Plays: the Father; Countess Julie; the Outlaw; the Stronger Part 29

Action takes place in Iceland.

[SCENE--A hut, door at back, window-holes, right and, left, closed by big heavy wooden shutters. Wooden benches against walls, the high bench, a sort of rude throne, at left. The uprights of this high beach are carved with images of the G.o.ds Odin and Thor. From the wall beams hang swords, battle axes and shields. Near the high bench stands a harp.

Gunlod stands at an open window-hole peering out; through the opening one gets a glimpse of the sea lighted by the aurora borealis. Valgerd sits by the fire, which is in the middle of the room, spinning.]

VALGERD. Close the window-hole.

[Gunlod is silent.]

VALGERD. Gunlod!

GUNLoD. Did you speak, mother?

VALGERD. What are you doing?

GUNLoD. I am watching the sea.

VALGERD. When will you learn to forget?

GUNLoD. Take everything away from me but memories!

VALGERD. Look forward--not back.

GUNLoD. Who reproaches the strong viking who looks back when he is quitting his native strand?

VALGERD. You have had three winters to make your farewell.

GUNLoD. You speak truly--three winters! For here never came a summer!

VALGERD. When the floating ice melts, then shall spring be here.

GUNLoD. The Northern Lights melt no ice.

VALGERD. Nor your tears.

GUNLoD. You never saw me weep.

VALGERD. But I have heard you. As long as you do that, you are a child.

GUNLoD. I am not a child.

VALGERD. If you would be a woman, suffer in silence.

GUNLoD. I'll cast sorrow from me, mother.

VALGERD. No, no--bury it, as your deepest treasure. The seed must not lie on top of the earth if it would sprout and ripen. You have a deep sorrow. It should bear great gladness--and great peace.

GUNLoD [After a pause]. I shall forget.

VALGERD. Everything?

GUNLoD. I shall try.

VALGERD. Can you forget your father's hardness?

GUNLoD. That I have forgotten.

VALGERD. Can you forget that there was a time when your fore-fathers'

dwelling stood on Brovikens' strand? Where the south wind sang in the oak wood when the ice-bound seas ran free--where the hemlocks gave forth their fragrance and the finches twittered among the linden trees--and Balder, the G.o.d of spring and joy, lulled you to sleep on the green meadows? Can you forget all this, while you listen to the sea gulls'

plaints on these bare rocks and cliffs, and the cold storms out of the north howl through the stunted birches?

GUNLoD. Yes!

VALGERD. Can you forget the friend of your childhood from whom your father tore you to save you from the white Christ?

GUNLoD [in desperation]. Yes, yes!

VALGERD. You are weeping.

GUNLoD [Disturbed]. Some one is walking out there. Perhaps father is coming home.

VALGERD. Will you bear in mind every day without tears that we now dwell in the land of ice--fugitives from the kingdom of Svea and hated here by the Christ-men? But we have suffered no loss of greatness, although we have not been baptized and kissed the bishop's hand. Have you ever spoken to any of the Christians since we have been here?

GUNLoD [After a pause]. No. Tell me, mother, is it true that father is to be Erl here in Iceland, too?

VALGERD. Don't let that trouble you, child.

GUNLoD. Then I'm afraid he will fare badly with the Christians.

VALGERD. You fear that?

GUNLoD. Some one is out there.

VALGERD [Anxiously]. Did you see the ship lying in the inlet this morning?

GUNLoD. With heart-felt gladness!

VALGERD. Bore it the figure-head of Thorfinn?

GUNLoD. That I could not make out.

VALGERD. Have a care, girl.

GUNLoD. Is it tonight that I may go out?

VALGERD. Tomorrow--that you know well.