THE PROSE DRAMAS OF HENRIK IBSEN, VOL. III

THE VIKINGS OF HELGELAND, Translation by William Archer

THE VIKINGS OF HELGELAND. (1858. )

CHARACTERS. 

ORNULF OF THE FIORDS, an Icelandic Chieftain. SIGURD THE STRONG, a Sea-King. GUNNAR HEADMAN, [1] a rich yeoman of Helgeland. DAGNY, Ornulf's daughter. HIORDIS, his foster-daughter. KARE THE PEASANT, a Helgeland-man. EGIL, Gunnar's son, four years old. ORNULF'S SIX OLDER SONS. ORNULF'S AND SIGURD'S MEN. Guests, house-carls, serving-maids, outlaws, etc. 

 The action takes place in the time of Erik Blood-axe (about A. D. 933) at, and in the neighbourhood of, Gunnar's house on the islandof Helgeland, in the north of Norway. 

[PRONUNCIATION OF NAMES. --Helgeland=Helgheland; Ornulf=Ornoolf;Sigurd=Sigoord; Gunnar=Goonar; Thorolf=Toorolf; Hiordis=Yordeess;Kare=Koare [e, umlaut]; Egil=Ayghil. The letter o [umlaut] as in German. ]

 [1] Failing to find a better equivalent for the Norwegian "Herse, "I have used the word "Headman" wherever it seemed necessary to giveGunnar a title or designation. He is generally spoken of as "GunnarHerse" in the Norwegian text; but where it could be done withoutinconvenience, the designation has here been omitted. 

Producer's Notes:

1. Diacritical Marks in Characters' names; Ornulf, umlaut above the "O". Hiordis, umlaut above the "o". Kare, ring above the "A". 2. All the text inside parentheses in the original is printed in italics, save for the characters' names. I've eliminated the usual markings indicating _italics_ for the sake of readability. --D. L. 

THE VIKINGS OF HELGELAND. 

PLAY IN FOUR ACTS. 

ACT FIRST. 

(A rocky coast, running precipitously down to the sea at the back. To the left, a boat-house; to the right, rocks and pine-woods. The masts of two war-ships can be seen down in the cove. Far out to the right, the ocean, dotted with reefs and rocky islands; the sea is running high; it is a stormy snow-grey winter day. )

(SIGURD comes up from the ships; he is clad in a white tunic with a silver belt, a blue cloak, cross-gartered hose, untanned shoes, and a steel cap; at his side hangs a short sword. ORNULF comes in sight immediately afterwards, up among the rocks, clad in a dark lamb-skin tunic with a breastplate and greaves, woollen stockings, and untanned shoes; over his shoulders he has a cloak of brown frieze, with the hood drawn over his steel cap, so that his face is partly hidden. He is very tall, and massively built, with a long white beard, but somewhat bowed by age; his weapons are a round shield, sword, and spear. 

 SIGURD (enters first, looks around, sees the boat-shed, goes quicklyup to it, and tries to burst open the door. )

 ORNULF (appears among the rocks, starts on seeing SIGURD, seems torecognise him, descends and cries:) Give place, Viking!

 SIGURD (turns, lays his hand on his sword, and answers:) 'Twere thefirst time if I did!

 ORNULF. Thou shalt and must! I have need of the shelter for mystiff-frozen men. 

 SIGURD. Then must outlaws be highly prized in Helgeland!

 ORNULF. Dearly shalt thou aby that word!

 SIGURD. Now will it go ill with thee, old man!

 (ORNULF rushes upon him; SIGURD defends himself. ) (DAGNY and some of SIGURD'S men come up from the strand; Ornulf's six sons appear on the rocks to the right. )

 DAGNY (who is a little in front, clad in a red kirtle, blue cloak, and fur hood, calls down to the ships:) Up, all Sigurd's men! Myhusband is fighting with a stranger!

 ORNULF'S SONS. Help for Ornulf! (They descend. )

 SIGURD (to his men). Hold! I can master him alone!

 ORNULF (to his sons). Let me fight in peace! (Rushes in uponSIGURD. ) I will see thy blood!

 SIGURD. First see thine own! (Wounds him in the arm so that hisspear falls. )

 ORNULF. A stout stroke, Viking! Swift the sword thou swingest, keen thy blows and biting; Sigurd's self, the Stalwart, stood before thee shame-struck. 

 SIGURD (smiling). Then were his shame his glory!

 ORNULF'S SONS (with a cry of wonder). Sigurd himself! Sigurdthe Strong!

 ORNULF. But sharper was thy stroke that night thou didst bear awayDagny, my daughter. (Casts his hood back. )

 SIGURD AND HIS MEN. Ornulf of the Fiords!

 DAGNY (glad, yet uneasy). My father and my brothers!

 SIGURD. Stand thou behind me. 

 ORNULF. Nay, no need. (Approaching SIGURD. ) I knew thy face assoon as I was ware of thee, and therefore I stirred the strife; Iwas fain to prove the fame that tells of thee as the stoutest manof his hands in Norway. Henceforth let peace be between us. 

 SIGURD. Best if so it could be. 

 ORNULF. Here is my hand. Thou art a warrior indeed; stouter strokesthan these has old Ornulf never given or taken. 

 SIGURD (seizes his outstretched hand). Let them be the last strokesgiven and taken between us two; and do thou thyself adjudge the matterbetween us. Art thou willing?

 ORNULF. That am I, and straightway shall the quarrel be healed. (To the others. ) Be the matter, then, known to all. Five wintersago came Sigurd and Gunnar Headman as vikings to Iceland; they layin harbour close under my homestead. Then Gunnar, by force and craft, carried away my foster-daughter, Hiordis; but thou, Sigurd, didst takeDagny, my own child, and sailed with her over the sea. For that thouart now doomed to pay three hundred pieces of silver, and therebyshall thy misdeed be atoned. 

 SIGURD. Fair is thy judgment, Ornulf; the three hundred pieces willI pay, and add thereto a silken cloak fringed with gold. It is a giftfrom King AEthelstan of England, and better has no Icelander yet borne. 

 DAGNY. So be it, my brave husband; and my father, I thank thee. Nowat last is my mind at ease. 

 (She presses her father's and brothers' hands, and talks low to them. )

 ORNULF. Then thus stands the treaty between us; and from this dayshall Dagny be to the full as honourably regarded as though she hadbeen lawfully betrothed to thee, with the good will of her kin. 

 SIGURD. And in me canst thou trust, as in one of thine own blood. 

 ORNULF. That doubt I not; and see! I will forthwith prove thyfriendship. 

 SIGURD. Ready shalt thou find me; say, what dost thou crave?

 ORNULF. Thy help in rede and deed. I have sailed hither toHelgeland to seek out Gunnar Headman and draw him to reckoningfor the carrying away of Hiordis. 

 SIGURD (surprised). Gunnar!

 DAGNY (in the same tone). And Hiordis--where are they?

 ORNULF. In Gunnar's homestead, I ween. 

 SIGURD. And it is----?

 ORNULF. Not many bow-shots hence; did ye not know?

 SIGURD (with suppressed emotion). No, truly. Small tidings have Ihad of Gunnar since we sailed from Iceland together. I have wanderedfar and wide and served many outland kings, while Gunnar sat at home. Hither we drive at day-dawn before the storm; I knew, indeed, thatGunnar's homestead lay here in the north, but----

 DAGNY (to ORNULF). So _that_ errand has brought thee hither?

 ORNULF. That and no other. (To SIGURD. ) Our meeting is the workof the Mighty Ones above; they willed it so. Had I wished to findthee, little knew I where to seek. 

 SIGURD (thoughtfully). True, true!--But concerning Gunnar--tell me, Ornulf, art thou minded to go sharply to work, with all thy might, beit for good or ill?

 ORNULF. That must I. Listen, Sigurd, for thus it stands: Lastsummer I rode to the Council where many honourable men were met. When the Council-days were over, I sat in the hall and drank withthe men of my hundred, and the talk fell upon the carrying-away ofthe women; scornful words they gave me, because I had let that wrongrest unavenged. Then, in my wrath, I swore to sail to Norway, seekout Gunnar, and crave reckoning or revenge, and never again to setfoot in Iceland till my claim was made good. 

 SIGURD. Ay, ay, since so it stands, I see well that if need be thematter must be pressed home. 

 ORNULF. It must; but I shall not crave over much, and Gunnar hasthe fame of an honourable man. Glad am I, too, that I set about thisquest; the time lay heavy on me in Iceland; out upon the blue watershad I grown old and grey, and I longed to fare forth once again beforeI----; well well--Bergthora, my good wife, was dead these many years;my eldest sons sailed on viking-ventures summer by summer; and sinceThorolf was growing up----

 DAGNY (gladly). Thorolf is with thee? Where is he?

 ORNULF. On board the ship. (Points towards the background, to theright. ) Scarce shalt thou know the boy again, so stout and strong andfair has he grown. He will be a mighty warrior, Sigurd; one day hewill equal thee. 

 DAGNY (smiling). I see it is now as ever; Thorolf stands nearestthy heart. 

 ORNULF. He is the youngest, and like his mother; therefore it is. 

 SIGURD. But tell me--thy errand to Gunnar--thinkest thou to-day----?

 ORNULF. Rather to-day than to-morrow. Fair amends will content me;if Gunnar says me nay, then must he take what comes. 

 (KARE 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. )

 KARE. Well met, Vikings!

 ORNULF. Vikings are seldom well met. 

 KARE. If ye be honourable men, ye will grant me refuge among you;Gunnar Headman's house-carls are hunting me to slay me. 

 ORNULF. Gunnar's?

 SIGURD. Then has thou done him some wrong!

 KARE. I have done myself right. Our cattle fed together upon anisland, hard by the coast; Gunnar's men carried off my best oxen, andone of them flouted me for a thrall. Then bare I arms against him andslew him. 

 ORNULF. That was a lawful deed. 

 KARE. But this morning his men came in wrath against me. By goodhap 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 knewGunnar as I know myself, and this I wot, that never did he wronga peaceful man. 

 KARE. Gunnar has no part in this wrong-doing; he is in the south-land; nay, it is Hiordis his wife----

 DAGNY. Hiordis!

 ORNULF (to himself). Ay, ay, 'tis like her!

 KARE. I offered Gunnar amends for the thrall, and he was willing;but then came Hiordis, and egged her husband on with scornful words, and hindered the peace. Since then has Gunnar gone to the south, and to-day----

 SIGURD (looking out to the left). Here come wayfarers northward. Is it not----?

 KARE. It is Gunnar himself!

 ORNULF. Be of good heart; methinks I can make peace between you. 

 (GUNNAR HEADMAN, with several men, enters from the left. He is in 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). Ornulf of the Fiords! Yes, it is----!

 ORNULF. Thou seest aright. 

 GUNNAR (approaching). Then peace and welcome to thee in my land, ifthou come in peace. 

 ORNULF. 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. ) Nowtruly, since thou art here, I know that Ornulf comes in peace. (ToORNULF. ) Give me thy hand, greybeard! Thy errand here in the northis lightly guessed: it has to do with Hiordis, thy foster-daughter. 

 ORNULF. As thou sayest; great wrong was done me when thou didst bearher away from Iceland without my will. 

 GUNNAR. Thy claim is just; what youth has marred, the man must mend. Long have I looked for thee, Ornulf, for this cause; and if amendscontent thee, we shall soon be at one. 

 SIGURD. So deem I too. Ornulf will not press thee hard. 

 GUNNAR (warmly). Nay, Ornulf, didst thou crave her full worth, allmy goods would not suffice. 

 ORNULF. I shall go by law and usage, be sure of that. But nowanother matter. (Pointing to KARE. ) Seest thou yonder man?

 GUNNAR. Kare! (To ORNULF. ) Thou knowest, then, that there is astrife between us?

 ORNULF. Thy men have stolen his cattle, and theft must be atoned. 

 GUNNAR. Murder no less; he has slain my thrall. 

 KARE. Because he flouted me. 

 GUNNAR. I have offered thee terms of peace. 

 KARE. But that had Hiordis no mind to, and this morning, whilst thouwert gone, she fell upon me and hunts me now to my death. 

 GUNNAR (angrily). Is it true what thou sayest? Has she----?

 KARE. True, every word. 

 ORNULF. Therefore the peasant besought me to stand by him, and thatwill I do. 

 GUNNAR (after a moment's thought). Honourably hast thou dealt withme, Ornulf; therefore is it fit that I should yield to thy will. Hearthen, Kare: I am willing to let the slaying of the thrall and thewrongs done toward thee quit each other. 

 KARE (gives GUNNAR his hand). It is a good offer; I am content. 

 ORNULF. And he shall have peace for thee and thine?

 GUNNAR. Peace shall he have, here and overall. 

 SIGURD (pointing to the right). See yonder!

 GUNNAR (disturbed). It is Hiordis!

 ORNULF. With armed men!

 KARE. She is seeking me!

 (HIORDIS 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. )

 HIORDIS (stops on entering). A meeting of many, meseems. 

 DAGNY (rushes to meet her). Peace and joy to thee, Hiordis!

 HIORDIS (coldly). Thanks. It was told me that thou wast not faroff. (Comes forward, looking sharply at those assembled. ) Gunnar, and--Kare, my foeman--Ornulf and his sons and---- (As she catchessight 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. 

