SIGURD.
Ready shalt thou find me; say, what dost thou crave?
ÖRNULF.
Thy help in rede and deed. I have sailed hither to Helgeland to seek
out Gunnar Headman and call him to account for the carrying away of
Hiördis.
SIGURD.
[_Surprised._] Gunnar!
DAGNY.
[_In the same tone._] And Hiördis—where are they?
ÖRNULF.
In Gunnar’s homestead, I trow.
SIGURD.
And it is——?
ÖRNULF.
Not many bow-shots hence; did ye not know?
SIGURD.
[_With suppressed emotion._] No, truly I have had scant tidings of
Gunnar since we sailed from Iceland together. While I have wandered
far and wide and served many outland kings, Gunnar has stayed at
home. We made the land here at daydawn, storm-driven. I knew,
indeed, that Gunnar’s homestead lay here in the north, but——
DAGNY.
[_To_ ÖRNULF.] So _that_ errand has brought thee hither?
ÖRNULF.
That and no other. [_To_ SIGURD.] Our meeting is the work of the
Mighty Ones above; they willed it so. Had I wished to find thee,
little knew I where to seek.
SIGURD.
[_Thoughtfully._] True, true!—But concerning Gunnar—tell me, Örnulf,
art thou minded to go sharply to work, with all thy might, be it for
good or ill?
ÖRNULF.
That must I. Listen, Sigurd, for thus it stands: Last summer I rode
to the Council where many honourable men were met. When the
Council-days were over, I sat in the hall and drank with the men of
my shire, and the talk fell upon the carrying-away of the women;
scornful words they gave me, because for all these years I had let
that wrong rest unavenged. Then, in my wrath, I swore to sail to
Norway, seek out Gunnar, and crave reckoning or revenge, and never
again to set foot in Iceland till my claim was made good.
SIGURD.
Ay, ay, since so it stands, I see well that if need be the matter
must be pressed home.
ÖRNULF.
It must; but I shall not crave overmuch, and Gunnar has the fame of
an honourable man. I am glad, too, that I set forth on this quest;
the time lay heavy on me in Iceland; out upon the blue waters had I
grown old and grey, and meseemed that I must fare forth once again
before I——; well well—Bergthora, my good wife, was dead these many
years; my elder sons sailed on viking-ventures summer by summer; and
since Thorolf was growing up——
DAGNY.
[_Joyfully._] Thorolf is with thee? Where is he?
ÖRNULF.
On board the ship. [_Points towards the background, to the right._]
Scarce shalt thou know the boy again, so stout and strong and fair
has he grown. He will be a mighty warrior, Sigurd; one day he will
equal thee.
DAGNY.
[_Smiling._] I see it is now as ever: Thorolf stands nearest thy
heart.
ÖRNULF.
He is the youngest, and like his mother; therefore it is.
SIGURD.
But tell me—thy errand to Gunnar—thinkest thou to-day——?
ÖRNULF.
Rather to-day than to-morrow. Fair amends will content me; should
Gunnar say me nay, then must he abide what may follow.
KÅRE THE PEASANT _enters hastily from the right; he is clad in a
grey frieze cloak and low-brimmed felt hat; he carries in his
hand a broken fence-rail._
KÅRE.
Well met, Vikings!
ÖRNULF.
Vikings are seldom well met.
KÅRE.
If ye be honourable men, ye will grant me refuge among you; Gunnar
Headman’s house-carls are hunting me to slay me.
ÖRNULF.
Gunnar’s?
SIGURD.
Then hast thou done him some wrong!
KÅRE.
I have done myself right. Our cattle grazed together upon an island,
hard by the coast; Gunnar’s men carried off my best oxen, and one of
them flouted me for a thrall. Then I raised my sword against him and
slew him.
ÖRNULF.
That was a lawful deed.
KÅRE.
But this morning his men came in arms against me. By good hap I
heard of their coming, and fled; but my foemen are on my tracks, and
short shrift can I look for at their hands.
