d--all, save the woman he
loves; for if he do that, he rends the Norn's secret web, and two lives
are wrecked. An unerring voice within me tells me I came into the
world that my strong soul might cheer and sustain thee through heavy
days, and that thou wast born to the end I might find in _one_ man
all that seemed to me great and noble; for this I know Sigurd--had we
two held together, thou hadst become more famous than all others, and
I happier.

SIGURD. It avails not now to mourn. Thinkest thou it is a merry
life that awaits me? To be by Dagny's side day be day, and feign a
love my heart shrinks from? Yet so it must be; it cannot be altered.

HIORDIS (in a growing frenzy). It _shall_ be altered! We must out
of this life, both of us! Seest thou this bow-string? With it can I
surely hit my mark; for I have crooned fair sorceries over it! (Places
an arrow in the bow, which is strung.) Hark! hearest thou that rushing
in the air? It is the dead men's ride to Nalhal: I have bewitched
them hither;--we two will join them in their ride!

SIGURD (shrinking back). Hiordis, Hiordis--I fear thee!

HIORDIS (not heeding him). Our fate no power can alter now! Oh, 'tis
better so than if thou hadst wedded me here in this life--if I had
sat in thy homestead weaving linen and wool for thee and bearing thee
children--pah!

SIGURD. Hold, hold! Thy sorcery has been too strong for thee; thou
art soul-sick, Hiordis! (Horror-struck.) Ha, see--see! Gunnar's hall--
it is burning!

HIORDIS. Let it burn, let it burn! The cloud-hall up yonder is
loftier than Gunnar's rafter-roof!

SIGURD. But Egil, thy son--they are slaying him!

HIORDIS. Let him die--my shame dies with him!

SIGURD. And Gunnar--they are taking thy husband's life!

HIORDIS. What care I! A better husband shall I follow home this
night! Ay, Sigurd, so must it be; here on this earth is no happiness
for me. The White God is coming northward; him will I not meet; the
old gods are strong no longer;--they sleep, they sit half shadow-
high;--with them will we strive! Out of this life, Sigurd; I will
enthrone thee king in heaven, and I will sit at thy side. (The storm
bursts wildly.) Hark, hark, here comes our company! Canst see the
black steeds galloping?--one is for me and one for thee. (Draws the
arrow to her ear and shoots.) Away, then, on thy last ride home!

SIGURD. Well aimed, Hiordis!

(He falls.)

HIORDIS (jubilant, rushes up to him). Si