 
 feuds against all mine enemies. [Takes out a 
 teller.] Here I have written them down. Those 
 whose names stand first I would fain have hanged, 
 if it could be so ordered. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Think not upon vengeance now ; you have but 
 little time left 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Not on vengeance, but on punishment. Promise 
 me to wield the sword of punishment over all mine 
 enemies when I am gone. They are your foemen 
 no less than mine ; when you are King you must 
 chastise them ; do you promise me that ? 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 I promise and swear it; but Trend's letter ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 You shall learn where it is ; but see the King 
 comes ; hide the list of our foemen ! 
 
 [The DUKE hides the paper; at the same 
 moment H!KON enters from the right.
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 97 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Well met at the grave-feast, my lord King. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 You have ever withstood me stubbornly ; but 
 that shall be forgiven and forgotten now; death 
 wipes out even the heaviest reckoning. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 That lightened my soul ! Oh how marvellous 
 is the King's clemency ! My lord, what you 
 have done for an old sinner this night shall be 
 tenfold 
 
 HiKON. 
 
 No more of that ; but I must tell you that I 
 greatly marvel you should summon me hither to 
 obtain my forgiveness, and yet prepare for me such 
 a meeting as this. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Meeting, my lord ? 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 'Tis of me the King speaks. Will you, my lord 
 Bishop, assure King Hakon, by my faith and 
 honour, that I knew nought of his coming, ere I 
 landed at Oslo wharf? 
 
 B.'SHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Alas, alas ! The blame is all mine ! I have 
 been sickly and bedridden all the last year ; I 
 have learnt little or nought of the affairs of the 
 kingdom ; I thought all was now well between 
 the princely kinsmen !
 
 J8 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III, 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 I have marked that the friendship between the 
 Duke and myself thrives best when we hold aloof 
 from one another ; therefore farewell, Bishop 
 Nicholas, and God be with you where you are now 
 to go. [Goes towards the door. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Softly and uneasily.] Bishop, Bishop, he is 
 going ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Suddenly and with wild energy.] Stay, King 
 Hakon ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Stops.] What now ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 You shall not leave this room until old Bishop 
 Nicholas has spoken his last word ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Instinctively lays his hand upon his sn-ord.] 
 Mayhap you have come well attended to Vjken, 
 Duke. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 I have no part in this. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 'Tis by force of words that I will hold you. 
 Where there is a burial in the house, the dead 
 man ever rules the roost ; he can do and let alone 
 as he will so far as his power may reach. There- 
 fore will I now speak my own funeral-speech ; in 
 days gone by, I was ever sore afraid lest King 
 Sverre should come to speak it
 
 III.] THE PRETENDERS. 99 
 
 HAKON. 
 Talk not so wildly, my lord ! 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 You shorten the precious hour still left to you ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 Your eyes are already dim 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Ay, my sight is dim ; I scarce can see you where 
 you stand ; but before my inward eye, my life 
 is moving in a blaze of light. There I see 
 
 sights ; hear and learn, O King ! My race 
 
 was the mightiest in the land ; many great 
 chieftains had sprung from it ; 7 longed to be 
 the greatest of them all. I was yet but a boy 
 when I began to thirst after great deeds; me- 
 seemed I could by no means wait till 1 were 
 grown. Kings arose who had less right than I, 
 
 Magnus Erlingsson, Sverre the Priest ; I also 
 
 would be king ; but I must needs be a chieftain 
 first. Then came the battle at Ilevoldene ; 'twas 
 the first time I went out to war. The sun went 
 up : and glittering lightnings flashed from a 
 thousand burnished blades. Magnus and all his 
 men advanced as to a game ; I alone felt a 
 tightness at my heart. Fiercely our host swept 
 forward ; but I could not follow I was afraid ! 
 All Magnus's other chieftains fought manfully, 
 and many fell in the fight ; but I fled up over the 
 mountain, and ran and ran, and stayed not until 
 T came down to the fiord again, far away. Many 
 a man had to wash his bloody clothes in 
 Trondheim-fiord that night ; I had to wash mine
 
 100 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 too, but not from blood. Ay, King, I was afraid ; 
 born to be a chieftain and afraid ! It fell 
 upon me as a thunderbolt ; from that hour I 
 hated all men. I prayed secretly in the churches, 
 I wept and knelt before the altars, I gave rich 
 gifts, made sacred promises ; I tried and tried in 
 battle after battle, at Saltosund, at Jonsvoldene 
 that summer the Baglers lay in Bergen, but ever 
 in vain. Sverre it was who first noted it ; he 
 proclaimed it loudly and with mockery, and from 
 that day forth, not a man in the host but laughed 
 when Nicholas Arnesson was seen in war-weed. 
 A coward, a coward and yet was I filled with 
 longing to be a chief, to be a king; nay, I felt I 
 was born to be King. I could have furthered 
 God's kingdom upon earth ; but 'twas the saints 
 themselves that barred the way for me. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Accuse not heaven, Bishop Nicholas ! You have 
 hated much. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Ay, I have hated much ; hated every head in 
 this land that raised itself above the crowd. But 
 I hated because 1 could not love. Fair women, 
 oh, I could devour them even now with glistening 
 eyes ! I have lived eighty years, and yet do I 
 yearn to kill men and clasp women ; but my lot 
 in love was as my lot in war : nought but an 
 itching will, my strength sapped from my birth ; 
 dowered with seething desire and yet a weak- 
 ling ! So I became a priest : king or priest must 
 that man be who would have all might in his 
 hands. [Laughs.] I a priest ! I a churchman ! 
 Yes, for one clerkly office Heaven had notably
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 101 
 
 fitted me for taking the high notes for singing 
 with a woman's voice at the great church-festivals. 
 And yet they up yonder claim of me the half- 
 man what they have a right to claim only of 
 those whom they have in all things fitted for their 
 life-work ! There have been times when I fancied 
 such a claim might be just ; I have lain here on 
 my sick-bed crushed by the dread of doom and 
 punishment. Now it is over; my soul has fresh 
 marrow in its bones ; 1 have not sinned ; it is / 
 that have suffered wrong ; / am the accuser ! 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Softly.] My lord the letter ! You have little 
 time left . 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Think of your soul, and humble you ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 A man's life-work is his soul, and my life-work 
 still shall live upon the earth. But you, King 
 Hakon, you should beware ; for as Heaven has 
 stood against m e, and reaped harm for its reward, 
 so are you standing against the man who holds 
 the country's welfare in his hand 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Ha Duke, Duke ! Now I see the bent of this 
 meeting ! 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Vehemently, to the BISHOP.] Not a word more of 
 this! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [To HAKON.] He will stand against you so long
 
 102 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 as his head sits fast on his shoulders. Share with 
 him ! I will have no peace in my coffin, I will 
 rise again, if you two share not the kingdom ! 
 Neither of you shall add the other's height to his 
 own stature. If that befell, there would be a 
 giant in the land, and here shall no giant be ; for 
 I was never a giant ! 
 
 [Sinks back exhausted on the couch. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Falls on his knees beside the couch and cries to 
 HlKON.J Summon help ! For God's pity's sake; 
 the Bishop must not die yet ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 How it waxes dusk before my eyes ! King, for 
 the last time will you share with the Duke ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Not a shred will I let slip of that which God 
 gave me. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Well and good. [Softly.] Your faith, at least, 
 you shall let slip. [Calls.] Viliam ! 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 [Sojlly.] The letter ! The letter ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Not listening to him.] Viliam! [ViLiAM enters ; 
 the BISHOP draws him close down to him and whispers.] 
 When I received the Extreme Unction, all my sins 
 were forgiven me ? 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 
 All your sins from your birth, till the moment 
 you received the Unction.
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 103 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 No longer ? Not until the very end ? 
 
 SlRA VlLIAM. 
 
 You will not sin to-night, my lord ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Who can tell ? Take the golden goblet 
 
 Bishop Absalon left me give it to the Church 
 and say seven high masses more. 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 God will be gracious to you, my lord I 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Seven more masses, I say for sins 1 may 
 commit to-night ! Go, go ! [VILIAM goes ; the 
 BISHOP turns to SKULE.] Duke, if you should 
 come to read Trond the Priest's letter, and it 
 should mayhap prove that Hakon is the rightful 
 king what would you do then ? 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 In God's name king he should remain. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 Bethink you ; much is at stake. Search every 
 fold of your heart ; answer as though you stood 
 before your Judge ! What will you do, if he be 
 the rightful king? 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 Bow my head and serve him. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Mumbles.] So, so : then bide the issue. [To
 
 104- THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 SKULE.] Duke, I am weak and weary ; a mild and 
 charitable mood comes over me 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 It is death 1 Trond the Priest's letter ! Where 
 is it ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 First another matter ; 1 gave you the list of 
 
 my enemies 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 [Impatiently.] Yes, yes ; I will take full revenge 
 
 upon them 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 No, my soul is filled with mildness ; I will for- 
 give, as the Scripture commands. As you would 
 forgo might, I will forgo revenge. Burn the 
 list! 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Ay, ay ; as you will. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 Here, in the brazier ; so that I may see it 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Throws the paper into the /ire.] There, then ; 
 see, it burns. And now, speak, speak. You risk 
 thousands of lives if you speak not now ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [With sparkling eyes.] Thousands of lives. 
 [Shrieks.] Light ! Air! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Rushes to the door and cries.] Help ! The Bishop 
 is dying !
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 105 
 
 SIRA VILIAM and several of the BISHOP'S men enter. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Shakes the BISHOP'S arm.] You risk Norway's 
 happiness through hundreds of years, mayhap its 
 greatness to all eternity ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 To all eternity ! [Triumphantly.] Perpetuum 
 mobile ! 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 By our soui's salvation, where is Trond the 
 Priest's letter ? 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 [Calls.] Seven more masses, Viliam ' 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 [Beside himself.] The letter ! The letter ! 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS. 
 
 [Smiling in his death-agony.] 'Twas it you burned, 
 good Duke ! [Falls back on the couch and dies. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [With an involuntari) cry, starts backwards and 
 covers his face with his hands.] Almighty God ! 
 
 THE MONKS. 
 
 ^Rushing in flight from the chapel J\ Save you, 
 all who can ! 
 
 SOME VOICES. 
 The powers of evil have broken loose ! 
 
 OTHER VOICES. 
 There rang a loud laugh from the corner ! A
 
 106 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 voice cried : " We have him ! " All the 
 
 lights went out ' 
 
 HAKON. 
 Bishop Nicholas is even now dead. 
 
 THE MONKS. 
 [Fleeing to the right.] Pater noster Pater noster 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Approaches SKULE, and says in a low voice.] 
 Duke, I will not question what secret counsel you 
 were hatching with the Bishop ere he died ; but 
 from to-morrow must you give up your powers and 
 dignities into my hands ; I see clearly now that 
 we two cannot go forward together. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Looks at him absently.] Go forward to- 
 gether ? 
 
 HAKOW. 
 
 To morrow I hold an Assembly in the Palace ; 
 then must all things be made clear between us. 
 
 [Goes out to the right. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 The Bishop dead and the letter burnt ! A life 
 full of doubt and strife and dread ! Oh, could I 
 but pray! No I must act; this evening must the 
 stride be taken, once for all! [To VILIAM.] Whither 
 went the King ? 
 
 SIRA VILIAM. 
 
 [Terrified.] Christ save me, what would you 
 With him?
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 107 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 Think you I would slay him to-night ? 
 
 [Goes out to the right. 
 
 SlRA VlLIAM. 
 
 [Looks after him, shaking his head, while the house- 
 folk bear the body out to the left.] Seven more 
 masses, the Bishop said ; I think 'twere safest we 
 should say fourteen. [Follows the others. 
 
 A room in the Palace. In the back is the entrance 
 door ; in each of the side walls a smaller door ; 
 in front, on the right, a window. Hung from 
 the roof, a lamp is burning. Close to the door 
 on the left stands a bench, and further back a 
 cradle, in which the King-child is sleeping; 
 MARGRETE is kneeling beside the child. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 [Rocks the cradle and sings] 
 
 Now roof and rafters blend with 
 the starry vault on high ; 
 now flieth little Hakon 
 on dream-wings through the sky. 
 
 There mounts a mighty stairway 
 from earth to God's own land ; 
 there Hakon with the angels 
 goes climbing, hand in hand. 
 
 God's angel-babes are watching 
 thy cot, the still night through; 
 God bless thee, little Hakon, 
 thy mother vratcheth too.
 
 108 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT UL 
 
 A short pause. DUKE SKULE enters from the back, 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Starts up with a cry of joy and rushes to meet him.] 
 My father ! Oh, how I have sighed and yearned 
 for this meeting ! 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 God's peace be with you, Margrete ! Where is 
 the King ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 With Bishop Nicholas. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 Ha, then must he soon be here. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 And you will talk together and be at one, be 
 friends again, as in the old days ? 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 That would I gladly. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 'Twould rejoice Hakon no less ; and I pray to 
 God every day that so it may be. Oh, but come 
 
 hither and see 
 
 [Takes his hand and leads him to the cradle, 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 Your child ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Ay, that lovely babe is mine ; is it not mar- 
 vellous ? He is called Hakon, like the King ! 
 See, his eyes nay, you cannot see them now he 
 is sleeping but he has great blue eyes ; and he
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 10p 
 
 can laugh, and reach forth his hands to take hold 
 of me, and he knows me already. 
 
 [Smoothes out the bed-clothes tenderly. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 Hakon will have sons, the Bishop foretold. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 To me this little child is a thousand times 
 dearer than all Norway's land and to Hakon too. 
 Meseems I cannot rightly believe my happiness ; 
 I have the cradle standing by my bedside ; every 
 night, as often as I waken, I look to see if it be 
 there I am fearful lest it should prove to be all 
 
 a dream 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Listens and goes to the window J\ Is not that the 
 King ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Ay ; he is going up the other stair ; I will bring 
 him. [Takes her father s hand and leads him play- 
 fully up to the cradle.} Duke Skule ' Keep 
 watch over the King-child the while for he is a 
 King-child too though I can never remember it! 
 Should he wake, then bow deeply before him, and 
 hail him as men hail kings ! Now will I bring 
 Hakon. Oh, God, God ! now at last come light and 
 peace over our house. [Goes out to the rig/it. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [After a short and gloomy silence.] Hakon has a 
 son. His race shall live after him. If he die, he 
 leaves an heir who stands nearer the throne than 
 all others. All things thrive with Hakon. May- 
 hap he is not the rightful king ; but his faith in
 
 110 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT "II. 
 
 himself stands firm as ever; the Bishop would 
 have shaken it, but Death gave him not time, God 
 gave him not leave. God watches over Hakon, 
 and suffers him to keep the girdle of strength. 
 Were I to tell him now ? Were I to make oath 
 to what the Bishop told me ? What would it 
 avail? None would believe me, neither Hakon 
 nor the others. He would have believed the 
 Bishop in the hour of death ; the doubt would 
 have rankled poisonously in him ; but it was not 
 to be. And deep-rooted as is Hakon's faith, so is 
 my doubt deep-rooted ; what man on earth can 
 weed it out ? None, none. The ordeal has been 
 endured, God has spoken, and still Hakon may 
 not be the rightful king, while my life goes to 
 waste. [Seats himself broodiiiglij beside a table on 
 the right.] And if, now, I won the kingdom, 
 would not the doubt dwell with me none the less, 
 gnawing and wearing and wasting me away, with 
 its ceaseless icy drip, drip. Aye ; but 'tis better 
 to sit doubting on the throne than to stand down 
 in the crowd, doubting of him who sits there in 
 your stead. There must be an end between me 
 and Hakon ! An end ? But how ? [Rises.] 
 Almighty, thou who hast thus bestead me, thou 
 must bear the guilt of the issue ! [Goes to and 
 fro, slops and reflects.] I must break down all 
 bridges, hold only one, and there conquer or fall 
 as the Bishop said at the bridal-feast at Bergen. 
 That is now nigh upon three years since, and 
 through all that time have I split up and spilt my 
 strength in trying to guard all the bridges. [With 
 energy.] Now must I follow the Bishop's counsel; 
 now or never ! Here are we both in Oslo ; this 
 time I have more men than Hakon ; why not 
 seize the advantage 'tis so seldom on my side.
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. Ill 
 
 [Vacillating.] But to-night ? At once ? 
 
