Gudrun's Husband Incites The Bonders To
Throw Off The Yoke Of The Licentious Despot, - Olaf
Tryggvesson Is Proclaimed King, - And The "Great Jarl Of
Lade" Is Now A Fugitive In The Land He So Lately Ruled,
Accompanied By A Single Thrall, Named Karker.
In this extremity, Jarl Hacon applies for aid to Thora
of Rimmol, a lady whom he had once dearly
Loved; she is
faithful in adversity to the friend of happier days, and
conceals the Jarl and his companion in a hole dug for
this purpose, in the swine-stye, and covered over with
wood and litter; as the only spot likely to elude the
hot search of his enemies. Olaf and the Bonders seek for
him in Thora's house, but in vain; and finally, Olaf,
standing on the very stone against which the swine-stye
is built, promises wealth and honours to him who shall
bring him the Jarl of Lade's head. The scene which follows
is related by the Icelandic historian with Dante's tragic
power.
There was a little daylight in their hiding-place, and
the Jarl and Karker both hear the words of Olaf.
"Why art thou so pale?" says the Jarl," and now again as
black as earth? Thou dost not mean to betray me?"
"By no means," said Karker.
"We were born on the same night," said the Jarl, "and
the time will not be long between our deaths."
When night came, the Jarl kept himself awake, - but Karker
slept; - a troubled sleep.
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