VOICES [Far away, right, sing.] How should the bed, the bridal bed, Freyja, be spread? Pine garlands at the foot, rose garlands at the head.
EGIL Is it gone?
THORDIS Nothing is there. Rest, rest, poor dreamer!
THE VOICES [Sing.] What on the maid, the bride and maid, Freyja, be laid? The rose’s innocence, ere those fresh garlands fade.
EGIL Hark! the bridal virgins! [Thordis shrinks from him.] Stay, Thordis; now the awful need is come. While yet we are alone in the great silence, Now, now, before they find it, pale and red, Heaped in the path of roses, now—be mine.
THORDIS Freyja, help me! Freyja, goddess and maiden!
EGIL His soul descends upon us both, and seals This act with blood of sacrifice. His blood Our nuptial rite hath reddened.
THORDIS Save me!
EGIL Hush! This is the vernal god, the appalling arm That clasped the world i’ the primal age, and moaned— “Let there be life!”—Hush, love; do not you hear The stealing saps stir through the forest, feel The seeking joys of all wild, mating things Throb in their blood and ours, their kindred,—
THORDIS [Breaking from him.] Help! Help, Arfi!