 No, no ! Not to-night ! Ha-ha-ha there 
 again! pondering, wavering! Hakon knows not 
 what that means ; he goes straight forward, 
 and so he conquers ! [Going up the room, stops 
 suddenly beside the cradle.] The King-child ! 
 How fair a brow ! He is dreaming. [Smoothes 
 out the bed-clothes, and looks long at the child] Such 
 an one as thou can save many things in a man's 
 soul. I have no son. [Bends over the cradle] He. 
 
 is like Hakon [Shrinks suddenly backwards] 
 
 The King-child, said the Queen ! Bow low before 
 him and hail him as men hail kings ! Should 
 Hakon die before me, this child will be raised to 
 the throne ; and I I shall stand humbly before 
 him, and bow low and hail him as king ! [In 
 rising agitation] This child, Hakon's son, shall sit 
 on high, on the seat that should in right, mayhap, 
 be mine and I shall stand before his footstool, 
 white-haired and bowed with age, and see my 
 whole life-work lying undone die without having 
 been king ! I have more men than Hakon there 
 blows a storm to-night, and the wind sweeps down 
 
 the fiord ! If I took the King-child ? I am 
 
 safe with the Tronders. * What would Hakon 
 dare attempt, were his child in my power ? My 
 men will follow me, fight for me and conquer. 
 Their reward shall be kingly, and they know it. 
 So shall it be ! I will take the stride ; I will 
 leap the abyss, for the first time ! Could I but 
 see if thou hast Sverre's eyes or Hakon Sverres- 
 
 son's ! He sleeps. I cannot see them. [A 
 
 pause] Sleep is as a shield. Sleep in peace, thou 
 little Pretender ! [Goes over to the table] Hakon 
 shall decide ; once again will I speak with him. 
 1 Men of the Trondheim district.
 
 112 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III, 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Enters, with the KING, from the room on the nghl !.] 
 The Bishop dead \ Oh, trust me, all strife dies 
 with him. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 To bed, Margrete ! You must be weary after 
 the journey. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Yes, yes. \Tothe DUKE.] Father, be kind and 
 yielding Hakon has promised to be the like ! A 
 thousand good-nights, to both of you ! 
 
 [Makes a gesture of farewell at the door on 
 the left, and goes out ; trvo women carry 
 out the cradle. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 King Hakon, this time we must not part as foes. 
 All evil will follow ; there will fall a time of dread 
 upon the land. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 The land has known nought else through many 
 generations ; but, see you, God is with me ; every 
 foeman falls that would stand against me. There 
 are no more Baglers, no Slittungs, no Ribbungs ; 
 Earl Jon is slain, Guthorm Ingesson is dead, Sigurd 
 Ribbung likewise all claims that were put forth 
 at the folkmote at Bergen have fallen powerless 
 from whom, then, should the time of dread come 
 now ? 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Hakon, I fear me it might come from me ! 
 
 HlKON. 
 
 When I came to the throne, I gave you the third 
 part of the kingdom
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. US 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 But kept two-thirds yourself! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 You ever thirsted after more ; I eked out your 
 share until now you hold half the kingdom. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 There lack ten ship- wards. 1 
 
 HAKON. 
 I made you Duke ; that has no man been in 
 
 Norway before you. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 But you are king ! I must have no king over 
 me ! I was not born to serve you ; I must rule in 
 my own right ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Looks at him for a moment, and says coldly .] 
 Heaven guard your understanding, my lord. Good 
 night. [Going. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Blocking the rvayJ\ You shall not go from me 
 thus ! Beware, or I will forswear all faith with 
 you ; you can no longer be my overlord ; we two 
 must share ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 You dare to say this to me ! 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 I have more men than you in Oslo, Hakon 
 Hakonsson. 
 
 1 Skibreder, districts each of which furnished a ship to the 
 fleet
 
 114 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Mayhap you think to 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Hearken to me ! Think of the Bishop's words ! 
 Let us share ; give me the ten ship-wards ; let me 
 hold my share as a free kingdom, without tax or 
 tribute. Norway has ere this been parted into two 
 kingdoms; we will hold firmly together 
 
 HiKON. 
 
 Duke, you must be soul-sick, that you can crave 
 such a thing. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Ay, I am soul-sick, and there is no other healing 
 for me. We two must be equals ; there must be 
 no man over me ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Every treeless skerry is a stone in the building 
 which Harald Harfager and the sainted King Olaf 
 reared ; would you have me break in twain what 
 they have mortised together ? Never ! 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Well, then let us reign by turns; let each bear 
 sway for three years ! You have reigned long ; 
 now my turn has come. Depart from the land for 
 three years ; I will be king the while ; I will even 
 out your paths for you against your home-coming ; 
 I will guide all things for the best; it wears and 
 blunts the senses to sit ever on the watch. Hakon, 
 hear me three years each ; let us wear the crown 
 by turns ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Think you my crown would fit well on your brow?
 
 ACT II1.J THE PrtETENDERS. JJ5 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 No crown is too wide for me ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 It needs a God-sent right and a God-sent calling 
 to wear the crown. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 And know you so surely that you have a God- 
 sent right ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 I have God's own word for it. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Rest not too surely on that. Had the Bishop 
 had time to speak but that were bootless now ; 
 you would not believe me. Ay, truly you have 
 mighty allies on high ; but I defy you none the 
 less ! You will not reign by turns with me ? 
 Well then must we try the last resort ; Hakon, 
 let us two fight for it, man to man, with heavy 
 weapons, for life or death ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 Speak you in jest, my lord ? 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 I speak for my life-work and for my soul's 
 salvation ' 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Then is there small hope for the saving of your 
 soul. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 You will not fight with me? You shall, you shall I
 
 116 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 HlKON. 
 
 Oh blinded man ! I cannot but pity you. You 
 think 'tis the Lord's calling that draws you toward 
 the throne ; you see not that 'tis nought but pride 
 of heart. What is it that allures you ? The royal 
 circlet, the purple-bordered mantle, the right to 
 be seated three steps above the floor ; pitiful, 
 pitiful : Were that kingship, I would cast it into 
 your hat, as I cast a groat to a beggar. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 You have known me since your childhood, and 
 you judge me thus ' 
 
 HlKON. 
 
 You have wisdom and courage and all noble 
 gifts of the mind ; you are born to stand nearest a 
 king, but not to be a king yourself. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 That will we now put to the proof! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Name me a single king's-task you achieved in 
 all the years you were regent for me ! Were the 
 Baglers or the Ribbungs ever mightier than then? 
 You were in ripe manhood, yet the land was 
 harried by rebellious factions; did you quell a single 
 one of them ? I was young and untried when I 
 came to the helm look at me all fell before me 
 when I became king ; there are no Baglers, no 
 Ribbungs left ! 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Beware how you boast of that; for there lies 
 the greatest danger. Party must stand against 
 party, claim against claim, region against region,
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 117 
 
 if the king is to have the might. Every village, 
 every family, must either need him dr fear him. 
 If you strike at the root t)f faction, at the same 
 stroke you kill your own power. 
 
 HA RON. 
 
 And you would be king you, who think such 
 thoughts ! You had been well h'tted for a chief- 
 tain's part in Erling Skakke's days; but the time 
 has grown away from you, and you know it not. 
 See you not, then, that Norway's realm, as Harald 
 and Olaf built it up, may be likened to a church 
 that stands as yet unconsecrate ? The walls soar 
 aloft with mighty buttresses, the vaultings have a 
 noble span, the spire points upward, like a fir-tree 
 in the forest ; but the life, the throbbing heart, 
 the fresh blood-stream, is lacking to the work ; 
 God's living spirit is not breathed into it ; it stands 
 unconsecrate. / will bring consecration ! Norway 
 has been a kingdom, it shall become a people. 
 The Tronder has stood against the man of Viken, 
 the Agdeman against the Hordalander, the Halo- 
 galander against the Sogndalesman; all shall be 
 one hereafter, and all shall feel and know that 
 they are one ! That is the task which God has 
 laid on my shoulders; that is the work which now 
 lies before the King of Norway. That life-work, 
 Duke, I think you were best to leave untried, for 
 truly it is beyond you. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Impressed.] To unite ? To unite the 
 
 Tronders and the men of Viken, all Norway ? 
 
 [Sceptically.] 'Tis impossible ! Norway's saga 
 tells of no such thing !
 
 118 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT HI. 
 
 HA RON. 
 
 For you 'tis impossible, for you can but work 
 out the old saga afresh ; for me, 'tis as easy as for 
 the falcon to cleave the clouds. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 \In uneasy agitation] To unite the whole people 
 - to awaken, it so that it shall know itself one ! 
 Whence got you so strange a thought ? It runs 
 through me like ice and fire. [Vehementhj .] It 
 comes from the devil, Hakon ; it shall never be 
 carried through while I have strength to buckle 
 on my helm. 
 
 HiKON. 
 
 'Tis from God the thought comes to me, and 
 never shall I let it slip while I bear St. Olaf's 
 circlet on my brow ! 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Then must St. Olaf's circlet fall from your 
 brow ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 Who will make it fall ? 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 I, if none other. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 You, Skule, will be harmless after to-morrow's 
 Assembly. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 Hakon ! Tempt not God ! Drive me not out 
 upon the last ledge of the deep ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 [Points la the door.] Go, my lord and be it
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 119 
 
 forgotten that we have spoken with sharp tongues 
 this night. 
 
 DUKE SKULE. 
 
 [Looks hard at him for a moment, and says :] 
 Next time, 'twill be with sharper tongues we speak. 
 
 [Goes to the back. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 \AJ~ter a short pause.] He threatens ! No, no, it 
 cannot come to that. He must, he shall give way 
 and do my will ; I have need of that strong arm, 
 that cunning brain. Whatsoever courage and 
 wisdom and strength there may be in this land, all 
 gifts that God has endowed men withal, are but 
 granted them to my uses. For my service did all 
 noble gifts fall to Duke Skule's share ; to defy me 
 is to defy Heaven ; 'tis my duty to punish whoso- 
 ever shall set himself up against Heaven's will 
 for Heaven has done so much for me. 
 
 DAGFINN THE PEASANT. 
 
 [Enters from the back.] Be on your guard to- 
 night, my lord ; the Duke has surely evil in his 
 mind. 
 
 HAKON. 
 What say you ? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 What maybe his drift, I know, not; but sure am 
 I that something is brewing. 
 
 HlKON. 
 
 Can he think to fall upon us? Impossible, 
 impossible ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 No, 'tis something else. His ships lie clear for 
 sailing ; he has summoned an Assembly on board 
 them.
 
 120 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT* III. 
 
 HiKON. 
 
 You must mistake ! Go, Dagfinn, and bring 
 
 me sure tidings. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Ay ay, trust to me. [Goes. 
 
 HiKON. 
 
 No, 'tis not to be thought of! The Duke dare 
 not rise against me. God will not suffer it God, 
 who has hitherto guided all things for me so 
 marvellously. I must have peace now, for 'tis now 
 I must set about my work ! I have done so little 
 yet ; but I hear the unerring voice of the Lord 
 calling to me : Thou shalt do a great king's-work 
 in Norway ! 
 
 GREOORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 [Enters from the back.] My lord and King ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Gregorius Jonsson ! Come you hither ? 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 I offer myself for your service. Thus far have 
 I followed the Duke ; but now I dare follow him 
 no further. 
 
 HAKON. 
 What has befallen ? 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 That which no man will believe, when 'tis 
 rumoured through the land. 
 
 HAKON. 
 Speak, speak !
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 121 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 I tremble to hear the sound of my own words ; 
 know then- 
 
 [He seizes the KING'S arm and whispers. 
 
 HA RON. 
 
 [Starts backwards with a cry.'] Ha, are you dis- 
 traught ? 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 Would to God I were. 
 
 HiKON. 
 
 Unheard of ! No, it cannot be true ! 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 By Christ's dear blood, so is it ! 
 
 HiKON. 
 
 Go, go ; sound the trumpet-call for my guard ; 
 get all my men under arms. 
 
 [GREGORIUS JONSSON goes, 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Paces the room once or twice, then goes quickly up 
 to the door of MARGRETE'S chamber, knocks at it, takes 
 one or two more turns through the room, then goes again 
 to the door, knocks, and calls.'] Margrete ! 
 
 [Goes on pacing up and down. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [In the doorway, attired for the night, with her hair 
 down ; she has a red cloak round her shoulders, hold- 
 ing it close together over her breast.] Hakon ! Is it 
 you?
 
 122 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Yes, yes ; come hither. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Oh, but you must not look at me ; I was in bed 
 already. 
 
 HAKON. 
 I have other things to think of. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 What has befallen. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Give me a good counsel ! I have even now 
 received the worst tidings. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 [Alarmed.] What tidings, Hakon ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 That there are now two kings in Norway. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Two kings in Norway ! Hakon, where is my 
 father ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 He has proclaimed himself king on board his 
 ship ; now he is sailing to Nidaros to be crowned. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Oh God, thou almighty ! 
 
 [Sinks down on the bench, covers her face 
 with her hands and weeps. ~\ 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Two kings in the land !
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 123 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 My husband the one my father the other ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Pacing restlessly up and down.] Give me a good 
 counsel, Margrete ! Should I cross the country by 
 way of the Uplands, come first to Nidaros, and 
 prevent the crowning ? No, it may not be done ; 
 My men are too few ; there in the north he is more 
 powerful than I. Give me counsel ; how can I 
 have the Duke slain, ere he come to Nidaros ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 [Imploringly, with folded hands.] Hakon, Hakon ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Can you not hit upon a good device, I say, to 
 have the Duke slain ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Sinks down from the bench in agony and remains 
 kneeling.'] Oh, can you so utterly forget that he is 
 my father ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Your father ; ay, ay, it is true ; I had for- 
 gotten. [Raises her up.] Sit, sit, Margrete ; 
 comfort you ; do not weep ; you have no fault in 
 this. [Goes over to the window.] Duke Skule will 
 be worse for me than all other foemen ! God, 
 God, why hast thou stricken me so sorely, when 
 I have in nowise sinned ! [A knock at the door in 
 the back ; he starts, listens, and cries :] Who knocks 
 so late ? 
 
 INGA'S VOICE. 
 
 [ Without.] One who is a-cold, Hakon !
 
 1-4 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT III. 
 
 HAKON. 
 [ With a cry.] My mother ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 [Springs up.~\ Inga ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Rushes to the door and opens it ; INGA is silling on 
 the doorstep.] My mother ! Sitting like a dog 
 outside her son's door ! And I ask why God has 
 stricken me ! 
 
 INGA. 
 
 [Stretches out her arms towards him.] Hakon, my 
 child ! Blessings upon you ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Raising her up.] Come come in ; here are 
 light and warmth ! 
 
 INGA. 
 May I come in to you ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Never shall we part again. 
 
 INGA. 
 
 My son my King oh, but you are good and 
 loving ! I stood in a corner and saw you, as you 
 came from the Bishop's Palace ; you looked so 
 sorrowful; I could not part from you thus. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 God be thanked for that ! No one, truly, 
 could have come to me more welcome than you 
 Margrete my mother I have sorely sinned ; I 
 have barred my heart against you two, who are so 
 rich in love.
 
 ACT III.] THE PRETENDERS. 125 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Falls on his neckJ] Oh, Hakon, my beloved 
 husband; do I stand near you now? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Ay, near me, near me ; not to give me cunning 
 counsels, but to shed light over my path. Come 
 what will, I feel the Lord's strength within me ! 
 
 DAGFINN THE PEASANT. 
 