SIGURD.
Ill can I believe thee, peasant! In bygone days I knew Gunnar as I
know myself, and this I wot, that never did he wrong to a peaceful
man.
KÅRE.
Gunnar has no part in this wrong-doing; he is in the southland; nay,
it is Hiördis his wife——
DAGNY.
Hiördis!
ÖRNULF.
[_To himself._] Ay, ay, ’tis like her!
KÅRE.
I offered Gunnar amends for the thrall, and he was willing; but then
came Hiördis, and egged her husband on with many scornful words, and
hindered the peace. Since then has Gunnar gone to the south, and
to-day——
SIGURD.
[_Looking out to the left._] Here comes a band of wayfarers towards
the north. Is it not——?
KÅRE.
It is Gunnar himself!
ÖRNULF.
Be of good heart; I trow I can make peace between you.
GUNNAR HEADMAN, _with several men, enters from the left. He is in
peaceful attire, wearing a brown tunic, cross-gartered hose, a
blue mantle, and a broad hat; he has no weapon but a small
axe._
GUNNAR.
[_Stops in surprise and uncertainty on seeing the knot of men._]
Örnulf of the Fiords! Yes, surely——!
ÖRNULF.
Thou seest aright.
GUNNAR.
[_Approaching._] Then peace and welcome to thee in my land, if thou
come in peace.
ÖRNULF.
If thy will be as mine, there shall be no strife between us.
SIGURD.
[_Standing forward._] Well met, Gunnar!
GUNNAR.
[_Gladly._] Sigurd—foster-brother! [_Shakes his hand._] Now truly,
since thou art here, I know that Örnulf comes in peace. [_To_
ÖRNULF.] Give me thy hand, greybeard! Thy errand here in the north
is lightly guessed: it concerns Hiördis, thy foster-daughter.
ÖRNULF.
As thou sayest; great wrong was done me when thou didst bear her
away from Iceland without my will.
GUNNAR.
Thy claim is rightful; what the youth has marred, the man must mend.
Long have I looked for thee, Örnulf, for this cause; and if amends
content thee, we shall soon be at one.
SIGURD.
So deem I too. Örnulf will not press thee over hard.
GUNNAR.
[_Warmly._] Nay, Örnulf, didst thou crave her full worth, all my
goods were not enough!
ÖRNULF.
I shall go by law and usage, be sure of that. But now another
matter. [_Pointing to_ KÅRE.] Seest thou yonder man?
GUNNAR.
Kåre! [_To_ ÖRNULF.] Thou knowest, then, that there is a strife
between us?
ÖRNULF.
Thy men have stolen his cattle, and theft must be atoned.
GUNNAR.
Murder no less; he has slain my thrall.
KÅRE.
Because he flouted me.
GUNNAR.
I have offered thee terms of peace.
KÅRE.
But Hiördis had no mind to that, and this morning, whilst thou wert
gone, she fell upon me and now hunts me to my death.
GUNNAR.
[_Angrily._] Sayest thou true? Has she——?
KÅRE.
True, every word.
ÖRNULF.
Therefore the peasant besought me to stand by him, and that will I
do.
GUNNAR.
[_After a moment’s thought._] Thou hast dealt honourably with me,
Örnulf; therefore it is fit that I should yield to thy will. Hear
then, Kåre: I am willing to let the slaying of the thrall and the
wrongs done toward thee quit each other.
KÅRE.
[_Gives_ GUNNAR _his hand._] It is a good offer; I am content.
ÖRNULF.
And he shall have peace for thee and thine?
GUNNAR.
Peace shall he have, both at home and where soever he may go.
SIGURD.
[_Pointing to the right._] See yonder!
GUNNAR.
[_Disturbed_.] It is Hiördis!
ÖRNULF.
With armed men!
KÅRE.
She is seeking me!