 ORNULF. We are all well-minded towards thee. 

 HIORDIS. If so be, thou wilt not deny to give Kare into myhusband's hands. 

 ORNULF. There is no need. 

 GUNNAR. There is peace and friendship between us. 

 HIORDIS (with suppressed scorn). Friendship? Well well, I know thouart a wise man, Gunnar! Kare has met mighty friends, and well I woththou deem'st it safest----

 GUNNAR. Thy taunts avail not! (With dignity. ) Kare is at peacewith us!

 HIORDIS (restraining herself). Well and good; if thou hast swornhim peace, the vow must be held. 

 GUNNAR (forcibly, but without anger). It must and it shall. 

 ORNULF (to HIORDIS). Another pact had been well-nigh made erethy coming. 

 HIORDIS (sharply). Between thee and Gunnar. 

 ORNULF (nods). It had to do with thee. 

 HIORDIS. Well can I guess what it had to do with; but this I tellthee, foster-father, never shall it be said that Gunnar let himselfbe cowed because thou camest in arms to the isle. Hadst thou comealone, a single wayfarer, to our hall, the quarrel had more easilybeen healed. 

 GUNNAR. Ornulf and his sons come in peace. 

 HIORDIS. Mayhap; but otherwise will it sound in the mouths ofmen; and thou thyself, Gunnar, didst show scant trust in the peaceyesterday, in sending our son Egil to the southland so soon as itwas known that Ornulf's warship lay in the fiord. 

 SIGURD (to GUNNAR). Didst thou send thy sons to the south?

 HIORDIS. Ay, that he might be in safety should Ornulf fall upon us. 

 ORNULF. Scoff not at that, Hiordis; what Gunnar has done may provewise in the end, if so be thou hinderest the pact. 

 HIORDIS. Life must take its chance; come what will, I had lieverdie than save my life by a shameful pact. 

 DAGNY. Sigurd makes atonement, and will not be deemed the lesserman for that. 

 HIORDIS. Sigurd best knows what his own honour can bear. 

 SIGURD. On that score shall I never need reminding. 

 HIORDIS. Sigurd has done famous deeds, but the boldest deed of allwas Gunnar's, when he slew the white bear that guarded my bower. 

 GUNNAR (with an embarrassed glance at SIGURD). Nay nay, no moreof that!

 ORNULF. In truth it was the boldest deed that e'er was seen inIceland; and therefore----

 SIGURD. The more easily can Gunnar yield, and not be deemeda coward. 

 HIORDIS. If amends are to be made, amends shall also be craved. Bethink thee, Gunnar, of thy vow!

 GUNNAR. That vow was ill bethought; wilt thou hold me to it?

 HIORDIS. That will I, if we two are to dwell under one roof afterthis day. Know then, Ornulf, that if atonement is to be made for thecarrying away of thy foster-daughter, thou, too, must atone for theslaying of Jokul my father, and the seizure of his goods and gear. 

 ORNULF. Jokul was slain in fair fight;[1] thy kinsmen did me aworse wrong when they sent thee to Iceland and entrapped me intoadopting[2] thee, unwitting who thou wast. 

 [1] "I aerling holmgang. " The established form of duel in the viking times was to land the combatants on one of the rocky islets or "holms" that stud the Norwegian coast, and there let them fight it out. Hence "holmgang"=duel. [2] "At knaessette"=to knee-set a child, to take it on one's knee, an irrevocable form of adoption. 

 HIORDIS. Honour, and now wrong, befell thee in adoptingJokul's daughter. 

 ORNULF. Nought but strife hast thou brought me, that I know. 

 HIORDIS. Sterner strife may be at hand, if----

 ORNULF. I came not hither to bandy words with women!--Gunnar, hearmy last word: art willing to make atonement?

 HIORDIS (to GUNNAR). Think of thy vow!

 GUNNAR (to ORNULF). Thou hearest, I have sworn a vow, and thatmust I----

 ORNULF (irritated). Enough, enough! Never shall it be said that Imade atonement for slaying in fair fight. 

 HIORDIS (forcibly). Then we bid defiance to thee and thine. 

 ORNULF (in rising wrath). And who has the right to crave atonementfor Jokul? Where are his kinsmen? There is none alive! Where is hislawful avenger?

 HIORDIS. That is Gunnar, on my behalf. 

 ORNULF. Gunnar! Ay, hadst thou been betrothed to him with thyfoster-father's good-will, or had he made atonement for carryingthee away, then were he thy father's lawful avenger; but----

 DAGNY (apprehensive and imploring). Father, father!

 SIGURD (quickly). Do not speak it!

 ORNULF (raising his voice). Nay, loudly shall it be spoken! Awoman wedded by force has no lawful husband!

 GUNNAR (vehemently). Ornulf!

 HIORDIS (in a wild outburst). Flouted and shamed! (In a quiveringvoice. ) This--this shalt thou come to rue!

 ORNULF (continuing). A woman wedded by force is lawfully no morethan a leman! Wilt thou regain thine honour, then must thou----

 HIORDIS (controlling herself). Nay, Ornulf, I know better what isfitting. If I am to be held as Gunnar's leman--well and good, thenmust he win me honour by his deeds--by deeds so mighty that my shameshall be shame no more! And thou, Ornulf, beware! Here our ways part, and from this day I shall make war upon thee and thine whensoever andwheresoever it may be; thou shalt know no safety, thou, or any whomthou---- (Looking fiercely at KARE. ) Kare! Ornulf has stood thyfriend, forsooth, and there is peace between us; but I counsel theenot to seek thy home yet awhile; the man thou slewest has manyavengers, and it well might befall---- See, I have shown thee thedanger; thou must e'en take what follows. Come, Gunnar, we must girdourselves for the fight. A famous deed didst thou achieve in Iceland, but greater deeds must here be done, if thou wouldst not have thy--thy leman shrink with shame from thee and from herself!

 GUNNAR. Curb thyself, Hiordis; it is unseemly to bear thee thus. 

 DAGNY (imploringly). Stay, foster-sister--stay; I will appeasemy father. 

 HIORDIS (without listening to her). Homewards, homewards! Who couldhave 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 a single day longer, then must my husband do such a deed--such a deed as shall make his namemore famous than all other names of men. 

 (Goes out to the right. )

 GUNNAR (softly). Sigurd, this thou must promise me, that we shallhave 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. )

 ORNULF (threateningly). Dearly shalt thou aby this day's work, foster-daughter!

 DAGNY. Father, father! Surely thou wilt not harm her!

 ORNULF. Let me be! Now, Sigurd, now can no amends avail betweenGunnar and me. 

 SIGURD. What thinkest thou to do?

 ORNULF. That I know not; but far and wide shall the tale be toldhow Ornulf of the Fiords came to Gunnar's hall. 

 SIGURD (with quiet determination). That may be; but this I tellthee, Ornulf, that thou shalt never bear arms against him so longas I am alive. 

 ORNULF. So, so! And what if it be my will to?

 SIGURD. It shall not be--let thy will be never so strong. 

 ORNULF (angrily). Go then; join thou with my foes; I can match thetwain of you!

 SIGURD. Hear me out, Ornulf; the day shall never dawn that shallsee thee and me at strife. There is honourable peace between us, Dagny is dearer to me than weapons or gold, and never shall I forgetthat thou art her nearest kinsman. 

 ORNULF. There I know thee again, brave Sigurd!

 SIGURD. But Gunnar is my foster-brother; faith and friendship havewe sworn each other. Both in war and peace have we faced fortunetogether, and of all men he is dearest to me. Stout though he be, heloves not war;--but as for me, ye know, all of you, that I shrink notfrom strife; yet here I stand forth, Ornulf, and pray for peace onGunnar's behalf. Let me have my will!

 ORNULF. I cannot; I should be a scoff to all brave men, were I tofare empty-handed back to Iceland. 

 SIGURD. Empty-handed shalt thou not fare. Here in the cove my twolong-ships are lying, with all the wealth I have won in my viking-ventures. There are many costly gifts from outland kings, goodweapons by the chestful, and other priceless chattels. Take thou oneof the ships; choose which thou wilt, and it shall be thine with allit contains--be that the atonement for Hiordis, and let Gunnar beat peace. 

 ORNULF. Brave Sigurd, wilt thou do this for Gunnar?

 SIGURD. For a faithful friend, no man can do too much. 

 ORNULF. Give half thy goods and gear!

 SIGURD (urgently). Take the whole, take both my ships, take allthat is mine, and let me fare with thee to Iceland as the poorestman in thy train. What I give, I can win once more; but if thou andGunnar come to strife, I shall never see a glad day again. Now Ornulf, thy answer?

 ORNULF (reflecting). Two good long-ships, weapons and other chattels--too much gear can no man have; but---- (vehemently) no, no!--Hiordis has threatened me; I will not! It were shameful for me totake thy goods!

 SIGURD. Yet listen----

 ORNULF. No, I say! I must fight my own battle, be my fortune whatit may. 

 KARE (approaching). Right friendly is Sigurd's rede, but if thouwilt indeed fight thine own battle with all thy might, I can counselthee better. Dream not of atonement so long as Hiordis has aught tosay; but revenge can be thine if thou wilt hearken to me. 

 ORNULF. Revenge? What dost thou counsel?

 SIGURD. Evil, I can well see. 

 DAGNY (to ORNULF). Oh, do not hear him!

 KARE. Hiordis has declared me an outlaw; with cunning will she seekto take my life; do thou swear to see me scatheless, and this nightwill I burn Gunnar's hall and all within it. Is that to thy mind?

 SIGURD. Dastard!

 ORNULF (quietly). To my mind? Knowest thou, Kare, what were moreto my mind? (In a voice of thunder. ) To hew off thy nose and ears, thou vile thrall. Little dost thou know old Ornulf if thou thinkestto have his help in such a deed of shame!

 KARE (who has shrunk backwards). If thou fall not upon Gunnar hewill surely fall upon thee. 

 ORNULF. Have I not weapons, and strength to wield them?

 SIGURD (to KARE). And now away with thee! Thy presence is a shameto honourable men!

 KARE (going off). Well well, I must shield myself as best I can. But this I tell you: if ye think to deal gently with Hiordis, ye willcome to rue it; I know her--and I know where to strike her sorest!

 (Goes down towards the shore. )

 DAGNY. He is plotting revenge. Sigurd, it must be hindered!

 ORNULF (with annoyance). Nay, let him do as he will; she is worthno better!

 DAGNY. That meanest thou not; bethink thee she is thy foster-child. 

 ORNULF. Woe worth the day when I took her under my roof! Jokul'swords are coming true. 

 SIGURD. Jokul's?

 ORNULF. Ay, her father's. When I gave him his death-wound he fellback upon the sward, and fixed his eyes on on me and sang:--

 Jokul's kin for Jokul's slayer many a woe shall still be weaving; Jokul's hoard whoe'er shall harry heartily shall rue his rashness. 

When he had sung that, he was silent a while, and laughed; and thereuponhe died. 

 SIGURD. Why should'st thou heed his words?

 ORNULF. Who knows? The story goes, and many believe it, that Jokulgave his children a wolf's heart to eat, that they might be fierce andfell; and Hiordis has surely had her share, that one can well see. (Breaks off, on looking out towards the right. ) Gunnar!--Are we twoto meet again!

 GUNNAR (enters). Ay, Ornulf, think of me what thou wilt, but Icannot part from thee as thy foe. 

 ORNULF. What is thy purpose?

 GUNNAR. To hold out the hand of fellowship to thee ere thou depart. Hear me all of you: go with me to my homestead, and be my guests aslong as ye will. We lack not meat or drink or sleeping-room, and thereshall be no talk of our quarrel either to-day or to-morrow. 

 SIGURD. But Hiordis----?

 GUNNAR. Yields to my will; she changed her thought on the homewardway, and deemed, as I did, that we would soon be at one if ye wouldbut be our guests. 

 DAGNY. Yes, yes; let it be so. 

 SIGURD (doubtfully). But I know not whether----

 DAGNY. Gunnar is thy foster-brother; little I know thee if thousay him nay. 

 GUNNAR (to SIGURD). Thou hast been my friend where'er we fared;thou wilt not stand against me now. 

 DAGNY. And to depart from the land, leaving Hiordis with hate inher heart--no, no, that must we not!

 GUNNAR. I have done Ornulf a great wrong; until it is made good, Icannot be at peace with myself. 

 SIGURD (vehemently). All else will I do for thee, Gunnar, but notstay here! (Mastering himself. ) I am in King AEthelstan's service, and I must be with him in England ere the winter is out. 

 DAGNY. But that thou canst be, nevertheless. 

 GUNNAR. No man can know what lot awaits him; mayhap this is ourlast meeting, Sigurd, and thou wilt repent that thou didst not standby me to the end. 

 DAGNY. And long will it be ere thou see me glad again, if thou setsail 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 stayto feast with thee and Hiordis. 

 GUNNAR (shakes his hand). Thanks, Sigurd, I never doubted thee. --Andthou, Ornulf, dost thou say likewise?

 ORNULF (unappeased). I shall think upon it. Bitterly has Hiordiswounded me;--I will not answer to-day. 

