(Enter KOLBEIN THE YOUNG, HAF, and ASBJORN. They salute the bishop, who returns their greetings.)

Kolbein.—­I have come hither, sir bishop, to confer with you.

Botolf.—­With whom then do all those your men wish to confer, and what mean the arms you carry into the church?

Kolbein.—­Tumult and riot is rife in the district.

Botolf.—­But a few days ago I expected to hear of your death, Kolbein, rather than see you here heading a host of men.

Asbjorn.—­Does it not suit you, my lord?

Botolf.—­I desire the death of no man.

Kolbein.—­For a while I was very sick, indeed; but no sooner heard I of the death of my friend Thorolf than all weakness left me, so that now I am a well man again.

(Enter CLERK HELGI, ILLUGI THE BLIND MAN, and HIS BOY, who supports him.  People stream in with them, stationing themselves in the doors and near them.  CLERK HELGI makes ILLUGI kneel down before the sepulchre of BISHOP GUDMUND, so that he turns his face to the spectators.)

Helgi.—­Kneel down now before the sepulchre of the sainted friend of God who appeared to you in your dream; because your prayers have made you deserving of that beatitude.  Embrace the image of our blessed father and say the Lord’s prayer.

Kolbein.—­Is that man blind?

Illugi (looks up and glances at him for a moment).—­I am born blind.

Kolbein (aside to HAF BJARNASON).—­His eyes were fixed on me as he looked up.

Helgi.—­Domine Gudmunde, fac miraculum magnum!

Illugi (mutters).—­Pater noster!

Helgi.—­Behold the white hand of the saint, how it draws the film from the eyes of the blind man!

Kolbein.—­I have not the gift to see such things.

Helgi.—­Oh ye of little faith!

Some at the Door.—­I smell sweet fragrance.  I see a tongue of fire above the tombstone of Bishop Gudmund!

Others.—­He was good to the poor!

Illugi (with a loud voice, lifting up his crutch and arising).—­Praised be the blessed Bishop Gudmund!  My eyes can see!

Helgi.—­O miraculum magnum!

The People at the Doors.—­A miracle!  A miracle!  A miracle!

Botolf.—­Let all bells of the church be rung.

Kolbein.—­Wait an instant, my lord!  The eyes of the man are unchanged.  Let him prove that he can see.

Helgi.—­Ay, let him do that, my lord!  Let the man prove that he can see, so that Thomas be made to believe.

Kolbein (aside).—­Hand me a parchment, Haf! (HAF takes a scroll out of a box in the choir and reaches it over to him.) You were blind, then, when I spoke to you before?