HIÖRDIS _enters, with a troop of house-carls. She is clad in black,
wearing a kirtle, cloak, and hood; the men are armed with
swords and axes; she herself carries a light spear._
HIÖRDIS
[_Stops on entering._] We meet here in force, meseems.
DAGNY.
[_Rushes to meet her._] Peace and joy to thee, Hiördis!
HIÖRDIS.
[_Coldly._] I thank thee.—’Twas told me thou wert not far off.
[_Comes forward, looking sharply at those assembled._] Gunnar,
and—Kåre, my foeman—Örnulf and his sons, and——[_As she catches sight
of_ SIGURD, _she starts almost imperceptibly, is silent a moment,
but collects herself and says:_] Many I see here who are known to
me—but little I know who is best minded towards me.
ÖRNULF.
We are all well-minded towards thee.
HIÖRDIS.
If so be, thou wilt not deny to give Kåre into my husband’s hands.
ÖRNULF.
There is no need.
GUNNAR.
There is peace and friendship between us.
HIÖRDIS.
[_With suppressed scorn._] Friendship? Well well, I know thou art a
wise man, Gunnar! Kåre has found mighty friends, and doubtless thou
deem’st it safest——
GUNNAR.
Thy taunts avail not! [_With dignity._] Kåre is at peace for us!
HIÖRDIS.
[_Restraining herself._] Well and good; if thou hast sworn him
peace, the vow must be held.
GUNNAR.
[_Forcibly, but without anger._] It must and it shall.
ÖRNULF.
[_To_ HIÖRDIS.] Another pact had been well-nigh made ere thy coming.
HIÖRDIS.
[_Sharply._] Between thee and Gunnar?
ÖRNULF.
[_Nods._] It had to do with thee.
HIÖRDIS.
Well can I guess what it had to do with; but this I tell thee,
foster-father, never shall it be said that Gunnar let himself be
cowed because thou camest in arms to the isle. Hadst thou come
alone, a single wayfarer, to our hall, the quarrel had more easily
been healed.
GUNNAR.
Örnulf and his sons come in peace.
HIÖRDIS.
Mayhap; but will it sound otherwise in the mouths of men; and thou
thyself, Gunnar, didst show scant trust in the peace yesterday, in
sending our son Egil to the southland so soon as it was told us that
Örnulf’s warship lay in the fiord.
SIGURD.
[_To_ GUNNAR.] Didst thou send thy son to the south?
HIÖRDIS.
Ay, that he might be in safety should Örnulf fall upon us.
ÖRNULF.
Scoff not at that, Hiördis; what Gunnar has done may prove wise in
the end, if so be thou hinder the pact.
HIÖRDIS.
Life must take its chance; come what will, I had liever die than
save my life by a shameful pact.
DAGNY.
Sigurd makes atonement, and will not be deemed the lesser man for
that.
HIÖRDIS.
Sigurd best knows what his own honour can bear.
SIGURD.
On that score shall I never need reminding.
HIÖRDIS.
Sigurd has done famous deeds, but bolder than all was Gunnar’s deed,
when he slew the white bear that guarded my bower.
GUNNAR.
[_With an embarrassed glance at_ SIGURD.] Nay, nay, no more of that!
ÖRNULF.
In truth it was the boldest deed that e’er was seen in Iceland; and
therefore——
SIGURD.
The more easily can Gunnar yield, and ne’er be held faint-hearted.
HIÖRDIS.
If amends are to be made, amends shall be craved as well. Bethink
thee, Gunnar, of thy vow!
GUNNAR.
That vow was ill bethought; wilt thou hold me to it?
HIÖRDIS.
That will I, if we two are to dwell under one roof after this day.
Know then, Örnulf, that if atonement is to be made for the carrying
away of thy foster-daughter, thou, too, must atone for the slaying
of Jökul my father, and the seizing of all his goods and gear.
ÖRNULF.
Jökul was slain in fair fight;[8] thy kinsmen did me a worse wrong
when they sent thee to Iceland and beguiled me into adopting[9]
thee, unwitting who thou wert.
