EGIL It is too late. ’Tis he, Your god and lover, whom they are bringing back To claim you.
THORDIS [Clinging to him.] Who shall claim me from your side?
[Enter a procession of folk, virgins, and children, bearing a low bier, covered with a cloth of green, behind which walks Yorul, bound. Ingimund, who enters first, ascends, by the stone steps, the altar, before which the bier is set down. While this is being borne, the dirge continues.]
VIRGINS AND CHILDREN [Chant.] Heiri! heiri! heiri! Othin ok Æsir!
[Ingimund signs to a priest to loosen the hands of Yorul, who stands in front of the bier.]
INGIMUND Give him the cup. The murderer shall drink The bane of murder.
[The priest hands to Yorul a cup, which, as he raises it quietly to his lips, is wrenched from his hand by Egil, who embraces him.]
EGIL My deliverer!— Brother, awake! I give thee back thy bride.
[On the bier, the green cloth is thrown back, and Baldur, rising, steps upon the altar. Thordis gazes upon him.]
This is my heart’s desire—take it! ’tis yours.