s 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!