Act I.--The chieftain of the North Quarter of Iceland, Kolbein the

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Poet Lore

VOLUME XXIV VACATION, 1912 NUMBER IV

SWORD AND CROZIER

Drama in Five Acts

BY INDRIDI EINARSSON

(Authorized translation from the Icelandic by Lee M. Hollander)

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

BOTOLF, bishop of Holar

KOLBEIN ARNORSSON 'THE YOUNG,' chieftain of the 'North Quarter of

Iceland,' thirty-four years old

HELGA, his wife

SALVOR, woman physician

THOROLF BJARNASON }

ASBJORN ILLUGASON } Henchmen of Kolbein Arnorsson

HAF BJARNASON }

KOLBEIN KALDALJOS, kinsman of Kolbein Arnorsson and steward of the

bishopric of Holar, seventy years old

BRAND KOLBEINSSON, his son, chieftain of Reynistad, thirty-three years

old

JORUN, his wife

KALF, eight years old } their sons

THORGEIR, six years old }

BRODDI THORLEIFSSON, brother-in-law of Kolbein Arnorsson

SIGURD, deacon

HELGI SKAFTASON } henchmen of Brand

ALF OF GROF }

EINAR THE RICH, of Vik

HELGI, priest at Holar

ILLUGI, the blind beggar

BOY LEADING ILLUGI

JARNGRIM

Followers of Thorolf Bjarnason, of Brand, and of Kolbein Arnorsson.

People of Holar in Hjaltadel.

The scene is laid in the district of Skagafirth, in the North of

Iceland. The action takes place during the winter previous to the battle

of Hunafloi, 1244 A.D.

ACT I

SCENE I

(_So-called 'Little Hall' in_ BRAND'S _manor-house at Reynistad. Enter

the_ DEACON SIGURD, THOROLF BJARNASON, ALF OF GROF, _and_ EINAR THE

RICH, _of Vik_.)

_Deacon Sigurd_.--Thorolf, Lady Jorun bade you wait here until her

husband comes.

_Thorolf_.--Where is Brand Kolbeinsson? I bear a message for him from my

Lord Kolbein the Young.

_Sigurd_.--Why comes he not himself?

_Alf_.--Kolbein is nigh unto d----

_Thorolf_.--Are you garrulous again, Alf?

_Sigurd_.--He lies sick with his wound, I ween.

_Thorolf and Alf_ (_remain silent_).

_Einar the Rich_ (_aside_).--That news I ought to bring secretly to

Thord Kakali.

_Thorolf_.--Why will Lady Jorun not speak to her guests?

_Sigurd_.--She bade me say that she had seen you last, Thorolf

Bjarnason, at such business that she cares not to see you any more.

_Thorolf_ (_laughs_).--Last I saw her at the slaying of Kalf

Guttormsson, her father, and of Guttorm, her brother.

_Sigurd_.--Much good reason has my lady if she cares to see you no more.

_Einar_.--You are the man who most egged on to the deed, that father and

son should be slain.

_Thorolf_.--No, Urækja it was, the son of Snorri Sturlason. A most

useful deed it was. Ever since Kolbein's men have obeyed his commands

without gainsaying.

_Einar_.--More useful still, I suppose you think that you snatched from

out of Kalf's hands the crucifix he held when kneeling to receive the

mortal stroke.

_Thorolf_.--His blood would have spurted on the cross, had it been held

so near. (_Wrathfully_.) And likewise would I do to you, Einar the

Rich, if Kolbein struck off your head. Your wife is a kinswoman of Thord

Kakali, and dreamt have I that you will find an earlier grave than will

I.

_Einar_.--An evil business it is to threaten me with death. No one knows

who will be buried first. A faithful follower of Kolbein I have been.

_Thorolf_.--'Scarce shall I trust you,

Troll, quoth Haustkoll.'

_Sigurd_.--Wicked speech this is and witless.

(_Enter_ BRAND KOLBEINSSON, BRODDI THORLEIFSSON, HELGI SKAFTASON, _and

others_.)

_Brand_.--You here, Thorolf Bjarnason?

_Thorolf_.--Ay, sir; and with a message for you, for Broddi, and for

other chieftains, from Kolbein the Young.

_Brand_.--Is it that Thord Kakali is expected from the West with war?

_Thorolf_.--Not to my knowledge. He is still busy drinking the arvel

after Tumi his brother, whom we put to death this last week!

_Alf_.--Yes, and he and his men are now drinking the ale by the bowlful,

they say.

_Brand_.--What of it, if Thord does give his men in plenty?

_Thorolf_.--And why should we not speak of it, we who know what folly it

is for men to drink heavily before going to war?

_Einar_.--A generous chieftain is Thord Kakali, and likely to accomplish

great deeds. No chieftain in this land has ever lost so many men as has

he. It is not seeming to make sport of his sorrow.

_Thorolf_.--None have I ever seen flee so fast as these men of Thord's,

they urge each other on to flight.

_Brand_.--Idle speech is this, Thorolf!

_Thorolf_.--I say what I will, and care not whether others like it or

no.

_Broddi_.--Where is the message my brother-in-law sends us?

_Thorolf_ (_handing the letter to_ BRAND).--I have lived all my life in

warfare and am not able to read.

_Brand_ (_handing the letter to_ DEACON SIGURD).--Read for us, deacon!

_Einar the Rich_ (_while_ SIGURD _is undoing the strings with which the

parchment is tied, aside to_ ALF OF GROF).--I know you are no friend of

Thorolf; stay behind here and help me to persuade Brand Kolbeinsson.

_Alf_ (_aside to_ EINAR THE RICH).--Broddi and all of Thorolf's

neighbors hate him because he elbows himself forward ruthlessly. Against

my will I left my home with Thorolf; but how shall I help you?

_Einar_ (_aside to_ ALF).--Help me dye Thorolf's white coat of mail as

red as blood.

_Alf_ (_aside_).--Hush! We would have to fight against great odds.

_Einar_ (_aside_).--Not if Brand Kolbeinsson were on our side.

_Alf_ (_aside_).--Brand--indeed! No, if Broddi Thorleifsson were with

us.

_Sigurd_ (_has now untied the parchment, reads_).--'To Brand Kolbeinsson

of Stad, to Broddi Thorleifsson, to Kolbein Kaldaljos, and to Paul

Kolbeinsson, Kolbein Arnorsson of Flugumyr sends God's greetings and his

own. Little we know of Thord Kakali's affairs after Easter. After the

slaying of his brother Tumi it is but likely that he is preparing for

war against us, and in such case, if he came upon us from the West, we

of the North Quarter would want to subject him to a severe test. But now

it is so ill with our health that we may no longer conceal it from you.

Because of this it is our will that all of you meet me here as soon as

possible. Only in this wise may we prevent the danger now threatening

both the entire quarter and our district.'

_Brand_.--To what danger to the district does the letter refer? Is

Kinsman Kolbein sick anew, then?

_Thorolf_.--Answer that yourself; but well may these words mean that it

were better now to take off the 'velvet glove' and bestir one's hands.

_Brand_ (_angrily_).--Get you gone, Thorolf, at once! Astonishing it

is that you should be sent hither to Stad, such enemies as we two have

been.

_Thorolf_.--My course I shall steer wheresoever it take me, whether or

no you like it, Brand Kolbeinsson. To horse, yeoman Alf!

_Alf_.--Unwillingly I followed you, Thorolf, and left my farm work

behind. Take with you the two companions that always have followed

you--death and the devil!

_Thorolf_.--Right, you insolent fool, death has ever been my companion.

(BRAND KOLBEINSSON _goes to the door and opens it_.) Now you precede me

to the door, Brand Kolbeinsson, for higher-born than I you are. But in

all tests of manhood, in assemblies and in battles, I have gone before

you. There is no danger in going before me now; it is quite safe!

(_Exit_.)

_Broddi_.--An astonishing thing it is that base men should dare to speak

in such wise to chieftains!

_Brand_.--He is a greater friend of my kinsman Kolbein than any other

man.

_Einar_.--And in greater favor even with Lady Helga than with Kolbein.

_Sigurd_.--He journeyed to Rome with Kolbein. Such a pilgrimage atones

for many a sin.

(_Enter_ LADY JORUN _with her and_ BRAND'S _sons_, KALF _and_ THORGEIR.)

_Jorun_.--What errand brought Thorolf Bjarnason hither to Stad?

_Brand_.--Kolbein the Young sent him.

_Jorun_.--Then we shall have to put up with that insult.

_Alf_.--Your husband he called a 'velvet glove!'

_Jorun_.--Gentle have his hands ever been to me, and I might well call

him so.

_Alf_.--And a coward he called him.

_Jorun_.--Slower he is to ill deeds than Thorolf.

_Einar_.--_Me_ Thorolf threatened with death, and to wrench out of my

hands the crucifix, whenever I should lie down for the blow, just as he

did to Kalf Guttormsson.

_Jorun_ (_moved to tears_).--Was that done to my father?

_Sigurd_.--It was indeed done to him, and a mighty ill deed it was.

_Jorun_.--I had not thought that men who were to lose their lives would

be thus cruelly dealt with.

_Alf_.--These men have indeed done enough to forfeit _their_ lives, and

ought to live no longer.

_Helgi Skaftason_.--If no one can be prevailed upon to kill them I shall

undertake it.

_Alf_.--No one's duty it is as much as yours, Brand Kolbeinsson, to take

revenge for the murder of Kalf Guttormsson.

_Jorun_.--Let no one be so bold as to seek revenge for my father. Full

composition did Kolbein the Young pay for reconciliation, after the

death of father and son, with the fine of hundred marks silver, which

were paid out to my mother and me as stipulated.

_Einar_.--And yet might Brand and others take revenge for the

wrongs they have suffered at the hands of Thorolf, even though Kalf

Guttormsson's death be atoned for.

_Jorun_.--Do not undertake so dangerous an enterprise, my husband. Well

you know that if you slay Thorolf his friend Kolbein will slay you all

in revenge.

_Alf_.--Kolbein lies nigh unto death.

_Broddi_.--Is his condition so dangerous?

_Brand_.--Why, have you not told news so important and so--sad until

now?

_Alf_.--I could not, on account of Thorolf. Kolbein holds his malady

secret as long as he can.

_Brand_.--Then my kinsman Kolbein must have summoned us to dispose of

his dominions before he dies.

_Sigurd_.--That is, all the North Quarter and the Westfirths!

_Brand_.--About the Westfirths we have been at war until now.

_Einar_.--And his heir? (_All look at_ BRAND.) They say that it is the

wish of Lady Helga to set Thorolf Bjarnason over all the dominions.

_Many_.--Thorolf Bjarnason?

_Alf_.--Impossible!

_Broddi_.--It would mean the death of one man or many men.

_Brand_.--Helgi Skaftason, have the saddles laid upon twelve horses! I

and eleven men shall ride forthwith to Flugumyr. (_Exit_ HELGI.)

_Kalf_.--Lay saddle on my horse also. I shall ride to Flugumyr to my

foster-mother.

_Broddi_.--What will you of her, my young fellow?

_Kalf_.--I want to get the weapons she has promised to give me.

_Jorun_.--No weapons, Kalf! You will not go to Flugumyr, this time;

rather too long you have been there as a child. (_Towards_ BRAND

KOLBEINSSON.) My husband, remember my words. To kill one of my kinsman

Kolbein's or Lady Helga's men is to conjure up odds against you,

whatever be the provocation. (_Exit with the boys_.)

_Broddi_.--Never shall that come to pass that a man of low birth govern

so large a dominion. (_Exeunt all_.)

SCENE II

(_Room at Flugumyr_. LADY HELGA _and the woman physician_ SALVOR

_enter_.)

_Helga_.--I have much to do about the house and can attend the patient

but little. How is my husband, Salvor?

_Salvor_.--Rather poorly! He is now confessing to Bishop Botolf, Lady

Helga.

_Helga_.--Confessing? Did he speak about the disposition of his

dominions after his death?

_Salvor_.--The bishop touched upon that, but Kolbein said that this

would have to wait until his kinsmen were assembled.

_Helga_.--To what purpose is the advice of his kinsmen in that matter? I

see how it will end.

_Salvor_.--I have hopes that your husband will again recover his health

this time.

_Helga_.--And how long will he keep it then?

_Salvor_.--So long as he stirs not.

_Helga_.--My husband will have to go to war and do battle as long as he

lives.

_Salvor_.--Now he longs for peace.

_Helga_.--Then is he surely sick! (_Vehemently_.) My husband must not be

sick; he will have to speak with his kinsmen, when they come. Give him

strong drugs that he may have strength to do so. His sickness must not

become known in the Westfirths by Thord Kakali.

_Salvor_.--Such strong drugs are not without danger.

_Helga_.--What danger is there in them?

_Salvor_.--That he loses possession of his senses, and becomes even more

sick thereafter.

_Helga_ (_vehemently_).--His kinsmen must not know that he is sick, or

else they will take matters in their own hands. He will have to have

drugs so strong as to give him strength to hold council with them.

_Salvor_.--But if he loses possession of his senses during it?

_Helga_ (_with a look of relief_).--Let me take care of that. Then I

shall speak for him, for all his intentions are known to me.

_Salvor_.--My advice it is not to use strong drugs; they may endanger

Kolbein's life.

_Helga_.--Will you, low-born woman, give advice to a great?

_Salvor_.--Why seek you then a low-born woman to heal the great?

_Helga_.--I knew none better. Do as I bid you!

_Salvor_.--I shall do as you bid, my lady. You run the risk, not I.

(_Enter_ THOROLF.)

_Thorolf_.--Hail, lady! How is the chieftain's health?

_Helga_.--Rather good! Salvor says he will not be able to bear going

into war for the first.

_Thorolf_.--Kolbein has a-plenty of men to lead his troops.

_Salvor_.--Brand Kolbeinsson--

_Thorolf_.--He, the velvet glove! Whilst Kolbein was on his foray to

Reykholar and slew Tumi--a feat now famous--Brand was to dispatch old

Sturla Thordsson--the fellow who mostly goes about with ink on his

fingers. But Sturla gulled him so that Brand had to return with shame.

Brand lacks both forethought _before_ battle and that fire _in_ battle

which wins the victory.

_Salvor_.--Brand Kolbeinsson is a man of peace.

_Helga_.--You shall stay here at Flugumyr now, Thorolf, whilst my

husband is in ill health. Brand Kolbeinsson would be but a low wall

between us and Thord Kakali, should he advance from the West.

_Thorolf_.--So long have I been one of your household, my lady, that I

am bound to obey. But who shall take care of the shipbuilding which I

have under way for Kolbein the Young?

_Helga_.--Your wife Arnfrid; for this is not a place for women to be at.

_Salvor_.--The ships that are to be used for carrying our war into the

Westfirths this spring?

_Thorolf_.--Yes. This spring we shall lay waste the Westfirths, kill

cattle and people, burn down storehouses, farms, and churches, and

slay all men we overtake. Thord shall not be able to hold himself there

thereafter.

_Salvor_.--Holy mother of God! Why are the people to suffer all that

misery and affliction! Have there not been enough maimings and killings

in the Westfirths? Be mindful, Thorolf, that you, too, may be taken

captive and your bright coat of mail get a red collar.

_Thorolf_.--Often have I thought of it. But he who lets himself be kept

back by such thoughts had better never venture into danger.

_Helga_.--Go now, Salvor, and attend to the patient! (_Exit_ SALVOR.)

The life of my husband is in great danger!

_Thorolf_. (_coming close to her_).--And shall I then become the Lord of

Eyafirth?

_Helga_ (_motioning him away_).--Kolbein the Young still lives. Whilst

he is living the disposition of the dominions remains his matter. It

may well be, though, that I succeed in making him give you Eyafirth, and

then more people from here would settle there than are there now. Then

I shall foster up young Kalf, the son of Brand, because he will inherit

Skagafirth from his father; and while he is young, and I gain influence

over him, it may happen that the men of Skagafirth and Eyafirth would

work in unison in all undertakings, and rule the entire country alone.

_Thorolf_.--Certainly! Certainly!

_Helga_.--Swear allegiance to me, Thorolf!

_Thorolf_.--I have ever been faithful to you.

_Helga_.--Will you be obedient to me, Thorolf?

_Thorolf_.--Yes, gladly (_kisses her hand_), now as always before.

_Helga_ (_gently_).--You have always been true to me, and that shall be

rewarded as soon as ever I can.

(_Enter_ BRAND KOLBEINSSON, BRODDI, DEACON SIGURD, EINAR THE RICH, ALF,

HELGI SKAFTASON, _together with six others_.)

_Brand_.--Hail, lady!

_Helga_.--Hail, my nephew! Hail, all of you! My husband has been

expecting you with impatience.

_Einar_ (_aside_).--Now we shall see how sick a man Kolbein is.

_Helga_.--We pray you all to say the least possible about the infirmity

of my husband; I have no more than sixty armed men about me.

_Broddi_.--And who is their leader?

_Helga_.--Thorolf Bjarnason, Asbjorn Illugason, and Haf Bjarnason.

_Broddi_.--And Thorolf Bjarnason remains here?

_Thorolf_.--First I shall return to my estate to give orders as to my

affairs.

_Helga_ (_aside to_ THOROLF).--You speak incautiously, to tell them

where you mean to go. I read your death in their eyes.

_Alf_.--You will not refuse me to keep you company on the way home?

_Thorolf_.--No; I care not to have your company, you insolent fool!

_Helga_.--You will remain here with us, Thorolf, on account of the

infirmity of my husband and our defencelessness otherwise; you can send

some one else to arrange matters on your estate.

(LADY HELGA _and those about her exeunt by door_. BRODDI, ALF, _and_

EINAR THE RICH _remain behind in the foreground_.)

