can thy ship sail with
any wind?

SIGURD. Ay, when it is cunningly steered.

HIORDIS. Good! I too will steer my ship cunningly, and make my way
whither I will.

(Retires towards the back.)

DAGNY (whispers, uneasily). Sigurd, let us hence--this very night!

SIGURD. It is too late now; it was thou that----

DAGNY. Then I held Hiordis dear; but now----; I have heard her
speak words I shudder to think of.

(SIGURD'S men, with other guests, men and women, house-carls and
handmaidens, enter from the back.)

GUNNAR (after a short pause for the exchange of greetings and so
forth). Now to the board! My chief guest, Ornulf of the Fiords, comes
later; so Thorolf promises.

HIORDIS (to the house-folk). Pass ale and mead around, that hearts
may wax merry and tongues may be loosened.

(GUNNAR leads SIGURD to the high-seat on the right. DAGNY seats
herself on SIGURD'S right, HIORDIS opposite him at the other
side of the same table. THOROLF is in like manner ushered to
a place at the other table, and thus sits opposite GUNNAR, who
occupies the greater high-seat. The others take their seats
further back.)

HIORDIS (after a pause in which they drink with each other and
converse quietly across the tables). It seldom chances that so many
brave men are seated together, as I see to-night in our hall. It
were fitting, then, that we should essay the old pastime: Let each
man name his chief exploit, that all may judge which is the mightiest.

GUNNAR. That is an ill custom at a drinking-feast; it will oft
breed strife.

HIORDIS. Little did I deem that Gunnar was afraid.

SIGURD. That no one deems; but it were long ere we came to an end,
were we all to tell of our exploits, so many as we be. Do thou rather
tell us, Gunnar, of thy journey to Biarmeland; 'tis no small exploit
to fare so far to the north, and gladly would we hear of it.

HIORDIS. The journey to Biarmeland is chapman's work, and little
worth to be named among warriors. Nay, do thou begin, Sigurd, if
thou would'st not have me deem that thou shrinkest from hearing my
husband's praise! Say on; name that one of thy deeds which thou
dost prize the highest.

SIGURD. Well, since thou will have it so, so must it be. Let it
be told, then, that I lay a-viking among the Orkneys; there came
foemen against us, but we swept them from their ships, and I fought
alone against eight men.

HIORDIS. Good