Sigurd--We two have nothing more to live for.
The Nun--Wilt thou soon leave me?
Sigurd--Till the morning sun appear we will sit together. Let me lift thee upon this rock. [He does so, and casts himself at her feet.] It was fair that thou shouldst come to me. All my life is now blotted out, and I am a child with thee once more. And now we will seek out together the land of our inheritance. I must away for a moment to take my leave, and then I shall be ready, and I think that thou too art ready.
Ivar Ingemundson [falling on his knee]--My lord, now let me be your friend.
Sigurd [extending his hand]--Ivar, thou wilt not leave her to-morrow?
Ivar Ingemundson--Not until she is set free.
Sigurd--And now sing me the Crusader's song. I may joyfully go hence after that.
Ivar Ingemundson [rises and sings]--
Fair is the earth,
Fair is God's heaven;
Fair is the pilgrim-path of the soul.
Singing we go
Through the fair realms of earth,
Seeking the way to our heavenly goal.
Races shall come,
And shall pass away:
And the world from age to age shall roll;
But the heavenly tones
Of our pilgrim song
Shall echo still in the joyous soul.
First heard of shepherds,
By angels sung,
Wide it has spread since that glad morn:
Peace upon earth!
Rejoice all men,
For unto us is a Savior born[1].
[The mother places both her hands on Sigurd's head, and they look into one another's eyes; he then rests his head upon her breast.]
[1] This song is borrowed by Björnson from the Danish poet B.S. Ingemann, although it is slightly altered for its present use.