Modern Icelandic Plays Part 55

Are you going?

_Ljot._

It is better that we two should not meet again-- it would only cause us suffering. (_Moves away._)

_Slvi (following her)._

You don't realize what you are about to do! You will be committing a terrible crime-- against all the wonderful days that life meant us two to have together. For you do care for me, Ljot, don't you? (_Ljot is silent._) I thought you cared for me. When you spoke to me this morning you blushed, and I thought it was your heart that gave me its promise.

The joy of it overwhelmed me.

_Ljot._

It matters little whom I care for. I have given my word.

_Slvi._

You think it is your duty to keep your word, but there is another duty that is far greater, and that is to open your arms to happiness when it comes. There is no greater duty. It is the meaning of our existence. You must feel that, you who have grown like a flower out of the earth!

_Ljot._

It is not only that I have given my word. If I had neither father nor mother, I should break my promise, but I know that it would grieve my parents. This morning father said to me that it was the happiest day of his life since he got my mother, and I know it was true.

_Slvi._

You must tell your parents that you cannot keep your word. You must do it for my sake. (_Kneeling._) You are the only one I care for in all the world.

_Ljot._

I can't deal such a blow to my father. No other living being has been so good to me as my father.

_Slvi (rising)._

You do not care for me at all.

_Ljot._

You think it is easy for me! (_With tears in her eyes._) I own a spring-- I cleanse it every Sat.u.r.day. I have told it your name. (_Goes to the tent._)

_Slvi._

You are going! (_Turns away from Ljot, sits down on one of the rocks, covers his face._)

_Ljot (stands silent for a long time, then goes over to him and takes his hands from his face)._

I love you.

(_Slvi takes her face between his hands and kisses her._)

_Enter Jakobina._

_Jakobina (coming slowly from the tent)._

We are not all asleep in there.

(_Slvi and Ljot rise._)

_Slvi (holding Ljot by the hand)._

Let us go out on the _hraun_ and look for Einar.

_Ljot_ (_runs to Jakobina, puts her arms around Jakobina's neck and holds her close_). I know that you care for me. (_Goes to Slvi and takes his hand._) Come!

[_They go toward the "hraun."_

(_Jakobina stands still, following them with her eyes, then shakes her head and turns toward the tent._)

ACT III

_The farm-house is in ruins. Only the farther side of the "badstofa" is standing. It looks like a dark cavern. The servants have gathered near the wreckage; they are bare-headed, the men in their s.h.i.+rt-sleeves.

Sveinungi is standing near the dark opening._

_It is night._

_Sveinungi (to Jon)._

You dare not go in.

_Jon (peering into the gloom)._

I don't know. There's only one post that holds the roof, and it may snap at any moment.

_Sveinungi._

It won't. It is drift-timber, which never rots.

_Jon._

And besides, it stands aslant; the slightest push would make it go with a crash, and there would be no getting out alive if the heavy roof came down.

_Sveinungi._

You are afraid. Is there anybody else who dares?

_Jorunn._