_Broddi_.--Lady Helga has become suspicious of us.

_Einar_.--Sharp are the eyes of my Lady Helga whenever Thorolf is

concerned.

_Alf_.--He has slipped from our grasp, the hellhound!

(KOLBEIN THE YOUNG, _pale and weak, is borne in on shields by_ ASBJORN

ILLUGASON, HAF BJARNASON, _and others_. BISHOP BOTOLF _and_ SALVOR

_enter with them_.)

_Kolbein_.--Hail to you all!

_Botolf_.--Pax vobiscum!

(_They bow to_ KOLBEIN _and the_ BISHOP. KOLBEIN _is borne to the high

seat_. HELGA _stands beside him, also_ SALVOR _keeps near him always_.)

_Brand_ (_coming forward_).--How stands matters with you, kinsman

Kolbein?

_Kolbein_.--Not so very well.

_Broddi_ (_coming forward_).--You have but a small body-guard about you

to-day, brother-in-law!

_Kolbein_ (_pointing to_ BISHOP BOTOLF).--This body-guard _alone_ has

been sufficient for some time.

_Brand_.--You have summoned us to meet you.

_Kolbein_.--I wanted, with the assistance of my kinsmen and of others,

to make such provisions for our dominions as would most likely result in

peace for the district.

_Brand_.--Peace we should desire for every consideration, since many

regions are beginning to grow poor.

_Sigurd_.--The wars have fanned into flame hatred and malice over all

the land.

_Botolf_.--Blessed are the peacemakers!

_Kolbein_.--During these last days the deep wound I received in the

battle of Orlygsstad has been troubling me sorely, and I am so exhausted

that I often look forward to death. Now you well know that Thord Kakali

has lost through me both father and five brothers. That stands in the

way of peace in the district. I therefore offer to go abroad and give up

all my dominions.

_Helga_.--Give up all dominions!

_Botolf_.--And yield them to King Hakon?

_Kolbein_.--If King Hakon should lay claim to my lands I should give him

six feet of land, or so much less as he lacks in height. To give Iceland

to him is as bad as yielding up one's soul to the devil.

_Brand_.--But who is to receive the lands?

_Kolbein_.--I shall give all my dominions to Thord Kakali, and thus

atone for the killing of his father and brothers. Your own cases would

then be at his mercy. I expect that you will fare well in this, because

just then did Thord prove to be my best friend when I entrusted my

matters entirely to him; at that time you were also on friendly terms,

you and the men from Skagafirth.

_Botolf_.--That would be a disposition promising peace, if the king

himself is not to receive the dominion. (_Aside_.) It is the same as if

King Hakon did receive it.

_Brand_.--You will deprive me of my rightful inheritance, and give up

_all_ your dominions to Thord! Then will I rather fight for them until I

fall.

_Broddi_.--Thord may think he has so much to settle with us that we

could not endure the punishments he would inflict upon us--that is, if

we had any desire to do so.

_Einar_.--If all dominions were given up to Thord he would treat us

well.

_Botolf_.--And then there would be peace on earth and good-will among

men.

_Thorolf_.--In Thord's Hall all we, your men, would have to sit upon the

lower bench. His men whom we have pursued, wounded, stripped of their

clothes, and beaten whenever we engaged them, they would take revenge on

us, under cover of him. All of us desire but one of two things, _to do

battle_ until we gain peace, or else, to fall with such renown as is

granted us.

_Asbjorn_.--We will follow no other man whilst you live.

_The followers of Kolbein_.--No, no other man!

_Kolbein_.--Then your other choice is that all yeomen at their own

expense guard in four parties the frontier during the remainder of

winter. The first will have to be on the Skagafirth, to guard the road

over the Kjol and the ways leading from Storasand. The second guard will

have to be in Vididale, Vatnsdale, and Nupsdale to watch the paths over

the Grimstungu-heath, and the one over Tvidægra-heath. The third and

fourth guards will have to be in Midfirth and Hrutafirth, and to protect

the ways along the Holtavordu-heath, and those from the Dales and

Strands. When the sea is safe two light-sailing vessels will have to be

sent around the Skaw to reconnoitre the sea-way toward the west.

_Broddi_.--Well, you have thought out everything, brother-in-law; to me

this plan of war seems in every regard the best.

_Thorolf_.--If it is followed, Thord will never return west alive over

the Blanda River, should he attack us.

_Asbjorn_.--Thord will be able to get over the Kjol Mountains or the

Sprengisand Desert, down to the Eyafirth. There he will call upon his

friends and attack us in the flank.

_Thorolf_.--That is unthinkable. In order to reach either of these ways

Thord would have to journey around the whole island, and then overcome

Hjalti the bishop's son, and Gissur's men. I should think it likeliest

that Hjalti would flee north over the Kjol should he be defeated, and

come our way some little time before Thord, who would have to go by a

farther way and would waste his time in getting the men of Eyafirth to

rise. Kolbein's plan of war is the best that can be chosen.

_Kolbein_.--It is most often Thorolf Bjarnason who best comprehends my

plans.

_Broddi_ (_aside, clinching his hand against his breast_).--Does _he_

understand them best?

_Brand_.--All shall be done as you bid, kinsman Kolbein. I myself shall

send three hundred men as guard into Hunathing.

_Kolbein_.--Then all is well, kinsman Brand!

_Salvor_.--You speak too much, my lord!

_Kolbein_.--I must speak to-day; to-day to-morrow is not sure to me (_to

the others_). The third matter is the apportionment of the districts

after my death.

_Salvor_.--Speaking irritates your wound, my lord, and you may become

delirious.

_Kolbein_.--Let come what may! I will that my kinsman Brand have

Skagafirth and Hunathing after my death. But Eyafirth and all districts

east of the Heath I give to--(_He becomes delirious. Lady_ HELGA _makes

a motion and stops him_.)

_Kolbein_.--See, wife, now fly the swans from Holar in Hjaltadale.

_Botolf_ (_to_ DEACON SIGURD).--He is dreaming about the messengers of

the Holy Church, the sick man!

_Sigurd_ (_to_ BISHOP BOTOLF).--He will not live till to-morrow's

matins!

_Helga_ (_bending down over_ KOLBEIN).--Appoint Thorolf Bjarnason!

_Broddi_.--Who is to get Eyafirth?

_Brand_.--I heard no one named.

_Kolbein_.--I name you, Thorolf Bjarnason!

_Broddi_.--For what do you name Thorolf Bjarnason?

_Helga_.--For the chieftainship over Eyafirth and all districts north of

the Heath.

_Broddi_.--I claim that I have better title to it than Thorolf.

_Thorolf_.--It will prove a troublesome business for you to wrench

Eyafirth out of my hands. (_In a whisper to_ HELGA, _to whom he has

approached more closely_.) Am I given Eyafirth then?

_Helga_ (_whispers back_).--Do not let it be seen that you are

whispering to me. They will become suspicious. My position is difficult.

_Kolbein_.--I shall spare you, kinsman! (_Speaks unintelligibly_. HELGA

_bends down over him_.)

_Helga_.--My husband wishes that you, Brand Kolbeinsson, and

you, Thorolf, shall swear to each other an everlasting truce, now

immediately.

_Brand_.--Is that your wish, kinsman Kolbein?

_Kolbein_.--It is. It is. Six hundred men! Advance bravely after me! My

kinsman Brand is in great danger.

_Broddi_.--Always it is you, Brand! Physician, attend to the sick man.

_Salvor_.--Carry your chieftain into his bed!

_Kolbein_.--Woden owns all the slain men! Neither Thord Kakali nor one

of his men will return alive over Blanda. Another battle won. A great

and glorious victory. Carry away the fallen, I will not see them. Woden

owns all the slain men.

_Botolf_.--So much devilish magic yet living in a Christian country! And

this man have I shriven but a short while ago! Woden owns all the slain

men! (KOLBEIN'S _men surround him to bear him out on their shields_.

HELGA _speaks fast and in a low voice to_ ASBJORN ILLUGASON.)

_Helga_.--Place our armed servants before all doors. And let them stay

there. And leave the doors open after you when you come in again.

_Kolbein_.--Woden owns all the slain men. You bleed, Thorolf Bjarnason.

Put on your head, Thorolf! Put on your head! Beware of the cave by the

Kolbeinstream!

(ASBJORN ILLUGASON, HAF, _and others carry_ KOLBEIN _out_. SALVOR

_follows them_. HELGA _leads_ BISHOP BOTOLF _to the high seat_.)

_Helga_.--I have neglected to show you those marks of esteem which

I ought to have shown you, my lord! But my situation has been a

troublesome one for a while.

_Botolf_.--I have been thinking in my mind the while, my lady, how much

you resemble in mien and carriage the women of the ancient race of the

kings of Norway.

_Helga_ (_laughs_).--I am a descendant in the fourth generation of King

Magnus Bareleg, and were I a man and not a woman I would be nearer to

the throne of Norway than your King Hakon. This relationship cost my

brother Paul his life, when he was in Norway.

_Botolf_.--That story I have heard! But his death was not the wish of

the Norwegians.

(ASBJORN _and_ HAF, _and the men who carried out_ KOLBEIN, _come

in again, leaving the door stand open. One sees armed men standing

outside_. LADY HELGA _seats herself on the dais_.)

_Helga_.--How long shall my husband wait until you swear the truce to

each other, Thorolf and Brand?

_Botolf_.--The Holy Church cannot confirm the apportionment of the

districts which you have made, excepting the chieftains swear each other

an everlasting truce.

_Broddi_.--The Holy Church owns not the Northland Quarter!

_Botolf_.--But God does; and do you for his sake as Kolbein and the lady

bid you, because that promises best for peace.

_Helga_ (_very loud_).--Close the door! (_All look to the door and

perceive the armed men; it is closed_.) Haf Bjarnason will pronounce

for you the words of the truce. The truce which his namesake established

between the men of Skagafirth and Grettir Asmundarson was well kept, and

it redounded to their honor.

_Broddi_ (_aside to_ BRAND).--Agree to the truce! Sixty armed men are

standing but a few feet away!

(BRAND KOLBEINSSON _places himself in the left foreground, with six

of his men behind him_. HAF _behind him in the middle ground_. THOROLF

_advances to the right foreground, posturing himself opposite_ BRAND.)

_Asbjorn_.--Are we to be witnesses, Thorolf?

_Thorolf_.--All those present shall be witnesses!

(ASBJORN _and five others arrange themselves behind him_.)

_Helga_.--In Oddi, at my father Sæmund's, I heard that those oaths were

void which were made against one's free will.

_Thorolf_.--I shall swear a truce to Brand Kolbeinsson of my own free

will.

_Helga_.--And you, kinsman Brand?

(BRAND _looks toward the door and says nothing_.)

_Helga_ (_stamps her foot on the floor of the dais, whereupon the door

opens slowly, and swords and spears become visible_).--And you, Brand

Kolbeinsson?

_Brand_.--I shall swear a truce to Thorolf with a willing mind. But what

are the conditions, and for what offence the fine?

_Helga_.--Thorolf Bjarnason shall make atonement for having, in my

hearing and in the presence of other men, given Brand Kolbeinsson a

nickname; he shall pay for his offence with the ring which he wears on

his arm and which weighs six ounces. Is this offer of reconciliation a

good one?

_Brand and Thorolf_.--Indeed a good one!

_Helga_ (_taking a large ring off her arm and holding it between her

fingers_).--Pronounce, then, the pledge of truce, Haf--according to our

laws!

_Haf_ (_sets a little table between them and stands beside it. Receives

the ring from_ THOROLF, _holds it in one hand, and a parchment in

the other, and pronounces the pledge of truce in an impressive

manner_).--Contention there has been between Brand Kolbeinsson and

Thorolf Bjarnason. But now is this contention no more, a fine has been

paid according to the decision of good and noble men, of full weight,

and good metal, and handed over to him to whom it is due. But if

contention there should arise again between them, then shall they settle

by fee, and not by reddened steel. But if one of these parties become

so bereft of his senses that he break this reconciliation, and pledge of

truce, or becomes the contriver of the other's death, then shall he be

driven from God, and from the commerce of all Christendom, as far as

men pursue wolves, Christians visit churches, heathen men sacrifice in

temples, mothers bear children, children say mother, fire burns, ships

sail, shields flash, the sun shines, snow lies, pines grow, the falcon

flies the long spring day, with a fair wind under both his wings. He

shall shun churches and Christian people, the house of God and the

houses of men, and the abodes of men, and every home but hell. (HAF

_lays the ring on the parchment, which he holds between them. They lay

each their right hand on the book_.) Both of you with your hands touch

one book, and even on it lies the fine with which Thorolf atones for his

offence, for himself and for his heirs, conceived or unconceived, born

or unborn, baptized or unbaptized; and in return he receives from Brand

Kolbeinsson assurances of eternal and everlasting truce, a truce which

shall persist the while the earth lasts and men live. (_Silence_. BRAND

KOLBEINSSON _takes the ring off the book and puts it on his arm, whilst_

HAF _lays the book on the table again_.) Now you, Brand Kolbeinsson and

Thorolf Bjarnason, shall be men reconciled and agreeing, wherever

you meet, whether on land or on sea, on ship or on ski, on sea or on

horseback, on bench or on thwart; and if need be, divide between you oar

and scoop, knife and piece of meat; shall be at one with each other as

is father with son, or son with father. Join hands now (_they grasp

each the other's hand_) and stand by your truce according to the will of

Christ and all those men who now have heard your pledge of faith. May he

have the grace of God who keeps the truce, but his wrath he who breaks

it. Let this be a full reconciliation between you, and let us be

witnesses who are present.

(THOROLF _approaches_ HELGA, _who gives him the ring she had been

holding; He puts it on his arm, without anybody noticing it but her_.

BISHOP BOTOLF _walks up to her. The ranks of the witnesses mix_, BRAND

_and_ BRODDI _station themselves in the foreground_.)

_Botolf_.--A great work and one sorely needed have you performed to-day,

my lady. Assuredly more than small good fortune it is to have reconciled

two such men whom Kolbein the Young never could prevail upon to become

reconciled, as we are told.

_Helga_ (_smiling_).--The granddaughter of Ion Loftsson of Oddi ought

to have sufficient good fortune to reconcile by her sole efforts men who

both are her friends.

_Brand_ (_aside to_ BRODDI).--May it never be avenged on Lady Helga to

have cowed me by overwhelming force to promise an eternal truce to my

worst foe.

_Broddi_ (_to_ BRAND).--But a short while will the hand rejoice over the

blow!

(_Curtain_)

ACT II

(_A cave by_ KOLBEIN's _stream. The stage represents a small vale with

the cave in the background. The cave is large and deep, opening in the

direction of the spectator. Water has been coursing down the vale and

has frozen to knolls of ice here and there. A part of the cave-mouth is

hidden by icicles formed by the water trickling from the rock above the

cave. Snow is falling heavily and drifting. This continues throughout

the act_.)

(BRAND KOLBEINSSON, BRODDI, ALF, DEACON SIGURD, HELGI SKAFTASON, EINAR

THE RICH, _and six others enter_.)

_Alf_.--A cursed ill weather this!

_Sigurd_.--The great drift-ice must be near!

_Brand_.--But there is shelter in this cave here, and here we shall stay

awhile.

_Einar_.--A witch-storm this is, and we have lost our way!

_Broddi_.--The weather is cold and fit for men. We would do well to use

our stay here for coming to an agreement about our attack on Thorolf

Bjarnason; because home he journeyed, even if Lady Helga assured us to

the contrary.

_Einar_.--Let us make away with the new chief of the Eyafirthings!

_Brand_.--For me it is not seeming to be in this undertaking, having

sworn an eternal truce to Thorolf.

_Broddi_.--But none of us others have.

_Helgi Skaftason_.--I am not your slave, Brand Kolbeinsson; and if I may

not avenge the insults Thorolf has inflicted on you, I shall no longer

be your follower, either.

_Broddi_.--All your men will desert you, if you permit them not to

avenge you on Thorolf.

_Brand_.--What would men say if my followers broke a pledged truce?

_Alf_.--A truce under compulsion it was, with sixty men, but a few steps

away.

_Einar_.--Slight is your recollection concerning the murder of Kalf the

son of Guttorm!

_Brand_.--It is better to suffer than to do ill.

_Broddi_.--It is seeming to a chieftain to commit deeds of injustice and

highhandedness, so soon as need be for them; but not to suffer them of

others.

_Brand_.--What need is there that we kill Thorolf Bjarnason now rather

than before?

_Broddi_.--He is now set as lord over Eyafirth. He is our enemy, and as

it is the Eyafirthings have grievances against us.

_Alf_.--For their shameful defeat at Orlygsstad and the fall of their

chieftains.

_Broddi_.--The Eyafirthings will assail us from the east under Thorolf,

and Thord Kakali from the west. The henchmen of Lady Helga will stand by

Thorolf, and not by you, Brand.

_Brand_.--But Gissur Thorvaldsson will come to my help over the

mountains from the south.

_Broddi_.--An ill thing, to have Gissur as one's only friend. He is no

warrior, keeps no promise, and dares not to fight.

_Sigurd_.--Never rely on Gissur's valor!

_Alf_.--He is a coward!

_Einar_.--None of you mentions what is of most importance. Lady Helga it

was, and not Kolbein the Young, who assigned Eyafirth to Thorolf.

_Broddi_.--That is a lie, Einar!

_Einar_.--Kolbein had become delirious when Helga asserted Eyafirth was

given to Thorolf.

_Alf_.--That, indeed, is the truth.

_Several_.--Yes, that indeed is the truth.

_Broddi_.--Does _she_ mean to arrange the districts? If so, we mean

to make away with Thorolf. You shall have no hand in this, Brand

Kolbeinsson, but your men shall follow me.

