_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!