 GUNNAR. It is well, old warrior; Sigurd and Dagny will know how tosoothe thy brow. Now must I prepare the feast; peace be with you thewhile, and well met in my hall! (Goes out by the right. )

 SIGURD (to himself). Hiordis 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 allto the ships; good gifts will I choose for Gunnar and his household. 

 DAGNY. Gifts of the best we have. And thou, father--thou shalthave no peace for me until thou yield thee. (She goes with SIGURDand his men down towards the shore at the back. )

 ORNULF. Yield me? Ay, if there were no women-folk in Gunnar's house, then---- Oh, if I but knew how to pierce her armour!--Thorolf, thouhere!

 THOROLF (who has entered hastily). As thou seest. Is it true thatthou hast met with Gunnar?

 ORNULF. Yes. 

 THOROLF. And art at enmity with him?

 ORNULF. Hm--at least with Hiordis. 

 THOROLF. Then be of good cheer; soon shalt thou be avenged!

 ORNULF. Avenged? Who shall avenge me?

 THOROLF. Listen: as I stood on board the ship, there came a manrunning, with a staff in his hand, and called to me: "If thou be ofOrnulf's shipfolk, then greet him from Kare the Peasant, and say thatnow am I avenging the twain of us. " Thereupon he took a boat androwed away, saying as he passed: "Twenty outlaws are at haven in thefiord; with them I fare southward, and ere eventide shall Hiordisbe childless. "

 ORNULF. He said that! Ha, now I understand; Gunnar has sent hisson away; Kare is at feud with him----

 THOROLF. And now he is rowing southward to slay the boy!

 ORNULF (with sudden resolution). Up all! That booty will wefight for!

 THOROLF. What wilt thou do?

 ORNULF. Ask me not; it shall be I, and not Kare, that will takerevenge!

 THOROLF. I will go with thee!

 ORNULF. Nay, do thou follow with Sigurd and thy sister to Gunnar'shall. 

 THOROLF. Sigurd? Is he in the isle?

 ORNULF. There may'st thou see his warships; we are at one--do thougo with him. 

 THOROLF. Among thy foes?

 ORNULF. Go thou to the feast. Now shall Hiordis learn to know oldOrnulf! But hark thee, Thorolf, to no one must thou speak of what Ipurpose; dost hear? to no one!

 THOROLF. I promise. 

 ORNULF (takes his hand and looks at him affectionately). Farewellthen, my fair boy; bear thee in courtly wise at the feast-house, thatI may have honour of thee. Beware of idle babbling; but what thousayest, let it be keen as a sword. Be friendly to those that dealwith 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 whenit is offered thee in measure, lest thou be deemed womanish. 

 THOROLF. Nay, be at ease. 

 ORNULF. Then away to the feast at Gunnar's hall. I too will cometo the feast, and that in the guise they least think of. (Blithelyto the rest. ) Come, my wolf-cubs; be your fangs keen;--now shall yehave 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 tofight, and I must stay behind; it is hard to be the youngest of thehouse. --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 his his hand). In thee will Ornulf find a stoutcarl, or I mistake me. 

 THOROLF. Would he but prove me----!

 DAGNY (smiling). He spares thee more than thou hast a mind to? Thouwast ever well-nigh too dear to him. 

 SIGURD. Whither has he gone?

 THOROLF. Down to his ships;--he will return ere long. 

 SIGURD. I await my men; they are mooring my ships and bringingashore wares. 

 THOROLF. There must I lend a hand!

 (Goes down towards the shore. )

 SIGURD (after a moment's reflection). Dagny, my wife, we are alone;I have that to tell thee which must no longer be hidden. 

 DAGNY (surprised). What meanest thou?

 SIGURD. There may be danger in this faring to Gunnar's hall. 

 DAGNY. Danger? Thinkest thou that Gunnar----?

 SIGURD. Nay, Gunnar is brave and true--yet better had it been thatI had sailed from the isle without crossing his threshold. 

 DAGNY. Thou makest me fear! Sigurd, what is amiss?

 SIGURD. First answer me this: the golden ring that I gave thee, where hast thou it?

 DAGNY (showing it). Here, on my arm; thou badest me wear it. 

 SIGURD. Cast it to the bottom of the sea, so deep that none mayever set eyes on it again; else may it be the bane of many men. 

 DAGNY. The ring!

 SIGURD (in a low voice). That evening when we carried away thyfather's daughters--dost remember it?

 DAGNY. Do I remember it!

 SIGURD. It is of that I would speak. 

 DAGNY (in suspense). What is it? Say on!

 SIGURD. Thou knowest there had been a feast; thou didst seek thychamber betimes; but Hiordis still sat among the men in the feast-hall. The horn went busily round, and many a great vow was sworn. I sworeto bear away a fair maid with me from Iceland; Gunnar swore the sameas I, and passed the cup to Hiordis. She grasped it and stood up, andvowed this vow, that no warrior should have her to wife, save he whoshould go to her bower, slay the white bear that stood bound at thedoor, and carry her away in his arms. 

 DAGNY. Yes, yes; all this I know!

 SIGURD. All men deemed that it might not be, for the bear was thefiercest of beasts; none but Hiordis might come near it, and it hadthe strength of twenty men. 

 DAGNY. But Gunnar slew it, and by that deed won fame throughoutall lands. 

 SIGURD (in a low voice). He won the fame--but--_I_ did the deed!

 DAGNY (with a cry). Thou!

 SIGURD. When the men left the feast-hall, Gunnar prayed me to comewith him alone to our sleeping-place. Then said he: "Hiordis is dearerto me than all women; without her I cannot live. " I answered him:"Then go to her bower; thou knowest the vow she hath sworn. " But hesaid: "Life is dear to him that loves; if I should assail the bear, the end were doubtful, and I am loath to lose my life, for then shouldI lose Hiordis too. " Long did we talk, and the end was that Gunnarmade ready his ship, while I drew my sword, donned Gunnar's harness, and went to the bower. 

 DAGNY (with pride and joy). And thou--thou didst slay the bear!

 SIGURD. I slew him. In the bower it was dark as under a raven'swing; Hiordis deemed it was Gunnar that sat by her--she was heatedwith the mead--she drew a ring from her arm and gave it to me--itis that thou wearest now. 

 DAGNY (hesitating). And thou didst pass the night with Hiordis inher bower?

 SIGURD. My sword lay drawn between us. (A short pause. ) Ere thedawn, I bore Hiordis to Gunnar's ship; she dreamed not or our wiles, and he sailed away with her. Then went I to thy sleeping-place andfound thee there among thy women;--what followed, thou knowest; Isailed from Iceland with a fair maid, as I had sworn, and from thatday hast thou stood faithfully at my side whithersoever I might wander. 

 DAGNY (much moved). My brave husband! And that great deed wasthine!--Oh, I should have known it; none but thou would have dared!Hiordis, that proud and stately woman, couldst thou have won, yetdidst choose me! Now wouldst thou be tenfold dearer to me, wertthou not already dearer than all the world. 

 SIGURD. Dagny, my sweet wife, now thou knowest all--that is needful. I could not but warn thee; for that ring--Hiordis must never set eyeson it! Wouldst thou do my will, then cast it from thee--into thedepths of the sea. 

 DAGNY. Nay, Sigurd, it is too dear to me; is it not thy gift? Butbe thou at ease, I shall hide it from every eye, and never shall Ibreathe a word of what thou hast told me. 

 (THOROLF comes up from the ships, with SIGURD'S men. )

 THOROLF. All is ready for the feast. 

 DAGNY. Come then, Sigurd--my brave, my noble warrior!

 SIGURD. Beware, Dagny--beware! It rests with thee now whether thismeeting shall end peacefully or in bloodshed. (Cheerfully to theothers. ) Away then, to the feast in Gunnar's hall!

 (Goes out with DAGNY to the right; the others follow. )

ACT SECOND. 

(The feast-room in GUNNAR'S house. The entrance-door is in the back; smaller doors in the side-walls. In front, on the left, the greater high-seat; opposite it on the right, the lesser. In the middle of the floor, a wood fire is burning on a built-up hearth. In the background, on both sides of the door, are daises for the women of the household. From each of the high-seats, a long table, with benches, stretches backwards, parallel with the wall. It is dark outside; the fire lights the room. )

 (HIORDIS and DAGNY enter from the right. )

 DAGNY. Nay, Hiordis, I cannot understand thee. Thou hast shown meall the house; I know not what thing thou lackest, and all thou hastis fair and goodly;--then why bemoan thy lot?

 HIORDIS. Cage an eagle and it will bite at the wires, be they ofiron or of gold. 

 DAGNY. In one thing at least thou art richer than I; thou hast Egil, thy little son. 

 HIORDIS. Better no child, than one born in shame. 

 DAGNY. In shame?

 HIORDIS. Dost thou forgot thy father's saying? Egil is the son ofa leman; that was his word. 

 DAGNY. A word spoken in wrath--why wilt thou heed it?

 HIORDIS. Nay, nay, Ornulf was right; Egil is weak; one can see heis no freeborn child. 

 DAGNY. Hiordis, how canst thou----?

 HIORDIS (unheeding). Thus is shame sucked into the blood, like thevenom of a snake-bite. Of another mettle are the freeborn sons ofmighty men. I have heard of a queen that took her son and sewed hiskirtle fast to his flesh, yet he never blinked an eye. (With a lookof cruelty. ) Dagny, that will I try with Egil!

 DAGNY (horrified). Hiordis, Hiordis!

 HIORDIS (laughing). Ha-ha-ha! Dost thou think I meant my words?(Changing her tone. ) But, believe me or not as thou wilt, there aretimes when such deeds seem to lure me; it must run in the blood, --for I am of the race of the Jotuns, [1] they say. --Come, sit thou here, Dagny. Far hast thou wandered in these five long years; tell me, thouhast ofttimes been a guest in the halls of kings?

 [1] The giants or Titans of Scandinavian mythology. 

 DAGNY. Many a time--and chiefly with AEthelstan of England. 

 HIORDIS. And everywhere thou hast been held in honour, and hast satin the highest seats at the board?

 DAGNY. Doubtless. As Sigurd's wife----

 HIORDIS. Ay, ay--a famous man is Sigurd--though Gunnar standsabove him. 

 DAGNY. Gunnar?

 HIORDIS. One deed did Gunnar do that Sigurd shrank from. But letthat be! Tell me, when thou didst go a-viking with Sigurd, when thoudidst hear the sword-blades sing in the fierce war-game, when theblood streamed red on the deck--came there not over thee an untameablelonging to plunge into the strife? Didst thou not don harness andtake up arms?

 DAGNY. Never! How canst thou think it? I, a woman!

 HIORDIS. A woman, a woman, --who knows what a woman may do!--But onething thou canst tell me, Dagny, for that thou surely knowest: when aman clasps to his breast the woman he loves--is it true that her bloodburns, that her bosom throbs--that she swoons in a shuddering ecstasy?

 DAGNY (blushing). Hiordis, how canst thou----!

 HIORDIS. Come, tell me----!

 DAGNY. Surely thou thyself hast known it. 

 HIORDIS. Ay once, and only once; it was that night when Gunnar satwith me in my bower; he crushed me in his arms till his byrnie burst, and then, then----!

 DAGNY (exclaiming). What! Sigurd----!

 HIORDIS. Sigurd? What of Sigurd? I spoke of Gunnar--that night whenhe bore me away----

 DAGNY (collecting herself). Yes, yes, I remember--I know well----

 HIORDIS. That was the only time; never, never again! I deemed I wasbewitched; for that Gunnar could clasp a woman---- (Stops and looksat DAGNY. ) What ails thee? Methinks thou turnest pale and red!

 DARNY. Nay, nay!

 HIORDIS (without noticing her). The merry viking-raid should havebeen _my_ lot; it had been better for me, and--mayhap for all of us. That were life, full and rich life! Dost thou not wonder, Dagny, tofind me here alive? Art not afraid to be alone with me in the hall?Deem'st thou not that I must have died in all these years, and thatit is my ghost that stands at thy side?

 DAGNY (painfully affected). Come--let us go--to the others. 

 HIORDIS (seizing her by the arm). No, stay! Seems it not strangeto thee, Dagny, that any woman can yet live after five such nights?

 DAGNY. Five nights?

 HIORDIS. Here in the north each night is a whole winter long. (Quickly and with an altered expression. ) Yet the place is fairenough, doubt it not! Thou shalt see sights here such as thou hastnot seen in the halls of the English king. We shall be together assisters whilst thou bidest with me; we shall go down to the sea whenthe storm begins once more; thou shalt see the billows rushing uponthe land like wild, white-maned horses--and then the whales far outin the offing! They dash one against another like steel-clad knights!Ha, what joy to be a witching-wife and ride on the whale's back--tospeed before the skiff, and wake the storm, and lure men to the deepswith lovely songs of sorcery!

 DAGNY. Fie, Hiordis, how canst thou talk so!

 HIORDIS. Canst thou sing sorceries, Dagny?

 DAGNY (with horror). I!

 HIORDIS. I trow thou canst; how else didst thou lure Sigurd to thee?

 DAGNY. Thou speakest shameful things; let me go!

