RANNVEIG
'Tis good: the woman's cunning for once is faithful.

GUNNAR (_turning again to the weapons_)
'Tis good, for now I hear a foot that stumbles
Along the stable-roof against the hall.
My bow--where is my bow? Here with its arrows....
Go in again, you women on the dais,
And listen at the casement of the bower
For men who cross the yard, and for their words.

ASTRID
O Gunnar, we shall serve you.

(ASTRID, ODDNY, _and_ STEINVOR _go out by the dais door._)

RANNVEIG
Hallgerd, come;
We must shut fast the door, bar the great door,
Or they'll be in on us and murder him.

HALLGERD
Not I: I'd rather set the door wide open
And watch my Gunnar kindling at the peril,
Keeping them back--shaming men for ever
Who could not enter at a gaping door.

RANNVEIG
Bar the great door, I say, or I will bar it--
Door of the house you rule.... Son, son, command it.

GUNNAR (_as he ascends to the loft_)
O spendthrift fire, do you waft up again?
Hallgerd, what riot of ruinous chance will sate you?...
Let the door stand, my mother: it is her way.

(_He looks out at the casement._)
Here's a red kirtle on the lower roof.

(_He thrusts with the bill through the casement._)

A MAN'S VOICE (_far off_)
Is Gunnar within?

THORGRIM THE EASTERLING'S VOICE (_near the casement_)
Find that out for yourselves:
I am only sure his bill is yet within.

(_A noise of falling is heard._)

GUNNAR
The Easterling from Sandgil might be dying--
He has gone down the roof, yet no feet helped him.

(_A shouting of many men is heard: GUNNAR starts back from the
casement as several arrows fly in._)

Now there are black flies biting before a storm.
I see men gathering beneath the cart-shed:
Gizur the White and Geir the priest are there,
And a lean whispering shape that should be Mord.
I have a sting for some one--

(_He looses an arrow: a distant cry follows._)

Valgard's voice....
A shaft of theirs is lying on the roof;
I'll send it back, for if it should take root
A hurt from their own spent and worthless weapon
Would put a scorn upon their tale for ever.

(_He leans out for the arrow._)

RA