_Brand_.--And who is to follow me?

_Broddi_.--No one!

_Brand_.--That was the cause of my kinsman Kolbein's greatness that all

his men obeyed him without a murmur. No one obeys me now!

_Einar_.--But this obedience came first about after the fall of Kalf

Guttormsson.

_Brand_.--No need to remind me again that Thorolf was the foremost

instigator to the killing of him.

_Broddi_.--Let us then seize Thorolf, wherever we may find him, and slay

him.

_All_ (_except_ BRAND).--Yes, let us slay him!

_Broddi_.--Or else let us surround his house and lead him out to be put

to death.

_Alf_.--Oh, let him perish in the flames of his own house.

_Sigurd_--For shame, Alf! I do not care to share the torments of hell

with incendiaries.

_Brand_.--Kolbein the Young will surely take revenge on us for his

friend Thorolf.

_Einar_.--Kolbein is no longer to be reckoned among living men.

_Broddi_.--Kinsman Kolbein lay more sorely stricken with his wound this

time than last, and even then was in danger of his life.

_Alf_.--I cannot tell a doomed man if he ever arises again.

_Sigurd_.--A great loss it would be if a chieftain so noble and so

beloved should depart this world.

_Broddi_.--And one so victorious!

_Sigurd_.--Let us pray for his soul!

(_Silence. All present show marks of grief and of praying_.)

_Broddi_.--But you will lend us your aid, Brand, after the slaying of

Thorolf, and will take steps to make Lady Helga leave the district?

_Brand_.--It is not seeming that I give counsel to those who plan

Thorolf's death.

_Broddi_.--We shall help you to obtain all the dominions in Skagafirth

and west as far as Hrutafirth for it; because it is not so very sure

whether all are willing to accept you as overlord.

_Brand_.--I thank you, friend Broddi. But I shall take no part in your

dealings with Thorolf. Afterwards I shall not part from you.

_Alf_.--Let us touch our weapons to confirm it, according to Norse

custom!

_Many_.--Yes, let us brandish weapons!

_Broddi_ (_mounting a rock_).--We, Alf of Grof, Broddi Thorleifsson,

Einar the Rich, and all who are here, excepting only Brand Kolbeinsson,

agree, and brandish our weapons in confirmation of our purpose, that we

shall not part from one another, and share a common fate, until we shall

have brought from life to death Thorolf Bjarnason.

(_All, except_ BRAND, _lift their weapons and strike their shields with

their swords_.)

_Brand_.--And remember then, Broddi, what you promised me!

_Broddi_.--We all who are assembled here promise and brandish our

weapons in confirmation thereof, to aid Brand Kolbeinsson to gain

dominion over Skagafirth and west as far as Hrutafirth, after the death

of Kolbein the Young; he on his part promises to support us with all his

might in the action against us for the killing of Thorolf Bjarnason.

(_All raise their weapons and clash them against their shields_, BRAND

_likewise_.)

_Sigurd_.--The weather has been clearing up this while.

_Broddi_.--Who will now seek the way and go before us?

_Brand_.--Alf Gudmundsson of Grof. (_They depart_.)

(_The stage is empty for a while, the snow begins to fall and drift

again. Of a sudden_, JARNGRIM _is seen to stand in the cave. He has a

spear in his hand and is tall and of strong frame. He wears a wide cloak

with the hood down over his eyes. He has a long beard. As soon as he

appears two ravens settle over the mouth of the cave and disappear with

him_.[A])

[Footnote A: In Norse mythology Woden (Odin) is represented as one-eyed.

Else, his attributes are those described here.]

_Jarngrim_ (_leans on his spear and calls out_).--Thorolf!

_Thorolf_ (_from without_).--All's well, companions, I heard a human

voice! (_Silence_.)

_Jarngrim_.--Thorolf!

_Thorolf_ (_from without_).--Where are you?

_Jarngrim_.--Here!

_Thorolf_ (_and two others enter_.. THOROLF'S _men never see_ JARNGRIM.

_They kindle a fire forthwith_).--What is your name, friend?

_Jarngrim_.--Jarngrim I am called.

_Thorolf_.--We have lost our way. Will you allow me to sit down at the

fire?

_Jarngrim_.--There is a plenty of dry fuel in the cave.

(THOROLF'S _men have been kindling the fire which burns up brightly_.

JARNGRIM _nods to_ THOROLF.)

_Jarngrim_.--This eve we shall drink mead together!

_Thorolf_.--And no houses hereabouts? (_With arising suspicion_.) How

many are there of you?

_Jarngrim_.--Never have I had a companion, except my horse and two

hawks.

_Thorolf_ (_points to the ravens, mockingly_).--Your hawks are of a

black color, likely; they are sitting there near enough to you.

_Jarngrim_.--Near they sit to me, whenever good prey is near.

_Thorolf_.--Who has made you an outlaw?

_Jarngrim_.--The White Christ.

_Thorolf_.--Excommunicated then you are! Bishop Botolf will absolve you

if you confess to him your troubles.

_Jarngrim_.--Never would Botolf admit me to church if he knew who I am.

_Thorolf_.--Give some of your property to the church for absolution.

_Jarngrim_.--The temples of the White God have taken possession of all

my goods, except my horse and my hawks,--we four still journey together.

_Thorolf_.--Become my follower and accompany me to Eyafirth, if Kolbein

the Young dies.

_Jarngrim_.--Kolbein the Young will not die. But to be your man,

Thorolf, I care not, because you pursue your ends to excess, small means

as you have. It will never end well.

_Thorolf_.--How can you know that, you who are ignorant of all?

_Jarngrim_.--An old man knows that a man's character is his destiny.

_Thorolf_.--Go then and serve Kolbein the Young if he lives.

_Jarngrim_.--Oft was I a follower of Kolbein.

_Thorolf_.--How may that be, then, that I know you not?

_Jarngrim_.--The haughty heed not though they see a sage. Most men knew

me in former times, but few know me now. Small has become the number of

my friends.

_Thorolf_.--Now I recognize you, friend. I saw you in the battle of

Orlygsstad, when you stood over the corpse of Sighvat Sturluson.

_Jarngrim_.--A great friend of mine was Sighvat.

_Thorolf_.--And a short time ago, when you stood over the body of Tumi

Sighvatsson, at Reykholar. You turned your back to the church. And

whither are you journeying now?

_Jarngrim_.--Thither where tidings are near. Whenever I come down the

mountain side there arises tumult in the valleys; wherever I remain all

day great battles are fought. The Norns have decreed all that. But now

men say that the White God is about to come from the south, with great

splendor, and that he will bring with him peace. I ween it will prove a

lie.

_Thorolf_.--Decreed by the Norns! You must be an old man?

_Jarngrim_.--I was Ingolf's the First Settler's pilot on his journey to

Iceland.

_Thorolf_.--I am not a book-learned man; yet must you, then, be

exceedingly old and yet are not gray-haired.

_Jarngrim_.--I and my likes grow not gray.

_Thorolf_.--Will you tell me where I am?

_Jarngrim_.--This is the cave by Kolbein's stream.

_Thorolf_ (_shudders_).--I have heard it mentioned! But what do you

here?

_Jarngrim_.--I gather shields for my roof.

_Thorolf_.--Shields?

_Jarngrim_.--Those that drop from the hands of men slain in battle.

_Thorolf_ (_in fear and wrath_).--You plunder the dead!

_Jarngrim_.--Mine are all the slain!

_Thorolf_.--Are you Woden, then, the father of all devils? (_Draws his

sword and strikes at him, but the blow strikes the roof of the cave_.)

_Jarngrim_ (_who has not stirred while the blow was struck_).--Rarely

avails the blow which is struck too high.

_Thorolf_ (_holds his shield before his body, with his sword behind it,

and peers under the hood of_ JARNGRIM).--You startled not!

_Jarngrim_.--But you have changed color. I never blink my eyes.

_Thorolf_.--Yet it may go ill with but one eye, you evil spirit!

_Jarngrim_.--Many are the eyes of day, _the night has but one_! Let not

the fire die down, Thorolf! The mead you will drink with me to-night has

become warm! Is well-nigh ready.

(JARNGRIM _walks into the cave. As soon as his back is turned a black

patch is seen between his shoulders_. THOROLF _strikes another blow

at him, but his sword strikes the rock wall_. JARNGRIM _and the ravens

vanish_.)

_Thorolf_.--Is he hiding here, the hell-hound?

_His Men_--Who? Who?

_Thorolf_.--I have spoken with Woden and he has foretold me my death.

_First Man_.--You have not spoken with any one, since we came here. But

we have heard avalanches in the distance, nor is that strange in weather

such as this.

_Thorolf_.--I shall live no longer than this fire burns! Take well

care of the fire, men! Where are you, my men? (_Falls into a swoon. The

second man tends the fire and makes it blaze up; the first man busies

himself with_ THOROLF.)

_Second Man_.--He is very ill.

_First Man_.--He may have seen some ill wight, for ever since he saw the

fire he has lost his senses.

_Broddi_ (_behind the stage_).--There is that fire again, let us go that

way.

_First Man_.--I heard some one speaking, a small distance away. Likely,

they are no friends of Thorolf's who are abroad.

_Second Man_.--And no water at hand to put out the fire, neither would

it avail now.

_Brand_ (_without_).--None but fugitives will be here!

(_Enter_ BRAND KOLBEINSSON, BRODDI, ALF, EINAR THE RICH, DEACON SIGURD,

HELGI SKAFTASON, _and six other men_.)

_Broddi_.--What's this? Seize the men that cower over Thorolf.

(THOROLF'S _men are seized and disarmed_.)

_Einar_.--There he lies now, the lord of Eyafirth!

_Alf_.--Strike the dog!

_Thorolf_ (_regains his senses and stands up quickly_).--For shame,

neighbor Alf! Why do you seize upon my men and hold them?

_Broddi_.--So that they may harm no one! Now, Thorolf, it is our

intention that this will be our last meeting.

_Einar_.--Death is before your door now, Thorolf.

_Thorolf_.--'The love of many girls had I,

One time every one must die.'[A]

Did I see right? Is Brand Kolbeinsson here?

[Footnote A: These lines are from a stanza spoken by one Thorir Jokul,

when kneeling for the blow (Sturlunga, 143).]

_Einar_.--Here he is.

_Thorolf_.--There is no glory in my overcoming such as you, Einar the

Rich. But there, I want to get to where stands Brand Kolbeinsson. (BRAND

_stands still while these words are exchanged; some men stand between

him and_ THOROLF. THOROLF _rushes at_ BRAND, _but the others fell him

and wound him before he has reached_ BRAND.) Now was I too short by one

step.

_Einar_ (_giving_ THOROLF _a wound_).--You have always despised me!

_Thorolf_ (_gets upon his feet, but is held fast and made to surrender

his arms_).--A priest I would now have, Broddi, in the name of God!

_Alf_.--What will you with a priest, you heathen dog?

_Broddi_.--All the more need. Go to him, Deacon Sigurd!

_Sigurd_ (_goes to_ THOROLF, _whom the others release_).--You know,

Thorolf, that I am a priest?

_Thorolf_.--Give me absolution, priest, the same as if you were in my

place! My soul is in danger. I have spoken with Woden, but a short while

ago. He said the ale was ready which we were to drink together to-night.

For God's sake absolve me well of my sins!

_Sigurd_.--So shall it be.

_Thorolf_ (_to_ BRODDI).--What will you have for my life?

(BRODDI _remains silent_.)

_Thorolf_.--I offer you to leave the country and never come back to

Iceland.

_Broddi_.--You must know, Thorolf, that you are to die. There is no

other condition.

_Thorolf_.--Each of you would consider himself too young to die already,

if he were in my place now. You are keeping long your vow of everlasting

truce, Brand Kolbeinsson!

(BRAND _remains silent_.)

_Thorolf_.--Those that keep it as you do 'shall shun churches and

Christian people, the house of God and the houses of men and every home

but hell!' A great wonder it would be if you obtain the absolution of

a priest in the hour of your death. I summon you before God, Brand

Kolbeinsson!

_Broddi_.--Lead the man away to be executed, Helgi Skaftason, you have a

good axe.

_Helgi_.--That I have; nor shall I refuse its service.

_Thorolf_.--Helgi Skaftason is then to--! (_Quickly takes his ring off

his wrist and comes close to_ SIGURD. EINAR _happens to stand near so

that he can discern their speech_.) Can you keep a secret, priest?

_Sigurd_.--That can every one who is in holy office.

_Thorolf_ (_gives him the ring and says in low voice_).--Quickly hide

this ring and bring it to Lady Helga.

_Sigurd_ (_do_).--With what message?

_Thorolf_.--That you shall be spared life and limb, though you have been

participant in this onslaught on me. (EINAR _gives a start_.)

_Sigurd_.--And any others?

_Thorolf_.--Little I care.

_Einar_ (_aside_).--That ring must I try to get hold of.

(THOROLF _is led out to the left; all the others follow, excepting_

BRODDI _and_ BRAND.)

_Broddi_.--You must not be present at it, Brand! I shall tell you what

is happening. Now Thorolf is shriven; he has but few sins to confess; he

has been absolved but recently.

_Brand_.--If they had not lit the fire we would never have found them.

Better had it been they had not lit it!

_Broddi_.--A pity that brave men such as Thorolf was should not be good

men to work together with, likewise. Now Thorolf kneels down for the

blow. Do not look that way, Brand!

_Brand_.--Has he the crucifix in his hand?

_Broddi_.--No; he reached it to Deacon Sigurd, before kneeling down. Why

does Helgi let a brave man wait so long for the blow?

(_A heavy blow on a body is heard without_. BRAND _starts up, pulls_

THOROLF'S _ring from his arm and gives it to_ BRODDI.)

_Brand_.--Give Helgi Skaftason this ring; he will have need of the value

in it. It is the ring Thorolf handed over to me in Flugumyr. I will not

wear it!

_Broddi_.--It shall be as you wish. Now our men have laid a shield over

Thorolf's body.

(_The slayers of_ THOROLF _enter from the left_.)

_Alf_.--Great news abroad!

_Brand_.--We know what has happened, and that Thorolf Bjarnason is dead.

_Alf_.--'Dog-like on crushed bones he fed,

Tan of bark his hide dyed red.'[A]

[Footnote A: Alf's lines are to be understood, so that Thorolf lived

like a beggar in his youth, eating crushed bones (of dried fish;

the dried fish are beaten with a hammer so as to crush the bones

and separate them from the meat), and gnawing the bark of trees.

(H. Hermannsson.) The lines are from a stanza made by one Gudmund

Asbjarnason on Thorolf Sturlunga, ch. 122.]

_Broddi_.--Shame on you, Alf, to make mock at Thorolf, now he is dead.

(_Enter from the right_ LADY HELGA, ASBJORN, _and_ SALVOR. HELGA _in

traveling costume, with a veil with long white tassels. All present are

greatly alarmed as they see her_.)

_Brand_.--Lady Helga! Hail, cousin!

_Helga_.--Hail to all of you! (_They bow to her_.) What are you about,

here, kinsman Brand?

_Brand_.--I am biding for better weather. But what may be the purpose of

your journey?

_Helga_.--I am on a voyage to inspect our building of ships. In the

snowstorm I and Asbjorn lost our way; but a short while ago we saw a

fire or a light and turned that way. Now we are come here.

_Brand_.--How fares Kolbein, your husband?

_Helga_.--Very eager you are now to succeed to him. (_Smiles_. THOROLF'S

_men, weaponless, come running up and stop behind_.) You here!

_First Man_.--They have slain Thorolf Bjarnason. His body lies here!

_Helga_ (_grasps at her heart for a moment_).--Thorolf Bjarnason! Slain!

_Second Man_.--But this moment they beheaded him.

_Helga_.--Oh, pity that I came too late! (_Shoves_ ASBJORN _aside and

fixes her eyes on those present_.) Who of you slew T-h-o-r-o-l-f?

_Helgi Skaftason_ (_advances and dries his axe on the fringes of her

veil; she smiles at him_).--Here you may see the blood of Thorolf, your

friend, my lady. Me you have to thank for it that his locks are bloody.

_Asbjorn_ (_pushing forth between them_).--You wretched knave!

_Broddi_.--Shame upon you, Helgi Skaftason!

_Helga_.--What business of yours is it? (_Smiling, to_ HELGI.) You may

depend upon me for rewarding you for the precious stain you have put on

my veil. Not just now. I shall find you later, Helgi Skaftason!

_Alf_ (_to_ BRODDI).--She will bring a plague upon us all; let us draw a

sack over her head.[A]

[Footnote A: A measure taken against the influence of the 'evil eye' of

witches.]

_Broddi_.--I shall kill you, Alf!

_Helga_ (_to_ BRAND).--Is it from our kinsmen at Oddi that you have

learned how to keep an eternal truce, Brand, 'a truce which shall

persist the while the earth lasts and men live'?

_Brand_.--Lady!

_Broddi_.--Brand Kolbeinsson had no part in Thorolf's execution.

_Helga_ (_smiling_).--Then it is clear he has kept the eternal truce.

Perhaps neither you had a part in it, Broddi?

_Broddi_.--I shall not deny that I had, lady.

_Helga_.--But little you know the mind of my husband, Broddi, if you

think he will let his men lie dead by his house and unatoned. You,

Asbjorn, and you, men of Thorolf's, lay now his body upon my sleigh. I

intend to bring Kolbein the Young, his friend. Very likely I shall have

to dress his bloody locks. But that shall I say to you all that Kolbein

the Young is almost quite well again, and may be able to wear mail even

to-morrow. (_All are startled and become alarmed_.)

