ACT THIRD
The hall at Solhoug as before, but now in disorder after the feast.
It is night still, but with a glimmer of approaching dawn in
the room and over the landscape without.
BENGT stands outside in the passage-way, with a beaker of ale in
his hand. A party of GUESTS are in the act of leaving the
house. In the room a MAID-SERVANT is restoring order.
BENGT.
[Calls to the departing GUESTS.] God speed you, then, and bring
you back ere long to Solhoug. Methinks you, like the rest, might
have stayed and slept till morning. Well, well! Yet hold--I'll
e'en go with you to the gate. I must drink your healths once more.
[He goes out.
GUESTS. [Sing in the distance.]
Farewell, and God's blessing on one and all
Beneath this roof abiding!
The road must be faced. To the fiddler we call:
Tune up! Our cares deriding,
With dance and with song
We'll shorten the way so weary and long.
Right merrily off we go.
[The song dies away in the distance.
[MARGIT enters the hall by the door on the right.
MAID.
God save us, my lady, have you left your bed?
MARGIT.
I am well. Go you and sleep. Stay--tell me, are the guests
all gone?
MAID.
No, not all; some wait till later in the day; ere now they are
sleeping sound.
MARGIT.
And Gudmund Alfson--?
MAID.
He, too, is doubtless asleep. [Points to the right.] 'Tis some
time since he went to his chamber--yonder, across the passage.
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