 HIORDIS (holding her back). Because I jest! Nay, hear me to theend! Think, Dagny, what it is to sit by the window in the eventideand hear the kelpie[1] wailing in the boat-house; to sit waiting andlistening for the dead men's ride to Valhal; for their way lies pastus here in the north. They are the brave men that fell in fight, thestrong women that did not drag out their lives tamely, like thee andme; they sweep through the storm-night on their black horses, withjangling bells! (Embraces DAGNY, and presses her wildly in her arms. )Ha, Dagny! think of riding the last ride on so rare a steed!

 [1] "Draugen, " a vague and horrible sea-monster. 

 DAGNY (struggling to escape). Hiordis, Hiordis! Let me go! I willnot hear thee!

 HIORDIS (laughing). Weak art thou of heart, and easily affrighted. 

 (GUNNAR enters from the back, with SIGURD and THOROLF. )

 GUNNAR. Now, truly, are all things to my very mind! I have foundthee again, Sigurd, my brave brother, as kind and true as of old. Ihave Ornulf's son under my roof, and the old man himself followsspeedily after; is it not so?

 THOROLF. So he promised. 

 GUNNAR. Then all I lack is that Egil should be here. 

 THOROLF. 'Tis plain thou lovest the boy, thou namest him so oft. 

 GUNNAR. Truly I love him; he is my only child; and he is like togrow up fair and kindly. 

 HIORDIS. But no warrior. 

 GUNNAR. Nay--that thou must not say. 

 SIGURD. I marvel thou didst send him from thee----

 GUNNAR. Would that I had not! (Half aside. ) But thou knowest, Sigurd, he who loves overmuch, takes not always the manliest part. (Aloud. ) Ihad few men in my house, and none could be sure of his life when it wasknown that Ornulf lay in the cove with a ship of war. 

 HIORDIS. One thing I know that ought first to be made safe, lifeafterwards. 

 THOROLF. And that is----?

 HIORDIS. Honour and fame among men. 

 GUNNAR. Hiordis!

 SIGURD. It shall not be said of Gunnar that he has risked his honourby doing this. 

 GUNNAR (sternly). None shall make strife between me and Ornulf'skinsfolk!

 HIORDIS (smiling). Hm; tell me, Sigurd--can thy ship sail withany wind?

 SIGURD. Ay, when it is cunningly steered. 

 HIORDIS. Good! I too will steer my ship cunningly, and make my waywhither I will. 

 (Retires towards the back. )

 DAGNY (whispers, uneasily). Sigurd, let us hence--this very night!

 SIGURD. It is too late now; it was thou that----

 DAGNY. Then I held Hiordis dear; but now----; I have heard herspeak words I shudder to think of. 

 (SIGURD'S men, with other guests, men and women, house-carls and handmaidens, enter from the back. )

 GUNNAR (after a short pause for the exchange of greetings and soforth). Now to the board! My chief guest, Ornulf of the Fiords, comeslater; so Thorolf promises. 

 HIORDIS (to the house-folk). Pass ale and mead around, that heartsmay wax merry and tongues may be loosened. 

 (GUNNAR leads SIGURD to the high-seat on the right. DAGNY seats herself on SIGURD'S right, HIORDIS opposite him at the other side of the same table. THOROLF is in like manner ushered to a place at the other table, and thus sits opposite GUNNAR, who occupies the greater high-seat. The others take their seats further back. )

 HIORDIS (after a pause in which they drink with each other andconverse quietly across the tables). It seldom chances that so manybrave men are seated together, as I see to-night in our hall. Itwere fitting, then, that we should essay the old pastime: Let eachman name his chief exploit, that all may judge which is the mightiest. 

 GUNNAR. That is an ill custom at a drinking-feast; it will oftbreed strife. 

 HIORDIS. Little did I deem that Gunnar was afraid. 

 SIGURD. That no one deems; but it were long ere we came to an end, were we all to tell of our exploits, so many as we be. Do thou rathertell us, Gunnar, of thy journey to Biarmeland; 'tis no small exploitto fare so far to the north, and gladly would we hear of it. 

 HIORDIS. The journey to Biarmeland is chapman's work, and littleworth to be named among warriors. Nay, do thou begin, Sigurd, ifthou would'st not have me deem that thou shrinkest from hearing myhusband's praise! Say on; name that one of thy deeds which thoudost prize the highest. 

 SIGURD. Well, since thou will have it so, so must it be. Let itbe told, then, that I lay a-viking among the Orkneys; there camefoemen against us, but we swept them from their ships, and I foughtalone against eight men. 

 HIORDIS. Good was that deed; but wast thou fully armed?

 SIGURD. Fully armed, with axe, spear, and sword. 

 HIORDIS. Still the deed was good. Now must thou, my husband, namethat which thou deemest the greatest among thy exploits. 

 GUNNAR (unwillingly). I slew two berserkers who had seized amerchant-ship; and thereupon I sent the captive chapmen home, givingthem there ship freely, without ransom. The King of England deemedwell of that deed; he said that I had done hounourably, and gave methanks and good gifts. 

 HIORDIS. Nay truly, Gunnar, a better deed than that couldst thouname. 

 GUNNAR (vehemently). I will boast of no other deed! Since last Ifared from Iceland I have lived at peace and traded in merchandise. No more word on this matter!

 HIORDIS. If thou thyself wilt hide thy renown, thy wife shall speak. 

 GUNNAR. Peace, Hiordis--I command thee!

 HIORDIS. Sigurd fought with eight men, being fully armed; Gunnarcame to my bower in the black night, slew the bear that had twentymen's strength, and yet had but a short sword in his hand. 

 GUNNAR (violently agitated). Woman, not a word more!

 DAGNY (softly). Sigurd, wilt thou bear----?

 SIGURD (likewise). Be still!

 HIORDIS (to the company). And now, ye brave men--which is themightier, Sigurd or Gunnar?

 GUNNAR. Silence!

 HIORDIS (loudly). Speak out; I have the right to crave your judgement. 

 AN OLD MAN (among the guests). If the truth be told, then isGunnar's deed greater than all other deeds of men; Gunnar is themightiest warrior, and Sigurd is second to him. 

 GUNNAR (with a glance across the table). Ah, Sigurd, Sigurd, didstthou but know----!

 DAGNY (softly). This is too much--even for a friend!

 SIGURD. Peace, wife! (Aloud, to the others. ) Ay truly, Gunnar isthe most honourable of all men; so would I esteem him to my dyingday, even had he never done that deed; for that I hold more lightlythan ye. 

 HIORDIS. There speaks thy envy, Sigurd Viking!

 SIGURD (smiling). Mightily art thou mistaken. (Kindly, to GUNNAR, drinking to him across the table. ) Hail, noble Gunnar; our friendshipshall stand fast, whosoever may seek to break it. 

 HIORDIS. No one, that I wot of, has such a thought. 

 SIGURD. Say not that; I could almost find it in me to think thatthou hadst bidden us hither to stir up strife. 

 HIORDIS. That is like thee, Sigurd; now art thou wroth that thoumay'st not be held the mightiest man at the feast-board. 

 SIGURD. I have ever esteemed Gunnar more highly than myself. 

 HIORDIS. Well, well--second to Gunnar is still a good place, and----(with a side-glance at THOROLF) had Ornulf been here, he could havehad the third seat. 

 THOROLF. Then would Jokul, thy father, find a low place indeed; forhe fell before Ornulf. 

 (The following dispute is carried on, by both parties, with rising and yet repressed irritation. )

 HIORDIS. That shalt thou never say! Ornulf is a skald, and menwhisper that he has praised himself for greater deeds than he hasdone. 

 THOROLF. Then woe to him who whispers so loudly that it comes tomy ear!

 HIORDIS (with a smile of provocation). Wouldst thou avenge it?

 THOROLF. Ay, so that my vengeance should be told of far and wide. 

 HIORDIS. Then here I pledge a cup to this, that thou may'st firsthave a beard on thy chin. 

 THOROLF. Even a beardless lad is too good to wrangle with women. 

 HIORDIS. But too weak to fight with men; therefore thy father letthee lie by the hearth at home in Iceland, whilst thy brothers wenta-viking. 

 THOROLF. It had been well had he kept as good an eye on thee; forthen hadst thou not left Iceland a dishonoured woman. 

 GUNNAR AND SIGURD. Thorolf!

 DAGNY (simultaneously). Brother!

 HIORDIS (softly, and quivering with rage). Ha! wait--wait!

 THOROLF (gives GUNNAR his hand). Be not wroth, Gunnar; evil wordscame to my tongue; but thy wife egged me!

 DAGNY (softly and imploringly). Foster-sister, by any love thouhast ever borne me, stir not up strife!

 HIORDIS (laughing). Jests must pass at the feast-board if themerriment is to thrive. 

 GUNNAR (who has been talking softly to THOROLF). Thou art a bravelad! (Hands him a sword which hangs beside the high-seat. ) Here, Thorolf, here is a good gift for thee. Wield it well, and let usbe friends. 

 HIORDIS. Beware how thou givest away thy weapons, Gunnar; for menmay say thou dost part with things thou canst not use!

 THOROLF (who has meanwhile examined the sword). Thanks for the gift, Gunnar; it shall never be drawn in an unworthy cause. 

 HIORDIS. If thou wilt keep that promise, then do thou never lendthe sword to thy brothers. 

 GUNNAR. Hiordis!

 HIORDIS (continuing). Neither let it hang on thy father's wall; forthere it would hang with base men's weapons. 

 THOROLF. True enough, Hiordis--for there thy father's axe and shieldhave hung this many a year. 

 HIORDIS (mastering herself). That Ornulf slew my father, --that deedis ever on thy tongue; but if report speak true, it was scarce sohonourable a deed as thou deemest. 

 THOROLF. Of what report dost thou speak?

 HIORDIS. I dare not name it, for it would make thee wroth. 

 THOROLF. Then hold thy peace--I ask no better. 

 (Turns from her. )

 HIORDIS. Nay, why should I not tell it? Is it true, Thorolf, thatfor three nights thy father sat in woman's weed, doing sorceries withthe witch of Smalserhorn, ere he dared face Jokul in fight. 

 (All rise; violent excitement among the guests. )

 GUNNAR, SIGURD, AND DAGNY. Hiordis!

 THOROLF (bitterly exasperated). So base a lie has no man spoken ofOrnulf of the Fiords! Thou thyself hast made it, for no one lessvenomous than thou could dream of such a thing. The blackest crimea man can do hast thou laid at my father's door. (Throwing the swordaway. ) There, Gunnar, take thy gift again; I can take nought from thehouse wherein my father is reviled. 

 GUNNAR. Thorolf, hear me----!

 THOROLF. Let me go! But beware both thou and Hiordis; for my fatherhas now in his power one whom ye hold dearest of all!

 HIORDIS (starting). Thy father has----!

 GUNNAR (with a cry). What sayst thou!

 SIGURD (vehemently). Where is Ornulf?

 THOROLF (with mocking laughter). Gone southward--with my brothers. 

 GUNNAR. Southward!

 HIORDIS (shrieking). Gunnar! Ornulf has slain Egil, our son. 

 GUNNAR. Slain!--Egil slain! Then woe to Ornulf and all his race!Thorolf, speak out;--is this true?

 SIGURD. Gunnar, Gunnar--hear me!

 GUNNAR. Speak out, if thou care for thy life!

 THOROLF. Thou canst not fright me! Wait till my father comes;he shall plant a mark of shame over against Gunnar's house! Andmeanwhile, Hiordis, do thou cheer thee with these words I heardto-day: "Ere eventide shall Gunnar and his wife be childless. "

 (Goes out by the back. )

 GUNNAR (in the deepest pain). Slain--slain! My little Egil slain!

 HIORDIS (wildly). And thou--dost thou let him go? Let Egil, thychild, lie unavenged! Then wert thou the dastard of dastards----!

 GUNNAR (as if beside himself). A sword--an axe! It is the lastmessage he shall bring!

 (Seizes an axe from the bystanders and rushes out. )

 SIGURD (about to follow). Gunnar, hold thy hand!

 HIORDIS (holding him back). Stay, stay! The men will part them;I know Gunnar!

 (A cry from the crowd, which has flocked together at the main door. )

 SIGURD AND DAGNY. What is it?

 A VOICE AMONG THE CROWD. Thorolf has fallen. 

 SIGURD. Thorolf! Ha, let me go!

 DAGNY. My brother! Oh, my brother!

 (SIGURD is on the point of rushing out. At the same moment, the crowd parts, GUNNAR enters, and throws down the axe at the door. )

 GUNNAR. Now it is done. Egil is avenged!

 SIGURD. Well for thee if thy hand has not been too hasty. 

 GUNNAR. Mayhap, mayhap; but Egil, Egil, my sweet boy!

 HIORDIS. Now must we arm us, and seek help among our friends; forThorolf has many avengers. 

 GUNNAR (gloomily). He will be his own worst avenger; he will hauntme night and day. 

 HIORDIS. Thorolf got his reward. Kinsmen must suffer for kinsmen'sdeeds. 

 GUNNAR. True, true; but this I know, my mind was lighter ere thisbefell. 

