The Outlaw (3 of 10)

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THE OUTLAW (CONT'D)

GUNLOED. First I believed in my father--he was so strong; then I believed in my mother--she was so good; last I believed in you--you were so strong and good--and so beautiful; and when you went away-- I stood alone--myself I could never believe in--I was so weak; then I thought of your God, whom you so often begged me to love--and I prayed to Him.

GUNNAR. And the old gods--

GUNLOED. I have never been able to believe in them--although my father commanded me to do so--they are wicked.

GUNNAR. Who has taught you to pray? Who gave you the crucifix?

GUNLOED. The bishop.

GUNNAR. And that no one knows?

GUNLOED. No--I have had to lie to my mother and that troubles me.

GUNNAR. And your father hid you here so that the Christians should not get you?

GUNLOED. Yes--and now he is expected home from Norway with followers as he is to be Erl of the island.

GUNNAR. God forbid!

GUNLOED. Yes--yes--but you must not delay. He is expected home tonight.

GUNNAR. Good--there beyond Hjaerleif's headland lies my ship.--Out to sea! There is a land wind, and before the first cock's crow we shall be beyond pursuit.

GUNLOED. Yes! Yes!

GUNNAR. Soon we should be at Ostergoetland--where the summer is still green--and there you shall live in my castle which I have built where your father's house stood.

GUNLOED. Does not that still stand?

GUNNAR. No--it was burned.

GUNLOED. By the Christians?

GUNNAR. You are so passionate, Gunloed!

GUNLOED. I suffer to say I would rather be a heathen.

GUNNAR. What are you saying, girl!

GUNLOED. [After a pause]. Forgive me, forgive me--I am in such a wild mood--and when I see the Christians, who should be examples, commit such deeds--

GUNNAR. Crush out that thought, Gunloed--it is ungodly. Do you see this wreath?

GUNLOED. Where did you gather it?

GUNNAR. You recognize the flowers, Gunloed?

GUNLOED. They grew in my father's garden--may I keep them?

GUNNAR. Gladly--but, why do you care to have them when we are going to journey there ourselves?

GUNLOED. I shall look at them the long winter through--the hemlock shall remind me of the green woods and the anemones of the blue sky.

GUNNAR. And when they are withered--

GUNLOED. Of that I do not think.

GUNNAR. Then go with me from this drear land--far away, and there where our childhood was spent we will live as free as the birds among the flowers and sunshine. There you shall not go in stealth to the temple of the Lord when the bells tell you of the Sabbath. Oh, you shall see the new chapel with its vaulted roof and high pillared aisles. And hear the acolytes singing when the bishop lights the incense on the high altar. There shall you solemnize the God service with those of Christ and you shall feel you heart cleansed of sin.

GUNLOED. Shall I fly--leave my mother?

GUNNAR. She will forgive you some time.

GUNLOED. But my father would call me cowardly and that I would never allow.

GUNNAR. That you must endure for the sake of your belief.

GUNLOED. Thorfinn's daughter was never cowardly.

GUNNAR. Your father does not love you, and he will hate you when he knows of your conversion.

GUNLOED. That he may do--but he shall never despise me.

GUNNAR. You surrender your love, Gunloed.

GUNLOED. Love!--I remember--there was a maiden--she had a friend who went away--after, she was never again glad--she only sat sewing silk and gold--what she was making no one knew--and when they asked her she would only weep. And when they asked her why she wept, she never answered--only wept. She grew pale of cheek and her mother made ready her shroud.--Then there came an old woman and she said it was love. Gunnar,--I never wept when you went away as father says it is weak to shed tears; I never sewed silk and gold for that my mother has never taught me to do--then had I not love?

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