THORDIS Nay, ’tis mercy, but to you Reason is vengeance. Father, look; he sinks Again. Will you deny the prayer of him— [Lowering her voice.] Perchance who dies.

ARFI [Faintly.] Egil!

INGIMUND Egil shall live; So much I grant thee, Arfi, but no more. Henceforth thy brother shall be cast in chains, Until the demon-beast that plagues his body Is exorcised and tamed.—Lay on the chains.

[As the men approach with fetters, Egil seizes a chain from one, and, springing fearfully to Thordis’s side, there crouches and lifts it to her.]

EGIL Not those—but thou!

[Thordis puts the chain upon Egil.]


ACT II