There on the dais sat another king, Wearing his robes, his crown, his signet-ring, Then said, "Who art thou? and why com'st thou here?" "I am the King, and come to claim my own Up sprang the angry guests, and drew their swords; "Nay, not the King, but the King's Jester, thou Deaf to King Robert's threats and cries and prayers, And as they opened wide the folding-door, His heart failed, for he heard, with strange alarms, With the mock plaudits of "Long live the King!" Next morning, waking with the day's first beam, Shivering and chattering sat the wretched ape. Days came and went; and now returned again Under the Angel's governance benign The happy island danced with corn and wine, Meanwhile King Robert yielded to his fate, Gazed at the Angel's countenance serene; With haggard eyes the unwonted splendour saw, And, kneeling humbly on his chamber floor, Sweep through the silent air, ascending heavenward. 66 Art thou the King?" Then bowing down his head, King Robert crossed both hands upon his breast, And meekly answered him: “Thou knowest best! And in some cloister's school of penitence, And through the open window, loud and clear, But all apparelled as in days of old, With ermined mantle and with cloth of gold; And when his courtiers came, they found him there Kneeling upon the floor, absorbed in silent prayer. INTERLUDE. AND then the blue-eyed Norseman told "There is," said he, “a wondrous book And in each pause the story made Fresh woodbines climb and interlace, THE MUSICIAN'S TALE. THE SAGA OF KING OLAF. 1. THE CHALLENGE OF THOR. I AM the God Thor, I am the War God, Here amid icebergs |