Chapter 5

(_The Cathedral at Holar. High altar in the center, and over it Christ on the Cross, an image of white alabaster, with bloody hands and feet and side, life-size. To either side, in the aisles, altars of the Virgin, splendid with images. On the floor of the aisle the tombstone of Bishop Gudmund Arason, surmounted by a statue of the bishop in his sacerdotal vestments, recumbent. Doors at both sides. The spectator is supposed to sit in the pews_.)

(BISHOP BOTOLF, _in full pontificals, stands before the altar_. BRAND KOLBEINSSON, BRODDI, ALF, DEACON SIGURD, EINAR THE RICH, HELGI SKAFTASON, _and six others kneeling before him weaponless with bared neck and shoulders. An invisible chorus sings the end of a Miserere. The music stops as soon as the psalm is finished_.)

_Botolf_.--By that power which God gave to the apostle Peter to bind and to absolve all in heaven as well as on earth, which power he bestowed upon the pope, and the pope upon the archbishop, and the archbishop upon me, by this power I absolve you: Brand Kolbeinsson, Broddi Thorleifsson, Alf Gudmundsson, Deacon Sigurd Thjodolfsson, Helgi Skaftason, Einar the Rich, and you six other men, from the sin of your having been present at and caused the death of Thorolf Bjarnason; I absolve you from the excommunication of the Holy Church and permit to you church-going, and the association of Christian men.

_Brand_.--In return for our being freed from the excommunication of the Holy Church I and Broddi Thorleifsson each will give the value of five hundred in land, to the see of Holar; and two hundred for each of those who were present at the slaying of Thorolf, as is set forth more explicitly in the deed of gift which I now deliver into your hands and which Deacon Sigurd worded. (_Gives the bishop a scroll of parchment_. BRAND _and his men rearrange their garments_.)

_Botolf_.--Exceeding bold have you become, Deacon Sigurd, to carry weapons and to shed blood.

_Broddi_.--A weaponless man is but a wretch, my lord!

_Sigurd_.--Armed priests went to war with Bishop Gudmund Arason, my lord!

_Botolf_.--Because of his visitations with armed men, his battlings, and his unruliness Bishop Gudmund was declared to have forfeited his office.

_Brand_.--Yet retained his office as bishop till his dying day, through the good services of Kolbein the Young.

_Botolf_.--Kolbein is king over you all, yet archbishop, I know, he is not. Over my clerics I mean to rule so long as I am in power.

_Sigurd_.--I did not urge on to Thorolf's execution, and no sacraments would he have received had I not been one of the company.

_Botolf_.--For that reason I shall let pass by your transgression, this once, but leave your weapons here, when you depart, and never more carry weapons henceforth.

_Sigurd_.--I shall obey, my lord!

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_ (_enters_).--Now I would pray you, sir bishop, that you assist my son and his men to obtain a becoming reconciliation in the action about Thorolf's death; because my namesake Kolbein was a stanch friend of his.

_Botolf_.--Those who are reconciled with the Holy Church ought also to be reconciled with all Christian men.

_Alf_.--They ought certainly; but Kolbein the Young is but little of a Christian when he means to take revenge for one of his men.

_Broddi_.--He will perhaps call the slaying of Thorolf an act of insurrection against himself.

_Botolf_.--It is an ill matter to assist rebels.

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--Thorolf insulted my son by giving him a nickname, and he took revenge for that.

_Botolf_.--You Icelanders must be more deliberate in your words than are we Norwegians, if every nickname shall cost a man's life. The slaying of Thorolf was a wicked deed, because Brand swore him an eternal truce. But in this land every one seems hardened in the ways of Kain.

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--My son Brand will succeed to Kolbein the Young!

_Botolf_.--He will succeed Kolbein? Then shall I seek to bring about a reconciliation between you and Kolbein the Young!

_Broddi_.--And for the purpose that it come about in the smoothest manner possible I need the fortifications of your see a day or two for my men.

_Botolf_.--You will be welcome to use them, Broddi.

_Brand_.--In still another matter give me assistance, sir bishop! During the hostilities that have lasted all these years a certain man who was being led to execution summoned me before the tribunal of God.

_Botolf_.--For that the Church knows no other help than a general indulgence and your living the rest of your natural life in peace.

_Brand_.--In peace? How is that possible now?

_Botolf_.--Blessed peace! when will you descend upon this blood-stained earth?

