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, thy
child, lie unavenged! Then wert thou the dastard of dastards----!
GUNNAR (as if beside himself). A sword--an axe! It is the last
message 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.
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