King Ecbert quotes from Vikings

King Ecbert

Tell me honestly: What do you think of these works?

Athelstan

I find them indescribably beautiful.

King Ecbert

But they are clearly pagan! [laughs] You are only a monk, Athelstan, and yet, somehow, I begin to trust you. I feel you... You are a kindred spirit. Who? Who painted these images? What race of man was ever so glorious that they filled our world with such, as you say, indescribable beauty?

Athelstan

I have been told, sire, that you served at the court of the emperor Charlemagne, which I have also visited. I cannot imagine, therefore, that you do not know what I know. That these images were painted by the Romans. They conquered these lands a long time ago. They conquered the whole world. But they were pagans. They worshiped false gods.

King Ecbert

Never speak of our conversation to any other man here. Nobody else would understand it; they would fear it! They accept an interpretation that a race of giants once lived here... [chuckles] And that we have nothing to do with them.

King Ecbert

The fact is, Athelstan, we have lost more knowledge than we ever had! These Romans knew things that we will never know. Their pagan gods allowed them to rule the world. And what is the lesson that we can learn from that?

King Ecbert

Come and see. Look around. You thought those paintings were all that there was. But of all Roman things, these are the most precious. Tales of the Caesars. The fall and ruin of Roman Britain. Tales of emperors and empires... It's the stuff of dreams, Athelstan. It's the very fabric of dreams. You can read them, of course.

Athelstan

Yes. Yes, I can read them.

King Ecbert

Good. That is why I've chosen you.

Athelstan

What do you mean?

King Ecbert

Well, I've chosen you to be the guardian of these books and their secrets. I want you to copy them. You speak Latin; not many do. Your job will be to preserve these works and these... fragments, for all eternity. But if you ever tell anyone about them, I will let them crucify you.

Ragnar

Do you think you are a good man?

King Ecbert

Yes, I think so. Are you... a good man?

Ragnar

[after a small shrug] Yes. I think so. [pause] Are you corrupt?

King Ecbert

[With a pleased smile] Oh, yes. Are you?

Ragnar

Uh huh.