midday slumber; he lies stretched
Stiffly beneath a shadowy elder-tree.

HAKON.--Then wake him up. [_Aside._] Asleep, Asleep, and after such
A deed--Ha! Thorer, I admire thee;
Thou hast rare courage. [_Aloud._] Thrall, go wake him up.

OLAF.--But wilt thou first not look at Olaf's head?

HAKON.--No; I have said no.

OLAF.--Thou dost think, my lord,
That perhaps it is a horrid frightful sight:
It is not so, my lord; for Olaf's head
Looks fresh and sound as any in the land.

HAKON.--Away, I tell thee!

OLAF.--I ne'er saw the like:
I always heard that Hakon was a hero,
Few like him in the North,--and does he fear
To see a lifeless and a corpseless head?
How wouldst thou tremble then, my lord, if thou
Shouldst see it on his body?

HAKON [_turning round angrily_].--
Thrall, thou darest!
Where hast thou got it?

OLAF [_takes his hat off, and throws off his cloak_].--
On my shoulders, Earl.
Forgive me that I bring it thee myself
In such a way: 'twas easiest for me.

HAKON.--What, Olaf! Ha! what treachery is here?

OLAF.--Old gray-beard, spare thy rash, heroic wrath.
Attempt not to fight Olaf, but remember
That he has still his head upon his body,
And that thy impotent, gray-bearded strength
Was only fitting for the headless Olaf.

HAKON [_rushes at him_].--
Ha, Hilfheim!

OLAF [_strikes his sword, and says in a loud voice_].--
So, be quiet now, I say,
And sheathe thy sword again. My followers
Surround the house; my vessels are a match
For all of thine, and I myself have come
To win the country in an honest fight.
Thyself hast urged me with thy plots to do it.
Thou standest like a despicable thrall
In his own pitfall caught at last; but I
Will make no use of these advantages
Which fate has granted me. I am convinced
That I may boldly meet thee face to face.
Thy purpose, as thou seest, has wholly failed,
And in his own blood does thy Thorer swim.
Thou seest 'twere easy for me to have seized thee;
To strike thee down were even easier still:
But I the Christian doctrine do confess,
And do such poor advantages despise.
So choose between two courses. Still be Earl
Of Hlade as thou wast, and do me homage,
Or else take flight; for when we meet again
'Twill be the time for red and bleeding brows.

HAKON [_proudly and quietly_].--
My choice is made. I choose the latter, Olaf.
Thou calle