SIGURD. Go, go, Dagny!
DAGNY. I go; but be thou at ease as to Hiordis; she has gilded
armour in her bower, and will know how to shield herself.
SIGURD. That deem I too; but go thou nevertheless; guide thy
father's course; watch over all—and over Gunnar's wife!
DAGNY. Trust to me. Farewell, till we meet again.
(She follows the others.)
SIGURD. 'Tis the first time, foster-brother, that I stand weaponless whilst thou art in danger. (Listens.) I hear shouts and sword-strokes; —they are already at the hall. (Goes towards the right, but stops and recoils in astonishment.) Hiordis! Comes she hither!
(HIORDIS enters, clad in a short scarlet kirtle, with gilded armour: helmet, hauberk, arm-plates, and greaves. Her hair is flying loose; at her back hangs a quiver, and at her belt a small shield. She has in her hand the bow strung with her hair.)
HIORDIS (hastily looking behind her, as though in dread of something pursuing her, goes close up to SIGURD, seizes him by the arm, and whispers:) Sigurd, Sigurd, canst thou see it?
SIGURD. What? Where ?
HIORDIS. The wolf there—close behind me; it does not move; it glares at me with its two red eyes. It is my wraith,[1], Sigurd! Three times has it appeared to me; that bodes that I shall surely die to-night!