GUNLoD Mother!

VALGERD [Going]. Mind the fire. [Valgerd goes.]

[Gunlod looks after her mother, then cautiously takes from her breast a crucifix, puts it on the high bench and falls on her knees.]

GUNLoD. Christ, Christ, forgive me the lie I told. [Springs up noticing the images of the G.o.ds on the high bench.] No, I cannot pray before these wicked images. [She looks for another place.] Holy St. Olof, holy--oh, I can't remember how the bishop named her! G.o.d! G.o.d! Cast me not into purgatory for this sin! I will repeat the whole long prayer of the monks--credo, credo--in patrem--oh, I have forgotten that too. I shall give five tall candles for the altar of the mother of G.o.d the next time I go to the chapel--Credo, in patrem omnipotentem--[Kissing the crucifix eagerly.]

[A song is heard outside the hut accompanied by a lyre.]

A crusader went out to the Holy Land, O, Christ, take the maiden's soul in hand, And to your kingdom bring her!

I'll return, mayhap, when the spruce trees bloom.

Summers three he wanders far from thee, Where nightingales sing their delight, And ma.s.ses he holds both day and night, At the holy sepulchre's chapel.

I'll return, mayhap, when the spruce trees bloom.

When the palm trees bud on Jordan's strand, Then makes he a prayer to G.o.d, That he may return to his native land, And press to his heart his love.

I'll return, my love, when the spruce trees bloom.

GUNLoD [At beginning of song springs up and then listens with more and more agitation and eagerness. When the song is over she goes toward door to bolt it, but so slowly that Gunnar is able to enter before she slips the bolt. Gunnar is clad in the costume of a crusader with a lyre swung across his shoulder.]

GUNNAR. Gunlod! [They embrace. Gunlod pulls away and goes toward door.]

You are afraid of me? What is it, Gunlod?

GUNLoD. You never took me in your arms before!

GUNNAR. We were children then!

GUNLoD You are right--we were children then. What means that silver falcon on your shield? I saw it on your ship's bow this morning, too.

GUNNAR. You saw my ship--you knew my song, and you would have barred the door against me! What am I to understand, Gunlod?

GUNLoD. Oh, ask me nothing! I am so unquiet of spirit but sit and let me talk to you.

GUNNAR [Sits]. You are silent.

GUNLoD. You are silent, too.

GUNNAR [Pulls her to his side]. Gunlod, Gunlod--has the snow fallen so heavily that memories have been chilled even the mountains here burst forth with fire--and you are cold as a snow wind--but speak--speak! Why are you here in Iceland--and what has happened?

GUNLoD. Terrible things--and more may follow if you stay here longer.--[Springs up]. Go, before my father comes.

GUNNAR. Do you think I would leave you now--I, who have sought you for long years? When I could not find you in the home land I went to the wars against the Saracens to seek you the other side of the grave. But my time had not yet come; when the fourth spring came, I heard through wandering merchants that you were to be found here. Now I have found you--and you wish me to leave you in this heathen darkness.

GUNLoD. I am not alone!

GUNNAR. Your father does not love you--your mother does not understand you, and they are both heathen.

GUNLoD. I have friends among the Christians.

GUNNAR. Then you have become a Christian, Gunlod!--the holy virgin has heard my prayer.

GUNLoD. Yes, yes! Oh, let me kiss the cross you bear on your shoulder--that you got at the holy sepulchre!

GUNNAR. Now I give you a brother Christian's kiss--the first, Gunlod, you have from me.

GUNLoD. You must never kiss me again.

GUNNAR. But tell me, how did you become a Christian?

GUNLoD. First I believed in my father--he was so strong; then I believed in my mother--she was so good; last I believed in you--you were so strong and good--and so beautiful; and when you went away--I stood alone--myself I could never believe in--I was so weak; then I thought of your G.o.d, whom you so often begged me to love--and I prayed to Him.

GUNNAR. And the old G.o.ds--

GUNLoD. I have never been able to believe in them--although my father commanded me to do so--they are wicked.

GUNNAR. Who has taught you to pray? Who gave you the crucifix?

GUNLoD. The bishop.

GUNNAR. And that no one knows?

GUNLoD. No--I have had to lie to my mother and that troubles me.

GUNNAR. And your father hid you here so that the Christians should not get you?

GUNLoD. Yes--and now he is expected home from Norway with followers as he is to be Erl of the island.

GUNNAR. G.o.d forbid!

GUNLoD. Yes--yes--but you must not delay. He is expected home tonight.

GUNNAR. Good--there beyond Hjarleif's headland lies my ship.--Out to sea! There is a land wind, and before the first c.o.c.k's crow we shall be beyond pursuit.

GUNLoD. Yes! Yes!

GUNNAR. Soon we should be at Ostergotland--where the summer is still green--and there you shall live in my castle which I have built where your father's house stood.

GUNLoD. Does not that still stand?

GUNNAR. No--it was burned.

GUNLoD. By the Christians?

GUNNAR. You are so pa.s.sionate, Gunlod!

GUNLoD. I suffer to say I would rather be a heathen.

GUNNAR. What are you saying, girl!