Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/46



Gunnar's?

Then hast thou done him some wrong!

I have done myself right. Our cattle grazed together upon an island, hard by the coast; Gunnar's men carried off my best oxen, and one of them flouted me for a thrall. Then I raised my sword against him and slew him.

That was a lawful deed.

But this morning his men came in arms against me. By good hap I heard of their coming, and fled; but my foemen are on my tracks, and short shrift can I look for at their hands.

Ill can I believe thee, peasant! In bygone days I knew Gunnar as I know myself, and this I wot, that never did he wrong to a peaceful man.

Gunnar has no part in this wrong-doing; he is in the southland; nay, it is Hiördis his wife

Hiördis!

[To himself.] Ay, ay, 'tis like her!