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Page 38
_Botolf_.--You take much power upon yourself, Kolbein, to begin war and
kill so many men without law and its decrees.
_Kolbein_.--Why do you speak thus, my lord? You freed the slayers of
Thorolf from the interdict; and yet they slew him without the law and
its decrees.
_Botolf_.--It is a labor of love for the Holy Church to pardon the
guilty. We do it for God's sake.
_Kolbein_.--And it is the task of chieftains to administer the laws
themselves, and to begin hostilities in order to make others submit to
their will.
(_The horns pass around until_ HAF _has finished reciting his lay_.)
_Botolf_.--An ill task and a disastrous one. To me it seems that
parliament ought to administer the laws and pronounce judgment according
to them.
_Kolbein_.--We chieftains have all power over law and decrees in
parliament. It would only delay sentence to seek a decision there.
_Botolf_.--It has come to my ears that Brand Kolbeinsson owns by rights
the greater part of the dominions you now govern, and that, for this
reason you are not rightfully chieftain here.
_Kolbein_.--I, as well as Brand, am of the race of Asbjorn, and Sighvat
Sturluson put me in possession of the land when I was but fifteen years
old.
_Botolf_.--And therefore had you Sighvat and his sons killed in the
battle of Orlygsstad.
_Kolbein_.--Sighvat wanted to lure my constituents from me by his wiles.
The yeomen chose me their chieftain twenty years ago, and ever since I
have performed, now this, now that deed, so that the yeomen would not
choose another chieftain in my stead. Therefore is it right that I
should be chieftain here. But to my ears it has come that you, my lord,
have not lawfully come to be bishop at Holar!
_Helga_ (_drinks from the horn and smiles_).--To your health, sir
bishop!
_Botolf_ (_responds after a while to her toast_).--You astonish me! The
archbishop appointed me!
_Kolbein_.--No one becomes lawfully bishop of Holar until we of the
North Quarter have chosen him. And you we have not chosen, my lord! You
are bishop here as long as I will, and no longer. Another matter it is
that I shall do all to be at peace with the Holy Church, because the
days of my life are probably counted.
_Botolf_.--I have now learned how strong your desire for peace is,
Kolbein.
_Helga_.--Remember, my lord, that Kolbein thought it a matter of
necessity that you should be his guest for a few days. I have treated
you as well, sir, as my work would permit me and you would accept.
_Botolf_.--And yet they say that you more than any other were cause of
the state of war that now exists, and that your flattering of me is but
dissimulation.
_Helga_.--They are my enemies who tell you that, sir bishop! (HELGA
_leaves her seat_. ASBJORN, _who has been speaking with a man,
approaches her. They converse together in subdued voice in the
foreground_.)
_Asbjorn_.--Shall I tell Kolbein that Brand Kolbeinsson is riding to
Flugumyr with eleven followers?
_Helga_.--No! Remember Helgi Skaftason, should he come with Brand.
_Asbjorn_.--Come he will if he is fated to death.
_Helga_.--Is Broddi along?
_Asbjorn_.--He is likely to be at Holar in the fort.
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