just been discovered by the soldiers or priests of Olaf in digging the foundation for a Christian church. This horn, which, as it appears, had been formerly used by the priests of Odin, in their solemn sacrifices, was immediately seized by the adherents of Hakon, who receives it with that superstitious reverence with which a wicked mind, conscious of extreme danger, grasps at every new and external event. Unluckily he discovers, engraven on the gold, an ancient inscription, which seems clearly to point out to him that the gods, in order to effect a reconciliation, desire from him the sacrifice of his remaining son! We regret not having room for the soliloquy, in which he gradually works up his mind to this horrible deed; which, however, is perfectly consistent with the spirit of the Northern mythology, and the system of worship by which it was distinguished. the conclusion of the scene, Hakon vividly imagines that he beholds the grim goddess, THORGIERDUR HORGABRUD, (who accompanies the warrior in battle, mounted on a white horse, with a bloody mantle over her shoulders), holding out to him a sharp and polished dagger, which (like Macbeth) he endeavours to grasp, and walks out with extended arms, following his frightful conductress. We know not a finer subject for graphic illustration. At In the next scene, which is both long and spirited, a supernatural interview occurs, which reminds us of the "dark knight of the forest," as he appeared in the manuscript copies of Mr Maturin's "Bertram." Olaf, when walking alone in the forest, is met by a one-eyed old man, by name Auden, who endeavours, not without some degree of success, to persuade the king that his endeavours to establish the Christian religion in Norway are illfounded, impracticable, and unworthy of being attended with any good result. This one-eyed Auden (as the reader will no doubt conjecture) proves to be the great Odin himself, an evil spirit who thus appears, in order, by specious arguments, to perplex and weaken the mind of his opponent, and, if possible, to preserve his influence as heretofore over the Norwegian people. On the entrance of Tangbrand, however, , Olaf's father-confessor, all the snares that had been laid by the wicked spirit are at once broken, and the king's resolution and tranquillity restored. The scene then changes to the sacred grove, inhabited by the statues of the Norwegian Deities. The whole dialogue breaths the bloody coldness of the Scandinavian creed. Hakon enters, leading his son Erling by the hand. I Erl. 'Tis cold, my father! Hak. 'Tis yet early morning. Art thou so very chill ? Erl. Nay-'tis no matter. shall behold the rising sun-how grand ! A sight that I have never known before. Hak. See'st thou yon ruddy streaks along the east? Erl. What roses! how they bloom and spread on high! Yet father, tell me whence come all these pearls, Wherewith the valley here is richly strewn ? How brightly they reflect the rosy light! Hak. They are not pearls-it is the morning dew! And that which thou deem'st roses is the sun! See'st thou? He rises now! Look at him boy! Erl. Oh what a beauteous whirling globe I am afraid-Seest thou that old man there? Erl. No-no. I fear not the great king He is so good and beautiful; and calls himself Shines like a flower on high-But that pale sorcerer, He grins like an assassin! Erl. Father, at least, Let me first bring my crown of flowers, I left it There on the hedge, when first thou brought'st me hither, To see the sun rise. Then let us go home; faith Of Hakon in this deed! Erl. Here am I, father, And here's the crown. Hak. Yet ere thou goest, my child, Kneel down before great Odin. hands, Stretch thy Both up to Heaven, and say, “ Almighty Hear little Erling-As thy child receive him, Erl. (He kneels, stretching his arms out Hear little Erling! As thy child receive him Your dagger, father! "Tis so bright and When I grow taller, I will have one too, Hak. Ha! what enchanter with such Erl. How's this my father? Erl. Behind that frightful man? oh no! But red and purple roses 'Tis a pleasure child! Erl. Dear father, stay: I am so much afraid I do not love red roses. Hak. Come, I say! Hear'st thou not Heimdal's cock ?-He crows and crows. Now it is time! [Exeunt behind the statues. The miserable and despairing ty rant now fulfils the sacrifice of his son behind the scenes, an event which, however consistent, as we before observed, with the worship of Odin, would, of course, not be tolerated, with any modifications, on our stage. Immediately after the deed, Einar, the skilful archer (who, in a former scene, proved his extraordinary powers by shooting an arrow through the plumes on Hakon's helmet), enters to call his master to the field, where he had intended to support him. On discovering the horrid crime, however, that has just been committed, he leaves him for ever, with vehement execra→ tions, and departs to join the forces of Olaf. The trumpets sound loudly at a distance, and Hakon rushes to the fight. Thus terminates the fourth act. The battle goes against the bloodstained Hakon; but he acquits himself with his usual bravery, and slays, among many more, the two brothers of his deserted mistress Thora, who, to