as it afterwards appears, he had been really beloved. Irritated by the circumstances in which he now finds himself, he speaks to her with coldness, levity, and disdain; which provokes, on her part, severe complaints and reproaches. In truth, the charms of Gudrun (betrothed to Orm of Lyrgia) seem to have wholly effaced in the mind of Hakon his love for the unfortunate Thora. She is left to the care of servants, with commands that she shall be carried to Rimol, where she afterwards receives and protects the faithless Jarl, in a situation which will be fully developed in the fifth act. After her exit, Einar (an archer) comes on the stage (the scene is a wood), and after sitting on the stump of a tree, and adjusting his bow, looks about for some object to shoot at, when he perceives Hakon Jarl walking at a distance, and shoots an arrow right through the plume of his helmet. The Dialogue here is given with great spirit. Hakon, who at first accuses Einar of intended assassination, is afterwards convinced, by trials of his superior skill, not only that no injury was intended, but that such a marksman will be of infinite advantage in his army; and, of course, engages Einar as one of his most valuable adhe

rents.

The second act concludes with a powerful and effective scene at the wedding feast of Gudrun, where, according to a common practice of the tyrant Jarl, a band of soldiers enter, and endeavour, by violence, to carry off the bride. This insult, however, meets at last with due punishment. The vile emissaries of Hakon are repulsed, and all the wedding party solemnly swear implacable revenge against the usurper.

In the beginning of the third act, the scene of which is on the island Moster, Grib, the servant of Thorer, informs Carlshofut and Jostein, that Hakon has arrived privately, and moored his vessel in a small bay, under covert of the wood. They are surprised that Olaf has not encountered him on the water, as he had appointed to sail round with his fleet to the same side of the island; but it appears that Hakon had come before day-light. Grib then discloses to the two young men an abominable plot for the private assassination of Olaf, contrived by his master Thorer and Hakon,

which he had overheard in their pri vate conversation together. He also describes the powerful insurrection against the tyrant, in consequence of his attempt to carry off the bride, Gudrun, from the marriage festival. Filled with horror and indignation, they consider themselves absolved from every former engagement, and all three join in resolving to protect king Olaf; and to render futile the vile plot which the watchfulness of Grib had discovered.

Meanwhile a sound of choral music is heard from the now-approaching ships of Olaf, who is soon afterwards seen to land with a large white banner, on which a red cross is woven, in his hand; and, after a solemn hymn by his priests, he lifts it on high, and then strikes it into the ground, with the following address:

Olaf. Here deeply in the rocky northern soil I plant this Christian standard. Like a tree, Powerfully will it strike forth roots, and bear

The richest blossoms. Tears of penitence And deep devotion will its leaves bedew; And the warm summer breath of pious sighs The choir of mingling

Ripen the fruit. voices

Shall, like the music of the summer wood,
From the deep vaulted shade arise on high;
And the green branches of the deathless oak
Over their native land extend afar.
Within their sanctuary, Love and Faith
And Hope will take their places, and like
children,

Look from the mighty stem with confidence
Of Norway will, upon the sacred bark
To the last twilight glow of life. The kings
Engrave their names.
Like rosy cherub-

ims,

Spreading their wings, the flowers of Inno

Rise up

!-Why should'st thou kneel ?—If thou hast sinn'd,

Kneel before God, and tremble at the thought Of Heaven's avenging sword!

The rest of this scene is occupied with a full disclosure to Olaf of the snares which had been laid for him; and Jostein satisfactorily accounts for his own and his brother's former participation in Hakon's plans, and for their determination now to become his most decided enemies. They suggest to Olaf that Hakon is now in his power, having arrived at the island with a force infinitely inferior to that of the king.

After their disappearance, Thorer, carrying a basket and a dagger, enters, followed by Grib, in whom he still supposes himself to possess an obedient and faithful adherent. We regret not having room for the spirited and effective dialogue which passes between them. Thorer gives the poisoned dagger to Grib, and instructs him, that when they have come up with, and entered into conversation with Olaf, he shall suddenly plunge the weapon into his heart, and afterwards cut off his head, and carry it in the basket to Hakon, who will be waiting to receive it, and to reward the murderer with liberty and a sword of honour. The slave listens, with affected obsequiousness and inward contempt, to all the discourse of Thorer, (which is skilfully protracted) till at last, in a paroxysm of indignation, he renders his

master the victim of his own treacherous plans, by stabbing him to the heart.