 [Enters hastily from the back.] My lord, my lord ! 
 The worst has befallen ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Smiles confidently while he holds MARGRETE and 
 INGA closely to him.] I know it ; but there is nought 
 to fear, good Dagfinn ! If there be two kings 
 in Norway, there is but one in Heaven and He 
 will set all straight !
 
 ACT FOURTH. 
 
 The great kail in Oslo Palace. KING SKULE is 
 feasting with the Guard and his Chiefs. In 
 front, on the left, stands the throne, where SKULE 
 sits, richly attired, with a purple mantle and the 
 royal circlet on his head.. The supper-table, by 
 which the guests are seated, stretches from the 
 throne towards the background. Opposite to 
 SKULE sit PAUL FLIDA and BARD BRATTE. Some 
 of the humbler guests are standing, to the right. 
 It is late evening ; the hall is brightly lighted. 
 The banquet is drawing to a close ; the men are 
 very merry, and some of them drunk ; they drink 
 to each other, laugh, and all talk together. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [Rises and strikes the table.] Silence in the hall ; 
 Jatgeir Skald will say forth his song in honour of 
 King Skule. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 [Stands out in the middle of the floor. 1 
 Duke Skule he summoned the Orething 2 
 when 'twas mass-time in Nidaros town ; 
 and the bells rang and swords upon bucklers 
 
 clashed bravely 
 when Duke Skule he donned the crown. 
 
 King Skule marched over the Dovrefjeld, 
 his host upon snow-shoes sped ; 
 
 i The metre of this song is very rugged in the original, and 
 the wording purposely uncouth. a See note, p. 127.
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 127 
 
 the Gudbranddalesman he grovelled for grace, 
 but his hoard must e'en ransom his head. 
 
 King Skule south over Midsen fared, 
 the Upland er cursed at his banner; 
 King Skule hasted through Raumarike 
 toLaka in Nannestad manor. 
 
 'Twas all in the holy Shrove-tide week 
 
 we met with the Birchleg horde ; 
 
 Earl Kiuit was their captain the swords with 
 
 loud tongue 
 in the suit for the throne made award. 
 
 They say of a truth that since Sverre's days 
 was never so hot a fight; 
 red-sprent, like warriors' winding-sheets, 
 grew the upland that erst lay white. 
 
 They took to their heels did the Birchenlegs, 
 flinging from them both buckler and bill there ; 
 many hundreds, though, took to their heels 
 
 nevermore, 
 for they lay and were icily chill there. 
 
 No man knows where King Hakon hideth ; 
 King Skule stands safe at the helm. 
 All hail and long life to thee, lord, in thy state 
 as King of all Norway's realm ! 
 
 SKULE'S MEN. 
 
 [Spring tip with loud jubilation, hold goblets 
 and beakers aloft, clash their weapons, 
 and repeat : 
 
 All hail and long life to thee, lord, in thy state 
 as King of all Norway's realm ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Thanks for the song, Jatgeir Skald ! 'Tis as
 
 128 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 I best like it; for it gives my men no less praise 
 than myself. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 The King is honoured when his men are 
 praised. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Take as guerdon tnis arm-ring, stay with me, 
 and be of my household ; I will have many skalds 
 about me. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 'Twill need many, my lord, if all your great 
 deeds are to be sung. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 I will be threefold more bountiful than Hakon ; 
 the skald's song shall be honoured and rewarded 
 like all other noble deeds, so long as I am king. 
 Be seated; now you belong to my household; 
 all you have need of shall be freely given you. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 [Seats himself.] Ere long there will be a dearth 
 of what I most need, my lord. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 What mean you ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 Foes to King Skule, whse flight and fall I can 
 sing. 
 
 MANY OF THE MEN. 
 
 [Amid laughter and applause.] Well said, 
 Icelander ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 \To JATGEIR.] The song was good ; but 'tis
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 129 
 
 known there goes a spice of lying to every skald- 
 work, and yours was not without it. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 Lying, Sir Marshal ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Ay ; you say no man knows where King Hakon 
 is hiding; that is not true; we have certain 
 tidings that Hakon is at Nidaros. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Smiling.] He has claimed homage for the 
 King-child, and given it the kingly title. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 That have I heard ; but I knew not that any 
 man could give away that which he himself does 
 not possess. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 'Tis easiest to give what you yourself do not 
 possess. 
 
 B!RD BRATTE. 
 
 But it can scarce be easy to beg your way in 
 midwinter from Bergen to Nidaros. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 The fortunes of the Birchlegs move in a ring ; 
 they began hungry and frozen, and now they end 
 in like case. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 'Tis rumoured in Bergen that Hakon has for- 
 sworn i,he Church and all that is holy ; he heard 
 not mass on New Year's dr.y.
 
 ISO THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 He could plead lawful hindrance, Paul ; he 
 stood all day cutting his silver goblets and dishes 
 to pieces he had naught else wherewith to pay 
 his household. 
 
 [Laughter and loud talk among the guests. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Raises his goblet.] I drink to you,, Bard Bratte, 
 and thank you and all my new men. You fought 
 manfully for me at Laka, and bore a great part in 
 the victory. 
 
 B!RD BRATTE. 
 
 It was the first time I fought under you, my 
 lord ; but I soon felt that 'tis easy to conquer when 
 such a chieftain as you rides at the head of the 
 host. But I would we had not slain so many and 
 chased them so far ; for now I fear 'twill be long 
 ere they dare face us again. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Wait till the spring : we shall meet them again, 
 never fear. Earl Knut lies with the remnant at 
 Tunsberg rock, and Arnbiorn Jonsson is gathering 
 a force eastward in Viken ; when they deem 
 themselves strong enough, they will soon let us 
 hear from them. 
 
 B!RD BRATTE. 
 
 They will never dare to, after the great 
 slaughter at Laka. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Then will we lure them forth with cunning. 
 
 MANY VOICES. 
 Ay, ay do so, lord King !
 
 VCT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 131 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 You have good store of cunning, King Skule. 
 Your foemen have never warning ere you fall upon 
 them, and you are ever there where they least 
 await you. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Tis therefore that the Birchlegs call us 
 Varbaelgs. 1 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Others say Vargbaelgs ; but this I swear, that 
 when next we meet, the Birchlegs shall learn how 
 hard it is to turn such Wolf-skins inside out. 
 
 B!RD BRATTE. 
 
 With their good will shall we never meet 
 'twill be a chase the whole country round. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Ay, that it shall be. First we must purge 
 Viken, and make sure of all these eastward parts ; 
 then will we get our ships together, and sail round 
 the Naze and up the coast to Nidaros. 
 
 B!RD BRATTE 
 
 And when you come in such wise to Nidaros, 
 I scare think the monks will deny to move 
 
 1 The derivation of this word is doubtful. In the form 
 Varglcelg it means Wolf-skin, from Icelandic Vargr = a. wolf, 
 and Belgr = \\\e. skin of an animal taken off whole. The more 
 common form, however, is Varbelg, which, as P. A. Munch 
 suggests ("Det Norske Folks Historic," iii. 219), may possibly 
 come from var (our word " ware "), a covering, and may be an 
 allusion to the falsity and cunning of the faction. What Ibsen 
 understands by the form Varbcelg I cannot discover. Var 
 (Icelandic Var) means the springtide. The nick-name had been 
 applied to a political faction as early as 1190, and was merely 
 revived as a designation for Skule's adherents.
 
 132 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 St. Olafs shrine out to the mote-stead, as they 
 did in the autumn, when we swore allegiance. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 The shrine shall out ; I will bear my kingship 
 in all ways lawfully. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 And I promise you to sing a great death-song, 
 when you have slain the Sleeper. 
 
 [An outburst of laughter among the men, 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 The Sleeper ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 Know you not, my lord, that King Hakon is 
 called " Hakon the Sleeper," because he sits as 
 though benumbed ever since you came to the 
 throne ? 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 They say he lies ever with his eyes closed. 
 Doubtless he dreams that he is still king. 
 
 KING SKULE, 
 
 Let him dream ; he shall never dream himself 
 back into the kingship. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 Let his sleep be long and dreamless, then shall 
 I have stuff for songs. 
 
 THE MEN. 
 Ay, ay, do as the skald says ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 When so many good men counsel as one, the
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 133 
 
 counsel must be good ; yet will we not talk now 
 of that matter. But one promise I will make : 
 each of my men shall inherit the weapons and 
 harness, and gold and silver, of whichever one of 
 the enemy he slays ; and each man shall succeed 
 to the dignities of him he lays low. He who slays 
 a. baron shall himself be a baron ; he who slays a 
 thane, shall receive his thaneship ; and all they 
 who already hold such dignities and offices, shall 
 be rewarded after other kingly sort. 
 
 THE MEN. 
 
 [Spring up in mild delight.] Hail, hail, King 
 Skule ! Lead us against the Birchlegs ! 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 Now arc you sure to conquer in all battles. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 I claim Dagfinn the Peasant for myself; he 
 owns a good sword that I have long hankered 
 after. 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 I will have Bard Torsteinsson's hauberk ; it 
 saved his life at Laka, for it withstands both cut 
 and thrust. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 Nay, but let me have it ; 'twill fit me better ; 
 you shall have five golden marks in exchange. 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 Where will you find five golden marks, Skald ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 I will take them from Gregorius Jonsson when 
 we come northward.
 
 134- THE PRETENDEHS. [ACT IV 
 
 THE MEN. 
 
 [All talking together.] And I will have I wil. 
 have [The rest becomes indistinct in the hubbub. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Away! Every man to his quarters; bethink 
 you that you are in the King's hall. 
 
 THE MEN. 
 Ay, ay, hail to the King, hail to King Skule ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 To bed now, good fellows ! We have sat long 
 over the drinking-table to-night. 
 
 A MAN-AT-ARMS. 
 
 [As the crowd is trooping out.] To -morrow we 
 will cast lots for the Birch legs' goods. 
 
 ANOTHER. 
 Rather leave it to luck ! 
 
 SEVERAL. 
 Nay, nay ! 
 
 OTHERS. 
 Ay, ay ! 
 
 B!RD BRATTE. 
 
 Now the Wolf-skins are fighting {or the bear- 
 fell. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 And they have yet to fell the bear. 
 
 [A If go out by the bad;. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [JVails till the men ere gone; the tension of
 
 ACT IV.] THE PKETENDERS. 13.5 
 
 his features relaxes ; he sinks upon a bench.] How 
 weary I am, weary to death. To live in the 
 midst of that swarm day out and day in, to look 
 smilingly ahead as though I were so immovably 
 issured of right and victory and fortune. To have 
 no creature with whom I may speak of all that 
 gnaws me so sorely. [Rises with a look of terror.] 
 And the battle at Laka ! That I should have 
 conquered there ! Hakon sent his host against 
 me ; God was to judge and award between the 
 two kings and I conquered, conquered, as never 
 any before has conquered the Birchlegs ! Their 
 shields stood upright in the snow, but there was 
 none behind them the Birchlegs took to the 
 woods, and fled over upland and moor and lea as 
 far as their legs would carry them. The unbe- 
 lievable came to pass ; Hakon lost and I won. 
 There is a secret horror in that victory. Thou 
 great God of Heaven ! there rules, then, no cer- 
 tain law on high, that all things must obey ? The 
 right carries with it no conquering might? [Witha 
 change of tone, tvildli/.] I am sick, I am sick ! 
 Wherefore should not the right be on my side ? 
 May I not deem that God himself would assure 
 me of it, since he let me conquer? [ Brooding.] 
 The possibilities are even ; not a feather-weight 
 more on the one side than on the other ; and yet 
 [shakes Ms head] yet the balance dips on 
 Hakon's part. I have hatred and hot desire to 
 cast into my scale, yet the balance dips on Hakon's 
 part. When the thought of the kingly right comes 
 over me unawares, 'tis ever he, not I, that is the 
 true king. When I would see myself as the true 
 king, I must do it with forethought, I must build 
 up a whole fabric of subtleties, a work of cunning ; 
 I must hold memories aloof, and take faith by
 
 136 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 storm. It was not so before. What has befallen 
 to fill me so full of doubt ? The burning of the 
 letter? No that made the uncertainty eternal, 
 but did not add to it. Has Hakon done any great 
 and kingly deed in these later days ? No, his 
 greatest deeds were done while I least believed 
 in him. [Seals himself on Ike right.] What is it ? 
 Ha, strange ! It comes and goes like a marsh-fire ; 
 it dances at the tip of my tongue, as when one has 
 lost a word and cannot find it. [Springs up.] Ha ! 
 
 Now I have it ! No ! Yes, yes ! Now I have 
 
 it! "Norway has been a kingdom, it shall be- 
 come a people ; all shall be one, and all shall feel 
 and know that they are one ! " Since Hakon spoke 
 those madman's words, he stands ever before me 
 as the rightful king. [Whispers wilh fixed and appre- 
 hensive gaze.] What if God's calling glimmered 
 through these strange words ? If God had gar- 
 nered up the thought till now, and would now 
 strew it forth and had chosen Hakon for his 
 sower ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [Enters from the back.] My lord King, I have 
 tidings for you. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Tidings ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 A man who comes from down the fiord brings 
 news that the Birchlegs inTunsberg have launched 
 their ships, and that many men have gathered in 
 the town in these last days. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Good, we will go forth to meet them to-morrow 
 rx the day after.
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 137 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 It might chance, my lord King, that the Birch- 
 legs had a mind to meet us first. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 They have not ships enough for that, nor men. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 But Arnbib'rn Jonsson is gathering both men 
 and ships, all round in Viken. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 The better for us ; we will crush them at one 
 blow, as we did at Laka. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 My lord, 'tis not so easy to crush the Birchlegs 
 twice following. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 And wherefore not ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Because Norway's saga tells not that the like 
 has ever befallen. Shall I send forth scouts to 
 Hoved-isle ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 'Tis needless ; the night is dark, and there is a 
 sea-fog to boot. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Well well, the King knows best; but bethink 
 you, my lord, that all men are against you here in 
 Viken. The townsfolk of Oslo hate you, and should 
 the Birchlegs come, they will make common cause 
 with them.
 
 138 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [With animation.] Paul Flida, were it not 
 possible that I could win over the men of Viken 
 to my side ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [Looks at him in astonishment, and shakes his 
 head.] No, my lord, it is not possible. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 And wherefore not ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Why, for that you have the Tronders on your 
 side. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 I will have both the Tronders and the men of 
 Viken ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 Nay, my lord, that cannot be 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Not possible ! cannot be ! And wherefore 
 wherefore not ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Because the man of Viken is the man of Viken, 
 the Tronder is the Tronder; because so it has 
 always been, and no saga tells of a time when it 
 was otherwise. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Ay, ay you are right. Go. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 And send forth no scouts ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Wait till daybreak. [PAUL FLIDA goes^ Nof
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 13^ 
 
 way's saga tells of no such thing ; it has never 
 been so yet ; Paul Flida answers me as I answered 
 Hakon. Are there, then, upward as well as down- 
 ward steps ? Stands Hakon as high over me as I 
 over Paul Flida ? Has Hakon an eye for unborn 
 thoughts, that is lacking in me? Who stood so 
 high as Harold Harfager in the days when every 
 headland had its king, and he said : Now they 
 must fall hereafter shall there be but one ? He 
 threw the old saga to the winds, and made a new 
 saga. [A pause ; he paces up and down lost in thought ; 
 then he stops.] Can one man take God's call- 
 ing from another, as he takes weapons and gold 
 from his fallen foe ? Can a Pretender clothe him- 
 self in a king's life-task, as he can put on the 
 kingly mantle ? The oak that is felled to be a 
 ship's timber, can it say : Nay, I will be the mast, 
 I will take on me the task of the fir-tree, point 
 upwards, tall and shining, bear the golden vane 
 at my top, spread bellying white sails to the sun- 
 shine, and meet the eyes of all men, from afar ! 
 No, no, thou heavy gnarled oak-trunk, thy place is 
 down in the keel; there shalt thou lie, and do thy 
 work, unheard-of and unseen by those aloft in the 
 daylight ; it is thou that shalt hinder the ship from 
 being whelmed in the storm; while the mast with 
 the golden vane and the bellying sail shall bear it 
 forward toward the new, toward the unknown, 
 toward alien strands and the saga of the future ! 
 [ Vehemently.} Since Hakon uttered his great 
 king-thought, I can see no other thought in the 
 world but that only. If I cannot take it and act it 
 out, I see no other thought to fight for. [Brood- 
 ing .] And can I not make it mine ? If I can- 
 not, whence comes my great love for Hakon's 
 thought ?
 
