O my father dear!
Now must I be free—as free as the wind,
No longer can I in the hills be confined!
THORGJERD. [Comes nearer.] What has befallen you?
ALFHILD. [In ecstasy.] Now is he come!
THORGJERD. But who?
ALFHILD.
The fair knight! He will carry me home!
Now first do I grasp all the restless desire,
That long has been smouldering in me like fire!
We often have sat, as the river rushed by,
While you sang of the princess enthralled in the hill!
The princess, my father! the princess am I;
But he, the fair knight, bent the troll to his will!—
And now I am free to do what I may;
I will hence into life and its motley affray!
His words were like song! I am free as the wind;
No power can stay me or hold me behind!
THORGJERD.
Poor child! You would down to the village below;
It will cost you your happiness; stay, do not go!
ALFHILD.
But, father, I must! Your sweetest lays
Will seem to me now like a misty haze!