ARNE. Ah, let them, let them; it is all because
they wish me ill.
HEMMING. They say that you have surrendered
your legal right in order to have Ingeborg married
to Olaf Liljekrans; I shouldn’t mention it,
I suppose,—but a lampoon about you is going
the rounds, master!
ARNE. You lie in your throat; there is no one
dares make a lampoon about Arne of Guldvik.
I have power; I can oust him from house and home whenever
I please. Lampoon! And what do you know
about lampoons!—If they have composed any
songs, it is to the honor of the bride and her father!
ARNE. [Flaring up.] But it is a wretched bit of
verse nevertheless, really a wretched bit of verse,
I tell you. It is no man skilled in the art
of poetry who has put it together, and if I once get
hold of him, then—
HEMMING. Aha, master! then you know it too?
Is there some one who has dared sing it to you?
ARNE. Sing, sing! Now don’t stand
there and delay me with your twaddle.
ARNE. [To the others.] Away, my kinsmen; little
must we delay if we are to reach the bridal house
before midnight. You should have heard what
Hemming is telling. He says there is a rumor
around that Lady Kirsten has baked and brewed for five
whole days in honor of our coming. Is it not
so, Hemming?
HEMMING. Aye, master!
ARNE. He says she owns not the beaker of silver
so costly but she places it on the table shining and
polished; so splendid a feast she has not prepared
since the king came to visit her blessed lord twenty
years ago. Is it not true, Hemming?
HEMMING. Aye, master!
HEMMING. [Whispering.] But, master, it is ill-thought
to say such things; Lady Kirsten is proud of her birth;
she thinks this marriage is somewhat of an honor to
you; little you know how she intends to show herself
to her guests.
ARNE. [Softly.] Ah, what nonsense!
ARNE. [To the others.] He says Lady Kirsten gives
herself no rest; both day and night she is busy in
pantry and cellar. Is it not—?
ARNE. [Startled as he looks out to the right.] Hemming!
what is that? See here, who is that coming?
HEMMING. [With a cry.] Lady Kirsten Liljekrans!
ALL. [Astonished.] Lady Kirsten!
* * *
* *
[The Preceding. LADY KIRSTEN comes with her
HOUSE CARLS from the left.]
LADY KIRSTEN. [To her followers, without noticing
the others.] Now just a little farther and I am sure
we shall find him.
LADY KIRSTEN. [Taken aback, aside.] Arne of Guldvik!
Heaven help me!
ARNE. [As he goes to meet her.] The peace of God,
Lady Kirsten Liljekrans!
LADY KIRSTEN. [Composes herself and gives him her
hand.] The peace of God to you!
LADY KIRSTEN. [Aside.] Does he then know nothing?