 140 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 [Enters from the back.] Forgive my coming, 
 
 lord King 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 You come to my wish, Skald ! 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 I overheard some townsfolk at my lodging 
 talking darkly of 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Let that wait. Tell me, Skald : you who have 
 fared far abroad in strange lands, have you ever 
 seen a woman love another's child ? Not only 
 have kindness for it 'tis not that I mean ; but 
 love it, lovs it with the warmest passion of her 
 soul. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 That do only those women who have no child of 
 their own to love. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Only those women ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 And chiefly women who are barren. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Chiefly the barren ? They love the children 
 
 of others with all their warmest passions ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 That will oftentimes befall. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 And does it not sometimes befall that such a
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 141 
 
 barren woman will slay another's child, because 
 she herself has none ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 Ay, ay ; but in that she does unwisely. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Unwisely ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 Ay, for she gives the gift of sorrow to her whose 
 child she slays. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Think you the gift of sorrow is a great good ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 Yes, lord. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Looks fxedly at him.] Methinks there are two 
 men in you, Icelander. When you sit amid the 
 household at the merry feast, you draw cloak and 
 hood over all your thoughts ; when one is alone 
 with you, sometimes you seem to be of those among 
 whom one were fain to choose his friend. How 
 comes it ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 When you go to swim in the river, my lord, you 
 would scarce strip you where the people pass by 
 to church ; you seek a sheltered privacy. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 True, true. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 My soul has the like shamefastness ; therefore 
 I do not strip me when there are many in the 
 hall.
 
 142 THE PRETENDEHS. [ACT IV. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Ha. [A short pause!] Tell me, Jatgeir, how 
 came you to be a skald ? Who taught jou skald- 
 craft ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 Skaldcraft cannot be taught, my lord. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Cannot be taught ? How came it then? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 The gift of sorrow came to me, and I was a 
 skald. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Then 'tis the gift of sorrow the skald has need 
 of? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 7 needed sorrow ; others there may be who need 
 faith, or joy or doubt 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Doubt as well ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 Ay ; but then must the doubter be strong and 
 sound. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 And whom call you the unsound doubter? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 He who doubts of his own doubt. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [Slorvly.] That, methiiiks, were death.
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 143 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 'Tis worse ; 'tis neither day nor night. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Quickly, as if shaking off his thoughts.] Where 
 are my weapons ? I will fight and act not think. 
 What was it you would have told me when you 
 came ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 'Twas what I noted in my lodging. The towns- 
 men whisper together secretly, and laugh mock- 
 ingly, and ask if we be well assured that King 
 Hakon is in the westland; there is somewhat they 
 are in glee over. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 They are men of Viken, and therefore against 
 mt. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 They scoff because King Olaf s shrine could not 
 be brought out to the mote-stead when you were 
 chosen king ; they say it boded ill. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 When next I come to Nidaros, the shrine shall 
 out ! It shall stand under the open sky, though 
 I should have to tear down St. Olaf s church and 
 widen out the mote-stead over the spot where it 
 stood. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 That were a strong deed ; but I shall make a 
 song of it, as strong as the deed itself. 
 
 KING SKULE, 
 
 Have you many unmade songs within you, 
 Jatgeir ?
 
 144 THE PRETENDERS. [.\CT IV. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 Nay, but many unborn ; they are conceived 
 one after the other, come to life, and are brought 
 forth. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 And if I, who am King and have the might, if 
 1 were to have you slain, would all the unborn 
 skald-thoughts you bear within you die along with 
 you ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 My lord, it is a great sin to slay a fair thought. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 I ask not if it be a sin; I ask if it be 
 possible ! 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 I know not. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Have you never had another skald for your 
 friend, and has he never unfolded to you a great 
 and noble song he thought to make ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 Yes, lord. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Did you not then wish that you could slay him, 
 to take his thought and make the song yourself? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 My lord, I am not barren ; I have children of 
 my own ; I need not to love those of other men. 
 
 [Goes. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [After a paused] The Icelander is in very deed a 
 skald. He speaks God's deepest truth and knows
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 145 
 
 it not / am as a barren woman. Therefore 
 
 I love Hakou's kingly thought-child, love it with 
 the warmest passion of my soul. Oh, that I could 
 but adopt 1 it ! It would die in my hands. Which 
 were best, that it should die in my hands, or wax 
 great in his ? Should I ever have peace of soul if 
 that came to pass ? Can I forgo all ? Can I stand 
 by and see Hakon make himself famous for all 
 time ! How dead and empty is all within me 
 and around me. No friend ; ah, the Icelander ! 
 [Goes to the door and calls .] Has the skald gone 
 from the palace ? 
 
 A GUARD. 
 
 [Outside.] No, my lord ; he stands in the 
 outer hall talking with the watch. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Bid him come hither. [Goes forward to the 
 table ; presently JATGEIR enters.] I cannot sleep, 
 Jatgeir; 'tis all my great kingly thoughts that 
 keep me awake, you see. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 "Tis with the king's thoughts as with the skald's, 
 I doubt not. They fly highest and grow quickest 
 when there is night and stillness around. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Is it so with the skald's thoughts too ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 Ay, lord ; no song is born by daylight ; it may 
 be written down in the sunshine ; but it makes 
 itself in the silent night. 
 
 1 Kncescette, see note, p. 19. 
 
 K
 
 146 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Who gave you the gift of sorrow, Jatgeir ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 She whom I loved. 
 
 KING SKULK. 
 She died, then. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 No, she deceived me. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 And then you became a skald ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 Ay, then I became a skald. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Seizes him by the arm.] What gift do 7 need 
 to become a king ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 Not the gift of doubt; else would you not 
 question so. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 What gift do I need ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 My lord, you are a king. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Have you at all times full faith that you are a 
 skald? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 [Looks silently at him for a while, and ash.] Have 
 you never loved ?
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 147 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Yes, once burningly, blissfully, and in sin. 
 
 JATGEIH. 
 You have a wife. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Her I took to bear me sons. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 But you have a daughter, my lord a gracious 
 and noble daughter. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Were my daughter a sou, I would not ask you 
 what gift I need. [Vehemently.] I must have 
 some one by me who sinks his own will utterly in 
 mine who believes in me unflinchingly, who will 
 cling close to me in good hap and ill, who lives 
 only to shed light and warmth over my life, and 
 must die if I fall. Give me counsel, Jatgeir 
 Skald ' 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 Buy yourself a dog, my lord. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Would no man suffice ? 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 You would have to search long for such a man. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Suddenly.] Will you be that man to me, 
 Jatgeir? Will you be a son to me? You shall 
 have Norway's crown to your heritage the whole 
 land shall be yours, if you will be a son to me, and 
 live for my life-work, and believe in me.
 
 148 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 And what should be my warranty that I did not 
 
 feign ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Give up your calling in life ; sing no more songs, 
 and then will I believe you ! 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 No, lord that were to buy the crown too dear. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Bethink you well 'tis greater to be a king than 
 a skald. 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 Not always. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 'Tis but your unsung songs you must sacrifice ! 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 Songs unsung are ever the fairest. . 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 But I must I must have one who can trust in 
 me ' Only one ! I feel it had I that one, I 
 were saved 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 Trust in yourself and you will be saved ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [Enters hastily.] King Skule, look to yourself! 
 Hakon Hakonson lies off Elgjarn-ess with all his 
 fleet ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Off Elgja-rness ! The-n.he is close at hand.
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 14-9 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 Get we to arms then ! If there be bloodshed 
 to-night, I will gladly be the first to die for you ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 You, who would not live for me ! 
 
 JATGEIR. 
 
 A man can die for another's life-work ; but if 
 he go on living, he must live for his own. [Goes. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [Impatiently.] Your commands, my lord ! The 
 Birchlegs may be in Oslo this very hour. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 'Twere best if we could fare to St. Thomas 
 Beckett's grave ; he has helped so many a sorrow- 
 ful and penitent soul. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [More forcibly.] My lord, speak not so wildly 
 now ; I tell you, the Birchlegs are upon us ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Let all the churches be opened, that we may 
 betake us thither and find grace. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 You can crush all your foemen at one stroke, 
 and yet would betake you to the churches !
 
 150 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Be sure Hakon will break sanctuary, when 'tis 
 Varbaelgs he pursues. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 That will he not ; God will shield him from such 
 a sin ; God always shields Hakon. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [7/i deep and sorrowful wrath.] To hear you 
 speak thus, a man could not but ask : Who is king 
 in this land ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Smiling mourn fully.] Ay, Paul Flida, that is 
 the great question : Who is king in this land? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [Imploringly.] You are soul-sick to-night, my 
 lord ; let me act for you. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Ay, ay, do so. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [Going.] First will I break down all the 
 bridges. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Madman ! Stay ! Break down all the bridges ! 
 Know you what that means ? / have assayed it ; 
 beware of that ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 What would you then, my lord ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 I will talk with Hakon.
 
 ACT IV.j THE PRETENDERS. 151 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 He will answer you with a tongue of steel. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Go, go ; you shall learn my will anon. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Every moment is precious ! [Seizes his hand.] 
 King Skule, let us break down all the bridges, 
 fight like Wolves, 1 and trust in Heaven ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Sqft/y.~\ Heaven trusts not in me ; I dare 
 not trust in Heaven. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 Short has been the saga of the Vargbselgs. 
 
 [Goes out by the back. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 A hundred cunning heads, a thousand mighty 
 arms, are at my beck ; but not a single loving, 
 trusting heart. That is kingly beggary ; no more, 
 no less. 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 [From the back.] Two wayfarers from afar 
 stand without, praying to have speech with you 
 my lord. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Who are they ? 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 A woman and a priest. 
 
 Varger, the first part of tl e word Vnrgleelg.
 
 152 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Let the woman and the priest approach. 
 
 [BARD goes ; KING SKULE seats himself, 
 musing, on the right ; presently there 
 enters a black-robed woman ; she wears 
 a long cloak, a hood, and a thick veil, 
 which conceals her face; a priest follows 
 her, and remains standing by the door. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Who are you ? 
 
 THE WOMAN. 
 One you have loved. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Shaking his head.] There lives no one who 
 remembers that I have loved. Who are you, I 
 ask ? 
 
 THE WOMAN. 
 One who loves you. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Then are you surely one of the dead. 
 
 THE WOMAN. 
 
 [Comes close to him and says softly and passion- 
 ately.'] Skule Bardsson ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 \Riscs with a oy.] Ingeborg I 
 
 INGEBORO. 
 Do you know me now, Skule ?
 
 ACT IV.j THE PRETENDERS. 153 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Ingeborg, Ingeborg ! 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 Ob, let me look at you look long at you, so 
 long ! [Seizes his hands ; a pause.] You fair, you 
 deeply loved, you faithless man ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Take off tbat veil ; look at me with the eyes 
 that once were as clear and blue as the sky. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 These eyes have been but a rain-clouded sky 
 for twenty years ; you would not know them 
 again, and you shall never see them more. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 But your voice is fresh and soft and young as 
 ever ! 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 I have used it only to whisper your name, to 
 imprint your greatness in a young heart, and to 
 pray to the sinners' God for grace toward us 
 twain, who have loved in sin. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 You have done that ? 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 I have been silent save to speak loving words 
 of you ; therefore has my voice remained fresh 
 and soft and young.
 
 154 THE PRETENDERS. [*CT IV. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 There lies a life-time between. Every fair 
 memory from those days have I wasted and let 
 
 slip 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 It was your right. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 And meantime you, Ingeborg, loving, faithful 
 woman, have dwelt there in the north, guard- 
 ing and treasuring your memories, in ice-cold 
 loneliness ! 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 It was my happiness. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 And I could give you up to win might and 
 riches ! With you at my side, as my wife, I had 
 found it easier to be a king. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 God has been good to me in willing it other- 
 wise. A soul like mine had need of a great sin, 
 to arouse it to remorse and expiation. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 And now you come ? 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 As Andres Skialdarband's widow. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Your husband is dead ! 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 On the way from Jerusalem.
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 155 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Then has he atoned for the slaying of Vegard. 
 
 INGEBORO. 
 
 'Twas not therefore that my noble husband 
 took the Cross. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Not therefore ? 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 No ; it was my sin he took upon his strong, 
 loving shoulders ; 'twas that he went to wash 
 away in Jordan stream ; 'twas for that he bled. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [Softly.] Then he knew all. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 From the first. And Bishop Nicholas knew it, 
 for to him I confessed. And there was one other 
 man that came to know it, though how I cannot 
 guess. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Who." 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 Vegard Vaeradal. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Vegard ! 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 He whispered a mocking word of me into my 
 husband's ear; and thereupon Andres Skialdar- 
 band drew his sword, and slew him on the spot. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 H e kept ward over her whom / betrayed and 
 forgot. And wherefore seek you uie now ?
 
 156 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 To bring you the last sacrifice. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 What mean you ? 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 [Points to the Priest who stands by the door.\ 
 Look at him ! Peter, my son, come hither ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Your son ! 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 And yours, King Skule ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [Half bewildered.] Ingeborg ! 
 
 [PETER approaches in silent emotion, and 
 throws himself before KING SKULE. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 Take him! .For twenty years has he been the 
 light and comfort of my life. Now are you King 
 of Norway ; the King's son must enter on his 
 heritage ; I have no longer any right to him. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Raises him up, in a storm of joy.] Here, to 
 my heart, you whom I have yearned for so burn- 
 ingly ! [Presses him in his arms, lets him go, looks 
 at him, and embraces him again.] My son ! My 
 son ! I have a son ! Ha-ha-ha ! who can stand 
 against me now ? [Goes over to INGEBORG and 
 seizes her hand.] And you, you give him to me,
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 157 
 
 Ingeborg ! You take not back your word ? You 
 give him to me indeed ? 
 
 INGEBOKG. 
 
 Heavy is the sacrifice, and scarce had I strength 
 to make it, but that Bishop Nicholas sent him to 
 me, bearing a letter with tidings of Andres Skial- 
 darband's death. 'Twas the Bishop that laid on 
 me the heavy sacrifice, to atone for all my sin. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Then is the sin blotted out, and henceforth he 
 is mine alone ; is it not so, mine alone ? 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 Yes ; but one promise I crave of you. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Heaven and earth, crave all you will ! 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 He is pure as a lamb of God, as I now give him 
 into your hands. 'Tis a perilous path that leads 
 up to the throne ; let him not take hurt to his 
 soul. Hear you, King Skule : let not my child 
 take hurt to his soul ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 That I promise and swear to you ! 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 [Seizes his arm.] From the moment you mark 
 that his soul suffers harm, let him rather die I 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Rather die ! I promise and swear it !
 
 158 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 INGEBORO. 
 
 Then shall I be of good cheer as I go back to 
 Halogaland. 
 
 KINO SKULE. 
 Ay, you may be of good cheer. 
 
 INGEDORG. 
 