HIÖRDIS.
Honour, and no wrong, was thy lot in fostering Jökul’s daughter.
ÖRNULF.
Nought but strife hast thou brought me, that I know.
HIÖRDIS.
Sterner strife may be at hand, if——
ÖRNULF.
I came not hither to bandy words with women!—Gunnar, hear my last
word: art willing to make atonement?
HIÖRDIS.
[_To_ GUNNAR.] Think of thy vow!
GUNNAR.
[_To_ ÖRNULF.] Thou hearest, I have sworn a vow, and that must I——
ÖRNULF.
[_Irritated._] Enough, enough! Never shall it be said that I made
atonement for slaying in fair fight.
HIÖRDIS.
[_Forcibly._] Then we defy thee and thine.
ÖRNULF.
[_In rising wrath._] And who has the right to crave atonement for
Jökul? Where are his kinsmen? There is none alive! Where is his
lawful avenger?
HIÖRDIS.
That is Gunnar, on my behalf.
ÖRNULF.
Gunnar! Ay, hadst thou been betrothed to him with thy
foster-father’s good-will, or had he made atonement for carrying
thee away, then were he thy father’s lawful avenger; but——
DAGNY.
[_Apprehensive and imploring._] Father, father!
SIGURD.
[_Quickly._] Speak it not!
ÖRNULF.
[_Raising his voice._] Nay, loudly shall it be spoken! A woman
wedded by force has no lawful husband!
GUNNAR.
[_Vehemently._] Örnulf!
HIÖRDIS.
[_In a wild outburst._] Flouted and shamed! [_In a quivering
voice._] This—this shalt thou come to rue!
ÖRNULF.
[_Continuing._] A woman wedded by force is in law no more than a
leman! Wilt thou regain thine honour, then must thou——
HIÖRDIS.
[_Controlling herself._] Nay, Örnulf, I know better what is fitting.
If I am to be held as Gunnar’s leman—well and good, then must he win
me honour by his deeds—by deeds so mighty that my shame shall be
shame no more! And thou, Örnulf, beware! Here our ways part, and
from this day shall I make war at all times upon thee and thine;
thou shalt know no safety for life or limb, thou, nor any whom
thou——[_Looking fiercely at_ KÅRE.] Kåre! Örnulf has stood thy
friend, forsooth, and there is peace between us; but I counsel thee
not to seek thy home yet awhile; the man thou slewest has many
avengers, and it well might befall——See, I have shown thee the
danger; thou must e’en take what follows. Come, Gunnar, we must gird
ourselves for the fight. A famous deed didst thou do in Iceland, but
greater deeds must be done here, if thou wouldst not have thy—thy
leman shrink with shame from thee and from herself!
GUNNAR.
Curb thyself, Hiördis; it is unseemly to bear thee thus!
DAGNY.
[_Imploringly._] Stay, foster-sister—stay; I will appease my father.
HIÖRDIS.
[_Without listening to her._] Homewards, homewards! Who could have
foretold me that I should wear out my life as a worthless leman? But
if I am to bear this life of shame, ay, even for one day more, then
must my husband do such a deed—such a deed as shall make his name
more famous than all other names of men.
[_Goes out to the right._
GUNNAR.
[_Softly._] Sigurd, promise me this, that we shall have speech
together ere thou leave the land.
[_Goes out with his men to the right._
[_The storm has meanwhile ceased; the mid-day sun is now
visible, like a red disc, low upon the rim of the sea._
ÖRNULF.
[_Threateningly._] Thou shalt pay dear for this day’s work,
foster-daughter!
DAGNY.
Father, father! Surely thou wilt not harm her!
ÖRNULF.
Let me be! Now, Sigurd, now can no amends avail between Gunnar and
me.
SIGURD.
What thinkest thou to do?
ÖRNULF.
That I know not; but far and wide shall the tale be told how Örnulf
of the Fiords came to Gunnar’s hall.
