Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/97



That I know.

And hast no more joy in his return?

Had he come sooner, I had been more glad. But tell me all that has befallen!

That is soon done. Kåre the Peasant was plotting evil against you; with other caitiffs he fared southward after Egil.

Kåre! [To himself.] Ha, now I understand Thorolf's words!

His purpose came to my ears; I needs must thwart so black a deed. I would not give atonement for Jökul, and, had things so befallen, I had willingly slain thee, Gunnar, in single combat—yet I could not but save thy child. With my sons, I hasted after Kåre.

[Softly.] An accursed deed has here been done.

When I came up with him, Egil's guards lay bound; thy son was already in thy foemen's hands, and they would not long have spared him. Hot was the fight! Seldom have I given and taken keener strokes; Kåre and two men fled inland; the rest sleep safely, and will be hard to waken.