(All rise; violent excitement among the guests.)
GUNNAR, SIGURD, AND DAGNY. Hiordis!
THOROLF (bitterly exasperated). So base a lie has no man spoken of Ornulf of the Fiords! Thou thyself hast made it, for no one less venomous than thou could dream of such a thing. The blackest crime a man can do hast thou laid at my father's door. (Throwing the sword away.) There, Gunnar, take thy gift again; I can take nought from the house wherein my father is reviled.
GUNNAR. Thorolf, hear me——!
THOROLF. Let me go! But beware both thou and Hiordis; for my father has 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! And meanwhile, Hiordis, do thou cheer thee with these words I heard to-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 sought his revenge by shameful wiles; he would not come against us in open strife; he feigned to be peacefully-minded; and then he falls upon our defenceless child! Ha, I saw more clearly than ye; well I deemed that Ornulf was evil-minded and false; I had good cause to egg thee on against him and all his faithless tribe!
[1] Literally the "blood-night."
GUNNAR (fiercely). That hadst thou! My vengeance is poor beside Ornulf'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 Fiords is 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 black a deed. I would not give atonement for Jokul, and, had things so befallen, I had willingly slain thee, Gunnar, in single combat—yet I 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 son was already in thy foemen's hand, and they would not long have spared him. 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 hard to 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 pine to be stripped in a single storm. But men die and men live;—I will drink 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 heels shall the copper-gates not clang, for ye come to the hall with a great following. (Drinks, and hands back the horn.) And now home to Iceland! Ornulf has fought his last fight; the old tree has but one green branch left, and it must be shielded warily. Where is Thorolf?
EGIL (to his father). Ay, show me Thorolf! Ornulf told me he would carve me a ship with many, many warriors on board.
ORNULF. I praise all good wights that Thorolf came not with us; for if he too—nay, strong though I be, that had been too heavy for me to bear. 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 single day.
GUNNAR. Ornulf, Ornulf!
ORNULF (with growing uneasiness). Ye stand all silent, I mark it now. 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, it cannot 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 Egil and slain him;—we had parted half in wrath, and thou hast ere now brought death among my kindred. And moreover—Thorolf bore himself at the feast like a wanton boy; he brooked not our jesting, and spoke many evil things. Not till then did Gunnar wax wroth; not till then did he raise his hand upon thy son; and well I wot that he had good and lawful ground for that deed.
ORNULF (calmly). Well may we see that thou art a woman, for thou usest many words. To what end? If Thorolf is slain, then is his saga 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 slayermany a woe shall still be weaving.
Well has thou wrought that his words should come true. (Pauses a moment, 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 turn his 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 of thunder to SIGURD, DAGNY, and others who are preparing to follow him, sorrowing). Stay! Think ye Ornulf will be followed by a train of mourners, like a whimpering woman? Stay, I say!—I can bear my Thorolf alone. (With calm strength.) Sonless I go; but none shall say that he saw me bowed. (He goes slowly out.)
HIORDIS (with forced laughter). Ay, let him go as he will; we shall scarce need many men to face him should he come with strife again! Now, Dagny—I wot it is the last time thy father shall sail from Iceland on such a quest!
SIGURD (indignant). Oh, shame!
DAGNY (likewise). And thou canst scoff at him—scoff at him, after all that has befallen?
HIORDIS. A deed once done, 'tis wise to praise it. This morning I swore hate and vengeance against Ornulf;—the slaying of Jokul I might have forgotten—all, save that he cast shame upon my lot. He called me a leman; if itbeso, it shames me not; for Gunnar is mightier now than thy father; he is greater and more famous than Sigurd, thine own husband!
DAGNY (in wild indignation). There thou errest, Hiordis—and even now 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 thou didst scoff at my father and my dead brothers; I held my peace while Ornulf was here, lest he should learn that Thorolf fell by a dastard's hand. But now—praise Gunnar nevermore for that deed in Iceland; for Gunnar is a weakling! The sword that lay drawn between thee and the bear-slayer hangs at my husband's side—and the ring thou didst take from 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!
(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; (with a 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 him more than others, that can I well mark; but ere many days have passed I will—— (Meditating.) Ay, but the arm, the arm that shall do the deed——?