SIGURD.
[_With quiet determination._] Maybe; but this I tell thee, Örnulf,
thou shalt never bear arms against him so long as I am alive.
ÖRNULF.
So, so! And what if nought else be my will?
SIGURD.
It shall not be—let thy will be never so strong.
ÖRNULF.
[_Angrily._] Go then; join thou with my foes; I dare outface the
twain of you!
SIGURD.
Hear me out, Örnulf; the day shall never dawn that shall see thee
and me at strife. There is honourable peace between us, Dagny is
dearer to me than weapons or gold, and never shall I forget that
thou art her nearest kinsman.
ÖRNULF.
There I know thee again, brave Sigurd!
SIGURD.
But Gunnar is my foster-brother; we have sworn each other faith and
friendship. Both in war and peace have we faced fortune together,
and of all men he is dearest to me. Stout though he be, he loves not
war;—but as for me, ye know, all of you, that I shrink not from
strife; yet here I stand forth, Örnulf, and pray for peace on
Gunnar’s behalf. Let me have my will!
ÖRNULF.
I cannot; I should be a scoff to all brave men, were I to fare
empty-handed back to Iceland.
SIGURD.
Thou shalt not fare empty-handed. Here in the cove my two long-ships
are lying, with all the wealth I have won in my viking-ventures.
There are many costly gifts from outland kings, good weapons by the
chestful, and other priceless chattels. Take thou one of the ships;
choose which thou wilt, and it shall be thine with all it
contains—be that the atonement for Hiördis, and let Gunnar be at
peace.
ÖRNULF.
Brave Sigurd, wilt thou do this for Gunnar?
SIGURD.
For a faithful friend, no man can do too much.
ÖRNULF.
Give half thy goods and gear!
SIGURD.
[_Urgently._] Take the whole, take both my ships, take all that is
mine, and let me fare with thee to Iceland as the poorest man in thy
train. What I give, I can win once more; but if thou and Gunnar come
to strife, I shall never see a glad day again. Now, Örnulf, thy
answer?
ÖRNULF.
[_Reflecting._] Two good long-ships, weapons, and other chattels—too
much gear can no man have; but——[_Vehemently._] No, no!—Hiördis has
threatened me; I will not! I were dishonoured should I take thy
goods!
SIGURD.
Yet listen——
ÖRNULF.
No, I say! I must fight for my own right, be my fortune what it may.
KÅRE.
[_Approaching._] Right friendly is Sigurd’s rede, but if thou wilt
indeed fight thine own battle with all thy might, I can counsel thee
better. Dream not of atonement so long as Hiördis has aught to say;
but revenge can be thine if thou wilt hearken to me.
ÖRNULF.
Revenge? What dost thou counsel?
SIGURD.
Evil, I can well see!
DAGNY.
[_To_ ÖRNULF.] Oh, do not hear him!
KÅRE.
Hiördis has declared me an outlaw; she will set snares for my life;
do thou swear to see me scatheless, and this night will I burn
Gunnar’s hall and all within it. Is that to thy mind?
SIGURD.
Dastard!
ÖRNULF.
[_Quietly._] To my mind? Knowest thou, Kåre, what were more to my
mind? [_In a voice of thunder._] To hew off thy nose and ears, thou
vile thrall. Little dost thou know old Örnulf if thou thinkest to
have his help in such a deed of shame!
KÅRE.
[_Who has shrunk backwards._] If thou fall not upon Gunnar he will
surely fall upon thee.
ÖRNULF.
Have I not weapons, and strength to wield them?
SIGURD.
[_To_ KÅRE.] And now away with thee! Thy presence is a shame to
honourable men!
KÅRE.
[_Going off._] Well well, I must shift for myself as best I may. But
this I tell you: if ye think to deal gently with Hiördis, ye will
come to rue it. I know her—and I know where to strike her sorest!
[_Goes down towards the shore._
DAGNY.
