GUNNAR. Slain!—Egil slain! Then woe to Ornulf and all his race!
Thorolf, speak out;—is this true?
SIGURD. Gunnar, Gunnar—hear me!
GUNNAR. Speak out, if thou care for thy life!
THOROLF. Thou canst not fright me! Wait till my father comes; he shall plant a mark of shame over against Gunnar's house! And meanwhile, Hiordis, do thou cheer thee with these words I heard to-day: "Ere eventide shall Gunnar and his wife be childless."
(Goes out by the back.)
GUNNAR (in the deepest pain). Slain—slain! My little Egil slain!
HIORDIS (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! It is the last
message he shall bring!
(Seizes an axe from the bystanders and rushes out.)
SIGURD (about to follow). Gunnar, hold thy hand!