OLAF.—A 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?