SIGURD. Thou deemest my heart is bitter towards thee. Hiordis, this is the last time we shall have speech together; there is something that gnaws me like a sore sickness, and thus I cannot part from thee; thou must know me better.
HIORDIS. What wouldst thou?
SIGURD. Tell thee a saga.
HIORDIS. Is it sad?
SIGURD. Sad, as life itself.
HIORDIS (bitterly). What knowest thou of the sadness of life?
SIGURD. Judge when my saga is over.
HIORDIS. Then tell it me; I shall work the while.
(He sits on a low stool to her right.)
SIGURD. Once upon a time there were two young vikings, who set forth from Norway to win wealth and honour; they had sworn each other friendship; and held truly together, how far soever thy might fare.