A Play in One Act
By John Masefield
(From a Tale in the Laxdaelasaga)
Characters: Thord Goddi A Farmer, Thorolf Cousin of Vigdis, Ingiald A Lord, Vigdis Goddi Wife of Thord, Soldiers Adherents of Ingiald
Scene: Iceland. More than a thousand years ago Iceland was the centre, not only of 'deep depressions' but a great northern epic tradition. It was the home of the sagas, the classic folk-stories of the Nordic peoples of whose blood there is a large admixture to this day in English veins.
In the sagas, recited to a harp accompaniment at the feasts of those rude forefathers of ours, the race spirit of the Northmen found its principal artistic expression.
John Masefield, the celebrated poet and romance writer, in his adaptation of one of these old stories, has preserved besides the. dramatic interest of the ancient story, a great deal of its original quality. the main roads. It is this stretch of country that Mr. Valentine will describe in this evening's talk.