His Mother.
Ay, thou wast ever loth to stay.
As boy thou long'dst to be away—
Brand.
It was at your desire I went.
His Mother.
Ay, and good reason too, I say
'Twas needful thou shouldst be a priest.
[Examines him more closely.]
H'm, he is grown up strong and tall.
But heed this word of mine, at least,—
Care for thy life, son!
Brand.
Is that all?
His Mother.
Thy life? What's dearer?
Brand.
I would say:
Have you more counsels to convey?
His Mother.
For others, use them as you may,
And welcome. But thy life, O save it
For my sake; it was I that gave it.
[Angrily]
Your mad deed's talked of far and near;
It scares and harrows me to hear.
On such a day to dare the fjord,
And squander what you're bound to hoard!
You of our clan survive alone,
You are my son, my flesh and bone;