 There will I repent and pray, till the Lord calls 
 me. And when we meet before God, he shall 
 come back to me pure and blameless. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Pure and blameless ! [Turning to PETER.] Let 
 me look at you ! Ay, your mother's features and 
 mine ; you are he for whom I have longed so 
 sorely. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 My father, my great, noble father! Let me 
 live and fight for you ! Let your cause be mine ; 
 and be your cause what it may I know that I 
 am fighting for the right ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [With a cry of jot/.] You trust in me! You 
 trust in me * 
 
 PETER. 
 Immovably ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Then all is well ; then am I surely saved ! 
 Listen : you shall cast off the cowl ; the Archbishop 
 shall loose you from your vows ; the King's son 
 shall wield the sword, shall go forward unwavering 
 to might and honour.
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 159 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Together with you, my noble father ! We will 
 go together .' 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Drawing the youth close up to himself.] Ay, 
 together, we two alone ! 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 [To herself.] To love, to sacrifice all and be 
 forgotten, that is my saga. 1 
 
 [Goes quietly out by the back. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Now shall a great king's-work be done in 
 Norway ! Listen, Peter, my son! We will 
 awaken the whole people, and gather it into one ; 
 the man of Viken and the Tronder, the Haloga- 
 lander and the Agdeman, the Uplander and the 
 Sogndaleman, all shall be o ne great family ! Then 
 shall you see how the land will come to flourish J 
 
 PETER. 
 What a great and dizzy thought 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Do you grasp it ? 
 
 PETER 
 
 Yes yes ! Clearly ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 And have you faith in it ? 
 
 As to the earlier text of this scene, see Brandes' /tsen and 
 Bjonison (Heinemann, 1899), p. 29.
 
 l6() THE PRETENDERS, [ACT IV. 
 
 PETER. 
 Yes, yes ; for I have faith in you ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [Wildly.] Hakon Hakonsson must die . 
 
 PETER. 
 If you will it, then it is right that he die. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 'Twill cost blood ; but that we cannot heed ! 
 
 PETER. 
 
 The blood is not wasted that flows in your 
 cause. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 All the might shall be yours when I have built 
 up the kingdom. You shall sit on the throne 
 with the circlet on your brow, with the purple 
 mantle flowing wide over your shoulders ; all men 
 
 in the land shall bow before you [The sounds 
 
 uf distant horns 1 are heard.] Ha ! what was 
 that ? [With a cry.] The Birchleg host ! What 
 
 was it Paul Flida said ? 
 
 [Rushes towards the back. 
 
 PAUL FLRIA. 
 
 [Enters and cries^ The hour is upon us, King 
 Skule ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Bewildered.] The Birchlegs ! King Hakon's 
 host ! Where are they ? 
 
 1 Lur, the long wooden horn still used among the mountains 
 in Norway.
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 1 6l 
 
 PAUI, FLIDA. 
 
 They are swarming in thousands down over the 
 Ekeberg. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Sound the call to arms ! Sound, sound ! Give 
 counsel ; where shall we meet them ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 All the churches stand open for us. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 'Tis of the Birchlegs I ask ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 For them all the bridges stand open. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Unhappy man, what have you done 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 Obeyed my King ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 My son ! My son ! Woe is me ; I have lost 
 your kingdom ! 
 
 PETER. 
 
 No, you will conquer ! So great a king's- 
 thought cannot die ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Peace, peace ! [Horns and shouts are heard, 
 nearer at hand.] To horse ! To arms ! More is 
 here at stake than the life and death of men ! 
 
 [Rushes out by the back ; the others follow 
 him.
 
 162 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 A street in Oslo. On each side, low wooden houses, 
 with porches. At the back, St. Hallvard's church- 
 yard, enclosed by a high wall with a gate. On 
 the left, at the end of the wall, is seen the 
 church, the chief portal of which stands open. 
 It is still night ; after a little, the day begins 
 to dawn. The alarm-bell is ringing : far away 
 on the right are heard battle-shouts and confused 
 noises. 
 
 KING SKULE'S HORNBLOWER. 
 [Enters from the right, blows his horn, and shouts .] 
 To arms ! To arms, all King Skule's men ! 
 
 [Blows his horn again, and proceeds on his 
 way ; presently he is heard blowing and 
 shouting in the next street. 
 
 A WOMAN. 
 
 [Appears at a house door on the right.] Great 
 God of mercy, what is astir ? 
 
 A TOWNSMAN. 
 
 [Who has come out, half dressed, from a house on 
 the other side of the street.] The Birchlegs are in 
 the town ! Now will Skule have his reward for 
 all his misdeeds. 
 
 ONE OF SKULE'S MEN. 
 
 [Enters with some others, bearing their cloaks and 
 weapons on their arms, from a side street on the left] 
 Where are the Birchlegs ? 
 
 ANOTHER OF SKULE'S MEN. 
 
 [Coming from a house on the right.] I know 
 not!
 
 ACT 1V.J THE PRETENDERS. 1 6'3 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 
 Hist ! Listen ! They must be down at the 
 Geite-bridge ! 
 
 THE SECOND. 
 Off to the Geite-bridge then ! 
 
 [They all rusk out to the right; a town* 
 man comes running in from the same side. 
 
 THE FIRST TOWNSMAN. 
 Hey, neighbour, whence come you ? 
 
 THE SECOND TOWNSMAN. 
 
 From down at the Lo-river ; there's ugly work 
 there. 
 
 THE WOMAN. 
 
 St. Olaf and St. Hallvard ! Is it the Birchlegs, 
 or who is it ? 
 
 THE SECOND TOWNSMAN. 
 
 Who else but the Birchlegs ! King Hakon is 
 with them ; the whole fleet is laying in to the 
 wharves ; but he himself landed with his best men 
 out at Ekeberg. 
 
 THE FIRST TOWNSMAN. 
 
 Then will he take revenge for the slaughter at 
 Laka! 
 
 THE SECOND TOWNSMAN. 
 Ay, be sure of that. 
 
 THE FIRST TOWNSMAN. 
 See, see ! The Varbaelgs are flying already !
 
 164 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 A troop of SKULE'S men enter in full flight, from 
 the right. 
 
 ONE OF THEM. 
 
 Into the church ! None can stand against the 
 Birchlegs as they lay about them to-night. 
 
 [The troop rushes into the church and bars 
 the door on the inside. 
 
 THE SECOND TOWNSMAN. 
 
 [Looking out to the right.] 1 see a standard far 
 down the street ; it must be King Hakon's. 
 
 THE FIRST TOWNSMAN. 
 See, see, how the Varbaelgs are running ! 
 
 A second troop enters from the right. 
 
 ONE OF THE FUGITIVES. 
 
 Let us take to the church and pray for grace. 
 [They rush at the door. 
 
 SEVERAL VAHB^ELGS. 
 'Tis barred ! 'tis barred ! 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 Up over Martestokke then ! 
 
 ANOTHER. 
 Where is King Skule ? 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 
 I know not. Away! yonder I see the Birchlegs 
 standard ! 
 
 [They flee past the church, out to the left.
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. l65 
 
 HAKON enters from the right with his Standard- 
 bearer, GREGORIUS JONSSON, DAGFINN THE 
 PEASANT, and several other men. j 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 Hark to the war-cry ! Skule is gathering his 
 men behind the churchyard. 
 
 AN OLD TOWNSMAN. 
 
 [Calls from his porch, to HAKON.] Take heed for 
 yourself, dear my lord ; the Vargbaelgs are fierce, 
 now they are fighting for life. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Is it you, old Guthorm Erlendsson ? You have 
 fought both for my father and for rny grandfather 
 
 THE TOWNSMAN. 
 Would to God I could fight for you as well. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 For that you are too old, and there is no need ; 
 men pour in upon me from all sides. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [Pointing off over the wall to the right.] There 
 comes the Duke's standard ! 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 The Duke himself! He rides his white war- 
 horse. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 We must hinder his passage through the gate 
 here!
 
 166 THE pnETF.NnEns. [ACT iv. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Wind the horn, wind the horn ! [The Hornblorver 
 does so.~\ You blew better, you whelp, when you 
 blew for money on Bergen wharf. 
 
 [The Hornblower winds another blast, fonder 
 than the Jlrst ; many men come rushing 
 in. 
 
 A 
 
 [From the right, fleeing towards the church, pursued 
 by a Birchleg.] Spare my life ! Spare my life ! 
 
 THE BIRCHLEO. 
 
 Not though you sat on the altar ! [Cuts him 
 down.] 'Tis a costly cloak you wear, methinks 
 'twill fit roe well. [If about to take the cloak, but 
 utters a cry and casts away his sword.] My lord 
 King ! Not another stroke will I strike for you ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 You say that in such an hour as this ? 
 
 THE BIRCHLEO. 
 Not another stroke ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 [Culs him down.] Well, you may e'en let it alone. 
 
 THE BIRCHLEG. 
 
 [Pointing to the dead Varbcelg.'] Methought I 
 had done enough when I slew my own brother. 
 
 [Dies. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 His brother!
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. l67 
 
 DAOFINN. 
 What I [Goes up to the Varbxlg's body. 
 
 HAitoN. 
 Is it true ? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 I fear me it is. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Shaken.] Here see we what a war we are 
 waging. Brother against brother, father against 
 son ; by God Almighty, this must have an end ! 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 There comes the Duke, in full fight with Earl 
 Knut's troop ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Bar the gate against him, king's men ! 
 
 On the other aide of the mall, the combatants come in 
 sight. The Varbcelgs are forcing their way 
 towards the left, driving the Birchlegs back, foot 
 by foot. KING SKULE rides his white war horse, 
 with his sword drawn. PETER walks at his side, 
 holding the horse's bridle, and with his left 
 hand uplifting a crucifix. PAUL FLIDA bears 
 SKULE' s standard, which is blue, with a golden 
 lion rampant, nithout the axe. 1 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Cut them down ! Spare no man ! There is 
 come a new heir 2 to the throne of Norway ! 
 
 1 The arms of Norway consist of a lion rampant, holding 
 an axe. 
 a Et *vt kongs-emne.
 
 1(58 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV 
 
 THE BIRCHLEGS. 
 A new heir, said he ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 Skule Bardsson, let us share the kingdom ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 All or nought ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 Think of the Queen, your daughter ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 I have a son, I have a son ! I think of none 
 but him ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 I too have a son ; if I fall the kingdom will be 
 his! 
 
 KING. SKULE. 
 
 Slay the King-child, wherever you find it ! Slay 
 it on the throne ; slay it at the altar ; slay it 
 slay it in the Queen's arms ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 There did you utter your own doom ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Slashing about him.] Slay, slay without mercy ! 
 King Skule has a son ! Slay, slay ! 
 
 [The fighting gradually passes away to the 
 left. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 The Vargbaelgs are hewing their way through ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Ay, but only to flee.
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 1 (JO, 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 Yes, by Heaven, the other gate stands open ; 
 they are fleeing already ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 Up towards Martestokke. [Calls out.] After 
 them, after them, Earl Knut ! Take vengeance 
 for the slaughter at Laka ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 You heard it : he proclaimed my child an out- 
 law my innocent child, Norway's chosen king 
 after me ! 
 
 THE KING'S MEN. 
 Ay, ay, we heard it ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 And what is the punishment for such a crime ? 
 
 THE MEN. 
 Death ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Then must he die ! [Raises his hand to make 
 oath.] Here I swear it : Skule Bardsson shall die, 
 wherever he be met on unconsecrated ground ' 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 'Tis every true man's duty to slay him. 
 
 A BIRCHLEG. 
 [From the left.] Duke Skule has taken to flight ! 
 
 THE TOWNSFOLK. 
 The Birchlegs have conquered !
 
 170 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 What way ? 
 
 THE BIRCHLEG. 
 
 Past Martestokke, up towards Eidsvold ; most 
 of them had horses waiting up in the streets, else 
 had not one escaped with his life. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Thanks be to God that has helped us yet again ! 
 Now may the Queen safely come ashore from the 
 fleet. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 [Points off to the right.] She has already landed, 
 my lord ; there she comes ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [To those nearest him.] The heaviest task is yet 
 before me ; she is a loving daughter ; listen no 
 word to her of the danger that threatens her 
 child. Swear to me, one and all, to keep ward 
 over your King's son ; but let her know nothing. 
 
 THE MEN. 
 [Softly.] We swear it. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Enters, with ladies and attendants, Jrom the right.] 
 Hakon, my husband ! Heaven has shielded you ; 
 you have conquered and are unhurt ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 Yes, I have conquered. Where is the child ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 On board the King's ship, in the hands of trusty 
 men.
 
 ACT IV.] THE PRETENDERS. 171 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Go more of you thither. [Some of the men go. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Hakon, where is Duke Skule ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 He has made for the Uplands. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 He lives, then ! My husband, may I thank God 
 that he lives ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [In painful agitation.] Hear me, Margrete : you 
 have been a faithful wife to me, you have followed 
 me through good hap and ill, you have been un- 
 speakably rich in love ; now must I cause you a 
 heavy sorrow ; I am loath to do it ; but I am King, 
 therefore must I 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 \In suspense.] Has it to do with the Duke ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Yes. No bitterer lot could befall me than to 
 live my life far from you ; but if you think it must 
 be so after what I now tell you if you feel that 
 you can no longer sit by my side, no longer look 
 at me without turning pale well, we must even 
 part live each alone and I shall not blame you 
 for it. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Part from you ! How can you think such a 
 thought ? Give me your hand !
 
 172 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT IV. 
 
 HAKON. 
 Touch it not ! It has even now been lifted in 
 
 oath 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 In oath ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 An oath that set its sacred seal upon a death- 
 warrant. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [With a shriek.] My father ! Oh, my father ! 
 [Totters ; fn>o women rush forward to 
 support her. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Yes, Margrete his King has doomed your 
 father to death. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Then well I know he has committed a greater 
 crime than when he took the kingly title. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 That has he; and now, if you feel that we must 
 part, so let it be. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Coming close to him, firmly. ~\ We can never 
 part ! I am your wife, nought else in the world 
 but your wife ' 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Are you strong enough ? Did you hear and 
 understand all ? I have doomed your father. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 I heard and understood. You have doomed my 
 father.
 
 ACT IV. 1 THE PRETENDERS. 173 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 And you ask not to know what was his crime ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 "Tis enough that you know it. 
 
 HAKON. 
 But it was to death that I doomed him ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Kneels before the KING, ami lasses his hand.] My 
 husband and noble lord, your doom is just !
 
 ACT FIFTH. 
 
 A room in the palace at Nidaros. The entrance door is 
 on the right; in front, on the same side, a window ; 
 to the left a smaller door. It is after night- fall. 
 PAUL FLIDA, BARD BRATTE, and several of KING 
 SKULE'S principal followers are standing at the 
 window and looking upward. 
 
 A MAN-AT-ARMS. 
 How red it glows ! 
 
 A SECOND. 
 
 It stretcl.es over half the sky, like a flaming 
 sword. 
 
 B!RD BRATTE. 
 
 Holy King Olaf, what bodes such a sign of 
 dread ? 
 
 AN OLD VARB^LG. 
 Assuredly it bodes a great chief's death. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Hakon's death, my good Varbaelgs. He is lying 
 out in the fiord with his fleet ; we may look for 
 him in the town to-night. This time, 'tis our turn 
 to conquer ! 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 Trust not to that ; there is little heart in the 
 host now.
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 175 
 
 THE OLD 
 
 And reason enough, in sooth ; ever since the 
 flight from Oslo has King Skule shut himself in, 
 and will neither see nor speak with his men. 
 
 THE FIRST MAN-AT-ARMS. 
 
 There are those in the town who know not 
 whether to believe him alive or dead. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 The King must out, however sick he may be. 
 Speak to him, Bard Bratte the safety of all is at 
 stake. 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 It avails not; I have spoken to him already. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Then must 1 try what I can do. [Goes to I he 
 door on the left, and knocks .] My lord King, 
 you must take the helm in your own hands ; 
 things can no longer go on in this fashion. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [Within.] I am sick, Paul Flida. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 What else can you look for ? You have eaten 
 nought these two days ; you must nourisli and 
 strengthen you - 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 I am sick. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 By the Almighty, 'tis no time for sickness.
 
 176 THE PRETENDERS, [ ACT V - 
 
 King Hakon lies out in the fiord, and may at any 
 time be upon us here in Nidaros. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Strike him down for me ! Slay him and the 
 King-child. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 You must be with us, my lord ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 No, no, no, you are surest of fortune and 
 victory when I am not there. 
 