_Broddi_ (_smiling_).--You must call out louder, my lord, to do some good! The blessed peace has been stricken with deafness these times.

_Botolf_.--Oh wicked mockery!

_Broddi_.--Wicked indeed, if it were not true.

(_The cleric_ HELGI _enters quickly_.)

_Helgi_.--Kolbein the Young is riding toward Holar at this moment, with a hundred men.

_Alf_.--Let us flee to the mountains.

_Broddi_.--Let us wait for my brother-in-law Kolbein at this spot.

_Alf_.--He will have us dragged out of the church and killed.

_Broddi_.--I shall not flee with my shield on my back.

_Brand_.--No, friend Broddi, we shall not part as yet. (_Seizes hold of_ BRODDI, _whom they drag out by force between them_.)

_Broddi_.--Why run away thus? I care not when I die.

(BRAND _and his eleven companions depart, together with_ KOLBEIN KALDALJOS.)

_Helgi_.--Now they will offer you violence, my lord.

_Botolf_.--I expect no harm from Kolbein the Young, no wrong have I done in this land, but only what all may thank me for, and that is to reconcile the chieftains.

_Helgi_.--But it was in your presence that Gizur betrayed Urækja at the bridge over the White River.

_Botolf_.--But Kolbein released Urækja again!

_Helgi_.--Much do you say in defence of Kolbein the Young; the enemy of our sainted Bishop Gudmund Arason, my father-brother. Now the blessed bishop has revealed himself to me in a dream and announced that at this very hour he would make known his glory and power, right here in the church, through a miracle on Illugi, a wretched blind man. I wish much that Kolbein should behold it, so that he might repent of his ill deeds against this holy man. A miraculum magnum will come to pass!

_Botolf_.--Nothing, indeed, would so much allay Kolbein's violence as the holiness of Bishop Gudmund becoming apparent. It would make him ready for reconciliation, should he behold that he used ill so great a saint. But are you so very sure that the see of Holar really possessed such a holy man in Bishop Gudmund?

_Helgi_.--Most certainly, indeed! (_Exit_.)

_Botolf_ (_alone_).--Bishop Gudmund a saint? Notwithstanding all the slayings and destruction that followed in his wake? Bishop Gudmund a saint, hm! He who used to speak a blessing over mad dogs, with his hands uplifted! Bishop Gudmund a saint, hm! Well, then would the church indeed be victorious over Kolbein the Young and his men.

(_Enter_ KOLBEIN THE YOUNG, HAF, _and_ ASBJORN. _They salute the bishop, who returns their greetings_.)

_Kolbein_.--I have come hither, sir bishop, to confer with you.

_Botolf_.--With whom then do all those your men wish to confer, and what mean the arms you carry into the church?

_Kolbein_.--Tumult and riot is rife in the district.

_Botolf_.--But a few days ago I expected to hear of your death, Kolbein, rather than see you here heading a host of men.

_Asbjorn_.--Does it not suit you, my lord?

_Botolf_.--I desire the death of no man.

_Kolbein_.--For a while I was very sick, indeed; but no sooner heard I of the death of my friend Thorolf than all weakness left me, so that now I am a well man again.

(_Enter_ CLERK HELGI, ILLUGI THE BLIND MAN, _and_ HIS BOY, _who supports him. People stream in with them, stationing themselves in the doors and near them_. CLERK HELGI _makes_ ILLUGI _kneel down before the sepulchre of_ BISHOP GUDMUND, _so that he turns his face to the spectators_.)

_Helgi_.--Kneel down now before the sepulchre of the sainted friend of God who appeared to you in your dream; because your prayers have made you deserving of that beatitude. Embrace the image of our blessed father and say the Lord's prayer.

_Kolbein_.--Is that man blind?

_Illugi_ (_looks up and glances at him for a moment_).--I am born blind.

_Kolbein_ (_aside to_ HAF BJARNASON).--His eyes were fixed on me as he looked up.

_Helgi_.--Domine Gudmunde, fac miraculum magnum!

_Illugi_ (_mutters_).--Pater noster!

_Helgi_.--Behold the white hand of the saint, how it draws the film from the eyes of the blind man!

_Kolbein_.--I have not the gift to see such things.

_Helgi_.--Oh ye of little faith!

_Some at the Door_.--I smell sweet fragrance. I see a tongue of fire above the tombstone of Bishop Gudmund!

_Others_.--He was good to the poor!

