SIGURD (vehemently). Dagny, beware!
GUNNAR. A weakling!
DAGNY. It shall no longer be hidden; I held my peace till thou didst scoff at my father and my dead brothers; I held my peace while Ornulf was here, lest he should learn that Thorolf fell by a dastard's hand. But now—praise Gunnar nevermore for that deed in Iceland; for Gunnar is a weakling! The sword that lay drawn between thee and the bear-slayer hangs at my husband's side—and the ring thou didst take from thy arm thou gavest to Sigurd. (Takes it off and holds if aloft.) Behold it!
HIORDIS (wildly). Sigurd!
THE CROWD. Sigurd! Sigurd did the deed!
HIORDIS (quivering with agitation). He! he!—Gunnar, is this true?
GUNNAR (with lofty calm). It is all true save only that I am a
weakling; I am neither a weakling nor a coward.
SIGURD (moved). That art thou not, Gunnar! That hast thou never
been! (To the rest.) Away, my men! Away from here!
DAGNY (at the door, to HIORDIS). Who is now the mightiest man at
the board—my husband or thine?
HIORDIS (to herself). Now have I but one thing left to do—but one
deed to brood upon: Sigurd or I must die!