Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/90



[Laughing.] Jests must pass at the feast-board, if the merriment is to thrive.

[Who has been talking softly to ] Thou art a brave lad! [''Hands him a sword which hangs beside the high-seat.''] Here, Thorolf, here is a good gift for thee. Wield it well, and let us be friends.

Beware how thou givest away thy weapons, Gunnar; men may say thou dost part with things thou canst not use!

[Who has meanwhile examined the sword.] Thanks for the gift, Gunnar; it shall never be drawn in an unworthy cause.

If thou wilt keep that promise, then do thou never lend the sword to thy brothers.

Hiördis!

[Continuing.] Neither let it hang on thy father's wall; for there it would hang with base men's weapons.

True enough, Hiördis—for there thy father's axe and shield have hung this many a year.

[Mastering herself.] That Örnulf slew my