Around our ship were chang'd to fairy forms; Their dashing sound was music; and they sung To me alone a half-forgotten lay Of early childhood.-The full swelling sails Heav'd their white bosoms, amorously to gain The much lov'd shore. The streamer gaily The mast, and flutter to the land. Oh then, Thor. Norway on her own everlasting rocks Stands firm indeed; and vainly as before Beats the wild ocean round her towering ramparts Whereon the proud sun moderates his Only to shine within the vales more warmly, Thor. The wretch is hated as he hath de- Olaf. Yet undisturb'd has reigned for eighteen years? Thor. Such reign he owes all to his former prudence His luck in war-and the rash choice of Norway, Who had no better ruler. Olaf. But has prudence Deserted him? Thor. Nay he deserted her ;Proudly believ'd such aid no longer need ful Jarl Hakon! (it was said)-He is indeed An hero! Erich's sons has vanquished all— And Norway rescued from the yoke of Denmark. The warlike powers of Jomsburg rooted out! What may resist his prowess?-By such fame peasant, No more respected-from their sacred homes Brought wives and daughters to return dishonour'd. What need of more? At once in many places The flames of insurrection 'gan to blazeHe fear'd no more a foreign foe, and saw not That which in secret, like a slow disease, Rose in the heart of Norway. Hence his life Is but a ceaseless warfare. Now on this, And now on that side angry foes arise.Our country waits but one brave rightful master To hurl the robber from the throne. Can this be possible? Thor. Your cousins here, My words can well confirm. The rest of this fine scene gradually unfolds the determination of Olaf to deliver Norway from the tyranny of Hakon; and assert his own rightTowards ful claims to the throne. the end he is left alone, and overpowered by his feelings of patriotic attachment, and by the high designs which he has conceived, he bursts into tears, and, falling on his knees, utters the following prayer or soliloquy. My heart is melted by the thought-Oh Heaven, Am I indeed the humble instrument Father! I do resign all will but thine- (Rising up with animation.) Mine arm is strong-my bosom swells with I shall be thine apostle.-With this sword My flocks paternally. Where Odin's temple Now shall the clouds of incense float around; sic, On downy wings, exalt the soul to heaven.- Away with hatred, violence and blood! Now innocence and love shall reign and conquer ! In the next scene, Hakon, cased in armour, meets by accident with Thora, his principal favourite among many mistresses, and the only one by whom, as it afterwards appears, he had been really beloved. Irritated by the circumstances in which he now finds himself, he speaks to her with coldness, levity, and disdain; which provokes, on her part, severe complaints and reproaches. In truth, the charms of Gudrun (betrothed to Orm of Lyrgia) seem to have wholly effaced in the mind of Hakon his love for the unfortunate Thora. She is left to the care of servants, with commands that she shall be carried to Rimol, where she afterwards receives and protects the faithless Jarl, in a situation which will be fully developed in the fifth act. After her exit, Einar (an archer) comes on the stage (the scene is a wood), and after sitting on the stump of a tree, and adjusting his bow, looks about for some object to shoot at, when he perceives Hakon Jarl walking at a distance, and shoots an arrow right through the plume of his helmet. The Dialogue here is given with great spirit. Hakon, who at first accuses Einar of intended assassination, is afterwards convinced, by trials of his superior skill, not only that no injury was intended, but that such a marksman will be of infinite advantage in his army; and, of course, engages Einar as one of his most valuable adhe rents. The second act concludes with a powerful and effective scene at the wedding feast of Gudrun, where, according to a common practice of the tyrant Jarl, a band of soldiers enter, and endeavour, by violence, to carry off the bride. This insult, however, meets at last with due punishment. The vile emissaries of Hakon are repulsed, and all the wedding party solemnly swear implacable revenge against the usurper. In the beginning of the third act, the scene of which is on the island Moster, Grib, the servant of Thorer, informs Carlshofut and Jostein, that Hakon has arrived privately, and moored his vessel in a small bay, under covert of the wood. They are surprised that Olaf has not encountered him on the water, as he had appointed to sail round with his fleet to the same side of the island; but it appears that Hakon had come before day-light. Grib then discloses to the two young men an abominable plot for the private assassination of Olaf, contrived by his master Thorer and Hakon, which he had overheard in their private conversation together. He also describes the powerful insurrection against the tyrant, in consequence of his attempt to carry off the bride, Gudrun, from the marriage festival. Filled with horror and indignation, they consider themselves absolved from every former engagement, and all three join in resolving to protect king Olaf; and to render futile the vile plot which the watchfulness of Grib had discov◄ ered. Meanwhile a sound of choral music is heard from the now-approaching ships of Olaf, who is soon afterwards seen to land with a large white banner, on which a red cross is woven, in his hand; and, after a solemn hymn by his priests, he lifts it on high, and then strikes it into the ground, with the following address: Rise up!