_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_.) ACT IV