BLANKA. O! Take me with you!

GANDALF. What do you mean?

I sail for home--

BLANKA. Well, I shall sail with you; For I have often traveled in my dreams To far-off Norway, where you live mid snow And ice and sombre woods of towering pines.

There should come mirth and laughter in the hall, If I could have my say, I promise you; For I am merry;--have you any scald?

GANDALF. I had one, but the sultry Southern air Has loosened all the strings upon his harp,-- They sing no longer--

BLANKA. Good! Then shall I be Your scald.

GANDALF. And you?--You could go with us there, And leave your father and your home?

BLANKA. [Laughing.] Aha!

You think I meant it seriously?

GANDALF. Was it Only a jest?

BLANKA. Alas! a foolish dream I often used to dream before we met,-- Which often I no doubt shall dream again, When you--

[Suddenly breaking off.]

BLANKA. You stare so fixedly.

GANDALF. Do I?

BLANKA. Why, yes! What are you thinking of?

GANDALF. I? Nothing!

BLANKA. Nothing?

GANDALF. That is, I scarcely know myself; And yet I do--and you shall hear it now: I thought of you and how you would transplant Your flowers in the North, when suddenly My own faith came as if by chance to mind.

One word therein I never understood Before; now have you taught me what it means.

BLANKA. And that is what?

GANDALF. Valfader, it is said, Receives but half the warriors slain in battle; The other half to Freya goes by right.

That I could never fully comprehend; But--now I understand,--I am myself A fallen warrior, and to Freya goes The better part of me.

BLANKA. [Amazed.] What does this mean?

GANDALF. Well, in a word, then know--

BLANKA. [Quickly.] No, say it not!

I dare not tarry longer here to-night,-- My father waits, and I must go; farewell!

GANDALF. O, you are going?

BLANKA. [Takes the wreath of oak leaves which he has let fall and throws it around his helmet.] You can keep it now.

Lo, what I hitherto bestowed on you In dreams, I grant you now awake.

GANDALF. Farewell!

[He goes quickly out to the right.]

SCENE IV

BLANKA. [Alone.]

He is gone! Ah, perfect stillness Rules upon the barren strand.

Perfect stillness, grave-like stillness Rules my heart with heavy hand.

Came he then to vanish only Through the mist, a ray of light?

Soon he flies, a sea-gull lonely, Far away into the night!

What is left me of this lover?

But a flower in the dark: In my loneliness to hover Like a petrel round his bark!

[The war trumpet of the Vikings is heard from the left.]

BLANKA. Ah! What was that! A trumpet from the wood!

SCENE V

[BLANKA, GANDALF from the right.]

GANDALF. [Aside.] It is too late!

BLANKA. O, there he is again!

What do you want?

GANDALF. Quick,--quick, away from here!

BLANKA. What do you mean?

GANDALF. Away! There's danger here!

BLANKA. What danger?

GANDALF. Death!

BLANKA. I do not understand you.