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Page 16
_Thorolf_ (_gets upon his feet, but is held fast and made to surrender
his arms_).--A priest I would now have, Broddi, in the name of God!
_Alf_.--What will you with a priest, you heathen dog?
_Broddi_.--All the more need. Go to him, Deacon Sigurd!
_Sigurd_ (_goes to_ THOROLF, _whom the others release_).--You know,
Thorolf, that I am a priest?
_Thorolf_.--Give me absolution, priest, the same as if you were in my
place! My soul is in danger. I have spoken with Woden, but a short while
ago. He said the ale was ready which we were to drink together to-night.
For God's sake absolve me well of my sins!
_Sigurd_.--So shall it be.
_Thorolf_ (_to_ BRODDI).--What will you have for my life?
(BRODDI _remains silent_.)
_Thorolf_.--I offer you to leave the country and never come back to
Iceland.
_Broddi_.--You must know, Thorolf, that you are to die. There is no
other condition.
_Thorolf_.--Each of you would consider himself too young to die already,
if he were in my place now. You are keeping long your vow of everlasting
truce, Brand Kolbeinsson!
(BRAND _remains silent_.)
_Thorolf_.--Those that keep it as you do 'shall shun churches and
Christian people, the house of God and the houses of men and every home
but hell!' A great wonder it would be if you obtain the absolution of
a priest in the hour of your death. I summon you before God, Brand
Kolbeinsson!
_Broddi_.--Lead the man away to be executed, Helgi Skaftason, you have a
good axe.
_Helgi_.--That I have; nor shall I refuse its service.
_Thorolf_.--Helgi Skaftason is then to--! (_Quickly takes his ring off
his wrist and comes close to_ SIGURD. EINAR _happens to stand near so
that he can discern their speech_.) Can you keep a secret, priest?
_Sigurd_.--That can every one who is in holy office.
_Thorolf_ (_gives him the ring and says in low voice_).--Quickly hide
this ring and bring it to Lady Helga.
_Sigurd_ (_do_).--With what message?
_Thorolf_.--That you shall be spared life and limb, though you have been
participant in this onslaught on me. (EINAR _gives a start_.)
_Sigurd_.--And any others?
_Thorolf_.--Little I care.
_Einar_ (_aside_).--That ring must I try to get hold of.
(THOROLF _is led out to the left; all the others follow, excepting_
BRODDI _and_ BRAND.)
_Broddi_.--You must not be present at it, Brand! I shall tell you what
is happening. Now Thorolf is shriven; he has but few sins to confess; he
has been absolved but recently.
_Brand_.--If they had not lit the fire we would never have found them.
Better had it been they had not lit it!
_Broddi_.--A pity that brave men such as Thorolf was should not be good
men to work together with, likewise. Now Thorolf kneels down for the
blow. Do not look that way, Brand!
_Brand_.--Has he the crucifix in his hand?
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