Olaf, who happens to return immediately after the death of Thorer, rewards Grib (who is thenceforward called Greif or Griffin) with those honours which had been promised to him as an adherent of Hakon. The scene then changes to another part of the wood.

He sends me here as his ambassador.

Hak. Well, go, and in the earth let it be

buried, Deep, deep, I say!-I cannot bear to see it. Mine eyes abhor the sight. In waking dreams,

In sleep it floats before me.
Go, I say,
Bury his lifeless frame; and say to Thorer
That I command his presence instantly.

Olaf. Thorer is now asleep.
Hak. How's this!-Asleep!
Olaf. His noon-day slumber.-In the far-

thest shades

The head upon the shoulders still?

Hak. How dar'st thou ?

Insolent slave !-Where is it?

Olaf. (Throwing off his disguise.) Here, Lord Jarl

Forgive me that I thus have brought mine head;

I found it most convenient.

Hak. (Drawing his sword.) Ha!—betrayed!

Olaf Old man, restrain thine anger-Recollect

My head is on my shoulders. 'Tis no longer The headless spectre of thy conscience now That stands before thee.

Hak. (attacking Olaf.) Death and hell! Olaf. (beating back his sword.) No more! Have I not warn'd thee?-Sheath thy sword. This wood

Is all surrounded by my trusty soldiers.
My power is greater here than thine-My
kingdom

I shall obtain by victory on the field.
To this (though with malicious intent)
Thou hast thyself invited me.
But now

By thine own snares thou art fast bound.
Thy Thorer

Is call'd before the Eternal Judge. Thou

While ours is with our whole hearts to despise you,

And strive for your destruction, as the foes
Of our old northern gods and warlike fame.
This was the part of Hakon, and therein
Consists his crime. By Odin and by Thor,
Thou shalt not with thy melancholy clouds
Obscure the brave heroic sons of Norway.

Olaf. Well, time will try thy words-
Now let us part-

But wo to thee when we shall meet again! Hak. Aye-wo to me, if I shall not o'erwhelm thee!

Olaf. The avenging spear of Heaven shall pierce thy heart.

Hak. The arm of Thor shall break thy cross in fragments!

(Exeunt severally.)

Thus ends the third act. In the beginning of the fourth, Hakon, now returned to the main land, is informed by a special messenger, that his eldest and favourite son, Erland, has just been killed by Olaf in a skirmish on the sea shore. He adds, that Olaf, misled by the splendid dress of Erland, believed at first that it was Hakon whom he had struckand was much disappointed when he discovered his mistake. Hakon, in the presence of the messenger, preserves a proud appearance of indifference, and coldly inquires, whether he has any more intelligence? On reflection, however, we shall insert a considerable part of the first scene for the sake of the soliloquy by which it is concluded.

Hak. Now-tell me all-where stands
the insurgent army?

Mess. In Orkdale, sire, by Orm of
Lyrgia

Commanded, and by Ekialm and Alf
Of Rimol. They are there with hearts in-
tent,

Their sister to avenge.

Hak. I do confide

In my tried bands of heroes, who will soc This wild horde put to flight.

Mess. Yet anger, sire, Has arm'd them powerfully. Hak. With sudden rageA momentary fire that vanishesWhene'er the sword of Hakon Jarl appears.

Has Olaf's fleet approach'd near to the land? Mess. He is in Drontheim's bay already harbour'd.

Hak. How? And my son has not there made him captive?

Not barr'd his entrance? Ha! What then has happened?

Mess. At early morning, Sire, King
Olaf came,-

He had five ships, thy son had three,-in

Mess. He struck thy son upon the head, So that his brains burst forth into the sea. Hak. Hast thou no more to tell? Mess. It vex'd king OlafWhen 'twas explain'd that he who had been struck,

Was not Jarl Hakon!-Many men were slain.

Yet some he spared, and learn'd from them the news,

Where stood the insurgent army; and how much

The people against thee had been incens'd.
Hak. Hast thou yet more to tell?
Mess. My liege, I have not.

Hak. Then go! (The Messenger goes out.)" It vex'd king Olaf, when 'twas prov'd

That he who had been struck was not Jarl Hakon!".

Not so! By Heaven, mine enemy could find

Men call thee Northern hero. Rouse thyself!

