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.
GUNLOED. 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?
GUNLOED. 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.
GUNLOED. 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.
GUNLOED. Father, father, you must not die. I will save you!
THORFINN.
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