_Alf_.--Loose sits my head on its shoulders!

_Helga_ (_smiling_).--You will do well to hold it fast with both your

hands, Alf of Grof. (_Aside to_ SALVOR.) Lend me your arm! My eyes grow

dim!

(_Exeunt_ HELGA, SALVOR, _and_ ASBJORN, _the two men of_ THOROLF.

HELGA _walks away like a queen, smiling, and saluting to both sides.

Silence_.)

_Helgi Skaftason_ (_leaning on his axe_).--But a short while will the

hand rejoice over the blow.

_Broddi_.--She smiled rather too often, the queen of the Northlanders!

_Sigurd_.--We shall be dead men, all of us, before seven suns have set,

unless we bethink ourselves of some counsel.

_Brand_.--Give us some counsel, Broddi, or else my kinsman Kolbein will

set our women busy dressing bloody locks also.

_Broddi_.--We have but little choice. Let us collect as many men as

we may. I myself hope to collect two hundred men, for all the men of

Sletthlid and Fljot are at home now, building boats. Yourself ought

to be able to collect one hundred. All this troop we shall let come

together at Holar and occupy the stronghold there, until more men come

together. We would then have three hundred men, while Kolbein has no

more than one hundred, because three hundred of his men have been sent

west to guard Vididal and Vatnsdal. Then we shall march upon Flugumyr

as fast as possible before he has had time to recall these men. There we

shall inform him that we are come to seek composition.

_Brand_.--But, first of all, we must be absolved for the murder of

Thorolf, so that men will not refuse our company and deal with us.

_Broddi_.--A pity that we need to, because it will delay us, and

meanwhile Lady Helga will inform Kolbein about Thorolf's death and egg

him on against us. To Holar, then!

_Einar_ (_aside_).--Thord Kakali ought to know about this in good time.

(_Exeunt all except_ BRODDI _and_ BRAND, _who remain after_.)

_Brand_.--When think you, Broddi, that all this slaughtering and warring

will cease?

_Broddi_.--When all the world has become a wilderness again!

(_Exeunt_.) _Curtain_.

ACT III

(_The Cathedral at Holar. High altar in the center, and over it Christ

on the Cross, an image of white alabaster, with bloody hands and feet

and side, life-size. To either side, in the aisles, altars of the

Virgin, splendid with images. On the floor of the aisle the tombstone

of Bishop Gudmund Arason, surmounted by a statue of the bishop in his

sacerdotal vestments, recumbent. Doors at both sides. The spectator is

supposed to sit in the pews_.)

(BISHOP BOTOLF, _in full pontificals, stands before the altar_.

BRAND KOLBEINSSON, BRODDI, ALF, DEACON SIGURD, EINAR THE RICH, HELGI

SKAFTASON, _and six others kneeling before him weaponless with bared

neck and shoulders. An invisible chorus sings the end of a Miserere. The

music stops as soon as the psalm is finished_.)

_Botolf_.--By that power which God gave to the apostle Peter to bind and

to absolve all in heaven as well as on earth, which power he bestowed

upon the pope, and the pope upon the archbishop, and the archbishop upon

me, by this power I absolve you: Brand Kolbeinsson, Broddi Thorleifsson,

Alf Gudmundsson, Deacon Sigurd Thjodolfsson, Helgi Skaftason, Einar the

Rich, and you six other men, from the sin of your having been present

at and caused the death of Thorolf Bjarnason; I absolve you from the

excommunication of the Holy Church and permit to you church-going, and

the association of Christian men.

_Brand_.--In return for our being freed from the excommunication of the

Holy Church I and Broddi Thorleifsson each will give the value of five

hundred in land, to the see of Holar; and two hundred for each of

those who were present at the slaying of Thorolf, as is set forth more

explicitly in the deed of gift which I now deliver into your hands and

which Deacon Sigurd worded. (_Gives the bishop a scroll of parchment_.

BRAND _and his men rearrange their garments_.)

_Botolf_.--Exceeding bold have you become, Deacon Sigurd, to carry

weapons and to shed blood.

_Broddi_.--A weaponless man is but a wretch, my lord!

_Sigurd_.--Armed priests went to war with Bishop Gudmund Arason, my

lord!

_Botolf_.--Because of his visitations with armed men, his battlings, and

his unruliness Bishop Gudmund was declared to have forfeited his office.

_Brand_.--Yet retained his office as bishop till his dying day, through

the good services of Kolbein the Young.

_Botolf_.--Kolbein is king over you all, yet archbishop, I know, he is

not. Over my clerics I mean to rule so long as I am in power.

_Sigurd_.--I did not urge on to Thorolf's execution, and no sacraments

would he have received had I not been one of the company.

_Botolf_.--For that reason I shall let pass by your transgression, this

once, but leave your weapons here, when you depart, and never more carry

weapons henceforth.

_Sigurd_.--I shall obey, my lord!

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_ (_enters_).--Now I would pray you, sir bishop, that

you assist my son and his men to obtain a becoming reconciliation in the

action about Thorolf's death; because my namesake Kolbein was a stanch

friend of his.

_Botolf_.--Those who are reconciled with the Holy Church ought also to

be reconciled with all Christian men.

_Alf_.--They ought certainly; but Kolbein the Young is but little of a

Christian when he means to take revenge for one of his men.

_Broddi_.--He will perhaps call the slaying of Thorolf an act of

insurrection against himself.

_Botolf_.--It is an ill matter to assist rebels.

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--Thorolf insulted my son by giving him a nickname,

and he took revenge for that.

_Botolf_.--You Icelanders must be more deliberate in your words than are

we Norwegians, if every nickname shall cost a man's life. The slaying of

Thorolf was a wicked deed, because Brand swore him an eternal truce. But

in this land every one seems hardened in the ways of Kain.

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--My son Brand will succeed to Kolbein the Young!

_Botolf_.--He will succeed Kolbein? Then shall I seek to bring about a

reconciliation between you and Kolbein the Young!

_Broddi_.--And for the purpose that it come about in the smoothest

manner possible I need the fortifications of your see a day or two for

my men.

_Botolf_.--You will be welcome to use them, Broddi.

_Brand_.--In still another matter give me assistance, sir bishop! During

the hostilities that have lasted all these years a certain man who was

being led to execution summoned me before the tribunal of God.

_Botolf_.--For that the Church knows no other help than a general

indulgence and your living the rest of your natural life in peace.

_Brand_.--In peace? How is that possible now?

_Botolf_.--Blessed peace! when will you descend upon this blood-stained

earth?

_Broddi_ (_smiling_).--You must call out louder, my lord, to do some

good! The blessed peace has been stricken with deafness these times.

_Botolf_.--Oh wicked mockery!

_Broddi_.--Wicked indeed, if it were not true.

(_The cleric_ HELGI _enters quickly_.)

_Helgi_.--Kolbein the Young is riding toward Holar at this moment, with

a hundred men.

_Alf_.--Let us flee to the mountains.

_Broddi_.--Let us wait for my brother-in-law Kolbein at this spot.

_Alf_.--He will have us dragged out of the church and killed.

_Broddi_.--I shall not flee with my shield on my back.

_Brand_.--No, friend Broddi, we shall not part as yet. (_Seizes hold of_

BRODDI, _whom they drag out by force between them_.)

_Broddi_.--Why run away thus? I care not when I die.

(BRAND _and his eleven companions depart, together with_ KOLBEIN

KALDALJOS.)

_Helgi_.--Now they will offer you violence, my lord.

_Botolf_.--I expect no harm from Kolbein the Young, no wrong have I

done in this land, but only what all may thank me for, and that is to

reconcile the chieftains.

_Helgi_.--But it was in your presence that Gizur betrayed Urækja at the

bridge over the White River.

_Botolf_.--But Kolbein released Urækja again!

_Helgi_.--Much do you say in defence of Kolbein the Young; the enemy of

our sainted Bishop Gudmund Arason, my father-brother. Now the blessed

bishop has revealed himself to me in a dream and announced that at this

very hour he would make known his glory and power, right here in the

church, through a miracle on Illugi, a wretched blind man. I wish much

that Kolbein should behold it, so that he might repent of his ill deeds

against this holy man. A miraculum magnum will come to pass!

_Botolf_.--Nothing, indeed, would so much allay Kolbein's violence as

the holiness of Bishop Gudmund becoming apparent. It would make him

ready for reconciliation, should he behold that he used ill so great a

saint. But are you so very sure that the see of Holar really possessed

such a holy man in Bishop Gudmund?

_Helgi_.--Most certainly, indeed! (_Exit_.)

_Botolf_ (_alone_).--Bishop Gudmund a saint? Notwithstanding all the

slayings and destruction that followed in his wake? Bishop Gudmund a

saint, hm! He who used to speak a blessing over mad dogs, with his hands

uplifted! Bishop Gudmund a saint, hm! Well, then would the church indeed

be victorious over Kolbein the Young and his men.

(_Enter_ KOLBEIN THE YOUNG, HAF, _and_ ASBJORN. _They salute the bishop,

who returns their greetings_.)

_Kolbein_.--I have come hither, sir bishop, to confer with you.

_Botolf_.--With whom then do all those your men wish to confer, and what

mean the arms you carry into the church?

_Kolbein_.--Tumult and riot is rife in the district.

_Botolf_.--But a few days ago I expected to hear of your death, Kolbein,

rather than see you here heading a host of men.

_Asbjorn_.--Does it not suit you, my lord?

_Botolf_.--I desire the death of no man.

_Kolbein_.--For a while I was very sick, indeed; but no sooner heard I

of the death of my friend Thorolf than all weakness left me, so that now

I am a well man again.

(_Enter_ CLERK HELGI, ILLUGI THE BLIND MAN, _and_ HIS BOY, _who supports

him. People stream in with them, stationing themselves in the doors and

near them_. CLERK HELGI _makes_ ILLUGI _kneel down before the sepulchre

of_ BISHOP GUDMUND, _so that he turns his face to the spectators_.)

_Helgi_.--Kneel down now before the sepulchre of the sainted friend of

God who appeared to you in your dream; because your prayers have made

you deserving of that beatitude. Embrace the image of our blessed father

and say the Lord's prayer.

_Kolbein_.--Is that man blind?

_Illugi_ (_looks up and glances at him for a moment_).--I am born blind.

_Kolbein_ (_aside to_ HAF BJARNASON).--His eyes were fixed on me as he

looked up.

_Helgi_.--Domine Gudmunde, fac miraculum magnum!

_Illugi_ (_mutters_).--Pater noster!

_Helgi_.--Behold the white hand of the saint, how it draws the film from

the eyes of the blind man!

_Kolbein_.--I have not the gift to see such things.

_Helgi_.--Oh ye of little faith!

_Some at the Door_.--I smell sweet fragrance. I see a tongue of fire

above the tombstone of Bishop Gudmund!

_Others_.--He was good to the poor!

_Illugi_ (_with a loud voice, lifting up his crutch and

arising_).--Praised be the blessed Bishop Gudmund! My eyes can see!

_Helgi_.--O miraculum magnum!

_The People at the Doors_.--A miracle! A miracle! A miracle!

_Botolf_.--Let all bells of the church be rung.

_Kolbein_.--Wait an instant, my lord! The eyes of the man are unchanged.

Let him prove that he can see.

_Helgi_.--Ay, let him do that, my lord! Let the man prove that he can

see, so that Thomas be made to believe.

_Kolbein_ (_aside_).--Hand me a parchment, Haf! (HAF _takes a scroll

out of a box in the choir and reaches it over to him_.) You were blind,

then, when I spoke to you before?

_Illugi_.--I am born blind, my lord! But now it seems to me I can see

all that others see.

_Kolbein_.--I have still my doubts about that (_holding the parchment

before_ ILLUGI). Are you able to see what this is?

_Illugi_.--A parchment, my lord.

_Kolbein_.--And can you discern what is there written?

_Illugi_.--I can see the letters clearly.

_Kolbein_.--That you could say, although you could not see them.

_Illugi_ (_reads_).--'And when St. John was arrayed in his pontifical

robes, ready for burial--'

_Kolbein_.--How is it possible that you who are born blind have learned

to read?

(ILLUGI _remains silent, greatly frightened_.)

_Helgi_.--O miraculum magnum! Holy Bishop Gudmund has imparted to him

the art of reading!

_Illugi_.--The glorious saint appeared to me last night in a dream and

taught me to read, so that I might prove to-day that my eyes can see.

_Kolbein_.--In that case more forethought was shown by Bishop Gudmund

than he was accustomed to show when he was alive.

(BISHOP BOTOLF _becomes uneasy_; KOLBEIN's _men look at each other

smiling_.)

_Helgi_.--The revelation of the saintliness of Holy Bishop Gudmund has

affected me so much, my lord, that I forgot to have all the bells of the

church rung. (_Intends to leave_.)

_Botolf_.--Wait with that a little while, Helgi.

_Haf_.--They will ring of themselves when the time has come.

_Kolbein_.--Where are you from?

(ILLUGI _remains silent, as to all following questions. The boy always

looks at him first before answering, making reply only when he sees

that_ ILLUGI _remains silent_.)

_Kolbein_.--Where are you two from?

_The Boy_.--From the Hornstrands, my lord!

_Kolbein_.--What was Thord Kakali about when you left?

_The Boy_.--We do not know, my lord!

_Kolbein_.--You must have remained over night at Bolstadarhlid before

you ascended the Vatnsskard.

_The Boy_.--We did, my lord!

_Kolbein_.--Did yeoman Jon send me no message by you?

_The Boy_.--No, my lord, yeoman Jon sent no message by us.

_Kolbein_.--You must be a clever and trusty lad, though you are young.

_The Boy_.--You give me high praise, my lord, and it is good to hear.

_Kolbein_.--You are careful to ask men about their names, or get to know

them from others. That is doing well for a young lad.

_The Boy_.--I asked yeoman Jon myself what his name was, my lord!

_Kolbein_.--There you lied again, little boy. The yeoman at

Bolstadarhlid is called Thorvard Arnason. (_The boy runs out_.)

_Helgi_.--You lied in that yourself, Kolbein, to say that the yeoman's

name was Jon. The boy would never have dared to ask the yeoman about his

name.

_Kolbein_ (_to_ HAF).--Seize hold of this man and bring him into the

prison at Flugumyr. Bishop Gudmund will open its doors for him if

time hangs heavy on his hands there. (ILLUGI _the blind man runs out,

forgetting his crutches; the people follow him. One hears the multitude

outside shouting, 'A miracle'_.)

_Asbjorn_ (_to_ HELGI).--Was it Bishop Gudmund or Kolbein the Young who

made that man forget his crutches?

_Helgi_.--If Kolbein has done it, then has he done it by the help of

Beelzebub. (_He gathers up the crutches_. HAF _and_ ASBJORN _follow him

as he leaves the church_.)

_Kolbein_.--Did you have a part in this farce, my lord?

_Botolf_.--No, my lord! (_Mutters_.) Pia fraus, pia fraus!

_Kolbein_.--Then all is well. Bishop Gudmund was a witless man, but no

saint.

_Botolf_.--That is without example in Christendom how you laymen of

Iceland treated Bishop Gudmund; you killed his men and his clerks, went

to battle against him, beat and bound him, and in no wise let him enjoy

peace.

_Kolbein_.--Bishop Gudmund was a scourge upon the land. On his journeys

he devoured the property of one farmer in the morning, and of another in

the evening.

_Botolf_.--Finally you deprived him even of his freedom.

_Kolbein_.--That was the very best thing for him!

_Botolf_.--Such conduct on your part violated God's laws.

_Kolbein_.--But not the laws of this land, sir bishop. They say, 'But if

a man have a savage dog, then shall this dog be kept bound.' And I took

the dog and bound him, sir bishop!

_Botolf_.--The property of the church it was that tempted you, and not

the laws of the land; and how have you atoned for your robbery?

_Kolbein_.--With my and Thorolf Bjarnason's pilgrimage to Rome.

_Botolf_.--And with the help of this property of the church you have

set yourself in the place of that man who alone had divine right to the

land.

_Kolbein_.--His is the land who holds it.

_Botolf_.--The king of Norway lays claim to all the land settled by

Norwegians.

_Kolbein_.--The fewest of the settlers on Iceland's soil were subjects

of the king of Norway. For that matter, why comes not King Hakon and

take the land from us?

_Botolf_.--Because many hands would be raised in its defence, and the

king wishes the land to remain in peace.

_Kolbein_.--No one has caused more feuds among us Icelanders than has

King Hakon. All feuds arose through his devices.

_Botolf_.--Raise the banner of King Hakon in this land, Kolbein!

_Kolbein_.--Who would bear the banner for that coward? No, but should

the king come hither you will see me take up a banner; but it will not

be that of King Hakon!

_Botolf_.--In order to bring the land under the king's dominion you

would need but to ride to the king with twelve hundred men and let all

the assembly swear an oath of allegiance to the king. Both bishops would

stand back of you in that undertaking.

_Kolbein_.--Norwegians both!

_Botolf_.--The archbishop has written me that the king would raise you

to the highest rank among Icelanders if you did that.

_Kolbein_.--What I am already I need not become by the grace of Hakon.

_Botolf_.--He would give you an earl's rank and set you over all

Iceland.

_Kolbein_.--They gave Snorri Sturluson an earl's name, and the king

became the contriver of his death.

_Botolf_.--The archbishop writes that the king would make you highest

commander among his forces, if you should prefer that.

_Kolbein_ (_rejoiced at first, but quickly controls himself_).--Is that

written in the archbishop's letter?

_Botolf_ (_taking out a scroll of parchment_).--Here you may read it!

_Kolbein_.--Leader of the Birchlegs![A] That is a goodly army! No,

for that my health suffices no more--they all are brisk men! Tell the

archbishop that even if I were always in good health I would think it a

nobler thing to do battle against the Birchlegs than with them.