 HIORDIS. This first night[1] is ever the worst;--Ornulf has soughthis revenge by shameful wiles; he would not come against us in openstrife; he feigned to be peacefully-minded; and then he falls uponour defenceless child! Ha, I saw more clearly than ye; well I deemedthat Ornulf was evil-minded and false; I had good cause to egg theeon against him and all his faithless tribe!

 [1] Literally the "blood-night. "

 GUNNAR (fiercely). That hadst thou! My vengeance is poor besideOrnulf's crime. He has lost Thorolf, but he has six sons left--and I have none--none!

 A HOUSE-CARL (enters hastily from the back). Ornulf of the Fiordsis at hand!

 GUNNAR. Ornulf!

 HIORDIS AND SEVERAL MEN. To arms! to arms!

 DAGNY (simultaneously). My father!

 SIGURD (as if seized by a foreboding). Ornulf----! Ah, Gunnar, Gunnar!

 GUNNAR (draws his sword). Up all my men! Vengeance for Egil's death!

 (ORNULF enters, with EGIL in his arms. )

 GUNNAR (with a shriek). Egil!

 ORNULF. Here I bring thee little Egil. 

 ALL (one to another). Egil! Egil alive!

 GUNNAR (letting his sword fall). Woe is me! what have I done?

 DAGNY. Oh, Thorolf, my brother!

 SIGURD. I knew it! I knew it!

 ORNULF (setting EGIL down). There, Gunnar, hast thou thy prettyboy again. 

 EGIL. Father! Old Ornulf would not do me ill, as thou saidst whenI went away. 

 ORNULF (to HIORDIS). Now have I atoned for thy father; now surelythere may be peace between us. 

 HIORDIS (with repressed emotion). Mayhap!

 GUNNAR (as if waking up). Is it a ghastly dream that maddens me!Thou--thou bringest Egil home!

 ORNULF. As thou seest; but in truth he has been near his death. 

 GUNNAR. That I know. 

 ORNULF. And hast no more joy in his return?

 GUNNAR. Had he come sooner, I had been glad indeed. But tell meall that has befallen!

 ORNULF. That is soon done. Kare the Peasant was plotting evilagainst you; with other caitiffs he fared southward after Egil. 

 GUNNAR. Kare! (To himself. ) Ha, now I understand Thorolf's words!

 ORNULF. His purpose came to my ears; I needs must thwart so blacka deed. I would not give atonement for Jokul, and, had things sobefallen, I had willingly slain thee, Gunnar, in single combat--yetI could not but protect thy child. With my sons, I hasted after Kare. 

 SIGURD (softly). An accursed deed has here been done. 

 ORNULF. When I came up with him, Egil's guards lay bound; thy sonwas already in thy foemen's hand, and they would not long have sparedhim. Hot was the fight! Seldom have I given and taken keener strokes;Kare and two men fled inland; the rest sleep safely, and will be hardto waken. 

 GUNNAR (in eager suspense). But thou--thou, Ornulf----?

 ORNULF (gloomily). Six sons followed me into the fight. 

 GUNNAR (breathlessly). But homewards----?

 ORNULF. None. 

 GUNNAR (appalled). None! (Softly. ) And Thorolf, Thorolf!

 (Deep emotion among the bystanders. HIORDIS shows signs of a violent mental struggle; DAGNY weeps silently by the high-seat on the right. SIGURD stands beside her, painfully agitated. )

 ORNULF (after a short pause). It is hard for a many-branching pineto be stripped in a single storm. But men die and men live;--I willdrink to my sons' memory. (One of SIGURD'S men hands him a horn. )Hail to you where now ye ride, my bold sons! Close upon your heelsshall the copper-gates not clang, for ye come to the hall with agreat following. (Drinks, and hands back the horn. ) And now hometo Iceland! Ornulf has fought his last fight; the old tree has butone green branch left, and it must be shielded warily. Where isThorolf?

 EGIL (to his father). Ay, show me Thorolf! Ornulf told me he wouldcarve me a ship with many, many warriors on board. 

 ORNULF. I praise all good wights that Thorolf came not with us; forif he too--nay, strong though I be, that had been too heavy for me tobear. But why comes he not? He was ever the first to meet his father;for both of us it seemed we could not live without each other a singleday. 

 GUNNAR. Ornulf, Ornulf!

 ORNULF (with growing uneasiness). Ye stand all silent, I mark itnow. What ails you? Where is Thorolf?

 DAGNY. Sigurd, Sigurd--this will be the direst blow to him!

 GUNNAR (struggling with himself). Old man!--No---- ---- and yet, itcannot be hid----

 ORNULF (vehemently). My son! Where is he!

 GUNNAR. Thorolf is slain!

 ORNULF. Slain! Thorolf? Thorolf? Ha, thou liest!

 GUNNAR. I would give my warmest heart-blood to know him alive!

 HIORDIS (to ORNULF). Thorolf was himself to blame for what befell;with dark sayings he gave us to wit that thou hadst fallen upon Egiland slain him;--we had parted half in wrath, and thou hast ere nowbrought death among my kindred. And moreover--Thorolf bore himselfat the feast like a wanton boy; he brooked not our jesting, and spokemany evil things. Not till then did Gunnar wax wroth; not till thendid he raise his hand upon thy son; and well I wot that he had goodand lawful ground for that deed. 

 ORNULF (calmly). Well may we see that thou art a woman, for thouusest many words. To what end? If Thorolf is slain, then is hissaga over. 

 EGIL. If Thorolf is slain, I shall have no warriors. 

 ORNULF. Nay, Egil--we have lost our warriors, but thou and I. (ToHIORDIS. ) Thy father sang:

 Jokul's kin for Jokul's slayer many a woe shall still be weaving. 

Well has thou wrought that his words should come true. (Pauses amoment, then turns to one of the men. ) Where got he his death-wound?

 THE MAN. Right across his brow. 

 ORNULF (pleased). Hm; that is an honourable spot; he did not turnhis back. But fell he sideways, or in towards Gunnar's feet?

 THE MAN. Half sideways and half towards Gunnar. 

 ORNULF. That bodes but half vengeance; well well, --we shall see!

 GUNNAR (approaching). Ornulf, I know well that all my goods werenaught against thy loss; but crave of me what thou wilt----

 ORNULF (sternly interrupting him). Give me Thorolf's body, and letme go! Where lies he?

 (GUNNAR points silently to the back. )

 ORNULF (takes a step or two, but turns and says in a voice ofthunder to SIGURD, DAGNY, and others who are preparing to followhim, sorrowing). Stay! Think ye Ornulf will be followed by a trainof mourners, like a whimpering woman? Stay, I say!--I can bear myThorolf alone. (With calm strength. ) Sonless I go; but none shallsay that he saw me bowed. (He goes slowly out. )

 HIORDIS (with forced laughter). Ay, let him go as he will; weshall scarce need many men to face him should he come with strifeagain! Now, Dagny--I wot it is the last time thy father shall sailfrom Iceland on such a quest!

 SIGURD (indignant). Oh, shame!

 DAGNY (likewise). And thou canst scoff at him--scoff at him, afterall that has befallen?

 HIORDIS. A deed once done, 'tis wise to praise it. This morningI swore hate and vengeance against Ornulf;--the slaying of Jokul Imight have forgotten--all, save that he cast shame upon my lot. Hecalled me a leman; if it _be_ so, it shames me not; for Gunnar ismightier now than thy father; he is greater and more famous thanSigurd, thine own husband!

 DAGNY (in wild indignation). There thou errest, Hiordis--and evennow shall all men know that thou dwellest under a weakling's roof!

 SIGURD (vehemently). Dagny, beware!

 GUNNAR. A weakling!

 DAGNY. It shall no longer be hidden; I held my peace till thoudidst scoff at my father and my dead brothers; I held my peace whileOrnulf was here, lest he should learn that Thorolf fell by a dastard'shand. But now--praise Gunnar nevermore for that deed in Iceland; forGunnar is a weakling! The sword that lay drawn between thee and thebear-slayer hangs at my husband's side--and the ring thou didst takefrom thy arm thou gavest to Sigurd. (Takes it off and holds if aloft. )Behold it!

 HIORDIS (wildly). Sigurd!

 THE CROWD. Sigurd! Sigurd did the deed!

 HIORDIS (quivering with agitation). He! he!--Gunnar, is this true?

 GUNNAR (with lofty calm). It is all true save only that I am aweakling; I am neither a weakling nor a coward. 

 SIGURD (moved). That art thou not, Gunnar! That hast thou neverbeen! (To the rest. ) Away, my men! Away from here!

 DAGNY (at the door, to HIORDIS). Who is now the mightiest man atthe board--my husband or thine?

 HIORDIS (to herself). Now have I but one thing left to do--but onedeed to brood upon: Sigurd or I must die!

ACT THIRD. 

(The hall in GUNNAR'S house. It is day. )(HIORDIS sits on the bench in front of the smaller high-seat busy weaving a bow-string; on the table lie a bow and some arrows. )

 HIORDIS (pulling at the bow-string). It is tough and strong; (witha glance at the arrows) the shaft is both keen and well-weighted--(lets her hands fall in her lap) but where is the hand that----!(Vehemently. ) Befooled, befooled by him--by Sigurd! I must hate himmore than others, that can I well mark; but ere many days have passedI will---- (Meditating. ) Ay, but the arm, the arm that shall do thedeed----?

 (GUNNAR enters, silent and thoughtful, from the back. )

 HIORDIS (after a short pause). How goes it with thee, my husband?

 GUNNAR. Ill, Hiordis; I cannot away with that deed of yesterday; itlies heavy on my heart. 

 HIORDIS. Do as I do; get thee some work to busy thee. 

 GUNNAR. Doubtless I must. 

 (A pause; GUNNAR paces up and down the hall, notices what HIORDIS is doing, and approaches her. )

 GUNNAR. What dost thou there?

 HIORDIS (without looking up). I am weaving a bow-string; canstthou not see?

 GUNNAR. A bow-string--of thine own hair?

 HIORDIS (smiling). Great deeds are born with every hour in thesetimes; yesterday thou didst slay my foster-brother, and I have woventhis since day-break. 

 GUNNAR. Hiordis, Hiordis!

 HIORDIS (looking up). What is amiss?

 GUNNAR. Where wast thou last night?

 HIORDIS. Last night?

 GUNNAR. Thou wast not in the sleeping-room. 

 HIORDIS. Know'st thou that?

 GUNNAR. I could not sleep; I tossed in restless dreams of that--that which befell Thorolf. I dreamt that he came---- No matter; Iawakened. Then meseemed I heard a strange, fair song through all thehouse; I arose; I stole hither to the door; here I saw thee sittingby the log-fire--it burned blue and red--fixing arrow-heads, andsinging sorceries over them. 

 HIORDIS. The work was not wasted; for strong is the breast thatmust be pierced this day. 

 GUNNAR. I understand thee well; thou wouldst have Sigurd slain. 

 HIORDIS. Hm, mayhap. 

 GUNNAR. Thou shalt never have thy will. I shall keep peace withSigurd, howe'er thou goad me. 

 HIORDIS (smiling). Dost think so?

 SIGURD. I know it!

 HIORDIS (hands him the bow-string). Tell me, Gunnar--canst loosethis knot?

 GUNNAR (tries it). Nay it is too cunningly and firmly woven. 

 HIORDIS (rising). The Norns[1] weave yet more cunningly; their webis still harder to unravel. 

 [1] The "Nornir" were the Fates of northern mythology. 

 GUNNAR. Dark are the ways of the Mighty Ones;--neither thou nor Iknow aught of them. 

 HIORDIS. Yet one thing I know surely: that to both of us mustSigurd's life be baleful. 

 (A pause; GUNNAR stands lost in thought. )

 HIORDIS (who has been silently watching him). Of what thinkest thou?

 GUNNAR. Of a dream I had of late. Methought I had done the deedthou cravest; Sigurd lay slain on the earth; thou didst stand besidehim, and thy face was wondrous pale. Then said I: "Art thou glad, now that I have done thy will?" But thou didst laugh and answer:"Blither were I didst thou, Gunnar, lie there in Sigurd's stead. "

 HIORDIS (with forced laughter). Ill must thou know me if such asenseless dream can make thee hold thy hand. 

 GUNNAR. Hm!--Tell me, Hiordis, what thinkest thou of this hall?

 HIORDIS. To speak truly, Gunnar, --it sometimes seems to me to bestraitened. 

 GUNNAR. Ay, ay, so I have thought; we are one too many. 

 HIORDIS. Two, mayhap. 

 GUNNAR (who has not heard her last words). But that shall beremedied. 

 HIORDIS (looks at him interrogatively). Remedied? Then thou artminded to----?

 GUNNAR. To fit out my warships and put to sea; I will win back thehonour I have lost because thou wast dearer to me than all beside. 

 HIORDIS (thoughtfully). Thou wilt put to sea? Ay, so it may bebest for us both. 

 GUNNAR. Even from the day we sailed from Iceland, I saw that itwould go ill with us. Thy soul is strong and proud; there are timeswhen I well nigh fear thee; yet, it is strange--chiefly for that doI hold thee so dear. Dread enwraps thee like a spell; methinks thoucould'st lure me to the blackest deeds, and all would seem good tome that thou didst crave. (Shaking his head reflectively. )Unfathomable is the Norn's rede; Sigurd should have been thy husband. 

