Then I held Hiordis dear; but now----; I have heard her
speak 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 so
forth). Now to the board! My chief guest, Ornulf of the Fiords, comes
later; so Thorolf promises.
HIORDIS (to the house-folk). Pass ale and mead around, that hearts
may 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 and
converse quietly across the tables). It seldom chances that so many
brave men are seated together, as I see to-night in our hall. It
were fitting, then, that we should essay the old pastime: Let each
man name his chief exploit, that all may judge which is the mightiest.
GUNNAR. That is an ill custom at a drinking-feast; it will oft
breed 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.
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