THORFINN. Then it is best that you [indicating both Valgerd and Gunlod]
hide yourselves in the cellar pa.s.sage.
[Another messenger enters.]
MESSENGER. Erl Thorfinn, we are here. Will you surrender to our superior strength?
THORFINN [Silent.]
MESSENGER. You do not answer. Let the women go as we shall burn your home. [Thorfinn is silent.] Your answer!
[Gunlod who has been standing by the door, comes forward and takes a battle axe from wall.]
GUNLoD. I give you your answer! Ill must Erl Thorfinn have brought up his daughter and little would his wife have loved him if they should desert him now. Here is your answer. [Throws battle axe at messenger"s feet.]
MESSENGER. You are stronger than I thought, Thorfinn. For your daughter"s sake you shall have a chance to fall like a hero and not as a felon. Make ready for open conflict--out on the field. [Goes out.]
THORFINN [to Valgerd]. Out on you, cowardly, faithless woman, to guard my treasure so ill! To make my child mine enemy.
GUNLoD. O, my father, am I your enemy?
THORFINN. You are a Christian; but it is not too late yet. Will you deny the white Christ?
GUNLoD. Never! But I will follow you to death.
VALGERD. Thorfinn, you call me cowardly. I can suffer that, but faithless--there you wrong me. I have not loved you as warmly as the southern women are said to love, yet have I been faithful to you throughout life and I have sworn to go with you in death--as is the ancient custom. [Opens a trap door in floor.] Look, here have I prepared my grave, here would I die under these smoky beams that have witnessed my sorrows--and with those [points to the carved images of Thor and Odin on uprights of high bench] who guided us here. I want to go with the flames, and in the smoke shall my spirit rise to Ginde to receive charity and peace.
GUNLoD. And I to be alone afterward! Oh, let me follow you.
VALGERD. No, child, you are young. You may yet flourish in a milder clime. But the old fir tree dies on its roots.
GUNLoD. Father, father, you must not die. I will save you!
THORFINN. You?
GUNLoD. Your kinsman Gunnar lies off Hjarleif"s headland with his men.
Send one of the thralls to him by a roundabout route and he will come.
THORFINN. So! It wax out of that well that you drew your courage. Keep your help and go if you will.
GUNLoD. You shall not think me a coward. I go with you, mother. You cannot hinder me.
[Thorfinn goes to the door, trying to conceal his emotion.]
VALGERD. No! Stay, Thorfinn, and for once bare your big soul that I may read its dim runics.
THORFINN. If you cannot interpret them now then may this runic stone crumble to air unread.
VALGERD. You are not the hard stone you would seem. You have feelings.
Show them. Let them flow forth and you shall know peace!
THORFINN. My feelings are my heart"s blood. Would you see it?
[The clatter of arms is heard outside which continues until Thorfinn returns. Thorfinn starts to go out when he hears the chatter.]
VALGERD. Oh, stay and say a word of farewell!
THORFINN. Woman, you tear down my strength with your feelings. Let me go! The play has begun!
VALGERD. Say farewell, at least.
THORNFINN [Restraining his feelings with effort]. Farewell, child. [Goes out.]
VALGERD. That man no one will bend.
GUNLoD. G.o.d will!
VALGERD. His hardness is great.
GUNLoD. G.o.d"s mercy is greater!
VALGERD. Farewell, my child.
GUNLoD. Do you dare leave me behind, alone?
VALGERD [Embracing Gunlod]. Are you prepared?
GUNLoD. The holy virgin prays for me.
VALGERD. I trust in the G.o.d of love.
GUNLoD. And in the mother of G.o.d.
VALGERD. I know her not.
GUNLoD. You must believe in her.
VALGERD. My belief is not your belief.
GUNLoD [Embracing Valgerd]. Forgive me.
VALGERD. Now to your place.
[Gunlod opens the wooden shutter at window-hole and looks out. Valgerd takes it torch and places herself by the trap door in floor.]
GUNLoD. The strife is sharp.
VALGERD. Do you see the Erl?