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God save us, my lady, have you left your bed?

I am well. Go you and sleep. Stay—tell me, are the guests all gone?

No, not all; some wait till later in the day; ere now they are sleeping sound.

And Gudmund Alfson—?

He, too, is doubtless asleep. [Points to the right.] 'Tis some time since he went to his chamber—yonder, across the passage.

Good; you may go.

To-morrow, then, Gudmund will ride away Out into the world so great and wide. Alone with my husband here I must stay; And well do I know what will then betide. Like the broken branch and the trampled flower I shall suffer and fade from hour to hour.