Page:The New Monthly Magazine - Volume 095.djvu/155

148 author both of "Corregio" and "Hakon Jarl." One can hardly fancy the same mind conceiving the character of the mild, contemplative pointer, devoted to the Christian faith, and enthusiastic in his art, and the cold, hard Jarl—the Pagan warrior, the bigoted worshipper of Odin, and the stern participator in the bloody rites with which the Scandinavian deity was sought to be propitiated.

Hakon Jarl, an historical personage, was one of the last upholders of the faith of Odin in Norway. Among other scenes in Oehlenschlæger's fine tragedy, is one in which, finding everything going against him and his religion, Hakon, according to the horrid superstition which demanded human victims, sacrifices his child, a little boy, called Erling, to propitiate the gods, and stabs him in the sacred grove. But his followers desert him; Olaf Tryggvason, his Christian rival, wins the day, and Hakon Jarl, attended by a single slave, whom he supposes to be faithful, seeks shelter and concealment from Thora, who had formerly been beloved by him, but whom he had insulted and deserted, and whose brothers he had killed. When he thus throws himself as a humbled fugitive on her compassion, she forgets all her wrongs and his evil deeds, and secretes him in a cave, known only to herself. The cave scene is one of the last in the play, and the following are extracts from it:

Karker. Is this the hiding-place where we must stop? There's little comfort here, where shall I hang The lamp?

Hakon. See yonder hook against the wall; Go, hang it there.

Karker, 'Tis true, I may do that;

And here are seats hewn from the solid rock,

Where one might softly rest. Sir Jarl, will you

Now break your fast? For you have nothing touched

A night and a whole day.

Hakon. I need it not.

But thou mayst eat.

Karker. With your permission, yes.

(He sits down and begins to eat. Hakon paces up and down with long strides.)

Karker. Sir Jarl, this is an ugly, horrid hole;

Say, did you mark that chest, so black, which stood

Within the narrow way, that led us here?

Hakon. Eat, and be silent! (Aside.) Here in this dark cave

Has Thora watched through many a sleepless night. And wept in solitude. 'Was not this hall

Destined to be her grave! Yon heavy chest

She secretly had made, and, buried there.

Her lovely form was to have waited for

Corruption vile. (Looks at Karker.) Slave! why dost thou not eat?

It was thy wont to seize thy food with greed.

What ails thee?

Karker. Ah, Sir Jarl! I have for food

But little longing.

Hakon. Little longing—why?

Eat, slave—be calm and cheerful—look at me,

Thy lord.