GUESTS. [_Sing._] With song and harping enter we The feast-hall opened wide; Peace to our hostess kind and free, All happiness to her betide. O’er Solhoug’s roof for ever may Bright as to-day The heavens abide. ACT SECOND _A birch grove adjoining the house, one corner of which is seen to the left. At the back, a footpath leads up the hillside. To the right of the footpath a river comes tumbling down a ravine and loses itself among boulders and stones. It is a light summer evening. The door leading to the house stands open; the windows are lighted up. Music is heard from within._ THE GUESTS. [_Singing in the Feast Hall._] Set bow to fiddle! To sound of strings We’ll dance till night shall furl her wings, Through the long hours glad and golden! Like blood-red blossom the maiden glows— Come, bold young wooer and hold the rose In a soft embrace enfolden. [KNUT GESLING _and_ ERIK OF HEGGË _enter from the house. Sounds of music, dancing and merriment are heard from within during what follows._ ERIK. If only you come not to repent it, Knut. KNUT. That is my affair. ERIK. Well, say what you will, ’tis a daring move. You are the King’s Sheriff. Commands go forth to you that you shall seize the person of Gudmund Alfson, wherever you may find him. And now, when you have him in your grasp, you proffer him your friendship, and let him go freely, whithersoever he will. KNUT. I know what I am doing. I sought him in his own dwelling, but there he was not to be found. If, now, I went about to seize him here—think you that Dame Margit would be minded to give me Signë to wife? ERIK. [_With deliberation._] No, by fair means it might scarcely be, but— KNUT. And by foul means I am loth to proceed. Moreover, Gudmund is my friend from bygone days; and he can be helpful to me. [_With decision._] Therefore it shall be as I have said. This evening no one at Solhoug shall know that Gudmund Alfson is an outlaw;—to-morrow he must look to himself. ERIK. Aye, but the King’s decree?