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 all
that is mine, and let me fare with thee to Iceland as the poorest
man in thy train. What I give, I can win once more; but if thou and
Gunnar come to strife, I shall never see a glad day again. Now 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 to
take thy goods!
SIGURD. Yet listen----
ORNULF. No, I say! I must fight my own battle, be my fortune what
it may.
KARE (approaching). Right friendly is Sigurd's rede, but if thou
wilt indeed fight thine own battle with all thy might, I can counsel
thee better. Dream not of atonement so long as Hiordis has aught to
say; 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 seek
to take my life; do thou swear to see me scatheless, and this night
will I burn Gunnar's hall and all within it. Is that to thy mind?
SIGURD. Dastard!
ORNULF (quietly). To my mind? Knowest thou, Kare, what were more
to my mind? (In a voice of thunder.
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