(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; it lies 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; canst thou not see?
GUNNAR. A bow-string—of thine own hair?
HIORDIS (smiling). Great deeds are born with every hour in these times; yesterday thou didst slay my foster-brother, and I have woven this 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; I awakened. Then meseemed I heard a strange, fair song through all the house; I arose; I stole hither to the door; here I saw thee sitting by the log-fire—it burned blue and red—fixing arrow-heads, and singing sorceries over them.
HIORDIS. The work was not wasted; for strong is the breast that must 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 loose this knot?
GUNNAR (tries it). Nay it is too cunningly and firmly woven.
HIORDIS (rising). The Norns[1] weave yet more cunningly; their web is 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 deed thou cravest; Sigurd lay slain on the earth; thou didst stand beside him, 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 a senseless 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 be straitened.
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 it would go ill with us. Thy soul is strong and proud; there are times when I well nigh fear thee; yet, it is strange—chiefly for that do I hold thee so dear. Dread enwraps thee like a spell; methinks thou could'st lure me to the blackest deeds, and all would seem good to me 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, else would'st thou prize him better. Had I been like Sigurd, I could have made life bright for thee.
HIORDIS (with strong but suppressed emotion). That—that deemest thou Sigurd could have done?
GUNNAR. He is strong of soul, and proud as thou to boot.
HIORDIS (violently). If that be so—(Collecting herself.) No matter, no matter! (With a wild outburst.) Gunnar, take Sigurd's life!
GUNNAR. Never!
HIORDIS. By fraud and falsehood thou mad'st me thy wife—that shall 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 back involuntarily.) Hiordis, Hiordis, tempt me not!
HIORDIS. Then must I find another avenger; Sigurd shall not live long to flout at me and thee! (Clenching her hands in convulsive rage.) With her—that simpleton—with her mayhap he is even now sitting alone, dallying, and laughing at us; speaking of the bitter wrong that was done me when in thy stead he bore me away; telling how he laughed over his guile as he stood in my dark bower, and I knew him not!
GUNNAR. Nay, nay, he does not so!
HIORDIS (firmly). Sigurd and Dagny must die! I cannot breathe till they are gone! (Comes close up to him, with sparkling eyes, and speaks passionately, but in a whisper.) Would'st thou help me withthat, Gunnar, then should I live in love with thee; then should I clasp thee in such warm and wild embraces as thou hast never dreamt of!
GUNNAR (wavering). Hiordis! Would'st thou——
HIORDIS. Do the deed, Gunnar—and the heavy days shall be past. I will no longer quit the hall when thou comest, no longer speak harsh things and quench thy smile when thou art glad. I will clothe me in furs and costly silken robes. When thou goest to war, I will ride by thy side. At the feast I will sit by thee and fill thy horn, and drink 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 the door 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; he means thee no good; Sigurd has barred his way for the time; but who can 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 to gather my men together. (Turns towards the door, but stops and comes forward again.) Tell me—how goes it with Ornulf?
DAGNY (bowing her head). Ask me not. Yesterday he bore Thorolf's body 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 hate me; 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 tenfold more hapless than thou!
HIORDIS. Hapless—thou! Sigurd's wife!
DAGNY. It wasmydoing, all that befell—the stirring up of strife, and Thorolf's death, and all the scorn that fell upon Gunnar and thee. Mine is all the guilt! Woe upon me!—I have lived so happily; but after this day I shall never know joy again.
HIORDIS (as if seized by a sudden thought). But before—in these five 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 it so—— (With a malignant expression.) Canst thou remember once, over in Iceland—we had followed with Ornulf thy father to the Council, and we sat with our playmates in the Council Hall, as is the manner of women. Then came two strangers into the hall.
DAGNY. Sigurd and Gunnar.
HIORDIS. They greeted us in courteous fashion, and sat on the bench beside us; and there passed between us much merry talk. There were some who must needs know why these two vikings came thither, and if they were not minded to take them wives there in the island. Then said Sigurd: "It will be hard for me to find the woman that shall be to my mind." Ornulf laughed, and said there was no lack of high-born and well-dowered women in Iceland; but Sigurd answered: "The warrior needs a high-souled wife. She whom I choose must not rest content with 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 must egg me on to strife, and never wink her eyes where sword-blades lighten; 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.Suchwas she to be, the woman who could make life fair to 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 has been 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 no more of it. Look what I have done to-day. (Takes some arrows from the table.) Are they not keen and biting—feel! I know well how to sharpen arrows, do I not?
