]
GUNNAR. Gunloed! [They embrace. Gunloed pulls away and goes toward
door.] You are afraid of me? What is it, Gunloed?
GUNLOED. You never took me in your arms before!
GUNNAR. We were children then!
GUNLOED You are right--we were children then. What means that silver
falcon on your shield? I saw it on your ship's bow this morning,
too.
GUNNAR. You saw my ship--you knew my song, and you would have
barred the door against me! What am I to understand, Gunloed?
GUNLOED. Oh, ask me nothing! I am so unquiet of spirit but sit and
let me talk to you.
GUNNAR [Sits]. You are silent.
GUNLOED. You are silent, too.
GUNNAR [Pulls her to his side]. Gunloed, Gunloed--has the snow fallen
so heavily that memories have been chilled even the mountains here
burst forth with fire--and you are cold as a snow wind--but speak--
speak! Why are you here in Iceland--and what has happened?
GUNLOED. Terrible things--and more may follow if you stay here
longer.--[Springs up]. Go, before my father comes.
GUNNAR. Do you think I would leave you now--I, who have sought you
for long years? When I could not find you in the home land I went
to the wars against the Saracens to seek you the other side of the
grave. But my time had not yet come; when the fourth spring came, I
heard through wandering merchants that you were to be found here.
Now I have found you--and you wish me to leave you in this heathen
darkness.
GUNLOED. I am not alone!
GUNNAR. Your father does not love you--your mother does not
understand you, and they are both heathen.
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