Forgive thy servant, Oh, Almighty Powers? If, worldly-minded, he forgot Walhalla! From this hour onwards all his life and deeds To you are consecrated. The bright dream That in the sunset placed upon my head The golden crown, is fled. The storm on high

Rages, the dark clouds meet, and rain pours down,

The sun appears no more; and when again The azure skies are clear'd, the stars in heaven Will glimmer palely on the grave of Hakon! The sea now holds my son! The little Erl

ing,

'Tis true, remains behind. How can I hope That such a tender youngling can resist The raging storm's assault! So let me swear By all the diamonds in the eternal throne, Stars of the night, by you; and by thy car, All powerful Thor, that turns the glittering pole,

At midnight, toward the south! Even from this hour

I live no more, but only for Walhalla !
My life is wholly to the gods devoted.
If worldly pride ere-while my heart deluded,
Yet may I be forgiven, thou noble Saga!
It was thy sovereign charms that led me on.
And have my deeds, Almighty Father!

drawn

Thy wrath upon my head? Well then! de

sire

A sacrifice, whate'er thou wilt, it shall
Be thine!

At this critical moment a second messenger enters, bringing to Hakon a magnificent golden horn, which has

just been discovered by the soldiers or priests of Olaf in digging the foundation for a Christian church. This horn, which, as it appears, had been formerly used by the priests of Odin, in their solemn sacrifices, was immediately seized by the adherents of Hakon, who receives it with that superstitious reverence with which a wicked mind, conscious of extreme danger, grasps at every new and external event. Unluckily he discovers, engraven on the gold, an ancient inscription, which seems clearly to point out to him that the gods, in order to effect a reconciliation, desire from him the sacrifice of his remaining son! We regret not having room for the soliloquy, in which he gradually works up his mind to this horrible deed; which, however, is perfectly consistent with the spirit of the Northern mythology, and the system of worship by which it was distinguished. At the conclusion of the scene, Hakon vividly imagines that he beholds the grim goddess, THORGIERDUR HORGABRUD, (who accompanies the warrior in battle, mounted on a white horse, with a bloody mantle over her shoulders), holding out to him a sharp and polished dagger, which (like Macbeth) he endeavours to grasp, and walks out with extended arms, following his frightful conductress. We know not a finer subject for graphic illustration.

In the next scene, which is both long and spirited, a supernatural interview occurs, which reminds us of the "dark knight of the forest," as he appeared in the manuscript copies of Mr Maturin's "Bertram.' Olaf, when walking alone in the forest, is met by a one-eyed old man, by name Auden, who endeavours, not without some degree of success, to persuade the king that his endeavours to establish the Christian religion in Norway are illfounded, impracticable, and unworthy of being attended with any good result. This one-eyed Auden (as the reader will no doubt conjecture) proves to be the great Odin himself, an evil spirit who thus appears, in order, by specious arguments, to perplex and weaken the mind of his opponent, and, if possible, to preserve his influence as heretofore over the Norwegian people. On the entrance of Tangbrand, however, Olaf's father-confessor, all the snares that had been laid by the wicked spirit are

at once broken, and the king's resolu tion and tranquillity restored.

The scene then changes to the sacred grove, inhabited by the statues of the Norwegian Deities. The whole dialogue breaths the bloody coldness of the Scandinavian creed. Hakon enters, leading his son Erling by the hand.

I

Erl. "Tis cold, my father! Hak. 'Tis yet early morning. Art thou so very chill ?—

Erl. Nay-'tis no matter.

shall behold the rising sun-how grand! A sight that I have never known before. Hak. See'st thou yon ruddy streaks along the east?

Erl. What roses! how they bloom and spread on high!

Yet father, tell me whence come all these pearls,

Wherewith the valley here is richly strewn ? How brightly they reflect the rosy light!

Hak. They are not pearls it is the And that which thou deem'st roses is the sun! morning dew! See'st thou? He rises now! Look at him boy!

Erl. Oh what a beauteous whirling globe

he seems!

How fiery red! Dear father, can we never Visit the sun in yonder distant land?

Hak. My child, our whole life thitherward is tending;

That flaming ball of light is Odin's eye

His other is the moon, of milder light, That he just now has left in Mimer's well, There by the charmful waves to be refresh'd.

Erl. And where is Mimer's well? Hak. The sacred oceanDown there, that foaming beats upon the rocks

That is old Mimer's deep and potent well, That strengthen's Odin's eyes. From the cool waves,

At morning duly comes the sun refreshed, The moon again by night.

Erl. But now it hurts meIt mounts too high.

Hak. Upon his golden throne, The Almighty Father mounts, soon to survey The whole wide earth. The central diamond In his meridian crown, our earthly sight May not contemplate-What man dares to

meet