He is hatching some revenge. Sigurd, it must be hindered!
ÖRNULF.
[_Angrily._] Nay, let him do as he will; she is worth no better!
DAGNY.
That meanest thou not; bethink thee, she is thy foster-child.
ÖRNULF.
Woe worth the day when I took her under my roof! Jökul’s words begin
to come true.
SIGURD.
Jökul’s?
ÖRNULF.
Ay, her father’s. When I gave him his death-wound he fell back upon
the sward, and fixed his eyes on me and sang:
Jökul’s kin for Jökul’s slayer
many a woe shall still be weaving;
Jökul’s hoard whoe’er shall harry
thence shall harvest little gladness.
When he had sung that, he was silent awhile, and laughed; and
thereupon he died.
SIGURD.
Why should’st thou heed his words?
ÖRNULF.
Who knows? The story goes, and many believe it, that Jökul gave his
children a wolf’s heart to eat, that they might be fierce and fell;
and Hiördis has surely had her share, that one can well see.
[_Breaks off on looking out towards the right._] Gunnar!—Do we two
meet again!
GUNNAR.
[_Enters._] Ay, Örnulf, think of me what thou wilt, but I cannot
part from thee as thy foe.
ÖRNULF.
What is thy purpose?
GUNNAR.
To hold out the hand of peace to thee ere thou depart. Hear me all
of you: go with me to my homestead, and be my guests as long as ye
will. We lack not meat or drink or sleeping-room, and there shall be
no talk of our quarrel either to-day or to-morrow.
SIGURD.
But Hiördis——?
GUNNAR.
Yields to my will; she changed her thought on the homeward way, and
deemed, as I did, that we would soon be at one if ye would but be
our guests.
DAGNY.
Yes, yes; let it be so.
SIGURD.
[_Doubtfully._] But I know not if——
DAGNY.
Gunnar is thy foster-brother; little I know thee if thou say him
nay.
GUNNAR.
[_To_ SIGURD.] Thou hast been my friend where’er we fared; thou wilt
not thwart me now!
DAGNY.
And to depart from the land, leaving Hiördis with hate in her
heart—no, no, that must we not!
GUNNAR.
I have done Örnulf a great wrong; until it is made good, I cannot be
at peace with myself.
SIGURD.
[_Vehemently._] All else will I do for thee, Gunnar, but not stay
here! [_Mastering himself._] I am King Æthelstan’s sworn henchman,
and I must be with him in England ere the winter is out.
DAGNY.
But that thou canst be, none the less!
GUNNAR.
No man can know what lot awaits him; mayhap this is our last
meeting, Sigurd, and thou wilt repent that thou didst not stand by
me to the end.
DAGNY.
And long will it be ere thou see me glad again, if thou set sail
to-day.
SIGURD.
[_Determined._] Well, be it so! It shall be as ye will,
although——But no more of that; here is my hand; I will stay to feast
with thee and Hiördis.
GUNNAR.
[_Shakes his hand._] I knew it, Sigurd, and I thank thee.—And thou,
Örnulf, say’st thou likewise?
ÖRNULF.
[_Gruffly._] I shall think upon it. Bitterly has Hiördis galled
me;—I will not answer to-day.
GUNNAR.
It is well, old warrior; Sigurd and Dagny will know how to smooth
thy brow. Now must I prepare the feast; peace be with you the while,
and well met in my hall. [_Goes out by the right._
SIGURD.
[_To himself._] Hiördis has changed her thought, said he? Little he
knows her; I rather deem that she is plotting——[_Interrupting
himself and turning to his men._] Come, follow me all to the ships;
good gifts will I choose for Gunnar and his household.
DAGNY.
Gifts of the best we have. And thou, father—thou shalt have no peace
for me until thou yield thee.
_She goes with_ SIGURD _and his men down towards the shore
at the back._
ÖRNULF.
