EGIL Ah! the dream! The dream is true; the truth is visionary.
[From the left, two or three of the children return from the wood, and stand silent. From the right, the lutes and pipes of the bridal procession grow louder, and shortly enter the virgins, Ingimund, Thordis, Wuldor, and others, as Egil still stands lost in soliloquy.]
“And there, in slumber, even as mortals dream, Slumb’ring, that they are bright, immortal gods, You shall be mortals, and shall walk as men, Forgetful of your immortality.”
THORDIS Was not he with you, father?
INGIMUND He went before A little space, to greet you first.—My child, Why do you cling to me?
EGIL [Approaching her.] Goddess and maiden!
THORDIS He’s mad. Save us! We both are mad.
INGIMUND Thy brother, Where is he?
EGIL Father, he hath gone before A little space, but left thy word with me.
INGIMUND My word?