THORDIS I loved the wolf. It was a life to nourish and protect, A being alien and mysterious, Yearning and captive. It was terrible, And yet so eager, swift, and passionate It fascinated me. It was ignoble, Cruel, yet infinite of promise; cunning, Malicious, yet beautifully animate, Sublimely animal.
EGIL O pain!
THORDIS To take it Into my bosom, foster its wild growth From hour to hour, to watch from day to day The fierce light of its eyes glow deeper, milder, To nestle it only to set it free—these joys Were pangs to me.
EGIL [Low.] Have pity!
THORDIS Then it was So lordly, so imperious of strength, In grace so sinuous, in pride so ardent— Who had not been enamoured of it?
EGIL Cease! It wrought some monstrous spell to make you wanton.
THORDIS If that be wantonness which fain would take No joy of loving but the giving joy.
EGIL But for that beast you turned your thoughts from Arfi?
THORDIS You do not understand; Arfi and I Are one; it needs no murmured wedding vows To make us that. But I am beautiful, And all who look upon me love to press Nearer and touch my gown, and when I pass I feel the ruddy mantling of their cheeks And the wild admiration start; and these Are joys to Arfi as to me, and we Return their love.
EGIL Even so you loved me?