revenge their sister's wrongs, had joined, among the first of the Norwegians, the standard of King Olaf, Left alone, in the darkness of night, upon the field of lost battle, Hakon knows not whither to fly for refuge→→ and at last relying on the potency even of injured and despised love, he resolves to commit himself to the lady Thora-the mother of the child whom he had sacrificed to Odin. The fifth act opens with a view of Thora's mansion-where, attended by a single slave, the solitary woman sits in sorrow, waiting to hear the issue of the battle. This act is throughout so fine, that we shall extract almost the whole of it. Your brothers, noble lady, will not come, But wait till it is daylight. Tho. Well then, child, Go thou to bed. Sleep flies from me. This morning The battle must have been;-and Ekialm And Alf have promised me to come with tidings. Go thou to bed; and I shall watch alone. Ing. If you permit me. But again I hear That sound. Methinks it cannot be the storm. (Exit.) Tho. How sad am I! How sorely is my heart Oppress'd !-my brothers against Hakon Jarl! Whoever wins, poor Thora must be lost! (An archer comes.) Ein. God save thee, noble Thora! and For, if I err not, it is morn already ;- Einar the bowman!-Fear not, tho' I were Tho. Oh immortal powers! Ere morning will their monument be raised To brave the wreck of time. In gratitude, Ein. Just cause, indeed, hast thou for thy There will King Olaf place the eternal dislike, And he deserves abhorrence even from all, But most from thee. But to the point. For me, I am king Olaf's liegeman. I have known Thy brothers but for a short space; yet soon Firm friends had we become. Vicissitudes Of war cement in one brief hour a bond That years of peaceful life could not unite. They fought like Normans,-Well-so did we all ; And Olaf conquered. Like the waste sea foam, The worn-out troops of Hakon were dispersed. Hotly the battle raged beneath the clash and spear With gore was reeking. The war goddesses Descended on the field. They would have wreathe When thou thyself my solitude hast broken, And on my grief intruded ?-Say, what art thou? Stran. (Throwing off his disguise.) Know'st thou me now? Tho. O heavenly powers! Jarl Hakon! Hak. Even he himself. Tho. And hast thou fled to me? Hak. By all Walhalla's gods-Thou should'st not wonder! Will not the noble game that all day long Hak. Heaven knows, I have contended like a wolf That would protect her young. With this good sword Souls have I sent enough this day to Lok And Olaf with his Christian charms has blunted The swords of Northern heroes. Many fled- Long have I been tormented. In that cup Tho. Wait, and I will bring you- indeed this draught refresh'd me! At Gaula fell my horse; I kill'd him there; Threw off my war-cloak-drench'd it in his blood, And left it to deceive mine enemies. Tho. Oh Hakon! Hak. Know'st thou That I with this hand sacrificed the boy, A deed that proves the miserable strife, Hak. But know'st thou too, That I, with this hand which thou kindly graspest, And-no-I cannot say the rest! That thou hast kill'd my brothers in the battle. Hak. Indeed; and still-? Tho. Thora is still the same. Yet in the battle it goes ever thus, Ah! tell me, Hakon, Hak. The shadow which thou seest Was once indeed the monarch of all Nor way, And heroes did him homage and obeisance; He fell in one day's battle-'twas at Hlade. Ha! that is long past now-almost forgot. His pallid spectre wanders up and down, To scare beholders in the gloom of night. His name was Hakon! Tho. I indeed am now Reveng'd, and fearfully! Away with hatred, Henceforth, and enmity-Come love again; Lean on thy Thora; let me dry thy temples, gentle maid of Norway? Tho. The maidens here have called me Methinks, indeed, I was a little flower, now Must wither, since no longer 'tis allowed, As wont, within that honour'd shade to bloom. Hak. Violet! a pretty name. Tho. How's this, oh Heaven! A fever shakes thee in mine arms. This mood Is new, indeed, and frightful. When, till now, Have I beheld tears on thy cheeks? Hak. How, Violet, Thou pale blue flowret on the hero's grave, And wonder'st thou if I shed tears? Ere now, Hast thou not seen hard rocks appear to weep, When suddenly, from freezing cold to warmth Transported? It is but of death the token. Then wonder not, pale, trembling flower! Tho. Oh Jarl! My own! my Hakon! Help me, Heaven! Hak. The snow Fades on the mountains; now its reign is o'er ; The powerful winter melts away, and yields Before the charmful breath of flowery spring. Jarl Hakon is no more-his ghost alone Still wanders on the earth. Yet boldly go, And thro' his body drive a wooden spear Deep in the earth beneath. Then shall, at last, His miserable spectre find repose. Tho. My Hakon, be composed; speak The loftiest spirit, howsoe'er endow'd, Till we have Hakon prisoner :-His army (Einar the bowman enters with Hakon's war dress.) Einar. Olaf! Thy toils are o'er. Beside a mountain stream Jarl Hakon's steed Lay bathed in gore,-and there I found his mantle, All bloody too. Thy soldiers must have met, And kill'd him there. Olaf. Indeed? Can this be so? Is this his dress? Who recognises it? Greif. The dress in truth is there, but where's the Jarl? |