ODIN (irritated) Do you suppose it's just myself I'm thinking of? (The three ROOSTERS run in towards the centre of the stage. They dance with the SIBYL and with each other. Light change. Slowly, from all sides, Aesir wander on, quiet and dignified. ODIN raises his hand. The Aesir stop, a short distance away from the Sibyl and the roosters. The dance stops too. The roosters exit clucking. The SIBYL lies motionless on the floor. ODIN walks slowly over to her. The SIBYL raises the upper part of her body to look at him) ODIN You know who I am? SIBYL You are my god. ODIN I am the one-eyed. SIBYL You are Odin. You created all that lives. You and your brothers. ODIN Vili and Ve. SIBYL They are no more. ODIN No, they are no more. (He helps her to her feet) SIBYL Lord, why have you brought me here? ODIN I need you. SIBYL (curtsies) Use me as you will. ODIN You will help me to reach the end of a long story…You shall help me to invent the world! SIBYL I read only the faint and unclear signs I see all around me - in the fire, the air…in the earth and the water. ODIN Can you tell me what the future holds? SIBYL Some days are clear and distinct. Others are hidden behind dark doors. ODIN Tell it! SIBYL As far as I can see? ODIN As far as you are able! SIBYL And if it should not be the future my lord wishes? ODIN Tell it! Tell everything you see! (The other Aesir, who have been motionless during this dialogue, now move a few paces nearer Odin and the Sibyl, before again halting, on cues from the music) SIBYL (as the Aesir move) Then listen! Listen, you mighty Aesir. Listen to the Sibyl. Hear what I say! For the time is coming when the familiar and the known will disappear! (a jab from the music, and the Aesir stop. At the same time the sound of a wind starts up) ODIN Has it a name, this time you speak of? SIBYL Everything has a name. Even the dark has a name. It's name is Ragnarok - a time when the Aesir lose their minds and even the breath from their bodies, the time of the breakup of all the powers. ODIN But first are there not many signs and warnings? SIBYL The three cocks - ODIN (interrupts)We have already heard them. SIBYL They are the first warning. ODIN (impatient) What else? What else can you hear? SIBYL I hear Hel's hound. ODIN (listening)I hear only the wind. SIBYL That is Garm howling, through his bloodsoaked chest and throat! ODIN And what do you see? (The other Aesir take another few short steps closer to Odin and the Sibyl) SIBYL I see the time of the axe and the sword. Three years in which brother turns on brother and sons shall not spare their own fathers. (The Aesir stop) ODIN Is this news? When have things been otherwise? I want to know what happens afterwards? SIBYL Three years that shall be like an endless winter. Snow that swirls everywhere, and no warmth from the sun. And the name of this ice-age is the Fimbul- winter. Many will freeze to death in their beds. Others will fall and drown in the frozen rifts. Still others will choke beneath great avalanches. The road to Hel will be thick with the frozen dead! (Light change. Odin and the Aesir begin to shiver and pull their clothes tighter around themselves. Some flap their arms. The wind rises. Now we hear the howling of wolves. Many look anxiously round. The Sibyl enters the play - she takes Odin by the arm and points to a pack of wolves that snarl round the stage and round the Aesir) SIBYL I see a Giant…far in the east, in the Iron Forest…she gives birth to a troll in the shape of a wolf. ODIN But she has always done that. (drawing his sword he walks among the Aesir and takes up a position at the edge of the circle and watches the wolves. The Sibyl remains clinging to his arm) SIBYL But now they drop from her like peas from a sack! ODIN I know her and her mangy pack of brats! (One of the wolves makes a rush - Odin drives it back with his sword) SIBYL One of them is so big - don't leave me alone - one of them is so huge that he swallows the sun ! Don't go! (the light turns blue. The Aesir murmur in fear and disbelief) And another one - I've never liked wolves - another one swallows the moon, and the blood pours oout and drenches the sky! - Don't leave me! This is the time of the wolf! Don't ever leave me alone! ODIN (puts his arm round her) I am here. WOLF LEADER (snarling) And so are we here! ALL WOLVES Awoo! Awoo! FREYA (Pointing up) Look at the stars! They're going out! One by one… BRAGI Will they come back? SIBYL Never! WOLF LEADER (rhythmically)We were born of the night, your scream, your fright - ALL THE WOLVES born in the frozen depths. WOLF LEADER weaned on the frost in the starless north ALL THE WOLVES on the friendless, withering steppes. (More and more Aesir now have to uses their knives to keep the wolves at bay. The ring of Aesir now have their faces turned outwards, towards the audience) THOR (without a break) Haven't the three years passed yet? SIBYL Soon! ALL WOLVES (singing) Awoo! Awoo! From the north and the east we rip like a wire, a storm with raking