VALGERD. I trust in the God of love.
GUNLOED. And in the mother of God.
VALGERD. I know her not.
GUNLOED. You must believe in her.
VALGERD. My belief is not your belief.
GUNLOED [Embracing Valgerd]. Forgive me.
VALGERD. Now to your place.
[Gunloed opens the wooden shutter at window-hole and looks out.
Valgerd takes it torch and places herself by the trap door in
floor.]
GUNLOED. The strife is sharp.
VALGERD. Do you see the Erl?
GUNLOED. He stands at the gate.
VALGERD. How fares he?
GUNLOED. Everything falls before him.
VALGERD. Does he weary?
GUNLOED. Still is he straight-- -- --See what terrible northern
lights.
VALGERD. Have many fallen?
GUNLOED. 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?
GUNLOED [With joy]. The silver falcon!
VALGERD. It's an ill-omen.
GUNLOED. Father comes.
VALGERD. Is he wounded?
GUNLOED. Oh, now he is falling!
VALGERD. Close the window-hole and trust in God.
GUNLOED. No, not yet. A moment.
VALGRED. Are you afraid?
GUNLOED [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 Gunloed go to him. Thorfinn caresses Gunloed's hair,
kisses her forehead, then presses Valgerd's hand.]
THORFINN [Kissing Valgerd].
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