But here on thy bosom
Confess I that humble

Makes me thy love."

"Humble he is not who yet doth hold me Against my will.

Warm with my father's blood how darest thou Breathe words of love?

Release me, thy hand like the pyre doth burn me
This night that burned.

Bear me to death, to dishonor bear me,
Show now thy power,

Iamtland's warrior,

Over a woman!"

The train drew near, and noise and laughter
Rang through the forest;

He took her up, and away he leaped
Into the gloom.

Silent she sat on his arm, nor heard he
Aught save her sobbing;—

Whereat slowly his stride was slackened,
Until he stood still,

Listened and waited,

Silent and redeless.

"Strength goes out of me, now thou art silent; Threaten me rather!"

"Nay, no longer I threaten, thou from me

Hast stolen the strength.

How hast thou betrayed me, against me how sinned! Oh, let me go!

Else drag me down to death and dishonor,

Be quick, make an end!

Life for me is over,

Before 'tis begun."

"Goest thou, Ingigerd, then dies out forever The light from my life."

"Mine died out when this night was kindled Fire in our home.

What thou bearest is but the ashes,

Strew them abroad

Over thy path like a corpse-gray carpet.

May it adorn

And deck with glory

Thy chieftain track."

Amidst the noise and laughter about him
Lifted he her

Free from his arms and gently set her
Down at his feet.

Spoke not a word, but set his gaze only
Where yonder she passed,

Wending back toward the fire-scarred farmstead, The mountain-side down.

And still he stood there

When she had vanished.

FOURTH SONG

THE CLOISTER IN THE SOUTH

WHO would enter so late the cloister in?”

"A maid forlorn from the land of snow." "What sorrow is thine, and what thy sin?" "The deepest sorrow the heart can know. I have nothing done,

Yet must still endeavor,

Though my strength be none,

To wander ever.

Let me in, to seek for my pain surcease,
I can find no peace.”

"From what far-off land hast thou taken flight?" "From the land of the North, a weary way."

"What stayed thy feet at our gate this night?" "The chant of the nuns, for I heard them pray, And the song gave peace

To my soul, and blessed me;

It offered release

From the grief that oppressed me.
Let me in, so if peace to give be thine,
I may make it mine!"

"Name me the grief that thy life hath crossed." "Rest may I never, never know."

"Thy father, thy lover, thou hast then lost?" "I lost them both at a single blow,

And all I held dear
In my deepest affection;
Ay, all that was near

Το

my heart's recollection.

Let me in, I am failing, I beg, I implore,
I can bear no more."

"How was it that thou thy father lost?"
"He was slain, and I saw the deed."
"How was it that thou thy lover lost?"
"My father he slew, and I saw the deed.
I wept so bitterly

When he roughly would woo me,
He at last set me free,

And forbore to pursue me.

Let me in, the horror my soul doth fill,
That I love him still."

Chorus of nuns within the lighted church

Come child, come bride,

To God's own side,

From grief find rest

On Jesus' breast.

Rest thy burden of sorrow

On Horeb's height;

Like the lark, with the morrow

Shall thy soul take flight.

Here stilled is all yearning,
No passion returning;

No terror come near thee

Where the Saviour can hear thee.

For He, if in need be

Thy storm-beaten soul,

Though it bruised as a reed be,

Shall raise it up whole.