 HIORDIS (vehemently). Sigurd!

 GUNNAR. Yes, Sigurd. Vengefulness and hatred blind thee, elsewould'st thou prize him better. Had I been like Sigurd, I couldhave made life bright for thee. 

 HIORDIS (with strong but suppressed emotion). That--that deemestthou Sigurd could have done?

 GUNNAR. He is strong of soul, and proud as thou to boot. 

 HIORDIS (violently). If that be so--(Collecting herself. ) Nomatter, no matter! (With a wild outburst. ) Gunnar, take Sigurd'slife!

 GUNNAR. Never!

 HIORDIS. By fraud and falsehood thou mad'st me thy wife--thatshall be forgotten! Five joyless years have I spent in this house--all shall be forgotten from the day when Sigurd lives no more!

 GUNNAR. From my hand he need fear no harm. (Shrinks backinvoluntarily. ) Hiordis, Hiordis, tempt me not!

 HIORDIS. Then must I find another avenger; Sigurd shall not livelong to flout at me and thee! (Clenching her hands in convulsiverage. ) With her--that simpleton--with her mayhap he is even nowsitting alone, dallying, and laughing at us; speaking of the bitterwrong that was done me when in thy stead he bore me away; tellinghow he laughed over his guile as he stood in my dark bower, and Iknew him not!

 GUNNAR. Nay, nay, he does not so!

 HIORDIS (firmly). Sigurd and Dagny must die! I cannot breathetill they are gone! (Comes close up to him, with sparkling eyes, and speaks passionately, but in a whisper. ) Would'st thou helpme with _that_, Gunnar, then should I live in love with thee; thenshould I clasp thee in such warm and wild embraces as thou hastnever dreamt of!

 GUNNAR (wavering). Hiordis! Would'st thou----

 HIORDIS. Do the deed, Gunnar--and the heavy days shall be past. Iwill no longer quit the hall when thou comest, no longer speak harshthings and quench thy smile when thou art glad. I will clothe me infurs and costly silken robes. When thou goest to war, I will rideby thy side. At the feast I will sit by thee and fill thy horn, anddrink to thee and sing fair songs to make glad thy heart!

 GUNNAR (almost overcome). Is it true? Thou wouldst----!

 HIORDIS. More than that, trust me, ten times more! Give me revenge!Revenge on Sigurd and Dagny, and I will---- (Stops as she sees thedoor open. ) Dagny--comest thou here!

 DAGNY (from the back). Haste thee, Gunnar! Call thy men to arms!

 GUNNAR. To arms! Against whom?

 DAGNY. Kare the Peasant is coming, and many outlaws with him; hemeans thee no good; Sigurd has barred his way for the time; but whocan tell----

 GUNNAR (moved). Sigurd has done this for me!

 DAGNY. Sigurd is ever thy faithful friend. 

 GUNNAR. And we, Hiordis--we, who thought to----! It is as I say--there is a spell in all thy speech; no deed but seemeth fair to me, when thou dost name it. 

 DAGNY (astonished). What meanest thou?

 GUNNAR. Nothing, nothing! Thanks for thy tidings, Dagny; I go togather my men together. (Turns towards the door, but stops and comesforward again. ) Tell me--how goes it with Ornulf?

 DAGNY (bowing her head). Ask me not. Yesterday he bore Thorolf'sbody to the ships; now he is raising a grave-mound on the shore;--there shall his son be laid. 

 (GUNNAR says nothing and goes out by the back. )

 DAGNY. Until evening there is no danger. (Coming nearer. ) Hiordis, I have another errand in thy house; it is to thee I come. 

 HIORDIS. To me? After all that befell yesterday?

 DAGNY. Just because of that. Hiordis, foster-sister, do not hateme; forget the words that sorrow and evil spirits placed in my mouth;forgive me all the wrong I have done thee; for, trust me, I am tenfoldmore hapless than thou!

 HIORDIS. Hapless--thou! Sigurd's wife!

 DAGNY. It was _my_ doing, all that befell--the stirring up ofstrife, and Thorolf's death, and all the scorn that fell upon Gunnarand thee. Mine is all the guilt! Woe upon me!--I have lived sohappily; but after this day I shall never know joy again. 

 HIORDIS (as if seized by a sudden thought). But before--in thesefive long years--all that time hast thou been happy?

 DAGNY. Canst thou doubt it?

 HIORDIS. Hm; yesterday I doubted it not; but----

 DAGNY. What meanest thou?

 HIORDIS. Nay, 'tis nought; let us speak of other matters. 

 DAGNY. No truly. Hiordis, tell me----!

 HIORDIS. It will profit thee little; but since thou wilt have itso---- (With a malignant expression. ) Canst thou remember once, overin Iceland--we had followed with Ornulf thy father to the Council, and we sat with our playmates in the Council Hall, as is the mannerof women. Then came two strangers into the hall. 

 DAGNY. Sigurd and Gunnar. 

 HIORDIS. They greeted us in courteous fashion, and sat on thebench beside us; and there passed between us much merry talk. Therewere some who must needs know why these two vikings came thither, andif they were not minded to take them wives there in the island. Thensaid Sigurd: "It will be hard for me to find the woman that shall beto my mind. " Ornulf laughed, and said there was no lack of high-bornand well-dowered women in Iceland; but Sigurd answered: "The warriorneeds a high-souled wife. She whom I choose must not rest contentwith a humble lot; no honour must seem to high for her to strive for;she must go with me gladly a-viking; war-weed must she wear; she mustegg me on to strife, and never wink her eyes where sword-bladeslighten; for if she be faint-hearted, scant honour will befall me. "Is it not true, so Sigurd spake?

 DAGNY (hesitatingly). True, he did--but----

 HIORDIS. _Such_ was she to be, the woman who could make life fairto him; and then--(with a scornful smile) then he chose thee!

 DAGNY (starting, as in pain). Ha, thou wouldst say that----?

 HIORDIS. Doubtless thou has proved thyself proud and high-souled;hast claimed honour of all, that Sigurd might be honoured in thee--is it not so?

 DAGNY. Nay, Hiordis, but----

 HIORDIS. Thou hast egged him on to great deeds, followed him in war-weed, and joyed to be where the strife raged hottest--hast thou not?

 DAGNY (deeply moved). No, no!

 HIORDIS. Hast thou, then, been faint of heart, so that Sigurd hasbeen put to shame?

 DAGNY (overpowered). Hiordis, Hiordis!

 HIORDIS (smiling scornfully). Yet thy lot has been a happy one allthese years;--think'st thou that Sigurd can say the same?

 DAGNY. Torture me not. Woe is me! thou hast made me see myselftoo clearly. 

 HIORDIS. A jesting word, and at once thou art in tears! Think nomore of it. Look what I have done to-day. (Takes some arrows fromthe table. ) Are they not keen and biting--feel! I know well how tosharpen arrows, do I not?

 DAGNY. And to use them too; thou strikest surely, Hiordis! Allthat thou hast said to me--I have never thought of before. (Morevehemently. ) But that Sigurd----! That for all these years I shouldhave made his life heavy and unhonoured;--no, no, it cannot be true!

 HIORDIS. Nay now, comfort thee, Dagny; indeed it is not true. WereSigurd of the same mind as in former days, it might be true enough;for then was his whole soul bent on being the foremost man in theland;--now he is content with a lowlier lot. 

 DAGNY. No, Hiordis; Sigurd is high-minded now as ever; I see itwell, I am not the right mate for him. He has hidden it from me;but it shall be so no longer. 

 HIORDIS. What wilt thou do?

 DAGNY. I will no longer hang like a clog upon his feet; I will bea hindrance to him no longer. 

 HIORDIS. Then thou wilt----?

 DAGNY. Peace; some one comes!

 (A House-carl enters from the back. )

 THE CARL. Sigurd Viking is coming to the hall. 

 HIORDIS. Sigurd! Then call Gunnar hither. 

 THE CARL. Gunnar has ridden forth to gather his neighbourstogether; for Kare the Peasant would----

 HIORDIS. Good, good, I know it; go! (The Carl goes. To DAGNY, whois also going. ) Whither wilt thou?

 DAGNY. I will not meet Sigurd. Too well I feel that we must part;but to meet him now--no, no, I cannot!

 (Goes out to the left. )

 HIORDIS (looks after her in silence for a moment). And it was sheI would have---- (completes her thought by a glance at the bow-string). That would have been a poor revenge;--nay, I have cut deeper now! Hm;it is hard to die, but sometimes it is harder still to live!

 (SIGURD enters from the back. )

 HIORDIS. Doubtless thou seekest Gunnar; be seated, he will be hereeven now. 

 (Is going. )

 SIGURD. Nay, stay; it is thee I seek, rather than him. 

 HIORDIS. Me?

 SIGURD. And 'tis well I find thee alone. 

 HIORDIS. If thou comest to mock me, it would sure be no hindranceto thee though the hall were full of men and women. 

 SIGURD. Ay, ay, well I know what thoughts thou hast of me. 

 HIORDIS (bitterly). I do thee wrong mayhap! Nay, nay, Sigurd, thouhast been as a poison to all my days. Bethink thee who it was thatwrought that shameful guile; who it was that lay by my side in thebower, feigning love with the laugh of cunning in his heart; who itwas that flung me forth to Gunnar, since for him I was good enough, forsooth--and then sailed away with the woman he held dear!

 SIGURD. Man's will can do this and that; but fate rules in the deedsthat shape our lives--so has it gone with us twain. 

 HIORDIS. True enough; evil Norns hold sway over the world; but theirmight is little if they find not helpers in our own heart. Happy ishe who has strength to battle with the Norn--and it is that I havenow in hand. 

 SIGURD. What mean'st thou?

 HIORDIS. I will essay a trial of strength against those--those whoare over me. But let us not talk more of this; I have much to do to-day. (She seats herself at the table. )

 SIGURD (after a pause). Thou makest good weapons for Gunnar. 

 HIORDIS (with a quiet smile). Not for Gunnar, but against thee. 

 SIGURD. Most like it is the same thing. 

 HIORDIS. Ay, most like it is; for if I be a match for the Norn, then sooner or later shalt thou and Gunnar---- (breaks off, leansbackwards against the table, and says with an altered ring in hervoice:) Hm; knowest thou what I sometimes dream? I have often madeit my pastime to limn pleasant pictures in my mind; I sit and closemy eyes and think: Now comes Sigurd the Strong to the isle;--he willburn us in our house, me and my husband. All Gunnar's men havefallen; only he and I are left; they set light to the roof fromwithout:--"A bow-shot, " cries Gunnar, "one bow-shot may save us;"--then the bow-string breaks--"Hiordis, cut a tress of thy hair andmake a bow-string of it, --our life is at stake. " But then I laugh--"Let it burn, let it burn--to me, life is not worth a handful of hair!"

 SIGURD. There is a strange might in all thy speech. (Approaches her. )

 HIORDIS (looks coldly at him). Wouldst sit beside me?

 SIGURD. Thou deemest my heart is bitter towards thee. Hiordis, thisis the last time we shall have speech together; there is somethingthat gnaws me like a sore sickness, and thus I cannot part from thee;thou must know me better. 

 HIORDIS. What wouldst thou?

 SIGURD. Tell thee a saga. 

 HIORDIS. Is it sad?

 SIGURD. Sad, as life itself. 

 HIORDIS (bitterly). What knowest thou of the sadness of life?

 SIGURD. Judge when my saga is over. 

 HIORDIS. Then tell it me; I shall work the while. 

 (He sits on a low stool to her right. )

 SIGURD. Once upon a time there were two young vikings, who setforth from Norway to win wealth and honour; they had sworn each otherfriendship; and held truly together, how far soever thy might fare. 

 HIORDIS. And the two young vikings hight Sigurd and Gunnar?

 SIGURD. Ay, we may call them so. At last they came to Iceland; andthere dwelt an old chieftain, who had come forth from Norway in KingHarald's days. He had two fair women in his house; but one, hisfoster-daughter, was the noblest, for she was wise and strong ofsoul; and the vikings spoke of her between themselves, and neverhad they seen a fairer woman, so deemed they both. 

 HIORDIS (in suspense). Both? Wilt thou mock me?

 SIGURD. Gunnar thought of her night and day, and that did Sigurd noless; but both held their peace, and no man could say from her bearingwhether Gunnar found favour in her eyes; but that Sigurd misliked her, that was easy to discern. 

 HIORDIS (breathlessly). Go on, go on----!

 SIGURD. Yet ever the more must Sigurd dream of her; but of that wistno man. Now it befell one evening that there was a drinking-feast;and then swore that proud woman that no man should possess her savehe who wrought a mighty deed, which she named. High beat Sigurd'sheart for joy; for he felt within him the strength to do that deed;but Gunnar took him apart and told him of his love;--Sigurd saidnaught of his, but went to the----

 HIORDIS (vehemently). Sigurd, Sigurd! (Controlling herself. ) Andthis saga--is it true?

 SIGURD. True it is. One of us had to yield; Gunnar was my friend;I could do aught else. So thou becamest Gunnar's wife, and I weddedanother woman. 

 HIORDIS. And came to love her!

