HIORDIS. The work was not wasted; for strong is the breast that
must be pierced this day.
GUNNAR. I understand thee well; thou wouldst have Sigurd slain.
HIORDIS. Hm, mayhap.
GUNNAR. Thou shalt never have thy will. I shall keep peace with
Sigurd, howe'er thou goad me.
HIORDIS (smiling). Dost think so?
SIGURD. I know it!
HIORDIS (hands him the bow-string). Tell me, Gunnar--canst loose
this knot?
GUNNAR (tries it). Nay it is too cunningly and firmly woven.
HIORDIS (rising). The Norns[1] weave yet more cunningly; their web
is still harder to unravel.
[1] The "Nornir" were the Fates of northern mythology.
GUNNAR. Dark are the ways of the Mighty Ones;--neither thou nor I
know aught of them.
HIORDIS. Yet one thing I know surely: that to both of us must
Sigurd's life be baleful.
(A pause; GUNNAR stands lost in thought.)
HIORDIS (who has been silently watching him). Of what thinkest thou?
GUNNAR. Of a dream I had of late. Methought I had done the deed
thou cravest; Sigurd lay slain on the earth; thou didst stand beside
him, and thy face was wondrous pale. Then said I: "Art thou glad,
now that I have done thy will?" But thou didst laugh and answer:
"Blither were I didst thou, Gunnar, lie there in Sigurd's stead."
HIORDIS (with forced laughter). Ill must thou know me if such a
senseless dream can make thee hold thy hand.
Pages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59