GANDALF. I thought to hide it from you,—hence
I went
To call my people to the ship again
And sail away; you never should have known,—
The trumpet warns me that it is too late,—
That they are coming.
BLANKA. Who are coming?
GANDALF. Then know,—
The strangers who once harried on the isle
Were vikings like myself.
BLANKA. From Norway?
GANDALF. Yes.
My father, who was chief among them, fell,—
Hence must he be avenged.
BLANKA. Avenged?
GANDALF. Such is
The custom.
BLANKA. Ah, I see now!
GANDALF. Here they come!
Stand close behind me!
BLANKA. Man of blood,—away!
* * *
* *
[The Preceding.]
[ASGAUT, HEMMING and the VIKINGS, who lead RODERIK
between them.]
ASGAUT. [To GANDALF.] A meagre find, yet something,
to be sure.
BLANKA. My father!
[She throws herself in his arms.]
RODERIK. Blanka! O, my child!
JOSTEJN. A woman!
He will have company.
ASGAUT. Yes, straight to Hell!
BLANKA. O father, wherefore have you never told
me—
RODERIK. Hush! Hush! my child!
[Points to GANDALF.]
RODERIK. Is this your chieftain?
ASGAUT. Yes.
ASGAUT. [To GANDALF.]
This man can tell you how your father died;
For he was in the thick of it, he says,
The only one to get away alive.
GANDALF. Hush! I will nothing hear.
ASGAUT. Good; let us then
Begin the task.
BLANKA. O God! what will they do?
GANDALF. [In an undertone.] I cannot, Asgaut!
ASGAUT. [Likewise.] Is our king afraid?
Has woman’s flattering tongue beguiled his mind?
GANDALF. No matter,—I have said—
ASGAUT. Bethink yourself,—
Your standing with your warriors is at stake.
Your word you pledged Valhalla’s mighty gods,
And if you fail a dastard you’ll be judged.
Do not forget our faith is insecure—
And wavering; one blow can strike its root,
And if the blow comes from the king above,
It will have had a mortal wound.
GANDALF. Ah me!
That was a most unhappy oath I swore.
ASGAUT. [To the VIKINGS.] Now ready, warriors!
BLANKA. Will you murder him,
An old, defenseless man?
ASGAUT. Down with them both!
BLANKA. O God!
HROLLOUG. The woman is too fair! Let her
Return with us.
JOSTEJN. [Laughing.] Yes, as a warrior maid.
GANDALF. Stand back!
RODERIK. O spare,—O spare at least
my child!
The slayer of your chieftain I will bring you,
If you will only spare her!
GANDALF. [Quickly.] Bring him here,
And she is free. What say you?