 SIGURD. I learned to prize her; but one woman only has Sigurdloved, and that is she who frowned upon him from the first day theymet. Here ends my saga; and now let us part. --Farewell, Gunnar'swife; never shall we meet again. 

 HIORDIS (springing up). Stay, stay! Woe to us both; Sigurd, whathast thou done?

 SIGURD (starting). I, done? What ails thee?

 HIORDIS. And all this dost thou tell me now! But no--it cannotbe true!

 SIGURD. These are my last words to thee, and every word is true. I would not thou shouldst think hardly of me, therefore I needsmust speak. 

 HIORDIS (involuntarily clasps her hands together and gazes at himin voiceless astonishment). Loved--loved me--thou! (Vehemently, coming close up to him. ) I will not believe thee! (Looks hard athim. ) Yes, it is true, and--baleful for us both!

 (Hides her face in her hands, and turns away from him. )

 SIGURD (terror-stricken). Hiordis!

 HIORDIS (softly, struggling with tears and laughter). Nay, heedme not! This was all I meant, that---- (Lays her hand on his arm. )Sigurd, thou hast not told thy saga to the end; that proud womanthou didst tell of--she returned thy love!

 SIGURD (starts backwards). Thou?

 HIORDIS (with composure). Yes, Sigurd, I have loved thee, at lastI understand it. Thou sayest I was ungentle and short of speechtowards thee; what wouldst thou have a woman do? I could not offerthee my love, for then had I been little worthy of thee. I deemedthee ever the noblest man of men; and then to know thee another'shusband--'twas that caused me the bitter pain, that myself I couldnot understand!

 SIGURD (much moved). A baleful web has the Norn woven around ustwain. 

 HIORDIS. The blame is thine own; bravely and firmly it becomes aman to act. When I set that hard proof for him who should win me, my thought was of thee;--yet could'st thou----!

 SIGURD. I knew Gunnar's soul-sickness; I alone could heal it;--wasthere aught for me to choose? And yet, had I known what I now know, Iscarce dare answer for myself; for great is the might of love. 

 HIORDIS (with animation). But now, Sigurd!--A baleful hap has heldus apart all these years; now the knot is loosed; the days to comeshall make good the past to us. 

 SIGURD (shaking his head). It cannot be; we must part again. 

 HIORDIS. Nay, we must not. I love thee, that may I now say unashamed;for my love is no mere dalliance, like a weak woman's; were I a man--by all the Mighty Ones, I could still love thee, even as now I do! Upthen, Sigurd! Happiness is worth a daring deed; we are both free ifwe but will it, and then the game is won. 

 SIGURD. Free? What meanest thou?

 HIORDIS. What is Dagny to thee? What can she be to thee? No morethan I count Gunnar in my secret heart. What matters it though twoworthless lives be wrecked?

 SIGURD. Hiordis, Hiordis!

 HIORDIS. Let Gunnar stay where he is; let Dagny fare with her fatherto Iceland; I will follow thee in harness of steel, withersoever thouwendest. (SIGURD makes a movement. ) Not as thy wife will I followthee; for I have belonged to another, and the woman lives that haslain by thy side. No, Sigurd, not as they wife, but like those mightywomen, like Hilde's sisters, [1] will I follow thee, and fire thee tostrife and to manly deeds, so that thy name shall be heard over everyland. In the sword-game will I stand by thy side; I will fare forthamong thy warriors on the stormy viking-raids; and when the death-song is sung, it shall tell of Sigurd and Hiordis in one!

 [1] The Valkyries. 

 SIGURD. Once was that my fairest dream; now, it is too late. Gunnarand Dagny stand between us, and that by right. I crushed my love forGunnar's sake;--how great soever my suffering, I cannot undo my deed. And Dagny--full of faith and trust she left her home and kindred;never must she dream that I longed for Hiordis as often as she tookme to her breast. 

 HIORDIS. And for such a cause wilt thou lay a burden on thy life!To what end hast thou strength and might, and therewith all noble giftsof the mind? And deemest thou it can now beseem me to dwell beneathGunnar's roof? Nay, Sigurd, trust me, there are many tasks awaitingsuch a man as thou. Erik is king of Norway--do thou rise against him!Many goodly warriors will join thee and swear thee fealty; withunconquerable might will we press onward, and fight and toil unrestinguntil thou art seated on the throne of Harfager!

 SIGURD. Hiordis, Hiordis, so have I dreamt in my wild youth; letit be forgotten--tempt me not!

 HIORDIS (impressively). It is the Norn's will that we two shallhold together; it cannot be altered. Plainly now I see my task inlife: to make thee famous over all the world. Thou hast stood beforeme every day, every hour of my life; I sought to tear thee out ofmy mind, but I lacked the might; now it is needless, now that I knowthou lovest me. 

 SIGURD (with forced coldness). If that be so--then know--I _have_loved thee; it is past now;--I have forgot those days. 

 HIORDIS. Sigurd, in that thou liest! So much at least am I worth, that if thou hast loved me once, thou canst never forget it. 

 SIGURD (vehemently). I must; and now I will. 

 HIORDIS. So be it; but thou _canst_ not. Thou wilt seek to hinderme, but in vain; ere evening falls, Gunnar and Dagny shall know all. 

 SIGURD. Ha, that wilt thou never do!

 HIORDIS. That will I do!

 SIGURD. Then must I know thee ill; high-souled have I ever deemedthee. 

 HIORDIS. Evil days breed evil thoughts; too great has been thytrust in me. I will, I must, go forth by thy side--forth to facelife and strife; Gunnar's roof-tree is too low for me. 

 SIGURD (with emphasis). But honour between man and man hast thouhighly prized. There lack not grounds for strife between me andGunnar; say, now, that he fell by my hand, wouldst thou still makeall known and follow me?

 HIORDIS (starting). Wherefore askest thou?

 SIGURD. Answer me first: what wouldst thou do, were I to thy husbandhis bane. 

 HIORDIS (looks hard at him). Then must I keep silence and never restuntil I had seen thee slain. 

 SIGURD (with a smile). It is well, Hiordis--I knew it. 

 HIORDIS (hastily). But it can never come to pass!

 SIGURD. It must come to pass; thou thyself hast cast the die forGunnar's life and mine. 

 (GUNNAR, with some House-carls, enters from the back. )

 GUNNAR (gloomily, to HIORDIS). See now; the seed thou hast sown isshooting bravely!

 SIGURD (approaching). What is amiss with thee?

 GUNNAR. Sigurd, is it thou? What is amiss? Nought but what I mightwell have foreseen. As soon as Dagny, thy wife, had brought tidingsof Kare the Peasant, I took horse and rode to my neighbours to cravehelp against him. 

 HIORDIS (eagerly). Well?

 GUNNAR. I was answered awry where'er I came: my dealings with Karehad been little to my honour, it was said;--hm, other things were saidto boot, that I will not utter. --I am spurned at by all; I am thoughtto have done a dastard deed; men hold it a shame to make common causewith me. 

 SIGURD. It shall not long be held a shame; ere evening comes, thoushalt have men enough to face Kare. 

 GUNNAR. Sigurd!

 HIORDIS (in a low voice, triumphantly). Ha, I knew it well!

 SIGURD (with forced resolution). But then is there an end to thepeace between us; for hearken to my words, Gunnar--thou hast slainThorolf, my wife's kinsman, and therefore do I challenge thee tosingle combat[1] to-morrow at break of day. 

 [1] _Holmgang_--see note, p. 138 [_Holmgang_=duel. ]

 (HIORDIS, in violent inward emotion, makes a stride towards SIGURD, but collects herself and remains standing motionless during the following. )

 GUNNAR (in extreme astonishment). To single combat----! Me!--Thouart jesting, Sigurd!

 SIGURD. Thou art lawfully challenged to single combat; 'twill be agame for life or death; one of us must fall!

 GUNNAR (bitterly). Ha, I understand it well. When I came, thoudidst talk with Hiordis alone; she has goaded thee afresh!

 SIGURD. May hap. (Half towards HIORDIS. ) A high-souled woman mustever guard her husband's honour. (To the men in the background. ) Anddo ye, house-carls, now go to Gunnar's neighbours, and say to themthat to-morrow he is to ply sword-strokes with me; none dare callthat man a dastard who bears arms against Sigurd Viking!

 (The House-carls go out by the back. )

 GUNNAR (goes quickly up to SIGURD and presses his hands, in strongemotion). Sigurd, my brave brother, now I understand thee! Thouventurest thy life for my honour, as of old for my happiness!

 SIGURD. Thank thy wife; she has the largest part in what I do. To-morrow at break of day----

 GUNNAR. I will meet thee. (Tenderly. ) Foster-brother, wilt thouhave a good blade of me? It is a gift of price. 

 SIGURD. I thank thee; but let it hang. --Who knows if next eveningI may have any use for it. 

 GUNNAR (shakes his hand). Farewell, Sigurd!

 SIGURD. Again farewell, and fortune befriend thee this night!

 (They part. GUNNAR goes out to the right. SIGURD casts a glance at HIORDIS, and goes out by the back. )

 HIORDIS (after a pause, softly and thoughtfully). To-morrow theyfight! Which will fall? (After a moment's silence, she bursts forthas if seized by a strong resolution. ) Let fall who will--Sigurd andI shall still be together!

ACT FOURTH. 

(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 quietsorrow). So strong was he yesterday when he bore Thorolf's body onhis back; strong was he as he helped to heap the grave-mound; butwhen they were all laid to rest, and earth and stones piled overthem--then the sorrow seized him; then seemed it of a sudden asthough 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 Gunnaris ended. 

 DAGNY. And then wilt thou buy land and build thee a homestead, andgo a-viking no more?

 SIGURD. Yes, yes, --that have I promised. 

 DAGNY. And I may believe without doubt that Hiordis spoke falselywhen 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 evilthat here has been wrought. In the long winter evenings we will talktogether of Gunnar and Hiordis, and----

 SIGURD. Nay, Dagny, wouldst thou have things go well with us, dothou 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. 

 ORNULF (as if awaking). The mound? Is it--ay, ay----

 SIGURD. Now speak to him, Dagny. 

 DAGNY (approaching). Father, it is cold out here; a storm isgathering to-night. 

 ORNULF. Hm; heed it not; the mound is close-heaped and crannyless;they lie warm in there. 

 DAGNY. Ay, but thou----

 ORNULF. I? I am not cold. 

 DAGNY. Nought hast thou eaten today; wilt thou not go in? Thesupper-board stands ready. 

 ORNULF. Let the supper-board stand; I have no hunger. 

 DAGNY. But to sit here so still--trust me, thou wilt take hurt ofit; thou art ever wont to be stirring. 

 ORNULF. True, true; there is somewhat that crushes my breast; Icannot draw breath. 

 (He hides his face in his hands. A pause. DAGNY seats herself beside him. )

 DAGNY. To-morrow wilt thou make ready thy ship and set forth forIceland?

 ORNULF (without looking up). What should I do there? Nay, I willto my sons. 

 DAGNY (with pain). Father!

 ORNULF (raises his head). Go in and let me sit here; when the stormhas played with me for a night or two, the game will be over, I ween. 

 SIGURD. Thou canst not think to deal thus with thyself. 

 ORNULF. Dost marvel that I fain would rest? My day's work is done;I have laid my sons in their grave. (Vehemently. ) Go from me!--Go, go!

 (He hides his face. )

 SIGURD (softly, to DAGNY, who rises). Let him sit yet a while. 

 DAGNY. Nay, I have one rede yet untried;--I know him. (To Ornulf. )Thy day's work done, say'st thou? Nay, that it is not. Thou hast laidthy sons in the grave;--but art thou not a skald? It is meet that thoushould'st sing their memory. 

 ORNULF (shaking his head). Sing? Nay, nay; yesterday I could sing;I am too old to-day. 

 DAGNY. But needs must thou; honourable men were thy sons, one andall; a song must be made of them, and that can none of our kin butthou. 

 ORNULF (looks inquiringly at SIGURD). To sing? What thinkest_thou_, Sigurd?

 SIGURD. Meseems it is but meet; thou must e'en do as she says. 

 DAGNY. Thy neighbours in Iceland will deem it ill done when thegrave-ale is drunk over Ornulf's children, and there is no songto sing with it. Thou hast ever time enough to follow thy sons. 

 ORNULF. Well well, I will try it; and thou, Dagny, give heed, thatafterwards thou may'st carve the song on staves. 

 (The men approach with the torches, forming a group around him; he is silent for a time, reflecting; then he says:)

 Bragi's[1] gift is bitter when the heart is broken; sorrow-laden singer, singing, suffers sorely. 

 Natheless, since the Skald-god gave me skill in song-craft, in a lay loud-ringing be my loss lamented!

 (Rises. )

 Ruthless Norn[2] and wrathful wrecked my life and ravaged, wiled away my welfare, wasted Ornulf's treasure. 

 Sons had Ornulf seven, by the great gods granted;-- lonely now and life-sick goes the greybeard, sonless. 

 Seven sons so stately, bred among the sword-blades, made a mighty bulwark round the snow-locked sea-king. 

 Levelled lies the bulwark, dead my swordsmen seven; gone the greybeard's gladness, desolate his dwelling. 

 Thorolf, --thou my last-born! Of the bold the boldest! Soon were spent my sorrow so but thou wert left me!