_Illugi_ (_with a loud voice, lifting up his crutch and arising_).--Praised be the blessed Bishop Gudmund! My eyes can see!

_Helgi_.--O miraculum magnum!

_The People at the Doors_.--A miracle! A miracle! A miracle!

_Botolf_.--Let all bells of the church be rung.

_Kolbein_.--Wait an instant, my lord! The eyes of the man are unchanged. Let him prove that he can see.

_Helgi_.--Ay, let him do that, my lord! Let the man prove that he can see, so that Thomas be made to believe.

_Kolbein_ (_aside_).--Hand me a parchment, Haf! (HAF _takes a scroll out of a box in the choir and reaches it over to him_.) You were blind, then, when I spoke to you before?

_Illugi_.--I am born blind, my lord! But now it seems to me I can see all that others see.

_Kolbein_.--I have still my doubts about that (_holding the parchment before_ ILLUGI). Are you able to see what this is?

_Illugi_.--A parchment, my lord.

_Kolbein_.--And can you discern what is there written?

_Illugi_.--I can see the letters clearly.

_Kolbein_.--That you could say, although you could not see them.

_Illugi_ (_reads_).--'And when St. John was arrayed in his pontifical robes, ready for burial--'

_Kolbein_.--How is it possible that you who are born blind have learned to read?

(ILLUGI _remains silent, greatly frightened_.)

_Helgi_.--O miraculum magnum! Holy Bishop Gudmund has imparted to him the art of reading!

_Illugi_.--The glorious saint appeared to me last night in a dream and taught me to read, so that I might prove to-day that my eyes can see.

_Kolbein_.--In that case more forethought was shown by Bishop Gudmund than he was accustomed to show when he was alive.

(BISHOP BOTOLF _becomes uneasy_; KOLBEIN's _men look at each other smiling_.)

_Helgi_.--The revelation of the saintliness of Holy Bishop Gudmund has affected me so much, my lord, that I forgot to have all the bells of the church rung. (_Intends to leave_.)

_Botolf_.--Wait with that a little while, Helgi.

_Haf_.--They will ring of themselves when the time has come.

_Kolbein_.--Where are you from?

(ILLUGI _remains silent, as to all following questions. The boy always looks at him first before answering, making reply only when he sees that_ ILLUGI _remains silent_.)

_Kolbein_.--Where are you two from?

_The Boy_.--From the Hornstrands, my lord!

_Kolbein_.--What was Thord Kakali about when you left?

_The Boy_.--We do not know, my lord!

_Kolbein_.--You must have remained over night at Bolstadarhlid before you ascended the Vatnsskard.

_The Boy_.--We did, my lord!

_Kolbein_.--Did yeoman Jon send me no message by you?

_The Boy_.--No, my lord, yeoman Jon sent no message by us.

_Kolbein_.--You must be a clever and trusty lad, though you are young.

_The Boy_.--You give me high praise, my lord, and it is good to hear.

_Kolbein_.--You are careful to ask men about their names, or get to know them from others. That is doing well for a young lad.

_The Boy_.--I asked yeoman Jon myself what his name was, my lord!

_Kolbein_.--There you lied again, little boy. The yeoman at Bolstadarhlid is called Thorvard Arnason. (_The boy runs out_.)

_Helgi_.--You lied in that yourself, Kolbein, to say that the yeoman's name was Jon. The boy would never have dared to ask the yeoman about his name.

_Kolbein_ (_to_ HAF).--Seize hold of this man and bring him into the prison at Flugumyr. Bishop Gudmund will open its doors for him if time hangs heavy on his hands there. (ILLUGI _the blind man runs out, forgetting his crutches; the people follow him. One hears the multitude outside shouting, 'A miracle'_.)

_Asbjorn_ (_to_ HELGI).--Was it Bishop Gudmund or Kolbein the Young who made that man forget his crutches?

_Helgi_.--If Kolbein has done it, then has he done it by the help of Beelzebub. (_He gathers up the crutches_. HAF _and_ ASBJORN _follow him as he leaves the church_.)

_Kolbein_.--Did you have a part in this farce, my lord?

_Botolf_.--No, my lord! (_Mutters_.) Pia fraus, pia fraus!

_Kolbein_.--Then all is well. Bishop Gudmund was a witless man, but no saint.