Yield me? Ay, if there were no women-folk in Gunnar’s house,
then——Oh, if I but knew where to strike her!—Thorolf, thou here!
THOROLF.
[_Who has entered hastily._] As thou seest. Is it true that thou
hast met with Gunnar?
ÖRNULF.
Yes.
THOROLF.
And art at strife with him?
ÖRNULF.
H’m—with Hiördis, at least.
THOROLF.
Then be of good cheer; soon shalt thou be avenged!
ÖRNULF.
Avenged? Who shall avenge me?
THOROLF.
Listen: as I stood on board the ship, there came a man running, with
a staff in his hand, and called to me: “If thou be of Örnulf’s
shipfolk, then greet him from Kåre the Peasant, and say that now
will I avenge the twain of us.” Thereupon he took a boat and rowed
away, saying as he passed: “Twenty outlaws are at haven in the
fiord; with them I fare southward, and ere eventide shall Hiördis be
childless.”
ÖRNULF.
He said that! Ha, now I understand; Gunnar has sent his son away;
Kåre is at feud with him——
THOROLF.
And now he is rowing southward to slay the boy!
ÖRNULF.
[_With sudden resolution._] Up, all! That booty will we fight for!
THOROLF.
What wilt thou do?
ÖRNULF.
Leave that to me; it shall be I, and not Kåre, that will take
revenge!
THOROLF.
I will go with thee!
ÖRNULF.
Nay, do thou follow with Sigurd and thy sister to Gunnar’s hall.
THOROLF.
Sigurd? Is he in the isle?
ÖRNULF.
There may’st thou see his warships; we are at one—do thou go with
him.
THOROLF.
Among thy foes?
ÖRNULF.
Go thou to the feast. Now shall Hiördis learn to know old Örnulf!
But hark thee, Thorolf, to no one must thou speak of what I purpose;
dost hear? to no one!
THOROLF.
I promise.
ÖRNULF.
[_Takes his hand and looks at him affectionately._] Farewell then,
my fair boy; bear thee in courtly wise at the feast-house, that I
may have honour of thee. Beware of idle babbling; but what thou
sayest, let it be keen as a sword. Be friendly to those that deal
with thee in friendly wise; but if thou be taunted, hold not thy
peace. Drink not more than thou canst bear; but put not the horn
aside when it is offered thee in measure, lest thou be deemed
womanish.
THOROLF.
Nay, be at ease!
ÖRNULF.
Then away to the feast at Gunnar’s hall. I too will come to the
feast, and that in the guise they least think of. [_Blithely to the
rest._] Come, my wolf-cubs; be your fangs keen;—now shall ye have
blood to drink.
[_He goes off with his elder sons to the right, at the
back._
SIGURD _and_ DAGNY _come up from the ships, richly dressed for the
banquet. They are followed by two men, carrying a chest, who
lay it down and return as they came._
THOROLF.
[_Looking out after his father._] Now fare they all forth to fight,
and I must stay behind; it is hard to be the youngest of the
house.—Dagny! all hail and greetings to thee, sister mine!
DAGNY.
Thorolf! All good powers!—thou art a man, grown!
THOROLF.
That may I well be, forsooth, in five years——
DAGNY.
Ay, true, true.
SIGURD.
[_Giving him his hand._] In thee will Örnulf find a stout carl, or I
mistake me.
THOROLF.
Would he but prove me——!
DAGNY.
[_Smiling._] He spares thee more than thou hast a mind to? Thou wast
ever well-nigh too dear to him.
SIGURD.
Whither has he gone?
THOROLF.
Down to his ship;—go you on; he will follow.
SIGURD.
I await my men; they are mooring my ships and bringing ashore wares.
THOROLF.
There must I lend a hand!
[_Goes down towards the shore._
SIGURD.
[_After a moment’s reflection._] Dagny, my wife, now that we are
alone, I have that to tell thee which must no longer be hidden.
DAGNY.
[_Surprised._] What meanest thou?
SIGURD.