spies: yonder is news of them.
The wise hound knew them, and knew them again.

(_The baying is succeeded by one mid howl._)

Nay, nay!
Men treat thee sorely, Samm my fosterling:
Even by death thou warnest--but it is meant
That our two deaths will not be far apart.

RANNVEIG
Think you that men are yonder?

GUNNAR
Men are yonder.

RANNVEIG
My son, my son, get on the rattling war-woof,
The old grey shift of Odin, the hide of steel.
Handle the snake with edges, the fang of the rings.

GUNNAR (_going to the weapons by the high-seat_)
There are not enough moments to get under
That heavy fleece: an iron hat must serve.

HALLGERD
O brave! O brave!--he'll dare them with no shield.

GUNNAR (_lifting down the great bill_)
Let me but reach this haft, I shall get hold
Of steel enough to fence me all about.

(_He shakes the bill above his head: a deep resonant humming
follows._

_The dais door is thrown open, and_ ODDNY, ASTRID, _and_ STEINVOR
_stream through in their night-clothes._)

STEINVOR
The bill!

ODDNY
The bill is singing!

ASTRID
The bill sings!

GUNNAR (_shaking the bill again_)
Ay, brain-biter, waken.... Awake and whisper
Out of the throat of dread thy one brief burden.
Blind art thou, and thy kiss will do no choosing:
Worn art thou to a hair's grey edge, a nothing
That slips through all it finds, seeking more nothing.
There is a time, brain-biter, a time that comes
When there shall be much quietness for thee:
Men will be still about thee. I shall know.
It is not yet: the wind shall hiss at thee first.
Ahui! Leap up, brain-biter; sing again.
Sing! Sing thy verse of anger and feel my hands.

RANNVEIG
Stand thou, my Gunnar, in the porch to meet them,
And the great door shall keep thy back for thee.

GUNNAR
I had a brother there. Brother, where are you....

HALLGERD
Nay, nay. Get thou, my Gunnar, to the loft,
Stand at the casement, watch them how they come.
Arrows maybe could drop on them from there.