44 James Christian Lindhcrg 



Stein. There 's many a bridegroom proud and free as thou, 

 Has deemed a Hke proposal fortunate. 

 We hoped, except a few especial friends, 

 To find thee here alone. Two reasons urged 

 The haste with which we bring the message ; first, 

 The Jarl's departure on his ship from HIade; 

 And next, the haste which thou dost show to wed 

 Thy bride; as thou must see, emphatic means 

 Must here be used to check this haste. He left 

 Distinct commands that we should bring- the maid 

 To Hlade, guard her there until he comes. 

 Condemn the Jarl ? — No, none of us would dare 

 Presume as much. He lives too high for censure. [Great 

 uproar.] 



Bergthor. This goes too far. Audacious slaves ! Begone, 

 Away, I sa}- ! 



T/wrvald. [Seizing a drinking horn.] 

 Salute the Jarl and say : 

 Tliorvald has drunk to Hakon's funeral feast. 



[Several voices.] Away with Hakon's slaves! Awav, away! 



Stein. [To the other thralls.] 

 To arms, my lads ! 



Thorvald. Ye dare to measure arms ? 



All. Kill them, kill them ! 



Bergthor. This hammer, sirs, is forged 



Of toughest iron ; where it strikes it cuts 

 A bloody swath. 



Stein. Strike hard, my lads, strike hard ! 



The Peasajits. Kill off the brood of vipers ! Mow them down ! 



Battle. After some opposition the slaves of Hakon flee; the peasants 

 follow them. Gudrun, who has fainted, is surrounded by. the women 

 present, who try to bring her to herself again. 



Astrid. My sister! Dearest Gudrun, open, sweet, 

 Those eyes ! Come back to life. The foe has gone. 

 Look ! Look you through the window where they flee ! 



[The men return. OnM,7vho becomes aware of Gudrun's con- 

 ditioii, throws himself at her feet.] 



82 