[Footnote A: The name of the Norwegian king Sverre's hardy soldiers.]

_Botolf_.--You are the only Icelander who hates Norway and its king,

Kolbein!

_Kolbein_.--I remember too well that my father died in Norway an enemy

of the king and the archbishop. At that time I was thirteen years and

dull it seemed to me in Norway thereafter.

_Botolf_.--If such is the case, Gizur and Thord Kakali will stretch out

both their hands after the honors you now turn your back upon. Gizur has

already received honors from the king.

_Kolbein_.--I recall that Gizur has become his link-boy. It is strange

that he wanted to snuff candles for Kakon.

_Botolf_.--Gizur holds lands from the king and is his kinsman.

_Kolbein_.--Whatever the king may make of my kinsman Gizur, I know for

sure that he will never be able to give him the courage to take up arms

against me.

_Botolf_.--But he might go so far as to let Thord Kakali have his men,

and Thord would dare to fight with you.

_Kolbein_.--He does indeed! I shall have to kill Thord before

mid-summer!

_Botolf_.--True is the saying that no chieftain in Iceland lays himself

down to sleep any day without danger!

_Kolbein_.--We are mortal men, we chieftains.

_Botolf_.--Will Gizur also have to be made a head shorter before

mid-summer, Kolbein, should he come to Iceland?

_Kolbein_.--Who can know what the future will bring, sir bishop?

(ASBJORN _and_ HAF _enter in headlong haste_.)

_Asbjorn_.--There is prospect of tidings; Broddi Thorleifsson comes

riding down the valley with two hundred armed men.

_Kolbein_ (_wrathfully, to the_ BISHOP).--What seeks my cousin Broddi at

Holar with two hundred men?

_Botolf_.--The peace of the land seems insecure to him and he is coming

hither for defending himself in the fort.

_Kolbein_.--You encourage men to rebellion against me, you devil in a

bishop's guise! Is that the peace the king and the archbishop intend to

bring to the land?

_Botolf_.--What means this wrath in God's church?

_Haf_.--What council shall we take, Kolbein? Broddi is advancing

rapidly.

_Kolbein_.--You, Asbjorn, will cross the mountains with a dozen men and

advise my wife Helga to draw all guards from the west as fast as is at

all possible. You yourself will continue your journey south over the

Kjol to Hjalti, the son of the bishop to come north at once with all the

men he can summon, to prevent difficulties here.

_Asbjorn_.--Indeed, a strenuous journey, now at the height of winter!

_Kolbein_.--Maintain the length of your days' journeys as if I were

along myself, and be back at Flugumyr by the next Sunday. (ASBJORN

_departs_.) But you, Haf, will take half of the company remaining, and

take position in the fortifications close by. The horses you will let

into the fort. The other half you will let take position on the outside

of the gates of the fort, so that we may leave it at our will. We shall

hold the fortification until help comes to us, if need be. Let all undo

the peace-straps[A] from their swords!

[Footnote A: Straps wound round the sheath and fastened to a ring in the

hilt.]

_Haf_.--I shall arrange all as you command. (_Departs_.)

_Kolbein_ (_to the_ BISHOP, _who is about to leave_).--Bide an instant,

bishop! Remain here at my side! If it appears that Broddi's men show any

hostilities towards me, I shall behead you here before the high altar.

_Botolf_ (_to himself_).--Broddi's men! Are they so wise, I wonder?

(_Aloud_.) You will permit me to speak with Kolbein Kaldajos, in order

that he may adjust our difficulties.

_Kolbein_.--Are you thinking perhaps that he should come here with his

men to take care of us?

_Botolf_.--Far from it. (_About to leave_.)

_Kolbein_ (_grasping the_ BISHOP _by the wrist_).--You will not go

hence alive, sir bishop; if you stir the church will have another saint

(_points to Bishop Gudmund's tomb_).

_Botolf_.--It would be a fair death for the servant of God. But unlikely

it is that you will accomplish this deed of violence, because God's

angels follow me wherever I go.

_Kolbein_.--I, too, have attendant wraiths; my victory at Orlygsstad,

my pursuits of Thord Kakali, my raid to Reykholar, and my journey over

Tvidægra Heath with thirty men.

_Botolf_.--Angels with black wings all, Kolbein!

_Kolbein_.--Whatever the hue of their wings, yet they cause me to come

out of every fray unscathed and more powerful than other men.

_Botolf_.--God has hardened your heart, Kolbein!

_Kolbein_.--And you, cease to aid my cousin Brand and Broddi, and never

release them from the interdict!

_Botolf_.--I have released them.

_Kolbein_.--That is an act of open hostility against me.

_Botolf_.--Whilst I am bishop I have the power of the keys, and not you.

_Kolbein_.--I have undone the gates of death for more men than I wished,

and _that_ power of the keys, I know, is not lies and wonders.

_Botolf_.--You have but one key, Kolbein, and that leads to hell. You

will have need for it to open its gates when you arrive there; in case

the Holy Church has not already opened them up for you.

_Kolbein_.--You threaten me with excommunication, bishop! Do not stir!

Now I have decided what I shall do with you. Next summer I shall put

you bodily in a sack and bring it on a ship and send you thus to the

archbishop.[A] (_Laughs heartily_.)

[Footnote A: The archbishop of Nidaros (Throndhjem), then primate of

Norway.]

_Botolf_.--God is my castle.

_Kolbein_.--And you shall have both food and your power of the keys on

top of you in your bag. That would teach Kakon and the archbishop to

appoint fewer bishops from Norway who are chiefly busy plotting to

betray Iceland. (_Laughs_.)

(KOLBEIN KALDALJOS _enters. The_ BISHOP _breathes relieved_.)

_Botolf_.--You are an enemy of God, Kolbein the Young!

_Kolbein_.--No friend of the king, you meant to say.

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--Broddi has taken a stand at Vidiness with two

hundred men. It seems he will order his troop there in battle array.

_Botolf_ (_to_ KOLBEIN THE YOUNG).--Your father's brother, Kolbein, fell

at Vidiness, the same perchance may betide you.

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--Pledge a truce to me on behalf of my son Brand and

his fellows.

_Kolbein_.--Brand holds no truce!

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--If you intend to slay my son you will find that

Broddi and his men will stand between you and Brand for this once.

_Kolbein_.--Hear you, bishop, will you forbear aiding Brand and Broddi,

if I now depart?

_Botolf_.--Never!

_Kolbein_.--Then shall I make the see at Holar even with the ground, as

soon as I return.

_Haf_ (_entering hurriedly_).--Broddi Thorleifsson has arranged his men

in fighting order at Vidiness, and now they are advancing this way in

battle array. I let our men mount their horses.

_Kolbein_.--You will follow me to Flugumyr, bishop. There are strong

fortifications. But if Broddi's men pursue us, or make other show of

hostility, I shall have you beheaded.

_Haf_.--Come, sir bishop.

_Botolf_ (_to_ KOLBEIN KALDALJOS).--If Kolbein commits such wickedness

you shall let the 'Peace of God' be rung over all the land until next

Monday evening; and then all the ill deeds he does meanwhile will become

two-fold crimes.

_Kolbein_.--'God's peace'--hm! That is a new thing in this land! In that

case I shall come after Monday and break to pieces 'Likabong' and the

other bells of the cathedral; then you will have to cease ringing for a

while, sir bishop.

_Botolf_.--Now the foul fiend talks through Kolbein's mouth.

_Haf_.--Come along with the foul fiend, sir!

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--The church needs men to guard it, the danger is

greater than ever. Give me the watchword, sir bishop.

_Botolf_ (_aside to_ KOLBEIN KALDALJOS).--God is our castle!

_Haf_.--Come along, sir bishop!

_Botolf_ (_to himself_).--Better I were a simple monk in Helgiseter

cloister in Norway, than be a weak bishop and stand between the feuds of

the chieftains of this land. But the king requested me.

(KOLBEIN THE YOUNG _and_ HAF _lead the_ BISHOP _away between them_.)

KOLBEIN KALDALJOS.--Oh the enormity to take the bishop prisoner in his

own cathedral. And yet we have won the victory. I shall let the 'Peace

of God' be rung out over the land, and that will protect the bishop from

all danger and also give my son Brand time to collect his forces.

(_Exit. The scene is empty a little while. Then_ BRODDI, ALF, _and the

other slayers of_ THOROLF _enter hurriedly_.)

_Broddi_.--Where is the bishop?

_Alf_.--I was told that Kolbein Kaldaljos was here. (KOLBEIN KALDALJOS

_enters again_.)

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--You come too late, Broddi. Kolbein the Young has

taken the bishop with him against his will to Flugumyr.

_Broddi_ (_aghast_).--Unlike Kolbein to other men. Who could have

thought of such an unheard-of thing?

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--And will kill the bishop, if you show any

hostilities against Kolbein.

_Alf_.--Will kill the bishop? Whenever has the like been heard, to take

a bishop out of his church against his will and threaten him with death!

He will straightway be doomed to hell when he dies, but not before

having made away with us all.

_Broddi_--I have two hundred men. Kolbein has not even one hundred and

will get no more before to-morrow evening. Who cares about the bishop's

life? He will have to die some day. I shall ride after Kolbein with

all my men, and the battle is won. Have you no message to me from the

bishop?

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--He authorizes you to use the fortifications and

wishes you to defend the see.

_Broddi_.--What do I need the fortifications now? I have twice as many

men.

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--The bishop has ordered to set a guard over the

see, and to ring out the 'Peace of God' over all the land.

_Broddi_ (_in furious wrath_).--The hellish coward! So afraid he was for

his life! A manifold crime it would be, then, if we attempt anything.

Better had it been for us Northlanders if the archbishop had appointed

a dog to be our bishop! (_The watchword is taken up outside, first near

by, then farther and farther away: 'God is our castle,' 'God is our

castle,'--'is our castle,' 'our castle,'--'castle.' The cathedral

bells begin ringing out the 'Peace of God_.' BRODDI _rushes at_ KOLBEIN

KALDALJOS.) Let them stop this ringing!

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--No, no, the bishop has commanded it.

_Broddi_ (_grips him with both hands at his shoulders and forces him on

his knees_).--Let them stop this ringing, wretch!

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--Hold the peace of the church, Broddi! I am an old

man.

_Broddi_ (_letting go of_ KOLBEIN).--But a few moments ago our fight

with Kolbein was altogether won, but now it is (_casts his steel glove

on the floor_) altogether lost.

(_The ringing continues vigorously while the curtain drops_.)

ACT IV

(_The 'Little Hall' at Reynistad. Daytime. Enter_ LADY HELGA, JORUN,

_and her two sons_, KALF, _eight years, and_ THORGEIR, _six years_.)

_Jorun_.--What do you need for your journey, lady? I do not know whether

I can assist you, because there is no one but women at home.

_Helga_.--That knew I well that only women were at home. I need

ice-spurs for my horse, or else he will fall under me and I lose life or

limb.

_Jorun_.--You are welcome to our horseshoes as to all other things,

lady.

_Helga_.--Harden well the ice-spurs for my horse, Haf. It seems to me

that most iron is soft at Reynistad.

_Haf_.--It shall be done, lady! (_Exit_.)

_Jorun_.--Soft iron bends but does not break!

_Helga_.--Neither does it remain sharp long.

_Jorun_.--Are you finding fault with my husband and me because we

observe the 'Peace of God'? I might easily let the women fetch so many

of my servants as would be needed to take you and Haf prisoners.

_Helga_.--Yes, if we waited until they came. But let us drop this;

rather show me your boys, because I should like to see what will become

of them when they grow up.

_Jorun_.--There are but few that can see that in such small boys,

excepting their own mother.

_Helga_ (_sits down and extends her hand_).--Come to me, Kalf, my

foster-son. (KALF _comes up to her_.) What do you want to be when you

grow up? A bishop?

_Kalf_.--I want to become a great chieftain!

_Helga_.--What chieftain would you most want to be like?

_Kalf_.--The one who commands the greatest army.

_Helga_.--You want to command a great army, foster-son?

_Kalf_.--Yes, and be victorious in many battles.

_Helga_ (_placing_ KALF _on her knee_).--I think as before about my

foster-son Half. In him you will bring up a man fit to be a chieftain,

Jorun, though I know not how fit you are for that task.

_Jorun_.--My sons will have to be satisfied with such bringing up as I

am able to give them.

_Helga_,--Which chieftain would you most like to be?

_Kalf_.--Kolbein the Young.

_Helga_.--Older people ought to say that! (_To_ THORGEIR.) But what do

you most like to become, little tot? (THORGEIR _comes up to her_.)

_Thorgeir_.--Like father. (_Puts a finger into his mouth_.)

_Helga_.--Do you want to be a priest?

_Thorgeir_.--I want to be like my papa. (HELGA _gazes at him; he retires

behind his mother, concealing his face in her gown, and cries_.)

_Jorun_.--You must not make my boy cry, lady.

_Helga_--You may keep that boy yourself. But give me your boy Kalf along

to Flugumyr, for that would further reconciliations. I wish to be the

mother of a chieftain.

_Kalf_.--Will you give me sword and helmet, and shield, then?

_Helga_.--Yes, my boy, a shield with an eagle on it.

_Jorun_.--A woman who herself has no children is not destined to be

mother to a chieftain. My son Kalf shall never come into your hands

whilst I live. I wish him to learn works of peace, and not warfare and

slaughter.

_Helga_.--Let your Thorgeir be ordained priest, as kinsmen of yours have

done. (_Stands_ KALF _on the floor, getting up herself and stroking him

on his head_.) But be careful to raise Kalf in such a manner that he

become a successor to my husband and his father.

_Jorun_.--Go now, boys! (_The boys leave the room_.) You say that Kalf

will be the successor of your husband and of his father?

_Helga_.--You know about the ill health of my husband Kolbein, which

may take him away earlier than one might suspect. And yet it may be that

Brand Kolbeinsson will not live even as long as he.

_Jorun_.--What is that you say? As a fact I know that Hjalti, the son of

the bishop, is not coming from the South to settle our differences!

_Helga_ (_laughs_).--He, the cod-biter! His men were all at the

fishing-stations when Asbjorn arrived in the South. Hjalti is coming by

no means, and my husband is raging at him.

_Jorun_.--You must have stirred up Kolbein the Young in this matter as

never before. Did you not drive home with the corpse of Thorolf, saying

to him that there was life in him still; but when he took Thorolf out

of your sleigh his head rolled about Kolbein's feet. Nor was that to be

wondered at, considering the love that was between you and Thorolf.

_Helga_.--The slayers of Thorolf themselves incited me most.

_Jorun_.--And now it may appear to you as though not only Thorolf was to

be avenged. Asbjorn fared South with eleven men and returned alone. He

lost all men in the winter storms that have been raging now for some

time. At last there were only six who returned over the Kjol, without

food and worn out. Man after man threw himself down on the frozen ground

to die; they cursed the wars that will not let men die in peace with

God and men, they cursed Brand Kolbeinsson, and Broddi, and Kolbein the

Young, because it is they who are the cause of this war.

_Helga_.--You say the truth about the journey of Asbjorn from the South.

But I shall forget about all that, and shall procure the best terms for

your husband from Kolbein, if you will give me your boy Kalf to foster

and to let me bring him up. It has become rather solitary about me now

at Flugumyr!

_Jorun_.--And you wish that I shall bring up my sons so that dying men

shall curse them?

_Helga_.--You shall surrender the boy to me, whether you like it or no.

_Jorun_.--Then would I rather die!

_Helga_.--Weak spirit! My husband has promised me the life of a man in

this feud, and also that I might choose who it shall be.

_Jorun_.--Then I _know_ that it will be the life of my husband.

_Helga_.--You spoke of the love between me and Thorolf Bjarnason. I

shall not deny it. Thorolf summoned your husband before the judgment

of God before he was put to death. Now he is dead I can do nothing more

pleasing to him than to see to it that Brand Kolbeinsson follow the

summons in due time.

_Jorun_.--You are a devil, Helga! You dare to treat thus a chieftain as

beloved as Brand Kolbeinsson?

_Helga_.--Loud you exclaim now, my lady! Yet I am better than you

think me. If Brand is as beloved a chieftain as you make him out to

be, somebody will surely be ready to die in his place; and that will I

promise you that I shall give your husband full release, and kill _him_

instead who offers himself to that end. (_She laughs_.)

_Jorun_.--You promise me that because you know full well that no one

will do that.

_Helga_.--Is not Brand Kolbeinsson a beloved chieftain?

_Jorun_.--Yet you will stand by your word neither to me nor my husband.

_Helga_.--When did I ever fail to live up to my promise?

_Jorun_.--Did you never say that you would love your husband?

_Helga_.--When I was given to Kolbein I never once was asked whether

I would love him, so that if I have been much lacking in this matter I

have never deceived him in any way. Your husband may rest assured that

if any one offer to die instead of so highly beloved a chieftain, then

shall I take that man's life, and not Brand's.

_Haf_ (_coming in again_).--Now your horse is provided with ice-spurs.

Make haste; I see men riding this way. (LADY HELGA _and_ HAF _depart_.)

_Jorun_ (_throwing up her hands in dismay_).--And to-night the Peace of

God is at an end! Holy mother of God! Rather extinguish the sun than let

my husband be taken from me and put to death. Rather extinguish the sun

than let this war continue. The earth does not deserve to exist when no

one obeys the command of love and peace.

_Brand_ (_enters_).--You are praying?

_Jorun_.--Lady Helga departed but this moment; she said to me that her

husband had promised her the life of a man in this feud, and that she

intended to choose yours.

