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; Gunnar
came to my bower in the black night, slew the bear that had twenty
men'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 the
mightier, 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 is
Gunnar's deed greater than all other deeds of men; Gunnar is the
mightiest warrior, and Sigurd is second to him.
GUNNAR (with a glance across the table). Ah, Sigurd, Sigurd, didst
thou but know----!
DAGNY (softly). This is too much--even for a friend!
SIGURD. Peace, wife! (Aloud, to the others.) Ay truly, Gunnar is
the most honourable of all men; so would I esteem him to my dying
day, even had he never done that deed; for that I hold more lightly
than ye.
HIORDIS. There speaks thy envy, Sigurd Viking!
SIGURD (smiling). Mightily art thou mistaken. (Kindly, to GUNNAR,
drinking to him across the table.
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