Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/280

 the Gudbranddalesman he grovelled for grace, but his hoard must e'en ransom his head.

King Skule south over Miösen fared,— the Uplander cursed at his banner; King Skule hasted through Raumarike to Låka in Nannestad manor.

'Twas all in the holy Shrove-tide week we met with the Birchleg horde; Earl Knut was their captain—the swords with loud tongue in the suit for the throne made award.

They say of a truth that since Sverre's days was never so hot a fight; red-sprent, like warriors' winding-sheets, grew the upland that erst lay white.

They took to their heels did the Birchenlegs, flinging from them both buckler and bill there; many hundreds, though, took to their heels nevermore, for they lay and were icily chill there.

No man knows where King Håkon hideth;— King Skule stands safe at the helm. All hail and long life to thee, lord, in thy state as King of all Norway's realm!

[Spring up with loud jubilation, hold goblets and beakers aloft, clash their weapons, and repeat:

All hail and long life to thee, lord, in thy state as King of all Norway's realm!

.

Thanks for the song, Jatgeir Skald! 'Tis as