Svanhild [in rapture]. My task is done! Now I have filled thy soul with song and sun. Forth! Now thou soarest on triumphant wings,— Forth! Now thy Svanhild is the swan that sings!
[Takes off the ring and presses a kiss upon it.
To the abysmal ooze of ocean bed
Descend, my dream!—I fling thee in its stead!
[Goes a few steps back, throws the ring into the fjord, and approaches Falk with a transfigured expression.
Now for this earthly life I have foregone thee,—
But for the life eternal I have won thee!
Falk [firmly].
And now to the day's duties, each, alone.
Our paths no more will mingle. Each must wage
His warfare single-handed, without moan.
We caught the fevered frenzy of the age,
Fain without fighting to secure the spoil,
Win Sabbath ease, and shirk the six days' toil,
Tho' we are called to strive and to forego.
Svanhild.
But not in sickness.
