HALLGERD Now I shall close his nostrils and his eyes, And thereby take his blood-feud into my hands. RANNVEIG If you do stir I'll choke you with your hair. I will not let your murderous mind be near him When he no more can choose and does not know. HALLGERD His wife I was, and yet he never judged me: He did not set your motherhood between us. Let me alone--I stand here for my sons. RANNVEIG The wolf, the carrion bird, and the fair woman Hurry upon a corpse, as if they think That all is left for them the grey gods need not. (_She twines her hands in_ HALLGERD'S _hair and draws her down to the floor._) Oh, I will comb your hair with bones and thumbs, Array these locks in my right widow's way, And deck you like the bed-mate of the dead. Lie down upon the earth as Gunnar lies, Or I can never match him in your looks And whiten you and make your heart as cold. HALLGERD Mother, what will you do? Unloose me now--- Your eyes would not look so at me alone. RANNVEIG Be still, my daughter.... HALLGERD And then? RANNVEIG Ah, do not fear-- I see a peril nigh and all its blitheness. Order your limbs--stretch out your length of beauty, Let down your hands and close those deepening eyes, Or you can never stiffen as you should. A murdered man should have a murdered wife When all his fate is treasured in her mouth. This wifely hairpin will be sharp enough. HALLGERD (_starting up as RANNVEIG half loosens her to take a hairpin from her own head_) She is mad, mad.... Oh, the bower is barred-- Hallgerd, come out, let mountains cover you. (_She rushes out to the left._) RANNVEIG (_following her_) The night take you indeed.... GIZUR (_as he enters from the left_) Ay, drive her out; For no man's house was ever better by her. RANNVEIG Is an old woman's life desired as well? GIZUR We ask that you will grant us earth hereby Of Gunnar's earth, for two men dead to-night To lie beneath a cairn that we shall raise. RANNVEIG Only for two? Take it: ask more of me. I wish the measure were for all of you. GIZUR Your words must be forgiven you, old mother, For none has had a greater loss than yours. Why would he set himself against us all.... (_He goes out._) RANNVEIG Gunnar, my son, we are alone again. (_She goes up the hall, mounts to the loft, and stoops beside him._)