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Page 10
(BRAND _looks toward the door and says nothing_.)
_Helga_ (_stamps her foot on the floor of the dais, whereupon the door
opens slowly, and swords and spears become visible_).--And you, Brand
Kolbeinsson?
_Brand_.--I shall swear a truce to Thorolf with a willing mind. But what
are the conditions, and for what offence the fine?
_Helga_.--Thorolf Bjarnason shall make atonement for having, in my
hearing and in the presence of other men, given Brand Kolbeinsson a
nickname; he shall pay for his offence with the ring which he wears on
his arm and which weighs six ounces. Is this offer of reconciliation a
good one?
_Brand and Thorolf_.--Indeed a good one!
_Helga_ (_taking a large ring off her arm and holding it between her
fingers_).--Pronounce, then, the pledge of truce, Haf--according to our
laws!
_Haf_ (_sets a little table between them and stands beside it. Receives
the ring from_ THOROLF, _holds it in one hand, and a parchment in
the other, and pronounces the pledge of truce in an impressive
manner_).--Contention there has been between Brand Kolbeinsson and
Thorolf Bjarnason. But now is this contention no more, a fine has been
paid according to the decision of good and noble men, of full weight,
and good metal, and handed over to him to whom it is due. But if
contention there should arise again between them, then shall they settle
by fee, and not by reddened steel. But if one of these parties become
so bereft of his senses that he break this reconciliation, and pledge of
truce, or becomes the contriver of the other's death, then shall he be
driven from God, and from the commerce of all Christendom, as far as
men pursue wolves, Christians visit churches, heathen men sacrifice in
temples, mothers bear children, children say mother, fire burns, ships
sail, shields flash, the sun shines, snow lies, pines grow, the falcon
flies the long spring day, with a fair wind under both his wings. He
shall shun churches and Christian people, the house of God and the
houses of men, and the abodes of men, and every home but hell. (HAF
_lays the ring on the parchment, which he holds between them. They lay
each their right hand on the book_.) Both of you with your hands touch
one book, and even on it lies the fine with which Thorolf atones for his
offence, for himself and for his heirs, conceived or unconceived, born
or unborn, baptized or unbaptized; and in return he receives from Brand
Kolbeinsson assurances of eternal and everlasting truce, a truce which
shall persist the while the earth lasts and men live. (_Silence_. BRAND
KOLBEINSSON _takes the ring off the book and puts it on his arm, whilst_
HAF _lays the book on the table again_.) Now you, Brand Kolbeinsson and
Thorolf Bjarnason, shall be men reconciled and agreeing, wherever
you meet, whether on land or on sea, on ship or on ski, on sea or on
horseback, on bench or on thwart; and if need be, divide between you oar
and scoop, knife and piece of meat; shall be at one with each other as
is father with son, or son with father. Join hands now (_they grasp
each the other's hand_) and stand by your truce according to the will of
Christ and all those men who now have heard your pledge of faith. May he
have the grace of God who keeps the truce, but his wrath he who breaks
it. Let this be a full reconciliation between you, and let us be
witnesses who are present.
(THOROLF _approaches_ HELGA, _who gives him the ring she had been
holding; He puts it on his arm, without anybody noticing it but her_.
BISHOP BOTOLF _walks up to her. The ranks of the witnesses mix_, BRAND
_and_ BRODDI _station themselves in the foreground_.)
_Botolf_.--A great work and one sorely needed have you performed to-day,
my lady. Assuredly more than small good fortune it is to have reconciled
two such men whom Kolbein the Young never could prevail upon to become
reconciled, as we are told.
_Helga_ (_smiling_).--The granddaughter of Ion Loftsson of Oddi ought
to have sufficient good fortune to reconcile by her sole efforts men who
both are her friends.
_Brand_ (_aside to_ BRODDI).--May it never be avenged on Lady Helga to
have cowed me by overwhelming force to promise an eternal truce to my
worst foe.
_Broddi_ (_to_ BRAND).--But a short while will the hand rejoice over the
blow!
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