DAGNY. And to use them too; thou strikest surely, Hiordis! All that thou hast said to me—I have never thought of before. (More vehemently.) But that Sigurd——! That for all these years I should have made his life heavy and unhonoured;—no, no, it cannot be true!
HIORDIS. Nay now, comfort thee, Dagny; indeed it is not true. Were Sigurd 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 the land;—now he is content with a lowlier lot.
DAGNY. No, Hiordis; Sigurd is high-minded now as ever; I see it well, 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 be a 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 here even 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 hindrance to 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, thou hast been as a poison to all my days. Bethink thee who it was that wrought that shameful guile; who it was that lay by my side in the bower, feigning love with the laugh of cunning in his heart; who it was 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 deeds that shape our lives—so has it gone with us twain.
HIORDIS. True enough; evil Norns hold sway over the world; but their might is little if they find not helpers in our own heart. Happy is he who has strength to battle with the Norn—and it is that I have now in hand.
SIGURD. What mean'st thou?
HIORDIS. I will essay a trial of strength against those—those who are 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, leans backwards against the table, and says with an altered ring in her voice:) Hm; knowest thou what I sometimes dream? I have often made it my pastime to limn pleasant pictures in my mind; I sit and close my eyes and think: Now comes Sigurd the Strong to the isle;—he will burn us in our house, me and my husband. All Gunnar's men have fallen; only he and I are left; they set light to the roof from without:—"A bow-shot," cries Gunnar, "one bow-shot may save us;"— then the bow-string breaks—"Hiordis, cut a tress of thy hair and make 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, this is the last time we shall have speech together; there is something that 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 set forth from Norway to win wealth and honour; they had sworn each other friendship; 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; and there dwelt an old chieftain, who had come forth from Norway in King Harald's days. He had two fair women in his house; but one, his foster-daughter, was the noblest, for she was wise and strong of soul; and the vikings spoke of her between themselves, and never had 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 no less; but both held their peace, and no man could say from her bearing whether 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 wist no man. Now it befell one evening that there was a drinking-feast; and then swore that proud woman that no man should possess her save he who wrought a mighty deed, which she named. High beat Sigurd's heart 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 said naught of his, but went to the——
HIORDIS (vehemently). Sigurd, Sigurd! (Controlling herself.) And this 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 wedded another woman.
HIORDIS. And came to love her!
SIGURD. I learned to prize her; but one woman only has Sigurd loved, and that is she who frowned upon him from the first day they met. Here ends my saga; and now let us part.—Farewell, Gunnar's wife; never shall we meet again.
HIORDIS (springing up). Stay, stay! Woe to us both; Sigurd, what hast thou done?
SIGURD (starting). I, done? What ails thee?
HIORDIS. And all this dost thou tell me now! But no—it cannot be 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 needs must speak.
HIORDIS (involuntarily clasps her hands together and gazes at him in voiceless astonishment). Loved—loved me—thou! (Vehemently, coming close up to him.) I will not believe thee! (Looks hard at him.) 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, heed me 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 woman thou didst tell of—she returned thy love!
SIGURD (starts backwards). Thou?
HIORDIS (with composure). Yes, Sigurd, I have loved thee, at last I understand it. Thou sayest I was ungentle and short of speech towards thee; what wouldst thou have a woman do? I could not offer thee my love, for then had I been little worthy of thee. I deemed thee ever the noblest man of men; and then to know thee another's husband—'twas that caused me the bitter pain, that myself I could not understand!
SIGURD (much moved). A baleful web has the Norn woven around us twain.
HIORDIS. The blame is thine own; bravely and firmly it becomes a man 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;—was there aught for me to choose? And yet, had I known what I now know, I scarce dare answer for myself; for great is the might of love.
HIORDIS (with animation). But now, Sigurd!—A baleful hap has held us apart all these years; now the knot is loosed; the days to come shall 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! Up then, Sigurd! Happiness is worth a daring deed; we are both free if we 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 more than I count Gunnar in my secret heart. What matters it though two worthless lives be wrecked?