_Botolf_.--That is without example in Christendom how you laymen of Iceland treated Bishop Gudmund; you killed his men and his clerks, went to battle against him, beat and bound him, and in no wise let him enjoy peace.

_Kolbein_.--Bishop Gudmund was a scourge upon the land. On his journeys he devoured the property of one farmer in the morning, and of another in the evening.

_Botolf_.--Finally you deprived him even of his freedom.

_Kolbein_.--That was the very best thing for him!

_Botolf_.--Such conduct on your part violated God's laws.

_Kolbein_.--But not the laws of this land, sir bishop. They say, 'But if a man have a savage dog, then shall this dog be kept bound.' And I took the dog and bound him, sir bishop!

_Botolf_.--The property of the church it was that tempted you, and not the laws of the land; and how have you atoned for your robbery?

_Kolbein_.--With my and Thorolf Bjarnason's pilgrimage to Rome.

_Botolf_.--And with the help of this property of the church you have set yourself in the place of that man who alone had divine right to the land.

_Kolbein_.--His is the land who holds it.

_Botolf_.--The king of Norway lays claim to all the land settled by Norwegians.

_Kolbein_.--The fewest of the settlers on Iceland's soil were subjects of the king of Norway. For that matter, why comes not King Hakon and take the land from us?

_Botolf_.--Because many hands would be raised in its defence, and the king wishes the land to remain in peace.

_Kolbein_.--No one has caused more feuds among us Icelanders than has King Hakon. All feuds arose through his devices.

_Botolf_.--Raise the banner of King Hakon in this land, Kolbein!

_Kolbein_.--Who would bear the banner for that coward? No, but should the king come hither you will see me take up a banner; but it will not be that of King Hakon!

_Botolf_.--In order to bring the land under the king's dominion you would need but to ride to the king with twelve hundred men and let all the assembly swear an oath of allegiance to the king. Both bishops would stand back of you in that undertaking.

_Kolbein_.--Norwegians both!

_Botolf_.--The archbishop has written me that the king would raise you to the highest rank among Icelanders if you did that.

_Kolbein_.--What I am already I need not become by the grace of Hakon.

_Botolf_.--He would give you an earl's rank and set you over all Iceland.

_Kolbein_.--They gave Snorri Sturluson an earl's name, and the king became the contriver of his death.

_Botolf_.--The archbishop writes that the king would make you highest commander among his forces, if you should prefer that.

_Kolbein_ (_rejoiced at first, but quickly controls himself_).--Is that written in the archbishop's letter?

_Botolf_ (_taking out a scroll of parchment_).--Here you may read it!

_Kolbein_.--Leader of the Birchlegs![A] That is a goodly army! No, for that my health suffices no more--they all are brisk men! Tell the archbishop that even if I were always in good health I would think it a nobler thing to do battle against the Birchlegs than with them.

[Footnote A: The name of the Norwegian king Sverre's hardy soldiers.]

_Botolf_.--You are the only Icelander who hates Norway and its king, Kolbein!

_Kolbein_.--I remember too well that my father died in Norway an enemy of the king and the archbishop. At that time I was thirteen years and dull it seemed to me in Norway thereafter.

_Botolf_.--If such is the case, Gizur and Thord Kakali will stretch out both their hands after the honors you now turn your back upon. Gizur has already received honors from the king.

_Kolbein_.--I recall that Gizur has become his link-boy. It is strange that he wanted to snuff candles for Kakon.

_Botolf_.--Gizur holds lands from the king and is his kinsman.

_Kolbein_.--Whatever the king may make of my kinsman Gizur, I know for sure that he will never be able to give him the courage to take up arms against me.

_Botolf_.--But he might go so far as to let Thord Kakali have his men, and Thord would dare to fight with you.

_Kolbein_.--He does indeed! I shall have to kill Thord before mid-summer!

_Botolf_.--True is the saying that no chieftain in Iceland lays himself down to sleep any day without danger!

_Kolbein_.--We are mortal men, we chieftains.

_Botolf_.--Will Gizur also have to be made a head shorter before mid-summer, Kolbein, should he come to Iceland?

_Kolbein_.--Who can know what the future will bring, sir bishop?

(ASBJORN _and_ HAF _enter in headlong haste_.)

_Asbjorn_.--There is prospect of tidings; Broddi Thorleifsson comes riding down the valley with two hundred armed men.

_Kolbein_ (_wrathfully, to the_ BISHOP).--What seeks my cousin Broddi at Holar with two hundred men?

