(By the coast. It is evening; the moon breaks forth now and again,
from among dark and ragged storm-clouds. At the back, a black
grave-mound, newly heaped up.)
(ORNULF sits on a stone, in front on the right, his head bare, his
elbows resting on his knees, and his face buried in his hands. His
men are digging at the mound; some give light with pine-knot torches.
After a short pause, SIGURD and DAGNY enter from the boat-house,
where a wood fire is burning.)
DAGNY (in a low voice). There sits he still. (Holding SIGURD back.)
Nay, speak not to him!
SIGURD. Thou say'st well; it is too soon; best leave him!
DAGNY (goes over to the right, and gazes at her father in quiet
sorrow). So strong was he yesterday when he bore Thorolf's body on
his back; strong was he as he helped to heap the grave-mound; but
when they were all laid to rest, and earth and stones piled over
them--then the sorrow seized him; then seemed it of a sudden as
though his fire were quenched. (Dries her tears.) Tell me, Sigurd,
when thinkest thou to fare homeward to Iceland?
SIGURD. So soon as the storm abates, and my quarrel with Gunnar
is ended.
DAGNY. And then wilt thou buy land and build thee a homestead, and
go a-viking no more?
SIGURD. Yes, yes,--that have I promised.
DAGNY. And I may believe without doubt that Hiordis spoke falsely
when she said that I was unworthy to be thy wife?
SIGURD. Yes yes, Dagny, trust thou to my word.
DAGNY. Then am I glad again, and will try to forget all the evil
that here has been wrought. In the long winter evenings we will talk
together of Gunnar and Hiordis, and----
SIGURD. Nay, Dagny, wouldst thou have things go well with us, do
thou never speak Hiordis' name when we sit together in Iceland.
DAGNY (mildly upbraiding him). Unjust is thy hatred towards her.
Sigurd, Sigurd, it is unlike thee.
ONE OF THE MEN (approaching). There now, the mound is finished.