Early Plays - Catiline, the Warrior's Barrow, Olaf Liljekrans - LightNovelsOnl.com
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BLANKA. O! Take me with you!
GANDALF. What do you mean?
I sail for home--
BLANKA. Well, I shall sail with you; For I have often traveled in my dreams To far-off Norway, where you live mid snow And ice and sombre woods of towering pines.
There should come mirth and laughter in the hall, If I could have my say, I promise you; For I am merry;--have you any scald?
GANDALF. I had one, but the sultry Southern air Has loosened all the strings upon his harp,-- They sing no longer--
BLANKA. Good! Then shall I be Your scald.
GANDALF. And you?--You could go with us there, And leave your father and your home?
BLANKA. [Laughing.] Aha!
You think I meant it seriously?
GANDALF. Was it Only a jest?
BLANKA. Alas! a foolish dream I often used to dream before we met,-- Which often I no doubt shall dream again, When you--
[Suddenly breaking off.]
BLANKA. You stare so fixedly.
GANDALF. Do I?
BLANKA. Why, yes! What are you thinking of?
GANDALF. I? Nothing!
BLANKA. Nothing?
GANDALF. That is, I scarcely know myself; And yet I do--and you shall hear it now: I thought of you and how you would transplant Your flowers in the North, when suddenly My own faith came as if by chance to mind.
One word therein I never understood Before; now have you taught me what it means.
BLANKA. And that is what?
GANDALF. Valfader, it is said, Receives but half the warriors slain in battle; The other half to Freya goes by right.
That I could never fully comprehend; But--now I understand,--I am myself A fallen warrior, and to Freya goes The better part of me.
BLANKA. [Amazed.] What does this mean?
GANDALF. Well, in a word, then know--
BLANKA. [Quickly.] No, say it not!
I dare not tarry longer here to-night,-- My father waits, and I must go; farewell!
GANDALF. O, you are going?
BLANKA. [Takes the wreath of oak leaves which he has let fall and throws it around his helmet.] You can keep it now.
Lo, what I hitherto bestowed on you In dreams, I grant you now awake.
GANDALF. Farewell!
[He goes quickly out to the right.]
SCENE IV
BLANKA. [Alone.]
He is gone! Ah, perfect stillness Rules upon the barren strand.
Perfect stillness, grave-like stillness Rules my heart with heavy hand.
Came he then to vanish only Through the mist, a ray of light?
Soon he flies, a sea-gull lonely, Far away into the night!
What is left me of this lover?
But a flower in the dark: In my loneliness to hover Like a petrel round his bark!
[The war trumpet of the Vikings is heard from the left.]
BLANKA. Ah! What was that! A trumpet from the wood!
SCENE V
[BLANKA, GANDALF from the right.]
GANDALF. [Aside.] It is too late!
BLANKA. O, there he is again!
What do you want?
GANDALF. Quick,--quick, away from here!
BLANKA. What do you mean?
GANDALF. Away! There's danger here!
BLANKA. What danger?
GANDALF. Death!
BLANKA. I do not understand you.