_Brand_.--It is altogether uncertain as yet whether kinsman Kolbein will

get power over my life.

_Jorun_.--Hjalti, the bishop's son, will not come to effect a settlement

between you.

_Brand_.--I am not so sure whether we shall need him. Broddi has two

hundred men, and if Deacon Sigurd and Helgi Skaftason manage to get any

men it is likely that we shall have a greater host than kinsman Kolbein.

(SIGURD, _deacon, enters_. BRAND _goes to meet him_.) You come late,

deacon!

_Sigurd_.--I have been going about asking for help, as you bade me, and

I may as well say in few words that no one will take up arms for you,

excepting only your tenants, if you mean to begin hostilities against

Kolbein the Young.

_Brand_.--That had I not expected.

_Sigurd_.--People are saying that the district is growing poor through

warfare, that brothers, fathers, or sons lie buried on battlefields in

all directions, and that they want to know where to look for their bones

before more men are sent to their death.

_Brand_.--I have not been the cause of warring hitherto, and these same

men will take to their arms by the hundreds, whenever Kolbein the Young

summons them, and yet half of the lands he now rules are really mine.

_Sigurd_.--That I told them also; but I cannot tell you what they

answered thereupon!

_Brand_.--You certainly must!

_Sigurd_.--They said that Kolbein had ever been victorious in war, but

you never.

_Brand_ (_gloomy_).--It is true, I have not been victorious!

(HELGI SKAFTASON _enters_. BRAND _goes to meet him_.)

_Brand_.--What tidings have you from, the West?

_Helgi_ (_leaning wearily on his axe_).--The weather has been very bad--

_Brand_.--I know that! I know that!

_Helgi_.--I found the men on guard in the West. When I came to the first

of them, the messengers of Lady Helga were there. Both they and the

guards raised a great outcry against me, and I owe it to my horse and

the storm that I escaped with my life. At the second and the third post

it went the same way.

_Brand_.--And no one wanted to follow me?

_Helgi_.--They all said that you always suffered the most disgraceful

reverses, while victory was perched on the helmet of Kolbein.

_Brand_.--I did not have the hardness and the ruthlessness of my kinsman

Kolbein to kill men.

_Jorun_.--And it is better not to be ruthless.

_Helgi_.--I went to the peasants in the West, but got the worst

reception. Often I did not even get food. I was allowed to stay

overnight only in the outhouses. At Bolstadahlid the hut burned down in

which I slept. I do not know whether the farmer intended to burn me in

it, but three armed men were standing outside when I made my escape from

the fire. They did nothing to put out the fire, but neither did they

attack me. Maybe that they were not minded to seek a night's shelter

under my axe. After that I was not allowed to come into the house. I

stood under the house wall during the remainder of the night, with my

axe on my shoulder, and looking into the fire. Now I have come here!

_Brand_.--Our cause is altogether lost. Yeoman Thorvard tries to murder

my messenger! (_Murmurs to himself_.) Thorolf said, 'He shall shun

churches and Christian people, the houses of God and the houses of men,

and every home but hell.'

_Jorun_.--You will have to fight against terrible odds.

_Einar the Rich_ (_enters with a pair of scales and a gold ring in his

hand_).--Now I shall ride home by the fastest and shall return within a

short while with twenty men.

_Brand_.--That will be excellent, Einar. (_Exeunt_ BRAND _and_ JORUN.)

_Einar_.--Deacon Sigurd, what weighs the ring you wear on your arm

there?

_Sigurd_.--Why do you ask?

_Einar_.--A ring has been paid me for a debt, and I want to weigh it

now.

_Sigurd_.--My ring weighs four ounces.

_Einar_.--Mine was to weigh as much; let me have yours for a moment!

_Sigurd_ (_takes_ THOROLF'S _ring off his arm and gives it to

him_).--But let me have it back at once!

_Einar_ (_weighs the rings. As soon as_ SIGURD _looks away he exchanges

the rings; handing_ SIGURD _the other_).--Thank you, deacon. Here is

your ring! I am astonished that a priest should wear so precious a piece

of gold on his arm.

_Sigurd_.--This ring is not my own. (_Puts it on_.)

_Einar_.--I did not know that. Farewell, friends! (_Exit_.)

_Helgi Skaftason_ (_approaches closely to_ DEACON SIGURD).--I dreamed

last night that I stood out of doors and looked up at the sky, and I

thought I saw streams of blood run over all the sky. And down below

on earth shone flames that licked up to the vault of heaven from all

directions.

_Sigurd_.--You became aware in your sleep that the hut was burning about

you.

_Helgi_.--No! I dreamed this dream three times, and awoke each time and

never became aware of the fire. The end of the dream was most terrible

and always the same.

_Sigurd_.--And what was the end of it?

_Helgi_.--Meseemed Thorolf Bjarnason drowned me in blood, and then I

awoke and thought I was in hell.

_Sigurd_.--Put no faith in that hellish dream. You dreamed about the end

of the world.

_Helgi_.--Yes, my world is at an end. The eyes of Lady Helga marked me

for death, when I dried the blade of my axe on the fringes of her veil.

_Sigurd_.--That was indeed a most unfortunate act!

_Helgi_.--Thorolf had been her lover for many years.

_Sigurd_.--I do not know about that. I am not her father confessor.

_Sigurd_.--No. She has the father devil as father confessor, but not

you.

_Sigurd_.--You speak ill of so great a lady.

_Helgi_.--And I shall have to sell my life and salvation as dearly as I

ever may. (_Sobs_.) Help me, deacon, I sink, I sink!

_Sigurd_ (_taking his ring off his arm_).--Take this ring! And ride at

once to Flugumyr and give it to Lady Helga, with this last message from

Thorolf Bjarnason that you shall have peace for life and limb, although

you have slain him.

_Helgi_.--That ring? That is the ring of Einar the Rich!

_Sigurd_.--Ah, the wretch stole the right ring, and now he has ridden

away! Holy Mother of God, then I know not what to do for you!

_Helgi_ (_close to him, as before_).--I shall not live more than three

days, and then I shall awake in the place I dreamed of. Deacon, as sure

as you want to be saved yourself, read masses for my soul when I am

dead.

_Sigurd_.--I shall, depend on it. It may be your dream signifies the

fall of that chieftain whom you shall harm most. I dreamed (BRAND

_and_ JORUN _appear behind them_), that night when I lodged at Sauda--I

dreamed three times in succession that Brand Kolbeinsson stood at my

bedside and said, 'Domine Jesu Christe, accipe spiritum meum!'

_Helgi_.--And what mean these words?

_Sigurd_.--My Lord Jesus Christ, receive thou my soul!

_Jorun_ (_throwing her arms about_ BRAND).--Never let such dreams

trouble you, my dear husband. (_The others are startled by her words_.)

_Brand_.--Thorolf prophesied to me that I would not have a priest near

me when I was put to death.

_Jorun_.--That prophecy shall not come true, in case you really should

suffer a sudden death now. Come into the church, deacon, and shrive me

and my husband.

_Sigurd_.--Come along with us into the church, Helgi Skaftason! For it

is the last refuge of every man.

_Helgi_.--I want to have my food, and no consecrated host! And when I

am done eating it is better I should see how the watches are kept. Never

forget those masses, deacon!

(_All depart. After a little while_ KALF _and_ THORGEIR _poke their

heads in and enter, when they see that the room is empty_.)

_Kalf_.--Nobody here; come now, we are going to play.

_Thorgeir_.--Yes, play great, big men!

_Kalf_.--Father is going to fight against Kolbein the Young now, and

Broddi with him. Will you be Broddi?

_Thorgeir_.--No, I want to be papa!

_Kalf_.--Then you want to be what I wanted to be; so I shall be Kolbein

the Young. So, now let's begin.

_Thorgeir_.--Yes, and I am papa.

_Kalf_.--Now first we have got to fight one another.

_Thorgeir_.--No. Because I am papa!

_Kalf_ (_commands_).--Draw up your forces in battle array, Brand

Kolbeinsson! Come now, Geiri, and play with me; we must fight now!

_Thorgeir_.--You are out of your mind! Why do you want to rush at me? I

who am father? (_Kneels down in the background, folding his hands over

his breast, looking down and moving his lips_.)

_Kalf_.--Why, don't you remember that I am Kolbein the Young? Now the

battle begins! (_Commanding_.) Order your troops, Brand Kolbeinsson!

Defend yourself! Are you running and hiding yourself now, Brand

Kolbeinsson?

_Thorgeir_.--No, I am in church and saying my prayers.

_Kalf_.--I shall teach you saying prayers when you are to fight with

me! (_Angrily_.) Now I am dragging you out of church, Brand Kolbeinsson.

(_Grasps him and drags him out to the middle of the floor_. THORGEIR

_remains on his knees_.) There, now you have got out of church!

_Thorgeir_.--No, papa is still in the church!

_Kalf_.--Now you are out of it! Cut off his head, Helgi Skaftason!

(_Grasps_ THORGEIR _by his shoulder and lifts up his other hand_.)

_Thorgeir_ (_still kneeling_).--Are you out of your mind? Do you want

to kill me, who am papa--and I--while I am in church,--and--and--and

I--while I am saying my prayers?

_Kalf_ (_lifting up his hand_).--Cut off his head, Helgi Skaftason!

_Thorgeir_ (_as before, weeping_).--Mamma! Mamma! Mamma!

_Kalf_ (_stamping, with commanding voice_).--Cut off his head, Helgi

Skaftason! (_Enter_ JORUN. THORGEIR _is weeping_.)

_Jorun_.--What are you doing there, boys? Why are you crying, Thorgeir?

_Kalf_.--We are playing here.

_Thorgeir_ (_tearfully_).--He wants to cut my head off,--I who am papa,

and in church, and praying.

_Kalf_.--Yes, and I was Kolbein the Young, and wanted to have Helgi

Skaftason behead him--just in play.

_Jorun_.--Don't cry any more, my boy. (_Caresses_ THORGEIR.) And you,

Kalf, do you want to have your father beheaded in your game? No more

such games! (_Slaps_ KALF.)

_Kalf_.--You slap me? I who am Kolbein the Young? So you think he will

allow himself to be slapped with impunity by a woman?

_Jorun_.--How does this lion's whelp come among us? I had rather not

live than bring up rovers. Never more play war, Kalf! Protect those that

are weak! (_Embraces_ THORGEIR, _leads the boys to the door, and calls

out_:) Put Kalf into the dark room for a while!

_Broddi_ (_shouts from without_).--I must get to speak with you, Brand

Kolbeinsson! Quick, quick!

_Jorun_.--Broddi here! There comes war incarnate mailed from head to

foot. May God have pity on all wives!

(_Enter_ BRAND _without arms and_ BRODDI _all armed_.)

_Broddi_.--You have collected a good and well-armed body of men?

_Brand_.--I have had great difficulty in gathering troops. I have only

my tenants and my servants, altogether eighty men.

_Broddi_.--And whilst I make the fort at Holar unconquerable, whilst I

break up the frozen ground, whilst I pour water over all the ramparts of

our stronghold so that they become like slippery ice--meanwhile you

have done nothing. You sing hymns in the churches, beat your breast, and

chant 'Miserere.' Your conduct is not becoming a chieftain.

_Jorun_.--You speak harshly to my husband because he wants peace before

all things.

_Broddi_.--Peace! Whoever heard of peace after violent dissensions,

except the battles be won or--lost?

_Brand_.--You know, Broddi, that I egged on neither you nor others to

take Thorolf Bjarnason's life. And yet have I done all in my power to

collect many men. I sent Deacon Sigurd and Helgi Skaftason----

_Broddi_.--The priest and the executioner?--and, of course, only these

two?

_Brand_.--Yes, I had but few men at home, at that time.

_Broddi_.--You do not know how to get a body of men together! You send

the priest with the crucifix in his hand. All know that he wishes peace,

and no one rises for him. You send the hangman with the axe on his

shoulder to remind people of his business, but you forget that with such

a fellow no one will speak. In such wise you will not get a pack of dogs

to follow you. But if you want to raise a great host you will have to

go out yourself with sixty men and kill two or three of the first that

refuse to follow you. Thus did Kolbein the Young collect his troops at

first, and because Kalf Guttormsson would not bear arms against Sighvat,

his good friend, both he and his son were slain.

_Jorun_.--How often the murder of my father and brother is mentioned,

and no one cares though I hear it.

_Brand_.--I have been heavily oppressed with care. I have been summoned

before the tribunal of God because of having violated a pledged truce;

and my kinswoman Helga will be intent on making me follow that summons.

And now the priest in my house has dreamed thrice in the same night that

I stood by his bedside and prayed God to receive my soul.

_Broddi_.--Dreams signify nothing. The summons you talk about I think

nothing but old women's notions. The tribunal of arms is the one I

believe in; they are to decide between us and Kolbein the Young.

_Brand_.--Is it your opinion that we can overcome my kinsman Kolbein

with less force than he has himself?

_Broddi_.--The fortifications at Holar are impregnable now. Together

with your men we have more than three hundred men, and I have moved

victuals into the fort from the bishop's residence which ought to last

us for three weeks.

_Brand_.--You have robbed the bishop's see!

_Broddi_.--No, I have come by the victuals in an honest manner. You know

that warriors may take as their own all food they find. I should like

to see my brother-in-law Kolbein attack us by scaling these ramparts of

ice, and see his men tumble down from above, and the ice coloring red

under them.

_Jorun_.--My husband shudders at that sport; he is sick in his soul.

_Broddi_ (_seizing_ BRAND).--There is no time now to have a sick soul.

We shall have to fight. As soon as my brother-in-law Kolbein has made

an onset at our fort and lost many men he will himself see fit to obtain

conditions of peace from us.

_Brand_.--That will he never!

_Broddi_.--Maybe, maybe.

_Brand_.--It will cost many lives to attack and defend Holar this time.

Ought we to sacrifice them all merely to lengthen our own lives by a few

years?

_Broddi_.--Lives? Worth, each, one or two hundred ounces of silver!

Brand, you do not know the joy there is in fighting! Every man in the

fort has sworn to fall at his post. And I shall spare no effort, so that

he who will set down an account of it will be able to say with truth

that our last defence was the most glorious ever told of in sagas, and

that the fame thereof shall last while there live men in this land.

_Brand_.--I shall come to Holar, unless I find better counsel which you

approve of.

(ALF OF GROF, DEACON SIGURD, _and_ HELGI SKAFTASON _lead in the_ CLERK

HELGI _between them. He has a bandage over his eyes_.)

_The Clerk Helgi_.--Pax vobiscum! May Brand Kolbeinsson hear my voice?

_Brand_.--He is here.

_Helgi_.--What other persons are here?

_Brand_.--Broddi Thorleifsson and Jorun, my wife!

_Helgi_.--It is without the knowledge of Kolbein the Young and to bear

word from Bishop Botolf that I am here. Will all of you keep silent

about my coming here?

_All_.--Yes.

_Helgi_.--Then take the bandage from my eyes!

_Broddi_.--No. What happenings are there at Flugumyr?

_Helgi_.--I am no spy. My errand is to hand you the bishop's letter,

Brand Kolbeinsson. (_Holds out the parchment, which_ BRAND _seizes_.)

_Brand_.--Have you other messages besides?

_Helgi_.--No! (_Stretches forth both his hands_.) Give me your hands,

my sons. (BRAND _and_ BRODDI _clasp them_.) The very next time Asbjorn

Illugason meets you, Broddi, he means to exchange blows with you.

_Broddi_.--Glad I am that Kolbein, my brother-in-law, at least does not

bid some contemptible wretch to dispatch me. (HELGI SKAFTASON _leads out

the_ CLERK HELGI.) The bishop's letter! The bishop's letter!

_Sigurd_ (_reads_).--Botolf of Holar, a poor servant of the Holy Church

and prisoner at Flugumyr, sends to Brand Kolbeinsson and his friends

God's greetings and his. Pax vobiscum! You and your companions are not

to put overmuch trust in the fortifications of Holar, because from the

church, the dwelling house, and outhouses in the inclosure there lead

secret passages into them which are known to Kolbein the Young, but not

to me.

_Broddi_.--And that he could not have told us before, the hell-hound!

_Sigurd_ (_reads_).--Through the eggings on of Helga his wife, Kolbein

is now become so frantic and furious that some of my clerks think he

cannot suffer the sound of a bell. He has threatened to break down the

fort of Holar, to spare no one, and has promised his Lady Helga the life

of a man, whomever she will choose.

_Broddi_ (_laughs_).--I wonder whether she will have my life?

_Brand_.--No. It will be my life she desires.

_Jorun_.--She shall never have it.

_Alf_.--My head she wants, the vixen!

_Helgi_.--I need not guess _whose_ life it will be.

_Sigurd_ (_continues_).--But I fear that the mercy of God will most

readily fall to your share if all the men who were present at the

slaying of Thorolf submit themselves unconditionally to Kolbein before

the 'Peace of God' is at an end; then I would hope that you will be

fortunate enough to pacify Kolbein's mind, so that full reconciliation

may be obtained, of which Kolbein also stands in great need because of

Thord Kakali and the King. Valete!

_Brand_.--The counsel of the bishop will be the best for all of us. The

slayers of Thorolf Bjarnason ought not to jeopardize other men's life to

save their own. Lady Helga has told my wife that she meditated my death,

because of the slaying of Thorolf; and though I have but little incited

you to the deed, so that it may be said to have been done against my

will even, yet will I for the welfare of the district rather give myself

up to Kolbein and suffer death, than that many men should lose their

lives because of us; and rather than that my kinsman Kolbein should be

routed by Thord Kakali through the insurrection which I and Broddi have

raised against him. (_Silence_.)

_Sigurd_.--Spoken like a man, Brand Kolbeinsson! (_Exit_ JORUN.)

