THOROLF. All is ready for the feast.
DAGNY. Come then, Sigurd—my brave, my noble warrior!
SIGURD. Beware, Dagny—beware! It rests with thee now whether this meeting shall end peacefully or in bloodshed. (Cheerfully to the others.) Away then, to the feast in Gunnar's hall!
(Goes out with DAGNY to the right; the others follow.)
ACT SECOND.
(The feast-room in GUNNAR'S house. The entrance-door is in the back; smaller doors in the side-walls. In front, on the left, the greater high-seat; opposite it on the right, the lesser. In the middle of the floor, a wood fire is burning on a built-up hearth. In the background, on both sides of the door, are daises for the women of the household. From each of the high-seats, a long table, with benches, stretches backwards, parallel with the wall. It is dark outside; the fire lights the room.)
(HIORDIS and DAGNY enter from the right.)
DAGNY. Nay, Hiordis, I cannot understand thee. Thou hast shown me all the house; I know not what thing thou lackest, and all thou hast is fair and goodly;—then why bemoan thy lot?
HIORDIS. Cage an eagle and it will bite at the wires, be they of
iron or of gold.
DAGNY. In one thing at least thou art richer than I; thou hast Egil,
thy little son.