claws We're the hunters, the wolves, the unholy choir, with terror between our jaws. Awoo! Awoo! (at the end of the song rumbling sounds are heard) SIBYL (shouting) The earth trembles! The mountains fall! Great trees torn up by their roots, hurled like spears in every direction! (the wolves 'freeze' in their various positions) The great winter relaxes its grip. (cries of joy from the Aesir) The three freezing years come to an end! All bonds are loosed! (the wolves 'wake' and run out whining. The SYBIL repeats her four last words in a shriek:) All bonds are loosed! (She collapses. At the same time all sounds effects are abruptly cut off. Deathly silent on stage) ODIN (leans over her and says quietly:) All bonds? (a tinkling sound. All look towards the entrance where SIGYN appears. Her face is grimy with sweat and tears, her hair in disarray, one breast hangs out of her dress. In her hand she holds the bowl she was using to collect the poison. She seems listless, apathetic) SIGYN He didn't even thank me. It was as though…as though we didn't know each other anymore. When the knots were untied. When the bonds were loosed…he just got up and left. Shoved me aside. I asked him if he was happy. He didn't answer. I know he loves me. But he lay too long on rocks…He laughed when I tried to hug him. Called me names I won't repeat…It isn't his fault. Loki isn't like that. But he doesn't know what he's doing anymore…I tried to follow him. But he went so quickly, and never stopped to rest, and he wouldn't wait…I stood a long time watching after him. All I have left now is this bowl. (it slips from her hand and breaks into pieces on the floor) (Suddenly the wolf FENRIR is there - powerful and self-confident) FENRIR (straight after Sigyn's line) Let her moan and whimper. It won't help her, and it won't help you either! Nothing - can - help - you - now! Because my brother has made his way ashore! The world-serpent, as you call him…Great waves rolled out in his wake, overturning ships, drowning towns…Now he's ashore, wriggling and squirming and rolling his way across fields and farms. (FRIGG and FREYA help SIGYN out) Me you already know, of course. Isn't that right, Tyr? (snaps in the direction of Tyr) Isn't that so, old One-eye? (circles Odin menacingly) I am Fenrir. The wolf Fenrir. See me? (He points around with his finger as though following a runner) See me run, with my mouth wide open? My upper law touching the sky and my lower jaw scraping the ground? (opens his mouth and points to it) I can open it as wide as I like. If there was more room I could open it even wider! (point to his eyes) And there's fire burning in my eyes! See it, greybeard? (shouts to the rest of the Aesir) A curse on all who stand in the way of my brother and me! (breathes sour and hot in Odin's face and says quietly:) Know this - that one day I shall swallow you up. Head, hair, beard, the lot. Because we are free now - all those you tried to gag and to bind! (laughs) (Odin listens with lips pressed tightly together. During the wolf's speech the SIBYL has risen to her feet) SIBYL (to Odin)Well - have you heard enough? ODIN I will hear everything! FENRIR (points) See - now my father comes to join us! SIBYL The ship Naglfar. It is made from the fingernails of the dead. (LOKI enters. His face is painted white and he carries a large mast with a huge sail. Three dead men with worm-eaten bodies assist him. More dead follow them - a macabre procession which crosses the arena and stops on the far side. They remain standing motionless) SIBYL (without a pause) Loki navigates the ship, and the hosts of the dead are his crewmen! (Sombre music heard throughout) (FENRIR crosses to join LOKI) SIBYL Well - have you heard enough ? (Slowly the other Aesir begin to don battle-dress - chain mail vests and swords. The light flashes from their fantastic helmets…) ODIN (Without a break) Go on. I'll be listening . SIBYL Even if the heavens should fall? ODIN (takes her by the neck) Even if the heavens fall! SIBYL Because from the south - (frees herself and points upwards) - from the south the fire people are on their way from Muspellheim, flames in front of them and flames to the rear. Their swords glint and flash. There - (she points elsewhere) - now they've reached Bifrost. ODIN The rainbow bridge will never bear their weight! They will never force their way into Asgard! SIBYL The great bridge trembles! There - (sound effects) - there - it breaks beneath their weight! (suddenly puts her hands to her eyes) And then - I can't see any more. ODIN (shaking her) Yes! More! SIBYL I see the sons of Muspell - ODIN Still? SIBYL I see the wolf Fenrir - ODIN Yes? SIBYL I see the World Serpent - ODIN Yes, yes! SIBYL (almost raving) I see ten thousand frost giants and trolls preparing themselves for battle on the field known as Vigrid, which stretches a thousand miles in every direction… (by now all the Aesir are in battle-dress. HEIMDALL blows on his horn) ODIN Then we too shall assemble all our