GUNLoD. He stands at the gate.
VALGERD. How fares he?
GUNLoD. Everything falls before him.
VALGERD. Does he weary?
GUNLoD. Still is he straight-- -- --See what terrible northern lights.
VALGERD. Have many fallen?
GUNLoD. I cannot tell. They are drawing away from the threshing yard.
Oh, the heavens are red as blood!
[Pause.]
VALGERD. Speak! What do you see?
GUNLoD [With joy]. The silver falcon!
VALGERD. It"s an ill-omen.
GUNLoD. Father comes.
VALGERD. Is he wounded?
GUNLoD. Oh, now he is falling!
VALGERD. Close the window-hole and trust in G.o.d.
GUNLoD. No, not yet. A moment.
VALGRED. Are you afraid?
GUNLoD [Going toward door]. No! No!
[The sounds of the conflict gradually die away.]
THORFINN [Comes in pale and wounded.] Stay!
[Valgerd goes towards him. Pause.]
THORFINN [On high bench]. Come here.
[Valgerd and Gunlod go to him. Thorfinn caresses Gunlod"s hair, kisses her forehead, then presses Valgerd"s hand.]
THORFINN [Kissing Valgerd]. Now you see my heart"s blood.
[Valgerd rises to get torch.]
VALGERD. Now is our parting over.
THORFINN. Stay and live with your child.
VALGERD. My oath!
THORFINN. My whole life has been a broken oath and yet I hope-- -- --It is better to live-- -- --
[Orm comes in wounded. Stops at door.]
ORM. May I come?
THORFINN. Come.
ORM. Have you found peace now?
THORFINN [Caressing the woman]. Soon, soon!
ORM. Then we are ready for the journey.
THORFINN [Looks at Valgerd and Gunlod]. Not yet.
ORM [Sits on bench]. Hurry if you want company.
THORFINN. Orm, are you a Christian?
ORM. You may ask indeed.
THORFINN. What are you then, riddle?
ORM. I was everything. I was nothing. I was a poet.
THORFINN. Do you believe in anything?
ORM. I"ve come to have a belief.
THORFINN. What gave it to you?
ORM. Doubt, misfortune, sorrow.
THORFINN [To Valgerd]. Valgerd, give me your hand, so. Hold fast--tighter--you must not let go until--the end.
[Gunnar comes in and stops by door.]
THORFINN. Who comes?
GUNNAR. You know me!
THORFINN. I know your voice, but my eyes see you not.