GUNLOED. I have friends among the Christians.
GUNNAR. Then you have become a Christian, Gunloed!--the holy virgin
has heard my prayer.
GUNLOED. Yes, yes! Oh, let me kiss the cross you bear on your
shoulder--that you got at the holy sepulchre!
GUNNAR. Now I give you a brother Christian's kiss--the first,
Gunloed, you have from me.
GUNLOED. You must never kiss me again.
GUNNAR. But tell me, how did you become a Christian?
GUNLOED. First I believed in my father--he was so strong; then I
believed in my mother--she was so good; last I believed in you--you
were so strong and good--and so beautiful; and when you went away--
I stood alone--myself I could never believe in--I was so weak; then
I thought of your God, whom you so often begged me to love--and I
prayed to Him.
GUNNAR. And the old gods--
GUNLOED. I have never been able to believe in them--although my
father commanded me to do so--they are wicked.
GUNNAR. Who has taught you to pray? Who gave you the crucifix?
GUNLOED. The bishop.
GUNNAR. And that no one knows?
GUNLOED. No--I have had to lie to my mother and that troubles me.
GUNNAR. And your father hid you here so that the Christians should
not get you?
GUNLOED. Yes--and now he is expected home from Norway with followers
as he is to be Erl of the island.
GUNNAR. God forbid!
GUNLOED. Yes--yes--but you must not delay. He is expected home
tonight.
GUNNAR. Good--there beyond Hjaerleif's headland lies my ship.
Pages:
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138