[Rushes out to the right.]

ARNE. Christ save me! his reason is gone!

LADY KIRSTEN. Ah, have no fear; it will soon pa.s.s,--I know him.

[Draws ARNE aside with her.]

ARNE. [Gently threatening HEMMING in pa.s.sing.] O, Hemming, Hemming! You are a sly dog!

[The GUESTS go quietly and gloomily out to the right; the SERVANTS to the left.]

INGEBORG. [Detains HEMMING.] Hemming! I will not go to church with Olaf Liljekrans!

HEMMING. Alas, what will prevent it?

INGEBORG. If it comes to that, I shall say no,--no before the very altar itself, in the presence of all!

HEMMING. Ingeborg!

INGEBORG. Hold my horse saddled and ready!

HEMMING. What! You will--!

INGEBORG. I will! Now I know for the first time how dear you are to me,--now when I stand in danger of losing you. Go,--do as I say, and let me know when it is time.

[She goes out to the right.]

HEMMING. Yes, now am I strong; now I dare venture whatever it be!

[He goes out to the left.]

SCENE XI

[ALFHILD. Later HEMMING, INGEBORG, and others at various times.]

ALFHILD. [Remains lying motionless for a long time with her face concealed in her hands. At length she half raises herself, looks about bewildered, rises, and speaks with quiet broken laughter.]

One falcon the heavens with plenty may bless, Another must suffer great want and distress!

One bird wears a coat of feathers so gay, Another must live contented with gray!

I have known that tears are a balm to the soul, When the world is nothing but gall; But now I have suffered such sorrow and dole, I could laugh myself dead at the thought of it all!

[It is now quite dark. The windows of the church are being lighted up. ALFHILD goes over to the house and listens while the following song is heard faintly within.]

CHORUS OF WEDDING GUESTS.

Hail to the bridegroom and hail to the bride!

There's feasting and joy everywhere.

Lord Olaf, all hail! a knight who can ride, And Ingeborg a lady so fair!

HEMMING. [Steals in from the left during the song.] The horse stands saddled and ready! Now a secret sign to Ingeborg and then away!

[He goes out to the right to the rear of the house.]

ALFHILD. His health from the silvery cup they drink, The bride sits proudly enthroned at his side; The candles of wax on the altar now wink, Soon out to the church they will ride!

Within at the banquet sit host and guest And laugh as they bandy the merry jest!

But here I must wander alone in the night, Alas, they have all forsaken me quite!

Olaf! The storm is rending my hair!

The rain beats against me wherever I fare!

Olaf, Olaf! Can you see me thus languish Beneath this unspeakable torture and anguish?

[She laughs.]

ALFHILD. But rain or storm is a trifling thing, 'Tis as nothing beside the poignant sting I suffer within my breast.-- My home and my father and all the rest I left for Olaf, the friend I loved best!

He swore to me then I should be his bride!

And I came--G.o.d's love I felt in my soul; But he drove me away, he thrust me aside; So loudly he laughed when I writhed in dole!

While they banquet within, like a dog I must stay Out here in the storm. Hence,--hence I will go!

[Starts to go, but stops.]

ALFHILD. But I have not the power, I cannot go away; Here must I stay and suffer my woe!

'Tis little the flowers out there in the wood Can tear themselves up from the ground!

And Olaf, whether he be false or good,-- About him my roots I have wound.

[Pause.--The HOUSE SERVANTS come with torches from the left.]

ALFHILD. [As if seized by an uneasy presentiment.] Whither do you go? Whither, whither? What is going to happen?

A SERVANT. Why, see, see! It is Alfhild; she is still here!

ALFHILD. O, tell me this! What is going to happen,--why all these preparations?

THE SERVANT. The wedding! Wouldn't you care to see it?

ALFHILD. [In feverish anxiety.] The wedding! O, no, no! Put it off, only till tomorrow! If the wedding is held, then is everything over with me, I well know!

THE SERVANT. Postpone it! No, Alfhild! 'Tis not, I'm afraid, the wish of bridegroom or bride!

ANOTHER. Think for a moment! Were you yourself but the bride, you surely would not want to wait.

[Laughter.]

THE FIRST SERVANT. Now we go down to the gate at the church to light the way with red bridal lights when the procession starts from the house.

THE SECOND SERVANT. Come along with us, Alfhild! You shall also have a torch to carry!

SEVERAL. Yes, yes, you must come! It is Lord Olaf's day of glory!