(GUDFINN joins her. Each time HALLGERD flags they turn as they
chant, and point at her.)
We shall cry no more in the high rock-places,
We are gone from the night, the winds and the clouds are empty:
Soon the man in the West shall receive our message.
(JOFRID'S voice joins the other voices.)
Men reject us, yet their house is unstable.
The slayers' hands are warm—the sound of their riding
Reached us down the ages, ever approaching.
HALLGERD (at the same time, her voice high over theirs)
Pack, ye rag-heaps—or I'll unravel you.
THE THREE (continuously)
House that spurns us, woe shall come upon you:
Death shall hollow you. Now we curse the woman—
May all the woes smite her till she can feel them.
Shall we not roost in her bower yet? Woe! Woe!
(The distaff breaks, and HALLGERD drives them out with her hands.
Their voices continue for a moment outside, dying away.)
Call to the owl-friends…. Woe! Woe! Woe!
ASTRID
Whence came these mounds of dread to haunt the night?
It doubles this disquiet to have them near us.
ODDNY
They must be witches—and it was my distaff—
Will fire eat through me….
STEINVOR
Or the Norns themselves.