warriors! All the gods and all the dead heroes! (FRIGG arrives carrying a golden helmet which she places on his head. THOR hands him the spear Gungnir) Then we too shall prepare ourselves for battle - and march to Vigrid Field! (he takes up his position at their head as the Aesir assemble behind him. The enemy is already in position. Music) SIBYL (suddenly she runs between the two armies, her hands held out, her fingers widespread, as though she wants to keep the two forces apart) Well - have you heard enough ? ODIN (waves her away) It's too late now to turn back. SIBYL I beg you master - please don't listen any more! (she falls to her knees, but looks at the audience, not at Odin) LOKI (shouts) Afraid of the truth, half-brother of mine? (the great sail on the mast he holds flaps in the wind) (ODIN does not answer but beckons his army forward. Suddenly both forces 'freeze'. Smoke and steam roll over the stage, and the great head of the World Serpent enters. We hear the heavy, gurgling breath) THOR (lifts his hammer threateningly) For Odin and for Asgard! (the two armies on the move again. Wild music as they engage. Fluttering, rotating stroboscopic light. Screams and shrieks. Suddenly: BLACKOUT But the sounds continue… The stage is vacated under cover of darkness. Suddenly:Silence, followed by sweet, ethereal music. Lights up. ODIN and the SIBYL alone on stage. He lies with his head in her lap. Weapons, armour lie strewn about…but no corpses. Odin is still wearing his helmet) (The Sibyl removes Odin's helmet) ODIN Was it a good battle? SIBYL It was a good battle. ODIN (looks up at her) But I died? I know that I - SIBYL (interrupts by placing her finger on his lips) You died. The wolf swallowed you. Just as it was prophesied. ODIN But Thor avenged my death? SIBYL Thor had other things to do - he fought with the World Serpent - the great monster. ODIN And Tyr? SIBYL Tyr battled with the hound Garm. ODIN Frey? SIBYL (Now switches to the present tense) Is fighting against Surt, the great fire- giant from the south. ODIN Heimdall? SIBYL Is matching his strength against Loki. Those two have never been able to stand one another! ODIN Then am I lying here , my death unavenged, on the field of battle? Does my blood cry out in vain to my sons? SIBYL You have forgotten Vidar. ODIN The silent? SIBYL But next after Thor the strongest! The moment Fenrir swallows you, Vidar is at hand…he puts one foot in the wolf's mouth and presses down with all his might at the same time as he takes hold of the upper jaw and heaves and heaves until the whole mouth breaks open! ODIN Then I can rest in peace! SIBYL (strokes his hair) You have earned your rest. ODIN What about Thor? Is he still alive? (spot on Thor, who has entered unnoticed) THOR I kill the Serpent, and stagger away. But after just nine steps I fall to the ground dead, my body and lungs filled with his poison. May my memory live on. (remains standing motionless) SIBYL You will never be forgotten. ODIN Tyr? (Spotlight on TYR, who has also made his entrance unobserved) TYR I kill Garm, the great hound of Hel. But Garm kills me too. May my memory live on. (remains standing motionless) SIBYL You will never be forgotten. ODIN Frey? Heimdall? Are you too among the fallen? (spotlight on FREY and on HEIMDALL) FREY I fall at the hands of Surt. His flaming sword slices me through …to the waist. HEIMDALL Loki and I …stab each to death. ODIN (Rises) You're dead - both of you? FREY May my memory live on. (remains standing motionless) HEIMDALL And mine too. (remains standing motionless) SIBYL Not a single one of you will ever be forgotten. (the spots go out. Thor, Tyr, Frey and Heimdall leave. At the same time, warriors with burning torches appear - behind the audience - surrounding the entire playing area) ODIN What is this? SIBYL It is Surt and his warriors - the fiery sons of Muspell. (The warriors enter the stage too. SURT twirls a huge, flaming sword around his head, describing circles of fire on the air) SIBYL (no pause) Now they cast fire across all the earth. All things comes to an end… ODIN (stunned) Everything? ! SIBYL The world goes up in flames. Like a heap of woodshavings… (Entry of yet more blazing torches. Warriors are everywhere) ODIN (lamenting - his hands stretching up as though holding a large cup) And this is what I now hold in my hands! This . . this heap you speak of! SIBYL Can you feel the heat? ODIN Every last splinter, every last speck of creation…in my hands! SIBYL (ignoring Odin, looking around on all sides) Smoke and flames on all sides! ODIN (on the verge of madness) It's Yggdrasil! The great tree! Felled. The branches lopped and the bark stripped. It's Yggdrasil - in pieces! (A great vat of water is brought on. As the warriors leave one by one they pass by it and throw their torches into it. ODIN weaves his way in and out between the torchbearers, his hands still describing the shape of a large cup in the air in front of him) ODIN (no pause) I carry Yggdrasil in my hands. Smashed