ROLF O Egil! Ingimund demands to enter And rest here for the night. Thy brother’s wound Grows worse; they doubt his life. Shall we resist them, Or welcome? They are armed.—Egil!—Not here?
[Exit, closing the door. Another pause; the room grows dimmer; Egil slowly reënters, left.]
EGIL Now will I sleep.—The time is strangely sweet, Blank, and untroubled. Soon it will be starlight. My limbs are filled with peace, mine ears with sounds Of brooks and breezy leafage murmurous, Mine eyes with slumber. Well, I will lie down And sleep.
[As Egil goes to the hearth, enter Ingimund, Thordis, Wuldor, and a number of Arfi’s men, carrying a litter, on which lies Arfi; these accompanied by Yorul, Rolf, Eric, and Egil’s men.]
INGIMUND Slow; bear him softly, Wuldor. Let The others stay without, and place our men Most carefully on guard. For this one night, Yorul, thy master’s bann shall be suspended. The need is great.
THORDIS [By the litter.] Father, he hath grown paler.
INGIMUND Here set him down.
EGIL [Gazing at Thordis.] Dreaming!
THORDIS Gently! his side.
WULDOR Lady, what more to do?