_Broddi_.--We have sworn to each other not to separate before that this

our cause was entirely brought to an end; now I see your highmindedness,

Brand Kolbeinsson, as I have seen it before. The bishop has torn from

under me my trust in the fort. Hence I shall take that council to fare

to Flugumyr with you, whilst I maintain that it is entirely doubtful

as yet who is to die, Kolbein the Young, Brand, or I; but that I think

sure, also, that short time will pass between the death of any one of us

three.

_Alf_.--Let all of us go to Flugumyr and surrender to Kolbein. Will you

not go with us, Helgi Skaftason?

_Helgi_.--No one can escape his fate. I shall do what Brand does. But it

is certain death for me!

_Broddi_.--Let us go then! (_Enter_ JORUN _with_ KALF _and_ THORGEIR.)

_Jorun_.--Say farewell to your father, my boys! He intends to start on

the longest journey in this world.

_Kalf_ (_going up to his father_).--Do you mean to go to war now,

father?

_Brand_ (_lifts him up and kisses him_).--Your mother said I intended to

start on the longest journey in this world.

_Kalf_.--Then you intend to start out to Rome. That I do not mean to do,

once I am a chieftain. (BRAND _sets him down on the floor again_.)

_Brand_.--It may be that I come to Rome; but that Rome lies high aloft.

(KALF _goes up to_ BRODDI.) Now you come to me, Thorgeir! (THORGEIR

_goes up to him. He takes him on his lap_.) Don't weep, my little boy,

if I be late returning to-morrow.

_Thorgeir_.--Don't go away from me, father! Let the others go to war,

but you remain at home yourself!

_Brand_.--No, I cannot stay here; if I remain here there will be

fighting here and killing of men; but if I go I shall return with peace.

_Thorgeir_.--Oh yes! Peace is good, let me have it when you return, so I

can put it into my toy box. I will not break it at all.

_Broddi_.--The boy is right. All the peace that now exists in Iceland

may be put into a linen chest.

_Brand_ (_kisses the boy and sets him down_).--Yes, keep it well, my

boy. If you obtain it you will never have to start out on the journey

that I now must take.

_Kalf_.--You are not going to Rome, Broddi?

_Broddi_.--No. Not just now!

_Kalf_.--You are going to war, Broddi! I wish I were grown up, too!

_Broddi_.--I should like, if I might, strike one great blow, before

going to Rome with your father.

_Kalf_.--And let that blow become far famed, Broddi!

(JORUN _leads the boys out. They go to the door. Some depart_.)

_Jorun_.--Have you nothing to say to me, my husband, before going?

_Brand_.--Do not weep when I am gone. (_They embrace each other

closely_.) Make our sons love peace! And always think that I have said

that to you which you most wish I had said to you.

(_All except_ DEACON SIGURD _and_ JORUN _leave_.)

_Jorun_.--Now I declare myself in league with the holy queen Maria, as

did Guttorm, my brother, before he was slain! (_Approaches_ SIGURD.) I

shall travel with you to Flugumyr to try whether I may save the life of

my husband.

_Broddi_.--What may a woman effect in such a great feud? It will be a

most perilous journey. Who knows what may happen there!

_Jorun_.--The life of my husband is more precious to me than my own. But

I need a man's clothes, deacon, and then let us ride after the others.

Lend me the garments of your son who died when half grown. Permit me to

wear them on the journey, so that no one may recognize me at Flugumyr.

_Sigurd_ (_drying a tear_).--You are welcome to the boy's clothes.

_Jorun_.--And that you will have to promise me, deacon, to let no one

know who I am, whatever happen.

_Sigurd_ (_hands her a key, wiping off a tear_).--I promise it. The

boy's clothes lie in my chest under my vestments. Take them and may they

help you, Lady Jorun, you blessed woman!

_Jorun_.--There is still more to do, deacon. While I get myself ready,

you are to tell the stewardess that she is to give the servant girls and

men servants the food they choose to have, and as much and as good food

as if it were prepared for a banquet.

_Sigurd_.--It does not seem to me, though, as if any festival were at

hand this evening.

_Jorun_.--Do as I bid you! Probable it is that this will be the last

time that I have prepared food for my servants. (_She takes the crucifix

from her neck, hangs it upon a chair and kneels down before the

cross_. DEACON SIGURD _looks at her awhile, then leaves the room in all

stillness_.)

(_Curtain_)

ACT V

(_The 'Great Hall' at Flugumyr, with raised seats along both walls and

a dais at the gable end. The entrance door is at the right, in the side

wall towards_ _the background. The upper part of the walls is draped

with hangings, the lower part with shields hung up. Along the side walls

are benches; two high seats in the foreground on either side; in front

of the higher one a little table. In the middle of the dais is the seat

of_ LADY HELGA, _with benches behind it. The evening candles are lit on

all sides_.) (HELGA _and_ SALVOR.)

_Helga_.--You do well to take a part of the domestic work off my

shoulders.

_Salvor_.--You have been very kind to me, Lady Helga.

_Helga_.--To-morrow early I need breakfast for five hundred men.

_Salvor_.--All hands are at work, lady!

_Helga_.--To-morrow the chieftains are to do battle; have you bandages

enough, ready? A good physician is worth half an army.

_Salvor_.--There will not be any want of bandages. (_She embraces_

HELGA, _half weeping_.) Let the chieftains make peace, lady!

_Helga_.--That would amount to humbling my husband! (_Seats herself on

her chair on the dais_.) Bishop Botolf has promised to sit with us in

the hall here to-night; have two tapers, large and thick, placed on the

table in front of the high seat.

(EINAR THE RICH _enters hurriedly and runs up on the dais. He lays his

head on the knees of_ LADY HELGA. SALVOR _shrieks in fright_.)

_Einar_.--I am bringing you my head, lady!

_Helga_.--Why shriek so, Salvor?--Who are you?

_Einar_.--I am Einar of Vik.

_Helga_.--Good is your gift, and I shall gladly accept it! Salvor! Ask

Asbjorn Illugason to come here. I desire that he shall behead Einar the

Rich. (_Exit_ SALVOR.)

_Einar_ (_quickly takes_ THOROLF'S _ring from his arm_).--Spare my life;

for God's sake, mercy, mercy, mercy!

_Helga_.--You shall obtain the same mercy as did Thorolf Bjarnason!

_Einar_.--Do you know this ring, lady?

_Helga_ (_attentively looking at the ring_).--That ring I know; did you

steal it from the body of Thorolf?

_Einar_.--Steal? As rich a man as I am? No, Thorolf bade me give you

this ring, lady, with this message----

_Helga_ (_approaching him, eagerly_).--What message? What message? Was

that just before he was slain?

_Einar_.--Yes, just before that!

_Helga_.--And the message? Are you tongue-tied?

_Einar_.--That I should be spared, life and limb, although I had been

among his assailants.

_Helga_.--Did Thorolf mention any others to be spared beside you?

_Einar_.--No, none!

_Helga_.--The ring is the right sign. If Thorolf has forgiven you, why

should I not do likewise? (_Leads him out_.) Wait here in that corner; I

shall spare you.

_Asbjorn_ (_comes in hurriedly_).--Are you in danger, lady?

_Helga_.--No. A man's life was given me which I did not wish to take,

though.

_Asbjorn_.--I feared it might be some attack by Broddi and his men.

_Helga_.--Broddi will soon become peacefully inclined. (_Enter_ KOLBEIN

THE YOUNG, BISHOP BOTOLF _in his pontifical robes_, HAF, _and_ SALVOR,

_bearing two big, stout tapers which are lit. The hall becomes half

filled with armed men_.)

_Botolf_.--Pax tecum, filia!

_Helga_ (_bows before the bishop and leads him to the higher seat of

honor_).--Be seated on this higher seat of honor this evening, my

lord. To-morrow an army of my husband's will accompany you to Holar

and re-establish you in your see, as soon as we shall have driven from

thence Broddi's and Brand's troop of rebels.

_Botolf_.--A captive bishop is content to be seated on the lower high

seat, my daughter!

_Helga_.--As you wish, my lord. (_Leads him to the lower seat of honor,

where he is seated_. SALVOR _moves the table to the lower high seat and

puts the tapers upon it. Most of the men are sitting; drink-horns and

ale are brought in_.)

_Kolbein_ (_is given a drinking-horn_, BOTOLF _another, from whom they

are passed on from man to man_. KOLBEIN _seats himself on the higher

seat of honor_).--There is courage in our men; they all are minded to do

battle in order to be rid of that horde of rebels.

_Botolf_.--You take much power upon yourself, Kolbein, to begin war and

kill so many men without law and its decrees.

_Kolbein_.--Why do you speak thus, my lord? You freed the slayers of

Thorolf from the interdict; and yet they slew him without the law and

its decrees.

_Botolf_.--It is a labor of love for the Holy Church to pardon the

guilty. We do it for God's sake.

_Kolbein_.--And it is the task of chieftains to administer the laws

themselves, and to begin hostilities in order to make others submit to

their will.

(_The horns pass around until_ HAF _has finished reciting his lay_.)

_Botolf_.--An ill task and a disastrous one. To me it seems that

parliament ought to administer the laws and pronounce judgment according

to them.

_Kolbein_.--We chieftains have all power over law and decrees in

parliament. It would only delay sentence to seek a decision there.

_Botolf_.--It has come to my ears that Brand Kolbeinsson owns by rights

the greater part of the dominions you now govern, and that, for this

reason you are not rightfully chieftain here.

_Kolbein_.--I, as well as Brand, am of the race of Asbjorn, and Sighvat

Sturluson put me in possession of the land when I was but fifteen years

old.

_Botolf_.--And therefore had you Sighvat and his sons killed in the

battle of Orlygsstad.

_Kolbein_.--Sighvat wanted to lure my constituents from me by his wiles.

The yeomen chose me their chieftain twenty years ago, and ever since I

have performed, now this, now that deed, so that the yeomen would not

choose another chieftain in my stead. Therefore is it right that I

should be chieftain here. But to my ears it has come that you, my lord,

have not lawfully come to be bishop at Holar!

_Helga_ (_drinks from the horn and smiles_).--To your health, sir

bishop!

_Botolf_ (_responds after a while to her toast_).--You astonish me! The

archbishop appointed me!

_Kolbein_.--No one becomes lawfully bishop of Holar until we of the

North Quarter have chosen him. And you we have not chosen, my lord! You

are bishop here as long as I will, and no longer. Another matter it is

that I shall do all to be at peace with the Holy Church, because the

days of my life are probably counted.

_Botolf_.--I have now learned how strong your desire for peace is,

Kolbein.

_Helga_.--Remember, my lord, that Kolbein thought it a matter of

necessity that you should be his guest for a few days. I have treated

you as well, sir, as my work would permit me and you would accept.

_Botolf_.--And yet they say that you more than any other were cause of

the state of war that now exists, and that your flattering of me is but

dissimulation.

_Helga_.--They are my enemies who tell you that, sir bishop! (HELGA

_leaves her seat_. ASBJORN, _who has been speaking with a man,

approaches her. They converse together in subdued voice in the

foreground_.)

_Asbjorn_.--Shall I tell Kolbein that Brand Kolbeinsson is riding to

Flugumyr with eleven followers?

_Helga_.--No! Remember Helgi Skaftason, should he come with Brand.

_Asbjorn_.--Come he will if he is fated to death.

_Helga_.--Is Broddi along?

_Asbjorn_.--He is likely to be at Holar in the fort.

_Helga_ (_goes to her seat. Raises her voice_). There is no cheer here

to-night. Haf! Have you no song to recite or some tale to tell?

_Haf_ (_advancing to middle of floor_).--I have put together a little

song about the present feud.

_Helga_.--Let men hear it, Haf!

_Haf_.--Hither I see the ravens winging,

They steer their flight to Holar's steeple

On their errand bent death bringing;

Hard the bishop's bells are ringing:

Longest peals great Likabong:[A]

'The Peace of God shall save the people.'

[Footnote A: 'Lyke-knell,' name of the great bell of the Holar Cathedral.]

Heroes head their warlike forces,

Mailed fists 'gainst shields are clashing,

Over Herad's water-courses

Thunder thousand hoofs of horses,

Over fords and bridges dashing.

Long afar moans Likabong.

Death foretells the cock's dawn-greeting:

Many a fey man's fair limbs mangles

Soon the sword and spear in meeting.

Hot the Northland blood is beating!

Low and dull weeps Likabong.

The shiv'ring Southron sea-cod angles.

_Helga_.--Excellent! That's aimed at Hjalti, the son of the bishop,--the

cod-biter!

_Haf_.--Peace,--how many a foe will crave her!

In Woden's spoor the sward is bloody--

Many a head the swords dissever;

Be our host victorious ever!

Silent lastly Likabong--

Women weep for men once ruddy.

_Botolf_.--Little your skald's song contributes to the honor of the

Church as it seems to me, Lady Helga.

_Helga_ (_lifts the drinking-horn to her lips; the bishop responds in

silence_).--To your health, sir bishop! When at Oddi I listened to the

opinions of Snorri Sturluson and of Sæmund, my father, about poetics,

but I doubt whether they would have thought that Haf had said ought

derogatory to the Holy Church, in particularly mentioning in the burthen

what Likabong does.

_Botolf_.--I shall not discuss the more hidden meanings; but in the last

stanza Likabong certainly is silent with shame.

_Helga_.--Far from it, sir bishop! Likabong is Moses, who is praying

with outstretched arms whilst Josua is giving battle. When the battle is

won his hands drop with weariness.

_Botolf_ (_to_ KOLBEIN THE YOUNG).--Likabong did not weep when you fled

from Broddi and the Holy Church at Holar, which was preparing to resist

worldly insolence.

_Kolbein_.--No, excepting it shed tears at having to part with its

bishop in such headlong haste!

_Helga_.--I had heard before that the 'Peace of God' which the bishop

let be pealed over the land had saved us from complete rout at the

beginning of the feud. But now I hear for the first time that my husband

fled before Broddi and the Holy Church of Holar.

_Kolbein_.--Never did I flee, but at that occasion I was forced to avoid

trouble. (_Advances on the floor and mounts with one foot on the dais on

which_ HELGA _is seated_.) Here I place my foot on the beam and make a

vow that I shall never flee before Broddi Thorleifsson. (_Returns to his

seat_.)

_Asbjorn_.--And here I place my foot on the beam and make a vow that

if battle there will be I shall exchange blows with Broddi Thorleifsson

until one of us fall dead.

_Helga_.--Well spoken, Asbjorn!

_Haf_ (_comes from the door_).--Brand Kolbeinsson is approaching with an

armed band.

_Kolbein_.--Is my kinsman beside himself?

_Helga_.--To arms! To arms!

_Kolbein_ (_laughs_).--Why, it seems as if the people of Oddi want to

enter the fray!

_Helga_.--You have forgotten, my husband, that my father threw down the

glove single-handed to all the burghers of Bergentown, because of the

drowning of my brother Paul.

(_The men are standing with drawn swords along both sides of the hall,

leaving a lane in the middle_. BRAND, BRODDI, ALF, _and the other

slayers of_ THOROLF _pass up it_. LADY JORUN _in a man's apparel and_

DEACON SIGURD _follow them. Last of all_ HELGI SKAFTASON.)

_Helga_.--There we see each other again, Helgi Skaftason! (_Points down

with the thumb of her right hand_. HELGI _is killed and dragged out

without the other slayers of_ THOROLF _becoming aware of it_. EINAR THE

RICH _enters again with the men of_ KOLBEIN, _who dragged out_ HELGI.

_He joins the band of_ BRAND. _The axe of_ HELGI _remains lying on the

spot where he fell_.)

_Brand_.--Hail, Kolbein kinsman!

_Broddi_.--Hail, brother-in-law! What truce shall we have?

_Helga_.--The same as had Thorolf Bjarnason!

_Broddi_.--I care not to quarrel with women about my life!

_Helga_.--It is too late for the fox to fight for life, once he has gone

into the trap.

_Kolbein_.--Why, Brand Kolbeinsson, did you attack and slay Thorolf, our

friend?

_Broddi_.--I did more to incite men to that than did Brand Kolbeinsson,

and we offer to atone for his slaying with much money, if you are

willing.

_Helga_.--More will be needful than only money.

_Brand_.--I thought there was great necessity to do away with Thorolf.

_Helga_.--'Perjured men, murder-wolves.'[A] Jorun, your wife, egged you

on to take revenge for her father and her brother.

[Footnote A: Quotation from the Eddic poem Voluspo.]

_Brand_.--It is entirely untrue that my wife Jorun egged me on to

revenge either her father or brother, even if men have told you so,

Kolbein. About absent people most things can be told. But for this

reason was Thorolf deprived of life, because you had set him as

chieftain over the Eyafirth, to succeed you.

_Kolbein_.--Never did I do that!

_Brand_.--Helga, your wife, affirmed that you had done so.

_Helga_.--Certainly you did, my husband. But, well it may be that at the

time you were not in full possession of your senses.

_Einar_.--I heard it, my lord, how you set Thorolf chieftain over

Eyafirth. And so no one dare blame Lady Helga for having misheard or

mis-stated the matter.

_Sigurd_.--You here, Einar the Rich!

_Brand_.--Notwithstanding Thorolf's low descent you gave him preference

over chieftains, you gave him authority over men, and you let him

journey with you to Rome. No peacemaker was your Thorolf among men; but

a bad companion he was, and me he nicknamed.

_Kolbein_.--All that has Thorolf atoned for with his life. Why, Broddi,

did you attack my friend Thorolf?

_Broddi_.--I am your brother-in-law, Kolbein, and I owed it to you to

avenge insults heaped upon you. Long had he been faithless to you and

cunningly served both you and been a treacherous follower to you both

here and abroad.

