"The little elf with his wings of white Makes ready a downy bed, Of lilies he weaves the linen sheets And pillows of roses red.

"Away on the pillows he carries the child, He carries it safe on his arm, He takes it to heaven aloft on a cloud Away from all earthly harm.

"And cherubs there are in the heaven above (I tell what is true to you); They strew the pillows of rosy red With pearls of white and of blue.

"Then wakens the little earthly child, It wakens to heavenly mirth,-- But all that happiness, all that joy There's no one that knows here on earth."

OLAF. 'Twere better, alas! had you never come here, Had you lived in the mountain your peaceful life.

Your joy like a weed will wither and sear, Your faith will be killed--

ALFHILD. But as Olaf's wife I am strong as the torrent and have no fear!

With you by my side let happen what may, With you I will laugh and suffer and languish.

ALFHILD. [Listening.] Hush, Olaf! You hear that mournful lay, It sounds like a song of the bitterest anguish!

CHORUS OF PALLBEARERS. [Softly outside to the right.]

The little child we carry With sorrow to the grave, Beneath the mould we bury What soon the worms will crave.

Hard is this lot and dreary: With mournful dirge and sigh To carry sad and weary The child where it shall lie!

ALFHILD. [Uncertain and anxious.]

What is it, Olaf? What is it, I say?

OLAF. A child that death is bearing away, A mother and children weep on the way.

ALFHILD. Death! Then where are the pillows of red, The lily-white linen, and where is the dead?

OLAF. I see no pillows of red or of gray, But only the dark black boards of the bier; And thereon the dead sleeps on shavings and hay.

ALFHILD. On shavings and hay?

OLAF. That is all there is here!

ALFHILD. And where is the elf who bears on his arm The child far away from all earthly harm?

OLAF. I see but a mother whose heart will break, And little children who follow the wake.

ALFHILD. And where are the pearls of blue and of white, That the angels strew in the heaven of light?

OLAF. I see only this,--they weep many a tear As they stand at the side of the bier.

ALFHILD. And where is the home, the house of G.o.d, Where the dead dream only of mirth?

OLAF. Behold! Now they place him beneath the sod And cover him over with earth.

ALFHILD. [Quiet and thoughtful, after a pause.]

Not so was death in the song--not so.

OLAF. 'Tis true; but no such joy and pleasure Has any one felt here below.-- Have you never heard of the mountain king's treasure, Which night after night like gold would glow; But if you would seize the gold in your hand, You nothing would find save gravel and sand; And listen, Alfhild! it often is true That life turns out in the selfsame way; Approach not too near, it may happen to you, That you burn your fingers some day.

'Tis true it may shine like a heavenly star, But only when seen from afar.

[He becomes aware of Lady Kirsten off the stage to the right.]

OLAF. My mother--she'll tell you--I shall depart.

The angels above send their peace to your heart!

[He goes towards the house but is stopped by LADY KIRSTEN.--The sky becomes overcast with dark clouds; the wind begins to howl in the tree-tops.--ALFHILD stands absorbed in deep thought.]

SCENE V

[The Preceding. LADY KIRSTEN.]

LADY KIRSTEN. [Softly.] Not so, my son, you have told her--?

OLAF. All I was able to say I have said. Now you tell her the rest, and then, mother, let me never, never see her again.

[He casts a glance at ALFHILD and goes out past the house.]

LADY KIRSTEN. That folly will soon be burned out of his soul, if--

LADY KIRSTEN. [As if she suddenly has an idea.] But in case I--Ah, if that could succeed, then would he be cured,--that I can promise. But Alfhild--? Well, nevertheless, it must be attempted.

ALFHILD. [To herself.]

So then there is here too anguish and woe; Well, so let it be; I shall never despair.

The sorrow of earth I never need know, Still Olaf is good and fair!

LADY KIRSTEN. [Approaches.] It seems to me that gloomy thoughts are weighing upon your mind.

ALFHILD. Yes, yes, the result of things I have recently heard.

LADY KIRSTEN. From Olaf?

ALFHILD. Certainly from Olaf; he has told me--

LADY KIRSTEN. I know, Alfhild. I know what he has said.

LADY KIRSTEN. [Aside.] He has mentioned to her his wedding, I see.

LADY KIRSTEN. [Aloud.] This very night it is to be held.

ALFHILD. What is to be held?

LADY KIRSTEN. The wedding!