SIGURD. Hiordis, Hiordis!
HIORDIS. Let Gunnar stay where he is; let Dagny fare with her father to Iceland; I will follow thee in harness of steel, withersoever thou wendest. (SIGURD makes a movement.) Not as thy wife will I follow thee; for I have belonged to another, and the woman lives that has lain by thy side. No, Sigurd, not as they wife, but like those mighty women, like Hilde's sisters,[1] will I follow thee, and fire thee to strife and to manly deeds, so that thy name shall be heard over every land. In the sword-game will I stand by thy side; I will fare forth among 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. Gunnar and Dagny stand between us, and that by right. I crushed my love for Gunnar'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 took me 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 gifts of the mind? And deemest thou it can now beseem me to dwell beneath Gunnar's roof? Nay, Sigurd, trust me, there are many tasks awaiting such a man as thou. Erik is king of Norway—do thou rise against him! Many goodly warriors will join thee and swear thee fealty; with unconquerable might will we press onward, and fight and toil unresting until thou art seated on the throne of Harfager!
SIGURD. Hiordis, Hiordis, so have I dreamt in my wild youth; let it be forgotten—tempt me not!
HIORDIS (impressively). It is the Norn's will that we two shall hold together; it cannot be altered. Plainly now I see my task in life: to make thee famous over all the world. Thou hast stood before me every day, every hour of my life; I sought to tear thee out of my mind, but I lacked the might; now it is needless, now that I know thou lovest me.
SIGURD (with forced coldness). If that be so—then know—Ihaveloved 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 thoucanstnot. Thou wilt seek to hinder me, 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 deemed thee.
HIORDIS. Evil days breed evil thoughts; too great has been thy trust in me. I will, I must, go forth by thy side—forth to face life and strife; Gunnar's roof-tree is too low for me.
SIGURD (with emphasis). But honour between man and man hast thou highly prized. There lack not grounds for strife between me and Gunnar; say, now, that he fell by my hand, wouldst thou still make all 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 is shooting bravely!
SIGURD (approaching). What is amiss with thee?
GUNNAR. Sigurd, is it thou? What is amiss? Nought but what I might well have foreseen. As soon as Dagny, thy wife, had brought tidings of Kare the Peasant, I took horse and rode to my neighbours to crave help against him.
HIORDIS (eagerly). Well?
GUNNAR. I was answered awry where'er I came: my dealings with Kare had been little to my honour, it was said;—hm, other things were said to boot, that I will not utter.—I am spurned at by all; I am thought to have done a dastard deed; men hold it a shame to make common cause with me.
SIGURD. It shall not long be held a shame; ere evening comes, thou shalt 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 the peace between us; for hearken to my words, Gunnar—thou hast slain Thorolf, my wife's kinsman, and therefore do I challenge thee to single 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 must ever guard her husband's honour. (To the men in the background.) And do ye, house-carls, now go to Gunnar's neighbours, and say to them that to-morrow he is to ply sword-strokes with me; none dare call that 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 strong emotion). Sigurd, my brave brother, now I understand thee! Thou venturest 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 they fight! Which will fall? (After a moment's silence, she bursts forth as if seized by a strong resolution.) Let fall who will—Sigurd and I shall still be together!
(By the coast. It is evening; the moon breaks forth now and again,from among dark and ragged storm-clouds. At the back, a blackgrave-mound, newly heaped up.)(ORNULF sits on a stone, in front on the right, his head bare, hiselbows resting on his knees, and his face buried in his hands. Hismen are digging at the mound; some give light with pine-knot torches.After a short pause, SIGURD and DAGNY enter from the boat-house,where a wood fire is burning.)
DAGNY (in a low voice). There sits he still. (Holding SIGURD back.)Nay, speak not to him!
SIGURD. Thou say'st well; it is too soon; best leave him!
DAGNY (goes over to the right, and gazes at her father in quiet sorrow). So strong was he yesterday when he bore Thorolf's body on his back; strong was he as he helped to heap the grave-mound; but when they were all laid to rest, and earth and stones piled over them—then the sorrow seized him; then seemed it of a sudden as though his fire were quenched. (Dries her tears.) Tell me, Sigurd, when thinkest thou to fare homeward to Iceland?