and splintered. Cut into a thousand tiny splinters! A heap of carpenter's shavings! Help me! Is there no- one who can help me? It burns and it scalds! I am carrying the world in my hands! A heap of glowing cinders! Help me! SIBYL All is destroyed! All things, all orders overturned and trampled to dust and oblivion! ODIN It's burning a hole through my hands! (suddenly, with a howl, he parts his hands and shows his palms to the audience. A clear black ring on each one. ) SIBYL Everything is ash. ODIN (quietly) I did what I could… SIBYL The world is a wasteland. ODIN (continuing his own thoughts) But it was all in vain… (The Sibyl has crossed to join him. Now she puts her hand on his arm) SIBYL (gently) Well, have you heard enough ? ODIN (wearily) Is there more? How far down must we climb? Is there no end to this abyss? SIBYL I asked: have you heard enough? ODIN (does not reply but opens his hands in a gesture of despairing resignation) SIBYL Come! (she pulls him along with her) (Music. There is still a little drifting smoke, but the stage is empty and almost cleared by now. The Sibyl and Odin approach the little platform we recall from the scenes with Loki. They mount the platform. It rises slowly in the air. GREENCLAD WOMEN dance on waving large green branches with green leaves) SIBYL Because look! A new earth rises from the ocean. Green and beautiful, and fertile as a dream - with fields that sow themselves, and fish and birds in abundance! No one shall hunger anymore; nor shall anyone freeze - look! (a new - now female - SUN wanders calmly across the stage between the dancers) The sun has had a daughter! The evil has come to an end! A new life dawns! ODIN (scarcely able to believe his eyes) A new life? ! SIBYL (points)Do you see Idavollen? ODIN Will that too become green once more? The old hillside of the gods… (Arm in arm small groups of young Aesir wander on. Some sit down on the floor and begin to play a board game with golden pieces. The dancers float around them all the time. The SUN stops at one of the exits and shines - pure and clear) SIBYL (no pause) Here are gathered the Aesir who did not fall in the last great battle. ODIN (Happily)So some survived? SIBYL The chosen ones - and the chance survivors. ODIN (points) And even in Midgard I see people again! (A young man and woman, both almost naked, enter hesitantly from different quarters, cautious and shy as animals. They sniff the air, listen out, stand on tiptoe, and move almost like deer…As Odin and the Sybil converse the two people discover one another, and shyly approach. ) SIBYL (No pause) A single human couple survive. Liv and Livtrassi are their names. Both sought refuge in the grove known as Hoddmimir, and the storm of fire raged by without discovering them. For a long time now their only food has been the morning dew. ODIN They will have children, and grandchildren! SIBYL (nods) From these two, a new generation of humans will arise. (now the two humans meet in a kiss. At the same time:all those on the stage-floor 'freeze') ODIN (no pause) May it know everlasting joy. (Silent. Looks at the Sibyl. After a while:)Is there anything more I should know? SIBYL My eyes are empty, Master. I see no further. ODIN You saw far enough. (The platform begins to descend to the stage. AT THE SAME TIME:stage-hands wearing ordinary work-clothes enter carrying large, gauzy sheets in autumnal colours which they drape over all the 'frozen' figures on the stage, transforming it into a kind of magical, autumnal landscape…with high points here and there. Or it might be a large room in a house in which all the furniture is covered because the owners have gone away on a long journey…) SIBYL (no pause) That was the dream. That was the story that was told. (new thought) You don't regret it? ODIN I shall reward you well… (The platform is down. All the figures on stage are now 'packed away'. Through the thin covering we can just make out certain features. HUGIN & MUGIN wheel on the pillar with MIMIR'S HEAD. The SIBYL goes off. ODIN stands waiting for Mimir) MIMIR'S HEAD Did you find what you were looking for? ODIN I don't know. MIMIR'S HEAD You don't know? (Hugin and Munin leave discreetly) ODIN Perhaps I found…what I was afraid of finding. Perhaps, instead, I should have been looking for what I hoped to find… MIMIR'S HEAD (gently) Every story that can be told has at least a thousand different endings. (Gradually the light sinks on everything but these two. They stand in a spot which gradually draws in on them) ODIN It wasn't all black. There was grey sometimes. And here and there a glimmer of light… MIMIR'S HEAD So it could have been worse. ODIN (stubbornly) And I know that none of this has yet happened! We still have time to change. To tell the whole story over again and give it a different ending! MIMIR'S HEAD (almost lovingly) My one-eyed friend - will you never give up? ODIN (firmly) Never! (He embraces Mimir's Head) (They stand thus, as the light slowly goes down on them) THE END