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 Signe
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?
KNUT.
Oh, the King's decree! You know as well as I that the King's
decree is but little heeded here in the uplands. Were the King's
decree to be enforced, many a stout fellow among us would have
to pay dear both for bride-rape and for man-slaying. Come this
way, I would fain know where Signe--?
[They go out to the right.
[GUDMUND and SIGNE come down the footpath at the back.
SIGNE.
Oh, speak! Say on! For sweeter far
Such words than sweetest music are.
GUDMUND.
Signe, my flower, my lily fair!
SIGNE. [In subdued, but happy wonderment.]
I am dear to him--I!
Gudmund.
As none other I swear.
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