SIGURD. So soon as the storm abates, and my quarrel with 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 falsely when she said that I was unworthy to be thy wife?
SIGURD. Yes yes, Dagny, trust thou to my word.
DAGNY. Then am I glad again, and will try to forget all the evil that here has been wrought. In the long winter evenings we will talk together of Gunnar and Hiordis, and——
SIGURD. Nay, Dagny, wouldst thou have things go well with us, 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? The supper-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 herselfbeside 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 storm has 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 laid thy sons in the grave;—but art thou not a skald? It is meet that thou should'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 and all; a song must be made of them, and that can none of our kin but thou.
ORNULF (looks inquiringly at SIGURD). To sing? What thinkestthou, 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 the grave-ale is drunk over Ornulf's children, and there is no song to 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 bitterwhen 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-sickgoes the greybeard, sonless.
Seven sons so stately,bred among the sword-blades,made a mighty bulwarkround 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 sorrowso but thou wert left me!
Fair thou wast as springtide,fond towards thy father,waxing straight and stalwartto so wight a warrior.
Dark and drear his death-woundleaves my life's lone evening;grief hath gripped my bosomas 'twixt hurtling targes.
Nought the Norn denied meof her rueful riches,showering woes unstintedover 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 menought but yonder grave-mound.
Nought, I said? Nay, truly,somewhat still is Ornulf's,since of Suttung's[3] mead-hornhe 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-giftstauncheth woe and wailing.
[1] Bragi, the god of poetry and eloquence.[2] See note, p. 175 [The "Nornir" were the Fates of northernmythology.][3] Suttung was a giant who kept guard over the magic mead ofpoetical inspiration.
(He draws a deep breath, throws back the hair from his brow, andsays 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 know full surely that thou wilt hold thee against Gunnar, so I have not wept over it.
SIGURD. Grant all good powers, that thou may'st never weep for my sake. (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 tackle thy ship to-night, we will give thee light for the task!—Come, all my 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 from the 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, he will take to the mountains. I have challenged Gunnar to single combat; him thou hast safely enough, unless I myself—but no matter.— To-night he must be shielded from his foes; it would ill befit thee to 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 the rumour of the combat is already abroad, and I may not meet Gunnar ere the time comes. But thou—do thou keep rein on thy father; he must 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 weaponless whilst thou art in danger. (Listens.) I hear shouts and sword-strokes; —they are already at the hall. (Goes towards the right, but stops and recoils 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 something pursuing her, goes close up to SIGURD, seizes him by the arm, and whispers:) Sigurd, Sigurd, canst thou see it?
SIGURD. What? Where ?
HIORDIS. The wolf there—close behind me; it does not move; it glares 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 surely die 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 what thou said'st to-day, that Gunnar and Dagny stand between us; we must away 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 that day thou didst take another to wife. That was ill done of thee! All good gifts may a man give his faithful friend—all, save the woman he loves; for if he do that, he rends the Norn's secret web, and two lives are wrecked. An unerring voice within me tells me I came into the world that my strong soul might cheer and sustain thee through heavy days, and that thou wast born to the end I might find inoneman all that seemed to me great and noble; for this I know Sigurd—had we two held together, thou hadst become more famous than all others, and I happier.
SIGURD. It avails not now to mourn. Thinkest thou it is a merry life that awaits me? To be by Dagny's side day be day, and feign a love my heart shrinks from? Yet so it must be; it cannot be altered.
HIORDIS (in a growing frenzy). Itshallbe altered! We must out of this life, both of us! Seest thou this bow-string? With it can I surely hit my mark; for I have crooned fair sorceries over it! (Places an arrow in the bow, which is strung.) Hark! hearest thou that rushing in the air? It is the dead men's ride to Nalhal: I have bewitched them 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, 'tis better so than if thou hadst wedded me here in this life—if I had sat in thy homestead weaving linen and wool for thee and bearing thee children—pah!
SIGURD. Hold, hold! Thy sorcery has been too strong for thee; thou art 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 is loftier than Gunnar's rafter-roof!