-Why should'st thou kneel ?-If thou hast sinn'd, Kneel before God, and tremble at the thought Of Heaven's avenging sword! The rest of this scene is occupied with a full disclosure to Olaf of the snares which had been laid for him; and Jostein satisfactorily accounts for his own and his brother's former participation in Hakon's plans, and for their determination now to become his most decided enemies. They suggest to Olaf that Hakon is now in his power, having arrived at the island with a force infinitely inferior to that of the king. After their disappearance, Thorer, carrying a basket and a dagger, enters, followed by Grib, in whom he still supposes himself to possess an obedient and faithful adherent. We regret not having room for the spirited and effective dialogue which passes between them. Thorer gives the poisoned dagger to Grib, and instructs him, that when they have come up with, and entered into conversation with Olaf, he shall suddenly plunge the weapon into his heart, and afterwards cut off his head, and carry it in the basket to Hakon, who will be waiting to receive it, and to reward the murderer with liberty and a sword of honour. The slave listens, with affected obsequiousness and inward contempt, to all the discourse of Thorer, (which is skilfully protracted) till at last, in a paroxysm of indignation, he renders his master the victim of his own treacherous plans, by stabbing him to the heart. Olaf, who happens to return immediately after the death of Thorer, rewards Grib (who is thenceforward called Greif or Griffin) with those honours which had been promised to him as an adherent of Hakon. The scene then changes to another part of the wood. That he has not himself brought Olaf's head. He sends me here as his ambassador. Hak. Well, go, and in the earth let it be buried, Deep, deep, I say!—I cannot bear to see it. Mine eyes abhor the sight. In waking dreams, Go, I say, Olaf. Thorer is now asleep. He lies, stretch'd out and tranquil. Hak. Then awake him.After a deed like this to sleep!-Ha! Tho The head upon the shoulders still ? Hak. How dar'st thou ? Insolent slave !-Where is it? Olaf. (Throwing off his disguise.) Here, Lord Jarl Forgive me that I thus have brought mine head; I found it most convenient. Hak. (Drawing his sword.) Ha !—betray. ed! Olaf Old man, restrain thine anger-Recollect My head is on my shoulders. "Tis no longer The headless spectre of thy conscience now That stands before thee. Hak. (attacking Olaf.) Death and hell! Olaf (beating back his sword.) No more! Have I not warn'd thee?-Sheath thy sword. This wood Is all surrounded by my trusty soldiers. I shall obtain by victory on the field. By thine own snares thou art fast bound. Is call'd before the Eternal Judge. Thou While ours is with our whole hearts to despise you, And strive for your destruction, as the foes Olaf. Well, time will try thy words- But wo to thee when we shall meet again! Hak. Aye-wo to me, if I shall not o'erwhelm thee! Olaf. The avenging spear of Heaven shall pierce thy heart. Hak. The arm of Thor shall break thy cross in fragments! (Exeunt severally.) Thus ends the third act. In the beginning of the fourth, Hakon, now returned to the main land, is informed by a special messenger, that his eldest and favourite son, Erland, has just been killed by Olaf in a skirmish on the sea shore. He adds, that Olaf, misled by the splendid dress of Erland, believed at first that it was Hakon whom he had struckand was much disappointed when he discovered his mistake. Hakon, in the presence of the messenger, preserves a proud appearance of indifference, and coldly inquires, whether he has any more intelligence? On reflection, however, we shall insert a for the sake of the soliloquy by which considerable part of the first scene it is concluded. Hak. Now-tell me all-where stands Mess. In Orkdale, sire, by Orm of Commanded, and by Ekialm and Alf tent, Their sister to avenge. Hak. I do confide In my tried bands of heroes, who will soon This wild horde put to flight. The gods themselves o'erpower'd? Burns Odin's light No longer? Is thy strength exhausted too, Great Thor? The splendour of the immortal gods Declining into twilight; and already Men call thee Northern hero. Rouse thyself! Forgive thy servant, Oh, Almighty Powers ? If, worldly-minded, he forgot Walhalla! From this hour onwards all his life and deeds To you are consecrated. The bright dream That in the sunset placed upon my head The golden crown, is fled. The storm on high Rages, the dark clouds meet, and rain pours down, The sun appears no more; and when again The azure skies are clear'd, the stars in heaven Will glimmer palely on the grave of Hakon! The sea now holds my son! The little Erl this hour I live no more, but only for Walhalla! Thy wrath upon my head? Well then! desire A sacrifice, whate'er thou wilt, it shall At this critical moment a second messenger enters, bringing to Hakon a magnificent golden horn, which has |