Örnulf.
In truth it was the boldest deed that e'er was seen in Iceland; and therefore
Sigurd.
The more easily can Gunnar yield, and ne'er be held faint-hearted.
Hiördis.
If amends are to be made, amends shall be craved as well. Bethink thee, Gunnar, of thy vow!
Gunnar.
That vow was ill bethought; wilt thou hold me to it?
Hiördis.
That will I, if we two are to dwell under one roof after this day. Know then, Örnulf, that if atonement is to be made for the carrying away of thy foster-daughter, thou, too, must atone for the slaying of Jökul my father, and the seizing of all his goods and gear.
Örnulf.
Jökul was slain in fair fight;[1] thy kinsmen did me a worse wrong when they sent thee to Iceland and beguiled me into adopting[2] thee, unwitting who thou wert.
Hiördis.
Honour, and no wrong, was thy lot in fostering Jökul's daughter.
- ↑ "I ærlig holmgang." The established form of duel in the viking times was to land the combatants on one of the rocky islets or "holms" that stud the Norwegian coast, and there let them fight it out. Hence "holmgang"=duel.
- ↑ "At knæsætte"=to knee-set a child, to take it on one's knee, an irrevocable form of adoption.
