But thou, in contemplative mood, now gazest upon me, and givest me at parting this fairest autumn night of thine. I will ascend yonder rock and take a long farewell. [Mounts up.]
And even thus I stood eighteen years ago,--thus looked out upon the sea, blue beneath the rising sun. The fresh breezes of morning seemed wafted to me from a high future; through the sky's light veil a vision of strange lands was mine; in the glow of the morning sun, wealth and honor shone upon me; and to all this, the white sails of the Crusaders should swiftly bear me.
Farewell, dreams of my youth! Farewell, my sweet country! Ah, to what sorrow thou hast brought me forth! But now it will soon be over. [ He descends.]
If these ships should sail up to me this very night bearing the fulfillment of all my dreams! Could any one of them be now in truth mine,--or may a tree bear fruit twice in one year?
I give way to make room for some better man. But be thou gracious to me, and let death be mine with these feelings in my heart, for strength to be faithful might not long be vouchsafed me.
"Thou shalt die to-morrow!" How sure a father-confessor is that word! Now for the first time I speak truth to myself.
Ivar [climbing' over a rock]--Yes, here he is. [Gives his hand to the nun.]
The Nun [without seeing]--Sigurd! [Mounts up.] Yes, there he is!
Sigurd--Mother!
The Nun--My child, found once more! [They remain long clasped in each other's arms.] My son, my son, now shalt thou no more escape me!