HALLGERD (_who has been biting her nails_) And then ... and doubtless ... and strangely ... And not more thriftiness in Bergthorsknoll Where Njal saves old soft sackcloth for his wife. Oh, I must sit with peasants and aged women, And keep my head wrapped modestly and seemly.
I must be humble--as one who lives on others.
(_She snatches off her wimple, slipping her gold circlet as she does so, and loosens her hair._)
Unless I may be hooded delicately And use the adornment noble women use I'll mock you with my flown young widowhood, Letting my hair go loose past either cheek In two bright clouds and drop beyond my bosom, Turning the waving ends under my girdle As young glad widows do, and as I did Ere ever you saw me--ay, and when you found me And met me as a king meets a queen In the undying light of a summer night With burning robes and glances--stirring the heart with scarlet.
(_She tucks the long ends of her hair under her girdle._)
RANNVEIG You have cast the head-ring of the nobly nurtured, Being eager for a bold uncovered head. You are conversant with a widow's fancies.... Ay, you are ready with your widowhood: Two men have had you, chilled their bosoms with you, And trusted that they held a precious thing-- Yet your mean passionate wastefulness poured out Their lives for joy of seeing something done with. Cannot you wait this time? 'Twill not be long.
HALLGERD I am a hazardous desirable thing, A warm unsounded peril, a flashing mischief, A divine malice, a disquieting voice: Thus I was shapen, and it is my pride To nourish all the fires that mingled me. I am not long moved, I do not mar my face, Though men have sunk in me as in a quicksand. Well, death is terrible. Was I not worth it? Does not the light change on me as I breathe? Could I not take the hearts of generations, Walking among their dreams? Oh, I have might, Although it drives me too and is not my own deed.... And Gunnar is great, or he had died long since. It is my joy that Gunnar stays with me: Indeed the offence is theirs who hunted him, His banishment is not just; his wrongs increase, His honour and his following shall increase If he is steadfast for his blamelessness.
RANNVEIG Law is not justice, but the sacrifice Of singular virtues to the dull world's ease of mind; It measures men by the most vicious men; It is a bargaining with vanities, Lest too much right should make men hate each other And hasten the last battle of all the nations. Gunnar should have kept the atonement set, For then those men would turn to other quarrels.