 PETE ii. 
 
 [Enters from the right ; he is in armour.] The 
 townsfolk are ill at ease ; they flock together in 
 great masses before the palace. 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 Unless the King speak to them, they will desert 
 him in the hour of n^ed. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Then must he speak to them. [At the door on 
 the left.] Father ! The Tronders, your trustiest 
 subjects, will fall away from you if you give them 
 not courage. 
 
 KING SKULK. 
 What said the skald ? 
 
 PETER. 
 The skald ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 The skald who died for my sake at Oslo. A 
 man cannot give what he himself does not possess, 
 he said.
 
 ACT V.j THE PRETENDERS. 177 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Then neither can you give away the kingdom ; 
 <br it is mine after you ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Now I will come ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 God be praised ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Comes forward in the doorway ; he is pale and 
 haggard; his hair has grown very grey.] You shall 
 not look at me ! I will not have you look at me 
 now that I am sick ! [Goes up to PETER.] Take 
 from you the kingdom, you say ? Great God in 
 heaven, what was I about to do ! 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Oh, forgive me ; I know that what you do is 
 ever the right. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 No, no, not hitherto; but now I will be strong 
 and sound I will act ! 
 
 LOUD SHOUTS. 
 [Without, on the rig/it.] King Skule ! King Skule ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 What is that ? 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 [At the window.] The townsmen are flocking 
 together ; the whole courtyard is full of people ; 
 you must speak to them. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Do I look like a king? Can I speak now? 
 
 M
 
 178 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 PETER. 
 You must, my noble father ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Well, be it so. [Goes to the window and draws the 
 curtain aside, but lets it go quickly and starts back in 
 terror.] There hangs the flaming sword over me 
 again ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 It bodes that the sword of victory is drawn for 
 you. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Ah, were it but so ! [Goes to the window and 
 speaks out.] Tronders, what would you ? Here 
 stands your King. 
 
 A TOWNSMAN. 
 
 [Without.] Leave the town ! The Birchlegs 
 will burn and slay if they find you here. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 We must all hold together. I have been 
 a gracious King to you ; I have craved but small 
 
 war-tax 
 
 A MAN'S VOICE. 
 
 [Down in the crowd] What call you all the 
 blood, then, that flowed at Laka and Oslo ? 
 
 A WOMAN. 
 Give me my betrothed again ! 
 
 A BOY. 
 Give me my father and my brother ! 
 
 ANOTHER WOMAN. 
 Give me my three sons, King Skule !
 
 ACT V.J THE PRETENDERS. 179 
 
 A MAN. 
 
 He is no King; homage has not been done him 
 on St. Olaf's shrine ! 
 
 MANY VOICES-. 
 
 No, no no homage has been done him on St. 
 Olaf's shrine ! He is no king ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Shrinks behind the curtain.] No homage ! 
 
 No king ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Twas a dire mischance that the shrine was not 
 brought forth when you were chosen. 
 
 B!RD BRATTE. 
 
 Should the townsfolk desert us, we cannot hold 
 Nidaros if the Birchlegs come. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 And they will desert us, so long as homage has 
 not been done to me on the Saint's shrine. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Then let the shrine be brought forth, and take 
 our homage now ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [Shaking his head.] How should that be pos- 
 sible ? 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Is aught impossible, where he is concerned ? 
 Sound the call fov the folkmote, and bring forth 
 the shrine ! 
 
 SEVERAL OP THE MEN. 
 [Shrinking back.] Sacrilege !
 
 180 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 No sacrilege ! Come, come ! The monks are 
 well disposed towards King Skule ; they will 
 agree 
 
 PAUL FLIOA. 
 
 That will they not ; they dare not, for the 
 Archbishop, 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Are you King's men, and will not lend your aid 
 when so great a cause is at stake : Good, there 
 are others below of better will. My father and 
 King, the monks shall give way ; I will pray, I 
 will beseech ; sound the summons for the folk- 
 mote ; you shall bear your kingship rightfully. 
 
 [Hushes out to the right. 
 
 KING SKULF. 
 
 [Beaming with jou.] Saw you him ! Saw you 
 my gallant son ! How his eyes shone ' Yes, we 
 will all fight and conquer. Hew strong are the 
 Birchlegs ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Not stronger than that we may master them, if 
 but the townsfolk hold to us ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 They shall hold to us. We must all be at one 
 now and put an end to this time of dread. See 
 you not that 'tis Heaven's command that we should 
 end it ? Heaven is wroth with all Norway for the 
 deeds that have so long been doing. A flaming 
 sword glows night by night in the sky ; women 
 swoon and bear children in the churches; a frenzy 
 creeps abroad among priests and monks, causing 
 them to run through the streets and proclaim
 
 ACT V.l THE PRETENDERS. 181 
 
 that the last day is come. A)', by the Almighty, 
 this shall be ended at one stroke ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 What are your commands ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 All the bridges shall be broken down ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 Go, and let all the bridges be broken. 
 
 [One of the Men-at-arms goes out to the 
 right. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Gather all our men upon the foreshore ; not 
 one Birchleg shall set foot in Nidaros. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 Well spoken, King. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 When the shrine is borne forth, let the horn 
 sound to the folkmote. The host and the towns- 
 folk shall be called together. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [To one of the men.] Go forth and bid the 
 hornblower wind his horn in all the streets. 
 
 [The man goes. 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Addresses the people from the window.] Hold 
 fast to me, all my sorrowing people. There shall 
 come peace and light over the land once more, 
 as in Hakon's first glad days, when the fields 
 yielded two harvests every summer. Hold fast
 
 182 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 to me; believe in me and trust to me; 'tis that 
 I need so unspeakably. I will watch over you 
 and fight for you ; I will bleed and die for you, 
 
 if need be ; but fail me not, and doubt not ! 
 
 [Loud cries, as though of terror, are heard among the 
 people.] What is that ? 
 
 A WILD VOICE. 
 Atone ! Atone ! 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 [Looks out.] Tis a priest possessed of the 
 devil ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 He is tearing his cowl to shreds and scourging 
 himself with a whip. 
 
 THE VOICE. 
 Atone, atone ! The last day is come. 
 
 MANY VOICES. 
 
 Flee, flee ! Woe upon Nidaros . A deed ot 
 sin ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 What has befallen ? 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 All flee, all shrink away as though a wild beast 
 were in their midst. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Yes, all flee. [With a cri/ of joy.] Ha! it 
 matters not. We are saved ! See, see King 
 Olaf s shrine stands in the middle of the court- 
 yard.
 
 ACT V.: THE PRETENDERS. 183 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 King Olafs shrine ! 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 Ay, by Heaven there it stands ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 The monks are true to me ; so good a deed 
 have they never done before ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 Hark ! the call to the folkmote ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Now shall lawful homage be done to me. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 [Enters from the rigJit.] Take on you the kingly 
 mantle ; now stands the shrine out yonder. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Then have you saved the kingdom for me and 
 for yourself ; and tenfold will we thank the pious 
 monks for yielding. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 The monks, father you have nought to thank 
 them for. 
 
 KING SKULE, 
 'Twas not they that helped you ? 
 
 PETER. 
 
 They laid the ban of the Church on whoever 
 should dare to touch the holy thing.
 
 184 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 The Archbishop then ! At last he gives way. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 The Archbishop hurled forth direr curses than 
 the monks. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Ah, then I see that I still have trusty men. 
 You here, who should have been the first to serve 
 me, stood terrified and shrank back but down 
 in the crowd have I friends who for my sake fear 
 not to take so great a sin upon their souls. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 You have not one trusty man who dared to 
 take the sin upon him. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Almighty God ! has then a miracle come to 
 pass ? Who bore out the holy thing ? 
 
 PETER. 
 I, my father ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [With a shriek.] You! 
 
 THE MEN. 
 [Shrink back appalled.] Church-robber ! 
 
 [PAUL FLIDA, BARD BRATTE, and one or 
 two others go out. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 The deed had to be done. No man's faith is 
 sure ere homage be lawfully done to you. I 
 begged, I besought the monks ; it availed not.
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 185 
 
 Then I broke open the church door ; none dared 
 to follow me. I sprang up to the high altar, 
 gripped the handle, and pressed hard with my 
 knees ; 'twas as though an unseen power gave me 
 more than human strength. The shrine came 
 loose, I dragged it after me down the nave, while 
 the ban moaned like a storm high up under the 
 vaultings. I dragged it out of the church ; all 
 fled and shrank from me. When I came to the 
 middle of the courtyard the handle broke ; here 
 it is ! [Holds it alojl. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [Quietly, appalled.] Church -robber. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 For your sake ; for the sake of your great king's- 
 thought ! You will wipe out the sin ; all that 
 is evil you will wipe away. Light and peace will 
 follow you ; a glorious day will dawn over the 
 land what matter, then, if there went a storm- 
 night before it ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 There was as 'twere a halo round your head 
 when your mother brought you to me ; now I 
 see in its stead the lightnings of the ban. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Father, father, think not of me ; be not afraid 
 for my woe or weal. Is it not your will I have 
 fulfilled? how can it be accounted to me fora 
 crime ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 I hungered for your faith in me, and your faith 
 has turned to sin.
 
 186 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 [Wildly.] For your sake, for your sake ' 
 Therefore God dare not deny to blot it out ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 " Pure and blameless," I swore to Ingeborg 
 and he scoffs at heaven ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 [Entering.] All is in uproar ! The impious 
 deed has struck terror to your men ; they flee 
 into the churches. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 They shall out ; they must out! 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 [E?itering.] The townsfolk have risen against 
 you ; they are slaying the Varbaelgs wherever they 
 find them, on the streets or in the houses ! 
 
 A MAN-AT-ARMS. 
 
 [Entering.] The Birchlegs are sailing up the 
 river ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Summon all my men together ! None must 
 fail me here ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 They will not come; they are benumbed with 
 dread. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 {Despairingly.'] But I cannot ; fall now ! My 
 son must not die with a deadly sin upon his 
 soul 2
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 187 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Think not of me ; 'tis you alone that are to be 
 thought of. Let us make for Indherred ; there 
 all men are true to you ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Av, to flight ! Follow me, whoso would save 
 his fife ! 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 What way ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Over the bridge ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 All bridges are broken down, my lord. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Broken down-; ! All the bridges broken, 
 
 say you ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Had you broken them down at Oslo, you might 
 have let them stand at Nidaros. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 We must over the river none the less ; we 
 have our lives and our souls to save ! To flight ! 
 To flight ! [He and PETER rush out to the left. 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 Ay, better so than to fall at the hands of the 
 townfolk and the Birchlegs. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 In God's name, then, to flight ! 
 
 [All follow SKULE
 
 188 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 The room stands empty for a short time; a distant 
 and confused noise is heard from the streets ; 
 then a troop of armed tonmsmen rushes in by 
 the door on the right. 
 
 A TOWNSMAN 
 Here ! He must be here ! 
 
 ANOTHER. 
 Slay him ! 
 
 MANY. 
 Slay the church-robber too ! 
 
 A SINGLE ONE. 
 Go carefully ! They may yet bite ! 
 
 THE FIRST TOWNSMAN. 
 
 No need: the Birchlegs are already coming 
 up the street. 
 
 A TOWNSMAN. 
 [Entering.] Too late King Skule has fled ! 
 
 MANY. 
 Whither ? Whither ? 
 
 THE NEW-COMER. 
 
 Into one of the churches, methinks ; they are 
 full of the Vargbaelgs. 
 
 THE FIRST TOWNSMAN. 
 
 Then let us seek for him ; great thanks ami 
 reward will King Hakon give to the man who 
 slays Skule. 
 
 ANOTHER. 
 Here comes the Birchlegs,
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 189 
 
 A THIRD. 
 King Hakon himself! 
 
 MANY OF THE CROWD. 
 [Shout.] Hail to King Hakon Hakonsson! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Enters from the right, followed by GREGORIUS 
 JONSSON, DAGFINN THE PEASANT, and many others.] 
 Ay, now are you humble, you Tronders; you 
 have stood against me long enough. 
 
 THE FIRST TOWNSMAN. 
 
 [Kneeling.] Mercy, my lord ! Skule Bardsson 
 bore so hardly on us ! 
 
 ANOTHER. 
 
 [Also kneeling.] He compelled us, else had 
 we never followed him. 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 
 He seized our goods and forced us to fight for 
 his unrighteous cause. 
 
 THE SECOND. 
 
 Alas, noble lord, he has been a scourge to his 
 friends no less than to his foes. 
 
 MANY VOICES. 
 
 Ay, ay, Skule Bardsson has been a scourge to 
 the whole land. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 That, at least, is true enough. 
 
 HAKON. 
 Good ; with you townsfolk I will speak later ;
 
 190 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 'tis my purpose to punish sternly all transgres- 
 sions ; but first there are other things to be 
 thought of. Knows any man where Skule 
 Bardsson is ? 
 
 MANY. 
 la one of the churches, lord ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 Know you that for certain ? 
 
 THE TOWNSMEN. 
 Ay, there are all the Vargbaelgs. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Softly to DAGFINN.] He must be found ; set a 
 watch on all the churches in the town. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 And when he is found, he must straightway be 
 slain. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Softly.] Slain ? Dagfinn, Dagfinn, how heavy 
 a deed it seems ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 My lord, you swore it solemnly at Oslo. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 And all men in the land will call for his death. 
 [Turns to GREGORIUS JONSSON and says, unheard by 
 the others.] Go ; you were once his friend ; seek 
 him out and prevail on him to fly the land. 
 
 GREGORIUS. 
 [Joyfully.] *ou will suffer it, my lord !
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 191 
 
 HAKON. 
 For the sake of my gentle, well-beloved wife. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 But if he should not flee ? If he will not or 
 cannot ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Then, in God's name, I may not spare him ; 
 then must my kingly word be fulfilled. Go ! 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON 
 
 I go, and shall do my utmost. Heaven grant I 
 may succeed. [Cues out by the right. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 You, Dagfinn, go with trusty men down to the 
 King's ship ; you shall conduct the Queen and her 
 child up to Elgesaeter 1 convent. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 My lord, think you she will be safe there ? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Nowhere safer. The Vargbaelgs have shut 
 themselves up in the churches, and she has 
 besought to be sent thither; her mother is at 
 Elgesaeter. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Ay, ay, that I know. 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 Greet the Queen most lovingly from me ; and 
 greet Lady Ragnhild also. You may tell them 
 that so soon as the Vargbaelgs shall have made 
 
 Elk-chalet.
 
 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 submission and been taken to grace, all the bells 
 in Nidaros shall be rung, for a sign that there has 
 come peace in the land once more. You towns- 
 folk shall reckon with me to-morrow, and punish- 
 ment shall be meted to each according to his 
 misdeeds. [Goes with his men. 
 
 THE FIRST TOWNSMAN. 
 Woe upon us to-morrow ! 
 
 THE SECOND. 
 We have a long reckoning to pay. 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 
 We, who have stood against Hakon ?o long 
 who bore our part in acclaiming Skule when he 
 took the kingly title. 
 
 THE SECOND. 
 
 Who gave Skule both ships and war-tribute 
 who bought all the goods he seized from Hakon's 
 thanes. 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 Ay, woe upon us to-morrow ! 
 
 A TOWNSMAN. 
 
 [Rushes in from the left.] Where is Ilakon ? 
 Where is the King ? 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 What would you with him ? 
 
 THE NEW-COMER. 
 Bring him great and weighty tidings. 
 
 MANY. 
 What tidings ?
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 13 
 
 THE NEW-COMER. 
 I tell them to no other than the King himself. 
 
 MANY. 
 
 Ay, tell us, tell us ! 
 
 THE NEW-COMER. 
 Skule Bardsson is fleeing up toward Elgesaeter. 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 It cannot be ! He is in one of the churches. 
 
 THE NEW-COMER. 
 
 No, no ; he and his son crossed over the river in 
 a skiff. 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 Ha, then we can save us from Hakon's wrath ! 
 
