(JARNGRIM _walks into the cave. As soon as his back is turned a black patch is seen between his shoulders_. THOROLF _strikes another blow at him, but his sword strikes the rock wall_. JARNGRIM _and the ravens vanish_.) _Thorolf_.--Is he hiding here, the hell-hound? _His Men_--Who? Who? _Thorolf_.--I have spoken with Woden and he has foretold me my death. _First Man_.--You have not spoken with any one, since we came here. But we have heard avalanches in the distance, nor is that strange in weather such as this. _Thorolf_.--I shall live no longer than this fire burns! Take well care of the fire, men! Where are you, my men? (_Falls into a swoon. The second man tends the fire and makes it blaze up; the first man busies himself with_ THOROLF.) _Second Man_.--He is very ill. _First Man_.--He may have seen some ill wight, for ever since he saw the fire he has lost his senses. _Broddi_ (_behind the stage_).--There is that fire again, let us go that way. _First Man_.--I heard some one speaking, a small distance away. Likely, they are no friends of Thorolf's who are abroad. _Second Man_.--And no water at hand to put out the fire, neither would it avail now. _Brand_ (_without_).--None but fugitives will be here! (_Enter_ BRAND KOLBEINSSON, BRODDI, ALF, EINAR THE RICH, DEACON SIGURD, HELGI SKAFTASON, _and six other men_.) _Broddi_.--What's this? Seize the men that cower over Thorolf. (THOROLF'S _men are seized and disarmed_.) _Einar_.--There he lies now, the lord of Eyafirth! _Alf_.--Strike the dog! _Thorolf_ (_regains his senses and stands up quickly_).--For shame, neighbor Alf! Why do you seize upon my men and hold them? _Broddi_.--So that they may harm no one! Now, Thorolf, it is our intention that this will be our last meeting. _Einar_.--Death is before your door now, Thorolf. _Thorolf_.--'The love of many girls had I, One time every one must die.'[A] Did I see right? Is Brand Kolbeinsson here? [Footnote A: These lines are from a stanza spoken by one Thorir Jokul, when kneeling for the blow (Sturlunga, 143).] _Einar_.--Here he is. _Thorolf_.--There is no glory in my overcoming such as you, Einar the Rich. But there, I want to get to where stands Brand Kolbeinsson. (BRAND _stands still while these words are exchanged; some men stand between him and_ THOROLF. THOROLF _rushes at_ BRAND, _but the others fell him and wound him before he has reached_ BRAND.) Now was I too short by one step. _Einar_ (_giving_ THOROLF _a wound_).--You have always despised me! _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?