t be fighting me for ever
With her dim ravenous unsated mind....
Ay, Hallgerd, there's that in her which desires
Men to fight on for ever because she lives:
When she took form she did it like a hunger
To nibble earth's lip away until the sea
Poured down the darkness. Why then should I sail
Upon a voyage that can end but here?
She means that I shall fight until I die:
Why must she be put off by whittled years,
When none can die until his time has come?

(_He turns to the hound by the fire._)

Samm, drowsy friend, dost scent a prey in dreams?
Shake off thy shag of sleep and get to thy watch:
'Tis time to be our eyes till the next light.
Out, out to the yard, good Samm.

(_He goes to the left, followed by the hound. In the meantime_
HALLGERD _has seated herself in the high-seat near the sewing
women, turning herself away and tugging at a strand of her hair,
the end of which she bites._)

RANNVEIG (_intercepting him_)
Nay, let me take him.
It is not safe--there may be men who hide....
Hallgerd, look up; call Gunnar to you there:

(HALLGERD _is motionless._)
Lad, she beckons. I say you shall not come.

GUNNAR (_laughing_)
Fierce woman, teach me to be brave in age,
And let us see if it is safe for you.

(_Leads_ RANNVEIG _out, his hand on her shoulder; the hound goes
with them._)

STEINVOR
Mistress, my heart is big with mutinies
For your proud sake: does not your heart mount up?
He is an outlaw now and could not hold you
If you should choose to leave him. Is it not law?
Is it not law that you could loose this marriage--
Nay, that he loosed it shamefully years ago
By a hard blow that bruised your innocent cheek,
Dishonouring you to lesser women and chiefs?
See, it burns up again at the stroke of thought.
Come, leave him, mistress; we will go with you.
There is no woman in the country now
Whose name can kindle men as yours can do--
Ay, many would pile for you the silks he grudges;
And if you did withdraw your potent presence
Fire would not spare this house so reverently.

HALLGERD
Am I a wandering flame that sears and passes?
We must bide here, good Steinvor, and be quiet.
Without a man a woman cannot rule,
Nor kill without a knife; and where's the man
That I shall put before this goodly Gunnar?
I will not be made less by a less man.
There is no