Plays: the Father; Countess Julie; the Outlaw; the Stronger Part 31

GUNLoD. [After a pause]. Forgive me, forgive me--I am in such a wild mood--and when I see the Christians, who should be examples, commit such deeds--

GUNNAR. Crush out that thought, Gunlod--it is unG.o.dly. Do you see this wreath?

GUNLoD. Where did you gather it?

GUNNAR. You recognize the flowers, Gunlod?

GUNLoD. They grew in my father's garden--may I keep them?

GUNNAR. Gladly--but, why do you care to have them when we are going to journey there ourselves?

GUNLoD. I shall look at them the long winter through--the hemlock shall remind me of the green woods and the anemones of the blue sky.

GUNNAR. And when they are withered--

GUNLoD. Of that I do not think.

GUNNAR. Then go with me from this drear land--far away, and there where our childhood was spent we will live as free as the birds among the flowers and sunshine. There you shall not go in stealth to the temple of the Lord when the bells tell you of the Sabbath. Oh, you shall see the new chapel with its vaulted roof and high pillared aisles. And hear the acolytes singing when the bishop lights the incense on the high altar.

There shall you solemnize the G.o.d service with those of Christ and you shall feel you heart cleansed of sin.

GUNLoD. Shall I fly--leave my mother?

GUNNAR. She will forgive you some time.

GUNLoD. But my father would call me cowardly and that I would never allow.

GUNNAR. That you must endure for the sake of your belief.

GUNLoD. Thorfinn's daughter was never cowardly.

GUNNAR. Your father does not love you, and he will hate you when he knows of your conversion.

GUNLoD. That he may do--but he shall never despise me.

GUNNAR. You surrender your love, Gunlod.

GUNLoD. Love!--I remember--there was a maiden--she had a friend who went away--after, she was never again glad--she only sat sewing silk and gold--what she was making no one knew--and when they asked her she would only weep. And when they asked her why she wept, she never answered--only wept. She grew pale of cheek and her mother made ready her shroud.--Then there came an old woman and she said it was love.

Gunnar,--I never wept when you went away as father says it is weak to shed tears; I never sewed silk and gold for that my mother has never taught me to do--then had I not love?

GUNNAR. You have often thought of me during these years?

GUNLoD. I have dreamed so often of you, and this morning when I stood by the window where I linger so willingly and, gazing over the sea, I saw your ship come up out of the east, I became unquiet although I did not know it was your ship.

GUNNAR. Why do you gaze so willingly over the sea?

GUNLoD. You ask many questions!

GUNNAR. Why did you want to close the door against me?

GUNLoD. [Silent].

GUNNAR. Why didn't you close it?

GUNLoD. [Silent].

GUNNAR. Why are you silent?

[Gunlod bursts into tears.]

GUNNAR. You weep, Gunlod, and you know why? I know,--you love! [Takes her in his arms and kisses her.]

GUNLoD. [Tearing herself away]. You must not kiss me! Go!

GUNNAR. Yes--and you shall go with me.

GUNLoD. I do not care to be commanded by you--and I shall not obey.

GUNNAR. The volcano gives forth fire--and burns itself out!

GUNLoD. You have destroyed my peace--forever! Go and let me forget you.

GUNNAR. Do you know what the silver falcon with the ribbon stands for?

It is the symbol of the wild girl I shall tame.

GUNLoD. [With force]. You! Go before I hate you!--No one yet has bent my will!

GUNNAR. The wild fire of the viking's blood still burns in your veins, but it shall be quenched. A day and a night shall I wait for you. And you will come--mild as a dove seeking shelter, although you now would fly above the clouds like a wild falcon. But I still hold the ribbon in my hand--that is your love, which you cannot tear away. When twilight falls again you will come. Till then, farewell. [Goes to the door and stops.]

GUNLoD. [Silent.]

GUNNAR. [Going.] Farewell.

GUNLoD. We shall see, proud knight, who comes first. When this garland shall bloom again, then shall I come. [Throws garland in fire. She watches it burn in a thoughtful mood. When it is quite burnt she breaks into tears again and falls on her knees.] G.o.d! G.o.d! Soften my proud spirit! Oh, that he should leave me! [Hastens to door. At same moment Valgerd enters, pa.s.ses Gunlod, and goes to fire.]

VALGERD. Why did you not tend the fire?

GUNLoD. [Silent.]

VALGERD [Putting her hand against Gunlod's heart]. You have a secret!

GUNLoD. Yes, mother, yes.

VALGERD. Hide it well.

GUNLoD. Oh, I must speak--I can't bear it any longer.

VALGERD. When saw you a mother who did not know a daughter's secrets?

GUNLoD. Who told you mine?