Osric

Osric: We have granted too much, ye ask for more; I am not skill'd in your clerkly lore, I scorn your logic; I had rather die Than live like Hugo of Normandy: I am a Norseman, frank and plain; Ye must read the parchment over again.

Eric: Jarl Osric, twice we have read this scroll.

Osric: Thou hast read a part.

Eric: I have read the whole.

Osric: Aye, since I attached my signature!

Eric: Before and since!

Rudolph: Nay, of this be sure, Thou hast signed; in fairness now let it rest.

Osric: I had rather have sign'd upon Hugo's crest; He has argued the question mouth to mouth With the wordy lore of the subtle south; Let him or any one of his band Come and argue the question hand to hand. With the aid of my battle-axe I will show That a score of words are not worth one blow.

Thurston: To the devil with thee and thy battle-axe; I would send the pair of ye back in your tracks, With an answer that even to thy boorish brain Would scarce need repetition again.

Osric: Thou Saxon slave to a milksop knight, I will give thy body to raven and kite.

Thurston: Thou liest; I am a freeborn man, And thy huge carcase—in cubit and span Like the giant's of Gath—'neath Saxon steel, Shall furnish the kites with a fatter meal.

Osric: Now, by Odin!

Rudolph: Jarl Osric, curb thy wrath; Our names are sign'd, our words have gone forth.

Hugo: I blame thee, Thurston.

Thurston: And I, too, blame Myself, since I follow a knight so tame! [Thurston goes out.]

Osric: The Saxon hound, he said I lied!

Rudolph: I pray thee, good Viking, be pacified.

Osric: Why do we grant the terms they ask? To crush them all were an easy task.

Dagobert: That know'st thou not; if it come to war, They are stronger, perhaps, than we bargain for.

Eric: Jarl Osric, thou may'st recall thy words— Should we meet again.

Osric: Should we meet with swords, Thou, too, may'st recall them to thy sorrow.

Hugo: Eric! we dally. Sir Count, good-morrow.