(THORBRAND sinks backward from the wall and is heard to fall
farther. Immediately ASBRAND THORLEIKSSON starts up in his
place.)
ASBRAND (striking repeatedly with a sword)
Oh, down, down, down!
GUNNAR (parrying the blows with the bill)
Ay, Asbrand, thou as well?
Thy brother Thorbrand was up here but now:
He has gone back the other way, maybe—
Be hasty, or you'll not come up with him.
(He thrusts with the bill: ASBRAND lifts a shield before the blow.)
Here's the first shield that I have seen to-night.
(The bill pierces the shield: ASBRAND disappears and is heard to fall. GUNNAR turns from the casement.)
Hallgerd, my harp that had but one long string,
But one low song, but one brief wingy flight,
Is voiceless, for my bowstring is cut off.
Sever two locks of hair for my sake now,
Spoil those bright coils of power, give me your hair,
And with my mother twist those locks together
Into a bowstring for me. Fierce small head,
Thy stinging tresses shall scourge men forth by me.
HALLGERD
Does ought lie on it?
GUNNAR
Nought but my life lies on it;
For they will never dare to close on me
If I can keep my bow bended and singing.
HALLGERD (tossing back her hair)
Then now I call to your mind that bygone blow
You gave my face; and never a whit do I care
If you hold out a long time or a short.