Thorolf.
Ay, so that my vengeance should be told of far and wide.
Hiördis.
Then here I pledge a cup to this, that thou may'st first have a beard on thy chin.
Thorolf.
Even a beardless lad is too good to wrangle with women.
Hiördis.
But too weak to fight with men; therefore thy father let thee lie by the hearth at home in Iceland, whilst thy brothers went a-viking.
Thorolf.
It had been well had he kept as good an eye on thee; for then hadst thou not left the land an unwedded woman.
Gunnar and Sigurd.
Thorolf!
Dagny.
[Simultaneously.] Brother!
Hiördis.
[Softly, and quivering with rage.] Ha! wait—wait!
Thorolf.
[Gives Gunnar his hand.] Be not wroth, Gunnar;—evil words came to my tongue; but thy wife goaded me!
Dagny.
[Softly and imploringly.] Foster-sister, by any love thou hast ever borne me, stir not up strife!
