_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.)
_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!
_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).]
_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!
_Thorolf_ (_gets upon his feet, but is held fast and made to surrender his arms_).--A priest I would now have, Broddi, in the name of God!
_Alf_.--What will you with a priest, you heathen dog?
_Broddi_.--All the more need. Go to him, Deacon Sigurd!
_Sigurd_ (_goes to_ THOROLF, _whom the others release_).--You know, Thorolf, that I am a priest?