 Fair thou wast as springtide, fond towards thy father, waxing straight and stalwart to so wight a warrior. 

 Dark and drear his death-wound leaves my life's lone evening; grief hath gripped my bosom as 'twixt hurtling targes. 

 Nought the Norn denied me of her rueful riches, showering woes unstinted over Ornulf's world-way. 

 Weak are now my weapons. But, were god-might given me, then, oh Norn, I swear it, scarce should'st thou go scatheless!

 Dire were then my vengeance; then had dawned thy doomsday, Norn, that now hast left me nought but yonder grave-mound. 

 Nought, I said? Nay, truly, somewhat still is Ornulf's, since of Suttung's[3] mead-horn he betimes drank deeply. 

 (With rising enthusiasm. )

 Though she stripped me sonless, one great gift she gave me-- songcraft's mighty secret, skill to sing my sorrows. 

 On my lips she laid it, goodly gift of songcraft; loud, then, let my lay sound, e'en where they are lying!

 Hail, my stout sons seven! Hail, as homeward ride ye! Songcraft's glorious god-gift stauncheth woe and wailing. 

 [1] Bragi, the god of poetry and eloquence. [2] See note, p. 175 [The "Nornir" were the Fates of northern mythology. ] [3] Suttung was a giant who kept guard over the magic mead of poetical inspiration. 

 (He draws a deep breath, throws back the hair from his brow, and says calmly:)

 So--so; now is Ornulf sound and strong again. (To the men. ) Followme to the supper-board, lads; we have had a heavy day's work!

 (Goes with the men into the boat-house. )

 DAGNY. Praised be the Mighty Ones on high that gave me so good arede. (To SIGURD. ) Wilt thou not go in?

 SIGURD. Nay, I list not to. Tell me, are all things ready forto-morrow?

 DAGNY. They are; a silk-sewn shroud lies on the bench; but I knowfull surely that thou wilt hold thee against Gunnar, so I have notwept over it. 

 SIGURD. Grant all good powers, that thou may'st never weep for mysake. (He stops and looks out. )

 DAGNY. What art thou listening to?

 SIGURD. Hear'st thou nought--_there?_

 (Points towards the left. )

 DAGNY. Ay, there goes a fearsome storm over the sea!

 SIGURD (going up a little towards the background). Hm, there willfall hard hailstones in that storm. (Shouts. ) Who comes?

 KARE THE PEASANT (without on the left). Folk thou wot'st of, SigurdViking!

 (KARE THE PEASANT, with a band of armed men, enters from the left. )

 SIGURD. Whither would ye?

 KARE. To Gunnar's hall. 

 SIGURD. As foemen?

 KARE. Ay, trust me for that! Thou didst hinder me before; but nowI ween thou wilt scarce do the like. 

 SIGURD. Maybe not. 

 KARE. I have heard of thy challenge to Gunnar; but if things go tomy mind, weak will be his weapons when the time comes for your meeting. 

 SIGURD. 'Tis venturesome work thou goest about; take heed forthyself, Peasant!

 KARE (with defiant laughter). Leave that to me; if thou wilt tacklethy ship to-night, we will give thee light for the task!--Come, allmy men; here goes the way. 

 (They go off to the right, at the back. )

 DAGNY. Sigurd, Sigurd, this misdeed must thou hinder. 

 SIGURD (goes quickly to the door of the hut, and calls in). Up fromthe board, Ornulf; take vengeance on Kare the Peasant. 

 ORNULF (comes out, with the rest). Kare the Peasant--where is he?

 SIGURD. He is making for Gunnar's hall to burn it over their heads. 

 ORNULF. Ha-ha--let him do as he will; so shall I be avenged onGunnar and Hiordis, and afterwards I can deal with Kare. 

 SIGURD. Ay, that rede avails not; wouldst thou strike at Kare, thou must seek him out to-night; for when his misdeed is done, hewill take to the mountains. I have challenged Gunnar to singlecombat; him thou hast safely enough, unless I myself--but no matter. --To-night he must be shielded from his foes; it would ill befit theeto let such a dastard as Kare rob thee of thy revenge. 

 ORNULF. Thou say'st truly. To-night will I shield the slayer ofThorolf; but to-morrow he must die. 

 SIGURD. He or I--doubt not of that!

 ORNULF. Come then, to take vengeance for Ornulf's sons. 

 (He goes out with his men by the back, to the right. )

 SIGURD. Dagny, do thou follow them;--I must bide here; for therumour of the combat is already abroad, and I may not meet Gunnarere the time comes. But thou--do thou keep rein on thy father; hemust go honourably to work; in Gunnar's hall there are many women;no harm must befall Hiordis or the rest. 

 DAGNY. Yes, I will follow them. Thou hast a kind thought even forHiordis; I thank thee. 

 SIGURD. Go, go, Dagny!

 DAGNY. I go; but be thou at ease as to Hiordis; she has gildedarmour in her bower, and will know how to shield herself. 

 SIGURD. That deem I too; but go thou nevertheless; guide thyfather's course; watch over all--and over Gunnar's wife!

 DAGNY. Trust to me. Farewell, till we meet again. 

 (She follows the others. )

 SIGURD. 'Tis the first time, foster-brother, that I stand weaponlesswhilst thou art in danger. (Listens. ) I hear shouts and sword-strokes;--they are already at the hall. (Goes towards the right, but stops andrecoils in astonishment. ) Hiordis! Comes she hither!

 (HIORDIS enters, clad in a short scarlet kirtle, with gilded armour: helmet, hauberk, arm-plates, and greaves. Her hair is flying loose; at her back hangs a quiver, and at her belt a small shield. She has in her hand the bow strung with her hair. )

 HIORDIS (hastily looking behind her, as though in dread of somethingpursuing her, goes close up to SIGURD, seizes him by the arm, andwhispers:) Sigurd, Sigurd, canst thou see it?

 SIGURD. What? Where ?

 HIORDIS. The wolf there--close behind me; it does not move; itglares at me with its two red eyes. It is my wraith, [1], Sigurd!Three times has it appeared to me; that bodes that I shall surelydie to-night!

 [1] The word "wraith" is here used in an obviously inexact sense; but the wraith seemed to be the nearest equivalent in English mythology to the Scandinavian "fylgie, " an attendant spirit, often regarded as a sort of emanation from the person it accompanied, and sometimes (as in this case) typifying that person's moral attributes. 

 SIGURD. Hiordis, Hiordis!

 HIORDIS. It has sunk into the earth! Yes, yes, now it has warned me. 

 SIGURD. Thou art sick; come, go in with me. 

 HIORDIS. Nay, here will I bide; I have but little time left. 

 SIGURD. What has befallen thee?

 HIORDIS. What has befallen? That know I not; but true was it whatthou said'st to-day, that Gunnar and Dagny stand between us; we mustaway from them and from life: then can we be together!

 SIGURD. We? Ha, thou meanest----!

 HIORDIS (with dignity). I have been homeless in this world from thatday thou didst take another to wife. That was ill done of thee! Allgood gifts may a man give his faithful friend--all, save the woman heloves; for if he do that, he rends the Norn's secret web, and two livesare wrecked. An unerring voice within me tells me I came into theworld that my strong soul might cheer and sustain thee through heavydays, and that thou wast born to the end I might find in _one_ manall that seemed to me great and noble; for this I know Sigurd--had wetwo held together, thou hadst become more famous than all others, andI happier. 

 SIGURD. It avails not now to mourn. Thinkest thou it is a merrylife that awaits me? To be by Dagny's side day be day, and feign alove my heart shrinks from? Yet so it must be; it cannot be altered. 

 HIORDIS (in a growing frenzy). It _shall_ be altered! We must outof this life, both of us! Seest thou this bow-string? With it can Isurely hit my mark; for I have crooned fair sorceries over it! (Placesan arrow in the bow, which is strung. ) Hark! hearest thou that rushingin the air? It is the dead men's ride to Nalhal: I have bewitchedthem hither;--we two will join them in their ride!

 SIGURD (shrinking back). Hiordis, Hiordis--I fear thee!

 HIORDIS (not heeding him). Our fate no power can alter now! Oh, 'tisbetter so than if thou hadst wedded me here in this life--if I hadsat in thy homestead weaving linen and wool for thee and bearing theechildren--pah!

 SIGURD. Hold, hold! Thy sorcery has been too strong for thee; thouart soul-sick, Hiordis! (Horror-struck. ) Ha, see--see! Gunnar's hall--it is burning!

 HIORDIS. Let it burn, let it burn! The cloud-hall up yonder isloftier than Gunnar's rafter-roof!

 SIGURD. But Egil, thy son--they are slaying him!

 HIORDIS. Let him die--my shame dies with him!

 SIGURD. And Gunnar--they are taking thy husband's life!

 HIORDIS. What care I! A better husband shall I follow home thisnight! Ay, Sigurd, so must it be; here on this earth is no happinessfor me. The White God is coming northward; him will I not meet; theold gods are strong no longer;--they sleep, they sit half shadow-high;--with them will we strive! Out of this life, Sigurd; I willenthrone thee king in heaven, and I will sit at thy side. (The stormbursts wildly. ) Hark, hark, here comes our company! Canst see theblack steeds galloping?--one is for me and one for thee. (Draws thearrow to her ear and shoots. ) Away, then, on thy last ride home!

 SIGURD. Well aimed, Hiordis!

 (He falls. )

 HIORDIS (jubilant, rushes up to him). Sigurd, my brother, --now artthou mine at last!

 SIGURD. Now less than ever. Here our ways part; for I am aChristian man. 

 HIORDIS (appalled). Thou----! Ha, no, no!

 SIGURD. The White God is mine; King AEthelstan taught me to knowhim; it is to him I go. 

 HIORDIS (in despair). And I----! (Drops her bow. ) Woe! woe!

 SIGURD. Heavy has my life been from the hour I tore thee out of myown heart and gave thee to Gunnar. Thanks, Hiordis;--now am I so lightand free. 

 (Dies. )

 HIORDIS (quietly). Dead! Then truly have I brought my soul to wreck!(The storm increases; she breaks forth wildly. ) They come! I havebewitched them hither! No, no! I will not go with you! I will not ridewithout Sigurd! It avails not--they see me; they laugh and beckon tome; they spur their horses! (Rushes out to the edge of the cliff atthe back. ) They are upon me;--and no shelter no hiding- place! Ay, mayhap at the bottom of the sea!

 (She casts herself over. ) (ORNULF, DAGNY, GUNNAR, with EGIL, followed by SIGURD'S and ORNULF'S men, gradually enter from the right. )

 ORNULF (turning towards the grave-mound). Now may ye sleep in peace;for ye lie not unavenged. 

 DAGNY (entering). Father, father--I die of fear--all that bloodystrife--and the storm;--hark, hark!

 GUNNAR (carrying EGIL). Peace, and shelter for my child!

 ORNULF. Gunnar!

 GUNNAR. Ay, Ornulf, my homestead is burnt and my men are slain; Iam in thy power; do with me what thou wilt!

 ORNULF. That Sigurd must look to. But in, under roof! It is notsafe out here. 

 DAGNY. Ay, in, in! (Goes towards the boat-house, catches sight ofSIGURD'S body, and shrieks. ) Sigurd, my husband!--They have slain him!(Throwing herself upon him. )

 ORNULF (rushes up). Sigurd!

 GUNNAR (sets EGIL down). Sigurd dead!

 DAGNY (looks despairingly at the men, who surround the body). No, no, it is not so;--he must be alive! (Catches sight of the bow. ) Ha, what is that? (Rises. )

 ORNULF. Daughter, it is as first thou saidst--Sigurd is slain. 

 GUNNAR (as if seized by a sudden thought). And Hiordis!--Has Hiordisbeen here?

 DAGNY (softly and with self-control). I know not; but this I know, that her bow has been here. 

 GUNNAR. Ay, I thought as much!

 DAGNY. Hush, hush! (To herself. ) So bitterly did she hate him!

 GUNNAR (aside). She has slain him--the night before the combat; thenshe loved me after all. 

 (A thrill of dread runs through the whole group; ASGARDSREIEN--the ride of the fallen heroes to Valhal--hurtles through the air. )

 EGIL (in terror). Father! See, see!

 GUNNAR. What is it?

 EGIL. Up there--all the black horses----!

 GUNNAR. It is the clouds that----

 ORNULF. Nay, it is the dead men's home-faring. 

 EGIL (with a shriek). Mother is with them!

 DAGNY. All good spirits!

 GUNNAR. Child, what say'st thou?

 EGIL. There--in front--on the black horse! Father, father!

 (EGIL clings in terror to his father; a short pause; the storm passes over, the clouds part, the moon shines peacefully on the scene. )

 GUNNAR (in quiet sorrow). Now is Hiordis surely dead!

 ORNULF. So it must be, Gunnar;--and my vengeance was rather againsther than thee. Dear has this meeting been to both of us;---- ----there is my hand; be there peace between us!

 GUNNAR. Thanks, Ornulf! And now aboard; I sail with thee to Iceland. 

 ORNULF. Ay, to Iceland! Long will it be ere our forth-faring isforgotten. 

 Weapon wielding warrior's meeting, woeful by the northern seaboard, still shall live in song and saga while our stem endure in Iceland.