_Botolf_.--The peace of the land seems insecure to him and he is coming hither for defending himself in the fort.

_Kolbein_.--You encourage men to rebellion against me, you devil in a bishop's guise! Is that the peace the king and the archbishop intend to bring to the land?

_Botolf_.--What means this wrath in God's church?

_Haf_.--What council shall we take, Kolbein? Broddi is advancing rapidly.

_Kolbein_.--You, Asbjorn, will cross the mountains with a dozen men and advise my wife Helga to draw all guards from the west as fast as is at all possible. You yourself will continue your journey south over the Kjol to Hjalti, the son of the bishop to come north at once with all the men he can summon, to prevent difficulties here.

_Asbjorn_.--Indeed, a strenuous journey, now at the height of winter!

_Kolbein_.--Maintain the length of your days' journeys as if I were along myself, and be back at Flugumyr by the next Sunday. (ASBJORN _departs_.) But you, Haf, will take half of the company remaining, and take position in the fortifications close by. The horses you will let into the fort. The other half you will let take position on the outside of the gates of the fort, so that we may leave it at our will. We shall hold the fortification until help comes to us, if need be. Let all undo the peace-straps[A] from their swords!

[Footnote A: Straps wound round the sheath and fastened to a ring in the hilt.]

_Haf_.--I shall arrange all as you command. (_Departs_.)

_Kolbein_ (_to the_ BISHOP, _who is about to leave_).--Bide an instant, bishop! Remain here at my side! If it appears that Broddi's men show any hostilities towards me, I shall behead you here before the high altar.

_Botolf_ (_to himself_).--Broddi's men! Are they so wise, I wonder? (_Aloud_.) You will permit me to speak with Kolbein Kaldajos, in order that he may adjust our difficulties.

_Kolbein_.--Are you thinking perhaps that he should come here with his men to take care of us?

_Botolf_.--Far from it. (_About to leave_.)

_Kolbein_ (_grasping the_ BISHOP _by the wrist_).--You will not go hence alive, sir bishop; if you stir the church will have another saint (_points to Bishop Gudmund's tomb_).

_Botolf_.--It would be a fair death for the servant of God. But unlikely it is that you will accomplish this deed of violence, because God's angels follow me wherever I go.

_Kolbein_.--I, too, have attendant wraiths; my victory at Orlygsstad, my pursuits of Thord Kakali, my raid to Reykholar, and my journey over Tvidægra Heath with thirty men.

_Botolf_.--Angels with black wings all, Kolbein!

_Kolbein_.--Whatever the hue of their wings, yet they cause me to come out of every fray unscathed and more powerful than other men.

_Botolf_.--God has hardened your heart, Kolbein!

_Kolbein_.--And you, cease to aid my cousin Brand and Broddi, and never release them from the interdict!

_Botolf_.--I have released them.

_Kolbein_.--That is an act of open hostility against me.

_Botolf_.--Whilst I am bishop I have the power of the keys, and not you.

_Kolbein_.--I have undone the gates of death for more men than I wished, and _that_ power of the keys, I know, is not lies and wonders.

_Botolf_.--You have but one key, Kolbein, and that leads to hell. You will have need for it to open its gates when you arrive there; in case the Holy Church has not already opened them up for you.

_Kolbein_.--You threaten me with excommunication, bishop! Do not stir! Now I have decided what I shall do with you. Next summer I shall put you bodily in a sack and bring it on a ship and send you thus to the archbishop.[A] (_Laughs heartily_.)

[Footnote A: The archbishop of Nidaros (Throndhjem), then primate of Norway.]

_Botolf_.--God is my castle.

_Kolbein_.--And you shall have both food and your power of the keys on top of you in your bag. That would teach Kakon and the archbishop to appoint fewer bishops from Norway who are chiefly busy plotting to betray Iceland. (_Laughs_.)

(KOLBEIN KALDALJOS _enters. The_ BISHOP _breathes relieved_.)

_Botolf_.--You are an enemy of God, Kolbein the Young!

_Kolbein_.--No friend of the king, you meant to say.

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--Broddi has taken a stand at Vidiness with two hundred men. It seems he will order his troop there in battle array.

_Botolf_ (_to_ KOLBEIN THE YOUNG).--Your father's brother, Kolbein, fell at Vidiness, the same perchance may betide you.

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--Pledge a truce to me on behalf of my son Brand and his fellows.