 THL SECOND. 
 
 Ay, let us forthwith give him to know where 
 Skule is. 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 
 Nay, better than that ; we will say nought, but 
 ourselves go up to Elgesaeter and slay Skule. 
 
 THE SECOND. 
 Ay, ay that will we ! 
 
 A THIRD. 
 
 But did not many Vargbaelgs go with him over 
 the river? 
 
 THE NEW-COMER. 
 No, there were but few men in the boat. 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 We will arm us as best we can. Oh, now are 
 
 N
 
 194 THE PRETENDERS. [ ACT v - 
 
 we townsfolk safe enough ! Let no man know 
 what we are about ; we are enough for the task ! 
 And now, away to Elgesseter. 
 
 ALL. 
 [Softly.'] Ay, away to Elgesseter ! 
 
 [They go out lo the left, rapidly but 
 cautiously. 
 
 A fir-wood on the hills above Nidaros. It is moon- 
 light, but the night is misty, so that the back- 
 ground is seen indistinctly, and sometimes scarcely 
 at all. Tree-stumps and great, boulders lie round 
 about. KING SKULE, PETER, PAUL FLIDA, BARD 
 BRATTE, and other V!RILELGS come through the 
 wood from the left. 
 
 PETER. 
 Come hither and rest you, my father. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Ay, let me rest, rest. [Sinks down beside a stone. 
 
 PETER. 
 How goes it with you ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 I am hungry ! I am sick, sick ! I see dead 
 men's shadows ! 
 
 PETER. 
 
 [Springing up.] Help here bread for the 
 King! 
 
 B!RD BRATTE. 
 Here is every man king ; for life is at stake.
 
 \CT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 195 
 
 Stand up, Skule Bardsson, if you be king ! Lie 
 not there to rule the land. 
 
 PETER. 
 If you scoff at my father, I will kill you . 
 
 B!RD BRATTE. 
 
 I shall be killed whatever betides ; for me King 
 Hakon will have no grace ; for I was his thane, 
 and deserted him for Skule's sake. Think of 
 somewhat that may save us. No deed so desperate 
 but I will risk it now. 
 
 A 
 
 Could we but get over to the convent at 
 Holm? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 Better to Elgesaeter. 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 [With a sudden outburst. ,] Best of all to go 
 down to Hakon's ship and bear away the King- 
 child. 
 
 PAUL FUDA. 
 Are you distraught ? 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 No, no ; 'tis our one hope, and easy enough to 
 do. The Birchlegs are ransacking every house, 
 and keeping watch on all the churches ; they 
 think none of us can have taken flight, since all 
 the bridges are broken. There can be but few 
 men on board the ships ; when once we have his 
 heir in our power, Hakon must grant us peace, else
 
 196 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 will his child die with us. Who will go with me 
 to save our lives ? 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 Not I, if they are to be saved in such wise. 
 
 SEVERAL. 
 Not I ! Not I ! 
 
 PETER. 
 Ha, but if it were to save my father 
 
 B!RD BRATTE. 
 
 If you will go with me, come. First I go down 
 to Hladehammer ; there lies the troop we met at 
 the bottom of the hill ; they are the wildest dare- 
 devils of all the Vargbaelgs ; they had swum the 
 river, knowing that they would find no grace in the 
 churches. They are the lads for a raid on the 
 King's ship ' Which of you will follow me ? 
 
 SOME. 
 I! I! 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Mayhap I too ; but first must I see my father 
 into safe shelter. 
 
 BARD BRATTE. 
 
 Ere daybreak will we make speed up the river. 
 Come, here goes a short way downwards towards 
 Hlade. [He and some others go out to the right. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 [To PAUL FLIDA.] Let not my father know aught 
 of this ; he is soul-sick to-night, we must act 
 for him There is safety in Bard Bratte's deed ;
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 197 
 
 ere daybreak shall the King-child be in our 
 hands. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 To be slain, most like. See you not that it is a 
 
 sin 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Nay, it cannot be a sin ; for my father doomed 
 the child in Oslo. Sooner or later it must die, for 
 it blocks my father's path ; my father has a great 
 king's-thought to carry through ; it matters not 
 who or how many fall for its sake. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Hapless for you was the day you came to know 
 that you were King Skule's son. [Listening.] 
 Hist ! cast you flat to the ground ; there come 
 people this way. 
 
 [All throw themselves down behind stones 
 and stumps ; a troop of people, some 
 riding, some on foot, can be seen indis- 
 tinctly through the mist and between the 
 trees ; they come from the left, and pass 
 on to the right. 
 
 PETER. 
 'Tis the Queen ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Ay ; she is talking with Dagfinn the Peasant. 
 Hush ! 
 
 PETER. 
 
 They are making for Elgesaeter. The King- 
 child is with them ! 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 And the Queen's ladies.
 
 198 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT v 
 
 PETER. 
 
 But only four men ! Up, up, King Skule now 
 is your kingdom saved ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 My kingdom ? Tis dark, my kingdom like the 
 angel's that rose against God. 
 
 A party of MONKS comes from the rigid. 
 
 A MONK. 
 Who speaks there ? Is it King Skule's men. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 King Skule himself. 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 [To SKULE.] God be praised that we met you, 
 dear lord ! Some townsmen gave us to know that 
 you had taken the upward path, and we are no less 
 unsafe than you in Nidaros. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 You have deserved death, you who denied to 
 give forth St. Olaf s shrine. 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 The Archbishop forbade it ; but none the less 
 we would fain serve King Skule ; we have ever 
 held to him. See, we have brought with us robes 
 of our Order for you and your men ; put them on, 
 and then can you easily make your way into one 
 convent or another, and can seek to gain grace of 
 Hakon.
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 199 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Ay, let me put on the robe ; my son and I 
 must stand on consecrated ground. I will to 
 Elgesaeter. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 [Softly, to PAUL FLIDA.] See that my father 
 comes safely thither. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Bethink you that there are Birchlegs at 
 Elgesaeter. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 But four men ; you may easily deal with them, 
 and once inside the convent walls they will not 
 dare to touch you. I will seek Bard Bratte. 
 
 PAUL FLIDA. 
 
 Nay, do not so ! 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Not on the King's ship, but at Elgesaeter, must 
 the outlaws save the kingdom for my father. 
 
 [Goes quickly out to the right. 
 
 [Whispering to another.'] Go you to Elgesaeter 
 with Skule ? 
 
 THE OTHER. 
 Hist; no; the Birchlegs are there! 
 
 THE FIRST. 
 
 Neither will 1 go ; but say nought to the 
 rest.
 
 200 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 And now away, two and two, one spearman 
 and one monk. 
 
 ANOTHER MONK. 
 
 [Sitting on a stump behind the rest.] I will 
 guide King Skule. 
 
 KINO SKULE. 
 Know you the way ? 
 
 THE MONK. 
 The broad way. 
 
 THE FIRST MONK. 
 
 Haste you ; let us take different paths, and 
 meet outside the convent gate. 
 
 [They go out among the trees, to the right ; 
 the fog lifts and the comet shows itself, 
 red and glowing, through the hazy air. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Peter, my son ! [Staj-ts backwards.] Ha, 
 
 there is the flaming sword in heaven ! 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 [Sitting behind him on the stump.] And here 
 am I ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Who are you ? 
 
 THE MONK. 
 An old acquaintance. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Paler man have I never seen.
 
 ACT V.I THE PRETENDERS. 201 
 
 THE MONK. 
 But you know me not ? 
 
 KING SKULE 
 Tis you that are to lead me to Elgesaeter. 
 
 THE MONK. 
 'Tis I that will lead you to the throne- 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Can you do that ? 
 
 THE MONK. 
 I can, if you but will it. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 And by what means ? 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 By the means I have used before ; I will take 
 you up into a high mountain and show you all the 
 glory of the world. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 All the glory of the world have I seen ere now, 
 in dreams of temptation. 
 
 THE MONK. 
 'Twas I that gave you those dreams. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Who are you ? 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 An envoy from the oldest Pretender in the 
 world.
 
 202 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 From the oldest Pretender in the world ? 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 From the first Earl, who rose against the 
 greatest kingdom, and himself founded a kingdom 
 that shall endure beyond doomsday 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [Shrieks.] Bishop Nicholas ! 
 
 THE MONK. 
 [Rising.] Do you know me now ? We were 
 
 friends of yore, 
 
 and 'tis you that have brought me back ; 
 once the self-same galley our fortunes bore, 
 and we sailed on the self- same tack. 
 At our parting I quailed, in the gloom and 
 
 the blast ; 
 for a hawk in his talons had gripped my soul 
 
 fast ; 
 
 I besought them to chant and to ply the bell, 
 and I bought me masses and prayers as well, 
 they read fourteen, though I'd paid but for 
 
 seven ; 
 yet they brought me no nearer the gates of 
 
 heaven. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 And you come from down yonder ? 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 Yes, from the kingdom down yonder I'm faring ; 
 the kingdom men always so much miscall.
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 203 
 
 I vow 'tis in nowise so bad after all, 
 and the heat, to my thinking, is never past 
 bearing. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 And it seems you have learnt skald-craft, old 
 Bagler-chieftain ! 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 Not only skald -craft, but store of Latinity ! 
 Once my Latin was not over strong, you know ; 
 now few can beat it for ease and flow. 
 To take any station in yonder vicinity, 
 ay, even to pass at the gate, for credential 
 a knowledge of Latin is well-nigh essential. 
 You can't but make progress with so many able 
 and learned companions each day at the table, 
 full fifty ex-popes by my side carouse, and 
 five hundred cardinals, skalds seven thousand. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Greet your Master and give him my thanks 
 for his friendship. Tell him he is the only king 
 who sends help to Skule the First of Norway. 
 
 THE MONK. 
 Hear now, King Skule, what brings me to 
 
 you - 
 
 my Master's henchmen down there are legion, 
 and each up here is allotted a region ; 
 they gave Norway to me, as the place I best 
 
 knew. 
 
 Hakon Hakonsson serves not my Master's will ; 
 we hate him, for he is our foeman still 
 so he must fall, leaving you at the helm, 
 the sole possessor of crown and realm.
 
 204 THE PRETENDERS [ACT V. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Ay, give me the crown ! When once I have 
 that, I will rule so as to buy myself free again. 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 Ay, that we can always talk of later - 
 we must seize the time if we'd win the fight. 
 King Hakon's child sleeps at Elgesaeter ; 
 coald you once wrap him in the web of night, 
 then like storm-swept motes will your foes fly 
 
 routed, 
 then your victory's sure and your kingship 
 
 undoubted ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Think you so surely that the victory were 
 mine ? 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 All men in Norway are sighing for rest ; 
 the king with an heir 1 is the king they love 
 
 best 
 a son to succeed to the throne without 
 
 wrangling ; 
 for the people are tired of this hundred-years' 
 
 jangling. 
 
 Rouse you, King Skule ! one great endeavour ' 
 the foe must perish to-night or never ! 
 See, to the northward how light it has grown, 
 see how the fog lifts o'er fiord and o'er valley 
 there gather noiselessly galley on galley 
 hark ! men are marching with rumble and 
 
 drone ! 
 
 One word of promise, and all is your own 
 hundreds of glittering sails on the water, 
 thousands of warriors hurtling to slaughter. 
 
 Et kongs-emne.
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 205 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 What word would you have ? 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 For raising you highest, my one condition 
 is just that you follow your heart's ambition ; 
 all Norway is yours, to the kingship I'll speed 
 
 you, 
 
 if only you vow that your son shall succeed 
 you ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Raising his hand as if for an oath.] My son 
 shall [Slops suddenly, and breaks forth in 
 
 terror.] The church-robber ! All the might to 
 him ! Ha ! now I understand ; you seek for his 
 soul's perdition ! Get thee behind me, get thee 
 behind me ! [Stretches out his arms to heaven] 
 Oh have mercy on me, thou to whom I now call 
 for help in my sorest need ! 
 
 [He falls prone to the earth. 
 
 THE MONK. 
 Accursed ! He's slipped through my fingers 
 
 at la^t 
 
 and I thought of a surety I held him so fast ! 
 But the Light, it seems, had a trick in store 
 that I knew not of and the game is o'er. 
 Well, well ; what matters a little delay ? 
 Perpetuum mobile's well under way ; 
 my might is assured through the years and 
 
 the ages, 
 
 the haters of light shall be still in my wages ; 
 in Norway my empire for ever is founded, 
 though it be to my subjects a riddle unsounded. 
 
 [Coming forward,
 
 206 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 While to their life-work Norsemen set out 
 \vill-lessly wavering, daunted with doubt, 
 while hearts are shrunken, minds helplessly 
 
 shivering, 
 weak as a willow-wand wind-swept and 
 
 quivering, 
 
 while about one thing alone they're united, 
 namely, that greatness be stoned and despited, 
 when they seek honour in fleeing and falling 
 under the banner of baseness unfurled, 
 then Bishop Nicholas 'tends to his calling, 
 the Bagler-Bishop's at work in the world ! 
 
 [He disappears in the fog among the trees. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [After a short pause, half t'ises and looks around.} 
 Where is he, my black comrade ? [Springs up.] 
 My guide, my guide, where are you ? Gone ! 
 No matter ; now I myself know the way, both to 
 Elgesseter and beyond. [Goes out to the right. 
 
 The courtyard of Elgcsceter Convent. To the left 
 lies the chapel, with an entrance from the court- 
 yard ; the windows are lighted up. Along the 
 opposite side of the space stretch some lower 
 buildings ; in the back, the convent wall with a 
 strong gate, which is locked. It is a clear 
 moonlight night. Three Birchleg Chiefs stand 
 by the gate ; MARGRETE, LADY RAGNHILD, and 
 DAGFINN THE PEASANT come out from the 
 chapel. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 \Halfto herself.] King Skule had to flee into 
 
 the church, you say ! He, he, a fugitive ! begging
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 207 
 
 at the altar for peace begging for his life may- 
 hap oh 110, no, that could never be ; but God 
 will punish you who dared to let it come to this ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 My dear, dear mother, curb yourself; you 
 know not what you say ; 'tis your grief that 
 speaks. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Hear me, ye Birchlegs ! 'Tis Hakon Hakons- 
 son that should lie before the altar, and beseech 
 King Skule for life and peace. 
 
 A BIRCHLEG. 
 
 It ill beseems loyal men to listen to such 
 words. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Bow your heads before a wife's sorrow ! 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 King Skule doomed ! Look to yourselves, look 
 to yourselves all of you, when he regains his 
 power ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 That will never be, Lady Ragnhild. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Hush, hush ! 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Think you Hakon Hakonsson dare let his 
 doom be fulfilled if the King should fall into his 
 hands ? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 King Hakon himself best knows whether a 
 king's oath can be broken.
 
 208 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 [To MARGRETE.] And this man of blood have 
 you followed in faitli and love! Are you your 
 
 father's child ? May the wrath of heaven ! 
 
 Go from me, go from me ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Blessed be your lips, although now they curse 
 me. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 I must down to Nidaros and into the church to 
 find King Skule. He sent me from him when he 
 sat victorious on the throne; then, truly, he had 
 no need of me now will he not be wroth if I 
 come to him. Open the gate for me; let me go 
 to Nidaros ! 
 
 MARGUETE. 
 
 My mother, for God's pity's sake ! 
 
 [A loud knocking at the convent gate. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Who knocks ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [Without.'] A king. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Skule Bardsson. 
 
 LADY RAGNIIILD. 
 King Skule. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 My father ! 
 
 KING SKULE 
 Open, open ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 We open not here to outlaws.
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 209 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 "Tis a king who knocks, I tell you ; a king who 
 has no- roof over his head ; a king whose life is 
 forfeit if he reach not consecrated ground, 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Dagfinn, Dagfinn, 'tis my father! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [Goes to the gate and opens a small shutter.] Come 
 you with many men to the convent ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 With all the men that were true to me in my 
 need. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 And hot? many be they ? 
 
