ABSTRACT
In October 1902 a daughter was born to the couple at Graenigarour, and christened Matthildur. The little girl lived until Christmas Day. The child had had a terribly difficult night before Petur Palsson’s return to the village, and both her parents had stayed up all night without going to bed. On the following afternoon she fell into a coma; her breathing, which had been much too rapid, was only just discernible, and every and again weak spasms went through her body. The poet’s intended fell into a deep sleep early that evening, but Olafur Karason stayed up beside the bed with his head drooping, overcome by that exhaustion which lies in the body like a bittersweet toxic pain and carries the mind and senses away into the drunken world of symbols and dreams. On 6 January 1903 Magnus’ daughter was buried with the infant twins.