_Kolbein_.--Brand holds no truce!

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--If you intend to slay my son you will find that Broddi and his men will stand between you and Brand for this once.

_Kolbein_.--Hear you, bishop, will you forbear aiding Brand and Broddi, if I now depart?

_Botolf_.--Never!

_Kolbein_.--Then shall I make the see at Holar even with the ground, as soon as I return.

_Haf_ (_entering hurriedly_).--Broddi Thorleifsson has arranged his men in fighting order at Vidiness, and now they are advancing this way in battle array. I let our men mount their horses.

_Kolbein_.--You will follow me to Flugumyr, bishop. There are strong fortifications. But if Broddi's men pursue us, or make other show of hostility, I shall have you beheaded.

_Haf_.--Come, sir bishop.

_Botolf_ (_to_ KOLBEIN KALDALJOS).--If Kolbein commits such wickedness you shall let the 'Peace of God' be rung over all the land until next Monday evening; and then all the ill deeds he does meanwhile will become two-fold crimes.

_Kolbein_.--'God's peace'--hm! That is a new thing in this land! In that case I shall come after Monday and break to pieces 'Likabong' and the other bells of the cathedral; then you will have to cease ringing for a while, sir bishop.

_Botolf_.--Now the foul fiend talks through Kolbein's mouth.

_Haf_.--Come along with the foul fiend, sir!

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--The church needs men to guard it, the danger is greater than ever. Give me the watchword, sir bishop.

_Botolf_ (_aside to_ KOLBEIN KALDALJOS).--God is our castle!

_Haf_.--Come along, sir bishop!

_Botolf_ (_to himself_).--Better I were a simple monk in Helgiseter cloister in Norway, than be a weak bishop and stand between the feuds of the chieftains of this land. But the king requested me.

(KOLBEIN THE YOUNG _and_ HAF _lead the_ BISHOP _away between them_.)

KOLBEIN KALDALJOS.--Oh the enormity to take the bishop prisoner in his own cathedral. And yet we have won the victory. I shall let the 'Peace of God' be rung out over the land, and that will protect the bishop from all danger and also give my son Brand time to collect his forces.

(_Exit. The scene is empty a little while. Then_ BRODDI, ALF, _and the other slayers of_ THOROLF _enter hurriedly_.)

_Broddi_.--Where is the bishop?

_Alf_.--I was told that Kolbein Kaldaljos was here. (KOLBEIN KALDALJOS _enters again_.)

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--You come too late, Broddi. Kolbein the Young has taken the bishop with him against his will to Flugumyr.

_Broddi_ (_aghast_).--Unlike Kolbein to other men. Who could have thought of such an unheard-of thing?

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--And will kill the bishop, if you show any hostilities against Kolbein.

_Alf_.--Will kill the bishop? Whenever has the like been heard, to take a bishop out of his church against his will and threaten him with death! He will straightway be doomed to hell when he dies, but not before having made away with us all.

_Broddi_--I have two hundred men. Kolbein has not even one hundred and will get no more before to-morrow evening. Who cares about the bishop's life? He will have to die some day. I shall ride after Kolbein with all my men, and the battle is won. Have you no message to me from the bishop?

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--He authorizes you to use the fortifications and wishes you to defend the see.

_Broddi_.--What do I need the fortifications now? I have twice as many men.

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--The bishop has ordered to set a guard over the see, and to ring out the 'Peace of God' over all the land.

_Broddi_ (_in furious wrath_).--The hellish coward! So afraid he was for his life! A manifold crime it would be, then, if we attempt anything. Better had it been for us Northlanders if the archbishop had appointed a dog to be our bishop! (_The watchword is taken up outside, first near by, then farther and farther away: 'God is our castle,' 'God is our castle,'--'is our castle,' 'our castle,'--'castle.' The cathedral bells begin ringing out the 'Peace of God_.' BRODDI _rushes at_ KOLBEIN KALDALJOS.) Let them stop this ringing!

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--No, no, the bishop has commanded it.

_Broddi_ (_grips him with both hands at his shoulders and forces him on his knees_).--Let them stop this ringing, wretch!

_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--Hold the peace of the church, Broddi! I am an old man.

_Broddi_ (_letting go of_ KOLBEIN).--But a few moments ago our fight with Kolbein was altogether won, but now it is (_casts his steel glove on the floor_) altogether lost.

(_The ringing continues vigorously while the curtain drops_.)