(_They go out by the dais door._) GUNNAR (_as he enters hastily from the left_) Where are those women? There's some secret in them: I have heard such others crying down to them. HALLGERD They turned foul-mouthed, they beckoned evil toward us-- I drove them forth a breath ago. GUNNAR Forth? Whence? HALLGERD By the great door: they cried about the night. (RANNVEIG _follows_ GUNNAR _in._) GUNNAR Nay, but I entered there and passed them not. Mother, where are the women? RANNVEIG I saw none come. GUNNAR They have not come, they have gone. RANNVEIG I crossed the yard, Hearing a noise, but a big bird dropped past, Beating my eyes; and then the yard was clear. (_The deep baying of the hound is heard again._) GUNNAR They must be spies: yonder is news of them. The wise hound knew them, and knew them again. (_The baying is succeeded by one mid howl._) Nay, nay! Men treat thee sorely, Samm my fosterling: Even by death thou warnest--but it is meant That our two deaths will not be far apart. RANNVEIG Think you that men are yonder? GUNNAR Men are yonder. RANNVEIG My son, my son, get on the rattling war-woof, The old grey shift of Odin, the hide of steel. Handle the snake with edges, the fang of the rings. GUNNAR (_going to the weapons by the high-seat_) There are not enough moments to get under That heavy fleece: an iron hat must serve. HALLGERD O brave! O brave!--he'll dare them with no shield. GUNNAR (_lifting down the great bill_) Let me but reach this haft, I shall get hold Of steel enough to fence me all about. (_He shakes the bill above his head: a deep resonant humming follows._ _The dais door is thrown open, and_ ODDNY, ASTRID, _and_ STEINVOR _stream through in their night-clothes._) STEINVOR The bill! ODDNY The bill is singing! ASTRID The bill sings!