THORDIS He’s deeply changed. Saw you his eyes when they turned full on me, And he said, “Lady”? There were tears in them, Tears, and yet through them glowed the ancient fire, Not now in wrath, but tenderness.
EGIL [Aside to Wuldor.] Overtake him; The oath he swore to Egil—tell him—Egil Now countermands. Bid him do nothing; go! [Watches Wuldor off, left. Arfi, quietly looking at him, speaks to Thordis.]
ARFI You love him dearly?
THORDIS Very dearly.
EGIL Brother, Thordis, your hands again!
ARFI [Smiling.] Have you despatched Wuldor to find the lady wood-sprite?
EGIL Friends, Were we less deeply known to one another, And chiefly I to you—what thing I was, What now, perchance, am grown—well, I suppose ’Twere custom, were it not? to wreathe our lips With honey-blossoms of superfluous Congratulation: you are to be wed, And I am free, and my emancipation Owes all itself to you.—“Heaven be with you!” “I thank you well,” “Joy is to me!”—But these Things being said, and rung with all the chimes Of truth, I beg of you let now these hands Speak the unsaid remainder for our hearts In silence. [The three hold hands.]
ARFI [After a pause.] Vaster powers than we have wrought This friendship. Whom the gods join hand in hand Their fates thenceforth are mingled.
THORDIS [Loosening her hands with a laugh.] So, dear lord, Be merry!
ARFI [Speaks low, with a smile.] Have I not divinest reason? This is the place.