 KING SKULF. 
 Fewer than one. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 He is alone, Dagfinn. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Heaven's wrath fall upon you if you deny him 
 sanctuary ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 In God's name, then ! 
 
 [He opens the gate ; the Birchlegs respect- 
 fully uncover their heads. KING SKULE 
 enters the courtyard. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Throwing herself on his neck.] My father ! 
 My dear, unhappy father 1
 
 210 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 [Interposing wildly between him and the Bircklegs.^ 
 Ye who feign reverence for him, ye will betray 
 him, like Judas. Dare not to come near him ' 
 Ye shall not lay a finger on him while I live ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 Here he is safe, for he is on holy ground. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 And not one of all your men had the heart to 
 follow you this night ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Both monks and spearmen brought me on the 
 way ; but they slipped from me one by one, for 
 they knew there were Birchlegs at Elgesseter. 
 Paul Flida was the last to leave me ; he came with 
 me to the convent gate ; there he gave me his last 
 hand-grip, in memory of the time when there were 
 Vargbaelgs in Norway. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 [To the Birchlegs .] Get you in, chieftains, and 
 set you as guards about the King-child ; I must to 
 Nidaros to acquaint the King that Skule Bardsson 
 is at Elgesaeter ; in so weighty a matter 'tis for 
 him to act. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Oh, Dagfinn, Dagfinn, have you the heart for 
 that ? 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 Else should I ill serve King and land. [To the 
 men^\ Lock the gates after me, watch over the 
 child, and open to none until the King be come.
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 211 
 
 \Sojlbf SKULE.] Farewell, Skule Bardsson 
 and God grant you a blessed end. 
 
 [Goes out by i he gale ; the Birchlegs close it 
 after him, and go into the chapel. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Ay, let Hakon come ; I will not loose you ; I will 
 hold you straitly and tenderly in my arms, as I 
 never held you before. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Oh, how pale you are and aged ; you are cold. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 I am not cold but I am weary, weary. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Come in then, and rest you 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Yes, yes ; 'twill soon be time to rest. 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 [From the chapel.] You come at last, my 
 brother ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Sigrid ! you here ? 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 I promised that we should mee-t when you were 
 fain of me in your sorest need. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Where is your child, Margrete ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 He sleeps, in the sacristy.
 
 212 THE PRETENDERS. f_ACT V. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Then is our whole house gathered at Elgesaeter 
 to-night. 
 
 SIGRID. 
 Ay, gathered after straying long and far. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Hakon Hakonsson alone is wanting. 
 
 MARGRETE AND LADY RAGNHILD. 
 [Cling about him, in an outburst of sorrow.] My 
 father ! My husband ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Looking at them, much moved.] Have you 
 loved me so deeply, you two ? I sought after 
 happiness abroad, and heeded not the home 
 wherein I might have found it. I pursued after 
 love through sin and guilt, little dreaming that 
 'twas mine already, in right of God's law and 
 man's. And you, Ragnhild, my wife, you, against 
 whom I have sinned so deeply, you take me to 
 your warm, soft heart in the hour of my sorest 
 need ; you can tremble and be afraid for the life 
 of the man who has never cast a ray of sunshine 
 upon your path. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Have you sinned ? Oh, Skule, speak not so ; 
 think you I should ever dare accuse you ! From 
 the first I was too mean a mate for you, my noble 
 husband ; there can rest no guilt on any deed of 
 yours. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Have you believed in me so surely, Ragnhild ?
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 213 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 From the first day I saw you. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [With animation.] When Hakon comes, I will 
 beg grace of him ! You gentle, loving women, 
 oh., but it is fair to live ! 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 [ With an expression of terror.] Skule,mybrother ! 
 Woe to you if you stray from the path this night. 
 [A loud noise without ; immediately after- 
 wards, a knocking at the gate. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Hark, hark ! Who comes in such haste ? 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 Who knocks at the gate ? 
 
 VOICES. 
 
 [Without.] Townsfolk from Nidaros ! Open! 
 We know that Skule Bardsson is within ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Ay, he is within ; what would ye with him ? 
 
 NOISY VOICES. 
 
 [ Without.] Come out, come out ! Death to the 
 evil man ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 You townsfolk dare to threaten that ? 
 
 A SINGLE VOICE. 
 King Hakon doomed him at Oslo.
 
 214 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 ANOTHER. 
 'Tis every man's duty to slay him. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 I am the Queen ; I command you to depart ! 
 
 A VOICE. 
 
 'Tis Skule Bardsson's daughter, and not the 
 Queen, that speaks thus. 
 
 ANOTHER. 
 
 You have no power over life and death ; the 
 King has doomed him ! 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Into the church, Skule ! For God's mercy's sake, 
 let not the bloodthirsty caitiffs approach you ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Ay, into the church ; I would not fall at the 
 hands of such as these. My Avife, my daughter ; 
 meseems I have found peace and light; oh, 1 
 cannot lose them again so soon ! 
 
 [Moves towards the chapel. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 [Without, on the light.} My father, my king! 
 Now will you soon have the victory ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [With a shriek] He! He! 
 
 [Sinks down upon the church steps. 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Who is it ?
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 215 
 
 A TOWNSMAN'. 
 
 [Without.] See, see ! the church -robber climbs 
 over the convent roof ! 
 
 OTHERS. 
 Stone him ! Stone him ! 
 
 PETER. 
 
 [Appears on a roof to the right, and Jumps doivn 
 into the yard.] Well met again, my father! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Looks at him aghast.] You I had forgotten 
 you ! Whence come you ? 
 
 PETER. 
 [ Wildly.] Where is the King-child ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 The King-child ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 [Starts up.] Whence come you, I ask ? 
 
 PETER. 
 
 From Hladehammer; I have given Bard Bratte 
 and the Vargbselgs to know that the King-child 
 lies at Elgesaeter to-night. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 OGod! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 You have done that ! And now ? 
 
 PETER. 
 He is gathering together his men, and they are
 
 2l6 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 hasting up to the convent. Where is the King- 
 child, woman ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Who has placed herself before the church door.] 
 He sleeps in the sacristy! 
 
 PETER. 
 
 'Twere the same if he slept on the altar ! I 
 have dragged out St. Olaf s shrine 1 fear not to 
 drag out the King-child as well. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 [Calls to SKULE.] And he it is you have loved so 
 deeply ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 Father, father! How could you forget us all 
 for his sake ? 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 He was pure as a lamb of God when the penitent 
 woman gave him to me; 'tis his faith in me has 
 made him what he now is. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 [Without heeding him.] The child must out! 
 Slay it, slay it in the Queen's arms, that was 
 King Skule's word in Oslo ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Oh shame, oh shame ! 
 
 PETER. 
 
 A saint might do it unsinning, at my father's 
 command ! My father is King ; for the great 
 king's-thought is his !
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 217 
 
 TOWNSMEN. 
 
 [Knocking at the gate.] Open ! Come out, you 
 and the church-robber, else will we burn the 
 convent down ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [As if seized by a strong resolution.} The great 
 king's-thought ! 'Tis that has poisoned your 
 young loving soul ! Pure and blameless I was to 
 give you back ; 'tis faith in me that drives you 
 thus wildly from crime to crime, from deadly sin 
 to deadly sin ! Oh, but I can save you yet : I can 
 save us all ! [Calls toward the background.} Wait, 
 wait, ye townsmen without there : I come ! 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Seizing his hand in terror.} My father ! what 
 would you do ? 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 [Clinging to him with a shriek.] Skule ! 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 [Tears them away from him, and calls with ivild, 
 radiant joy.} Loose him, loose him, women ; 
 now his thought puts forth wings ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Firmly and forcibly, to PETER.] You saw in 
 me the heaven-chosen one, him who should do 
 the great king's-work in the land. Look at 
 me better, misguided boy ! The rags of king- 
 ship I have decked myself withal, they were 
 borrowed and stolen now I put them off me, 
 one by one.
 
 218 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 [In dread.] My great, my noble father, speak 
 not thus ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 The king's-thought is Hakon's, not mine ; to 
 him alone has the Lord granted the power that 
 can act it out. You have believed in a lie ; turn 
 from me, and save your soul. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 [In a broken voice.] The king's-thought is 
 Hakon's ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 I yearned to be the greatest in the land. My 
 God ! my God ! behold, I abase myself before thee, 
 and stand as the least of all men. 
 
 PETER. 
 
 Take me from the earth, O Lord ! Punish me 
 for all my sin ; but take me from the earth ; for 
 here am I homeless now ! 
 
 [Sinks down upon the church steps. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 I had a friend who bled for me at Oslo. He 
 said : A man can die for another's life-work ; but 
 if he is to go on living, he must live for his own. 
 I have no life-work to live for, neither can I 
 live for Hakon's, but T can die for it. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Nay, nay, that shall you never do ' 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Takes her hand, and looks at her tenderly.] Do 
 you love your husband, Margrete ?
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. '219 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Better than the whole world. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 You could endure that he should doom me ; 
 but could you also endure that he should let the 
 doom be fulfilled ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 Lord of heaven, give me strength ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 Could you, Margrete ? 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 [Softly and shuddering.] No, no we should 
 have to part, I could never see him more i 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 You would darken the fairest light of his life 
 and of yours; be at peace, Margrete, it shall 
 not be needful. 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Flee from the land, Skule ; I will follow you 
 whithersoever you will. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Shaking his head.] With a mocking shade 
 between us ? To night have I found you for the 
 first time; there must fall no shade between me 
 and you, my silent, faithful wife ; therefore 
 must we not seek to unite our lives on this earth. 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 My kingly brother ! I see you need me not ; I 
 see you know what path to take.
 
 220 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 There are men born to live, and men born to 
 die. My desire was ever thitherward where God's 
 finger pointed not the way for me ; therefore I 
 never saw my path clear, till now. My peaceful 
 home-life have I wrecked ; I can never win it back 
 again. My sins against Hakon I can atone by 
 freeing him from a kingly duty which must have 
 parted him from his dearest treasure. The towns- 
 folk stand without; I will not wait for King 
 Hakon ! The Vargbaelgs are near ; so long as I 
 live they will not swerve from their purpose ; if 
 they find me here, I cannot save your child, Mar- 
 grete. See, look upwards ! See how it wanes 
 and pales, the flaming sword that has hung over 
 my head ! Yes, yes, God has spoken and I have 
 understood him, and his wrath is appeased. Not 
 in the sanctuary of Elgesaeter will I cast me down 
 and beg for grace of an earthly king ; I must into 
 the mighty church roofed with the vault of stars 
 and 'tis the King of Kings I must implore for grace 
 and mercy over all my life-work. 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 Withstand him not ! Withstand not the call 
 of God ! The day dawns ; it dawns in Norway 
 and it dawns in his restless soul ! Have not we 
 trembling women cowered long enough in our 
 secret rooms, terror-stricken and hidden in the 
 darkest corners, listening to all the horror that was 
 doing without, listening to the bloody pageant 
 that stalked over the land from end to end ! Have 
 we not lain pale and stone-like in the churches, 
 not daring to look forth, even as Christ's disciples 
 lay in Jerusalem on the Great Good Friday when
 
 ACT V.I THE PRETENDERS. 221 
 
 the Lord was led by to Golgotha ! Use thy wings, 
 and woe to them who would bind thee now ! 
 
 LADY RAGNHILD. 
 
 Fare forth in peace, my husband ; fare thither, 
 where no mocking shade shall stand between us, 
 when we meet. [Hastens into the chapel. 
 
 MARGRETE. 
 
 My father, farewell, farewell, a thousand times 
 farewell ! [Follows LADY HAGNHILD. 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 [Opens the church door and calls .] To your 
 knees, all ye women ! Assemble yourselves in 
 prayer ; send up a message in song to the Lord, 
 and tell him that now Skule Bardsson comes 
 penitent home from his rebellious race on earth. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Sigrid, my faithful sister, greet King Hakon 
 from me ; tell him that even in my last hour I 
 know not whether he be king-born ; but this I 
 know of a surety he it is whom God has chosen. 
 
 SIGRID. 
 I will bear him your greeting. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 And yet another greeting must you bear. There 
 dwells a penitent woman in the north, in Halo- 
 galand ; tell her that her son has gone before ; he 
 went with me when there was great danger for 
 his soul.
 
 222 THE PRETENDERS. [ ACT V. 
 
 SlGRID. 
 
 That will I. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Tell her, it was not with the heart he sinned ; 
 pure and blameless shall she surely meet him 
 again. 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 That will I. [Points towards the background.] 
 Hark ! they are breaking the lock ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Points towards the chapel.] Hark ! they are 
 singing loud to God of salvation and peace ! 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 Hark again ! All the bells in Nidaros are 
 ringing ! 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Smiles mournfully.] They are ringing a king 
 to his grave. 
 
 SIGRID. 
 
 Nay, nay, they ring for your true crowning ! 
 Farewell, my brother, let the purple robe of blood 
 flow wide over your shoulders ; under it may all 
 sin be hidden ! Go forth, go into the great church 
 and take the crown of life. 
 
 [Hastens into the chapel. 
 [Chanting and bell-ringing continue during 
 what follows. 
 
 VOICES. 
 
 [Outside the gate.] The lock has burst ! Force 
 us not to break the peace of the church '
 
 ACT V.] THE PRETENDERS. 223 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 I come. 
 
 THE TOWNSMEN. 
 And the church-robber must come too 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 Ay, the church-robber shall come too. [Goes 
 over to PETER.] My son, are you ready ? 
 
 PETER. 
 Ay, father, I am ready. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 
 [Looks upwards.] O God, I am a poor man, I 
 have but my life to give ; but take that, and keep 
 watch over Hakon's great king's-thought. See 
 now, give me your hand. 
 
 PETER. 
 Here is my hand, father. 
 
 KING SKULE. 
 And fear not for that which is now to come. 
 
 PETER. 
 Nay, father, I fear not, when J go with you. 
 
 KINO SKULE. 
 
 A safer way have we two never trodden together. 
 [He opens the gate ; the TOWNSMEN stand without with 
 upraised weapons.] Here are we ; we come of our 
 own free will ; but strike him not in the face. 
 
 [They pass out, hand in hand ,- the gale glides 
 to.
 
 224 THE PRETENDERS. [ACT V. 
 
 A VOICE. 
 Aim not, spare not ; strike them where ye can 
 
 KING SKULE'S VOICE. 
 'Tis base to deal thus with chieftains. 
 
 [A short noise of weapons ; then a heavy fall 
 is heard ; all is still for a "noment. 
 
 A VOICE. 
 They are dead, both of them ! 
 
 [The KING'S horn sounds. 
 
 ANOTHER VOICE. 
 There comes King Hakon with all his guard ! 
 
 THE CROWD. 
 
 Hail Hakon Hakonsson ; now have you no longer 
 any foemen. 
 
 GREGORIUS JONSSON. 
 
 [Stops a little before the corpses .] So I have come 
 too late ! [Enters the convent yard, 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 It had been ill for Norway had you come sooner. 
 [Calls outJ\ In here, King Hakon ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Slopping.] The body lies in my way ! 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 If Hakon Hakonsson would go forward, he must 
 pass over Skule Bardsson's body ! 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 In God's name then ! 
 
 [Steps over the corpse and comes in.
 
 ACT V.~) THE PR ET KM) Fits. yo.5 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 At last you can set about your king's-work with 
 free hands. In there are those you love ; in 
 Nidaros they are ringing in peace in the land ; and 
 yonder he lies who was your direst foe. 
 
 HAKON. 
 All men misjudged him, reading not his secret. 
 
 DAGFINN. 
 
 His secret? 
 
 HAKON. 
 
 [Seizes him by the arm, and says sofUi/.] Skule 
 Bardsson was God's step-child on earth ; that was 
 t. 
 
 [The song of the women is heard more 
 iviidly from the chapel ; ail the bells are 
 
 the secret 
 
 / ' / ' 
 
 still rixgina in Xidaros. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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