[In agony.] Slain—slain! My little Egil slain.

Hiördis.

[Wildly.] And thou—dost thou let him go? Let Egil, thy child, lie unavenged! Then wert thou the dastard of dastards——!

Gunnar.

[As if beside himself.] A sword—an axe! ’Tis the last tidings he shall ever bring!

[Seizes an axe from one of the bystanders and rushes out.

Sigurd.

[About to follow.] Gunnar, hold thy hand!

Hiördis.

[Holding him back.] Stay, stay! The men will part them; I know Gunnar!