_Helga_.--Easy it is to perceive that Thorolf no longer dwells among

the living since he is thus slandered. For this reason you killed him,

because you thought Kolbein to be dead and that Eyafirth had gotten too

brave a leader in him.

_Brand_.--It casts no good light upon you, my lady, to praise Thorolf

Bjarnason thus highly!

_Kolbein_.--And what moved you, Alf, to attack Thorolf, my friend?

_Alf_.--My hatred of the dog!

_Helga_.--Little hope I see of a reconciliation. One of Thorolf's

slayers dried his blood on the fringes of my veil. And you, Alf of Grof,

you reviled me like the worst witch; you wanted to have a sack pulled

over my head.

_Kolbein_ (_furious_).--Boor!--have a sack pulled over her! A sack,--you

devilish fiend! What did you cattle mean? I shall have your skin flayed

off you and pull it over your ears after you are dead! I shall never

make peace with Alf of Grof!

_Helga_.--A loutish rustic should never take part in the dealings of men

of great account!

_Alf_.--I offer all my property as ransom!

_Broddi_.--Silence, you coward--all your property!

_Alf_.--Have I no right to live, if I can?

_Helga_.--I cannot see what use there is in your living, Alf!

_Kolbein_.--Alf of Grof and I shall never be reconciled.

_Brand_.--I journeyed hither with Thorolf's slayers in order to reach an

agreement with you. If it be not your will to accept reconciliation with

us, I demand that you hand over to me possession of all those districts

that are mine by rights, so that I in that manner may obtain sufficient

resources to be able to sustain the fine which you will impose on us for

the slaying.

_Helga_.--Now it is clear that your men have no scruples to kill each

the other, but will by no means be ready to atone for it. With demands

such as these, Brand Kolbeinsson foregoes all chance of reaching an

agreement. You promised me a man's life in this feud, Kolbein. Take

Brand's life, then, and that will take away the inclination for further

rebellion against you. (_Silence_.)

_Botolf_.--And you intend to take Brand's life, when the Peace of God is

at an end?

_Kolbein_.--For the welfare of our Quarter I know no better counsel than

that which Lady Helga has given.

_Helga_.--Less cause even there was against Kalf Guttormsson, and yet

has he been mouldering in his grave these ten years. Asbjorn and Haf,

seize hold of my kinsman Brand!

_Sigurd_.--I have heard that you would spare Brand Kolbeinsson's life if

another man were willing to die for him.

_Helga_.--I did make that condition. (_Laughs_.) Will you fulfill it,

deacon?

_Sigurd_.--No. Because I know you will show no mercy.

_Jorun_ (_leaps up on the dais and lays her head on_ HELGA'S

_knee_).--Take my life instead of Brand Kolbeinsson's life.

_Helga_.--You are out of your senses, lad!

_Jorun_ (_arises, looking at_ LADY HELGA).--You cut close to me ten

years ago; take now my life also!

_Helga_ (_shades her eyes_).--You, were beheaded ten years ago! Has the

lad Guttorm Kalfsson risen from his grave?

_Kolbein_.--Do we see apparitions in the light?

_Broddi_ (_to_ BRAND).--How did your wife Jorun come among our company?

(BRAND _leaps up on the dais and carries_ JORUN _down on his arm. About

all the hall men are heard to say in a low voice_, 'LADY JORUN.' _While

she is being carried down to the floor she extends her arms toward_

HELGA.)

_Jorun_.--Take my life as you have taken my father's and my brother's;

then you need fear no longer that I am egging on my kinsmen to avenge

me on you. (BRAND _sets her down on the floor. They embrace each other

fervently_.)

_Helga_.--Of little worth I hold your life, Jorun; but in order to

keep my promise I shall take it instead of your husband's life. (_Calls

out_.) Take my prisoner away from Brand Kolbeinsson!

_Broddi_.--Let us protect her with our bodies!

_Brand_.--Look you, Helga my kinswoman, you will not reach your

prisoner so very easily for the first. (DEACON SIGURD _picks up_ HELGI

SKAFTASON'S _axe, for he is weaponless. They take_ JORUN _in their

midst_.)

_Helga_.--To arms! Wrest my prisoner from among them!

_Broddi_.--Hold my place for a moment, my men, if it should be vacant

a short while.--Is it really so, Kolbein the Young, that your wife has

made you so senselessly mad that you are about to attack us in order to

butcher a woman?

_Kolbein_.--Lady Helga's matter this is, not mine. If we cannot reach

terms of peace, it is because of Helgi Skaftason and Alf of Grof!

_Broddi_.--And you let her attack us in order to butcher a woman?

_Kolbein_.--I let it come as it may.

_Broddi_.--Then more will have to come as it may. Be on your guard,

Kolbein!

(KOLBEIN _has been sitting in his high seat without drawing his sword,

but has had it lying on his knees and now and then unsheathed it

halfways_. BRODDI _rushes at him to deliver a blow_; KOLBEIN _dodges

the blow and grasps_ BRODDI'S _wrist with both hands, so that his sword

drops on the floor. Then he forces_ BRODDI _to sit beside him on the

high seat_.)

_Kolbein_.--Be calm now, Broddi! The slaying of Thorolf was an ill deed

and a needless one.

_Broddi_.--Let go of me, you hell-hound!

_Kolbein_ (_laughs_).--How furious you are now, brother-in-law!

_Helga_.--What fell there to the floor?

_Kolbein_.--The action for avenging Thorolf Bjarnason, which slipped

from your hands, lady!

_Helga_.--That would not have made so great a sound.

_Brand_.--Lady Helga! you who once were my mother's sister! I shall

surrender my arms and myself to you if all others will then be granted

to make atonement for the slaying of Thorolf.

_Helga_.--Keep your arms yourself, for no one does less harm with them

than you. My promise to your wife I shall keep; I wonder only that she

goes not herself voluntarily from among your midst, in order to save us

difficulties.

_Jorun_.--I cannot, for they hold me.

_Helga_ (_calls out_).--Fetch my captive Jorun from among them! (HAF

ASBJORN _and the men of_ KOLBEIN _surround_ BRAND _and his followers_.)

_Asbjorn_.--We shall set upon you now!

_Botolf_.--Bide a little. (_Takes the candles from the table_.) Now I

shall lay in the Norse language the interdict on Kolbein and Helga.

_Helga_.--Say what you please, bishop. But you will have to revoke your

interdict before you go from hence.

_Botolf_.--That shall I never. No priest shall ever say service for

you, and, you shall have no lasting dwelling place but hell. (_Holds the

candles with the flame downward_.)

_Helga_.--Haf, you stand near enough to the bishop! Gag him with the end

of your spear.

_Kolbein_ (_jumps up without letting go of_ BRODDI).--Hear me, sir

bishop! Desist from laying the interdict on me, because not far is the

time when I shall need the mercy of God and his Holy Church. Lady Helga

has been insulted in such fashion as no high-born lady would endure. But

I, for my part, shall be ready to make atonement for the insult offered

by her to you and the Holy Church now for the first time.

_Botolf_.--Easy it is to reach an agreement with me, Kolbein, if this

larger matter which you have been warring about so long could be settled

to-night to the satisfaction of all.

_Kolbein_.--Then hear my decision: For the murder of Thorolf Bjarnason.

I decree a fine of eighteen marks silver, and also that those men who

may have fallen as part of the vengeance for Thorolf shall not be atoned

for.

_Brand_.--Agreed, kinsman Kolbein; the sum you demand for the slaying of

Thorolf shall be paid.

_Helga_.--How may this be, my husband? You have promised me a man's life

before this feud would be ended.

_Kolbein_.--Have I not demanded an exceedingly high compensation for

Thorolfs death?

_Helga_.--But Thorolf was slain in a pledged truce.

_Broddi_.--That truce was made under compulsion.

_Kolbein_.--The man's life you stipulated for yourself you have chosen

and taken yourself, or else, where is Helgi Skaftason?

(HELGA _is silent_.)

_Brand_.--Helgi Skaftason! Where is he?

_Botolf_.--His axe is there! (DEACON SIGURD _looks around_.) Are you

still carrying weapons, Deacon Sigurd? Clercs are not permitted to bear

arms.

_Sigurd_.--Great need I thought there was to do so now. The danger in

which was my lady Jorun and you also, sir bishop, and the axe lay before

my feet.

_Botolf_.--Nevermore carry arms, deacon!

_Brand_.--Is Helgi Skaftason still alive? If so, is it not possible that

his deed be atoned for?

_Helga_.--I shall no longer conceal from you, Brand Kolbeinsson, that

Helgi Skaftason will no more dry his axe on the fringe of my veil! In

order now that this our reconciliation be kept well I desire to have

your son Kalf, to foster him up with me.

_Jorun_.--That shall never be, that you train my boy to be a disturber

of the peace.

_Botolf_.--That shall never be; the boy is a hopeful man for a chieftain

and ought to be trained up to love peace and abide by the law.

_Kolbein_.--What punishment would you inflict on her, if she got the

boy?

_Botolf_.--The excommunication of the Holy Church; the Church wants

peace! (_Short silence_.)

_Helga_ (_furiously_).--You stand there still, Alf of Grof; do you still

wish to have a sack pulled over my head?

_Kolbein_.--It will never do that a lout insult a high-born woman with

impunity. Therefore, I decree that Alf of Grof shall leave the country,

never more to return whilst she is in living life.

_Alf_.--Why not rather have me put to death?

_Helga_.--You fear death too much, you coward!

_Broddi_.--And under what conditions shall I make peace with you?

_Kolbein_.--You shall have your sword back, and sit in the high seat

for the remainder of the evening, but as soon as the sea is open again

(_slaps_ BRODDI _on his shoulder_) we shall, both of us, go to meet

Thord Kakali and his Westfirthings.

_Brand_.--Much has your fame grown through these happenings, kinswoman

Helga! Exceeding precious must be all your finery, if every spot on the

fringes of your veil shall cost a man's life.

_Helga_.--You will remember, kinsman, that I am a descendant in the

fourth generation from King Magnus Bareleg. Lady Jorun, come hither and

share the dais with us women. (_Woman's garments are put on_ JORUN _when

she joins the women_. BRAND _and_ BOTOLF _share the lower seat of

honor. The men sheathe their swords, hang up their shields, and seat

themselves_. KOLBEIN THE YOUNG _takes up a drinking-horn; horns are

passed among the men_.)

_Kolbein_.--To-day we have brought to a happy end a feud, the like of

which has not been within this district.

_Brand_.--And the quarrel has ended with full reconciliation.

_Alf_.--Indeed, we have been fully reconciled, Helgi Skaftason and I; he

going to hell and I into exile.

_Helga_.--Worse condition you might have got, Alf of Grof.

_Kolbein_.--And to-morrow we shall accompany Bishop Botolf to Holar

together, with five hundred men, and shall reinstate him with the

greatest honors. Then we shall furlough the greater part of our men.

(_The men raise shouts of joy_.) And after that we hope that we may

dwell in peace for some time.

_Salvor_.--Meanwhile we women shall heal the wounds of the men.

_Botolf_.--And then there will be peace on earth.

_Sigurd_.--And good will among men!

(_Curtain_)

INDRIDI EINARSSON: ICELANDIC DRAMATIST AND HIS SAGA DRAMA

BY LEE M. HOLLANDER

Indridi Einarsson's 'Sword and Crozier' is the first Icelandic play

to be done into English. Very probably, the well-informed reader

will wonder, not so much that a translation 'should be so late in

forthcoming,' but that, of all things, there should exist a dramatic

literature worthy the name in that Ultima Thule. He is, indeed, not

in any way to be blamed for not suspecting the possibility of a highly

developed drama under conditions such as obtain in Iceland, even though

he may well be aware that lyric poetry has been cultivated there with

ardor and success.

When authors of small nations, such as Denmark and Holland, have been

known to complain about the limited circle they can hope to reach, how

true, how pathetically true, is this of Iceland, with its scant eighty

thousand inhabitants of poor fishermen and farmers thinly spread over

the lordly spaces of their far-away, rugged and barren island! What

audience can an author expect there? Nor is it to be thought that his

very difficult mother-tongue will permit a comprehension of his work

among the reading public of the other Scandinavian lands.

It stands to reason--whatever enthusiasts on the subject have said to

the contrary--that, by its very nature, the drama can attain independent

and legitimate growth only in centers of human habitation, where the

stage--very necessarily--epitomizes the tendencies of the times, and, if

occupied by a real literature in every sense, is the self-expression of

a great community. As late as 1886 a sober-minded author on Scandinavian

literature was able to say, with some justice, 'Iceland lacks all

conditions for a dramatic literature.' And the situation has not changed

essentially since. Whatever has been done in that line in recent times

is to all intents and purposes due to stimulation from abroad and, in so

far, artificial. So far, none of the more ambitious native efforts have

been on the program of the stage of Reykjavik to be performed by the

very estimable amateur players of that town.

The above is by no means said in a spirit of reproach. On the contrary,

all honor to the patriotic men who, by writing dramas in their

mother-tongue, are willing to forego the emoluments and recognition

to be gained from audiences in more favored lands: for the sake of

enriching their native literature; for the sake of showing both the

world and their own people that neither in this art are they inferior to

other nations; for the sake of demonstrating to their satisfaction

that a contribution of Iceland to world-literature is no more an

impossibility now than in the older times, when it enriched us with

lore and history, and gave the world what Greece and Rome did not, the

realistic novel.

Three authors divide the honors in this field: Matthías Jochumsson, a

gifted lyric poet, now in his old age; the promising young playwright,

Jóhann Sigurjónsson; and Indridi Einarsson, now in his prime, whose most

original contribution to Icelandic literature is herewith presented.

The poet having excellent command of English, I am fortunate to be

able (with his permission) to quote _ipsissima verba_ on his life and

development.

'I was born in the North of Iceland, on April 30, 1851, and was a

farmer's boy of good old family. My chief work at home was haymaking in

summer, and in winter being a shepherd. Every spring I was up all the

long bright nights, watching the flock that they should not damage the

cultivated soil by eating the young grass. I think that solitude (from

the eighth to fourteenth year of my life) has fostered my fancy

and imagination and dipped me deep in the romanticism of that time

(1858-64). In 1865 I went to Reykjavik, and was initiated at the Lyceum

(Latin school) in the spring of 1866. I went through the Lyceum in

ordinary course. When I began to read Virgilius I felt as if I got wings

on my immortal soul, and I think I shall never lose them wholly again.

I began to read the poets, starting with the comedies of Old Holberg the

Dane, and passing to Schiller and Goethe and Heine. I read all plays

of Shakespeare (in Danish translation, then). I studied "Oidipous

Tyrannos," Sophocles' awful tragedy, in the original, and read Plautus

and Terentius as other boys, Icelandic and Danish fiction.

'During my first year at college I saw Matthías Jochumsson's

"Utilegumenn" (The Outlaws) performed at Reykjavik: they had then very

fine Icelandic scenery, and went home in ecstasy over the performance,

feeling that I had seen the brightest and strongest play in the world.

Of my reading I thought "Macbeth," "Gretchen im Carcer" ("Faust" I),

and "Oidipous Tyrannos" finest and fullest. While at Reykjavik I wrote

"Nyársnóttin" (New Year's Night) and got it acted at the college, with

the greatest possible success. That drama formed a turning point in my

life--as the author of it I went to Copenhagen to pursue my studies as

graduate student. I left college made to half of what I am.

'While studying Political Science at Copenhagen I wrote the drama,

"Hellismenn" (The Cave-dwellers). I had come south with two other dramas

in my mind. But the atmosphere in Copenhagen was strongly realistic

at that time; my Romanticism was not able to withstand it. Without

my knowledge I turned to Realism, and when I began to think about my

intended dramas I could not write on them because all my thoughts had

taken another direction. After completing my examinations I returned,

Copenhagen having made the other half of what I am. In 1880 I was

appointed auditor of the Official Accounts of Iceland, and got married.

During the ten ensuing years I was buried under an avalanche of accounts

and official documents and could hardly hold my head up above the

waters. The wings of my soul drooped with exhaustion. My dramatic muse

awakened several times, but I could not receive her visits. At last,

in 1890, I began to write "Skipit sekkur" [The Ship is Sinking,--a

naturalistic drama], parts of which I rewrote seven times; so badly had

I treated my muse that she began to work so slowly....'

To this I shall only add that the poet has modestly omitted to state

that in his capacity of Chief of the Department of Statistics he is the

compiler of an excellent year-book on the trade relations and industries

of his native isle; that he is the author of several dramas not

mentioned by him; and that 'Sword and Crozier,' his latest drama (1899),

has already been translated into German and Danish.

I subjoin a synopsis of this play, in order to facilitate an

appreciation of it at the first reading.

Act I.--The chieftain of the North Quarter of Iceland, Kolbein the

Young, lies sick unto death from the after-effects of an old wound and

sends for his kinsmen and other nobles of the Quarter. While delivering

his message to them, Thorolf, his favorite (secretly the lover of the

chieftain's wife, Helga), and long a thorn in the flesh of these

proud men as an upstart, infuriates them anew by his insolent bearing.

Obedient to the call of their chief, they assemble about him to

determine on measures for the defence of the land, and to learn of the

disposition of his dominions. The weak Brand is given his lawful share,

which agrees well enough with Lady Helga's self-seeking plans of uniting

all the land under her and Thorolf's rule. The more forceful Broddi is

entitled to the other half; but when Kolbein, very conveniently for

her, becomes delirious she substitutes Thorolf's name instead, shrewdly

taking the precaution of compelling Brand by force of arms to swear him

an everlasting truce--ostensibly to atone for having offered an insult

to Brand.