_Sigurd_--Till the morning sun appear we will sit together. Let me lift thee upon this rock. [_He does so, and casts himself at her feet_.] It was fair that thou shouldst come to me. All my life is now blotted out, and I am a child with thee once more. And now we will seek out together the land of our inheritance. I must away for a moment to take my leave, and then I shall be ready, and I think that thou too art ready. _Ivar Ingemundson [falling on his knee_]--My lord, now let me be your friend. _Sigurd [extending his hand_]--Ivar, thou wilt not leave her to-morrow? _Ivar Ingemundson_--Not until she is set free. _Sigurd_--And now sing me the Crusader's song. I may joyfully go hence after that. Ivar Ingemundson [_rises and sings_]-- Fair is the earth, Fair is God's heaven; Fair is the pilgrim-path of the soul. Singing we go Through the fair realms of earth, Seeking the way to our heavenly goal. Races shall come, And shall pass away: And the world from age to age shall roll; But the heavenly tones Of our pilgrim song Shall echo still in the joyous soul. First heard of shepherds, By angels sung, Wide it has spread since that glad morn: Peace upon earth! Rejoice all men, For unto us is a Savior born[1]. [_The mother places both her hands on Sigurd's head, and they look into one another's eyes; he then rests his head upon her breast._] [Footnote 1: This song is borrowed by Björnson from the Danish poet B.S. Ingemann, although it is slightly altered for its present use.] Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, Boston. * * * * * HOW THE MOUNTAIN WAS CLAD From 'Arne' There was a deep gorge between two mountains. Through this gorge a large, full stream flowed heavily over a rough and stony bottom. Both sides were high and steep, and so one side was bare; but close to its foot, and so near the stream that the latter sprinkled it with moisture every spring and autumn, stood a group of fresh-looking trees, gazing upward and onward, yet unable to advance this way or that.