dastard's hand. But now—praise Gunnar never-*more for that deed in Iceland; for Gunnar is a coward! The sword that lay drawn between thee and the bear-slayer hangs at my husband's side—the ring thou didst take from thy arm thou gavest to Sigurd. [Takes it off and holds it aloft.] Behold it! Hiördis. [Wildly.] Sigurd! The Crowd. Sigurd! Sigurd did the deed! Hiördis. [Quivering with agitation.] He! he!—Gunnar, is this true? Gunnar. [With lofty calm.] It is all true, save only that I am a coward; no coward or dastard am I. Sigurd. [Moved.] That art thou not, Gunnar! That hast thou never been! [To the rest.] Away, my men! Away from here! Dagny. [At the door, to Hiördis.] Who is now the mightiest man at the board—my husband, or thine? [She goes out with Sigurd and his men.
Hiördis.
[To herself.] Now have I but one thing left to do—but one deed to think upon: Sigurd or I must die!
